Ski with brake

Abstract

A brake plate is swingably carried on the base of a snow ski for automatic deployment upon initial rearward movement of the ski. A pivot pin permits arcuate movement of the brake plate, between limit stops, about an axis transversely disposed of the ski. The pivot pin is recessed in the bottom of the ski. A base plate also may be inset into the base of the ski.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention pertains generally to snow skis and particularly to a modification thereof to prevent or inhibit rearward travel of the ski.

[0002] Recreational skiing generally includes downhill and cross country skiing. In either use it is desirable to prevent rearward travel of a ski. Previous efforts to provide a ski with various mechanisms to prevent or inhibit rearward ski travel are found in the prior art. It is noted that such efforts, generally speaking, entail severe modification of the ski to jeopardize ski strength and performance as well as contribute significantly to the cost of ski manufacture. While such previous efforts may be practical with regard to a cross country ski, the earlier proposed modification of a downhill ski would severely affect the dynamic properties of same as well as ski strength.

[0003] U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,148,500; 4,398,746; 5,221,104 and 2,248,008 all disclose heavily modified skis in an effort to provide a brake or restraint for a ski.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0004] A ski is provided with a brake having a pivot carried by a base plate on the base of the ski. Braking of the ski against rearward travel is effected by a swingably mounted member which, in operation, is displaced to a braking position by contact with a snow or other ski surface while during forward travel of the ski, automatically retracts to a raised position against of the ski. The pivot is housed in an inset manner to avoid impeding ski use. The base plate may also be inset within a recess in the ski base. To achieve desired braking action, the ski may be equipped with multiple spaced apart units without adversely affecting the structural integrity of the ski.

[0005] Important objectives of the present ski modification include a brake adapted for installation in a ski without adverse impact on the strength nor the dynamic characteristics of a downhill or cross country ski; the provision of a brake, in combination with a ski, that requires no actuating mechanism but rather is automatically deployed by gravity and contact with the snow, the latter upon initial travel of a ski in a rearward direction; the provision of a brake which is of uncomplicated design without severe modification of the ski being necessary and a brake not adversely affecting ski weight or flexibility. These and other objectives of the present invention will become clear upon an understanding of the following described brake.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] In the accompanying drawings:

[0007] FIG. 1 is side elevational view of a snow ski with the present invention in place thereon;

[0008] FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of that area of the ski encircled at 2 in FIG. 1 with parts broken away.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of FIG. 2; and

[0010] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of that structure shown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] With continuing attention to the drawings wherein applied reference numerals indicate parts similarly hereinafter identified, the reference numeral 1 indicates a ski of the type used for recreational purposes. Tip and tail ends of the ski are indicated at 2 and 3 while a mid section of the ski is indicated at 4. A ski binding is not shown.

[0012] A base plate 5 of the present brake is suitably secured to the underside of the ski by fastening means as at 7 which may be a threaded fastener. Other fastening arrangements for the base plate may include suitable adhesives and/or recessing the base plate to the extent an overlay of the ski base B may serve to confine the plate. Base plate sleeves are indicated at 8 and receive a pivot pin at 10. The sleeves and pin are preferably inset within a recess 11 within the ski base.

[0013] A brake plate 12 terminates forwardly, with respect to the ski, in a sleeve 13 journaled about pin 10 permitting brake plate travel about an axis of the pin transversally disposed of the ski. An inclined surface at 14 of the ski limits travel of brake plate 12 in an upward or retracted direction during forward travel of the ski. Such upward retraction of brake plate 12 virtually dispenses with any diminishing effect of the plate on forward travel of the ski regardless of the trailing edge 12A of plate 12 being offset slightly below ski base B. The offset of edge 12A assures brake deployment during initial rearward travel of the ski.

[0014] Brake plate 12 rotates about the pivot pin axis to the broken line position of FIG. 2. Brake plate edge 12A preferably is radiussed to avoid injury to a skier in case of a fall. Further, brake plate 12 may be formed on a relatively long radius (in plan view) while still providing an adequate surface area to effect braking.

[0015] A second plate limiting surface at 15 is provided by base plate 5 which is contacted by a proximal edge 12B to limit deployment of brake plate 12.

[0016] Adherence of snow or ice to the brake is avoided by the application of a synthetic material such as TEFLON, a registered trademark, identifying a synthetic material resistant to the adherence of foreign matter.

[0017] While FIG. 1 discloses multiple brake units on a ski, a ski of lesser length may require only a single unit.

[0018] The present brake lends itself to convenient installation on skis during their manufacture or by retrofitting of existing skis.

[0019] While we have shown but one embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied still otherwise without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.

[0020] Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be secured by a Letters Patent is:

Claims

1- A brake for a snow ski having a bottom surface and a forward end and a rearward end, said brake comprising,

a base for installation on the bottom of the ski,

a brake plate,

a pivot coupling said brake plate to said base,

a first limit stop stopping travel of the plate in a position so as to depend from the pivot to inhibit rearward travel of the ski, and

a second limit stop limiting retraction of the brake plate toward the ski bottom during forward travel of the ski.

2- A brake for a snow ski comprising,

a base for installation on the ski,

a brake plate,

a pivot coupling said brake plate to said base,

first and second limit stops limiting the brake plate to movement between a downwardly deployed position for braking of the ski and an upwardly retracted position allowing forward travel of the ski.

3- The brake claimed in claim 1 wherein said first limit stop is a surface area on the base.

4- The brake claimed in claim 3 wherein said second limit stop is inclined relative a horizontal plane containing the pivot.

5- The brake claimed in claim 1 wherein said brake plate at all times projects below the bottom surface of the ski.

6- A snow ski including,

a bottom surface defining a recessed area,

a base for installation on the bottom of the ski,

a brake plate having a segment disposed below the bottom of the ski,

a pivot coupling said brake plate to said base,

a first limit stop stopping forward travel of the brake plate in a position so as to depend from the pivot to inhibit rearward travel of the ski, and

a second limit stop limiting rearward retraction of the brake plate toward the ski bottom during forward travel of the ski.

7- A snow ski including,

a brake plate,

a pivot carried by the ski,

said brake plate swingably carried by said pivot, and

at least one surface area on said ski limiting brake plate travel about said pivot.

8- A snow ski comprising,

top and bottom surfaces the latter defining a recess

a brake including a brake plate inhibiting rearward travel of the ski,

a pivot in said recess and on which said brake is carried,

means for attaching said pivot to the snow ski, and

limit stops for limiting brake plate movement between a deployed braking position and a retracted trailing position during forward travel of the ski.

9- The snow ski claimed in claim 8 wherein one of said limit stops is a surface of the ski.

10- The snow ski claimed in claim 9 wherein said means for attaching said pivot to the snow ski includes a base plate.

11- The snow ski claimed in claim 8 wherein one of said limit stops limits travel of the brake plate to the trailing position whereat a segment of the brake plate projects below the bottom surface of the ski.