Title of Invention : Fixed Wheel Steering Mechanism

[0001 ]

Technical Field: Roller Ski

[0002]

Background Art

Currently, roller skies are being used in cross country, but not for downhill. The current roller skies are not working on rough slope, because it's steering mechanism can not work properly on rough slope.

[0003]

Summary of Invention

The key technique for Downhill Roller Ski is steering mechanism. This invention is fixed wheel steering mechanism, which are two wheels at the front of roller ski. Each wheel is installed with inclination angle and steering angle. One wheel turn to left, the other wheel turn to right. When the skier leans to the left, the left wheel works and turn left. When the skier leans to the right, the right wheel works and turn right. No leaning, both wheels work then go straight. The bigger angle the skier lean to inside, the shorter radius the ski turns.

The inclination angle and steering angle can be adjusted to fulfill different people's skiing style. It is recommended that the inclination angle is fixed, and the steering angle can be adjusted by the user.

[0004]

Technical Problem

Current in-line roller ski can not turn. The skier has to make a step to change direction. On flat or slight slope, such in-line roller ski may work. But on steeper slope, not able to turn will be a disaster. That is why in-line roller ski doesn't work for downhill. There are some patents of steering mechanism for roller ski. But all of them are using un-fixed wheel to steer. These patents used force applied on the wheel and make the wheel change direction. So, on the rough slope, when the wheel hit a small rock, it will change direction which is unwanted, and get the skier out of control. So, these patents do not work for downhill roller ski.

[0005]

Solution to Problem

Fixed wheel steering mechanism means the steering wheels are fixed. It turns only when the skier leans. It doesn't change direction unwantedly even hit on a small rock. This feature makes the roller ski workable on rough slope.

The fixed wheel steering mechanism has a gap between two wheels. To prevent a rock stuck in the gap, it needs a part to block the gap. This part can be a small wheel, or just a piece of plastic or metal.

[0006]

Advantageous Effects of Invention

This invention can bring the roller ski to downhill, and create a new industry, downhill roller ski. This invention also works for cross country roller ski. With this invention, the ski can turn, it is much more fun than in-line roller ski.

[0007]

Brief Description of Drawings

Fig 1 shows the schematic of the roller ski with fixed wheel steering mechanism. Fig 2/3/4 shows the schematic of fixed wheel steering mechanism.

[0008]

Description of Embodiments

Feature 1 : The steering wheel is fixed. When skiing, the steering wheel can run stably without wobbling. This feature makes downhill roller skiing possible on no- snow-covered slope. Because the no-snow-covered slope may have small rocks, or grass, or small sticks, or tiny bumps, or other unexpected items on the surface, the un-fixed steering wheel will wobble when it hit on these items and cause unwanted direction change. However, the fixed steering wheel can easily go over such items without unwanted direction change.

Feature 2: Wheel installation with steering angle and inclination angle. Inclination angle puts an initial edging angle to the ski, makes carving skiing on no-snow- covered slope easier. Initial steering angle can be adjusted by user to match his/her skiing style. Initial steering angle determines the roller ski's turn radius.

[0009]

Industrial Applicability

In roller ski industry, some companies have products of cross country roller skies. Base on these products, add on the fixed wheel steering mechanism, it will become a downhill roller ski, and open a new industry. In Summer, most of the ski resorts have to let their chair lifts and other equipment idle. Downhill roller ski can help those ski resorts to do better business in Summer.

For cross country roller ski, with the fixed wheel steering mechanism, the roller ski is able to turn. When go down a slight hill, the skier can make S shape carving turn. It is much more fun then just skating.

The roller ski can turn means a lot to the industry.

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Reference Signs List

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Reference to Deposited Biological Material

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Sequence Listing Free Text

[0013] Citation List

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Patent Literature

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Non Patent Literature

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