GB990913A - Improvements in or relating to ski practising equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

990,913. Tracks for operating purposes; skis. R. L. HALL. June 16, 1961 [June 17, 1960; Aug. 18, 1960; Nov. 4, 1960; March 1, 1961], No. 21858/61. Heading A6D. A snowless ski slope comprises a member having a ski contacting surface provided with means whereby it can be moved at predetermined speeds and in which the ski contacting surface is such that a ski may slide thereon whilst allowing the edge of the ski to sink therein. The snowless ski slope 10 pivots at the lower end which leads to a ramp 26 and pivotally connects with a platform 20 at its upper end. The platform is pivotally connected to a ground support by a beam 28 and the inclination of the slope is varied by a piston and cylinder 14. A variable speed motor 81 beneath the slope drives an endless belt conveyer. The surface of the belt may comprise looped nylon threads or short nylon filaments secured to a base which may be jute, three ply canvas or the like. A pad of resilient nylon may be inserted between the base and the pile. To adjust the tension in the belt, an end roller is mounted in a housing having a threaded sleeve movable along a screw. The belt may comprise a number of hinged sections, the edges being turned up by members with concave surfaces. The belt may have a snow bump of fibre glass sliced transversely into segments to pass round an end roller: the adjacent ramp having fingers spring urged to contact the belt and pressed back by the snow bump. A viewing mirror 30 mounted at the lower end of the run is adjustably inclined by a motor driving and drive rod 38. The ski surface may be circular and may be rotatably mounted within a platform, the inclination of which may be varied by screw jacks. The rotatable surface is mounted on rollers and rollers engage the periphery. The surface may have a central radial practice bar. The ski slope may have a practice bar which remains transverse to the slope only so long as pivoted lever arms on a rod within the bar are gripped and forces the end outwardly of the bar to engage the bracket. The belt may be marked out as a salome by pairs of spots to define gates and a source of light may reflect from a reflector on a skier's boot on to a photo-electric cell in circuit with a device to record the passage of the skier or electric feelers may be used and the spots may be pressure sensitive. A light source may be situated at the upper end and a photo-electric cell at the bottom to record the number of times the skier crosses the line. The ski may have a stepped undersurface centrally grooved and with reinforced nylon, bottom or edges. The ski pole may be formed of hollow tubing which may be fibreglass reinforced with an epoxy resin tapered to a smaller open end or the end may be rubber tipped. A number of ski runs may be assembled under a cover, side by side and back to back, with common ramps. The ski surfaces may be adjustable to give slopes in various directions and the belt may run laterally of the slope.