GB2365389A

GB2365389A - Toboggan

Info

Publication number: GB2365389A
Application number: GB0019191A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edward Terence Ogilvie-Hardy
Original assignee: OGILVIE HARDY EDWARD TERENCE
Current assignee: OGILVIE HARDY EDWARD TERENCE
Priority date: 2000-08-07
Filing date: 2000-08-07
Publication date: 2002-02-20
Anticipated expiration: 2020-08-07
Also published as: GB0019191D0; GB2365389B

Abstract

A toboggan or sledge has a chassis (1) and runners. The runners are attached to the chassis (1) via a resilient medium (4) or spring means to damp vibrations in the runners.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> SPRUNG TOBOGGAN FOR USE ON PREPARED ICE RUNS EMBODIMENT The invention is described merely by way of example in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals denote like parts.

In the drawings FIGURE 1. is a perspective view of the toboggan according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the toboggan according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The first embodiment shows the SPRUNG OUTER ARMS with a central flexible chassis.

The second embodiment shows the SPRUNG OUTER ARMS with a fixed rigid Chassis.

Both FIGURE 1 and FIGURE 2 show the essential invention aspect common to both embodiments in that a sprung medium is incorporated into the present invention to allow for controlled shock attenuation by way of Sprung Outer Arms.

SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT In the drawings: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment showing the Sprung Outer Arms with a central flexible chassis.

1. Flexible Chassis 2. Sprung Outer Arms 3. Fulcrum 4. Springing medium FIGURE 2 is a perspective drawing of the second embodiment showing the Sprung Outer Arms with a rigid chassis.

1. Fixed rigid chassis 2. Sprung outer arms. 3. Fulcrum 4. Springing medium The object of the present invention is to provide a first and secondary shock absorbing sprung outer arm system the arrangement of which can be incorporated into both the first and second embodiment for the purpose of providing better controlled and more continuous contact between the ice and the toboggan runner.

DESCRIPTION Improvements relating to toboggans 1. This invention seeks to improve and enhance the performance, handling, and control of toboggans by way of reducing the effects of uneven surfaces on the Ice Run.

2. Such toboggans are prohibited from having braises or steering.

3. Control of the toboggan is by the Rider by movement of his body/head position to steer the toboggan.

4. This induces pressure on to the contact patches of one or the other Runner on which the toboggan slides over the ice.

5. The contact patch is produced by causing the Runners to be bowed giving a short contact patch.

6. Irregularities in the ice are amplified by the speed and weight of the toboggan and rider.

7. The effect of impact disturbance on either or both of the Runners contact patches is to cause the Runner to lose contact with the ice.

8. The fluid build up on where the toboggan slides is therefore lost between the Runner and the ice with a resultant diminution of speed.

9. The loss of contact between the ice and the Runners contact patch means a loss of directional stability and consequential loss of the correct fastest line down the course or loss of control.

10. The combined loss of control and fluid build up affect negatively the performance of the toboggan.

11. Loss of control can result in loss or direction and stability and accidents or poor performance.

12. This invention seeks to eliminate or reduce the effect of shock and vibration to the Runners.

13. Shock attenuation and vibration damping is achieved by the incorporation of a springing medium.

14. The springing medium is located to allow a geometrical progression of the moving parts.

15. The rate and extent of movement of the sprung components can be predetermined.

16. The rate of spring movement can be adjusted to suit ice temperature conditions.

17. The shock attenuation can be adjusted to enable the smoothness or otherwise of the ice to be accommodated to the optimum condition for best performance.

18. The rate frequency of the movement can be controlled to prevent bounce or vibration or both of the toboggan when descending the Run.

19. The sprung medium can be calibrated to accommodate the different weight of riders.

20. The damping of the springing medium may be coaxial or disc friction or both. 21. The spring/rate frequency can be controlled by means of hydraulic or compression friction.

22. The shock absorbing system may be combined with the spring medium or integral with it.

23. The spring and damping systems can be adjusted in situ.

24. The spring and damping systems can be adjusted independently.

25. The rate of the springing and damping can be controlled by tension on the Fulcrum.

26. The spring and damper system cab be separate and controlled by levers.

27. The adjustment to spring and damper systems can be equal or asymmetrical. 28. The arc of movement of the spring arms cab be limited by adjustment.

MATERIALS Any and all metals of suitable weight and specification can be used in the manufacture of the invention together with or solely by laminates or a combination of materials or by composites or plastic and or wood or rubber or a mixture or resilient material.

The invention can be incorporated into a toboggan that can be fabricated, welded, bolted or dovetailed in its construction or glued or homogeneously combined.

The invention can be incorporated into a toboggan that can be. prefabricated assembled or desembled and can have interchangeable runners of metal of various specifications.

The invention can be incorporated into a toboggan that can have Runners of different materials or composite materials which can be interchangeable or adjusted or bow (foot print contact patch) by the application of compression or pressure through the springing medium which can be rubber, steel, plastic or a combination of both or all. The invention can be incorporated into a toboggan sheathed or covered or clad in plastic or other materials to form an outer shell either integral with or enveloping the toboggan either bonded or by the use of fixing systems.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A toboggan of the type described used for competition or pleasure sport on any Ice Run prepared for the purpose.
2. A toboggan which does not have brakes or steering.
3. The sprung outer arms are designed to improve and enhance the performance and safety of the toboggan.
4. The sprung out arms in both the first and second embodiment are designed to allow controlled movement of the runners over uneven surfaces at speed.
5. The movement of the sprung outer arms also has the effect of altering the position of the foot print longitudinally to enhance the cornering effect of the toboggan.
6. The invention has a sprung medium to absorb shocks to the Runners where ever the footprint is positioned.
7. This invention can absorb secondary impacts and oscillations so that they are absorbed and dampened out.
8. The first impact to the Runner can distort or increase the area of contact of the runner on the ice so that it differs from the size and position of the footprint set statically to achieve optimum performance.
9. The secondary impact shock attenuation contributed by this invention seeks to lessen the dynamic changes caused by impacts between the ice and Runner.
10. The position and material composition can be changed to achieve optimum springing under varying conditions of ice and temperature.
11. The embodiment of the second successive alternative can be of a fixed chassis design.
12. The Second embodiment can have articulate sprung side arms.
13. The sprung side arms can be located by means of a lockable bolt and nut.
14. The sprung side arms can be fixed by way of a splined or otherwise located shaft torsion bar.
15. The sprung side arms can be adjusted by positioning the spline or fixing to determine angle height and arc of movement.
16. The sprung side arms can be controlled by various rates of torsion bar or springing medium.

<Desc/Clms Page number 7>
17. The torsion bar or spring rate can be supplemented and damped by the use of secondary sprung rate control using rubber or shock absorbers of either friction or hydraulic type.
18. The rate of spring/damper control can be adjusted to increase or decrease the spring rate or the shock attenuation.
19. The toboggan can be fitted with a sliding seat device for the fore and aft movement for the facilitation of driver control.
20. The sliding seat can be of such a design to allow the spring/damper rate when the forward or backward position to act as a controlling deflecting medium to stiffen or soften the suspension.
21. The toe in and toe out of the Runners can be adjusted by means of a tie bar or adjustable mechanism.
22. The symmetry of the `footprint' (Runner contact patch) can be adjusted fore and aft on each individual sprung arm and Runner by the static position of the arc of the sprung outer arms.
23. The system of levers or control fixings can be positioned at varying points along the sprung arm.
24. Springing medium may be affixed to control the rate/arc of movement between the chassis and sprung outer arms.
25. The sprung outer arms can be designed to accommodate various types of Runner.
26. The sprung outer arms may have an adjustable free movement control system.
27. The arc of travel can be contained to predetermined movement.
28. The degree and rate of movement can be adjusted.
29. The rate of movement can be pre-set.
30. The sprung arms can be of any shape or section or length.