Patent Application
20120297646
The concept of adapting and integrating traction parts to skis, snowshoes, shoes, boots or wheels, and tires, is nothing new. Although there are fewer attempts at integrating traction to skis. This being said however, there are breakthroughs in this field as well. For example: Sealskins well known to the art; are placed over the bottom surface of the ski, to meet directly with the ice or snow covered terrain. This method provides some traction on snow however, less so, on ice and is essentially used in ascending terrain. Other drawbacks are; having to mount and dismount the sealskins. This demands some effort and time, with the inconvenience of having to carry the said sealskins in a backpack or other transportable storage means for later use. More so does this become annoying when terrain changes frequently, from ascent to descent. Another example of this is found with U.S. Pat. No. 5,966,844 entitled “ SHORT, WIDE, LIGHT WEIGHT PORTABLE SKI APPARATUS FOR ATTACHMENT TO A SNOWSHOE ” and is hereby included as reference. Here again the same problems are encountered as with the previous example.
In more recent years, some have tried to remedy this problem, such as described with U.S. Pat. No. 7,150,464 B2 entitled “ CONFIGURABLE SNOWSHOE AND SKI DEVICE ” and is hereby included as reference. Herein, traction means are permanently integrated to a ski. This does save some effort, and time as with not having to remove the traction parts completely, as with is done with regards to the previous examples. Yet there still remains some given effort, and time, where one as to stop, and manually engage the traction system, or manually disengage it, before skiing on. However the present embodiment does make for effortless on/off traction readily at hand, for example: by simply pressing a button, on a ski pole grip, that transmits a remote controlled signal(s) and/or wireless signal(s) to a pair of skis. Wherein each ski is equipped with a power pneumatic(s) apparatus, that extracts and/or retracts pins used for traction and are deployed underneath the skis base without having to dismount the skis, or even without having to stop skiing. This is achieved without effort, and in a fraction of time compared with any of the previous art. Remaining with the present embodiment. Not only does the present embodiment make available effortless on/off traction for skis. But adapts the same effortless on/off traction to numerous other transport means and footwear applications, that will become more apparent in the summary, and claims of the present embodiment.
A power automated apparatus used for gaining traction, speed, and/or used for braking, stopping, that can even assist with turning of a moving person(s), and/or vehicle(s), but not limited to. For example: on difficult (rough, vertical), and/or ice and snow covered surfaces (terrains), even providing traction on/or in water, but not limited to. The said apparatus, is adaptable to numerous applications where traction is partly needed and/or needed at all times. Furthermore wherein traction performance is adjustable for example: via dedicated servo controller (that enables, a preprogrammed repeated course of travel and/or position that a traction part must stop). The said apparatus is adaptable to many numerous applications, that comprises: skis, snowshoes, shoes (golf shoes), boots (ice climbing boots), skibob (snow bike), snowmobile skis to name some application, but not limited to.
Remaining with the present embodiment, and without being bound by theory. A power automated traction apparatus that is both wired and/or wireless via remote control for example: Being said wired or said wireless is dependent on the required needs that may differ from one application to the next of the present embodiment, but not limited to. Another example would be: a snowmobile, wherein said apparatus as pneumatic activated traction parts, installed onto the snowmobile skis and powered via the snowmobile. Herein the said apparatus may be controlled via a wired system. For there is no need for wireless control in this application. The fact being that there is no physical separation or adequate distance between the skis and the snowmobile for wireless necessity. Therefore the controls maybe placed near the hand grips on the handle bars, wherein wires run from said controls to skis on the snowmobile. However some applications do require said wireless remote control.
One example therefore comprise: Where the said power automated traction apparatus is integrated to alpine skis. Herein each ski will need a separate said apparatus and it becomes obvious to control both skis simultaneously, or individually. Herein wireless remote control, is a more adequate solution, and further adding that controls via a ski pole grip would be preferable.
Such a combination, may serve multiple purposes. For control on vertical surface conditions having hard pack snow and/or ice covered surfaces. Herein the said apparatus helps with slowing down. Furthermore the said apparatus is meant to facilitate control of said skis, whether it be in descending, or ascending terrain.
One example of assent is where on/off ascending terrain is met. Herein the said apparatus is integrated to cross-country skis for traction when climbing. The said apparatus is activated via a wireless remote control that is integrated via a ski pole grip, facilitating on/off traction at will, by simply pressing a button, and without having to stop skiing to activate.
Yet still in another example: wherein snowmobile skis on a snowmobile are each fitted with the said apparatus having pneumatic actuator means fitted upon each skis that exerts pressure on a center blade (so that the blade is pushed down gripping deeper into the snow or rising it for less traction). Wherein said center blade is located underneath the center of the ski base, of each ski. This arrangement permits sharper assisted turning of the vehicle by adding pressure via the pneumatic actuators to one or both ski blades. And is preferably controlled and activated from the said snowmobile via a control(s) positioned near one or both hand grips on the handle bars.
The same process can further be adapted and applied to the edges of alpine skis. This process would therefore amplify the qualities found with parabolic skis, well known to the art.
Remaining with the present embodiment. Even though the said apparatus may differ in components, and methods from one application to the other; Yet it still achieves the same purpose.
Further characteristics and advantages will become more apparent from the detailed description, illustrated by non-limitative example.
The present invention is described with reference to the drawings.
using bolts (not shown) that traverses from the top of the controls compartment 30, down through the pneumatic actuator 34, and passing into holes 35, of the fixation plate 38; to anchor into ski 23 via treaded inserts (not shown). A rechargeable DC power pack 39 having two (male) connectors; comprising: 33a, and 33b, engage (female) receiving connectors 32a, and 32b. That is 33a via 32a, and 33b via 32b. The advantages are clear using power pack 39. This system permits easy engagement-removal not unlike DC power packs found with power tools. And furthermore enables, replacing the power pack 39 when it needs recharging with one that is fully charged, without having to wait for the initial power pack to recharge, using a recharger unit (not shown). A two-way communications system is provided via: a receiver antenna 31 located on the top surface of controls compartment 30, that receives communications signals via the transmitter antenna 22 (
Although particular embodiments of the invention herein have been described, it is not limited to this description. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. And that other embodiments are to be found in the claims.
