US3897078A - Ski shovel - Google Patents

Abstract

A ski device is provided which is adapted to be detachably secured as a front guide runner to a handled shovel or scoop to utilize the scoop part of the shovel as a slide seat and the handle part as a forwardly upwardly extending hand grip. The device has a relatively narrow front runner part provided with backwardly extending arm means that is flexibly adjustable and adapted at its upper and back end to be secured on the handle of the shovel. The runner part also carries at its forward end a cross-extending foot-receiving rung or abutment and a mounting and positioning part therefor which are adapted to position the shoes or feet of a rider for guiding the ski. The device, itself, is detachably mounted in order that the shovel may be put to its conventional usage.

Description

United States Patent Melnick et al.

[451 July 29,1975

SKI SHOVEL Inventors: Dennis M. Melnick, RD 1; Mark Kubick, Brookside Dr., both of Baden, Pa. 15005 Filed: July 9, 1973 Appl. No.: 377,417

Related US. Application Data Continuation of Ser. No. 248,034, April 27, 1972, abandoned.

US. Cl 280/15; 280/25 Int. Cl. B62b 13/16 Field of Search 280/15, 16, 12 R, 12 B,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,522,952 8/1970 Uttenthaler 280/12 R Primary Examiner-Robert R. Song [5 7] ABSTRACT A ski device is provided which is adapted to be detachably secured as a front guide runner to a handled shovel or scoop to utilize the scoop part of the shovel as a slide seat and the handle part as a forwardly up wardly extending hand grip. The device has a relatively narrow front runner part provided with backwardly extending arm means that is flexibly adjustable and adapted at its upper and back end to be secured on the handle of the shovel. The runner part also carries at its forward end a cross-extending footreceiving rung or abutment and a mounting and positioning part therefor which are adapted to position the shoes or feet of a rider for guiding the ski. The device, itself, is detachably mounted in order that the shovel may be put to its conventional usage.

19 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTED JUL 2 9 I975 1/ IIIIIIIIII/II BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to an improved form of ski or sled device which utilizes a shovel to provide a unique operation assembly. A phase of the invention deals with a detachable runner and guide device for utilization in a cooperative relation with a shovel to provide an effective sled or ski unit.

2. Description of the Prior Art Heretofore, there have been various ski devices including devices which utilize a runner and a seat that is carried by a post in an upper position thereon. However, such a device is relatively unstable and difficult to control and in high speed operation is very dangerous. The present invention deals with devising an improved device that will be highly stable, comfortable for the rider and, at the same time, capable of accurate guide control.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention deals with a ski device which will utilize adaptable parts of a shovel, such as of a shorthandled, scooplike shovel that may be of a coal or grain shovel configuration, so as to provide an improved body-supporting, slidable, positioning part of a ski assembly. The ski device, itself, will serve as a forward, feet-receiving, guiding, advanced runner that is adjustably and removably secured to the handle of the shovel in such a manner as to give the rider a comfortable, sta ble and secure position when utilizing the assembly and, further, in such a manner as to utilize the scoop portion as a back runner part of the assembly.

It has been an object of the invention to provide a new and improved form of ski or sled device and assembly.

Another object has been to devise a ski assembly that will make use of a shovel to provide a relatively high speed, stable, comfortable ride in a positively guidable sled or ski assembly.

These and other objects will appear to those skilled in the art from the illustrated embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view in elevation showing a ski shovel unit or assembly of the invention with a rider in position thereon.

FIG. 2 is a front end view in elevation on the same scale as and of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view on the same scale as and of the ski shovel unit of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view in elevation and partial section of the ski device part of the unit or assembly.

FIG. 5 is a greatly enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a section on the scale of and taken along the line VI-VI of FIG. 4 and,

FIG. 7 is a section on the scale of FIG. 6, taken along the same line, and showing a modified form of mountmg.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, A shows a typical shovel to which sled or ski device B may be applied to form an improved operating unit or assembly. As shown in FIG. 2, when the assembly is to be used, a rider C may sit onscoop part 10 of the shovel A with his legs extending on opposite sides of shovel handle or stem 11, and with his feet resting upon the device B to provide a comfortable riding position and one at which the assembly may be guided principally by the feet of the rider. If desired. the guiding may be supplemented by utilizing the gripping position of the hands of the rider C about the handle 11. It is immaterial whether or not the shovel A has a straight cylindrical end or a handgrip end part 12.

In employing the invention, it is preferable to provide a shovel whosescoop part 10 is of relatively planar or flat configuration having slightly up-turned side edges and a relatively smooth underside such that it will freely slide along snow or ice. In FIG. 3, downwardly offset or outwardly convex reinforcing ribbing is shown along the bottom surface of the shovel scoop part orbody 10 that, in the present utilization, serves to pro: vide a pair of speed-enhancing runner portions or ribs 10a. Thescoop part 10 is shown secured in the usual manner by a clamping flange portion 10b to the lower end of the handle or handle stem 11 in such a manner as to form a secure, unitary structure. Thescoop body 10 may be of any suitable material, such as ofsteel, reinforced plastic, glass fiber or aluminum construction, but is preferably of a metal or of reinforced resin construction to have sufficient strength and provide minimized friction of sliding movement on a snow runway. The handle 11 may be of wood, metal or reinforced resin material.

The front or guide part of the assembly represented by the ski device B has a longitudinally forwardly, somewhat striplike, substantially centrally planar, relatively narrow, runner part 20' also of metal or other suitable material. The front end portion 200 is shown turned upwardly for better guiding movement. A slightly downwardly projecting, centrally positioned and longitudinally extending ridge, runner orknife edge portion 20b is provided along the underside of therunner part 20. The knife orrunner edge portion 20b not only facilitates guiding the assembly, but gives thefront runner part 20 stability from the standpoint of minimizing slide slippage during its movement along a snowy pathway. A cross-extending abutment part, rung orfoot rail 22 is carried adjacent the front end portion of therunner part 20 on a centrally disposed upwardly extending triangular-shaped mounting-positioning block 21 that is secured, as by weld metal w, to the upper side of therunner 20. It will be noted that the rail orabutment 22 has end portions which extend transversely from opposite sides of thepositioning block 21, and that therunner 20 provides side strip or width portions along theblock 21 sufficient to receive the heels of the shoes of the rider C when the shoe soles are in an upwardly inclined resting position on the rung orrail 22. Force applied to either foot will tend to cause theski runner 20 to direct the ski assembly in that particular direction. Also, the hands of the rider C gripping the handle 11 may be employed to throw the weight of the rider C in the direction in which travel is desired.

A telescopic mounting arm or rod and sleeve assembly having cooperatingparts 25 and 26 extends substantially centrally of the length of the runner part in a backwardly upwardly inclined relationship, and has an open-sided, mounting collar or sleevepart 28 secured on its upper end for cooperating with the shovel handle 11. The lower part is shown as of rodlike construction and theupper part 26 is shown of cylindrical, sleevelike construction to slidably receive thelower part 25 therein. A spiral expansion spring 24 (see FIG. 4) is carried in a cooperating relation within thesleevelike part 26 to engage the inner end of therodlike part 25 and urge them in a shock-absorbing, outwardly extended relation with respect to each other. To retain theparts 25 and 26 in a flexibly slidable or telescopic relation with respect to each other, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, therod part 25 has a longitudinal, closed-end guide slot orgroove portion 25b that is adapted to receive an inner end of a threadedguide bolt 27 therein. As shown in FIG. 5, thebolt 27 is threadably carried within a threadedbore 26a by thesleeve part 26 to extend therethrough, with its inner, smooth cam or stud end portion in sliding engagement within theslot portion 25b. The lower end of therod part 25 is shown rigidly secured, as by weld metal w, to a central portion of therunner 20 adjacent to and behind theblock 21.

The mount 28 (as shown in FIG. 6) may be substantially half a segment of a cylinder that has a concave curvature complementary with respect to the curvature of the handle 11 to fit closely thereon. Agusset 28a is shown (see FIG. 4) secured by weld metal w to reinforce the connection between themount 28 and thesleeve part 26. The handle 11 may be provided with a pair of spaced-apart, through-extending, bore holes 11a (see FIG. 6) to receive bolts of bolt andnut assemblies 29 which extend across between opposite portions of theflangelike mount 28 to removably secure the shovel A to the ski device B. FIG. 7 shows a modified form of mount construction 28' in which the opposite walls 28'b of its mounting flange project slightly beyond the handle 11 in such a manner that the bolts of theassembly 29 may be employed on the outside of the handle 11, without the necessity of through extending bore holes therein. In both constructions, however, the bolt andnut assemblies 29 are tightened-down to securely carry the device B on the handle 11.

To increase the speed of operation of the device B, it may have its planar side portions at a slightly upwardly angular relation with respect to a central, longitudinal area or portion thereof.

We claim:

1. In a ski device employing a shovel having a relatively planar scoop part that is to serve as a seat for a rider and a rounded upwardly extending and inclined handle that is to serve as a hand-gripping means for the rider, a ski attachment for the shovel which comprises, a relatively narrow longitudinally forwardly extending ski runner part, an upwardly projecting cross-extending foot-receiving abutment part mounted in a secure relation on the upper side of said runner part adjacent its front end, a backwardly upwardly inclined arm secured on the upper side of said runner part in a backwardly spaced relation with respect to said abutment part and having a mount at its upper end adapted to fit over the handle of the shovel, and means cooperating'with said mount for securing said arm on the handle and for positioning said runner part in a spaced-apart forward relation with respect to the scoop part of the shovel.

2. In a device as defined in claim 1, said mount being of rounded concave shape to fit over the handle of the shovel, and said securing means being bolt and nut assemblies cooperating with said mount for removably securing it on the handle.

3. In a device as defined in claim 2, said mount being a slit sleeve adapted to fit over the handle, and said bolt and nut assemblies extending across opposite portions of said sleeve to securely clamp said mount on the handle.

4. In a device as defined in claim 1, said arm being constructed of two arm parts that have a slidable telescopic relation with respect to each other, and means cooperating with said arm parts for retaining them in a connected relation with respect to each other.

5. In a device as defined in claim 4, spiral spring means carried in a cooperative relation within one arm part and abutting the other arm part for flexibly urging said arm parts outwardly with respect to each other.

6. In a device as defined in claim 5, said means for retaining said arm parts in a connected relation being a threaded bolt on one of said arm parts and a longitudinally extending closed-end slot portion along the other of said arm parts and adapted to slidably receive an inner end of said bolt.

7. In a ski device as defined in claim 6, the other of said arm parts being a hollow cylindrical sleevelike part and the one of said arm parts being a rodlike part adapted to slidably fit at its upper end within said sleevelike part, said sleevelike part carrying said mount at its upper end, and said rodlike part being secured at its lower end on said runner part.

8. In a device as defined in claim 7, said mount being an inwardly concave flange to fit over the handle, and said securing means having bolts extending through opposite portions of said flange and having nuts mounted on ends of said bolts to tighten said flange down on the handle.

9. In a device as defined in claim 8 wherein the handle has a pair of spaced-apart through-extending holes located intermediate its length, and said bolts extend between opposite portions of said flange through the holes in the handle.

10. In a device as defined in claim 1, a centrally located positioning block secured on the upper side of said runner part, and said abutment part being mounted on a forward end portion of said block and extending transversely with respect to opposite sides thereof to receive feet of the rider.

11. In a device as defined in claim 9, said runner part having a downwardly projecting centrally located and longitudinally extending runner blade along its under side, having an upwardly curved front end portion, and having substantially planar longitudinal side portions.

12. In a device as defined in claim 1 1, said planar side portions of said runner extending sidewise-upwardly in an inclined relation with respect to a longitudinally extending central portion thereof.

13. In a device as defined in claim 11, said arm having a pair of telescopically adaptable arm parts, one of which is secured to said runner part and the other of which carries said mount.

14. In a device as defined in claim 13, said mount having a cylindrical shape and being adapted to fit over the shovel handle in a complementary manner, and said securing means for said arm extending between opposite portions of said mount across the handle.

15. In a device as defined inclaim 14, a spiral expansion spring carried in a cooperating manner between said pair of arm parts for urging them in an outwardly extending relation with respect to each other, and means carried by one of said arm parts and cooperating with the other of said parts for retaining them in a connected relation with respect to each other.

16. In a device as defined in claim wherein the scoop part of the shovel is of metal construction and has bottom ribs that serve as runners, one of said arm parts being pivotally secured to said runner part substantially intermediate its length, and said runner part having a substantially planar upper side of sufficient width to receive both feet of the rider along opposed sides of said positioning block when the feet of the rider are in a guiding position against opposite transverse end portions of said abutment part.

17. A recreational device as specified in claim 1 wherein the longitudinal axis of said arm means is substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of said handle.

18. In an improved ski device, a metal scoop-like runner-seat part, a handle secured to and extending in an inclined direction forwardly upwardly from said runner-seat part to provide a hand gripping means for a rider, a forwardly positioned ski-like runner part, a foot-receiving cross-extending member carried by a front end portion of said runner part, a backwardly inclined mounting arm assembly secured at its lower end behind said cross-extending member to said runner part to project backwardly from said runner part, and said mounting arm assembly having a clamping mount adapted to be secured on said] handle.

19. A recreational device comprising: a shovel having a surface engaging runner seat and an elongated handle having the lowermost end thereof secured to said seat and extending diagonally forwardly and upwardly therefrom; longitudinally forwardly extending surface engaging forward runner means; said forward runner means being spaced forwardly from said runner seat; at least one elongated arm means having the lower end thereof secured to said runner means adjacent the uppermost surface of said runner means and extending diagonally upwardly and backwardly therefrom and having the upper end thereof secured to said handle.

Claims (19)

1. In a ski device employing a shovel having a relatively planar scoop part that is to serve as a seat for a rider and a rounded upwardly extending and inclined handle that is to serve as a hand-gripping means for the rider, a ski attachment for the shovel which comprises, a relatively narrow longitudinally forwardly extending ski runner part, an upwardly projecting cross-extending foot-receiving abutment part mounted in a secure relation on the upper side of said runner part adjacent its front end, a backwardly upwardly inclined arm secured on the upper side of said runner part in a backwardly spaced relation with respect to said abutment part and having a mount at its upper end adapted to fit over the handle of the shovel, and means cooperating with said mount for securing said arm on the handle and for positioning said runner part in a spaced-apart forward relation with respect to the scoop part of the shovel.

2. In a device as defined in claim 1, said mount being of rounded concave shape to fit over the handle of the shovel, and said securing means being bolt and nut assemblies cooperating with said mount for removably securing it on the handle.

3. In a device as defined in claim 2, said mount being a slit sleeve adapted to fit over the handle, and said bolt and nut assemblies extending across opposite portions of said sleeve to securely clamp said mount on the handle.

4. In a device as defined in claim 1, said arm being constructed of two arm parts that have a slidable telescopic relation with respect to each other, and means cooperating with said arm parts for retaining them In a connected relation with respect to each other.

5. In a device as defined in claim 4, spiral spring means carried in a cooperative relation within one arm part and abutting the other arm part for flexibly urging said arm parts outwardly with respect to each other.

6. In a device as defined in claim 5, said means for retaining said arm parts in a connected relation being a threaded bolt on one of said arm parts and a longitudinally extending closed-end slot portion along the other of said arm parts and adapted to slidably receive an inner end of said bolt.

7. In a ski device as defined in claim 6, the other of said arm parts being a hollow cylindrical sleevelike part and the one of said arm parts being a rodlike part adapted to slidably fit at its upper end within said sleevelike part, said sleevelike part carrying said mount at its upper end, and said rodlike part being secured at its lower end on said runner part.

8. In a device as defined in claim 7, said mount being an inwardly concave flange to fit over the handle, and said securing means having bolts extending through opposite portions of said flange and having nuts mounted on ends of said bolts to tighten said flange down on the handle.

9. In a device as defined in claim 8 wherein the handle has a pair of spaced-apart through-extending holes located intermediate its length, and said bolts extend between opposite portions of said flange through the holes in the handle.

10. In a device as defined in claim 1, a centrally located positioning block secured on the upper side of said runner part, and said abutment part being mounted on a forward end portion of said block and extending transversely with respect to opposite sides thereof to receive feet of the rider.

11. In a device as defined in claim 9, said runner part having a downwardly projecting centrally located and longitudinally extending runner blade along its under side, having an upwardly curved front end portion, and having substantially planar longitudinal side portions.

12. In a device as defined in claim 11, said planar side portions of said runner extending sidewise-upwardly in an inclined relation with respect to a longitudinally extending central portion thereof.

13. In a device as defined in claim 11, said arm having a pair of telescopically adaptable arm parts, one of which is secured to said runner part and the other of which carries said mount.

14. In a device as defined in claim 13, said mount having a cylindrical shape and being adapted to fit over the shovel handle in a complementary manner, and said securing means for said arm extending between opposite portions of said mount across the handle.

15. In a device as defined in claim 14, a spiral expansion spring carried in a cooperating manner between said pair of arm parts for urging them in an outwardly extending relation with respect to each other, and means carried by one of said arm parts and cooperating with the other of said parts for retaining them in a connected relation with respect to each other.

16. In a device as defined in claim 15 wherein the scoop part of the shovel is of metal construction and has bottom ribs that serve as runners, one of said arm parts being pivotally secured to said runner part substantially intermediate its length, and said runner part having a substantially planar upper side of sufficient width to receive both feet of the rider along opposed sides of said positioning block when the feet of the rider are in a guiding position against opposite transverse end portions of said abutment part.

17. A recreational device as specified in claim 1 wherein the longitudinal axis of said arm means is substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of said handle.

18. In an improved ski device, a metal scoop-like runner-seat part, a handle secured to and extending in an inclined direction forwardly upwardly from said runner-seat part to provide a hand gripping means for a rider, a forwardly positioned ski-like runner part, a foot-rEceiving cross-extending member carried by a front end portion of said runner part, a backwardly inclined mounting arm assembly secured at its lower end behind said cross-extending member to said runner part to project backwardly from said runner part, and said mounting arm assembly having a clamping mount adapted to be secured on said handle.

19. A recreational device comprising: a shovel having a surface engaging runner seat and an elongated handle having the lowermost end thereof secured to said seat and extending diagonally forwardly and upwardly therefrom; longitudinally forwardly extending surface engaging forward runner means; said forward runner means being spaced forwardly from said runner seat; at least one elongated arm means having the lower end thereof secured to said runner means adjacent the uppermost surface of said runner means and extending diagonally upwardly and backwardly therefrom and having the upper end thereof secured to said handle.

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