OCR Text |
Show i THE GREEN SHEET 2 Thursday, January 2, 1986 Locally Invented, Manufactured - PowderChute Helps Track Down Lost Ski straps were employed to keep skier and skis from straying too far in the event of a fall. But in recent years ski safety experts have concluded that, with safety straps, theres a greater chance of skier being hurt by falling Not so long ago, safety by Bob Mickeison Green Sheet Staft Writer SANDY. Owning a pair of skis car be a lot of fun. The only problem is that one isnt much good without the other, especially when youre stranded at mid-slop- on or over his skis. That led to the development of ski DEPLOYED . . . Mick Taylor, who worked on tho development of the PowderChute, shows how the device is triggered. When a skier falls, a nylon cord, attached to the ski binding, pulls out a three line. In action, it seems so simple that, viewing it for the first time, youre foot long red leader strip out of container tube. At the end of the leader, a small, but very loud electronic buzzer Is released. , design, the biggest remaining problem was finding an electronic buzzer that would put out the needed decibels, yet be small enough to fit in the container tube. The model used can be heard easily through one or even two feet of snow. inCooper and his associates went to production only within the past few months, just in time for the current ski season. As in using local suppliers for their materials, they Continued on page 3 know just how he wanted his device to work. We discovered that, in a fall, the ski stops, while the skier falls forward, he explained. With that knowledge, we felt that the best would be place to attach the device to the back of the skiers calf or boot. The buzzer would have to located at the end of the leader strip so it would be deployed as close to the surface of the snow as possible. mer, if then. Skiers can take out a little extra insurance through the employment of a new device, just introduced to the market. The device has been dubbed as the Utah PowderChute because its operation reminded the inventor of how a parachute can be deployed though the use of a static brakes, spring loaded prongs that pop out when skier and ski part company. The brakes gouge into the snow, stopping the ski. Still, in deep, powdery snow, a ski can get lost and a skier can end up facing a long hike to the nearest lift station in search of a shovel. Sometimes, an errant slat won't show until the following sum- - left with the age old question in mind: Why didnt somebody think of that before. The device consists of bright red, nylon leader strip three feet long with a small, but very loud electronic buzzer attached to one end. The leader and buzzer, are packed into a plastic tube or capsule of about four inches in length. The tube f traps to the back of the skiers calf then attaches to the ski by a nylon cord. When a skitr falls and the bindings disconnect, the cord pulls the leader strip and buzzer out of the capsule. A catch is released and the buzzer starts blaring. By employing both the eyecatching leader strip and the buzzer, the chances of finding a lost ski, even in deep powder, are greatly improved. The device is the brain child of Ted Cooper, an electronic systems inventor engineer and part-tim- e from Salt Lake. Cooper was assisted in the development and now marketing of the PowderChute by his fiance Kathy Lustica and friend Mick Taylor. Cooper is an avid skier, as you might have guessed, and as such runs the same risks of losing a ski. He said that he and friends worked for over six months on the actual hardware, although hes kicked around the concept for much longer. Over the past couple of years, people started using ski brakes and have gone away from the straps, he In my mind, that recounted. created a gap between how you can get away from the dangers of straps and still find your skis. Although the electronics are the most complicated component, it was surprising to learn just how much thought and effort went into finding the right kind of plastic material for the container tube. Cooper needed something that could take a lot of punishment and resist freezing cold without becoming brittle. The best substance, he found, was that used to make snowmobile windshields. He also had to study the dynamics of a fall and that meant doing a lot of on purpose falling on the slopes. Several weeks and many bruises later, Cooper was well enough into the physical aspects of falling to After basic out the working , f i ' "- 1 - I , SMALL AND OUT OF THE WAY . . . Ai demonstrated by its Inventor, Ted Cooper, the PowderChute ski location device straps to bock of the skiers boot. A connecting nylon cord clips to the ski binding. a 2nBCiiiis 4870,SOaREDWOOP;RD M WHILE THEY LAST b1 100 FRENCH "GOLAN" ISMIUMNCA Reg. 6.95 1 Coats from OFF ALL OVERSHOES SWEAT CLOTHING Great Prices Great Quality Robert Bruce, Peter Brittania, Campus and others. B, stock 18.00-40.0- Orig. of 0. 4 CHILDRENS poly wools, corduroys, polyesters and denims from Farah, Levis, R.P.M. and others. Orig. 21.00-38.0- Gonolno RUBtory - Navy, Grey - Grey ADULTS BUTTON Crew and Hooded Sweatshirts SURVIVAL SWEDISH WOOL PANTS MILITARY1- . Drawstring Pants 0. GANSI tntSlKlti HEALTH KNIT Entire SUNSHINE with 105V. 25 Tri-blen- Convert this Cold Inversion to SALE Reg. $59.95 Others to 29.99 "GADSl New and Like New Pleated Front lining 100 nylon Decron Insulation Hollofil "808" fully nestieM. extra merm winter coat full hood wdraw string draw Sting want Others to 19.99 G.l. Joe says WOOL PANTS &- COATS Outer Removable Hood Waist Drawstring Quilted Lining - Reg. 7.99 Cotton-Pol- Surplus Retssue Gray 100 BLANKETS rTM Reel McCoy Reg. $59.95 Groat tor Hooting. srr" 44 LIFAim $5 WOOL Navy Blue or Khaki Tan 8,s SLUSH BOOTS ARMY t Pockets wool Reg.SM.9S 100 - I. $11.15 COLD WEATHER P0LYPR0P0PYLENE ZIPPER TURTLE NECK 25 CAPS UNDERWEAR Velcro Chin Straps Warm Wool Lining r La ONLY Navy Blue wms ACRYLIC WATCH CAPS FLEXTUF RIP-STO- P POLYETHYLENE Others to 49.99 Others to 16.99 jackets Bunting pullovers, down-fille- d and leathers from Raffinati, Union Bay, and other famous brands. Orig. Basic and fashion colors 40.00-100.0- 0. from Heusen, and more. Orig. 18.00-26.0- FASHION PLACE MALL & VALLEY FAIR MALL OPEN EVENINGS: (SUN., 1 2-- 5 SAT., foshion ploce only) 10-- 6 Arrow, Van Hennessy THE MODERN REPLACEMENT FOR CANVAS, CAMOUFLAGE hollow HANDLE G.l. $ LOCKERS A95 AT survival knifeF WITH SHEATH With sharpening stone, water tight handle contains fishing line, needles, compass, fish hooks, saw, matches and handle camouflage and sheath. $595 Rq. 9.95 GENUINE SALE Q WOOL BLEND 04 WORK OR SPORT SOCK GHAT TOT CHESTI 0. OSD wood with metal corner brackets 32x16x12 with 3'2"deep, removable tray. Reg. $34.95 n 5'xT ONLY 2 OTHER SIZES AVAILABLE! H f.l V r Circular Knit, Rashel Knit, One Piece Union Suits, 3 Button Tops All First Quality Heavyweight Terry Slightly Imperfect COMPARE AT 20 OFF ALL HEALTH KNIT Svrplus A FANTASTIC BUT 095 SURPLUS-REISSU- H M--7T |