SKI TRAINING DEVICE

Abstract

The present invention provides a ski training device designed to assist an instructor to teach a beginner skier how to ski. The ski training device includes a front portion with a gripping section for the beginner skier, a back portion with a gripping section for the instructor, two side portions that connect the front and back portions, and an internal cavity between the front portion, back portion, and side portions, configured for the beginner skier.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/269,120, filed Mar. 10, 2022, the complete disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates in general to the field of ski instruction. More particularly, this invention relates to a training device that an instructor can use with a student to teach a student how to ski.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In general, learning to ski can take place at a very early age and is achievable at any age. However, a lack of confidence and/or memorably negative first experiences can easily jeopardize a beginner's learning trajectory and passion to continue. These negative first experiences can come in the form of falling, skiing too fast and out of control, hurting oneself, etc. As such, confidence, positive initial experiences, and fun are key to encouraging beginners to learn to ski.

In the past, beginner skiers have relied on ski poles, thinking the ski poles will help for balance. Ski poles are also attractive to beginner skiers simply because they see others using them. However, as a beginner, ski poles can cause a tremendous amount of physical confusion and distract from proper technique of the skier's legs and feet. These poles can be a distraction from the desired interaction between one's skis and the snow underneath. Beginners may try to focus their balancing, steering, breaking, and pushing off with the poles, all of which are counterproductive to the goal of becoming comfortable on the skis themselves. Poles can also be a safety risk on ski lifts and hills to the skiers themselves and to other skiers.

Thus, there is a need for a ski training device where an instructor can control a student's speed, direction, and balance while instilling confidence in students of all ages and abilities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a ski training device designed to assist an instructor to teach a beginner how to ski. The ski training device includes a front portion with a gripping section for the beginner skier, a back portion with a gripping section for the instructor, two side portions that connect the front and back portions, and an internal cavity between the front portion, back portion, and side portions, configured for the beginner skier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be readily understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of one embodiment of a ski training device constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2A illustrates a top view of another embodiment of a ski training device constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention illustrating the use of ski pole grip handles;

FIG. 2B illustrates a partial side view of an embodiment of a ski training device constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention illustrating the use of ski pole grip handles;

FIG. 3A illustrates a top view of another embodiment of a ski training device constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention illustrating one example of a mechanism to adjust the width of the ski training device;

FIG. 3B illustrates a partial side view of an embodiment of a mechanism to adjust the width of the ski training device;

FIG. 4A illustrates a top view of another embodiment of a ski training device constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention illustrating one example of a mechanism to adjust the length of the ski training device;

FIG. 4B illustrates a partial side view of an embodiment of a mechanism to adjust the length of the ski training device;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of one way to use an embodiment of a ski training device constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will be discussed hereinafter in detail in terms of various exemplary embodiments according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be obvious, however, to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures are not shown in detail in order to avoid unnecessary obscuring of the present invention.

Thus, all the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims.

Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. Although the illustrated embodiments and descriptions are directed to teaching a beginner skier how to ski, other uses of a ski training device constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention are contemplated including, for example, roller blading and ice skating.

In accordance with the one or more aspects of the present invention, a ski training device 100 is provided. In an exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, a ski training device 100 may include a front portion 110, a first side portion 120, a second side portion 130 and a back portion 140. First side portion 120 and second side portion 130 extend between front portion 110 and back portion 140 to internal cavity 160. The front portion 110 and back portion 140 may be connected to first and second side portions 120, 130 through any means, temporary or permanent such as: a connector made out of the same materials as the rest of the portions where each portion slides into the connector, any other type of connector, glue, welding, tape, rope, PVC connectors, fittings, adapters, bushings, caps and plugs, couplings, elbows, flanges, nipples, tees, crosses, saddle tees, unions, and wyes. The portions may also be manufactured such that the pieces are manufactured together.

Internal cavity 160 may be sized and configured for a beginner skier, while a ski trainer or instructor may hold back portion 140 to guide and direct the beginner skier, as will be explained in more detail below. Ski training device 100 may be configured in a wide variety of shapes, including, but not limited to, rectangular or trapezoidal. In one embodiment, front portion 110, first side portion 120, second side portion 130 and back portion 140 may be made from a relatively light material to be held by a young skier and allows for a trainer to guide the beginner skier and may include, for example, hollow PVC tubing or solid plastic.

Front portion 110 may include a first gripping section 151 for a beginner skier to hold onto, and back portion 140 may include a second gripping section 152 for the instructor to hold onto. First and second gripping sections 151, 152 may be etching or an adhesive surface of front and back portions 110, 140 or, alternatively, include an added material applied to front portion 110 and back portion 140 that would aid an instructor and a beginner skier in holding onto the invention, such as, for example, tape, any type of sports grip, leather, synthetic leather, polyester, silicone, rubber, polyurethane, plastic, elastomer, cork, and wood. Also, first and second gripping sections 151, 152 may be continuous along the front portion 110 and the back portion 140, or, alternatively, may be broken up into two or more spaced sections along their lengths.

In one embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, front portion 110 may include handles 280 for the beginner skier to hold onto. In one example, handles 280 may be in the form of handle grips similar to the grips found on traditional ski poles. In this example, handle grips may be coupled to front portion 110. Use of handle grips similar to a traditional ski pole would help the beginner skier get use to the feel of a ski pole while training.

FIG. 3A depicts yet another embodiment of a ski training device 300 constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. In this example, front portion 310 may include a first member 311 and a second member 312 and back portion 340 may include a third member 341 and a fourth member 342. The width of ski training device 300 may be adjustable by adjusting the relationship between first member 311 and second member 312 and between third member 341 and fourth member 342. In one example, first member 311 may be telescopically received in and out of the second member 312 to adjust the width of said front portion 310 and third member 341 may be telescopically received in and out of fourth member 342 to adjust the width of back portion 340.

In one embodiment depicted in FIG. 3A, the width of ski training device 300 may be adjustable. In one example depicted in FIG. 3B, the width of front portion 310 and back portion 340 are adjusted by use of a spring loaded button mechanism 314/344 located on, for example, second member 312 of first portion 310 and fourth member 342 of back portion 340. In this embodiment, first member 312 of front portion 310 and third member 342 of back portion 340 would include a plurality of spaced adjustment holes or slots 313/343 longitudinally spaced apart at set distances configured to receive and engage the spring loaded button mechanism. By depressing the spring loaded buttons 314/344, first member 311 and second member 312 of front portion 310 and third member 341 and fourth member 342 of back portion 340 are disengaged to allow first member 311 to be telescopically moved to a position relative to second member 312 and third member 341 to be telescopically moved to a position relative to fourth member 342, respectively. When a desired width of front portion 310 and back portion 340 is achieved, the spring loaded buttons 314/344 on second member 312 and fourth member 342 align with and releases into one of the plurality of holes or slots 313/343 in first member 311 and third member 341, respectively, to lock the width of front portion 310 and back portion 340, and the relative positions of first member 311 and second member 312 and of third member 341 and fourth member 342 in the desired positions. Other mechanisms that would adjust the width of front portion 310 and back portion 340 are contemplated, such as a spring loaded pull mechanism located on, for example, first member 311 of first portion 310 and third member 341 of back portion 340. In this spring loaded pull mechanism embodiment, second member 312 of front portion 310 and fourth member 342 of back portion 340 would include a plurality of spaced adjustment holes or slots 313/343 longitudinally spaced apart at set distances configured to receive and engage the spring loaded pull mechanism.

In yet another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4A, the length of ski training device may be adjustable. In one example illustrated in FIG. 4B, the length of first side portion 320 and second side portion 330 are adjusted by use of a spring loaded button mechanism 324/344 located on, for example, sixth member 322 of first side portion 320 and eighth member 332 of second side portion 330. In this embodiment, fifth member 321 of first side portion 320 and seventh member 331 of second side portion 330 would include a plurality of spaced adjustment holes or slots 323/333 longitudinally spaced apart at set distances configured to receive and engage the spring loaded button mechanism 324/344. Pushing the spring loaded button mechanisms 324/334 disengages fifth member 321 from sixth member 322 and seventh member 331 from eighth member 332, which then allows fifth member 321 to be moved longitudinally relative to sixth member 322 to a new hole or slot 323/333 location and to allow seventh member 331 to be moved longitudinally relative to eighth member 332 to a new hole or slot 323/333 location. The spring loaded button mechanisms 324/334 are then released and locks in the new position. The ability to adjust the length of first side member 320 and second side member 330 also alters internal cavity to, for example, accommodate different sized beginner skiers may fit or alter the distance between the beginner skier and the trainer.

In yet another example, a ski training device constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention may include spring loaded button mechanisms 324/334 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 to adjust both the widths of front portion 310 and back portions 340 and the lengths of first side portion 320 and second side portion 330.

In another example, first side portion 320 may include a fifth member 321 and a sixth member 322 and second side portion 330 may include a seventh member 331 and an eight member 332. The length of ski training device 300 may be adjustable by adjusting the relationship between fifth member 321 and sixth member 322 and between seventh member 331 and eighth member 332. In one example, fifth member 321 may be telescopically received in and out of the sixth member 322 to adjust the length of first side portion 321 and seventh member 33 may be telescopically received in and out of fourth member 332 to adjust the length of second side portion 330.

The telescopic actuation to adjust the widths of front portion 310 and back portion 340 and to adjust the lengths of first side portion 320 and second side portion 330 may be accomplished by other known mechanism known in the art, including, for example, the spring loaded push button described above and by the use of pull pins, removeable bolts fixed onto the first members or the second members. In alternative embodiments, for example, the first member 311 and second member 312 may include an internal or external groove or track configured to allow the first member 311 and second member 312 slide past one another along a single axis, to aid the use of the spring loaded pull pin or any other locking and unlocking means. Other mechanisms may include push pins, pull pins, button clips, hook-and-loop fasteners, lock pins, and clamps.

In another example illustrated in FIG. 5, the use of ski training device 200 is shown with a beginner skier positioned within internal cavity 260 and a ski instructor positioned holding first side portion 220 and second side portion 240. The ski instructor may also be holding onto back portion 240. The beginner skier is shown holding onto grips 280 and the ski instructor may be holding onto grip portions 152, 252, 352. The ski instructor may guide/direct the ski training device left, right, up, down, and straight to assist beginner skier with turns, holding the first side portion, second side portion, and back portions in various ways to control the movement of the beginner skier. The ski instructor may also direct the speed of the beginner skier by slowing down or speeding up the speed of their skis, with the ski instructor's change in speed imparted to the beginner skier through the ski training device. The width and length of the ski training device may be adjusted while using the device by the ski instructor and/or the beginner skier pressing the spring loaded push button 314, 324, 334, 344 (not illustrated in FIG. 5) and pulling out or pushing in the corresponding attached members.

In another embodiment of the invention, handle grips similar to handle grips 280 may be fixed on top of or instead of gripping portion 152, 252, 352.

In another embodiment of the invention, a safety strap, wrist strap, or similar device may be attached to any component of the invention for, for example, safely carrying the invention up a ski lift.

While several aspects of the present invention have been described and depicted herein, alternative aspects may be effected by those skilled in the art to accomplish the same objectives. Accordingly, it is intended to cover all such alternative aspects as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A ski training device, said ski training device designed to assist an instructor to teach a beginner skier how to ski, said ski training device comprising:

a front portion, said front portion including a first gripping section for the beginner skier;

a back portion, said back portion including a second gripping section for the instructor;

a first side portion, said first side portion extending between said back portion and said front portion;

a second side portion, said second side portion extending between said back portion and said front portion; and

said front portion, said back portion, said first side portion, and said second side portion forming an internal cavity configured for the beginner skier.

2. The ski training device of claim 1, wherein the first gripping section includes two handles coupled to said front portion.

3. The ski training device of claim 1, wherein said front portion, said back portion, and said two side portions form a substantially trapezoidal internal cavity.

4. The ski training device of claim 1, wherein said front portion, said back portion, and said two side portions form a substantially rectangular internal cavity.

5. The ski training device of claim 1, wherein said first side portion includes a first member and a second member, the first member being telescopically received by the second member to adjust a length of said first side portion.

6. The ski training device of claim 5, wherein said second side portion includes a first member and a second member, the first member being telescopically received by the second member to adjust a length of said second side portion.

7. The ski training device of claim 1, wherein said front portion includes a first member and a second member, the first member being telescopically received by the second member to adjust a width of said front portion.

8. The ski training device of claim 7, wherein said back portion includes a first member and a second member, the first member being telescopically received by the second member to adjust a width of said back portion.

9. The ski training device of claim 1, wherein said front portion, said back portion, said first side portion, and said second side portion are formed by hollow tubes.

10. The ski training device of claim 1, wherein the second gripping section includes two handles coupled to said back portion.

11. The ski training device of claim 1, further comprising a wrist strap for carrying the ski training device.