Abstract: A sliding device provides a binding-free apparatus suitable for trick and other riding on snow, sand, ice and other surfaces. An elongated deck to support the rider is elevated from and attached to an elongated runner, which provides a surface that slides on the snow, sand, etc. The runner may be made more narrow than the deck to provide leverage for the rider to tilt the device onto an edge of the runner to steer the device. The device may not have any defined front or back portion and thus be adapted for riding in either direction.

Abstract: A method and system for mounting a binding to a gliding board. In one embodiment, a single row of attachment features, e.g., threaded inserts, may be used to mount a foot binding to the gliding board. The attachment features may be equally spaced along the row, e.g., at 25 mm increments. In one embodiment, a binding includes a hold down plate that may be attached to the gliding board using only two fasteners, e.g., each fastener engaging with an attachment feature on the board, or using only fasteners that lie along a longitudinal line on the gliding board.

Abstract: A spacer for a sliding device connects a deck to a runner. The spacer may allow relative rotation, pivoting and/or sliding of the deck and the runner. The sliding, pivoting and/or rotating may reduce the stresses experienced at the attachment points of the spacer and the deck or the spacer and the runner. The spacer arrangement may also provide a sliding device with a smoother ride.

Abstract: A braking feature is provided that can resist gliding board runaway, i.e., uncontrolled gliding without a rider, or other movement of a gliding board, e.g., a gliding device having no foot bindings. The braking feature may always be active to resist gliding board movement, and/or resist movement only when a rider is not supported on the gliding device. Activation of a braking feature may be delayed. The braking feature may be controlled based on a force urging a bottom surface of the gliding device into contact with the gliding surface, e.g., the braking feature may be deactivated if the weight of a rider is supported on the gliding device. A force that deactivates a braking feature may be made adjustable, e.g., to accommodate riders of different weights or to provide different braking feature responses.

Abstract: A method and system for mounting a binding to a gliding board. In one embodiment, a single row of attachment features, e.g., threaded inserts, may be used to mount a foot binding to the gliding board. The attachment features may be equally spaced along the row, e.g., at 25 mm increments. In one embodiment, a binding includes a hold down plate that may be attached to the gliding board using only two fasteners, e.g., each fastener engaging with an attachment feature on the board, or using only fasteners that lie along a longitudinal line on the gliding board.

Abstract: A method and system for mounting a binding to a gliding board. In one embodiment, a single row of attachment features, e.g., threaded inserts, may be used to mount a foot binding to the gliding board. The attachment features may be equally spaced along the row, e.g., at 25 mm increments. In one embodiment, a binding includes a hold down plate that may be attached to the gliding board using only two fasteners, e.g., each fastener engaging with an attachment feature on the board, or using only fasteners that lie along a longitudinal line on the gliding board.

Abstract: A method for forming a sheet material suitable for use in manufacturing gliding board bases includes placing a first group of materials including plastic particles on a continuously moving surface in a first pattern, and placing a second group of materials including plastic particles on the continuously moving surface in a second pattern. Heat and pressure are applied to sinter the plastic particles together to form the sheet material having a first area with a first set of characteristics formed mainly of particles from the first group adjacent a second area with a second set of characteristics different from the first set of characteristics formed mainly from particles from the second group. The first and second sets of characteristics may include only one characteristic, such as color, hardness, wear-resistance, etc., or a plurality of different characteristics.

Abstract: A spacer for a sliding device connects a deck to a runner. The spacer may allow relative rotation, pivoting and/or sliding of the deck and the runner. The sliding, pivoting and/or rotating may reduce the stresses experienced at the attachment points of the spacer and the deck or the spacer and the runner. The spacer arrangement may also provide a sliding device with a smoother ride.

Abstract: A core for incorporation into a gliding board, such as a snowboard. The core includes longitudinal and transverse core segments with long grain configurations that are combined to adjust the edge hold and maneuverability of the board to accommodate particular riding characteristics. The core segments include anisotropic structures that are oriented relative to the orthogonal axes of the board to achieve the desired core characteristics. The transverse core segments are located along the side edges of the core and oriented to tune to the core edges for a particular edge hold and overall board maneuverability.

Abstract: A braking feature is provided that can resist gliding board runaway, i.e., uncontrolled gliding without a rider, or other movement of a gliding board, e.g., a gliding device having no foot bindings. The braking feature may always be active to resist gliding board movement, and/or resist movement only when a rider is not supported on the gliding device. Activation of a braking feature may be delayed. The braking feature may be controlled based on a force urging a bottom surface of the gliding device into contact with the gliding surface, e.g., the braking feature may be deactivated if the weight of a rider is supported on the gliding device. A force that deactivates a braking feature may be made adjustable, e.g., to accommodate riders of different weights or to provide different braking feature responses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting a binding to a gliding board. In one embodiment, a single row of attachment features, e.g., threaded inserts, may be used to mount a foot binding to the gliding board. The attachment features may be equally spaced along the row, e.g., at 25 mm increments. In one embodiment, a binding includes a hold down disk that may be attached to the gliding board using only two fasteners, e.g., each fastener engaging with an attachment feature on the board, or using only fasteners that lie along a longitudinal line on the gliding board.

Abstract: A method and system for mounting a binding to a gliding board. In one embodiment, a single row of attachment features, e.g., threaded inserts, may be used to mount a foot binding to the gliding board. The attachment features may be equally spaced along the row, e.g., at 25 mm increments. In one embodiment, a binding includes a hold down plate that may be attached to the gliding board using only two fasteners, e.g., each fastener engaging with an attachment feature on the board, or using only fasteners that lie along a longitudinal line on the gliding board.

Abstract: A gliding board, such as a snowboard, is constructed and arranged so that the board is suited for different riding conditions that benefit from different board arrangements and/or for different riding styles that also may benefit from varying board configurations. Nose, tail, overall dimensions, and binding mounting locations may be varied to achieve a balance of desired board performance characteristics.

Abstract: A method for forming a sheet material suitable for use in manufacturing gliding board bases includes placing a first group of materials including plastic particles on a surface in a first pattern, and placing a second group of materials including plastic particles on the surface in a second pattern. Heat and pressure are applied to sinter the plastic particles together to form the sheet material having a first area with a first set of characteristics formed mainly of particles from the first group adjacent a second area with a second set of characteristics different from the first set of characteristics formed mainly from particles from the second group. The first and second sets of characteristics may include only one characteristic, such as color, hardness, wear-resistance, etc., or a plurality of different characteristics. A sheet material and gliding board having a base made with such sheet material also include first and second areas having at least one different property.

Abstract: A sliding device provides a binding-free apparatus suitable for trick and other riding on snow, sand, ice and other surfaces. An elongated deck to support the rider is elevated from and attached to an elongated runner, which provides a surface that slides on the snow, sand, etc. The runner may be made more narrow than the deck to provide leverage for the rider to tilt the device onto an edge of the runner to steer the device. The device may not have any defined front or back portion and thus be adapted for riding in either direction.