GB2460692A

GB2460692A - Snowboard lift attachment

Info

Publication number: GB2460692A
Application number: GB0810327A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Scott Gall; Jonathan Loughead; Henry Woodford
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-06-06
Filing date: 2008-06-06
Publication date: 2009-12-09
Anticipated expiration: 2028-06-06
Also published as: GB2460692B; GB0810327D0

Abstract

A harness to attach the wearer 31 to a button, or poma, type ski or tow lift 33, 34, the harness comprising a strap worn around the wearers thigh, and attached to the strap is a button tow receiving element, wherein the button or disc 33 is inserted into the receiving element from below. The harness may also comprise a belt worn around the wearer's waist and joined via additional straps to the thigh strap. Alternatively the harness may be permanently attached to the thigh area of the wearer's trousers. The apparatus allows a snowboarder 31 to comfortably use a button type ski lift 33, 34 designed for use by skiers.

Description

Snowboard Lift Device

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an apparatus worn by a snowboarder which allows button-type ski lifts to be used more easily and comfortably than is currently possible.

Background of the Invention

In ski resorts around the world, ski tows are used to pull skiers, and more recently snowboarders, uphill to the top of the ski runs. In their most basic form ski tows consist of a long rope loop running through pulleys at the top and bottom of the slope, powered by an engine at one end. Hanging from the rope overhead are equally spaced vertical poles. Passengers grab hold of a pole and are pulled uphill whilst standing on their skis or snowboard.

Ski tows are often supplemented by chair lifts at resorts where the number of users and budget warrants their installation. Although chair lifts are generally easier to use than tows, they are not always available, are more vulnerable to high winds and do not allow passengers full access to the runs. Therefore it is beneficial for skiers and snowboarders to be able to use both tows and chairlifts.

Using a ski tow requires a surprising number of skills. Firstly, it is important to adopt the correct stance and initial position to make the pole easy to access and also to minimise falls and excessive jarring of the rope, which adversely affect other riders. Grabbing hold of and positioning the moving pole requires practise and timing. The pole must be in the correct position before moving, otherwise the user will simply fall over. The tow's pulling force must then be counterbalanced by leaning back slightly and transferring the body weight. As the pole is subject to lateral forces from the wind, terrain and other users, these must also be anticipated. Ski tows can extend over long distances, so a fair deal of physical endurance is required. During this time the user must actively steer their skis or snowboard along the track below, taking care to avoid the occasional obstacle, patches of ice or exposed earth. Finally, after arriving at the top of the run, the user must combine balance, timing, propulsion and turning to dismount the tow quickly and safely, without getting caught up on the lift, overrunning or getting in the way of the next user.

To simplify usage and increase uphill capacity, ski tows have evolved with a series of attachments. Two of the most common types are the button (or Poma) tow and the T-bar. Button tows incorporate a plastic disc that is placed between the legs, whilst the T-bar includes a horizontal bar that is held in place behind the user's buttocks. However, these tows were originally designed for skiers before snowboarding really took off and are generally considered to be uncomfortable and difficult for snowboarders to use. The problems arise because unlike skiers, a snowboarder's pelvis is oriented parallel to the direction of motion, making it awkward for holding the button or T-bar in place during use. For snowboarders, button tows are known to be the more feasible of the two, but are far from ideal. As a result of this difficulty, some snowboarders attempt to ride button tows by placing the disc under one arm, or simply by holding onto the disc with both hands. Such use is extremely challenging in terms of balance and strength though, and is therefore best avoided.

A device and method that makes using button-type ski tows easier for snowboarders would be advantageous. A number of different ideas have been proposed that use belts attached to hooks and loops, but most are better suited to T-bar lifts, and all have disadvantages.

The use of a harness belt is described in Italian patent 1T1280946. This device incorporates a hook which attaches to the pole of a button tow, immediately above the plastic disc, Alternatively, the belt can be loosened off to encompass both the user's waist and the tow, excluding the need for the hook. The use of sharp objects is undesirable though, as they could become caught on things during descent, injuring both the user and others. Such objects might also injure the snowboarder if he were to land on top of them during a fall. As with anything that extends far from the body, there is an added risk that the belt might also catch on something: in this case a chairlift or other people's skis are possibilities. Furthermore, there is no automatic release mechanism, so if during use of the tow the snowboarder lost his balance, he could be dragged along the ground resulting in injury and embarrassment.

Spanish patent E51054461 discloses belt and thigh straps that connect to a T-bar lift by means of a hook. The arrangement of this particular attachment is ill-suited for use with a button tow, however.

A similar device proposed in German patent 1DE29520372 suggests attachment to the T-bar via a hook, rope or clip. Although this invention could in theory be applied to a button-type lift, it suffers from the same disadvantages as 1T1280946 discussed above.

Patents FR2832680, WOO1/19458 and EP1564099 each describe belts which connect to T-bar lifts using adjustable loops of material. The need to adjust the loop around the tow, given the limited amount of time available to get into position, combined with the risk of catching it on things renders this solution unfavourable.

A slightly different approach is adopted in Swedish patent 5E507575. This invention utilises a cord rather than a loop of material, which is simply wound around the tow and held in place. The security of such a system is dubious, especially when it is considered that the user may have to hold the cable tightly in place during cold, icy conditions for relatively long periods of time. Again, the length of the cable threatens the snowboarder's safety when not in use.

Finally, Swiss patent CH682886 combines the two previous ideas and provides a solution that uses a cord attached between belt and thigh straps. The cord is pulled over the T-bar and held in place by the snowboarder. This solution is not applicable to button tows though, as the width of the plastic disc is insufficient to keep the cord from slipping out of position.

Summaiy of the Invention The invention relates to an attachment worn by a snowboarder which allows button-type ski lifts to be used more easily and comfortably than is currently possible.

According to the invention, thett is provided a snowboarder button tow lift attachment as specified in Claim 1.

Preferred features of the invention are specified in the claims dependent on Claim 1, and in

the description and drawings herein.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and are by way of

example:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the attachment according to one aspect of the invention; Figure 2a is a schematic reptesentation of one possible means for securing the attachment in position; Figure 2b is a schematic representation of a second possible means for securing the attachment in position; Figure 2c is a schematic representation of a third possible means for securing the attachment in position; Figure 3a is a schematic representation of a fourth possible means for securing the attachment in position; Figure 3b is a schematic representation of a fifth possible means for securing the attachment in position; Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a sixth possible means for securing the attachment in position; Figure 5 illustrates use of the invention by a snowboarder riding a button tow.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Referring now to Figure 1, in one embodiment of the invention 1 there is shown a first element of material 2 to be worn in the thigh area of a snowboarder's leading leg. Attached to the first element 2 by two supporting pieces of material 3 is a second element of material 4 adapted to receive a disc of a button tow. The second element 4 has both flat 5 and curved 6 sections, the shape of these sections 5,6 maintained by the use of a stiffer material than the first element 2 and supporting pieces 3, or by the insertion of flexible plastic strips incorporated into a more flaccid material. The shape of the inner surface of the second element 4 corresponds substantially to the shape of the external surface of the disc. The first element 2 also connects directly to a point 7 on the flat section 5 of the second element 4. The connection at point 7 prevents the disc from being inserted between the first 2 and second 4 elements.

Referring now to Figure 2a, there is shown an attachment 8 that connects the first element 2 to a belt 9 around the snowboarder's waist and helps prevent the apparatus 1 from slipping down the leg. The attachment 8 consists of a length of fabric 10 with a hook and loop material on one side 11.

One end 12 of the fabric 10 is wound around the user's belt 9 whilst the other end 13 is wound around the first element 2. The ends 12,13 are then fixed to the hook and loop side 11 of the fabric 10, securing the apparatus 1 in position.

Referring now to Figure 2b, there is shown an attachment 14 that connects the first element 2 to a belt loop 15 on the snowboarder's trousers and helps prevent the apparatus 1 from slipping down the leg without the need for the user to be wearing a belt 9. The attachment 14 consists of an adjustable length of fabric 16 incorporating a clip 17 at one end and a quick-release buckle 18 at the other. The dip 17 connects to a heft oop 15 on the snowboarder's trousers and the receiving section 19 of the buckle 18 to the first element 2. Once the buckle 18 is secured in the receiving section 19, the length of fabric 16 can be adjusted to ensure a comfortable fit.

Referring now to Figure 2c, there is shown an attachment 20 that connects the first element 2 to a belt loop 15 on the snowboarder's trousers and helps prevent the apparatus 1 from slipping down the leg without the need for the user to be wearing a belt 9. The attachment 20 consists of a first adjustable length of fabric 16 incorporating a clip 17 at each end. One clip 17 connects to a belt loop 15 on the snowboarder's trousers and the other clip 17 to a loop 21 attached to the first element 2 via a second fixed length of fabric 22. Once the clips 17 are in place, the first length of fabric 16 can be adjusted to ensure a comfortable fit.

Referring now to Figure 3a, there is shown a means for attaching the apparatus 1 to the snowboarder's trousers 23 which helps prevent the apparatus 1 from slipping down the leg without the need for any additional pieces of equipment. The means consist of hook and loop fasteners 24 attached to the underside of the first element 2 and the outside of the snowboarder's trousers 23, wherein the first element 2 is secured in place by fixing one half 25 of the hook and loop fasteners 24 on the first element 2 to the other half 26 of the hook and loop fasteners 24 on the trousers 23.

Referring now to Figure 3b, there is shown a means for attaching the apparatus 1 to the snowboarder's trousers 23 which helps prevent the apparatus 1 from slipping down the leg without the need for any additional pieces of equipment. The means consist of popper fasteners 27 (also referred to as snap fasteners or press studs) attached to the underside of the first element 2 and the outside of the snowboarder's trousers 23, wherein the first element 2 is secured in place by fixing one half 28 of the popper fasteners 27 on the first element 2 to the other half 29 of the popper fasteners on the trousers 23.

Referring now to Figure 4, there is shown a method of securing the apparatus 1 to the snowboarder's trousers 23 considered to be more secure than those shown in Figures 2 and 3 and which helps prevent the apparatus 1 from slipping down the leg without the need for any additional pieces of equipment. The method consists of incorporating the apparatus 1 into the manufacture of the trousers 23, most likely achievable by sewing 30 or adhering the first element directly to the fabric of the trouser leg.

Referring now to Figure 5, there is shown the invention 1 as used by a snowboarder 31 when riding a button tow. The apparatus 1 is worn around or attached to the thigh of the snowboarder's leading leg 32. Once the snowboarder 31 is standing in the correct position at the bottom of the run, the disc 33 of the button tow is inserted from below, into the second element 5 and kept in place by holding the pole 34 of the tow. It is important to slide the disc 33 as far up into the second element 4 as possible to minimise the chance of it coming loose. Once the tension of the tow is applied to the apparatus 1, the snowboarder 31 is pulled forward from the thigh of his leading leg 32 and rides the tow in the direction of travel 35, making sure to hold the disc 33 in place. Once the end of the tow is reached, the snowboarder 31 simply lowers his supporting arm 36. Gravity acting on the mass of the disc 33 and pole 34 causes the disc 33 to be released from the second element 4. This feature acts as an automatic release mechanism allowing the snowboarder 31 to come off the tow safely in the event of a fall, without being dragged along the ground 37. The "failsafe" nature of the invention is attributed to the position of the disc 33 in the second element 4.

With the disc 33 fully inserted, less than half of the disc 33 has passed through the second element 4.

Hence, the only upward forces acting against the weight of the tow are those imposed by the snowboarder 31 holding the disc 33 in the second element 4, and the frictional force between the front face of the disc 33 and the rear face of the second element 4. Therefore, if the snowboarder 31 lets go, the disc 33 must fall out of the second element 4.

Claims

Claims 1. Snowboarder button tow lift attachment, comprising a first element of material to be worn in the thigh area of a snowboarder's leg and a second element of material adapted to receive a disc of the button tow when said disc is inserted into the second element from below, the second element being attached to the first element.
2. An attachment according to Claim 1, wherein the first element is attached to the second element by two supporting pieces of material.
3. An attachment according to any preceding claim, wherein the shape of the inner surface of said second element corresponds substantially to the shape of the external surface of the disc.
4. An attachment according to any preceding claim, wherein the second element is stiffer than the first element.
5. An attachment according to any preceding claim, wherein the attachment of the first element to the second element is adapted to prevent the disc of the button tow from being inserted between the two elements.
6. An attachment according to any preceding claim, frirther comprising a securing element adapted to secure the apparatus to an item of clothing of the snowboarder.
7. An attachment according to claim 6, wherein the securing element consists of a length of fabric with a hook and loop material on one side, such that in use, one end of the fabric is wound around the user's belt whilst the other end is wound around the first element and the ends then fixed to the hook and loop side of the fabric, securing the apparatus in place.
8. An attachment according to claim 6, wherein the securing element consists of an adjustable length of fabric incorporating a clip at one end and a quick-release buckle at the other, in use, said clip connecting to a belt loop on the snowboarder's trousers and the receiving section of the buckle attached to the first element in such a way that the length of fabric can be adjusted when the buckle is secured in place.
9. An attachment according to claim 6, wherein the securing element consists of an adjustable length of fabric incorporating a clip at each end, one clip connecting to a belt loop on the snowboarder's trousers and the other clip to a loop attached to the first element in such a way that the length of fabric can be adjusted when the clips are in place.
10. An attachment according to claim 6, wherein the securing element consists of at least one piece of hook and loop fastener attached to the underside of the first element and at least one piece of hook and loop fastener attached to the outside of the snowboarder's trousers, wherein the first element is secured in place by fixing at least one piece of hook and loop fastener of the first element to at least one piece of hook and loop fastener of the trousers.
11. An attachment according to claim 6, wherein the securing element consists of at least one popper fastener attached to the underside of the first element and at least one popper fastener attached to the outside of the snowboarder's trousers, wherein the first element is secured in place by fixing at least one popper fastener of the first element to at least one popper fastener of the trousers.
12. An attachment according to claim 1, wherein the first element is permanently attached to the thigh area of the snowboarder's trousers.