In the name of: FATTORl Franco of Roneade (Italy) and of FATTORf Piero of Caorle (Italy)

DESCRIPTION The present invention refers to an apparatus for performing physical activities, preferably sport activities. In particular it refers to an apparatus to be used for skiing and snowboarding.

In the sky practice the position of the legs, in particular the opening of the legs, is very important, since it is possible to reach high speed and to get more agiJity in the changes of direction only thanks to a proper position of the lower limbs. For this reason during training, skiers, mainly unskillful trainees, sky with a ball of the desired diameter positioned between the legs.

Nevertheless, the ball can easily get out from the right position when the skier is; slightly unsteady, or it can simply slip away without any will of the athlete, who is therefore forced to waste time on recovering the ball,

The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for performing sport activity, in particular for skiing and snowboarding, apparatus which is effective and comfortable to be used.

Such object is achieved by an, apparatus for sport activity, in particular for skiing and/or snowboarding, usable for example by a skier, suited to splay the legs of the skier, characterized by the fact of comprising a spacer element to which ends fastening means are coupled in order to couple the spacer element to each leg of the skier.

Consequently, when the skier uses the apparatus according to the present invention, he/she has his legs open by a distance equal to the length of the spacer element.

The spacer element can be a rigid element, so that it cannot vary its length anyhow. Advantageously, the apparatus according to the invention can provide for the spacer element to comprise a first rod and a second rod, each rod being coupled to the fastening means by a respective end, and being removably couplable to each other through coupling means by the other respective end.

Thanks to said coupling means, in case a high force or traction is applied on the apparatus, for example when the skier is about to fall, the two rods decouple to each other and leave the legs of the skier free to move.

In. particular, the free end. of the first rod may comprise a metal body wherein a cavity is obtained and the second end of the second rod may comprise an clement to which a magnetic body is removably fixed, said magnetic body having homologous shape of the cavity.

Advantageously, the spacer element may be an. extensible element with variable length, for example a piston, so that the apparatus can be adapted, to the different physique of the users.

The extensible element may comprise blocking means suited to block the extensible element in a given length.

In order to permit the skier to be more mobile, the fastening means may be pi voted to the end of the spacer element. Fnr example, the fastening means may be. fixed to the ends of the spacer element by a movable pin, in. order to make the skier free to move, though maintaining the desired distance between the legs.

Advantageously, the fastening means of the spacer element to the legs may be coupled to the spacer element by releasable coupling elements, so that if said coupling elements are subject to a load or to a traction which value is higher than a given value, at least a fastening mean releases from the spacer clement. This can happen when, the skier lose his balance and, as a consequence, he/she has his/her legs free to each other.

Besides, the fastening means of the spacer element to the legs may comprise releasable coupling elements to the legs, so that if said coupling elements are subject to a load or to a traction which value is higher than a given value, at least a fastening mean, releases from the respective leg.

In other words, the coupling between the spacer element and the fastening means and/or between the fastening means and the legs of the skier may be releasable, for example with connections among elements by magnetic force, tear-strips or lever mechanisms with given load, so that, when the spacer element is stressed by a force bigger, than the given load, the fastening means and the legs, or the spacer element and. the fastening means, release to each other and the legs are free to move.

Advantageously, the spacer element may vary its length even during the use of the spacer element, so that the skier has to let the legs open from each other by a distance which may vary between two desired limit values.

The sporty apparatus according to the invention prevents an excessive advance or moving back of the position of the skis in respect to the body, in case the apparatus itself is used by a skier. Besides, it avoids a possible opening of the skis tips ,and it helps a better parallelism between the same.

Advantageously, the apparatus according to the invention, favors the change of the edges without lifting the skis from the snow in the changes of direction, as well as it increases the feeling of driving the skis,

In case the apparatus is used by snowboarder, it helps to maintain the right position of the knees, avoiding them to superimpose excessively.

Thus, thanks to the apparatus according to the invention, all the processes of feel and perception of the body parts, such as legs, knees, feet, used. in. the skiing and snowboarding practice are accelerated. Otherwise, in order to obtain the same result as far as feel and perception are concerned, many hours of training would be required.

The features and advantages of the present invention arc more evident by the following description, revealed as a purely illustrative disclosure, with reference to the attached drawings wherein: figure 1 is a schematic view of a skier while using the apparatus according to the invention;

figures 2, 3 are front schematic views of the apparatus of figure 1 , according two different configurations;

figure 4 is a front schematic view of the apparatus, subject of the invention, which comprises a modification of a component;

figure 5 is a front schematic view of an apparatus according to a first variation of the invention;

figure 6 is a front schematic view of a particu lar of the apparatus of figure 5;

figures 7, 8 are views of a part of the apparatus of figure 5 according to two different embodiments of the invention.

With reference mainly to figure 1 , an apparatus for sport activity 10 is used by a skier, for example, during training, In particular, the apparatus 10 has its ends fixed to the legs of the skier, precisely just below the knees, so as to maintaining them open by a given, distance. The apparatus 10 might be fixed, to the other parts of the legs, such, as just above the knees.

The apparatus 10 comprises a spacer element 12 which ends arc pivoted to a first fastening mean 14 and to a second fastening mean 16 which are - each one - suited to encircle a respective leg G of the skier.

The spacer element 1.2 is made of a first rod 1 8 and a second rod 20, joinablc to each other in rcleasable way.

More in particular, the first rod 18 is connected through one of its end to a metal and frustum conical-shaped receiving body 22 in which a cylindrical-shaped cavity 24 is obtained, as shown in figures 3, 4. The second rod 20 is connected through one of its end to a cylindrical base 26 which acts as a support for a cylindrical-shaped magnetic body 28.

The magnetic body 28 is attached on the cylindrical base 26 in a firm, but rcleasable way. through a screw which is not shown in the figures. Thus, the magnetic body 28 can be removed from the cylindrical base 26 and substituted by a different magnetic body with a different magnetic force.

Besides, the magnetic body 28 has a homologous shape as the cavity 24 obtained in the receiving body 22 attached to the first rod 1 8, so that the same magnetic body 28 can be received in the cavity 24.

The first fastening mean 14 comprises u "C"-shaped body 30, internally covered with a soft material in order to comfortably receive a leg G of the skier. The leg G is constrained in the "C"-shaped body 30 which is closed by a strap 32 attached to the "C"- shaped body 30 by one end and constrainable to a hook device 34 in adjustable way by the other end.

Besides, a projecting element 36 is attached to the "C"-shaped body 30 through a plate 37 and it is received in a appropriate cavity obtained in the first rod 18. The projecting element 36 is hinged on the end of the first rod 18 by a removable pin such as a screw 38.

Similarly, the second fastening mean 16 comprises a "C"-shapcd body 40, internally covered with a soft material in order to comfortably receive the other leg G of the slcicr. The leg G is constrained in the "C"-shaped body 40 which is closed by a strap 42 attached to the "C'-shaped body 40 by one end and constrainable to a hook device 44 in adj ustablc way by the other end .

Besides, a projecting element 46 is attached to the "C"-shaped body 40 through a plate 47 and it is received in a appropriate cavity obtained in the second rod 20. The projecting element 46 is hinged on the end of the second rod 20 by a removable pin such as a screw 38.

Thanks to the above-described configuration, the apparatus 10, when worn by a skier, keeps the legs ϋ of the skier open by a distance equal to the length of the spacer element 12. During the assembly, in case the apparatus 10 is divided into two parts, as shown, in figure 3, the skier first attaches one of the two parts to a leg and then the second part to the other leg. After that, he/she positions the first rod 18 and the second rod 20 coaxial to each other, so that the magnetic body 28 of the second rod 20 is received in. the cavity 24 of the first rod 18. It will be sufficient to draw up the magnetic body 28 to the receiving body 22, in order that the attraction force compels und drives the coupling between the first rod 18 and the second rod 20. ' '

Obviously the apparatus 10 can be worn with its two rods already joined to each other.

However, when used, the legs G of the skier can move in relation to each other thanks to the structure of the constraint comprised between the rod 12 and the fastening means 14, 16 to the legs G, which are however forced to maintain each other by a permanent distance. In fact, the apparatus 10, however, permits a relative translation of the legs, for example when the skier must turn, thanks to the pins 38, 48 which, permit the rotation of the two fastening means 14, 16 in relation to the spacer clement 12,

Nevertheless, in. case of danger, sharp movements of the legs, movements which represent the prelude of a fall, can act on the constraint between the first rod 18 and the second rod 20 with a force higher than the magnetic force which constrains the two rods themselves to each other. In this case, the first rod 1 8 and the second rod. 20 wriggle from each other, so leaving whole freedom and movement control to the skier.

The apparatus 10 can be adapted according to the skier who wants to use it, in particular according to hjs/her physique. In fact, as shown in figure 4, the second rod 20 as previously described can be substituted by a different rod 50 which is longer, so that the legs O are separated by a larger distance. Obviously both the first rod 18 and the second rod 20 can be substituted by longer or shorter rods.

Besides, even the force which constrains the first rod 18 and the second rod 20 to each other can be modified, by replacing the magnetic body 28 with a different magnetic body 52 which acts with a different attraction force, In case that the skier is heavier and muscular, the chosen magnetic body 52 have a higher attraction force. To be more precise, the new magnetic body 52 has a shape with the same circular section, in order to be received in the cavity 24.

According to a different embodiment of the invention, shown in the figures 5 and

6, an apparatus 1 10 comprises a spacer or beam- 1 12 to which ends fastening means 120a, 120b are attached suited, to encircle each leg of the skier.

For simplicity of the description, only one side of the element 1 10 will be described since the element 1 10 has a symmetrical structure and the means 120a, 120b are equal.

A connecting element 1 16a is attached to the spacer 1 12 in a rcleasable way through a screw 1 14a or other fastening mean of known type; a hole is obtained in said connecting element 1 16a. A "C"-shaped body 120a is hinged to the connecting element 1 16a by a pin 1 18a which is received in the hole of the connecting element 1 16a itself and in a hole of the body 120a. In this way the body 1.20a can rotate relative to the clement 1 16a and to the spacer 1 12, but without detaching from the same.

The body 120a can receive a leg G of the skier inside, so as constraining it to the spacer 1 12. Analogously the body 120b can receive the other leg of the skier, so that the two legs are spaced between each other by a distance substantially equal to the length of the spacer 1 12.

The spacer 1 12 can be removed from the elements 1 16a, 1 16b to which a spacer with different length can be attached so as to obtaining a splaying element with different dimensions according to the needs and to the characteristics of the user, such as height, physique, etc.

The spacer 1 12 of the apparatus 1 10 can. be obtained also with mechanisms which allow a variation of its length. According to a first variation of construction of the spacer, shown in figure 7, tin apparatus 200 comprises two rods 212, 21.4 coupled to each other in telescopic way and attachable in. order to vary the distance between their opposite ends.

More in particular, the rod 214 comprises on its free end a ring element which permits the coupling with a "C"-shaped body analogous to those previously described and identified as bodies 122a, 122b. The opposite end of the rod 214 is received in the hollow rod 212 and it is holed.

In its turn the rod 21.2 comprises a ring element 218 attached to one of its ends by a screw 222 or by another known fastening mean, in order to coupling with a "C"-shapcd body. Holes 230, 232, 234, 236 are obtained in the rod 212, said holes being spaced from each other and in one of which a pin 220, more precisely a screw 222 and a bolt 224, can be received, being inserted also in the hole of the rod 214, so as to attach the two rods according to a given distance. It is possible to fix the rod 214 itself in the desired position, by varying the position of the pin 220 constrained to the rod 214 in one of the holes 230, 232, 234, 236.

The holes 230, 232, 234, 236 can be also a unique elongated hole in. which the pin 220 can run, fixable in variable positions,

According to a first variation of construction, an apparatus 300 comprises a spacer element, shown partly in figure 8, which is structured as a pneumatic jack 310 comprising a room. 314 in which a shaft can move. The free end of the room 314 and the free end of the stem 312 are attached to the respective "C"-shaped body. The extension of the jack 310, and consequently the distance between the two legs of the skier, is adjustable, by acting on the jack 310: first a valve 316 of the jack is open, the jack is lengthen or , shortened, by making the air flow out or in from the room 314, and finally the valve is closed, so as to fix the stem 312 relative to the room 3 14 in the desired position.

As shown in figure 6, the "C"-shaped body can be an element made of flexible material, said element being slightly splayed in order to let the leg of the skier enter. Thus, since the "C"-shaped body is flexible, during usa,ge, in case of loads or tractions which arc higher than a given value, the leg itself can exit from the "C"-shyped body, leaving the skier more free in case of danger.

The "C"-shaped body can comprise a band coupled to the "C"-shapcd body itself with tear-off or hook means which can leave the band free and conscqLiently the leg, if stressed over a certain force.

According to a different embodiment of the invention not shown in the figures, a spacer element comprises two elements, analogously to the apparatus 200 or to the apparatus 300, bounded to each other so that the two elements can run between two selectable positions. A solution according to this type can be realized by obtaining elongated holes in a rod analogous to that which is identified with the reference number 212, or, in case of a jack configuration, by permitting the stem to run slightly around the. desired position, thanks to a second valve which permits the entrance and the exit of a small quantity of air in the jacket in which the stem moves.

Besides further variants can. be provided, variants which are to be considered in the scope of the invention. For example, an apparatus similar to what is pointed with the reference number 10 and previously disclosed, can show that one or both the rods arc extendable or shortcnable according to one of the mccliimisms previously described lor the spacer element 200 or for the spacer element 300.

A further variant to be considered in the scope of the invention provides that the fastening means to the legs G are constrained to the spacer element with a lever mechanism with a preconceived load, so that the fastening means are constrained to the spacer element in rotatable way and in the same time the lever mechanism permit to the spacer element to wriggle out, in case of stress higher than a certain value, so as to leave the skier totally free to move.