WHEELS ON SKIS FOR TRANSPORTATION
The invention relates to a device for manually transporting by rolling or sliding, pushing or pulling, skis or the like as a pair, on any kind of surfaces, with a pair of independent collapsible wheels, each wheel attached to a different ski from the pair, the wheels can be folded and deployed, enabling safe skiing when the wheels are folded and carrying the ski upon the ground with the assistance of the wheels, when they are deployed and the skis attached together as a pair. The device is permanently mounted on the ski. The wheels are made from light material, such as rubber or plastics. The ski can also have a holder or fastener at the opposite end for fixing a pulling or pushing aid.
The present invention generally relates to the field of skiing. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device for an easy transportation of the ski on any kind of surface.
1. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONThe invention relates to a device for carrying provided for movement on any kind of surfaces to help the locomotion (for manually transporting by rolling or sliding, pushing or pulling, any pair of skis without effort) intended pairwise together, board-like means of transport, in particular skis or the like, with a pair of collapsible wheels, which can be folded and deployed, enabling safe skiing when the wheels are folded and carrying the ski upon the ground with the assistance of the wheels, when they are deployed and with another ski connected to it.
The device is mounted on each upper surface of the tail end of two skis or on the front end of the ski that allows the skis to be transported when the bottom (or the top) of the skis is adjacent to the ground.
2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIn many ski site around the world, skiers are forced to walk long distances when practicing their sport, for example when traveling the distance between their departure place to the ski slopes, in which the means of transportation have to be slipped off and transported separately. Either they travel by train, thus they have to carry the ski from home to the ski resort and then on the ski domain itself to the ski slopes. Either skiers travel to ski area by automobile or by bus. Thus, most ski areas provide large parking lots at the base area. Unfortunately, skiers must still transport their equipment from the parking lot areas to the bottom of the ski lift. The distance, in both cases, is usually substantial and is aggravated by other factors.
For that walk, they have to carry their heavy skis by hand or on their shoulders, that requires a huge effort, in particular for children. The physical effort involved in this context has increased in recent years due to the again heavier equipment rather. It also requires a huge effort considering the walking with heavy confining ski boots, especially for children. In addition, skis transported on the shoulders, for example, pose a considerable risk of injury for both the person carrying and also those in their environment due to their weight and their swiveling range (bulky, painful and dangerous for others).
The skis typically must be held together as a unit in order to handle them with any ease at all. Small children particularly suffer, when they are required to handle the heavy load by themselves, they can be seen trudging along, the skis often separate from each other and “escape” to the sides.
The traditional mode of transportation (as wearing skis on the shoulder) may dirty or damage the skier's outfit.
Skiing implies a considerable number of elements, such as skis, poles, gloves, cap, sunglass, etc. Adding an additional element to already important number of ski elements is not convenient for skiers. Any new device has to be considered also in a price perspective, since skiing require quite a budget, such device should be affordable.
Finally, the design and integrity of the skis are an important concern of skiers, as a matter of fact they are not willing to harm their skis, even in order to ease their transportation. The skier does not want to buy a special ski manufactured with a device that eases its transportation.
The device should be addable on any pair of skis, without hurting its design or integrity and with a reasonable cost even if a professional is involved in fixing it to the ski tales.
A possible solution to reduce the effort required to carry skis is to divide the weight load of the skis between the skier's body and the ground by permanently adding light wheels at the end of the pair of ski. Our invention tends to remedy all those drawbacks.
3. TECHNICAL FIELDThere are already been various transporting devices, that have been patented, which attempt to solve or to reduce the effort required to carry the skis, that are classified under AC63/11.
The first group of patents has attempted to provide an additional removable device, which has to be inserted in the end of the assembled skis for transport (examples: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,968,060, 9,656,611 or DE2650077 A1), usually called “Caddy”.
The second group of patents are semi-removable devices, as for example U.S. Pat. No. 4,792,159A.
The third group of patents imagined are fully integrated to the ski, but harms the ski design: under the patents DE 10 2005 021 494 A1, BE1017343 and A6 US2009309320 A1.
4. DRAWBACKSAs seen, different types of device already exist, which attempt to solve the above problems and thus lessen the skier's burden. In practice, they are not used because of their inherent drawbacks, such as the devices must each time be mounted and subsequently disassembled before taken into a pocket of clothing.
The first group of devices indicated previously are in this respect considered to be disadvantageous, as they are either unwieldy, bulky, difficult to install and tedious to store during skiing, that may make the skier's outfit or bag dirty. The major disadvantage of this kind of solution is the need to unpack the skis from the equipment carrier and find a temporary storage solution for the equipment carrier or rather for the skier to carry it while skiing. None saying that skiers have to think of taking it with them, next to many other items indispensable to take with while skiing (as the gloves, helmet, the poles, etc.).
The second group of devices (listed above) generally also suffer from drawbacks because they do not allow for an easy storage, they usually have bulky fixed wheel bases, and enlarged structural parts that would be heavy to carry, bulky to store and expensive to manufacture. None saying that skiers have to think of taking it with them, next to many other items indispensable to take with while skiing.
The third group suffers also from disadvantages, most of them harms the integrity of the ski tale itself and creates some serious imbalance issues (ski weight's balanced). More specifically, the patent A6 US2009309320 A1 is very bulky and heavy. Since it is fixed only on one ski (not on each ski tale), it might generate imbalances while skiing. The devices, under patents BE1017343 and DE 102005021494 A1, are disadvantageous because it changes the shape of the ski (that might imply imbalance) and harms its design. Since it injuries the ski itself, it means either buy a special ski already manufactured with that device or that the skier must ask a professional to add the present device probably at a high cost (whether it can be added later on normal skis is also questionable). Furthermore, the position of skis does not provide for a comfortable transportation, since the skier has to grab the biggest part of the ski tale.
There is thus a widely-recognized need for, and it would be highly advantageous to have a device, that enables reducing the load of carrying skis without having any significant effect on the pleasure and performance of the skier.
4.1. Technical IssuesThe goal of the present invention is to develop a device to help skier transporting their skis from their departure's place to the ski slopes without effort and without having to take an additional device that would be complicated to store. The solution according to the present invention to the problem described above is providing a compact collapsible wheel device which can be assembled to different kind of skis. The object of the invention is to definitively incorporate a very light wheel on each spatula (either on the front or the back end of the skis).
This solution enables carrying the skis with their weight carried partially by the ground, and afterwards folding the device and using the skis for skiing, with the device carried on each one of the skis.
It has the following advantages: integrated to the ski (not an additional device to think of taking with or to stow while skiing; no need of mounting and dismounting the device), small and light device, that does not create imbalance neither harm the ski itself or its design (can be added later on a pair of skis—no need to buy the special ski with the device already manufactured on it), easy to use/user friendly and allows for a safe handling to the means of transport during skiing.
Since the device is permanently mounted on the ski, the device's material has to be light in order to assure that the ski keeps its weight balanced.
4.2. SolutionThis objective is achieved by a device provided as an integral part of the ski and that the wheel in the end of the region of the ski spatula (or on the front). By arranging the device on the means of transportation itself, there is no more effort to carry the device. The invention allows the skier to easily transport their skis, without mounting and dismounting or storing a device in a pocket.
This invention is permanently mounted on each of the ski spatula, in a location provided in the end region of the ski.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, collapsible wheel device is integrated to the top surface of each tale of a pair of skis, in a manner that is definitive (preventing them from being separated). Namely, it is possible to ski with the device connected to the skis, and the skis can be stored with it.
The pair of skis, gathered by ski-stop, are held together as a unit providing for a paired means of locomotion, the collapsible wheel device on each ski works together as the skis are assembled. The two skis' tales are fastened together by the brakes, an elastic band or a scratch band can also be added in order to strengthen the grip, achieving a single unit that will not come apart during the transportation of the skis.
The invention has a pair of spaced apart wheels that are independently connected to the ski so that the wheels define a spaced wheelbase (conferring a better stability) when the skis are placed in a parallel relationship to each other, the skis are in between the wheels when transporting.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, the device is connected directly to each of the rear part of a pair of skis (that can also be the rear curved end of the skis). Two collapsible wheel devices are necessarily mounted on each ski tale. Each device includes a unique wheel.
The collapsible wheel device has two modes: a closed mode suitable for skiing, and an open mode suitable for transportation. The wheel can be folded and deployed: i) enabling safe skiing when the wheels are folded (closed mode), and ii) carrying the ski upon the ground (open mode) with the assistance of the wheels, when the wheels of the two skis are deployed. Opening and deploying the wheel can be done with a simple knob. A lock is a possible development in order to secure the knob in both of these modes.
Transporting the pair of skis is done with the ski equipped with the device turned perpendicularly to the ground, namely the thinner slice of the skis facing the ground and the upper surface of the ski face upward.
According to particular embodiments: bearing can be produced by a wheel mounted on an axle that is connected either to a receptacle or a rail. The wheel axle is interlocked with the receptacle or the slots of the rail directly on the skis.
The wheel axle is connected to either the receptacle or the rail permanently fixed (for example by the means of a super glue, preferably not by stews in order to avoid any harm or damage of the integrity of the ski) on the spatula of the ski. The receptacle or the rail is fixed on the rear of the ski spatula.
The wheel is mounted on an axle (and turns on it), that is connected either to a receptacle or a rail. In order to get its open mode (transporting position), the wheel can either deployed itself on a stable receptacle by unfolding or inflating, or by sliding on rail to take its “transporting position”.
4.3. Advantages
The advantage of the present invention is that it helps skier transporting their skis from their departure's place to the ski slopes without effort and without having to take an additional device that would be complicated to store.
The skier does not suffer any gene from the device while skiing both on the slots and in deep snow, thanks to a low weight and a fluid shape that is adapted to the geometry of the spatula. The mass of the device is chosen in such a way that the vibratory modes of the ski are not negatively influenced.
The principles and operation of skis equipped with a collapsible wheel device according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.
Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.
Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The materials, dimension, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and are not intended to be limiting.
The following is a list of legends of the numbering of the application illustration:
- 1) ski equipped with a collapsible wheel device
- 2) ski upper surface
- 3) ski thinner slice
- 4) collapsible wheel device: 4a) deployed mode, 4b) folded mode
- 5) wheel: 5a) basic wheel, 5b) inflating wheel, 5c) foldable wheel
- 6) rail 6a) or receptacle 6b)
- 7) axle
- 8) collapsible wheel release knob
Referring to the drawings,
In
The transportation assure that the ski's tales do not get damaged, since only the thinner side n. 3 of the ski might get contact with the ground.
The skis equipped with collapsible wheel device n. 1 includes three main assemblies: a ski, which can be a standard ski, which is connected to the ski upper surface n. 2 by means of strong adhesive (as super or thermic-resistant glue) [ideally not with screws in order to safeguard the integrity of the ski], or any other suitable means, and the device n. 4. This connection is definitive and strong in order to become an integral part of the ski.
It is even possible that the ski n. 1 is manufactured with the rail n. 6a) or a receptacle n. 6b) as an integral part. The receptacle n. 6b) is provided as a fixed part of the upper surface of the means of transport n. 2 (ideally arranged in the end region of the means of transport) such that the means of locomotion n. 1 can be rolled on the ground.
The collapsible wheel device n. 4 is fixedly connected to the means of transport n. 2 and remains during use of the means of transportation, but does not interfere with the locomotion itself n. 4b).
The device n. 1 should be assembled as close as possible either to the front or to the bottom of the ski, with a preference to the bottom of the ski since the ski bottom surface are typically flat and unobstructed while the ski tops typically carry bindings.
The present invention includes a rail n. 6a) or a receptacle body n. 6b) of preferably plastic construction using, but can also be machined from metal such as stainless steel, for example. A pair of receptacle bodies n. 6b) attaches respectively to the upper surfaces of the ski n. 2. The rail n. 6a) or receptacle n. 6b) can be arranged on the ski upper surface n. 2 either by professional or by individuals themselves with the help of a stencil (adapted to the different ski shape that is apt to keep the cost low).
The wheel n. 5 is assembled to the rail n. 6a) or the receptacle n. 6b) by the means of the axle n. 7. The collapsible wheel device n. 4 can only be removed with special products (such as solvent), due to their mechanical structures to secure its assembly during skiing, as will be described in the following.
The receptacle n. 6b) is connected to the ski upper surface n.) by means of strong adhesive (such as super or thermic-resistant glue), or any other suitable means [ideally not with screws in order to safeguard the integrity of the ski].
Connection of the rail n. 6a) or the receptacle n. 6b) to the wheel n. 5) is achieved by an axle n. 7). The wheel n. 5) is rotably mounted upon its stub axles n. 7). The axle n. 7) supports the wheel n. 5), which can be, for example, of a rubber construction.
They are also locked by means of release knob n. 8, which makes “non-voluntary” separation impossible.
The structural materials of the collapsible wheel device n. 4 and the wheel n. 5 should have qualities that ensure a high strength to weight ratio, such as rigid plastic materials (plastic pad having a high abrasion resistance and a low coefficient of friction, such as Teflon for example), suitable metals, and silicon, with optional combination of several different structural materials, according to the embodiment of the wheel n. 5.
The skier does not suffer any gene from the collapsible wheel device n. 4 while skiing both on the slopes and in deep snow, thanks to a low weight and a fluid shape that is adapted to the geometry of the spatula or the curved back tip ski. The mass of the device is chosen in such a way that the vibratory modes of the ski are not negatively influenced.
Finally, a development of the device in which the wheels n. 5 are made of a rubber, a plastic or similar material, which roll relatively smoothly on the particular floor and which, for example, may additionally be coated or star wheel to prevent buildup of snow.
The dimension of the collapsible wheel device n. 4 and the wheel n. 5) can vary greatly to comply to the size of any ski.
While the wheel n. 5 is blocked in the folded mode n. 4b), the full device remains on the middle of the upper surface of the ski n. 2, such a position in which the wheel is blocked by the knob at this position.
The deployed (open) mode n. 4a) can be achieved by pressing release knob n. 8, which is disposed in the center of the wheel n. 5.
Wheel release knob n. 8, according to the first exemplary embodiment, releases the wheel on the rail n. 6a) to change its position (from point a to point b) with a single pressure. The wheel n. 5a) slides on the rail n. 6a) to attain its deployed mode (open mode) n. 4a), so the distance between the middle of the ski tale (horizontal) and the extremity of it decrease, granting the access to the floor to the wheel.
According to another exemplary embodiment
According to another exemplary embodiment
When the skis are placed in a parallel relationship to each other bond by the brakes form a unit and the two wheels are independently deployed on each tales, the invention is composed of a pair of spaced apart wheels, so that the wheels define a spaced wheelbase, the skis are in between the wheels when transporting. In the open mode n. 4a) the wheels n. 5 move away from the ski tale and the space between the two wheels increases allowing for a better stability.
The device n. 4 adapts itself in an appropriate manner to different landscape and weather-related conditions, but also, for example, different body sizes of the transporting person, because of inclination, so that the wheel n. 5 with respect to the top of the sports equipment can take different positions.
Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught, and because many modification may be made in the embodiment of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
7. POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENTS OF THE INVENTIONAn expedient development of the device may consist either of a connected button, of a led wheel or of guiding means.
The lock button can also be connected, as for example with GPS.
The wheel can be lighted (for example by leds) when folded, helping other skiers to identify that specific skier especially in fog.
In order to transport the means of transport in the form of skis without fatigue over long distances, a pulling or guiding means can be arranged, for example the skis equipped with the collapsible wheel device can also use a tangling or snagging counteracting guide. The distance to the transporting person is variably adjustable over the length of this pulling or guiding means. In this way, skis can be conveniently pulled over the shoulder of the person carrying it on the side on such a trained approximately in the manner of a rope or tape train or guide means.
Claims
1. Device for manually transporting, board like locomotion means, in particular of skis pairwise together or like, characterized in that it is composed of a pair of wheels which are an integral part of each ski tales.
2. Device for transporting on any kind of surfaces provided pairwise together, board-like locomotion means, in particular of skis, when gathered by the ski-stops, or the like, with at least one collapsible wheel device on the upper surface of each ski tale, which in an area of the tips of the means of travel, centered in the width of the tale, characterized in that the device is permanently mounted on the ski to form an integral part of the means of transport, and that the device in the tail end region of the means of transport such that the side of the tales facing the bottom when the wheels are deployed.
3. According to claim 1, the device is carried respectively and independently by each separate ski at the tail end portion (either on the tips or on the end of the ski tale) and on said upper surface of each said ski.
4. According to claim 1, the device is characterized in that the whole device is permanently integrated on each upper surface of the ski tale; the receptacles or rails are strongly and definitively fixed on the means of transportation and that the wheels are permanently attached to it by the axle; when the user is skiing, the wheels are in a folded mode; when the user is transporting the ski, the wheels are in a deployed position.
5. According to claims 1 and 2, characterized that the ski equipped with the device, which it is composed of three main pieces that are kept attached directly on the ski, characterized as non-removable device. Wherein the three pieces: the wheel connected to the axle, that is itself connected to either the receptacle or rail strongly fixed to the ski (with glue or other means alike).
6. According to previous claim, the device comprises:
- (a) either a rail or a receptacle (depending on the alternative embodiment chosen) disposed on upper surface of each ski; wherein the receptacle or the rail, that has a predetermined shape and dimensions, includes a slot that receives an axle for rotably holding each wheel; and
- (b) each axle has a flanged end portion that can be engage in the slot on the said rail or receptacle and mounted in the center of the wheel; and
- (c) a wheel is mounted on the said axle, itself arranged on the rail or receptacle forming part of the ski; wherein a pair of wheels are non-removable and each wheel is independent of the other wheel.
- (d) a knob means at the center of the wheel allowing to change position of the wheel from the folded mode to the deployed position and vice-versa.
7. According to the previous claims, the device is characterized in that it comprises the wheel, axle and the receptacle or rail, that are kept permanently attached on the means of transportation by means of super glue or alike (without causing any damage to the ski tale itself).
8. Device according to the previous claim, characterized in that the receptacle or the rail is disposed on the upper surface of the ski.
9. According to the precedent claim, the device is characterized in that the rail allows the axle and the wheel to move from position A (closed mode) to position B (open mode) in order for the wheel to exceeds over the substantial part of the ski tale's width.
10. According to an alternative claim, the device is characterized in that a static receptacle, allow the wheel to inflate in order to achieve its open (deployed) mode; and the wheel deflate in order to get to its closed mode; whereas no movement on the upper surface of the ski is necessary to exceed over the substantial part of the ski tale's width in the open mode, since the wheel inflates enough to exceed in an appropriate measure over the side of the ski tale allowing for transportation.
11. According to an alternative claim, the device is characterized in that a static receptacle, allow the wheel to unfold in order to achieve its open (deployed) mode; and the wheel is folded in order to get to its closed mode; whereas no movement on the upper surface of the ski is necessary to exceed over the substantial part of the ski tale's width in the open mode, since the unfolded part of the wheel exceed in an appropriate measure over the side of the ski tale allowing for transportation.
12. In order to be of no disturbance while skiing, the wheels have to reduce in size, to fold or to move from its open (deployed) position (B) to its closed (folded) position (A). The position (A) can be archived either by deflating the wheel (receptacle mode), by folding the wheel (receptacle mode), by reducing extendable wheels (receptacle mode), by moving the wheel on the slot of the rail (rail mode).
13. According to the previous claims, the device is characterized in that the device has a weight that influences as little as possible the initial ski weight and cleans vibration modes of the ski. According to preceding claims, the device is characterized in that it is made of material light enough to assure that the weight distribution of the ski is not modified (and that when the device is in folded mode the ski's balance is ensured), for example the device is made in plastic having a high abrasion resistance and a low coefficient of friction.
14. An alternative, if a slight imbalance still occurs (even with light materials), is to add an equivalent weight on the opposite end of the ski in order to rebalance the ski—by means of decorative piece or useful add (as GPS for example).
15. Device according to one of the preceding claims is characterized in that the receptacle or the rail and the axle are formed from a light, but solid, material like light and strong alloy with aluminum or carbon for example, in order to assure in the folded mode no interference in the balance weight of the ski.
16. Device according to one of the preceding claims is characterized in that the wheel is formed from a light material like rubber or plastic, in order to ensure stability and balance of the ski itself.
17. Device according to one of the preceding claims is characterized in that the wheel allows to roll on rough surfaces, by profiled tire or like.
18. According to previous claims, the device is characterized in that the collapsible wheel can be folded (closed mode) or deployed (opening mode). The skis equipped with a pair of collapsible wheel device of claim 1, wherein said collapsible wheel further includes a lock release knob, mounted at the center of the wheel and the axle, for enabling the release of said collapsible wheel from its close position to its open position (the wheel exceeding over substantially on the side of the ski) and vice-versa (from close mode to open mode).
19. Apparatus according to previous claims is characterized in that the wheel (4) deploys on the side of the ski and exceeds over the substantial part of its width in order to allow the ski's transportation and therefore guarantees that the ski tales do not get damaged, since the deployed wheel exceed from ski tale width (on the thinner side of the ski) and only the wheel gets contact with the ground.
20. According to the previous claim, the device is characterized in that a pair of space apart wheels on one end of the ski tale provides that skier can grab the opposite end portion of the ski tale in order to transport the skis; and allow transport by pulling or pushing the ski pairwise together on any kind of surfaces.
21. According to the preceding claims, the device is characterized in that a pair of spaced apart wheels that are independently connected to each ski's tale so that the wheels define a spaced wheelbase when the skis are placed in a parallel relationship to each other allowing a better transportation. The wheelbase can be broadened by means of a spring in the axle.
22. Device according to one of previous claims is characterized in that the ski tales have to be gathered by the ski-stops, that can also be secured by a simple elastic or band.
23. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a holder, a pulling or guiding means can be arranged on the ski itself in order to ease the transportation, for example on the ski-stops.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 30, 2018
Publication Date: Oct 28, 2021
Inventor: Amira Kühn (20009, DC)
Application Number: 17/250,927