Abstract: A composite beam having a constant stress geometry is provided wherein a varying fiber content in a fiber impregnated resin is employed across the beam's cross section to cause the neutral axis of the beam to shift toward the compressive side. The design provides the maximum deflection in the direction of the load before compressive failure occurs for a given size and shaped beam of equivalent stiffness.

Abstract: In an alpine ski there is provided a simplified laminated construction by providing a glass fiber reinforced beam laminated on the tensile facing to a single laminate layer of stiffening material and a bottom running surface. Grooves are machined into the central glass fiber reinforced beam to adjustably control both the ski's weight and stiffness and a continuous metallic sidewall is provided between the bottom edges and the top edges. A decorative cap that conforms to the contour of the top surface of the glass fiber beam is laminated to the beam.

Abstract: A composite beam having a constant stress geometry is provided wherein a varying fiber content in a fiber impregnated resin is employed across the beam's cross section to cause the neutral axis of the beam to shift toward the compressive side. The design provides the maximum deflection in the direction of the load before compressive failure occurs for a given size and shaped beam of equivalent stiffness.

Abstract: In an alpine snow ski having a fiberglass sandwich construction there is provided at least one high strength fiber reinforcing rod positioned generally horizontally within the ski's cross-section extending forwardly from the binding area to the shovel contact point and rearwardly from the binding area to the tail contact point above or in the plane of the compression carrying laminate to increase the flexural response and compressive structural strength of the ski.

Abstract: In an alpine snow ski there is provided an asymmetric design in which the inside edge of the ski has a large sidecut with a short radius of curvature such that the centerline of a skier's foot when positioned in mounting plates on top of the ski is between about 5 and about 20 millimeters to the interior of the ski's inside edge and the mounting plates overhang the inside edge of the ski. The mounting plates are adjustable transversely to the inside edge of the ski and the outside edge of the ski is straight.

Abstract: In an alpine snow ski there is provided an asymmetric design in which the inside edge of the ski has a large sidecut with a short radius of curvature such that the centerline of a skier's foot when positioned in mounting plates on top of the ski is between about 5 and about 20 millimeters to the interior of the ski's inside edge and the mounting plates overhang the inside edge of the ski. The mounting plates are adjustable transversely to the inside edge of the ski and the outside edge of the ski is straight.

Abstract: In a downhill snow ski there is provided at least one torsional reinforcing layer intermediate to the top and the bottom running surface and generally parallel thereto formed from fibers of high elastic modulus which are randomly oriented in a matrix material to increase the torsional stiffness of the ski.

Abstract: An alpine ski with flexible impact absorbing edges and elastomeric sidewalls is provided to enable the bottom edges to follow the contour of the ground by moving therealong and absorbing the unevenness of the ground.

Abstract: In an alpine snow ski having a fiberglass sandwich construction there is provided at least one high strength fiber reinforcing rod positioned generally horizontally within the ski's cross-section extending forwardly from the binding area to the shovel contact point and rearwardly from the binding area to the tail contact point externally of the compression carrying laminate to increase the flexural response and compressive structural strength of the ski.

Abstract: In a downhill snow ski there are provided reinforcement rib members which are positioned generally perpendicularly to the top surface and the bottom running surface of the ski and are formed from a material of relatively high modulus with respect to the modulus of the core material formed from wood and foam to impart an increased rate of return and a controllably designed natural frequency to the ski.