U.S. patent application number 13/877711 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-05 for ski transport device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Daniel Gubler. Invention is credited to Daniel Gubler.
Application Number | 20130320052 13/877711 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44719978 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130320052 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gubler; Daniel |
December 5, 2013 |
SKI TRANSPORT DEVICE
Abstract
The invention relates to a ski transport device (1) for
transporting skis, having at least one ski holder (10) for
accommodating a ski end (901) of a single ski (90) or of a pair of
skis (90). Each ski (90) is oriented in the ski holder (10)
approximately vertically in the ski longitudinal direction (R). The
ski holder (10) has two retaining walls (101) which converge
downwardly and together form an acute angle .alpha.. The ski holder
(10) has a fixation element (20) situated at or above upper ends
(1010) of the retaining walls (101), having fixation points (201)
for engaging at various cross-sectional points (902) of the ski
(90) or the pair of skis (90).
Inventors: |
Gubler; Daniel; (Brittnau,
CH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Gubler; Daniel |
Brittnau |
|
CH |
|
|
Family ID: |
44719978 |
Appl. No.: |
13/877711 |
Filed: |
September 29, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
September 29, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2011/066972 |
371 Date: |
May 21, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/29.5 ;
248/314 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63C 11/02 20130101;
B61B 12/002 20130101; A63C 11/028 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/29.5 ;
248/314 |
International
Class: |
A63C 11/02 20060101
A63C011/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 6, 2010 |
CH |
01628/10 |
Claims
1. A ski transport device for transporting skis comprising at least
one ski holder for accommodating a ski end of a single ski (90) or
of a pair of skis, each ski being oriented in the ski holder
approximately vertically in a ski longitudinal direction (R)
wherein the ski holder has two retaining walls which converge
downwardly and together form an acute angle .alpha., and the ski
holder has a fixation element situated at or above upper ends of
the retaining walls, having fixation points for engaging at various
cross-sectional points of the ski or the pair of skis.
2. The ski transport device according to claim 1 wherein the
fixation element is designed with fixation points for engaging at
the cross-sectional points situated approximately diagonally
opposite one another.
3. The ski transport device according to claim 1 wherein the
fixation element has a deformable design in order to fix the, or
each, ski by means of static friction.
4. The ski transport device according to claim 1 wherein the
fixation element is made of a thermoplastic.
5. The ski transport device according to claim 1 wherein the
fixation element has sawtooth-like projections in an area of the
fixation points.
6. The ski transport device according to claim 1 wherein the
fixation element is rubberized.
7. The ski transport device according to claim 1 wherein the
downwardly converging retaining walls of the ski holder define a
straight bisecting line (G), the fixation points being situated on
a fixation line (F) which together with the bisecting line (G)
forms an acute angle .beta..
8. The ski transport device according to claim 1 wherein the ski
holder has two side walls for laterally stabilizing each ski
(90).
9. The ski transport device according to claim 1 wherein the ski
transport device has a plurality of ski holders.
10. The ski transport device according to claim 1 wherein multiple
ski holders of the ski transport device are situated at a lateral
distance from one another on a straight and/or curved positioning
line (A).
11. The ski transport device according to claim 1 the acute angle
.alpha. is preferably between 15 and 45 degrees.
12. A cableway cabin comprising a floor and a ski transport device
according to claim 1 wherein the ski transport device is situated
on the floor and is connected to same.
13. The cableway cabin according to claim 12 wherein the ski
transport device is permanently connected to the floor.
14. A method for fixing and stabilizing an essentially
perpendicularly transportable ski comprising the step of providing
a ski holder of a ski transport device which accommodates the end
of the ski, wherein retaining walls of the ski holder which
downwardly converge at an acute angle .alpha. engage with the end
of the ski, the ski being fixed and stabilized in the ski holder by
its own weight.
15. The ski transport device according to claim 6 wherein the
fixation element is partially rubberized in the area of the
fixation points.
16. The ski transport device according to claim 11 the acute angle
.alpha. is between 20 and 30 degrees.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a ski transport device
according to the preamble of independent Claim 1.
[0002] Stands for skis, snowboards, etc. are known from the prior
art. Thus, skis are hung on forked hooks, for example on walls of
buildings. Other stands or ski holders have a frame or retaining
element which is designed with at least one opening for
accommodating skis at their ends. In both cases, skis may be stored
on a short-term or long-basis in an approximately vertical
direction in a space-saving manner. These types of stands are used
in particular in sporting goods stores, warehouses, or ski locker
rooms.
[0003] A stand for skis, snowboards, or the like is known from
patent specification EP 1 083 974 B1, in which a retaining body
designed as a frame is present which has a plurality of strip-like,
elastically bendable retaining elements which are aligned parallel
to one another, and which may be elastically bent aside by
inserting the objects, the width of the retaining elements being
substantially smaller than the width of the skis or snowboards to
be inserted.
[0004] One of the disadvantages of this stand is that it is
provided for stationary use, for example in a ski locker room or
changing room. Individual skis or pairs of skis are stabilized by
the plurality of retaining elements situated at a distance from one
another. Due to the flexibility of the retaining elements, which
are narrower than the ski width, an impact to the held ski or an
impact to the frame of the device would result in lateral tilting
of the ski.
[0005] The object of the present invention, therefore, is to
propose a modular ski transport device which does not have the
disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the ski transport
device is intended to stabilize skis to be transported in order to
ensure efficient and safe transport of the objects. For the
simultaneous transport of persons and objects, the aim is to
exclude hazards to persons to the greatest extent possible, in that
skis are secured by the ski transport device. In addition, the aim
is to prevent interfering noise generation on account of the skis
to be transported.
[0006] The object is achieved in particular by a ski transport
device for transporting skis, having at least one ski holder for
accommodating a ski end of a single ski or of a pair of skis, each
ski being oriented in the ski holder approximately vertically in
the ski longitudinal direction, and the ski holder including two
retaining walls which converge downwardly and together form an
acute angle .alpha.. The acute angle .alpha. is preferably between
15 and 45 degrees, particularly preferably between 20 and 40
degrees. An angle .alpha. of essentially 25 degrees is very
particularly preferred.
[0007] One of the advantages of the invention is that when a ski to
be transported is inserted into the ski holder, it is held and
fixed in the ski holder, preferably in the vertical orientation, by
its own weight. Another advantage of the invention is that movable
means for fastening or fixing a ski may be dispensed with. The
elastic property of the ski of being twistable in its longitudinal
direction is utilized for stabilizing the ski in the ski holder.
Due to its small overall height, the ski transport device according
to the invention is particularly suited for flat installation in
cableway cabins. The transport capacity of a cableway system may
thus be increased, since the loading and unloading time in a
cableway station is shorter compared to cableway cabins having
externally mounted ski holders. A ski transport device may be
assembled from one or a plurality of ski holders, and forms a
modular system. Depending on the spatial conditions in the interior
of a cableway cabin, for example, individual ski holders may be
optimally situated, for example on a straight line between seat
benches of the cabin, on a circular arc around a pillar of the
cabin, or close to a window or in the respective corners of a
cabin.
[0008] Another advantage of the invention is that the individual
ski holders of the ski transport device are composed of component
parts which are screwed, glued, riveted, welded, or otherwise
joined to one another in such a way that none of the component
parts is loose, thus minimizing or preventing noise generation
during transport. Noise could arise from loose or movable parts,
for example, when the cabin which is suspended by a cable pole on a
cable travels over the cable pulleys. However, this is prevented by
the described fixed connection of component parts of the ski holder
to a ski holder adjacent to same, or, for example, to a frame part
of the ski transport device.
[0009] In one embodiment variant of the invention, the ski holder
has a fixation element, situated at or above the upper ends of the
retaining walls, having fixation points for engaging at various
cross-sectional points of the ski or the pair of skis.
[0010] One of the advantages of the invention is that the fixation
element is able to stabilize the ski, accommodated by the ski
holder, with respect to lateral motions of the ski. The fixation
element preferably engages at two fixation points on the cross
section of the ski. The ski is thus stabilized for transport, in
both the vertical and horizontal directions of motion.
[0011] In another embodiment variant of the invention, the fixation
element is designed with fixation points for engaging at the
cross-sectional points situated approximately diagonally opposite
one another.
[0012] One of the advantages of the invention is that, due to the
special design of the fixation element, the fixation points come to
rest at the cross-sectional points on the ski which are typically
the farthest distance apart. The force is greatest upon engagement
of the fixation element with the ski or the pair of skis.
[0013] In another embodiment variant of the invention, the fixation
element has a deformable design in order to fix the, or each, ski
by means of static friction.
[0014] One of the advantages of the invention is that the lateral
fixation is optimized by a deformable fixation element. When the
ski is inserted into the ski holder, the ski is arrested or locked
by a slight lateral twisting of the ski at the fixation points of
the fixation element, which increases the stabilization during
transport.
[0015] Embodiment variants of the present invention are described
below with reference to examples. The examples of the embodiments
are illustrated by the following appended figures:
[0016] FIG. 1 shows an exploded illustration of the ski transport
device according to the invention, having a ski holder and two
partially cutaway additional ski holders;
[0017] FIGS. 2a, 2b, and 2c show a ski transport device in a side
view, a front view, and a top view, respectively;
[0018] FIG. 3 shows a cableway cabin in a simplified
three-dimensional illustration with a ski transport device
installed in the floor of the cableway cabin; and
[0019] FIGS. 4a, 4b, and 4c show the cableway cabin together with
the ski transport device in a side view, a front view, and a top
view, respectively.
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a design according to the invention of a
ski transport device 1 for transporting skis, having at least one
ski holder 10 for accommodating a ski end 901 of a single ski 90 or
a pair of skis 90, each ski 90 being oriented in the ski holder 10
approximately vertically in the ski longitudinal direction R.
[0021] The ski holder 10 has two retaining walls 101 which converge
downwardly and together form an acute angle .alpha..
[0022] The converging retaining walls 101 may be designed in such a
way that they contact one another at the bottom. In the present
case, the retaining walls 101 and side walls 102 are formed as a
single piece. In a single-piece configuration, the ski holder 10
may be made of, for example, a sheet of steel, aluminum, or the
like. Stainless sheet steel is preferably used. The ski holder 10
may also be made of fiber composites. The retaining wall 101
preferably has a flat design, or may also be corrugated or rippled.
It is important that there are contact points with the end 901 of
the ski 90.
[0023] Due to the funnel-like design of the ski holder 10, the ski
or a pair of skis 90 is held in the ski holder by the inherent
weight of each ski 90. Twisting of the ski 90 in the ski holder is
prevented by the retaining walls 101 which increasingly converge in
the downward direction. In the horizontal section, the retaining
walls 101 in each case extend substantially in parallel. The design
of the ski holder 10 may also be understood as a V-shaped or
wedge-shaped hollow body having an essentially rectangular
cross-sectional area. The downwardly decreasing cross-sectional
area is preferably rectangular at all points, but may have an oval,
circular, or polygonal design, at least in places.
[0024] The ski holder 10 also has a fixation element 20 situated at
or above upper ends 1010 of the retaining walls 101. The fixation
element 20 preferably engages at two different cross-sectional
points 902 of the ski 90 or of the pair of skis 90, thus
stabilizing and fixing each ski 90 during transport, in both the
horizontal and vertical directions of motion.
[0025] The fixation element is preferably made of a thermoplastic.
The fixation element preferably has sawtooth-like projections in
the area of the fixation points 201. The fixation element 20 is
rubberized, at least in places, preferably in the area of the
fixation points 201.
[0026] It is apparent from FIG. 1 that the ski holder 10 and the
fixation element 20 are connected to one another, for example by
fastening means such as screws, rivets, etc.
[0027] The fixation element 20 may also be connected to the ski
holder 10 by an ultrasonic weld joint. The ski transport device 1
also preferably has a cover and a floor, i.e., a shell or a tray,
respectively, for encasing the ski holder 10 and the fixation
element 20.
[0028] The ski transport device 1 may include one or more ski
holders 10, having a fixation element 20. Multiple ski holders 10
are situated along a straight and/or curved positioning line. Thus,
multiple ski holders 10 may be situated in a cableway cabin, for
example, in the area of a center post, around same. Reference
numerals 103, 104, and 105 denote frame parts or connecting parts.
Each of these parts is designed for one or more ski holders as
necessary, so that the ski transport device has a modular
configuration. Retaining walls and side walls of the ski holder 10
are fixedly connectable to the particular frame parts 103, 104, and
105, so that no loose walls or parts are present that would
contribute to interfering noise generation.
[0029] FIGS. 2a, 2b, and 2c illustrate a ski transport device 1 in
a side view, a front view, and a top view, respectively.
[0030] FIG. 2a shows that the retaining wall 101 of the ski holder
has multiple lateral openings at the bottom. These openings are
used on the one hand for reducing the weight of the device, and on
the other hand for ventilation and for drainage of melt water
resulting from snow which adheres to skis.
[0031] FIG. 2c shows the downwardly converging retaining walls 101
of the ski holder 10 which define a straight bisecting line G,
fixation points 201 being situated on a fixation line F, and the
fixation line F together with the bisecting line G forming an acute
angle .beta.. This angle is between 0 and 15 degrees, for example,
depending on the turning capability of a ski or pair of skis. The
fixation points 201 of the fixation element 20 are situated
approximately diagonally opposite one another in relation to the
cross section of the ski 90.
[0032] The angle .gamma. relates to the configuration of the
retaining wall 101 of a ski holder 10 with respect to the
positioning line A. The angle .gamma. is preferably between 0 and
90 degrees, particularly preferably between 30 and 60 degrees, very
particularly preferably between 40 and 50 degrees.
[0033] The angle .delta. relates to the orientation of one, or
each, retaining wall 101 of a ski holder 10 with respect to the
fixation point 201 of the fixation element 20. The longitudinal
axis of the fixation element 20 and the retaining wall 101 are
offset relative to one another by the angle .delta., resulting in
wedging of the, or each, ski when the ski(s) is/are inserted. The
angle .delta. is preferably between 20 and 40 degrees, particularly
preferably between 25 and 35 degrees, very particularly preferably
essentially 30 degrees.
[0034] FIG. 3 shows a cableway cabin 50 in a simplified
three-dimensional illustration, with a ski transport device 1
installed in the floor 501 of the cableway cabin.
[0035] FIGS. 4a, 4b, and 4c illustrate the cableway cabin 50
together with the ski transport device 1 in a side view, a front
view, and a top view, respectively. The small overall height of the
ski transport device 1 allows installation of same in existing
cableway cabins or cableway cabins to be manufactured. The ski
transport device 1 may include a protective tray or cover tray,
which preferably has openings for discharging dirt, dust, or melt
water from the cabin to the outside.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0036] 1 Ski transport device
[0037] 10 Ski holder
[0038] 101 Retaining wall
[0039] 102 Side wall
[0040] 1010 End
[0041] 103 Frame part, connecting part
[0042] 104 Frame part, connecting part
[0043] 105 Frame part, connecting part
[0044] 20 Fixation element
[0045] 201 Fixation point
[0046] 90 Ski
[0047] 901 Ski end
[0048] 902 Cross-sectional point
[0049] .alpha. Angle
[0050] .beta. Angle
[0051] .gamma. Angle
[0052] .delta. Angle
[0053] A Positioning line
[0054] R Ski longitudinal direction
[0055] G Bisecting line
[0056] F Fixation line
* * * * *