Land vehicles – Skates – Runner type
Patent
1996-04-19
2000-08-15
Swann, J. J.
Land vehicles
Skates
Runner type
280623, A63C 507
Patent
active
061024252
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention is directed to devices for purposely influencing the longitudinal curvature of a ski.
2. Description of the Related Art
Alpine skis are manufactured so as to have a convex curvature in the central region where the ski binding is mounted. This longitudinal curvature disappears under the influence of the weight of the skier; the tip and the tail of the ski are pressed into the snow simultaneously with corresponding forces. In this way, the ski has good contact with the snow, keeps its track and does not chatter while running, etc.
However, this convex longitudinal curvature also has disadvantages. It impedes the turning of the ski. The skier must improve the turning of the skis--if necessary, by actively shifting his or her weight up or down. Exhibition skiers prefer short skis with a slight longitudinal curvature. However, these skis handle poorly in straight running.
A further disadvantage of the convex longitudinal curvature consists in that it impedes skiing through curves, especially with edge engagement of the ski, since the natural longitudinal curvature of the ski is exactly the reverse of the curvature required for skiing through curves. This is why ski racers prefer skis with a substantial sidecut which are considerably wider in the region of the tip and the tail than in the area of the binding. The greater this sidecut, the narrower the curves which can be skied. However, various accidents, of which some have unfortunately been fatal, show that there are severe problems associated with the riding characteristics of skis with these sharp sidecuts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the present invention to provide the simplest possible device by means of which the skier can deliberately change the longitudinal curvature of the ski from the original convex shape to a more or less concave shape while skiing.
In accordance with the present invention, the device for purposely influencing the longitudinal curvature of a ski, wherein the ski is equipped with a ski binding for securing a ski boot in a detachable manner, includes a rigid lever mounted at the heel of the boot and/or a rigid lever mounted at the tip of the boot, wherein each lever has a power arm and a load arm, the load arm facing away from the heel or the tip of the ski boot and being rigidly connected to the ski, and wherein each power arm is positioned under the ski boot and spaced from the ski, such that a pressure can be applied on the power arm by the heel or the tip of the boot and a bending moment is exerted on the ski through the rigid lever.
As a result of the lever according to the invention, the skier can purposely bend the portion of the ski connected with the load arm of the lever by means of a proportioned shifting of his or her weight on the power arm so that even a concave longitudinal curvature can be achieved. Any ski can be retrofitted with the lever according to the invention. It can be adjusted individually to a particular shoe size. By changing the length of the power arm, the weight of the skier and the elasticity of the ski can be adapted to one another. A ski which is outfitted with two levers according to the invention can be turned with substantially more sensitivity without losing the edge grip required in the swing control phase or forfeiting dynamics. The skier can achieve this by shifting his or her weight in the direction of the tip of the ski when initiating the turn so that the toe of the ski boot exerts pressure on the power arm of the front lever, whereupon its load arm pulls the tip of the ski upward. Further, a ski which is outfitted with two levers according to the invention has a slightly concave bend, even when edge-up, which facilitates turning but, at the same time, ensures that the ski has a very good edge grip below the binding where it is most meaningful and important, such an edge grip being indispensable for skiing on ice. A shifting of body weight toward the front or toward the rear is transmitted to the ski by
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Dunn David R.
Koshy Suresh
Sabine Gotzfried and Karl Peter Ernst Gotzfried
Swann J. J.
Villacorta Gilberto M.
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