Training Aid for Skaters

Abstract

A training aid for skaters is described which comprises a frame consisting of a seat, handle bars, and at least one leg or ski. Preferably the frame has four leg supports to provide maximum balance. However three leg supports with one front leg support and two rear leg supports, or two front leg supports and one rear leg support could be used. Alternatively, only one front leg support and one rear leg support could be used, or one front leg support and one rear leg support could be connected to a single ski. In some examples, the ends of the leg supports are comprised of pvc piping while in other cases the leg supports are attached to skis. Various forms of bracing can be used to strengthen the frame.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A skating training aid comprising:
 a frame comprising at least one front vertical leg support member connected to a rear vertical leg support member by a horizontal support member,   a seat positioned along the horizontal support member, and   a pair of handle bars connected to the frame by a vertical support column member.   
     
     
         2 . A skating aid structure to enable a child to ride, glide and push the structure around an ice surface while teaching the child to skate, the structure comprising a seat and handle bars, wherein the child is able to sit down on the seat and glide around the ice surface simply by pushing the child's feet, whereby the structure enables the child to stand up and hold on to the handle bars while skating, and wherein the structure is balanced. 
     
     
         3 . The skating aid structure of  claim 2 , further comprising a short rope that can be removed once the child becomes a better skater but for the beginning it is used to pull the child around on the ice surface, encouraging the child to want to move the structure around. 
     
     
         4 . The skating aid structure of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a frame having   a horizontal support,   a seat connected to the horizontal support,   handle bars connected to the horizontal support,   at least one leg connected to the horizontal support, and   at least one sliding member connected to the at least one leg.   
     
     
         5 . The skating aid structure of  claim 4 , further comprising front and rear legs, each leg having a sliding member. 
     
     
         6 . The skating aid structure of  claim 4 , further comprising front and rear legs and a single sliding member connected to the front and rear legs. 
     
     
         7 . The skating aid structure of  claim 4 , further comprising parallel sliding members connected to the front and rear legs. 
     
     
         8 . The skating aid structure of  claim 4 , wherein the sliding members comprise skis. 
     
     
         9 . The skating aid structure of  claim 2 , wherein the legs comprise two front legs and one rear leg. 
     
     
         10 . The skating aid structure of  claim 2 , wherein the legs comprise one front leg and two rear legs. 
     
     
         11 . The skating aid structure of  claim 2 , further comprising a forward support connected to the horizontal support and to the handle bars. 
     
     
         12 . The skating aid structure of  claim 11 , wherein the forward support is turnable with respect to the horizontal support and at least one front leg is turnable with the forward support. 
     
     
         13 . A method of skater training, comprising providing a training aid structure for skaters, providing a seat on the training aid structure and providing handle bars on the training aid structure holding the handle bars, and standing or sitting on the seat while sliding on the seat while sliding around a surface or pushing with feet of the skater. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 providing a frame having   providing a horizontal support,   providing a seat connected to the horizontal support,   providing handle bars connected to the horizontal support,   providing at least one leg connected to the horizontal support, and   providing at least one sliding member connected to the at least one leg.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising providing a rope, tying the rope to the structure, pulling on the rope while the skater slides around the surfaces, and removing the rope when the skater becomes proficient.