Patent Application
20230285825
This invention relates in general to the field of ski instruction. More particularly, this invention relates to a training device that an instructor can use with a student to teach a student how to ski.
In general, learning to ski can take place at a very early age and is achievable at any age. However, a lack of confidence and/or memorably negative first experiences can easily jeopardize a beginner's learning trajectory and passion to continue. These negative first experiences can come in the form of falling, skiing too fast and out of control, hurting oneself, etc. As such, confidence, positive initial experiences, and fun are key to encouraging beginners to learn to ski.
In the past, beginner skiers have relied on ski poles, thinking the ski poles will help for balance. Ski poles are also attractive to beginner skiers simply because they see others using them. However, as a beginner, ski poles can cause a tremendous amount of physical confusion and distract from proper technique of the skier's legs and feet. These poles can be a distraction from the desired interaction between one's skis and the snow underneath. Beginners may try to focus their balancing, steering, breaking, and pushing off with the poles, all of which are counterproductive to the goal of becoming comfortable on the skis themselves. Poles can also be a safety risk on ski lifts and hills to the skiers themselves and to other skiers.
Thus, there is a need for a ski training device where an instructor can control a student's speed, direction, and balance while instilling confidence in students of all ages and abilities.
The present invention provides a ski training device designed to assist an instructor to teach a beginner how to ski. The ski training device includes a front portion with a gripping section for the beginner skier, a back portion with a gripping section for the instructor, two side portions that connect the front and back portions, and an internal cavity between the front portion, back portion, and side portions, configured for the beginner skier.
The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be readily understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
The present invention will be discussed hereinafter in detail in terms of various exemplary embodiments according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be obvious, however, to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures are not shown in detail in order to avoid unnecessary obscuring of the present invention.
Thus, all 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.
Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. Although the illustrated embodiments and descriptions are directed to teaching a beginner skier how to ski, other uses of a ski training device constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention are contemplated including, for example, roller blading and ice skating.
In accordance with the one or more aspects of the present invention, a ski training device 100 is provided. In an exemplary embodiment depicted in
Internal cavity 160 may be sized and configured for a beginner skier, while a ski trainer or instructor may hold back portion 140 to guide and direct the beginner skier, as will be explained in more detail below. Ski training device 100 may be configured in a wide variety of shapes, including, but not limited to, rectangular or trapezoidal. In one embodiment, front portion 110, first side portion 120, second side portion 130 and back portion 140 may be made from a relatively light material to be held by a young skier and allows for a trainer to guide the beginner skier and may include, for example, hollow PVC tubing or solid plastic.
Front portion 110 may include a first gripping section 151 for a beginner skier to hold onto, and back portion 140 may include a second gripping section 152 for the instructor to hold onto. First and second gripping sections 151, 152 may be etching or an adhesive surface of front and back portions 110, 140 or, alternatively, include an added material applied to front portion 110 and back portion 140 that would aid an instructor and a beginner skier in holding onto the invention, such as, for example, tape, any type of sports grip, leather, synthetic leather, polyester, silicone, rubber, polyurethane, plastic, elastomer, cork, and wood. Also, first and second gripping sections 151, 152 may be continuous along the front portion 110 and the back portion 140, or, alternatively, may be broken up into two or more spaced sections along their lengths.
In one embodiment, illustrated in
In one embodiment depicted in
In yet another embodiment illustrated in
In yet another example, a ski training device constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention may include spring loaded button mechanisms 324/334 as illustrated in
In another example, first side portion 320 may include a fifth member 321 and a sixth member 322 and second side portion 330 may include a seventh member 331 and an eight member 332. The length of ski training device 300 may be adjustable by adjusting the relationship between fifth member 321 and sixth member 322 and between seventh member 331 and eighth member 332. In one example, fifth member 321 may be telescopically received in and out of the sixth member 322 to adjust the length of first side portion 321 and seventh member 33 may be telescopically received in and out of fourth member 332 to adjust the length of second side portion 330.
The telescopic actuation to adjust the widths of front portion 310 and back portion 340 and to adjust the lengths of first side portion 320 and second side portion 330 may be accomplished by other known mechanism known in the art, including, for example, the spring loaded push button described above and by the use of pull pins, removeable bolts fixed onto the first members or the second members. In alternative embodiments, for example, the first member 311 and second member 312 may include an internal or external groove or track configured to allow the first member 311 and second member 312 slide past one another along a single axis, to aid the use of the spring loaded pull pin or any other locking and unlocking means. Other mechanisms may include push pins, pull pins, button clips, hook-and-loop fasteners, lock pins, and clamps.
In another example illustrated in
In another embodiment of the invention, handle grips similar to handle grips 280 may be fixed on top of or instead of gripping portion 152, 252, 352.
In another embodiment of the invention, a safety strap, wrist strap, or similar device may be attached to any component of the invention for, for example, safely carrying the invention up a ski lift.
While several aspects of the present invention have been described and depicted herein, alternative aspects may be effected by those skilled in the art to accomplish the same objectives. Accordingly, it is intended to cover all such alternative aspects as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/269,120, filed Mar. 10, 2022, the complete disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63269120 | Mar 2022 | US |
