Training Aid for Skaters

Abstract

A training aid for skaters is described which comprises a frame consisting of a seat, handle bars, and at least one leg or ski. Preferably the frame has four leg supports to provide maximum balance. However three leg supports with one front leg support and two rear leg supports, or two front leg supports and one rear leg support could be used. Alternatively, only one front leg support and one rear leg support could be used, or one front leg support and one rear leg support could be connected to a single ski. In some examples, the ends of the leg supports are comprised of pvc piping while in other cases the leg supports are attached to skis. Various forms of bracing can be used to strengthen the frame.

Description

This application claims the benefit of Canadian Application No. 2,797,075 filed Nov. 21, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to training aids and, more particularly, to a device for use in the instruction of, or individual use by, a beginning skater.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Beginning skaters, particularly young ones, experience considerable difficulty in mastering the sport, often out of fear of falling and suffering injury, but also due to issues of coordination and balance. Once a child has taken a bad fall, he or she often times becomes so afraid as to give up trying to learn to skate or, at the least, becomes so cautious that the learning process is slow and lengthy.

In general, children learning to skate like the security of holding onto someone, usually a parent who may or may not be an experienced skater, but even this does not insure against an occasional fall. Also, a good skater may not be available when needed or have the time and patience required to teach the beginner. In any case, since development of self-confidence is an essential ingredient of the learning process, the beginner should not continue to lean on someone for security but, instead, go it alone as soon as possible.

While the need for training and safety devices for beginning skaters has long been recognized (see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 320,462 and 321,867, issued in 1915) and a number of other skating aids have been proposed more recently (U.S. Pat. No. 2,900,008 (1959) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,021,033 (1977)), those devices have the disadvantages that they tend to restrict and confine the user in a manner which limits the ability to skate in the natural skating position. Also, all of these known devices have an upper hand rail to be grasped by the skater which, in the case of the structure shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,021,033 is open at the rear, as security against falling. However, should the skater be distracted and release the grip on the hand rail, he/she may still fall onto the ice or other skating surface. It is particularly desirable that the device include means for catching the skater, in the event of a fall, before he/she hits the ice but which does not interfere with natural skating action.

Needs exist for improved skater training devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides new skater training devices.

Other features that a training device of this kind possesses include: simple and low cost construction; lightweight and compact configuration to facilitate its transport and storage; and easy height adjustment so that it may be used by skaters of various ages and sizes.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide an improved mobile skating aid which builds the beginner's confidence by providing support without unduly interfering with his/her freedom of movement.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved skating aid of the type described which is of light weight, inexpensive and simple construction and which is easily adjustable for use by skaters of different ages and sizes.

A further object is to provide an improved skating aid of the type described which includes a seat for interrupting a fall and preventing the user from striking the skating surface.

Briefly, the training aid for skaters according to the invention is a frame consisting of a seat, handle bars, and at least one leg or ski. In one embodiment, the frame has four leg supports to provide maximum balance. In another embodiment three leg supports are used with one front leg support and two rear leg supports. In another embodiment there are two front leg supports and one rear leg support. In another embodiment only one front leg support and one rear leg support is used. In another embodiment one front leg support and one rear leg support are connected to a single ski. In some examples, the ends of the leg supports are comprised of pvc piping while in other cases the leg supports are attached to skis. Various forms of bracing can be used to strengthen the frame.

The child is able to sit down on the frame and glide around the ice surface simply by pushing his or her feet. It also enables them to stand up and hold on to the handle bars while skating. The structure is generally balanced so that it is safe and can not easily be tipped over. The frame can also include a short rope that can be used by a parent to pull the child around on the ice surface, thereby encouraging him or her to want to move the structure around themselves, and which can be removed once the child becomes a better skater

The frame is adjustable so that the seat and/or handle bars can be raised or lowered to suit the height of the child. The frame also includes hinge means so that it is collapsible to allow for easy transportation and storage.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent, and a better understanding of its construction and operation will be had, from the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention having four leg supports;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention having one front leg support and two rear leg supports;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention having two front leg supports and one rear leg support with an angled brace;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the invention having two front leg supports and one rear leg support having two vertical pieces and a cross-brace;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the invention having one front leg support and one rear leg support;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the invention having one front leg support and one rear leg support connected to a single ski.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a training aid for skaters comprising a main frame 2. A pair of front vertical leg support members 4, 6 are connected by a front horizontal support member 8, each front vertical leg support member 4, 6 ending in a horizontal foot member 10, 12 which rests on the ice surface. A pair of rear vertical leg support members 14, 16 are connected by a rear horizontal support member 18, each rear vertical leg support member 14, 16 ending in a horizontal foot member 20, 22 which rests on the ice surface. The front horizontal support member 8 and rear horizontal support member 18 are joined by a middle horizontal support member 24. Positioned along the middle horizontal support member 24 is a seat 26. A pair of handle bars 28, 30 are connected to the middle of the front horizontal support member 8 by a vertical support column member 32. In FIG. 1 the frame is made of pvc piping but any suitable material could be used.

Referring to FIG. 2 there is shown a second embodiment of the invention having one front vertical leg support member 34 and two rear vertical leg supports members 14, 16. The vertical support column member 32 connects to the front leg support 34 and ends in a horizontal foot member 36. In this embodiment, horizontal foot members 20, 22 and 36 are skis. An optional cross brace member 38 can be used to support the front leg support member 34.

Referring to FIG. 3 there is shown a third embodiment of the invention having two front vertical leg support member 4, 6 and one rear vertical leg support member 40 which ends in a horizontal foot member 42. In this example the optional cross brace member 38 can be used to support the rear vertical leg support member 40.

Referring to FIG. 4 there is shown a fourth embodiment of the invention where the rear vertical leg support member 40 is comprised of two vertical pieces 44, 46 and a cross-bar 48.

Referring to FIG. 5 there is shown a fifth embodiment of the invention having one front vertical leg support member 34 and one rear vertical leg support member 40.

Referring to FIG. 6 there is shown a sixth embodiment of the invention having one front vertical leg support member 34 and one rear vertical leg support member connected to a single horizontal foot members 50 which is a ski.

The frame 2 can also include a short rope 52 that can be used by a parent to pull the child around on the ice surface. The rope 52 can be attached at any point on the frame 2 and can be used with any embodiment of the invention.

At the points where the various components of the frame 2 are connected, various adjustment means, such as a telescoping post, can be used to raise or lower the seat and/or handle bars to suit the height of the child. Telescoping posts can also be used in various locations to adjust the width and height of the frame to suite the child. Where the various components of the frame 2 are connected, hinge means can be used so that the frame 2 is collapsible to allow for easy transportation and storage.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be evident that various changes and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A skating training aid comprising:

a frame comprising at least one front vertical leg support member connected to a rear vertical leg support member by a horizontal support member,

a seat positioned along the horizontal support member, and

a pair of handle bars connected to the frame by a vertical support column member.

2. A skating aid structure to enable a child to ride, glide and push the structure around an ice surface while teaching the child to skate, the structure comprising a seat and handle bars, wherein the child is able to sit down on the seat and glide around the ice surface simply by pushing the child's feet, whereby the structure enables the child to stand up and hold on to the handle bars while skating, and wherein the structure is balanced.

3. The skating aid structure of claim 2, further comprising a short rope that can be removed once the child becomes a better skater but for the beginning it is used to pull the child around on the ice surface, encouraging the child to want to move the structure around.

4. The skating aid structure of claim 2, further comprising:

a frame having

a horizontal support,

a seat connected to the horizontal support,

handle bars connected to the horizontal support,

at least one leg connected to the horizontal support, and

at least one sliding member connected to the at least one leg.

5. The skating aid structure of claim 4, further comprising front and rear legs, each leg having a sliding member.

6. The skating aid structure of claim 4, further comprising front and rear legs and a single sliding member connected to the front and rear legs.

7. The skating aid structure of claim 4, further comprising parallel sliding members connected to the front and rear legs.

8. The skating aid structure of claim 4, wherein the sliding members comprise skis.

9. The skating aid structure of claim 2, wherein the legs comprise two front legs and one rear leg.

10. The skating aid structure of claim 2, wherein the legs comprise one front leg and two rear legs.

11. The skating aid structure of claim 2, further comprising a forward support connected to the horizontal support and to the handle bars.

12. The skating aid structure of claim 11, wherein the forward support is turnable with respect to the horizontal support and at least one front leg is turnable with the forward support.

13. A method of skater training, comprising providing a training aid structure for skaters, providing a seat on the training aid structure and providing handle bars on the training aid structure holding the handle bars, and standing or sitting on the seat while sliding on the seat while sliding around a surface or pushing with feet of the skater.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

providing a frame having

providing a horizontal support,

providing a seat connected to the horizontal support,

providing handle bars connected to the horizontal support,

providing at least one leg connected to the horizontal support, and

providing at least one sliding member connected to the at least one leg.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising providing a rope, tying the rope to the structure, pulling on the rope while the skater slides around the surfaces, and removing the rope when the skater becomes proficient.