Riding Board and an Actuating System
The invention relates to a riding board (1) that has a control stick (18) by means of which a person riding on the riding board (1) can slow down the riding board (1). In order to increase the riding entertainment, the responsiveness can also be tested with the control stick (18). Therefore, multiple signaling flags can be arranged on a track, said flags requiring a very specific action from the rider of the riding board (1). For example, the rider can be required to move the control stick to the left or to the right or to press a button that is attached to the control stick in a specific section of the track. If the person does not carry out the required actions, said person obtains penalty times that are added to the actual riding time the person needs to complete the track. Thus, riding does not just require that a person complete the track as quickly as possible but also great responsiveness and skill.
The present invention refers to a riding board according to the preamble of claim 1.
Various devices are known which allow riding down a mountains slope without having to depend on snow. In particular, these kind of devices may be used in areas with little snow, or in summer, when there is no snow at all.
An illuminated track for a riding board is known, which consists of a rail having a translucent surface for riding snowboards, skateboards and similar equipment (US 2006/0174428 A1). This track is disposed on supports so that the track runs above the ground.
Also known is a rail system which is disposed on supports (JP 2004 057733) In this system the rails are interconnected via connecting elements.
Furthermore a cost-effective rail system (DE 10 2008 023 909 B3) is known for riding a board. Since this rail system can be easily assembled and disassembled again, the track can be varied quite easily. For this purpose, the rail system is disposed on a slope, e.g. on a mountain slope. By way of a riding board manufactured especially for this purpose and on which a person can stand, this person is able to travel down the slope on this riding board.
Finally, a rail system is known which has two rail sections disposed parallel to each other (DE 10 2009 047 516.8). Each of said rail sections has a rail with expanded lateral margins. A person can travel on this rail system with a riding board manufactured for this purpose. This riding board has at least one wheel suspension device for each of said rail sections.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a riding board which guarantees an improved riding entertainment.
This object is achieved with the features of claim 1.
Therefore, the present invention refers to a riding board for a rail system which has an actuating system or drive system, respectively. The actuating system serves to move the riding board on the rail system. Here, an actuating system may be provided which either pulls the riding board up a mountain slope or accelerates the same. To this end, the actuating system includes a device which can be disposed on an element disposed on the riding board. When the riding board is secured at the respective actuating system, the riding board can be moved by said actuating system.
The riding board includes a plurality of sensors which are able to interact with actuators disposed on the rail system. Moreover, the riding board has a control stick for addressing said sensors, which can be used by a person traveling on the riding board to slow down said riding board.
To increase riding entertainment, the control stick can also be used to test responsiveness. Thus, multiple signaling flags which request a specific action from the person riding the board may be disposed on the track. For example, said person may be requested to move the control stick to the left or to the right or to press a button disposed on the control stick in a specific section of the track. If said person fails to perform the requested actions, he or she will be assigned penalty times which are added to the travel time the person actually needs to complete the track. Therefore, the ride will not only require that a person completes the track as fast as possible, but also to show responsiveness and skills.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings and will be explained in more detail below. In the drawings:
The riding board 1 which is made preferably from plastics has a recess 9 where a person who travels on said riding board 1 can sit. The person herein sits cross-legged on the riding board 1. Two additional recesses 10, 11 allow said person to rest his or her feet in said recesses 10, 11, so that said person sits securely on said riding board. A rubber element, such as a rubber mat, may also be disposed within said recesses 10, 11. During the travel the person 12 buckles up using a belt system 12 to preventing said person to fall off the riding board 1. This belt system 12 consists of a first belt 13 and a second belt 14. The first belt 13 is herein laid over the left leg, and the second belt 14 is laid over the right leg of the person sitting cross-legged on the riding board 1. Herein the belts 13 and 14 are inserted through openings 42 and 41, respectively, into the riding board 1.
Furthermore, the belt system 12 is provided, in a front section of the riding board 1, with a plug element 16 which may be connected to a counter element of another riding board, which is disposed in a back portion of the latter riding board 1.
The riding board 1 is also provided with a counter element 17 which is disposed in a back portion of the riding board 1 and which may be connected to a plug element of another riding board. In this way it is possible to provide an assembly of a plurality of serially disposed riding boards securely connected to one another. Therefore, it is possible for a plurality of persons to travel together down a track.
Furthermore, the riding board 1 has a control stick 18 lying in a dedicated recess 19. Therefore, the control stick 18 assumes a rest position. If said control stick 18 is moved out of said recess 19 and into an upright position, said control stick 18 can be operated by the person sitting on said riding board 1. Said person may herein use the control stick 18 as a hand brake, among others, to operate a brake system not shown in
On said riding board 1 is further provided a display board 55 connected to an electronic travel analysis system disposed within said riding board 1. This electronic travel analysis system consists of an on-board computer and a processor. The on-board computer together with the processor are not visible in
By varying a distance between two wheel suspensions 21 and 24 and respective opposite wheel suspensions 22 and 23, the riding board 1 may be configured to be correspondingly longer. On such a riding board, a person can travel down a track in a lying position. Such a riding board is, however, not shown.
Within the riding board 1 a processor 38 can be seen which is disposed below the display board. This processor 38 is part of an on-board computer which is, however, not shown in detail. To this processor 38 an assembly 40 consisting of a plurality of sensors is connected. This assembly 40 is connected to a brake system 94. Moreover, the riding board 1 has two additional assemblies 43, 44 disposed below openings 41, 42 through which belts 13, 14 are inserted into the riding board 1. These assemblies 43, 44 which are only schematically shown in
It is also feasible to dispose additional wheel suspension devices between the wheel suspension devices 21 to 24. These additional wheel suspension devices could then be disposed on an additional rail system which would be mounted between the two rail systems 88, 89. Therefore, an additional riding board could be provided to accommodate two persons, for example, who could sit side by side. Hence, the present invention refers to a rail system having at least two rail sections extending parallel to each other.
Similar to the riding board according to DE 10 2009 047 516.8, penalty times will be assigned if the contact is interrupted due to an exaggerated deceleration of the riding board 1. These penalty times will be added to the travel time actually needed to complete a specific track.
The assembly 43 is configured similar to assembly 44, and therefore a detailed description of assembly 43 is omitted. For a person skilled in the art it is therefore obvious that in case of an exaggerated deceleration of the riding board 1, a contact in assembly 43 can also be interrupted, which will be recognized by the processor 38.
Since each of the belts 13 and 14 is connected to its own assembly 43 or 43, respectively, it is also possible to recognize an exaggerated change of position of the person traveling on the riding board 1. That is, in case of an exaggerated change of position of said person, at least one of said belts 13, 14 will be tensioned by the exerted forces. Therefore, penalty times can be assigned also for an exaggerated change of position of the person on the riding board 1, if such an exaggerated change of position would not have been necessary.
The assembly 44 comprises also the three sensors 48 to 50 which are disposed above the rail 4 of the rail system 2. In the section of the rail 4 illustrated in
The body 106 has a concavity 52 where the assembly 40 is accommodated. The assembly 40 includes a circuit board 102 on which a plurality of sensors are disposed. Said sensors may be configured as reed switches, for example. In
Again, it can be seen that the body 106 encompasses the bar-like element 33 at least partially.
The movements of the control stick 18 in the directions of arrows 108, 109, 111 have the effect of making the ride on the riding board 1 more entertaining. The same is true for the button 112 disposed on the control stick 18, which can be pressed to move in a direction of arrow 113. Thus, a person traveling along a track on the riding board 1 may be requested, for example, to perform a certain movement of the control stick 18, for example, or press the button 112 at the control stick 18. If the person does not perform the requested actions, he or she will be assigned penalty times which are added to the travel time actually needed to complete the track. Therefore, the ride will not only require that a person completes the track as fast as possible, but also responsiveness and skills.
Thus, a plurality of signaling flags may be disposed along a track, for example, which request the person traveling on the riding board 1 to perform a specific action. The person may, for example, be requested not to operate the brake in a certain section. If the person slows down the riding board 1 nonetheless, this will be detected by the sensors, and the processor 38 of the riding board 1 will add penalty times to the actually needed travel time.
The sensor also serves to determine the degree of a person's obliqueness during a ride on the riding board 1. If the person's obliqueness during the ride is too much, the processor 38 determines penalty times to be added to the travel time. Therefore, the person riding the board has to balance his or her position during a ride, which may require great skills depending on the traveling speed. That is, if an obliqueness is too large, the belt assembly will transfer the exerted forces from the body to the riding board 1. This will be detected by the corresponding sensors and recognized by the processor which will then determine the corresponding penalty times.
Also shown is an additional magnet 116 which is disposed in the riding board 1 and is able to interact with the sensor 117, if the sensor 117 contacts the magnet 116. Here, contact means that the magnets are able to interact with the corresponding sensors.
From this upright position, the control stick 18 may be moved to the left or to the right, that is in a direction of arrow 109 or arrow 111, among others. If the control stick 18 is moved in the direction of arrow 111, that is to the right, the magnet 115 disposed in the control stick 18 is moved in the direction of arrow 120, which moves the magnet 115 towards the sensor 118. The magnet 115 may be moved towards the sensor 118 until it reaches a position 121. When it arrives at position 121, the magnet 121 contacts the sensor 118. As soon as the magnet 115 contacts the sensor 118, the electric circuit is closed, and at the same time a signal is provided to the processor 38.
However, in order to allow the magnet 115 to arrive a position 121, that is to contact the sensor 118, the control stick 18 has to be moved sharply to the right, that is the control stick 18 has to be moved in a direction of arrow 111 until it reaches position 121.
On the other hand, if the control stick 18 is moved in a direction of arrow 109, that is to the left, the magnet 115 is moved in a direction of arrow 122, that is to the right. Upon finally reaching position 123, the magnet 115 contacts the sensor 104. In position 123 the electric circuit is closed, and a signal is provided to the processor 38.
By moving the control stick 18 in the direction of arrow 109 or 111, respectively, a reaction time of a person traveling along a track on the riding board 1 can be detected. For example, if said person is requested to move the control stick 18 to the left in a certain track section, and if the person fails to move the control stick 18 to the left in this track section, then no signal will be provided to the processor 38. This will be recognized by the on-board computer, and the person will be assigned corresponding penalty times which are added to the actual riding time. If the person, on the other hand, reacts correctly in said track section, he or she will get no penalty times.
Schematically illustrated is also a start button 377. This start button 377 is activated upon moving the control stick 18 into an upright position. Tilting the control stick 18 will turn on the on-board computer 297.
For a determination of the travel time and the penalty times, and therefore the total time, a plurality of sensors 57 to 60 are provided which are able to interact with the actuators 516 to 522 of a track 399, as shown in
Additional actuators 518 to 522 are provided between the two actuators 516 and 517. Here, the actuators 518 to 520 are disposed on the right side of the track 399 with respect to the travel direction 499, and the actuators 521 and 522 are disposed on the left side of the track 399. These actuators 518 to 522 are able to interact with sensors 57 and 60, if the control stick 18 is moved to the left or to the right, respectively.
If the control stick 18 is moved to the left, a switch 523 is opened, whereas a switch 524 is opened if the control stick 18 is moved to the right. Therefore, if the control stick 18 is moved to the right, the sensor 57 is addressed, whereas the sensor 60 is addressed if the control stick is moved to the left.
The control stick 18 has an additional button 112, not shown in
When the travel starts and the riding board 1 passes the actuator 516 on the track 399, this is detected by the sensor 59 which forwards the signal to the on-board computer 297. During the travel, the person on the riding board 1 passes a plurality of track sections where the person's reaction time will be tested. This is accomplished by requesting the person to move the control stick 18 either to the left or to the right. If the person succeeds to move the control 18 in good time to the left or to the right, respectively, no penalty times will be assigned. The person may also be requested to hold the control stick 18 on a left side or a right side, respectively, across a certain track section, and return the control stick 18 in its home position only after passing said track section.
If the person is requested to set the control stick 18 to the left, and the person does set the control stick 18 to the left, the switch 523 will be actuated and the time measurement will be activated until the sensor 60 is reached. Thus, the sensor 60 can interact with actuators 521 and 522 on the track 399, and the on-board computer 297 will determine penalty times, if any. If the person has moved the control stick 18 to the left in good time, no penalty times will be assigned.
If the person is requested to move the control stick 18 to the right, and if the person does execute this request, the switch 524 will be opened and the sensor 57 will be activated. Thus, the sensor 57 can interact with actuators 518 to 520 of the track 399. If the person has executed the request in good time, no penalty times will be assigned.
If the person, on the other hand, fails to execute the request, he or she will be assigned penalty times which are shown on the display panel 348 and added to the travel time. Penalty times will, on the other hand, also be assigned if the person operates the control stick 18 too early.
As a matter of fact the track 399 may include additional actuators not shown in
The middle part 125 includes a wall 128 encompassing a hollow volume 129. The wall 128 of the middle part 125 further comprises four sections 131 to 134 implemented as hooks. Two sections 131, 134 or 132, 133, respectively, are herein disposed on each side of the middle part 125. These sections 131 to 134 encompass at least a part of each of L-form sections 135 to 138 of the side parts 26, 27. The side part 127 is herein minor-symmetric opposite the side part 128 and is essentially shaped like an “E”.
Through this disposition of side parts 126, 127 and middle part 125, the superstructure 124 is in principle a resilient element that withstands high pressure as the central part 125 is disposed suspended in the two side parts 126, 127, since it does not contact the base 130. However, it is to be noted that the middle part 125 is in principle clamped between the two side parts 126, 127.
Each side part 126, 127 has its L-shaped section 135, 137 disposed on the base 130. The L-shaped sections 135, 137 are connected to respective sections constituting side walls 139, 140 of the side parts 126, 127. The respective side walls 139 and 140 of side parts 126 and 127 extend obliquely upwards, the inner angle β between the L-shaped section 138 and the side wall 140 and between the L-shaped section 135 and the side wall 139, respectively, being less than 90°. This angle β is preferably 60° to 80° and especially preferred 75°.
The L-shaped sections 136 and 137 are disposed in the middle portion of the respective side wall 139 and 140. The L-shaped section 136 is disposed above section 135 and the L-shaped section 137 is disposed above section 138. The angle β is here also preferably 60° to 80° and especially preferred 75°. Each side part 126, 127 includes an upper section 141 or 142, respectively, which is essentially implemented in U-shape and which abuts a top 143 of the middle part 125. The two side parts 126, 127 further include an expanded lateral margin 7, 8 of the rail section 88. As a result thereof, the top 143 of the middle part 125 constitutes the rail 4, which is encompassed by the two lateral margins 7, 8. Also shown in
At the base 130 two hook elements 144, 145 are disposed which serve to dispose the base 130 at connecting pieces not shown in
The rail section 146 further includes a base 148 having two hook elements 149, 150 disposed thereon and has a superstructure 151 disposed thereon. The superstructure 151 has a middle part 152 disposed between two side parts 153 and 154. The side parts 153, 154 each have a side wall 155, 156 having a plurality of L-shaped sections 157 to 159 or 160 to 162, respectively disposed thereon. The upper sections 163 and 164 of the respective side parts 153, 154 form expanded lateral margins 165, 166 of the rail section 146. Between the two lateral margins 165 and 166 the rail 167 is visible, which is disposed on the middle part 152. The middle part 152, on the other hand, is disposed on the L-shaped portions 157 to 159 or 160 to 162 of the respective side panel 153 or 154, respectively, via essentially L-shaped portions 168 to 170 or 171 to 173, respectively. The middle part 152 is firmly connected with an element 174 which is disposed on the base 148.
The rail section of the rail system 147 which runs parallel to the rail section 146 is of an identical structure, and a description of this rail section is therefore omitted.
Since the superstructure 151 is composed of multiple parts, that is a middle part 152 and the element 174, the rail 167 and the two side parts 153, 154, the superstructure 151 is able to withstand high forces which act on the rail system 147 when persons travel along the rail system 147 on a riding board. That is, the superstructure 151 comprises more parts than the superstructure 124 shown in
The rail system 1 comprises a middle section 175 disposed between two outer sections 176, 177. The middle section 175 is essentially similar to the rail system described in DE 10 2009 047 516.8.
Evident are the two parallel rail sections 88, 89 each having a superstructure 124 or 178, respectively. The superstructure 178 comprises the rail 3 with lateral margins 5 and 6 disposed thereon, while the superstructure 124 comprises the rail 4 and the two lateral margins 7 and 8.
The superstructure 124 is herein disposed on a plurality of consecutively disposed bases, although only bases 130 and 179 are shown in
The base 179 is connected to the two bar profiles via a connecting piece 187. The bases 181 and 131 are also connected to the two bar profiles 185, 186 via a connecting piece 188 or 189, respectively. Here, the connecting pieces 187 to 189 are disposed at the respective bases by hook elements disposed at the respective bases. The connection of the bases of the two superstructures 124, 178 to the connecting pieces renders the rail system very stable.
The middle part 174 has further a connecting element 190 which interconnects the two bar profiles 185, 186, and in addition has four actuators 191 to 194 which are able to interact with the sensors 57 to 60 of the riding board 1 as shown in
The two outer sections 176 an 177 which encompass the middle section 174 each have a pair of parallel bar profiles 195, 196 or 197, 198, respectively. The bases 130, 181 and 180 are connected to the bar profiles 195, 196 of the outer section 177 or the bar profiles 197, 198 of the outer sections 176, respectively, via the connecting pieces 199 to 201. The respective bar profiles 195, 196 and 197, 198 have additional connecting pieces 202, 203 or 204, respectively, disposed thereon which serve to connect each of the bar profiles 195, 196 and 197, 198 with an outer bar profile 205 or 206, respectively. The connecting pieces 202 to 204 are connected to an outer boundary 210 or 211, respectively. These outer boundaries 210, 211 extend along the entire track and run parallel to the two rail sections 88 and 89.
Moreover, the bar profiles 195, 196 and 206 of the outer section 177 have rubber profiles 207 to 209 disposed thereon, which serve to prevent the rail system 2 from slipping if the rail system 2 is rigged up on an asphalt road, for example.
Therefore, each base is connected to the two bar profiles 185 and 186 and the two pairs of bar profiles 195, 196 of the outer section 177, or 197, 198 of the outer section 176, respectively. The two outer sections 176 and 177 therefore serve as outriggers which stabilize the rail system 2 additionally. Pegs which are used in DE 10 2009 047 516.8 can be completely omitted.
Although not visible in
The base 130 has the superstructure 124 seated thereon which is only schematically shown. The Base 130 has the connecting piece 201 disposed thereon which is connected to the connecting piece 204 in front. The broken line 212 indicates the end of the connecting piece 201. The solid line 213 indicates the end of the connecting piece 204. The two bar profiles 195 and 196 are inserted through the connecting piece 201 and the connecting piece 204, respectively. Additionally, the two connecting pieces 201 and 204 have feed-throughs through which the bar profiles 196 and 197 are inserted. The connecting piece 204 has also a feed-through through which the bar profile 206 is inserted. In front of the two connecting pieces 201 and 204 three rubber profiles 207 to 209 are disposed. The respective bar profiles 195, 196, 206 are inserted through said rubber profiles 207 to 209, since the rubber profiles 207 to 209 are also provided with feed-throughs 215 to 217. Since the rubber profiles 207 to 209 are disposed in front of the two connecting pieces 201 and 204, the feed-throughs of these connecting pieces 201 and 204 are not visible here.
The connecting piece 204 is fixedly connected to the boundary 210 of the outer section 177. The boundary 210, same as the opposing boundary 211 which is not shown in
Also visible is the connecting piece 191 which is disposed at the base 179, not shown in
The outer section 176, not shown in
The riding board 227 includes a bottom 233 and a top 234, the bottom 233 having a wheel 235 disposed thereon which is at least partially disposed below an expanded lateral margin 236 of the superstructure 229. This wheel 235 is in contact with a side wall 237 of the superstructure 229. Although not shown in
A ball bearing 239 rotatably disposed at a fastener 240 which is seated in the bottom 233 is attached at one side 238 of the top 234 of the riding board 227. A pin 241 located behind the ball bearing 239 and therefore indicated by a broken line is provided at the top 234 of the riding board 227. This pin 241 has a retaining element 242 disposed thereon which is provided with a hook 243. This retaining element 242 is connected to the riding board 227 via a spring not visible in
This catch 244 has a pin-like shape and extends at least partially above the actuating system 226. The actuating system 226 has a casing 245 with a lower portion which encompasses a plate 246 through which a bolt 247 is inserted which fixes the casing 245 at the connecting piece 247. The actuating system 226 consists of a conveyor means 250 disposed on a rope 249, preferably a steel rope, and an accelerating device 251 for the riding board 227. The conveyor means 250 consists of a first, lower section 252 and a second, upper section 253 which are connected via connecting means, for example bolts, of which
The accelerating device 521 includes the catch 244 which can be pushed downwards, that is in a direction of arrow 259. The accelerating device 251 is also disposed on two opposing aluminum profiles 260, 261. These aluminum profiles 260, 261, too, serve as rails so that the accelerating device 251 can be moved on the aluminum profiles 260, 261. The pin-shaped catch 244 is inserted through an opening 262 of the accelerating device 251. Behind the accelerating device 251, a cover 263 of a clamping part 264 placed on the casing 245 is visible.
The riding board 227 has a hook element 282 including a hook 283 which is movably disposed at a pin 284.
The casing 245 has a clamping means disposed thereon which includes a wedge-shaped stop 275 protruding into the casing 245. It can be seen that the hook 273 has one end 276 disposed on the same level as the stop 275. A pin 214 is inserted through an opening of the end 276 of the hook 273, which pin is also disposed on the same level as the stop 275.
Furthermore, the casing 245 has a fastening element 279 disposed thereon, which fastens a spring element 281 via a retaining element 280, which spring element is in turn connected to another accelerating device not shown in
The conveyor device 250 here can be moved in a direction of arrows 285 or 286, respectively, that is along the rail system 225. If the conveyor device 250 is moved in a direction of arrow 285 and if the conveyor device 250 abuts with its guide element 268 at the accelerating device 251, the accelerating device 251 will also be moved in a direction of arrow 285, since the conveyor means 250 catches the accelerating device 251. At the same time, the spring 278 disposed at the accelerator device 251 is expanded.
When the accelerating device 251 arrives at the clamping part 264, the end 276 of the hook 273 is inserted along the wedge-shaped stop 275. As a result thereof, the stop 275 contacts the pin 214 disposed at the end 276. As the accelerating device 251 is further moved in a direction of arrow 285, the pin 214, and therefore also the end 276 of the hook 273 are moved downwards against the biasing force of the spring 274, that is in a direction of arrow 271. After the pin 214 at the end 276 has been inserted past the wedge-like stopper 275, the spring 274 moves the hook 274 by its biasing force back into its home position, that is in a direction of arrow 272. The end 276 of the hook 273 is therefore once again on the same level as the stop 275. The accelerating device 251 is moved in a direction of arrow 285 until the stop 275 contacts a stepped section 287 of the accelerating device 251.
Here, the hook element 282 and the retaining element 242 have the following function (cf.
If the riding board 227 is moved in a direction of arrow 286, that is in a travel direction, the hook 243 which is curved in a front portion thereof contacts the catch 244 of the actuating system 226. The movement of the riding board 227 in a direction of arrow 286 pushes the hook 243 against the catch 244. Since the catch 244 is fixedly disposed in the accelerating device 273 which in turn has a fixed position due to the guide means 250, the retaining element 242 is moved in a direction of arrow 292. As soon as the hook 243 of the retaining element 242 has passed, the retaining element 242 is moved back to its home position by the biasing force of the spring 288, that is in a direction of arrow 293. Should the riding board 227 roll back, that is move in a direction of arrow 285, the hook 243 abuts the catch 244. However, the hook 243 is not curved in this section, and therefore the retaining element 242 cannot be moved in a direction of arrow 292. The hook 243 of the retaining element 242 therefore retains the riding board 227 in its position and prevents the riding board 227 to roll in a direction of arrow 285.
The hook element 282 which engages the retaining device 292 is able to fix the position of the riding board 227.
The guide means 250 shown in
The spring 278 therefore pulls the accelerating device 251 in a direction of arrow 286 so that the catch 244 abuts the hook 243 of the retaining element 242. As a result thereof, the riding board 227 is moved together with the accelerating device 251 in a travel direction.
After the accelerating device 251 has stopped moving, the riding board 227 has enough momentum to continue moving in a travel direction by its own. At this time, the ball bearing 239 once again moves across the pin-shaped catch 244, causing the catch 244 to be pushed downwards and the riding board 227 to be released from the accelerating device 251.
A conveyor means 309, 310 is disposed beneath a respective accelerating device 301, 302. Each of these conveyor means 309, 310 is attached at a rope 311. This rope 311 has one end 312 connected to a schematically illustrated drive 313 and another end 314 connected to a spring 315. The rope 311 can be moved in a direction of arrow 316 by the drive 313. If the drive 313 is turned off, the tensioned spring 315 moves the rope 311 by virtue of its biasing force back to the home position shown in
The drive 313 is disposed in an drive chamber 332, the drive chamber 332 forming part of the casing 322 of the actuating system 300. Also visible is a dividing wall 294 having an opening 295 through which the rope 311 is inserted.
In
In
However, the riding board 328 is retained by a retaining device not shown in
Meanwhile, if the riding board 328 is released from the retaining device, the accelerating device 301 pulls the riding board 328 in a travel direction, that is in a direction of arrow 317, by virtue of its biasing force, since the catch 303 of the accelerating device 301 is still retained by the retaining element 330 of the riding board 328. Therefore, the catch 303 serves as a riding board catch. As soon as the accelerating device 301 has arrived at the home position shown in
As a matter of fact, the actuating system 300 may have only one or else have even a plurality of said accelerating devices. Said accelerating devices are preferably spaced from one another so that the riding board will always arrive at one of said accelerating devices when the riding board's speed decreases, for example due to the fact that the person traveling on the riding board has to master an ascent.
Therefore, the retaining element 330 of the riding board 328 can be referred to as an element, while the catch 303 of the accelerating device 301 can be referred to as a device which is configured to enable a transfer of the force or energy, respectively, applied on said device to said element. The force or energy is obtained from the drive 313 which moves the conveyor means 309 and therefore also the accelerating device 301 via the rope 311. This force is subsequently transferred to the retaining element 330 and therefore to the riding board 328.
Each of the shafts 334 and 336 is connected to another shaft 343 via a belt 341, 342 or a chain 341, 342, respectively. This shaft is then moved about its own axis, when the shafts 334, 336 are driven via the shaft 333. Then, the shafts 333, 334, 336, 343 of the dive train 313 move synchronously. As a result thereof, the two chains or belts 341, 342 are also moved synchronously. The two belts or chains 341, 342 are connected via a connecting element 344 attached to the rope 311. If the belts or chains 341, 342 are moved, the rope 311 attached to said connecting element 344 will also be moved. If the rope 311, as a result thereof, is pulled into the drive chamber 332, the guide means disposed at the rope 311 will also be moved towards an drive chamber 332.
Also visible in
However, it is also possible to gain the momentum needed to start traveling via a propulsion system 364. This propulsion device 364 is disposed on the drive 313. The drive 313, however, does not include a motor, but is driven via the propulsion device 364, and therefore the motor is replaced by the propulsion device 364. The propulsion device 364 consists of two shafts 371, 372 interconnected via a double-sided flat belt 373. The double-sided flat belt 373 can be moved about the shafts 371, 372. The propulsion device 364 includes a latching element 374 which prevents the double-sided flat belt 373 from moving in both directions. As indicated by the arrow 375, the double-sided flat belt 373 is able to move only about the shaft 372.
The propulsion device 364 has already a riding board 365 disposed thereon. This riding board 365 is attached at the propulsion device 364 via a retaining element 366. Two parallel, opposing handle bars 367, 368 are provided which may be gripped by a person sitting on the riding board 365 to gain momentum. When the riding board 365 is moved in a direction of the arrow 369, that is in a travel direction, the person sitting on the riding board 365 is able to move the riding board 365 back in the opposite direction, that is in a direction of arrow 370. The latching element 374 prevents a co-movement of the double-sided flat belt 373.
When the riding board 365 is again moved in a direction of arrow 370, the double-sided flat belt 373 moves along, that is the flat belt 373 moves in a direction of arrow 375 about the shaft 372. The movement of the flat belt 373 in this direction tensions the propulsion device 364. The double-sided flat belt 373 has to be moved in this direction until a signal light 376 is switched to green. If the signal light 376 is switched to green, the person 365 sitting on the riding board 365 knows that enough force has been transferred to the transmission 385.
If the riding board 365 is accelerated because the person pushes away from the handle bars 367, 368, the riding board 365 travels in a direction of arrow 369 and passes an actuator of a starting point 379. Therefore, the starting time can be detected by sensors disposed in the riding board 365.
The engaging element 374 has a tip 346 which is formed to enable the engaging element 374 to prevent the flat belt 373 from moving in a direction of arrow 381. Therefore, the double-sided flat belt 373 is able to move only in one direction, as indicated by the arrows 375, 382, 383. If the latching element 374 is detached from the flat belt 373, the flat belt 373 can also be moved in the opposite direction.
As a result thereof, the movement of the riding board 365 on the rail system 350 in a direction of arrows 369, 370 (cf.
The actuating system 391 comprises an drive guide profile 427 having a round chain 438 disposed therein. The drive guide profile 427 has an opening 388 which extends in a longitudinal direction of the rail system 390, that is in a travel direction of the riding board 392.
The rail system 390, on the other hand, includes two rail sections 402, 403, each rail section 402, 403 having two expanded lateral margins 400, 404 or 401, 405, respectively. Each of these parallel rail sections 402, 403 comprises feet 412, 413 or 414, 415, respectively. The rail sections 402, 403 are on parallel sockets 408, 409 or 410, 411, respectively, connected by connecting means 416 to 419, for example bolts, via said feet 412, 413 or 414, 415, respectively. The actuating system 391 has also two feet 420, 421, the actuating system 391 being connected with said feet on sockets 422, 423 by connecting means 424, 425, for example bolts. In order to further stabilize the rail system 390, a U-shaped cross profile 426 is disposed on the parallel sockets 408 to 411, 422, 423, which cross profile interconnects the sockets 408 to 411, 422, 423.
These sockets 408 to 411, 422, 423 are attached on a substrate 406, for example a mountain slope, via pegs not shown in
The riding board 392, a segment of which is shown in
The actuating system 391 includes the drive guide profile 427 which may also be manufactured from continuously cast metal or plastics. The drive guide profile 427 includes a first, upper portion 436 and a second, lower portion 437 disposed beneath said first portion, a plurality of slide profiles 428 to 435 being disposed in these portions. These slide profiles 428 to 435 consist of a highly wear-resistant material and serve to guide the round chain 438. This round chain 438 consists of two sections 439 and 440, the section 439 being disposed in the upper portion 436, and the section 440 being disposed in the lower portion 437 of the drive guide profile 427.
Therefore, the round chain 438 may be referred to as a device, and the catch 397 may be referred to as an element, which are configured and interact with each other to transfer the force or energy applied on said device to said element, which causes the riding board to start moving. The force or energy, respectively, is obtained by the drive pulleys having the motors disposed thereon.
The drive guide profile 427 has an upper portion 436 and a lower portion 437 disposed beneath said upper portion, the round chain 438 being disposed in said portions. This round chain 438 consists of a plurality of connected chain members 461 to 471, 477, 478. A section 439 of the round chain 438 is located in the upper portion 436, and the other section 440 of the round chain 438 is located in the lower portion 437 of the drive guide profile 427. At least partially, the section 439 of the round chain is disposed between the slide profiles 434 and 432, and the section 440 of the round chain 438 is between the slide profiles 428 and 429. By way of the actuating element 500 of the drive pulley 490, not shown in
The catch 397 of the riding board 392 is at least partially disposed in the upper portion 436 of the drive guide profile 427 and engages an opening of the chain member 464. The catch 397 is in contact with the adjacent chain member 471. If the round chain 438 is moved, the section 439 of the round chain 438 is also moved in a direction of arrow 459. As a result thereof, the catch 397 and therefore also the riding board 392 is moved in a direction of arrow 459. Therefore, the movement in a direction of arrow 459 corresponds to the travel direction of the riding board 392.
The actuating system 391 comprises several consecutive drives 472 to 476 which are spaced from each other. Each drive 472 to 476 has a drive pulley 489 to 492, driven by a motor 493 to 496 disposed thereon. Here, each drive pulley 489 to 492 has a plurality of actuating elements as shown in an exemplary drive pulley 473 with actuating elements 500 to 507. The actuating elements 500, 501 and 506 at least partially engage the opening 456 of the drive guide profile 427. Here, only the actuating element 500 is in contact with the round chain 438. It can be seen that also the other drive pulleys 489 to 492 have a actuating element being in contact with the round chain 438. The motor serves to drive the drive pulleys in a direction of arrow 509, that is about their respective own axis, which causes the round chain to be driven, too. The riding board 485 is transported in a travel direction, that is in a direction of arrow 486, by the catch 488 disposed at the round chain 438.
Here, the actuating system 391 has two shafts 510 and 511 about which the round chain 438 is inserted. Since the actuating system has a plurality of drives, traction is also divided onto a plurality of drives. Here, the distance between the persons to be transported and the drives may be adjusted in order to apply minimum stress on the round chain 438.
It can be seen that the two sections 480 and 482 of the rail system 390 are slightly declivating, that is the riding board 485 travels downhill in these two sections 480, 482. Section 481 which leads uphill is only schematically illustrated. From
The actuating system 391 is partially also located in the declivating section 482. As a result thereof, the riding board 485 gathers speed by itself as soon as it reaches section 482, and the catch 488 is automatically released from the round chain 438.
If a draglift exists which can be used by a person on a riding board, it is enough to provide only a track section 483 or 484 having shortened U-shaped profiles and sockets.
This actuating system 391 is not only especially well-suited to transport a person on a riding board uphill, but the manufacture of said actuating system is also very cost-effective and provides high comfort and high security for a user. A further advantage is that the driver does not have to dismount the riding board if he or she wants to be transported uphill via said actuating system 391.
It will be obvious for a person skilled in the art that this actuating system 391 may be combined with the actuating system 226 by disposing the actuating system 226 behind the actuating system 391, for example. Therefore, a person traveling on a riding board may be quickly accelerated to a high speed.
The above exemplary embodiments mention sensors and actuators. It should be noted that any combination of transmitters and receivers may be used, one of them being located in the rail system and the other one being located in the board or vice versa. The control stick may also be replaced by another device, e.g. a control panel having activation keys or bars which simulate the position of the control stick.
While the above exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been explained in detail, the present invention is not limited to said exemplary embodiments. A person skilled in the art will understand that the present invention also encompasses several variants which lead to the same effects as the exemplary embodiments described herein. It will therefore be obvious for a person skilled in the art that the exemplary embodiments described herein do not limit the scope of protection of the claims, and that further variants, modifications and alternatives are possible which fall into the scope of the protection of the claims.
Claims
1. A riding board (1, 227, 328, 356-358, 365, 485) for a rail system (2, 74, 75, 147, 225, 350, 390), wherein said riding board (1, 227, 328, 356-358, 365, 485) comprises at least one transmitter/receiver (45-47, 48-50, 57-60) interacting with at least one receiver/transmitter (91-93, 516-522) disposed at said rail system (2, 74, 75, 147, 225, 350, 390), characterized in that said riding board (1, 227, 328, 356-358, 365, 485) includes a mechanical control stick (18) which can be moved in different directions for addressing certain transmitters/receivers of said riding board (1, 227, 328, 356-358, 365, 485) which interact with certain receivers/transmitters of said rail system (2, 74, 75, 147, 225, 350, 390)
2. (canceled)
3. A riding board (1, 227, 328, 356-358, 365, 485) according to claim 1, characterized in that said transmitters are actuators (91-93, 516-522).
4. A riding board (1, 227, 328, 356-358, 365, 485) according to claim 1, characterized in that said receivers are sensors (45-47, 48-50, 57-60).
5. A riding board (1, 227, 328, 356-358, 365, 485) according to claim 1, characterized in that said receivers (45-50, 57-60) are connected to a computer (297) within said riding board (1, 227, 328, 356-358, 365, 485).
6. A riding board (1, 227, 328, 356-358, 365, 485) according to claim 1, characterized in that said control stick (18) is pivotally supported on an axle (95), said axle (95) being disposed in a body (106).
7. A riding board (1, 227, 328, 356-358, 365, 485) according to claim 6, characterized in that a brake system (94) is attached at said body (106).
8. A riding board (1, 227, 328, 356-358, 365, 485) according to claim 6, characterized in that said body (106) which has said control stick (18) disposed therein is provided with an assembly (40) which includes a circuit board (102) having a plurality of sensors (103, 104, 117, 118) disposed thereon.
9. A riding board (1, 227, 328, 356-358, 365, 485) according to claim 8, characterized in that said sensors (103, 104, 117, 118) are micro switches or reed switches.
10. A riding board (1, 227, 328, 356-358, 365, 485) according to claim 8, characterized in that said control stick (18) has two magnets (114, 115) disposed therein which can be contacted with said sensors (103, 104, 117, 118).
11. A riding board (1, 227, 328, 356-358, 365, 485) according to claim 10, characterized in that said riding board (1, 227, 328, 356-358, 365, 485) is provided with a brake contact which is activated when said magnet (114) contacts said sensor (103), causing an on-board computer (297) disposed in said riding board (1, 227, 328, 356-358, 365, 485) to be turned off.
12. A riding board (1, 227, 328, 356-358, 365, 485) according to claim 10, characterized in that said magnet (115), when assuming a position (123), contacts said sensor (104) of said control stick (18), which causes the sensor (60) to be addressed.
13. A riding board (1, 227, 328, 356-358, 365, 485) according to claim 10, characterized in that said magnet (115), when assuming a position (123), contacts said sensor (118) of said control stick (18), which causes the sensor (57) to be addressed.
14. A riding board (1, 227, 328, 356-358, 365, 485) according to claim 1, characterized in that said riding board (1, 227, 328, 356-358, 365, 485) includes a belt system (12) having a first belt (13) and a second belt (14) for buckling up a person traveling on said riding board (1, 227, 328, 356-358, 365, 485).
15. A riding board (1, 227, 328, 356-358, 365, 485) according to claim 14, characterized in that each belt (13, 14) is connected to an associated assembly (43, 44) having a contact element (80) and a sensor (78, 51), wherein said assemblies (44, 45) may be used to recognize any exaggerated change of position of the person traveling on said riding board (1, 227, 328, 356-358, 365, 485).
16. A riding board (1, 227, 328, 356-358, 365, 485) according to claim 15, characterized in that each belt (13, 14) is disposed at a rod-shaped element (61) being connected to said contact element (80).
17. A riding board (1, 227, 328, 356-358, 365, 485) according to claim 16, characterized in that said rod-shaped element (61) is connected to said contact element (80) via a plate (62).
18. A riding board (1, 227, 328, 356-358, 365, 485) according to claim 17, characterized in that a tensioning spring (66, 67) is disposed at said plate (62).
19. A riding board (1, 227, 328, 356-358, 365, 485) according to claim 14, characterized in that said sensor (78) assumes a position (81) with respect to said contact element (80) so that said sensor (78) is not in contact with said contact element (80) if said belts (13, 14) are tensioned.
20. A riding board (1, 227, 328, 356-358, 365, 485) according to claim 14, characterized in that said sensor (78) assumes a position (82) relative to said contact element (80), wherein said sensor (78) is in contact with said contact element (80) if said belts (13, 14) are not tensioned.
21. A riding board (1, 227, 328, 356-358, 365, 485) according to claim 1, characterized in that said riding board (1, 227, 328, 356-358, 365, 485) includes an element (242, 330, 397) which is disposed with a device (244; 303, 304, 438) provided at an actuating system (226, 300, 391) of said rail system (2, 74, 75, 147, 225, 350, 390), which causes said riding board (1, 227, 328, 356-358, 365, 485) to be moved by said actuating system (226, 300, 391).
22. A riding board according to claim 21, characterized in that said element (241, 330) is a retaining element (242, 330) including a hook (243, 331), which is connected to said device (244; 303, 304) of said actuating system (226, 300).
23. A riding board according to claim 21, characterized in that said element (397) is a pin which is disposed at a round chain (438) attached in said actuating system (391).
24. A riding board according to claim 21, characterized in that said element (242, 330, 397) is attached at a fastener (240, 395) disposed in said riding board (1, 227, 328, 356-358, 365, 485).
25. (canceled)
26. (canceled)
27. A riding board according to claim 21, characterized in that said actuating system (226, 300, 391) has at least one drive (313, 472-476) which is adapted to move said device (244; 303, 304, 438).
28. Riding board according to claim 27, characterized in that said actuating system (226, 300, 391) includes a conveyor means (250, 309, 310) connected to said drive (313) via a rope (311) and moved by means of said drive (313).
29. Riding board according to claim 21, characterized in that said device (244; 303, 304) is disposed at an accelerating device (251, 301, 302) and said accelerating device is assigned to a respective conveyor device (250, 309, 310), said accelerating device (251, 301, 302) being moved by means of said conveyor device (250, 309, 310).
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 20, 2010
Publication Date: Jul 4, 2013
Applicant: IDEA TV GESELLSCHAFT FUR KOMMUNIKATIVE UNTEMEHMENS (SCHMITTEN)
Inventor: Bruno Wilbert (Schmitten)
Application Number: 13/817,908