Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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l This invention relates to braking devices for
downhill skiing and particularly to an improved device for
effecting control of a downhill skier's speed.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
Various devices have been provided heretofore
which employ sails for changing the speed andl in some
cases, the direction of a skier on a downhill run. Some
of these devices, such as that of U.S. Patent No.
2,213,754, employ loose sails attached to the skier; and
others, such as that of Austrian Patent No. 169,440,
employ rigid poles or spars to hold and spread the sail.
Some use the sail solely as a brake, while others use the
sail for lifting the skier and facilitating long jumps.
While these devices have been suitable for some applic-
ations, they do not provide the desired characteristics for
effecting a high degree of control by the skier during
downhill runs. Accordingly, it is an object of the present
invention to provide an improved aerodynamic braking
device for effecting a high degree of control by a skier
during a downhill run.
It is another object to provide an improved
aerodynamic braking device for downhill skiing which does
not interfere with or limit the use of the skier's legs in
normal skiing maneuvers.
It is another object of this invention to
provide an aerodynamic braking device for downhill skiing
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1 including an improved arrangement for applying the entire
force of the device above the waist of the skier without
restricting the movement of the skier's legs.
It is another object of this invention to pro-
vide an improved aerodynamic brake for skiing which may
be adjusted readily for use in a wide range of positions.
It is a further object of this invention to
provide an aerodynamic brake for downhill skiing, including
an improved arrangement for minimizing the torque applied
to the hands of the skier.
Further objects and advantages of the invention
will become apparent from the following description taken
in connection with the accompanying drawing, and the
features of novelty which characterize the invention will
be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed
to and forming a part of this specification~
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In carrying out the objects of the invention ln
one embodiment thereof, a braking sail is constructed in
the form of two equal sail halves. The sail halves are of
generally trapezoidal form, the bases of the trapezoids
being the sides of the sail and having sheaths along their
edges to receive and retain respective ski poles. The
sail is held by the skier by gripping the poles centrally
of the sides of the sail and extending the arms laterally
to spread the sail so that the pressure of the wind is
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1 balanced-above and below the horizontal axis between the
skier's hands. Thus, little if any torque is applied to
the skier's hands. The sail comprises four pockets of
pyramidal configuration arranged in top and bottom pairs.
When the skier is making a downhill run and grips the
poles to extend the sail along its central horizontal
axis, the forces of the wind created by his movement
and applied above and below the axis are balanced. The
sail is then easily manipulated by turning and slanting
to provide the desired speed; and by moving the skier's
hands toward and away from the outstretched position, the
degree of pressure may be controlled. The maximum braking
effect is provided when the sail is held taut and upright
between the poles. When the skier wishes to reduce the
braking effect, he may move the poles together; and by
turning them forward to a horizontal position, he can
minimize the drag on the sail. He may also lessen the
resistance offered by the fully stretched sail by
moving his trip upward on the poles and allowing the wind
to push back the lower portion of the sail.
In a second embodiment, intended for the strong
expert skier, the sail has about double the area of the
first; it includes an upper half extending above the
skier's head and providing an opening for the skier's
head.
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l These braking devices become noticeably effect-
ive at speeds of over about fifteen miles per hour. The
device gives the skier a sense of lift and control and
also reduces the strain oi his legs; it is not, like some
of the prior art devices, a device for lifting the skier
and enabling him to make long jumps.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. l is an isometric rear view of the skier
using a braking device embodying the invention;
Fig. 2 is a rear elevation view of the device
in its full open or spread-out position;
Fig. 3 is a side elevation view of the device;
Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the device;
Fig. 5 is an enlarged elevation view, partly
broken away, of the left-hand top ski-pole-handle-retain-
;~ ing portion of the device of Fig. 2;
Fig. 6 is an enlarged elevation view of the
bottom left-hand portion of the device of Fig. 2;
Fig. 7 is a front elevation view of a modifica-
tion of the device shown as held in its full-spread posi-
tion by a skier;
Fig. 8 is a side elevation view of the device
of Fig. 7;
Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the device of
Fig. 7; and
Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of one of the bottom
corners of the device of Fig. 7.
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1 D~SCR PTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the drawings, the sections of cloth from which
the sails are assembled are shown by straight lines along
which the sections are sewn together; and, except for the
hems for the sheaths, no stitching has been indicated.
Furthermore, the drawings show all sections as
essentially flat sheets. It will be understood that when
in use the pockets of the sails will be bulged out by the
wind.
Referring now to the drawings, in Fig. 1 a
skier 10 on skis 11 is shown holding between his hands an
aerodynamic braking device 12 which embodies the invention.
The device is shown stretched by the skier between left-
and right-hand ski poles 13 and 14. The device is ~ecured
~; 15 to the skierls waist by a belt 15. The device is a sail
or wing of suitable light, strong cloth such as a nylon
fabric and includes four symmetrically arranged pockets
16, 17, 18, and 19. The upper pockets 16 and 17 extend
upwardly from a cross member 20, and the lower pockets
18 and 19 extend downwardly therefrom. The pockets are
of generally pyramidal configuration and act to increase
the drag, making the wing a more effective brake.
.
The ski poles 13 and 14 are retained in respect-
ive pairs of upper and lower sheaths formed by hemming the
cloth along i-ts outer straight sides. The upper and lower
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1 sheaths for the pole 13 are indicated at 21 and 22,
respectively; and for the pole 14, at 23 and 24, respect-
ively. The sheaths of each pair have between them a
substantial central space which provides a pole-gripping
area so that the user may select his preferred gripping
positions. For most uses, gripping the center of the
poles is desirable so that the forces of the sail tending
to rotate the device about the axis of the grips will be
balanced and minimum torque will be exerted on the user's
hands, thus giving the braking devices an even and stable
reaction to the wind which the skier creates by his
forward movement while the wing or sail maintains a perpen-
dicular alignment to the wind. Thus, the full effort of
the skier may be used to hold the sail taut against the
wind.
As shown in Fig. 2, the ski poles 13 and 14 are
positioned with their handles within the upper sheaths 21
and 23, respectively, and are retained in position by
straps 25 and 26, respectively, at the bottom of the
sheaths 22 and 24, respectively. The straps 25 and 26
are each attached at one end to the sheath and are passed
through the pole baskets 27 and 28, respectively, with the
other end being attached to the sheath by a suitable
fastener such as the "teasel-and-fleece-type" fastener
available on the market under the trademark "Velcro."
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1 The straps are thus adjustable so that they may hold
ski poles of various lengths within the range of adjust-
ment and will hold the outer edges of the sail taut along
the poles.
In the enlarged view, Fig. 5, the upper closed
end of the sheath 21 is broken away to show the handle of
the ski pole 13 at 29 and the hand strap at 30. In Fig. 6,
the strap 25 for fastening the bottom of the ski pole is
shown, the fastener being indicated at 25a; this fastening
secures the pole within the sheaths during the use of the
braking device. The front side of the sheath is cut away
along a line 22a to expose the bottom of the rear inner
side and make it easy to insert the end of the pole in the
sheath.
As shown in Fig. 2, the two halves of the
device are secured together by a central sail portion 31
which is shown as a part of the cross member 20. The belt
15 is attached to the lower end of the portion 31 so that
the lower end of the central portion is secured to the
skier's waist. During use of the sail, the central portion
31 is held against the user's body so that the braking.
force is applied over a substantial area of the body above
the waist. The belt 15, which is shown partly broken away,
also is preferably secured about the body by a Velcro*
fastener, one member of which is indicated at 32.
Reinforcing patches are sewn to the sail cloth
at corners such as those at the inner ends of the sheaths
* Trade Mark
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12S6~35
1 adjacent the hand openings. The reinforcing corners are
indicated at 33. The belt 15 may be constructed with an
elongated pocket or pouch for containing the sail when
it is not in use, the sail being folded to a size suitable
for this purpose.
The beginning skier may find little use for the
wing as its effects are not felt until a speed of nearly
fifteen miles per hour is reached. The intermediate-to-
expert skier, however, will discover a new element added
to the sport as the skier's descent is eased by the wing.
Its braking effect allows one to ski more down the fall
line with improved balance while making easier and fewer
turns. The legs are also relieved by having a portion of
the upper body's weight supported by the wind as the skier
leans on the wing. With arms outstretched and holding
the stable wing, the skier finds his balance is improved,
much as if he were holding a balance pole. It is a new
pleasure to feel the wind press against the wing on the
chest and arms producting a floating sensation and allow-
ing the skier to address the slop as if it had fresh powder.
The wing is easy to control even if the skier
should encounter a high and gusty wind. When desired, the
braking effect can be eliminated by moving the hands to
the topmost position allowed in the cutout and placing
~5 the hands in front of the chest.
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1 An alternate positlon for the wing requires no
change in the grip or belt. The skier simple holds the
wing wi-th the pole handles down and the pole tips behind
his back. The wing thus pivots on the belt and extends
from the waist to the upper thighs. The braking pressure
is now felt below the waist while still allowing free use
of the legs as the only fixed point of attachment is on the
waist.
Landing and riding the ski lift can be easily
and safely done with the wing on. The skier simply holds
both poles in one hand and the wing remains unobtrusively
between the poles and his waist with the other hand free
to hold the lift.
If the use of the poles is needed to maneuver in
the lift line or on a flat place, the skier simply un-
fastens the strap around the bottom of each pole and
pulls the lower sheath partially up the pole. The pole
handles can now be held over the wing material, and the
skier has full range of his poles.
The modification of Figs. 7, 8, and 9 is
designed to provide an intensified braking effect and is
intended for use by strong, expert skiers. Such skiers
when using this modification will experience a slower,
more floating sensation while employing their regular
skiing style on steep slopes. This modification provides
over twice the sail area of the first embodiment. In this
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lZS6135
1 modification, a single large scoop or pocket 34 is
provided above the lower half of the braking device;
the lower half, which is similar to the device of Fig. 2,
is provided with two laterally spaced pockets 35 instead
of the four pockets of Fig. 2. The pockets or scoops
can be deeper in this larger version of the braking device.
The opening between the upper and lower sheaths 36 and 37
on each outer edge of the sail provides the handhold which
is central of each pole but is higher when in use than the
handhold position of Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 7, the axis
of the handholds may be at the level of the skier's eyes.
A balancing of the forces on the upper and lower portions
is accomplished in essentially the same manner as with the
device of Fig. 2.
The aevice as illustrated in Fig. 7 is provided
with a pair of poles 38 longer than a pair of conventional
ski poles and without tips or points and pole baskets.
These poles may be of straight aluminum tubing.
The pockets 35 of the lower sail half are
attached to a central, generally rectangular portion 39
which is positioned to rest against the skier's body during
use. The upper pocket 34 is secured along its bottom edges
to cross members 40, which are parallelograms extending
upwardly from the upper half of the portion 39 toward the
respective spaces between the sheaths 36 and 37. The upper
pocket 34 is constructed of sections of cloth which form a
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l truncated pyramid. The lower portion, indicated at 41,
is of a generally diamond configuration. The side sections
of the pocket 34, indicated at 42, and the top section 43
are of a trapezoidal configuration. The four sections
are secured to respective sides of rectangular section 44
The lower pockets 35 are constructed of sections
of cloth in a manner similar to that of the pocket 34.
Trapezoidal side sections 45 and generally triangular
sections 46 and 47 are sewn to a rectangular center section
48 which is sewn along its inner edge to a section 49,
which is a parallelogram.
The section 41 of the upper pocket 34 is
provided with an opening 50 adjacent the body, engaging
section 39 and the lower ends of the cross members 40.
The top end of the section 39 is cut away to add to the size
of the opening 50. The opening 50 is provided so that the
skier may position his head on the front side of the section
41 and thus place the upper portion over and behind his head.
The device of Fig. 7 is secured to the skier's
waist by a belt 15, which is provided, preferably, with
the same type of fastening as the belt 15 of the first
embodiment shown in Fig. 2. The belt 15 also may be
providecl with an elongated pouch to contain the folded sail
when it is not in use.
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1 When the braking device is being prepared for
use, the poles 38 are inserted in the sheaths 37 and 36,
respectively, at the bottom of sheaths 37. In Fig. 10,
the sloping cut, line 37a, which exposes the rear inner
side of sheath 37 at the front bottom edge, is provided
to facilitate the insertion of the pole 38.
In order to retain the pole 38 in the sheath
37, a closure 52 is provided for the bottom end of the
sheath 37 as shown in Fig. 10. The flap or closure 52
has a teasel and fleece fastener 53 attached to the inner
face thereof a short distance from the outer edge of the
flap or closure 52 so that a narrow portion of the inner
face of the flap or closure 52 is exposed to provide a
tab for grasping the flap or closure 52 while adhering
the fastener 53 to, or unfastening the fastener 53 from,
the fastener strip 54, attached to the lower end of the
sheath 37 as indicated in Fig. 10. When the pole 38 is in
place in the sheaths 37 and 36, the flap or closure 52
is closed over the fastener strip 54; and fasteners 53 and
54 are pressed together to adhere the flap or closure 52
to the sheath 37.
While the invention has been described in connec-
tion with specific embodiments, other modifications and
applications will occur to those skilled in the art; there-
fore, it is not desired that the invention be limited to
the specific modifications illustrated and described; but
it is intended, by the appended claims, that the invention
cover all modifications ~lithin ~he~ spirit and scope of
the invention.
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