Patent Application
20190076725
The present invention relates generally to a parallelogram ski brace assembly. More so, the present invention relates to a ski brace assembly that is operational with a pair of skis to maintain the skis parallel relative to each other during operation while the skis are free to move laterally and in an up-an-down motion, so as to facilitate operation of the skis for skiers with impaired lower extremity control; whereby the assembly provides a pair of ski plates that releasably lock into a pair of ski bindings or otherwise attach to a pair of skis; a pair of boot plates receive the boots of the skier; a pair of risers join the ski plate to the boot plate, and elevate the boot plate above the skis and ski bindings; a pair of lateral bars join with the risers, are disposed generally parallel with the skis; two pairs of vertical axles extend through, and are rotatable about the lateral bars; two pairs of linkage bars extend horizontally between the two pair of vertical axles, rotating and pivoting about the vertical axles via joints; whereby the linkage bars and lateral bars have two degrees of freedom; and whereby the lateral bars, the vertical axles, and the linkage bars form parallelograms of varying relative dimensions while skiing, so as to maintain the skis in parallel planes, and also allow the skis to move vertically relative to each other.
The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.
Typically, skiing is a means of transport, a recreational activity, or a competitive winter sport in which the participant uses skis to glide on snow, ice, water, or a smooth and slick surface. The skis used for skiing may include a pair of long, slender runners made of wood, plastic, or metal used in gliding over snow. A pair of ski poles may also be used to propel the skier forward and help in turning. The skis are also effective for matriculating across an uneven terrain, such as a mountain slope or a forest trail.
Often, people who participate in outdoor activities learn to ski because it offers exercise and excitement. However, not everyone can learn to ski, particularly where physical handicaps are involved. Limitations to the lower extremities of the body are especially difficult to overcome, since much of the power to move and turn is generated in the lower body. Further, people who may not have time to learn to ski would still like to periodically enjoy riding down a hill like a skier but without having to stand up and balance on a pair of skis.
Other proposals have involved braces for assisting a skier to ski. The problem with these ski-assistance devices is that they do not provide a smooth enough motion that translates well with the movement of the skis on the terrain. Also, these devices are difficult to attach and detach from the skis. Even though the above cited braces for assisting a skier to ski meets some of the needs of the market, a parallelogram ski brace assembly that is operational with a pair of skis to maintain the skis parallel relative to each, and in close proximity to each other as the skis move laterally and up-an-down motion, is still desired.
Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure are generally directed to a parallelogram ski brace assembly. The parallelogram ski brace assembly is operational with a pair of skis to maintain the skis parallel relative to each, and in close proximity to each other as the skis move laterally and up-an-down motion. The parallelogram ski brace assembly also works to maintain the edges of the skis in constant contact with the terrain through a unique linkage mechanism that allows for stabilized lateral and vertical movements of the skis. The parallelogram ski brace assembly is effective for helping facilitate operation of the skis for skiers with impaired lower extremity control and by keeping the knees in parallel planes protects the knees in the event of loss of control.
In some embodiments, the ski brace assembly may include a pair of skis that are generally elongated, slender, and have a slight bow to enhance gliding over a slick surface. The skis may include a toe binding and a heel binding. The assembly further provides a pair of ski plates that lock into a correlating pair of toe and heel bindings in the skis. The ski plate is releasable from the skis in the event of excessive torsional force; thereby protecting the skier's knees and hips.
The ski brace assembly further comprises a pair of boot plates that are sized and dimensioned to mate with the boots of the skier through a fixed heel locking mechanism and a rotary cam toe lock. Separate locking and unlocking levers enable detachable attachment of the boots to the boot plate. The levers can be engaged with a skiing pole to enable easy separation of the skis from the rest of the components.
The ski brace assembly further comprises a pair of risers that join the ski plate to the boot plate. The risers elevate the boot plate, so as to elevate the skier and clear the boot plate from the toe binding and heel binding of the skis.
The ski brace assembly further comprises a pair of lateral bars that terminate at a pair of terminal apertures. The lateral bars are attached to the risers, and are disposed generally parallel with the skis. The lateral bars form a parallelogram link mechanism with two pair of linkage bars, as discussed below, so as to enable lateral and up-and-down articulation in conjunction with the movement of the skis.
The ski brace assembly further comprises two pairs of vertical axles extending through the terminal apertures in the lateral bars. The vertical axles are defined by a boot end and a ski end. The ski end passes through the apertures in the lateral bars, and is rotatable about the lateral bars.
The ski brace assembly further comprises two pairs of linkage bars. The linkage bars extend between the two pair of vertical axles. The linkage bars may include a first pair of linkage bars disposed towards the front of the skis, and a second pair of linkage bars disposed towards the rear of the skis. The linkage bars are defined by a first end that terminates at a first aperture and a first joint; and a second end that terminates at a second aperture and a second joint. In one exemplary embodiment, the linkage bars is a mechanically the arrangement of linkage bars is a universal joint which provides two degrees of freedom.
The first and second apertures in the linkage bars enable passage of the boot end of the vertical axles. In this manner, the linkage bars rotate freely about the vertical axles. Further, the first and second joints allow the ends of the linkage bars to pivot freely in an up and down motion. In this manner, the joints enable the linkage bar and the lateral bars to have two degrees of freedom.
The two degrees of freedom include: 1) a rotation by the lateral bars and linkage bars about the vertical axles; and 2) an up-and-down pivoting motion by the linkage bars relative to vertical axles. These two degrees of freedom allow the linkage bars and the attached lateral bars to form parallelograms of varying relative dimensions.
Thus, as the skis move along uneven terrain and the skier turns, the skis are maintained parallel to each other and in parallel planes, the skis remain in proximity to each other, and the skis move freely vertically relative to each other. Also, the length of the linkage bars limits excessive lateral separation between the skis, so as to maintain proximity between the skis.
In one aspect, a parallelogram ski brace assembly, comprises:
In another aspect, the pair of skis comprises a toe binding and a heel binding.
In another aspect, further comprising a pair of ISO5335-2005 compliant boots, the ISO5335-2005 compliant boots joined with the pair of ski plates.
In another aspect, the risers have a curved L-shape.
In another aspect, the vertical axles have a cylindrical shape.
In another aspect, the joints pivot in an up and down movement with respect to the ski plates.
In another aspect, the two pairs of linkage bars are disposed such that one pair of linkage bars is forward of the ski plates, and a second pair of linkage bars are rearward of the ski plates.
In another aspect, the skis are snow skis.
In another aspect, the assembly is fabricated from at least one of the following: fiberglass, aluminum, steel, titanium, metal alloys, wood, and a polymer.
One objective of the present invention is to help handicap skiers operate a pair of skis, and especially maintain the skier's feet close and parallel to each other while maneuvering the skis.
Another objective is to maintain the joint motion planes of the knee joints parallel, protecting them from lateral stress. This is especially important in the event of a fall or other accident.
Another objective is to maintain the skis parallel to each other.
Another objective is to maintain the feet and knees close and parallel, so as to transmit energy to the hips and upper body. This is because the hips are ball and socket joints with strong musculature and ligaments relative to the knees and can better absorb energy without significant damage. This is especially important in the event of a fall or other accident.
Another objective is to transmit energy to the upper body since the upper body is free to rotate absorbing energy. This is especially important in the event of a fall or other accident.
Yet another objective is to maintain ski edges at same angle of contact with the terrain.
Yet another objective is to enable the skis to adjust to variations in the terrain.
Yet another objective is to use the ski brace assembly with standard (ISO 5355-2005 compliant) skis and ski boots.
Yet another objective is to release the ski brace assembly from the skis in the event of excessive torsional force, while maintaining connectivity with the boots, so as to protect the skier's knees and hips.
Yet another objective is to lock and unlock the ski brace assembly from the skis with a ski pole while in a standing position; and thereby require no bending or sitting. The ski brace assembly can also be easily fastened and detached from the skis while in a sitting position if more comfortable for the skier.
Yet another objective is to reduce the work of skiing and susceptibility to variations in terrain by maintaining the skis close to each other. The ski brace assembly helps keep the skis close during turns and prevents the skis from separating too far when skiing straight. However when skiing down a slope the skier should always be in a gentle turn on the edges.
Other systems, devices, methods, features, and advantages will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims and drawings.
The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings.
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
A parallelogram ski brace assembly 100 is referenced in
Assembly 100 uses a mechanical linkage to keep the skis parallel and in lateral and longitudinal proximity to each other. Assembly 100 also works to maintain the edges of the skis 102a-b in constant contact with the terrain. In this manner, skis 102a-b can more freely adjust to the vertical and sloped variations in the terrain, including a mountainous, snow laden terrain. Suitable materials for the assembly 100 may include, without limitation, fiberglass, aluminum, steel, titanium, metal alloys, wood, and a polymer.
Assembly 100 is especially effective for helping facilitate operation of the skis 102a-b for a skier 300 with impaired lower extremity control. This may include skiers with single or double below knee amputations, single and possibly double above knee amputations, persons with cerebral palsy, persons with mild spina bifida, and persons with neuropathy. In one exemplary embodiment, assembly 100 is an assistive alpine skiing device for persons with impaired lower extremity control. Assembly 100 can be used by anyone who can stand and shift their weight side to side and turn their upper body. Assembly 100 is compatible with unmodified ISO5355-2005 skis and ski boots.
As referenced in
As illustrated, a forward end of the skis is oriented towards the face of the skier 300, while a rearward end of the skis is oriented towards the rear of the skier 300. In one embodiment, skis 102a-b are integrated into assembly 100. However in other embodiments, assembly 100 is adapted to detachably attach to any universal type of ski. In any case, assembly 100 provides an assistive skiing device operational with skis 102a-b.
Turning now to
In one embodiment, boot plates 106a-b easily lock and unlock from boot 136a-b through use of a fastening mechanism that can be operated with a pointed member such as a ski pole. Thus, a ski pole can lock and unlock boot plate 106a-b from the boots 136a-b while the skier 300 is in a standing position. In this manner the skier 300 is not required to bend or sit, so as to remove the boots from the assembly 100. However, boot plates 106a-b can also be easily fastened and detached from the skis while in a sitting position if more comfortable for the skier 300.
As shown in
In some embodiments, boot plates 106a-b comprise a fixed heel locking mechanism and a rotary cam toe lock with separate locking and unlocking levers. The levers are free floating in the nonoperational direction. The locking lever cannot be used to unlock the toe binding from the ski plate 104a-b. The unlocking lever is in a protected position directly in front of the boot. If struck by an object while skiing, the unlocking lever will not unlock the toe binding.
Further, the rear fixed locking mechanism can me moved to different positions to accommodate different size boots 136a-b. In one embodiment, the boots 136a-b fixedly attach to the boot plate. The boots 136a-b may include snow boots that are rigid, so as to keep the ankles of the skier 300 in a straight position. Specifically, because of the rigidity of the ski boots 136a-b the ankle cannot change its angle and all adjustment occurs at the hip and knee resulting in the boot and ski on the shorter leg moving forward relative to the extended leg. In some embodiments, boots 136a-b may include an ISO5335-2005 compliant ski boots.
Looking now at
The top view of
In some embodiments, assembly 100 may further comprise two pairs of vertical axles 116a-d that are disposed perpendicularly to the ski plates 104a-b. Vertical axles 116a-d extend through the terminal apertures 114a-d in the lateral bars 110a-b. In one embodiment, four vertical axles 116a, 116b, 116c, 116d are provided with two sets of axles 116a, 116b towards the front of assembly 100, and two sets of vertical axles 116c, 116d towards the rear. Vertical axles 116a-d are defined by a boot end 118a, 118b and a ski end 120a, 120b. Ski end 120a, 120b passes through terminal apertures 114a-d in the lateral bars 110a-b, and is rotatable about the lateral bars 110a-b. This rotation allows lateral bars 110a-b to translate in a swaying side to side motion in conjunction with the movement of skis 102a-b across terrain.
Assembly 100 further comprises two pairs of linkage bars 122a-d that extend between the vertical axles 116a-d. Linkage bars 122a-d are both rotatable and pivotable in an up-and-down motion, so as to enable two degrees of freedom. Also, the length of the linkage bars 122a-d limits excessive lateral separation of the skis 102a-b, so as to maintain proximity between the skis. This degree of freedom enables skis 102a-b to remain in proximity, parallel, and move vertically relative to each other.
In one embodiment, four linkage bars 122a, 122b, 122c, 122d extend between the two pair of vertical axles 116a-d—two linkage bars 122a, 122b towards the front of assembly 100 and above ski plates 104a, 104b, and two linkage bars 122c, 122d towards the rear of assembly 100 and above ski plates 104c, 104d.
Linkage bars 122a, 122b are defined by a first end 124a, 124b that terminates at a first aperture 126a, 126b and a first joint 128a, 128b. Linkage bars 122c, 122d are defined by a second end 134a, 134b that terminates at a second aperture 130b and a second joint 132b. Both first and second apertures 130a, 130b in the linkage bars 122a-d enable passage of boot end 118a, 118b of vertical axles 116a-d. In this manner, linkage bars 122a-d rotate freely about the vertical axles 116a-d.
Furthermore, first and second joints 132a, 132b connect the ends 124a-b, 134a-b of linkage bars 122a-d to vertical axles 116a-d. First and second joints 128a-b, 132a-b enable the linkage bars 122a-d to pivot freely in an up and down motion relative to the vertical axles 116a-d. Thus, joints 128a-b, 132a-b in the linkage bars 122a-d, and the apertures 114a-d, 126a-b, 130a-b in the linkage and lateral bars that receive the vertical axles 116a-d enable the parallelogram linkage mechanism to articulate in two degrees of freedom.
The two degrees of freedom include: 1) a rotation by linkage bars 122a-d about the vertical axles; and 2) an up-and-down pivoting motion by the linkage bars 122a-d relative to vertical axles 116a-d. These two degrees of freedom allow linkage bars 122a-d and the attached lateral bars 110a-b to form parallelograms of varying relative dimensions as the skis move along the terrain.
Furthermore, it is significant to note that the parallelogram shape formed by lateral bars 110a-b and linkage bars 122a-d are free to rotate about the vertical axles 116a-d, so that the skis may be brought closer or further apart in a smooth circular arc. This unique articulation of skis 102a-b is effective for maintaining the feet and knees close and parallel, and in the event of a fall protect the knees and transmit energy to the hips and upper body. The hips are ball and socket joints with strong musculature and ligaments relative to the knees and can better absorb energy without significant damage.
For example,
The mechanical linkage between lateral bars 110a-b and linkage bars 122a-d maintains the skis 102a-b parallel and engaged at their edges with the terrain at the same angle, while still allowing the skis 102a-b to articulate and adjust to the slope and variations of the terrain. Thus, as the skis 102a-b move along uneven terrain, and the skier 300 turns, the skis are maintained in parallel planes, each ski 102a-b remains in proximity to the other, gliding in a free vertically motion relative to each other.
Turning now to the illustration of the skiing motion illustrated in
In other embodiments, T-bar 202 may also have a lower fork that connects to both ends of the linkage bar 122a, or linkage bar 122b, for additional control of the linkage mechanism. However any extension member, including the T-bar 202, which connects to the linkage bars 122a-b for directional control of the skis may be used in this alternative embodiment. In yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention, a rear support member, or butt rest, attaches to the rear linkage bars to support a partial sitting posture of the skier.
These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings.
Because many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.
