Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a temporary binding apparatus for binding a snowboard boot to a snowboard. A magnetic element is affixed to the snowboard and a permeable element is affixed to the snowboard boot. The magnetic element and permeable element are configured to develop a binding force that is a function of a rotation angle between the magnetic element and permeable element. In an engaged configuration, the permeable element is aligned with the magnetic element and the binding force should be sufficient to enable a snowboarder to readily perform certain simple maneuvers, such as dismounting a chairlift. A pivot means is formed by joining the permeable element and magnetic element. The pivot means enables the snowboarder to easily rotate the permeable element into misalignment with the magnetic element, thus decreasing the binding force and enabling easy detachment of the snowboard boot from the snowboard.

Abstract: A motorized vehicle is of a type which is used to travel on snow and which is equipped with at least one ski and one caterpillar track. The motorized vehicle comprises: handlebars (2) which are solidly connected to a chassis (3) of the vehicle (1); a pair of skis (4) which are solidly connected to the chassis (3) and which are not symmetrical in relation to the longitudinal and transverse axes thereof, the width of each ski decreasing from front to rear and the outer side (5) being curvilinear; and a platform (6) for a standing user, the width of the platform being greater than the maximum distance separating the two skis (4).

Abstract: An assembly for retaining a boot on a sports apparatus. The assembly includes a base, a disk having at least two elongated holes parallel to one another, and at least two screws each extending through an elongated hole. The assembly further includes a plate that is parallel to the disk, the plate sliding along the length of the elongated holes, at least two holes extending through the plate in its thickness, each screw extending through a hole of the plate, and retaining elements retaining the screws on the plate.

Abstract: A sports board, such as a snow board, has a board core structure that provides desired structural characteristics localized to select regions of the board while maintaining predictable produceability and optimum operating qualities of the board. In an embodiment, the sports board includes a plurality of layered elements or segments, of which certain elements or segments are joined using interlocking elements.

Abstract: A multiple tube, multiple lights effects neon or fluorescent lighting system for a skateboard produces a variety of controlled light effects and combinations. A pair of high strength colored protective transparent elongated casings house the light tubes. The casings are removably attached in a highly visible position on the side edges of a skateboard or under the skateboard adjacent to the side edges. The casings are secured by industrial strength mating hook and loop fasteners.

Abstract: Though the sport of snowboarding is not new, it has taken many years to understand the specific characteristics which are required for making snowboards. There is better understanding of the dynamic bending properties needed for current riders, especially for the competition driven rider whose demands require boards with different tip, tail and middle characteristics. Early snowboard designers understood the use of snowboards as articles for gliding down a snow covered slope making long curving turns, where tips and tails would be as stiff as the middle core. But now, the boards are jumped into the air, launching from half pipes edges and sliding down steel rails, requiring different flex contours. Snowboards are now required to be very flexible yet elastic being required to bend convexly and concavely, yet springing back to their shape immediately, with some riders wanting stiff tips or soft tails or a combination of both.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an iceboard includes a plank having a first end and a second end and a first side and a second side. One or more supports are coupled to the first side of the plank and, one or more blades are coupled to the one or more supports, the blades operable to glide across an icy surface. The iceboard further includes a piece of frictional material coupled to the second side of the plank and operable to provide traction relative to the plank. The iceboard further includes a brake coupled to the first side of the plank adjacent a first end of the plank. In particular embodiments, the brake is operable to abrasively scrape the icy surface when applied to the icy surface.

Abstract: A stand-on recreational personal vehicle device for sliding. The device may be used for sliding on ice or snow in activities resembling skiing or snowboarding. The device includes one or two boards, two foot straps for holding down feet of the rider to the boards, one or two foot platforms for supporting the feet of the rider, and one or two risers for coupling the foot platforms to the boards and providing a distance between the foot platforms and the boards. When two boards are used, a spring connecting rod couples the two boards together. Pivot joints may be used to connect the rod to the boards, or to the foot platforms, that permit the two boards to move with respect to each other from a parallel position to an aligned position. The rod and the board may be adapted for twisting, bending or both.

Abstract: This invention would significantly improve the ease of riding a snowboard on ski lifts where typically one foot must remain unbound to push off with. The invention allows for control of the board specifically through the diversion of the gravitational force of weight of the rider through forces of tension, elasticity, and leverage. The diversion of these forces allows the rider to steer roughly in the same manner as if their foot was bound.

Abstract: A sports board, such as a snow board, has a board core structure that provides desired structural characteristics localized to select regions of the board while maintaining predictable produceability and optimum operating qualities of the board. In an embodiment, the sports board includes a plurality of layered elements or segments, of which certain elements or segments are joined using interlocking elements.

Abstract: A gliding or rolling board having a length extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end, a width extending transversely between a first edge and a second edge, as well as a height extending between a bottom surface and a top surface. The board includes a core extending along a substantial surface, the core housing at least one sliding rail, which extends transversely between a first side edge and a second side edge, and heightwise from a base to a top. The board includes an intermediate reinforcement that at least partially covers the top of the sliding rail, runs along at least one side edge from the top toward the base, and then extends away from the sliding rail.

Abstract: Gliding board equipment systems and individual components are disclosed herein. A gliding board equipment system of one embodiment includes a gliding board, a boot having an upper cuff and a lower boot, and a binding selectively attaching the boot to the gliding board. The upper cuff of the boot defines opposed slots, and a respective pin passes through each slot to couple the upper cuff to the lower boot and allow the upper cuff to move laterally relative to the lower boot.

Abstract: According to the invention, a sliding coating for winter sports equipment which is a blend of a copolymer (I) and a copolymer (II) is provided, the copolymer (I) being a propylene copolymer which contains at least 50% of structural building blocks which originate from propylene monomers, and the copolymer (II) being an ethylene copolymer which has at least 50% of structural building blocks which originate from ethylene monomers.

Abstract: A snowboard binding for securing a boot to a snowboard includes a base that is mounted on the snowboard. The base includes a base plate and a pair of side rails that extend upwardly from the base plate along lateral sides of the base plate. The snowboard binding further includes a high-back support secured to the pair of side rails. The high-back support is fabricated from a single piece of material and has a hinge formed therein to adjust a forward lean position of the high-back support. Additional design features and methods are disclosed herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to an end piece (2, 2?) for the front or rear end of a ski (1) or snow-board, which end piece (2, 2?) has at least a first and a second portion (6, 7). A distance (10, 10?) between mutually adjacent zones (8, 9) of the first and second portion (6, 7) or a width or length measurement of at least one of the zones (8, 9) can be varied. Alternatively, the first and second portion (6, 7) are connected to one another in the mutually adjacent zones (8, 9) by means of an articulated joint and/or an elastically stretchable and rebounding bridging element and/or an elastically deformable middle portion (12) and the zones of the first and second portion (6, 7) remote from the mutually adjacent zones (8, 9) can be respectively connected to oppositely lying side edges of a ski (1) or snowboard by articulated joints and/or with an interconnected elastic deformation zone. This positively influences the performance of a ski (1) or snowboard with a variable geometry or size.

Abstract: A skateboard/ski combination wherein the four wheels of a traditional skateboard have been removed, while the skateboard trucks remain in place, and are then replaced with four ski apparatuses. An anchoring plate connects springs from the underside of the skateboard deck to the ski apparatus base that maintains a traditional ski shape, with rails that protrude outward from the front and rear of the ski base, still maintaining a traditional ski shovel shape. The ski base, which has a flat or concave surface perpendicular to the length of the ski, contains a radius positioned longitudinally to the ski length (rocker) that then transitions to a small radius at the front and rear of the skis, thereby providing a traditional ski shovel in the front and rear of the ski base. Metal or plastic rails are mounted to the ski base on opposing sides of the base in a vertical fashion, extending below the surface of the base.

Abstract: A snow board having an elongated body with concavely curved side margins and an elongate web in its center separated from the body by lateral slots and joined with the forward and rear sections of the body in a curved configuration.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently and effectively supporting sporting equipment such as a snowboard. Also systems and methods for removably or permanently attaching an apparatus to a snowboard boot, sole, or a sub-component thereof such that the apparatus may be used to support the weight of sporting equipment such as a snowboard while a user of the sporting equipment is seated (e.g., while riding a chairlift). Systems and methods for fabricating an integral support within a boot, sole, or a sub-component thereof. These systems and methods include after-market items affixed to commercially-available boots, soles, or sub-components thereof by a snowboarder, snowboard professional, or the like, or, alternatively, such systems and methods may be incorporated by a boot or sole manufacturer during manufacture of the boot, sole, or a sub-component thereof. The systems and methods may be permanent or removable.

Abstract: A mechanism for snowboard support while riding a chair lift is provided. The support mechanism includes a flexible retractable cable within a housing having a recoil mechanism. The housing is advantageously mounted to the snowboard or the snowboard binding mechanism. The recoil assembly has two main elements, a housing member which stores a retractable cable and a spring assembly that retracts the flexible cable advantageously into the housing member. The recoil assembly allows for adjustment of an elongation length of the retractable flexible cable.

Abstract: This snowboard comprises a bottom at least partly defined by a base, a top and sides which connect the bottom and top to each other. Part of the top and the sides being part of a visible surface of the snowboard in use. The snowboard comprises a first part of means for reversibly mounting at least one removable decorative mask on said visible surface.

Abstract: A binding or boot strap is provided that allows a rider to easily, rapidly and/or effectively tighten and/or loosen the strap about his or her boot. The strap includes a boot-engaging strap portion that engages with an engagement strap coupleable to the boot, as may be the case with boots used for step-in bindings, or to the binding, as may be the case with strap-type bindings. An arrangement for facilitating tightening/loosening of the two strap pieces so that a rider can slip his or her foot into or out from the boot or fasten the boot to or loosen it from a snowboard binding is also provided. In one embodiment, this arrangement includes a tightening element, such as for example a cord, lace or strap, suitably coupled to one or both strap portions such that a rider can pull on the tightening element to move the strap pieces relative to each other and tighten the strap.

Abstract: A snowboard with retractable braking device includes a board member with a brake member reversibly pivotal through a hole in the board member. When retracted, the bottom surface of the brake member is flush with, or above, the bottom surface of the board member. A retractor, such as a torsional spring, may resiliently hold the brake member in a retracted position. Also provided is a snowboard with an automatically deployable retractable braking device which deploys when the rider falls off a pressure pad affixed to the board member. Also provided is a braking device for boards that glide on snow, and an automatically deployable braking device for boards that glide on snow.

Abstract: A snowboard board member is provided with inwardly tapered side walls such that a flat bottom surface of the board member is significantly narrower than the corresponding top surface of the board member. The side walls may be linear or curved. Also provided is a releasable foot strap for attachment to the top surface of the board member using strap mounts affixed to the board member. The foot strap may be adjustable in size, position, and orientation.

Abstract: A binding, in particular a snowboard binding comprises a base plate; a heel-cradling element; a toe-cradling element; an instep-strapping arrangement having a long part connected to one side of the base plate and a short side part connected to the other side; a closure device for the instep-strapping arrangement; and a flexible linkage connecting the closure device of the instep-strapping arrangement and the toe-cradling element. In an open position the toe-cradling element is free to move, and in a closed position the flexible linkage pulls the toe-cradling element, so the foot is secured between the toe-cradling element, the heel-cradling element and the instep-strapping arrangement. In this closed position the held-together parts of the instep-strapping arrangement hold a foot securely by forces acting between these parts through the closure device, independently of the need to maintain tension in the flexible linkage.

Abstract: A binding for a boot includes a platen (4) which is manually mountable to a snowboard in a selected angular position. The platen includes a central hole (4a) and a circular array of upwardly facing teeth (4c). A base (9), mounted to the snowboard, has a spindle (16) and locking arms (16a, 16?a) which extend through the platen central hole. A central pivot body (5) includes a circular peripheral surface (5a) and downwardly projecting teeth (5b) which interact with the central hole and teeth of the platen. Ramping cam elements (8d, 8?d) on a locking disk engage the locking arms and progressively clamp the pivot body to progressively press the teeth of the pivot body against the teeth of the platen to prevent rotation. A clamp (22) having cam ends (22a, 22?a) is pivotal between a vertical release position which permits the central locking disk to rotate and a flat position which locks the central locking disk against rotation.

Abstract: A snowboard support device for use in lift assist transport. The device may have a base, an extension shaft and a handle member or the like. In one embodiment, the handle serves as a housing to cover the extension shaft in its closed position and provides an engagement surface for non-fixed, gravity-based engagement of a chair lift seat.

Abstract: An alpine snowboard comprises a boot portion having elements of a binding, a tail portion located at the back of said snowboard and extending along about 1/10 of the total length of said snowboard, and a back intermediate portion located between the boot portion and the tail portion, part of which is a zone having reduced mechanical properties. The zone having reduced mechanical properties is the result of at least a lateral cutout located at least on the lower portion of the snowboard. At least one of the squares of the snowboard has a deviation at said cutout so as to comprise two square portions movable vertically with regard to each other, that is a back square portion and a front square portion which are separated by said deviation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for indicating gliding board features using an indicator adjacent an attachment point on the board used to secure an associated component, such as a binding, to the board. The indicator may indicate a board type (beginner, expert, etc.), a component used in the board (e.g., a core material used), a supplier of the board, a rider stance location, or other feature. Indicators may be located adjacent an opening of an attachment point, such as a hole in a threaded insert or slot of a channel embedded in a board body.

Abstract: A snowboard binding includes a base plate which is selectively rotatable about a center plate of the binding. A tensioning means, preferably in the form of a cable, interconnects the center plate to a lever mounted on the base plate. The cable frictionally engages the center plate when the lever is placed in the locked position. The base plate is free to rotate about the center plate when the lever is placed in the unlocked position, resulting in the cable being released from engagement with the center plate.

Abstract: A chassis braking system for braking a chassis includes a braking unit including a braking surface biased toward a road surface on which the chassis runs and having a first state where movement of the braking surface toward the road surface is locked and a second state where the braking surface abuts against the road surface. A control unit releases the lock of the braking unit and shifts the braking unit from the first state to the second state when predetermined conditions are met.

Abstract: A snow gliding board (1) comprises, in particular, an upper surface consisting of an upper decorative and protective element (16) having a recess in which an insert (21, 22, 23) is fitted. The insert (21, 22, 23) comprises at least one first part made of an elastomer material (24) juxtaposed on the upper surface with at least one second part made of a metallic material (26).

Abstract: A boot which has a tongue structure which includes at least first and second cables attached to the sides of the tongue, a guide channel associated with each cable, and a cable tensioning device connected to the cables and which is movable between first and second positions to respectfully tighten and loosen the cables. The tongue structure acts to maintain the foot in the boot and in a preferred embodiment, the tongue includes an outer somewhat rigid shell and an inner elastic layer.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of plastic snowboard featured by the steps as follows: making the inner core (3) in the shape of the product by steam heating in the foaming mold, manufacture of the bottom board (6), manufacture of the compound bottom board and the surface board (7), forming the surface board (7) and the compound bottom board, trimming, then sealing the edge of the product by hot melting to get the molded product. Compared with existing techniques, the advantages of this invention are that it firstly make the inner core in the shape of the product by steam heating in the foaming mold, which improves the impact resistance, and that the inner core acting as the framework is formed in the mold separately, making the framework of the inner core stronger, and that in case of external force, the inner core will have fine elastic deformation and stronger impact resistance, which prevents the product from deformation and thus greatly enhances the impact resistance of the product.

Abstract: A binding for affixing a boot to a snowboard that is being adapted to rotate between a plurality of fixed positions and having. (a) a first plate having plurality of holes between the top and bottom surfaces sized to engage fasteners. The first circular plate has a flange which mates with a flange on a second circular plate. The second plate has a centrally located hole that is sized to receive the first circular plate and having adjacent to the hole, a flange which is complimentary to the flange on the first plate. A third plate having a diameter which is substantially the same as the diameter of the second plate and which has a plurality of holes which are registerable with holes in the first plate. The third plate has a plurality of positions of the second plate relative to a longitudinal axis of a snowboard.

Abstract: A collapsible snowboard pole is presented. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention a snowboard pole can be provided with a manually expandable and compressible shaft, a basket at the tip, and a handle at the top. The basket can slide between a lower tip-ward (distal) position for storage and an upper top-ward (proximal) position for use. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention the pole can be expanded to full length and disengaged from a docking mechanism located at the back of a snowboard with one hand, while a user is in motion on the snowboard. Once disengaged, the user can easily deploy the basket to its full upward extension for use. Additionally, a user can dock a collapsed pole and secure it in a docking mechanism, or can insert the pole tip in a docking mechanism, then collapse the pole and then secure it in the docking mechanism, all with one hand while in motion on the snowboard.

Abstract: A snowboard binding includes a base plate and a heel support attached directly or indirectly to this base plate so that it can pivot. Intermediate elements mount the heel support and can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction of the snowboard binding. Thus, the effective length of the snowboard binding can be adapted to the respective boot. Also, through different positioning of the intermediate elements, the heel support can be arranged diagonally relative to the longitudinal axis of the snowboard binding.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sliding board, in particular alpine ski or snowboard, with a sliding-board basic body and a binding-receiving plate. According to the invention, the binding-receiving plate is integrated as a supporting part in the central region of the sliding-board basic body, in which it is used, by being surrounded positively at the sides by raised regions of the sliding-board basic body.

Abstract: A ski includes a ski main body and two shock resistant protecting plates attached to front and rear ends of the main body. The protecting plates are made of material having high structure strength and high hardness. The ski main body forms a front mounting slot and a rear mounting slot. One protecting plate is mounted in the front mounting slot with an outer portion thereof extending out of the front mounting slot, and the other protecting plate is mounted in the rear mounting slot with an outer portion thereof extending out of the rear mounting slot. The provision of the protecting plates improve shock resistance of the ski. The protecting plates are assembled to the ski main body using special method to form a united member, thus providing the ski with both good appearance and high shock resistant, and can be employed in skis of any kind and specification.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a board-like gliding device (1), in connection with which strength-related and decorative layers (2, 3, 4) are joined together to form a one-piece composite body (6) in a hot compression molding cycle by means of a heated-platen compression molding device (5), whereby a cover layer (10) and/or a coating (11) of the gliding surface are selected from at least partly transparent plastic material, and the side (15) of the cover layer (10) and/or coating (11) of the gliding surface facing the core (9) of the composite body (6), is joined by means of a transparent adhesive layer (17) with a background layer (16) forming the visual background of the cover layer (10) and/or coating (11) of the gliding surface.

Abstract: A runner assembly housing a blade for an ice skateboard and rotatably connected to a truck assembly mounted to a bottom board surface thereof has an elastic biasing cord connecting a an elongate body housing a blade to the truck assembly or the skateboard for biasing the body towards a neutral position in which the blade is substantially parallel to the bottom board surface of the ice skateboard and faces away therefrom. The runner assembly has through openings defining body channels on opposing body ends of the body and through which the biasing cord extends when connected to the body ends, the biasing cord having protrusions for holding the biasing cord in the body channels. The biasing cords are releasably snappably connectable to the body ends by snappingly introducing the biasing cord into the body channels through open neck sections extending into the body channels.

Abstract: A binding for a snowboard or other type of board that has a base plate structure formed of a lower plate that is mountable on a board; an upper plate that is adapted to receive a boot and is mounted above the lower plate in a spaced relationship; and a spring-based suspension system connecting the upper plate to the lower plate. The suspension system has a plurality of springs, one spring being connected between a flange of the upper plate and a corresponding flange on the lower plate. A boot attachment apparatus is connected to the base plate structure.

Abstract: A gliding or rolling board having, in height, a first reinforcement and a second reinforcement between which a first core is arranged. Along at least a portion of the periphery of the board, a band having a shock-absorbing material is juxtaposed to a reinforcement.

Abstract: A snowboard with a handle includes a gliding plate, a rotary shaft mounted on the upper side of the gliding plate on its front side and having a central axis passing across the gliding plate, and a handle portion disposed on the upper side of the gliding plate. The handle portion has its bottom end mounted pivotally to the rotary shaft so that the top end of the handle portion can swivel upwardly and downwardly around the rotary shaft The portion of the gliding plate that extends from the point where the central axis passes across the gliding plate toward its front end is narrower than the portion of the gliding plate that is located at the point where the central axis passes across the gliding plate.

Abstract: This invention relates to recreational equipment for use on a sliding surface, such as skis, snowboards, or other equipment for use by a person such as a skier, snowboarder or water-skier. This invention provides a pogo-ski comprising a ski and a post thereon which is fitted with foot supports and a handhold suitable for use by a standing user.

Abstract: A snowboard binding includes a base plate and a heel support attached directly or indirectly to this base plate so that it can pivot. Intermediate elements mount the heel support and can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction of the snowboard binding. Thus, the effective length of the snowboard binding can be adapted to the respective boot. Also, through different positioning of the intermediate elements, the heel support can be arranged diagonally relative to the longitudinal axis of the snowboard binding.

Abstract: A mechanism for snowboard support while riding a chair lift is provided. The support mechanism includes a flexible retractable cable within a housing having a recoil mechanism. The housing is advantageously mounted to the snowboard or the snowboard binding mechanism. The recoil assembly has two main elements, a housing member which stores a retractable cable and a spring assembly that retracts the flexible cable advantageously into the housing member. The recoil assembly may allow for adjustment of an elongation length of the retractable flexible cable.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for determining a custom fit stance for the user of a board-type conveyance such as a snowboard, wake board, or the like.

Abstract: A device is provided for supporting at least part of the weight of a snowboard on a boot of a snowboarder while sitting in a chairlift having no footrest, the snowboard having a boot binding for receiving and securing the boot onto the snowboard, where the device includes an elongated support member having a central portion, and fasteners at both ends, one for joining to the boot, and the other for joining to the boot binding so that the elongated support member is operable to transfer at least a portion of the weight on the boot binding to the boot. Other techniques are described that incorporate the foregoing back foot support device directly into the boot binding, by, for example, the boot binding manufacturer.

Abstract: A snowboard has elongate runners integrally formed with the bottom surface of the snowboard to increase the downhill speed characteristics of the snowboard. The runners define a longitudinally extending channel thereinbetween. The cross-sectional thickness of the snowboard is thicker at the runners and becomes thinner along the channel to increase the stiffness of the snowboard without significantly increasing the weight of the snowboard.

Abstract: An accessory for a snowboard including a plate adapted to support the feet of a rider, the plate being constructed and arranged to be secured releasably to the snowboard, and having a steering mechanism, which is pivotably mounted onto said plate and which is constructed to extend away from the snowboard in a first arrangement, and to lie substantially parallel to the snowboard in a further arrangement.