Buoys – rafts – and aquatic devices – Water skimming or walking device – Water ski
Patent
1997-02-25
1998-08-04
Sotelo, Jesus D.
Buoys, rafts, and aquatic devices
Water skimming or walking device
Water ski
114253, B63B 100
Patent
active
057885486
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to an improvement in water-skis, specifically to monoskis, that is water-skis on which a person can stand with both feet.
On a monoski, as compared to a pair of skis, it is difficult to maintain balance when being pulled from a floating, starting position, in which the skier and ski are partially submerged, to the skiing position, in which the ski rides on the water surface. This is because of the positioning of the feet on the ski. By requiring the feet to be located one behind the other, the skier cannot attain a balanced stance, in which the feet can be spread apart, in the manner possible when using two skis. When using two skis it is far easier for a skier to get up from the water to the skiing position as compared to when using a monoski since the skier can spread his/her feet to achieve a good balance. Moreover, when using two skis the tow line which pulls the skier can in the starting position be placed between the skis thus further assisting the skier in attaining a balanced position during the initial period when being pulled from the starting position to the skiing position.
FIG. 1 shows in perspective view the arrangement of the front part of a conventional monoski 51 and tow line 52 in the partially submerged starting position. When using a conventional monoski 51, the tow line 52 has to be placed on one side of the front part of the ski 51 which extends above the waterline when in the starting position, and this makes it more difficult to maintain balance since the pulling force F.sub.1 on the ski 51 acts in a different direction to that of the pulling force F.sub.2 from the tow line 52. When the skier is pulled from the starting position, the pulling force F.sub.2 from the tow line 52 tends to pull the hands and upper body of the skier in one direction, i.e. to one side, whilst the ski 51 is pushed by the skier's feet in an opposed direction. This causes considerable problems for beginners and intermediate skiers, and can even give difficulty to proficient skiers. The difficulties in assuming the skiing position on a monoski are well known and consequently there is a general belief that skiing on a monoski is actually more difficult than it really is.
Developments in water-skis have usually related to the shape, the floating characteristics or the carving (i.e. cornering) ability of the skis. Indeed, modern water-skis are available in many varied shapes and sizes, and are offered with numerous lower surface designs for providing different floating characteristics. Modern water-skis are not primarily designed for the purpose of enabling or assisting beginners or intermediate skiers to get from the starting position to the skiing position.
The best and often the only way to practice monoskiing is to assume the starting position with two skis. Then, after reaching the skiing position the skier discards one ski and puts his/her free foot in a second shoe, usually a rear shoe, provided on the other ski. Nevertheless, even using this technique unskilled skiers regularly fall and have to repeat the procedure. This requires the dropped ski to be found and brought back to the skier, during which time the skier will have to wait several minutes in often cold water which rapidly becomes a tiring exercise. Moreover, there is a chance of losing the dropped ski completely.
It is an aim of the present invention to provide a monoski which allows a skier to maintain balance more readily whilst being pulled from a partially submerged starting position to the skiing position, and thereby makes it easier and safer for a skier to get from the partially submerged starting position to the skiing position.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a monoski having an open-ended longitudinal slot through the thickness of the ski which extends rearwardly along the ski from the toe. In use, the tow line in the starting position is located in the slot, thereby restricting the movement of the ski from side to side and making it easier for a skier to maintain balance whilst being pulled fr
REFERENCES:
patent: 3216031 (1965-11-01), Ingold, Jr.
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