EP1035898A1

EP1035898A1 - Device for moving on snow

Info

Publication number: EP1035898A1
Application number: EP98955726A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jo[L Bourdeau
Original assignee: Salomon SAS
Current assignee: Salomon SAS
Priority date: 1997-12-03
Filing date: 1998-11-24
Publication date: 2000-09-20
Also published as: FR2771645A1; WO1999028007A1; FR2771645B1

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for moving on snow (1) comprising several elements (3, 4, 5) made removably integral by abutted interlocking, the interlocked elements (3, 4, 5) substantially giving the device (1) the shape of a ski, means (7) provided for retaining a boot (2) being made integral with one of the elements (4), a strap (6) maintaining the interlocked elements (3, 4, 5). The invention is characterised in that the strap (6) is arranged outside the elements (3, 4, 5) on one side of the device (1) opposite the side arranged for retaining the boot (2), the strap (6) being made removably integral at least at one front end (11) and one rear end (15) of the device (1) so as to maintain the interlocked elements (3, 4, 5).

Description

Snow movement device

The invention relates to the field of snow sports, and more particularly relates to a device intended essentially for traveling on flat ground or on an ascending slope.

The practice of sliding sports like skiing or snowboarding is done on snowy slopes.

Some practitioners make their own progress on the snow to reach the peaks of the slopes they want to descend.

In the case of snowboarding, or snowboarding, a user must use a device different from the gliding board because the latter does not allow to climb a slope.

For example, the user can use skis on the feet to go up with the snowboard on the back, then go down while driving the snowboard with the skis on the back. Driving downhill, however, is very difficult and even dangerous, as skis interfere with the user. On the other hand the skis are heavy, which tires the user.

Another solution for climbing is to use snowshoes. In this case the problem of weight is solved, but snowshoes do not allow rapid movement because their use is tiring. In addition, on certain terrains, such as heavy slopes in hard snow, the use of snowshoes can be dangerous because they tend to make the user lose his balance.

Another solution for climbing is to use shoes with or without crampons. In this case the user can climb strongly inclined slopes, but he easily sinks into the snow when it is powdery, which generates fatigue and loss of time.

The snow displacement devices according to the prior art are not suitable for partial use uphill on a course which includes a descent phase in snowboarding.

An object of the invention is a movement device on snow which on the one hand allows easy movements on uphill or on flat ground, and which on the other hand can be transported by a user who descends a slope on snowboard without disturbing the 'user.

Another object of the invention is a movement device on snow that is both light and removable.

Another object of the invention is a movement device on snow which is simple and easy to implement.

A snow displacement device according to the invention comprises several elements which are removably secured by interlocking end to end, the interlocked elements giving the device substantially the shape of a ski, a means provided for retaining a shoe being secured to one elements, a strap holding the elements nested together. The device is characterized in that the strap is arranged outside the elements on one side of the device opposite the side intended to retain the shoe, the strap being removably secured at least at one front end and at one end rear of the device so as to keep the elements nested.

When the device is assembled, it allows the user to easily move uphill or on level ground. When the device is dismantled, it is compact and easily transportable, for example in a backpack. The user can therefore climb a slope independently with a device at each foot and a snowboard on the back, then descend it with the device in the bag and the board at the feet.

The invention is also characterized as it appears in claims 2 to 8.

The invention also relates to a strap according to claims 9 and 10.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended drawing illustrating, by a non-limiting example, how the invention can be implemented and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device for moving on snow according to a first embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 is an exploded side view of the device of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a partial top view along III-III of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a section on IV-IV of FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 is a partial side view of the device according to a second embodiment of the invention,

- Figure 6 is similar to Figure 4 but corresponds to the second embodiment. A first embodiment of the invention is described using FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4. FIG. 1 shows a device for moving on snow 1 on which a shoe 2 is retained, shown in dotted lines for reasons of convenience.

As can best be seen in FIG. 2, the device 1 comprises elements 3, 4, 5, a strap 6 and a retaining means 7 provided for retaining the boot 2 on the device 1.

Preferably, the elements 3, 4, 5 are three in number and break down into a front element 3, a central element 4 to which the retaining means 7 are secured, and a rear element 5.

The elements are structured as can be understood with the aid of Figures 1 and 4. The front element 3 seen in perspective in Figure 1 comprises two tubes 8, 9 spaced apart and substantially parallel to each other. The tubes 8, 9 are held in a fixed position relative to each other by connection to a nozzle 10 which defines a front end 11 of the device 1. Preferably the nozzle 10 has the shape of a curved spatula for the purpose , as will be better understood later, to keep the device 1 on the surface of the snow.

By analogy, the rear element 5 comprises two tubes 12, 13 spaced apart and substantially parallel to one another. The tubes 12, 13 are held in a fixed position relative to each other by connection to a nozzle 14 which defines a rear end 15 of the device 1. Also by analogy, the central element 4 comprises two tubes 16, 17 spaced apart and substantially parallel to one another. The tubes 16, 17 are held in a fixed position relative to each other by connection to bases 18, 19 of the retaining means 7.

Each of the tubes 8, 9, 12, 13, 16, 17 preferably has a profile like that of the tubes 8, 9 seen in section in FIG. 4. For example, the tube 8 has a wall 20 of substantially constant thickness, the wall 20 successively comprising a flat side 21, extended by a flat side 22 substantially perpendicular to the side 21, a curved portion 23 joining together the free ends of the sides 21, 22.

By analogy, the tube 9 has a wall 38 of substantially constant thickness, the wall 38 successively comprising a flat side 39, extended by a flat side 40 substantially perpendicular to the side 39, a curved portion 41 joining together the free ends of the sides 39 and 40.

The flat sides 21 and 39 of the tubes 8 and 9 define a plane of the element 3 on which the strap 6 rests. Projecting edges 42 of the tube 8 and 43 of the tube 9 allow the strap 6 to be held relative to the element 3 in a transverse direction of the device 1.

The transverse direction of the device 1 must be understood as being a direction substantially parallel to the sides 21, 39 and to the strap 6, and substantially perpendicular to the length of the tubes 8, 9, 12, 13, 16, 17, when the device 1 is assembled.

The flat sides 22 and 40 of the tubes 8 and 9 materialize lateral edges of the element 3.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the tubes 8, 12 and 16 are collinear, as are the tubes 9, 13 and 17, when the elements 3, 4, 5 are assembled together.

The strap 6 comprises a means of attachment to the end piece 10 produced for example in the form of a loop 24, as well as a means of attachment to the end piece 14 produced for example in the form of a loop 25 .

The loop 24 is provided to pass around a lug 26 of the front element 3, and the loop 25 is provided to pass around a lug 27 of the rear element 5.

As shown in FIG. 3, a preferred structure of the strap 6 successively combines the loop 24, an elastic connector 44, a central band 45, an elastic connector 46, and the loop 25.

The elastic fittings 44, 46, the function of which will be explained later, are parts made of a material capable of elongating when it is subjected to a tensile force, and capable of resuming its initial shape when the force is not no longer applied.

The assembly of the device 1 is done as follows.

As shown in Figure 2, the elements 3, 4, 5 are assembled by interlocking for example using dowels.

A pin 28 connects the tubes 9 and 17, as well as a pin 29 connects the tubes 17 and 13. Of course, other pins not visible in FIG. 2 connect the tubes 8 and 16 together and the tubes 16 and 12. After having fitted the elements 3, 4, 5 to each other, the user can adapt the loop 24 to the stud 26, then the loop 25 to the stud 27, or vice versa.

Preferably, the length of the strap 6 is such that the distance between the loops 24, 25, when the strap 6 is free, is slightly less than the distance between the pins 26, 27 when the elements 3, 4, 5 are assembled. . This feature is easily understood by looking at Figure 2.

The adaptation of each loop 24, 25 respectively to a stud 26, 27 is easily done by hand thanks to the elasticity of the fittings 44, 46. For example, the user can pass the loop 24 over the stud 26, then then hand tighten the strap 6 along the elements 3, 4, 5 to hook the loop 25 to the stud 27. When it releases its force, the strap 6 remains hooked to the studs 26 and 27. This is facilitated by the elasticity of the fittings 44, 46. The tension of the strap keeps the three elements assembled together.

The device 1 is assembled. Of course, the strap 6 is in a state of slight tension in the direction of the length of the device 1, that is to say in a longitudinal direction passing through the pins 26 and 27. In addition, the strap 6 is substantially flattened against the tubes 8, 9, 16, 17, 12, 13 of the elements 3, 4, 5. This characteristic gives the device 1 a bearing surface on the snow which is substantially equal to the surface of the strap 6.

The general appearance of the assembled device 1 is that of a ski, as seen in FIG. 1. The tubes 8, 9, 12, 13, 16, 17, as well as the strap 6, extend according to the same longitudinal direction of the device 1.

In addition to the bases 18, 19, the retaining means 7 has a plate 30 articulated along a transverse axis 31 on the base 18, as well as wires 32, 33 provided for retaining the shoe 2 on the plate 30.

The retaining means 7 is known and will not be described in more detail. It allows the user to lift and then alternately rest the heel on the base 19, which facilitates walking movements.

As can be seen in Figure 4, the strap 6 has roughness on a face 34 provided to contact the snow. These asperities can for example be scales oriented on the strap 6 so as to prevent, or greatly reduce, a sliding of the device 1 in a backward direction, while allowing a sliding over the snow in a forward direction.

The reverse direction must be understood as being a direction oriented from the front end 11 to the rear end 15 of the device 1, the direction of advance being opposite to the reverse direction. Preferably, the roughness is distributed over the entire central strip 45 of the strap 6.

The device 1 is disassembled by pulling on one of the loops 24. 25 in the longitudinal direction to separate it from the stud 26, 27. It is then sufficient to remove the other loop and then to dislodge the elements 3, 4, 5.

The structure of the device 1 is particularly light. Indeed, the tubes are hollow, and a free space 35 is provided between the tubes. As it is produced, the device 1 is both easy and quick to assemble.

In addition, it takes up little space when it is dismantled. Indeed the strap 6 can be rolled on itself, and the elements 3, 4, 5 have respectively reduced lengths. It advantageously follows that the device 1 can be easily stored in a backpack.

A second embodiment is described using FIGS. 5 and 6.

For the sake of convenience, the same elements are designated by the same references.

The second embodiment differs from the first only at the level of the strap 6 and the structure of the tubes 8, 9, 12, 13, 16, 17.

As shown in Figure 5, the strap 6 has teeth 36 on a face 37 opposite the face 34 relative to the thickness of the strap. The teeth 36 are oriented in the transverse direction of the device 1, and are located at least in part between the tubes 8, 9, 12, 13, 16, 17 when the device 1 is assembled.

For example, as seen in Figure 6, a tooth 36 projecting from the strap 6 contacts the tubes 8 and 9. Of course, other teeth 36 contact the tubes 8, 9, 12, 13, 16 , 17. The teeth 36 retain the strap 6 on the elements 3, 4, 5 in the transverse direction of the device 1. The teeth 36 have a length less than the width of the strap 6.

The tubes 8, 9, as well as the tubes 12, 13, 16, 17 which are not visible in FIG. 6, have a section of shape different from the section of the tubes according to the first embodiment.

In any case, the invention can be carried out with known materials and implementation techniques.

In particular, the tubes 8, 9, 12, 13, 16, 17 can be made by extrusion of an aluminum alloy. The central strip 45 of the strap 6 is produced by injection of flexible plastics materials, reinforced or not, with reinforcing fibers such as glass, carbon or metal fibers. The central strip 45 can also be made with a fabric, or with a combination of a fabric and a coating comprising asperities, or with a flexible plastic material covered by a coating comprising asperities.

The elastic connections 44, 46 are preferably made with a flexible deformable material such as rubber, silicone, or any equivalent material.

The tips 10, 14 are made of injected plastic. The plate 30 is made of reinforced or unarmed plastic, machined or injected.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments thus described, and includes all the technical equivalents which may fall within the scope of the claims which will follow.

For example, instead of having an interlocking of the central element 4 with the front element 3 in front of the retaining means 7, and an interlocking of the central element 4 with the rear element 5 behind the means of retained 7, we could have sockets made elsewhere on the device 1. We could also provide a different number of elements, other interlocking means, hinges between the elements, other shapes of the tubes.

We could also fill the space 35 or the interior of the tubes with foam.

One could provide a single tube with a substantially rectangular section per element.

It is also possible to use means other than wires 32, 33 to retain the shoe 2.

It is possible, in a complementary manner as seen in FIGS. 2, 3, to provide means for retaining the strap 6 on the central element 4. For example, screws symbolized by the axis lines 47, 48 of the Figure 2 can maintain the central strip 45 of the strap 6 on the element 4. This makes the mounting of the device faster.

Claims

1. Device for moving on snow (1) comprising several elements (3, 4, 5) removably secured by end-to-end interlocking, the elements (3, 4, 5) interlocked substantially giving the device (1) the shape of 'A ski, a means (7) provided for retaining a boot (2) being secured to one of the elements (4), a strap (6) holding the elements (3, 4, 5) fitted one to the other, characterized by the fact that the strap (6) is arranged outside the elements (3, 4, 5) on one side of the device (1) opposite the side intended to retain the boot (2), the strap (6) being removably secured at least to a front end (11) and to a rear end (15) of the device (1) so as to keep the elements (3, 4, 5) nested.

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises three elements (3, 4, 5), a front element (3), a central element (4) to which the retaining means ( 7) provided for retaining a shoe (2), and a rear element (5).

3. Device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the interlocking of the central element (4) with the front element (3) is done in front of the retaining means (7), and that the 'nesting of the central element (4) with the rear element (5) is behind the retaining means (7).

4. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the strap (6) is delimited in length by two loops (24, 25), a loop (24) being retained by a tenon (26) of the front element (3), the other loop (25) being retained by a lug (27) of the rear element (5), the strap (6) being in contact with the elements (3, 4. 5).

5. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the strap (6) has roughness on a face (34) provided to contact the snow.

6. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each element (3, 4, 5) has two tubes (8, 9, 12, 13, 16, 17) extending according to the length of the device (1), the tubes being spaced from one another to delimit the width of the device (1).

7. Device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the strap (6) has teeth (36) on a face (37) opposite the face (34) intended to contact the snow, the teeth (36 ) being oriented in a transverse direction of the device (1) and located partly at least between the tubes (8, 9, 12, 13, 16, 17).

8. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the retaining means (7) provided for retaining a shoe (2) on the element (4) to which it is secured comprises a plate (30) articulated along a substantially transverse axis (31) of the device (1).

9. Strap (6) of a certain length, having roughness on a face (34) intended to contact the snow, characterized in that it comprises two loops (24, 25), one loop (24) being located at one end of the strap (6), the other loop (25) being located at the other end.

10. Strap (6) according to claim 9, characterized in that between the two loops (24, 25), it successively comprises an elastic connection (44), a central strip (45), and an elastic connection (46 ).