Self-propelled unit for propelling a person wearing snow skis along a rising snow path

A self-propelled unit (3), usable by a skier for moving along a rising snow path, comprises a frame (7), rolling structure (12) for the movement of the self-propelled unit (3) along the snow, an engine (20) for driving the rolling structure (12), a transmission (21, 25) which connects the engine (20) to the rolling structure (12), and a control (4) for the engine (20). The self-propelled unit (3) is of such dimensions and weight as to be portable. It is also provided with structure (14 and 34) for the releasable connection of the frame to the skis (2) and sticks (37) of the skier. This connection (14 and 34) is configured in such a manner that a large part of the weight of the skier acts on the self-propelled unit.

DESCRIPTION 
This invention relates to a self-propelled unit able to propel a person 
wearing snow skis along a rising snow path, comprising a frame, rolling 
means for the movement of the self-propelled until along the snow, an 
engine for driving the rolling means, a transmission which connects the 
engine to the rolling means, and engine control means. 
Self-propelled units of the aforesaid type for use by a skier in overcoming 
a rising path are already available commercially. The types proposed up to 
the present time are however in the form of actual vehicles of 
considerable weight and overall size, and of high cost. 
The main characteristic of the self-propelled unit according to the 
invention is that it is of such dimensions and weight as to be portable, 
and that said self-propelled unit is also provided with means for its 
releasable connection to the skis and sticks of the skier, said connection 
means being configured in such a manner that a large part of the skier's 
weight acts on the self-propelled unit. 
By virtue of these characteristics, the self-propelled unit according to 
the invention can be advantageously used by a skier in order to overcome 
an upward snow path, after which it can be carried on the shoulders and 
conveyed downhill during the next descent on the skis.

FIG. 1 shows a skier 1 wearing snow skis 2 during upward movement. This 
movement is obtained by the self-propelled unit according to the present 
invention, in the manner described in detail hereinafter. In FIG. 1, the 
self-propelled unit is indicated overall by the reference numeral 3. This 
unit is controlled by the skier by means of a handle 4 connected to the 
ski sticks 37 and by means of a bundle of flexible cables 5 connected to 
the unit 3. 
At the end of his ascent, the skier separates the self-propelled unit 3 
from the skis 2 and sticks 37, and straps it as shown at 6 (FIG. 2) by 
means of strap 38 with which the unit is provided, so that he can carry it 
on his shoulders during his subsequent descent on the skis. 
With reference to FIGS. 3 to 7, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of 
the self-propelled unit according to the invention, said unit comprises a 
frame 7 (see FIG. 5) on which a pair of front wheels 8 and a pair of rear 
wheels 9 are rotatably mounted. The wheels 8, 9 comprise peripheral 
recesses 10 in which the ends of transverse bars 11 (see FIG. 4) forming 
part of a crawler track 12 engages. 
The self-propelled unit comprises two lateral protection walls 13 screwed 
to the frame 7 (see FIGS. 3, 4), and from which there project two lateral 
supports 31 which are fixed to the frame (see FIGS. 5, 6). On the supports 
31 there are mounted, rotatable about a transverse axis 32 (see FIGS. 3, 
4), two brackets 14 projecting frontwards from the self-propelled unit, 
and the arms of a fork 34 which are joined at a plate 39 (see FIG. 3) 
which is designed for rapid releasable fixing to both the lower parts of 
the ski sticks 37 (see FIG. 3) so that the sticks are able to swivel about 
an axis 33 orthogonal to the axis 32. The free ends of the brackets 14 
each comprise an articulated connection unit 15 (see FIG. 3) designed for 
releasable fixing, for example by means of a bayonet or instant insertion 
connection, to a corresponding connection plate 16 situated on the rear 
end of the ski 2. Each articulated connection unit 15 enables a support 17 
to rotate relative to the bracket 14 about a longitudinal horizontal axis 
18, and enables a plate 19 (to be fixed to the plate 16) to rotate 
relative to the support 17 about a vertical axis. 
Because of this arrangement, when the articulated connection units 15 are 
connected to the skis 2, and the plate 39 is connected to the sticks 37, a 
large part of the skier's weight acts on the self-propelled unit 3 because 
of the rigid connection constituted by the connection brackets 14 and 
support 34, and at the same time the skis 2 and sticks 37 are given the 
necessary freedom to enable the direction of movement to be controlled and 
any necessary edging to be undertaken. 
On the drawings, the arrow A indicates the direction of movement of the 
self-propelled unit according to the invention, which as stated heretofore 
is in the form of a crawler-tracked unit, in the illustrated embodiment. 
An internal combustion engine of small piston displacement, indicated by 20 
in FIG. 5, is mounted on the frame 7 of the self-propelled unit in a 
forward position between the two front wheels 8. 
The shaft of the engine 20 is connected to the rear wheels 9, which act as 
drive wheels, by a transmission including an automatic clutch of known 
type used for example in mopeds (indicated by 21 in FIG. 6). By means of a 
belt 22, the clutch 21 controls an automatic transmission 23, which is 
also of known type used for example in mopeds. 
A drum brake 24 (see FIG. 7) is mounted on the shaft of the automatic 
transmission 23. This shaft is also connected by a chain transmission 25 
to the shaft of the rear wheels 9. 
On the drawings, the reference numeral 26 indicates overall a device for 
adjusting the crawler track tension. In FIG. 5, the reference numerals 28 
and 29 indicate respectively the fuel tank and exhaust silencer of the 
internal combustion engine. 
Finally, in FIG. 6 the reference numeral 30 indicates a pulley about which 
a cable is wound for starting the engine (see also FIG. 4). 
When the skier wishes to ascend, he connects the connection ends of the 
brackets 14 to the skis 2 and the central part 39 of the support 34 to the 
sticks 37, on which the seat 35 and the control handle 36 are mounted by 
means of screws, after which he starts the engine 20 by means of the 
pulley 30. The handle 4 includes a member for adjusting the engine 
rotational speed. As the rotational speed increases, the automatic clutch 
21 gradually transmits the torque from the engine to the wheels. The 
automatic transmission 23 sets the optimum transmission ratio at all times 
in relation to the load conditions and the slope of the path. 
A self-propelled unit of the type heretofore described can enable the skier 
to overcome ascents up to a maximum slope of 40% at a maximum speed of 
about 20 km per hour. 
In order to slow down, the brake 24 is operated by means of the handle 4. 
In the example heretofore described, direction changes are made by the 
usual method in skiing, namely shifting the weight of the skier from one 
ski to the other. Along a path of small slope, the articulated connection 
units 15 enable the skis to be tilted on to their front edge, while the 
self-contained unit remains in contact with the ground. 
The handle 4 also includes a control for stopping the engine. 
Within the principle of the invention, the constructional details and shape 
embodiments can be widely modified relative to that described and 
illustrated by way of example, without leaving the scope of the present 
invention. 
For instance, an electric motor could be used instead of an internal 
combustion engine. 
It is also possible to provide a self-contained unit comprising for example 
two crawler-tracked means designed for connection laterally to the skis 
and arranged to be controlled separately in order to obtain a more precise 
control of the direction of movement. 
Furthermore, instead of using a crawler track, movement along the snow 
could be obtained by a series of wheels or by one or more rotating 
propellers which grip the snow surface. 
A crawler track could also be used which does not pass around the entire 
structure of the machine, but which instead is disposed below said 
structure. In this case, the structure could be protected by cover walls. 
Moreover, the wheels on which the track engages could be rubber wheels 
instead of toothed wheels. 
Finally, the self-propelled unit according to the invention can also be 
applied in general to vehicles fitted with snow skis or skids in order to 
propel them. 
In a further embodiment (not shown), the self-propelled unit can be 
arranged in another manner, for example not directly connected to the 
skis, so allowing the skier greater freedom of movement. Alternatively, in 
a simplified embodiment the skier can be connected to the self-propelled 
unit only by way of the skis, so remaining upright and holding not only 
the sticks but also a handle for controlling the unit, which is connected 
to it by flexible conductors.