US20110006504A1

US20110006504A1 - Vehicle which slides on snow guided by a user and carrying a passenger

Info

Publication number: US20110006504A1
Application number: US12/826,732
Authority: US
Inventors: Eric ARNOL
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-07-06
Filing date: 2010-06-30
Publication date: 2011-01-13
Also published as: FR2947511B1; EP2272571A1; CA2707661A1; EP2272571B1; FR2947511A1

Abstract

A vehicle includes a board or runner (1) configured to slide on snow. A rear guidance part (4) includes poles (4 a , 4 b) connected by a cross-piece (4 c) extending beyond a rear end (2 b) of the board or runner and configured to be gripped by a user wearing skis or snowshoes. A front part (3) includes a cross-piece (3 d) configured to be held by a child standing on the board or runner to help the child remain upright. A non-slip surface (9) and blocks (8) help retain the child's feet on the apparatus. Optionally, a seat or straps are provided to help retain the child safely on the apparatus. The front and rear pieces are foldably connected with the runner to facilitate transporting the apparatus.

Description

The present invention relates to a device which slides on snow guided by a user and carries a passenger. It relates more particularly to a sliding vehicle on which one can put a child and which is controlled and guided is performed by a user who is not on the vehicle.
The practice of winter sports is learned earlier and earlier by children and the children begin the sliding sports younger and younger. This phenomenon was accentuated by the arrival on the market for lighter materials, but the introduction to the sport of sliding for very young children remains difficult.
Previously known devices include a harness that is slipped over the child and extended by straps that the adult manipulates to guide the child and secure it, but these devices are complex and use remain inadequate for the initiation of toddlers.
Despite all the attempts to develop constructions to satisfy younger and younger customers, there does not exist today, a sliding apparatus in which a very young child can be kept upright, and satisfy the need for safety while learning the pleasures of skiing regardless of type of terrain and the age of the child.
The present invention seeks to provide a sliding device particularly attractive and convenient for a user to introduce such a young child, to the pleasure of sliding on snow, and in complete safety.
Thus, the invention relates to a device for sliding on snow intended to be guided by a user, and to carry a passenger, said device having a sliding board in the shape of an elongated beam having a proper thickness distribution, edge line, width and stiffness, with a vertical plane of general symmetry and longitudinal axis, including a central area known as a runner extended at least towards the front by a front part raised at its end to form a tip, said device being characterized in that it comprises at least two members extending upward, namely a front part for holding the passenger and a rear part for guidance by the user.
According to an additional characteristic, the front part of includes at least one mast whose upper end includes a cross bar that can be held by a passenger and whose lower end is attached to the sliding board, while
According to another additional characteristic, the rear guide part is formed by at least one rod extending upward and by a horizontal bar.
According to a preferred embodiment, the rear part includes a U-shaped bracket including two rods extending upward and towards the rear connected by their upper ends by the horizontal bar, and whose lower free ends are attached to the sliding board.
Note that in the preferred embodiment, the upper end of the assembly constituting the rear guide part extends beyond the rear end of the sliding board, while the assembly constituting the rear guide part is curved rearwards.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the sliding apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sliding apparatus of the invention in the course of use.

FIG. 3 is a side view.

FIG. 4 is a top view.

FIG. 5 is a view in a perspective view of a different embodiment of the sliding apparatus.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate alternative embodiments.

The device of the invention carrying the general reference (1) is a an apparatus for sliding on snow intended to be guided by a user (100), and carry a passenger (200), includes a sliding board (2), with a vertical plane of general symmetry (P) and a longitudinal axis (X-X′).
The sliding board (2) has the form of an elongated beam having its proper distribution of thickness, edge line, width and stiffness, and can be any type of structure, and which includes a central zone known as runner extended forward by a front part elevated at its end to form a tip, and towards the rear by a rear part terminating with a heel, said apparatus includes at least two parts (3, 4) extending upward, known as a front part (3) and a rear part (4).
The front part (3) includes means for maintaining the passenger (200) who is standing, sitting or partially sitting, on the sliding board (2) between the front part (3) and the rear part (4).
The rear part (4) is a gripping and guidance member, allowing a user (100) to drive and hold the sliding apparatus (1), on which a passenger (200).
Note that the passenger (200) who is standing, sitting or partially sitting holds on to the front part (3) and thus maintains its balance. Said passenger (200) is situated advantageously, but not limited to, approximately at the level of the center of the sliding board (2).
According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the front part (3), is advantageously constituted by a mast (3 a) whose upper end carries a transverse bar (3 b). Said front part (3) has the form of a T attached by its lower end to the upper surface (2 a) of the sliding board (2). The two lateral branches defined by the ends (31, 32) of the crossbar (3 b) constitute a holding means for the passenger (200), allowing it not to lose balance.
The front part (3) according to the invention can include height adjustment means (MR). These height adjustment means (MR) are for example disposed on the mast (3 a) and are defined by two parts which slide one into the other and include a means for locking in the chosen position.
In this way, the mast (3 a) includes two tubes sliding one into the other, but can be realized by any kind of shape without departing from the scope of the invention. The crossbar (3 b) is conveniently realized as a tubular in section but can be realized as any shape section without departing from the scope of the invention.
According to another embodiment, the front part (3) includes means for removable attachment, permitting disassembly and assembly of the crossbar on the mast. These means are for example defined by a hollow profile located on the upper end of the mast (3 a) corresponding to the external profile of the crossbar (3 b). In this way, according to the method of the invention, the mast (3 a) is mounted on the upper end of a tube, in which the crossbar (3 b) are introduced.
Said front part (3) is advantageously attached to the sliding board (2) through a front plate (5) attached on the top surface (2 a) of the sliding board (2) and on which is attached the lower end of the front part (3), and more particularly its mast (3 a).
The front part (3) is attached in such a manner that the mast (3 a) extends upward approximately vertically relative to the plane (P′) corresponding to the upper surface (2 a) of the sliding board, but can also, according to another embodiment, be inclined towards the front (AV) or towards the rear (AR).
In this way, the base (5) carrying the front part (3) includes means for adjusting the inclination and means for removable attachment of the aforesaid part on the base. Said means for removable attachment permits disassembly of the aforesaid part thereby facilitating the transport of the device.
Said inclination means is advantageously achieved between the parts and the bases also permits those parts to fold against the upper surface (2 a) of the sliding board, thereby reducing its size and facilitating its transport.
The base (5) also includes means for adjusting its position allowing the positioning of the part (3) towards the rear or towards the front relative to the base (5) and/or relative to the upper surface (2 a) of the sliding board (2).
According to another embodiment of the invention, not shown, the front part could take the form of an inverted U realized by two parallel masts with their upper ends connected by a crossbar.
As previously mentioned, the sliding device (1) of the invention carrying a passenger (200) is guided by a user (100) which itself is not transported by the device (1). The user (100) is advantageously equipped with skis permitting the user to use the device on a slope, but can also be equipped, for example, with snowshoes, or any other equipment, or be on foot, without departing from the scope of invention.
In this way, the sliding apparatus (1) of the invention includes to this effect a rear guidance part (4).
This guide member is for example constituted by a stirrup having the shape of an inverted U formed by two rods (4 a, 4 b) extending upward, with their upper ends connected by a horizontal bar (4 c).
Note that the U-shape forming the rear gripping part (4) is removably attached to the board (1).
The assembly includes a rear guidance part (4) advantageously curved towards the rear (AR) in such a manner that its upper end extends beyond the rear end (2 b) of the sliding board (2). This characteristic allows the user who is not on the board (1) to guide the device (1), without being ill at ease.
Naturally, the rear guidance part can extend upwards without curving but would be then a sufficiently inclined towards the rear, so that its rear end extends beyond the rear end of the sliding board.
In yet another embodiment, the rear guidance part can be constituted by a single rod whose upper end could be a crossbar. Said part would have the form of a T removably attached by its lower end to the upper surface of the sliding board.
The rear part (4) preferably includes adjustment means (MR) for adjusting the height, allowing the user guiding the sliding apparatus, to adjust the rear guidance part (4) as a function of his build. These adjustment means (MR) are realized for example by two profiles sliding one into the other and a means for locking in position.
The means for adjusting and locking the position and height of the rear guidance part (4) relative to the front part (3) are advantageously achieved by a series of corresponding holes on the sliding tubes in which pins, screws or the like are introduced.
According to another characteristic of the invention, whatever the embodiment of the rear part (4), the sliding apparatus includes a rear plate (6) attached on the upper surface (2 a) of the sliding board (2) and on which is attached the lower end of the rear guidance part (4). So whatever the embodiment of the front part (3), the sliding apparatus (1) includes a front plate (5) attached on the upper surface (2 a) of the sliding board (2) and on which is attached the lower end of the front part (3).
The plate (5) carrying the front part (3) and plate (6) carrying the rear part (4) advantageously includes means for adjusting the inclination and means removably attaching said parts. Said means for removably attaching permits moreover removing the aforesaid parts facilitating in this manner the transport of the device.
The front plate (5) may also include means for adjusting its longitudinal position permitting the positioning of the parts towards the front or towards the rear relative to the plate and/or relative to the upper surface of the sliding board.
The rear plate (6) may also include means for adjusting its longitudinal position, allowing the positioning of the corresponding part towards the front and towards the rear relative to the plate and/or relative to the upper surface of the sliding board.
According to another embodiment, the sliding board includes a plate (7) carrying the two parts (3, 4). This plate (7) includes all the means for adjusting and attaching described above. Thus, according to this embodiment, the passenger (200) stands between the two parts (3, 4) on the plate (7). The plate has an anti-slip portion (9), realized for example by a pad, strips, or any other means, located under the feet of the passenger (200), or on the surface of the aforesaid plate (7).
Lateral blocks (8) are arranged on the plate (7) and positioned on the lateral edges (7 a, 7 b) of the aforesaid plate (7) laterally retaining the feet of the passenger and the blocks (8) are advantageously positioned parallel to the longitudinal axis (XX′) of the sliding board (2). Other blocks (not shown) are positioned on said plate (7) to retain the passenger's feet longitudinally, and are advantageously positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (XX′) of the sliding board (2).
In another variation not shown, the board could include a longitudinal projection for the separation of the two feet of the passenger. Moreover, it could also provide a retainer for both feet realized for example by a kick strap or any other restraining device.
According to the embodiment, whereby the sliding apparatus (2) includes several plates (5, 6), anti-slip portion (9) and blocks (8) are located directly on the upper surface (2 a) of the sliding board (2). These blocks are located on the upper surface along the side edges (2 c, 2 d) of the sliding board, parallel to the longitudinal axis XX′.
The sliding apparatus may advantageously include a removable seat or the like realized by a strap adjustable in length and a flexible shelf. It is attached by its front portion, on the front part and by its rear portion on the rear part. The front and rear parts include removable securing means, a strap that passes, either on the side or between the legs of that passenger. These securing means are advantageously realized by rings (10) attached to the front part and/or rear part, on which a strap can be removably attached.
FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate two alternative embodiments. Thus, according to the variant illustrated in FIG. 6 the device comprehends a central seat for the user. The aforesaid seat connecting the front part with the rear part. According to the variant illustrated in FIG. 7, there is provided on board a central saddle mounted on a post.
The sliding apparatus of the invention is used such as is illustrated in FIG. 2. In this way, the passenger (200) mounts the sliding board (1) by placing himself between the front part (3) and the rear part (4). The aforesaid passenger who is a child retains himself on the board by the front part (3) and more precisely by the holding of the crosspiece (3 b). The user (100) which is equipped with skis, locates himself to the rear, behind the rear part (4) and directs the vehicle (1) by means of the rear part (4) which he holds by the transverse bar (4 c). Note that the two skis are naturally placed the user on one side and the other side of the board (2). In this way the user can leisurely descend the snowy slopes by directing the vehicle, and this in total safely.
It added that the poles and rods of front and/or rear parts, could be removable, retractable such as telescopic to facilitate the transportation of the apparatus, and allow easier storage.

Claims

1. An apparatus for sliding on snow intended to be guided by a user and carry to a passenger, said apparatus comprising:

a sliding board having a form of an elongated beam and having a vertical plane of general symmetry and a longitudinal axis including a central zone known as a runner extended at least to the front by a front portion elevated at its front end to form a tip;

an upward extending front part supporting a passenger and an upward extending rear guidance part for the user.

2. The apparatus for sliding on snow according to claim 1, wherein the front part includes at least one mast whose upper end includes a cross bar permitting the passenger to stand and whose lower end is attached to the sliding board.

3. The apparatus for sliding on snow according to claim 2, further including:

a height adjusting mechanism which adjusts the length of said mast.

4. The apparatus for sliding on snow according to claim 1, wherein the rear guidance part includes at least one rod extending upward and a horizontal bar.

5. The apparatus for sliding on snow according to claim 4, wherein the rear guidance part includes a U-shaped bracket including two rods extending upwards and towards the rear connected by their upper ends by the horizontal bar, and whose free ends are attached to the sliding board.

6. The apparatus for sliding on snow according to claim 5, further including:

a mechanism which adjusts the length of the rods forming the rear guidance part.

7. The apparatus for sliding on snow according to claim 1, wherein an upper end of the rear guidance part extends beyond a rear end of the sliding board.

8. The apparatus for sliding on snow according to claim 7, wherein the rear guidance part is curved toward the rear.

9. The apparatus for sliding on snow according to claim 1, further including:

at least one plate attached to the sliding board on which the front part and the rear guidance part are removably attached.

10. The apparatus for sliding on snow according to claim 9, wherein the at least one plate attached to the sliding board includes longitudinal position adjustment mechanism which positions the at least one of the front part and the rear guidance part towards the rear or towards the front.

11. The apparatus for sliding on snow according to claim 9, wherein the at least one plate attached to the sliding board includes a mechanism which adjusts the inclination of at least one of the front part and the rear guidance part to refine the adjustment and folds the front part and the rear guidance part against the upper surface of the sliding board.

12. The apparatus for sliding on snow according to claim 1, further including:

a removable saddle for the passenger.

13. The apparatus for sliding on snow according to claim 1, wherein the front part is configured to be held by the passenger in a standing position standing on the sliding board.

14. An apparatus for sliding on snow comprising:

a runner;

a rear guidance part attached to a rear of the runner configured to be held by a user guiding the apparatus;

a front part attached to a front of the runner and configured to be grasped by a passenger to support the passenger on the runner in a standing position.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the rear guidance part includes a piece extending beyond the rear of the runner to be held by the user when the user is wearing skis or snowshoes.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, further including a non-slip surface disposed between the rear guidance part and the front part on which the passenger stands.

17. The apparatus according to claim 14, further including:

a strap which holds the passenger on the apparatus.