WHEELS ON SKIS FOR TRANSPORTATION

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for manually transporting by rolling or sliding, pushing or pulling, skis or the like as a pair, on any kind of surfaces, with a pair of independent collapsible wheels, each wheel attached to a different ski from the pair, the wheels can be folded and deployed, enabling safe skiing when the wheels are folded and carrying the ski upon the ground with the assistance of the wheels, when they are deployed and the skis attached together as a pair. The device is permanently mounted on the ski. The wheels are made from light material, such as rubber or plastics. The ski can also have a holder or fastener at the opposite end for fixing a pulling or pushing aid.

Claims

1. Device for manually transporting, board like locomotion means, in particular of skis pairwise together or like, characterized in that it is composed of a pair of wheels which are an integral part of each ski tales.

2. Device for transporting on any kind of surfaces provided pairwise together, board-like locomotion means, in particular of skis, when gathered by the ski-stops, or the like, with at least one collapsible wheel device on the upper surface of each ski tale, which in an area of the tips of the means of travel, centered in the width of the tale, characterized in that the device is permanently mounted on the ski to form an integral part of the means of transport, and that the device in the tail end region of the means of transport such that the side of the tales facing the bottom when the wheels are deployed.

3. According to claim 1, the device is carried respectively and independently by each separate ski at the tail end portion (either on the tips or on the end of the ski tale) and on said upper surface of each said ski.

4. According to claim 1, the device is characterized in that the whole device is permanently integrated on each upper surface of the ski tale; the receptacles or rails are strongly and definitively fixed on the means of transportation and that the wheels are permanently attached to it by the axle; when the user is skiing, the wheels are in a folded mode; when the user is transporting the ski, the wheels are in a deployed position.

5. According to claims 1 and 2, characterized that the ski equipped with the device, which it is composed of three main pieces that are kept attached directly on the ski, characterized as non-removable device. Wherein the three pieces: the wheel connected to the axle, that is itself connected to either the receptacle or rail strongly fixed to the ski (with glue or other means alike).

6. According to previous claim, the device comprises: (a) either a rail or a receptacle (depending on the alternative embodiment chosen) disposed on upper surface of each ski; wherein the receptacle or the rail, that has a predetermined shape and dimensions, includes a slot that receives an axle for rotably holding each wheel; and (b) each axle has a flanged end portion that can be engage in the slot on the said rail or receptacle and mounted in the center of the wheel; and (c) a wheel is mounted on the said axle, itself arranged on the rail or receptacle forming part of the ski; wherein a pair of wheels are non-removable and each wheel is independent of the other wheel. (d) a knob means at the center of the wheel allowing to change position of the wheel from the folded mode to the deployed position and vice-versa.

7. According to the previous claims, the device is characterized in that it comprises the wheel, axle and the receptacle or rail, that are kept permanently attached on the means of transportation by means of super glue or alike (without causing any damage to the ski tale itself).

8. Device according to the previous claim, characterized in that the receptacle or the rail is disposed on the upper surface of the ski.

9. According to the precedent claim, the device is characterized in that the rail allows the axle and the wheel to move from position A (closed mode) to position B (open mode) in order for the wheel to exceeds over the substantial part of the ski tale's width.

10. According to an alternative claim, the device is characterized in that a static receptacle, allow the wheel to inflate in order to achieve its open (deployed) mode; and the wheel deflate in order to get to its closed mode; whereas no movement on the upper surface of the ski is necessary to exceed over the substantial part of the ski tale's width in the open mode, since the wheel inflates enough to exceed in an appropriate measure over the side of the ski tale allowing for transportation.

11. According to an alternative claim, the device is characterized in that a static receptacle, allow the wheel to unfold in order to achieve its open (deployed) mode; and the wheel is folded in order to get to its closed mode; whereas no movement on the upper surface of the ski is necessary to exceed over the substantial part of the ski tale's width in the open mode, since the unfolded part of the wheel exceed in an appropriate measure over the side of the ski tale allowing for transportation.

12. In order to be of no disturbance while skiing, the wheels have to reduce in size, to fold or to move from its open (deployed) position (B) to its closed (folded) position (A). The position (A) can be archived either by deflating the wheel (receptacle mode), by folding the wheel (receptacle mode), by reducing extendable wheels (receptacle mode), by moving the wheel on the slot of the rail (rail mode).

13. According to the previous claims, the device is characterized in that the device has a weight that influences as little as possible the initial ski weight and cleans vibration modes of the ski. According to preceding claims, the device is characterized in that it is made of material light enough to assure that the weight distribution of the ski is not modified (and that when the device is in folded mode the ski's balance is ensured), for example the device is made in plastic having a high abrasion resistance and a low coefficient of friction.

14. An alternative, if a slight imbalance still occurs (even with light materials), is to add an equivalent weight on the opposite end of the ski in order to rebalance the ski—by means of decorative piece or useful add (as GPS for example).

15. Device according to one of the preceding claims is characterized in that the receptacle or the rail and the axle are formed from a light, but solid, material like light and strong alloy with aluminum or carbon for example, in order to assure in the folded mode no interference in the balance weight of the ski.

16. Device according to one of the preceding claims is characterized in that the wheel is formed from a light material like rubber or plastic, in order to ensure stability and balance of the ski itself.

17. Device according to one of the preceding claims is characterized in that the wheel allows to roll on rough surfaces, by profiled tire or like.

18. According to previous claims, the device is characterized in that the collapsible wheel can be folded (closed mode) or deployed (opening mode). The skis equipped with a pair of collapsible wheel device of claim 1, wherein said collapsible wheel further includes a lock release knob, mounted at the center of the wheel and the axle, for enabling the release of said collapsible wheel from its close position to its open position (the wheel exceeding over substantially on the side of the ski) and vice-versa (from close mode to open mode).

19. Apparatus according to previous claims is characterized in that the wheel (4) deploys on the side of the ski and exceeds over the substantial part of its width in order to allow the ski's transportation and therefore guarantees that the ski tales do not get damaged, since the deployed wheel exceed from ski tale width (on the thinner side of the ski) and only the wheel gets contact with the ground.

20. According to the previous claim, the device is characterized in that a pair of space apart wheels on one end of the ski tale provides that skier can grab the opposite end portion of the ski tale in order to transport the skis; and allow transport by pulling or pushing the ski pairwise together on any kind of surfaces.

21. According to the preceding claims, the device is characterized in that a pair of spaced apart wheels that are independently connected to each ski's tale so that the wheels define a spaced wheelbase when the skis are placed in a parallel relationship to each other allowing a better transportation. The wheelbase can be broadened by means of a spring in the axle.

22. Device according to one of previous claims is characterized in that the ski tales have to be gathered by the ski-stops, that can also be secured by a simple elastic or band.

23. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a holder, a pulling or guiding means can be arranged on the ski itself in order to ease the transportation, for example on the ski-stops.

Description

5. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is exposed in more detailed with the help of the following drawings:

[0039] FIG. 1: of the prior art illustrates the collapsible wheel device in an open mode (deployed), which are supported by a person's hand on one side;

[0040] FIG. 2: is a view from an above perspective of a collapsible wheel device in closed mode (folded);

[0041] FIG. 3: is a side view of the collapsible wheel device with a rail embodiment;

[0042] FIG. 4: is a view of the collapsible wheel device with a receptacle embodiment; 4a) in a closed mode (folded) and 4b) in the open mode (deployed), allowing for a broader space wheelbase;

[0043] FIG. 5: is a view of the different wheel embodiments; 5a) basic wheel matching with the rail embodiment; 5b) an inflating wheel corresponding to the receptacle embodiment; 5c) a foldable wheel matching with a receptacle embodiment.

6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0044] The principles and operation of skis equipped with a collapsible wheel device according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.

[0045] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

[0046] Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The materials, dimension, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and are not intended to be limiting.

[0047] The following is a list of legends of the numbering of the application illustration: [0048] 1) ski equipped with a collapsible wheel device [0049] 2) ski upper surface [0050] 3) ski thinner slice [0051] 4) collapsible wheel device: 4a) deployed mode, 4b) folded mode [0052] 5) wheel: 5a) basic wheel, 5b) inflating wheel, 5c) foldable wheel [0053] 6) rail 6a) or receptacle 6b) [0054] 7) axle [0055] 8) collapsible wheel release knob

[0056] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is perspective view schematic illustration of the first exemplary embodiment of skis equipped with the device n. 1, according to the present invention.

[0057] In FIG. 1, it should be thus understood that the skis n. 1, as shown are in a positioned assembled together and held as a unit. This is a common position for skis during transportation wherein the bottoms are affixed together so that the ski bindings and the ski tops are exposed. A pair of skis gathered by ski-stop, that can even be secured by a simple elastic.

[0058] The transportation assure that the ski's tales do not get damaged, since only the thinner side n. 3 of the ski might get contact with the ground.

[0059] The skis equipped with collapsible wheel device n. 1 includes three main assemblies: a ski, which can be a standard ski, which is connected to the ski upper surface n. 2 by means of strong adhesive (as super or thermic-resistant glue) [ideally not with screws in order to safeguard the integrity of the ski], or any other suitable means, and the device n. 4. This connection is definitive and strong in order to become an integral part of the ski.

[0060] It is even possible that the ski n. 1 is manufactured with the rail n. 6a) or a receptacle n. 6b) as an integral part. The receptacle n. 6b) is provided as a fixed part of the upper surface of the means of transport n. 2 (ideally arranged in the end region of the means of transport) such that the means of locomotion n. 1 can be rolled on the ground.

[0061] The collapsible wheel device n. 4 is fixedly connected to the means of transport n. 2 and remains during use of the means of transportation, but does not interfere with the locomotion itself n. 4b).

[0062] The device n. 1 should be assembled as close as possible either to the front or to the bottom of the ski, with a preference to the bottom of the ski since the ski bottom surface are typically flat and unobstructed while the ski tops typically carry bindings.

[0063] The present invention includes a rail n. 6a) or a receptacle body n. 6b) of preferably plastic construction using, but can also be machined from metal such as stainless steel, for example. A pair of receptacle bodies n. 6b) attaches respectively to the upper surfaces of the ski n. 2. The rail n. 6a) or receptacle n. 6b) can be arranged on the ski upper surface n. 2 either by professional or by individuals themselves with the help of a stencil (adapted to the different ski shape that is apt to keep the cost low).

[0064] The wheel n. 5 is assembled to the rail n. 6a) or the receptacle n. 6b) by the means of the axle n. 7. The collapsible wheel device n. 4 can only be removed with special products (such as solvent), due to their mechanical structures to secure its assembly during skiing, as will be described in the following.

[0065] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the first embodiment of the rail n. 6a) and the axle n. 7 and the wheel n. 5. FIG. 3 shows that the axle n. 7 of the first exemplary embodiment is composed of two tubes, which are compatible to each other in size and shape. The elastic device inner tube can move lengthwise within the elastic device outer tube. Within the elastic device outer tube, there is disposed a spring, which is designated to assist in going from closed mode, which is suitable for skiing, to open mode, which is suitable for carrying after deployment of wheel 5.

[0066] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the second embodiment of the receptacle n. 6b) and the axle n. 7 and the wheel n. 5. According to the present invention, the close mode (folded mode) is illustrated by FIG. 4a and the open mode (deployed mode) is illustrated by FIG. 4b. The collapsible wheel device n. 4 includes either a rail n. 6a) or a receptacle n. 6b) and an axle n. 7, with release knob n. 8) disposed at its middle part.

[0067] The receptacle n. 6b) is connected to the ski upper surface n.) by means of strong adhesive (such as super or thermic-resistant glue), or any other suitable means [ideally not with screws in order to safeguard the integrity of the ski].

[0068] Connection of the rail n. 6a) or the receptacle n. 6b) to the wheel n. 5) is achieved by an axle n. 7). The wheel n. 5) is rotably mounted upon its stub axles n. 7). The axle n. 7) supports the wheel n. 5), which can be, for example, of a rubber construction.

[0069] They are also locked by means of release knob n. 8, which makes “non-voluntary” separation impossible.

[0070] The structural materials of the collapsible wheel device n. 4 and the wheel n. 5 should have qualities that ensure a high strength to weight ratio, such as rigid plastic materials (plastic pad having a high abrasion resistance and a low coefficient of friction, such as Teflon for example), suitable metals, and silicon, with optional combination of several different structural materials, according to the embodiment of the wheel n. 5.

[0071] The skier does not suffer any gene from the collapsible wheel device n. 4 while skiing both on the slopes and in deep snow, thanks to a low weight and a fluid shape that is adapted to the geometry of the spatula or the curved back tip ski. The mass of the device is chosen in such a way that the vibratory modes of the ski are not negatively influenced.

[0072] Finally, a development of the device in which the wheels n. 5 are made of a rubber, a plastic or similar material, which roll relatively smoothly on the particular floor and which, for example, may additionally be coated or star wheel to prevent buildup of snow.

[0073] The dimension of the collapsible wheel device n. 4 and the wheel n. 5) can vary greatly to comply to the size of any ski.

[0074] While the wheel n. 5 is blocked in the folded mode n. 4b), the full device remains on the middle of the upper surface of the ski n. 2, such a position in which the wheel is blocked by the knob at this position.

[0075] FIG. 4a shows that by providing a not too large distance to the upper surface of the ski n. 2 (in closed mode n. 4b), the accumulation of snow adhering to the wheel can be avoided.

[0076] The deployed (open) mode n. 4a) can be achieved by pressing release knob n. 8, which is disposed in the center of the wheel n. 5.

[0077] Wheel release knob n. 8, according to the first exemplary embodiment, releases the wheel on the rail n. 6a) to change its position (from point a to point b) with a single pressure. The wheel n. 5a) slides on the rail n. 6a) to attain its deployed mode (open mode) n. 4a), so the distance between the middle of the ski tale (horizontal) and the extremity of it decrease, granting the access to the floor to the wheel.

[0078] According to another exemplary embodiment FIG. 5b, the collapsible wheel device n. 4, the wheel n. 5 still has a release knob n. 8 and pressing to it implies an inflation of the wheel n. 5b). Accordingly, the wheel deploys itself (similar to an aircraft safe jacket) and extends its surface.

[0079] According to another exemplary embodiment FIG. 5c, the collapsible wheel device n. 4, the wheel n. 5 still has one lock release button n. 8 and pressing to it implies that the foldable wheel n. 5c) collapses from half to full.

[0080] When the skis are placed in a parallel relationship to each other bond by the brakes form a unit and the two wheels are independently deployed on each tales, the invention is composed of a pair of spaced apart wheels, so that the wheels define a spaced wheelbase, the skis are in between the wheels when transporting. In the open mode n. 4a) the wheels n. 5 move away from the ski tale and the space between the two wheels increases allowing for a better stability.

[0081] The device n. 4 adapts itself in an appropriate manner to different landscape and weather-related conditions, but also, for example, different body sizes of the transporting person, because of inclination, so that the wheel n. 5 with respect to the top of the sports equipment can take different positions.

[0082] Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught, and because many modification may be made in the embodiment of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

7. POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0083] An expedient development of the device may consist either of a connected button, of a led wheel or of guiding means.

[0084] The lock button can also be connected, as for example with GPS.

[0085] The wheel can be lighted (for example by leds) when folded, helping other skiers to identify that specific skier especially in fog.

[0086] In order to transport the means of transport in the form of skis without fatigue over long distances, a pulling or guiding means can be arranged, for example the skis equipped with the collapsible wheel device can also use a tangling or snagging counteracting guide. The distance to the transporting person is variably adjustable over the length of this pulling or guiding means. In this way, skis can be conveniently pulled over the shoulder of the person carrying it on the side on such a trained approximately in the manner of a rope or tape train or guide means.