Mechanism to enable steep slopes to be climbed by sliding the ski forward

Abstract

 The mechanism comprises: on the top of the ski a unit (3) hinged about an orientation pin with axis (Z-Z) able to assume a first position of rest above the ski and a second active position projecting from the outward side of the ski; locking means (15) for engaging said unit in each of said two positions; and on said unit at least one blade (7) able to be tilted about an axis (X-X) lying in a plane perpendicular to the axis (Z-Z) of said orientation pin; and spring means (9) that tend to turn said blade into a position tilted downward and to the rear.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a mechanism for fitting to the snow ski, to enable the skier by his own efforts to climb even steep slopes by sliding the ski forward.

[0002] It is known that so-called "climbing skins" are fitted underneath the ski for this purpose. These are flat accessories that are fixed underneath the ski and have bristles or other appendages distributed uniformly over their surface, pointing down and to the rear of the ski, so as to dig into the snow to prevent retrograde motion and enable it to be slid forward. However, climbing skins interfere with descent and need replacing periodically. Also, the grip of the bristles or such like on the snow is not sufficient when tackling slopes of more than a certain gradient.

[0003] In order to largely eliminate these problems, the mechanism according to the present invention - for fitting to the snow ski to enable even steep slopes to be climbed by sliding the ski forward - comprises: on the top of the ski a unit; at least one blade able to be tilted about an axis parallel to the gliding surface of the ski and transverse with respect to the ski; and spring means that tend to pull said blade about said transverse axis into a position tilted downward and so into the snow, until it meets a stop; the action of said spring means is opposed by the reaction of the snow to lift the blade, when the ski is moved forward during the advance up the slope.

[0004] In one possible embodiment, said unit includes above the ski a housing for a pin extending across the ski, defining said transverse axis fastened to which pin is a blade with two lugs external to the ski; and a spring reacting between the ski and the blade, pulls said blade into a position tilted downward and so into the snow, until it meets a stop.

[0005] In an alternative embodiment, the blade extends underneath the gliding surface of the ski. To increase its surface area, the blade may project from at least one side of the ski, especially from the outward side. Said pin can be removed from its housing to enable the blade to be released from the active position underneath the ski and engaged with the same pin above the ski.

[0006] In another altemative embodiment, the blade is so shaped as to comprise two parts projecting out at the sides of the ski, and is hinged to a fixed pin, which may be in a raised position above the ski. In this version the blade can be rotated up above the ski to be held in place by an elastic retaining means that is easily operated by the skier.

[0007] In another possible embodiment, the mechanism according to the invention comprises on the top of the ski a unit, which is hinged about an orientation pin perpendicular to the gliding surface of the ski and which is able to assume a first position of rest retracted above the ski and a second active position projecting from the outward side of the ski. Also provided are: locking means for engaging said unit in each of said two positions; and on said unit at least one blade able to be tilted about an axis perpendicular to the axis of said orientation pin. The binding also comprises spring means that tend to pull said blade into a position tilted downward and to the rear and so into the snow when said unit is moved into said second active position.

[0008] In order to climb a slope with this mechanism, the skier rotates and locks said unit on each ski into the second active position, so that the blade is on the outward side of its ski pulled and rotated downward by said spring means in order to dig into the snow. To climb the slope the skier slides each ski alternately forward, as in cross-country skiing, pushing the other ski back against the snow via said blade. The blade of the ski which is moved forward is automatically lifted elastically by the reaction of the snow, thereby minimizing the ski's resistance to forward motion. At the end of the climb the skier moves back the unit of each ski and locks it in the first position of rest, retracted above the ski, and can then carry out a descent completely unhampered by the mechanism. These operations do not require removal of the ski from the boot.

[0009] Each blade is preferably made with at least two component plates that can be slid over each other and locked together, in order to adapt the extension of the blade to the demands of use, such as snow of a different consistency or to adapt the ski to the physiological characteristics of the skier.

[0010] One of the components of the blade, preferably the upper plate, may have its rear edge, i.e. the rearmost edge in said second active position, toothed or otherwise shaped to dig into even hardened or icy snow.

[0011] One and the same locking means may be able to engage - especially with a snap action - said unit in both of the positions which it assumes. Alternatively, said locking means may be active automatically to lock the unit in at least one of the two positions and retum it at least partly automatically, by a spring means, to the other position. These locking means are advantageously shaped such that they can be released with the tip of a ski pole, as to simplify the operation by making it unnecessary to bend down.

[0012] The mechanism is very useful when used together with a type of binding that comprises a component hinged to it to allow the boot to be tilted relative to the ski when the heel is raised, as in the "cross-country step". In this form the mechanism comprises a bolt for unlocking and locking said component relative to the ski concomitantly with the acts of setting said unit in the active position and in the inactive position. The mechanism may advantageously also include a transmission for working said bolt by the action of moving said unit of the blade into said two positions.

[0013] A clearer understanding of the invention will be gained from the description and the attached drawing, which shows a practical, non-restrictive embodiment of the invention. In the drawing:

Figs. 1 and 2 show a plan view and side view, respectively, of a mechanism in the retracted position above the ski, in a first embodiment of the invention; for simplicity's sake, only application to a left ski is shown, but it is understood that a similar and symmetrical mechanism is also mounted on the right ski;

Fig. 3 shows a partial plan view of the mechanism of Fig. 1, with the mechanism in the working position;

Fig. 4 shows a detail of the mechanism in a section taken on a plane marked IV-IV in Fig. 3;

Figs. 5 and 6 show a plan view and a side view, respectively, of a right ski fitted with a mechanism in another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 7 shows another embodiment in plan view;

Fig. 8 is a view on VIII-VIII as marked in Fig. 7, in the nonworking position;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8, in the working position of the blade;

Figs. 10 and 11 show two details of the device; and

Figs. 12, 13 and 14 show an altemative embodiment, in a side view, viewed from the plane marked XIII-XIII in Fig. 12 and viewed from the plane marked XIV-XIV in Fig. 12.

[0014] In a first embodiment of the invention, and referring to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, a mechanism for fitting to a snow ski 1 to enable even steep slopes to be climbed, with the ski being able to be slid forward, comprises a plate 2 attached to the top of the ski 1, with lateral edges 2A bent down and fixed to the sides of the ski with screws 2B. A unit 3 is pivoted to the plate 2 about an orientation pin 5 whose axis Z-Z is perpendicular to the gliding surface of the ski.

[0015] The unit 3 is able to assume a first position of rest on top of the ski (shown in Fig. 1) and a second or active position (shown in Fig. 3) projecting from the outward side of the ski. In the example illustrated, the unit 3 comprises two lengths of rectangular-section drawn tube 3A, 3B welded together at right angles. Tube 3A contains a hole as a hinge seat for the pin 5, while tube 3B runs lengthwise along one side of the ski (in the retracted position, Fig. 1) and a blade 7 is hinged along its side by a hinge of axis X-X.

[0016] The blade 7 is essentially formed from at least two rectangular plates 7A, 7B of approximately equal size, the upper plate 7A having a sawtoothed edge 7D remote from the hinge X-X. The plates 7A, 7B may be fixed to each other in respective positions, offset to a greater or lesser degree, by wing nuts (or hand-tightened nuts) 7H and associated threaded rods 7D, which rods are welded to the second plate 7B and pass through slots 7C in the first plate perpendicularly to the hinge axis X-X of the blade. A helical spring 9, attached at one end (or in an intermediate position) to the tube 3B, acts - for example via a lever 11 and a pin 7F - on the blade 7 to turn it in the direction of the arrow F1 of Fig. 4, that is to say to lower it into the snow.

[0017] Fixed to the plate 2 is a guide 13, parallel to the axis of the ski, along which a sliding block 15 with a stop nib 15B can slide; in the position shown in Fig. 1, a tension spring 17 pulls the sliding block 15 from the side against the tube 3A of the unit 3 to trap it with elastic force against a stop 19 in order to keep the unit 3 in the retracted position on the ski. The sliding block 15 is fitted with a handle 15C and is connected by a side pin 15D and a tie/strut 21 to a release lever 23 of a binding support plate 27 which is hinged to a rear plate 25 fixed to the ski.

[0018] Fixed to the binding support plate 27 are the front part 29A and rear part 29B of a safety binding for the boot. Near the front part 29A of the binding, the binding support plate 27 is hinged to the ski or to the plate 2 of the mechanism, on an axis Y-Y running across the ski and parallel to its main plane.

[0019] When the skier is to tackle a climb, he uses the handle 15C to push back the sliding block 15 and gives a 90° rotation in the direction of the arrow F2 by hand to the now released unit 3, moving it to the position shown in Fig. 3; by this operation the lever 23 releases the binding support plate 27 from its retention by a tooth 23A connected to said lever 23, and the skier can thus lift the heel of the boot, turning the plate 27 about the axis Y-Y. When the handle 15C is then released, the spring 17 pulls the sliding block 15 forward again so that its triangular projection 15A is inserted with a snap action into the opening of the free end of the length of tube 3A, thereby locking the unit 3 in the active position (Fig. 3), while the binding support plate, and therefore the boot, remain free to rotate about the axis Y-Y to allow the skier to move forward using the "cross-country step". Next, making use of the slots 7C and wing nuts 7E, the skier adjusts the plates 7A, 7B of the blade 7 and locks them in their relative positions according to his own requirements, and can now make the ascent by sliding forward one ski at a time, movements in the opposite direction being prevented by the blade 7 of each ski because the blades dig alternately into the snow, even into icy snow, by means of the sawtoothed edge 7D of the plate 7A. At the end of the climb, the skier reverses the operations described above in order to return the unit 3 to the position shown in Fig. 1. This action is completed automatically by the nib 15B of the sliding block 15 which pushes elastically, under the action of the spring 17, against the side of the tube 3A.

[0020] In a second embodiment of the invention, the mechanism possesses a unit 103 (Figs. 5 and 6) able to rotate about a pin of axis Z1-Z1, similar to the unit 3 described in the previous case, except that, for a greater range of adjustment, the unit here has a blade 107 composed of three plates 107A, 107B, 107C that can be slid relative to each other and fixed together in pairs by means of slots and wing nuts. Welded to tube 103A of the unit, which corresponds to tube 3A of the previous case, is a shoulder 104 designed to press against the side of a bolt 115 which slides lengthwise along the ski in a guide 113. A second and independent bolt 123 may be inserted in a rear heel of a binding support plate 127 hinged on an axis Y1-Y1, in much the same way as the previous case.

[0021] In order to climb, the skier in this case must individually retract the bolts 115, 123 in order to enable rotation of the unit 103 and rotation of the binding support plate 127, respectively. He must then turn the unit 103 through 90° in the direction of arrow F3 before re-advancing the bolt 115 into the opening in the free end of tube 103A so that the unit 103 is locked in position.

[0022] In the embodiment shown in Figs. 7-11, attached to the top of the ski S is a unit 203 having a central plate part 203A and two bent edges 203B that lie against the edges of the ski.

[0023] 207 indicates a blade designed to penetrate into the snow for the purposes indicated above. This blade 207 is at least equal in width to the ski and possesses two lugs 207A separated by a distance only slightly greater than the width of the mounting plate 203, so that when the blade 207 is brought up undemeath the ski the two lugs 207A lie against the edges 203B of the plate 203A of the mounting plate 203. The blade may be very slightly wider than the ski and terminate at the lugs 207A, or may possess on at least one side an extension 207X that extends at least on the outward side of the ski in order to ensure that the blades of the two skis, projecting also on the inward side, hamper the movements of the skier. The active edge of the blade 207 exhibits teeth 207C which may facilitate penetration into the snow, especially when the snow hardens in cold weather.

[0024] The lugs 207A serve to fasten the blade 207 in a hinged manner about a transverse axis X-X which is parallel to the gliding surface of the ski. For this purpose there is a tubular housing 210 rigidly connected to the mounting plate 203, e.g. welded to the plate 203A. A pin 212 is inserted through holes 207F in the lugs 207 and through the tubular housing 210 to act as a pivot for the blade 207. The pin 212 can easily be inserted into and removed from the housing 210, where it can be retained by any suitable means either by spring action or by interference, so as to make it easy for the skier to operate. The example uses a spring 230 slung across the mounting plate 203 and passing through a window 210A in the housing 210 where it sits in an annular groove 212A around the pin 212 in order to keep it in position until the pin 212 is pulled in the direction of the axis X-X out of the housing 210. With an arrangement of this kind it is possible to release the blade 207 quickly from the mounting plate 203 by removing the pin 212, so that the blade can be fitted in the active position underneath the ski or can be swung up and engaged again by means of the pin 212 in an inactive position on top of the ski as indicated in chain lines at 207Y in Fig. 8.

[0025] When mounted in the active position, i.e. undemeath the ski, the blade 207 is pulled by a spring 209 reacting under tension between an anchor point 209A on the ski and an anchor point 209B on one of the lugs 207A so as to pull the blade 207 in the direction of the arrow F1 indicated in Fig. 8 about the axis X-X defined by the pin 212. As long as the ski is resting on the snow the blade assumes the position shown in Figs. 7 and 8 against the gliding undersurface of the ski S. When the ski is raised or slid in the opposite direction to the forward direction, i.e. when the ski tries to move in the direction of the arrow f3 indicated in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, that is downhill down the surface which the skier wishes to climb, the blade 207, assisted by the action of the spring 209, digs into the snow and can reach the working position shown in Fig. 9 where the ski is unable to slide downward in the direction of the arrow f3 because of the reaction of the snow against the blade. When the ski is moved in the opposite direction to that of the arrow f3, the blade moves back into position against the underside of the ski because of the pressure of the snow acting on the blade. The active position of the blade 207 digging into the snow as shown in Fig. 9 is limited by limit stops 240 on the edges 203B encountered by concavities 207G (see Fig. 10) in the lugs 207A of the blade; the position of the limit stops 240 which form the abutment in the abovementioned position of the blade may be adjusted as appropriate.

[0026] In the alternative embodiment shown in Figs. 12-14, fixed to the ski S is a mounting plate 303 with a portal frame 303A to form a housing 310 for a pin 312 running across the ski and raised a short distance above the ski. Fixed to the pin 312 in such a way as to move with it angularly is the blade 307; this blade is so shaped as to have two parts 307A, one on either side of the ski. The part on the inward side of the ski may be narrower than that on the outward side (or even omitted). The blade 307, 307A is pulled by a spring 309 in a direction which would make it approximately perpendicular to the gliding surface of the ski and with the parts 307A underneath said surface, when the blade is pressed against the portal frame 303A (Figs. 12 and 13). A spring strip 330 is fastened to the mounting plate 303 to form a rest 330A for a crossmember 307C belonging to the blade 307; the spring strip 330 serves as an elastic retaining means for the blade 307 when the latter is swung up - about the axis of the pin 312 - above the ski, in opposition to the action of the spring 309. When the blade is not required to function it is raised into position 307X and held here by resting the crossmember 307C on the rest 330A. To release the blade 307 from position 307X, the strip 330 is simply pressed in the direction of arrow f12 (Fig. 12), so that the blade is lowered from the out-of-way position 307X to the active position in the snow. The blades 307 may be hinged so that, when raised, they can be rotated toward each other, i.e. in an inward direction.

[0027] The ski may also be fitted with two mechanisms rather than with a single mechanism.

[0028] It will be understood that the drawing shows only an example which is provided purely as a practical demonstration of the invention, which latter can be varied in its shapes and arrangements without however departing from the scope of the concept on which the invention is based. The presence of any reference numerals in the appended claims is for the purpose of facilitating the reading of the claims with reference to the description and drawing, and does not limit the scope of protection represented by the claims.

Claims

1. A mechanism for fitting to the snow ski to enable even steep slopes to be climbed by sliding the ski forward, characterized in that it comprises on the edge of the ski a unit (3, 103, 203); at least one blade (7, 107, 207) able to be tilted about an axis (X-X, X9-X9) parallel to the gliding surface of the ski and transverse with respect to the ski; and spring means (9, 209) that tend to pull said blade about said axis (X-X; X2-X2) into a position tilted downward and so into the snow, until it meets a stop, the action of said spring means (9, 209) being opposed by the reaction of the snow, which lifts the blade, when the ski is slid forward during the advance up the slope.

2. Mechanism as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said unit (203) includes a housing (210) for a pin (212) extending across the ski, defining said axis (X2-X2); fastened to which pin (212) is a blade (207) with two lugs (207A) external to the ski, the blade being located underneath the ski, and a spring (209) reacting between the ski and the blade (207, 207A) to pull said blade (207) into a position tilted downward and so into the snow, until it meets a stop (240).

3. Mechanism as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that in order to increase its surface area, the blade (207) projects from at least one side of the ski, especially from the outward side.

4. Mechanism as claimed in at least claim 2, characterized in that said pin (212) can be removed from its housing (210) to enable the blade (207) to be released from the active position undemeath the ski and engaged with the same pin (212) above the ski.

5. Mechanism as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said pin (217) is held in the seat by an arched spring (230) which enters a window in the housing (210) and rests in an annular groove around the pin (212).

6. Mechanism as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the blade (307) is so shaped as to comprise two parts (307A) projecting out at the sides of the ski, and is hinged to a pin (312), which may be in a raised position above the ski.

7. Mechanism as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that it comprises an elastic retaining means (330) that is easily operated by the skier, on which said two-part blade (307) is engageable when rotated up above the ski.

8. A mechanism for fitting to the snow ski to enable even steep slopes to be climbed by sliding the ski forward, as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that it comprises: on the top of the ski a unit (3; 103), which is hinged about an orientation pin (5) with axis (Z-Z; Z1-Z1) perpendicular to the gliding surface of the ski and which is able to assume a first position of rest above the ski and a second active position projecting from the outward side of the ski; locking means (15; 115) for engaging said unit in each of said two positions; and on said unit at least one blade (7; 107) able to be tilted about an axis (X-X) perpendicular to the axis (Z-Z; Z1-Z1) of said orientation pin, and spring means (9) that tend to pull said blade into a position tilted downward and to the rear and so into the snow when said unit is moved into said second active position, the action of said spring means (9) being opposed by the reaction of the snow, which lifts the blade, when the ski is slid forward during the advance up the slope.

9. Mechanism as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that said blade (7; 107) is made with at least two component plates (7A, 7B; 107A, 107B, 107C) that can be locked together to adapt the extension of the blade to the demands of use.

10. Mechanism as claimed in claim 8 or 9, characterized in that one of the component plates (7A; 107A) of the blade has its rear edge (7D; 107D), i.e. the rearmost edge in said second active position, is toothed or otherwise shaped to dig into even hardened or icy snow.

11. Mechanism as claimed in any of one of claims 8-10, characterized in that one and the same locking means (15; 115) is able to engage - especially with a snap action - said unit in both of the positions which it assumes.

12. Mechanism as claimed in one of claims 8-11, characterized in that said locking means (15) is active automatically to lock the unit in at least one of the two positions and return it automatically, by a spring means (17), to the other position.

13. Mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 8-12, for fitting to a ski that comprises a component (27; 127) hinged to it to allow the boot to be tilted relative to the ski, characterized in that it comprises a bolt (23, 23A; 123) for unlocking and locking said component relative to the ski concomitantly with the acts of setting said unit in the active position and in the inactive position.

14. Mechanism as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that it comprises a transmission (21) for operating said bolt (23, 23A) by the action of moving said unit (3) into said two positions.

15. Mechanism for fitting to the snow ski, to enable even steep slopes to be climbed by sliding the ski forward; the whole as described above and as illustrated by way of example in the appended drawing.

Drawing