Apparatus for making a cross-country ski run

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11047100-B2
Application number	US-201616061263-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 14, 2016
Priority date	Dec 14, 2015
Publication date	Jun 29, 2021
Grant date	Jun 29, 2021

Abstract

An apparatus configured to make ski runs comprising a support structure; a first tiller; at least one tracksetting device; and a connection structure that couples the tracksetting device to the first tiller; the connection structure being configured to allow the free rotation about an axis, such as transverse to the advancing direction, of the tracksetting device with respect to the tiller.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A ski run making apparatus comprising:
a support structure;
a first tiller comprising a frame;
a tracksetting device;
a connection structure comprising a first articulated joint that connects the tracksetting device to the first tiller, a second articulated joint that freely rotatably connects the first tiller to the support structure, a third articulated joint and a first arm that connects the third articulated joint to the second articulated joint, wherein the connection structure is configured to enable free rotation about an axis, transverse to an advancing direction, of the tracksetting device with respect to the first tiller such that a position of the first tiller with respect to a snowpack can be varied without altering a position of the tracksetting device with respect to the snowpack; and
a first actuator having a selectively adjustable length that connects the frame of the first tiller to the third articulated joint such that a distance between the frame of the first tiller and the third articulated joint is selectively adjustable.

2. The ski run making apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the connection structure comprises a fourth articulated joint and a second arm that connects the fourth articulated joint to the third articulated joint, wherein the tracksetting device is freely rotatably connected to the fourth articulated joint.

3. The ski run making apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the connection structure comprises a guide connected to the tracksetting device and to the first articulated joint.

4. The ski run making apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the tracksetting device comprises a second tiller, a sled and a tracksetting device support structure connected to the first tiller by the connection structure.

5. The ski run making apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the second tiller is connected to the tracksetting device support structure by an articulated joint and by a second arm selectively constrained to a body of the tracksetting device support structure by an actuator.

6. The ski run making apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the sled is connected to an elongated portion of the tracksetting device support structure, the elongated portion of the tracksetting device support structure being connected to the body of the tracksetting device support structure by another articulated joint and by the actuator so as to selectively adjustably constrain a position of the elongated body of the tracksetting device support structure with respect to the body of the tracksetting device support structure.

7. The ski run making apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the second tiller is arranged between the first tiller and the sled along the advancement direction.

8. A ski run making apparatus comprising:
a support structure;
a first tiller;
a tracksetting device;
an actuator having a selectively adjustable length; and
a connection structure that connects the tracksetting device to the first tiller, wherein the connection structure defines an articulated quadrilateral comprising four articulated joints which connect the tracksetting device to the first tiller such that the tracksetting device is freely rotatable about an axis of the tracksetting device with respect to the first tiller to assume a position with respect to a snowpack that is independent of a position of the first tiller with respect to the snowpack, the connection structure comprising a fifth articulated joint and a sixth articulated joint, the fifth articulated joint is connected the first tiller at a point different from a first articulated joint of the four articulated joints, and the sixth articulated joint is connected to the tracksetting device and connected to the fifth articulated joint by the actuator such that a distance between the fifth articulated joint and the sixth articulated joint is selectively adjustable.

9. A ski run making apparatus comprising:
a support structure configured to support the ski run making apparatus and connect the ski run making apparatus to a vehicle;
a first tiller supported by the support structure;
a tracksetting device;
a connection structure that couples the tracksetting device to the first tiller, wherein:
the connection structure comprises a first articulated joint that connects the first tiller to the tracksetting device;
the connection structure comprises a second articulated joint that is connected to the first tiller at a point different from the first articulated joint, and
the connection structure is configured to enable a rotation about an axis, transverse to an advancing direction, of the tracksetting device with respect to the first tiller such that a position of the first tiller with respect to a snowpack can be varied without altering a position of the tracksetting device with respect to the snowpack; and

an actuator having a selectively adjustable length, wherein the connection structure comprises a third articulated joint connected to the second articulated joint by the actuator and connected to the tracksetting device such that a distance between the second articulated joint and the third articulated joint is selectively adjustable.

10. The ski run making apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the tracksetting device further comprises:
a support structure connected to the first tiller by the connection structure;
a second tiller; and
a sled.

11. The ski run making apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the second tiller is connected to the support structure by a fourth articulated joint and by an arm selectively constrained to a body of the support structure by an actuator.

12. The ski run making apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the sled is connected to an elongated portion of the support structure that is connected to a body of the support structure by a fourth articulated joint and by an actuator to selectively adjustably constrain a position of the elongated body with respect to the body of the support structure.

13. The ski run making apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the second tiller is arranged between the first tiller and the sled along the advancement direction.

14. A ski run making apparatus comprising:
a support structure;
a first tiller;
a tracksetting device; and
a connection structure defining an articulated quadrilateral having four articulated joints that connect the tracksetting device to the first tiller such that the tracksetting device is freely rotatable about an axis, transverse to an advancing direction, of the tracksetting device to assume a position with respect to a snowpack that is independent of a position of the first tiller with respect to the snowpack, the connection structure comprising a fifth articulated joint connected the first tiller at a point different from a first articulated joint of the four articulated joints which connect the tracksetting device to the first tiller, wherein the connection structure is configured to enable free rotation about the axis of the tracksetting device with respect to the first tiller such that the position of the first tiller with respect to the snowpack can be varied without altering the position of the tracksetting device with respect to the snowpack.

15. The ski run making apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the support structure is connected to one of the four articulated joints.

16. The ski run making apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the tracksetting device comprises a second tiller, a sled and a tracksetting device support structure connected to the first tiller by the connection structure.

17. The ski run making apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the second tiller is connec

Assignees

• Prinoth Spa

Inventors

• Runggaldier Martin
• Insam Mirko
• Baier Stefan

Classifications

• E01H4/02 Primary

  for sporting purposes, e.g. preparation of ski trails; {Construction of artificial surfacings for snow or ice sports (construction of ice skating rinks E01C13/102); Trails specially adapted for on-the-snow vehicles}, e.g. devices adapted for ski-trails (production of snow or ice for winter sports or similar recreational purposes F25C3/00) · CPC title

• A63C19/10

  Ice-skating or roller-skating rinks; Slopes or trails for skiing, ski-jumping or tobogganing · CPC title