Method and device for training and assisting alpine skiers

Abstract

A method and device are provided that allow a competent skier to train and/or assist a trainee downhill skier with the acquisition of basic downhill skiing techniques. The trainee skier is tethered to an uphill instructing skier by a pair of reins attached to the trainee at the ankles, ski tips, or to the ski tips via ski tip handles. The instructing skier has substantially independent control over each tethering point to assist or train the novice skier to execute turns, control speed, and promote proper balance and stance for the maneuver and terrain at hand. The method and device may also comprise the use of adjustable ski tip couplers that limit divergence, and optionally convergence, of the trainee's ski tips. Handicapped skiers may be assisted and guided in downhill skiing using this method and device.

1 . A ski training device for use by an instructor in assisting a trainee, the training device comprising left and right reins of sufficient length so that each of the left and right reins can be held by the instructor, each rein connectable to corresponding left and right tethering points associated with the trainee's ankles or ski tips, wherein during use of the device each rein can be manipulated substantially independently by the instructor to adjust the motion of the corresponding tethering point. 
   
   
       2 . The ski training device of  claim 1  wherein each rein comprises a connector for releasably connecting the rein to the corresponding tethering point. 
   
   
       3 . The ski training device of  claim 1  wherein the tethering points are associated with the trainee's ankles, and the device further comprises a pair of ankle bands for securing around each ski boot of the trainee, and connectors for releasably connecting the left and right reins to the corresponding ankle band. 
   
   
       4 . The ski training device of  claim 1  wherein the tethering points are associated with the trainee's ankles, and the device further comprises boot anchors for attaching the reins to the trainee's ski boots, and connectors for releasably connecting the left and right reins to the corresponding boot anchor. 
   
   
       5 . The ski training device of  claim 1  wherein the tethering points are associated with the trainee's ankles, and the device further comprises connectors for releasably connecting the left and right reins to the trainee's corresponding ski boot binding. 
   
   
       6 . The ski training device of  claim 1  wherein the tethering points are associated with the trainee's ski tips, and the device further comprises left and right ski tip anchors for attaching to the trainee's ski tips and tip-connectors for releasably connecting the left connecting the left and right reins to the corresponding ski tip anchors. 
   
   
       7 . The ski training device of  claim 6  wherein the device further comprises left and right ski tip handles for the trainee to hold, wherein each rein comprises a first section extending between the ski tip anchor and the ski tip handle and a second section extending between the ski tip handle and the portion of the rein held by the instructor. 
   
   
       8 . The ski training device of  claim 7  wherein the length of the first section of each rein is adjustable. 
   
   
       9 . The ski training device of  claim 7  wherein the device further comprises ski handle-connectors for releasably connecting the second section of each rein to the corresponding ski tip handle. 
   
   
       10 . The ski training device of  claim 1  wherein the reins further comprise a resilient tension absorber. 
   
   
       11 . The ski training device of  claim 1  further comprising a ski tip coupler for linking the trainee's ski tips. 
   
   
       12 . The ski training device of  claim 14  wherein the ski tip coupler comprises an elastic member for limiting divergence of the ski tips and a rigid member for limiting convergence of the ski tips. 
   
   
       13 . The ski training device of  claim 1  further comprising an extensible and retractable mechanism adapted to retract or extend the left and right reins. 
   
   
       14 . A method of assisting a trainee downhill skier comprising tethering the trainee to an instructor with a device comprising a pair of reins, each rein extending from one hand of the instructor to a corresponding tethering point associated with the trainee's ankles or ski tips, and manipulating each rein substantially independently by the instructor to adjust the motion of the corresponding tethering point. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising securing a pair of ankle bands around each ski boot of a trainee, and releasably connecting the left and right reins to the corresponding ankle band. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the tethering points are associated with the trainee's ski tips, and releasably connecting the left and right reins to left and right ski tip anchors attached to the trainee's ski tips. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the device further comprises left and right ski tip handles held by the trainee, and wherein each rein comprises a first section extending between the ski tip anchor and the ski tip handle and a second section extending between the ski tip handle and the portion of the rein held by the instructor, and wherein the trainee holds the ski tip handles while the reins are manipulated by the instructor. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising linking the trainee's ski tips using a ski tip coupler. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising limiting both the divergence and convergence of the trainee's ski tips using the ski tip coupler. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the trainee is positioned downhill from and in front of the instructor on an inclined slope and the instructor applies a greater rearward force on the right rein than on the left rein to induce the trainee to turn right, and applies a greater rearward force on the left rein than on the right rein to induce the trainee to turn left. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the trainee is positioned downhill from and in front of the instructor on an inclined slope and the instructor applies rearward forces on both of the reins to restrain the trainee's downhill motion. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the trainee is positioned behind the instructor on a flat snow surface or on an inclined slope and the instructor applies forces on both of said reins to pull the trainee uphill or on flat snow surfaces. 
   
   
       23 . A ski tip coupler comprising a pair of ski tip anchors for attaching to a pair of ski tips and a coupler for releasably linking the pair of ski tip anchors, the coupler comprising a rigid tube and a pair of connectors bound to each other by an elastic cord that extends through the tube, the connectors releasably attachable to the ski tip anchors. 
   
   
       24 . The ski tip coupler of  claim 23  wherein the rigid tube is telescopic so that the length of the tube is adjustable. 
   
   
       25 . The ski tip coupler of  claim 23  wherein the length of the coupler may be adjusted remotely by means of a remote control system.