A WINTERTIME EXERCISE DEVICE

Abstract: A wintertime exercise device has been described herein. Components of the device include: a board-like member (12) having a top surface (13) and a bottom surface (23) and a runner (14) secured to the bottom surface of the board-like member. The board-like member (12) and runner (14) are greater than thirty inches in length, and preferably longer than three and one-half feet. This new wintertime exercise device is used on any type of ice in a similar manner to the use of cross-country racing skis on snow. This invention provides a new sporting event to recreational users, exercisers or competitors particularly when snow or ice conditions are unfavorable for conventional wintertime activities, such as ice skating or cross-country skiing.

Description: A WINTERTIME EXERCISE DEVICE Background of the Invention Technical Field The present invention relates to exercise devices and more particularly to a novel wintertime device for gliding over smooth or rough ice and snow-patched ice. Description of Prior Art Conventionally, wintertime recreational or exercise devices for use on ice have included ice skates, such as the speed skates described in U.S. Patents 475,926, 539,641 and 568,547, and the recreational devices described in U.S. Patents 1,013,154 and 3,879,047. The ice skates described in U.S. Patents 475,926, 539,641 and 568,547 are used for racing on good quality ice. They are manufactured with longer than usual skate blades or runners, the longest of which do not appear to exceed twenty inches as described in U.S. Patent 568,547. The recreational device described in U.S. Patent 3,879,047, issued to John MacDonald, on April 22, 1975, has an elongated body which generally defines an elliptical plinth which approximately conforms to the di ensions of the user's foot. The body comprises a substantially flat upper surface which supports the foot of the user and a lower ice contacting surface which is configured for rocking the body about its longitudinal axis and about an axis perpendicular to its longitudinal axis for control of the ski. This type of ski is to be used on a sloping ice surface or on a flat ice surface where the participant is towed. Another recreational device which may be used either on ice or snow is described in U.S. Patent 1,013,154, issued to L.W. Greenig on January 2, 1912. As with the device described in U.S. Patent 3,879,047, this device is to be used on an ice covered incline. It includes a foot piece for supporting a user's foot, a runner with the end curved upward and a vertical rod fitted within the runner in- order to enable the device to be used by persons of different heights without unnecessary stooping. Another conventional wintertime activity is cross- country skiing. A participant of this activity depends upon his/her own stride and pole thrusts to move across the snow and on the snow conditions. The skier needs sufficient snow in order to be supported on the snow and the snow needs to be of a good quality, e.g. not too rough or icy. A layer of ice over snow could prove hazardous for the cross-country skier. The icy conditions could cause the skier to lose control and balance as the skier attempts to ski across the surface. Most, if not all, of the above recreational devices do not work well on rough ice or snow-patched ice. (As used herein, snow-patched ice means patches of snow on an iced over lake. Snow-patched ice typically presents a non-uniform surface.) Applicant is not aware of a recreational device which may be used on uneven or rough ice, such as the ice typically found on frozen lakes in the wintertime. Therefore, a device which can be used on either smooth or rough ice or snow-patched ice offers significant advantages and commercial prospects. This invention in essence provides a new type of wintertime exercise activity. Summary of the Invention A principal object of the present invention is to provide recreational users, exercisers or competitors with a new wintertime device for use on smooth or rough ice and snow-patched ice. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new wintertime exercise device which permits gliding over rough ice or snow-patched ice where it would ordinarily be impossible to ski or skate. The invention described herein consists of a wintertime exercise device which may be used on ice which is smooth or, more advantageously, on rough ice or snow-patched ice. The wintertime exercise device consists primarily of an elongated board-like member and an elongated runner or blade. The board-like member has a top surface and a bottom surface and is longer than thirty inches. The runner is also longer than thirty inches and is mounted to the bottom surface of the board-like member. As can be seen from the foregoing and the remaining portions of the specification which follow, a new wintertime sport has been created by the present invention. With this invention, recreational users, exercisers or competitors can glide across icy terrains which are smooth or rough. This advantageously permits the continuance of wintertime activities when snow and ice conditions are unfavorable for conventional wintertime activities. Brief Description of the Drawings The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portions of the specification. The invention, however, as to structure, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanied drawings in which: Fig. 1 is an illustration of one embodiment of a wintertime exercise device with an exploded view of one embodiment of an optional anti-backsliding structure; Fig. 2 is a front view of the wintertime exercise device of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a rear view of the wintertime exercise device of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a pair of wintertime exercise devices in use in accordance with the present invention; and Fig. 5 is a top view of one embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description of the Invention One specific embodiment of the present invention is depicted in Fig. 1. The wintertime exercise device generally denoted (10) includes a board-like member (12) and a runner (14) . Board-like member (12) , e.g. made of ash, is preferably at least three to four feet long. Member (12) has a top surface (13) , a bottom surface (23) , a front end (22) and a rear end (20) . The tips of front end (22) and rear end (20) come to a point (see Fig. 5) . The underside of front end (22) of board-like member (12) is curved inward (see Fig. 2) in order to facilitate the member's riding over bumps and ridges in the ice. The underside of the rear end (20) (see Fig. 3) is also curved inward. Top surface (13) is substantially smooth and flat (see Fig. 5) . It may be equipped with a binding (16) which is similar in construction to a cross-country racing ski binding. Binding (16) functions to secure a user's foot to top surface (13) of board-like member (12) . Bottom surface (23) of board-like member (12) contains a groove (24) (see Figs. 2 and 3) . Groove (24) is, for example, one-half inch deep and runs substantially the length of board-like member (12) . As seen in Figs. 2 and 3, groove (24) enables runner (14) to be received. Runner (14) may be secured in groove (24) by any conventional means, such as glue. It extends about one-half inch below member (12) . Runner (14), preferably made of stainless steel, is, for example, 1/16 inch thick, one inch wide and extends lengthwise substantially from rear end (20) to front end (22) of board-like member (12) . Runner (14) is preferably rockered to a radius of about sixty meters and is sharpened flat except within three inches of each end of runner (14) . The three inches on either end of runner (14) are dulled so that the ends do not dig into the ice when the device is first contacting or leaving the frozen surface. It facilitates the user in gliding over the rough or smooth icy terrain. As shown particularly in the exploded view of Fig. 1, exercise device (10) of the present invention may optionally include an anti-backsliding structure (28) . Anti-backsliding structure (28) includes a curved segment (32) . Curved segment (32) has a jagged edge and in the embodiment depicted, uniformly spaced teeth (30) which are used to dig into the ice when device (10) is forced to slide backwards. When device (10) is propelled forward, then anti-backsliding structure (28) merely moves along the ice causing very little friction. Anti-backsliding structure (28) is pivotally secured to runner (14) . It may be secured by any conventional means, such as with a screw. Anti- backsliding structure (28) is also preferably readily detachable from runner (14) in order to give a user the opportunity to remove it. In operation, exercise device (10) is typically used in a manner similar to the use of cross-country racing skis on snow. As shown in Fig. 4, the user wears cross-country ski-type boots on each foot and then secures each foot within a binding (16) . The user also preferably utilizes two cross-country skiing-type poles (34) in order to supply some of the thrust necessary to propell across the frozen surface and to maintain balance. These poles are manufactured of a conventional material, such as fiberglass with tungsten carbide tips. Unlike known cross-country skis, the present wintertime exercise device is particularly suited for rough, icy surfaces. Device (10) is equipped with a long blade or runner (14) which is attached lengthwise to the bottom surface (23) of board-like member (12) (see Figs 1 and 4) . The length of member (12) and runner (14) , preferably three to four feet, prevents the user from using the crossover technique common to hockey, figure or speed skating. As can be understood from the above description, the present invention provides recreational users, exercisers and competitors with a new type of wintertime activity. Device (10) allows wintertime enthusiasts to participate in a new wintertime activity when the snow is insufficient or of a poor quality or the ice is inadequate or too rough for conventional wintertime activities. Although a preferred embodiment has been depicted and described in detail herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that various modifications, additions, substitutions and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and these are therefore considered to be within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims: What is claimed is: 1. A wintertime exercise device for use on a frozen surface comprising: (a) a board-like member having a top surface for supporting a user and a bottom surface; and (b) a runner mounted lengthwise to the bottom surface of said board-like member, said runner and said board-like member each having a length of at least thirty inches. 2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said board-like member and said runner are of substantially equal length. 3. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said bottom surface includes a lengthwise groove for receiving said runner. 4. The exercise device of claim 1, further comprising foot receiving means affixed to the top surface of said board-like member for releasably securing a user's foot thereto. 5. The exercise device of claim 4, wherein said receiving means comprises a cross-country racing-type ski binding. 6. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said board-like member and said runner are each greater than thirty-six inches in length. 7. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said runner has a front end and a rear end, and wherein said rear end includes an anti-backsliding structure. 8. The exercise device of claim 7, wherein said anti-backsliding structure comprises an attachment pivotably secured to said runner, said attachment having a jagged edge positioned to engage the frozen surface when said device is moved in a rearward direction. 9. The exercise device of claim 8, wherein said jagged edge has a substantially uniform surface engaging teeth. 10. A wintertime exercise device for use on a frozen surface comprising: (a) two substantially similar board-like members, each having a top surface for supporting a user and a bottom surface; and (b) two substantially similar runners each mounted to a bottom surface of one of said board¬ like members, each of said runners and each of said board-like members being of substantially equal length such that said board-like members are typically spaced from said frozen surface when in use, said length being sufficient such that a user cannot cross one board-like member over the other board-like member when negotiating a turn. 11. The exercise device of claim 10, wherein each of said board-like members and each of said runners are at least thirty inches in length. 12. The exercise device of claim 10, wherein each of said board-like members and each of said runners are greater than thirty-six inches in length. 13. The exercise device of claim 10, further comprising cross-country-type ski poles.

Inventors: MERLE-SMITH EDMUND L, MERLE-SMITH, EDMUND, L.
Applicants: MERLE SMITH EDMUND L, MERLE-SMITH, EDMUND, L.
Application year: 1991
Main classification: A63C5
IPC codes: A63C1, A63C5, A63C7