Diagonal-stride-simulating roller ski

Abstract

An apparatus supporting “dry land” simulation of the diagonal stride cross-country skiing technique. The apparatus may include a roller ski comprising at least two wheel configured to roll on a surface and a stop connected to the roller ski. The stop may selectively engaging at least one of the surface and the at least two wheels in response to a force of at least a threshold magnitude urging the roller ski toward the surface to resist rearward roll of the roller ski on the surface. The resistance to rearward roll may vary with the force.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]1. The Field of the Invention[0002]This invention relates to dry land training for cross-country skiing and, more particularly, to novel systems and methods for roller skis simulating the diagonal stride.[0003]2. The Background Art[0004]In competitive cross-country skiing, the race is typically won or lost on the hills. While a competitor may gain a few seconds on the flatter, faster portions of a course, the hills provide the greatest test of a competitor's strength, cardiovascular efficiency, technical efficiency, and mental courage. In the classic technique, the diagonal stride is the hill-climbing technique most often used. As a result, more time is won or lost while employing the diagonal stride than perhaps any other classic technique. Accordingly, the diagonal stride is arguably the most important technique in any cross-country race in the classic technique.[0005]As may be appreciated, in most part of the world, snow is a seasonal occurrence. However, training...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]Alternatively, a stop may resist rearward roll of a roller ski by resisting rotation of at least one of the first and second wheels. That is, a stop (or multiple stops) may engage a first wheel, second wheel, both the first and second wheels, or the like. For example, in one embodiment, an intermediate member may include one or more flex regions. A flex region may permit a wheel mount to move (e.g., translate, rotate, or some combination thereof) with respect to the remaining portion of the intermediate member. A stop may rigidly extend from the remaining portion to a location over one of the wheels. Accordingly, a force of a threshold magnitude may flex the flex region sufficiently that the wheel contacts the stop. This contact may result in a frictional engagement resisting further rotation of the wheel.

Problems solved by technology

As a result, more time is won or lost while employing the diagonal stride than perhaps any other classic technique.

However, training for competitive cross-country skiing is not.

Due to travel costs and climatic fluctuations, it is unlikely that any skier could compete at an elite level without significant training on roller skis.

However, despite this reliance on roller skis, no current roller skis provide adequate simulation of the diagonal stride.

Current “classic” roller skis typically provide unidirectional travel regardless of the weight applied to the roller ski.

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