Ice track for inruns of ski jumping hills and a ski jumping hill with said ice track

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the field of sporting facilities, more precisely to the field of ski jumping hills and tracks for ski jumping inruns. The invention relates to an ice track for inruns of ski jumping hills and a ski jumping hill with said ice track. The essence of the invention is in that the ice track comprises a base body (1 ) wherein: - two wider channels (2) are formed, which are configured to receive pipes for a cooling medium and formation of an ice surface, and - between said wider channels a narrow channel (3) is provided, which is configured to receive a collection groove for excess water, as well as a heating body for preventing freezing of the excess water, - wherein to the base body (1 ) between said wider channels a raised part (4) is installed, so that a first and a second track (5a, 5b) are formed above the wider channels (2), said tracks (5a, 5b) configured to receive skis of a ski jumper, and - wherein each track (5a, 5b) is crossed at pre-defined intervals with a transverse channel (6) for collecting rain-water, which is connected to the narrow channel (3) between both tracks (5a, 5b), so as to collect the water and lead it to the end of the inrun, wherein the transverse channel (6) also comprises a heating body for preventing freezing of the excess water.

Description

[0001] ICE TRACK FOR INRUNS OF SKI JUMPING HILLS AND A SKI JUMPING HILL WITH SAID ICE TRACK

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The present invention belongs to the field of sporting facilities, more precisely to the field of ski jumping hills and tracks for ski jumping inruns. The invention relates to an ice track for inruns of ski jumping hills and a ski jumping hill with said ice track.

[0004] Background of the invention and the technical problem

[0005] Ski jumping is a Nordic skiing discipline, in which the ski jumper glides on the inrun and then attempts to jump as long as possible. The inrun is provided with a track along which the skis of the ski jumper glide. During gliding along the inrun the ski jumper reaches a high speed with which he or she jumps on the table and transitions into the flying or jumping phase. Several different features affect the speed of the ski jumper, including the inrun type (ceramics in the summer season, ice tracks in the winter), squat of the jumper, skis and different environmental conditions. Snow or rain can accumulate in the inrun track, in case of rain or snow during training or competition, which significantly affects the track and jumper’s feelings during gliding on the inrun. Some organisers cover the tracks during jumps and thereby prevent melting of the ice structure due to sunshine or high temperatures, while in case of snow blowers are used to remove snowflakes from the track or prevent their adhesion onto the ice track.

[0006] A more challenging problem occurs in rain, when the rain drops fall on the ice track and at lower temperatures freezes on the ice or at higher temperatures accumulates in the track. Accumulation of water in the track results in immediate increase of fraction of gliding surface between the gliding surface of the skis and the surface of the track and thus leads to a reduction in speed and in worst case scenario a fall of the ski jumper, which represents a huge safety risk. The technical problem, which is solved by the present invention, is how to improve known ice tracks so that they will prevent accumulation of water in the track. It is also desired that the invention prevents freezing of the water possibly accumulating in the track.

[0007] Prior art

[0008] The company Mana Original under its trademark Topspeed manufactures tracks for ski jumping hills, wherein on their website at the address https: / / topspeed.si / products / in-run-tracks / describes a structure for ice tracks for inruns. These comprise two gliding channels between which a central plate is provided, wherein direct cooling of the channels and their edges is ensured. At the same time a sprinkling system is provided.

[0009] Patent SI25322 describes a system for cooling the ice-ceramic track for ski jumping inruns, which solves the problem of single-circuit cooling of the ski track, which is simpler, more efficient, and cheaper than known multi-circuit cooling systems. The construction consists of a lower distributor with a main supply pipe and a main outlet pipe and an upper distributor with two vent valves, which are fluidly connected to the supply pipes and return pipes. The supply pipes run along the bottom of the channel, and two return pipes run along the vertical walls of the channels, all of which are integrated within the plastic frame of the ice-ceramic ski and run along it. All components used in this solution do not solve the problem of draining water that accumulates in the ski during rain, therefore this solution differs from the present invention.

[0010] Two existing solutions that relate to cleaning tracks are described in patents SI24206 and SI24320.

[0011] Patent S 124206 discloses a solution that solves the problem of cleaning newly fallen snow from the ski jump inrun. The essence of the invention is represented by three embodiments of the device, the structures of which are upgraded and are installed between the snow channel and the inrun frame, to which they are fixedly attached. All embodiments comprise an air chamber with a horizontal air channel, an arbitrary number of fans installed on one or both sides, and vertical air channels on one or both sides. They differ mainly in whether they also comprise a central vertical air channel with a cover strip or not. These embodiments operate by blowing out previously sucked air through the air slots and adding it in the form of a directed air flow above and into the inrun track. This solution is not suitable for water removal or is at least ineffective.

[0012] Patent SI24320 is the only document that mentions removal of water from the ski inrun, as it describes a device for removing newly fallen snow, water, garbage, and other impurities from the channels of the inrun track, which allows for quick and thorough cleaning and does not require many maintenance workers. The essence of this solution is a brush device with guide rails, along which a drive assembly of the brush device is driven via a trolley, to which mechanical arms are attached with hinges or in any other manner, wherein said mechanical arms are provided with a converter of the rectilinear movement of the trolley into the rotational movement of the shaft with brushes.

[0013] Description of the solution to the technical problem

[0014] The invention solves all above-mentioned disadvantages of known solutions as defined in the independent claim, wherein the preferred embodiments are defined in dependent claims.

[0015] The essence of the invention is in that the ice track comprises a base body in which two wider channels are formed, said two wider channels arranged to receive pipes into which a cooling medium, preferably glycol, is released, and wherein between both wider channels a narrow channel is provided, said narrow channel arranged to receive a groove for accumulation of surplus water as well as a heating body for preventing freezing of said surplus water, wherein between said channels on the base body a raised part is installed, preferably screwed with screws, so that above both wider channels a first and a second ski track is formed, said ski track arranged to receive skis of a ski jumper. At the sides of the ski tracks, i.e. at the location of the raised parts, plastic materials are used, while on the upper surface of the wider channels (below the skis) ice is generated. A cooling body and pipes with the cooling medium are installed in the wider channels, while the narrower channel is provided with a channel for removing water.

[0016] Each track is at pre-determined intervals, preferably 1 m, transversely crossed by a channel for collecting rain-water, which is connected to the narrow channel between both wider channels, inside which the water is collected and led to the end of the inrun where it leaves the inrun. A heating body (a heater) is installed in the transverse channel, which prevents the water from freezing. At the location of the transverse channel, a through hole is provided in the raised parts, through which excess liquid can be fed into the narrower channel between the two ski tracks, which allows further draining of the liquid. This allows efficient removal of all water or rain, which improves the conditions for the jumper moving along the inrun towards the take-off table. Heating bodies prevent freezing of the excess water, which further improves reliability of the inrun track. The heating bodies are also installed in pre-defined intervals, optimally every 1 m.

[0017] The invention will be described in further detail based on an exemplary embodiment and figures, which show:

[0018] Figure 1 A cross-section of the ice inrun track according to the invention at the location of the transverse channel

[0019] Figure 2 A bird's-eye view of a part of the ice inrun track

[0020] Figure 3 The transverse channel for removing water or rain in a side view (figure 3a) and in cross-section (figure 3b)

[0021] As shown in figure 1 , the ice track comprises a base body 1 , wherein two wider channels 2 are formed, which are configured to receive pipes into which a cooling medium, preferably glycol, can be fed, and wherein between the two wider channels a narrower channel 3 is provided, which is arranged to receive a collection groove for the excess water, as well as a heating body for preventing freezing of the excess water, wherein between said channels on the base body 1 a raised part 4 is installed, preferably screwed with screws, so that above both wider channels a first and a second ski track 5a, 5b is formed, said ski track arranged to receive skis of a ski jumper. At the sides of the ski tracks, i.e. at the location of the raised parts, plastic materials are used, while on the upper surface of the wider channels (below the skis) ice is generated. A cooling body and pipes with the cooling medium are installed in the wider channels 2, while the narrower channel 3 is provided with a channel for removing water.

[0022] Everly 1 m each ice track is transversely crossed by a transverse channel 6 for collecting rain-water, which is connected to the narrower channel 3 between both ski tracks 5a, 5b, so as to collect the water and to lead it to the end of the inrun where it flows away. This allows efficient removal of all water or rain, which improves the conditions for the jumper moving along the inrun towards the take-off table. Heating bodies prevent freezing of the excess water, which further improves reliability of the inrun track. The heating bodies are also installed every 1 m in the bottom of the transverse channel.

[0023] A top view (bird’s eye perspective) of a part of the track is shown in figure 2, wherein the position of holders 7 for the heating bodies in the narrow channel is visible, as well as the position of the transverse channel 6 for the excess water and the position of the inlet into the inner channel. The transverse attachments 8 are intended for installation of pipes for the colling medium.

[0024] The base body of the track is preferably made from aluminium, to which plastic is screwed and the transverse channels are made from plastic material. The base bodies are installed along the inrun, wherein the number of bodies depends on the inrun length. The dimensions of the base body can also be adapted, which is obvious to the one skilled in the art.

[0025] The transverse channel 6 shown in figure 3 is designed as an elongated body, which is in its bottom part provided with protrusions 61 for installation into the track (figure 3a), its upper part (figure 3b) is provided with a central groove 63, which is surrounded by two raised parts 62 with an inclined surface, so that the skis gliding along the track minimally touch the surface of the transverse channel. At the location of the transverse channel 6, a through hole is provided in the raised parts, through which excess liquid can be fed into the narrower channel 3 between the two ski tracks, which allows further draining of the liquid. This can be seen in Figure 2 (the encircled part).

Claims

Patent claims1 . An ice track for inruns of ski jumping hills, said ice track comprising a base body (1 ), wherein:- two wider channels (2) are formed, which are configured to receive pipes for a cooling medium and formation of an ice surface, and- between said wider channels a narrow channel (3) is provided, which is configured to receive a collection groove for excess water, as well as a heating body for preventing freezing of the excess water,- wherein to the base body (1 ) between said wider channels a raised part (4) is installed, so that a first and a second track (5a, 5b) are formed above the wider channels (2), said tracks (5a, 5b) configured to receive skis of a ski jumper, and- wherein each track (5a, 5b) is crossed at pre-defined intervals with a transverse channel (6) for collecting rain-water, which is connected to the narrow channel (3) between both tracks (5a, 5b), so as to collect the water and lead it to the end of the inrun, wherein the transverse channel (6) also comprises a heating body for preventing freezing of the excess water.

2. The ice track according to claim 1 , wherein the distance between installed transverse channels (6) is 1 m.

3. The ice track according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the heating bodies are installed at mutual distances of 1 m.

4. The ice track according to any of the preceding claim, wherein the heating body is installed in the bottom of the transverse channel (6).

5. The ice track according to any of the preceding claim, wherein at the location of the transverse channel (6), a through hole is provided in the raised parts, through which excess liquid can be fed into the narrower channel (3) between the two ski tracks (5a, 5b), which allows further draining of the liquid.

6. The ice track according to any of the preceding claim, wherein the transverse channel (6) is shaped as an elongated body, which is in its bottom part provided with protrusions (61 ) for installation into the track, and which is in its upper part provided with a central groove (63) surrounded by two raised parts (62) with an inclined surface, so that the skis gliding along the ski tracks (5a, 5b) touch the surface of the transverse channel (6) as minimally as possible.

7. The ice track according to any of the preceding claim, wherein the base body (1 ) is made from aluminium, to which plastic is screwed, while the transverse channels (6) are made from plastic material.

8. The ice track according to any of the preceding claim, wherein the number of base bodies (1 ) of the ice track depends on the length of the inrun.

9. A ski jumping hill comprising the ice track according to any of the preceding claims.

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