US3385229A - Artificial skiing surfaces - Google Patents

Artificial skiing surfaces Download PDF

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Publication number
US3385229A
US3385229A US561963A US56196366A US3385229A US 3385229 A US3385229 A US 3385229A US 561963 A US561963 A US 561963A US 56196366 A US56196366 A US 56196366A US 3385229 A US3385229 A US 3385229A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
strip
brush
strip member
members
ski
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US561963A
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English (en)
Inventor
Edward J Ahern
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
S A Felton And Son Co
Felton Brush Inc
Original Assignee
FELTON AND SON Co SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by FELTON AND SON Co SA filed Critical FELTON AND SON Co SA
Priority to US561963A priority Critical patent/US3385229A/en
Priority to AT592267A priority patent/AT276190B/de
Priority to GB29809/67A priority patent/GB1189536A/en
Priority to CH926867A priority patent/CH464758A/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3385229A publication Critical patent/US3385229A/en
Assigned to EQUITY ACQUISITIONS, INC. reassignment EQUITY ACQUISITIONS, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: FELTON BRUSH INC.
Assigned to FELTON BRUSH INC. reassignment FELTON BRUSH INC. CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: EQUITY ACQUISITIONS, INC.
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01C—CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR
    • E01C13/00—Pavings or foundations specially adapted for playgrounds or sports grounds; Drainage, irrigation or heating of sports grounds
    • E01C13/10—Pavings or foundations specially adapted for playgrounds or sports grounds; Drainage, irrigation or heating of sports grounds for artificial surfaces for outdoor or indoor practice of snow or ice sports
    • E01C13/12—Pavings or foundations specially adapted for playgrounds or sports grounds; Drainage, irrigation or heating of sports grounds for artificial surfaces for outdoor or indoor practice of snow or ice sports for snow sports, e.g. skiing or ski tow track

Definitions

  • An artificial skiing surface comprising a network of strip members joined together in mesh forming relationship.
  • the upper surfaces of the strip members are provided with brush bristles or other resilient projections for forming a non-continuous sliding surface having properties similar to natural snow.
  • This invention relates to an artificial skiing surface and is directed more particularly to such a surface for use under ski tows.
  • the use of artificial skiing surfaces has become popular in areas which are likely to suffer from an inadequate supply of natural snow or which are desirous of extending the ski season beyond its normal limits.
  • the most widely used surface comprises a mesh network made up of brush strips having the brush bristles turned upward (see Patent No. 3,047,292, issued July 31, 1962 to P. Acquaderni). It has been found that the brush bristles provide a surface having characteristics similar to snow. These characteristics permit skiing on such surfaces in a manner approximating skiing on natural snow.
  • the brush type artificial surfaces produced thus far have comprised a mesh of strip brush members formed in a series of diamond-shaped configurations which afford. the proper angular resistance to the skier moving down hill to enable him to change his direction of movement as he would in snow.
  • a still further object is to provide a surface requiring a substantially lesser number of couplings between adjacent brush members, thereby further reducing manufacturing costs.
  • an artificial ski surface comprising a network of strip members which are arranged in mesh forming relationship with each other.
  • Each of the strips is bent to a step-like configuration with half the length of a strip bein symmetrical to the other half.
  • Each strip is joined to the adjacent strips by connections proximate to the points of the steps.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective View of one form of skiing 3 surface embodying the invention and showing a skier being towed uphill thereon;
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view of two brush strips held together by a connector
  • FIG. 3 is a plan view of the skiing surface shown in FIG. 1.
  • the illustrative skiing surface includes a series of strip brush members 2, 4, 6, etc., joined together to form a mesh design, and having their bristles extending upwardly to provide a surface for supporting the movement of skiers thereon.
  • the strip member 2 it will be seen that the strip members are bent to a steplike configuration with one half of the member identified by the numeral 8 being symmetrical to the other half of the strip member identified by the numeral 10.
  • the steps are such that portions of the brush 12, 14, 16 and 18 are substantially normal to other portions of the brush 20, 22, 24.
  • the juncture of the portion 12 and the adjoining portion 20 forms a point 26.
  • the junctures of adjoining portions 20 and 14 form a point 28.
  • Other points 40, 32, 34 and 36 are similarly formed.
  • the strip member 4 is formed in the same manner as the strip member 2 and is attached to strip member 2 by connectors 38, 40, 42, 44, which are proximate to points 26, 30, 32 and 36', respectively these points being contiguous to the adjacent strip member 2.
  • the connectors may be wire, clips, rivets, staples or the like, an illustrative staple being shown in FIG. 2.
  • a portion 14 0f the strip member 4 is essentially an extension of the portion 14 of the adjacent strip member 2.
  • a portion 16' of the strip member 4 is essentially an extension of portion 16 of strip member 2.
  • Substantially normal to the strip members 14, 14 and 16, 16' and normal to a ski tow line L are portions 20, 20 and 24, 24'.
  • a typical surface constructed in accordance with the present invention might be about 4 feet by 6 feet, or the approximate size of the surface shown in the above cited patent.
  • the surface herein described usually comprising about twelve strip members, has only about fifty percent of the total length of brush material as a like size of the cited prior art surface, and only about thirty percent as many connectors.
  • the present surface has only about half as many bends per strip member as the cited prior art surface and each bend is substantially a ninety degree bend, requiring fewer motions in manufacture which account for about a seventy percent reductionin the time spent effecting proper bending of the strip members.
  • all bends in the present surface are a substantial distance away from the ends of the strip members, the length between a strip member end and the first bend facilitating the bending operation.
  • bending must be done so near the ends of the strip members that an additional length of strip member is required merely to facilitate the last bend toward each end; after 'the bending operation is completed, the extra length is cut 01?.
  • the present design as compared to the brush-type surface of US. Fatent No. 3,047,- 292, provides a surface better adapted for straight line motion and offering less frictional resistance.
  • the present invention provides a surface more nearly approximating natural snow in the uphill ski tow situation.
  • the invention provides a surface which is substantially less expensive to manufacture.
  • the surfaces are joined endto-end to form an extended artificial skiing surface under a tow line which is caused to move generally axially by a power source (not shown).
  • the surface is so designed that skiers may be towed in pairs, one on either side of the tow line.
  • one skier may use the half 8 of the surface
  • a second skier along side, or close by, the first skier uses the half 10 of the surface.
  • the mesh design permits easy movement of the skis over the surface and in the same direction as the tow line without the individual skiers skis tending to part or collide and without the skiers themselves tending to collide or to be carried away from the tow line.
  • An artificial skiing surface comprising a network of strip members, said strip members being arranged in mesh forming relationship with each other, each of said members being bent in a step-like configuration throughout its length, portions of each of said members being substantially normal to adjoining portions of the same strip member, the adjoining portions normal to each other having a juncture at a common bend in the strip member, each strip member being bound to at least one adjacent strip member by connections proximate to the bends of the strip member contiguous with said adjacent strip member, each strip member having an upper surface, and a bunched plurality of adjoining resilient and laterally bendable projections upstanding from the upper surfaces for forming a non-continuous sliding surface.
  • An artificial skiing surface comprising a network of strip members, said strip members being arranged in mesh forming relationship with each other, each of said strip members having a step-like configuration throughout a first half of its length, each of said strip members having a second half substantially symmetrical to the first half, each strip member having a plurality of points formed by the junctures of adjoining portions of the member which are substantially normal to each other, each strip member being joined to at least one adjacent strip member by connections proximate to the points of the strip members contiguous with said adjacent strip member, each member having an upper surface, and a bunched plurality of adjoining upright resilient and laterally bendable projections upstanding from the upper surfaces for forming a non-continuous sliding surface.
  • An artificial skiing surface comprising a network of strip members, said strip members being arranged in mesh forming relationship with each other, each of said strip members being bent in a step-like configuration throughout a first half of its length, each of said strip members having a second half bent whereby to be substantially symmetrical to the first half, portions of each of said members being substantially normal to adjoining portions of the same member, adjacent strip member portions normal to each other having a juncture at a common bend in the member, each strip member being bound to at least one adjacent strip member by connections proximate to the bends of the strip member contiguous with said adjacent strip member, each strip having an upper surface, and a bunched plurality of adjoining resilient and laterally bendable projections upstanding from the upper surfaces for forming a non-continuous sliding surface.
  • a ski tow system comprising a tow line for pulling a skier uphill and an artificial skiing surface under the tow line for supporting a skier being towed uphill, said artificial surface comprising a network of strip members arranged in mesh forming relationship with each other, each of said strip members being bent in a step-like configuration throughout its length, portions of each of said members being substantially parallel to said tow line, said portions being substantially normal to adjoining portions of the same member, each strip member being joined to at least one adjacent strip member by connections proximate to the bends of the strip member contiguous with said adjacent strip member, each strip memher having an upper surface, said upper surface comprising a bunched plurality of adjoining upstanding bendable projections.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)
  • Road Paving Structures (AREA)
US561963A 1966-06-30 1966-06-30 Artificial skiing surfaces Expired - Lifetime US3385229A (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US561963A US3385229A (en) 1966-06-30 1966-06-30 Artificial skiing surfaces
AT592267A AT276190B (de) 1966-06-30 1967-06-26 Künstliche Schilaufbahn
GB29809/67A GB1189536A (en) 1966-06-30 1967-06-28 Improvements in Artificial Skiing Surfaces
CH926867A CH464758A (de) 1966-06-30 1967-06-29 Künstliche Skilaufbahn

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US561963A US3385229A (en) 1966-06-30 1966-06-30 Artificial skiing surfaces

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3385229A true US3385229A (en) 1968-05-28

Family

ID=24244239

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US561963A Expired - Lifetime US3385229A (en) 1966-06-30 1966-06-30 Artificial skiing surfaces

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US3385229A (de)
AT (1) AT276190B (de)
CH (1) CH464758A (de)
GB (1) GB1189536A (de)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3602361A (en) * 1969-06-27 1971-08-31 Arthur G Cheronis Ski tow
US3961751A (en) * 1974-03-29 1976-06-08 Societe Kessler S.A. Artificial cross-country skiing path

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US372306A (en) * 1887-11-01 And eollee goastee
US1008518A (en) * 1911-01-09 1911-11-14 William R Bailey Amusement device.
FR1297222A (fr) * 1961-05-16 1962-06-29 Covagri Soc Piste de ski artificielle
US3047292A (en) * 1958-12-05 1962-07-31 Acquaderni Pietro Artificial ski-track constituted by brush-members
CA720281A (en) * 1965-10-26 Asai Hajime Artificial ski ground
US3224763A (en) * 1962-02-05 1965-12-21 Ski Dek Corp Dry skiing surface
US3233893A (en) * 1962-07-24 1966-02-08 Bruce E Meyer Ski slide
US3250530A (en) * 1964-02-10 1966-05-10 Lawrence M Dean Year-around ski run
US3251596A (en) * 1964-01-25 1966-05-17 Niizaki Fukusaburo Brush body forming a gliding surface and a gliding device therewith

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US372306A (en) * 1887-11-01 And eollee goastee
CA720281A (en) * 1965-10-26 Asai Hajime Artificial ski ground
US1008518A (en) * 1911-01-09 1911-11-14 William R Bailey Amusement device.
US3047292A (en) * 1958-12-05 1962-07-31 Acquaderni Pietro Artificial ski-track constituted by brush-members
FR1297222A (fr) * 1961-05-16 1962-06-29 Covagri Soc Piste de ski artificielle
US3224763A (en) * 1962-02-05 1965-12-21 Ski Dek Corp Dry skiing surface
US3233893A (en) * 1962-07-24 1966-02-08 Bruce E Meyer Ski slide
US3251596A (en) * 1964-01-25 1966-05-17 Niizaki Fukusaburo Brush body forming a gliding surface and a gliding device therewith
US3250530A (en) * 1964-02-10 1966-05-10 Lawrence M Dean Year-around ski run

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3602361A (en) * 1969-06-27 1971-08-31 Arthur G Cheronis Ski tow
US3961751A (en) * 1974-03-29 1976-06-08 Societe Kessler S.A. Artificial cross-country skiing path

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CH464758A (de) 1968-10-31
GB1189536A (en) 1970-04-29
AT276190B (de) 1969-11-10

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