SKI ATTACHMENT

A ski attachment attachable to a wheel defining a nadir section, the ski attachment comprising: an elongated ski defining a longitudinal axis, the ski having a deck and a base, the ski defining longitudinally opposed nose and tail ends; a wheel mount for mounting the wheel to the ski at a location intermediate the nose and tail ends, the wheel mount defining a nadir receiving portion for receiving the nadir section; and a wheel lock for locking the wheel to the wheel mount; wherein the base is configured so that a larger friction is exerted on the ski attachment rearward of the nadir receiving portion than frontward of the nadir receiving portion when the ski attachment is pushed on a surface at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the general field of winter accessories, and, more particularly, to ski attachments attachable to a wheel.

BACKGROUND

Baby strollers sometimes need to be used in the winter season over soft surfaces, such as snow or slush. The relatively small wheels of these strollers make them difficult to use on such surfaces, as the wheels dig in the soft material, causing a large amount of friction. This friction increases the force required to push the stroller and may also cause lateral forces that reduce directional control accuracy.

Thus, there is a need for methods and devices for facilitating use of a baby stroller or other wheeled carriers in the snow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a broad aspect, there is provided a ski attachment attachable to a wheel defining a nadir section, the ski attachment comprising: an elongated ski defining a longitudinal axis, the ski having a deck and a base, the ski defining longitudinally opposed nose and tail ends; a wheel mount for mounting the wheel to the ski at a location intermediate the nose and tail ends, the wheel mount defining a nadir receiving portion for receiving the nadir section; and a wheel lock for locking the wheel to the wheel mount. The base is configured so that a larger friction is exerted on the ski attachment rearward of the nadir receiving portion than frontward of the nadir receiving portion when the ski attachment is pushed on a surface at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis.

There may also be provided a ski attachment wherein the base defines one or more longitudinally extending ridges protruding therefrom, a major portion of the one or more ridges being provided between the nadir receiving portion and the tail end.

There may also be provided a ski attachment wherein the nadir receiving portion is closer to the tail end than to the nose end.

There may also be provided a ski attachment wherein the wheel mount includes a tail wheel holder and a nose wheel holder each movable longitudinally along the deck.

There may also be provided a ski attachment wherein the tail and nose wheel holders are each selectively lockable at discrete longitudinally spaced apart locations along the deck.

There may also be provided a ski attachment wherein the tail and nose wheel holders are movable between the discrete longitudinally spaced apart locations and lockable thereto toollessly.

There may also be provided a ski attachment wherein the ski attachment defines a tail rail and a nose rail each extending longitudinally along the deck, the tail and nose wheel holders being mounted respectively to the tail and nose rails so as to be longitudinally movable therealong.

There may also be provided a ski attachment wherein the ski attachment defines a longitudinally extending toothed surface longitudinally serrated, and wherein at least one of the tail and nose wheel holders defines a wing defining wing teeth and resiliently deformable between an undeflected configuration and a deflected configuration, wherein the wing teeth are configured and sized to engage the toothed surface to longitudinally longitudinally lock the at least one of the tail and nose wheel holders relative to the deck.

There may also be provided a ski attachment wherein the at least one of the tail and nose wheel holders is movable along the deck when the wing is in the deflected configuration.

There may also be provided a ski attachment wherein the wings are biased towards the toothed surface when locked.

There may also be provided a ski attachment wherein the tail and nose wheel holders each include a cradle defining a wheel receiving recess for receiving part of the wheel.

There may also be provided a ski attachment wherein the wheel receiving recesses of the tail and nose wheel holders face each other and taper in directions leading away from each other.

There may also be provided a ski attachment wherein the wheel lock includes a strap for cooperatively encircling a rim of the wheel along with the deck to prevent the wheel from being removed from the deck.

There may also be provided a ski attachment wherein the strap defines opposed strap first and second ends, the strap defining a stopper at the strap first end, the strap also defining a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart strap apertures therealong, the ski attachment defining a strap mounting aperture for receiving the strap and configured and sized to prevent the stopper from passing therethrough, and a strap closing aperture laterally opposed to the strap mounting aperture for receiving the strap therethrough, the ski attachment also defining a tongue adjacent the strap closing aperture for engaging thereto one of the strap apertures to lock the strap in the strap closing aperture.

There may also be provided a ski attachment wherein the base is convex at the nose end.

There may also be provided a ski attachment wherein the base is wider at the nose end than at the tail end.

In another broad aspect, there is provided a ski attachment attachable to a swiveling wheel defining a nadir section, the ski attachment comprising: an elongated ski having a deck and a base, the ski defining longitudinally opposed nose and tail ends; a wheel mount for mounting the swiveling wheel to the deck at a location intermediate the nose and tail ends, the wheel mount defining a nadir receiving portion for receiving the nadir section; and a wheel lock for locking the wheel to the wheel mount. The nadir receiving portion is closer to the tail end than to the nose end. The ski attachment is self-orienting, such that, with the ski attachment operatively mounted to the swiveling wheel, the swiveling wheel is automatically oriented so that the nose end faces forwardly when the ski attachment is advanced.

There may also be provided a ski attachment wherein the nose end is further away from the nadir receiving portion than the tail end.

Advantageously, in some embodiments, the proposed ski attachment provides a self-centering effect aligning the ski attachment with a direction of motion when mounted to wheels that can pivot about a vertical axis. The proposed ski attachment may also be conveniently and quickly mounted to wheels having different diameters.

Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The terms “substantially” and “about” are used throughout this document to indicate variations in the thus qualified terms. These variations are variations that do not materially affect the manner in which the invention works and can be due, for example, to uncertainty in manufacturing processes or to small deviations from a nominal value or ideal shape that do not cause significant changes to the invention. Also, directional terminology, such as “top” and “bottom”, is used with reference to a typical use of the proposed ski attachment in which the ski attachment is supporting a wheel on a substantially horizontal surface. This terminology is used for convenience and should not be used to unduly restrict the scope of the present invention.

Referring toFIGS.1and2, there is shown a ski attachment10attachable to a wheel12(shown only inFIG.2). Only the rim13and tire15of the wheel12are represented inFIG.2, and the spokes and hub that are conventional in wheels12are omitted. The wheel12defines a nadir section17. The nadir section17is the portion of the wheel12that is closest to the ground when the wheel12is mounted to the ski attachment10with the latter positioned on the ground. The tire15may be airless or pneumatic, among other possibilities. The wheel12is for example the wheel12of a stroller. However, in some embodiments, the wheel12could be part of any other wheeled item pushable by an intended user, such as, non-limitingly, a carriage or a wheelchair.

The ski attachment10includes an elongated ski14, a wheel mount for mounting the wheel12to the ski14and a wheel lock18. For example, the wheel mount includes a pair of wheel holders16mounted to the ski14longitudinally spaced apart from each other and longitudinally movable relative thereto. The ski attachment10is movable between an unlocked configuration, seen inFIG.1, and a locked configuration, seen inFIG.2. In the locked configuration, the wheel holders16longitudinally flank the wheel12and each receive a portion of the wheel12thereinto. Also, the wheel lock18locks the wheel12to the ski attachment10so that the wheel12remains received in the wheel holders16. In the unlocked configuration, the ski attachment10and the wheel12can be separated from each other.

Referring collectively toFIGS.1,8and9, the ski14defines a longitudinal axis23and defines longitudinally opposed nose and tail ends19and20. The ski14also defines a deck22, a base24and a nadir receiving portion29for receiving the nadir section17, as further described below. The base24is configured so that a larger friction is exerted on the ski attachment10rearward of the nadir receiving portion29than frontward of the nadir receiving portion29when the ski attachment10is pushed on a surface at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis. For example, the base24typically defines a substantially flat portion from which one or more longitudinally extending ridges26protrude. A major portion of the one or more ridges26is provided between the nadir receiving portion29and the tail end20. Typically, each ridge26has a portion thereof behind the nadir receiving portion29and a portion thereof in front of the nadir receiving portion29, the latter portion being shorter than the former. Furthermore, in some embodiments not shown in the drawings, one or more ridges26may be provided solely in front of the nadir receiving portion29or behind the nadir receiving portion29.

The ski attachment10also defines on its upper side a pair of longitudinally extending rails30longitudinally separated from each other by a gap32in the nadir receiving portion29. In some embodiments, the gap32is provided centrally relative a flat portion of the base24. The gap32is also usable to mount the wheel holders16to the ski14by allowing insertion thereinto of a portion of the wheel holder to be mounted to the rails30. Each wheel holder16is mounted to a respective one of the rails30so as to be longitudinally movable therealong. For example, the rails30extend upwardly from the deck22and are laterally centered relative thereto. The rails30and wheel holders16are in some embodiments configured to allow selective movement of the wheel holders16along the rails and selective locking of each wheel holders16at longitudinally spaced apart locations along the deck22to allow selective variations in a distance between the two wheel holders16to fit the ski attachment10to wheels12of different diameters. In some embodiments, the wheel holders16are movable and lockable relative to the deck22toollessly.

In a specific embodiment, each rail30takes the form of an elongated hollow protrusion36opening downwardly and defining a slit38leading to a recess40. The rails30therefore have in these embodiments an inverted U transversal cross-sectional configuration. The protrusions36are laterally flanked by a pair of grooves42opening upwardly and laterally terminated by a toothed surfaces43including a plurality of vertically extending elongated body teeth44facing the rail30, as better seen inFIG.4, creating a longitudinally serrated profile.

The ski14is angled upwardly relative to a central portion of the base24at the nose end19and tail end20to facilitate movements of the ski attachment10on relatively soft surfaces, such as snow. Also, the base24is convex at the nose end19, and defines a convex base nose portion27. In some embodiments, the base24also defines a convex base tail portion28. This convex shape facilitates the movement of the ski attachment10when the latter is sunk in the soft surface as it pushes some of the soft surface laterally. This is to be contrasted to conventional stroller skis that typically have a flat nose. In some embodiments, the base nose portion27is wider than the base tail portion28, which enhances the lift effect in fresh snow and slush so that the nose end19will naturally stay up and the tail end20will sink down, once again facilitating movements of the ski attachment10. Typically, base nose portion27is both longer and wider than the base tail portion28.

Referring collectively toFIGS.3,5,7and10, the wheel holders16are substantially similar to each other and each includes a base46, a cradle48extending upwardly from the base46, a foot50protruding downwardly from the base46and a pair of laterally opposed wings52. The wings52may extend from a top portion of the cradle48, as shown in the drawings, or from the base46(not shown in the drawings). In some embodiments, a pair of guides56also extend downwardly from the base46on each side of the foot50. in other embodiments, the guides56are omitted.

The cradle48defines a wheel receiving recess62open upwardly and on a face facing towards the gap32. All the other 4 faces of the cradle48are closed. The cradle48thus defines a wheel receiving recess62for receiving part of the wheel12. The wheel receiving recesses62of the two wheel holders16face each other so that when the cradles48are moved as much as possible towards each other with the wheel12therebetween, the wheel holders16prevent the wheel12from moving laterally or longitudinally away from the ski attachment10. Typically, the wheel receiving recesses62are tapered in a direction leading away from each other to provide a relatively tight fit to wheels12having different dimensions.

The wheel holders16are configured to engage the rail30relatively snugly so that longitudinal movements along the rails30are the only movements that are allowed between the wheel holders16and the ski14. More specifically, the foot50is substantially T-shaped and includes a stem66extending from the base46and through the slit38and a plate68parallel to the base46and spaced apart therefrom. The plate68is located in the recess40. The rail30has a thickness at the slit38that is substantially similar to a length of the stem66. The guides56are each located in a respective one of the grooves42and are spaced apart laterally from each other by a distance substantially similar to a width of the rail30.

The wings52are resiliently deformable between an undeflected configuration, seen inFIG.7and a deflected configuration, seen inFIG.6, in which the wings are biased towards each other at their free end60. The wings52are provided with wing teeth64configured to engage the body teeth44to longitudinally lock the wheel holders16relative to the deck22. The width of the wings52in the undeflected configuration is larger than a distance between the toothed surfaces43, so that the wings52are biased outwardly towards the toothed surface43when the wheel holders16are mounted to the ski14, which locks longitudinally the wings52, and therefore the wheel holders16, due to the engagement between the body and wing teeth44and64. The wheel holders16are movable along the deck22when the wings52are in the deflected configuration, as the wing teeth64are then disengaged from the body teeth44.

Referring collectively toFIGS.1,5and11, the wheel lock18takes for example the form of a strap70mounted at one end to the ski14, adjacent the gap32. For example, the strap70is mounted through a strap mounting aperture72formed in the deck22. The strap70includes a stopper71at one end thereof, which is larger than the strap mounting aperture72for preventing the strap70from passing completely through the strap mounting aperture72. The strap70is configured to extend through the wheel12and maintain its rim13, pushed against the deck22to prevent the wheel from being removed from the deck22. To that effect, a strap closing aperture74is provided laterally opposed to the strap mounting aperture72and configured to receive a free end78of the strap70therethrough. To ensure that the strap70does not loosen unintentionally, the strap70may be provided with longitudinally spaced apart strap apertures80and the ski attachment10may define a tongue82adjacent the strap closing aperture74so that a suitable one of the strap apertures80may engage the tongue82to lock the strap70in a closed configuration. In some embodiments, the strap70includes a bend79adjacent the free end78to facilitate insertion of the strap70through the strap closing aperture74.

In use, the ski attachment10is secured to a wheel12by positioning the nadir section17of the wheel12in the gap32and securing the ski attachment10to the wheel12using the strap70. When the ski attachment10is used for the first time with a specific wheel12, there may be a need to adjust the position of the wheel holders16. To that effect, one presses the wings52towards each other to deform them and disengage the wing teeth64from the body teeth44and then moves the wheel holder16towards the gap32until the two wheel holders16are as close to possible to the wheel12, followed by releasing the wings52to lock the longitudinal position of the wheel holders16. Removal of the ski attachment10can then be performed by simply removing the strap70from the rim13and lifting the wheel away from the ski attachment10.

Once the ski attachment10is attached to a wheel12, the substantially flat portion of the base24spreads over a relatively large area the weight of a stroller or other wheeled device to which the ski attachment10is attached when the latter is pushed on soft surfaces, such as snow or slush, so that the stroller floats on the soft surface, and is therefore easier to push.

The ridges26facilitate tracking of the wheel12along the direction in which the stroller is moved. As illustrated inFIG.8, if the ski attachment10is pushed on the ground in a direction84angled with the longitudinal axis23, a rear friction force86exerted behind the gap32will be larger than a front friction force88exerted in front of the gap32, due to the larger surface area presented by the ridges26in the corresponding location. This effect is enhanced in soft ground, for example in deeper snow, due to the tendency that the ski attachment10to point upward at the nose end19, caused by the larger surface area of this portion of the ski attachment10, which again causes a smaller lateral surface area of the ski attachment10to be in contact with the soft ground. This will create a torque on the ski attachment10, so that the ski attachment10tends naturally to track along the direction84along which the ski attachment is pushed. Therefore, the wheels12to which the ski attachment10is secured will act similarly to the way the wheels12act on solid ground in the absence of the ski attachment10. For strollers including caster, or swiveling, wheels, this will provide an intuitive manner of pushing the stroller when the ski attachment10is in use. The ridges26may have a substantially asymmetrical extent so that the ridges26are longer at the back of the gap32, where the wheel12is received, than at the front of the gap32. This configuration therefore create more friction at the back than at the front when the wheel12deviates from the direction of motion of the ski attachment10, and therefore tends to counter-steer such deviations. This further enhances the natural feel of a wheeled stroller even when used with the ski attachment10.

Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be readily appreciated that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, the scope of the claims should not be limited by the exemplary embodiments, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole. The present invention can thus be modified without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims.