Hybrid device combining snowshoe and ski functions

Abstract

A molded snowshoe of a high impact plastic material able to efficiently ascend inclines and yet incorporating the ability to change configuration such that the user can ski downhill. The device includes the ability for the position of the user's foot relative to the present invention to change during transformation from snowshoe mode to ski mode, thus actuating the rotation of wings ending in a position under the device to form a continuous ski-able surface. Snowshoeing is performed when the wings are rotated in an outward position, thus enabling the user's foot to have the freedom to rotate through the plane of the bottom surface of the present invention.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A hybrid device for a user to traverse snow-covered inclines and, after a change in configuration, to ski stably downhill, said device comprising: 
 a body member of a generally elongated shape with half-elliptical ends both upwardly curved, longitudinally extending side members, and an upper surface and lower, bearing surfaces;    a pair of front tubes, to be placed within said side members, with a portion removed along the side of said tubes parallel to said tubes' axes, thus forming a groove;    a pair of short rear tubes to be placed within said side members;    a pair of wings of essentially rectangular shape with a bearing surface and means to connect to said front tubes and said short rear tubes by collar appendages and helical groove appendages;    an internal sliding assembly, consisting essentially of a long cylindrical rod and a short cylindrical rod connected by a smaller diameter metal axle, which is to slide within said front tubes;    a binding foot plate assembly, consisting essentially of a foot binding plate, a crampon, and a heal piece to assist in locking said binding foot plate assembly into a ski configuration, wherein said crampon attaches said binding foot plate assembly to said metal axle;    a means for fastening a user's boot to said binding foot plate assembly;    a front locking mechanism, consisting essentially of a spring, a pin, bushings, and a lever, to lock said hybrid device into a snowshoe configuration;    a rear locking mechanism, consisting essentially of a spring, a pin, bushings, and a lever, to lock said hybrid device into a ski configuration;    a front support member, with tabs to come in contact with said wings, which bears forces applied by said binding foot plate assembly's heal when in snowshoe configuration;    a rear support member, with tabs to come in contact with said wings, which bears forces applied by said binding foot plate assembly's heal when in ski configuration.    
     
     
         2 . A hybrid device according to  claim 1 , wherein said body member is molded from a tough rigid material, preferably a high impact plastic such as, but not limited to, thermosetting, polyurethane elastomer.  
     
     
         3 . A hybrid device according to  claim 1 , wherein said lower bearing surfaces consists of two types of surfaces, a first bearing surface of a sufficiently low coefficient of friction to enable a user to glide over the surface of the snow and a second bearing surface, with a higher value for the coefficient of friction, which is exposed only when said hybrid device is in snowshoe configuration.  
     
     
         4 . A hybrid device according to  claim 3 , wherein said first bearing surface is located in the front and rear sections of said hybrid device.  
     
     
         5 . A hybrid device according to  claim 3 , wherein said first bearing surface is slightly recessed from said second bearing surface to allow said wings to fold under said body member in a manner creating a continuous smooth bearing surface.  
     
     
         6 . A hybrid device according to  claim 3 , wherein said first bearing surface has an edge, possibly ridges constructed from a metal material.  
     
     
         7 . A hybrid device according to  claim 1 , wherein said side members contain grooves longitudinally formed for translation of said metal axle of said internal sliding assembly.  
     
     
         8 . A hybrid device according to  claim 1 , wherein said side members contain a section extending out at a sufficient distance to come in contact with said wings when said hybrid device is in snowshoe configuration.  
     
     
         9 . A hybrid device according to  claim 1 , wherein said side members are formed to allow said tubes to be contained within said side members.  
     
     
         10 . A hybrid device according to  claim 1 , wherein said wings are molded from a tough rigid material, preferably a high impact plastic such as, but not limited to, thermosetting, polyurethane elastomer.  
     
     
         11 . A hybrid device according to  claim 1 , wherein said wings posses two bearing surfaces, one smooth surface with a low coefficient of friction for said hybrid device in ski configuration and a more rough surface, with possible ribbing or other means to add traction, for said hybrid device in snowshoe configuration.  
     
     
         12 . A hybrid device according to  claim 11 , wherein said smooth surface has an edge, possibly a ridge constructed from a metal material.  
     
     
         13 . A hybrid device according to  claim 1 , wherein said wings rotate about said front tubes and said rear short tubes.  
     
     
         14 . A hybrid device according to  claim 13 , wherein the angle of rotation, measured between the positions of said wings when in ski configuration and when said wings are in snowshoe configuration, is between 120°and 180°.  
     
     
         15 . A hybrid device according to  claim 14 , wherein the angle of rotation, measured between the positions of said wings when in ski configuration and when said wings are in snowshoe configuration, is about 150°.  
     
     
         16 . A hybrid device according to  claim 13 , wherein said wings are folded under said hybrid device, parallel to said second bearing surface when functioning as a ski.  
     
     
         17 . A hybrid device according to  claim 1 , wherein the position of said metal axle is about one-third of the total length of said hybrid device away from the front of said hybrid device when functioning as a snowshoe.  
     
     
         18 . A hybrid device according to  claim 1 , wherein the position of said metal axle is shifted away from the front of said hybrid device to a new position closer to the midpoint of said hybrid device when functioning as a ski.  
     
     
         19 . A hybrid device according to  claim 1 , wherein said binding foot plate assembly is free to rotate about said metal axle when in snowshoe mode allowing said crampon to dig into the snow surface.  
     
     
         20 . A hybrid device according to  claim 1 , wherein said binding foot plate assembly is restricted from rotation by means of said rear locking mechanism when in ski mode.