Patent Publication Number: US-10315098-B2

Title: Accessory traction device for skis

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention pertains generally to accessories removably attached to snow skis. More particularly, the invention relates to a traction device employed to a bottom of a ski for ascending a slope for use by a backcountry skier. 
     Description of the Prior Art 
     Backcountry skiing is increasingly alluring due to potentially finding pristine snow conditions and generally the adventure high of exploring where few have ever been before. One unique aspect of this effort, as compared to typical resort alpine skiing is the desire to ascend a slope without the use of ski lifts, snowmobiles, or helicopters. And, while taking skis off and walking uphill is always a viable option with some mountainous terrain; it is most often beneficial to ascend a slope much like a cross-country skier, however, employing a traction device to the bottom of the ski and, with reciprocating locomotion of arms and legs (and of course with downhill ski bindings) and not employing cross-country ski bindings. The traction device is comparable to a cross country skier with alpine ski bindings and alpine-type skis. 
     Previously, early tractions devices were made of seal skin and because of this, traction devices comprised of man-made materials may still be referred to as “skins.” Typically, the skins have a surface that allows sliding forward but grips in the reverse direction; similar to canine fur that can only be stroked in one direction. 
     By far, the greatest challenge to the traction device is how to affix the device to a bottom of a ski. Heretofore, this is achieved by either glue or mechanical means, or both. A major disadvantage to glue is that it may lose efficacy in cold or wet conditions, or it may be prone to fouling by debris, if removed and re-attached frequently. A comparable obstacle with mechanical attachments is that skis have ridged, sharp edges that are difficult to negotiate without damage to the ski or attachment device itself. 
     Further heretofore, the field of traction devices and their attachment does not appear to be a crowded prior art group. In any event, two previous, but relatively recent examples were proposed by Rogers et al., entitled “Apparatus for Attaching Climbing Skins,” U.S. Pat. No. 8,474,853, and Elliott, entitled “Climbing Skin Plates,” U.S. Pat. No. 9,010,797. Both patents are heavily concerned with the difficulty of attaching a device to a bottom of a ski and the numerous problems encountered because of the harsh environment or longevity of a particular design/solution. 
     In addition to solutions for effective attachment, the present invention further provides optimum design materials to various components such as cables and edges of the device. 
     Also in light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to devise a system and method that is useful for attaching various traction designs using a unique clamping system. It is additionally an object of the present invention to provide a means for attachment that configures under the ski or on the side of the ski. Yet further, the present invention seeks to provide snow specific and terrain specific solutions employing varied traction gripping protrusions with multiple geometries providing optimum grip to glide ratio. Still further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device having deployed and stowed positions, the latter for easily fitting into a back pack. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention specifically addresses alleviates the above-mentioned deficiencies associated with the prior art. More particularly, the present invention, in a first aspect a traction device for a ski comprising: an elongated body about a longitudinal axis, configurable to a bottom of a ski; and an attachment mechanism for coupling the elongated body to the ski, the attachment mechanism comprising: a right clamp (alternatively could be a flange) portion configured to a right edge of the ski; a left clamp (alternatively could be a flange) portion configured to a left edge of the ski; and a fastening rod having threads connected between the left and right clamp portions. 
     The traction device configurable to a bottom of a ski in this first aspect of the invention is additionally characterized in that it comprises: a protruding ridge configured to the right clamp portion for mating to a slanted surface of the edge; and a replaceable wear insert made of a different material than the right clamp portion and configured between the right clamp portion and the edge of the ski. 
     This invention in a second aspect is characterized as including: an elongated body about a longitudinal axis, configurable to a bottom of a ski, the body having a length; and a hinge configured at a half way point along the length, the hinge providing for the elongated body to fold upon itself and conveniently fit into a backpack. 
     Further, the invention in the second aspect is characterized wherein the hinge is a living hinge, the living hinge being a thin portion of the traction surface as compared to elongated body; or alternatively, the hinge could comprise a left and a right articulating portions that articulate about a pin. 
     The traction device configurable to a bottom of a ski in the second aspect is additionally characterized wherein the hinge is a sliding hinge and wherein the pin is an adjustment pin wherein the left and the right articulating portions can translate with respect to one another, further wherein the elongated body further comprises two lengthwise strips and wherein the adjustment pin and sliding hinge provide for the two lengthwise strips to move toward one another or away from one another. 
     Further, the traction device configurable to a bottom of a ski in the second aspect is additionally characterized in that the elongated body further comprises a length, the length being thirty-six inches wherein the length is optimally chosen for proper traction functionality, but however such that one half of said length, eighteen inches, is sufficiently short to conveniently fit into a (typical) backpack. 
     In yet still a third aspect, the invention may be characterized as a traction device for a ski comprising: an elongated body about a longitudinal axis, configurable to a bottom of a ski; and a traction surface for contacting to a snow surface, the traction surface having a wave configuration in a side aspect, the wave configuration comprising a plurality of peaks and a plurality of valleys. 
     The invention in the third aspect is additionally characterized wherein the plurality of peaks are tapered from a higher elevation at a distal end to a lower elevation at a proximal end, the proximal end being configured toward a front of the ski and the distal end configured toward a rear of the ski. 
     Still further, the invention in the third aspect is characterized as comprising a plurality of notches across a top surface of the elongated body and evenly spaced throughout a length of the elongated body, the top surface of the elongated body corresponding to the traction surface contacting the snow surface. Optionally the notches are oblique in shape and/or wavy in shape and/or aligned in a straight-line perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the ski. 
     Additional configurations for securing a plurality of traction strips and pad are contemplated herein. Accordingly, the invention in yet another aspect is a traction device configurable to a bottom of a ski comprising: an elongated body about a longitudinal axis, said body having a width substantially similar to a bottom of a ski; an attachment mechanism for coupling the elongated body to the ski comprising: a pair of parallel cable loops defining parallel planes; a third cable connecting the pair of parallel cable loops, the third cable defining a perpendicular plane in relation to the parallel plane; a latch portion, the latch portion comprising: a lever arm; a pin wherein the lever pivots about the pin wherein further the lever arm is configured through the third cable loop. As stated, the traction device is configurable to a bottom of a ski having a width substantially equal thereto, more particularly a width of 90 mm or 92 mm or 93 mm or 98 mm or 100 mm or 102 mm. 
     The invention in this aspect is additionally characterized wherein the traction device is configurable to a bottom of a ski and wherein the width comprises a flanged end having a upper slanted topside particularly slanted toward the ski thereby configured to receive the pair of cable loops, wherein further notches are provided in the flanged end to receive the pair of parallel cable loops. 
     While the apparatus and method has or will be described for the sake of grammatical fluidity with functional explanations, it is to be expressly understood that the claims, unless expressly formulated under 35 USC § 112, or similar applicable law, are not to be construed as necessarily limited in any way by the construction of “means” or “steps” limitations, but are to be accorded the full scope of the meaning and equivalents of the definition provided by the claims under the judicial doctrine of equivalents, and in the case where the claims are expressly formulated under 35 USC § 112 are to be accorded full statutory equivalents under 35 USC § 112, or similar applicable law. The invention can be better visualized by turning now to the following drawings wherein like elements are referenced by like numerals. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: 
         FIG. 1A  is an isometric view of a first traction device embodiment having a tread pattern in a position of use in relation to a ski; 
         FIG. 1B  is an enlarged view thereof taken about area  1 B in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2A  is a bottom view of a ski initially illustrating a first traction device of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2B  is an enlarged view of a unique hinge of the present invention about line  2 B in  FIG. 2A ; 
       FIG.  2 C 1  and FIG.  2 C 2  are enlarged views of a first and second specific tread pattern of the present invention traction device; 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of an additional thread pattern embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3B  is a profile view thereof; 
         FIG. 3C  is a top view thereof which would also correspond to a bottom view of a ski; 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of yet an additional thread pattern embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4B  is a profile view thereof; and 
         FIG. 4C  is a top view thereof which would also correspond to a bottom view of a ski; 
         FIG. 5A  is an isometric view of a clamping system of the present invention for securing a traction device to a bottom of a ski; 
         FIG. 5B  is an enlarged view thereof taken about area  5 B in  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 5C  is a profile view of the clamping system; and 
         FIG. 5D  is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line  5 D- 5 D in  FIG. 5C . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Initially with regard to  FIG. 1A , a first traction device  10  with particular thread pattern  11  is illustrated in perspective configured to a top of a ski  99 . The traction device  10  is elongated and substantially, but may not be entirely flat; and the ski  99  may also define an elongated axis herein. Still further, the first preferred embodiment  10  comprises left and right traction pads at respective left and right edges of a ski. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 2A , the traction device could be two strips  20  configured toward a left or right edge of the ski. Or the invention could be two strips  20  of traction surface configured to both edges. 
       FIG. 1B  illustrates an enlarged view of the first preferred embodiment  10  wherein a tread pattern comprises raised wedge portions  11  providing traction. Multiple means for securing or fastening the traction pads  10  to the bottom of the ski  99  are contemplated herein. For example, small gage cables wrapping over the top of the ski; or alternatively, a tightening rod  15 ,  52  ( FIG. 5B ) with left and right clamps  51  may be utilized. 
     Additionally, with regard to  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B , a flange portion  13  comprises a raised edged of the traction pad that mates to a side surface of the ski  99 . The flange  13  will be import to the varied means for securing the traction devices herein to the ski. For example, low gage but strong cables can be utilized to secure the device and the flange  13  provides a surface for which to tighten the cables against. Alternatively, the flange  13  could comprise one half of a clamping mechanism with the other side flange being the other; and a threaded rod  15 ,  52  could be utilized to tighten each flange  13  (or clamp portion  51 ) toward one another. 
     Also importantly, with reference to  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B , the elongated traction pads are foldable about living hinge  12  to form two equal length shorter elongated halves. In the preferred embodiment, the total length of the traction pads is thirty-six inches with each half being eighteen inches. This has been found to be the optimum length for utility of the traction device  10  however still allowing it 10 to be conveniently stowed in a backpack. The stowage of the device will be very important to the advanced skier since he or she will not want to sacrifice performance on the way down the mountain with the device  10  protruding out a top of the backpack. The living hinge  12  is more specifically defined as a thin area  12  between the two eighteen-inch halves made from the same material as the halves but thin enough to allow the halves to fold about living hinge  12 . 
     With regard to  FIG. 2A , a bottom view of a ski initially illustrating a top view of a second traction device  20  of the present invention is shown. This embodiment  20  is different from the first  10  in that there are two strips per side, or just one side, instead of just one per left and/or right side of the ski. With attention to  FIG. 2B , second unique hinge  22  of the present invention is further provided. A sliding hinge adjustment pin  28  is included adding versatility of coverage and different width of ski bottom and generally the ability to make slight adjustments. In other words, the hinge  22  has two articulating halves that can translate with respect to one another, which would allow two halves (lengthwise) of the traction pad to be spaced farther apart and therefore a wider coverage will be provided. The hinge  22  further provides for a segmented traction device that folds and can easily fit inside a backpack. Exemplary dimensions are two eighteen-inch halves (across-wise). To be clear, the traction pad can have two halves separated across-wise ( FIG. 1A ) or two halves separated lengthwise ( FIG. 2A ). 
     Specific tread patterns are illustrated in following views, FIG.  2 C 1  and FIG.  2 C 2 . A first tread pattern has ridges channels and notches in the top aspect with some being straight lines  32  (to receive BOA® cables, for example) and others that are curved (hump or ½ sine wave  21 ), wavy  24  and oblique  23 . The notches  32  appear as straight lines  32  in the tread pattern.  FIG. 4C  shows a second tread pattern  11  embodiment with wedges  11  raised at one end (therefore a slanted rise) as additionally shown in  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B . 
     In various embodiments  10 ,  20 ,  30 ,  40  herein, the traction device comprises a rigid exoskeleton comprised of titanium and a carbon fiber about and surrounding the exoskeleton. Accordingly, portions that receive the most wear are reinforced exoskeleton. Also optionally, edges of the traction device are specifically designed to provide traction past a point where the actual tread gives up. Hence, the present invention provides much greater longevity than prior art skins. Edges at the width of the traction device  10 ,  20 ,  30   40 , are designed and treated to provide side hill traction useful in tight mountain situations. 
     Subsequent illustrations,  FIG. 3A ,  FIG. 3B ,  FIG. 3C  show a third traction embodiment  30  with varying profile wave  41  patterns. More specifically regarding  FIG. 3B  as contrasted with  FIG. 4B , peaks  41   a  are taller toward a tail of the ski and tapering to relatively smaller peaks at a tip of the ski therefore providing traction as weight shifts back during a glide stroke. Therefore also, the traction design  41 ,  41   a  is useful for traversing downhill as well.  FIG. 4A ,  FIG. 4B  and  FIG. 4C  illustrate a fourth tread pattern  40  with peaks  41   a  designed for biting snow. Peaks  41   a  are specifically designed to glide forward grip back. An optimum grip to glide ratio can be fine tuned herein by varying the slope of peaks and/or a slope of the taper ( FIG. 3B ). 
     With regard to  FIG. 5A ,  FIG. 5B ,  FIG. 5C  and  FIG. 5D , a unique securing and fastening system  50  is provided securing traction pads  58  and  59 . The system  50  employs left and right side  51  clamp portions. It should be appreciated that the left side clamp would be identical to the right side  51 . A fastening rod  52  may be threaded throughout most of its length, or simply threaded at one end to tighten and secure left and right  51  clamp portions together therefore securing traction pads  58 ,  59  sandwiched in-between. Importantly the clamp portion has a protruding ridge  53  that mates to a slanted side edged surface of the ski  99 . Last but not least to this embodiment  50 , the clamp portions  51  have a replaceable wear surface  54  that rests between the clamp portion  51  and the side of the ski  99 . As seen in  FIG. 5D , the protruding ridge  53  could be defined as a tooth portion in the side aspect. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 
     Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed in above even when not initially claimed in such combinations. 
     While the particular Accessory Traction Device for Skis herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims. 
     Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. 
     While the particular as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.