Skier Leg Support

Abstract

A leg support specifically designed for application to the back of the lower portion of a skier's leg. The leg support is fabricated of a rigid substance and is designed to be secured by a strap. The leg support overlaps the upper portion of the back of the ski boot whereby the stiffness of the back of the ski boot is transferred upwardly onto the skier's calf, adding strength to the skier's leg during "availment." The term "availment" refers to the technique of leaning back on the skis for acceleration.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It has been found, primarily in the slalom-type skiing, that the overall downhill speed of the skier can be greatly increased through the use of the technique of availment, or leaning back upon the skis and bring the tips of the skis up, such that the ski will tend to plane over the snow in much the manner of water skis. One of the problems with this technique of skiing is the extreme stress placed upon the ankle and calf portions of the legs of the skier. It is to be noted that the skier must still control his direction of descent and does so by moving the forward portion of the skis as well as leaning or changing the relative angularity of the ski and the legs. Since these movements put substantial stress upon the skier's leg, it is desirable to add support to the back of the leg in an effort to prevent strain and possible breakage of the lower leg.

With the above-noted facts in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide a leg support adapted for securement in a position to give support to the back of a skier's leg. The support is formed from a relatively rigid or stiff material so as to increase the strength of the leg and add stiffening to the lower portion of the leg.

It is another object of the present invention to provide support to the back of the skier's leg whereby the inherent strength and stiffness in the back of the normal ski boot is transferred upwardly onto the calf of the skier's leg.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a support for the back of a skier's leg which in essence becomes an extension of the ski boot, being secured thereto in a manner which prevents downward movement of the support, transferring the strength of said boot upwardly along the skier's leg while allowing sideward movement of the leg relative to the ski.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a leg support for use upon the back of the skier's leg giving added support during "availment" and yet readily removable allowing normal down hill skiing without interference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the inventive leg support structure secured in position to the back of a skier's leg;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the interior portion of the leg support and the strap means for securing the support,

FIG. 3 is a back view of the leg support showing the relative locations of the elements;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the leg support showing in detail the contours of said support,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment showing another method of securing the strap to the support.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION THE DRAWINGS

As can be seen in the drawings, the basic leg support element comprises an elongated relatively stiff main body portion 2. It is contemplated in the preferred embodiment that the main body portion 2 will be made of a thermoplastic material, moldable to conform to the specific shape of the user's leg.

The lowermost portion 4 of the elongated thermoplastic member 2 is relatively narrow so that it may conform to the back of the ski boot without protruding outwardly therefrom and serving as a collection basin for snow.

The upper portion of the support is generally bulbous in configuration, providing a wider support at the back of the skier's leg as well as wrapping around the calf portion to provide lateral support necessary during the turning of the skis. The attachment means hereinafter described, in cooperation with the shape of the support permits relative sideways movement of the leg with relation to the ski.

The bottommost portion of the rigid support element terminates at 8 serving as a means for retaining the leg support in its proper vertical position by resting against the outwardly protruding heel portion of the ski boot. The uppermost portion 10 of the support element flares outwardly to provide a relatively smooth surface for contacting the leg, and not presenting an abrasive or otherwise uncomfortable edge portion. For added comfort of the wearer, a resilient pad 11 may be secured to the inside of the upper portion 10.

Approximately centrally located in the leg support, and running in a general longitudinal direction, vertical when in use, is an outwardly protruding ridge 12 having a pair of notches 14 cut therein to receive a strap 16. It is to be noted that the strap 16 is a standard commercial item, not considered part of this invention, and therefore will not be described in detail. However, it is to be noted at this point that the notches 14 are substantially longer than the strap 16 is wide, allowing relative vertical adjustment of the strap with relation to the leg support, to accommodate boots of different designs or different dimensions. Likewise, the strap is adjustable in length having quick-release latch means similar to that found upon ski boots.

The preferred embodiment of the leg support includes at its upper portion, a pair of inwardly protruding elements 18 adapted to rest against the upper portion of the skier's boot to prevent relative downward movement of the leg support. It will be readily apparent that when the skier leans back on his skis, which are locked to the ski boots, there will be considerable downward force presented by the calf of the skier's leg on the upper portion of the leg support. Thus, it is necessary to provide substantial vertical locking means to retain the leg support in position.

For additional strength, the leg support may well include longitudinal ridges 20 on the inside of the support, (see FIG. 2) as well as having the protruding ridge 12 be of a stairstep design as shown in FIG. 5, having steps 13.

Further to be noted in FIG. 5 is the alternative method of securing the strap. The alternative method has the advantage of presenting a solid exterior surface thus preventing the ingress of show and comprises a slight indentation in the ridge 12 wherein an external strap 22 is secured to the exterior of the ridge. For additional strength in the upper portion of the support 2, the elements 18 will have their edges parallel to the ridge 12.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A leg support for adding strength to the back of a skier's leg when leaning back on the skis, comprising;

an elongated rigid body member curved to fit the lower portion of the leg having a bulbous upper portion adapted to contact and terminate at approximately the bottom of the calf portion of the leg and a narrow lower portion adapted to contact the exterior of the skier's boot adjacent the ankle area, and

strap means secured to the rigid body member on the narrow lower portion but spaced from the bottom end thereof whereby the body member serves as a first class lever, said strap means adapted to be secured around the boot upper at a substantially vertical portion of the boot, for securing the leg support in a position whereat it overlies the skier's lower leg and the boot, extending the stiffness of the back of the boot and the leg support upwardly on the wearer's leg limiting the rearward movement of the leg relative to the boot whereby the strap means serves as a fulcrum tending to pivot the foot about the ankle and to lift the front of the ski when the skier leans backwards.

2. A leg support as in claim 1 including inwardly extending means which comprise a pair of integral protrusions having substantially flat lower portions adapted to abut the upper edge of the boot and limit the downward movement of the leg support.

3. A leg support for use by a skier and adapted to be applied to the back of the lower leg and overlapping the ski boot comprising;

an elongated main body portion having a relatively narrow first end and a generally bulbous second end, said main body portion being generally concave in configuration along its longitudinal axis when viewed from the side adapted to contact the back of the skier's leg and being outwardly flared on the bulbous second end,

an outwardly extending ridge paralleling the longitudinal axis and spaced from the ends of the body portion,

means associated with the ridge adapted to receive a securing strap,

a securing strap extending laterally on both sides of strap receiving means and positioned to overly the upper portion of the skier's boot,

and an inwardly protruding means on the inner surface of the body portion adapted to contact the upper edge of the ski boot and prevent relative downward movement thereof.