Rotary ski slope
AssigneeSnowvolution Limited
InventorsDavid Maclaren, Rolf Fyne
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A rotary ski slope comprising an inclined disc which is rotatable about an axis and has a diameter of at least 100 metres. The disc may be divided into a number of concentric rings (1) which are rotatable at different speeds. Means are preferably provided to circulate coolant across the entire under surface of the disc to prevent the snow from melting. The entire surface of the disc is preferably available for skiing with snow conditioning and grooming apparatus (49, 52) being mounted away from the surface, or selectively retractable from the surface. The upper surface of the disc may be non-planar to set up “wave” allowing a variety of skiing conditions to be provided.
Claims30
A rotary ski slope comprising a disc, the upper surface of which is provided with a skiing surface, the disc being mounted with its main axis tilted to vertical, and at least a portion of the disc being rotatable about the main axis, wherein the outer diameter of the rotatable portion of the disc is at least 100 metres.
A ski slope according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the disc is provided with a cooling system arranged to distribute coolant gas across the underside of the disc.
A ski slope according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein substantially the entire surface of the disc is available for skiing.
A ski slope according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the angle at which the main axis is tilted to the vertical is in the range of 5 to 40° and preferably 10 to 20°.
A ski slope according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the angle at which the main axis is tilted to the vertical is adjustable.
A ski slope according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotatable part of the disc is divided into a number of concentric rings, the speed of each of which is independently controllable.
A ski slope according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the disc comprises at least one static region.
A ski slope according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the skiing surface of the disc is flexible and is supported to run on a non-planar support, so that, at certain locations around the circumference, the skiing surface is raised or lowered with respect to a planar portion of a skiing surface.
A ski slope according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the disc or each ring is driven by a linear motor along a circular support rail.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.