FI121301B - Hook for attaching to ski lift - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a hook according to the preamble of claim 1.

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Conventional, one-piece or static hooks are not suitable for situations where the hook has to be able to be removed either as a result of active user activity or due to a specific situation (such as overload). For this reason, many applications, such as the snowboarder attachment to the 10 ski lifts described below, cannot be safely accomplished by current technical solutions.

The patent application hook is thus useful in many areas of life, more particularly in the patent application the attachment of a snowboarder to a ski lift.

15 Current known inventions for attaching a snowboarder to a ski lift focus either on a fully detachable towbar or on fixed, yummy solutions that are practically unworkable due to their inconvenience (e.g., loss of detachment, attachment) or lack of safety (getting off the lift, slipping).

Although chairlifts and gondola lifts, as well as various train-type ski resort climbing solutions, have become more common in recent years, the majority of the world's ski lifts are in the form of traditional anchor or span 25 ski lifts. At the same time, customer behavior has changed; snowboarders are in many places a larger group of traditional skiers. However, traditional anchor and sloop ski lifts are not well suited for snowboarders. In the current mode of operation of the anchor lift, the entire force of pulling the snowboarder is applied to the user's inner thigh, while in the 30 lifter the force pulling the snowboarder is skewed. Either way of operation causes discomfort and physical problems. When the conditions (cold, wet) are taken into account, it can be said that anchor and sloop lifts are not suitable for pulling snowboarders.

The invention is applicable not only to snowboarders, but also to traditional snowmobiles, snowmobiles and other downhill towed skiing equipment.

It is an object of the invention to make the use of anchor and sloop lifts comfortable for snowboarders also by providing a solution for utilizing the draw of the elevator in a comfortable manner. By using the hook of the invention, it is possible to make the use of a ski lift comfortable and safe and to increase the capacity of ski lifts, taking into account safety factors, when a larger number of skiers can be connected to one anchor.

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Figure 1: Basic use of the hook

Figure 2: Basic hook structure, closed position

Figure 3: Basic hook structure, open position

Figure 4: Hook and parts 2 possibly attached thereto

According to the invention, the above-described problem can be solved by means of a two-part hook mechanism and associated fastening means. Figure 1 illustrates the basic use of the hook as the snowboarder climbs the ski lift using hook 5. The snowboard puller rope (1) shown in Figure 2 is attached to the curved part of the hook instead of the ordinary straight end. The hinged mechanism allows the hook part (2) to move or pivot in detachment so that the attachment is detached The rope (1) passes through the tube (3) or sideways, keeping the hook in the correct direction during operation. In position, the hook portion can be pivoted by a pivot and the hook portion of the hook opens and releases from the ski lift.

More specifically, the hook according to the invention is characterized by what is set forth in the characterizing part of claim 1.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show some hook structures according to the invention as well as some other accessories used in connection with the hook.

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The hook body is formed by a tube (3) made of, for example, plastic, metal or carbon fiber. It may be hollow, solid or ribbed in structure, allowing the string (1) to pass through it, or sideways or provided with separate guides so that the string (1) can pass unobstructed therethrough while holding the tube 25 (3) in a drawing direction. In parallel to the tube (3) is a hooked tube (2) that engages the ski lift or other gripping object. The tubes (2) and (3) are articulated to one another by means of a hinge part (4), e.g. a hinge or a two-part plate according to Figures 1 and 2. The hinge part (4) allows the tubes (2) and (3) to pivot relative to each other to the open position shown in Figure 3. The string (1) engages the pipe [2] in its curved section at the attachment point (6), at a suitable distance from the hook end of the pipe (2), between the hinge part (4) and the end of the pipe (2).

The hook may be held in the closed position either by hand, or it may be provided with various mechanisms (5) that hold the hook in the normal position but release the hook in the event of increased draft or release of the hook upon removal from the elevator. The mechanisms (5) can be, for example, different shapes of iron wire loops, velcro straps, snaps. magnets, or other fastening means 40 which open, e.g., to exceed a given force on the hook, e.g.

Snowboarder crashes in elevator.

The hinging member (4) between the tubes (2) and [3] may be either purely rotational (e.g., hinged) or be of rigid, flexible or flexible structure allowing both rotational and lateral movement. The pivot part (4) itself may include various locking mechanisms which hold the hook in the closed position during pulling. The locking mechanism may be based, for example, on friction, mechanical grip, flexible materials or even magnetism. The locking mechanism may also include security features that allow the hook to be unlocked either by external causes 3 (e.g., increased pull due to tipping) or by user intervention.

The rope (1) may be a string or rope of different materials, a textile or other web, a synthetic fiber rope, a rope, a chain or other appropriate non-stretchable or stretchable part. The rope may be assembled on a self-winding reel (7) or folded when the hook is idle. The self-winding reel (7) may be attached to the snowboarder's body, waist, thighs or arm by means of separate loops or belts (8), or may be attached to 10 snowboards or snowboard yards.

In order to facilitate the use of the hook and to improve the grip of the hook, the ski lift can be fitted with separate fastening means (9) to which snowboarders can safely and in a controlled way attach their hooks. The hook may be shaped to engage 15 special fastening members.

The surface of the hook may be roughened or coated with various materials to improve friction and adhesion between the hook and the ski lift. The tubes (2) and (3) may be square in shape, angular, rounded, circular or otherwise shaped for attachment to a ski lift. The hook may also be shaped or curved in various ways to improve hook engagement and mechanical performance, particularly when used with various ski lifts.

25 In the event of a snowboarder crash or lift failure, it may be necessary for the snowboarder and lift to loosen. For this reason, the hook and the string (1) may be provided with different security mechanisms and release means. The mechanisms (5) hold the hook in the closed position during normal traction, but can release the hook in the event of a failure or if the user wishes to disengage from the 30 ski lifts.

In addition to pulling a snowboarder, the inventive hook has a myriad of other possible uses. These include industrial lifting equipment and robots, where an auto-opening hook helps and makes operation more efficient. These uses are not disclosed herein, but the claims of the patent application are also extended to the technical solutions presented for other possible uses.

Within the scope of the invention, solutions other than those described above may be contemplated. 40 The hook and its parts may be made of different materials than what is disclosed in this application, and the various parts may operate in slightly different ways than those shown in this application and its drawings.

Claims (10)

Hook for attachment to a ski lift 5 characterized in that it consists of a tube (3) and a pivoting hook-shaped tube (2) which are connected to one another by means of an articulated mechanism (4). The hook (1) pulling the hook parallel to the tube (3), either inside the tube or on the side, is pulled on the arc portion of the tube (2), 10 attachment points (6), opening the hook if no other force holds the tubes (2) and (3) ) at one end together. Hook according to Claim 1, characterized in that its mechanism (5) holds the hook in the closed position during normal operation of the hook, but releases the hook in the open position due to user intervention or external causes (e.g. when the draft increases beyond a certain limit). Such a mechanism (5) may be a wire-shaped loop, a hook, a string, an elastic band, a snap or a velcro or other mechanical, electromechanical, pneumatic or chemical mechanism, or a combination thereof. 20 Hook according to Claim 1, characterized in that the hook hinge part (4) must include a mechanism for holding the hook in the closed position and allows the hook to open due to user action or external causes (e.g., when the draft increases beyond a certain limit). 25 Hook according to Claim 1, characterized in that its hinge part (4) contains either a purely rotational movement (rotation) or a displacement movement or a combination thereof. Hook according to Claim 1, characterized in that the pulling strap (1) can be a string or rope made of different materials, a textile or other web, a synthetic fiber rope, a wire, a chain or any other suitable stretchable or stretchable part and a fixed or moving object. The rope (1) is attached at its other end 35 either directly or through separate coils (7), loops or belts (8) or other fastening means to the body of the snowboarder, snowboarder, snowboarder or other object. Hook according to Claim 1, characterized in that it can be secured to the ski lift or other object either directly or by means of a separate mounting element (9), e.g. A hook according to claim 1, characterized in that it can be square in shape, angular, rounded, circular or otherwise shaped for attachment to the ski lift 45. The hook may be shaped in various ways, e.g., curved to improve hook engagement and mechanical function. Hook according to Claim 1, characterized in that the surface of the hook can be grooved, roughened or otherwise treated or coated with various materials, for example to improve traction and grip. Hook according to Claim 1, characterized in that the hook pulling hook (1) can be provided with various mechanisms for improving operation or safety, such as soy or clips, which, if necessary, disengage the hook from the snowboarder to avoid, for example, dangerous situations. Hook according to Claim 1, characterized in that the holding, opening and closing of the hook and the holding in the open position can be controlled by means of motors, pneumatic and mechanical devices. 5