US4246846A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Downhill sledding system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-05-19
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Granted: 1981-01-27
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Expires: 1998-05-19
Abstract
Abstract A sledding system having a track installed on a ski slope in the summer has U-shaped track sections with a flat bottom and substantially upright sides which serve to retain a driver controlled sled sliding on the track. Braking is provided by extendable side brakes which engage the upright sides.
Inventors
- 👤 Alois J. Betschart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 14:54
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63G; A63G21/00; A63G21/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A sledding system comprising: a track including a plurality of joined U-shaped sections and defining a path for a sled, the bight of said U-shaped section providing a substantially flat sledding surface and the substantially upright sides of said U-shaped section providing a common pair of sled retaining and braking surfaces; and at least one sled including dual function, unitary glide elements, each said glide element engaging both said sledding surface and said common pair of surfaces and also including selectively engageable braking means for retaining and guiding extendable from the sides of said sled for frictionally engaging said common surfaces in a wedging manner for braking said sled.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
A sledding system comprising: a track including a plurality of joined U-shaped sections and defining a path for a sled, the bight of said U-shaped section providing a substantially flat sledding surface and the substantially upright sides of said U-shaped section providing a common pair of sled retaining and braking surfaces; and at least one sled including dual function, unitary glide elements, each said glide element engaging both said sledding surface and said common pair of surfaces and also including selectively engageable braking means for retaining and guiding extendable from the sides of said sled for frictionally engaging said common surfaces in a wedging manner for braking said sled.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A sledding system as in claim 1 where said sled includes a seat for receiving a driver and only a single pair of wheels, for rolling on said track, located substantially under said seat whereby the center of gravity of said driver is substantially aligned with the axis of said pair of wheels.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
A sledding system as in claim 1 where said glide elements includes four low friction pads mounted at the corners of said sled and transversely extending therefrom relative to the sides of said sled to slidably engage said pair of sled retaining surfaces of said track.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A sledding system as in claim 3 where said sled includes a pair of wheels in addition to said glide elements for selectively engaging said track said wheels being spaced closer to each other along their axis relative to the spacing of said glide elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
A sledding system as in claim 2 where all of said track sections include spaced longitudinal strips of low friction material on which glide elements slide but where at least one of said track sections has strips which are narrowed to avoid contact with said wheels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
A sledding system as in claim 3 including an additional pair of low friction pads fastened to the sides of said sled so that low friction contact with the inner sled retaining surface in a banked curve is provided when a sled is travelling at a low speed relative to said banking of said curve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A sledding system as in claim 10 where said additional pair of pads extend further from the sides of said sled than said nonextended braking means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A sledding system as in claim 1 where said track sections include spaced longitudinal strips of low friction material on which said glide elements of said sled slide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
77 words
A sledding system as in claim 1 where said sled includes a pair of wheels in addition to said glide elements for selectively engaging said track said wheels having an extended and retracted position; and adjustment means for positioning said wheels relative to a pair of said glide elements, while in the retracted position, in a direction perpendicular to the track surface whereby the sliding engagement of said pair of glide elements with said track is controlled.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
A sledding system as in claim 9 where said adjustment corresponds to the grade of said track, on shallow grades said glide elements are substantially out of sliding engagement and on steeper grades said wheels are substantially disengaged from said track and said glide elements are fully engaged.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A sledding system as in claim 1 where said braking means is actuated by a pivoted handle on said sled.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
A sledding system as in claim 11 wherein said gliding elements are located at the front and back ends of said sled and wherein said sled includes a wheel arrangement actuated by a pivoted handle on said sled for lifting the back glide elements of said sled.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-01-27 | 1984-07-28 | 1985-01-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-01-27 | 1988-07-28 | 1989-01-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-01-27 | 1992-07-28 | 1993-01-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |