US3801117A

US3801117A - Ski ensemble

Info

Publication number: US3801117A
Application number: US00197047A
Authority: US
Inventors: H Pierce
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-11-09
Filing date: 1971-11-09
Publication date: 1974-04-02
Anticipated expiration: 1991-04-02

Abstract

A ski ensemble comprises a pair of ski tails upon which bindings are mounted and three pairs of ski tips, each pair of ski tips having different physical characteristics such as ski engaging surface area and flexibility. Each of the pairs of ski tips are selectively connectable to the pair of ski tails in order to assemble a pair of skis which are most appropriate for a particular snow condition. The ski tails and tips are connected by a double cam arrangement whereby the parts are cammed into locking and unlocking relationships. A convenient carrying case is provided to render the ensemble convenient for transporting and storage.

Description

United States Patent 1111 3,801,1 17 Pierce Apr. 2, 1974 [54] ENSEMBLE FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [76] Inventor: Ward Pierce Vemo" 588,632 11/1933 Germany 280/] 1.13 K

Country Club PL, Lookout Mountain C010 Primary Examiner-David Schonberg [22] Filed: Nov. 9, 1971 Assistant ExaminerMilton L. Smith Attorney, Agent, or FirmSughrue, Rothwell, Mion, [21] Appl. No.. 197,047 Zinn & Macpeak I [52] US. Cl. 280/11.13 K, 9/310 A, 224/45 S,

280/11.37 K, 287/20.924 [57] ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl. A63c /02 A k n em le comprises a pair of ski tails upon [58] Field 0fSearch...280/ 1 1.13 K, 1 1.13 T. 11.13 s, which bindings are mounted and three Pairs of ski tips,

28()/] 1.13 F, 11.13 R, 11.37 C, l 1.37 E, each pair of ski tips having different physical charac- 1137 R, 11 37 224 5; 9/310 teristics such as ski engaging surface area and flexibil- 2 7/20 924 ity. Each of the pairs of ski tips are selectively connectable to the pair of ski tails in order to assemble a 5 R f en Ci pair of skis which are most appropriate for a particular UNITED STATES PATENTS snow condition. The ski tails and tips are connected 2 224 897 12 1940 B 1 280 H 13 K by a double cam arrangement whereby the parts are 3439928 411969 g gg f f K cammed into locking and unlocking relationships. A 2234487 3/194, Dais 280 C convenient carrying case is provided to render the enl:831:326 11/1931 Silvest riii... 280/11:1 K semble convenient for transporting and storage. 2,198,361 4/1940 Altorfer 280/] 1.13 K 3,545,209 3 1951 Meehan 280/] 1.13 K 'l gums 3,104,888 9/1963 Day et al 2 /1 1.13 K

PATENTEUAPR 2:914 3.801.117

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ATTCDRNEY PMENIEUAPR 21914 3.801.117

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I [\I E [\ITO R HOWARD H. PIERCE MJM ATTQRNEY SKI ENSEMBLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The increase in popularity in the sport of skiing has resulted in improvements in the basic ski equipment. The present invention is directed to such an improvement and more specifically to providing a skier with a ski ensemble which can be carried in a hand case to the ski area so that a pair of skis can be assembled from the ensemble which would provide the greatest skiing pleasure based on the particular condition of the snow.

The prior art has taught using knock-down or disassembled skis primarily to render the skis more convenient to transport. Examples of such prior art are the U.S. Pats. to Altorfer, No. 2,198,361; Burton et al, No. 2,224,897; Meehan, No. 2,545,209; Day et al, No. 3,104,888; and Kazuo Noguchi, No. 3,439,928. These patents disclose various structural features to permit assembling and disassembling a pair of skis. However, applicant is aware of no prior art which provides in one package the capability of assembling skis which are suitable for powder snow, regular snow, or hard packed snow and ice.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved ski ensemble which is packaged in a convenient carrying case and which includes multiple pairs of ski tips which are interchangeably connectable with a pair of ski tails and which can be so assembled conveniently at the skiing site once the particular snow condition has been determined.

A further object of the present invention is to provide three pairs of ski tips which have different surface area and flexibility which can be connected to a pair of ski tails through a convenient latching and unlatching mechanism.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved ski ensemble which includes connecting a pair of ski tips to a pair of ski tails through the use of a double camming mechanism where the ski parts are secured together in a structurally sound manner and which can likewise be disassembled through the camming action relatively easily regardless of the snow and ice on the ski parts.

These and other objects will become apparent from the following detailed descriptions of preferred embodiments of the invention described with reference to the accompanying drawings and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of part of the ski ensemble according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial plan view showing a ski tip in locking relationship with the ski tail;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken approximately along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken approximately along line 44 of FIG. 3;

F IG. 5 is a sectional view taken approximately along line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing a ski tail and ski tip in an unlocked relationship;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the ski ensemble according to the present invention mounted in a carrying case; and

FIG. 8 discloses a modified means for effecting connection of a ski tail and ski tip.

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIG. 1 wherein three

ski tips

10, 12, and 14 are illustrated in conjunction with a single ski tail 16. The ski tips l0, l2, and 14 have different physical characteristics to accommodate different snow conditions; and depending upon the particular snow condition encountered by the skier, the appropriate one of the ski tips can be readily connected to the ski tail 16. It should be appreciated that FIG. 1 discloses one half of the ski ensemble and that duplicate tips corresponding to

tips

10, 12, and 14 are provided to selectively connect with another ski tail similar to ski tail 16.

Ski tip 12 is designed to be more flexible and have a greater snow engaging surface than

tips

10 and 14 as a comparison of the dimensions A, B, X, and Y will indicate. Specifically, tip 12 has been designed for powder snow and has the greatest dimension A and the smallest dimension B of the tips. I-Ience, tip 12 will have greater surface area contact to the snow and will be more flexible particularly about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the assembled ski.

Ski tip 14 is provided for average or usual snow conditions and has a dimension A smaller than tip 12 but larger than dimension A of tip 10. Likewise, dimension B of tip 14 is greater than dimension B of tip 12 and less than dimension B of tip 10. Thus, tip 14 has less flexibility and surface area than tip 12 but is more flexible and has more surface area than tip 10.

Tip 10 has been designed to accommodate hardpacked snow or ice conditions; and under such conditions, less flexibility and surface area is desired. Tip 10 has the smallest dimension A and the largest dimension B of the ski tips and is the narrowest such that in a preferred embodiment, dimension A of tip 10 equals dimension X, and the dimension B of tip 10 approximates dimension Y.

Ski tips

10, 12 and 14 are selectively connected with corresponding ski tail 16 through cooperating means 20 (FIG. 2). Cooperating means 20 includes a male part 22 extending integrally rearwardly from each ski tip l0, l2, l4 and female part 24 (FIG. 3). The male member 22 is tapered from front to rear as clearly shown in FIG. 1 and is adapted to mate with a similarly configured opening offemale part 24. The male part 22 includes a reinforcing stainless steel plate 26 embedded in the ski tip to provide strength to the male part 22. Female part 24 includes a stainless steel reinforcing collar 28 embedded in the ski tail 16. The collar 28 reinforces the portion of the tail 16 which houses female part 24 and also provides a reinforcing surface to which the bindings on the tail 16 can be secured by suitable screws.

The connecting means 20 further includes latching means 30 to latch and unlatch the ski tails and ski tips. The latching means 30 includes an actuating member 32 pivotally mounted to ski tips by member 34 to provide for pivotal movement of member 32 about a longitudinal axis through member 34. The actuating member 32 has at one end a keeper engaging means 36 which includes a depending are shaped portion 38.

Depending arc shaped portion 38 is adapted to be disposed in a slot 40 provided by a keeper 42 which is fixedly secured to the ski tails 16. Keeper 42 further includes spaced arc shaped opposed

camming surfaces

44 and 46 best shown in FIG. 6.

Camming surfaces

44 and 46 define slot 40. Camming surface 44 cooperates with the rear surface 48 of the depending are shaped portion 38 to effect locking of the ski tips and tail. Camming surface 46 cooperates with the opposite side 50 of the depending are shaped portion 38 to positively unlock the ski tips and tail.

A selected ski tip is secured to the ski tail by positioning the male part 22 of the tip into the female part 24 and moving the tip and tail toward one another until the depending are shaped portion 38 is aligned with slot 40. The skier then grips handle 52 of the actuating lever 32 and pivots the actuating lever 32 such that surface 48 engages locking surface 44 of keeper 42 thereby camming the tail 16 into locking relationship with the selected ski tip. The depending arc shaped portion 38 is configured as are

surfaces

44 and 46 such that pivoting actuating member 32 in the opposite direction causes surface 50 to engage keeper surface 46 thereby moving the ski tail 16 away from ski tip 12 to effect unlocking of the parts. The actuating lever 32 is biased by spring means 54 to maintain locking

surfaces

48 and 44 in engagement during skiing.

The ski can be made of various materials or combinations of materials such as plastic and metal. Preferably the ski ensemble is made of plastic with reinforcement provided by metal. FIG. discloses the preferred construction of the ski tails 16. It should be appreciated that the

ski tip

10, 12, 14 include the same features.

The skis comprise a metal shell 58, preferably aluminum, having steel angles 60 running lengthwise of shell 58. A plurality of epoxy tubes 62 are secured interiorly of shell 58 and secured in place by plastic or wood foam 64 as best shown IN FIG. 5. The polyurethane material 66 is then applied exteriorly to the shell 58 to complete the ski construction.

The ski ensemble described thus far is intended for use primarily with modern type step-in ski bindings. However, the present invention has application for the older cable bindings, and such an embodiment is disclosed in FIG. 8. The same reference numerals have been used in FIG. 8 to describe parts common to the ski configuration disclosed in FIGS. 1 through 6. The main difference between the embodiment of FIG. 8 and that of FIGS. 1 through 6 is eliminating in FIG. 8 securing means 20. In FIG. 8 the securing means is the binding cable itself which includes conventional throw lever 70 mounted on ski tip 12. When the male and female members are inserted and the cable threaded about the heel of the boot, the lever 70 is moved downward to the position illustrated in FIG. 8 which thus holds the ski tip 12 securely to the ski tail 16.

It also should be appreciated that various male and female configurations can be employed which would thereby increase the friction surfaces between the male and female parts; but for purposes of clarity, a simple tapered male member is disclosed in the preferred em-. bodiment.

The present invention further contemplates a convenient carrying case 74 (FIG. 7) for storing and transporting the disassembled ski tails and tips. The case 74 includes

body portions

78 and 80 which are engaged by conventional engaged means 82. A suitable lock 86 and handle 88 are also provided. One of each of the ski tips l0, l2, and 14 along with one tail 16 are stored in each of the

body portions

78 and 80. Preferably, a false bottom is provided in the body portion which has appropriately configured slots therein to receive the ski tips and tail so as to hold them in the case 74. The

ski tips

10, 12, and 14, ski tail l6, and body portion 78 are spaced relative to the corresponding tips and tail in body portion so that when the body portions are brought together the tips and tails interleave to reduce the overall width of the carrying case. Carrying case 74 can be constructed of any suitable material such as one of the modern plastics.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A ski ensemble comprising a pair of ski tails, at least two pairs of ski tips, each pair of said tips having different dimensional and flexibility characteristics and being selectively connected to said pair of ski tails to provide at least two different pairs of skis, and cooperating latching means associated with said pairs of ski tips and ski tails to connect given ones of said pairs of ski tips to said ski tails, said ski tips each being provided with a male part constituting an integral extension of said tip, said male part being rectangular in cross section and spanning substantially the full width of the tip proper, said male part tapering inwardly vertically with respect to both its upper and lower surfaces, each ski tail being provided at its forward end with a female part having an opening therein of rectangular cross section and being correspondingly tapered to said male part so as to receive said male part with full surface contact therebetween.

2. A ski ensemble as defined in claim 1 wherein one of said pairs of ski tips has a greater snow contacting surface than the other of said pair.

3. A ski ensemble as defined in claim 2 wherein said one pair of ski tips includes means providing greater flexibility about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the assembled ski than said other pair of ski tips.

4. A ski ensemble as defined in claim 1 comprising three pairs of ski tips, each of said pairs of ski tips differing from the other two pairs in snow contacting surface and degree of flexibility about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the ski whereby a pair of skis can be assembled which best suit a particular snow condition.

5. A ski ensemble as defined in claim 4 further including a carrying case for said three pair of ski tips and said one pair of ski tails and having two body portions connected by hinge means, each of said body portions being of a size and configuration to accommodate three ski tips and one ski tail, and latch means for securing said body portions in a closed configuration to render the ski ensemble convenient to transport and store.

6. A ski ensemble as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said female parts includes a metal reinforcing collar.

7. A ski ensemble comprising a pair of ski tails adapted to receive ski bindings, a pair of ski tips and cooperating means on the ski tails and the ski tips to effect connection therebetween to provide a disconnectable pair of skis, said cooperating means including mating parts on said ski tips and ski tails including a male part constituting an integral extension of said tip, said male part being rectangular in cross section and of a width substantially equal to the width of the tip top and having upper and lower surfaces tapering inwardly, and each ski tail being provided with an opening within the end of the same facing said ski tip, said opening being rectangular in cross section and being vertically tapered and correspondingly sized to said male part extension to closely receive said male part with full contact between said male part and the opening receiving the same, and securing means including an actuating member and a keeper on said ski tips and ski tails feet by pivoting of said actuating member about said vertical pivot axis, engagement and disengagement between said mating parts.

8. A ski ensemble as defined in claim 7 wherein said securing means further including means biasing said actuating member in said one direction.

9. A ski ensemble as defined in claim 7 wherein said keepers are mounted on said ski tails and said actuating member is mounted on said ski tips.

Claims

7. A ski ensemble comprising a pair of ski tails adapted to receive ski bindings, a pair of ski tips and cooperating means on the ski tails and the ski tips to effect connection therebetween to provide a disconnectable pair of skis, said cooperating means including mating parts on said ski tips and ski tails including a male part constituting an integral extension of said tip, said male part being rectangular in cross section and of a width substantially equal to the width of the tip top and having upper and lower surfaces tapering inwardly, and each ski tail being provided with an opening within the end of the same facing said ski tip, said opening being rectangular in cross section and being vertically tapered and correspondingly sized to said male part extension to closely receive said male part with full contact between said male part and the opening receiving the same, and securing means including an actuating member and a keeper on said ski tips and ski tails for locking and unlocking said ski tips to said ski tails, said keeper having spaced, opposed locking and unlocking surfaces defined by an arcuate slot opening vertically upward and being concave in the direction of the other mating part, said actuating member comprising a pivotable member mounted for pivoting about a vertical axis and having a keeper engaging vertical projecting portion movable into the space between said surfaces and having opposed surface portions selectively engageable with one or the other of said surfaces to effect by pivoting of said actuating member about said vertical pivot axis, engagement and disengagement between said mating parts.