This invention relates to a sledge and more particularly but not solely to a sledge for use on snow.

Skis and snowboards are well known devices which can be used by a person for travelling over snow. A disadvantage of skis and snowboards is that they require the person to use their knees for both steering and shock absorption whilst turning and traversing on uneven terrain. The strain on the knees in carrying out both of the above manoeuvres can be severe. It takes a considerable amount of skill and practice to achieve consistent and accurate turns and over time, this can cause damage to the person's knee, hip and ankle joints, particularly over bumpy terrain. This discourages persons with back and joint problems to take up skiing or snowboarding. Furthermore, it is undesirable for children to ski or snowboard without professional supervision, owing to the damage which can be caused to their joints etc.

Steerable sledges are known which can help to alleviate the above-mentioned problems. However, most steerable sledges require a saddle and as such are unsuitable for use by a person suffering from a back problem. Furthermore, known steerable sledges can be difficult to manoeuvre, owing to the fact that it is difficult for the rider to shift their body weight to a great extent whilst in the sedentary position. European Patent Application EP1245253 discloses a sledge comprising a rear elongate ski member, a shorter front ski member disposed in front and of the rear ski member and a steering column coupled at its upper end to a handlebar and at its lower end to the front ski member. The steering column extends upwardly from the front ski member and is mounted to the end of the rear ski member for rotation about its longitudinal axis. The rear ski member comprises an upper surface which is adapted to provide a portion on which a rider can stand, opposite longitudinal side edges which curve

inwardly towards each other, intermediate opposite ends of the rear ski member, and a portion intermediate its opposite ends, which is normally out of contact with the snow.

In use a rider stands on the surface of the rear ski member and uses the handlebar to turn the front ski member, in order to steer the sledge.

The sledge is simple in construction and yet enables riders to turn and traverse on uneven terrain without the above-mentioned risks associated with conventional skis and snowboards.

A disadvantage of the sledge disclosed in European Patent Application EP1245253 is that it can be difficult to turn and control when cornering.

We have now devised a sledge which alleviates the above-mentioned problems.

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a sledge comprising: a rear elongate ski member having a front end and a rear end; a shorter front ski member having a front end and a rear end; an elongate steering column having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end being coupled to a handlebar and the lower end being coupled to the front ski member, the steering column extending upwardly from the front ski member and being pivotally mounted intermediate its opposite ends to said front end of said rear ski member for rotation about its longitudinal axis, opposite lower side edges of said front and rear ski members comprising longitudinally-extending depending portions. In use, when cornering, the longitudinally-extending depending portion on the inside edge of the front ski member dig into the snow and thereby drive the sledge into the corner by preventing the front ski member from sliding laterally across the snow. During aggressive or high speed manoeuvres the longitudinally-extending depending portions on the front ski

member further add to the resistance with the snow, thereby improving the efficiency of the turn.

Also, the longitudinally-extending depending portions on inside edge of the rear ski member dig into the snow and prevent it from sliding laterally across the snow when cornering.

Preferably the side edges of the or each ski member are down-turned to provide said longitudinally-extending depending portions . Preferably, the rear ski member has varying degrees of flexibility along the length thereof.

Preferably, the rear ski member has a raised front end such that the rear ski member only normally contacts the snow at its rear end, the rear ski member being more flexible at a region intermediate its opposite ends than at regions disposed at opposite ends of the ski, so that the rider can use their body weight to exert pressure on the central region to control speed and turning ability.

The rear end of the ski member needs to be less flexible than the central region, in order to resist any lateral deformation of the ski member when cornering, which could lessen the degree by which the inside edge of the rear ski member digs into the snow.

The raised front end of the rear ski member also helps to keep the rider's feet above the snow.

The front end of the rear ski member needs to be less flexible than the central region, in order to resist any lateral deformation of the ski member when cornering, which could lessen the effect on the rear ski member of turns performed by the front ski member.

Preferably, the rear ski member comprises raised portions extending along its upper longitudinal side edges, at least along portions adjacent the front and rear ends of thereof. These raised portions act to strengthen the rear ski member at the appropriate points and also help raise the

rider's feet above the snow.

Preferably, the longitudinal side edges of the rear ski member converge towards the rear end thereof. Preferably, the longitudinal side edges of the rear ski member converge towards respective laterally-spaced points on the rear end thereof, the rear edge of the rear ski member extending forwardly between said points to define a so-called fish-tail at the rear end of the rear ski member.

Preferably, the lower end of said steering column is cranked rearwardly, such that the front ski is connected to the steering column at a point which is disposed radially outwardly of the rotational axis of the steering column: when the column is turned, this arrangement displaces the rear of the front ski member far more out of line than if the steering column was directly attached to the same point on the front ski.

The cranked steering column converts a small movement in the steering column into a larger movement on the front ski member, thus edging the front ski member securely into the snow to allow it to dig into the snow and causing a firm grip and turn.

Preferably, the steering column comprises a substantially straight upper portion which rotates about said longitudinal axis and a radially extending arm coupled at its proximal end to the lower end of the upper portion. Preferably the arm is pivotally connected at its distal end to the front ski member to permit rotation of the front ski member about its transverse axis.

Preferably the proximal end of the arm is pivotally connected to the lower end of the upper portion of the steering column to permit rotation of the arm and the front ski member about an axis which extends perpendicular to the rotational axis of the steering column and transverse the front ski member.

Preferably, the arm is pivotally connected at its proximal end to the front ski member for rotation against a

resilient bias: this bias damps the movement of the arm relative to the upper portion of the steering column and provides a degree of shock absorption.

Preferably, the steering column is connected to the front ski member at a point disposed forwardly of the centre of gravity of the front ski member. In this manner, the rear of the front ski member pivots downwardly when the front ski is off the snow during jumps etc to provide a safe and positive angle for landing. Preferably, the steering column is pivotally connected to the front of the rear ski to allow the steering column to be pivoted from an in use position to a folded position, means being provided to lock the steering column in at least said in use position. An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of an example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view from the front and above of a sledge in accordance with this invention; FIGURE 2 is a perspective view from the rear and below of the sledge of Figure 1;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the sledge of Figure 1; FIGURE 4 is a sectional view along the lines IV-IV of Figure 3; FIGURE 5 is a front view of the sledge of Figure 1; FIGURE 6 is a rear view of the sledge of Figure 1; FIGURE 7 is a left side view of the sledge of Figure 1; FIGURE 8 is an enlarged view of the circled portion of Figure 7; and FIGURE 9 is a bottom view of the sledge of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a sledge comprising an elongate rear ski member 10 formed of a resiliently flexible material and having a front end which is curved upwardly. The sledge also comprises a front ski member 11, which is shorter than the rear ski member 10 and which also

comprises an upwardly-curved portion at its front end.

An elongate steering column 12 extends upwardly from the central portion of the front ski member 11. The upper end of the steering column 12 is connected to handle bars 13. The steering column 12 rotatably extends through an elongate sleeve 14, which is connected adjacent its lower end to a mounting 15 fastened to the front end of the rear ski member 10.

As shown in Figure 8, the mounting 15 comprises a bracket 16 having a base plate 17 fastened to the front end of the rear ski member 10 by bolts and a pair of upstanding flanges 18 defining a channel which extends longitudinally of the rear ski member 10. An arm 19 extends radially from the sleeve 14 adjacent its lower end, the proximal end of the arm 19 being rigidly attached to the sleeve eg by welding. The distal end of the arm 19 extends axially into the channel defined between the flanges 18 and is secured by a bolt 20 extending through the flanges 18 transverse the channel, which permits rotational movement of the arm 19 in the channel.

A pair of cut-outs 21 are formed in each flange 18, with the respective cut-outs 21 on each flange 18 being aligned with each other on respective lines which extend transverse the longitudinal axis of the rear ski member 10. Each cut-out 21 extends radially of the bolt 20 to the arcuate outer edge of the flange 18 having its centre of curvature at the bolt 20. A pair of catches 22 are mounted to respective opposite sides of the arm 19 for independent sliding movement axially of the arm 19. The catches 22 are biassed towards the bracket 16 and each carry pins 23 that are received in the respective aligned cut-outs 21 of the flanges 18. One pair of aligned cut- outs 21 extend upwardly as shown, whilst the other pair extend forwardly and are hidden from view in the Figures.

In use, the pins 23 are normally received in the forwardly extending cut-outs 21 and thereby serve to lock the steering column 12 in an upright position. When not in use, the steering column 12 can be folded towards the rear ski member

10 by retracting both catches 22 against their bias and rotating the steering column 12 about the axis of the bolt 20 until the pins 23 are received in the upwardly extending cut¬ outs 21, thereby locking the steering column 12 in the folded position. The provision of two independent catches 22 provides a redundant safety feature because both catches 22 latch have to be actuated simultaneously to allow folding.

The rear ski member 10 extends upwardly from its rear end towards its front end, so that only the rear end contacts the surface of the snow. The opposite longitudinal side edges of the rear ski member 10 curve inwardly towards each other intermediate opposite ends of the ski member, so that the width of the rear ski member 10 is less intermediate its opposite ends than it is at its opposite ends. The opposite longitudinal under side edges of the rear ski member 10 are curved downwardly and lie in a plane below that of the longitudinal planar central portion, as shown in Figure 4. The opposite longitudinal under side edges may be formed of metal to prevent wear. The rear ski member 10 is more flexible at a region intermediate its opposite ends than at regions disposed at opposite ends of thereof. The opposite longitudinal upper side edges of the rear ski member 10 comprise raised portions 24 which act to strengthen the rear ski member 10 and also help raise the rider's feet above the snow.

The opposite longitudinal side edges of the rear ski member 10 converge towards respective laterally-spaced points on the rear end thereof, the rear edge of the rear ski member extending forwardly between the rearmost points to define a so- called fish-tail 25 at the rear end of the rear ski member.

The rear end of the front ski member 11 extends under the raised front end of the rear ski member 10. The steering column 12 comprises a substantially straight upper portion 26 which rotates inside the sleeve 14 and a radially extending arm 27 coupled at its proximal end to the lower end of the upper

portion of the steering column 12.

The arm 27 extends rearwardly from the lower end of the upper portion of the steering column 12 and is pivotally connected thereto at 29, to permit rotation of the arm 27 and the front ski member 11 about an axis which extends perpendicular to the rotational axis of the steering column and transverse the front ski member 11. The proximal end of the arm 27 is also connected to the lower end of the upper portion of the steering column 12 by an elastomeric member 28 which damps the movement of the arm 27 relative to the upper portion 26 of the steering column and provides a degree of shock absorption.

The distal end of the arm 27 is pivotally connected at

30 to the front ski member 11 at a point disposed forwardly of the centre of gravity of the front ski member 11, to permit rotation of the front ski member about its transverse axis.

The opposite longitudinal under side edges of the front ski member 11 are curved downwardly and lie in a plane below that of the longitudinal planar central portion, as shown in Figure 5. The opposite longitudinal under side edges may be formed of metal to prevent wear. Both the front and rear ski members 10,11 may be formed of a metal alloy with a composite core, carbon fibre reinforced plastic, glass reinforced plastic or any other laminated or strengthened material which exhibits sufficient resilient flexibility but which is strong. In use, a rider stands on the upper surface of the rear ski member portion 10 and holds onto the handle bars 13, which can be turned to turn the front ski member 11. Turning of the front ski member 11 causes its downtrend inside longitudinal under side edge to dig into the snow forcing the sledge into a corner turn. The rearwardly extending arm 27 of the steering column 12 acts to substantially displace the front ski member 11 when cornering and converts a small movement of the steering column 12 into a larger movement on the front ski member 12, thus edging the front ski member 11 sufficiently into the snow to allowing a firm grip and to prevent slide. Without the

downtrend edges of the front ski member 11, the rider would just keep sliding in the direction of travel. During aggressive or high speed manoeuvres the downtrend edges of the front ski member 11 further add to the bite given by the trailing arm and actually make a greater resistance with the snow, thus improving the efficiency of the turn.

During jumps, the rear end section of the front ski member 11 always lands first because the steering column 12 is pivotally attached to the front ski member 11 frowardly of its centre of gravity. The elastomeric member 28 and the resiliently flexible nature of the curved rear ski member 10 help to prevent shocks to the rider but without damping the front cutting edge.

The downtrend longitudinal side edges of the rear ski member 10 are also important when turning, since the rider can dig the inside downtrend longitudinal side edge into the snow to prevent the rear ski member 10 from sliding across the snow. The relatively inflexible nature of the rear portion of the rear ski member 10 helps to resist any lateral deformation of the ski member when cornering, which could lessen the degree by which the inside edge of the rear ski member 10 digs into the snow.

Also, the relatively inflexible nature of the front portion of the rear ski member 10 helps to resist any lateral deformation of the ski member when cornering, which could lessen the effect on the rear ski member 10 of turns performed by the front ski member 11.

The flexibility of the central portion of the rear ski member 10 allows the rider to use their body weight to exert pressure on the rear ski member 10 to increase and decrease the speed and turning ability.

The overall sidecut of the sledge is a combination of the sidecuts of the rear and front ski members 10, 11. It will thus be appreciated that the overall sidecut is variable by turning the front ski member 11. When travelling in a straight

line, the overall sidecut is shallow and this helps the sledge to travel stably in a straight line. However, increased turning of the handle bars 13 causes the overall sidecut to become deeper and this helps to make the sledge turn more instantly. The rider's feet are not attached to the rear ski member 10, in order to allow the rider to transfer their weight longitudinally of the rear ski member. This also helps to avoid injuries during accidents, since the rider will separate from the sledge. It will be appreciated that a sledge in accordance with this invention is extremely simple in construction but yet provides an extremely responsive and manoeuvrable recreational device for travelling across snow.

It is envisaged that the sledge could be used on other surfaces such as on grass or on water. A motor may be provided on the sledge for self-propulsion. The motor may drive wheels or a track which engages the ground.