Apparatus, System, and Method for Folding, Stowing, and Deploying Skis
A foldable ski is part of a system for traversing over snow and ice covered terrain. The ski is configured to be moved from a deployed condition and shortened in length to a stowed condition. Thus, stowing the ski enables it to fit in small spaces such as in a snowmobile compartment or backpack pocket. The ski is constructed with a plurality of hinges, sections, and locking mechanisms configured to move the sections between the deployed condition and the stowed condition. The ski may also include a mechanism for pivotally coupling footwear to the ski, whether a user is wearing hardshell boots or softshell boots for hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, and/or snowboarding. The mechanism for coupling footwear may include an adjustable binding platform capable of position adjustment and/or length adjustment.
This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/894,541 entitled “FOLDING SKIS FOR PACKS AND SNOWMOBILES AND AN ADJUSTABLE MOUNTING PLATE FOR FOOTWEAR”, filed on Mar. 13, 2007 for Lane Ekberg, and a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/017,949 entitled “APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR A COLLAPSING APPROACH SKI”, filed on Jan. 22, 2008 for Lane Ekberg, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/888,700 entitled “FOLDING APPROACH SKI SYSTEM”, filed Feb. 7, 2007 for Lane Ekberg, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to devices used for traversing ice and snow, and more particularly relates to collapsible skis that can be easily stowed and carried between uses.
2. Description of the Related Art
A number of collapsible skis have been tried over the years. Some folding skis, which incorporate hinges, are known. However, these skis are patterned after bulky downhill designs. Bindings for securing hard shelled boots on downhill skis are known.
The collapsible or foldable skis of the past predominantly have two sections that are joined near a center of the ski by hinges and/or locking mechanisms. The locking mechanisms are for holding the collapsible or folding skis in a deployed configuration, but typically have weak points and are prone to breakage under regular conditions of use for skis.
Other devices used for traversing ice or snow include snow shoes. However, snow shoe devices are limited in their sliding and maneuvering capability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONSince it is cumbersome to pack full-length skis and because of the large space requirement, some folding skis have been developed. However, the skis typically fold approximately in half such that they are at least 50% as long as full-length skis. These skis typically have hardshell boot bindings, which take up additional space. As such, these skis are too long and bulky to fit into a snowmobile or backpack pocket. Furthermore, these skis are structurally very complex and expensive.
Snowmobile enthusiasts sometimes experience engine trouble or machine breakage. The snowmobile may become stuck with no way to free the snowmobile. These situations can be life-threatening when may require a user to hike for help because they have not brought appropriate foot traveling devices that will enable the user to hike for help. It is difficult to walk or otherwise maneuver in deep fresh snow without skis or snow shoes. Moreover, even if a user desired to pack snowshoes or skis, those devices, as they are known in the prior art, are not capable of being stowed and fit into compartments of snowmobiles or backpacks.
From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for an apparatus, system, and method that have the benefits of skis and the benefits of snow shoes. Beneficially, such an apparatus, system, and method would include foldability such that the apparatus may be a ski or snow shoe that can be folded into a compact volume that is less than half the length of the skis or snow shoes. However, when deployed, the apparatus should have excellent maneuverability in ice, snow, and powder conditions.
The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available folding skis and snow shoes. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide an apparatus, system, and method for stowing skis or snow shoes in a compact volume that will easily fit in a back pack or snow mobile compartment, and which overcome many or all of the above-discussed shortcomings in the art. Indeed, the apparatuses of the present invention enable a user to more easily climb, slide, turn, and otherwise maneuver when traversing ice, snow, or power.
In a simple form, an apparatus for traversing ice and snow in accordance with embodiments of the present invention includes a collapsible body having a bottom surface for traversing ice and snow covered terrain and a top surface for supporting a user on the ice or snow. The apparatus also includes at least two hinge areas such that the body is divided into at least three sections by the two hinge areas. The apparatus also has at least two separate locking mechanisms on the body proximate to the two hinge areas. The locking mechanisms are configured to hold the at least two hinge areas in a deployed mode with the sections aligned with each other when locked. The locking mechanisms are also configured to release the two hinge areas in a collapsed mode, thus enabling the sections to be stowed in a mutually overlying configuration when unlocked.
The apparatus may further include an adjustable attachment mechanism coupled to the top surface for adjustably attaching footwear to the top surface of the apparatus. In one embodiment, the adjustable attachment mechanism has a mounting platform configured to secure footwear to the apparatus. In this embodiment, the platform is releasably coupled to the top surface of the apparatus. The platform may have at least one strap attached thereto for engaging hard or soft shelled footwear
In another simple form, a system for selectively deploying and stowing a device for traversing snow or ice in accordance with embodiments of the invention includes a body having a plurality of sections movable between a deployed mode forming a ski or snow shoe and a stowed mode in which the sections are collapsed into overlying relation relative to each other. The system also has at least one releasable locking mechanism fixing at least one of the sections relative to another of the sections in the deployed mode. The system further includes a binding mounting mechanism disposed on a front half of the body on at least one of the sections when the sections are in the deployed mode.
In one embodiment of the system, the binding mounting mechanism has a plurality of binding position elements. The binding position elements are configured for pivotally coupling footwear at a plurality of positions generally corresponding to the binding position elements along the body. The plurality of binding position elements are positioned on the front half of the body in the deployed mode.
In still another simple form, a method of using a collapsible device for traversing snow or ice in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may include unfolding at least three sections of a ski or snow shoe and locking the at least three sections in an aligned, generally rigid, deployed configuration. The method may also include coupling footwear to the device at a position in a front half of the device. Coupling the footwear may include adjustably coupling a binding platform to one of a plurality of binding mounting elements on the front half of the device. The method may also include unlocking and folding the three sections into a compact stowed configuration. Folding may include moving the sections and forming them into the compact stowed configuration with the sections in overlying relation to each other and having a length less than approximately 45% of a length of the device in the deployed configuration.
Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.
Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.
These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.
In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of various embodiments and user selections, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.
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Hinge locks 4 maintain locked or unlocked the positions through retaining mechanisms. Retaining mechanisms may include a tether 8 capable of coupling to a tether hole 11 to hold the hinge locks 4 in an unlocked folding position. Lock mechanisms may also coupled to tether hole 10 to hold the hinge locks 4 in a locked hinge or deployed configuration. The hinge locks 4 may include bolts or braces 6 guided in slider slots or channels formed at least in part by keepers 12 located on a top surface of the skis 1. It is to be understood that such keepers 12 with their channels may be formed by a molded polycarbonate protrusion on the upper surface, for example. Other materials forming the keepers and channels may include added elements including any of a variety of metals. A tab 20 prevents the braces 6 from sliding out of the slider slots or channels when the retaining mechanism is not tethered to any of the tether holes.
A mounting plate or binding platform 26, as shown in
The binding platform 26 may be coupled to the ski 1 by a quick-release mechanism to allow the ski 1 to fold more compactly. To detach the binding, a user would unlock the quick-release mechanism. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the binding platform 26 may be permanently attached to the folding ski 1.
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The braces may have an upturned portion in a central region and/or a fabric tab 130 acting as handle(s) to facilitate grasping the brace 117 during locking and unlocking of the foldable skis 90. Once in the locked position, a swivel pin 131, similar to the blocking post described below with regard to
The pivot housings 96, 99 also have respective intermediate keepers 132 that abut the keepers 12 on the sections on each side of the pivot housings 96, 99, receive the braces 117, and provide increased strength when the ski is in the locked, deployed configuration.
It is to be understood that the hinges in the hinge areas between sections of the folding skis may include any of a variety of hinges such as living hinges, knuckle hinges, etc.
The axle for pivotally connecting the binding platform to the ski, the hinge pins, the braces, and other components may be formed of steel rod. For example, the braces may be formed of one quarter inch steel rod material to provide high strength and rigidity to the locking mechanisms.
The adjustable mounting plates or binding platforms in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention are capable of being adjusted by lengthening or shortening to accommodate a wide range of footwear sizes. The binding platforms may have any of a variety of straps attached thereto to retain the footwear on the platform. It is to be understood that the mounting plate may also have traction on its bottom side in order to engage the snow or ice. The traction may be provided by structure that is integral to or added onto the binding platform. Furthermore, the adjustable binding platforms may be applied to skis, snowboards, and/or snowshoes without limitation.
Although the skis have been described herein as having retaining mechanisms including tethers for holding the braces in one of a locked and an unlocked position, other retaining mechanisms may alternatively or additionally be incorporated. Additionally, stow locking mechanisms may be provided for a holding our retaining the skis and stowed configuration.
Any of a variety of materials may be utilized in forming the complements of the skis, platforms, locking mechanisms, retaining mechanisms, etc. In some embodiments cost savings are achieved through selection of less expensive manufacturing processes and materials. For example, the skis in accordance with some embodiments may be manufactured in an inexpensive mass production method in which each section is formed as a single molded piece. In other embodiments more complex construction may be undertaken such as providing metal edging, layered with, complex fibers, resins, clues, etc. plastics, carbon fibers, metal, and or wood may be used to form any of the various complements.
The following operations set forth with regard to the method indicate a logical flow or order in accordance with one embodiment of the presented method. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, of the described method. Additionally, the order in which a particular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order of the corresponding steps described.
A method in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes one or more of the operations set forth in the summary of the invention. Other operations may further be included in accordance with the disclosure of such operations in one or more of the embodiments described herein. Additionally, the method and apparatus may include attaching footwear to the ski with or without a binding platform and attachment mechanisms for doing so. Furthermore, the method includes one or more of climbing and gliding over snow or ice, and utilization of associated elements that facilitate such climbing and gliding. For example the method may include attaching a directional skin or other traction element to a lower surface of the ski. Traction elements may be attached to other structure on or associated with the ski.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
Claims
1. An apparatus for traversing ice and snow, the apparatus comprising:
- a collapsible body having a bottom surface for traversing ice and snow covered terrain and a top surface for supporting a user on the ice or snow;
- at least two hinge areas, the body divided into at least three sections by the at least two hinge areas; and
- at least two separate locking mechanisms on the body proximate to the at least two hinge areas, the locking mechanisms configured to hold the at least two hinge areas in a deployed mode with the sections aligned with each other when locked and to release the two hinge areas in a collapsed mode enabling the sections to be stowed in a mutually overlying configuration when unlocked.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a ski having a deployed length in the deployed mode and a collapsed length in the collapsed mode, the collapsed length being less than or equal to approximately 45% of the deployed length.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus has a deployed length in the deployed mode and a collapsed length in the collapsed mode, the collapsed length being less than or equal to approximately 33% of the deployed length.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the hinge areas comprises a floating hinge, each floating hinge having at least two pivot axes.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an adjustable attachment mechanism coupled to the top surface for adjustably attaching footwear to the top surface of the apparatus.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the adjustable attachment mechanism has a mounting platform releasably coupled to the top surface of the apparatus, the mounting platform configured to secure footwear to the apparatus.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
- a first keeper having a first channel disposed on the top surface on a first section of the three sections of the body;
- a second keeper having a second channel disposed on the top surface on a second section of the three sections of the body;
- an inflexible moveable locking brace configured to slideably engage the first channel and the second channel by spanning one of the hinge areas.
8. A system for selectively deploying and stowing a device for traversing snow or ice, the system comprising:
- a body comprising a plurality of sections movable between a deployed mode forming a ski or snow shoe and a stowed mode in which the sections are collapsed into overlying relation relative to each other;
- at least one releasable locking mechanism fixing at least one of the sections relative to another of the sections in the deployed mode; and
- a binding mounting mechanism disposed on a front half of the body on at least one of the sections when the sections are in the deployed mode.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the binding mounting mechanism has a plurality of binding position elements, the binding position elements configured for pivotally coupling footwear at a plurality of positions generally corresponding to the binding position elements along the body, wherein the plurality of binding position elements are positioned on the front half of the body in the deployed mode.
10. The system of claim 8, wherein the binding mounting mechanism is an adjustable binding mounting mechanism disposed on at least one of the sections, the binding mounting mechanism configured to adjustably support a binding platform in one of a plurality of mounting positions.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the adjustable binding mounting mechanism is disposed on two of the sections.
12. The system of claim 10, wherein the adjustable binding mounting mechanism comprises a pair of upwardly protruding flanges having respective sets of holes in the flanges for selectively supporting the platform.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the sets of holes pivotally support the platform.
14. The system of claim 12, wherein the platform has at least one strap attached thereto for engaging hard or soft shelled footwear
15. The system of claim 8, wherein the locking mechanism comprises at least one brace and at least two keepers forming respective channels on different ones of the sections, wherein the brace is slideably received in the channels of both of the two keepers in the deployed mode and slideably removed from the channel of at least one of the keepers in the stowed mode.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein:
- the plurality of sections includes at least a first section, a second section, and a third section;
- each of the first, second, and third sections has at least one keeper; and
- the brace is a first brace of a plurality of braces in which at least one of the braces is supported in the keepers of the first and second sections and at least another of the braces is supported in the keepers of the second and third sections when the ski or snow shoe is in the deployed mode.
17. The system of claim 15, wherein:
- the locking mechanism has a plurality of pairs of keepers; and
- the brace is generally U-shaped and each end of the brace is slideably supported in a respective one of a pair of the plurality of pairs of keepers.
18. A method of using a collapsible device for traversing snow or ice, the method comprising:
- unfolding at least three sections of a ski or snow shoe; and
- locking the at least three sections in an aligned, generally rigid, deployed configuration.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the method further comprises coupling footwear to the device at a position in a front half of the device.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein coupling footwear further comprises adjustably coupling a binding platform to one of a plurality of binding mounting elements on the front half of the device.
21. The method of claim 18, further comprising:
- unlocking and folding the three sections into a compact stowed configuration;
- wherein the folding comprises moving the sections and forming the compact stowed configuration with the sections in generally parallel, overlying relation to each other and having a length less than approximately 45% of a length of the device in the deployed configuration.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 13, 2008
Publication Date: Oct 15, 2009
Inventor: Lane Ekberg (Salt Lake City, UT)
Application Number: 12/048,187
International Classification: A63C 5/02 (20060101); A63C 5/00 (20060101);