EP0149953B1 - Luge device with skis - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a sledging device by means of skis, for the practice of a sliding sport.

The object of the invention relates to the technical sector of sports or leisure, and more particularly to equipment intended for the practice of a new type of sport on downhill skis.

The traditional sport of sledding consists of descending an ice or snow track using a rigid chassis device, under which skates are fixed. The descents on the tracks used by skiers do not allow the use of such a device, because it appears that on the one hand, good stability and effective braking are difficult to obtain, and that on the other hand, possibilities of evolution on uneven ground are reduced mainly due to the rigidity of the chassis.

• Le document cité: FR-A 2 318775 fait état d'un véhicule muni de deux patins montés librement aux pieds d'un châssis sur le haut duquel est monté un siège fixe. La direction est effectuée par un guidon muni d'un troisième patin.
• Le document cité: EP-A 0 046 240 fait état d'un dispositif dont l'ensemble siège, châssis et skis est rigide, ce qui s'apparente à une luge traditionnelle.

We know devices like this:

• The cited document: FR-A 2 318775 mentions a vehicle provided with two pads freely mounted at the feet of a chassis on the top of which is mounted a fixed seat. Steering is carried out by a handlebar fitted with a third shoe.
• The cited document: EP-A 0 046 240 reports a device whose seat, chassis and ski assembly is rigid, which is similar to a traditional sledge.

The sledding device by means of skis which is the subject of the invention is new in that it comprises a U-shaped support chassis open downwards, on the central beam of which a seat (16) is mounted, the two uprights (4) of this U-shaped support frame being provided at their free end with adjustable feet (3) to adapt to the following bindings and which are mounted on ordinary skis (1) by means of the said conventional safety bindings of these skis, each upright (4) being provided with a lever (10) which can be pivoted in a longitudinal plane parallel to the direction of travel about its axis (9) for braking by friction in the snow of a spatula (11) characterized in that the support frame, in front view, shows the shape of an isosceles trapezoid such that the two uprights (4) are inclined at their upper parts inwards , that the upper ends of these two uprights (4) are assembled with the central beam of the U-shaped chassis by joints (12) that the seat (16) is mounted on the central beam of the U-shaped frame along its median axis on two support blocks (14, 15) in elastic rubber, that the lower sections of the uprights (4) are linked with a generally horizontal bar by two axes (5), and that each lever (10) above-named has its pivot axis (9) on its corresponding upright (4), independent of the pivot axis (9) of the other upright (4), so that each lever (10) can also be pivoted in the lateral plane, which makes it possible to articulate the chassis, to simultaneously tilt the skis, and to shift the center of gravity of one side or the other of the axis of symmetry of the device.

The tobogganing device thus described is new because it allows the sledger, thanks to the mobile seat mounted on its articulated frame, to descend on difficult routes even on slopes. In fact, the two skis tilt simultaneously with the lateral pivoting of the lever arms (10) and, in parallel, follow the movements of the track thanks to the articulated chassis.

The equilibrium position on the mobile seat (16) along its median axis on the two support blocks (“silentbloc (1!)>” (14, 15) in elastic rubber is maintained, thanks to the support points formed by the feet of the sledger on the footrest (7).

The device is therefore a new type of sliding sport which stands out well compared to the documents of the aforementioned prior art.

These, even in combination, do not suggest the object of the present invention and do not in any way destroy the inventive step which was necessary to carry it out.

• La figure 1 est une vue en perspective et de côté du dispositif.
• La figure 2 est une vue schématique de face du dispositif dans sa position initiale.
• La figure 3 est une vue schématique de face du dispositif dans un virage à droite.
• La figure 4 est une vue schématique de face du dispositif dans un virage à gauche.
• La figure 5 est une vue de côté du dispositif monté sur des skis.
• La figure 6 est une vue de côté du dispositif replié et prêt à être rangé ou porté.
• La figure 7 est une vue de dessus du dispositif replié comme précédemment.
• La figure 8 est une vue de dispositif porté à la main par le skieur.
• La figure 9 est une vue du dispositif porté sur le dos par le skieur.

By way of nonlimiting example, a prototype will be described, with reference to the attached drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective and side view of the device.
• Figure 2 is a schematic front view of the device in its initial position.
• Figure 3 is a schematic front view of the device in a right turn.
• Figure 4 is a schematic front view of the device in a left turn.
• Figure 5 is a side view of the device mounted on skis.
• Figure 6 is a side view of the device folded and ready to be stored or carried.
• Figure 7 is a top view of the folded device as above.
• Figure 8 is a view of a device carried by hand by the skier.
• Figure 9 is a view of the device carried on the back by the skier.

The device shown in FIG. 1 comprises two ordinary downhill skis (1) provided with conventional safety bindings.

The two parallel skis, slightly on the inside edges, are held at the level of the two front spatulas by a removable stiffener (2).

This consists of a connecting bar between the two skis on each side of which is mounted an elastic rubber joint in the form of a "diabolo".

Each articulation is mounted on a support which fits at the end of the ski tip on which it is held using a manual tightening screw, or any other locking means.

On each of the normally adjusted safety bindings, there is a foot (3) adjustable in length according to the size of the skier. The front and rear of each foot (3) have the respective shape vement, a point and a heel of a classic ski boot. The inner part of the foot (3) has a tube in which the tube of the rear part of the foot (3) can slide. A clamping screw placed on each foot (3) keeps the adjustment at the desired size.

At the front part of the two feet (3) are placed perpendicular to these, the two non-parallel uprights (4) of the deformable trapezium. The two horizontal cylindrical axes (5), parallel to the ground, and between them connect the base of the two uprights (4) to the cradle (6).

The cradle (6) comprises, at its central part, a horizontal tubular bar connecting the two axes (5), and on each side a stirrup to hold these two axes (5) parallel and horizontal. In the front part of the cradle (6) is mounted in two support tubes parallel to each other, a U-shaped tubular footrest (7).

The two interior right angles of the footrest (7) covered with a non-slip product serve as foot pegs, to take support when cornering. The adjustment according to the length of the skier's legs is carried out by sliding the footrest (7) on the parallel supports of the cradle (6). A clamping screw (8) placed on each support of the cradle (6) keeps the length adjustment of the footrest (7).

Each upright (4) slightly inclined laterally has at its upper part, a bearing (9) whose axis is parallel to the ground, and in the lateral plane. Each lever (10) has a vertical tube, the upper part of which is provided with a holding handle, and the lower part of which is bent at right angles to pass into the bearing (9), and come out on the other side in position. horizontal to receive a shovel-shaped spatula (11) perpendicularly.

Each lever (10) can be pivoted independently of one another in the longitudinal plane for braking, or to initiate a turn by friction in the snow of the spatula (11), and inclined with the other lever (10) in the lateral plane.

The upper part of each upright (4) inclined laterally, comprises a horizontal bearing on which is mounted a double articulation (12) whose two axes perpendicular to each other are parallel to the ground.

A support (13) whose top view in the shape of a triangle, has two tubes parallel to the ground and between them, which fit on the longitudinal axes of the joints (12). The support (13) maintains the spacing of the upper parts of the two inclined uprights (4) and can tilt on the front around the lateral axes of the joints (12).

On the median axis of the support (13) are aligned in the horizontal plane two support blocks "silentbloc" (14, 15) in elastic rubber in the form of "diabolo".

The molded plastic seat (16) is mounted along its median axis on the "silentbloc" support blocks (14, 15). The latter (15) is, on the support (13) lower than the (14) so that the seat of the seat (16) is slightly inclined rearward, and thus allow its good mobility in the plane side and its suspension, essential in rough routes.

After removing the skis (1), removing the stiffener (2) and tilting the seat (16) to the front (Figure 6 and 7), the skier can, to use the ski lifts, carry the device: either by hand using the stiffener (2) mounted on the cradle (6), (Figure 8), or on the back using the two straps (17), (Figure 9).

A properly profiled and dimensioned protective cover is necessary around the spatulas (11) so as to avoid, when braking, projections of snow behind the device. This cover must in no case interfere with the proper functioning of the entire device.

The device according to the invention made of steel, aluminum or composite materials can also be used by means of water skis, tracks, wheels, casters, etc. and for any other means of locomotion, even with a motor.

Claims (2)

1. Luge device with skis equiped with, a support chassis in the shape of an inverted U, on a seat (16) on its central girder, and the two legs (4) of this support chassis are equiped at their ends with adjustable shoes (3) to use with bindings on ordinary skis (1), each leg (4) is equiped with a lever (10) which can pivot in a longitudinal plane parallel to the going-way around its axle (9) and a spatula (11) for breaking in snow, and a front view of the support chassis shows an isoscelestrapezi- um shape, so that the two legs (4) being tilted at the top toward the inside, and the top ends of those two legs (4) are connected to the central girder by movable connections (12), the seat (16) is set on the same central girder, in its middle, on two elastic rubbered-support blocks (14, 15), the lower parts of the legs (4) are connected to a horizontal girder by two axles (5), each lever (10) has its own pivoting axle (9) so that each lever (10) can pivot laterally, and the chassis can move, so skis are simultaneously tilted, and gravity center moved from one side to the other of the symmetry axis.

2. Device which in first claim is characterized by moving connections (12) of top parts of legs (4) are double ones with horizontal, longitudinal and cross axles, so that after taking off the skis (1) the seat (16) can be tilted forward around these double connections (12), the levers (10) are in the same way pivoted around their axles (9) so that the skier can, using the ski lifts, easily carry the device, either by hand like a suitcase, or like a backpack using two straps (17) fixed on the seat (16).

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