WO1999029377A1

WO1999029377A1 - Monoski

Info

Publication number: WO1999029377A1
Application number: PCT/NL1998/000707
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fred Jan Dekker
Original assignee: Fred Jan Dekker
Priority date: 1997-12-09
Filing date: 1998-12-09
Publication date: 1999-06-17
Also published as: NL1007750C2; AU1577999A

Abstract

Device for use in a skiing sport, comprising: a single ski or board with a slide surface on the underside thereof; a support member arranged on the upper side of the board; and a number of foot straps or foot bindings arranged on the upper side of the board. The skier will be supported by the support member, so that he/she runs less risk of injury; using the support member the skier can furthermore tilt (edge) the ski or board more easily, such as must take place in the case of a usual monoski (snowboard) using only the feet and knees of the skier. In the preferred embodiment wherein foot straps are arranged on the upper side of the board, the skier can easily step off the board, which also reduces the risk of injury and facilitates stepping onto and off the ski-lift.

Description

MONOSKI

Skiing on water as well as on snow and artificial slopes is becoming increasingly popular. Although in both water-skiing and downhill skiing use has always been made of a pair of skis, the mono-ski is now also known in both sports, while particularly in the case of downhill skiing the so-called snowboard is also attracting a great deal of interest.

Balance on the snowboard is not simple even for people who have experience in downhill skiing; he/she can easily lose his/her balance and thereby sustain injury. In addition, stepping onto and off a ski-lift with a mono-ski or snowboard is awkward and cumbersome.

The present invention provides a device for use in a skiing sport, comprising: - a single ski or board with a slide surface on the underside thereof;

- a support member arranged on the upper side of the board; and

- a number of foot straps or foot bindings arranged on the upper side of the board.

The skier will be supported by the support member, so that he/she runs less risk of injury; using the support member the skier can furthermore tilt (edge) the ski or board more easily, such as must take place in the case of a usual mono-ski (snowboard) using only the feet and knees of the skier.

Arranged in a further preferred embodiment between the board and the support member is a spring member which preferably comprises a telescopic part and a spiral spring, whereby the user is able to exert pressure on the front part of the board, thus facilitating steering.

The spring member is preferably mounted releasably on the support member and/or the board, so that the user can fold up the support member easily to enable carrying of the device in a cable car lift.

In the preferred embodiment wherein foot straps are arranged on the upper side of the board, the skier can easily step off the board, which also reduces the risk of injury and facilitates stepping on and off the ski-lift.

The present invention further provides a method for manufacturing a device for use in a skiing sport . Further advantages, features and details of the present invention will be elucidated on the basis of the following description of preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the annexed drawing, in which: fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a device according to the present invention; fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of a device according to the present invention; fig. 3 is a perspective view of a detail III of fig. 2; and fig. 4 is a side view of the device shown in fig. 2 elucidating the folding-up thereof.

A plate 2 is fixed onto a board 1 (fig. 1) , for instance by means of screws. Foot straps 3, 4, 5 and 6 are fixed to plate 2. The user I can stand on the rear of the board with two feet under foot straps 3 and 4 or, as shown, with two feet under front foot straps 5 and 6. It is further conceivable for the user to place one foot under a front foot strap and another under a rear foot strap. A beam 9 is mounted hingedly on ear 7, 8 close to the front ends of plate 2, which beam is coupled via a hinge 10 to a second beam 11 to which a gripping bar 12 is fixed at the top. Arranged between beam 9 and board 1 is a gas spring 13 which extends forward in the shown preferred embodiment.

Because the user can place his/her feet as desired under each of the foot straps 3, 4, 5 and 6, he/she can find the position most comfortable for him/her. The user can further seek support on the gripping bar 12 which is movable counter to the action of spring 13. The shown preferred embodiment of the device is also easily transportable since beams 9 and 11 can be pivoted into a transporting position, wherein they extend directly above board 1.

Arranged on a mono-ski 21 in a second preferred embodiment of a device 20 (fig. 2, 3 and 4) is a plate 22 with two foot straps 23 respectively 24 which is provided on either side with upright ears 25 and 26. Arranged hingedly on the inner side of ears 25 and 26 are forked rods 27 and 28, on the top side of which two rods 29 respectively 30 are hingedly arranged which extend up to a cross-bar 31 provided with two handles 32 respectively 33. Rods 27 and 28 are connected by a transverse rod 34 as well as a connecting piece 35, on which a spring 36 is arranged which comprises a telescopic part 37 and a relatively rigid spiral spring 38.

In order to enable easy folding of rod assembly 27 - 33 one of the fastening points of spring 36 is preferably releasable.

In the embodiment as shown in fig. 3, a hinge pin 41 can be pulled out of the upper eye of spring member 36 by pressing aside in a manner not shown a locking device, which can for instance consist of balls, counter to the action of a spring, this for instance using an inner pin 42, and subsequently pulling out the pin 41.

During folding the rods 29 and 30 are then for instance moved in the direction of arrow A from the position indicated in broken lines in figure 4, pin 41 is subsequently pulled out, spring member 36 is pivoted in the direction of arrow B and the assembly of rods 29 - 33 is pivoted in the direction of arrow C to the position indicated with broken lines. The rights sought are in no way limited to the above described embodiments; the rights sought are defined in the first instance by the following claims, within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged.

Claims

1. Device for use in a skiing sport, comprising:

- a single ski or board with a slide surface on the underside thereof;

- a support member arranged on the upper side of the board; and

2. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein two pairs of foot bindings are fixed one behind the other on the upper surface of the board.

3. Device as claimed in ^'claim 1 or 2, wherein the support member is arranged hingedly on the upper surface of the board.

4. Device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 , wherein the support member comprises two parts fixed hingedly to each other.

5. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein a spring member is arranged between the board and the support member.

6. Device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the spring member is arranged pivotally between the lower hinged part of the support member and the board.

7. Device as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the spring member comprises a spiral spring.

8. Device as claimed in claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein the spring member comprises a telescopic part .

9. Device as claimed in any of the claims 5-8, wherein the spring member is mounted releasably on the board and/or the support member.

10. Device as claimed in one or more of the claims 5-8, wherein the support member extends obliquely upward and forward from the board.

11. Method for manufacturing a device as claimed in any of the claims 1-5, wherein a support member and a number of foot straps are arranged, preferably screwed or glued, on a mono-ski or snowboard of standard design.