WO2005069821A2

WO2005069821A2 - High performance snow scooter

Info

Publication number: WO2005069821A2
Application number: PCT/US2005/001095
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gene A. Ii Vanpelt; David Dennis Nelson; Kenneth Moscaret; Roger Moore
Original assignee: Ski Skoot, Inc.
Priority date: 2004-01-08
Filing date: 2005-01-10
Publication date: 2005-08-04
Also published as: WO2005069821A3

Abstract

A high performance snow scooter for recreation on snow or other slick surfaces, in lieu of skis or a snowboard, that is adapted to allow users of most ages to easily navigate and moderate speed on a variety of terrain with high performance and a minimal learning curve. To achieve such performance, the snow scooter includes an engagable brake plate at least 3 inches wide up to the width of the skis at the extreme rear; the deck is between 20 and 40 inches long; the deck is substantially torsionally rigid; the skis are between 3 and 7 inches in width; the deck is not be substantially narrower than the skis nor wider than a line inclined at 30 degrees from vertical starting at the widest point of the ski edge; and the deck is not more than 8 inches off the snow.

Description

HIGH PERFORMANCE SNOW SCOOTER

This application incorporates by reference for all purposes the following United States patent applications: SNOW SCOOTER WITH A FOOT- ACTIVATED BRAKE, application number 10/703,180 filed November 6, 2003; and SNAP-ON SKI ATTACHMENTS FOR A KICK SCOOTER application No. 60/425,222, filed November 8, 2002.

Background of the Invention

Snow sport enthusiasts have invented innumerable devices for sliding on snow, including snow scooters which have a stand-on surface above a ski surface and a rotatable upright guide handle coupled to a tumable front ski. Some snow scooters include brakes that dig into the snow when pressed with a foot. However, the devices that allow the highest performance, and are therefore the most popular at downhill ski areas, include alpine skis and snowboards but do not include snow scooters.

Summary

Aspects of the invention include a high performance snow scooter for recreation on snow, ice, or other slick surfaces in lieu of skis, a snowboard or other alternative devices. Aspects of the invention as described below allow users of most ages to easily navigate and moderate speed on a variety of terrain with a minimal learning curve. In several aspects, the invention is a high performance snow scooter with typical components, that is, a deck disposed above and coupled to a rear ski, the deck coupled at a rear end to an engagable brake plate having a presentable surface, the deck coupled at a front end to an upright guide handle having a longitudinal axis, the deck and handle coupled in such a manner that the handle can rotate about its axis relative to the deck, the handle pivotally coupled at a bottom end to a front ski, the front ski and handle coupled in such a manner that the ski can pitch forward and back relative to the handle. In one aspect, to achieve high performance capability, the typical components must have certain dimensions, namely: (a) the deck must be between 20 and 40 inches long and substantially torsionally rigid and the skis must be of approximately equal width and between 3 and 7 inches wide. In another aspect, the invention is a snow scooter where, to achieve high performance capability, (a) the deck is between 20 and 40 inches long, no higher than 8 inches above a bottom surface of the rear ski, and substantially torsionally rigid; (b) the skis are of approximately equal width and between 3 and 7 inches wide; (c) the presentable surface of the brake plate is between 3 inches wide and the width of the skis; and (d) the deck width is not substantially narrower than the skis nor substantially wider than a line extending toward the deck from an edge of the rear ski and inclined no more than 40 degrees off of vertical. In another aspect, the brake plate is about 4.5 inches wide, the deck length is about 30 inches, the deck is substantially torsionally rigid, the skis are about 5 inches in width, and the deck is wider than the skis, extending at its widest point to a line inclined at about 24 degrees from vertical starting at the widest point of the ski edge.

Detailed Description

FIG. 1 shows the major assemblies of the SNOW SCOOTER 1 , including the steering assembly 3, deck assembly 53, rear mounted trailing brake assembly 77, front floating ski assembly 101 , and rear floating ski assembly 137. FIG. 2 shows a side view of the SNOW SCOOTER 1 , while FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show top, front, and rear views, respectively. FIG. 6 shows the steering assembly 3 detached from the SNOW SCOOTER 1. The steering assembly 3 consists of sub-assemblies including the slide tube assembly 5 and pivot assembly 7. The handlebars 11 are secured to the handlebar tee 17 by the handlebar detents 9. When depressed, the handlebar detents 9 allow the handlebars 11 to slide out of the handlebar tee 17 and pivot downward to compact the assembly. The handlebars 11 are fitted with grips (not labeled) and handlebar plugs 13. The handlebar retainer cord 15, an elastic member shown in FIG. 8, runs through the handlebars 11 and handlebar tee 17 and is secured to each of the handlebar plugs 13. When the handlebars 11 are detached from the handlebar tee 17, the handlebar retainer cord 15 prevents unintentional loss. The camlock 19 shown in FIG. 6 allows the user to quickly adjust the handlebar height without the aid of tools. When loosened, the camlock 19 allows the handlebar tee 17 and handlebars 11 to slide up and down the downtube 25 to the height desired by the user. When the desired handlebar height is reached, the user simply rotates the camlock lever by hand, thereby retaining the desired handlebar height. FIG. 6 also shows the slide tube 29 and slide tube grip 27. From FIGS. 6-9, the slide tube assembly 5 consists of the slide tube 29, slide tube grip 27, slide tube spring 31 , upper spring detent pin 21 , and lower spring detent pin 23. As shown in FIG. 7, when the slide tube 29 is pulled upwards, as denoted by motion A. the handlebar assembly 3 is allowed to pivot downwards as indicated by motion B. These features allow the overall size of the SNOW SCOOTER 1 to be dramatically reduced for ease of transport or storage. FIG. 8 shows a section of the handlebar assembly 3 with the slide tube grip 27 removed and interior hidden lines in view. Note that in FIG. 8 the slide tube 29 is in the "down" position. The slide tube spring 31 is interior to the downtube 25 and is held in place by the upper and lower spring detent pins, 21 , 23. The upper spring detent pin 21 is secured to either side of the downtube 25, while the lower spring detent pin 23 passes through the downtube 25 is secured to either side of the slide tube 29. FIG. 9 shows the slidetube 29 in the "up" position, compressing the slidetube spring 31 and allowing the handlebar assembly 3 to be pivoted downwards. The lower spring detent pin guides 33 allow passage of the lower spring detent pin 23 through the downtube 25 and guide the slidetube 29 through its travel. When the handlebar assembly 3 is then raised to its normal in-use position, the compressed slidetube spring 31 expands and forces the slidetube 29 down, securely locking the pivot assembly 7 in its upright, riding position. FIGS. 10 and 11 show detailed views of the pivot assembly 7. The male pivot knuckle 35 and female pivot knuckle 37 are attached by a pivot pin 47 allowing smooth pivot action of the handlebar assembly 3. The male pivot knuckle 35 is attached to the downtube 25. The female pivot knuckle 37 is attached to the front ski fork tube 125 (shown in FIG. 17) by tightening the pivot assembly bolt 45. When tightened, the pivot assembly bolt 45 forces the pivot wedge 49 against the pivot wedge relief 51 thereby increasing the diameter of the lower portion of the female pivot knuckle 37 and effectively locking the pivot assembly 7 to the front ski fork tube 125. This locking wedge action secures the entire steering assembly 3 to the deck assembly 53 and the front floating ski assembly 101. The pivot stop 39 provides a mating surface between pivot assembly 7 and front ski fork tube 125 as well as the pivot assembly 7 and the slide tube 29. FIG. 12 shows the deck assembly 53 and front floating ski assembly 101. The deck 55 and integral features contained within it are designed to be plastic injection-molded as one piece. Each segment of the main deck tread pattern 57 on the deck 55 is tapered to prevent snow build-up and serves to provide traction for the user. The auxiliary deck tread pattern 59 is also tapered to release snow and provides traction while the user is operating the foot brake 79. The front ski 103 is also labeled in this view. FIG. 13 shows the underside of the deck assembly 53, including the spine 71 , which serves as the backbone for the unit, various deck ribs 63, which add strength and rigidity to the deck 55, the deck fastener bosses 65 which reinforce the areas where the deck fasteners 67 (from FIG. 14) attach the deck 55 to the spine 71. The brake relief 73, a cut-out section of the spine 71 that allows clearance for the brake assembly 77 is also shown in FIG. 13. The spine cap 99 rounds out the exposed forward end of the spine 71 and serves to keep out debris as well as to improve aesthetics.

In Fig 14, a close-up view of the underside of the deck assembly 53, one can better see the brake pin recesses 69 (left side only labeled), the brake pin detent holes 75 in the spine 71 , and brake arm recesses 61. From FIGS. 15, 16 the brake arms 97 (right side only labeled) of the foot brake 79 are secured to the spine 71 by the brake pin 81 , which protrudes through the brake pin detent holes 75 of the spine 71 and is secured from lateral movement by the brake pin recesses 69 (of FIG. 14). The foot brake 79 and integral features contained within it are designed to be plastic injection-molded as one piece. As the foot brake 79 is depressed, the brake spring 83 provides progressive feedback to the user in terms of the depth of engagement with the snow or other riding surface. During this action the serrated brake surfaces 87 provide traction to the user. When the foot brake 79 is released, the brake spring 83 automatically returns the foot brake 79 to its upright position. The brake spring recess 95 keeps the brake spring 83 centered on the brake pin 81. The brake plate 93 supports a replaceable brake wear plate 85 attached with brake wear plate fasteners 91, which during engagement contacts the snow or other riding surface. During foot brake 79 engagement, the snow displacement surfaces 89 serve to clear the brake of snow or other debris in an anti-clogging fashion. When the foot brake 79 is applied while traveling at higher rates of speed on the SNOW SCOOTER 1, the snow displacement surfaces 89 eject the snow with sufficient velocity to travel up into the air, spraying the snow in a distinctive "rooster tail" fashion. FIG. 17 shows the front floating ski assembly 101 and its components. The head tube 111 is integrally connected to the spine 71 and houses the upper and lower head tube races 117, 119. The upper and lower head tube bearings 121, 123 (not shown) are contained within these bearing races and provide for a smooth motion of the steering assembly 3 during use. The upper head tube race nut 113 and upper race torque nut 115 are threaded onto the front ski fork tube 125 and allow for tightening of the upper and lower head tube bearings 121, 123. The front ski fork tube 125 is integrally connected to the front ski fork 105. The front ski 103, inner front ski gussets 129, and outer front ski gussets 127, are designed to be plastic injection-molded as one piece. The inner front ski gussets 129 support the front ski axle 107 and provide additional longitudinal support for the front ski 103 during use. The outer front ski gussets 127 also support the front ski axle 107 and are designed to provide additional lateral support for the front ski 103 during use. The front ski axle 107 is retained by two front ski axle bolts 109 (right side only shown). FIG. 18 shows the underside of the front floating ski assembly 101. The front ski tip reinforcement 131 provides additional strength to the forward edge of the front ski 103. The front ski glide plates 133 (center only labeled) and front ski guide grooves 135 interact with the riding surface to provide both optimum gliding power and traction for steering during use in a variety of environmental conditions. The front ski 103 may be any type of ski suitable for sliding across a snow, ice or water surface and bearing the weight of a user, including a ski with a plain plastic gliding surface, a metal-edged snow ski in a shortened form having a low- friction base, and a snowboard-like ski. The front ski axle 107 is closer to the front ski glide plate 133 than the deck 55. It is also closer than can be achieved when a wheeled scooter is converted to a snow scooter by adding skis. This relative proximity of the front axle 107 to the front ski glide plate 133 lowers the center of a pitching movement of the front floating ski assembly 101 close to the snow surface being slid across. This lower center of pitching movement provides an improved ride, directional control, and structural integrity over arrangements having a center of pitching movement closer to or above the deck 55. Preferred distances from the bottom of the glide plate to the center of the axle are less than 35 millimeters (1 3/8 inches) and as small as practical. FIG. 19 shows the rear floating ski assembly 137 and its components. The rear ski fork 141 is attached to the spine 71 through the rear ski fork attachment holes 159 (one only labeled) using the rear ski fork fasteners 161 (not shown). The rear ski 139, inner rear ski gussets 149, and outer rear ski gussets 147, are designed to be plastic injection-molded as one piece. The inner rear ski gussets 149 support the rear ski axle 143 and provide additional longitudinal support for the rear ski 139 during use. The outer rear ski gussets 147 also support the rear ski axle 143 and are designed to provide additional lateral support for the rear ski 139 during use. The rear ski axle 143 is retained by two rear ski axle bolts 145 (right side only shown). The rear ski brake recess 157 allows additional penetration of the foot brake 79 into the riding surface and provides lateral stability to the foot brake 79 during heavy engagement. FIG. 20 shows the underside of the rear floating ski assembly 137. The rear ski tip reinforcement 151 provides additional strength to the forward edge of the rear ski 139. The rear ski glide plates 153 (center only labeled) and rear ski guide grooves 155 interact with the riding surface to provide both optimum gliding and traction for steering during use in a variety of environmental conditions. Like the front ski axle 107, the rear ski axle 143 is closer to the rear ski glide plates 153 than the deck 55. This relative proximity of the rear ski axle 143 to the rear ski glide plates 153 lowers the center of a pitching movement of the rear floating ski assembly 137 close to the snow surface being slid across. This lower center of pitching movement provides an improved ride, directional control, and structural integrity over arrangements having a center of pitching movement closer to or above the deck 55. In addition, this lower center of pitching movement provides less forward and aft movement of the rear floating ski assembly 137 as it pitches, thus requiring less clearance from the brake wear plate 85 of the aft mounted brake assembly 77. Preferred distances from the bottom of the glide plate to the center of the axle are less than 35 millimeters (1 3/8 inches) and as small as practical. Also like the front ski 103, the rear ski 139 may be any type of ski suitable for sliding across a snow, ice or water surface and bearing the weight of a user, including a ski with a plain plastic gliding surface, a metal-edged snow ski in a shortened form having a low-friction base, and a snowboard-like ski. For braking control that yields high performance, there must be an effective, engagable brake. To provide adequate braking force in soft snow and when traversing a steep slope, the brake must apply a plate that digs into the snow with a large presentable surface area, but it should not be too wide or wider than the ski so that it does not apply excessive torque when traversing a hill. Suitable widths are from 3 inches up to the width of the ski. In one embodiment optimized for best performance, the brake width, at its widest point, is about one- half inch less than the ski width, and tapers at the bottom as shown in Figure 16 to present a narrower bottom edge for adequate dig into hard or icy snow and limited torque when a corner of the brake edge catches an ice nodule. Because braking force causes a forward pitching motion for the rider due to momentum, the brake must be located as far to the rear as possible and the length from the brake to the pivot of the front ski must be long enough to prevent falling "over the handle bar". This design consideration urges a long deck. To allow superior performance, the stand-on deck must also have sufficient length from the front axle to the rear of the stand-on area to allow weight to be shifted both forward and back without the device pitching forward or back.

Additional length also allows the skis to have longer edges that engage the snow, providing more control via the ski edges. However, if the deck is too long, the device is too heavy and too unwieldy for lifting off the ground and maneuvering. In one embodiment optimized for best performance, the stand-on deck is about 30 inches (760 mm). Effective lengths are from about 20 inches (500 mm) to about 40 inches (1 meter). Converted small highly portable kick scooters with decks of about 13 inches have poor performance characteristics. For performance reasons, the deck must not be too high above the bottom surface of the rear ski. A higher deck excessively raises the center of gravity which exaggerates problems of the rider's momentum pitching forward and back. For performance, the deck should be no higher than 8 inches off the snow. In one embodiment optimized for best performance, the stand-on deck is about 4 inches off the snow. In addition to appropriate deck length and height, high torsional rigidity from the front ski (or axle) to the rear ski (or axle) is required. If the deck and rear ski are integrated into one flexible structure, as in US patent D467.199 issued to McClure, it is not possible to provide adequate edge pressure along the full length of the edge of the rear ski. By connecting the front and rear skis with a structure that is substantially torsionally rigid as in the present device and provides appropriate length from the front axle to the rear of the stand-on area, an angle that is imparted to the front ski via the guide handle is also fully imparted to the rear ski and application of the rider's weight is imparted to both edges, allowing the edge of the rear ski to engage the snow as much as the front ski and allowing the rider to shift weight forward or back along the edges to control yaw. The deck and rear ski may be coupled together in a single structure such that the ski surface is simply the bottom side of the deck, provided the structure is substantially torsionally rigid so that a rolling motion in the guide handle imparts a substantially equal rolling motion in the rear ski against the opposing force of the weight of a rider. Alternatively, the rear ski may be pivotally coupled to the deck as shown in the figures, which imparts roughly equal weight distribution along the length of the edge of the rear ski when it is on edge, allowing consistently high performance in edge control over varying terrain. In addition to appropriate deck length and high torsional rigidity, for high performance characteristics via edge control as specified above, the skis must not be too wide or too narrow. The front ski must be about the same width as the rear ski so that the edges will be equivalently engaged when traversing a slope or when engaging the edge to provide a centrifugal or stopping force. If the skis are too narrow, the deck or boots of the user will hit the snow when traversing a steep slope or engaging the edges. If the skis are too wide, too much torsional force will be required to engage the ski edges. Suitable ski widths are from about 3 inches (75 mm) to about 7 inches (180 mm) In one embodiment optimized for best performance, the width is about 5 inches. For high performance, the minimum and maximum deck widths are set by the ski widths. If the deck is substantially narrower than the skis, the rider will be unable to apply sufficient torsional force to the edges via the feet and will have to apply all of the torsional force via the guide handle. The deck can be wider than the skis up to a point where it will hit the snow when the edges are engaged with the snow at a steep angle. Thus, the amount that the deck can be wider than the skis is a function of the height of the deck above the bottom of the glide surface of the skis. Approximately 40 degrees is the maximum off of vertical that a line from the ski edge to the widest point of the deck should be inclined. A preferred range is between 0 degrees and 30 degrees for better performance. In one embodiment optimized for best performance, the inclination is about 24 degrees from vertical, the maximum deck width is about 7 % inches (195 mm) and the height of the deck off the snow is about 4 inches (105 mm). Thus, for control that yields high performance, an engagable brake plate at least 3 inches wide up to the width of the skis should be at the extreme rear, the deck length should be 20 - 40 inches, the deck should be substantially torsionally rigid, the skis should be 3 - 7 inches in width, and the deck should not be substantially narrower than the skis or wider than a line inclined at 30 degrees from vertical starting at the widest point of the ski edge. In a snow scooter optimized for best performance, the brake plate is about 4.5 inches wide, the deck length is about 30 inches, the deck is substantially torsionally rigid, the skis and brake are about 5 inches in width, and the deck is wider than the skis, extending at its widest point to a line inclined at 24 degrees from vertical starting at the widest point of the ski edge.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A snow scooter comprising a deck disposed above and coupled to a rear ski, the deck coupled at a rear end to an engagable brake plate having a presentable surface, the deck coupled at a front end to an upright guide handle having a longitudinal axis, the deck and handle coupled in such a manner that the handle can rotate about its axis relative to the deck, the handle pivotally coupled at a bottom end to a front ski, the front ski and handle coupled in such a manner that the ski can pitch forward and back relative to the handle, wherein: (a) the deck is between 20 and 40 inches long, no higher than 8 inches above a bottom surface of the rear ski, and substantially torsionally rigid; (b) the skis are of approximately equal width and between 3 and 7 inches wide; (c) the presentable surface of the brake plate is between 3 inches wide and the width of the skis; and (d) the deck width is not substantially narrower than the skis nor substantially wider than a line extending toward the deck from an edge of the rear ski and inclined no more than 40 degrees off of vertical.

2. The snow scooter of claim 1 wherein the rear ski is pivotally coupled to the deck in such a manner that the ski can pitch forward and back relative to the deck.

3. The snow scooter of claim 1 wherein the rear ski is rigidly coupled to the deck.

4. The snow scooter of claim 1 wherein the rear ski is a bottom surface of the deck.

5. The snow scooter of claim 1 wherein the deck is approximately 30 inches long.

6. The snow scooter of claim 1 wherein the skis are approximately 5 inches wide.

7. The snow scooter of claim 1 wherein the deck width is not substantially narrower than the skis nor substantially wider than a line extending toward the deck from an edge of the rear ski and inclined no more than 30 degrees off of vertical

8. A snow scooter comprising a deck disposed above and coupled to a rear ski, the deck coupled to an engagable brake having a presentable surface, the deck coupled at a front end to an upright guide handle having a longitudinal axis, the deck and handle coupled in such a manner that the handle can rotate about its axis relative to the deck, the handle pivotally coupled at a bottom end to a front ski, the front ski and handle coupled in such a manner that the ski can pitch forward and back relative to the handle, wherein: (a) the deck is between 20 and 40 inches long, no higher than 8 inches above a bottom surface of the rear ski, and substantially torsionally rigid; and (b) the skis are of approximately equal width and between 3 and 7 inches wide.

9. The snow scooter of claim 1 wherein the rear ski is pivotally coupled to the deck.

10. The snow scooter of claim 1 wherein the rear ski is rigidly coupled to the deck.

11. The snow scooter of claim 1 wherein the rear ski is a bottom surface of the deck.

12. The snow scooter of claim 1 wherein the deck is approximately 30 inches long.

13. The snow scooter of claim 1 wherein the skis are approximately 5 inches wide.

14. The snow scooter of claim 1 wherein the deck width is not substantially narrower than the skis nor substantially wider than a line extending toward the deck from an edge of the rear ski and inclined no more than 30 degrees off of vertical

15. The snow scooter of claim 1 wherein the presentable surface of the brake plate is at least 3 inches wide.

16. The snow scooter of claim 1 wherein the deck is approximately 4 inches above the bottom surface of the rear ski.