PARALLELOGRAM SKI BRACE ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A parallelogram ski brace assembly operational with skis to maintain the skis parallel relative to each, and in close proximity to each other as the skis move laterally and in an up-and-down motion is useful for skiers with impaired lower extremity control. A pair of ski plates detachably locks into the skis. Pair of boot plates receives the boots of the skier. A pair of risers joins the ski plate to the boot plate, clearing the boot plate from the skis. A pair of lateral bars terminates at a pair of terminal apertures. Two pairs of vertical axles extend through the terminal apertures, and rotate about the lateral bars. Two pairs of linkage bars extend horizontally between the vertical axles. The linkage bars enable two degrees of freedom so that the skis remain in proximity, parallel, and move vertically relative to each other.

Claims

1. A parallelogram ski brace assembly, the assembly comprising: a pair of skis; a pair of ski plates detachably attachable to the skis, the ski plates disposed in a coplanar, parallel relationship with the skis; a pair of boot plates disposed in a coplanar, parallel relationship with the ski plates; two pairs of risers extending between the ski plates and the boot plates, whereby the boot plates are elevated above the skis; a pair of lateral bars defined by a pair of terminal apertures at a termini, the lateral bars joined with the risers and disposed in a generally parallel relationship with the ski plates; two pairs of vertical axles disposed generally perpendicular to the ski plates, the vertical axles defined by a boot end and a ski end, the ski end passing through the terminal apertures in the lateral bars, whereby the lateral bars are rotatable about the vertical axles; and two pairs of linkage bars extending between the vertical axles, the linkage bars defined by a first end comprising a first joint and forming a first aperture, the linkage bars further defined by a second end comprising a second joint and forming a second aperture, the first and second apertures enabling passage of the boot end of the vertical axles, whereby the linkage bars rotate about the vertical axles, the first and second joints being pivotable, whereby the linkage bars pivot in an up and down motion relative to the vertical axles, whereby the linkage bar and the lateral bars articulate with two degrees of freedom, whereby the lateral bars and the linkage bars form parallelograms of varying relative dimensions, so as to enable stabilized lateral and vertical translation of the skis.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the ski plates are elongated and flat.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the boot plates are elongated and flat.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the pair of skis comprises a toe binding and a heel binding.

5. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a pair of boots joined with the pair of ski plates.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the pair of boots are ISO5335-2005 compliant boots.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the risers have a curved L-shape.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the vertical axles are fixed to the lateral bars and the linkage bars rotate about the vertical axles.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the joints pivot in an up and down movement with respect to the ski plates.

10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the two pairs of linkage bars are disposed such that one pair of linkage bars is forward of the ski plates, and a second pair of linkage bars are rearward of the ski plates.

11. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a T-bar extending from the linkage bars.

12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly is fabricated from at least one of the following: fiberglass, aluminum, steel, titanium, metal alloys, wood, and a polymer.

13. A parallelogram ski brace assembly, the assembly comprising: a pair of ski plates; a pair of boot plates disposed in a coplanar, parallel relationship with the ski plates; two pairs of risers extending between the ski plates and the boot plates, whereby the boot plates are elevated above the skis; a pair of lateral bars defined by a pair of terminal apertures at a termini, the lateral bars joined with the risers and disposed in a generally parallel relationship with the ski plates; two pairs of vertical axles disposed generally perpendicular to the ski plates, the vertical axles defined by a boot end and a ski end, the ski end passing through the terminal apertures in the lateral bars, whereby the lateral bars are rotatable about the vertical axles; and two pairs of linkage bars extending between the vertical axles, the linkage bars defined by a first end comprising a first joint and forming a first aperture, the linkage bars further defined by a second end comprising a second joint and forming a second aperture, the first and second apertures enabling passage of the boot end of the vertical axles, whereby the linkage bars rotate about the vertical axles, the first and second joints being pivotable, whereby the linkage bars pivot in an up and down motion relative to the vertical axles, whereby the vertical axles are fixed to the lateral bars and the linkage bars rotate about the vertical axles, whereby the linkage bar and the lateral bars articulate with two degrees of freedom, whereby the lateral bars and the linkage bars form parallelograms of varying relative dimensions, so as to enable stabilized lateral and vertical translation of the skis.

14. The assembly of claim 13, further comprising a pair of skis.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the ski plates are detachably attachable to the skis.

16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the ski plates disposed in a coplanar, parallel relationship with the skis.

17. The assembly of claim 13, further comprising a pair of boots joined with the pair of ski plates.

18. The assembly of claim 13, further comprising a T-bar extending from the linkage bars.

19. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the joints pivot in an up and down movement with respect to the ski plates.

20. A parallelogram ski brace assembly, the assembly consisting of: a pair of skis; a pair of ski plates detachably attachable to the skis, the ski plates disposed in a coplanar, parallel relationship with the skis; a pair of boot plates disposed in a coplanar, parallel relationship with the ski plates; two pairs of risers extending between the ski plates and the boot plates, whereby the boot plates are elevated above the skis; a pair of lateral bars defined by a pair of terminal apertures at a termini, the lateral bars joined with the risers and disposed in a generally parallel relationship with the ski plates; two pairs of vertical axles disposed generally perpendicular to the ski plates, the vertical axles defined by a boot end and a ski end, the ski end passing through the terminal apertures in the lateral bars, whereby the lateral bars rotate about the vertical axles; two pairs of linkage bars extending between the vertical axles, the linkage bars defined by a first end comprising a first joint and forming a first aperture, the linkage bars further defined by a second end comprising a second joint and forming a second aperture, the first and second apertures enabling passage of the boot end of the vertical axles, whereby the linkage bars rotate about the vertical axles, the first and second joints being pivotable in an up and down movement with respect to the ski plates, whereby the first and second ends of the linkage bars pivot in an up and down motion relative to the vertical axles, whereby the linkage bar and the lateral bars articulate with two degrees of freedom, whereby the lateral bars and the linkage bars form parallelograms of varying relative dimensions, so as to enable stabilized lateral and vertical translation of the skis; and a pair of boots joined with the pair of ski plates.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0049] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary ski brace assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] FIG. 2 illustrates a frontal view of the ski brace assembly shown in FIG. 1, facing forward, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the ski brace assembly shown in FIG. 1, facing to the left, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0052] FIG. 4 illustrates a frontal view of the ski brace assembly shown in FIG. 1, facing to the right, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0053] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the ski brace assembly shown in FIG. 1, facing forward, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0054] FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the ski brace assembly shown in FIG. 1, facing to the left, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0055] FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of the ski brace assembly shown in FIG. 1, facing to the right, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0056] FIG. 8 illustrates a frontal view of a skier operating the ski brace assembly shown in FIG. 1, and maintaining the edges of the skis on the terrain while skiing forward, to the left, and to the right, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0057] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a skier operating the ski brace assembly shown in FIG. 1, where the right ski is higher than the left ski, and the legs have different levels of extension, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0058] FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the ski brace assembly, showing a T-bar extending from the linkage bars, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0060] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word exemplary or illustrative means serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any implementation described herein as exemplary or illustrative is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms upper, lower, left, rear, right, front, vertical, horizontal, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are therefore not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0061] A parallelogram ski brace assembly 100 is referenced in FIGS. 1-10. The parallelogram ski brace assembly 100, hereafter assembly 100 is operational with a pair of skis 102a, 102b to maintain the skis parallel relative to each through use of a unique linkage mechanism that allows for stabilized lateral and vertical movements of the skis 102a-b.

[0062] Assembly 100 uses a mechanical linkage to keep the skis parallel and in lateral and longitudinal proximity to each other. Assembly 100 also works to maintain the edges of the skis 102a-b in constant contact with the terrain. In this manner, skis 102a-b can more freely adjust to the vertical and sloped variations in the terrain, including a mountainous, snow laden terrain. Suitable materials for the assembly 100 may include, without limitation, fiberglass, aluminum, steel, titanium, metal alloys, wood, and a polymer.

[0063] Assembly 100 is especially effective for helping facilitate operation of the skis 102a-b for a skier 300 with impaired lower extremity control. This may include skiers with single or double below knee amputations, single and possibly double above knee amputations, persons with cerebral palsy, persons with mild spina bifida, and persons with neuropathy. In one exemplary embodiment, assembly 100 is an assistive alpine skiing device for persons with impaired lower extremity control. Assembly 100 can be used by anyone who can stand and shift their weight side to side and turn their upper body. Assembly 100 is compatible with unmodified ISO5355-2005 skis and ski boots.

[0064] As referenced in FIG. 1, assembly 100 may include a pair of skis 102a-b. Skis 102a-b are generally elongated, slender, and have a slight bow to enhance gliding over a slick surface. Those skilled in the art will recognize that skiing can be a means of transport, a recreational activity or a competitive winter sport in which the participant uses skis to glide on snow, ice, water, or a smooth and slick surface. The skis used for skiing may include a pair of long, slender runners made of wood, plastic, or metal used in gliding over snow. The skis are also effective for matriculating across an uneven terrain, such as a mountain slope or a forest trail.

[0065] As illustrated, a forward end of the skis is oriented towards the face of the skier 300, while a rearward end of the skis is oriented towards the rear of the skier 300. In one embodiment, skis 102a-b are integrated into assembly 100. However in other embodiments, assembly 100 is adapted to detachably attach to any universal type of ski. In any case, assembly 100 provides an assistive skiing device operational with skis 102a-b.

[0066] Turning now to FIG. 2, assembly 100 provides a pair of ski plates 104a, 104b that engage the skis 102a-b in a parallel, coplanar relationship. In one embodiment, a left ski plate 104a engages a left ski 102a, while a right ski plate 104b engages a right ski 102b. Ski plates 104a-b are elongated and have a generally oval shape. Ski plates 104a-b detachably locks into the toe and heel bindings that form in the skis. In this manner, ski plate 104a-b is releasable from the skis. Skis 102a-b release from ski plates 104a-b during excessive torsional force utilizing the safety release feature of the ski bindings. However, the boot plates 106a-b remain attached to the skier's boots 136a-b, protecting the skier's knees and hips. It is significant to note that, technically it is boot plate that is attached to the boots but the ski plate is also connected to the boots through the risers and boot plate.

[0067] In one embodiment, boot plates 106a-b easily lock and unlock from boot 136a-b through use of a fastening mechanism that can be operated with a pointed member such as a ski pole. Thus, a ski pole can lock and unlock boot plate 106a-b from the boots 136a-b while the skier 300 is in a standing position. In this manner the skier 300 is not required to bend or sit, so as to remove the boots from the assembly 100. However, boot plates 106a-b can also be easily fastened and detached from the skis while in a sitting position if more comfortable for the skier 300.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 3, assembly 100 also provides a pair of boot plates 106a-b. Boot plates 106a-b engage a pair of boots 136a-b worn by skier 300. A left boot plate 106a engages a left boot 136a, while a right boot plate 106b engages a right boot 136b. Boot plates 106a-b are elongated and have a generally oval shape; similar to ski plates 104a-b. Boot plates 106a-b and ski plates 104a-b have a parallel, coplanar, spaced-apart relationship.

[0069] In some embodiments, boot plates 106a-b comprise a fixed heel locking mechanism and a rotary cam toe lock with separate locking and unlocking levers. The levers are free floating in the nonoperational direction. The locking lever cannot be used to unlock the toe binding from the ski plate 104a-b. The unlocking lever is in a protected position directly in front of the boot. If struck by an object while skiing, the unlocking lever will not unlock the toe binding.

[0070] Further, the rear fixed locking mechanism can me moved to different positions to accommodate different size boots 136a-b. In one embodiment, the boots 136a-b fixedly attach to the boot plate. The boots 136a-b may include snow boots that are rigid, so as to keep the ankles of the skier 300 in a straight position. Specifically, because of the rigidity of the ski boots 136a-b the ankle cannot change its angle and all adjustment occurs at the hip and knee resulting in the boot and ski on the shorter leg moving forward relative to the extended leg. In some embodiments, boots 136a-b may include an ISO5335-2005 compliant ski boots.

[0071] Looking now at FIG. 4, assembly 100 also provides risers 108a-b that extend between ski plates 104a-b and boot plates 106a-b. Risers 108a-b may have a generally curved L-shape that fixedly fits between the ski plates 104a-b and the boot plates 106a-b. Risers 108a-b allow the boot plates 106a-b to clear the toe and heel bindings of the skis. Risers 108a-b may have an elongated slightly bowed configuration with an adjustable height, so as to accommodate differently sized skiers. There is a left set of riser 108a,c and a set of right risers 108b,d that have substantially the same shape and dimensions.

[0072] The top view of FIG. 5 illustrates that assembly 100 also comprises a pair of lateral bars 110a-b, which form a part of the mechanical linkage used to enable smooth lateral and up-and-down translation with the skis 102a-b. Lateral bars 110a-b terminate at a termini 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d where a pair of terminal apertures 114a, 114b, 114c, 114d form. Lateral bars 110a-b are attached to the risers 108a-b, and are disposed generally parallel with the ski plates 104a-b. The linkage bars limit longitudinal and lateral separation of the skis.

[0073] In some embodiments, assembly 100 may further comprise two pairs of vertical axles 116a-d that are disposed perpendicularly to the ski plates 104a-b. Vertical axles 116a-d extend through the terminal apertures 114a-d in the lateral bars 110a-b. In one embodiment, four vertical axles 116a, 116b, 116c, 116d are provided with two sets of axles 116a, 116b towards the front of assembly 100, and two sets of vertical axles 116c, 116d towards the rear. Vertical axles 116a-d are defined by a boot end 118a, 118b and a ski end 120a, 120b. Ski end 120a, 120b passes through terminal apertures 114a-d in the lateral bars 110a-b, and is rotatable about the lateral bars 110a-b. This rotation allows lateral bars 110a-b to translate in a swaying side to side motion in conjunction with the movement of skis 102a-b across terrain.

[0074] Assembly 100 further comprises two pairs of linkage bars 122a-d that extend between the vertical axles 116a-d. Linkage bars 122a-d are both rotatable and pivotable in an up-and-down motion, so as to enable two degrees of freedom. Also, the length of the linkage bars 122a-d limits excessive lateral separation of the skis 102a-b, so as to maintain proximity between the skis. This degree of freedom enables skis 102a-b to remain in proximity, parallel, and move vertically relative to each other.

[0075] In one embodiment, four linkage bars 122a, 122b, 122c, 122d extend between the two pair of vertical axles 116a-dtwo linkage bars 122a, 122b towards the front of assembly 100 and above ski plates 104a, 104b, and two linkage bars 122c, 122d towards the rear of assembly 100 and above ski plates 104c, 104d.

[0076] Linkage bars 122a, 122b are defined by a first end 124a, 124b that terminates at a first aperture 126a, 126b and a first joint 128a, 128b. Linkage bars 122c, 122d are defined by a second end 134a, 134b that terminates at a second aperture 130b and a second joint 132b. Both first and second apertures 130a, 130b in the linkage bars 122a-d enable passage of boot end 118a, 118b of vertical axles 116a-d. In this manner, linkage bars 122a-d rotate freely about the vertical axles 116a-d.

[0077] Furthermore, first and second joints 132a, 132b connect the ends 124a-b, 134a-b of linkage bars 122a-d to vertical axles 116a-d. First and second joints 128a-b, 132a-b enable the linkage bars 122a-d to pivot freely in an up and down motion relative to the vertical axles 116a-d. Thus, joints 128a-b, 132a-b in the linkage bars 122a-d, and the apertures 114a-d, 126a-b, 130a-b in the linkage and lateral bars that receive the vertical axles 116a-d enable the parallelogram linkage mechanism to articulate in two degrees of freedom.

[0078] The two degrees of freedom include: 1) a rotation by linkage bars 122a-d about the vertical axles; and 2) an up-and-down pivoting motion by the linkage bars 122a-d relative to vertical axles 116a-d. These two degrees of freedom allow linkage bars 122a-d and the attached lateral bars 110a-b to form parallelograms of varying relative dimensions as the skis move along the terrain.

[0079] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a top view of assembly articulating in such a manner between a left and right direction. As shown, a front and rear parallelogram changes in shape to maintain skis 102a-b in close, parallel planes, while also allowing skis 102a-b to move vertically relative to one another. It is significant to note that in this configuration, skis 102a-b are in proximity to each other, as the length of the linkage bars 122a-d minimize excessive separation by skis 102a-b. This translation allows skis 102a-b to adjust to slope and terrain variations while keeping them parallel and at the same edging angle.

[0080] Furthermore, it is significant to note that the parallelogram shape formed by lateral bars 110a-b and linkage bars 122a-d are free to rotate about the vertical axles 116a-d, so that the skis may be brought closer or further apart in a smooth circular arc. This unique articulation of skis 102a-b is effective for maintaining the feet and knees close and parallel, and in the event of a fall protect the knees and transmit energy to the hips and upper body. The hips are ball and socket joints with strong musculature and ligaments relative to the knees and can better absorb energy without significant damage.

[0081] For example, FIG. 8 illustrates skier 300 skiing laterally along the terrain, with the left and right boots 136a-b moving in conjunction with the linkage bars 122a-d and lateral bars 110a-b. This tight articulation of the skis allows the edges of the skis to remain in contact with the terrain. In this manner, assembly 100 helps reduce the likelihood of falls and serious injury, and also reduces stress and torque to the lower extremities.

[0082] The mechanical linkage between lateral bars 110a-b and linkage bars 122a-d maintains the skis 102a-b parallel and engaged at their edges with the terrain at the same angle, while still allowing the skis 102a-b to articulate and adjust to the slope and variations of the terrain. Thus, as the skis 102a-b move along uneven terrain, and the skier 300 turns, the skis are maintained in parallel planes, each ski 102a-b remains in proximity to the other, gliding in a free vertically motion relative to each other.

[0083] Turning now to the illustration of the skiing motion illustrated in FIG. 9, as the skier 300 turns, the right ski 102b is higher than the left ski 102a. Consequently, the skier's legs are extended at different lengths. However, the first and second joints 132a, 132b pivot in the up and down motion to compensate for this difference in elevation. Furthermore, because of the rigidity of the ski boots 136a-b, the ankle cannot change its angle and adjustments to the variation in elevation occurs at the hip and knee. Further, the parallelogram rotates slightly to accommodate the variance in elevation. This results in the boot and ski on the shorter leg moving forward relative to the extended leg. Consequently, the skier 300 feels less stress on the legs, which is advantageous for a skier 300 suffering with impaired lower extremity control.

[0084] FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment to the ski brace assembly 200. In this embodiment of assembly 200, a T-bar 202 is integrated to the front linkage bar 122a to allow a skier 300 to use the upper extremities to assist in controlling the skis. The use of a T-bar 202 is effective for enhanced control of the skis 102a-b. A front T bar would allow the skier to control his weight distribution on the skis with his arms and assist in controlling turns.

[0085] In other embodiments, T-bar 202 may also have a lower fork that connects to both ends of the linkage bar 122a, or linkage bar 122b, for additional control of the linkage mechanism. However any extension member, including the T-bar 202, which connects to the linkage bars 122a-b for directional control of the skis may be used in this alternative embodiment. In yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention, a rear support member, or butt rest, attaches to the rear linkage bars to support a partial sitting posture of the skier.

[0086] These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings.

[0087] Because many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.