Patent Publication Number: US-11047100-B2

Title: Apparatus for making a cross-country ski run

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application is a national stage application of PCT/IB2016/057616, filed on Dec. 14, 2016, which claims the benefit of and priority to Italian Patent Application No. 102015000083039, filed on Dec. 14, 2015, the entire contents of which are each incorporated by reference herein. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to an apparatus configured to make a cross-country ski run, in particular a classic-technique cross-country ski run. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Certain known apparatuses usually comprise a main tiller and at least one tracksetting device comprising at least one runner and configured to create tracks in the snow. A track for a cross-country ski run is a furrow having a flat bottom surface, two splayed side surfaces, and the function of guiding a ski. A track is formed by pressing the runner on the snowpack and simultaneously advancing the runner along a given route. Basically, the snowpack is locally compacted and deformed in correspondence to each track by the runner. 
     Depending on the characteristics of the snowpack and to facilitate making the tracks, the snowpack can be tilled beforehand to facilitate making the tracks. Depending on the environmental conditions, sometimes it may be useful to till a more-or-less deep surface layer of the snowpack before making the tracks, while other times it is not necessary. That is, the characteristics of the snowpack can vary significantly depending on the environmental conditions. In other words, the snowpack can be soft or compact, or have a hard surface crust and be relatively soft inside, to mention just a few of the characteristics that the snowpack may assume according to the temperature, humidity and temperature range. Making tracks and the structure they have can be heavily influenced by the variability of the snowpack&#39;s characteristics. To this end, the position of the main tiller can be varied to adjust the tilling depth level in the snowpack according to needs. However, the position of the main tiller affects the quality of the tracks in the snow in a manner that is not always positive. 
     In other words, such known apparatuses do not enable obtaining a relatively high level of quality for classic-technique cross-country ski runs and a relatively high speed of advancement for all the various types of snowpack. 
     SUMMARY 
     One advantage of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus configured to make cross-country ski run that reduces certain of the drawbacks of certain of the known art. 
     According to the present disclosure, an apparatus is provided for making ski runs comprising a support structure, a first tiller, at least one tracksetting device, and a connection structure that couples the tracksetting device to the first tiller and/or to the support structure, the connection structure being configured to enable or allow the free rotation about an axis, such as an axis transverse to an advancing direction, of the tracksetting device with respect to the tiller. As such, the position of the tracksetting device with respect to the blanket of snow of the present disclosure is independent of the position of the tiller with respect to the blanket of snow. This enables having relatively greater adaptability to the conditions of the snowpack and, in consequence, better relative quality for the ski runs. 
     According to certain embodiments, the connection structure comprises a first articulated joint that connects the tiller to the tracksetting device. 
     According to another embodiment, the connection structure comprises a second articulated joint that connects the tiller to the support structure in a freely rotating manner. 
     According to another embodiment, the connection structure comprises a third articulated joint and a first arm that connects the third articulated joint to the second articulated joint. 
     According to another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a first actuator, the tiller comprises a frame, and the first actuator has a selectively adjustable length that connects the frame of the tiller to the third articulated joint so that the distance of the frame with respect to the third articulated joint is selectively adjustable. 
     According to another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a fourth articulated joint and a second arm that connects the fourth articulated joint to the third articulated joint, the tracksetting device being connected to the fourth articulated joint in a freely rotating manner. 
     According to another embodiment, the connection structure comprises a guide connected to the first articulated joint, the tracksetting device being connected to the guide. 
     According to another embodiment, the connection structure defines an articulated quadrilateral having four articulated joints and connects the tracksetting device to the tiller so that the tracksetting device freely rotates about the axis with respect to tiller to assume a position with respect to the snowpack that is independent of the position of the tiller with respect to the snowpack. In certain embodiments, the support structure is connected to one of the four articulated joints. 
     According to another embodiment, the connection structure comprises a fifth articulated joint connected to the tiller at a different point from the first articulated joint. 
     According to another embodiment, the apparatus comprises an actuator having a selectively adjustable length, and the connection structure comprises a sixth articulated joint connected to the fifth articulated joint by the actuator so that the distance between the fifth articulated joint and the sixth articulated joint is selectively adjustable, the sixth articulated joint being connected to the tracksetting device. 
     According to another embodiment, the tracksetting device comprises a support structure, a second tiller, and a pan, the support structure being connected to the first tiller by the connection structure. 
     According to another embodiment, the second tiller is connected to the support structure by a seventh articulated joint and by a third arm selectively constrained to a body of the support structure by an actuator. 
     According to another embodiment, the pan is connected to an elongated portion of the support structure, the elongated portion being connected to a body of the support structure by an eighth articulated joint and by an actuator so as to constrain the position of the elongated body with respect to the body in a selectively adjustable manner. 
     According to another embodiment, the second tiller is arranged between the first tiller and the pan along an advancement direction. 
     Additional features and advantages are described in, and will be apparent from the following Detailed Description and the figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further characteristics and advantages of the present disclosure will become clear from the description that follows of a non-limitative embodiment, with reference to the figures in the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view, with parts removed for clarity, of an apparatus configured to make tracks for a cross-country ski run in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation view, with parts removed for clarity, of the apparatus in  FIG. 1  in a first operating configuration; 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevation view, with parts removed for clarity, of the apparatus in  FIG. 1  in a second operating configuration; 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevation view, with parts removed for clarity, of an apparatus configured to make tracks for a cross-country ski run in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevation view, with parts removed for clarity, of the apparatus in  FIG. 4  in a second operating configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the example embodiments of the present disclosure illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 5  and specifically with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an apparatus configured to make a cross-country ski run, in particular of the alternate stride type, is indicated as a whole by reference numeral  1 . In the case shown in  FIG. 1 , the apparatus  1  comprises a support structure  71  configured to support the apparatus  1 , a snow tiller  2  supported by the support structure  71 , two tracksetting devices  3  to each form two tracks  4  parallel to a direction D 1  that corresponds to the advancement direction of the apparatus  1 , and a connection structure  19  configured to connect the tracksetting devices  3  to the tiller  2  in an articulated manner to allow or enable rotation about an axis transverse to the direction D 1  of the tracksetting devices  3  with respect to the tiller  2 . 
     The number of two tracksetting devices is purely indicative and the present disclosure relates to the single tracksetting device or to a machine equipped with more than two tracksetting devices. 
     In greater detail, each track  4  is substantially defined by a furrow having a cross section substantially with the form of an isosceles trapezium. 
     The apparatus  1  is drawn by a vehicle  8  and is connected to the vehicle  8  by the support structure  71 . In greater detail, the support structure  71  comprises a connection unit  71   a  configured to be connected to the vehicle  8 . The vehicle  8  is, but not limited to, a tracked vehicle, such as a groomer. 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , the tiller  2  comprises a frame  5 , a shaft  6 , a casing  7  placed around the shaft  6  and a mat  7   a  made of a flexible material. 
     The shaft  6  is mounted so as to rotate about an axis A and is fitted with teeth  9 . 
     The tiller  2  is supported by the support structure  71 . In particular, the tiller  2  is connected to the support structure  71  via the connection structure  19 . 
     The connection structure  19  comprises an articulated joint  19   a , an articulated joint  19   b , an articulated joint  19   c , an articulated joint  19   d , an arm  19   e  that connects articulated joint  19   a  and articulated joint  19   b , an arm  19   f  that connects articulated joint  19   b  and articulated joint  19   c , and a guide  10 . 
     The frame  5  of the tiller  2  is connected directly to the support structure  71  by articulated joint  19   a . In addition, arm  19   e  is connected to articulated joint  19   a  and to the support structure  71 . The frame  5  of the tiller  2  is connected to the support structure  71  at articulated joint  19   b  of the support structure  71 . 
     The apparatus  1  comprises an actuator  50  that connects articulated joint  19   b  to the frame  5  of the tiller  2  and is configured to alter its length. In greater detail, the actuator  50  is connected to articulated joint  19   b  and to the frame  5  at a connection point  50   a  different from articulated joint  19   a . In consequence, the distance between the frame  5  and articulated joint  19   b  can selectively vary according to the variable length of the actuator  50 . 
     The inclination of the tiller  2  with respect to a snowpack N can be adjusted by acting on a position of the support structure  71  and on the length of the actuator  50 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , the guide  10  of the connection structure  19  is substantially parallel to axis A. The two tracksetting devices  3  are slidingly mounted along the guide  10 . Furthermore, the guide  10  is connected to articulated joint  19   c  by an arm  10   a  and to articulated joint  19   d  by an arm  10   b.    
     In greater detail, the guide  10  is connected to the tiller  2  by articulated joint  19   d . In particular, the guide  10  is connected to the frame  5  of the tiller  2  by articulated joint  19   d  of the connection structure  19 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , each tracksetting device  3  comprises a support structure  11  that is coupled to the guide  10 , an actuator  15 , a pan  16 , and a tiller  20 . 
     Furthermore, each tracksetting device  3  is connected to the support structure  71  and to the tiller  2  by the connection structure  19  so as to allow free rotation, such as about an axis parallel to axis A, with respect to the tiller  2  and to the support structure  71 . Each support structure  11  comprises a body  13  defined like a slider engaged by the guide  10  and an elongated portion  14 , which is hinged to the body  13 . The actuator  15  is placed between the body  13  and the elongated portion  14  to selectively arrange the elongated portion  14  in a working position, in which the tracksetting device  3  is in contact with the snowpack N and makes the tracks  4 , and a rest position, in which the tracksetting device  3  is raised above the snowpack N and does not make the tracks  4 . In the accompanying drawings, the tracksetting device  3  is always in the working position. In greater detail, the elongated portion  14  is connected to the body  13  by an articulated joint  14   a . The articulated joint  14   a  is constrained by the actuator  15 . In other words, the elongated portion  14  is not free to rotate with respect to the body  13  without operation of the actuator  15 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the pan  16  is connected to the support structure  11  and defined by a plate having a flat bottom surface  17  curved slightly upwards on the front edge; two runners  18 , which are connected to the pan  16 , protrude downwards with respect to the bottom surface of the pan  16 , and are arranged at the rear edge of the pan  16 . 
     The tiller  20  is coupled to the support structure  11 . In particular, the tiller  20  is coupled to the elongated portion  14  by an arm  12  on an articulated joint  12   a  and to a central body  11   a  of the support structure  11  on an articulated joint  11   b . The central body  11   a  is connected to the body  13 . 
     In certain embodiments, the apparatus  1  comprises an actuator that is configured to move the body  13  along the guide  10  and to adjust the distance between the tracksetting devices  3  in a direction transverse to direction D 1 . In another embodiment not shown in the accompanying drawings, this actuator is omitted. 
     In one optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the tracksetting device  3  comprises two blades  23  (shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  with broken lines) connected to a frame  20   a  of tiller  20 . The blades  23  are arranged between tiller  20  and tiller  7 . In this case, each blade  23  is aligned with a runner  18 . 
     The blade  23  has dimensions slightly larger than those of the runners  18  and separates an elongated and continuous portion of snowpack N from the remaining part of the snowpack N. In use, tiller  2  works a wide strip of the snowpack N to a small depth, while tillers  20  work narrow strips to a greater depth. The separation of the elongated and continuous portion causes a crumbling effect of the elongated and continuous portion that facilitates the formation of the track  4 . 
     Each runner  18  is dragged along an elongated and continuous portion and compacts the snowpack N of this elongated and continuous portion through to the compressing action exerted by the actuator  15 . 
     The connection structure  19  defines an articulated quadrilateral for each tracksetting device  3  that connects the tracksetting device  3  to the tiller  2  and the support structure  71 . The articulated quadrilateral is formed by articulated joints  19   a ,  19   b ,  19   c  and  19   e , by elements  19   e  and  19   f , by a portion of the frame  5  of the tiller  2  interposed between articulated joint  19   a  and articulated joint  19   d , by arms  10   a  and  10   b , and by the guide  10  interposed between articulated joint  19   c  and articulated joint  19   d.    
     It should be appreciated that in accordance with the present disclosure, the position of the tiller  2  with respect to the snowpack N can be varied via the actuator  50  and/or the position of the support structure  71 , without altering the position of tiller  20  with respect to the snowpack N. In fact, as can be seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the position of tiller  2  varies from a first operating position to a second operating position, but the position of tiller  20  with respect to the snowpack N does not change due to the articulated connection provided by the connection structure  19 . In other words, the connection structure  19  provides a freely articulated linkage between the tiller  2 , the support structure  71  and the tracksetting device  3 . In consequence, the position of the tracksetting device  3  is not altered by the position of tiller  2  and can be adjusted by the actuator  15 , which acts on the elongated portion  14  that is connected to the body  13  of the support structure  11 . 
     According to a further variant, not shown in the accompanying drawings, the runner and the blades of the tracksetting device are movable in the direction transverse to a designated direction D 1  so as to adjust the distance between two adjacent tracks. In this case, the runners and the blades are mounted on respective guides and connected to actuators that enable remotely adjusting their relative position so as to adjust the distance between the tracks. For example, European Patent Document No. 450,138 describes a device configured to adjust the track width of the runners. That is, on bends, it is necessary to increase the distance between the two adjacent tracks with respect to the distance between straight tracks to allow the skier&#39;s natural movement in seeking areas of support that ensure relatively greater stability on bends. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , reference numeral  101  indicates a second embodiment of an apparatus configured to make a cross-country ski run, in alternative to apparatus  1 . In the case shown in  FIG. 4 , the apparatus  101  comprises a support structure  171  configured to support the apparatus  101 , a snow tiller  2  supported by the support structure  171 , four tracksetting devices  3  to each form two tracks  4  parallel to a direction D 1  that corresponds to the advancement direction of the apparatus  101 , and a connection structure  119  configured to connect the tracksetting devices  3  to the tiller  2  in an articulated manner to enable rotation about an axis transverse to the direction D 1  of the tracksetting devices  3  with respect to the tiller  2 . 
     The number of four tracksetting devices is purely indicative and the present disclosure relates to any number of tracksetting devices from one to more than four. 
     The apparatus  101  is drawn by a vehicle  8  and is connected to the vehicle  8  by the support structure  171 . 
     The tiller  2  and the tracksetting devices  3  of the apparatus  101  are made in the same way as those of apparatus  1  and are shown with the same reference numerals, and will not be further described. 
     Apparatus  101  mainly differs from apparatus  1  in the connection structure  119 . 
     The tiller  2  is directly supported by the support structure  171 . The frame  5  of the tiller  2  is connected directly to the support structure  171  at a connection point  171   a.    
     Furthermore, the tracksetting devices  3  are connected to the tiller  2  by the connection structure  119  and are not directly connected to the support structure  171 . In other words, unlike apparatus  1 , in apparatus  101  the tracksetting devices  3  are only connected to the tiller  2  by the connection structure  119 . In consequence, the connection structure  119  only extends from the tiller  2  to the tracksetting devices  3 . 
     The connection structure  119  comprises a guide  110 , and an elongated element  119   f  connected along the frame  5  of the tiller  2 . In addition, the connection structure  119  comprises an articulated joint  119   a , an articulated joint  119   b  and an articulated joint  119   c . The articulated joint  119   a  and articulated joint  119   b  are connected to the elongated element  119   f  of the connection structure  119 . 
     Furthermore, the apparatus  101  comprises an actuator  150  that is interposed between articulated joint  119   a  and articulated joint  119   c  and connects them to one another. The actuator  150  is selectively adjustable in length, and so the distance between articulated joint  110   a  and articulated joint  119   c  is variable. 
     In consequence, the distance between the tiller  2  and the tracksetting devices  3  can selectively vary on the basis of the variable length of the actuator  150 . 
     The inclination of the tiller  2  with respect to a snowpack N can be adjusted by acting on a position of the support structure  171 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the guide  110  of the connection structure  119  is substantially parallel to axis A. The tracksetting devices  3  are slidingly mounted along the guide  110 . Furthermore, the guide  110  is connected to articulated joint  110   c  by an arm  110   a  and to articulated joint  119   b  by an arm  110   b.    
     In particular, the guide  110  is only connected to the frame  5  of the tiller  2 . 
     Furthermore, each tracksetting device  3  is connected to the tiller  2  by the connection structure  119  so as to allow free rotation, such as about an axis parallel to axis A, with respect to the tiller  2 . 
     The connection structure  119  defines a structure with three sides, in which the length of one of the sides varies, for each tracksetting device  3 , and which connects the tracksetting device  3  to the tiller  2  by the guide  110 . The three-sided structure is formed by articulated joints  119   a ,  119   b  and  119   c , by elements  119   f , by the guide  110  and by arms  110   a  and  110   b  of the guide  110 , and by the actuator  150 . 
     It should be appreciated that in accordance with the present disclosure, the position of tiller  2  with respect to the snowpack N can be varied through the actuator  150 , without altering the position of tiller  20  with respect to the snowpack N. That is, as can be seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the position of tiller  2  varies from a first operating position to a second operating position, but the position of tiller  20  with respect to the snowpack N does not change thanks to the variation in length of the actuator  150 , which compensates the variation in the position of tiller  2 . In other words, the connection structure  19  provides an articulated connection between the tiller  2  and the tracksetting device  3 . In consequence, the position of the tracksetting device  3  is not altered by the position of tiller  2  and can be adjusted by the actuator  15 , which acts on the elongated portion  14  that is connected to the body  13  of the support structure  11 . 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, not shown in the accompanying drawings, the apparatus  101  comprises control unit that acts on the actuator  150  to adjust the length of the actuator  150  and on the support structure  171  for the position of the support structure  171  and, in consequence, the position of tiller  2 . In other words, the movement of the support structure  171  and the movement of the actuator  150  are controlled by the control unit in a synchronous manner so that when the position of the support structure  171  changes to vary the position of tiller  2 , the position of the tracksetting device  3  does not vary. Put differently, utilization of the control unit, which simultaneously controls both the position of the support structure  171  and the actuator  150 , provides that the position of the tracksetting device  3  is independent of the position of tiller  2 . 
     Finally, it is evident that modifications and variants can be made with regard to the apparatus without departing from the scope of the appended claims. As such, the present disclosure also covers embodiments not described in the detailed description and equivalent embodiments that fall within scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, various changes and modifications to the presently disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.