SLIDING BOARD WITH MOTOR AND CATERPILLAR OR TILTING ENDLESS BELT TO BE USED ON SNOW OR SIMILAR GROUNDS

Abstract: The device comprises a surface or sliding board (1) having a motor and a caterpillar or tilting endless belt to be used on snow or similar grounds. Said board has a central longitudinal open space wherein is open space wherein is mounted a tilting structure (6) with rollers (8) by means of a support with axis (4, 13), said rollers supporting and guiding the belt or caterpillar (7). The motor and variator assembly, installed prior to the support and axis (18), transmits the motion to a tractor roller (9) which causes the rotation of the belt or caterpillar. The tilting system is provided with a shock absorbing device (10) and a system for making inoperative the belt or caterpillar. By means supports with fixing elements for the feet (21) and an acceleration control device, the board can be directed.

Description: The invention relates to a transport apparatus to be used on snow or similar grounds. CURRENT STATE OF THE ART All systems, national or foreign apparatus, with motor device and designed for forward motion or travel on snow or similar grounds, greatly differ in their characteristics and design which is the object of the present invention. US-A-2323526 discloses a sliding board in accordance with the preamble of claim 1 of this patent. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention comprises an apparatus according to claim 1 of this patent. It consists of ski-type of board, though with greater width between the side edges. A motor has been installed on the same, which transmits motion by means of a chain or toothed belt and moves a caterpillar or endless belt system equipped with a gripping device on snow, and this belt or caterpillar is supported and guided on rollers which in turn are supported by the ends of their axis to a tilting structure which is provided with a shock absorbing device. The tilting structure-belt is mounted in an open space made on the board, longitudinally centered on the same, placed behind the motor. The tilting structure is provided with a fixing system which prevents the belt, if desired, from touching the snow. Supports permit placement of the feet so as to thus direct the board. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 represents a perspective view of all the assembly of the apparatus, indicating the coupling of the protection shell and rear fixing support. Marked with an asterisk are the areas on which may be placed the motor, the automatic variator and the fuel tank. Figure 2 represents an elevational view of the apparatus. Figure 3 represents a plan view of the apparatus. Marked with an asterisk are the possible areas on which may be placed the motor, the automatic variator and the fuel tank. Figure 4 represents a right hand side view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION It deals with a board (1) similar to a ski-board, though with wider dimensions than conventional ones. An open space has been performed on this board, which is longitudinally centered as regards the board and which starts approximately in the middle of the total length of the board and reaches almost the end of the same, with an approximate width of 3/5 of the total width of the board. Thus achieving a sliding board with front spatula, and as from approximately the middle of which, only two arms of the board continue up to the rear part. The two arms (2) rejoin at their end points, though on a higher plane (3) to that of the board, thus offering greater stiffness to the assembly and preventing that the rear union be a hindrance to the advancing motion over the snow. On the area immediately in front of the open space, a support (4) is mounted, with axis device (13) in cross direction to the board. This axis supports a toothed roller (9) which couples with the teeth or attachment area inside the belt or caterpillar (7), which is also equipped with attachment devices (17) for the snow on its outside area. The roller has a pulley or pinion (5) attached at an end, which receives the movement by means of a toothed belt or chain which comes from the automatic variator system or automatic clutch, moved by the motor. From the ends of the roller (9) and pulley (5) carrier axis (13), two arms (6), longitudinal to board, grow perpendicularly to the axis, arranged consequently, throughout the length of all the open space, between both sides of the board. Said so called arms (6) or tilting structure, are joined in cross direction by various rollers (8) and offer the belt or caterpillar the support and correct trajectory to be followed. The tilting arms (6) are joined at their upper and front part, forming an arch (19), housing on its peak, an end of the shock absorbing device (10); the other end of the shock absorbing device is attached to a central support part (20). On the axis (13) of the roller (9), the arms and guide roller structure (6, 8) tilts, which in turn support the endless belt or caterpillar (7). For placement of the feet on the board, said board carries two supports (21), one for each foot, placed approximately one on the first half and the other on the second half. Each support, is equipped with two support areas, placing a support area on the left side and the other on the right side, both support areas being joined by a crosspiece, in cross direction to the board, though this crosspiece is raised as regards the plane of the board, due to which, the support areas are joined on their upper part. This elevation serves on the rear support, to allow the correct operation of the belt-tilting structure assembly. Additionally, by pulling a handle (14) mounted onto the tilting structure (6) upwards, and simultaneously decompressing the spring of the shock absorbing device, either with a decoupling system of one of its axis or by means of a decompressing screw (11), it achieves that on accomplishment of this simple operation, the belt-tilting structure assembly (6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 22) rises as regards the plane of the board, and remains suspended by hooks, locks or tieing devices placed on the tilting structure (15) and support of the foot (16). In this manner, the board is free and without the propulsion effect of the belt or caterpillar. The assembly of the motor, fuel tank and automatic variator is installed on an area (18) prior to the support axis of the tractor roller. To accelerate the motor, and consequently, to achieve greater speed, there is installed an accelerating device which by means of a flexible small tube with an inside rope joined at one end to the carburettor and at the other end, joined to a trigger system with spring, which the driver of the board grips with his hand and adjusts at will. To achieve a good use of the board, it shall be necessary to use boots which may be similar to those employed for practicing sports such as skiing or snow-boarding. Attachment devices shall also be installed on the supports of the board for the corresponding boots. Both the boots and the attachments are easily commercially acquired. Once the said material is correctly installed, we may make use of the board, tilting to one side or the other so as to perform left or right hand turns. For braking, it is necessary to stop the acceleration, followed by skiding on the edges until the board stops. The apparatus is equipped with a detachable housing of light and resistant material (22) which is attached onto the tilting structure (6) and under the shock absorbing system (10), covering also the assembly made up of the belt-tilting structure, rollers and pulley, thus the driver is protected in case of a fall, at the same time, preventing the belt or caterpillar from hurling snow or other elements.

Claims: Sliding board with motor and caterpillar or tilting endless belt to be used on snow or similar grounds, comprising a board (1) or sliding surface, with supports (21) for placing feet and equipped with a centered longitudinal open space as regards the sides, on which is mounted a tilting structure (6, 19) comprising tilting arms (6) provided with a shock absorbing system and carrying rollers (8) and a caterpillar or endless belt (7) with attachment devices (17) for snow or similar grounds, wherein this belt (7) or caterpillar may be moved by a thermal or electric motor, the board further including a device (14, 15, 16) for preventing the effect of the belt on the snow, characterized in that the tilting arms (6) are joined at their upper and front part, forming an arch (19) with a peak that is connected to an end of a shock absorbing device (10), the other end of the shock absorbing device being attached to a central support part (20). Sliding board with motor and caterpillar or tilting endless belt to be used on snow or similar grounds, according to the previous claim, characterized in that the shock absorbing system is arranged with the possibility, by means of a screw (11) or decoupling of an axis, of permitting the decompression of a spring or elastic element of the shock absorbing device, if so desired. Sliding board with motor and caterpillar or tilting endless belt to be used on snow or similar grounds, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the tilting structure is equipped with a handle, which, by pulling the same upwards, and in turn decompressing the spring, allows the elevation of the tilting structure assembly, suspending the same by means of hooks or tieing devices (15, 16) designed to this end. Sliding board with motor and caterpillar or tilting endless belt to be used on snow or similar grounds, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the board is equipped with a front spatula and with interconnection of its rear ends by means of a raised plane (3), the board further carrying supports (21) attached to the left and right hand sides of the board joined by a crosspiece which is higher than the plane of the board, allowing the placement of boot attachments, whereby the tilting structure can operate without hindrance. Sliding board with motor and caterpillar or tilting endless belt to be used on snow or similar grounds, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that it is equipped with a protection shell of light and resistant material (22), attached to the tilting structure and covering the roller, belt and pulley system. Sliding board with motor and caterpillar or tilting endless belt to be used on snow or similar grounds, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that it is equipped with a motor and automatic variator or automatic clutch, installed (18) in front of the belt, accelerated by means of a control with a trigger system carried in the hand of the driver, this control being joined by means of a flexible small tube with inside rope up to the carburettor, thus permitting acceleration of the speed of the motor.

Inventors: FERRER ALMAZAN PABLO, FERRER ALMAZAN, PABLO
Applicants: FERRER ALMAZAN PABLO, FERRER ALMAZAN, PABLO
Application year: 1996
Main classification: A63C5
IPC codes: A63C5