US3862764A

US3862764A - Parallel attachment for skis

Info

Publication number: US3862764A
Application number: US287366A
Authority: US
Inventors: Billy J Hartz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-09-08
Filing date: 1972-09-08
Publication date: 1975-01-28
Anticipated expiration: 1992-01-28

Abstract

A linkage for maintaining the parallel relationship of alpinetype skis is provided which permits relative fore and aft motion of the skis as well as rotation about the longitudinal axis.

Description

1 l1 .111te States aten 1191 1111 3,862,764 Hartz Jan. 28, 1975 [54] PARALLEL ATTACHMENT FOR SKIS 3.565.424 2/1971 Macabet 81 al. 272/57 B x 3.627349 12/1971 Barry 2110/11.. E Inventor: Bllly m 4016 llmlh 3751,056 8/l973 Wightman 2110/1137 E Seattle, Wash. 98l25 [22 H d. s t 8 1972 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1 1,945.977 3/1971 Germany 280/1137 E 21] Appl. No.: 287,366 1264565 5/1961 France 2110/1137 R 52 us. c1 280/1 1.37 E p'imary Schonberg 51 161. c1 A63c 11/00 Mitchell [58] Field Of Search 280/1137 E, 11.37 R, pim-chris'ensom OCOWR 280/1 1.13 T, 11.371; 272/57 B Gamsu & Haveka [56] References Cited ABSTRACT UNITED STATES PATENTS A linkage for maintaining the parallel relationship of 3,148,891 9/1964 Heuve] 280/] 137 E alpine-type skis is provided which permits relative fore 3,171,667 3/1965 wi h 230 1 37 J X and aft motion of the skis as well as rotation about the 3,264,663 8/1966 Owens 2110/1137 J longitudinal axis. 3.357.714 12/1967 Kuehn 2110/1137 E 3,408,067 l0/l968 Armstrong 272/57 13 x 11 Clam, 9 Drawmg Flgures 3,411,224 ll/l968 Wagner 2110 1137 E ux 1 PARALLEL ATTACHMENT FOR SKIS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an attachment for alpinetype skis to maintain a parallel relationship therebetween during skiing.

This invention further relates to a teaching device useful in learning the art and methods of parallel alpine skiing and relates more particularly to a frame mechanism which engages both skis to constrain said skis in a parallel relationship while permitting individual rotation of the skis about their longitudinal axis and relative longitudinal reciprocative motion therebetween.

PRIOR ART It is well-known in the prior art to use skis or ski-like runners attached together firmly to form a sled-like device for transporting people or baggage loads for recreational and transportation purposes. In addition, it is known to prepare a sledlike device in which the front tip ends of the skis are attached together a predetermined distance apart and the resulting mechanism drawn by a motive source such as attachment to a vehicle or tow rope or the like. Heretofore no means has been provided for operatively attaching the alpine-type skis together in a predetermined relationship which permits the necessary motions for accomplishing alpine-type skiing while teaching the skier to maintain his skis in the desired parallel relationship.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a means for fastening alpine-type skis in a parallel relationship which permits the necessary motions of the skis for use in alpine skiing.

It is a further object of this invention to provide means for fastening alpine skis together permitting individual relative rotation of the skis about their longitudinal axis and a sufficient degree of longitudinal reciprocative motion therebetween to accomplish the necessary movements involved in correctly executed alpine parallel ski techniques.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A framework is provided operatively engaging each of two parallel oriented alpine-type skis and slidably interengagin g the two skis permitting rotation of the skis about their longitudinal axis and relative longitudinal motion between the two skis while constraining the skis into a parallel relationship. The framework is preferably constructed of a relatively flexible yet resilient material such that the skis are permitted to deviate some what from their parallel relationship to accommodate discontinuities in the terrain yet are urged into a parallel relationship by the framework. The framework is preferably removably attached to the upper surface of the skis such that it may be attached to the skis and utilized for teaching purposes yet be easily removable so that the skis may be used for general recreational ski- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects of this invention will become more readily apparent from the evaluation of the following description of the several preferred embodiments of this invention and by reference to the several drawings appended hereto wherein:

FIG. I shows a perspective view of a skier wearing a pair of alpine-type skis having the device of this invention attached thereto;

FIG. 2 shows a side elevation view of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a front elevation view of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a sectioned front elevation view taken along line 55 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 7 shows a front elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6',

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of this invention; and

FIG. 9 shows a front view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 8.

Referring more particularly to the drawings wherein like figures indicate like parts, there is seen in FIGS. 1 through 5 a first preferred embodiment of this invention wherein a pair of alpine skis, 11 and 12 respectively, each have a cylindrical structural member attached to the forward portion of the skis ahead of the location at which the skiers boots are attached. Ski 11 has cylindrical structural member 14 attached thereto and ski 12 has cylindrical structural member 15 attached thereto. Member 14 is attached to ski 11 by means of forward and

rearward brackets

16 and 17 respectively such that cylindrical member 14 is positioned somewhat above the upper surface of ski 11 for purposes described hereinafter. Similarly, cylindrical member 15 is attached to ski 12 by forward and

rearward brackets

18 and 19 respectively. A portion of the cylindrical member 14 issurrounded by tubular member 20 which slidably engages tubular member 14 for reciprocative and rotative motion therebetween. Similarly, cylindrical member 15 is partially enclosed within tubular member 21 and is slidably engaged thereby to permit reciprocative and rotative motion therebetween.

Resilient but somewhat flexible strap means act as a bridging means to connect the two

tubular members

20 and 21 together at a predetermined distance such that the skis will be positioned at the proper distance apart for alpine-type skiing. In FIGS. 1 through 5, the resilient but somewhat flexible strap means comprises a pair of

strap elements

22 and 23. These strap elements may be attached directly to the

cylindrical elements

20 and 21 or, as shown, may be attached to

end elements

24, 25, 26 and 27 which are in turn firmly attached to the

tubular elements

20 and 21.

The apparatus as thus described permits axial rotation of the individual skis about the

cylindrical members

14 and 15 into positions shown at 11' and 12' in FIG. 5, but constrains the

skis

11 and 12 into a parallel relationship. In addition, since the

cylindrical members

14 and 15 are substantially longer than the

tubular members

20 and 21 which slidably engage the

cylindrical members

14 and 15, a substantial amount of reciprocative translation is permitted thus providing for relative fore and aft movement of the

skis

11 and 12 from the positions shown in FIG. 3 to the extent of travel permitted by the tubular members and 21. A portion of the permitted travel is demonstrated in FIG. 3 by the respective locations of the

attachment members

16, 17, 18 and 19 and which are shown in a second position at 16', 17, 18' and 19.

The connecting

elements

22 and 23 are constructed of a suitable material such as metal, fiberglass reinforced plastic resins, wood or other suitable materials, which will provide a sufficient rigidity and ruggedness yet permit a certain degree of flexing to absorb the variations in terrain encountered by a skier.

In FIGS. 6 and 7, a second embodiment of this invention is shown wherein a pair of alpine-

type skis

31 and 32 are connected together to maintain a parallel relationship by a frame means having a single central sliding member. In this embodiment, the frame means is attached to the skis by attachment means 33, 34, 35 and 36 which comprise flexible suction cup elements removably adhered to the upper surface of the

skis

31 and 32. The flexible nature of the attachment provides a resilient interengagement between the frame means and the skis which in turn permits the requisite axial rotation for angulation of the skis during usage. Attached to each suction cup attachment means 33, 34, 35 and 36 is a

flat plate member

37, 38, 39 and 40 respectively, each of which is provided with a plurality of mounting apertures 41 to adjustably connect these elements to the skis, providing a means for adjusting the relative distance between the skis thus accommodating various stances encountered in the teaching of alpine skiing. The

flat plate members

37 and 38 attached through suction cups 33 and 34 to ski 31 each are attached to slotted track member 42 which has slot 43 opening toward the adjacent ski 32. Interengaged within slotted track member 42 is runner 44, adapted to reciprocate within member 42 axially, permitting relative axial reciprocative motion between

skis

31 and 32. Runner 44 is in turn connected with a pair of transversely extending

elements

39 and 40 which engage

suction cups

35 and 36 respectively and are operatively engaged with ski 32.

Due to the flexibility of the attachment means 33, 34, 35 and 36 as well as an inherent flexibility of the

flat frame members

37, 38, 39 and 40 due to the materials used,

skis

31 and 32 may individually rotate axially to a sufflcient degree to permit the edging or angulation motion necessary to properly accomplish parallel alpine-type skiing. In addition, the sliding relationship between

elements

42 and 44 permits relative axial reciprocation between

skis

31 and 32. Thus, one of said skis may be advanced ahead of the other so that the proper stance for traversing a hillside may be assumed by the skier.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a third embodiment of this invention wherein a substantially greater freedom of rotation of each individual ski is provided and wherein the frame means may be easily removed from the skis. In this embodiment, ski 51 has attachment means 53 and 54 positioned thereon and ski 52 has attachment means 55 and 56 positioned thereon, each of said attachment means comprising a rubber suction cup type of device or similar removable mounting means. Attachment means 53 and 54 pivotally engage an elongated structural element 57 which is positioned parallel to the major axis of ski 51. Similarly, attachment means 55 and 56 pivotally engage elongated structural element 58 which is positioned parallel to the major axis of ski 52. A resilient but somewhat flexible plate 59 is rigidly attached to elongated structural member 57 by means of a pair of thumb screws 60 threaded into element 70. Thumb screws 60 may be inserted through any one of three sets'of apertures as shown to provide adjustability of the width between the

skis

51 and 52. Other adjustment means may be used. Similarly, a flat, somewhat resilient plate member 61 is rigidly attached to elongated member 58 by means of a pair of thumb screws 62 through one of three sets of apertures into element 71. Plate 59 carries track means 63 which in turn partially surrounds runner means 64 permitting relative reciprocation of track means 63 and runner means 64. The runner means 64 is firmly attached to plate 61 thus interconnecting

skis

51 and 52 in a parallel relationship while permitting relative reciprocative motion between

skis

51 and 52 and individual rotation of the

skis

51 and 52 about

members

57 and 58 respectively the

plates

59 and 61 providing bridging means between the two skis.

The

elongated members

57 and 58 are each set into sockets provided therefore in the

front mounting members

54 and 55 respectively and are removably connected to the

rearward mount members

53 and 56 by means of

pins

65 and 66 respectively. Thus, the members along with the slide mechanism may easily be dismounted from the skis by removing

pins

65 and 66, sliding

members

57 and 58 forward a short distance to disengage them from

mounts

53 and 56 and then sliding

members

57 and 58 rearwardly to disengage them from

mounts

54 and 55 respectively. The

skis

51 and 52 are then free for use in the normal fashion of alpine skiing. Alternately the runner 64 and track 63 may be disengaged by sliding runner 64 out of track 63 to the front or back. At that point the

plates

59 and 61 will swing upwardly under the influence of springs 68 and 69 respectively to a position in which the apparatus will not interfere with normal usuage of the skis.

In the construction of the devices shown in the drawings, it is preferable to use materials which are resilient yet somewhat flexible such that the skis are permitted limited skew movement but are urged into their proper parallel position rather than being firmly fixed in that position. However, a workable device results if the frame members utilized to connect the skis together are rigid and nonyielding. Preferably, metal or plastic material are utilized. It has been found that fiber-glass reinforced plastics are ideally suited for usage for certain parts of this invention. The

flat members

59 and 61 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 preferably are thin and somewhat flexible metal plates. However, the various polymeric materials having sufflcient strength may also be used. The preferred embodiments shown in the drawings are shown attached to the skis by means of rubber suction cup like devices. However, any means of attachment to ski may be utilized including a direct mechanical fastening using threaded fasteners, attaching bearing pads with adhesive materials such as epoxy glues or by the use of other suitable fastening means well known in the art.

The preferred embodiments described above and shown in the drawings each have the linkage apparatus positioned ahead of the ski bindings. The linkage can, of course, be positioned behind the bindings or there may be provided a linkage both in front of and behind the bindings to accomplish the objects of this invention.

The preferred embodiments maintain the same distance between the skis in all positions. It is not required that the linkage used to maintain the skis parallel also keep the skis spaced apart the same distance under all conditions. It is only required that the linkage permit fore and aft individual movement of the skis while keeping the skis parallel.

One major advantage of this invention is that, if the invention is used during the early learning stages by a beginning skier, the skis are held together so that the skier learns to fall properly and does not encounter an uncontrolled separation of the skis in a fall, thus minimizing the chances of a serious injury.

While this invention has been described with particular reference to certain perferred embodiments, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various modifications may be made thereto.

What is claimed is:

l. A framework apparatus for restraining and limiting relative movement of alpine skis whereby said skis may move relatively fore and aft, individually rotate about a longitudinal axis and move in limited skew relationship to accommodate snow surface irregularities while maintaining said skis in a substantially parallel relationship, comprising:

two elongated members, each positioned forwardly of ski bindings on said skis and positioned substantially parallel to each other, each member having front and rear mounting means for removably attaching said members to the upper surface of a pair of alpine skis; and,

resilient linkage means extending between said two elongated members, said resilient linkage means including track and slide means permitting relative fore and aft movement of said two members and resilient bridging means which interconnects said track and slide means and said elongated members permitting limited skew movement of said elongated members while urging said two members into parallel relationship.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said resilient linkage means is adjustable in length.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said elongated members are cylindrical in cross section and said track and slide means further comprises a pair of tubular members, each engaging one of said cylindrical elongated members as tracks and positioned thereon for reciprocative movement and wherein said bridging means comprises at least one strap means extending between said pair of tubular members.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said resilient linkage means further comprises plate elements attached to said elongated members and extending toward an adjacent elongated member, said plate elements carrying said track and slide means.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said elongated members are pivotally mounted in said mounting means.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said plate elements have a plurality of attachment apertures therein, whereby the distance between said elongated members may be varied.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said track and slide means is disengageable to permit usage of skis carrying said framework independently of each other.

8. Framework for limiting the movement of alpine skis to those movements necessary to properly execute parallel skiing techniques, comprising in combination:

a first alpine ski having ski engaging, mounting means on the upper surface thereof, carrying a first member above the upper surface of said first alpine ski;

a first resilient bridging means firmly attached to said first pivotally mounted member and extending laterally from said first pivotally mounted member mounted to pivot about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally toward a second ski and carrying a track means thereon;

a second alpine ski having ski engaging, mounting means on the upper surface thereof, carrying a second member mounted to pivot about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally above the upper surface of said second alpine ski;

a second resilient bridging means firmly attached to said second pivotally mounted member and extending laterally from said second pivotally mounted member toward said first ski and carrying a slide means thereon; and,

said track means and said slide means being interengageable whereby said skis are resiliently urged into a parallel relationship while said skis are permitted limited individual rotation about their respective pivotally mounted members and relative fore and aft movement.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said first and said second bridging means have a plurality of apertures for attachment to said first pivotally mounted member and said second pivotally mounted member, respectively, whereby the distance between said alpine skis may be adjusted.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said first pivotally mounted member and said second pivotally mounted member are removable from said mounting means whereby said framework, excepting said mounting means, may be removed from said skis for usage of said skis without said framework.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 and spring means on said first and said second pivotally mounted members to urge said first and said second resilient bridging means into an upright position whenever said track and slide are disengaged. A63c 11/00 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE QERTTFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3J862a1764 Dated y 1975 C Inventor) Billy J. Hartz It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below: Q

Column 6, line 16, after "her", insert mounted to pivot about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally Signed and Sealed this second Day of September 1975 [SEAL] Arrest:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN MIN g fficer ('ummissimnr uj'Parents and Trademarks FORM PO-1050 (10-69) uscoMM-Dc scans-P69 U.Sv GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 9 930

Claims

1. A framework apparatus for restraining and limiting relative movement of alpine skis whereby said skis may move relatively fore and aft, individually rotate about a longitudinal axis and move in limited skew relationship to accommodate snow surface irregularities while maintaining said skis in a substantially parallel relationship, comprising: two elongated members, each positioned forwardly of ski bindings on said skis and positioned substantially parallel to each other, each member having front and rear mounting means for removably attaching said members to the upper surface of a pair of alpine skis; and, resilient linkage means extending between said two elongated members, said resilient linkage means including track and slide means permitting relative fore and aft movement of said two members and resilient bridging means which interconnects said track and slide means and said elongated members permitting limited skew movement of said elongated members while urging said two members into parallel relationshiP.

8. Framework for limiting the movement of alpine skis to those movements necessary to properly execute parallel skiing techniques, comprising in combination: a first alpine ski having ski engaging, mounting means on the upper surface thereof, carrying a first member above the upper surface of said first alpine ski; a first resilient bridging means firmly attached to said first pivotally mounted member and extending laterally from said first pivotally mounted member mounted to pivot about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally toward a second ski and carrying a track means thereon; a second alpine ski having ski engaging, mounting means on the upper surface thereof, carrying a second member mounted to pivot about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally above the upper surface of said second alpine ski; a second resilient bridging means firmly attached to said second pivotally mounted member and extending laterally from said second pivotally mounted member toward said first ski and carrying a slide means thereon; and, said track means and said slide means being interengageable whereby said skis are resiliently urged into a parallel relationship while said skis are permitted limited individual rotation about their respective pivotally mounted members and relative fore and aft movement.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 and spring means on said first and said second pivotally mounted members to urge said first and said second resilient bridging means into an upright position whenever said track and slide are disengaged. A63c 11/00