Electric assistive skiing device

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric assistive skiing device that is used both on climbs and for moving on flat ground. The device comprises two fixed plates (1) fastened to skis (20); two mobile plates (3) fastened to ski boots (21), where the mobile plates slide with respect to the mobile plates (3); traction cables (14) that are connected to the mobile plates (3) and pull said plates, moving them with respect to the fixed plates (1); springs (13) between the mobile plates (3) and the fixed plates (1), which drive the forward movement of the fixed plates (1) with respect to the mobile plates (3) in a forward direction; a motor module (16) connected to the cables (14); and a controller (17) that rotates the motor module (16), pulling the cable (14) of the mobile plate (3) of the ski (20) that moves forward.

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The object of the present invention relates to an electric assistive device for practising various types of skiing and roller skiing that is used both on climbs and for moving on flat ground.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Until now, in skiing techniques other than downhill skiing, where the force of gravity propels the skier, the skier had to propel themselves using their own effort to move on flat ground and to climb a slope.

[0003] For this purpose, skis (except those used exclusively for downhill skiing) have bindings that allow the footwear to lift the heel so as to enable a movement similar to walking. In the case of roller skis, the boot can be fixed to the wheel support.

[0004] At the same time, the skis have a tread pattern on the sole, or in other cases bands (seal skins) are placed on the soles, which allow the ski to move forward, but prevent the ski from moving backward. In the case of roller skis, the wheels only rotate in the forward direction and cannot rotate in the reverse direction.

[0005] However, the use of these skis during a climb and forward movement on flat ground requires a significant effort from the skier. This limits the distance and gradient that skiers can ski, and prevents people who do not have the necessary physical conditions from doing this activity. This is why a device that assists in doing this activity, this activity, that is easy to use and does not add excessive weight to the skis, greatly extends the range of distance and gradient that the skier can cover and reduces the time needed for movement. It also allows people with less physical capacity to go in a group with people with a better level of preparation.DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The electric assistive skiing device is intended to be attached to skis or roller skis and helps skiers propel themselves and move over the snow, such that it reduces the effort to be made by skiers both when moving on flat ground and on climbs. Furthermore, the device minimises the added weight on the skis so as not to interfere with normal skiing both when the electric assistance is used and when it is not used. It is therefore designed to be easily installed and uninstalled so that skis can be used with or without the device.

[0007] The use of the device of the present invention thereby allows assistance to be provided to the skier in the required propulsion, in such a way as to reduce the effort required and increase the speed of movement. The degree of assistance can be chosen by the skier in order to adapt same to their needs or preferences.

[0008] For this purpose, this device is intended to be fastened between the skis and the bindings of the boots. In particular, the device comprises fixed plates, one per ski, which are intended to be fastened to the skis. The device also comprises mobile plates, one per ski, on which the bindings of the ski boots are intended to be installed. The mobile plate is arranged in contact with the fixed plate in such a way that it slides longitudinally with respect to the ski on said fixed plate, allowing it to move longitudinally.

[0009] The device further comprises cables, which are connected to the mobile plates in a front area with respect to the forward movement of the skier, such that they can pull the mobile plates, moving them with respect to the fixed plates. Thus, at first, the mobile plate and the fixed plate are in an initial resting position. When the skier starts to move forward on a first foot, for example the right foot, the right cable pulls the right mobile plate coupled to the skier's boot forward, increasing the stride length.

[0010] At the same time, the cable of the left ski (which is unsupported) is slackened and a spring moves the mobile plate of this ski in the opposite direction. For this purpose, the device further comprises springs, each fastened between a mobile plate and a fixed plate, in a rear region of the mobile plates with respect to the forward movement of the skis, at an end opposite to the end to which the cables are connected.

[0011] In order to be able to pull the cable, the device comprises an electronics unit. This unit comprises, firstly, a motor module, connected to the cables at an end opposite to the mobile plates, such that they can exert traction on the mobile plates, causing them to slide on the fixed plates. These cables slide inside sheaths that protect them.

[0012] The electronics unit further comprises a battery that supplies power to the motor and a controller, which ensures that the traction exerted by the cables on the mobile plates is carried out synchronously on both skis and in opposite directions, alternately pulling the cable of the mobile plate that is moving forward tight and slackening the other one. In this way, the cable of the movable plate, and therefore the ski of the skier's leg that is supported and providing the propulsion, is always pulled, while at the same time allowing the movable plate of the ski of the leg that is unsupported to move backwards.

[0013] Furthermore, in order for the electronics unit to be able to detect when to activate or deactivate the traction of the cables by the motor module, the device further comprises a sensor module linked to each of the mobile plates. It thereby detects when the forward movement of the skis is initiated and traction is activated. It also detects if the skier stops or falls, stopping the traction.

[0014] Therefore, thanks to the device of the invention, the actual distance that the skier moves forward in each stride is the distance of their stride plus the sum of the travel of the sliding plates on the fixed plates of both skis. For example, with a 20 cm stroke on each plate, for a 40 cm stride, the actual forward movement of the skier is 80 cm (40 + 20 + 20).

[0015] The device is also designed so that it can be readily installed and uninstalled in order to be able to use the skis without the assistive device. For this purpose, after disconnecting the traction cables, the sliding of the plates is blocked by means of a locking latch. In the absence of tightening of the traction cable, this same locking latch acts automatically, preventing the mobile plate from moving forward in an uncontrolled manner (for example, in the event that the skier encounters a downward slope while moving).DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] To complement the description that is being made and in order to help make the features of the invention more readily understandable, according to a preferred practical exemplary embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description wherein, for illustrative and nonlimiting purposes, the following has been represented: Figure 1 shows a schematic overview of the electric assistive skiing device. Figure 2 shows a view of the mechanical part of the electric assistive skiing device. Figure 3 shows a detail view of the locking element when disassembled. Figure 4 shows a detail view of the locking element assembled next to the rough section of the fixed plate with which it is associated. Figure 5 shows a schematic depiction of the motor module linked to the cables. Figure 6 shows a schematic depiction of a section in which the rough sections of the fixed plate and the mobile plate can be seen. Figure 7 shows a schematic depiction of a section of the fixed plate and the mobile plate with the rough sections in contact with the locking element with the toothed sections. Figure 8 shows an overview of the device with the mobile plate disassembled. Figure 9 shows an overview of the locking element arranged on the fixed plate. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The electric assistive skiing device is described below with the aid of Figures 1 to 8.

[0018] Figure 1 shows a general schematic depiction of the device, which is intended to be fastened to the upper area of skis (20), between the skis and the binding for the boots (21).

[0019] As shown in Figure 1, a fixed plate (1) is intended to be fastened to each of the skis (20). On top of said fixed plate, a mobile plate (3) is arranged, being associated in a longitudinally sliding manner with respect to the ski, also being intended to be linked to the bindings of the ski boots (21), as shown in Figure 3.

[0020] The mobile plate (3) thereby slides longitudinally with respect to the ski (20) on the fixed plate (1).

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in detail in Figure 2 and the section of Figure 6, the fixed plate (1) comprises a first corrugated section (2) arranged on a face intended to contact the mobile plate (3), which comprises a second corrugated section (22) in contact with the first corrugated section (2), to ensure correct sliding or locking of the mobile plate (3) on the fixed plate (1).

[0022] In turn, in a preferred embodiment of the invention shown in detail in Figure 2, the mobile plate (3) comprises, firstly, a traction guide (6) on which the second corrugated section (22) described above is arranged in correspondence with the first corrugated section (2) of the fixed plate (1), to ensure that the sliding and gripping are as desired.

[0023] Additionally, and as shown in Figure 2, in the preferred embodiment of the invention the mobile plate comprises a front skid (4), a rear skid (5) and a central skid (7). The central skid is fixed to the traction guide (6), and the front and rear skids (4, 5) move together in an integral manner with the central skid (7). In this way, the traction guide (6) and the three skids (4, 5, 6) slide with respect to the fixed plate (1) by means of the first corrugated section (2) of the fixed plate (1) which is fastened to the ski (20). In turn, the central skid (7) is intended to be associated with the ski boot (21).

[0024] The central skid (7) is preferably made of carbon fibre. Thanks to the above arrangement, the boot (21) moves with respect to the ski (20).

[0025] Furthermore, it is important to note that the purpose of the device comprising three skids (5, 6, 7) is to facilitate its assembly and disassembly, as well as to prevent the first corrugated section (2) of the fixed plate (1) and the traction guide (6) from being exposed.

[0026] Moreover, and in order to provide assistance to the skier's movement, the device comprises, as shown in Figure 1, traction cables (14), each connected to a mobile plate (3) in a front region with respect to the forward movement of the skis (20), such that they can pull them, moving them with respect to the fixed plates (1).

[0027] In one aspect of the invention, the cables (14) may be enclosed in sheaths to ensure their preservation.

[0028] In particular, in the embodiment described above and shown in Figure 2, the cables (14) are connected to the traction guide (6), such that when the cables (14) are pulled, both the traction guide (6) and the three skids (4, 5, 7) are moved with respect to the fixed plate (1).

[0029] Moreover, as shown in Figure 1 and in order to manage the pulling of the cables (14), the device comprises an electronics unit (15). The electronics unit (15) comprises, firstly, a motor module (16), connected to the cables (14) at an end opposite to the mobile plates (3), such that they can exert traction on the cables (14), causing the mobile plates (3) to move on the fixed plates (1) in a forward movement direction.

[0030] The electronics unit (15) with the motor module (16) will be carried by the skier, for example in a backpack or fanny pack.

[0031] The electronics unit (15) further comprises a battery (18) that supplies power to the motor module (16) and a controller (17), which ensures that the traction exerted by the cables (14) on the mobile plates (3) is carried out synchronously on both skis (20) and in opposite directions, alternately pulling the cable (14) of the mobile plate (3) that is moving forward tight and slackening the other one.

[0032] Furthermore, in order for the electronics unit (15) to be able to detect when to activate or deactivate the traction of the cables (14) by the motor module (16), the device further comprises a sensor module (19) linked to each of the mobile plates (3). It thereby detects when the forward movement of the skis (20) is initiated and traction is activated.

[0033] The sensor module (19) may comprise, among others, pressure sensors or accelerometers to detect the movement of the skis.

[0034] In one embodiment of the invention, shown in detail in Figure 5, in order to ensure the correct movement of the cables (14), i.e. that while one is pulled the other is released, following the movement of the skier's right and left legs when moving forward, the motor module (16) comprises a spindle. In this embodiment, the two cables (14) are connected at an end opposite to the end at which they are connected to the mobile plates (3). Furthermore, the attached cables (14) are wound around the spindle.

[0035] As the spindle rotates, one cable (14) is thereby wound around the spindle while the other is unwound, pulling a first mobile plate (3) and releasing the other. The motor module (16) changes direction with each stride of the skier.

[0036] In an alternative embodiment, the motor module (16) comprises a geared motor that rotates a disc on which both cables (14) are wound on opposite sides. Thus, while a first cable (14) is rewound by pulling its corresponding mobile plate (3), the other is unwound, avoiding traction.

[0037] Once the skier has taken a stride propelled by the forward movement of the mobile plate (3) with respect to the fixed plate (1), the fixed plate (1) must return to the initial position. To ensure that the mobile plate (3) of the ski (20) moves back correctly with respect to the fixed plate (1), the device further comprises springs (13), shown in Figure 1, each spring being fixed between the mobile plate (3) and the fixed plate (1), at an end opposite to the end to which the cables (14) are connected.

[0038] In this way, when the skier moves one leg forward, the boot (21) together with the mobile plate (3) move forward with respect to the fixed plate (1) pulled by the cable (14). The spring (13) then causes the fixed plate (1) to move forward with respect to the mobile plate (3), returning to the initial position.

[0039] As discussed above, in one aspect of the invention, the electronics unit (15) may be arranged in a backpack or fanny pack worn by the skier. The cables (14) which are connected to each mobile plate (3) installed on each ski (20) come out of said backpack or fanny pack.

[0040] In addition, Velcro fasteners can secure the sheaths of the cables (14) to the skier's legs so that they do not get in the way while skiing.

[0041] In one aspect of the invention, the device further comprises a locking latch (8), shown in detail in Figures 3 and 4. The locking latch (8) allows the mobile plate (3) to be uncoupled from the boots (21) so that the skis (20) can be disconnected and used in a rigid manner.

[0042] The locking latch (8) comprises a lower plate (10) comprising a third corrugated section (23) which is associated by sliding over the first corrugated section (2) of the fixed plate (1), shown in detail in Figure 7. Furthermore, on a face opposite to the third corrugated section (23), it comprises a first toothed section (24).

[0043] Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the lower plate (10) is part of the traction guide (6), at an end opposite to the end at which it is connected to the cable (14).

[0044] The locking latch (8) further comprises an upper plate (9) likewise comprising a second toothed section (25), which is coupled to the first toothed section (24) of the lower plate (10), as shown in Figure 4 and in the section of Figure 7. Furthermore, the upper plate (9) is fastened in an integral manner to the central skid (7), on a face opposite to the face intended to be fixed to the ski boot (21). The upper plate (9) and the lower plate (10) thereby mesh perfectly during the use of the device, both being integral with one another during the sliding of the mobile plate (3) with respect to the fixed plate (1).

[0045] To achieve the locking effect, the aim is to uncouple the upper plate (9) from the lower plate (10). For this purpose, the upper plate (9) comprises at one end a first hole (11) corresponding with a second hole (12) arranged in the lower plate (10). These holes are designed to receive a fastening element (26), such as a rod or the like which, when inserted, uncouples the upper plate (9) from the lower plate (10), such that the toothed sections (24, 25) do not fit perfectly. This prevents slipping and locks the device such that the boot (21) does not move with respect to the skis (20).

Claims

1. An electric assistive skiing device, intended to be coupled between skis (20) and ski boots (21), the device being characterised in that it comprises: - two fixed plates (1), each intended to be fastened to a ski (20) on a face opposite to the sliding face of the ski (20), - two mobile plates (3), each intended to be linked to a boot (21) for the ski (20), the mobile plates (3) being slidably associated with the fixed plates (1), - traction cables (14) that are connected to the mobile plates (3) at a first forward movement end of the skis (20), the cables (14) pulling the mobile plates (3), moving them with respect to the fixed plates (1), - springs (13), each one fastened between the mobile plate (3) and the fixed plate (1) at an end opposite to the end to which the cables (14) are connected, driving the forward movement of the fixed plate (1) with respect to the mobile plate (3) in the forward direction when the cable (14) does not pull the mobile plate (3), - an electronics unit (15) comprising: - a motor module (16), connected to the cables (14) at an end opposite to the end connected to the mobile plates (3), - a battery (18) that supplies power to the motor module (16), - a sensor module (19) linked to each of the mobile plates (3), which detects a forward movement of the mobile plates (3), - a controller (17) connected to the sensor module (19) and to the motor module (16), which is configured to activate the motor module (16) by pulling the cable (14) of the mobile plate (3) in which the sensor module (19) has detected a forward movement.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the fixed plate (1) comprises a first corrugated section (2) and wherein the mobile plate (3) comprises a second corrugated section (23) coupled to the first corrugated section (2) of the fixed plate (1) ensuring the displacement of the mobile plate (3) with respect to the fixed plate (1) only in the forward direction of the skis (20).

3. The device according to claim 2, further comprising a locking latch (8) comprising: - a lower plate (10) having a first face with a third corrugated section (23) which is coupled to the first corrugated section (2) of the fixed plate (1) and a second face opposite to the first face, where a first toothed section (24) is arranged, - an upper plate (9) comprising a second toothed section (25) which is coupled to the first toothed section (24) of the lower plate (10), preventing the upper plate (9) from sliding with respect to the lower plate (10), the upper plate (9) being fixed in an integral manner to the mobile plate (3) on an opposite face, - a first hole (11) arranged at one end of the upper plate (9), - a second hole (12) arranged at one end of the lower plate (10) in correspondence with the first hole (11), - a fastening element (26) which is inserted into the holes (11, 12) uncoupling the upper plate (9) from the lower plate (10), preventing the upper plate (9) and the lower plate (10) from moving together in an integral manner.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the two cables (14) are connected to one another at an end opposite to the end connected to the mobile plates (3), the motor module (16) further comprising a spindle on which the attached cables (14) are wound, such that when the spindle rotates, one of the cables (14) is wound and pulled tight, while the other is unwound and slackened.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the motor module (16) further comprises a geared motor that rotates a disc on which the cables (14) are wound from opposite sides, such that when the pulley rotates, one of the cables (14) is wound and pulled tight, while the other is unwound and slackened.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor module (19) comprises one or more sensors selected from pressure sensors, accelerometers and gyroscopes.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the cables (14) are enclosed in sheaths to ensure their preservation.

8. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a backpack or fanny pack in which the electronics unit (15) is arranged.

9. The device according to claim 8, further comprising elements for fastening the cables (14) to the skier's legs.

Images