Patent Publication Number: US-6983941-B2

Title: Snap-on ski attachment kit for kick scooter

Description:
PRIORITY 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/970,381 for SNOWSKATE AND SNOW SCOOTER filed Oct. 2, 2001, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/237,225 for SNOWSKATE AND SNOW SCOOTER filed Oct. 2, 2000, both of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. The present application also claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/461,872, filed Apr. 9, 2003, for BRAKE AND SNAP-ON SKI ATTACHMENTS FOR A KICK SCOOTER, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. The present application also claims priority from U.S. patent application No. 60/425,222, filed Nov. 8, 2002, for SNAP-ON SKI ATTACHMENTS FOR A KICK SCOOTER, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The popularity of snowboards has generated increased interest in winter recreation by users of dry land kick scooters and skateboards. The users are often young and not experienced in specific snow sport activities, and further are often not necessarily interested in committing significant money and time to acquire skills necessary to become proficient snowboarders. However, they still want to have a safe and enjoyable experience on the snow. These users (and their parents) want to have an enjoyable snow sliding experience while being able to control speed and stop. An aspect of making such a snow sliding experience readily available is an easy to use brake that does not require significant learning time, and which is not contrary or counter-intuitive with the users&#39; experience on land. There is a need for an easy to use and intuitive foot-activated brake for snow scooters that is readily usable and compatible with existing snow scooter designs. 
     Another aspect of making a snow sliding experience readily available is an economical and commonly available snow scooter platform for snow sliding. Kick scooters are sometimes knows as push scooters. Kick scooters, such as the RAZOR©, are commonly available and economical, but cannot be used for snow sliding without significant effort converting from wheels to skis. As used herein, a kick scooter typically is a steerable, wheeled scooter with a low center of gravity and having a stand-on area where the rider/user places their feet. A kick scooter may be propelled by the rider standing on the scooter with one foot and using the other foot to “kick” against the pavement and propel the scooter. Kick scooters are commonly stopped or slowed by a user activating a brake by applying a downward force with their foot to a rear-mounted user engagement surface. Presently, ski attachments for wheeled kick scooters exist. However, they require hand tools for attachment as well as the removal of kick scooter components, namely the wheels. In addition, the presently available ski attachments do not have an effective brake, one that is not contrary or counter-intuitive with the users&#39; experience on land of activating a rear-mounted brake engagement surface. There is a need for a ski attachment kit that converts a kick scooter into a snow scooter configuration without removing any kick scooter components, and that also provides an easy-to-use brake functionally similar to a brake on a kick scooter. 
     SUMMARY 
     An aspect of the present invention provides a ski attachment kit for a kick scooter with ski attachments that are designed specifically for ease of use and are simply snapped on/off. Such a snap on/off design allows users, specifically children, to easily and quickly affix and remove the ski attachments in seconds without assistance. 
     A further aspect of the present invention provides a large, pivoting, spring-loaded foot brake integrated into the rear ski attachment that allows users to effectively moderate speed and to control the device on a variety of terrain conditions. The foot brake and its ability to moderate speed allow users of all age groups, including those not experienced in specific snow sport activities, to use the device with confidence and ease. When applied, the brake structure pivots down behind the location for the rear wheel (whether or not the wheel is present) into the snow behind the rear ski. 
     An embodiment of the present invention provides a ski attachment kit for a kick scooter having a scooter steering assembly that includes a front fork configured for attaching a front wheel, a scooter body that includes a stand-on area and a rear fork rearward of the stand-on area configured for attaching a rear wheel, and a coupling that couples the steering assembly and the scooter body. The kit includes a front ski assembly having a scooter steering assembly mount that receives and releasably retains the steering assembly while providing a clearance for an attached front wheel. The kit also includes a rear ski assembly having a scooter body mount that receives and releasably retains the scooter body while providing a clearance for an attached rear wheel. The scooter steering assembly mount may include two front fork receiving arms that cooperatively have a first spaced-apart configuration that receives the front fork, and when released from the first configuration, cooperatively move to a second configuration that retains the front fork. The scooter body mount may include at least one retaining member configured to releasably mount the rear ski assembly with the scooter body. The scooter body may further include a first mating surface, and the scooter body mount may include a second mating surface configured to mate with the first mating surface. The scooter body mount may include at least one retaining member configured to releasably engage and retain the rear fork of the scooter. 
     Another embodiment of the invention provides a foot-operated brake for a kick scooter converted for sliding on snow by attaching at least one ski having an elongated glide plate, and a tip portion and a tail portion separated by a central portion having a scooter mount. The brake includes a brake guide coupled to the ski, and a brake coupled to the brake guide and including a user engagement surface that receives a force applied by a foot of a user and a brake plate that engages snow when activated by the force. The brake guide may include a pivot, and the brake is pivotally coupled to the pivot, such that the force applied to the engagement surface pivots the brake about the pivot. The brake guide may be coupled to the ski proximate to the tail portion of the ski. The brake may further include a configuration for trailing engagement with snow. The brake may further include a snow displacement surface configured such that, when the ski moves across a snow surface in a tip-first manner and the braking plate engages snow, the snow displacement surface displaces engaged snow into air space above the snow surface. The brake may further include an elastic member disposed between the glide plate and the brake, the elastic member biasing the braking plate in an elevated position and away from the snow when the glide plate is proximate to the snow until depressed with a force that overcomes the elastic member allowing the braking plate to pivot downwardly and protrude into the snow.. 
     These and various other features as well as advantages of the present invention will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. Aspects of the invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by making reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like referenced numerals identify like elements, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a ski attachment kit for a kick scooter, according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate aspects of the front and rear ski assemblies and of the ski attachment kit of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the underside of the ski attachment kit of  FIG. 1  including the front ski assembly and rear ski assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 5–9  illustrate aspects of the front ski assembly of the ski attachment kit of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 10–16  illustrate aspects of the rear ski assembly and the brake of the ski attachment kit of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view improved snow scooter having a trailing brake, according to an embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 18  is a side view of the trailing brake of the snow scooter of  FIG. 17  in an elevated or retracted position, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. The detailed description and the drawings illustrate specific exemplary embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a ski attachment kit  130  for a kick scooter  100 , according to an embodiment of the invention. The kick scooter  100  may be any type or form of kick scooter, such as the RAZOR©, having a steering assembly  110  that includes a front fork  112  configured for attaching a front wheel  114 . The kick scooter  100  also includes a scooter body that includes stand-on area  122 , a rear fork  124 , and a rear wheel  126 . The kick scooter further includes a coupling  128  that couples the steering assembly  110  to the scooter body  120 . The ski attachment kit  130  includes a front ski assembly  5  having front ski  13 , and a rear ski assembly  3  having rear ski  11  and a foot brake  2 . 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate aspects of the front and rear ski assemblies  3  and  5  of the ski attachment kit  130 , according to an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of the ski attachment kit  130  for kick scooters  100  in accordance with an aspect of the present invention that comprises a front ski assembly  5 , a rear ski assembly  3 , and a foot brake  2 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the front ski assembly  5  contains a front ski  13 , a scooter steering assembly mount  9  illustrated as two opposed front fork receiving arms, and a fixatable member  16  illustrated as support strap  16 .  FIG. 3  also illustrates the rear ski assembly  3  including the rear ski  11 , and a scooter body mount  10 , and the foot brake assembly  2 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the underside of the ski attachment kit  130  including the front ski assembly  5  and rear ski assembly  3 , according to an embodiment of the invention. Guide grooves  12  are formed into the underside of the skis  11  and  13 . The guide grooves  12  aid tracking the device when in use, both when traveling in a straight path and turning.  FIG. 4  further illustrates a tip portion  11 A, an elongated glide plate  11 B, and a tail portion  11 C of the rear ski  11 . 
       FIGS. 5–9  illustrate aspects of the front ski assembly  5  of the ski attachment kit  130 , according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the front ski assembly  5  is designed to be plastic injection molded (excluding hardware) as three separate components. The three components are the front ski  13 , and a right front fork arm  15  and a left front fork arm  17  comprising the scooter steering assembly mount  9 . 
       FIGS. 6–9  illustrate details of the scooter steering assembly mount  9 , including the right front fork arm  15  and the left front fork arm  17 , according to an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 6 , is a medial cross section view of the front ski assembly  5 , and illustrates the left front fork arm  17 . The right front fork is not shown. It is a mirror image of the shown left front fork. Also shown in  FIG. 6  are the left fork recess  18 , the left fork support surface  20 , and the clearance groove  27 . The front fork receiving arms  15  and  17  cooperatively have a first spaced apart configuration that receives the front fork  112 , and when released from the first configuration, cooperatively and elastically move to a second configuration that retains the front fork. The scooter steering assembly mount  9  provides clearance for an attached front wheel  114 , thus the scooter  100  may be attached to the mount  9  either with or without the front wheel  114  attached to the front fork  112 . 
       FIG. 7 , a medial view of the left front fork arm  17 , illustrates the front fork locking fingers  25 , the fork bolt recess  22 , front fork arm base plate  24 , front fork arm attachment holes  23  (for clarity, only two of which are numbered), and left fork recess  18 . The front ski  13  is attached to the fork arms with fasteners applied through the attachment holes  23 . 
       FIG. 8 , a lateral view of the left front fork arm  17 , illustrates the support strap detent  26  and front fork arm stiffener ribs  28  (left side only shown), as well as the front fork arm attachment holes  23  and the front fork arm base plate  24 .  FIG. 9  includes a detailed view of the upper portion of the front fork arms  15  and  17 , and a fixatable member  16 . The fixatable member  16  is configured such that, when fixated, it inhibits movement of the two opposing front fork receiving arms  15  and  17  from the second configuration to the first configuration. The fixatable member is illustrated as support strap  16 , which is a separate part. The support strap  16  utilizes pieces of hook-and-loop to mechanically fasten to itself through a “D”-ring.  FIG. 9  illustrates the support strap  16  threaded through the support strap detent  26 , the clearance grooves  27 , right front fork arm  15 , and left front fork arm  17 . 
     When the front fork  112  and wheel  114  of the kick scooter  100  (not shown) are inserted into the front ski assembly  5 , the front fork arms  15  and  17  bend elastically outwards to accommodate their width. When seated into position, the fork arms  15  and  17  then elastically “snap” back into place, thereby receiving and releasably retaining the front fork  112  while providing a clearance for an attached front wheel  114 . The support strap  16  is then threaded through its “D”-ring and affixed to itself via pieces of hook-and-loop material. The left fork support surface  20  and the right fork support surface, not shown, both bear the partial weight of the kick scooter and rider as well as prevent the front ski assembly  5  from rotating about the front fork  112 . The front fork locking fingers  25  prevent the front ski assembly from detaching while in use, yet still allow for its intentional removal. The clearance grooves  27 , left fork recess  18  and fork bolt recesses  22  (as well as the right fork recess and fork bolt recess, although not shown) prevent interference of the kick scooter&#39;s parts. The support strap  16  provides a degree of additional assurance that the front ski assembly  5  will not errantly detach from the kick scooter during use. In another embodiment, a combination of the support strap  16  and the front fork receiving arms  15  and  17  act as a gripping member that compressively and releasably grips a portion of the scooter steering assembly, such as the fork  112 . In a further embodiment, the scooter steering assembly mount  9  includes a member (not shown) that receives and releasably retains a front wheel  114  attached to the front fork  112 . 
       FIGS. 10–16  illustrate aspects of the rear ski assembly  3  of the ski attachment kit  130  and the brake  2 , according to an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 10  illustrates the rear ski assembly  3  including the rear ski  11 , a scooter body mount  10 , and the foot brake assembly  2 . The scooter body mount  10  includes configuration to releasably mount and retain the rear ski assembly  3  to the scooter body  130 , while providing clearance for a rear wheel  126  attached to a rear fork  124 . In an embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the scooter body mount  10  includes a deck support  33 , rear fork retaining arms  7  (including the left rear fork arm  35  and right rear fork arm  37 ), left retainer clip  29 , and right retainer clip  31 . The rear ski assembly  3  is also designed to be plastic injection molded as a single unit (excluding hardware). 
     The scooter body mount  10  includes at least one retaining member configured to releasably mount the rear ski assembly  3  to the scooter body  120 .  FIG. 10A  illustrates a cross-sectional view that includes an embodiment of the scooter body mount  10  retaining member having a female first mating surface  33 A formed in the deck support  33 . The first mating surface  33 A includes a configuration that mates with a male second mating surface  122 A formed in an underside portion of the stand-on area  122  of the scooter body  120 . The second mating surface  122 A of a channel in the underside of the stand-on portion  122  mates with the first mating surface  33 A of the deck support  33  to both stabilize and prevent any lateral movement of the rear ski assembly  3  when attached to the kick scooter  100 . The mating surfaces  33 A and  122 A of the scooter body mount  10  and the scooter body  120  respectively may be arranged in any manner that provides a mating engagement.  FIG. 10B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the scooter body mount  10  retaining member having a male first mating surface  33 A that mates with a female second mating surface  122 A of a channel in the underside of the stand-on area  122 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a front portion of the rear ski assembly  3  that includes a scooter body mount having at least one retaining member configured to releasably engage the scooter body  120 . The retaining member includes retaining clips  29  and  31 . The deck support  33 , left retainer clip  29 , right retainer clip  31 , and retainer clip fasteners  30  are shown. The left and right retainer clips  29 ,  31  are designed to be user-replaceable by removal of the retainer clip fasteners  30 . Left and right retainer clips  29 ,  31  are manufactured from corrosion-resistant metal. The retainer clips  29  and  31  are arranged in opposition to the deck support  33 , and configured to engage a front portion of the stand-on area  122  and resist longitudinal movement of the scooter body with respect to the rear ski assembly  3 . 
       FIG. 12  is a rear perspective view of a front portion of the rear ski assembly  3 . Here, the threaded inserts  32  and support gusset  34  are shown, in addition to the deck support  33 , left retainer clip  29 , and right retainer clip  31 . The support gusset  34  strengthens the front portion of the rear ski assembly  3 , while the threaded inserts  32  allow the retainer clip fasteners  30  to be user-replaceable and maintain firm attachment of the left and right retainer clips  29 ,  31  to the rear ski assembly  3 . 
       FIG. 13  illustrates the foot brake assembly  2 , and the rear portion of the rear ski assembly  3  and scooter body mount  10  in further detail. The brake assembly  2  includes a brake plate  39 , a replaceable brake wear plate  40 , a foot brake pivot bolt assembly  42 , a snow displacement surface  45 , user foot engagement surface  54  (illustrated as including a serrated configuration), and left and right foot brake pivot arms  58 . The brake assembly also includes reinforcing ribs (not numbered) providing a structural rigidity. The scooter mount  10  includes rear fork arm fasteners  36  (right side shown only), and rear fork arm support boss  38  (right side shown only) are visible, as well as the rear fork retaining arms  7 , rear ski  11 , and deck support  33 . The rear fork retaining arms  7  are designed to be user-replaceable by removal of the rear fork arm fasteners  36 . The rear fork retaining arms  7  (including the left rear fork arm  35  and right rear fork arm  37 ) are manufactured from corrosion-resistant metal. The rear fork retaining arms  7  securely attach the rear ski assembly  3  to the kick scooter (not shown) and also prevent the kick scooter from sliding backwards out of the left and right retainer clips  29 ,  31 . The rear fork arm support bosses  38  are designed to prevent the rear fork retaining arms  7  from rotating. Threaded inserts  32  (not shown in  FIG. 13 ) allow the rear fork arm fasteners  36  to be user-replaceable and maintain firm attachment of the left and right rear fork retaining arms  35 ,  37  to the rear ski assembly  3 . 
     The scooter body mount  10  includes at least one retaining member  7  configured to releasably engage and retain the rear fork  124  of the scooter  100 . The embodiment of the retaining member  7  illustrated includes two retaining arms  35  and  37  cooperatively having an elastic first spaced-apart configuration that receives the rear fork  124 , and when released from the first configuration, cooperatively and elastically move to a second configuration that retains the rear fork. In an alternative embodiment, the scooter body mount  10  includes at least one member (not shown) that receives and releasably retains a rear wheel attached to the rear fork. In another alternative embodiment, the scooter body mount includes a gripping member (not shown) that compressively and releasably grips a portion of the scooter body. For example, the gripping member may be a fixatable member similar to the support strap  16  of  FIG. 9  that is then threaded through a “D”-ring and affixed to itself via pieces of hook-and-loop material. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates another perspective of the rear portion of the rear ski assembly  3 , including the foot brake assembly  2 .  FIG. 14  illustrates an elastic member, shown as foot brake spring  44 , an upper spring detent  46 , and a lower spring detent  51 , as well as a foot brake pivot bolt assembly  42 , a rear fork arm support boss  38  (left side shown only), and a rear fork retaining arms  7 . The upper and lower spring detents  46 ,  51  are molded into the foot brake assembly  2  and rear ski assembly  3 , respectively, and prevent lateral movement of the foot brake spring  44 .  FIGS. 13 and 14  also illustrate a user engagement surface  54  and a snow displacement surface  45 . 
     To attach the rear ski assembly  3  to the kick scooter  100  (not shown), the kick scooter is inserted at an angle into the left and right retainer clips  29 ,  31  so that the deck support  33  is centered in the pre-existing channel underneath the stand-on area  122  (or deck) of the kick scooter. The rear fork retaining arms  7  are then pressed outwards with the operators fingers (or thumbs) and the kick scooter  100  is allowed to drop into place, resting on the deck support  33  with the first and second mating surfaces  33 A and  122 A in proximity to each other. The rear fork retaining arms  7  then “snap” back into place, effectively locking the rear ski assembly  3  to the kick scooter. A snap on/off design such as that presented here will allow users, specifically young users, to easily affix and remove the ski attachments in seconds without assistance. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates the rear portion of the rear ski attachment  3  with the foot brake assembly  2  removed.  FIG. 15  illustrates a foot brake guide that includes a pivot coupled to the deck support  33 , which is in turn coupled to the rear ski  11 . An embodiment of the pivot includes pivot stops  50  (both left and right), pivot recesses  52  (both left and right), and pivot bolt holes  48  (for clarity, only the left side is numbered), as well as the lower spring detent  51 , left rear fork retaining arm  35 , and right rear fork retaining arm  37 . During use, the foot brake pivot stops  50  contact the foot brake pivot stop plate  56  (shown in  FIG. 16 ) to halt the foot brake assembly  2  as it is forced to return to its upper, resting position by the foot brake spring  44 . The pivot recesses  52  allow clearance for the foot brake pivot stop plate  56 . In another embodiment, the foot brake guide may be a longitudinal channel through which the foot brake assembly moves against snow linearly instead of pivotally. 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 15 , coupling the foot brake guide proximate to the tail  11 C of the ski  11  allows the braking plate  39  to trailing engage the snow behind the ski. This trailing configuration limits directional disruption caused by application of the brake  2 , and eliminates a requirement for an opening in the glide surface  11 B for movement of the braking plate  39  to engage the snow. 
     The foot brake assembly  2  shown in  FIG. 16  is removed from the rear ski assembly  3 , and is also designed to be plastic injection molded as a single unit (excluding hardware).  FIG. 16  illustrates the foot brake pivot stop plate  56 , the serrated user foot engagement surface  54 , foot brake pivot arms  58  (for clarity, only the right side is numbered), and the foot brake wear plate fasteners  60  fixating the brake wear plate  40  to the brake plate  39 . Also shown are the foot brake plate  39  which provides primarily a snow resistive braking surface, a foot brake pivot bolt assembly  42 , and an elastic member  44  illustrated as a foot brake spring  44 . The serrated user foot engagement plate  54  is designed to minimize slipping of the user&#39;s foot during engagement of the foot brake  2 . 
     In use, the brake  2  receives a force applied by a foot of a user at the user engagement surface  54 . The application of the force pivotally activates the brake  2  and transfers the force to the braking plate  39  causing the braking plate and the wear plate  40  to engage snow. When force is applied, the brake structure pivots down behind the location for the rear wheel  126  (whether or not the wheel is present) into the snow behind the rear ski  11 . A substantial portion of braking force generated by the brake  2  is resistance to the braking plate  39  moving through snow. A lesser braking force may be provided by surface friction between a surface of the braking plate  39  and a snow surface. Such friction could typically be caused by a lower edge of the wear plate  40  rubbing against a snow or ice surface. The snow displacement surface  45  is configured such that, when the rear ski assembly  3  moves across a snow surface in a tip-first manner and the braking plate  39  engages snow, the snow displacement surface  45  displaces engaged snow into air space above the snow surface. The snow clearing function performed by the snow displacement surface  45  limits snow buildup against the braking plate that may otherwise reduce braking. The snow displacement surface  45  may be configured to displace engaged snow into the air in a “rooster tail” manner. 
     When the elastic member is used, such as the foot brake spring  44  disposed between the rear ski assembly  3  and the brake  2 , the elastic member biases the braking plate  39  in an elevated position and away from the snow when the rear ski assembly is proximate to the snow. When the brake  2  is depressed by the user&#39;s foot applied to the foot-engagement plate  54  with a force that overcomes the elastic member, the elastic member allows the braking plate  39  to pivot downwardly and protrude into the snow. Upon release of the depressive force, the elastic member biases the braking plate  39  back to the elevated position. 
     The large, pivoting, spring-loaded foot brake  2  integrated into the rear ski assembly  3  allows users to effectively moderate speed and to control the converted kick scooter on a variety of terrain conditions. The foot brake  2  and its ability to moderate speed allow users of all age groups, including those not experienced in specific snow sport activities, to use the slide on snow with confidence and ease. 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view improved snow scooter  200  having a trailing brake  220 , according to an embodiment of the invention. The snow scooter  200  includes a front ski assembly  202  and a scooter body  210 . The front ski assembly includes a front tip  204 , and a steering handle  206 . The scooter body  210  includes a tip portion  212  and a tail portion  214  joined by a stand-on portion  216 , and a snow gliding surface  218  having a flat portion defining a plane. A trailing brake  220  is mounted to the snow scooter body  210  proximate to the tail portion  214 . The scooter body  210  and the front ski assembly  202  are coupled together by a rotatable coupling  208 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 17 , the tail portion  214  upturns away from the gliding surface  218 . In an alternative embodiment, the improved snow scooter  200  includes only the scooter body  210  with the steering handle  206  coupled thereto. 
       FIG. 18  is a side view of the trailing brake  220  of the snow scooter  200  of  FIG. 17  in an elevated or retracted position, according to an embodiment of the invention. The brake  220  includes a brake guide  242  having a pivot  248 , a user engagement surface  254 , a brake plate  239 , an optional braking force transfer member  252 , and an optional elastic member  244 . The scooter body  210  additionally includes a transfer member aperture  250 , and a brake plate aperture (not shown). 
     The brake  220  may have any configuration that provides a pivoting, trailing brake with a plate that engages snow. As illustrated in  FIG. 18 , the brake  220  includes two surfaces, the user engagement surface  254  and the brake plate  239 , which are coupled together in a “V” configuration at a pivot portion that engages the pivot  248 . If additional structure is necessary for transfer of a force from the engagement surface  254  to the brake plate  239 , the optional braking force transfer member  252  may be used. In a further alternative embodiment, the brake plate  239  may be connected to the user engagement surface  254 , which in turn is connected to a pivot point that engages the pivot  248 . 
     The brake guide  239  is coupled to the scooter body  210  at a rear portion of the stand-on area  216 , or at the tail portion  214 . The brake guide  242  may have any structure appropriate for guiding the trailing brake  220 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 18 , the brake guide  242  includes a plate mountable to the scooter body  210 , optionally in a recess, and having a pivot  248  that may be similar to the pivot illustrated in  FIG. 15 . The brake plate aperture (not shown) in the scooter body  210  may be any shape of aperture appropriate for the brake plate  239  to pivot about the pivot  248  and trailingly engage snow under the gliding surface  218 . The transfer member aperture  250  may be formed at a location and with a configuration allowing the transfer member  252  to couple the brake plate  239  and the engagement surface  254 . 
     In use, the user stands on the stand-on portion  216  and rides the snow scooter  200 . In a normal riding configuration, the brake plate  239  is in an elevated position at least at or preferably above the plane of the gliding surface  218 . To slow or stop the snow scooter  200 , the user places a portion of one of their feet on the engagement surface  254  and applies a generally downward force. The downward force activates the brake  220  by pivoting it around the pivot  248  and moving the brake plate  239  in a direction P to engage snow under the gliding surface  218 . 
     If the optional elastic member  244  is disposed between the gliding surface  218  and the brake  220 , the elastic member is configured to bias the brake plate  239  in an elevated position and away from the snow when the gliding surface  218  is proximate to the snow until depressed with a force that overcomes the elastic member allowing the braking plate to pivot downwardly in the direction P and protrude into the snow. In an embodiment, the elastic member includes a spring. In a further embodiment, the brake plate  239  protrudes below the plane of the gliding surface  218  in an orientation generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the scooter body  210 . In another alternative embodiment, the brake  220  further includes a snow displacement surface (not shown) configured such that, when the scooter moves across a snow surface in a tip-first direction generally aligned with the longitudinal axis and the braking plate engages snow, the snow displacement surface displaces engaged snow into air space above the snow surface. 
     Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments are possible. Therefore, the spirit or scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein. It is intended that the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.