SKI TUNING APPARATUS
A ski tuning apparatus that is operable to provide maintenance to the bottom of snow skis and other similar equipment wherein the invention deploys a grinding drum having an outer surface that is electroplated with a diamond/zirconium material. The invention includes a base member having a plurality of walls and a bottom integrally formed to create an interior volume. An upper platform member is releasably secured to the upper edge of the base member and substantially covers the opening thereof. A motor is operably coupled to the base motor and provides operation of a drive wheel that is operably coupled to the grinding drum. A control panel provides operational control of the motor and control of the grinding drum. A spray member is mounted within the interior volume of the base member and is submerged in a liquid. A deflector member is present to inhibit spray from exiting interior volume.
The present invention relates generally to maintenance of snow ski equipment, more specifically but not by way of limitation, an apparatus that is configured to provide tuning of snow skis wherein the present invention includes a grinding drum having an outer surface electroplated with diamond or synthetic diamond grit.
BACKGROUNDWinter sports activities are popular with millions of people. Winter sports can encompass a variety of activities that include but are not limited to snowboarding and skiing. For those individuals that ski there are different types of skiing that can be enjoyed. Skiing can include but is not limited to cross-country skiing, downhill skiing and mogul style skiing. For each type of skiing that an individual will participate in there are different types of skis to be utilized to engage in the activity. By way of example but not limitation, cross-country skiing typically employs the utilization of longer and more narrow skis. Alternatively, for those skiers performing downhill runs or moguls will have skis of a different size and shape. Regardless of the type of skiing, in order for the skis to perform well there must be regular maintenance performed.
One maintenance procedure for skis is commonly referred to as tuning. During the ski tuning process there are typically several procedures executed that can include but are not limited to inspecting/repairing binding, grinding the edges and bottom of the ski and applying a specialized wax coating. During the grinding process the bottom and edges of the skis are honed in order to address any inconsistencies therewith to ensure a true base and removal of any blemishes. Properly cared for edges are important for the handing of the ski. Skis are typically honed with stone grinders that deploy a specialized stone grinding wheel having a grit that will perform the required tasks. Stone grinders are typically quite expensive and additionally, the stone must be routinely properly dressed in order to maintain the integrity and functionality of the stone. This can be cost prohibitive for smaller ski shops or individuals that would like to maintain their own skis.
Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus that can provide tuning of snow skis wherein the apparatus employs an alternative grinding wheel that is more cost effective to operate and has a greater intrinsic longevity to the tuning surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is the object of the present invention to provide a snow ski tuning apparatus that is configured to provide maintenance to the bottom of snow skis wherein the present invention includes a base member.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus configured to provide tuning of the bottom of snow skis wherein the base member includes a plurality of walls and a bottom forming an interior volume.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a snow ski tuning apparatus that is configured to provide maintenance to the bottom of snow skis wherein the present invention includes an upper platform member wherein the upper platform member is superposed the base member.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus configured to provide tuning of the bottom of snow skis wherein the present invention further includes an electric motor.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a snow ski tuning apparatus that is configured to provide maintenance to the bottom of snow skis wherein the electric motor is operably coupled to a drive wheel.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus configured to provide tuning of the bottom of snow skis wherein the drive wheel has a shaft operably coupled thereto that is configured to provide rotation of a grinding drum.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a snow ski tuning apparatus that is configured to provide maintenance to the bottom of snow skis wherein the grinding drum is rotatable and includes an outer surface having a diamond grit finished superposed thereon.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus configured to provide tuning of the bottom of snow skis wherein the present invention further includes a water sprayer wherein the spray member is disposed within the interior volume of the base member.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a snow ski tuning apparatus that is configured to provide maintenance to the bottom of snow skis wherein the interior volume of the base member further includes a deflector member secured to an inner surface of a base member wall proximate the grinding drum.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus configured to provide tuning of the bottom of snow skis that further includes a control panel configured to facilitate operation of the present invention.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a snow ski tuning apparatus that is configured to provide maintenance to the bottom of snow skis wherein the grinding drum is provided in alternate sizes and grit levels.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.
A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:
Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a ski tuning apparatus 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.
An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.
It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic.
Referring in particular to the Figures submitted as a part hereof, the ski tuning apparatus 100 as is discussed further herein is employed to perform maintenance on the bottom surface of snow skis and similar equipment. The illustrations submitted as a part hereof are exemplary only and it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that alternate embodiments are contemplated in order to execute the tasks of snow ski maintenance.
The ski tuning apparatus 100 includes a base member 10. The base member 10 is manufactured from metal or other suitable material and includes a plurality of walls 11 integrally formed with a bottom 12 creating an interior volume 14. While the base member 10 is illustrated herein as being rectangular in shape, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the base member 10 could be provided with an alternate quantity of walls 11 and be provided in alternate shapes. The interior volume 14 as is further discussed herein is configured to retain a volume of liquid therein. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the base member 10 is of suitable size to accommodate a preferred amount of liquid to be employed during use of the ski tuning apparatus 100 as is further discussed herein.
Superposed the base member 10 is the upper platform member 20. The upper platform member 20 is releasably secured to the upper edges of walls 11 utilizing suitable techniques. The upper platform member 20 includes an upper surface 21 that is planar in manner and can be utilized for guiding and/or positioning a ski in a desired position for engagement with the grinding drum 60. The leading edge 22 of the upper platform member 20 is adjacent the grinding drum 60 having a small void 61 therebetween. A motor 30 is mounted to the rear wall of the base member 10 and is configured to provide rotation of the grinding drum 60. The motor 30 is a conventional electric motor and is operably coupled to the grinding drum 60 utilizing drive member 34 wherein drive member 34 is coupled to drive wheel 36 that is coupled to the grinding drum 60 via a shaft. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the drive member 34 could be either a belt or chain so as to operably couple to the drive wheel 36. It should be further understood within the scope of the present invention that the drive wheel 36 could be provided in alternate diameters in order to control the rotational speed of the grinding drum 60.
The grinding drum 60 is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to metal. The grinding drum 60 is cylindrical in shape and can be provided in alternate sizes in order to facilitate proper mounting position onto the base member 10. The grinding drum 60 includes outer surface 62 that is coated with an abrasive material operable to provide the necessary maintenance on the bottom of snow skis. While various abrasive materials can be employed, it is desired within the scope of the present invention that the outer surface 62 is an electroplated diamond/zirconium material. The aforementioned material provides significant durability and does not require maintenance thereof. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the outer surface 62 could be provided having alternate grits in order to achieve the desired objective of maintenance on the bottom of snow skis.
The motor 30 is operably coupled to control panel 50. Control panel 50 provides operational control of the ski tuning apparatus 100 which includes but is not limited to powering on, powering off and adjustment of the speed of the motor 30. The control panel 50 is operably coupled to a suitable power source and provides distribution of the necessary electrical power for operation of the ski tuning apparatus 100. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the control panel 50 could be configured to operably couple to either 120 volt or 240 volt power source.
Referring in particular to
A deflector member 80 is secured onto a mount 82 that is secured to the rear wall of the base member 10. The deflector member 80 includes a multitude of bristles 84 that are configured to inhibit liquid from propagating through void 61 during use of the ski tuning apparatus 100. The deflector member 80 extends the width of the grinding drum 60 and is intermediate the front wall and grinding drum 60. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the deflector member 80 could be provided in alternate shapes or manufactured from alternate materials and achieve the desired objective of inhibiting liquid from exiting the interior volume 14 of the base member 10 during execution of ski maintenance.
In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A ski tuning apparatus configured to provide maintenance of snow skis and other similar equipment wherein the ski tuning apparatus comprises:
- a base member, said base member having a plurality of walls and a bottom forming an interior volume, said base member having a lower end and an upper end, said base member having an upper platform member, said upper platform member being releasably secured to said base member proximate said upper end thereof, said base member substantially covering an opening proximate said upper end of said base member, said upper platform member having a leading edge;
- a motor, said motor being operably coupled to a wall of said base member;
- a drive wheel, said drive wheel being operably coupled to a wall of said base member distal to said motor, said drive wheel being operably coupled to said motor via a drive member,
- a grinding drum, said grinding drum being mounted to said base member distal to said motor, said grinding drum being cylindrical in surface having an outer surface, said outer surface having an abrasive material disposed thereon;
- a spray member, said spray member being mounted within said interior volume of said base member, said spray member having a pump module and a spray nozzle, said pump module configured to be submerged in a liquid disposed in said interior volume of said base member, said spray nozzle configured to disperse liquid onto at least a portion of the grinding drum; and
- a control panel, said control panel operably coupled to said motor, said control panel configured to provide operational control of the motor and the grinding drum.
2. The ski tuning apparatus configured to provide maintenance of snow skis and other similar equipment as recited in claim 1, and further including a deflector member, said deflector member being mounted within said interior volume on an inner surface of said rear wall, said deflector member being intermediate the inner surface and the outer surface of said grinding drum.
3. The ski tuning apparatus configured to provide maintenance of snow skis and other similar equipment as recited in claim 2, wherein said deflector member is secured to a mount, said mount extending substantially across a width of said base member.
4. The ski tuning apparatus configured to provide maintenance of snow skis and other similar equipment as recited in claim 3, wherein said deflector member includes a multitude of bristles, said bristles extending across a full length of the deflector member.
5. The ski tuning apparatus configured to provide maintenance of snow skis and other similar equipment as recited in claim 4, wherein said abrasive material on said outer surface of said grinding drum is an electroplated diamond/zirconium material.
6. The ski tuning apparatus configured to provide maintenance of snow skis and other similar equipment as recited in claim 5, wherein said deflector member inhibits liquid from propagating through a void in between said leading edge of said upper platform member and said grinding drum.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 2, 2023
Publication Date: Sep 5, 2024
Inventor: Andrew LaForge (Edmonton)
Application Number: 18/177,715
