Parallelogram ski brace assembly

Abstract

A parallelogram ski brace assembly operational with skis to maintain the skis parallel relative to each, and in close proximity to each other as the skis move laterally and in an up-and-down motion is useful for skiers with impaired lower extremity control. A pair of ski plates detachably locks into the skis. Pair of boot plates receives the boots of the skier. A pair of risers joins the ski plate to the boot plate, clearing the boot plate from the skis. A pair of lateral bars terminates at a pair of terminal apertures. Two pairs of vertical axles extend through the terminal apertures, and rotate about the lateral bars. Two pairs of linkage bars extend horizontally between the vertical axles. The linkage bars enable two degrees of freedom so that the skis remain in proximity, parallel, and move vertically relative to each other.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A parallelogram ski brace assembly, the assembly comprising:
 a pair of skis;   a pair of ski plates detachably attachable to the skis, the ski plates disposed in a coplanar, parallel relationship with the skis;   a pair of boot plates disposed in a coplanar, parallel relationship with the ski plates;   two pairs of risers extending between the ski plates and the boot plates, whereby the boot plates are elevated above the skis;   a pair of lateral bars defined by a pair of terminal apertures at a termini, the lateral bars joined with the risers and disposed in a generally parallel relationship with the ski plates;   two pairs of vertical axles disposed generally perpendicular to the ski plates, the vertical axles defined by a boot end and a ski end, the ski end passing through the terminal apertures in the lateral bars, whereby the lateral bars are rotatable about the vertical axles; and   two pairs of linkage bars extending between the vertical axles, the linkage bars defined by a first end comprising a first joint and forming a first aperture, the linkage bars further defined by a second end comprising a second joint and forming a second aperture,   the first and second apertures enabling passage of the boot end of the vertical axles, whereby the linkage bars rotate about the vertical axles,   the first and second joints being pivotable, whereby the linkage bars pivot in an up and down motion relative to the vertical axles,   whereby the linkage bar and the lateral bars articulate with two degrees of freedom,   whereby the lateral bars and the linkage bars form parallelograms of varying relative dimensions, so as to enable stabilized lateral and vertical translation of the skis.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the ski plates are elongated and flat. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the boot plates are elongated and flat. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the pair of skis comprises a toe binding and a heel binding. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a pair of boots joined with the pair of ski plates. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the pair of boots are ISO5335-2005 compliant boots. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the risers have a curved L-shape. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical axles are fixed to the lateral bars and the linkage bars rotate about the vertical axles. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the joints pivot in an up and down movement with respect to the ski plates. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the two pairs of linkage bars are disposed such that one pair of linkage bars is forward of the ski plates, and a second pair of linkage bars are rearward of the ski plates. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a T-bar extending from the linkage bars. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the assembly is fabricated from at least one of the following: fiberglass, aluminum, steel, titanium, metal alloys, wood, and a polymer. 
     
     
         13 . A parallelogram ski brace assembly, the assembly comprising:
 a pair of ski plates;   a pair of boot plates disposed in a coplanar, parallel relationship with the ski plates;   two pairs of risers extending between the ski plates and the boot plates, whereby the boot plates are elevated above the skis;   a pair of lateral bars defined by a pair of terminal apertures at a termini, the lateral bars joined with the risers and disposed in a generally parallel relationship with the ski plates;   two pairs of vertical axles disposed generally perpendicular to the ski plates, the vertical axles defined by a boot end and a ski end, the ski end passing through the terminal apertures in the lateral bars, whereby the lateral bars are rotatable about the vertical axles; and   two pairs of linkage bars extending between the vertical axles, the linkage bars defined by a first end comprising a first joint and forming a first aperture, the linkage bars further defined by a second end comprising a second joint and forming a second aperture,   the first and second apertures enabling passage of the boot end of the vertical axles, whereby the linkage bars rotate about the vertical axles,   the first and second joints being pivotable, whereby the linkage bars pivot in an up and down motion relative to the vertical axles,   whereby the vertical axles are fixed to the lateral bars and the linkage bars rotate about the vertical axles,   whereby the linkage bar and the lateral bars articulate with two degrees of freedom,   whereby the lateral bars and the linkage bars form parallelograms of varying relative dimensions, so as to enable stabilized lateral and vertical translation of the skis.   
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising a pair of skis. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the ski plates are detachably attachable to the skis. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the ski plates disposed in a coplanar, parallel relationship with the skis. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising a pair of boots joined with the pair of ski plates. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising a T-bar extending from the linkage bars. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the joints pivot in an up and down movement with respect to the ski plates. 
     
     
         20 . A parallelogram ski brace assembly, the assembly consisting of:
 a pair of skis;   a pair of ski plates detachably attachable to the skis, the ski plates disposed in a coplanar, parallel relationship with the skis;   a pair of boot plates disposed in a coplanar, parallel relationship with the ski plates;   two pairs of risers extending between the ski plates and the boot plates, whereby the boot plates are elevated above the skis;   a pair of lateral bars defined by a pair of terminal apertures at a termini, the lateral bars joined with the risers and disposed in a generally parallel relationship with the ski plates;   two pairs of vertical axles disposed generally perpendicular to the ski plates, the vertical axles defined by a boot end and a ski end, the ski end passing through the terminal apertures in the lateral bars, whereby the lateral bars rotate about the vertical axles;   two pairs of linkage bars extending between the vertical axles, the linkage bars defined by a first end comprising a first joint and forming a first aperture, the linkage bars further defined by a second end comprising a second joint and forming a second aperture,   the first and second apertures enabling passage of the boot end of the vertical axles, whereby the linkage bars rotate about the vertical axles,   the first and second joints being pivotable in an up and down movement with respect to the ski plates, whereby the first and second ends of the linkage bars pivot in an up and down motion relative to the vertical axles,   whereby the linkage bar and the lateral bars articulate with two degrees of freedom,   whereby the lateral bars and the linkage bars form parallelograms of varying relative dimensions, so as to enable stabilized lateral and vertical translation of the skis; and   a pair of boots joined with the pair of ski plates.