CA2483207A1

CA2483207A1 - Device for sliding on surfaces that can be slid upon

Info

Publication number: CA2483207A1
Application number: CA002483207A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Florian Meyle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-04-25
Filing date: 2003-04-22
Publication date: 2003-11-06
Also published as: EP1497003A1; AU2003229706A1; WO2003090883A1; TW200406244A; DE20206556U1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for sliding on surfaces that can be slid upon, particularly on snow, water or soil. According to the invention, the device has a dimensionally stable sliding shell (11) having an underside (14) that forms a sliding surface, and the sliding shell (11) is provided, o n the top side thereof, with an elastic support (17) that is joined in a fixed manner thereto.

Description

Piece of eauipment for sliding on sliding surfaces Descri tion The present invention relates to a piece of equipment for sliding on sliding surfaces, in particular on snow, water or soil.
Surfboards, which are utilized for sliding on water, are known, as are so-called snowboards, which are used for sliding on snow. Both pieces of equipment, however, are used with the user standing upright. Also known are sledges which comprise a plastic shell (plastic sledge) and are utilized predominantly by children as a sledge substitute. These plastic sledges are kept to a shape and size which renders them unsuitable for older children or young adults. It is also the case that these known plastic sledges are of very simple construction and do not provide any level of comfort. They do not provide any directional stability when sliding on snow or water.
German laid-open application DE 23 22 211 describes a piece of sports equipment for use on snow or in water which is more or less in the form of a discus-like or elongate disk which is capable of floating and has runners provided on its underside and sitting or lying surfaces provided on its top side. This piece of sports equipment comprises two shells which are connected to one another in a sealed manner, the cavity formed by the shells being filled by a closed-cell plastic. The piece of sports equipment is thus capable of floating.
It is also the case that this known piece of sports equipment has a limited application area, provides little comfort and, on account of its disk shape, ensures hardly any directional stability during sliding.
The object of the invention is to provide a piece of equipment of the abovementioned type which is suitable for sliding on a wide range of different surfaces, provides a high level of comfort, along with high dimensional stability, and is directionally stable during sliding. Furthermore, the piece of equipment is also to be suitable for children and young adults and also for adults.
This is achieved according to the invention in that the piece of equipment has a dimensionally stable sliding shell with an underside which forms a sliding surface, and in that the sliding shell is provided with an elastic support fixed to it on its top side.
The piece of equipment according to the invention has the great advantage that, on account of the materials selected, it develops buoyancy, that is to say is capable of floating, and has extraordinarily good sliding properties on water, snow, soil or grass surfaces. Moreover, it slides over undulating, bumpy and uneven surfaces, the elastic support cushioning unpleasant shocks and impacts. The piece of equipment according to the invention even makes it possible to jump over small humps and to cover considerable distances in the process. Its large width is also advantageous since it can be utilized by children and young adults and also adults in a lying, sitting, kneeling or standing position.
Advantageous developments can be gathered from the subclaims. It is possible here for the length of the piece of equipment to be a multiple of its width, which is beneficial for handling, since the user can comfortably lie, sit, kneel or stand on the piece of equipment.
A particular level of comfort when utilizing the piece of equipment may be provided in that the thickness of the support is a multiple of the thickness of the sliding shell. This cushion-like support reliably absorbs shocks and impacts when sliding over uneven surfaces. Moreover, at the locations where the user lies, sits, kneels or stands, the support is indented to give depressions which give the user a secure grip on the piece of equipment. The piece of equipment according to the invention is thus advantageously adapted to the build of the respective user, with the result that it can conveniently be utilized by children and young adults and also adults. This cushion-like support may consist of any elastic material, for example foam, air cushions, etc.

Quick and reliable sliding may also be ensured, in particular, in that the sliding shell has an arcuately raised-up front wall and upright side walls. This design makes it possible for the piece of equipment to overcome obstructions and unevennesses to particularly good effect, the piece of equipment remaining dimensionally stable.
In a further preferred embodiment, the support extends between the arcuately raised-up front wall, the upright side walls and the rear end of the sliding shell. This design renders the piece of equipment particularly compact.
In a further advantageous embodiment, the side walls are provided with an elevation in the central region of the sliding shell. It is possible here for the elevation to extend transversely over the entire width of the sliding shell. This design gives the piece of equipment particularly high stability, in particular in its central region, with the result that 1 S it can also be utilized by heavy individuals without its excellent sliding properties and its dimensional stability being impaired.
Furthermore, in each case one bearing location for accommodating a manually actuable, preferably removable, and/or pivotable braking lever may be arranged in the side walls, in the region of the elevation. In specific terms, the braking lever may be a two-armed lever, of which one lever arm is designed as a handle and the other lever arm is designed as a braking element.
The independently actuable braking levers make it possible for the piece of equipment to be steered, and brought to a standstill, to particularly good effect. This ensures convenient directional orientation during sliding and even more reliable handling of the piece of equipment.
A further advantageous embodiment according to the invention for the purpose of steering the piece of equipment consists in that on its underside, which forms the sliding surface, the sliding shell is provided, at least in the region of its rear end, with one or more guide runners. As an alternative, on its underside, which forms the sliding surface, the sliding shell may also be provided, at least in the region of its rear end, with one or more guide grooves.
In order to achieve particularly high sliding capability and dimensional stability, the sliding shell consists of a wear-resistant rigid plastic with sliding properties, preferably a polyacrylate. It is also conceivable for the sliding shell to consist of a material which has a mixture or a laminated arrangement made up of glass, ceramic material, plastic and/or metal. As an excellent alternative, it is recommended for the sliding shell to be produced from a material which is formed from nanoparticles.
The support may advantageously consist of a polyurethane or an EVA plastic. It is extremely expedient here for the support to be provided with an anti-slip surface layer.
Such a design increases to a quite considerable extent the safety and/or stability of the user when standing on the piece of equipment.
Finally, convenient and reliable handling of the piece of equipment may also be achieved in that at least one holding means is provided level with the region of the front wall of the sliding shell. It is possible here for the at least one holding means to be a strap, a band, a cord or the like, to which the user can hold on when lying, kneeling, sitting or standing on the piece of equipment.
In a further advantageous embodiment according to the invention, the side walls and the front wall of the sliding shell form a frame which is U-shaped all the way round. This design of the sliding shell gives the piece of equipment extraordinarily high torsional strength and thus better stability, which results in reliable steering properties.
Furthermore, cross-sectionally concave guide grooves may be provided between the guide runners, said grooves extending over more than half the length of the piece of equipment, and each guide runner tapering to a point in a wedge-shaped manner in the sliding direction of the piece of equipment.

In an advantageous development, the guide grooves may extend to approximately half way along the length of the piece of equipment and, widthwise, from guide runner to guide runner. It is possible here for those end surfaces of the guide grooves which are directed towards the front wall to slope upward to the underside of the sliding shell.
This advantageous design of the sliding shell also serves for better and reliable guidance and steering of the piece of equipment.
Finally, convenient and reliable handling of the piece of equipment may also be improved in that the finro mutually opposite longitudinal border regions of the underside of the sliding shell each have an oblique surface which extends at an acute angle from the underside to the respective side wall.
This design makes it possible for the user also to steer the piece of equipment reliably by shifting his/her body with precision and skill.
In specific terms, the oblique surfaces may be arranged at an angle of 5° to 20°, preferably 10°, to the plane of the sliding surface. It is possible here for the oblique surfaces to extend, in the sliding direction of the piece of equipment, approximately to the start of the arcuately raised-up front wall, said oblique surfaces being wide where they start at the rear end of the sliding shell and tapering into the region of the front wall.
The rest of the features and advantages can be gathered from the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention which are illustrated in the following drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section of the piece of equipment according to the invention, in a schematic illustration which is not to scale;
Figure 2 shows a longitudinal section of the sliding shell of the piece of equipment according to Figure 1, in a schematic illustration which is not to scale;

Figure 3 shows a plan view of the piece of equipment according to Figure 1, in a schematic illustration which is not to scale;
Figure 4 shows a cross section, along line IV-IV in Figure 3, of the piece of equipment according to Figure 1, in a schematic illustration which is not to scale;
Figure 5 shows a cross section of a further embodiment of the piece of equipment, in a schematic illustration which is not to scale;
Figure 6 shows, partly in section, the piece of equipment according to Figure 1 as seen in arrow direction A in Figure 3, in a schematic illustration which is not to scale;
Figure 7 shows a bottom view of a further exemplary embodiment of the piece of equipment according to the invention, in a schematic illustration which is not to scale;
and Figure 8 shows a rear view of the piece of equipment according to Figure 7, in a schematic illustration which is not to scale.
As is illustrated in Figure 1, the piece of equipment 10 according to the invention comprises an essentially rectangular, dimensionally stable sliding shell 11 with a front wall 12, which is arcuately raised up in its front region, and laterally upright side walls 13. On its underside 14, which forms a sliding surface, three keel-like runners 15 are formed in the region of the rear end 19 of the sliding shell 11, said runners serving for directing and steering the piece of equipment 10 during sliding. The sliding shell 11 consists of a wear-resistant rigid plastic, for example polyacrylate, or of a mixture of glass, ceramic material, plastic and/or metal. It is also possible for the sliding shell 11 to consist of a material which is formed from nanoparticles.

Applied to the top side of the sliding shell 11 is an elastic, more or less planar support 17, which is fixed to the sliding shell 11, for example by being applied directly by foaming or being adhesively bonded to the sliding shell 11, and has a thick, cushion-like vertical extent. The support 17 extends, between the arcuately raised-up front wall 12, the upright side walls 13 and the rear end 19, over the entire surface of the piece of equipment 10.
The support 17 consists, for example, of a PU foam or an EVA foam. The support 17 is provided with an anti-slip surface 18, which may be applied directly to the support 17, for example, by way of a spray adhesive. Such a non-slip surface of the piece of equipment 10 increases to a considerable extent the safety and/or stability of the user when lying, sitting, kneeling and standing on the piece of equipment 10.
The sliding shell 11 has an elevation 16 in the central region. Bearing locations 29 in the form of threaded bores 20 are introduced, transversely to the longitudinal direction of the piece of equipment 10, in the region of the elevation 16, starting from the outer surfaces of the side walls 13, a threaded bearing bushing 21 being fitted in said threaded bores. A bearing journal 22 is screwed into each of the threaded bearing bushings 21, and a braking lever 30 in the form of a two-armed lever 24 is mounted in a pivotable manner at the freely projecting end 23 of said bearing journal. The braking lever 30 has one lever arm designed as a handle 25 and one lever arm designed as a braking element 26. Each of the two-armed levers 24 is retained in a pivotable manner on the bearing journal 22 by means of lock washers 27. It is possible, however, for the two levers 24 to be removed from the piece of equipment 10 at any time, for example in order for the piece of equipment to be used in water instead of on snow. This two-armed lever 24 serves both for steering the piece of equipment 10 during sliding and for braking, in order to bring the piece of equipment 10 to a standstill.
The elevation 16, which extends transversely to the longitudinal extent of the piece of equipment 10, also serves for stabilizing and for improving the strength of the piece of equipment 10, with the result that it is also possible for heavy users to utilize the piece of equipment 10 without the sliding properties and the dimensional stability of the piece of equipment 10 being impaired.
Figure 4 shows a cross section of the guide runners 15 illustrated in Figures 1 and 3.
S These guide runners 15, which are provided in the region of the rear end 19 of the piece of equipment 10, on the underside 14 thereof, are triangular in cross section.
It is also possible, however, for the guide runners 15 to be of any other suitable cross-sectional shape, for example trapezoidal, semicircular or the like. Figure 5 illustrates an alternative to the guide runners 15 in the form of guide grooves 28, which are formed in the longitudinal direction on the underside 14 of the piece of equipment 10.
These guide runners 15 or guide grooves 28 improve to a considerable extent the directional stability during steering of the piece of equipment 10 as it slides over water, snow or soil.
Furthermore, Figures 2 and 3 illustrate holding means 31 which are fitted in the region of the front wall 12 and allow the user to hold on and to influence the steering of the piece of equipment 10.
The piece of equipment 10 according to the invention allows sliding movements on water because, on account of its buoyancy properties, it is capable of floating and, in particular with the aid of the guide grooves 28 or guide runners 15, can be steered to particularly good effect. It may thus be utilized as a surfboard, but also as a swimming aid. On account of its structural design and the guide runners 15 or the guide grooves 28 provided, it can also be steered, however, on snow and soil, with the result that it may also be utilized as a sledge. This essentially distinguishes the piece of equipment 10 according to the invention from the pieces of equipment known in the prior art. On account of its buoyancy properties, it does not sink deeply into snow and water, and it is very well suited, in particular, for users of any age and weight.
The piece of equipment 10' illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 is constructed, in principle, in exactly the same way as has already been described with reference to Figures 1 to 6; it is thus only the differences which are outlined hereinbelow. The same components are given the same designations, which, merely to aid understanding, are distinguished by a vertical stroke.
The configuration of the sliding shell 11' of the piece of equipment 10' illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 differs from that of the piece of equipment 10 described in Figures 1 to 6. First of all, in order to improve the overall stability of the piece of equipment 10', the sliding shell 11' is provided with a U-shaped frame 41 which is formed from the mutually opposite side walls 13' and a corresponding design of the front wall 12'.
Furthermore, the guide runners 15', which in the exemplary embodiment are cross-sectionally triangular, extend over more than half the length of the piece of equipment 10', the central guide runner 15' extending more or less into the region of the arcuately raised-up front wall 12'.
The triangular shape of the guide runners 15' may also be configured differently. thus, in the exemplary embodiment, the central guide runner 15' is designed to be higher than the guide runners 15' to its left and right and encloses, for example, an angle of approximately 60°, whereas the other two guide runners 15' enclose, for example, an angle of approximately 90°.
In order to improve the directional stability, cross-sectionally concave guide grooves 28' are formed between the guide runners 15'. In the exemplary embodiment, the guide grooves 28' extend, lengthwise, approximately half way along the length of the piece of equipment 10' and, widthwise, from guide runner 15' to guide runner 15'. This design additionally improves the stability of the piece of equipment 10' as it moves straight ahead.
Finally, in each case one oblique surface 42 is provided on the underside 14' of the sliding shell 11', in the region of the mutually opposite longitudinal borders, said oblique surface extending from the rear end 19' of the sliding shell 11' into the region where the curved, raised-up front wall 12' starts. The oblique surface 42 is of triangular shape, being wide where it starts at the rear end 19' and tapering to a point in the region of the front wall 12'. In this case, the angle of the oblique surface 42, leading from beneath the underside 14' of the sliding shell 11' to the side wall 13', is approximately 5° to 20°.
Tests have shown that an angle of approximately 10° provides the piece of equipment 10' with optimum steering properties by virtue of the user shifting hislher body. The steering and braking properties provided by the individually actuable braking levers 30' are, of course, maintained in full.

Claims

1. A piece of equipment (10) for sliding on sliding surfaces, in particular on snow, water or soil, characterized in that it has a dimensionally stable sliding shell (11) with an underside (14) which forms a sliding surface, and in that the sliding shell (11) is provided with an elastic support (17) fixed to it on its top side.

2. The piece of equipment as claimed in claim 1, chacterized in that the length of the piece of equipment (10) is a multiple of its width.

3. The piece of equipment as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thickness of the support (17) is a multiple of the thickness of the sliding shell (11).

4. The piece of equipment as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding shell (11) has an arcuately raised-up front wall (12) and upright side walls (13).

5. The piece of equipment as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (17) extends between the arcuately raised-up front wall (12), the upright side walls (13) and the rear end (19) of the sliding shell (11).

6. The piece of equipment as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side walls (13) are provided with an elevation (16) in the central region of the sliding shell (13).

7. The piece of equipment as claimed in Claim 6, characterized in that the elevation (16) extends transversely over the entire width of the sliding shell (11).

8. The piece of equipment as claimed in either of Claims 6 and 7, characterized in that in each case one bearing location (29) for accommodating a manually actuable, preferably removable, braking lever (30) is arranged in a pivotable manner in the side walls (13), in the region of the elevation (16).

9. The piece of equipment as claimed in Claim 8, characterized in that the braking lever (30) is a two-armed lever (24), of which one lever arm is designed as a handle (25) and the other lever arm is designed as a braking element (26).

10. The piece of equipment as claimed in either of Claims 8 and 9, characterized in that each of the bearing locations (29) is provided with a threaded bearing bushing (21 ) in which is seated a bearing journal (22), on which the braking lever (30) is mounted in a pivotable manner.

11. The piece of equipment as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on its underside (14), which farms the sliding surface, the sliding shell (11) is provided, at least in the region of its rear end (19), with one or more guide runners (15).

12. The piece of equipment as claimed in one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that on its underside (14), which forms the sliding surface, the sliding shell (11) is provided, at least in the region of its rear end (19), with one or more guide grooves (28).

13. The piece of equipment as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding shell (11) consists of a wear-resistant rigid plastic with sliding properties, preferably a polyacrylate.

14. The piece of equipment as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding shell (11) consists of a material which has a mixture or a laminated arrangement made up of glass, ceramic material, plastic and/or metal.

15. The piece of equipment as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding shell (11) consists of a material which is formed from nanoparticles.

16. The piece of equipment as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (17) consists of a polyurethane or an EVA plastic.

17. The piece of equipment as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (17) is provided with an anti-slip surface layer (18).

18. The piece of equipment as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one holding means (31) is provided level with the region of the front wall (12) of the sliding shell (11).

19. The piece of equipment as claimed in Claim 18, characterized in that the holding means (31) is in the form of a strap, of a band, of a cord or the like as a means to which the user lying, sitting, kneeling or standing on the piece of equipment can hold on.

20. The piece of equipment as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side walls (13') and the front wall (12') of the sliding shell (11') form a U-shaped frame (41).

21. The piece of equipment as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that cross-sectionally concave guide grooves (28') are provided between the guide runners (15').

22. The piece of equipment as claimed in Claim 21, characterized in that the guide runners (15') extend over more than half the length of the piece of equipment (10'), and each guide runner (15') tapers to a point in a wedge-shaped manner in the sliding direction of the piece of equipment (10').

23. The piece of equipment as claimed in either of Claims 21 and 22, characterized in that the guide grooves (28') extend approximately half way along the length of the piece of equipment (10') and, widthwise, from guide runner (15') to guide runner (15').

24. The piece of equipment as claimed in Claims 22 and 23, characterized in that those end surfaces of the guide grooves (28') which are directed toward the front wall (12') terminate by sloping upward to the underside (14') of the sliding shell (11').

25. The piece of equipment as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two mutually opposite longitudinal border regions of the underside (14') of the sliding shell (11') each has an oblique surface (42) which extends at an acute angle from the underside (14') to the respective side wall (13').

26. The piece of equipment as claimed in Claim 25, characterized in that the oblique surface (42) is arranged at an angle of approximately 5° to 20°, preferably 10°, to the plane of the sliding surface (14').

27. The piece of equipment as claimed in Claims 25 and 26, characterized in that the oblique surfaces (42} are of triangular shape and extend, in the sliding direction of the piece of equipment (10'), approximately to the start of the arcuately raised-up wall (12'), and in that they are wide where they start at the rear end (19') and taper into the region of the front wall (12').