Skiing simulator

Abstract

A downhill skiing simulator for teaching and practicing skiing maneuvers which includes ski structural means, a ski pole simulating means and a frame to which they are secured. The ski structural means includes a turntable which is hydraulically rotatable back-and-forth in a horizontal plane and includes a rocker pivotal about a horizontal axis and which is also hydraulically actuated. The pivotal rocker carries a carriage to which is attached a ski mounting means. The carriage slides by gravity from one end of the rocker to the other, as the rocker and turntable are pivoted by motive means, while the skier grasps handles of the ski pole simulating means and performs various maneuvers.

Parent Case Text

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of my pending patent application, Ser. No. 313,198, filed Dec. 7, 1972, now abandoned on a skiing simulator.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to apparatus for simulating Alpine or downhill snow skiing and may be used to enjoy the pleasure and thrills of skiing, to train the correct body movements for skiing maneuvers, and to practice skiing and its various maneuvers.

In the past few years, the popularity of snow skiing has greatly increased. Many persons have taken to the sport. But most of these persons are only occasional skiers and do not take the proper steps necessary before skiing to train themselves and to assure that they are in appropriate physical condition. While ski training and exercising apparatuses have been provided in the past, they have not simulated sufficiently either the actual skiing movements or the forces to be expected during ski maneuvers.

My apparatus simulates the effect of elevating a skier in a lift to the top of a slope. In the usual lift, the skier is taken to the top of a slope and then proceeds to ski to the bottom of the slope, the process being repeated, as desired.

My apparatus simulates this by automatically elevating the skier up a distance representing an increment of the slope and then letting him ski down the slope increment. This incremental process is repeated until the skier has traversed a length representing the length of the slope.

In some of the previous ski simulating devices of the prior art, the skier has been required to himself actuate the devices, i.e., to work the devices by supplying his energy to them. In my apparatus, the apparatus supplies the energy to lift and rotate the skier, and as the skier "skis" down the slope, he may, but need not, perform various skiing maneuvers. To perform these maneuvers the skier is required to supply energy to the apparatus, i.e., he is required to supply energy to the apparatus to perform the skiing maneuvers.

Thus, this apparatus will challenge the skiers ability to maneuver, to remain on his feet, or even to "fall", all as in genuine downhill skiing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of this invention is to provide a simulator of Alpine or downhill snow skiing (in contrast to Nordic or crosscountry skiing) on which snow skiing maneuvers may be practiced and which may be used for the pleasure and thrills of skiing, for training purposes, and for physical conditioning purposes.

The apparatus I provide simulates lifting a skier to the top of a slope and then simulates letting him descend the slope. During the descent he is rotated or pivoted so that he must simulate the body movements required of a skier while making a turn.

The simulator which I have invented includes a ski support apparatus and a ski pole simulating device, both preferably secured to a frame.

The ski support apparatus includes a turntable which is hydraulically pivotal back-and-forth in a horizontal plane and includes a pivotal rocker movable in a vertical plane and which is also hydraulically actuated. The pivotal rocker carries a carriage to which is pivotally attached a ski mounting means. The carriage slides by gravity from one end of the rocker to the other, as the rocker pivots and rotates, and the skier grasps handles of the ski pole simulating device to balance himself. As the carriage approaches the end of each traverse, the ski mounting means pivots to simulate a ski turn.

The hydraulically actuated rocker provides a sequential, incremental lifting action in combination with centrifugal forces created by the hydraulically actuated turntable to simulate turns, requiring the skier to manuever so as to follow the simulated course down an imaginary "fall line" and to make repeated turns while traversing the simulated "fall line.38 As the skier maneuvers, he supplies additional energy to the machine and moves the necessary parts involved in the desired ski maneuver.

The power energy supplied by the machine is equivalent to the recreational lifting devices used on slopes, such as chair lifts and the like, which are in common usage for the purpose of elevating a passenger uphill prior to his descent by gravity, the skier during his descent making turns and sliding according to the terrain. The individual style or skill of the skier allows him to select the various optional styles of posture by which he remains on his feet (as he descends the simulated slope) such as "snow-plow," "stem turns," or "parallel skiing" posture or a "braking" or "checking" posture, or the skier may even "fall", if he loses control. However, a safety device is provided for the passenger in the event he starts to fall and a safety switch will shut off the machine at such time. Thus, this machine raises the passenger "uphill" and then permits him to descend the simulated slope using the style of posture which he wishes to use.

One difference between mountainside lifts which transport the passenger uphill in a one-way uninterrupted lift and this machine is that the passenger in this case is repeatedly lifted a small increment or fraction of the height of a "slope." Also, this machine supplies a pivotal movement, during the descent, simulating the centrifugal force a skier experiences when making a sharp turn against inertial force, forcing the skier to assume a turning posture at such time.

Thus, the machine provides a combination of anti-gravity force, i.e., the rocker lift, and of anti-inertial force, i.e., the pivoting turntable, to simulate a movement up the slope and then movement down the terrain of the ski slope. With this machine, an almost infinite number of rocker lift and turntable combinations may be provided, either by controlling the hydraulic system manually or by programming it electronically, to suit the skill of the skier.

The foregoing and other objects of this invention, the principles of this invention, and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying such principles will more fully appear from the following description and accompanying drawings in illustration thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a front, side and top perspective view of my simulator showing a skier (in dot-dash lines) mounted upon the skis and grasping the handles, the view showing the ski structural means, the ski pole simulating means, and the frame, but with some of their parts omitted for clarity of illustration,

FIG. 2 is a partial top and front view of the turntable, rocker, carriage and ski mounting means shown in FIG. 1, but viewed from the left, relative to FIG. 1 and enlarged relative to FIG. 1, showing the skis and part of the ski mounting means in an exploded position for clarity;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the carriage taken along the line 3--3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial side view taken from the left in FIG. 2, showing the turntable partly cut away and the rocker partly in section, and showing the carriage and ski mounting means in side elevation;

FIG. 5 is a partial top view of the skis, the ski mounting means, the carriage, and the rocker;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are partial sectional views taken along the lines 6--6 and 7--7, respectively, in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a partial view taken along the line 8--8 in FIG. 6;

FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 are partial sectional views taken along the lines 9--9, 10--10 and 11--11, respectively, in FIG. 4;

FIG. 12 is a top view of the ski structural means and, shows the position in which the left hand end of the rocker, as viewed in FIG. 12, is elevated, and the carriage is about to descend by gravity toward the opposite end of the rocker, i.e., in the direction indicated by the arrow;

FIG. 13 is a top view of the ski structural means and shows the position in which the carriage has moved to about the midpoint of the rocker;

FIG. 14 is a top view of the ski structural means and shows the position in which the carriage has moved to the right hand end of the rocker;

FIG. 15 is a top view of the ski structural means and shows the position of the skis after the skier has completed the turn, the right hand end of the rocker has been elevated and the turntable has pivoted to its opposite position;

FIG. 16 diagrammatically shows the path of a skier down a slope and indicates the positions along the path represented by FIGS. 12 through 15, inclusive;

FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 are diagrammatic, partial top views of the skis and the swivel plate to which they are connected by a linkage means (not illustrated), showing the pivoting of the swivel plate due to the skier's weight being on the right ski in FIG. 17, evenly on both skis in FIG. 18, and on the left ski in FIG. 19;

FIGS. 20, 21 and 22 are diagrammatic, front elevation views corresponding to FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 showing the raising of one ski relative to the other in FIGS. 20 and 21 as the swivel plate pivots,

FIG. 23 is a top, perspective view of a modified form of my invention;

FIG. 24 is a partial, top, perspective view of the simulator shown in FIG. 23, but showing some of the parts in an exploded view;

FIG. 25 is a sectional view taken along the line 25--25 in FIG. 23;

FIGS. 26, 27 and 28 are back, partial views of the rocker and carriage as viewed from the line 26-26 in FIG. 25, but showing in FIGS. 26, 27 and 28 different positions of the rocker and carriage;

FIG. 29 is a partial-sectional view taken along the line 29--29 in FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is a partial front view taken along the line 30--30 in FIG. 28;

FIG. 31 is a longitudinal, sectional view taken along the line 31--31 in FIG. 23;

FIG. 32 is a top view, partly in section, taken along the line 32--32 in FIG. 31;

FIGS. 33 and 34 are sectional views taken along the lines 33--33 and 34--34, respectively, in FIGS. 25 and 33;

FIG. 35 is a partial, exploded view of the track shown in FIG. 32 together with the switches cooperating with it, the track being cut away for illustrative purposes;

FIG. 35A is a partial side elevation view showing the spatial relation of the track and limit switches shown in FIG. 35 and generally taken along the line 35A--35A in FIG. 35;

FIGS. 36 and 37 are schematic diagrams of the electrical control circuit for the modified simulator shown in FIGS. 23 to 35A, inclusive;

FIG. 38 illustrates an alternate, pivotal support for the simulated ski pole handles and safety ring combination shown in FIGS. 23, 24, and 25;

FIG. 39 is a top view of a further modification of my invention; and

FIG. 40 is a sectional view taken along the line 40--40 in FIG. 39.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, the skiing simulator 10 of my invention includes a ski structural means 12 and a ski pole simulating means or device 14 preferably interconnected and attached to a supporting frame 16.

The ski structural means 12 comprises a base plate 18 upon which is pivotally mounted a turntable 20. The turntable 20 includes two spaced vertically upstanding legs 22 between which is pivotally secured a rocker 24.

The rocker 24 supports a carriage 26 which is movable along the length of the rocker 24 (compare FIGS. 1 and 2) as the rocker 24 pivots. Attached to the carriage 26, and carried thereby, is a ski mounting means 28, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.

The ski mounting means 28 includes an arm 30 which, in turn, supports a swivel joint device 32, FIGS. 2 and 4, the arm 30 extending laterally and to the rear of the carriage 26. Attached to the swivel joint device 32, by two independently movable linkage means 34 and 36, are two skis 38 and 40, FIG. 1.

The base plate 18 rests upon base beams 41 and 42 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and longitudinal beams 43 and 44, the beams 43 and 44 forming part of the frame 16. The longitudinal beams 43 and 44 are connected to side, base beams 45 and 46 (FIG. 1) and the latter are, in turn, connected to upstanding, but inclined, struts 47 and 48 which come together at the top to form an inverted V-shape.

The beams 44 and 46 may be interconnected for strength by a plate 50, as shown. Likewise, the plate 50 and the strut 48 may be interconnected by the plate 51, as shown.

Similarly, the beams 43 and 45 may be interconnected for strength by a plate 54, as shown. Likewise, the plate 54 and the strut 47 may be interconnected by the plate 55.

At the apex of the struts 47 and 48 a vertical plate 60 is connected between them, as shown in FIG. 1. Extending from the plate 60 toward the skier, is a support arm 61. Connected to the arm 61 is a channel 52. A circular plate 67 is secured to the lower part of the channel 52. Pivotally connected to the circular plate 67 is a depending (generally vertical) rotatable shaft 62. Extending from the shaft 62 (inclined slightly downwardly therefrom) is a shaft 63 having a rear enlarged block 68. A tube 65, including internal bearings (not shown), is carried by the shaft 63 and is slidable along the shaft 63, its movement being limited at the forward end by a stop 66 fixed to the shaft 63 and at the rear end by the block 68, the block 68 being larger than the shaft 63, as shown. The stop 66 may be adjustable, along the length of the shaft 63, as desired.

Depending from the tube 65, and fixed thereto, is a socket-like extension 69 receiving a ball (not shown) from which extends a shaft 70. An L-shaped bracket 72 is pivotally connected to the shaft 70. A rod 74 is pivotally secured at its midpoint by a pin 71 to the vertical arm of the bracket 72, as shown, the opposite ends of the rod being bent downwardly, as shown, the rod 74 extending transverse to the shaft 63.

Links 76 and 78 (with clevis-shaped opposite ends) depend from the opposite ends of the rod 74 and are pivotally connected at their clevis-shaped upper ends to the ends of the rod 74 (received within the clevis) by pins extending transverse to the ends of the rod 74 and the links 76 and 78. The lower clevis-shaped ends of the links 76 and 78 are, in turn, pivotally connected to the legs 80 and 82, respectively, of a U-shaped rod 83 having the base portion 84 of the U behind the skier. These pivotal connections provide for movement of the rod 74 and the links 76 and 78 in planes transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 63.

The forward portions of the legs 80 and 82 have secured to them upstanding handles or simulated ski pole grips 86 and 88, respectively, to be grasped by the skier. The U-shaped rod 83 is large enough to encompass the skier on three sides, i.e., the back and two sides, as shown, with the pivotal connections between the links 76 and 78 being made between the handles 86 and 88 and the base 84, as shown, i.e., behind the skier.

The apex of the struts 47 and 48 extends above the rocker 24 sufficiently, and the other members involved are so proportioned, that when a person is mounted upon the skis, his head will clear the rod 74 and also clear the links 76 and 78 on the sides.

From the foregoing, it is seen that as the skier moves along the length of the rocker 24, the ski pole simulating device 14 pivots or "follows" the skier, since the shaft 63 is free to rotate (in approximately a horizontal plane) about the arm 61. Further, as the skier moves up or down, as the rocker 24 pivots up or down, the ski pole simulating device 14 also may be flexibly pivoted up or down about the pin 71 because of the pivotal connections between the rod 74 and the links 76 and 78, as well as the pivotal connections between the links 76 and 78 and the legs 80 and 82. Also, the tube 65 is free to move along the length of the shaft 63. Thus, the various pivotal and slidable connections permit the various members of the ski pole simulating device 14 to assume complex positions, as required by the skier's movements, and the device 14 may be considered as a multi-connected linkage constrained at one end above the skier's head, but free to move in all directions within predetermined limitations.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 the turntable 20 is pivotal back and forth in a horizontal plane upon the base plate 18, between the two extreme positions G and H illustrated in dot-dash lines in FIG. 5, about a stud 90, see FIGS. 4 and 6, which extends through a suitable central hole in the base plate 18 and into a lateral member 92. Referring to FIG. 2, the turntable 20 further comprises two L-shaped members 94 and two shorter L-shaped members 95 suitably secured to each other in a pictureframe-like arrangement. Secured to the underside of the turntable 20 at each of its four corners are four casters 97, as shown, having balls resting upon the upper surface of the base plate 18.

The legs 22 extend upwardly from the approximate midportions of the L-shaped members 94 to support the rocker 24 between the legs 22. The rocker 24 comprises two long L-shaped members 101 and two shorter L-shaped members 102 suitably secured together in a pictureframe-like arrangement. Shafts 105 (FIG. 2) and 106 (FIG. 7) are suitably secured to the opposed, L-shaped members 101, as shown, the shafts 105 and 106 being carried by the upper ends of legs 22 and secured thereto by bearing blocks 107. The bearing blocks 107 are secured to the top of the legs 22, as illustrated, by studs as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 7.

Centrally, located along the length of the rocker 24 and extending between the opposed, L-shaped members 102 is a rod 110 having its end portions suitably secured thereto.

The carriage 26 is supported upon the opposed L-shaped members 101, and the central rod 110, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6. The carriage 26 comprises a tube 112 (FIG. 6) slidable along the central rod 110 between end stops 113 (FIG. 6) and 114 (FIG. 2), the stops 113 and 114 being formed by springs and collars, carried around the rod 110, as shown, the stops 113 and 114 being adjustable and movable along the rod 110, as desired. Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, secured across the tube 112 (above the rod 110) is a plate 116 whose central, underportion is secured to the tube 112 by two U-bolts 127 which surround the tube 112 and have upper threaded ends extending through suitable holes in the plate 116 and fastened thereto by suitable nuts, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6. The opposite end portions of the plate 116 are forked, as shown in FIG. 4, and carry rollers to which are secured wheels 117, the wheels resting upon the L-shaped members 101.

When the rocker 24 pivots, between its extreme positions shown diagrammatically in FIG. 7 by the dot-dash lines CC and DD, for instance to the position DD shown in FIG. 1, the carriage 26 slides by gravity down (to the right) along the rod 110. To dampen and stop the movement of the carriage 26 as it arrives near the end of its travel at either end along the rod 110, a damping device 118, as best shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, is provided comprising a bracket 121 having a forked lower end 111 (FIG. 8) connected by a pin 119 to an upstanding flange 125 of a tube 124 movable along the shaft 96.

The bracket 121 also includes two pins 123 slidably received in bushings 120 formed in a collar 128 disposed on opposite sides of the tube 112 and which is secured to the tube 112 by two U-bolts 122 wrapped around the tube 112, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, and having threaded ends extending through holes in the collar 128 and secured thereto by suitable threaded nuts. Compression springs 126 surround the lower ends of the pins 123, as shown, and engage the underside of the bracket 121 only when the carriage 26 approaches one end or the other of the rod 110 to bring the carriage 26 to a gradual stop. At such time the rocker 24 has pivoted to one extreme position, e.g., the position DD shown in FIG. 1, and thereafter commences to return to its other extreme position, e.g., position CC shown diagrammatically in FIG. 7.

The carriage 26 includes an arm 30 secured to the tube 112 and to the top of the plate 116 and extending to the rear, as shown in FIG. 2. Upon the rear portion of the arm 30 is mounted the swivel joint device 32, FIG. 4.

The swivel joint device 32 includes a base 130 and a canted or inclined shaft 132 projecting upwardly at an angle to the arm 30, as viewed in FIG. 4, the shaft 132 being tilted toward the front of the simulator, i.e., an angle of less than 90.degree. being formed between the longitudinal axis of the shaft 132 and the arm 30. The base 130 provides a surface at approximately a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the canted shaft 132 upon which is seated a thrust bearing 132, the shaft 132 extending through the thrust bearing 134. The thrust bearing 134 has parallel opposite surfaces, as shown. Carried by the shaft 132 and seated upon the thrust bearing 134 is an inclined collar 136 forming part of the first link or hip plate 138, the collar 136 thus being at about a 90.degree. angle with the longitudinal axis of the shaft 132.

The hip plate 138 has generally horizontal feet portions 140 and 142, FIGS. 2 and 5, the foot portion 140 providing the support for the (left as viewed in these figures), ski supporting linkage means 34 and the foot portion 142 providing the support for the (right) ski supporting linkage means 36. Rotation of the plate 138 about the shaft 132 is limited by studs 143 and 144 (FIG. 5) carried on extensions of the plate 138 on opposite sides of the arm 30 and engageable with sides 145 and 146, respectively, projecting from the arm 30.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the hip plate 138 includes a vertically upstanding shaft 150 secured to the foot portion 142. Rotatable about the shaft 150 is a second link 154 which is seated upon thrust bearing 153, the thrust bearing 153 being seated upon the foot portion 142. The second link 154 has ears 160 carrying studs 162 engageable with an upstanding stop 164 projecting from and carried by the hip plate 138. The second link 154, as viewed in FIG. 2, extends toward the front of the simulator, and is inclined downwardly slightly, as shown. The rightmost end portion of the second link 154 includes a vertically upstanding shaft 156. Pivotally seated around the shaft 156 and upon a thrust bearing 158 (carried by an enlarged portion of the second link 154) is a third link 170. The third link 170 includes ears 172 carrying adjustable studs 174 which are engageable with a stop 176 secured to the second link 154 for limiting rotation of the third link 170 about the shaft 156 relative to the second link 154.

The third link 170 extends forward (to the right), as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 4, and is inclined downwardly, and has a righthand portion 180 having a central hole therethrough, the portion 180 extending upwardly, backwardly and at an angle with the main portion of the third link 170, to form therewith a V-shape, as shown in FIG. 4.

Extending into the hole in the righthand portion 180 of the third link 170 is a fourth link 184, having its lower portion 183 inclined, as shown, relative to its upper, approximately horizontal portion 190. Fixed to the lower portion 183 of the fourth link 184 is a collar 186 (by set screw 185), the collar 186 having arms 187 extending on opposite sides thereof and carrying adjustable studs 189 engageable with opposite sides of the third link 170 to limit rotation of the fourth link 184 relative to the third link 170. Also, the collar 186 seats against a thrust bearing 188 which in turn seats against the righthand portion 180 of the third link 170, to thereby limit downward movement of the fourth link 184. Preferably, the angle between the lower portion 183 and the horizontal portion 190 is greater than 90.degree., as shown.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 11, pivotally carried by the upper, horizontal portion 190 (of the fourth link 184) is a U-shaped saddle 192 which is secured to the underside of the ski 40. Axial movement of the saddle 192 along the upper portion 190 is limited at one end by collar 194 fixed to the portion 190 and at the other end by spring 196 and a collar 205 which is secured to the portion 190 by a screw 198, FIG. 11. The spring 196 also has end portions 200 and 201, FIG. 11, which engage the underside of the ski and bias it to a horizontal or neutral position, the position shown in FIG. 11. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 10, rotation of the ski 40 about the shaft portion 190 is limited by engagement of the underside of the ski 40 with one or the other of two studs 204, functioning as adjustable stops, since they are threaded to a collar 205 fixedly attached to the shaft portion 190, as shown, and carried on opposite sides of the shaft portion 190.

While only the linkage means 36 for the ski 40 has been described in detail, it is to be understood that the linkage means 34 for the ski 38 is constructed substantially the same and for purposes of brevity its description will not be repeated.

A suitable motive means is provided to actuate the turntable 20 and the rocker 24.

The turntable 20 is pivoted back and forth, between the two dot-dash lines GG and HH in FIG. 5, by hydraulic-electrical means, including a cylinder 300 and links 302, 304 and 306. The link 302 is pivotally secured at its right hand end, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, to the plate 50 and at its left hand end to the rear end of the link 304 while the forward end of the link 304 is pivotally secured to the link 306. In turn, the link 306, as shown in FIG. 4, is fixedly secured to the rear (left) leg 22, such as by being welded thereto.

Within the cylinder 300 is a piston (not shown) and connected to the piston is a rod 310 which extends from one end of the cylinder and is pivotally connected to the link 304, as shown, the other end of the cylinder being pivotally connected to the link 302. The cylinder includes electrical solenoid means (not shown) for controlling a valve (not shown) to supply oil to one side or the other of the piston so as to extend or to retract the rod 310 from the cylinder 300, so as to move the links 302 and 304 toward or away from each other, at which time the links 304 and 306 assume the positions illustrated by the dot-dash lines GG and HH shown in FIG. 5, and thereby pivot the turntable 20 between the dot-dash lines GG and HH.

Pivoting of the rocker 24 about the shafts 105 and 106, to the dot-dash line positions CC and DD shown in FIG. 7, is done by hydraulic-electrical means including a cylinder 320 shown in FIG. 7. The lower end of the cylinder 320 is pivotally connected to an internally threaded block 322 which is in turn carried by a threaded rod 324. The opposite ends of the threaded rod 324 are secured to spacers 326 which are in turn fastened to the rear L-shaped member 94.

Likewise, a rod 340 extends from the upper end of the cylinder 320 and is pivotally connected to an internally threaded block 342 which is, in turn, carried by a threaded rod 344. The opposite ends of the threaded rod 344 are secured to spacers 346 which are in turn fastened to the rear L-shaped member 101.

Both of the rods 324 and 344 have a left hand headed end so that they may be easily turned to adjust the position of the blocks 322 and 342 along the rods 324 and 344.

Within the cylinder 320 is a piston (not shown) and connected to the piston is the rod 340. The cylinder 320 includes electrical solenoid means (not shown) for controlling a valve (not shown) to supply oil to one side or the other of the piston so as to extend or retract the rod 340 from the cylinder 320 and to thereby pivot the rocker 24 up or down about the shafts 105 and 106.

Referring to FIG. 1, a control panel 350 for controlling the cylinders 300 and 320 is provided with an on-off switch 352 for energizing the hydraulic-electrical system. In addition, a lever 354 is provided to control cylinder 300 and a lever 356 is provided to control cylinder 320. Movement of the lever 354 toward the skier (as viewed in FIG. 1) causes the rod 310 to extend and movement away from the skier causes the rod 310 to retract. Likewise, movement of the lever 356 toward the skier (as viewed in FIG. 1) causes the rod 340 to extend and movement away from the skier causes the rod 340 to retract.

A third control lever 358 is also provided controlling a means (not shown) for actuating the cylinders 300 and 320 jointly in a predetermined pattern or program.

Further, a safety switch 370 (FIG. 1) is provided at the handle 86 to permit the skier to deenergize the system, as a further safety measure.

While an hydraulic-electrical system has been described for actuating the mechanisms involved, it is seen that an entirely electrical system could also be used.

Further, while I have described a control panel 350 which requires an operator to control the various levers, it is seen that a suitable programming means could be provided so as to dispense with the need for an operator.

I prefer to provide a safety harness 360 to be strapped around the skier and to be connected by straps 362 and 364 to the legs 80 and 82, respectively, of the ski pole simulating device 14, so as to prevent the skier from falling if for any reason he should lose his grip on the handles 86 and 88.

Thus, it is seen that I have provided an arrangement whereby by controlling the lever 354 the turntable 20 may be pivoted back-and-forth at the desired rate of speed. Likewise, by controlling the lever 356 the rocker 24 may be pivoted up and down, as desired. As desired, one or the other of levers 354 and 356 may be operated or they may be operated simultaneously.

The skier may thus be presented with a simple pivoting motion of the turntable 20 or he may be presented with a simple rocking motion of the rocker 24 or a combination thereof.

When the rocker 24 is pivoted, say to the position shown in FIG. 1, the carriage 26, by gravity, will slide down to the right. As the carriage 26 moves down and to the right, the ski mounting means, i.e., the swivel joint device 32 will pivot relative to the carriage 26 and the linkage means 34 and 36 will pivot relative to the swivel joint device 32 and the skier may, if he so desires, move the linkage means 34 and 36 relative to each other to extend or retract one ski relative to the other, compare FIGS. 12 to 15 with each other.

Thus, the skier is lifted by the rocker, as it pivots up, and is then permitted to descend by gravity, as the turntable rotates, back-and-forth, subjecting the skier to the centrifugal forces on a skier during turns, requiring the skier to maneuver so as to follow the simulated course down an imaginary "fall line." The skier is free at such time to select the various optional styles of posture such as "snow plow," "stem turns" or "parallel skiing."

To better understand this machine, FIGS. 12 to 14 show various momentary positions of the rocker 24, skis 38 and 40, and the linkage means 34 and 36.

In FIG. 12, the left hand end of the rocker is in its most elevated position, and the carriage 26 together with the linkage means 34 and 36 and the skis 38 and 40 are moving to the right, in the direction indicated by the arrow. Note that the tip of the downhill ski 38 is forward of the other ski 40. In the position of FIG. 12 the left hand end of the turntable has pivoted back and the right hand end has pivoted forward, the position indicated diagrammatically by line HH in FIG. 5. Note further how the skier has actuated the linkage means so that the various stops are in engagement with the various links, as shown. The skier has placed his weight on ski 38 causing the hip plate 138 to pivot counterclockwise lowering ski 38 and raising ski 40 as further described in connection with FIGS. 17 to 22. In summary, the position of the skis in FIG. 12 represents a skier about to traverse the slope to his left.

FIG. 13 illustrates the momentary position when the carriage 26 has moved, by gravity, about half-way down the rod 110 and the skier has during such movement actuated the skis so that the linkage means 34 and 36 assume the positions illustrated. That is, the skier has, by pivoting the skis, caused the linkage means 34 and 36 to pivot, generally counterclockwise, from the positions shown in FIG. 12 to the positions shown in FIG. 13, thereby causing the opposite stops to engage the opposite sides of the links, compare FIGS. 12 and 13. In summary, the position of the skis in FIG. 13 represents a skier in his descent down the slope, the skier travelling to his left.

FIG. 14 illustrates the momentary position when the carriage 26 has moved fully to the right (down the rod 110) and the skier has during movement to this position actuated the skis so that the linkage means 34 and 36 move to the position illustrated. That is, the skier has, by pivoting the skis, caused the linkage means 34 and 36 to pivot, generally clockwise, from the positions shown in FIG. 13, thereby causing the opposite stops to engage the opposite sides of the links, compare FIGS. 13 and 14. In summary, the position of the skis in FIG. 14 represents a skier after he has completed his descent to the left and is preparing to make a turn to his right.

FIG. 15 illustrates the momentary position with the carriage 26 at the rightmost end of the rocker (as in FIG. 14) but the right hand end of the turntable has been pivoted back so that the turntable is now in the position indicated by dot-dash lines GG in FIG. 5. Also, the rocker 24 has moved to its opposite position, i.e., the right hand end has moved up, the position indicated by the line CC in FIG. 7. Note that the skier has, in moving from the position of FIG. 14 to that of FIG. 15, been carried backward somewhat (due to the pivoting backward of the turntable 20) but during such movement he has edged his skis vigorously and has made a turn so that he is now headed in the opposite direction, compare the arrows in FIGS. 14 and 15. Also, the skier has shifted his weight from his right to his left ski, causing the hip plate 138 to rotate clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 15, raising his right ski relative to his left ski. After the turntable 20 moves to the position shown in FIG. 15 (from the position shown in FIG. 14) the right hand end of the rocker 24 is raised quickly to the dot-dash position CC diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 7. In summary, the position of the skis in FIG. 15 represents a skier after he has completed a turn (from the position shown in FIG. 14) and he is about to begin a descent to his right.

Referring to FIG. 16, this figure represents the simulated path of a skier down a slope. Marked along the path are the locations which correspond to the positions of the machine illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 15, inclusive.

FIGS. 17 to 22, inclusive, are intended to better illustrate diagrammatically the arrangement of the hip plate 138 and the skis 38 and 40 by which one ski is raised relative to the other ski. In FIGS. 17 to 22 the shaft 132 is always in a vertical plane and the ski linkage means 34 and 36 (while not shown) are intended to be fully extended in a straight line from the hip plate 138 and extending forwardly. In FIG. 17, the skier has his weight on his left foot. This causes the linkage means 36 to pull clockwise on the hip plate 138 about the shaft 132. Since the collar 136 (of the hip plate 138) is inclined and sits on an inclined thrust bearing 134, the hip plate 138 will pivot to the position shown in FIG. 20, causing linkage means 34 to "float up" or raise and linkage means 36 to lower, resulting in a raising of ski 38 and a lowering of ski 40.

FIGS. 18 and 21 diagrammatically show the relative positions of the parts illustrated when the skier has his weight about evenly distributed on the skis.

FIGS. 19 and 22 diagrammatically show the relative positions of the parts illustrated when the skier has his weight on his right ski. This causes the hip plate 138 to pivot in a counterclockwise direction, causing linkage means 36 to rise and linkage means 34 to lower, resulting in a raising of ski 40 and a lowering of ski 38, as shown in the elevation, diagrammatic view of FIG. 22.

It is preferred that when the skier mounts the machine, the machine will be in the position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, i.e., the linkage means 34 and 36 are fully extended forward, as shown, the rocker 24 is horizontal and the turntable 20 is in its neutral position, i.e., with the longitudinal axis of the turntable 20 aligned with the longitudinal axis of the base 18. The electrichydraulic means is then energized and the rocker 24 is pivoted to position DD (FIG. 7), i.e., the left hand end of the rocker 24 is elevated, as viewed in FIG. 2. Preferably, before the elevation of the rocker 24 is completed, the turntable 20 is pivoted counterclockwise (as viewed in FIG. 5) to the position of links 304 and 306 indicated by the dot-dash lines AA.

During such movement of the rocker 24 and turntable 20, the carriage 26 slides down by gravity along the rod 110 carrying the skier to the lower end of the rocker 24, see FIG. 1.

In the position illustrated in FIG. 1, the skier has reached the lower end of the rocker 24 and is making a "turn" toward his right to prepare himself for travel to his right (after the rocker 24 pivots to its opposite position), the right hand end of the turntable 20 is moving backward and the rocker 24 is about to make a fast elevation to the position opposite from that illustrated.

It is seen that various effects may be produced by varying the timing and speed at which the pivoting of the turntable 20 and of the rocker 24 take place relative to the position of the skier along the rocker 24.

In the preferred embodiment, the movement of the turntable 20 to its opposite position starts as soon as the carriage 26 engages the damping device 118. At such time the movement of the turntable 20 to its opposite position starts. The motion of the carriage 26 has been completely stopped by the time the turntable 20 reaches the central position illustrated in FIG. 5. At about this time the rocker 24 begins to elevate to its opposite position.

When the turntable 20 pivots to its opposite position, the skier turns and edges his skis to point them in the opposite direction, so as to prepare for a descent in the opposite direction.

The speed and timing of the movement of the turntable 20 and rocker 24 may be adjusted to suit. For example, a suitable needle valve may be connected to each hydraulic cylinder 300 and 320 to adjust the hydraulic flow. By proper adjustments "fast" or "slow" skiing may be simulated.

From the foregoing it is seen that I have provided a skiing simulating machine comprising a frame interconnecting a ski structural means together with a ski pole simulating means for permitting ski lift simulation, edging of skis, snow plowing skiing, snow plow ski turns, stem christie skiing, ski checking, ski sliding, flailing of ski pole simulating means, falling while skiing, parallel skiing, parallel ski turning, wedel skiing, stopping skiing to rest, leaning forward while skiing with weight on forward part of a ski, leaning backward while skiing with weight on heel, "leaning-out" so as to curve the body of the skier into a "C". formed with the shoulder and ankles forming the outer part of the "C," the hips being the inner part of the "C," while causing the skis to edge with the skier's weight on the downhill ski, shifting of the skier's weight from one ski to another, side slipping skiing, up and down motion of skier and ski pole simulating means, and ski pole planting on turns.

From the foregoing it is also seen that the hip plate 138 may be considered to be pendulum-like as it hangs down from the canted shaft 132 with two "weights," namely, the weight of the skier pulling on it at the two shafts 150. When this weight is not evenly balanced the plate 138 will be pivoted about the inclined bearing 134.

Further, the hip plate 138, the link 154, the link 170 and the link 184 extend cantilever-like from the shaft 132 and bearing 134 and overhang the rocker 24 and turntable. Since the upper part 190 of link 184 extends back toward the shaft 132, it is seen that the weight of the skier is back of the pivotal connection between the links 184 and 170. Thus, by edging the skis, i.e., by pivoting them about the link portion 190 and by attempting to pivot link 184 in its connection to link 170, a compound action of ski edging and ski turning results. The skier, by shifting his weight from one foot to another, actuates the hip plate 138. Further, the skier may extend or retract the links 154 and 170, as shown.

It will also be seen that as the skis move along the rocker, the skier in accomplishing his "turn" actually traverses a general figure-8 trajectory. The skier never actually turns in the sense of a full turn as he is always facing generally forward. But the combination of pivoting of the turntable 20, pivoting of the hip plate 138, together with the relatively flexible links 154, 170 and 184, simulates a "turn."

Further, it should be observed that I have provided a machine in which when the carriage 26 reaches the limit of its travel, the inertial force of the skier propels the skier beyond the carriage.

It is seen that the swivel joint device 32 pivots about a canted shaft 132 and that the two linkage means 34 and 36 which support the two skis 38 and 40 are pivotally mounted on two shafts 150 disposed on opposite sides of the shaft 132 and forwardly thereof, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Referring to FIGS. 20, 21 and 22, the shaft 132 is shown in the vertical position, because the rocker 24 is assummed to be in the horizontal position. As the rocker 24 pivots up-and-down, to the positions CC and DD, in FIG. 7, the canted shaft 132 will not remain vertical, but will instead change its angle with the horizon as the rocker 24 pivots. Because of this changing angle, the linkage means 34 and 36 would swing from the position in FIG. 17 in the position of FIG. 19 due to the force of gravity on them, i.e., "a pendulum effect."

It should also be observed that the provision of the pivotal mounting for the skis and the angled fourth link 184 results in a compound force being applied by the skier to the linkage means 34 and 36. That is, the fourth link 184 has upper and lower parts 190 and 183, respectively, angled to each other at more than 90.degree. but less than 180.degree., so that when the ski is edged it engages the stop 204, FIG. 10, transmitting power from the ski to the link 184, causing link 170 to pivot. (The skier is mounted on the skis so that his feet are above and in line with the upper part 190 of the fourth link 184 with the ball of the feet approximately above the juncture of the upper and lower parts.) It can be seen that the engaging of stops 204 exerts a compound force on the total linkage. Part of this force causes the rotation of the shaft 184 in its bearing, and part of the force causes torsional pressure against the third link 170, which is transmitted through stops 172 and 162 to counterbalance some of the gravitational pull on the hip plate around shaft 132. The position of the linkage will vary, dependent on the balance of unequal forces of torsional pressure as counter-balanced by gravitational and centrifugal pressures as well as inertial force. It must be appreciated that the amount of torsional force required to balance the other forces is partially generated by "leverage action" of the fourth link 184.

Referring to FIGS. 23 to 37, a modified form of my ski simulator is shown. In FIG. 23, the ski simulator 10A includes a ski structural means 12A and a ski pole simulating device 14A interconnected by a pivotal column-like frame 16A.

The ski structural means 12A comprises a base plate 18A upon which is pivotally mounted a turntable 20A. The turntable 20A, as shown in FIG. 25, includes an inverted U-shaped wall 22A which supports a shaft 105A upon which is mounted a rocker 24A.

The rocker 24A supports a carriage 26A which is movable along the length of the rocker 24A (compare FIGS. 23, 26, 27 and 28), as the rocker 24A is pivoted up and down about the horizontal shaft 105A. Attached to the carriage 26A, and carried thereby, is a ski mounting means 28A, as shown in FIGS. 23, 24, and 25.

The ski mounting means 28A includes an arm 30A which extends laterally and to the rear of the carriage 26A to form an upwardly inclined support 31A, as shown in FIG. 25. A swivel joint device 32A is secured to the support 31A. Pivotally connected to and extending forwardly of the swivel joint device 32A are two movable linkage means 34A and 36A which in turn support two skis 38A and 40A, respectively.

The ski pole simulating device 14A comprises a ring 83A to surround the skier. While the ring 83A has been shown as completely circular, it will be understood that it could be semi-circular or U-shaped, the latter shape being shown in FIG. 1 of the previous embodiment. The ring 83A has upstanding handles 86a, as shown, for the skier to grasp.

The column-like frame 16A comprises a column 48A having a lower portion 49A inclined rearwardly and forming approximately a right angle with the support 31A, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 25. The column 48A further includes a vertically extending upper portion 51A which is fixed at its upper end to the rear portion of the ring 83A. The lower end of the portion 49A is rotatably received in a sleeve bearing 55A, the sleeve bearing 55A being secured to the support 31A through a bracket 46A.

Fixed to the lower column portion 49A, and rotatable therewith, is a gear 52A which mates with a gear 53A rotatable about shaft 132A, the latter being part of the swivel joint device 32A, The gear 52A rests upon a thrust collar 57A carried by the bearing 55A.

The shaft 132A is rigidly attached to and extends upwardly from the support 31A, through the bracket 46A, at approximately a right angle to the support 31A, as shown in FIG. 25. The shaft 132A pivotally supports a hip plate 138A which pivots in an arc about the shaft 132A, the hip plate 138A also being part of the swivel joint device 32A. The hip plate 138A rests upon a thrust bearing or collar 139A which in turn rests upon the upper surface of the inverted U-shaped bracket 46A through which the shaft 132A and the bearing 55A extend. The gear 53A is fixed to the hip plate 138A and movable jointly with the hip plate 138A and concentric with the shaft 132A.

Pivotally mounted on the hip plate 138A, as shown on FIGS. 23, 24 and 25, and extending forwardly of the hip plate 138A, i.e., to the right as shown in FIG. 25, are the linkage means 34A and 36A. The linkage means 34A and 36A are pivotally attached to opposite, forward portions of the triangularly shaped hip plate 138A, equispaced on opposite sides of the shaft 132A and to the front, i.e., to the left thereof, as viewed in FIG. 24.

As in the previous embodiment, the linkage means 34A and 36A are secured to and extend from the triangularly shaped hip plate 138A. For brevity, only the linkage means 34A is hereinafter described, it being understood that the linkage means 36A is similarly constructed.

As viewed in FIGS. 25, 33 and 34, the right hand end portion of the hip plate 138A carries a dash pot device 149A comprising a shaft 150A extending through a suitable hole in the hip plate 138A and secured by a pin 151A to the forward part of the hip plate 138A. The shaft 150A also extends through suitable sleeve bearings in upper and lower arms 160A and 161A of a clevis-type link 154A. To the lower arm 161A of the clevis-type link 154A is secured a cup 156A having a partition wall 158A dividing the interior of the cup 156A into two arcuate sections receiving compressible, arcuate shaped elements 165A and 166A. The compressible elements 165A and 166A may be of rubber, cellular or other suitable material.

Secured to the lower end of the shaft 150A by pin 170A is a disc 172A. The disc 172A has, in turn, secured to it an upstanding paddle 174A disposed between and engaging on its opposite sides the compressible elements 165A and 166A. Thus, as the clevis-type link 154A pivots relative to the hip plate 138A, the paddle 174A will tend to compress either the element 165A or the element 166A providing a dash pot type of restraint or limitation upon the relative movement of the link 154A relative to the hip plate 138A.

The clevis-type link 154A, at its right hand end, carries another dash pot device 180A which includes a shaft 182A by which it is pivotally connected to another clevis-type link 184A.

The clevis-type link 184A, at its right hand end as viewed in FIG. 25, also carries another dash pot device 190A which includes a shaft 192A bent back, as shown in FIG. 25, to carry a still further dash pot type device 200A to which is pivotally mounted the ski 38. The dash pot devices 180A, 190A and 200A are all constructed similar to the dash pot device 149A and, hence, are not described in detail.

From the foregoing, it is seen that as the skier moves along the length of the rocker 24A, i.e., as the carriage 26A moves along the length of the rocker 24A, the ski pole simulating device 14A will move along with the skier.

Further, as the skier moves up and down, as the rocker 24A pivots up and down, the ski pole simulating device will also move up and down.

Also, as the hip plate 138A pivots about the shaft 132A, it will rotate the gear 53A which will rotate the gear 52A causing the column 48A and the ring 83A to also rotate in unison with the general motion of the hip plate 138A and the linkage means 34A and 36A extending therefrom.

Referring to FIGS. 25 to 28 in particular, the rocker 24A comprises an elongated inverted U-shaped channel 210A having opposed walls 212A through which the shaft 105A projects to support the rocker 24A. Interior strengthening walls 213A approximately parallel and spaced from the walls 212A, as shown in FIG. 25, may be provided through which the shaft 105A also extends, and to provide a greater bearing surface upon the shaft 105A.

The channel 210A is stepped, as shown in FIG. 25, to provide two shoulders 214A on opposite sides of the rocker 24A. Seated upon each of the shoulders 214A is an elongated rod 216A, the two rods 216A providing tracks along which the carriage 26A moves. Each rod 216A has an upper section 218A which is circular and key-like in cross section, i.e., has an upper section which is circular in cross section, except for the depending foot portion by which it is secured to the shoulder 214A, such as by being welded thereto or the like.

The carriage 26A includes a bed 219A having two marginal portions 219A formed with key-like hole-like slots for receiving in keying relation the upper key like section 218A of the rods 216A. The arm 30A is secured to the bed 219A with suitable bolts, as shown in FIG. 25. At opposite ends of the rods 216A, suitable stop collars 220, which may be of rubber material, are secured to the rods 216A to limit the travel of the carriage 26A. If desired, dash pot devices 222A may be secured to the opposite ends of the rods 216A adjacent to the stop collars 220 so as to aid in deceleration of the carriage.

The rocker 24A may extend for any convenient length, but I prefer to have it approximately 8 feet in length. Along its length, at suitable intervals, the channel 212A is strengthened by transverse struts 224 welded or otherwise secured to the interior thereof, as shown in FIG. 31.

The rocker 24A is pivoted up and down about the shaft 105A by a vertical link 300A which is pivotally connected to a shaft 301 carried by supports 302A secured to the inside of the channel 210A. The link 300A is part of a linear hydraulic motor 304A which when suitably supplied with pressurized hydraulic fluid will extend upwardly or retract downwardly the link 300A to push up or pull down the rocker 24A. The linear motor 304A is secured to the interior of the turntable 20A by arms 306A, FIGS. 31 and 32, and rotatable therewith, the link 300A extending from the turntable 20A through a suitable opening therein.

Referring to FIGS. 31 and 32, the turntable 20A pivots back and forth about a vertical shaft 310A upon which is mounted (and rotatable therewith) a gear 312A. The vertical shaft 310A is secured to a suitable bearing 314A which is in turn secured to a plate 320A. Secured to the plate 320A is a rotary hydraulic motor 322A which has a shaft carrying a gear 324A mating with the gear 312A. When the rotary motor 322A is suitably supplied with pressurized hydraulic fluid it rotates back and forth and in so doing it rotates back and forth the turntable 20A about the vertical shaft 310A.

The turntable 20A further comprises a pyramid-like cover 326A having opposed deck segments 60A. The cover 326A overlies the aforementioned linear motor 304A and gears 322A and 324A and includes a peripheral, upturned flange 330A housing a plurality of wheels 332A suitably carried on shafts 333A supported by inverted U-shaped legs 334A. The wheels 332A rest on a circular frame 338A forming part of the base 18A and secured to the plate 320A by radial braces 321A.

Two annular wells 336A are thus formed by the upturned flange 330A, the sloping portions 337A and the vertical walls 361A, FIGS. 31 and 32, into and out of which opposite end portions of the rocker 24A move as the opposite rocker ends are raised and lowered.

Also, leveling feet 342A may be secured by suitable threaded studs to the outer extremities of the braces 321A, as shown in FIGS. 31 and 32.

As shown in FIGS. 23, 24 and 31, a circular, annular guard 343A surrounds the turntable 20A. As shown in FIG. 31, the guard is quarter-round in cross-section and may be fabricated of fiberglas plastic material or any other suitable material. The guard 343A is attached at its lower, inner section to the circular frame 338A. The guard 343A is slightly spaced from the upturned flange 330A and the deck segments 60A to permit free movement of the turntable 20A relative to the stationary guard.

Preferably the guard 343A and the rest of the base is slightly above the floor level, the entire unit being supported upon the leveling feet 342A, as shown. Further, it is preferred that the guard 343A be constructed in arcuate segments, as shown in FIG. 32, and assembled with suitable fasteners.

OPERATION OF THE SKI SIMULATOR OF FIGS. 23 TO 37

The ski simulator 10A shown in FIGS. 23 to 37 is controlled by an electrical system shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 36 and 37, FIG. 37 being a continuation of FIG. 36.

The ski simulator 10A has three modes of operation. The first mode (or position 1 of selector switch SS) is the manual mode in which the simulator is taken through each step of its cycle by manually depressing and closing test push button PB7, the second mode (or position 2 of selector switch SS) is the continuously automatic repetition of the cycle of the simulator as long as push button PB3 is held depressed and closed, and the third mode is the automatic completion of only one cycle accomplished while push button PB3 is held depressed and closed.

SUMMARY OF THE CONTROL SYSTEM

The control system shown in FIGS. 36 and 37 comprises a programmed stepper unit SU which automatically sequences a plurality of load circuits through various steps, in accordance with a predetermined program, as hereinafter described. The stepper unit SU comprises eight cam wheels (not shown) which are programmed to open or close light switches which they control, the switch being designated SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6, SW7 and SW12 in FIGS. 36 and 37. As hereinafter described, each cam wheel indexes through seven steps. In each step, certain of the light switches are closed and others are open, depending on the cam program.

The control system further includes a plurality of limit switches responsive to the position of the turntable 20A, the rocker 24A and the carriage 26A, the limit switches being designated LS1 through LS12 in FIGS. 36 and 37.

The linear hydraulic motor 304A and the rotary hydraulic motor 322A are supplied with pressurized fluid from a pump 504A driven by an electric motor 502A (shown diagrammatically in FIG. 23). The supply of pressurized fluid to the motors 304A and 322A is controlled by a plurality of solenoid valves, designated SOL1 to SOL4, as hereinafter described.

The mode of operation of the ski simulator is selected by operating the selector switch SS. The selector switch SS has a handle movable to three positions corresponding to the three modes of operation.

Power to the motor 502A, preferably 230 volts, 60 cycles, is available through lines AH and BH which are interrupted by a main disconnect switch 514A.

A transformer 520A is connected to lines AH and BH by lines AV and BV to provide 120 volt power at lines CH and DH. Connected to lines CH and DH are lines 5V and 2V, respectively, as shown in FIG. 36. To close the circuit to the motor starter MS is provided in line 2H. When the motor starter MS is actuated (assuming switch 514A to be closed and safety push button switch PB1 to be closed also), switch MS-A will close (in line 5V between lines 214 and 4H) and switches MS-B and MS-C will close (in lines AH and BH, respectively).

Assuming that switches 514A and PB1 have been closed, and the motor starter MS actuated to energize the motor 502A, if the selector switch SS is moved to position 2 the circuit will be in condition to initiate automatic operation when push button PB3 (which is carried by the ring 83A) is depressed (i.e., closed) and held depressed. Push button PB3 is spring loaded to open its contacts when not held depressed.

As shown in FIG. 37, the push button PB3 is in line 47H and is connected to lines 45V and 50. Further, lines 45V and 50V are preferably connected to opposite sides of the secondary of a step down transformer which reduces the voltage from 120 volts to 24 volts, 60 cycles.

For convenience, the reference point known as the "home" position is taken to be the position in which the rocker 24A is approximately horizontal and the turntable 20A is extending diagonally from the 1:30 o'clock position to the 7:30 o'clock position looking down upon the turntable. In this "home" position the carriage 26A is at the left hand end of the rocker, as viewed from the front. The "home" position is also the first step position of the stepper unit SU, hereinafter referred to as step 1.

Operation of the ski simulator in the automatic mode, position 2 of selector switch SS, in which the machine will continuously repeat its cycle as long as push button PB3 is held depressed, will now be briefly described.

When the cycle starts, the turntable 20A rotates clockwise from its home position and transports the carriage 26A to a rearward position, viewed from the front, FIG. 23. As the turntable 20A rotates clockwise, the rocker 24A starts to pivot and raises the left hand end of the rocker. The turntable 20A may or may not have reached the end of its clockwise motion when the rocker 24A has been lifted its maximum amount. The carriage 26A has been lifted by the rocker 24A and eventually the force of gravity on the carriage 26A produces a force downwardly on the carriage which overcomes the frictional force and the centrifugal force on the carriage, and the carriage starts moving down along the rocker. While the carriage is moving down along the rocker, the rocker is returned to its horizontal position, but the momentum of the carriage 26A carries it to the end of the rocker.

subsequently, the rocker is rotated about its vertical axis counter clockwise and the right hand end of the rocker is lifted, whereupon the carriage descends, from right to left, back toward its home position.

AUTOMATIC MODE -- SELECTOR SWITCH SS IN POSITION 2

The ski simulator is initially in its home position, the switches 514A and PB1 are closed, and the motor starter MS is actuated to energize the motor 502A, and the selector switch SS is in position 2, the stepper unit SU will now be in step 1. FIGS. 36 and 37 shown the diagram corresponding to this home position or step 1 of the stepper unit SU.

The skier may then mount the simulator at this time, for example, and be secured to the carriage 26A. To commence the operation, the skier will depress and hold depressed the push button PB3. At such time the stepper unit SU will move to step 2.

Preferably the push button PB3 is spring biased to its contacts open position and is mounted on the right hand (as viewed in FIG. 23) handle 86A, carried by the ring 83A, in a position to be depressed by the thumb of the skier.

When the skier presses push button PB3, energizing control relay CR1, the control relay CR1 actuates two switches CRS1-A, located in line 5H, and CRS1-B in line 7H.

In the home position (in which the rocker 24A is level) the turntable cam C1 is depressing the limit switch LS1, i.e., the limit switch LS1 is being held actuated by cam C1. The limit switch LS1 is a two pole mechanically interconnected switch and at this time its first pole, limit switch LS1-A, is open (in line 31H) and its second pole, limit switch LS1-B, is closed (in line 8H). Limit switch LS1-A is normally closed but in the home position it is held open by cam C1. likewise, limit switch LS1-B is normally open, but it is held closed by cam C1 in the home position.

In the home position, the cam C1 (which is carried by the rocker 24A) is engaging and actuating the limit switch LS10. The limit switch LS10 is also a two pole switch, having limit switch poles LS10-A and LS10-B, mechanically interconnected for joint movement. At this time, limit switch LS10-A is closed and limit switch LS10-B is open. Since limit switch LS10-A is closed, the control relay CR2 is now energized. Since control relay CR2 is energized, the switched CRS2 in line 8H is now closed. At this time, since both latching relays 2LR and 1LR are in line 8H and both are closed, the stepper motor rotates to step 2.

As soon as the skier depresses push button PB3, the turntable rotates clockwise, the cam C1 releasing limit switch LS1 at which time the contacts of limit switch LS1-A close and the contacts of limit switch LS1-B open. As soon as the push button PB3 is closed and the control relay CR1 is energized, the normally open switch CRS1-B in line 7H is closed. The closing of switch CRS1-B in line 7H supplies power to vertical line 6V and the circuits connected to it and line 2V.

Referring to line 30H, it is seen that in step 2, the contacts AC of switch SW3 are closed, and since limit switch LS2 is closed at this time, solenoid SOL3 is energized, opening a hydraulic valve to supply pressurized fluid to the rotary hydraulic motor 322A. The rotary hydraulic motor 322A will rotate the turntable 20A clockwise at this time. During this initial rotation, the cam C10 remains in engagement with limit switch LS10. As the turntable 20A rotates clockwise, the cam C3 (carried by the turntable) engages the limit switch LS3. The turntable continues to rotate clockwise until the cam C2 actuates the limit switch LS2.

However, when the cam C3 engaged limit switch LS3, the limit switch LS3 was closed, energizing the motor SUM of stepper unit SU which rotates or indexes to step 3. Even though the turntable 20A is still being rotated by the rotary motor 322A at this time, as soon as the limit switch LS3 is actuated, the stepper motor SUM is energized, the stepper unit goes to step 4, and the necessary circuit is closed to supply hydraulic power to the linear motor 304A which then starts to lift the rocker 24A while the carriage is still rotating.

As soon as the stepper unit motor SUM went to step 3, the contacts AC of switch SW2 closed, and since the contacts of limit switch LS7 are normally closed, as shown, the solenoid SOL1 is energized, opening its hydraulic valve, and supplying pressurized fluid to the linear motor which extends its link and raises the rocker. At this point in time, the turntable is still rotating and the left hand portion of the rocker is being lifted.

It should be noted that after the left hand part of the rocker has lifted sufficiently, the cam C10 is disengaged from the limit switch LS10. At this time, limit switch LS10-B opens and limit switch LS10-A closes. The opening of limit switch LS10-B deenergizes the coil of control relay CR2, causing switch CRS2-A in line 8H to open and switch CRS2-B in line 15H to close. Even though limit switch LS10-A is now closed, no circuit is completed by it, because contacts AC of switch SW4 are by now in step 4, i.e., open across its contacts AC. Note that limit switch LS10-A remains closed so that when switch SW4 is advanced to step 7 in which its contacts AC will be closed, a circuit will then be completed to solenoid SOL1.

Rotation of the turntable 20A ceases at about the time the rocker 24A reaches its maximum lift. The rotary motion of the turntable 20A is stopped when the cam C2 engages the normally closed limit switch LS2 and opens limit switch LS2, in line 30H, the stepper unit SU being still in step 3. Step 3 ends when limit switch LS5 is actuated, indexing the stepper unit motor SUM to step 4.

In step 3 several things are happening at the same time. The rotation of the turntable 20A which started in step 2 is continuing in step 3. The rocker 24A is lifting and after the rocker 24A has lifted the carriage 26A to the height where the force of gravity down on the carriage 26A exceeds the centrifugal force outwardly on the carriage 26A and the friction force on the carriage 26A, the carriage 26A then starts to descend the rocker 24A.

After the carriage 26A drops sufficiently, it actuates limit switch LS5, which advances the stepper unit SU to step 4. In step 4, the rocker 24A will return to the horizontal or level position. When stepper unit SU moves to step 4, the contacts AC of switch SW6 will close, see line 26H. Since the prior actuation of limit switch LS7 had closed the contacts of limit switch LS7B, the latch coil of relay 2LR was energized and it closed the switch 2LRS in line 26H. Since limit switch LS9A is normally closed, a current path to solenoid SOL2 is now completed. The energization of solenoid SOL2 opens the valve it controls to supply pressurized fluid to the linear motor 304A in the direction to retract its link 300A. Retraction of the (linear motor) link 300A will cause the rocker 24A to move to the level (horizontal) position.

As shown in FIGS. 26 through 30, the cams C7, C8, C9 and C10 are carried by a bracket 79A suitably fixed to the rocker 24A. The cams C7, C8, C9 and C10 are each provided with an elongated slot, as shown, receiving elongated blocks 78A to which they are secured by suitable screws 77A. The cams C7, C8, C9 and C10 each have a sloping cam surface 76A whose position may be adjusted up-and-down relative to the limit switches LS7, LS8, LS9 and LS10, the latter being fixed to another bracket 80A which is in turn carried by the turntable 20A.

Movement of the rocker 24A to the level position eventually causes cam C9 to actuate limit switch LS9. Actuation of limit switch LS9 opens the normally closed limit switch LS9, in line 29H, and closes the normally open limit switch LS9B, in line 27H, energizing relay coil CR3, in line 27H, closing switches CRS3-A and CRS3-B, in lines 12 and 9H-2, respectively.

The carriage 26A however continues its downward movement, due to its own momentum, toward the right hand end of the rocker 24A, even though the rocker has returned to its horizontal position. In moving to the end of the rocker, the carriage actuates limit switch LS11. Since the contacts of switch CRS3 were already closed (line 12H), when limit switch LS11 is closed, the stepper unit motor SUM now advances to step 5.

As illustrated in FIGS. 26, 27 and 28, the carriage 26A has surfaces 70A and 71A which engage the limit switches LS5, LS6, LS11 and LS12 as the carriage 26A moves from one end of the rocker 24A to the other end. As shown in FIG. 29, the limit switch LS11 is slidably mounted on a rod 74A, the latter being secured to the rocker 24A. The limit switch LS11 is secured to the rod 74A by a set screw 75A, but the position of the limit switch LS11 may be adjusted along the length of the rod 74A, as required. The limit switches LS5, LS6 and LS12 are likewise adjustably mounted on the rod 74A.

In step 5, the contacts AB of switch SW3 are closed. However, when the cam C1 released limit switch LS1-A (when the stepper unit moved from the home position to position 2), the limit switch LS1-A closed (it is a normally closed switch), and the circuit is now closed to solenoid SOL4. Solenoid SOL4 opens a valve to supply high pressure fluid to the rotary motor 322A to rotate the turntable 20A counterclockwise. The turntable 20A rotates until cam C4 actuates the limit switch LS4 to advance the stepper unit SU to step 6, but the turntable 20A continues to rotate.

In step 6, the linear motor is retracted fully. The switch SW5 is closed across contacts AC completing the circuit through limit switch LS8 and solenoid SOL2 to retract the link 300A of the linear motor 304A.

Rotation of the turntable 20A counterclockwise terminates when the limit switch LS1 is actuated by cam C1 opening switch LS1-A in line 31H. Retraction is stopped through limit switch LS8 when the cam C8 engages the limit switch LS8 (in line 25H) and closes limit switch LS8B (in line 29H) to energize the unlatching coil of relay 2LR and restoring the contacts of switch 2LRS to the initial condition, i.e., the condition shown in FIGS. 36 and 37.

When the carriage 26A is raised sufficiently it starts downhill and engages the limit switch LS6, advancing the stepper unit motor SUM to step 7. The carriage 26A, as described previously, will descend when the force of gravity tending to move it down overcomes the centrifugal force and the frictional force. In step 7, the linear motor 304A is energized to return the rocker 24A to the horizontal position.

When the rocker 24A returns to the horizontal position, the cam C10 actuates the limit switch LS10-B energizing the coil of control relay CR2. The switch CRS2, in line 15H, closes in preparation to advance to the home position where the cam C12 will actuate the limit switch LS12. The closing of the limit switch LS12 will advance the stepper unit motor SUM to its initial step 1 and the simulator is back in its home position.

The cycle will then automatically repeat, so long as push button PB3 is still maintained depressed, i.e., colsed so as to maintain the coil of control relay CR1 energized and its switch CRS1-B (line 7H) closed (while switch CRS1-A, line 5H, is now open).

During any step of the cycle, if the push button PB3 is released, the cycle will stop, except that if the rocker 24A is in a raised position, the linear motor 304A will return it to its horizontal (level) position. To accomplish this return at such time, switch SW7 is provided and its contacts AC are closed in steps 3, 4, 6 and 7 only. Therefore, if in steps 3, 4, 6 and 7, the push button PB3 is released, causing the coil of control relay CR1 to be deenergized, the contacts of switch CRS1 (in line 7H) will open, and power will be supplied to either solenoid SOL1 or SOL2 (depending on the part of the cycle at the time from line 5V through the switch SS-C (in line 9H) which is closed in position 2 (and also closed in position 3, as described hereinafter) of the selector switch SS.

In addition to switch SS-C in line 9H there is in series with it another switch PB6-B mechanically interconnected with the home stepper push button switch PB6-A in line 6H. Switch SS-C is mechanically interconnected to selector switch SS. When the selector switch SS is in the automatic position, i.e., position 2, the switch SS-C is closed. When the push button PB6-A is open, switch PB6-B is automatically closed.

AUTOMATIC OPERATION OF ONE CYCLE ONLY SELECTOR SWITCH POSITION 3

If it is desired to automatically complete only one cycle of the simulator and then to stop the machine (even though the push button PB3 is held closed by the skier), the selector switch SS is moved to position 3. The primary elements for performing this function are switch SS-D, switch SW1 and the latching relay 1LR.

Movement of the selector switch SS to position 3 will open switches SS-A (in line 5H) and SS-E (in line 21H) while simultaneously closing switches SS-B (in line 8H), SS-C (in line 9H), and SS-D (in line 20H), since the five switches SS-A, SS-B, SS-C, SS-D and SS-E are mechanically interconnected to jointly open and close, as indicated, when the selector switch is moved from one position to another.

Thus, when the machine returns to the home position (step 1) it will close limti switch LS1-A energizing the coil of control relay CR2 (in line 24H) opening the contacts of switch CRS2-A (in line 8H), whereby the circuit to the stepper unit motor SUM is open and the stepper unit cannot advance to step 2, the cycle thus terminating. In the automatic mode (position 2 of the selector switch SS) the circuit is closed to the stepper unit SU through a circuit, in line 8H, which includes closed switch CRS2-A (since the limit switch LS10-B is closed energizing the coil of the control relay CR2 (in line 24H).

MANUAL TEST OPERATION -- SELECTOR SS IN POSITION 1

When the selector switch SS is in position 1, the circuit to the stepper unit motor SUM is open because the switch SS-B (in line 8) is now open.

In the manual test operation mode, electrical power is supplied to the stepper unit motor SUM through push button PB5 and switch SS-A (in line 5) and through the normally closed switch (CRS1 (in line 5).

That is, the stepping now is signaled by depressing and closing the push button PB5 instead of through the limit switch LS3 (in line 10), for example.

To test the machine, the push button PB5 is depressed and then released. The manual closing of PB5 supplies power to the stepper unit motor SUM which advances to the next step. Assuming that at the time button PB5 is manually closed that the machine is in the home position (step 1), it will then step to step 2. Subsequently, when test push button PB7 (mounted on the panel of cabinet 505A, remote from the turntable), the machine will perform the function called for in step 2. That is, the closing of push button PB7 energizes the coil CR1-A (in line 5H). Once the switch CRS1-B (in line 7H) is closed, electrical power is supplied to the wire 6V and anything connected to it. So depending on whatever the step the machine is in, the step will be performed and the machine will then stop. To repeat, depress and release push button PB5 and then depress test push button PB7.

RETURN OF SKI SIMULATOR TO HOME POSITION PUSH BUTTON PB6

To "home" the machine at any time during the cycle, place the selector switch SS in position 1, then depress the push button PB6 and hold it depressed. The stepper motor SUM will rotate automatically and stop in the home position, i.e., step 1, and this may be indicated by illumination of a green light provided in line 6H. But the machine stops at whatever position it was in at the time the push button PB6 was pressed or at the time the selector switch SS was turned to position 1. To return the machine to the home position, depress the test button PB7 and hold it closed. The machine will then go through whatever steps are required to return it to the home position.

STEPPER SEQUENCE AND SWITCHES

The stepper unit SU sequence or program may be summarized relative to the light switches SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6, SW7 and SW12 in tabular form as noted hereinafter. Each of these switches has a common contact, designated by the letter "A," and two additional contacts designated "B" and "C." In the program table which follows, only the contact "B" or "C" which is closed during the particular step is enumerated. Thus, in step 2, i.e., during clockwise rotation of the turntable away from the home position, switches SW1 and SW3 are closed across contacts AC, all of the other switches being closed across contacts AB.

__________________________________________________________________________ Program Table __________________________________________________________________________ Switch 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 12 Line (20H) (22H) (30H) (23H) (25H) (26H) (9H) (6H) Step 1 B B B C B C B C Step 2 C B C B B B B B Step 3 C C C B B B C B Step 4 C B C B B C C B Step 5 C B B B B C B B Step 6 C B B B C B C B Step 7 C B B C B B C B __________________________________________________________________________

The stepper unit which has been used in this ski simulator is sold by the Automatic Timing & Controls Co., of King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, and is designated as Controller Series 1800. The stepper unit is provided with a plurality of cam wheels each controlling a switch. In the stepper unit actually used each cam wheel is capable of 20 steps but only seven steps are presently used. In each cam wheel, steps 1 to 7 are used, steps 8, 9 and 10 are rotated through without being used, and steps 11 to 17 repeat the cycle of steps 1 to 7, and then steps 18, 19 and 20 are rotated through without being used. It will be understood that other arrangements could be provided to program this machine to perform sequentially the operations which I have described.

The various contacts closed and open positions of the five mechanically interconnected switches SS-A, SS-B, SS-C, SS-D and SS-E may also be tabulated as follows. In the table, the manual mode is designated by the vertical column headed P1, the repeating automatic mode column P2, and the one cycle automatic mode as column P3.

______________________________________ Selector Switch Modes P1 P2 P3 ______________________________________ Switch SS-A Closed Open Open Switch SS-B Open Closed Closed Switch SS-C Open Closed Closed Switch SS-D Open Open Closed Switch SS-E Closed Closed Open ______________________________________

From the foregoing it is seen that when the switch SW1 is closed across the contacts AC, in steps 2 through 7, inclusive, the coil L of the latching relay 1LR (in line 20H) will be energized. Thus, when the selector switch SS is in the mode to automatically perform one cycle only, position P3 of the selector switch SS, the switch 1LRS, in line 8H, will be open, preventing the stepper unit motor SUM from advancing to step 2. The unlatching coil UL, in line 21, is energized when the selector switch SS is in positions P1 or P2, at which time the switch SS-E is closed to unlatch the switch 1LRS and permit it to return to its normally closed contacts position, the position shown in FIG. 36.

Further, it should be noted that the relay 2LR similarly has a latching coil L, in line 28H, and an unlatching coil UL, in line 29H. When the limit switch LS7-B is closed (line 2H) the coil L of relay 2LR is energized latching the switch 2LRS-A (line 8H) in the closed position, but since switch 2LRS-A is mechanically interconnected to switch 2LRS-B, in line 9H-1, the switch 2LRS-B is open at such time. Similarly, the switch 2LRS-C, in line 23, is closed while the switch 2LRS-D is open at such time.

The coil UL, in liine 29, is energized upon the closing of the limit switch LS8-B, the switches LS8-A and LS8-B being mechanically interconnected for joint movement, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 37.

The switich CRS3-B, in line 9H-2, is closed when the coil CR3 is energized upon the closing of the limit switch LS9-B, it being understood that the limit switches LS9-A and LS9-B are mechanically interconnected for joint movement, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 37.

Thus, with the closing of the switches CRS3-B and 2LRS-B, in line 9H-2, a circuit is completed around switches CRS2-A and 2LRS-A, in line 8H, to alternately complete the circuit to the stepper motor SUM when either the switch CRS2-A or the switch 2LRS-A is open.

Thus, it is seen that when the circuit to the stepper motor SUM is completed through line 8H, the motor SUM will index and the running terminal R will move from terminal S1 to terminal S2 and remain there until limit switch LS3 is closed. When limit switch LS3 is closed, the motor SUM is energized stepping the running terminal R from terminal S2 to terminal S3. This stepping movement of the running terminal R takes place sequentially until terminals S4, S5, S6 and S7 are all traversed whereupon on the closing of switches LS12 and CRS2-B, the running terminal R is returned to its initial step, step S1.

As shown in FIG. 36, the running terminal R is connected by line 7C to the switch SW12 at terminal B thereof and the motor SUM is connected by lines 7HA and 7HB to the terminal B of switch SW12 and the vertical line 2V, respectively.

I prefer to provide the turntable 20A with two arcuate shaped decks 60A, best illustrated in FIG. 23, the decks rotating as part of the turntable 20A and providing approximately horizontal surfaces useful in mounting the machine. The outer peripheral poprtions of the decks closely but slidable mate with the quarterround guard 343A.

If the cams are adjusted relative to the limit switches so that the pivoting of the turntable starts before the carriage reaches the end of the rocker, and if the rocker starts to lift before the rotation of the turntable reaches the end or limit of its rotation, the traverse pattern of the carriage will be in the nature of a graceful "figure-8." Otherwise, if each movement of the turntable and rocker takes place at the end of the previous movement, the trajectory of the carriage will have sharp corners and be in the nature of two equilateral triangles joined at their apexes. Thus, with proper adjustment of the cams the trajectory of the carriage is made to follow a path defined by two circumocular-like shapes with the two shapes being joined along their longitudinal axes.

Referring to FIGS. 32, 35 and 35A, the cams C1, C2, C3 and C4 for actuating the limit switches LS1, LS2, LS3 and LS4, respectively, are shown. The cams C1, C2, C3 and C4 are in the form of blocks secured by suitable screws to an arcuate segment 370A. The arcuate segment 370A has arcuate grooves in it to permit angular adjustment of the cams C1, C2, C3 and C4.

The arcuate segment 370A is secured to the turntable 20A and is rotatable therewith, the segment 370A being secured to a depending bracket 371A, FIG. 31, of the turntable 20A.

It will be noted that the limits of rotation of the turntable 20A are established by the positions of the limit switches LS1 and LS2 and the cams C1 and C2. By adjusting the positions of cams C1 and C2 on the segment 370A these limits of rotation may be varied.

The point in the cycle at whih the rocker 24A is lifted is determined by the limit switches LS3 and LS4 and these points may be varied by adjusting the cams C3 and C4.

To help decelerate the carriage, the limit switches LS5 and LS6 signal the end of the rocker opposite to the carriage to left. The point in the cycle where this lifting starts may be adjusted by moving limit switches LS5 and LS6 along the rod 74A.

To signal the end of the extension limit or the retraction limit of the stroke of the linear motor, limit switches LS7 and LS8 are provided. By adjusting cams C7 and C8 the limit of the corresponding stroke may be adjusted. (This extent of the inclination of the slope for the carriage while travelling downhill).

The stroke of the linear motor in the direction of movement opposite to that direction controlled by switches LS7 and LS8 is controlled by switches LS9 and LS10 whose limit of stroke may be varied by similarly adjusting cams C9 and C10. (This establishes the degree of incline during the runout or deceleration of the carriage.)

To signal the beginning of the clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the turntable, limit switches LS11 and LS12 are engaged by the carriage. Likewise, by adjusting the position of these switches, the point in time for beginning the rotation may be varied.

It will be seen that the cams C1, C2, C3, C4, C7, C8, C9 and C10 may be so mounted as to be adjusted from a remote location by a suitable drive means which would move the cam to predetermined, adjustable positions as determined by a predetermined program. Likewise, the limit switches LS5, LS6, LS11 and LS12 may be remotely adjustable (by suitable means) along the rod 74A. The predetermined programs would be keyed to the skills of novice, intermediate or expert skiers.

While I have described my invention, as embodied in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 39, as including a turntable which rotates back and forth about a vertical axis, it will be understood that my invention includes an embodiment in which the turntable remains in a fixed position, i.e., without moving back and forth, in which case only the rocker would move up and down. While the simulation would not be as complete, if only the rocker moved up and down, some skiing simulation could still take place.

Referring to FIG. 38, a further modification is illustrated, in which the horizontal ring 83AB is secured to an inclined shaft 63AB. The shaft 63AB is received within a tube 60AB which is fixed to an upper column 49AB, the column 49AB being fixed to the lower column 48AB by a rigid coupling 50AB. As shown, the members 48AB, 49AB and 50AB may be threaded together and jointly take the place of the upper column portion 51A shown in FIGS. 23 and 25.

The tube 60AB carries bearings 61AB and 65AB through which the shaft 63AB extends, as shown in FIG. 38. The shaft 63AB also includes a collar 62AB resting against the bearing 61AB, the ring 83AB being preferably welded to the collar 62AB, as shown.

Further, the lower left hand end of the shaft 63AB extends into a dash pot device 66AB, similar to the dash pot devices previously described, the dash pot device 66AB being fixed to the tube 60AB. Thus, any pivoting movement of the ring 83AB is transferred to the shaft 63AB and the shaft 63AB is restrained from rotation by the dash pot device 66AB.

As the ring 83AB pivots relative to the column 48AB (within the limits of rotation defined by the dash pot device 66AB), the skier, who is holding on to handles (not shown) secured to the ring 83AB will elevate one shoulder while lowering his other shoulder and simultaneously rotate his torso to better accomplish skiing maneuvers.

As shown in FIG. 23, it is preferred that the push button PB3 be built into one of the handles 86A to be operated by the thumb of the skier. All of the other indicated push buttons and switches which are to be manually operated, such as push buttons PB1, PB2, PB5, PB6 and the selector switch SS are preferably mounted on a control panel of cabinet 505A.

Referring to FIGS. 39 and 40, a further embodiment of my invention is illustrated. In FIGS. 39 and 40 the skiing simulator 10B includes a ski structural means 12B and a ski pole simulating device 14B.

The ski structural means 12B includes a base 13B having a downwardly and inwardly extending flange 15B forming a circular raceway 24B.

A turntable 20B includes wheel devices 22B resting upon the raceway 24B. The turntable 20B is rotatably supported upon the raceway 24B for pivotal movement up and down preferably between the limits defined by the lines A--A and B--B in FIG. 39. The raceway 24B lies in a plane which is inclined to a horizontal plane, as illustrated in FIG. 40.

The turntable 20B includes a track device formed by rods 36B and 38B along which a carriage 50B is movable, suitable stops 40B and 42B being provided at opposite ends of the rods 36B and 38B.

The turntable 20B is pivoted about an axis, defined by the shaft 28B which is approximately at a right angle to the inclined plane of the raceway 24B. Rotatable with the shaft 28B and carried thereby is a gear 34B which mates with another gear 32B, the latter being driven by a suitable motor 30B. The shaft 28B may be suitably supported in a bearing 26B, the bearing 26B and the motor 30B being suitably fixed to the base 13B.

The ski pole simulating means 12B is secured to the carriage 50B, as in the embodiment of FIGS. 23 to 37. Further, the carriage 50B supports a swivel joint device 51B similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 23 to 37. Likewise, linkage means 56B and 58B are pivotally connected to the swivel joint device 51B and skis 52B and 54B are pivotally connected to the linkage means 56B and 58B, respectively.

In FIG. 39, the turntable 20B has been rotated to a position where the rods 36B and 38B are approximately vertically oriented. This has been done for illustrative purposes. It is preferred that rotation of the turntable 20B be limited so that its rotation will be only between the axes A--A and B--B shown in FIG. 39.

The skiing simulator 10B shown in FIGS. 39 and 40 may be provided with a control system similar to that described in connection with FIGS. 23 to 38.

In operation, assuming the initial position of the turntable 20B is such that the rods 36B and 38B are parallel to the axis A--A in FIG. 39 and that the carriage 50B is down at the lower left hand portion of the simulator, when viewed as in FIG. 39, the rotation of the motor 30B will lift the carriage 50B up the inclined plane (while it is also moving outwardly) until the force of gravity downward upon the carriage exceeds the combined outward centrifugal force and the frictional resistance of the carriage, whereupon the carriage moves down approximately along the axis B--B to the lower, right hand portion of the simulator as viewed in FIG. 39. Thereafter, the rotation of the turntable is reversed and the carriage is elevated up the inclined plane (while it is also moving outwardly) until the force relation is such that it starts to travel in the opposite direction, i.e., toward its initial position.

Further, it is proposed that an air safety bag device (not illustrated) could be added to the ski pole simulating means. The air safety bag device would be triggered by the skier to envelope the skier in a safety cushion, should he lose his balance, to prevent injury to the skier. In the embodiment of FIGS. 23 to 39, the air safety bag would be carried by the ring 83A.

Also, while my invention has been described as using motors of the hydraulic type to power the rockers and the turntables, it is seen that an all electrical system could be provided.

While the movement of the carriages has been shown along a straing line, i.e., the track provided by the rods 216A and 218A in FIG. 23 is a "straight line" track, this track could be bowed, so as to be concave when viewed in a view taken such as FIG. 31 is taken. If the track is so bowed an additional complexity is introduced into the ski simulation.

Claims

I claim:

1. A skiing simulating apparatus comprising

a pair of skis, and

a ski structural means defining first, second, third and fourth axes

for moving said pair of skis up and down along said first axis whose inclination may be alternated about said

second axis from one position to another and simultaneously pivoted back and forth about said

third axis alternately from one position to another while said skis are simultaneously pivoted about said

fourth axis while the latter is being transported along said first axis and back and forth about said second axis.

2. The combination recited in claim 1 and further including a ski pole simulating means.

3. The combination recited in claim 2 and further including a frame,

a turntable pivotal in a horizontal plane about said third axis and suitably secured to said frame,

a rocker pivotal about said second axis and supported by and rotatable with said turntable,

a carriage movable along said rocker and supported by and rotatable with said rocker, and

ski mounting means carried by said carriage.

4. The combination recited in claim 3 and further including motive means for actuating said ski structural means.

5. The combination recited in claim 4 wherein

said frame includes a base,

pivotal means securing said turntable to said base,

roller means between said turntable and said base, said turntable including upstanding legs,

a shaft carried by said legs and connecting said rocker to said turntable,

said rocker including a rod extending along the length of said rocker, and

said carriage being secured to said rod and movable along said rod.

6. The combination recited in claim 5 and further including

damping means pivotally connected between said carriage and said turntable to dampen the motion of said carriage near the end of its travel from one extremity of the rocker to the other extremity.

7. The combination recited in claim 5 wherein said ski mounting means includes

a swivel joint device mounted upon said carriage and pivotal in an inclined plane.

8. The combination recited in claim 7 wherein said ski mounting

means further includes left and right linkage means and left and right skis pivotally connected to said left and right linkage means, respectively.

9. The combination recited in claim 8 wherein each linkage means includes

a first link pivotally supported by said swivel joint device and extending forwardly thereof,

a second link pivotally supported by the forward portion of said first link and extending forwardly thereof, and

a third link pivotally supported by the forward portion of said second link and to which one of the skis is pivotally supported.

10. The combination recited in claim 9 and further including

first stop means for limiting pivotal movement of said swivel joint device relative to said rocker, and

each linkage means includes

second stop means for limiting pivotal movement of said first link relative to said swivel joint device,

third stop means for limiting pivotal movement of said second link relative to said first link,

fourth stop means for limiting pivotal movement of said third link relative to said second link, and

fifth stop means for limiting pivotal movement of each ski.

11. The combination recited in claim 10 wherein

said ski pole simulating means comprises pivot means secured to said frame above the skier, a generally horizontal shaft connected at its rear end to said pivot means,

a tube carried by said horizontal shaft and movable back and forth therealong, and

a linkage assembly secured to and depending from said tube, said linkage assembly including a U-shaped rod extending behind the skier, and handles for the skier to grasp.

12. The combination recited in claim 11 wherein

a ball joint connects said linkage assembly to said tube, said linkage assembly includes a rod connected to said ball joint, and

depending links pivotally connecting opposite ends of said rod to opposite sides of said U-shaped rod extending behind the skier.

13. The combination recited in claim 4 wherein

said means for actuating said ski structural means comprises an hydraulic-electrical apparatus including a first hydraulic cylinder for pivoting said turntable and a second hydraulic cylinder for pivoting said rocker,

first linkage means interconnecting said first hydraulic cylinder and said turntable,

second linkage means interconnecting said second hydraulic cylinder and said rocker, and

electrical means for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid to said cylinder.

14. The combination recited in claim 4 and further including

control means for actuating said turntable and said rocker individually or jointly.

15. The combination recited in claim 14 and further including program means for cycling said turntable and said rocker through a predetermined cycle.

16. The combination recited in claim 4 wherein

said ski mounting means includes two sets of complex linkages each supporting one of said skis for pivotal movement of said skis relative to said carriage and relative to each other.

17. The combination recited in claim 4 and further including

damping means connected to said carriage for dampening the motion of said carriage near the end of its travel.

18. The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said means includes hydraulic-electrical apparatus.

19. The structure recited in claim 1 wherein

each of said skis is independently capable of arcuate, angular displacement from an equilibrium position,

said arcuate displacement being about said fourth axis.

20. The structure recited in claim 1 and further including

safety means for preventing the fall of a person mounted upon said skis.

21. A skiing simulating apparatus comprising

a pair of skis,

a ski structural means for supporting said skis,

a ski pole simulating means, and

a frame interconnecting said ski structural means and said ski pole simulating means, and

motor means for actuating said ski structural means,

said ski structural means including

ski mounting means for said skis,

said ski mounting means being movable up and down by the skier as said ski mounting means is pivoted back and forth about a horizontal axis by said motor means.

22. The structure recited in claim 21 wherein

said ski mounting means is pivoted by said motor means back and forth about a vertical axis in addition to being pivoted back and forth about a horizontal axis.

23. The structure recited in claim 21 wherein

said ski mounting means is also rotatable back and forth about a vertical axis.

24. The structure recited in claim 21 and further including safety

means for preventing the fall of a person mounted upon said skis.

25. A ski simulating apparatus comprising

a rocker pivotal about a horizontal axis and movable back and forth in a horizontal plane,

a carriage movable along said rocker and supported by and rotatable with said rocker,

ski mounting means carried by said carriage,

said ski mounting means including

left and right linkage means and left and right skis pivotally connected to said left and right linkage means, respectively,

a canted swivel joint device pivotally carrying and connecting said left and right linkage means to said carriage,

said left and right linkage means extending cantileverlike from said canted swivel joint,

whereby said left and right linkage means may pivot through

a variable angle with respect to the plane of said rocker as said carriage moves along said rocker.

26. The combination recited in claim 25 wherein

said carriage being planar,

said swivel joint device is canted to said carriage at an angle of less than 90.degree.,

each linkage means comprises

a first link pivotally supported on a vertical shaft carried by said swivel joint device and extending forwardly and downwardly thereof,

a second link pivotally supported on a vertical shaft carried by the forward portion of said first link and extending forwardly and downwardly thereof, and

a third link pivotally having a lower portion supported on a vertical shaft carried by the forward portion of said second link and an upper portion to which one of the skis is pivotally supported, the upper portion of said third link is being substantially horizontal and said lower portion being inclined backwardly to jointly define an angle, to suit, generally between 90.degree. and 180.degree., whereby the weight of the skier is behind the pivotal connection between second and third links, but near the forward portion of each linkage means.

27. The combination recited in claim 26 and further including

first stop means for limiting pivotal movement of said swivel joint device relative to said carriage, and

each linkage means includes

second stop means for limiting pivotal movement of said first link relative to said swivel joint device,

third stop means for limiting pivotal movement of said second link relative to said first link,

fourth stop means for limiting pivotal movement of said third link relative to said second link, and

fifth stop means for limiting pivotal movement of each ski.

28. The combination is an exerciser or the like comprising

a turntable pivotal back and forth, in a horizontal plane, between two positions,

a rocker pivotal back and forth, about a horizontal axis, between two positions,

said rocker being secured to said turntable,

person supporting means extending transverse to said rocker and movable along said rocker from one end thereof to the other and back,

said person supporting means including an inclined swivel mount for pivotally securing said person supporting means to said rocker, and

motive means for actuating said turntable and said rocker,

whereby as said turntable and said rocker are actuated, said person supporting means is repeatedly lifted and then permitted to descend by gravity along said rocker while simultaneously pivoting relative to said rocker on said inclined swivel mount and then lifted again and then again permitted to descend, during which time the forward portion of the person supporting means repeatedly moves through a general figure eight trajectory.

29. In combination,

a pair of supports for a person,

a rocker movable up and down about a horizontal axis,

motor means for actuating said rocker,

cantilever linkage means to which said supports are secured and actuatable by a person mounted upon said supports,

inclined swivel mount means carried by said rocker and movable back and forth along said rocker, said cantilever linkage means being pivotally carried by said inclined swivel mount means,

whereby said supports may be raised and lowered relative to each other as said supports are pivoted about said inclined swivel mount means.

30. In combination,

a pair of foot supports,

a swivel joint pendulum-like device supporting said foot supports including a single forwardly inclined shaft, said swivel joint pendulum-like device being pivotal about said single forwardly inclined shaft,

rocker means to pivot said swivel joint pendulum-like device about a horizontal axis,

whereby, as said rocker means is pivoted, the axis of said shaft changes with respect to a horizontal plane through said horizontal axis.

31. The structure recited in claim 30 and further including

linkage means carrying said foot supports and depending from said shaft on opposite sides thereof and toward the front of said apparatus,

carriage means for transporting said swivel joint pendulum-like device, and

motive means for pivoting said rocker up-and-down and back-and-forth.

32. The structure recited in claim 30 wherein

said rocker means is also rotatable back and forth about a vertical axis.

33. The combination comprising

a pair of foot supports, and

a foot support structural means for simultaneously moving said pair of foot supports up and down along the length of a first axis whose inclination may be alternated about a second axis from one position to another and simultaneously pivoted back and forth about a third axis alternately from one position to another.

34. The combination recited in claim 33 wherein

said pair of foot supports are simultaneously pivotal about a fourth axis while the latter is transported along the first axis and pivoted about the second axis.

35. The combination recited in claim 34 and further including a hand grasping means.

36. A skiing simulating apparatus comprising

a pair of skis, and

a ski structural means defining first, second and third axes for moving said pair of skis along said

first axis whose inclination may be alternated up and down about said

second axis while simultaneously said pair of skis are pivotal about said

third axis, and said third axis being transported along said first axis and pivoted about said second axis.

37. The structure recited in claim 36 and further including safety means for preventing the fall of a person mounted upon said skis.

38. A ski simulating apparatus comprising

a rocker movable up and down,

a carriage movable along said rocker,

ski mounting means carried by said carriage,

said ski mounting means including

left and right linkage means and left and right skis pivotally connected to said left and right linkage means, respectively,

a canted swivel joint device pivotally carrying and connecting said left and right linkage means to said carriage,

said left and right linkage means extending cantileverlike from said canted swivel joint,

whereby said left and right linkage means may pivot through a variable angle with respect to the plane of said rocker as said carriage moves along said rocker.

39. The combination in an exerciser or the like comprising

a rocker movable up and down between two positions,

person supporting means extending transverse to said rocker and movable along said rocker from one end thereof to the other and back,

said person supporting means including an inclined swivel mount for pivotally securing said person supporting means to said rocker, and

motor means for actuating said rocker,

whereby as said rocker is actuated, said person supporting means is repeatedly lifted and then permitted to descend by gravity along said rocker while simultaneously pivoting relative to said rocker on said inclined swivel mount and then lifted again and then again permitted to descend, during which time the forward portion of the person supporting means repeatedly moves through various ski simulating modes.

40. A skiing simulating apparatus comprising

a pair of skis,

a carriage supporting said skis,

a turntable supporting said carriage, said carriage being movable along said turntable,

means for supporting said turntable in a first plane inclined relative to a horizontal plane, and

motive means for pivoting said turntable up and down in said first plane about an axis at about a right angle to said first plane, said motive means being energized from a source external to said skier,

whereby repeated simulation of a ski lift and a simulated descent down a snow slope may take place.

41. The combination recited in claim 40 and further including a ski pole simulating means.

42. The combination recited in claim 41 wherein said ski pole simulating means includes a safety means for preventing the fall of a person mounted upon said skis.

43. The combination recited in claim 42 and further including sensing means responsive to the position of said turntable and carriage for automatically and alternately elevating and lowering opposite end portions of said turntable.

44. The combination recited in claim 43 wherein said motive means includes an hydraulic motor.

45. The combination recited in claim 40 and further including a swivel joint device pivotally connected to said carriage, and linkage means pivotally connected to said swivel joint device and supporting said skis, said linkage means being connected to said swivel joint device on opposite sides of the pivotal connection between said swivel joint device and said carriage.

46. The combination recited in claim 45 wherein said linkage means includes a plurality of links pivotally connected to each other, and said linkage means includes damping means to restrain movement of said links relative to each other.

47. The combination recited in claim 40 and further including control means to regulate said motive means, said control means including predetermined program means.

48. A skiing simulating apparatus comprising

a pair of skis,

a carriage supporting said skis,

a rocker supporting said carriage, said carriage being movable along said rocker,

first means for supporting said rocker,

second means for alternately elevating and lowering said rocker, said second means including motive means energized from a source external to said skier, and

sensing means for controlling the elevating and lowering of said rocker and the movement of said carriage,

whereby repeated simulation of a ski lift and a simulated descent down a snow slope may automatically take place.

49. The combination recited in claim 48 wherein opposite end portions of said rocker are alternately elevated and lowered.

50. The combination recited in claim 48 wherein said sensing means comprises limit switches actuated by said rocker and said carriage.

51. The combination recited in claim 48 wherein said motive means includes an hydraulic motor and fluid pressurizing means to supply pressurized fluid to said hydraulic motor.

52. The combination recited in claim 51 and further including solenoid valves electrically connected to said limit switches and hydraulically connected to said hydraulic motor so as to cause rotation of said hydraulic motor alternately in one direction or the opposite direction.

53. The combination recited in claim 48 and further including a swivel mount means pivotally connected to said carriage, and linkage means supporting said skis and pivotally connected to said swivel mount on opposite sides of the axis about which said swivel mount is pivotally connected to said carriage.

54. The combination recited in claim 53 and further including damping means to restrain the pivotal movement of said linkage means.

55. The combination recited in claim 53 and further including a ski pole simulating means supported by said carriage, and gear means also supported by said carriage interconnecting said swivel mount means and said ski pole simulating means.

56. The combination recited in claim 55 wherein said ski pole simulating means includes a generally horizontally disposed annularlike member and handles for the skier to grasp, and said annularlike member being pivotally mounted about an axis inclined to a horizontal plane through said annular-like member.

57. The combination recited in claim 56 and further including damping means to restrain pivotal movement of said annular-like member.

58. The combination recited in claim 48 wherein said sensing means includes predetermined program means.

59. A skiing simulating apparatus comprising

a pair of skis,

a ski structural means comprising supports for said skis, and

a longitudinally extending platform having end portions and defining a simulated slope along which said skis move back and forth while said opposite end portions of said platform are alternately moved up and down,

a ski pole simulating means movable up and down simultaneously with said ski structural means,

frame means interconnecting said ski pole simulating means and said ski structural means, and

external energy supplying means to power said ski structural means,

whereby a person may simulate various skiing maneuvers as the skis move up and down and along the path of the simulated slope.

60. Apparatus for simulating skiing or the like comprising

first means having alternately elevatable and lowerable opposite end portions and defining a first axis common to said end portions,

a pair of foot supports movable along said first axis of said first means from the elevated end portion to the opposite lowered end portion of said first means,

second means for repeatedly and alternately elevating or lowering said opposite end portions of said first means to permit the descent by gravity of said foot supports along said first axis, and

said second means including motor means for elevating or lowering said opposite end portions and for simultaneously pivoting back and forth said first means about a second axis, and

a safety means movable with said foot supports up and down as said foot supports also move up and down.

61. The combination recited in claim 60 and further including

control means for automatically lifting said foot supports,

said control means including predetermined program means for predetermining the extent of elevating or lowering of said foot supports.