Sliding device

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART

The present invention concerns a sliding device comprising a line which has an extensible line part and an outer gripable end, being wholly or partially extensible in a direction of movement from a starting position to an final position while overcoming an in-pulling force, and an inner end, which is located at least in the proximity of the starting position, see WO 03/018145.

There are many different devices intended for sports, which can be used for example to practise movements in different sports or to build up strength. These devices can be specifically constructed for the sport to be practised and can comprise for example sliding surfaces intended for skating practise or elastic cords intended to create a greater resistance for a person that is practising swimming in a swimming pool, US 6634993. There are also devices that mainly are intended for games. The purpose is then more concentrated at creating a particular experience for the user. These devices can be constructed in many different ways.

Two different constructions of such devices are described in WO 03/018145 and FR 2637190. In WO 03/018145 a method is described intended for practising riding or sliding sports where a person is equipped with a riding or sliding platform, for example roller skates, and is with a part of the body attached to an elastic connection member which in turn is attached to a stationary element. The person can then ride or slide on the skates and utilize the elasticity of the elastic connection means.

FR 2637190 describes a device comprising a surface with a surface layer, which has a low sliding coefficient. The surface is

raised to an inclined position in such a way that the inclination is turned towards the user of the device. When a person stands on the inclined surface and begins to slide on her feet across the surface, the person remains in the same position by means of a strap attached to a stationary element and round the body of the person. The person can in that way practise walking or running.

It is difficult for a person that uses a device according to for example WO 03/0181 145 to reach high speeds. The person has to be in control of the skates at the same time as the elasticity of the line makes the person ride back and forth, and maybe even around the stationary element, wherein the speed is reduced due to the person changing the direction of movement.

SUMMARY OF THE !NVENTiON

A purpose of the present invention is to provide a device for sliding wherein the device provides a fast and controlled movement in one direction to a person who uses the device.

This purpose is obtained with the initially defined sliding device which is characterised in that it also comprises a substrate, intended to be placed on a surface, which substrate has a sliding surface, which has a first end and a second end and extends in parallel to the direction of movement of the line, wherein the first end of the sliding surface is located at least in the proximity of the starting position and the second end of the sliding surface is located at least in the proximity of the final position, wherein the in-pulling force is dimensioned to pull in a person, who grips hold of the outer end of the robe and places herself on the sliding surface, towards the starting position, wherein this person slides on the sliding surface.

By such a sliding device it is possible for the person who uses the sliding device to let herself be pulled on the sliding device with a high acceleration and a high sliding speed so that an entertaining speed experience is obtained. The experience can be resembled to that which is obtained with a so called bungy jump with the difference that the movement according to the present invention is substantially horizontal.

The person who slides on the sliding surface can do this stand- ing up or in another body position, for example sitting or lying. It is also possible for the person to perform other movements, such as a jump or a spin, at the same time as the person slides on the sliding surface. The sliding is controllable since you only can slide on the sliding surface and nowhere else on the sub- strate or the surface on which the substrate is placed. You slide once in one direction of movement and do not have to be attached neither to the substrate or the line. It is easy for a person to let go of the line and either remove herself from the sliding surface or finish sliding without influence from the in-pulling force, for example in the case when the sliding speed is experienced as too high. An entertaining experience is thus created where high speed during the sliding can be obtained under controlled forms.

The sliding device is intended to be used both by children and adults and can be placed both indoors and outdoors. The surface that the substrate is intended to be placed on can thus be for example an indoor floor but also a lawn or an asphalted surface. The indoor use is preferably intended for children. Out- doors the sliding surface can be made longer than indoors wherein a higher sliding speed is obtained.

According to a preferred embodiment the sliding device also comprises a wall that is located in the proximity of the first end of the sliding surface. The wall can be advantageous since it helps stopping a person who slides with a high sliding speed.

The sliding device can preferably comprise an anchorage device, which is arranged to anchor the wall in relation to the surface. The sliding speed of a person who is pulled in towards the wall can possibly be so high that the wall turns over if the per- son does not manage to stop during the sliding and thus slides into the wall. An anchorage of the wall prevents this. Anchorage of the wall can also be advantageous if the sliding device is placed outdoors and the ground is irregular which could make the wall less stable.

According to another embodiment the wall has a hole through which the line extends. The hole permits a possibility to hold the line in a desired position when the line is pulled outwards and inwards.

According to a further embodiment the sliding device comprises an attachment device arranged for attachment of the line to the wall.

According to a further embodiment the wall can comprise a padding, which is turned towards the second end of the sliding surface and which comprises plastic foam, of for example polyure- thane or similar materials. This is advantageous since a person who slides into the wall does not hurt herself against the soft padding.

According to a further embodiment the sliding device also comprises a force-generating member, which is attached to the inner end of the line, which for example can be provided by a fixed attachment. The force-generating member at least partly provides the in-pulling force. The force-generating member can according to one embodiment comprise a spring, which at least partly provides the in-pulling force, but it is also possible as an alternative embodiment that the force-generating member is run by a motor and that it thus is a motor that pulls the line in towards the starting position.

According to a further embodiment the force-generating member can be arranged to enable the pulling in of the entire extensible line part until the outer end has reached the starting position. If the line is not sufficiently pulled in it can be in the way of the person who slides on the sliding surface. The force-generating member may advantageously be adapted to permit the line to be completely pulled in.

According to a further embodiment the force-generating member can comprise a rotating element, on which the in-pulling force acts, wherein the line is windable on the rotating element. The rotating element can be shaped as a cylinder, a wheel, a roll, a reel or in any other suitably form. Possibly the rotating element has recesses or risings, which helps to lead the line right and prevent entanglement when it is winded on. To have the line winded on the rotating element when the sliding device is not used is advantageous regarding space and storage.

The force-generating member can be shaped in such a way that it does not need anchorage in relation to the surface, for example when its own weight is sufficient to keep it stationary. However, according to a further embodiment the sliding device comprises an anchorage device arranged to anchor the force- generating member in relation to the surface.

According to a further embodiment the line, which is comprised by the sliding device, is elastic and shows elasticity.

There are different ways in which the in-pulling force can be provided. The line can be non-elastic wherein the in-pulling force only is provided by the force-generating member. The in- pulling force may also be provided by a combination of the force from the force-generating member and the elasticity of the line. Hence, in the last mentioned case the sliding device comprises both a force-generating member and an elastic line.

In order to permit the person who uses the sliding device to get a better grip of the line, the line has according to one embodiment a handle on the outer end. It is also possible that the per- son is firmly anchored to the line through for example a hook connected to a belt, which may be fitted around the waist of the person. This releases the hands of the person and can contribute to a better balance or possibility to perform arm movements during the sliding.

According to a further embodiment the substrate is arranged to be stationary in relation to the surface. The substrate can for example be attached to the surface by means of poles, which are driven into the ground at usage outdoors, or by means of suction cups, which are arranged on the bottom side of the substrate, particularly at usage indoors. The substrate can also be of such a material, for example rubber, so that it lies still against the surface without any further attachment.

The length of the substrate is according to one embodiment between 2-100 meters. The length can be varied depending on if the sliding device is to be used outdoors or indoors. For outdoor usage the substrate can be for example between 10-60 meters. If the sliding device is intended to be used indoors the length can instead be for example between 2-5 meters.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment example of a sliding device according to the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic view from the side of part of the sliding device in Fig. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT EXAMPLES

A first embodiment example of a sliding device, which can be comprised by the sliding device according to the invention, will now first be described with reference to Fig. 1. The sliding device comprises a line 1 with an inner end, an extensible line part and an outer end 2. The extensible part and the outer end 2 of the line 1 are wholly or partially extensible in a direction of movement r, from a starting position for the outer end 2 to a fi- nal position for the outer end 2 while overcoming an in-pulling force. With its inner end the line 1 is attached to a cylindrical rotating element 12. On the outer end 2 of the line 1 a handle 3 is arranged so that the line 1 will be able to be gripped more easily.

The sliding device also comprises a substrate 4, which is intended to be placed on a surface, for example the ground or a floor. The substrate 4 has a sliding surface 5, which extends in parallel to the direction of movement r of the line 1. The sliding surface 5 has a first end 6 and a second end 7. The first end 6 is located in the proximity of the starting position for the outer end 2 of the line 1 and the outer end 7 is located in the proximity of the final position for the outer end 2 of the line 1. At the first end 6 of the sliding surface 5 a wall 8 is arranged. The wall 8 has a hole 9 through which the line 1 extends. The wall 8 also comprises a padding 10 on its front side, i.e. the side which is turned towards the second end 7 of the sliding surface 5. In the embodiment example according to Fig. 1 the wall 8 is anchored in relation to the surface through an anchorage device 1 1. There can be more than one anchorage device 1 1. The shape of this anchorage device 1 1 is more closely illustrated as an example in Fig. 2.

in the proximity of the backside of the wall 8, i.e. the side that is turned away from the second end 7 of the sliding surface 5, a force-generating member 13 is located. The force-generating

member 13 comprises the cylindrical rotating element 12. In the embodiment example according to Fig. 1. the force-generating member 13 has an anchorage device 14. The anchorage device 14, see also Fig. 2, is arranged to anchor the force-generating member 13 in relation to the surface. There can be one or more anchorage devices 14. The showed shape of this anchorage device 14 is only intended to be illustrative.

The in-pulling force acting on the line 1 is in this embodiment example only provided by the force-generating member 13. The force-generating member 13 can comprise for example a spring 16, see Fig. 2, or an electrical motor. The line 1 is not contributing to the in-pulling force.

Fig. 2 shows part of the sliding device in Fig. 1. The figure does not show the entire sliding device but gives a more detailed picture of the relationship between the force-generating member 13, the line 1 and the wall 8.

The sliding device comprises the line 1 with an inner end 15, an extensible line part and an outer end 2. The extensible part and the outer end 2 of the line 1 are wholly or partially extensible in a direction of movement r, from a starting position for the outer end 2 to a final position for the outer end 2 while overcoming an in-pulling force. With its inner end 15 the line 1 is attached to the rotating element 12. The rotating element 12 is comprised by the force-generating member 13. The force-generating member 13 also comprises a spring 16. The spring 16 at least partly provides the in-pulling force. The force-generating device 13 is car- ried by a support structure 17.

In the embodiment example shown the spring 16 comprises or constitutes a coil spring, which is attached to the rotating element 12 and to the support structure 17. Of course also other types of springs are possible, such as a screw spring. By rotating the rotating element 12 by pulling out the line 1 in the direc-

tion of movement r, the spring 16 is extended and exerts the in- pulling force on the rotating element 12 and the line 1 . The rotating element 12 is rotating in relation to the support structure 17 by means of an axle 18, which can be firmly assembled to and/or stored in the support structure 17. The force-generating member 13 is through the support structure 17 anchored in relation to the surface with an anchorage device 14. The shape of the anchorage device 14 in Fig. 2 is illustrated as an example and it can also be shaped in other ways.

As an alternative to the above described spring 16 the force- generating member 13 can also possibly comprise a motor, for example an electrical motor, wherein it thus is the motor, which at least partly provides the in-pulling force.

The sliding device also comprises the substrate 4, which is intended to be placed on a surface, for example the ground or a floor. The substrate 4 has the sliding surface 5, which extends in parallel to the direction of movement r or the line 1. The sliding surface 5 has a first end 6 and a second end (not drawn in Fig. 2). The first end 6 is located in the proximity of the starting position.

The sliding device also comprises the wall 8, which is located in the proximity of the starting position of the line 1 . The wall 8 has a hole 9 through which the line 1 extends. The wall 8 is anchored in relation to the surface through an anchorage device 1 1. The shape of the anchorage device 1 1 in Fig. 2 is illustrated as an example and it can also be shaped in other ways.

There are many possibilities for placement of the wall 8. For example the wall 8 can be placed on the surface near the force- generating member 13 or a bit further away from the force- generating member 13, as illustrated in Fig. 2. The wall 8 can preferably be anchored to the force-generating member 13 or its support structure 17. It is also possible to place the wall 8 on

top of the substrate 4. The wall 8 can then preferably also be anchored to the substrate 4. Yet another preferred alternative is both to anchor the wall 8 to the force-generating member 13 or its support structure 17 and at the same time also anchor the wall 8 to the substrate 4. In that way the main parts of the sliding device are joined together. The anchorage of the force- generating member 13, the wall 8 and/or the substrate 4 in relation to the surface can be provided wholly or partially by giving these parts such a weight that they stand steadily on the sur- face.

Through an alternative embodiment a combination of a force- generating member 13 and an elastic line 1 is also possible. The in-pulling force is then provided partly by the force-generating member 13 and partly by the elasticity presented by the line 1. Possibly a more intense in-pulling force can be provided by this combination.

The invention is not limited to the shown embodiment examples but can be varied and modified within the scope of the following claims.