Ski slope demarcation

Abstract

The invention relates to a system of markings for demarcating slopes (1), in particular winter sports slopes, wherein delimiting bodies (2) are arranged along the edges (r, l) of the slope (1), each of which delimiting bodies has a monochrome marker. The aim of the invention is to provide safe orientation conditions. This aim is achieved in that the left and right edges (r, l) of the slope (1) spanning the slope (1) in the downhill direction (3) are assigned differently colored markers, namely left markers (L) and right markers (R), wherein left markers (L) and right markers (R) are assigned complementary colors, preferably the left markers (L) are assigned the color red, in particular neon red, and the right markers (R) are assigned the color green, in particular neon green.

Description

[0001]

[0002] Technical area

[0003] The invention relates to a marking for securing slopes, in particular winter sports slopes, wherein boundary bodies are arranged along the edges of the slope, each of which has a single-coloured marking, and to a method for securing winter sports slopes with markings.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] Ski slopes are typically secured with markers in the form of poles, nets, boards, or other suitable marking devices, such as foam pads, placed along the edges of the slopes and in front of obstacles. These markers indicate the secured course of the slope and are intended to prevent inadvertent use of an unsecured section of the ski area.

[0006] In order to prevent people unfamiliar with the terrain from leaving the slopes, even in bad weather, and particularly in poor visibility, it has already been proposed (AT 330637 B) to provide edge markings for ski slopes. These comprise boundary bodies arranged along the edges of the slope. Each of the spherical boundary bodies has two differently colored halves, the imaginary dividing planes of which run approximately vertically and parallel to the snow groomer wheel. Two boundary bodies are arranged opposite each other at each edge of the slope and are arranged in mirror image. This can prevent accidents caused by unintentional leaving of the slope, especially in unforested high mountains above the tree line. However, these existing markings are cumbersome to handle and store and correspondingly expensive.In addition, their correct alignment must always be checked and readjusted if necessary so that they do not pose a danger to people as a result of incorrect alignment.

[0007] Basically, it is known to provide bodies with appropriate markings on their surface for marking purposes, which stand out from a background in a conspicuous way for an observer, such as through coloring, in particular the use of complementary colors, lighting or even the provision of a reflective surface.

[0008] Description of the invention

[0009] The invention is therefore based on the object of creating an alternative, maintenance-friendly marking by which the exact course of the piste is clearly defined and which offers a skier a clear orientation aid with regard to their positioning on the right or left edge of the piste.

[0010] The invention achieves this objective by assigning differently colored markings, namely left markings and right markings, to the left and right edges of the piste spanning the downhill direction, with complementary colors being assigned to the left markings and right markings. Preferably, the left markings are assigned the color red, in particular neon red, and the right markings are assigned the color green, in particular neon green. Complementary colors in Goethe's color wheel are preferably understood here, with blue-orange, red-green, and yellow-violet, for example, being complementary to one another. Each edge of the piste thus has its own unique, single-colored marking assigned to it, whereby the marking provides a skier with clear orientation assistance regarding their positioning on the right or left edge of the piste. Red and green advantageously stand out against a white piste.As long as a skier stays between the left and right markings, they are on the piste. This also applies to junctions or obstacles located on the piste, such as snow cannons, lift masts, huts, rocks, and the like. If the green marking appears on the right and the red marking on the left in the skier's field of vision, they are safely traveling in the direction of descent.

[0011] The barriers can be cushions that can be placed along the track boundaries, the surface of which is provided with the relevant markings. In a simple case, existing barriers such as poles can be covered with elastic sleeves that mitigate any impact forces. The color-coded surface can also be reflective and / or luminous in any design.

[0012] Additionally or alternatively, the markings can be strips arranged on the respective boundary body, in particular reflectors and / or luminous strips. Such strips, in particular adhesive strips, can be wound helically around poles or applied to any surface, including fences and nets.

[0013] If the markings are to be reliably visible even at dusk or at night, the markings can be made using luminous devices such as lamps, light strips, etc., arranged on the respective boundary structure, preferably powered by a solar system. The luminous devices can be switched on, dimmed, and, if necessary, flashed using a twilight switch and / or a wireless network, for example, to indicate a dangerous situation on the slope.

[0014] The boundary bodies can be equipped, regardless of the markings, with GPS receivers and a first communication device configured such that the boundary bodies communicate with each other via a first network using the first communication devices. The first network is preferably a wireless mesh network, in particular an ad hoc network, i.e., a radio network with radio nodes on the boundary bodies and radio links between the boundary bodies, connecting the radio nodes in a meshed network. Autonomous ad hoc networks can also establish and configure themselves automatically.If a runway is marked out with boundary bodies or boundary bodies are repositioned, the mesh network can update itself automatically and subsequently generate and save a digital, spatial outline of the runway from the network data, particularly from the GPS position data of the respective boundary bodies and from the runway data between the communicating communication devices of the respective boundary bodies, particularly the left and right edges, but also all communication devices communicating across the runway. The runway outline is updated after one or more boundary bodies are relocated.

[0015] Independently of the markings, the boundary bodies can be equipped with a second communication device designed such that the boundary bodies communicate via a second network with third, mobile communication devices located in the area of ​​the piste. The second network is preferably a wireless mesh WLAN network that communicates with the mobile third communication devices, in particular mobile phones. Communication with mobile third communication devices can take place via this second network in such a way that, for example, a skier, piste worker, or the like is informed that they are on or next to the secured piste. If necessary, the generated, digital route of the piste can also be transmitted to the user, and a mobile phone equipped with a GPS receiver can calculate its own position on or next to the piste.This makes it possible to easily orientate yourself on the slopes even in particularly adverse visibility conditions, especially fog, heavy snowfall or darkness.

[0016] In the context of the aforementioned networks, this means that even boundary structures of any color can be equipped with communication devices. Advantageously, differently colored markings, namely left markings and right markings, can also be provided on sports equipment intended for use on the slope in the direction of travel. This provides skiers with improved orientation assistance, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0017] Sports equipment marked with left and right markings in this way may include, in particular, skis, snowboards, ski poles, clothing items such as gloves and ski goggles, which are equipped with the differently coloured markings in the field of vision.

[0018] A method according to the invention for securing winter sports slopes with markings, wherein boundary bodies are arranged along the edges of a slope, each of which has a single-coloured marking, is characterized in that differently coloured markings, namely left markings and right markings, are assigned to the left and right edges of the slope spanning the slope in the direction of descent, and in that a person moving on the slope in the direction of descent moves in a secured area of ​​the slope as long as they move between markings secured with complementary colours, in particular left red, preferably neon red, markings and right green, preferably neon green, markings.

[0019] To this end, it is advantageous if the sports equipment intended for use on the slope is equipped with differently colored markings on the left and / or right sides in the direction of travel, namely left markings and right markings, and if the person moving on the slope in the direction of descent is moving in a secured area of ​​the slope, as long as the left and right markings of the left and right edges of the slope appear on the same edge of the person's field of vision as the left and right markings of the sports equipment. If the corresponding markings of the same color on the sports equipment and the slope are equally on the right and left (next to each other) in the field of vision, the person is on the slope.If markings of different colors are next to each other at the same edge of the field of vision, the person is next to the piste or is traveling in the opposite direction to the downhill run.

[0020] In summary, the invention relates to a system that allows slope operators, slope users, and sports equipment manufacturers and rental companies to provide safe skiing. This ensures the safety of slope users and protects the slope operator from lawsuits resulting from inadequate slope safety.

[0021] Brief description of the invention

[0022] The drawing shows, for example, the subject matter of the invention schematically.

[0023] Fig. 1 a ski area with a marking according to the invention in view,

[0024] Fig. 2 Boundary body with markings in view,

[0025] Fig. 3 shows a sports equipment, namely skis, with markings in plan view, Fig. 4 shows a sports equipment, namely ski poles, with markings in plan view,

[0026] Fig. 5 a sports equipment, namely gloves, with markings in plan view,

[0027] Fig. 6 a sports equipment, namely ski goggles, with markings in plan view,

[0028] Fig. 7 a sports equipment, namely a snowboard, with markings in plan view,

[0029] Fig. 8 to 10 Variants of limiting bodies with markings in view and

[0030] Fig. 11 shows a view through ski goggles equipped with markings of a slope equipped with markings. Way of implementing the invention

[0031] The marking for securing pistes 1, in particular winter sports pistes, comprises boundary bodies 2 arranged along the right edges r and the left edges I of the pistes 1, seen in the downhill direction 3, each of which has a single-colored marking. Differently colored markings, namely left markings L and right markings R, are assigned to the left and right edges r, I of the pistes 1 spanning the pistes 1 in the downhill direction 3, wherein the left markings L are assigned the color red, in particular neon red, and the right markings R are assigned the color green, in particular neon green. Any obstacles arranged in the pistes can also be excluded from the pistes by corresponding left and right edges provided with markings L, R. In Fig. 1, such an obstacle is indicated by a snow cannon 4 located in the pistes 1.

[0032] The boundary bodies 2 can be cushions 5 which can be arranged on track boundaries, such as poles, safety nets, guide rails and the like, the surface of which is provided with the respective marking L, R.

[0033] The markings R, L can also be bands 6 arranged on the respective boundary body 2, in particular reflectors and / or luminous bands.

[0034] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the markings R, L arranged on the respective limiting body 2 can be luminous bodies 7, to which a solar system 8 with energy storage and control system for energy supply and possibly a radio remote control system is preferably assigned.

[0035] The boundary bodies 2, labeled L, R, can be equipped with GPS receivers and a first communication device 10 configured such that the boundary bodies 2 communicate with each other via a first network using the first communication devices. The first network is preferably a wireless mesh network, in particular an ad hoc network.

[0036] The boundary bodies 2, marked L, R, can be equipped with a second communication device 11, which is configured such that the boundary bodies 2 communicate via a second network with third, mobile communication devices located in the area of ​​the runway. The second network is preferably a wireless mesh WLAN network that communicates with the mobile third communication devices.

[0037] The boundary bodies 2 marked L, R can therefore be equipped with GPS receivers and a communication device. The power supply can be provided by a rechargeable battery that is charged during the day by the solar system 8. The GPS receivers determine the position of the boundary bodies 2 on the piste, whereby each boundary body knows its position and can transmit this position to a network via the communication device. The communication of the individual communication devices assigned to the boundary bodies 2 can thus take place via the network, both with each other, with a control center, and also with a transmitter or receiver device assigned to a skier, in particular a mobile phone. Such communication devices can in particular be near-field radio networks, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.

[0038] The transmitter or receiver device assigned to the skier, preferably a mobile phone, can use an appropriate program to determine its own position on the piste and, via the network, which may also include the network of the mobile phone operator, can always clearly determine whether the mobile phone and thus the skier is in the secured area between the left and right edges r, 1 spanning piste 1. The program can retrieve the piste data required by the mobile phone for this purpose - the piste is laterally delimited by the boundary bodies 2 - from the mobile phone operator's network and / or from the near-field radio network. The near-field radio network is also available if no mobile phone operator's network is available. If piste 1 is left, an alarm message is issued, for example in the form of a vibration alarm or.The alarm message is displayed on the sports equipment within the skier's field of vision, as described below. In particular, the alarm message and the indication of leaving the slope can be displayed in ski goggles. Acoustic instructions can also be given via headphones or similar devices.

[0039] In addition, sports equipment 9 intended for use on the slope may be provided with differently coloured markings on the left and / or right sides in the direction of travel 3, namely left-hand markings L and right-hand markings R.

[0040] As relevant sports equipment 9, for example, skis (Fig. 3), snowboards (Fig. 7), ski poles (Fig. 4), clothing ropes such as in particular gloves (Fig. 5) and ski goggles (Fig. 6) are equipped in the field of vision with the differently colored markings L, R. The sports equipment, in particular skis, can be marked such that the right ski has the right marking and the left ski the left marking, or, as shown in Fig. 3, both skis are marked equally, i.e. the right edge of the ski is marked with the right marking and the left edge of the ski is marked with the left marking. Snowboards and skis that can be moved in two directions of travel, for example, can be equipped with corresponding markings at opposite ends, as indicated in Fig. 7.

[0041] Fig. 11 shows an image of a skier looking through ski goggles equipped with corresponding markings R and L onto a slope equipped with markings. This means that if the corresponding colored markings R and L on the sports equipment 9 and on the slope 1 are equally located to the right and left of the field of view, the person is on the slope. If markings of different colors are adjacent to one another at the same edge of the field of view, the person is off the slope.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Marking for securing pistes (1), in particular winter sports pistes, wherein boundary bodies (2) are arranged along the edges (r, I) of the pistes (1), each of which has a single-coloured marking, characterized in that differently coloured markings, namely left markings (L) and right markings (R), are assigned to the left and right edges (r, I) of the pistes (1) spanning the pistes (1) in the downhill direction (3), wherein complementary colours are assigned to the left markings (L) and right markings (R), preferably the colour red, in particular neon red, is assigned to the left markings (L) and the colour green, in particular neon green, is assigned to the right markings (R).

2. Marking according to claim 1, characterized in that the boundary bodies (2) are cushions (5) which can be arranged on route boundaries and whose surface is provided with the respective marking (L, R).

3. Marking according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the markings (L, R) are bands (6) arranged on the respective boundary body (2), in particular reflectors and / or luminous bands.

4. Marking according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the markings (L, R) are luminous bodies (7) arranged on the respective boundary body (2), to which a solar system (8) is preferably assigned for energy supply.

5. Marking according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the boundary bodies (2) with the markings (L, R) are equipped with GPS receivers and with a first communication device (10) which is designed in such a way that the boundary bodies (2) can be connected to the GPS receiver via a first Network communicate with each other using the first communication devices.

6. Marking according to claim 5, characterized in that the first network is a wireless mesh network, in particular an ad hoc network.

7. Marking according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the boundary bodies (2) with the markings (L, R) are equipped with a second communication device (11) which is designed such that the boundary bodies (2) communicate via a second network with third, mobile third communication devices located in the area of ​​the piste.

8. Marking according to claim 7, characterized in that the second network is a wireless mesh WLAN network which communicates with the mobile third communication devices.

9. Marking according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a sports equipment (9) which is intended for driving on the piste (1) is equipped on the left side and / or right side in the direction of travel (3) with differently colored markings, namely left markings (L) and right markings (R).

10. Marking according to claim 9, characterized in that as sports equipment (9) skis, snowboards, ski poles, clothing ropes such as in particular gloves and / or ski goggles are equipped with the differently colored markings (L, R) in the field of vision.

11. Method for securing winter sports slopes with markings, wherein along the edges (r, I) of a slope (1) boundary bodies (2) are arranged, each of which has a single-coloured marking, characterized in that the left and right edges (r, I) of the slope (1) spanning the slope (2) in the downhill direction (3) are provided with differently coloured markings, namely left markings (L) and right Markings (R), and that a person moving on the piste (1) in the direction of descent (3) moves in a secured piste area as long as he moves between markings (L) secured with complementary colors, in particular left red, preferably neon red, and right green, preferably neon green, markings (R).

12. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that sports equipment (9) which is intended for skiing on the piste is equipped with differently colored markings, namely left markings (L) and right markings (R), on the left and / or right side in the direction of travel (3), and the person moving on the piste (1) in the direction of descent (3) moves in a secured piste area as long as the left markings (L) and the right markings (R) of the left and right edges (r, I) of the piste (1) appear with the left markings (L) and right markings (R) of the sports equipment (9) in the field of vision of the person at one and the same edge of the field of vision.

13. Method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the secured piste area is spanned by a first wireless mesh network, in particular an ad hoc network, from GPS position data of the respective boundary bodies (2) and from runtime data between communicating communication devices (10, 11) of the respective boundary bodies (2), in particular the left and right edges (r, 1).

Images