Land vehicles – Runner vehicle – Standing occupant
Patent
1992-11-19
1994-10-04
Camby, Richard M.
Land vehicles
Runner vehicle
Standing occupant
280 16, 280 211, 280 221, B62B 1304
Patent
active
053519752
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed at the industry of sporting articles, in particular artifacts used for sliding on snow.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Amongst the numerous articles derived from skiing and sleds, a type of scooter has been proposed where the wheels have been substituted by runners. Such an apparatus, highly studied, is described in the patent of the U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,659. If such an apparatus allows for sliding on compact, somewhat icy snow, the apparatus is practically useless on soft powder snow because the apparatus sinks to the point where the front runner can no longer be efficiently directed. Furthermore, such an apparatus is not conveniently balanced to allow for jumps and other acrobatic activity sought after by many sports people.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An in depth study, backed up by practical trials, has determined that these faults could be rectified by a particular configuration of the front steering runner that avoids a lateral slip in curves that throws the apparatus off balance, and attains by an optimum rapport of shape and dimensions between the steering runner and the principal runner, as well as an appropriate positioning of the steering connection and handlebar.
Thus, the invention's end is to be a sliding apparatus rendering functional the results of this research and allowing sporting evolution and acrobatics in excellent conditions of stability and maneuverability even in soft powder snow.
The invention is therefore a sliding apparatus for snow sports consisting of a rear supporting runner offering support for the user's feet, united to a rigid frame and pivoting arm, controllable manually by a handlebar and linked to a front steering runner as a prolongation of the supporting runner, by a rigid or flexible link, following a horizontal axis perpendicular to the general axis of the steering runner. The foremost design of the steering runner is characteristically rounded. The widest part of the supporting runner is around 2/3 of that of the steering runner and its length is approximately double that of that of the steering runner. The nose of the supporting runner is raised higher than that of the steering runner. A good negotiation of moguls and other faults in the terrain is obtained when the steering runner is linked to the pivoting arm at about a 1/4 of the way up its length from the base. A good, balanced maneuverability of the apparatus is ensured when the axis of the pivoting arm is inclined towards the rear at an angle of about 65 degrees. The grips of the handlebar extending from the pivoting arm are positioned transversally from the rest of the parts above the connection separating the steering runner from the supporting runner. The handlebar is extended forward on an adjustable coupling capping the extremity of the shaft, and the height is adjustable with a sliding movement on the pivoting arm. The lateral arms of the handlebar are approximately perpendicular to the ground.
According to the most advantageous construction, the frame is fixed on the upper face of the supporting runner between around 1/5 of the length of the runner from the nose and a 1/3 of the length from the rear, and it extends to around 1/5 of the length of the runner from the rear. The frame is raised up from the upper surface of the runner at an angle of approximately 20 degrees, and a resting foot plate covers the part of the frame attached to the supporting runner as well as the raised extension.
To ensure a more comfortable ride, especially on rough terrain, the link of the pivoting arm to the steering runner is an articulation whose rocking action around a horizontal axis perpendicular to the axis of the runner is controlled by breaking means. On the other hand, for acrobatics or high speeds this link is rigid. These breaking means are better constituted by a shock absorber linking a point of the pivoting arm above the articulation to a point on the steering runner situated at about 1/4 of its length from the nose. Sliding on soft snow or powder at hi
REFERENCES:
patent: 2513199 (1950-06-01), Ohlhaver
patent: 3717359 (1973-02-01), Peronnon et al.
patent: 3730546 (1973-05-01), Evequoz
patent: 3870330 (1975-03-01), Hatano et al.
patent: 4097055 (1978-06-01), Laycraft
patent: 4773659 (1988-09-01), Rygiel
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