Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1 31 1 255
The invention relates to a device for a-ttachment
to a cross-country ski to arrest backward sliding of -the ski
on an inclined surface. More specifically, the invention
relates to such a device which is self-cleaning.
It i5 known in the art to provide means for
arresting backward sliding of cross-country skis. One
example of such a device is illustrated in U.S. Patent
1,401,940, Beckman, December 27, 1921. The Beckman patent
teaches a pivoting arm 1 with means to limit the upward and
downward swinging movements of the arm 1. The end of the
arm has a sharp point which is dangerous as persons waxing
the ski could quite easily cut themselves. In addi-tion,
snow can gather in the device and freeze to ice causing a
cessation of the operation of the Beckman device.
A further arrangement is illustrated in U.S.
Patent 1,665,537, Dumais, April 10, 1928. In the Dumais
patent, tines 23 are mounted to pivot freely on the ski. The
tines extend on either side of the ski. The tines of the
Dumais arrangement have the same disadvantages as the arm of
the Beckman arrangement in that they are dangerous and are
subject to freezing over.
U.S. Patent 2,077,660, Barieau, April 20, 1937 and
U.S. Patent 2,107,363, Binder, February 8, 1938~ both teach
cleats for climbing hills. The cleats do not operate
automa-tically but have to be manually moved from an
operating to a nonoperating position and vice-versa.
U.S. Patent 2,122,718, Hikel, July 5, 1938 teaches
an extension 24 which overhangs one edge of the ski and is
spring-biassed downwardly. When a slcier moves in the
forward direction, the extension 24 will be drag~ed along
the ground by overcoming the b1as of the spring. When the
1 3 ~ ~ 2~
ski attempts to exhibit backward motion, the extension 24
will extend downwardly and stick into the ground to prevent
this backward motion. The Hikel device is also subject to
freezing up.
U.S. Patent 2,232,443, Farmer, February 18, 1941
teaches freely pivoted tongues 33 extending on both sides of
the ski wi-th means for limiting the movement of the tongues.
This arrangement is also subject to freezing up.
U.S~ Patent 2,199,721, CoEfin, May 7, 1940 teaches
a freely pivoted dog 1 which extends on one side of the ski.
The dog is fixed -to -the s]ci with a clamp to easily mount or
remove the dog from the ski. This arrangement is also
subject to freezing.
U.S. Patent 2,316,252, Karlsson, April 13, 1943
teaches spring-biassed blades 13 extending on either side of
the ski. The blades are biassed downwardly so that the
arrangement works similar to the manner in which the Hikel
device, referred to above, works. This arrangement is also
subject to freezing up.
U.S. Patent 2,375,943, Rape, May 15, 1945 teaches
the use of climbing blades l which have to be manually
removed and mounted.
In all of the above arrangements, as the means
which stick into the ground are basically in a single plane,
they will arrest motion in one direction only, namely, in
the longitudinal direction of the ski. They will not arrest
motion in the lateral direction of the ski.
It is an object of the invention to provide a
device for mounting on cross-country skis which overcomes
the disadvantages o the prior art.
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It is a more specific object of the invention to
provide such a device which is not subject to freezing up.
It is an even more specific object of the
invention to provide such a device which is self-cleaning
whereby it is not subject to freezing up.
It is an even more specific object of the
invention to provide such a device which arrests mo-tion in
two directions, namely, in the longitudinal direction of -the
ski and in the direction perpendiculax to the longitudinal
direction.
In accordance with the invention there is provided
a device for attachment to a cross-country ski to arrest
backward sliding of the ski. The device includes a mounting
block mounted on the top surface of the ski such that a
first side of the mounting block is adjacent an edge of the
ski. A flipper member is pivotally connected to the first
side of the mounting block such that, in a vertical position
of the flipper memher, the flipper member overlies the one
edge of the ski. The flipper member includes a firs-t wall
substantially parallel with the one edge of the ski, and a
second wall substantially perpendicular to the first wall.
Thus~ sliding of the ski is arrested both in the direction
along the longitudinal axis of the ski and in the direction
transverse to the longitudinal axis.
The invention will be better understood by an
examination oE the following description, together with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGURE 1 illustrates a pair of cross-country
skis, being worn by a skier, and with
the inven-tive devices attached
t.hereto;
-- 3 --
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FIGURE 2 is a more detailed view of the device
in one position of the flipper member
thereof;
FIGURE 3 is a view similar to the view of
Figure 2 but with the flipper member
in a different position; and
FIGURE 4 is a side view of Figure 3.
Referring to the drawings, skis l have the
inventive device 3 mounted on the top surface 4 of the
skis at the inner edge 5 thereof. The device is mounted
behind the heel 7 of the skier, i.e., at or close to the
center of gravity of the ski.
Turning to Figures 2 and 3, the inventive
devlce comprises a mounting block 9 having a top surface
with an upper level ll and a lower level 13. The upper
and lower levels are joined by an upright s~de lO. The
mounting block 9 is fastened to the -top surface of the
~; ski by screw 12, at the upper level, and screw 14, at
the lower level. Pivotally attached to the mounting
block is a flipper member 15. The flipper member 15 is
pivotally attached to the mounting block by a pivot pin
17.
: : The flipper member comprises a first wall 19,
which extends substantially parallel to edge 5 of the
: skij and a second wall 21 which extends substantially
perpendicular to the first wall l9. Formed integrally
with the first wall 19 and extending at substantially
right angles thereto is a stop means 22. Disposed at
the bottom edge of the second wall are teeth 23.
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As can be seen in the drawings, the first wall
has a downward taper in bo-th width and thickness. The
second wall has an upward taper in width and a downward
taper in thickness. The downward taper thickness of the
second wall is not sufficient to provide a cutting edge
at the bottom. For this reason, teeth 23 are provided
to permit the lower edge of the second wall to break
through hard crusted snow or ice. However, the danger
of a cutting edge is avoided with this expedient.
As seen in Figure 4, the bottom surface 25 of
the flipper member is stream-lined in shape.
In operation, the device works as follows:
When the ski is moving forwardly, the flipper
member will be forced into the horizontal position as
shown in Figure~3. Because the bottom surface of the
flipper member is stream-lined, the flipper member will
slide along the top surface of the snow instead of being
dragged. Thus, the flipper member will not impede
motion in the forward direction.
As the skier Iifts his feet, the flipper
member will fall down to the vertical position shown in
Figure 2, and, when the ski slides along the ground
again, the forward motion will force the flipper member
into the position in Figure 3. Thus, with each s-tep,
the edge of the stopper member 22 adjacent the upright
wall 10 will hammer on the upper level 11 of the
mounting block 9. This hammering will shake loose any
moisture or snow which is on the flipper member to
cleanse the flipper member of snow or moisture and
thereby avoid freezing up of the device. Thus, the
device is self-cleansing in operation.
To permit easy movement of the flipper member,
-there is a clearance between the edge of the s-top means
adjacent the wall 10 and the wall 10.
When the edge of the stop means adjacent the
wall 10 makes contact with the upper level 11, any
further upward movement of the flipper member is
arrested. Thus, this edge of the stop means serves to
stop the movement of the flipper member in one
direc-tion.
When the bottom surface of the stop means
makes contact with -the lower level 13, any fur-ther down-
ward movement of the flipper member is arrested. Thus,
the stop means serves to arrest motion in the other
direction as well.
When the ski attempts to slide in the backward
direction, the flipper member will be disposed
vertically downward as shown in Figure 2 and will bite
into the snow or ice to thereby arrest any further back-
ward slipping. Second wall 21 arrests motion in the
longitudinal direction of the ski, while first wall 19
arrests motion in a transverse direction.
It can therefore be seen that the dis-
advantages of the prior art have been overcome, and the
o~jectives of the invention have been attained.
Although a particular embodiment has been des-
cribed, this was for the purpose of illustrating, but
not limiting, the invention. Various modifications,
which will come readily to the mind of one skilled in
the art, are within the scope of the invention as
defined in the appended claims.
