ARTIFICIAL SKI SLOPE ASSEMBLY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a collapsible artificial ski slope assembly and, in particular, but not exclusively, to a collapsible artificial ski slope assembly which can be moved between deployed and storage positions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Alpine and Nordic sports, such as skiing and snowboarding, are popular activities that are enjoyed by many people around the world. Conventionally, these activities are performed on ski slopes and people will often travel significant distances to find such slopes, for example, to practice skills, to compete, or to simply be able to try out the activity and enjoy the experience. Such sports are prevalent in mountainous geographical regions having natural snow-covered slopes. However, during certain periods of the year snow may disappear from the slopes at a given location. Thus, it may be necessary to travel elsewhere during these periods to find a snow-covered ski slope. However, traveling to seek snow covered slopes can be expensive and may not be a realistic option for many people. As an alternative, found particularly in countries that do not have natural snow- covered slopes, there are provided man-made ski slope facilities, such as "dry" or artificial ski slopes that can be visited more readily and that are operational and usable throughout the year.

However, there are drawbacks associated with artificial ski slopes in that they may not be provided in a convenient location and as a result people may not have the time to visit or may be put off visiting altogether. Further, it can be costly to travel and visit an artificial ski slope. In addition, trips to an artificial ski slope, even when located nearby, can be difficult where it is necessary to organise a party of people, for example, when arranging for school children to visit the ski slope on a school excursion.

Thus, many people may miss out on opportunities of experiencing skiing and other similar sports and there exists a need for people to be able to experience such activities more readily.

Currently temporary artificial ski slopes are known that can be constructed in situ by assembling a scaffolding support frame at a desired location and providing a ski slope surface on the scaffolding support frame. However, these structures suffer significant drawbacks. In particular, the scaffolding needs to be assembled on site which is relatively time consuming. Upon moving to a new site the scaffolding must be disassembled, collected and transported to the new site where the scaffolding must then be offloaded and re-assembled. This process can be time consuming and cumbersome.

Further, it may typically require a number of workers to construct and later dismantle the structure. Overall, providing such temporary structures can be inefficient and costly and they are not readily provided in convenient locations.

It is amongst the objects of the present invention to obviate or at least mitigate drawbacks and deficiencies associated with existing artificial ski slopes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, there is provided a collapsible artificial ski slope assembly comprising: - a base unit adapted to be coupled to a vehicle; and at least one ski slope section coupled to the base unit; wherein the ski slope section is movable with respect to the base unit between: a first deployed position in which the ski slope section defines at least part of a ski slope of the assembly; and, a second storage position in which the ski slope section is stored for transport of the ski slope assembly.

Thus, the ski slope section, being coupled to the base unit and being movable with respect to the base unit, allows the ski slope assembly to be readily moved from/to a position where it may be stored for transport to/from a position where it may function as at least part of a ski slope. This allows the ski slope assembly to be quickly and conveniently deployed for use, collapsed and transported to another location.

The ski slope may be in an unfolded use configuration in the first deployed position and may be in a folded, transport configuration in the second storage position. Thus, the ski slope section can be stored compactly in the folded configuration, while in the unfolded configuration, the ski slope section extends from the base section to a position where it defines a maximised distance or height between a bottom end of the base unit and a top end of the ski-slope section.

Preferably, the ski slope assembly comprises multiple ski slope sections. The multiple ski slope sections may together form the ski slope. The ski slope assembly may comprise first and second ski slope sections which, may together, define or form part of the ski slope. This allows a large ski slope area to be formed from sections that are suitable for transport.

The ski slope assembly may comprise first and second ski slope sections each coupled to the base unit. The first and second ski slope sections may be pivotally coupled to the base unit. Alternatively, the first and second ski slope sections may be coupled to each other and may be movable, with respect to each other, between first and second positions, which may correspond to the deployed and storage positions of the ski slope assembly. The first and second ski slope sections, and/or the base unit, may be in an unfolded use configuration in the deployed position, and may be in a folded transport configuration in the storage position. The first ski slope section may be pivotable or rotatable with respect to the base unit, or the second ski slope section, via a hinge arrangement and/or other coupling arrangement. Thus, the first and second ski slope sections and the base unit may be folded to improve collapsibility and compactness of the ski slope assembly when arranged to be stored for transport.

The ski slope sections may each comprise a slope surface adapted to form part of the ski slope for skiing, snow boarding, sledging and/or other similar "winter sport", alpine and/or Nordic sporting activities. Alternatively, or in addition, the base unit may comprise a slope surface adapted to form part of the ski slope. The slope surfaces may together form the ski slope. The slope surfaces may be arranged/juxtaposed in use to provide a smooth and/or "seamless" surface transition between adjacent slope surfaces. In this way, a smooth and extensive ski surface is provided by providing multiple sections and piecing sections together.

The first and second ski slope sections, and/or the base unit, may together define a ski slope in the first, deployed and/or unfolded position of the ski slope assembly.

The ski slope and/or slope surfaces may be adapted to define areas having different angles of incline. The ski slope and/or slope surfaces may comprise jumps, rails and/or other surface undulations.

Preferably the ski slope assembly comprises at least one platform section, which may be coupled to the ski slope section and/or base unit. The platform section may be adapted to be pivotally coupled to the base unit and/or the ski slope section. The platform section may be deployed adjacent to the ski slope section, for example, near a top end of the ski slope, in use. The platform section may comprise a platform surface, the platform surface adapted to be oriented substantially horizontally when the ski slope is in the first position. Thus, the platform section provides an area that skiers may stand on to get themselves ready before descending the ski slope.

Preferably the ski slope assembly comprises a ramp section coupled to the ski slope section and/or base unit. The ramp section may be inclined when the ski slope assembly is in the first, deployed position, and may comprise a ramp surface, which may assist skiers or snowboarders to perform jumps and/or tricks. The ramp section may be adapted to be coupled to the base unit and/or the ski slope section. The ramp section may form part of the ski slope when the ski slope assembly is in the deployed position and/or the unfolded use configuration. Preferably the ramp section is adapted to be positioned near a bottom end of the ski slope. Thus, skiers can build up speed by descending the ski slope before reaching the ramp surface. The ski slope assembly may be positioned in different orientations such as lengthways or sideways. By positioning the ski slope lengthways provides a longer run but up to a maximum angle of greater 35 ^ω . By positioning the ski slope sideways provides a shorter run but up to a maximum angle of about 35 ^ω .

Preferably the ski slope assembly comprises security means adapted to protect a skier and/or snowboarder from injury, for example, by accidentally falling from an edge of the ski slope. The security means may comprise a safety barrier and/or safety netting. The safety barrier may comprise cushioning means, which may comprise air inflatable

cushions. The security means may be foldably coupled to the base unit and/or a ski section, e.g. for facilitating foldable and compact collapse of the ski slope.

The base unit may be attached and/or mounted to a vehicle. The base unit may be adapted to support the ski slope section, and/or, in specific embodiments, to support the platform and/or ramp sections. Alternatively, or in addition, the base unit is integral to the vehicle. The vehicle may be a lorry/truck or other heavy goods vehicle adapted to accommodation the ski slope section(s) and to transport the ski slope assembly. By being attached to the vehicle the ski slope assembly can be driven to a site as required, and be immediately ready for unfolding of the ski slope section. The base unit may also be lifted up at an angle which may be used to provide extra height for the slope. This may be variable from about 15 ^ω to 35 ^ω .

The base unit may be releasably attached to the vehicle. This provides an option of allowing the vehicle to move out of the way of the ski slope assembly once it has been moved to the required location for deployment. The ski slope assembly may be adapted to provide storage for equipment such as skis, boards, sledges, boots and/or other items. More specifically, the ski slope may comprise at least one storage compartment/hold/facility for such items. The base unit may comprise the storage compartment/hold/facility.

The ski slope assembly may comprise an actuation mechanism, which may be a hydraulic mechanism, adapted to actuate folding/foldable movement of ski slope, platform, or ramp sections and/or safety barriers. The actuation mechanism may also be adapted to actuate to form jumps or rails that protrude from a ski surface.

The ski slope assembly may also comprise a lighting system and/or an audio system which may be powered by a generator. In addition, the ski slope assembly may comprise a tow-bar system to pull users from a bottom end of the ski slope to a top end of the slope. The tow-bar system may also be powered by the generator.

There may also be a camera located at the bottom of the ski slope which may be used to take photographs.

The system may also comprise inflatable side bars which provides weight saving and facilitates installation.

The ski slope assembly may also be constructed from an inflatable device such as commonly known as a 'bouncy castle'.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS There will now be described, by way of example only, embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure IA is a cross-sectional line drawing of an artificial ski slope in a deployed position, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure IB is a cross-sectional line drawing of the artificial ski slope of Figure IA in a partially deployed position;

Figure 1C is a cross-sectional line drawing of the artificial ski slope of Figure IA and IB in a storage position;

Figures 2A to 2E are cross-sectional representations of a collapsible artificial ski slope at progressively more advanced stages of folding, according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3A is a perspective view of an artificial ski slope in a deployed position according to another embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 3B is a cross-sectional representation (along A-A') of a ski slope section of the artificial ski slope of Figure 3 A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference firstly to Figures IA to 1C there is generally shown a collapsible artificial ski slope assembly 10 at different stages during its deployment. In Figure IA, the ski slope assembly 10 is shown in a deployed position, while Figure IB shows the ski slope assembly during movement to a stored position illustrated in Figure 1C.

The ski slope assembly 10 includes a base unit 12 and ski slope sections 14a, b, which are coupled to the base unit 12, in this case by means of heavy-duty hinge mechanisms 16. The ski slope sections 14a, b, are allowed to move with respect to the base unit 12 and fold inwardly around hinge axes, as indicated by the arrows in Figure IB, into a compact storage configuration as shown in Figure 1C. In this embodiment, the base unit 12 is attached to the back of a lorry trailer 18, allowing the lorry to readily

transport the ski slope in its storage position, to another location according to requirements. However, the base unit 12 may be provided on a flat-bed of a lorry (not shown).

In the deployed position of Figure IA, the ski slope sections 14a, b, are unfolded from the base unit 12 and form a ski slope 10 extending from a top end 20 to a bottom end 22. The base unit 12 itself has an inclined slope surface 24, with the ski slope sections 14a, b, abutting and being coupled to the base unit 12 at its upper and lower ends. The inclined slope surface 24 of the base unit 12, together with slope surfaces 26 of the ski slope sections 14a, b, define a ski surface or area 28 suitable for skiing, snowboarding or carrying out other activities, which is practically continuous across sections, such that joins between sections are not noticeable to users during normal use.

At the bottom end 22 of the slope, the ski surface terminates with an inclined ramp section 30 for users to practice their tricks and jumps. A horizontal start platform 32 is provided at the top end of the slope to conveniently allow users to gather and wait at the top and to prepare themselves, if required, before descending the slope. The platform 32 and ramp 30 are provided as separate sections and are respectively coupled to the top and bottom ends of upper and lower ski slope sections 14, via the hinge mechanisms 16, to allow the sections to foldably move with respect to the adjacent ski slope sections 14a, b, and the base unit 12 for storage.

The lorry trailer 18 and base unit 12 support the ski slope sections 14a, b, from beneath. The ramp sections 30 rests on the ground, and further provides both lateral and vertical support for the ski slope sections 14a, b, and the platform, section 32. Further support for the ski slope sections 14a, b, is provided by a suitable support arm (not shown). In an alternative embodiment, support for the various sections may be at least partly provided by the hinge mechanisms 16, for example, by hinges including a stop member, (not shown), that limits their range of motion and prevents unfolding of the sections about the hinges, beyond a predetermined "deployed" position.

In order to store and transport the ski slope 10, the different sections are folded inwardly, as shown in Figure IB, around the hinges 16 and with respect to the base unit 12. In the stored position of Figure 1C, the ski slope sections 14a, b, rest compactly

against each other on top of the base unit. In this position, the sections remain coupled to each other to enable the sections to be quickly and conveniently unfolded and deployed to form a ski slope again later.

In Figures 2A to 2E, there is shown another embodiment of a collapsible artificial ski slope assembly 210. This ski slope assembly 210 has a number of features that are similar to the ski slope assembly 10 described above, with reference to Figures IA to 1C, and like components are annotated with the same reference numerals, incremented by two hundred.

In this embodiment, an upper ski slope section 214a is formed with both a slope surface 226a and a platform surface 246. A ski surface 228 is made up from a platform surface 246, the slope surface 226a, a slope surface 224 of the base unit 212, a surface 226b of a lower ski slope section 214b and a ramp surface 248 of the terminating ramp section 230. The sections 214a, b, 230, and the base unit 212 are provided with safety barriers 244, including inflatable or padded cushions, (not shown), that enclose the ski surface area 228. These barriers 244 act to cushion skiers in the event that they lose control and crash into the sides of the slope assembly 210, and to prevent skiers from accidentally falling off the edges of the ski slope assembly 210. In the deployed position, the upper ski slope section 226a is supported by a support member 250, which is pivotally coupled to the base of the section 226a. In Figure 2A, the collapsible ski slope 210 is shown in an unfolded configuration.

Folding of the slope 210 to prepare it for transport is initiated and driven by a hydraulic actuating mechanism (not shown). In this way, the slope is collapsed from an initial configuration as shown in Figure 2A, to a compact folded storage configuration, as will now be described with reference to Figures 2B to 2E. The upper slope section 214a is first folded about the axis 252 until a leading edge

254 comes into abutment with the base unit 212, as depicted in Figure 2B. In addition, the support member 250 is folded, as indicated, about an axis 256 along which it is coupled to the upper slope section 214a, such that it locates parallel to the base of the upper slope section 214a. At this stage, triangular barrier portions 258 of the lower slope section 214a, and the ramp section 230, are folded back on themselves to free up space

and to allow the sections 214b and 230 to be folded and arranged compactly on the trailer

218.

The ramp surface 240 of the ramp sections 230 is then rotated about pivot 260 and upturned for storage and a motor driven mechanism, (not shown), forming part of the ski slope 210, is engaged to urge and move the ramp sections 230 relative to the lower ski slope section 214b, (as indicated by arrow 262), so that the sections overlap each other, as shown in Figure 2C, ready for storage.

Next, barrier sections 245 of the base unit 212 are rotated into the position of

Figure 2D with t heir leading edge 264 resting against the base unit 212. Finally, the overlapping ramp and lower ski slope sections 230, 214b are folded inwardly, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 2D, into the storage position of Figure 2E (presented on the same page Figure 2A), for transport.

In Figures 3A and 3B there is shown a further embodiment of a collapsible artificial ski slope 310. This ski slope 310 has a number of features that are similar to those of the ski slope 10, described above. Like components are annotated with the same reference numerals as used in Figures IA to 1C, incremented by three hundred.

In this embodiment, a base unit 312 performs a similar function to that described above, but in this case it is releasably attachable to a lorry trailer 318 so that the base unit

312 can be attached to the trailer to transport the ski slope 310 as required. Thus, the artificial ski slope 310 may be brought to a location where the base unit 312 is detached, to release the ski slope assembly 310 from the trailer, and then the ski slope assembly is left at that location until a later time. As seen in Figure 3 A the base unit 312 is supported from the ground enabling the lorry and trailer 318 to temporarily leave the site until returning at a later time to transport the slope assembly away. The ski slope assembly 310 is also provided with holds or compartments 342 for storage of ski and snowboarding equipment, which are formed underneath ski slope sections 314a, b. Such equipment may include boots, poles, skis, boards and sledges.

The compartments 342 facilitate compact storage of equipment and makes available additional storage space on the lorry for sections of the ski slope assembly. Accordingly, the ski slope assembly 310 can have a larger ski surface area when the storage capacity of the lorry is limited, and where the equipment would otherwise need to be stored

separately. This storage facility provides for equipment to be readily transported along with the ski slope. In other embodiments, equipment storage facilities may be manufactured into the base unit 312.

The ski slope assembly 310 also includes safety barriers 344. In this embodiment, the barriers are provided in sections that are foldably coupled to the ski slope sections 314 and base unit 312. Thus, the barriers 344 can also fold, as shown more clearly in Figure

3B, along side edges of the ski slope sections, to facilitate compact folding and collapse of the ski slope to a storage position (not shown). Similar safety or "crash" barriers may also be provided at the top and bottom ends of the platform 132 and the ramp 330, to prevent skiers from accidentally falling off the edges of the ski slope.

Further, in the embodiment of Figures 3 A and 3B, the ski slope assembly 310 is fitted with a tow bar system for pulling skiers to the top of the slope. The tow bar system is a portable revolving belt system. Also, the ramp is omitted and the slope terminates in a substantially flat run-out ski slope section 314c. The slope of Figures 3 A and 3B can also light up via flood lights 352 that are powered by a generator. Loudspeakers 354 are also provided to play music for entertainment purposes, or to convey messages to users.

Various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention herein described.

Although the above described embodiments refer to the use of hinge mechanisms to provide for coupling between various sections, it will be understood that other arrangements or mechanisms could equally be employed to perform the function of allowing sections to move with respect to each other and/or the base unit between folded and unfolded configurations. Further, it will be understood that other systems could be used to cause folding. For example, mechanical or electrical systems might be used together or instead of the hydraulic mechanism referred to above.

In addition, various in-built jumps or rails may be produced in the ski surface by actuating the jump or rail from a hidden stored position beneath the surface to an operational position where it protrudes from the surface (e.g. using a hydraulic mechanism located underneath the surface).

In other embodiments (not shown), safety netting may be provided to improve safety, in particular, when a ramp is deployed. Further, a sprinkler system may be provided to wet the ski surface.

The present invention has a number of advantages. In particular, as the ski slope has multiple sections that remain coupled and are foldable, it is easy and convenient to deploy the ski slope sections to form a ski slope and to store the ski slope sections for transport after use. It is therefore efficient and cost effective to provide a ski slope in any given location. In turn, it provides access to ski slope facilities for a greater number of people than feasible using the prior art methods and apparatus.