US20090014995A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20090014995A1
Application number: US11/827,819
Authority: US
Inventors: Erikka Gulbranson
Original assignee: Rockit Ski LLC
Current assignee: GULBRANSON ERIKKA LIV
Priority date: 2007-07-13
Filing date: 2007-07-13
Publication date: 2009-01-15
Also published as: US8308172B2; US20100109310A1

Abstract

A seated skiing device having an adjustable heel protrusion and a fixed toe protrusion is provided. The distance between the toe and heel protrusions are adjustable such that the seated the skiing device may engage toe and heel bindings of a snow ski set to a riders ski boot. In this manner, the seated skiing device is engageable to the snow ski of the rider without any additional tools. Also, a seated snowboarding device is disclosed herein. The seated snowboarding device is removably attachable to standard front and rear bindings of a snowboard.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a device for traversing down a snow-covered downhill terrain while in a seated position.

There are numerous seated downhill snow riding devices in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,305 (hereinafter '305 patent) illustrates a seated downhill snow riding device for a physically challenged person. As understood, the seat assembly is attached to the standard mounting holes of the snowboard. U.S. Pat. No. 3,917,301 illustrates another seated downhill snow riding device wherein a seat assembly is attached to a snow ski instead of a snowboard. As understood, the seat assembly is attached to the snow ski via front and rear custom brackets fixably attached to the snow ski. U.S. Pat. No. 4,193,609 (hereinafter the '609 patent) also illustrates a seated snow riding device wherein a seat assembly is attached to the snow ski via a customized interface between the snow ski and the seat assembly. Unfortunately, these prior art seated downhill snow riding devices require a customized interface between the seat assembly and the snow ski or snowboard. Accordingly, one is not able to choose between riding down the snow-covered downhill terrain in the seated position or switching to the standard upright position without additional tools.

Another deficiency of prior art seated downhill snow riding devices is related to their bulkiness making them hard to transport. By way of example and not limitation, the devices shown in the '305 patent, the '609 patent and U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,202 (hereinafter '202 patent) are very bulky. In particular, the rider must carry the seat assembly as well as the snowboard or snow ski. These devices would be difficult to carry while skiing or snowboarding down a snow-covered downhill terrain in the upright position. Moreover, the devices shown in the '202 patent and the '609 patent appear to have side skis or side poles. The rider must carry these devices as well as the seat assembly and snow ski or snowboard. The device shown in the '301 patent attempts to alleviate the bulkiness of the prior art seated downhill snow riding devices by providing a collapsible seat assembly. However, the rider must still carry the snow ski or the snowboard along with the seat assembly albeit in a folded position. Accordingly, it would be impracticable for the rider to carry a set of equipment for riding down the downhill snow-covered terrain in the upright position and a separate second set of equipment for riding down the downhill snow-covered terrain in a seated position such that the rider can switch between the seated and upright positions while on the mountain.

Moreover, the device shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,193,609 (hereinafter '609 patent) has handlebars but protrude our laterally so as to increase the bulkiness of the seat assembly. In particular, the handle of the '609 device is fixedly attached to a base of the device. The handlebars extend out laterally beyond the seat of the seat assembly. Accordingly, the device of the '609 patent is inconvenient to carry.

Another deficiency with respect to prior art seated downhill snow riding devices is that they are boring to watch as the rider traverses down the snow-covered downhill terrain. Additionally, the prior art seated downhill snow riding devices are boring to ride in that they are not configured to provide music to the rider for listening to music while the rider is traversing down the snow-covered downhill terrain.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved seated downhill snow riding device.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The seated skiing and snowboarding devices described herein addresses the problems discussed above, discussed below and those that are known in the art.

The seated skiing device may have a toe protrusion and a heel protrusion which are adjustable so as to fit within toe and heel bindings of a snow ski adjusted to a ski boot of a rider. In particular, the heel protrusion of the seated skiing device may be slid closer to the toe protrusion or slid further away from the toe protrusion and locked in place. The distance between the toe protrusion and the heel protrusion is adjusted and locked in place to fit the toe and heel bindings of the snow ski. In this manner, the skier may disengage his/her ski boots from the snow ski and engage the seated skiing device to the snow ski to ride down the snow covered downhill terrain in the seated position. The rider may alternate between riding down the snow covered downhill terrain in the seated position with the seated skiing device or in the traditional upright position by engaging his/her ski boot to the snow ski.

In an aspect of the seated skiing device, the same may have collapsible handle and thigh bars. The collapsible handle and thigh bars may be traversable between a collapsed position and an extended position. The rider may traverse the handle and thigh bars to the collapsed position for stowing the seated skiing device in a backpack. To ride down the snow covered downhill terrain in the seated position, the seated skiing device is removed from the backpack, the handle and thigh bars are traversed to the extended position and the seated skiing device is engaged to the snow ski.

In an aspect of the seated skiing device, the same may incorporate a shock absorber for providing comfort to the skier while riding down the snow covered downhill terrain in the seated position.

In an aspect of the seated skiing device, the same may also additionally have a leash attached to the seated skiing device and removably attachable to a leg or arm of the skier.

The seated snowboarding device may have a front protrusion and a rear protrusion which are removably attachable to traditional front and rear bindings of a snowboard. The seated snowboarding device may have all of the features discussed herein in relation to the seated skiing device except for the toe protrusion and the heal protrusion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a skier riding down a snow covered downhill terrain in the seated position with a seated skiing device attached to a snow ski;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the seated skiing device shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of the seated skiing device shown inFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a heel protrusion adjustably attached to a frame of the seated skiing device shown inFIG. 3;

FIG. 4A is a cross sectional view of the heel protrusion shown inFIG. 4;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the seated skiing device shown inFIG. 3 and illustrating a shock absorber;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the seated skiing device shown inFIG. 2;

FIG. 6A is an enlarged view of a right handle and thigh bar;

FIG. 7 illustrates a collapsed position of the left and right handle and thigh bars shown inFIG. 6;

FIG. 7ais an enlarged view of the right handle and thigh bar in the collapsed position;

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative means of attaching the left and right handle and thigh bars to the frame;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the seated skiing device shown inFIG. 2 and illustrating the pivotable nature of a seat of the seated skiing device;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a sensor and an audio/visual output;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an audio system;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a seated snowboarding device removably attachable to standard front and rear bindings of a snowboard; and

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the seated snowboarding device shown inFIG. 11 wherein an extension has a tongue removably attachable to a receiver of a frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, the same illustrates a seated skiing device10 (seeFIG. 1) and a seated snowboard device12 (seeFIG. 12). The seatedskiing device10 may be removably to asnow ski14 with toe and

heel bindings

16,18 set to theski boot20 of theskier22. Similarly, the seatedsnowboard device12 may be removably attachable to front and

rear bindings

24,26 of asnowboard28 with the front and

rear bindings

24,26 set to the stance of the snowboarder. Accordingly, the seated skiing and

snowboard devices

10,12 may be respectively removably attachable to thesnow ski14 andsnowboard28 as desired. As such, the rider may choose to ride down a snow covered downhill terrain in the traditional upright position with his/hersnow ski14 orsnowboard28. Also, at the appropriate time, as desired, theskier22 or snowboarder may decide to ride down the snow covered downhill terrain in a seated position by engaging the seatedskiing device10 to thesnow ski14 or the seatedsnowboard device12 to thesnowboard28. Theskier22 or snowboarder may alternate between riding down the snow covered downhill terrain in the standard traditional upright position or in the seated position.

Referring now toFIG. 1-9, the seatedskiing device10 may have aframe32, left and right handle and thigh bars34,36, aseat assembly38, ashock assembly40, and adjustable toe and

heel protrusions

42,44. Also, the seatedskiing device10 may have aleash46.

As shown inFIG. 3, thetoe protrusion42 may be fixedly attached to theframe32. Thetoe protrusion42 may be sized and configured to engage thetoe bindings16. Similarly, theheel protrusion44 may be sized and configured to engage the heel binding18. Moreover, theheel protrusion44 may be adjustably attached to theframe32 such that a distance45 (seeFIG. 3) between the toe and

heel protrusions

42,44 may be adjusted so as to be equal to a distance47 (seeFIG. 2) between the toe and

heel bindings

16,18. In this manner, the toe and

heel protrusions

42,44 are adjusted to the toe and

heel bindings

16,18 already adjusted to the preferences of theskier22. The toe and

heel bindings

16,18 are not adjusted to the requirements of the toe and

heel protrusions

42,44. Accordingly, the toe and

heel protrusions

42,44 of the seatedskiing device10 or theski boot20 of theskier22 may be selectively engaged to the toe and

heel bindings

16,18 of the snow ski.

Theheel protrusion44 may be adjustably attached to theframe32 in that theheel protrusion44 may be slid closer to thetoe protrusion42 and locked in place or slid away from thetoe protrusion42 and locked in place, as shown byarrow51 inFIG. 4. The position of theheel protrusion44 depends on the setting of the toe and

heel bindings

16,18 of thesnow ski14. To achieve the slide and lock feature of theheel protrusion44 to theframe32, anelongate block46 may be fixedly secured to an underside of theframe32. Theheel protrusion44 may additionally have anextension48. Theextension48 of theheel protrusion44 may have a channel50 (seeFIG. 4A) sized and configured to receive theelongate block46. Theelongate block46 may slide in a longitudinal direction into or out of thechannel50, as shown by arrow51 (seeFIG. 4). Theextension48 may have aligned apertures (e.g., circular hole)52 formed inopposed walls54a, bwhich defines thechannel50. Theelongate block46 may have a mating elongate slot56 (seeFIG. 4) which is aligned to theapertures52 formed in theopposed walls54a, b. A fastener58 (seeFIG. 4A) having anelongate bolt60 may be inserted through theapertures52 of theopposed walls54a, band theelongate slot56 of theelongate block46. When theelongate bolt60 is inserted through theapertures52 and theelongate slot56, theheel protrusion44 does not substantially wiggle in the vertical up and down direction. The reason is that theextension48 defines anupper surface62 which may contact alower surface64 offrame32. Theelongate bolt60 of thefastener58 holds theupper surface62 of theextension48 against thelower surface64 of theframe32. Theheel protrusion44 may be slid closer to thetoe protrusion42 or further away from thetoe protrusion42. To this end, theelongate bolt60 slides within theelongate slot56. When the distance between the toe and

heel protrusions

42,44 are properly adjusted to the toe and

heel bindings

16,18, thefastener58 is tightened to lock theheel protrusion44 in place. In particular, theopposed walls54a, bare deflected inward againstopposed sides66a, bwhen thefastener58 is tightened.

Thefastener58 may be a quick release lever such as is commonly found in modern bicycles, as shown inFIG. 4A. The quick release lever may have anut68, theelongate bolt60, alever70 and acollar76. Thenut68 may be attached to a first distal end of theelongate bolt60. Thelever70 may be attached to an opposed second distal end of theelongate bolt60. The lever may have ahandle72 andcam74. Thehandle72 is operative to rotate thecam74 to loosen (seeFIGS. 4 and 4A) or tighten (seeFIG. 3) the quick release lever. In particular, thecam74 draws theelongate bolt60 toward the cam side when thelever70 is traversed to a tightened position (seeFIG. 3). Conversely, thecam74 releases tension in theelongate bolt60 when thehandle72 is traversed to a release position (seeFIGS. 4 and 4A). Accordingly, theheel protrusion44 may be slid and locked in the following manner. Thehandle72 may be traversed to the released position to allow thedistance45 between the heel and

toe protrusions

44,42 to be adjusted. After thedistance45 between the toe and

heel protrusions

42,44 are adjusted, thehandle72 is traversed to the tightened position (seeFIG. 3). Theopposed walls54a, bpress against the opposed sides66a, bthereby frictionally locking theheel protrusion44 in place.

In an aspect of the seatedskiing device10, it is contemplated that theheel protrusion44 be fixedly attached to theframe32 and thetoe protrusion42 be adjustably attached to theframe32 in that thetoe protrusion42 may be slid closer to theheel protrusion44 and locked in place or slid away from theheel protrusion44 and locked in place. Thetoe protrusion42 may be adjustably attached to theframe32 in the same manner that theheel protrusion44 is adjustably attached to theframe32 as discussed above.

Theframe32 may have afirst plate78 and asecond plate80, as shown inFIG. 2. The first and

second plates

78,80 may be spaced apart withvarious spacers82a, b, cpositioned between the first and

second plates

78,80.Spacer82amay be positioned at a lower portion of the first and

second plates

78,80. Thespacer82amay be attached to the first and

second plates

78,80 with a nut and bolt, adhesive or other methods known in the art. Thespacer82b(seeFIG. 5) may be positioned between the first and

second plates

78,80 at an upper rear portion of the first and

second plates

78,80. Thespacer82bmay be attached to the first and

second plates

78,80 with twobolts81a,bor other methods known in the art. Thespacer82c(seeFIG. 2) may be positioned between the first and

second plates

78,80 at an upper front portion of the first and

second plates

78,80. Thespacers82a, b, cmay be sized and configured to maintain a parallel relationship between the first and

second plates

78,80. To lighten the weight of the seatedskiing device10, the first and

second plates

78,80 may be hollowed out so as to form a web configuration.

The left and right handle and thigh bars34,36 (seeFIGS. 6-7A) may be collapsible. In particular, left andright posts86a, b(seeFIG. 7) may be attached to aseat frame84 immediately adjacent the upper front portion of theframe32. The left andright posts86a, bmay extend out in opposed lateral directions from each other. Moreover, the left andright posts86a, bmay be aligned to each other and extend out perpendicularly with respect to a plane defined by theframe32. The left and right handle and thigh bars34,36 may rotate to a collapsed position (seeFIGS. 6 and 7).

Alternatively, the left and right handle and thigh bars34,36 may be rotated in a downward direction so as to be positioned vertically with respect to theframe32. To this end, the angular position of the left andright posts86a, bare rotated ninety degrees. The left and right handle and thigh bars34,36 may be traversed between the extended position and the retracted position in the same manner that the left and right handle and thigh bars34,36 are traversed therebetween as discussed above.

Alternatively, the left and right handle and thigh bars34,36 may be removably attachable to the left andright posts86a, b, as shown inFIG. 8. When theskier22 is riding down the snow-covered down hill terrain with the seatedskiing device10, the left and right handle and thigh bars34,36 are attached to the left andright posts86a, b. When theskier22 is riding down the snow-covered downhill terrain in the traditional upright position, the seatedskiing device10 is disposed within a large backpack. To this end, the left and right handle and thigh bars34,36 are detached from the left andright posts86a, band placed against theframe32 such that the seatedskiing device10 may have a compact configuration so as to be disposable within the large backpack.

To attach or detach the left and right handle and thigh bars34,36 from the left andright posts86a, b, the left andright posts86a, bmay have spring loadedbuttons88a, b. The left and right handle and thigh bars34,36 may havecorresponding apertures90a, bsized and configured to receive the spring loadedbuttons88a, b. To engage the left and right handle and thigh bars34,36 to the left andright posts86a, b,distal end portions92a, bmay have a hollow center. Thedistal end portions92a, bof the left and right handle and thigh bars34,36 may be slid over the left andright posts86a, b. The left andright posts86a, bmay be sized and configured to have a close fit with thedistal end portions92a, b. The left andright posts86a, bare inserted into thedistal end portions92a, buntil the spring loadedbuttons88a, bspring up into theapertures90a, bto secure the left and right

handle thigh bars

34,36 to the left andright posts86a, b. To remove the left and right handle and thigh bars34,36, the spring loadedbuttons88a, bare pushed downward and out of theapertures90a, b. The left and right handle and thigh bars34,36 may be slid off of the left andright posts86a, b. To ensure that the skier does not lose the left and right handle and thigh bars34,36 a bungee cord orother band89 may be attached to the left andright posts86a, band the left and right handle and thigh bars34,36. The left and right handle and thigh bars34,36 may be laid against theframe32. The left and right handle and thigh bars34,36 may be secured to the frame with a bungee cord or other fastening device.

The left and right handle and thigh bars34,36 may each define ahandle portion100a, band athigh portion102a, b, as shown inFIG. 6. Thethigh portions102a, bmay be positioned medially with respect to thehandle portions100a, b. Thethigh portions102a, bmay be covered with a soft sponge or cushion such that when the skier's thighs rest upon thethigh portions102a, b, (seeFIG. 1), thethigh portions102a, bdo not cause discomfort to the rider orskier22. Thehandle portions100a, bmay be sized and configured to receive the left and right hands of theskier22. Thehandle portions100a, bmay be covered with a friction material such as handle grips commonly used on a bicycle.

Theseat frame84 may have left andright bars104a, b, as shown inFIG. 6. The left andright bars104a, bmay extend from the upper forward portion of theframe32 and generally horizontally over the rear portion of theframe32. The left andright bars104a, bmay be skewed outward as the left andright bars104a, bextend toward the rear portion of theframe32. Across bar106, may be attached to reardistal end portions108a, bof the left andright bars104a, b. Theseat96 may be permanently attached, removably attachable, selectively adjustable to theseat frame84 in any manner known in the art shown herein or developed in the future. By way of example and not limitation, a plurality of screws may be inserted through the left andright bars104a, band engaged to a bottom surface of theseat96. Alternatively, although not shown, a seat post of a bicycle may be attached to theseat frame84 via welding, fastening or other attachment methods known in the art or developed in the future. By way of example and not limitation, the seat post may have a saddle clamp typically used for a bicycle. Theseat96 may have saddle rails. The saddle rails may be adjustably attachable to the saddle clamp in a forward/rearward motion as well as a tilting orientation. Theseat96 may be a bicycle seat such as one that is sold under the trademark FORTE CONTOUR.

Ashock absorber110 may be attached to theseat frame84 and theframe32, as shown inFIG. 5. In particular, theshock absorber110 may define an upperdistal portion112 and a lowerdistal portion114. The upperdistal portion112 may be a gas charged cylinder. The lowerdistal portion114 may be a rod slideably disposable within the gas chargedcylinder112. The upperdistal portion112 may be attached to theseat frame84. Also, the lowerdistal portion114 may be attached to theframe32. As the skier rides down the snow-covered downhill terrain in the seated position with the seatedskiing device10, bumps in the snow impart gyrations to the seatedskiing device10. These gyrations are absorbed by theshock absorber110. The attachments made between (1) the upperdistal portion112 and theseat frame84 and (2) the lowerdistal portion114 andframe32 may be made in any manner known in the art or developed in the future.

As shown inFIG. 9, alower collar116 may be disposed about the lowerdistal portion114. Anupper collar118 may be threadably attached to a threadedportion120 of the upperdistal portion112. Aspring122 may be disposed between thelower collar116 andupper collar118. Theshock absorber110 may provide stiffer or looser suspension by compressing or loosening thespring122. To compress or loosen thespring122, theupper collar118 may be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise. Compression of thespring122 provides greater resistance to a downward force imposed on the top of theseat96 or an upward force imposed on theframe32 by thesnow ski14. In use, the rider traverses down a snow-covered downhill terrain. Bumps in the snow will cause thesnow ski14 to gyrate up and down. Such gyration imposes forces on theframe32 and are absorbed by theshock absorber110 to provide a more comfortable ride to theskier22.

Referring now toFIG. 5, theseat96 may be raised or lowered by raising or lowering theshock absorber110. In particular, the first and

second parts

78,80 of theframe32 may be attached to each other at the rear portion thereof with thespacer82b. Thespacer82bmay have a threaded throughhole124. The lowerdistal portion114 may also have a threadedportion126. Such threadedportion126 may be threadable into the threaded throughhole124 of thespacer82bto raise or lower theseat96. The lowerdistal portion114 may be threaded into or out of the threaded throughhole124 of thespacer82bwith an allen wrench insertable into areceiver127 by rotating the lowerdistal portion114 into or out of the threaded throughhole124. Alocknut128 may be threaded onto the threadedportion126 of the lowerdistal portion114 and jammed against thespacer82bto lock the position of the lowerdistal portion114 and the height of theseat96. It is also contemplated that theseat96 may be lowered or raised by attaching a seat tube to theseat frame84 wherein the seat tube is sized and configured to receive a seat post as is typical in a bicycle. The seat post may be fastened or secured to the seat tube in a similar manner compared to a typical bicycle or via welding, adhesive or other methods known in the art.

Optionally, the seatedskiing device10 may have aleash46, as shown inFIG. 2. Theleash46 may be a standard surfboard leash or snowboard leash. In particular, a first distal end of theleash46 may be looped around theframe32. A second distal end of theleash46 may be removably securable to the skier's leg or arm via methods known in the art or developed in the future. Theleash46 prevents loss of the seatedskiing device10.

The seatedskiing device10 may optionally also have an audio orvisual output132 activatable by asensor134, as shown inFIGS. 9 and 10. Theaudio output132 may be a speaker, horn, bell, and/or other sound producing device. Thevisual output132 may be a video screen, neon light, light bulb, light illuminating device, or other visual output device. The audio orvisual output132 may initiate and/or vary based on a sensed condition of thesensor134. Thesensor134 may be an accelerometer, sound meter, light meter, or any other type of environmental sensor. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 9, thevisual output132 may be a strip of light. The strip oflight132 may be attached to theframe32. The strip oflight132 may be in electrical communication with thesensor134 which may be an accelerometer. As such, as the seatedskiing device10 accelerates or decelerates down the snow covered downhill terrain, the strip oflight132 is illuminated. The intensity of the illumination and/or the illumination/de-illumination of the strip oflight132 may be based on the sensed acceleration/deceleration of the seatedskiing device10 sensed by thesensor134.

Optionally, the seatedskiing device10 may have an audio system, as shown inFIG. 11. The audio system may comprise one or more of the following components, namely, aspeaker138,control system140, an audio player142 (e.g., Ipod, Mp3 Player, etc.) thespeaker138 may be a pair of ear buds, ear head phones, a traditional speaker, or other audio output device. Thecontrol system140 may control theaudio player142 to play different songs, search for different songs, fast forward, rewind, stop, pause as well as other functions that are necessary for the operation of theaudio player142. Thecontrol system140 may be separate and apart from theaudio player142 or thecontrol system140 may be integral with theaudio player142. One or

more components

138,140,142 of the audio system136 may be fixedly attached to the seatedskiing device10. By way of example and not limitation, thespeaker138 may be disposed and fixedly attached between the first and

second parts

78,80 of theframe32. Thecontrol system140 may be attached adjacent the left and right handle and thigh bars34,36. The control system may be in electrical communication with thespeaker138 and/oraudio player142. Theaudio player142 may be attached to the underside of theseat frame84.

In use, to ride the seatedskiing device10, the ski boat is removed from the snow ski and the seatedskiing device10 may be attached to thesnow ski14. In particular, the release lever144 (seeFIG. 2) of the heel binding18 is pushed downward to release theski boot20 from the toe and

heel bindings

16,18 of thesnow ski14. Thetoe protrusion42 of the seatedskiing device10 is wedged into the toe binding16 of thesnow ski14. Theheel protrusion44 is then pushed downward on the heel binding18 of thesnow ski14. The heel binding18 then engages theheel protrusion44. Simultaneously, therelease lever144 is traversed upward. At this point, the seatedskiing device10 is engaged to thesnow ski14. Beneficially, the seatedskiing device10 is attachable to thesnow ski14 without any additional tools. After the seated skiing device is attached to thesnow ski14, the nose of the snow ski is pointed downhill while the skier stands in front of the left and right handle and thigh bars34,36. The left and right handle and thigh bars34,36 may be urged forward against the skier's legs by gravity. The skier then grasps thehandle portions100a, bwhile simultaneously sitting on theseat96, as shown inFIG. 1. The skier's thighs are positioned over thethigh portions102a, bof the left and right handle and thigh bars34,36. To make left and right turns on the seatedskiing device10, the skier places pressure on the left edge or right edge of thesnow ski14 by leaning towards the left side or right side or applying pressure to the left or right handle and thigh bars34,36 with his/her hands and/or thighs.

In an aspect of the seatedskiing device10, the seatedskiing device10 may be carried in a backpack. In particular, the left and right handle and thigh bars34,36 are foldable into the collapsed position. In the collapsed position, the skier may stow the seatedskiing device10 in a backpack. As such, the skier may ride down the snow covered downhill terrain in the traditional upright position. At certain times during the day, theskier22 may disengage his/herski boot20 from thesnow ski14. The seatedskiing device10 may be removed from the backpack and the left and right handle and thigh bars34,36 may be traversed to the extended position. The seatedskiing device10 may be engaged to thesnow ski14. Theskier22 may then pack the one remaining snow ski in a snow ski backpack. Theskier22 may then ride down the snow covered downhill terrain in the seated position.

In an aspect of the seatedskiing device10, the same has been illustrated with typical alpine bindings which fix theski boot20 to thesnow ski14 at the toe and heel. It is also contemplated that the toe and

heel bindings

16,18 may be replaced with cross-country bindings, telemark bindings, alpine ski touring bindings, ski board and snow blade non-release bindings. In all of these cases, the seatedskiing device10 may be designed to be removably attachable to such alternate bindings.

In a second embodiment, the seatedsnowboard device12 is shown inFIGS. 12 and 13. The seatedsnowboard device12 may incorporate all of the features discussed above in relation to the seatedskiing device10 except that the seatedsnowboard device12 is removably attachable to front and

rear bindings

24,26 of asnowboard28. In particular, the seatedsnowboard device12 may have afront protrusion204 and arear protrusion206. Each of the front and

rear protrusions

204,206 may have atoe portion208a, band aheel side portion210a, b. Thetoe portions208a, bmay be sized and configured to receive atoe strap212a, bof the front and

rear bindings

24,26. Similarly, theheel side portions210a, bof the front and

rear protrusions

204,206 may be sized and configured to receiveupper straps214a, bof the front and

rear bindings

24,26. Theheel side portions210a, bmay be elevationally higher compared to thetoe portions208a, b. Moreover, thetoe portions208a, band theheel side portions210a, bmay have a curved configuration. Therear protrusion206 may be attached to theframe32 via anextension216.

Theextension216 may be removably attached to theframe32 via atongue218 and areceiver220, as shown inFIG. 13. In particular, thetongue218 may have a square cross sectional configuration. Thereceiver220 may also have an aperture having a square cross sectional configuration. Theexpandable tongue218 may have a close fit with thereceiver220 such that theextension216 does not substantially wiggle once thetongue218 is inserted into thereceiver220. Thereceiver220 may have alength222 which is substantially long such that a distance224 (seeFIG. 12) between the front and

rear protrusions

204,206 may be adjusted to equal a distance226 (seeFIG. 12) between the front and

rear bindings

24,26 of thesnowboard28. When thedistance224 between the front and

rear protrusions

204,206 is substantially equal to thedistance226 between the front and

rear bindings

24,26, thetongue218 may be locked in place in thereceiver220 via afastener228. Thefastener228 may be a quick release lever as described above and shown inFIG. 4A. The bolt of thequick release lever228 may be inserted into aligned apertures formed in theframe32. The alignedapertures229 formed in theframe32 may also be aligned to anelongate slot230 through which the bolt of thefastener228 is also inserted. When thetongue218 is being slid in and out of thereceiver220 to adjust thedistance224 between the front and

rear protrusions

204,206, the bolt of thefastener228 slides within theelongate slot230. When thedistance224 between the front and

rear protrusions

204,206 is equal to thedistance226 between the front and

rear bindings

24,26, thefastener228 is tightened, as discussed above, to lock the position of thetongue218 in thereceiver220.

In use, the seatedsnowboard device12 may be attached to thesnowboard28 such that the front and rear bindings200,202 of thesnowboard28 are in a goofy stance or regular stance. For example, inFIG. 12, the front and

rear bindings

24,26 are illustrated such that the rider rides down the snow covered downhill terrain in a regular stance. In the regular stance, the left foot of the snowboarder is pointed downhill. The seatedsnowboard device12 is attached to the snowboard, specifically, the front and

rear bindings

24,26 such that the front and

rear bindings

24,26 are in a regular stance when the rider or snowboarder is riding down the snow covered downhill terrain with the seatedsnowboard device12. Alternatively, if thesnowboard28 has front and

rear bindings

24,26 set to a goofy stance rider the seatedsnowboard device12 is merely rotated 180° and attached to the snowboard such that the snowboarder is riding down the snow covered downhill terrain with the front and

rear bindings

24,26 in a goofy stance orientation but in this situation the snowboarder is riding backwards on thesnowboard28. Accordingly, the seatedsnowboard device12 may be removably attachable to asnowboard28 whether the front and

rear bindings

24,26 are set to a regular stance rider or a goofy stance rider. Moreover, the seatedsnowboard device12 is adjustable, namely, the front and

rear protrusions

204,206 may be spread apart or drawn closer to each other such that the front and

rear protrusions

204,206 may be matched to the front and

rear bindings

24,26, as discussed above.

In an aspect of the seatedsnowboarding device12, the seatedsnowboarding device12 may be disassembled by removing thetongue218 from thereceiver220. In particular, thefastener228 is loosened and removed from theelongate slot230 and theapertures229. Thetongue218 may be slid out of thereceiver220. Theextension216,frame32 and thefastener228 may be compactly stored in a backpack. In this manner, the snowboarder may traverse down a snow covered downhill terrain in the traditional upright position with the seatedsnowboarding device12 in a backpack. During the day, the snowboarder may remove his/her boots from the front and

rear bindings

24,26 of thesnowboard28 and engage the seatedsnowboarding device12 such that the snowboarder may ride down the snow covered downhill terrain in the seated position. In particular, thetongue218 is inserted into thereceiver220 until adistance224 between the front and

rear protrusions

204,206 is about equal to adistance226 between the front and

rear bindings

24,26 of thesnowboard28. Thefastener228 is inserted into the alignedapertures229 and theelongate slot230 and tightened to lock the position of thetongue218 within thereceiver220. The rider may now strap the front and

rear protrusions

204,206 into the front and

rear bindings

24,26. The snowboarder may now ride down the snow covered downhill terrain in the seated position with the seatedsnowboarding device12.

In an aspect of the seatedsnowboarding device12, the same has been described in relation to strap-in bindings. However, it is also contemplated that the front and

rear protrusions

204,206 may be adapted, sized and configured to be removably attachable to step-in bindings, flow bindings, and other bindings that are known in the art or developed in the future.

The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.

Claims

1. A downhill skiing device mountable to a ski having a toe binding and a heel binding defining a binding distance therebetween for a ski boot of a rider, the downhill snow device comprising:

a frame;

a seat attached to the frame for allowing the rider to ride down a snow covered downhill terrain while in a seated position;

a toe protrusion attached to the frame and receivable in the toe binding of the ski;

a heel protrusion attached to the frame and receivable in the heel binding of the ski, a protrusion distance defined by the toe and heel protrusions being adjustably settable to equal the binding distance;

wherein the binding distance may fit the ski boot of the rider and the toe and heel protrusions of the downhill skiing device.

2. The downhill skiing device ofclaim 1 further comprising a fastener insertable into an aperture formed in the heel protrusion and an elongate slot formed in a heel side of the frame wherein the fastener is slideably disposed within the elongate slot for adjusting the protrusion distance so as to be equal to the binding distance and tightenable for setting the protrusion distance.

3. The downhill skiing device ofclaim 2 wherein the fastener is an overcenter fastener for quick release and adjustment of the protrusion distance.

4. The downhill skiing device ofclaim 2 wherein the elongate slot is aligned longitudinally with the ski when the downhill skiing vehicle is mounted to the ski.

5. The downhill skiing device ofclaim 1 further comprising a steering handle attached to the frame and disposed transversely with respect to the frame to balance and steer the downhill skiing device down the snow covered downhill terrain.

6. The downhill skiing device ofclaim 5 wherein the steering handle is rotatable so as to be flush with respect to the frame for carrying the downhill snow device.

7. A downhill snowboarding device mountable to a snowboard having a front binding and a rear binding defining a binding distance therebetween, the downhill snowboarding device comprising:

a frame;

a front protrusion attached to the frame and receivable in one of the front and rear bindings of the snowboard;

a rear protrusion attached to the frame and receivable in one of the front and rear bindings of the snowboard.

8. The downhill snowboarding device ofclaim 7 further comprising a steering handle attached to the frame and disposed transversely with respect to the frame to balance and steer the downhill snowboarding device down the snow covered downhill terrain.

9. The downhill snowboarding device ofclaim 8 wherein the steering handle is rotatable horizontally or vertically so as to be flush against the frame for carrying the downhill snowboarding device in a backpack.

10. The downhill snowboarding device ofclaim 7 further comprising a speaker attached to the frame and an input for receiving audio signals and transmitting the audio signals to the speaker.

11. The downhill snowboarding device ofclaim 7 further comprising an output system comprising:

an output device attached to the frame;

a sensor for producing a signal upon sensation of a condition, the sensor being in communication with the output device;

wherein the output device is actuated when the sensor senses the condition and transmits the signal to the output device.

12. The downhill snowboarding device ofclaim 11 wherein the output device is a speaker or a light.

13. The downhill snow device ofclaim 11 wherein the sensor is a sound sensor, a light sensor, a speed sensor, a pressure sensor or an accelerometer.

14. The downhill snowboarding device ofclaim 7 further comprising a sound system comprising:

a speaker attached to the frame;

a mp3 player; and

an input which is operative to receive signals from the mp3 player, the input being in communication with the speaker.

15. The downhill snowboarding device ofclaim 7 further comprising a shock absorber attached to the seat and the frame for absorbing shocks imparted to the downhill snowboarding device.

16. The downhill snowboarding device ofclaim 7 wherein the rear protrusion is attached to an extension having a tongue and the frame has a receiver sized and configured to receive the tongue, the tongue having an elongate slot, the receiver having aligned apertures, and the downhill snowboarding device further comprising a fastener insertable into the aligned apertures and the elongate slot, the tongue being insertable into the receiver at selective depths and the fastener tightened such that a protrusion distance defined by the front and rear protrusions is fixed to the binding distance defined by the binding distance of the front and rear bindings.