EP1310275B1 - Ski with saddle - Google Patents

Abstract

The ski (1) has a folding frame (6) with an adjustable saddle (13) for the rider, a handlebar (17) and foot-rest, and is propelled by the rider using a walking or running motion with the feet. The frame is mounted on a base (8) fixed to the upper surface of the ski, and has a lockable pivot (10) that allows it to be folded flat when not in use. The ski also has a brake with a friction element for the snow, operated by pedal bar. On soft snow the rider might need to use snow shoes.

Description

The invention relates to a ski.

A field of application of the invention is snow skiing such as cross-country skiing.

One of the problems inherent in these skis lies in the fact that they strongly and statically solicit the musculature of the user. Indeed, the human being using the skis must be constantly in repulsion on the feet and the knees and directs the ski by lateral inclination of the skis. Although the feet of the user can be protected by rigid ski binding shoes, there are many accidents affecting most of the legs and especially the knees.

FR-A-2 798 072 has such a ski integral with a saddle.

The invention aims to obtain a ski overcoming the disadvantages of the state of the art, which is easier, more comfortable and less dangerous to use.

To this end, the object of the invention is a ski comprising a gliding pad, the gliding pad being secured, on the opposite side to the sliding side, of a frame carrying a saddle for the user and a false handlebar, a footrest being provided on said opposite side for the feet of the user, the weight of the body of the user being supported by the saddle, and brake means of the pad, operable by the user , are provided, characterized in that the ski is intended for cross-country skiing with propulsion by walking or running the user's feet on the snow, the user being in a standing position, the braking means comprising at least one friction member on the lifting surface on which the pad must move, at least one arm movable in rotation on an axis of rotation transverse to the pad, the friction member being fixed on the arm, at a distance from the rotation axis, and at least one solenoid pedal arm, away from the axis of rotation and causing rotation of the arm to move the friction member to the lift surface of the shoe in a braking position, when supported by the pedal user, a member for restoring the arm from the braking position to a position, in which the friction member is above the sliding side of the pad and in which it may be supported by the user on the pedal to move the friction member into the braking position, being provided.

Preferably, the height of the saddle relative to the gliding pad is adjustable.

Preferably the saddle support is secured to a guided portion relative to a straight column of the frame in a guide direction having a normal component to the sliding plane of the pad, locking means of the guided portion relative to at the column being provided.

In this case, preferably the frame comprises a base attached to the side of the pad, opposite the sliding side, and in that there is provided means for articulating the column on the base between at least one position of use, in which the column is deployed, and another position in which it is folded towards the pad, and locking means of the column on the base at least in the position of use.

The false handlebar then preferably comprises a bracket extending in front of the saddle support and carrying two handles extending laterally on either side of the bracket.

A support piece is then preferably fixed on the guided part and there is provided articulation means of the bracket on the support part between at least one position of use in which the bracket is deployed and another position in which it is folded towards the frame, and locking means of the bracket on the support member at least in the position of use.

Preferably, the ski comprises a display device comprising at least one display panel.

Thanks to the invention, in cross-country skiing, without using the rails, the user, in a standing position, the weight of his body being supported by the saddle, can propel himself while walking or running on the snow by means of both feet . He can take steps of several meters, with the feeling of being light, the weight of the body not being supported by the legs. The false handlebar allows him to rest his hands and change direction, possibly lifting the ski. In descents, the user can put their feet on the footrest. To change direction, it can brake or accelerate a side with a foot. In fact, the weight of the body is not supported entirely by the legs. The effort The physical nature to be provided by the user to move with the help of the ski is reduced and the ski is made accessible to a larger number of people, not necessarily having a lot of training.

In order to adapt the ski to any size of the user, an embodiment of the invention provides that the height of the saddle relative to the gliding pad is adjustable in height on the frame with a long stroke.

The long adjustment stroke of the saddle height allows the use of the same ski by children and adults.

So that the ski has a small footprint when it is to be transported, for example when carried by hand or placed in a passenger car, an embodiment of the invention provides that the frame has a base attached to the side of the pad, opposite the sliding side and there is provided means for articulating the column on the base between at least one position of use, in which the column is deployed, and another position, in which it is folded towards the pad, and locking means of the column on the base at least in the position of use.

In one embodiment of the invention, the false handlebar comprises a bracket extending in front of the saddle bearing and carrying two handles laterally on either side of the bracket. The false handlebar allows to support the hands and change direction, possibly lifting the ski.

In order to further reduce the size of the ski when it is not used to move with it, an embodiment of the invention provides that a support piece is fixed on the guided part and is provided with means for articulation of the bracket on the support part between at least one position of use, in which the bracket is deployed, and another position, in which it is folded towards the frame, and means for locking the bracket on the support piece at least in use position.

For greater safety of the user and so that he can better control its trajectory and stop saving its physical strength, the invention provides brake means of the shoe, operable by the user.

The braking means comprise at least one friction member on the lifting surface on which the pad must move, at least one arm movable in rotation on a transverse axis of rotation by relative to the pad, the friction member being fixed on the arm, away from the axis of rotation, and at least one pedal integral with the arm, being at a distance from the axis of rotation and causing the rotation of the arm to moving the friction member towards the lift surface of the shoe in a braking position when it is pressed by the user on the pedal.

So that the braking stops when the user no longer operates the braking means, there is provided, a member for restoring the arm from the braking position to a position, in which the friction member is located above the braking means. sliding side of the pad and in which it can be supported by the user on the pedal to move the friction member into the braking position.

For a better balance, an embodiment of the invention provides at least two friction members and two arms transversely on either side of the pad on the same transverse axis of rotation, the pedal being formed by a transverse bar fixed to arm away from the axis of rotation.

An embodiment of the invention provides that the ski comprises a display device comprising at least one display panel.

The invention may be used in association with a racket for a foot of the user of the ski as described above, the racket comprising a body provided with fixing means to the foot of the user, said body of the racket comprising a lower surface of contact with the ski lift surface, a front end raised up in front of the user's foot and a rear end of abutment against the heel of the user.

With this racket, the user can propel themselves with the ski as described above on light snow due to the large contact surface with the ski lift surface.

• la figure 1 représente schématiquement, en vue de côté, un ski suivant l'invention en position déployée ;
• la figure 2 représente schématiquement, en vue de dessus, le ski suivant l'invention en position déployée ;
• la figure 3 représente schématiquement, en vue de côté, le ski suivant l'invention en position repliée ;
• la figure 4 représente schématiquement, en perspective, un ski, ne faisant pas partie de l'invention, muni d'un dispositif d'affichage ;
• la figure 5 représente schématiquement, en perspective, des moyens de freinage utilisés sur le ski suivant les figures 1 à 4 ;
• la figure 6 représente schématiquement, en vue de côté, une raquette, ne faisant pas partie de l'invention, pouvant être utilisée avec le ski suivant les figures 1 à 4 ; et
• la figure 7 représente schématiquement en vue de dessous une raquette, ne faisant pas partie de l'invention, suivant la figure 6.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of nonlimiting example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 shows schematically, in side view, a ski according to the invention in the deployed position;
• 2 shows schematically, in top view, the ski according to the invention in the deployed position;
• Figure 3 shows schematically, in side view, the ski according to the invention in the folded position;
• FIG. 4 schematically represents, in perspective, a ski, not forming part of the invention, provided with a display device;
• FIG. 5 schematically represents, in perspective, braking means used on the ski according to FIGS. 1 to 4;
• Figure 6 shows schematically, in side view, a racket, not forming part of the invention, which can be used with the ski according to Figures 1 to 4; and
• FIG. 7 diagrammatically shows in view from below a racket, not forming part of the invention, according to FIG.

The ski comprises a single gliding pad 1 having a substantially plane gliding side 2 for the contact of the ski with a lift surface formed in the preceding example by a snow-covered ground. The pad 1 is for example formed of a board, whose sliding side 2 is covered with a suitable coating facilitating sliding on the surface of levitation. The pad 1 extends in a longitudinal general direction 3, which is the direction of movement of the ski, from the rear to the front. The shoe 1 has a front end 4 slightly bent upwards.

The shoe 1 has an upper side 5, which is opposite the sliding side 2 and on which is fixed a frame 6 and, on the front side of the ski, a plate 7 forming footrest, width and length greater than those of the feet of the user, so that it can put them on.

The frame 6 is foldable on the shoe 1. The frame 6 comprises a base 8 fixed to the upper side of the shoe 1 and a column 9 articulated by a transverse axis 10 of rotation perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 8. The column 9 can rotate relative to the base 8 about the axis 10 to be in an extended position, as shown in Figure 1, and in a position folded forward on the pad 1, substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction 3, as shown in Figure 3. A lever 11 is provided on the clamping pin 10 to position the column 9 in position relative to the base 8, in the position 1 and in the folded position of Figure 3 and to be able to pass the column 9 between one or other of these positions. Of course, column 9 could be folded also, in embodiments not shown, towards the rear of the shoe 1. The base 8 is for example in the form of a yoke having two wings crossed by the axis 10, which passes through the lower part of the column 9. The lever 11 is able to clamp the wings of the yoke on the column 9 by screwing or otherwise of the axis 10, the inner faces of the flanges facing the column 9 being for example provided with orientation notches of the column 9 in a plurality of positional angular positions including the extended position.

Column 9 serves as a guide to a complementary guided portion 12 supporting a saddle 13 support for the body of the user, which can be straddled by it for it to lean on. The portion 12 is guided relative to the column 9 in a guiding direction 14 in which the column 9 extends and extending in the direction of the height in the deployed position. The column 9 and the guided portion 12 are for example formed of circular cylindrical tube sections, one of which can slide in the other, such as for example the guided portion 12 in the column 9 as shown. The height of the saddle 13 with respect to the pad 1 can be adjusted and locked in position by the user at his best convenience when stopped. The user can adopt a saddle height allowing him, when moving on the lift surface using the ski, to exert a pedestrian action on the lift surface while being supported on the saddle 13 by example to propel the vehicle forward, braking or directing, or rest the feet on the footrest 7 while being supported on the saddle 13. To lock in position the guided portion 12 relative to the column 9 , the column 9 comprises for example, on its upper part, a yoke 15 whose wings can be tightened around the guided portion 12 by means of a threaded lever 16 cooperating with a nut 9. Thus, the saddle 13 can be immobilized in the deployed position, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, then be brought closer to the column 9 by retraction of the guided portion 12 therein in the folded position and also immobilized in this position, so that the ski takes up less space.

The frame 6 also comprises a steering control handlebar 17. The false handlebar 17 is foldable on the frame 6. The false handlebar 17 is provided on the guided portion 12. In the extended position, the handlebar 17 extends in front of the saddle 13 support and includes a bracket 18 longitudinal articulated by a transverse axis 19 of rotation on a support part 20 fixed on the part guided 12 and surrounding for example it. The stem 18 can be adjusted in height by the user by rotation about the axis 19 and can be locked relative to the fastener 20 by any appropriate means. For example, the fastener 20 is provided in the form of a two-wing yoke cooperating with a threaded lever 21 provided on the axis 19 and allowing the simultaneous tightening of the wings around the guided portion 21 and the stem 18. Thus, the stem 18 can be immobilized in the extended position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, in which it extends in front of the saddle 13, be immobilized in the folded position between the guided portion 12 and the shoe 1 and along these ci, as shown in Figure 3, and pass between one and the other of these two positions by rotation about the axis 19.

The end portion of the stem 18, remote from the axis 19, supports one or more handles 22, and for example two handles 22 provided on a support bar 23 fixed to the bracket 18. In the deployed position, the user can thus put his hands on the handles 22 of the false handlebar 17 to direct the ski to the right or to the left relative to the longitudinal direction 3. The support bar 23 may also include an axis of rotation for passing the bar 23 between one and the other of a position of use in which the handles are deployed transversely as shown in Figures 1 to 3, and another position in which they are folded towards the bracket 18, locking means 23 of the connecting bar on the stem at least in the use position being provided.

In addition, the ski comprises braking means of the pad 1, which can be actuated by the user when he moves on the lift surface using the ski. The braking means comprise two arms 24 provided on either side of a lower part 25 of the base 8, transversely to the longitudinal direction 3, and movable in rotation on an axis 26 of transverse rotation mounted on the lower part. 25. The arms 24 each comprise, at their end portion remote from the axis 26, a friction member 27 facing the lifting surface and a pedal 28 allowing the user to lower the friction members 27 towards the surface lift in order to brake the ski. The pedal is for example formed by a transverse bar 28 located at a distance from the axis 26 and fixed by two connecting portions 29 to the two end portions of the arms 24 carrying the members 27 of the friction. A return member 30 is provided under each arm 24 to force the friction members 27 away from the lift surface. These return members bear for example on the upper side 5 of the pad. The return members 30 are for example formed of metal springs with curved blade.

In the use position of the ski, the friction members 27 are pushed back by the return members above the sliding side 2 of the pad 1, so as not to obstruct the movement of the pad 1 on the surface of levitation. When sufficiently pressed by the user's foot on the pedal 28 against the return members, the arms 24 rotate about the axis 26, to move the friction members 27 below the side 2 sliding of the ski, make them meet the surface 2 levitation and thus ensure additional friction on it to brake the ski.

A lateral notch 31 is for example provided on both sides in the pad 1 to let the friction members 27. In embodiments not shown, the friction members 27 are provided on the outer transverse sides of the arms 24 with respect to the pad 1.

In FIG. 4, an embodiment not forming part of the invention, the ski comprises a display device 32 fixed by any appropriate means on the lower part 25 of the base 8, in front of the column 9. The device 32 display includes for example two inclined display panels 32 and 34, whose upper edges are connected to each other and whose lower edges are fixed, being spaced from each other, to the part 25. The ski equipped with a display device may be made available to the public for free for example in exchange for a coin, by local authorities such as municipalities, to be used within a specific area, the financing of the operation being partially ensured by advertising in the event that the panels of the device are billboards.

Figures 6 and 7 show a racket 35, elements not part of the invention, intended to be attached to a foot or a shoe worn by the user of the ski according to the preceding figures. For this purpose, the racket 35 comprises fastening means to the foot or the shoe, not shown, such as for example elastic or other for attachment to a shoe. The racket 35 is intended to come into contact with the lift surface of the ski, to allow the user thereof to propel the ski, slow it down or steer it. Thus, the body 36 of the racket 35 has a lower surface 37 of contact with the lifting surface, a rear end 38 bent vertically upwards and serving as a stop at the heel of the user's foot and a front end 39 raised in oblique upwards. The body 36 of the racket 35 is, like an ordinary racket, of flexible plastic material. The racket must be narrow enough not to hinder walking. The lower contact surface 37 comprises non-slippery portions 40 and promoting adhesion on a snowy ground, for example through holes or reliefs. Snowshoes avoid the user sinking on too light snow or sliding on icy snow.

Thus, the skier wearing a pair of snowshoes 35 can use the ski according to the invention on light snow. The invention provides an improved ski facilitating the practice of cross-country skiing without training, with less fatigue and without the use of rails.

Claims (7)

1. Ski consisting of a sliding sole (1), the sole (1) being integral, on the side (5) opposite the sliding side (2), with a framework (6) bearing a supporting saddle (13) for the user and a mock handlebar, a footrest (7) being provided on the said opposite side (5) for the user's feet, the weight of the user's body being supported by the saddle (13), and means of braking the sole (1) which can be operated by the user are provided, characterised in that the ski is intended for long distance skiing with propulsion by the user's feet walking or racing on the snow, the user being in the upright position, the means of braking including at least one unit for rubbing on the supporting surface on which the sole (1) has to move, at least one arm (24) which can move round on a transverse rotating shaft (26) in relation the sole (1), the friction unit (27) being fixed to the arm (24), at some distance from the rotating shaft (26), and at least one pedal (28) integral with the arm (24), being at a distance from the rotating shaft (26) and causing the arm (24) to rotate so as to make the friction unit (27) move towards the surface supporting the sole (1) in a braking position, when the user presses the pedal (28), a unit (30) for returning the arm (24) from the braking position to a position in which the friction unit (27) is above the sliding side (2) of the sole (1) and in which the user can press the pedal (28) to make the friction unit (27) move into the braking position, being provided.
2. Ski according to Claim 1, characterised in that the height of the saddle (13) in relation to the sliding sole (1) is adjustable.
3. Ski according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the supporting saddle (13) is integral with a part (12) guided in relation to a straight column (9) of the frame (6) in a guiding direction (14) with a component perpendicular to the sliding plane of the sole (1), means (15, 16) of locking the guided part (12) in relation to the column (9) being provided.
4. Ski according to Claim 3, characterised in that the frame (6) has a base (8) fixed to the side (5) of the sole (1), opposite the sliding side (2), and in that there are means (10) of articulating the column (9) to the base (8) between at least a working position, in which the column (9) is opened out and another position in which it is folded down towards the sole (1), and means (11) of locking the column (9) to the base (8) at least in the working position.
5. Ski according to Claim 4, characterised in that the mock handlebar (17) has a post (18) extending in front of the supporting saddle (13) and having two handles (22) extending sideways on either side of the post (18).
6. Ski according to Claim 5, characterised in that a supporting component (20) is fixed to the guided part (12), and in that means (19) are provided for articulating the post (18) to the supporting part (20) between at least a working position in which the post (18) is opened out and another position in which it is folded back towards the frame (6), and means (21) of locking the post (18) to the supporting part (20) at least in the working position.
7. , Ski according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that it has a display device (32) comprising at least one display panel (33, 34).

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