Abstract: Improvements in the construction of skis, sleigh runners and the like having extended and improved wear characteristics. In one form a ski is fabricated with lower left and right edging thereof which is subject to wear and dulling during use by frictional attrition defined by a hard synthetic material having the hardness in the range of natural diamond or higher. The hard material may comprise a coating of synthetic diamond formed in situ on a flexible strip of metal or ceramic material by chemical vapor deposition, radiation beam deposition or other means such as lamination sintering.

Abstract: Process for improving the elasticity of a ski edge made of corrosion-resistant martensitic chrome steel, consisting of pre-stretching the edge, and for the manufacture of a ski incorporating edges so produced.

Abstract: A ski sole having a first section situated in the ski runner region and two other sections corresponding to the two ends of the ski. The first section is fabricated of a material having a greater hardness than that of the two other sections.

Abstract: This invention provides a pair of downhill snow skis having deep side cuts which allow greater maneuverability and safety, particularly on steep slopes. Each ski is provided with two cutting edges on each side, as contrasted to one on each side in ordinary skis. The lower edge, on the bottom of the ski, is active when the angle between the ski and the slope ranges from near zero up to 52 degrees; the upper edge, near the top of the ski, is active at angles greater than 52 degrees. These edges provide ability to execute true carved turns of about one-tenth to one quarter the radii of turns executed by ordinary skis (about 20 to 45 feet as compared to about 200 feet).

Abstract: The ski includes a forebody, waist and tail section, with a running surface extending from an upturned front tip to the tail. The ski has sideouts formed with a continuous, constant radius of curvature along the entire length of the running surface. A ski binding area is provided on the top surface of the ski with the toe of the boot of the ski binding area rearward of the median of the length of the running surface, with the running surface rearward of the heel of the boot providing approximately less than 20% of the total length of the running surface of the ski. A chamber in the front section of the ski is filled with flowable material; and there is also provided concave undersurface toward the tail of the ski.

Abstract: A ski with a non-rectangular cross section has a filling core, for example made of polyurethane foam, a shell forming the upper face and at least a part of the lateral faces of the ski, a lower face equipped with longitudinal metal edges and with a central sliding sole. The ski includes two longitudinal reinforcement elements which extend at least in the binding mounting area of the ski and are arranged on either side of the core, each reinforcement element has a lower face which extends to a great extent over the width of an edge so as to afford it an effective support, and extends over at least a part of the height of the ski, the reinforcement elements not being covered laterally by the shell and thus forming the narrow sides of the ski, at least in the binding mounting area of the ski.

Abstract: A ski comprising a central zone adapted to support the weight of a skier, a heel zone, and tip zone defining a spatula defined in thickness by an upper surface corresponding to the top of the ski and a lower surface corresponding to the sole of the ski wherein at least one of the lateral sides of the spatula is bordered by a reinforcement which projects with respect to at least one of the surfaces defining the thickness of the spatula.

Abstract: A ski with a base portion having a running surface of varying width and a hollow ski body. The height of the ski varies over the length of the ski. The ski body is hollow with lateral edges extending parallel to each other over the length of the ski. The width of the ski body is constant and is less than, or equal to, the narrowest width of the base portion.

Abstract: A fin for water sports boards having a urethane leading edge cover molded in place onto an anchor flange having holes therethrough on the leading edge of the fin. The fin is of glass fiber reinforced resin.

Abstract: A ski has better guide properties the sharper the corner areas of the steel edge profiles. Using a laser beam, the corner areas of the steel edge profiles are hardened on the ski.

Abstract: A snow ski with one or more small grooves near the undersurface edges, with or without edge inserts typically found on the undersurface of snow skis. The grooves are designed to facilitate rapid and precise maneuvering through snow or ice surfaces. The grooves, formed parallel to the ski edge, are relatively short, nominally between 5 centimeters to 45 centimeters in length, to minimize any tendency for a ski with grooves to track in a straight line. They are typically located near the edge of the ski undersurface and longitudinally under the boot attachment position of the uppersurface. The grooves can be of various shapes designed to optimize the cutting affect of the groove as it complements the cutting of the sharp ski edge during turning maneuvers in the usual manner of skiing. The ski undersurface can be beveled at its side to reduce any increase in drag during straight skiing that may be caused by adding grooves to the undersurface.

Abstract: A ski or the like has better guide properties the sharper the corner areas of the steel edge profiles. Using a laser beam, the corner areas of the steel edge profiles are hardened on the ski or the like.

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: This invention provides a set of downhill snow skis having frontwardly converging internal edges and grooves formed in the running surfaces thereof. In particular, at least one groove is formed in each of the running surfaces, extending from a point proximate the outer rear portion of each ski to a point proximate the inner front portion of each ski. The frontwardly converging grooves make it easier to learn how to downhill ski and thus, facilitate downhill skiing lessons for beginning skiers. The present invention also provides a set of cross-country snow skis having rearwardly converging internal edges and grooves formed in the running surfaces thereof. In particular, at least one groove is formed in each of the running surfaces, extending from a point proximate the inner rear portion of each ski to a point proximate the outer front portion of each ski.

Abstract: A snow ski is provided with a pair of relatively sharp turning edges extending along each of the lateral sides thereof for improved performance during turning maneuvers. The snow ski includes edge runners extending along the lateral sides thereof with each edge runner defining the pair of sharp turning edges spaced laterally and vertically with respect to each other, and extending longitudinally along the associated lateral side of the ski. During a turning maneuver, the skier may by appropriate tilting of the ski engage one or both edges at one lateral side of the ski with the snow surface to variably select the degree of turning control.

Abstract: The metal edge of a ski is coated with carbon by creating an electrical voltage differential between a relatively moving carbide electrode and the metal edge of the ski spaced therefrom such that an electrical arc passes from the electrode to the metal ski edge across the space. The electrical arc carries carbide from the electrode and deposits it on the metal ski edge.

Abstract: A snow ski is provided including generally flat toe and heel sections and an arched center section extending between and interconnecting the toe and heel sections. The opposite side marginal edges of the bottom of the ski define snow biting edges for biting into an underlying snow surface when the ski is angularly displaced about its longitudinal axis relative to the snow surface and an intermediate length portion, only, of the snow biting edges extending along the heel section are modified to effectively reduce the capability thereof to bite into an underlying snow surface while the snow biting edges of the toe section of the ski are modified to increase the capability thereof to bite into the underlying snow surface.

Abstract: Ski with an upper layer, a lower layer, and optionally an intermediate layer. The ski has a central core made of a hard material, especially a hard wood, and has a running surface and laterally extending edge protectors. At least one of the two outer surfaces of the core has one or more recesses for matching damper elements made of an elastic material.

Abstract: A ski has at least two downwardly-extending projections (10, 16, 16B), at least one on each side of the longitudinal axis of the ski, these being integral with the remainder of the ski separate members, in the form of an inverted channel member (7), the base (7A) of the channel, on the upper side of the channel member (7), lying above and being secured to the tail (1) of the ski, which extends between the side walls (7B) of the channel member (7). When the ski is placed on a flat horizontal surface, with the running face (3) of the ski lowermost, the tips (10A, 16A) of the projections (10, 16, 16B), at the lowermost extremities of the projections, will be separated only by an air gap from the surface.

Abstract: In a ski of conventional structure, e.g. comprising a running surface, lower web core and upper web as well as steel edges of L-shaped cross section on the side of the ski running surface, the steel edges (8) have been adhesively inserted into a groove (7) provided for in the semi-manufactured ski by means of their respective limbs (8a) extending horizontally in respect of the running surface. This groove (7) is milled into the semi-manufactured ski prior to the insertion of the steel edge.

Abstract: A slalom water ski comprises an elongated ski body and front and rear foot bindings mounted on the ski body. The ski body includes a pair of assymetrical sides which provide the ski with a strong side and a weak side. The strong side has a relatively sharp pivot point in the area of the foot bindings and extends inwardly toward the longitudinal centerline of the ski and the front and rear portions of the ski. The weak side curves smoothly from the forward end to the tail end and extends generally parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the ski adjacent the front foot binding. A beveled portion extends between each of the sides and the bottom surface, and the angle between the beveled portion and the bottom is greater on the strong side than on the weak side.

Abstract: A ski edge whose vertical flange and horizontal flange of the ski edge portions extend around the ski tip, the horizontal flange having a cutout in the region of the ski tip. The ski edge is one piece whose side edge portions are divided into successive sections in which the vertical flange is divided by slits, the individual successive sections are connected to one another by the horizontal flange. In the region of the ski tip and/or of the ski end, the vertical flange extends continuously and is, hence, not divided by slits, thus forming a strong tip and/or end protection.

Abstract: A ski has at least two downwardly-extending projections (10, 16, 16B), at least one on each side of the longitudinal axis of the ski, these being integral with the remainder of the ski or provided on one or more separate members, for example on an inverted channel member (7), the base (7A) of the channel, on the upper side of the channel member (7), lying above and being secured to the tail (1) of the ski, which extends between the side walls (7B) of the channel member (7). When the ski is placed on a flat horizontal surface, with the running face (3) of the ski lowermost, the tips (10A, 16A) of the projections (10, 16, 16B), at the lowermost extremities of the projections, will be separated only by an air gap from the surface.

Abstract: A sailing ski for use on snow and ice comprising an elongated body having substantially flat upper and lower surfaces, the lower surface having an upwardly extending camber, a universal mast mount for mounting a sail positioned toward the forward end of the elongated body, longitudinally spaced foot straps positioned rearwardly of the universal mast mount and overlying the camber area, and longitudinally spaced runners along the edges of the ski rearwardly of the foot straps and having a portion thereof projecting at least partly below the lower surface of the ski with the runners being in transversely spaced parallel relation.

Abstract: The invention is a cross-country ski which is useful for ski mountaineering. The cross-country ski comprises a ski body having a longitudinal slot in its underface, metal edges extending below the underface, a climbing surface fixed in said longitudinal slot, a first fastening means fixed in said longitudinal slot, and a detachable running surface. The longitudinal slot preferably runs the entire length of the sliding sole, i.e., the sliding surface of the ski. The running surface has a second fastening means fixed on its backside and preferably an element of a third fastening means at its ends. In the latter case, an element of the third fastening means is also present on the ski body. The running surface covers the entire underface of the ski between the metal edges and fits flush with the metal edges.

Abstract: A directionally controllable sled for downhill snow skiing has a unitary plastic body which includes a bottom member formed with a pair of downwardly and longitudinally extending elongated runners along opposite sides thereof. The pair of runners are spaced generally flat bottom surfaces and have inwardly facing plane control surfaces extending generally perpendicular to the bottom surfaces and intersecting along facing edges which are effective for directional control of the sled by the user during sled movement. The runners are formed with smoothly curved outwardly facing sides which are substantially less effective than the inwardly facing runner edges for directionally controlling the sled.

Abstract: The running surface of an Alpine ski has a front portion adjoining its tip, a rear portion, and an intervening middle portion supporting a binding, the three portions differing from one another in their profiling designed to exert a minimum guiding effect in the middle portion and a maximum guiding effect in the rear portion. The latter, therefore, has one or more longitudinal grooves whose combined cross-sectional area exceeds that of the groove or grooves of the front portion whereas the middle portion is grooved only slightly or not at all.

Abstract: A process of making a metal-plastic ski by cold gluing on a core of plastic material, upper and lower laminated structures. The laminated structures which form the upper and lower portions of the ski are each previously formed by "Coil-Coating" and have inner surfaces with a thin coating of a material with excellent glue adhesion characteristics. The upper surface of the upper structure is precoated with a thicker layer of plastic material which forms the upper surface of the ski, and the lower surface of the lower structure is precoated with plastic material which forms the sliding bottom surface of the ski.

Abstract: A ski edge has an undercut or hollow forming an inner wall providing greater control and edge grip while skiing particularly on hard snow or ice when executing a turn or stopping. The undercut also provides an edge which retains its grip or "bite" by remaining sharp many times longer than conventional edges.

Abstract: The top surface edges for a ski of plastic material with a foam material core are produced by first placing the structural parts of the ski in position in a mold and thereafter filling the hollow spaces in the closed mold with an expandable synthetic foam material to form the core and set the structural parts of the ski. An auxiliary strip supports the structural parts in the mold and has a flange which extends beyond the side surfaces of the mold. The flange of this auxiliary support strip is extended outwardly a greater distance from the mold side walls and has angled portions which are lodged in a groove in the top edge surface of the mold box to hold the support strip and structural parts of the ski firmly in their proper position during the foam expansion in the mold. The portions of the auxiliary support strip are severed after the ski has been molded.

Abstract: The present invention relates to skis in which resistance to turning is reduced and grip is improved by providing a running surface having a shape along at least substantially its whole length such that in cross-section at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the ski, the surface is predominantly convex across its width and, at the boot position, running along a part of each side of the ski, elongated blades positioned at least substantially symmetrically in relation to the boot position along the ski, the blades being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ski and each blade projecting downwards from the sides of the ski by a distance substantially the same as the maximum projection of the running surface below the sides of the ski.

Abstract: A lightweight ski, having excellent flexibility in both vertical and sidewall deflection, yet exhibiting high shear strength, is disclosed. The ski is fabricated using a honeycomb sandwich construction wherein the ribbon or higher shear strength direction of the honeycomb is along the length of the skis. Also, the facings bonded to the top and bottom portions of the honeycomb core comprise a fiber reinforced resin in which the fibers extending along the length of the ski to further enhance a shear strength in that direction. The sidewall of the ski comprises flexible, rubberized material and further, the ski has at least one resilient, flexible metallic running edge, the edge being so constructed that it does not substantially increase the vertical or sidewall stiffness of the ski.

Abstract: The top edge portions of a ski of plastic material are produced in a two-part mold by placing the bottom surface sheet and edge portions of the ski on the floor of the mold while preformed top edge portions carry the top surface sheet and are supported in the mold by an auxiliary strip which extends outwardly from its side surface and rests on two opposite walls of the mold box. The auxiliary strips are held in place by magnets lodged in the opposite mold walls while the mold is open. After closing the mold with the mold lid a plastic foam material in the mold is expanded to produce the ski core and bond together the top and bottom surface sheets and edge portions of the ski. The auxiliary strips are severed from the top edge portions to finish the ski.

Abstract: A ski having a sole profile which is symmetric to the longitudinal axis of the ski and defined at both sides by edges of wear-resistant material and comprising a further edge on each side projecting laterally over the corresponding first edge on this side.