GB2191155A - Ski chair - Google Patents

Abstract

A lightweight ski chair (10) has suspension legs (16) adapted to be locked into ski bindings (20). The ski chair (10) can be carried uphill on the skiers back and the suspension legs (16) includes suspension units (18) which are flexible about the longitudinal axis of the ski (12) to tilt the ski and permit steering thereof. The skier sits in the chair and his feet rest on the footrest 22. The skier can, by distributing his weight, and using the footrest, if required, steer the skis via the suspension units (18). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Ski chair The present invention relates to leisure devices particularly, but not exclusively for leisure devices for use with snow skis.

Skiing is a very popularsportand, in general, considerable practice is required in order four proficiencyto be achieved. Forproficientskiers conventional skiing can often be boring and new challenges are constantly sought to provide the skier with excitement.

Consequently many changes to skis have been proposed such as ski bikes, ski scooters and skis steerable with handlebars, however, many of these designs have proved unsuccessful in creating long term satisfaction. It is desirable to create a challenge in which skiers can competewithoutthe use of ski poles and use theirfeet or weight distribution to effect steering of the skis.

Such a device should satisfy a number of design criteria in addition to being relatively inexpensive and lightweight. For example it should readily be portable, being able to be carried on the back, like a rucksack, by the skierwhen going uphill, it should be able to befitted into existing bindings of different sizes, and it should provide a seat for the skier as well as a foot rest to permit the skier to be supported in a recumbent position. It should also include a suspension system which is steerable by the skier by adjusting his weight distribution and the device should also be easily assembled and use the minimum of parts.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved leisure device which obviates and mitigates disadvantages with aforementioned leisure devices.

This is achieved by providing a lightweight ski chair which has suspension legs adapted to be locked into ski bindings. The ski chair can be carried uphill on the skiers back and the suspension legs includes suspension units which are flexible about the longitudinal axis of the ski to tiltthe ski and permit steering thereof. The skier sits in the chair and his feet rest on the footrest. The skier can, by distributing his weight, and using the footrest, if required, steer the skis via the suspension units.

The suspension units are "truck rubbers" consisting of a laminate of metal and rubberand having a base plate which is proportioned to fit into the binding of the ski. Each suspension unit is coupled to the chairframewhich is a tubular section.

The seat is of a hammock type and generally made of woven plastic fabric. This suspension unit base plate can be proportioned to fit various sizes of ski bindings.

Accordingly in one aspect ofthe invention there is provided a ski chair for use with a pair of skis, said ski chair comprising a frame for receiving a seatto support a user, said frame having leg means coupled thereto, and each leg means including a suspension unit adapted to be proportioned for fitting into a ski binding.

Preferably said frame includes a footrest.

Conveniently said suspension unitconsitsofa laminate of rubberand rigid plateswhich aretiltable aboutthe longitudinal ski axisto permittheskitobe tilted and steered.

Preferably said seat is a hammocktype seat made of a woven plastic material. Conveniently said frame is of lightweight tubular construction.

Preferably also, said chair is shaped to be carried by the skier on his back like a rucksack.

These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in combination with the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa perspective view of an embodiment of a chair ski according to the invention shown mounted on a pair of skis; Figure2 is an enlarged side view of Figure 1 illustrating the location of the suspension unit in a ski binding, and Figure3is a side view similarto Figure 2 of an alternative embodiment of a ski chair according to the invention.

Reference is first made to Figure 1 of the drawings which illustrates a ski chair generally indicated by reference numeral 10 mounted on a pair of skis 12.

The ski chair 10 includes atubularchairframe 14 which has legs 16 which coupled to chairsuspension units 18which are fitted into each of the ski bindings 20 for supporting the chair and for steering the skis as will be later described.

Thetubularframe 14 includes a footrest 22 for supporting the skiers feet and a fabric seat 24 is mounted on thetubularframe on which theskier sits. The fabric is a woven plastic material so that it does not become wet nor retain moisture. The frame 12 also includes handles 26 at each side oftheframe which can be gripped bythe skierto permit readily varying his weight distribution for steering the skis.

Reference is now made to Figure 2 of the drawings and it can be seen that the fabric seat 24 is ofthe hammock type and that the suspension units 18, known as truck rubbers, consist of a laminate of rubber plates 28 and metal plates 30. The suspension unit is secured to a base plate generally indicated by reference numeral 32 which is proportioned to fit into the binding 20 of the ski 12.

In operation, when the skier sits in the seat his feet rest on the footrest 22. When skiing downhill the skier can distribute his weight using the handles 26 and footrest 22 to compress the rubber of the units 18 inwardly or outwardly to cause the skis 12 to tilt inwardlyoroutwardlythus permitting the skis be steered. The skier is recumbent during the procedure so that considerable enjoyment is achieved and it is anticipated that various levels of proficiency will be developed by being able to manipulate steering and consequently the ski type unit may be used for racing as well as leisure activities.

Reference is now made to Figure 3 of the drawings which shows an alternative ski chair in accordance with the invention which like numerals denote like parts except that the suffix a is added. The ski chair 1 Oa consists of a curvedtubularframe 12a to which a footrest 22a is provided and fabric seat is slung on the tubular frame. Handles 26a are also provided and in this case the suspension unit 1 8a is coupled to the frame 14avia rigid connecting members 34.

The operation of the chair for steering the skis is identical to that described with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2.

Various modifications may be made to the ski chair hereinbefore described without departing from the scope of the invention. Forexamplethetubular frame may be made of plastic or lightweight metal or any other suitable material and the seat fabric material can be made of plastic although non-plastic material can also be used. The suspension units can be replaced by any other suitable units that permit steering of the skis, for example, heavy duty springs may be used for supporting the chair as long asthey can be readily coupled into the ski bindings.

Furthersuspension units can consistofoutriggers extending outwardly of the skis as an outrigger mechanism and then returning to be coupled to the base plate fitted in the ski binding thus providing suitable suspension.

Advantages of the invention are that the ski chair is lightweight and can readily befitted into existing ski bindings. The structure can readily be controlled to steer the skis and the skier is supported in a recumbent position while steering the skis. The materials are lightweight and the chair can readily be carried by the skier on his back while ascending the hill.

Claims (7)

1. A ski chairfor use with a pair of skis, said ski chair comprising a frame for receiving a seat to support a user, said frame having leg means coupled thereto, and each leg means including a suspension unitadapted to be proportioned for fitting into a ski binding.

2. A ski chair as claimed in claim 1 wherein said frame includes a footrest.

3. A ski chair as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said suspension unit consists of a laminate of rubber and rigid plates which are tiltable aboutthe longitudinal ski axis to permit the ski to be tilted and steered.

4. A ski chair as claimed in any preceding claim wherein preferably said seat is a hammock type seat made of a woven plastic material.

5. A ski chair as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said frame is of a lightweight tubular construction.

6. A ski chair as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said chair is shaped to be carried by the skier on his back like a rucksack.

7. A ski chair substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1,2 or 3 ofthe accompanying drawings.