Patent Publication Number: US-11654950-B1

Title: Compact hiking sled device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
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     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
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     THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
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     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM 
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     STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR 
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     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (1) Field of the Invention 
     The disclosure relates to sled devices and more particularly pertains to a new sled device for facilitating descent on snowy terrain while being lightweight and compact to facilitate hiking to an elevated position. 
     (2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 
     The prior art relates to sled devices. The known prior art is generally heavy or cumbersome for hiking, particularly when hiking to an elevated position. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a hull having a front side, a pair of lateral sides, a back side, a bottom side, and an interior space. Each of a pair of brake levers is pivotally coupled to a respective one of the lateral sides. A seat is positioned within the interior space. A thigh bar extends between the lateral sides of said hull adjacent to a front of the seat. A calf rest bar is adjacent to the front side of the hull. Each of a plurality of carrying straps is attachable to the hull for carrying the hull like a backpack. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
       The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a top rear side perspective view of a compact hiking sled device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a top front side detailed perspective view of a front section of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    is a front detailed view of a rear section of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    is a top side perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    is a top rear perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    is a partial bottom view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    is a bottom rear side perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    is a top side perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure in use. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS.  1  through  8    thereof, a new sled device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in  FIGS.  1  through  8   , the compact hiking sled device  10  generally comprises a hull  12 . The hull  12  may be constructed of durable but lightweight aluminum or the like. The hull has a front side  14 , a pair of lateral sides  16 , a back side  18 , and a bottom side  20 . The hull  12  defines an interior space  22 . A transition from the bottom side  20  of the hull  12  to the back side  18  of the hull  12  is arcuate and smooth. This allows a user to lean back while sitting in the hull  12 , similar to being in a rocker, for lifting the front side  14  when desired. The size of the hull  12  is generally compact with the hull  12  having a maximum width between 16 and 20 inches. The depth of the interior space  22  varies along a length of the hull  12  and is within the range of 4 to 9 inches. The bottom side  18  is planar for a range of between 22 to 25 inches. The lateral sides  16  of the hull  12  are angled such that the hull  12  tapers extending from a middle of the hull  12  towards the front side  14  of the hull  12  to prevent snow from collecting in front of the hull  12  and impeding movement of the hull  12 . The front side  14  has a width between 15 and 17 inches. The lateral sides  16  of the hull  12  are also curved such that a rear portion  24  of the hull  12  flares extending from the back side  18  of the hull  12  towards the middle of the hull  12 . A width of the hull  12  at the back side  18  is between 13 and 16 inches. A seat  26  is positioned within the interior space  22  of the hull  12 . The seat  26  may be formed by a layer of material coupled at forward and rear edges to the hull  12  forming a sling type seat. A seat belt  27  may be provided having opposite ends coupled to the lateral sides  16  and a buckle  29  to allow the user to strap into the seat  26 . 
     A thigh bar  28  is coupled to and extends between the lateral sides  16  of the hull  12  adjacent to a front  30  of the seat  26 . The thigh bar  28  may be padded. A calf rest bar  32  is coupled to the hull  12  adjacent to the front side  14  of the hull  12 . The calf rest bar  32  may also be padded. A position of the calf rest bar  32  relative to the hull  12  may be adjustable. The calf rest bar  32  may be coupled to supports  34  attached to the lateral sides  16  of the hull  12 . Each support  34  may have a lower disc section  36  with apertures  40  offset from a pivotal connection  38  with the lateral side  16  of the hull  12 . Each aperture  40  is selectively positionable in alignment with a connection hole  42  in the lateral side  16  of the hull  12 . The position of the support  34  is secured by a bolt  44 , or the like such as a cotter pin. Adjustment of the support  34  positions the calf rest bar  32  in a selectable position relative to the hull  12 . 
     Each of a plurality of carrying straps  46  is attachable to the hull  12  such that the hull  12  is configured for being carried adjacent to a back of a user with the carrying straps  46  extending around shoulders of the user. The carrying straps  46  may be attached to dedicated strap connectors or to other structures extending from the hull  12 . 
     Each of a pair of brake levers  48  is pivotally coupled to a respective one of the lateral sides  16  of the hull  12 . Each brake lever  48  comprises a handle section  50  coupled to an extension section  52 . The extension section  52  of each brake lever  48  forms an angle  54  with the respective handle section  50 . The angle  54  is greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees. The extension section  52  of each brake lever  48  extends towards the back side  18  of the hull  12 . Conventional stops may be provided on the hull  12  to limit motion of the brake levers  48  or the brake levers  48  may be tethered to the hull  12  for the same purpose. A junction  56  of the handle section  50  and the extension section  52  is pivotally coupled to the respective one of the lateral sides  16  of the hull  12 . This area of the lateral sides  16  may be reinforced to enhance durability of the connection of the brake levers  48 . A brake  58  is coupled to a distal end  60  of the extension section  52  relative to the handle section  50 . Each brake  58  further comprises a base section  62  having a front edge  64  and a back edge  66 . The front edge  64  has an arcuate shape oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the extension section  52  of the brake lever  48 . The back edge  66  is straight. Each brake  58  includes a brake foot  68  coupled to the base section  62  such that the brake foot  68  extends from the back edge  66  of the base section  62 . The brake foot  68  of each brake  58  has a curved distal edge  70  relative to the base section  62 . The curved distal edge  70  is parabolic shaped between opposite ends  72  of the back edge  66  of the brake foot  68  of each brake  58 . 
     Grasping the handle section  50  to pivot the brake levers  48  downwardly away from the bottom side  20  of the hull  12  engages the brakes  58  with the ground or snow on the ground to facilitate control of the movement of the hull  12  on the ground. The brake levers  48  move independently from each other to facilitate steering of the hull  12  using the brake levers  48 . Each of a pair of brake detents  73  is positioned on a respective one of the lateral sides  16  of the hull  12  along a top edge  74  of the lateral side  16  of the hull  12 . Each detent  73  is positioned to receive the handle section  50  of a respective one of the brake levers  48  when the brake lever  48  is positioned in a braking position wherein the brakes  58  are extended from the hull  12  sufficiently to engage snow or ground under the hull  12  for stopping movement of the hull  12  on the ground. The detents  73  allow the user to apply inward pressure to keep the brake levers  48  within the detents  73  to resist sliding of the handle portion  50  along the lateral side  16  to maintain the braking position. Each of a pair of brake connection brackets  76  is positioned on a respective one of the lateral sides  16  of the hull  12 . Each of the brake connection brackets  76  is spaced from a pivot point of an associated one of the brake levers  48  wherein the associated one of the brake levers  48  is securable to the brake connection bracket  76  for holding the brake connection bracket  48  in a static position. This inhibits movement of the brake levers  48  while the hull  12  is being carried by the user. 
     Each of a plurality of attachment brackets  78  is coupled to the hull  12 . The attachment brackets may be positioned in the interior space  22  along a floor  80  of the hull  12  and on the lateral sides  16 . Each of the attachment brackets  78  is configured for being engaged by a strap, or the like, for securing cargo to the hull  12 . These attachment brackets  78  may also be used for attachment of the carrying straps  46 . 
     Each of a pair of skegs  82  is coupled to the hull  12 . The skegs  82  are parallel and spaced on the hull  12  between 10 and 14 inches apart. Each of the skegs  82  has a respective front end  84  extending from the bottom side  20  of the hull  12 . Each of the skegs  82  has a respective top edge  86  extending along the hull  12  from the bottom side  20  to the back side  18 . Each of the skegs  82  has a respective back end  88  extended from the back side  18  of the hull  12 . Each of the skegs  82  has a bottom edge  89  which is spaced and substantially parallel to the bottom side  20  of the hull  12 . A length of a bottom edge  110  of each skeg  82  is between 5 and 7 inches. 
     A lip  90  extends from the back side  18  of the hull  12 . The lip  90  is positioned at a top edge  92  of the back side  18  of the hull  12 . Each of a plurality of teeth  94  is coupled to and extends from the back side  18  of the hull  12  adjacent to a bottom surface  96  of the lip  90 . The teeth  94  are parallel and spaced between the lateral sides  16  of the hull  12 . Each tooth  94  has a concave edge  98  opposite a convex edge  100  such that each tooth  90  has an arcuate shape extending from the lip  90 . The teeth  94  are positioned to engage the ground to slow or stop motion of the hull  12  on the ground should the hull  12  tip backwards beyond a desired degree. A tow line  102  has a proximal end  104  coupled to the back side  18  of the hull  12 . The tow line  102  may have a loop  106  positioned on a distal end  108  of the tow line  102  relative to the hull  12 . The tow line  102  may be a metal cable or the like. 
     In use, the hull  12  may be strapped to the user and worn like a backpack. Additional cargo may be tied or otherwise secured to the hull  12 . A total weight of the compact hiking sled device  10  may be in the range of 12 to 18 pounds without cargo to reduce the burden of carrying the device  10  to high elevations. When the user is ready to descent, the hull  12  is placed on the ground and the user sits in the hull  12 . The user grasps the brake levers  48  to control speed and direction of descent as gravity acts on the device  10  and user to descend from the elevated position. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.