GB2111279A

GB2111279A - Ski accessory

Info

Publication number: GB2111279A
Application number: GB08231821A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard John Percy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-11-09
Filing date: 1982-11-08
Publication date: 1983-06-29

Abstract

A ski accessory comprises an audible alarm 7 operated by a battery switched on automatically when the ski leaves the boot. This assists in tracing buried skis. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Ski accessory The invention relates to a ski accessory.

When, during skiing, a ski comes free from the boot, there is a potential hazard. In the past, it was the practice to provide a safety strap which bound the ski to the ankle. Now, modern bindings have an automatic brake which comes into effect when the ski becomes detached and prevents the ski running on for any appreciable distance. A disadvantage of this latter arrangement is that in soft or powder snow the ski can become buried and difficult to find. The present invention seeks to provide a solution to this problem.

According to the invention there is provided an accessory for attachment to a ski, the accessory comprising an audible alarm, a battery for energising the alarm and a switch operative when the ski leaves the boot and effective to connect the battery to the alarm. With this arrangement the alarm is normally silent but is actuated when the ski becomes detached.

The alarm may be a buzzer, perhaps of the solid-state kind, or it may comprise a small loudspeaker energised by an audio oscillator.

Preferably the accessory is encapsuiated to prevent the ingress of snow or water. Thus, it is preferred to provide a switch which can be operated without requiring an arm or lever which penetrates the encapsulation. The switch may be a micro-switch situated beneath a flexible membrane forming part of the encapsulation.

Alternatively, the switch may be a magnetic reed switch operated by the proximity of a magnet attached to the boot.

The invention will further be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a ski having an accessory in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the ski of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an elevation of the ski when detached from the boot; and Figure 4 is a circuit diagram of the accessory.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 there is shown a ski 1 having a binding 2 which clamps the ski to a boot 3. The binding incorporates a springloaded brake having prongs 4 which, when the ski becomes detached from the boot, spring down to project from beneath the ski.

The accessory in accordance with the invention comprises an encapsulated block 5 which is screwed to the ski immediately behind the binding. The top of the block is covered in a flexible membrane which extends over an on-off push switch at 6. Adjacent the switch is a buzzer at 7. The accessory may be switched on and off by depressing the switch at 6 through the membrane, perhaps with the end of a ski-pole.

There is a projection 8 at one side of the block 5 and this includes a magnetic reed switch. The end of the respective prong 4 is provided with a small magnet 9. In the position shown in Figures 1 and 2, with the ski on the boot and the brake retracted, the proximity of the magnet to the reed switch maintains the switch closed. When the ski leaves the boot, the brake springs down and the position is as shown in Figure 3, when the magnet is no longer near the reed switch. The switch then opens and this sound the buzzer. Thus, should the ski become buried, it will be easy to find.

Figure 4 shows the circuit diagram of the accessory. A battery 10 is connected, via the onoff switch at 6, to the reed switch circuit which comprises a transistor 11 with biasing resistors 12 and 13. The buzzer 7 is connected to the collector of the transistor and the reed switch is shown at 14 connected to the base. The arrangement is such that provided the switch at 6 is closed, the buzzer is silent while switch 14 is closed, and sounds when the switch 14 opens.

In broken line there is shown in series with buzzer 7 an interruptor unit 1 5. This is optional, but when provided, it causes the buzzer to sound only during spaced intervals of time. The spacing may be typically 30 seconds or so. In such interval the buzzer may sound in a burst of five or six pulses. This arrangement conserves battery power and may allow operation for several hours.

This can be useful for rescue purposes if a skier is buried in an accident or an avalanche.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the embodiment described above with reference to the drawings. For example, the detector switch need not be magnetic. In a simple form it may be a micro-switch operated by a pin which is attached by a cord to the boot, thus being withdrawn when the ski leaves the boot.

Claims

1. An accessory for attachment to a ski, the accessory comprising an audible alarm, a battery for energising the alarm and a switch operative when the ski leaves the boot and effective to connect the battery to the alarm.

2. An accessory as claimed in claim 1 which is encapsulated to prevent the ingress of snow or water, the switch being within the encapsulation and being operable without penetration of the encapsulation.

3. An accessory as claimed in claim 2 wherein the switch is a magnetic reed switch.

4. An accessory as claimed in claim 3 wherein the switch is operated by a magnet attached to an automatic ski brake.

5. An accessory substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Ski accessory The invention relates to a ski accessory. When, during skiing, a ski comes free from the boot, there is a potential hazard. In the past, it was the practice to provide a safety strap which bound the ski to the ankle. Now, modern bindings have an automatic brake which comes into effect when the ski becomes detached and prevents the ski running on for any appreciable distance. A disadvantage of this latter arrangement is that in soft or powder snow the ski can become buried and difficult to find. The present invention seeks to provide a solution to this problem. According to the invention there is provided an accessory for attachment to a ski, the accessory comprising an audible alarm, a battery for energising the alarm and a switch operative when the ski leaves the boot and effective to connect the battery to the alarm. With this arrangement the alarm is normally silent but is actuated when the ski becomes detached. The alarm may be a buzzer, perhaps of the solid-state kind, or it may comprise a small loudspeaker energised by an audio oscillator. Preferably the accessory is encapsuiated to prevent the ingress of snow or water. Thus, it is preferred to provide a switch which can be operated without requiring an arm or lever which penetrates the encapsulation. The switch may be a micro-switch situated beneath a flexible membrane forming part of the encapsulation. Alternatively, the switch may be a magnetic reed switch operated by the proximity of a magnet attached to the boot. The invention will further be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a ski having an accessory in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the ski of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an elevation of the ski when detached from the boot; and Figure 4 is a circuit diagram of the accessory. Referring to Figures 1 and 2 there is shown a ski 1 having a binding 2 which clamps the ski to a boot 3. The binding incorporates a springloaded brake having prongs 4 which, when the ski becomes detached from the boot, spring down to project from beneath the ski. The accessory in accordance with the invention comprises an encapsulated block 5 which is screwed to the ski immediately behind the binding. The top of the block is covered in a flexible membrane which extends over an on-off push switch at 6. Adjacent the switch is a buzzer at 7. The accessory may be switched on and off by depressing the switch at 6 through the membrane, perhaps with the end of a ski-pole. There is a projection 8 at one side of the block 5 and this includes a magnetic reed switch. The end of the respective prong 4 is provided with a small magnet 9. In the position shown in Figures 1 and 2, with the ski on the boot and the brake retracted, the proximity of the magnet to the reed switch maintains the switch closed. When the ski leaves the boot, the brake springs down and the position is as shown in Figure 3, when the magnet is no longer near the reed switch. The switch then opens and this sound the buzzer. Thus, should the ski become buried, it will be easy to find. Figure 4 shows the circuit diagram of the accessory. A battery 10 is connected, via the onoff switch at 6, to the reed switch circuit which comprises a transistor 11 with biasing resistors 12 and 13. The buzzer 7 is connected to the collector of the transistor and the reed switch is shown at 14 connected to the base. The arrangement is such that provided the switch at 6 is closed, the buzzer is silent while switch 14 is closed, and sounds when the switch 14 opens. In broken line there is shown in series with buzzer 7 an interruptor unit 1 5. This is optional, but when provided, it causes the buzzer to sound only during spaced intervals of time. The spacing may be typically 30 seconds or so. In such interval the buzzer may sound in a burst of five or six pulses. This arrangement conserves battery power and may allow operation for several hours. This can be useful for rescue purposes if a skier is buried in an accident or an avalanche. The invention is not restricted to the details of the embodiment described above with reference to the drawings. For example, the detector switch need not be magnetic. In a simple form it may be a micro-switch operated by a pin which is attached by a cord to the boot, thus being withdrawn when the ski leaves the boot. Claims