A DEVICE FOR TRANSPORTING PERSONS AND/OR ARTICLES IN SNOWY AND/OR ICY CONDITIONS

Abstract

 A device (1) for transporting persons and/or articles in snowy and/or icy zones, associable to a pair of skis (S), each ski (S) being provided with: a toe-piece (P) for Alpine skiing, comprising a pair of hooking jaws, each comprise a point (Q), and with a heel piece (T) for Alpine skiing, comprising a pair of hooking pins (N) which develop in a substantially parallel direction to a direction of the ski (S).
The device (1) includes two pairs of uprights, being a first (22, 23) and a second (20, 21) upright, positionable transversally of the skis (S);
each upright (22, 23) of the first pair of uprights comprising, at a relative first end (220, 230), two seatings (40) arranged and conformed such as each to receive internally thereof a point (Q) of a jaw of the toe-piece (P) for Alpine skiing so as to enable coupling therewith;
each upright (20, 21) of the second pair of uprights comprising, at a relative first end (200, 210), a pair of housings (50, 51) arranged and conformed so as each to receive internally thereof a pin (N) of the heel-piece (T) for Alpine skiing, so as to enable coupling therewith;
the device (1) further comprising a support element (6, 60), removably fixable to the uprights (20, 21, 22, 23) for supporting persons and/or articles and enabling transport thereof.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for transporting persons and/or articles in snowy and/or icy zones.

[0002] A device for transporting persons and/or articles in snowy and/or icy zones of known type is used for example for performing first aid for skiers or excursionists and can be constituted by a stretcher (for example made of plastic). In particular, the stretcher is drawn by the operators along mountain slopes, guided by a cable or ropes.

[0003] In other cases, the stretcher is borne on shoulders or by hand by the operators, and in this case appropriate grips are provided.

[0004] Also known is the need to transport along snowy and/or icy zones articles of dimensions such as not to be carried in backpacks: when needed this transport is carried out with difficulty and/or with improvised means.

[0005] The aim of the present invention is to disclose a device for transporting persons and/or articles in snowy and/or icy zones which provides an alternative to what is now available.

[0006] A further aim of the invention is to disclose a device for transporting persons and/or articles in snowy and/or icy zones which is associable to a pair of skis provided with bindings for Alpine skiing of a standard type (known in the sector by the term "low-tech").

[0007] The aim is attained by a device for transporting persons and/or articles in snowy and/or icy zones according to claim 1.

[0008] Specific embodiments of the invention will be detailed in the following description, with the aid of the appended tables of drawings, in which:

• figure 1 is a perspective view of a device for transporting persons and/or articles in snowy and/or icy zones according to the invention;
• figures 1A, 1B, 1C are three views in larger scale of details H, K, J of figure 1;
• figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a device for transporting persons and/or articles in snowy and/or icy zones according to the invention when in use;
• figure 3 is a partial lateral view of figure 2;
• figure 4 is section A-A of figure 3, in a partial view;
• figures 4A and 4B are enlarged views of details W and Z of figure 4;
• figure 4C is a view similar to that of figure 4A, relating to a variant;
• figure 5 is a perspective view of a device for transporting persons and/or articles in snowy and/or icy zones according to the invention, relating to a variant;
• figure 5A illustrates the section along plane B-B of figure 5;
• figure 6 is a view alike to the view of figure 5, in a further variant.

[0009] With reference to the accompanying figures, reference numeral (1) denotes a device for transporting persons and/or articles in snowy and/or icy zones according to the present invention.

[0010] The device (1) is associable to a pair of skis (S), each ski (S) being provided with: a toe-piece (P) for Alpine skiing, comprising a pair of hooking jaws, opposite one another and constrained to a relative base (B1), and which each comprise a point (Q) at a second end thereof; and with a heel piece (T) for Alpine skiing, comprising a pair of hooking pins (N) which develop in a substantially parallel direction to a direction of the ski (S). In other words, each ski (S) is provided with a binding for Alpine skiing. In detail, the Alpine ski bindings can be of the standard type (known in the sector by the term "lowtech").

[0011] In particular, the device (1) comprises two pairs of uprights, a first (22, 23) and a second (20, 21) upright, positionable transversally of the skis (S).

[0012] In detail, each upright (22, 23) of the first pair of uprights comprises, at a relative first end (220, 230), two seatings (40) arranged and conformed such as each to receive internally thereof a point (Q) of a jaw of the toe-piece (P) for Alpine skiing so as to enable coupling therewith.

[0013] Further, each upright (20, 21) of the second pair of uprights comprises, at a relative first end (200, 210), a pair of housings (50) arranged and conformed so as each to receive internally thereof a pin (N) of the heel-piece (T) for Alpine skiing, so as to enable coupling therewith.

[0014] The device (1) further comprises a support element (6, 60), removably fixable to the uprights (20, 21, 22, 23), for example at the second end (201, 211, 221, 231) thereof (and without the aid of tools) for supporting persons and/or articles and enabling transport thereof.

[0015] The device (1) is advantageously fixable rapidly and practically to a pair of skis (S) provided with bindings for Alpine skiing. Therefore the device (1) enables transporting articles and/or persons thereon in a particularly easy and, in an advantageous way among the various applications, it can be used when needed for aid in emergency in snowy and/or icy zones for skiers or excursionists, without the need to avail of a special stretcher, as in the prior art.

[0016] For example, a skier can always carry the device (1) (suitable demounted and arranged for example in a backpack) and, when required, even in critical situations, can predispose it for use, in a simple and rapid way, by hooking to the relative ski without the aid of screwdrivers, screws, wrenches, tools or anything else (or the skier can unhook it from the skis in an equally practical way).

[0017] In a further example, the device (1) can be used by a hunter for transporting game catches, arranged on the support element (6, 60).

[0018] In a preferred and advantageous embodiment of the invention, each first end (200, 210, 220, 230) of each upright (20, 21, 22, 23) is removably fixable to the remaining part of the relative upright, so as to be replaceable in case of need. In detail, according to this embodiment, each first end (200, 210, 220, 230) of each upright (20, 21, 22, 23) can be adjusted with respect to the remaining part of the relative upright so as to be orientable according to a horizontal plane (substantially parallel to the ski) and according to a vertical plane (substantially perpendicular to the relative ski), so that consequently the skis (S) too are orientable in that way. Further, each first end (200, 210, 220, 230) can be adjusted so that the skis (S) are orientable in order to regulate the convergence thereof.

[0019] The above-described embodiment is particularly advantageous as it enables the device (1) to adapt to any situation (for example as a function of the snowy and/or icy conditions, the slope of the ground, etc.). The calibrating of each first end (200, 210, 220, 230) of each upright (20, 21, 22, 23) can be made by means of techniques known to an expert in the field.

[0020] In an embodiment of the invention, the device (1) comprises at least a cross-member (31) for connecting the uprights (22, 23) of the first pair of uprights to one another, and at least a cross-member (33) for connecting the uprights (20, 21) of the second pair of uprights to one another. The cross-members (31, 33) clearly have a reinforcing function.

[0021] Figure 1 illustrates four cross-member (3, 31, 32, 33), which connect the four uprights (20, 21, 22, 23) two by two.

[0022] In a further embodiment, the support element (60) comprises two longitudinal members (66, 67) arranged at a certain reciprocal distance, and means (666) for supporting persons and/or articles arranged between the two longitudinal members (66, 67) so as to connect them (see for example figures 5 and 6). The means (666) for supporting persons and/or articles can be for example constituted by a net or a support wall.

[0023] In a further embodiment of the invention, the support element (6, 60) further comprises two curved portions (68, 69) arranged such as to be connected to both longitudinal members (66, 67) so as to define a closed loop with the two longitudinal members (66, 67) (see the detail of figure 5): in this case the cross members might not necessary be those for connecting pairs of uprights to one another.

[0024] The longitudinal members (66, 67) and any curved portions (68, 69) thereof can function for example as lateral borders for the support element (6, 60) and can have for example a tubular conformation.

[0025] Stabilising and blocking means can advantageously be included for stabilising and blocking each toe-piece (P) in a corresponding seating (40); the stabilising means can comprise elastic means.

[0026] The heel-piece (T) generally has a base (B2) fixed to the ski (S), and a block which bears the fixing pins, arranged superiorly of the base and hinged with respect thereto.

[0027] In heel-pieces for Alpine skiing of known type and/or available on the market, the blocking pins have a stable coupling position with the seatings; also, mutual distancing of the pins is opposed by elastic means.

[0028] The housings (50) of each upright (20, 21) of the second pair of uprights can comprise a hole and can have a circular section (see figures 1A, 4A), complementary to the section of the pins (N).

[0029] For example, the housings (51) of each upright (20, 21) of the second pair of uprights can be made in opposite edges of the corresponding first end (200, 210) of the upright (20, 21) and each comprise a longitudinal undercut (i.e. developing parallel to the ski) with a C-section (see figure 1 B).

[0030] Clearly, other variants can be comprised for adapting to any type or variant of heel-piece (T) and toe-piece (P) for Alpine skiing.

[0031] The device (1) can further comprise fixing means (8, 80, 81) for fixing the support element (6, 60) to the uprights (20, 21, 22, 23).

[0032] For example, the fixing means comprise: housings (80) included at the second ends (201, 211, 221, 231) of the uprights (20, 21, 22, 23) (see for example figures 1 and 2); of the through-holes (81) provided in the support element (81), alignable to the housings (80) of the uprights (20, 21, 22, 23); of the screws or pins (8) insertable at the same time in the through-holes (81) of the support element (6, 60) and in the housings (80) of the uprights ((20, 21, 22, 23).

[0033] In the illustrated embodiments, the housings (80) of the uprights (20, 21, 22, 23) are conformed as sleeves.

[0034] For example, the support element comprises a seat (6) or a stretcher (60) (see respectively figures 6 and 5). Clearly the support element can be of any type, and can for example include a backrest (not illustrated).

[0035] In the case of figure 5, in which the support element comprises a stretcher (60), the device (1) can further comprise a plurality of rod-shaped support elements (600) which are fixed to the stretcher (60) at the relative ends, in order to project towards the skis (S) and be aligned to the skis (S). The rod-shaped support elements (600) are useful for supporting articles of a certain weight or persons arranged on the stretcher (60), so as to prevent an excessive flexion thereof, by abutting on a corresponding ski (S).

[0036] In the above-mentioned embodiment, in particular, the rod-shaped support elements (600) are four in number, and can be connected two-by-two by a connecting and reinforcing element (601) (see figure 5 once more).

[0037] In the drawings, the rod-shaped support elements (600), the connecting and reinforcing elements (601), the uprights (20, 21, 22, 23) and the cross-members (3, 31, 32, 33) are provided with lightening holes (10) for limiting the weight of the device (1) (see figure 5A).

[0038] Clearly each toe-piece (P) and the respective heel-piece (T) are fixable to a ski (S) at a reciprocal variable distance (according to the prior art).

[0039] Likewise, the uprights of the first pair of uprights (22, 23) and the uprights of the second pair of uprights (20, 21) are also positionable, two-by-two, at a reciprocal variable distance, by means of corresponding attachments (222). It is therefore possible to regulate the distance of the uprights (20, 21, 22, 23) along the corresponding ski (S) according to needs (see figure 5A).

[0040] From the foregoing the advantages of the present invention are obvious, which derive in particular from the ease and rapidity with which the device is blockable and unblockable, without the aid of any tool, to and from the Alpine ski bindings. The block is extremely reliable as the mutual distancing of the points (Q) and/or the pins (N), due to the stresses acting on the toe-piece (P) and/or on the heel-piece (T), is effectively opposed by the elastic means included on the toe-piece (P) and on the heel-piece (T).

[0041] Further, any stresses acting on the device (1) are opposed by the pair of bindings, i.e. the pair of toe-pieces (P) and the pair of heel-pieces (T).

[0042] The invention further relates to a system (11) for transporting persons and/or articles in snowy and/or icy zones, comprising a pair of skis (S), and, fixed to each ski (S), a toe-piece (P) and a heel-piece (T) for Alpine skiing (for example of a standard type, known in the sector by the term "low-tech"); the system (11) further comprises a transport device (1) for transporting persons and/or articles according to one of the above-described embodiments.

Claims

1. A device (1) for transporting persons and/or articles in snowy and/or icy zones, associable to a pair of skis (S), each ski (S) being provided with: a toe-piece (P) for Alpine skiing, comprising a pair of hooking jaws, opposite one another and constrained to a relative base (B1), and which each comprise a point (Q) at a second end thereof; and with a heel piece (T) for Alpine skiing, comprising a pair of hooking pins (N) which develop in a substantially parallel direction to a direction of the ski (S);
the device (1) being characterised in that it comprises:

two pairs of uprights, each comprising a first (22, 23) and a second (20, 21) upright, positionable transversally of the skis (S);

each upright (22, 23) of the first pair of uprights comprising, at a relative first end (220, 230), two seatings (40) arranged and conformed such as each to receive internally thereof a point (Q) of a jaw of the toe-piece (P) for Alpine skiing so as to enable coupling therewith;

each upright (20, 21) of the second pair of uprights comprising, at a relative first end (200, 210), a pair of housings (50) arranged and conformed so as each to receive internally thereof a pin (N) of the heel-piece (T) for Alpine skiing, so as to enable coupling therewith;

the device (1) further comprising a support element (6, 60), removably fixable to the uprights (20, 21, 22, 23) for supporting persons and/or articles and enabling transport thereof.

2. The device (1) of the preceding claim, comprising at least a cross member (31) for mutually connecting the uprights of the first pair of uprights (22, 23), and at least a cross member (33) for mutually connecting the uprights of the second pair of uprights (20, 21).

3. The device (1) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the support element (6, 60) comprises two longitudinal members (66, 67) arranged at a certain reciprocal distance, and means (666) for supporting persons and/or articles arranged between the two longitudinal members (66, 67) so as to connect them.

4. The device (1) of the preceding claim, wherein the support element (6, 60) further comprises two curved portions (68, 69) arranged such as to be connected to both longitudinal members (66, 67) so as to define a closed loop with the two longitudinal members (66, 67).

5. The device (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first end (200, 210, 220, 230) of each upright (20, 21, 22, 23) can be adjusted with respect to the remaining part of the relative upright so as to be orientable according to a horizontal plane that is substantially parallel to a ski (S).

6. The device (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first end (200, 210, 220, 230) of each upright (20, 21, 22, 23) can be adjusted with respect to the remaining part of the relative upright so as to be orientable according to a vertical plane that is substantially perpendicular to a ski (S).

7. The device (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first end (200, 210, 220, 230) of each upright (20, 21, 22, 23) can be adjusted with respect to the remaining part of the relative upright so as to be orientable for adjusting a convergence between the skis (S).

8. The device (1) of any one of claims 5, 6 or 7, wherein the first end (200, 210, 220, 230) of each upright (20, 21, 22, 23) is removably fixable to the remaining part thereof.

9. The device (1) of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising fixing means (8, 80) for fixing the support element (6, 60) to the uprights (20, 21, 22, 23).

10. The device (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support element comprises a seat (6) or a stretcher (60).

11. The device (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support element (6, 60) is fixable to the uprights (20, 21, 22, 23) at the relative second end (201, 211, 221, 231) without any aid of tools.

Drawing