The present invention concerns a dog sledge, according to the preamble of claim 1. Background

Dog sledges with runners are widely used in utility transport, leisure driving and in competitions. However, traditional dog sledges are stiff and makes it difficult and physically demanding to tilt the dog sledge to turn it in one direction or the other. This is particularly a challenge during competition driving with dog sledges. First, in order to turn, the driver must change the body weight over to one side, and pull and twist the dog sledge. First, as a result, the runner that is not loaded by weight, may lose its contact with the snow base with the risk of capsizing. Second, it is difficult to tilt the runner down into the snow in order to obtain better contact with the base during a turning operation. Third, it is physically demanding to keep the dog sledge in a tilted position.

There are examples from the prior art that aim at alleviating this problem. US patent 5,433,458 describes a dog sledge with improved steering ability. The dog sledge exhibits two lateral frames, mutually distanced by flexibly supported crosspieces, and which at is underside is provided with respective elongate runners. The forward end of the lateral pieces are provided with a bumper, which is supported so that the lateral pieces can be twisted (rotated) in relation to the bumper. A spring assembly is arranged between the lateral pieces, below a handle which connects the upper part of the lateral pieces. The spring assembly is realized in the form of elastic ribbons, stretched cross-wise between the lateral pieces and supported in hoops to force the dog sledge back to vertical non-loaded position when weight and strain on the dog sledge cease.

There are also sledges made of low weight material, particularly aluminum or carbon materials, to simplify the task of the dogs and in an effort of simplifying the turnability of the sledge.

Object

An object of the invention is to provide a dog sledge having a flexible frame that makes it easier to keep the dog sledge in a tilted position. Another object of the invention is to provide a dog sledge with loading platform in front of the driver's location, which at the same time maintains the turnability of the sledge. Another object of the invention is to provide a dog sledge, wherein ruptures in joints between components can be repaired without the need for tools. The invention

These objects are achieved by a dog sledge according to the characterizing part of claim 1. Additional advantageous features appear from the dependent claims.

The invention concerns a dog sledge provided with a steering frame, which at its upper end is provided with a steering bow, wherein the lower part of the steering frame is connected to elongate runners, and the dog sledge exhibits a forward loading platform and an optional rear loading platform.

In accordance with the invention, the forward loading platform exhibits a bendable loading plate attached movable to a forward crosspiece. Moreover, the dog sledge exhibits a locking device, arranged to lock the dog sledge in a desired position tilting of the dog sledge, wherein the locking device comprises a rope stretched in a cross between a first and second lateral piece in the steering frame, fixedly connected to the steering frame in two lower attachment points, and guided movable through two upper attachment points, wherein an upper cross piece extends between the lateral pieces in the steering frame and is connected movable with the lateral pieces, wherein the cross piece exhibits a rope lock, arranged to movably clamp the rope firmly to the upper cross piece and lock the dodge sledge in a tilted position.

In one embodiment, the rope lock comprises a lock bow, which in a movable manner encompasses the upper cross piece and exhibits a closed lower end for accommodating the rope, and an upper end provided with a handle attached eccentrically and movable to the upper part of the lock bow at the upper side of the upper cross piece, arranged to move the lock bow and the rope into the upper cross piece to a locked position, or away from the upper cross piece in a released position.

In an alternative embodiment (not illustrated), the rope can be guided through apertures in the upper cross piece and extending at the upper side of the upper cross piece, wherein the rope lock exhibits a manually operatable clamping means, arranged to clamp the rope in a releasable manner firmly to the upper cross piece.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the dog sledge is composed by separate components interconnected by cords guided in through holes in the respective components.

In one embodiment the bendable loading plate is with its rear part connected to the steering frame, wherein the forward part of the loading plate is tapered and is connected to the forward cross piece by one or more bows/loops, so that the loading plate can be moved a distance between the runners during tilting of the dog sledge.

The loading plate is preferably provided with two or more elongate reinforcing planks, e.g. of wood or another rigid material, extending substantially in the elongate extension of the dog sledge. Drawings

In the following the invention is described in further details by means of drawings, where

Fig. 1 shows one embodiment of a dog sledge according to the invention, viewed in perspective from the front,

Fig. 2 shows the dog sledge of Fig. 1 viewed in perspective from the rear, Fig. 3 shows the upper part of the dog sledge with a steering bow, anchor holder and locking device,

Figs. 4a-e show an example of a locking device according to the invention, arranged to lock the dog sledge in a tilted/edged position during a turning operation,

Fig. 5 shows the underside of the forward part of the dog sledge, and

Fig. 6 shows a section of runner and lateral piece, interconnected by cords. Now referring to Fig. 1, a dog sledge is shown, indicated generally by reference numeral 100. A steering frame comprises a first lateral piece 115, which exhibits a first inclined strut 115a extending at an angle downward and forward in the driving direction, and a second substantially vertically extending strut 115b, interconnected at their respective upper end. The first and second supporting strut 115a, 115b are at their respective underside connected to a first elongate runner or ski 125. In a corresponding manner, a second lateral piece 117 exhibits a first second inclined strut 117a extending at an angle downward and forward in the driving direction, and a second substantially vertically extending strut 117b, mutually connected at their respective upper end. The first and second supporting strut 117a, 117b are similar to the first lateral piece at their respective underside connected to a second elongate runner or ski 127. The runners 125 and 127 do advantageously exhibit foot supports 137, 139, respectively, particularly of a rubber material.

First and second lateral piece 115 and 117 are at their lower end, above the runners 125, 127, stiffened by a lower crosspiece 123. The cross piece is at its ends, by means of an articulated connection, connected in a movable manner to the first and second lateral piece 115, 117, respectively.

The upper end of the first and second lateral piece 115 and 117 is connected to a steering bow 140. The steering bow 140 is preferably formed by a flexible material, such as plastic, to simplify movement of the lateral pieces in relation to each other during tilting. Alternatively, the handle can be attached pivotal to the lateral pieces. An anchor holder 119, serving as holder for snow anchor, is attached to first and second lateral piece 115, 117 and extends in an arch outward and forward from the lateral pieces. This arch-shaped anchor holder 119 can be formed by a polymer material.

The dog sledge is, similar to prior art dog sledges, provided with brake means in the form of a scooter mat indicated by reference numeral 130, and claw brake (Fig. 6) indicated generally by reference numeral 180. The claw brake 180 comprises a spike 181 attached to a frame 182 by a first and second attachment bar 183, 184. The frame 182 is mounted to first and second lateral piece 115, 117 by bolts 185 extending transverse to the longitudinal direction of the sledge, attached to respective brackets 186, so that the claw brake 180 can be pivoted up and down, The brackets 186 are attached to the respective lateral pieces 115, 117 by means of bolts 187 extending along the longitudinal extension of the sledge, so that the claw brake with the spike 181 in addition can be moved sideways in relation to the steering frame and be held in normal position substantially vertically, even during tilting of the dog sledge. In other words, the claw brake can be turned both in the vertical direction and sideways in relation to the steering frame during tilting of the dog sledge. In the illustrated embodiment in Figs. 1 and 2, the dog sledge is illustrated with a releasable rear transport platform 190, particularly suitable for securing a transport box (not illustrated), which the driver can use for transport of various items. Naturally, a box of this type can also serve as seat for the driver.

In an alternative, not illustrated, embodiment, the rear transport platform 190 has been omitted and the runners have been shortened.

A locking device is indicated generally by reference numeral 150, and serves to lock the dog sledge in a desired position during tilting of the dog sledge. The locking device comprises a rope 151 or similar, stretched cross-wise between first and second lateral pieces 115 and 117. The rope is attached to the lower cross piece 123 in attachment point 152 at the first lateral piece 115 and extends upward transversely to the dog sledge to an attachment point 153 at the second lateral piece 117. The rope 151 is further stretched back toward the first lateral piece 115 transversely to the dog sledge and guided slidably through an attachment point 154 at the first lateral piece, and further transversely to the dog sledge downward to a fourth attachment point 155 in the lower cross piece 123 at the lower part of the second lateral piece 117. The attachment points 153 and 154 can be pulleys, shackles or other attachments means, which allows the rope 151 to move through the attachment points 153 and 154. Now particularly referring to Fig. 3, the locking device 150 is provided with a rope lock indicated generally by reference numeral 160. The purpose of the rope lock 160 is to lock the rope 151 and accordingly the position of the sledge during tilting of the dog sledge, and thus maintaining tilting of the dog sledge, even when the tilting force ceases. In this way, the driver can direct the attention and forces to steering of the dog sledge. The rope lock 160 do generally comprise a clamping means arranged to grip around the rope 151 and prevent it from moving through the attachment points 153 and 154 during tilting of the dog sledge. Moreover, the rope lock is provided with an operating means with which the driver can lock and release the rope, respectively.

In an exemplary embodiment, the rope lock 160 is arranged at an elongate upper crosspiece 165, which in their respective ends are attached movable to the upper part of the first and second lateral piece 115 and 117. The upper crosspiece 165 also serves to stiffen the steering frame. A locking bow

161 surrounds the upper crosspiece 165 and can be moved in relation to the same. The rope 151 extends along the underside of the upper crosspiece through an opening 166 in the locking bow 161. The locking bow 161 is at its upper end 167 provided with a handle 162 which can be operated by the driver. An end 164 of the handle 162 exhibits a substantially circular form, and is provided with a hole for accommodation of an attachment bolt 168 at the bow 161. The diameter of the attachment bolt 168 is less than the diameter of the hole in the handle 162, so that the handle 162 can be moved in relation to the bow 161. The hole in the substantially circular end 164 of the handle

162 is located eccentrically in the end 164, and the end 164 of the handle 162 is arranged adjacent to the upper side of the cross piece 165. In this way, the locking bow 161 moves up or down when the driver moves the handle 162 in one direction or the other, thus clamping the rope 151 between the locking bow 161 and the cross piece 165. The locking function is illustrated the Figs. 4a-e, where Fig. 4a shows the lock in an unlocked position, whereas Fig. 4e shows the lock in a locked position with the locking bow 161 retracted in under the underside of the cross piece 165 and clamps the rope (not illustrated) between the locking bow and the underside of the cross piece. Now referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 5, the dog sledge 100 is provided with a forward loading platform 170. The loading platform 170 comprises an elongate flexible or bendable loading plate 171 having a rear edge attached to the lower cross piece 123, and the lateral edges attached to the respective first and second lateral struts 128 and 129, which again are attached to respective first and second supporting struts 115a, 115b, and 117a, 117b. The loading plate 171 extends ahead to the forward end of the dog sledge, and is arranged freely floating at the upper side of a forward crosspiece 124. The loading plate 171 is at its forward end tapered and exhibits at the forward cross piece 124 a width which is less than the distance between the runners 125 and 127, for example a width equal to 50% or 70% of the distance between the runners 125 and 127. In this way the runners 125, 127 move independently of the loading plate 171 and do not prevent tilting of the dog sledge during a turning operation. The loading plate 171 is advantageously attached movable to the forward crosspiece 124 to prevent the loading plate from lifting itself from the cross piece 124. This can for example be provided by means of one or more bows 174, 175, which surrounds the forward cross piece 124, but without locking the loading plate 171 from movement in relation to the forward cross piece 124. The bows 174, 175 are advantageously attached to the loading plate 171 by means of a cord, rope or ribbon 176 and similar. Moreover, the loading plate 171 is advantageously provided with two or more reinforcing elongate planks 172, 173 extending in the longitudinal direction of the dog sledge. The purpose of the planks 172, 173 is primarily to prevent the runners from cracking during a possible impact. The planks 172 and 173 do also serve as reinforcement of the loading plate 171, so that it can tolerate heavier load. The planks can be made of wood or of another stiff material. However, the flexible or bendable loading plate 171 also has another important function in that it forces the dog sledge back to neutral position when the force from tilting of the dog sledge ceases and/or when the rope lock is opened and the rope 151 can move freely in the attachment points 153, 154. Thus, the floating support of the loading plate 171 reduces resistance to tilting of the dog sledge.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the dog sledge is assembled by modules, such as separate runners, separate lateral pieces, separate cross pieces, separate anchor holder, etc., assembled by means of cords or similar (see in particular Fig. 6), guided in through holes in the respective modules. These holes are indicated by reference numeral 200, and the cords by reference numeral 201. This embodiment has several advantages. First, the joint between the components in the modular dog sledge is more flexible than screw connections, for example, which will make it easier to twist the dog sledge during tilting. Second, a joint like this will enable maintenance without need for tools. This is an important advantage if damage to the dog sledge occurs out in the terrain, which must be repaired on the site.

The components of the sledge can be formed by numerous materials, such as aluminum, plastic, wood, laminated wood or a combination of these. Preferably, the substantial part of the dog sledge is formed by wood, which will simplify production of the dog sledge and forming of spare parts. Modifications

Even though the rope lock has been illustrated as a manually operatable bow with handle, it is also conceivable to provide another commercially available rope lock.