We find “bizarre” patents in all areas, a testament to the unbridled ingenuity and creativity of inventors. Today, we present an invention specifically designed for winter use: the wing apparatus for skiers (US patent No. 4,890,861), filed in the United States in 1990.
Why wings? The inventor’s idea was to give skiers, particularly downhill skiers, the sensation of flying without their skis losing contact with the ground (though this could certainly happen at the first bump).
The device presented here is designed to create aerodynamic lift for the user. It consists of a harness worn by the skier and two horizontal wings, supported by the harness.
The patent figures clearly illustrate the invention. Figure 3 shows a skier equipped with the invention: the wings are rolled around the ski poles! This makes them easier to transport, lighter, and more discreet on the chairlift (and less annoying for the other passengers). In Figure 4, the skier assembles the wings and attaches them to the harness. They are maintained thanks to a locking system that prevents any uncontrolled movement. And there we are, ready for takeoff!
As a bonus, the angle of the wings can be adjusted independently during use by simply pulling back or pushing forward on levers, which modifies the lift (see the last image) and allows for navigating or returning to the ground. Enough to discover new sensations and be sure to stand out from the crowd!
This interesting patent is perhaps not as absurd as it seems, when you consider the success of snowkiting. So, are you ready to be the new king of the slopes?
