US3436088A - Roller skis - Google Patents

Description

April 1969 M. H. KUNSELMAN. 3,436,088

ROLLER SKIS Filed June 19, 1967 INVENTOR. MJW. 1'1 unselman.

ATTORNEY April 1969 M. H. KU'NSELMAN 3,436,088

ROLLER SKIS Filed June 19, 1967 1 Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

J"L+f./'1fun.selman ATTORNEY Unite US. Cl. 28011.1 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A recreational vehicular device of parallelogram frame construction comprising a first pair of parallel elongated planar ski members pivotably connected in spaced apart relation by two transverse frame members, thereby allowing advancement of one ski member relative to its companion ski member while maintaining their parallel relation, demountable wheel means secured non-pivotally on the underside of the rear end of each ski member, and demountable wheel means non-pivotally secured in spaced apart relation on the underside of the forward transverse connecting frame member, these forward wheels revolving with the forward transverse connecting frame member as one ski member is advanced relative to the other ski mem ber, thereby effecting a directional change in travel of the device. Runners are provided as substitutes for the wheels when traveling over ice, snow or a like surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to recreational vehicular devices, specifically to a vehicular device mountable by the rider placing his feet thereon and steerable by relative foot movements.

Description of prior art Prior art recreational devices related to the subject invention principally consist of a single elongated planar platform member, much like a conventional snow ski, rollably supported on wheels, such as skate Wheels. The well-known skate board on which the rider places both his feet is an example of this prior art. These prior art devices are difficult to ride, especially by those persons of less-developed sense of balance, as a small child, for example. Moreover, steering of these prior art devices is accomplished by lateral tilting of the platform via whole body movements, consequently increasing the skill re quired of the rider. In the prior art, it has been suggested that two detached devices of the single ski type can be used simultaneously, the rider placing one foot on each ski member. Such unconnected devices are typified by the usual water skis or snow skis which function successfully in their intended environments. However, dual independent roller-mounted platforms whose freedom of motion is restricted to relative movement one with the other Within the horizontal plane in which they reside and which are intended for use on paved surfaces do not possess the necessary degree of individual control with respect to each other, hence desired maneuverability, as is possible in the instance of water or snow skis. The conventional roller skates, for example, are difficult to manipulate because each skate possesses a plurality of freedom of movement independent of its mate. The present invention supplies the art with a device which overcomes the prior art shortcomings regarding maneuverability on paved surfaces (and even other surfaces) and the excessive degree of competency required of the rider. By virtue of, among other things, its pivotal interconnection of spaced apart dual ski members, completely inexperienced riders can achieve successful operation of the present inventors vehicular device upon first attempt.

Patented Apr. 1, 1969 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprehends a recreational vehicular device of parallelogram frame construction. A first pair of elongated parallel frame members (hereinafter referred to as ski members) receive the feet of a rider (one foot on each member). When the device is in use, each member of this first pair of ski members is aligned generally with the direction of travel of the device. These ski members are pivotally connected in spaced apart relation by a second pair of parallel frame members (hereinafter referred to as tie-bar members) to complete the parallelogram frame. The latter pair of frame members are referred to herein as tie-bar members and are disposed generally transversely of the direction of travel of the device. The device is rollably supported at approximately its four pivotal frame connections. Adjacent the rear end and on the underside of each of the first pair of ski members, there is provided a non-pivotable wheel means. The forward portion of the overall frame is rollably supported by non-pivotable wheel means secured on the underside and adjacent the extremities of the forward tie-bar member as distinguished from the rear wheel means secured to the underside of the ski members.

The rider on the vehicular device steers the device by moving one of the ski members ahead of the other. This relative movement is possible as a consequence of the pivotal connections between frame members. Inasmuch as the forward wheel means are non-pivotably secured to the forward tie-bar, whose movement relative to the other frame members is established by the parallelogram-frame construction, the aforesaid relative foot movement rotates the tie-bar members and results in a turning of the forward wheels in the desired direction of travel. The rear wheels, being non-pivotably secured on the ski members, can only trail the forward wheels. The wheels are demountable and for operation on snow or ice, runners are provided which are readily substituted for the wheels.

In use, it is intended that a rider in a crouched position will ride the present device as it coasts down a sloping surface, making necessary turns by moving one or the other ski ahead of its connected mate by means of his feet which, of course, reside on the skis. If it is desired to use the device on a substantially level surface, ski poles are supplied to the rider for use in propelling himself forward.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of the subject invention and depicting the preferred posture of a rider thereon,

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the invention,

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view taken generally along line 3-3 of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken generally along line 44 of FIG. 2,

FIG. 5 is a view of the underside of the invention and depicting, in phantom, the steering movement of the invention, and

FIG. 6 is an exploded partial view depicting runners adapted to be substituted for the wheel means depicted in the preceding figures, a portion of the invention being shown in phantom, so as to establish the relationship of the runners and the remainder of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to FIG. 1, one may visualize the inven tion as a whole. As depicted in FIG. 1, the vehicular device comprises a parallelogram frame 10 for-med by pivotally connecting two planar elongated ski members 11 and 12 in spaced apart and parallel relation by means of elongated tie- bar members 13 and 14. The pivoting connections are shown at 15, 16, 17 and 18 and will be more fully described hereinafter. Rollable support for frame is supplied by forward wheel means 19 and 20 and rear wheel means 21 and 22 (wheel 22 is not fully visible in FIG. 1). Forward wheel means 19 and 20 are depicted in FIG. 1 as comprising a single wheel assembly. This embodiment of the forward wheel means 19 and 20 is depicted as the most uncomplicated, but not necessarily the preferred, embodiment. As depicted in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the preferred embodiment of each forward wheel means 19 and 20 comprises a dual wheel assembly.

Ski members 11 and 12. preferably are elongated, planar and substantially horizontally disposed. They afford the means for receiving the riders feet, one foot on each ski. When the vehicular device is in operation, ski members 11 and 12 generally are aligned with the direction of travel of the device. Said members are pivotally connected in spaced apart and parallel relation by tie- bar frame members 13 and 14, tie-bar member 14 extending connectingly between ski members 11 and 12 adjacent their forward ends and tie-bar member 13 extending connectingly between ski members 11 and 12 adjacent their rear ends. Preferably both tie- bar members 13 and 14 are disposed on the underside of frame members 11 and 12. In any event, tie-bar member 14 is required to be so disposed as to allow the attachment of wheels or runners to its underside as will be described hereinafter.

Optionally, one or more ski poles '30 and 31 are provided to a rider as aids in retaining balance and/or for use in propelling the vehicular device forward.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the preferred typical pivotal connection between a ski member, member 11 for example, and the extremities of tie- bar members 13 and 14 is preferably effected by a compression rivet 23 extending vertically through the laterally central region of ski member 11 and likewise through tie-bar member 13. Rivet 23 preferably is of the male female type. The female portion 24 is fitted snugly in ski member 11 and extends substantially through the thickness of tie-bar 14 whereupon it is engaged by male portion 24 extending vertically upwardly from a recess 26 in the underside of tiebar member 14. Washer means 27 is provided in recess 26 and on the male portion of rivet 23 to ensure appropriate contact between the rivet and tie-bar 14. Rivet 23 is fitted loosely within tie-bar 14 so as to facilitate pivotal movements between ski 11 and tie-bar 14. Circular bearing discs 28 and 29, preferably of light gauge metal, are interposed between said ski member 11 and said tie-bar 14. These discs are centrally bored and held in position by rivet 23 passed therethrough. A compres sion rivet is chosen as the preferred joining means for reasons of convenience of joint assembly, dependability of securing the joint assembly, and providing a future means of tightening to compensate for the wear of parts. It is recognized, of course, that other means such as a common bolt and nut combination could be employed in this regard. FIG. 3 is representative of the forward pivotal connections 15 and 16 and FIG. 4 is representative of the rear pivotal connections 17 and 18.

For use on paved or similar surfaces, preferably frame 10 is rollably supported on wheels. As shown in FIG. 5 the forward end of frame 10 is supported by two wheel assemblies 32 and 33, each comprising a pair of wheels appropriately secured to the underside of tie-bar 14 by brackets. FIG. 3 is typical of a front wheel assembly and depicts wheels 34 and 35 received by and rollably secured by bolt means 36 to spaced apart, parallel wings 38 and 39 downwardly depending from the generally T-shaped central portion 40 of a bracket 41 secured to the underside of the tie-bar 14 by screw means 42, 43 and 44 (screw 43 not shown in FIG. 3). The rear support mode for ski members 11 and 12 is depicted in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5. The view of FIG. 4 specifically shows the rear support means for ski member 11 but is typical of the rear support means of ski member 12 as well. As depicted in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the rear end of ski 11 is supported by a single wheel 21 mounted in bracket 45 which is identical to bracket 41. Bracket 45, however, is secured fixedly .4 to a spacer member 48 (see FIGS. 2 and 5) permanently secured to the underside of ski 11 adjacent the rear end of the ski.

This bracket design lends itself to the necessary nonpivotal attachment to its corresponding frame member, requiring a minimum of effort and hardware; at least four brackets are provided on the frame 10, one bracket 41, 45, 46, and 47 at or near each of the four pivot points 15, 18, 16 and 17, respectively. For reasons of fabrication economies, the four brackets are depicted herein as being identical, but it is recognized that the forward brackets need not be identical to the rear brackets and to so provide would not be a departure from the present invention. It is also recognized, of course, that bracket 45 and its companion rear bracket 47 could be constructed of sufiicient size to permit attachment of the brackets directly to the underside of their respective ski member and thus negate the necessity of a spacer. Spacer 48 obviously compensates for the thickness of tie-bar member 14 which is interposed between the front bracket and the underside of ski member 11 thereby maintaining a substantially horizontal attitude of ski member 11.

It is intended that frame 10 should be disposed substantially horizontally. However, a slight slope of ski members 11 and 12 from their front to their rear enhances the riders position on the device. Accordingly, FIG. 2 depicts such a slope of the ski members.

Referring now to FIG. 5, spacer 48 is provided with a forward edge 49 which serves as a stop, which limits movement of tie-bar 13 during steering movement of the vehicular device as will be described more fully hereinafter. In the event one chooses to eliminate spacer 48 and substitute therefor a bracket secured directly to the underside of each of the ski members, then an appropriate stop, if one is desired, would be desirable but not necessary on said bracket or, alternatively, directly secured on the ski member.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the relative movement between the individual frame members during steering movements is readily seen. When the vehicular device is traveling in a straight path forward, the frame members assume the relative positions denoted generally at A.

Recalling that FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the subject invention, when the rider desires to effect a righthand turn, he advances ski member 11 ahead of ski member 12 by appropriate relative movement of his feet. This action causes ski member 11 to assume the position indicated generally at B and shown part in phantom in FIG. 5. It will be noted that ski members 11 and 12 retain their parallel relationship at all times. Tie- =bars 13 and 14, however, are not disposed at right angles to ski members 11 and 12 during turning of the device. Rather said tie-bars assume an angular attitude with respect to said ski members 11 and 12. In the turning operation, tie-bar 14 is caused to rotate with respect to the ski members, it carries wheel assemblies 32 and 33. When the vehicular device is advanced along a straight forward path, the wheels 34, 3'5, 50 and 51 of assem' blies 32 and 33, respectively, are aligned With the direction of travel, hence with the longitudinal axis of the ski members. As tie-bar 14 is caused to rotate by the steering movement created by the riders feet, the wheels are aligned at an angle to the longitudinal axis of ski members 11 and 12. Inasmuch as the forward wheels are the determining factor as regards direction of travel of the vehicular device, when the forward wheels assume a given position, the direction of travel of the vehicular device must necessarily follow the direction of wheel alignment. Because the rear wheels 21 and 22 are nonpivotally secured to the rear ends of ski members 1'1 and 12, said wheels do not change their relative alignment with respect to said ski member when a turn is being effected. Because of their relative fixed position, said rear wheels can only trail the path traveled by the forward wheels. This arrangement wherein the front wheels are movable by virtue of their position on the rotatable forward tie-bar and the non-pivotable mounting of the rear wheels on the ski members is required for imparting steer-ability to the subject vehicular device. Only oblique movement of the device could be effected if the rear wheels were allowed to be rotated in a manner similar to the forward wheels.

As ski member 11 is advanced ahead of its companion ski member 12, the rearward edge 52 to tie-bar 13 contacts surface (stop) 49 of spacer 48 thereby halting further advancement of ski member 11. Thus stop 49 serves as the limiting element for the turning radiu of the vehicular device.

Each wheel or set of wheels is demountable by removing the single bolt means with which each wheel (or set of wheels in the instance of the forward dual wheel means) is secured in its respective bracket. Thereupon, the inventor provides runner means as depicted in FIG. 6 for substitution as the support means of the vehicular device. Referring now to FIG. 6, ski member 11, and the brackets associated with ski member 11, a portion of each tie- bar 13 and 14, are depicted in phantom. For use of the vehicular device on ice, snow or similar surfaces, it is necessary that the wheel support means be substituted with runners. The runner means provided by the inventor for each ski member are depicted in FIG. '6 and comprise a front runner 53 and a rear runner 5'4. Only the runners for ski member 1'1 are shown in FIG. 6. Front runner 53 comprises an elongated planar member 55, having an arcuately upturned forward end 56 and a bracket member '57 secured atop said runner and adapted to be received between the downwardly depending wings of bracket 41 and be pivotally connected therewith by bolt means 36. Runner 53 thus may be substituted for and, in steering movements effected by the rider, may function in like manner as hereinbefore described for the forward wheel support means. Rear runner 54 comprises an elongated planar member '58 having an arcuately upturned end 59 whose leading edge is provided with a sleeved bracket 60. The rear runner 54 is designed for attachment to the underside of rider supporting member at two points, namely, the forward end 59 and trailing end 61 of said runner. Runner 54 is provided on its upper side adjacent to its trailing edge 61 with a bracket means 62 having upwardly extending wings 63 and 64 adapted to be received between and connected with bracket 45, employing bolt means 65. Each of the ski members '(typified by ski member 11 in FIG. 6) is provided with a clamp means intermediate its tie-bar members. Each clamp means comprises two separate elements 66 and 67 of generally U-shaped cross-section adapted to engage the lateral edges of ski member 11. That leg of each of elements 66 and '67 disposed on the underside of ski member 11 is provided with a downwardly depending wing 68 and 69, respectively, in spaced apart relation so as to receive therebetween sleeved bracket 60 secured to the leading edge of runner 59, bracket 60 being secured in position by bolt means '70 extending through wing 69, sleeved bracket 60 and wing 68. A strap and buckle means 71 is threaded through loop means 72 and 73 (not visible) on clamp elements 67 and 66, respectively, and extended around ski member 11 to provide a means for securing the foot of a rider to the ski 6 member 11.

I claim:

1. In a recreational vehicular device the combination comprising a pair of spaced apart elongated platforms disposed substantially horizontally for receiving and supporting a rider thereon,

a plurality of elongated structures between said spaced apart platforms,

coupling means for pivotally connecting said structures to said platforms at uniformly spaced apart locations with respect to the length of said structures for facilitating selective relative movement of one of said platforms with respect to the other of said platforms,

a plurality of runners for facilitating relative movement of said platforms with respect to a stationary surface,

a first pair of said runners fixedly secured to one of said structures at spaced apart locations underlying said platforms, and, a second pair of said runners, each being fixedly secured to the underside of one of said platforms at a location spaced from said first pair of runners,

clamp means secured on each platform member for receipt of a riders foot, wherein said clamp means comprises two elements, each of which is U-shaped in cross section and adapted to engage an edge of its respective frame member and further being provided with a downwardly depending flange portion, said flange portions of said clamp elements, in combination, receiving therebetween in connecting relation, the most forward end of the most rearward runner of the respective frame member for said clamp means,

said selective relative movement of said one platform causing said first pair of runners to be disposed in a direction of travel different from that of said second pair of runners with respect to said surface.

2. A recreational vehicle of the type adapted for steering control exclusively by relative movement of the feet of a rider and comprising, in combination,

at least two generally planar, elongated integral ski members in parallel and spaced apart relation,

at least two elongated tie-bar members,

at least one of said tie-bar members being disposed in pivotal connecting relation between said ski members adjacent their forward ends, and

at least one of said tie-bar members being disposed in pivotal connecting relation between said ski members adjacent their rearward ends,

coupling means pivotally connecting each extremity of each tie-bar member to a respective ski member for facilitating selective relative movement of one of said ski members with respect to the other of said ski members,

a first pair of support means secured on the underside of and one each adjacent each extremity of said forward tie-bar member, thus being movable therewith to have their direction of travel altered in response to pivotal movement of said forward tie-bar member with respect to said ski members, and

a second pair of support means fixedly secured on the underside of the rearward extremity of each ski member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,057,634 10/1962 Long 280-46 FOREIGN PATENTS 266,006 10/1913 Germany.

LEO FRIAGLIA, Primary Examiner. M. L. SMITH, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 280-713, 16, 87.04

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