Diagonal-stride-simulating roller ski

Abstract

An apparatus supporting “dry land” simulation of the diagonal stride cross-country skiing technique. The apparatus may include a roller ski comprising at least two wheel configured to roll on a surface and a stop connected to the roller ski. The stop may selectively engaging at least one of the surface and the at least two wheels in response to a force of at least a threshold magnitude urging the roller ski toward the surface to resist rearward roll of the roller ski on the surface. The resistance to rearward roll may vary with the force.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a roller ski comprising at least two wheel configured to roll on a surface;   a stop connected to the roller ski; and   the stop selectively engaging at least one of the surface and the at least two wheels in response to a force of at least a threshold magnitude urging the roller ski toward the surface to resist rearward roll of the roller ski on the surface, the resistance to rearward roll varying with the force.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the stop resists rearward roll by engaging the surface. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the at least two wheels comprise a first wheel, a second wheel spaced from the first wheel, and an intermediate member connecting the first wheel to the second wheel. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the intermediate member is flexible sufficient to travel through a range of motion bounded by an unloaded position and a loaded position, corresponding to the force. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the unloaded position is characterized by the stop being spaced a distance from the surface. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the loaded position is characterized by the stop contacting the surface. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the stop connects to the intermediate member at a location between the first and second wheels. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the stop comprises a third wheel. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the stop further comprises a unidirectional ratchet interfacing between the third wheel and the intermediate member. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the unidirectional ratchet resists rotation of the third wheel in a direction corresponding to rearward roll of the roller ski. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the stop resists rearward roll by resisting rotation of a first wheel of the at least one wheels. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the intermediate member comprises a first fork corresponding to the first wheel, a second fork corresponding to a second wheel of the at least two wheels, and a deck extending to connect the first fork to the second fork. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the first fork is pivotably connected to the deck. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the stop comprises an extension extending substantially rigidly from the deck to a location proximate the first wheel. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein, in response to the force, the first fork pivots with respect to the deck until the first wheel contacts the stop. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the intermediate member further comprises a biasing member biasing the first fork with respect to the deck to urge the first wheel out of contact with the stop. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the force causes a compression of the biasing member. 
   
   
       18 . An apparatus defining longitudinal, lateral, and transverse directions substantially orthogonal to one another, the apparatus comprising:
 a first wheel;   a second wheel spaced in the longitudinal direction;   an intermediate member connecting the first wheel to the second wheel;   an stop connected to the intermediate member and selectively and proportionally resisting rotation of at least one of the first and second wheels in response to a transverse load applied through the intermediate member to the first and second wheel.   
   
   
       19 . An apparatus defining longitudinal, lateral, and transverse directions substantially orthogonal to one another, the apparatus comprising:
 a first wheel positioned to rotate about a first axis extending laterally;   a second wheel positioned to rotate about a second axis extending laterally, the second axis being spaced in the longitudinal direction from the first axis;   an intermediate member connecting the first wheel to the second wheel;   an stop connected to the intermediate member and selectively and proportionally resisting rotation of at least one of the first and second wheels in response to transverse deflection of the intermediate member with respect to the first and second wheels.   
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the intermediate member comprises a first end and a second end corresponding to the first and second wheels, respectively; and   the stop comprises a brake pivotably connected to the intermediate member proximate the first end and a tension member engaging the intermediate member proximate the second end and extending therefrom to engage the brake, the tension member pivoting the brake into contact the first wheel in respect to the transverse deflection of the intermediate member with respect to the first and second wheels.