Wintertime exercise device

• US 5,228,705 A
• Filed: 06/08/1992
• Issued: 07/20/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edmund Merle-Smith
• Original Assignee: Edmund Merle-Smith
• Inventors: Merle-Smith, Edmund
• Primary Examiner(s): Focarino, Margaret A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MAR, MICHAEL Y
• Application Number:
  US07/895,220
• Time in Patent Office: 407 Days
• Field of Search: 280/604, 280/605, 280/608, 280/11.18, 280/11.12, 280/600, 280/601, 280/609, 280/610, 280/11.15
• US Class Current: 280/11.18
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 1/30 with special blades
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 5/003 Structure, covering or decoration of the upper ski surface
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 5/06 with special devices thereon, e.g. steering devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 7/08 Stoppage blades attachable to the skis in such manner that these blades are permanently in the operative position

Abstract

A wintertime exercise device has been described herein. Components of the device include: a board-like member having a top surface and a bottom surface and a runner secured to the bottom surface of the board-like member. The board-like member and runner are greater than thirty inches in length, and preferably longer than three and one-half feet. This new wintertime exercise device is used on any type of ice in a similar manner to the use of cross-country racing skis on snow. This invention provides a new sporting event to recreational users, exercisers or competitors particularly when snow or ice conditions are unfavorable for conventional wintertime activities, such as ice skating or cross-country skiing.

Claims

1. An exercise device for simulating free style cross-country skiing when used on ice, said device adapted to be used in combination with a cross country-type ski binding, said device comprising:

(a) an elongated board-like member having a top surface for attachment of said binding thereto and a bottom surface; and

(b) a thin, runner blade mounted lengthwise to the bottom surface of said board-like member, said runner blade having a front end section, a central section, and a rear end section, said runner blade having substantially parallel sides and a flat ice engaging lower surface, said runner blade having a length of at least thirty inches, said runner blade having edges formed by the intersection of said sides and said lower surface to form laterally opposed ice-contacting edges, said edges being sharpened along said central section and said edges being dulled along said front and rear end sections, and said runner blade being rockered to a radius of at least sixty meters,

wherein said runner blade protrudes below the bottom surface of said board-like member to a depth substantially greater than the thickness of said runner blade so as to permit said device to be used on ice while decreasing resistance of said device in snow and ice up to the depth of said runner.

2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said board-like member and said runner are of substantially equal length.

3. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said bottom surface includes a lengthwise groove for receiving said runner.

4. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said board-like member and said runner are each greater than thirty-six inches in length.

5. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said rear end section of said runner blade includes an anti-backsliding structure.

6. The exercise device of claim 5, wherein said anti-backsliding structure comprises an attachment pivotably secured to said runner, said attachment having a jagged edge positioned to engage the frozen surface when said device is moved in a rearward direction.

7. The exercise device of claim 6, wherein said jagged edge has a substantially uniform surface engaging teeth.