Abstract: A method and apparatus for exchanging barbell weight plates using a hand held jack tool is disclosed. The invention being comprised of a rectangular-shaped, rigid metal plate device having a supported slot along the center and a cam-shaped foot base. Said supported slot having a width to receive a barbell. The device also having an end with a grip-contoured profile. The method being comprised of installing said slot of the invention on an under side of a barbell proximal to its center but near its weighted end, rocking said device back onto its foot (lifting said barbell and weights) until stationary and allowing a user to safely slide plates on and off said barbell without touching the floor. An object of the invention is to allow weight lifters to exchange weight plates while a barbell is resting on the floor.

Abstract: A gliding or rolling board, having a length measured along a longitudinal direction between a first end and a second end, a width measured along a transverse direction between a first slide and a second slide, and a height measured between a bottom and a top, the board including a first zone for receiving a foot or a boot, and a second zone for receiving a foot or boot. Between the receiving zones, the board includes a first flexing zone located toward the first receiving zone, as well as a second flexing zone located toward the second receiving zone.

Abstract: A snow sliding board (1) includes a tip (8), a center area (13) and a tail (9) and with a sliding surface (10) with a concave tip uptilt (21), a convex center area (22) and a concave end uptilt (23), wherein the concave tip uptilt (21) in an area of a front saddle point (6) terminates in the convex center area (22) in the area of the front saddle point (6), wherein the sliding surface (10) has a concave roll-up surface (17) in an area of the tip uptilt (21), which makes possible a load-dependent shifting of the edge pressure.

Abstract: A rotatable snowboard binding system allows the front binding to rotate from the riding mode to the skating mode freely, so that a rider can skate and rotate back to the riding mode. When in the skating mode, a fin member protrudes beneath the bottom of the snowboard. This acts on the snow to maintain the rider's direction of travel. The system allows both goofy foot and regular foot riders to safely and easily negotiate lifts and lift lines, and traverse flats by allowing the front binding to rotate between 0° (riding) and 90° (skating) positions. While in the riding mode, bindings and board will function as normal. When the system is utilized in the skating mode, the front binding rotates, allowing the rider to operate the snowboard much like a skateboard. In this rotated position, the fin member protrudes from the bottom of the board.

Abstract: A sports board has a board body having a top surface and an opposed bottom surface, a binding attachment structure formed on or in the board body, and a plurality of ribs collectively having longitudinal portions and transverse portions each having a thickness and a height that are predetermined to provide the sports board with a preselected longitudinal, transverse, and torsional stiffness desirable for sliding on the snow.

Abstract: A snow deflector for skis comprises a structure elongated along the ski, mounted on the top surface of the ski and convex at the top. An implementation with an A-shaped cross-section includes installing a cable between the boot and the ski tip, wrapping fabric over the cable and attaching the fabric to the edges of the ski. Other implementations include forming this convex structure with foam, fiberglass or carbon fibers. Yet another implementation utilizes a frame over which the fabric is draped. Yet another implementation utilizes an inflatable structure.

Abstract: The disclosure herein is directed toward systems and methods for supporting a person and enabling motion of a person across a surface of snow can while satisfying the countervailing requirements of increasing surface area for weight-carrying capacity on soft snow and reducing the opposing forces, like for example drag and friction, in hard snow. More specifically, a snowboard with improved rider support, increased speed and enhanced safety performance.

Abstract: In order to assure smooth and essentially equidistant running of correspondingly loaded pair of skis over ground when turning left or right without any sideslip, a ski is bent at its tip at a pre-determined angle around its longitudinal axis and deflected from the ground by a radius along a that longitudinal axis. Despite a practically symmetric appearance of the circumference of such ski when observed in top view, the distance between a front inflection point and a rear inflection point on the left ski edge and the distance between the front inflection point and the rear inflection point on the right ski edge differ from each other such that the active lengths of the ski edges differ from each other. A weak area of the ski is provided adjacent at least one inflection point to provide different compression distributions between the ground and each of the ski edges.

Abstract: An improved individual snowboard for each foot is described having several improvements over the prior art relating to safety, stability, and performance. Each snowboard comprises a curved up nose and tail, a base, and a common sidewall surrounding the perimeter of the board. A resilient tapered core is disposed between the base, but not through the nose and tail, to provide additional flex when needed. The width of the nose is larger than the width of the tail for maneuverability and changing stances. The user will stand on both boards perpendicular to the sidewalls, with each nose pointing outward and each tail pointing inward. Angled sidecuts assist in stopping and turning, while a raised camber provides a smoother ride while adding more edge for better stopping, turning, and control.

Abstract: A snowshoe/ski that allows a rider to glide and turn going downhill as well as to climb and navigate a variety of terrain in varying snow conditions. At its base is a center ski which operates on hard-pack snow surrounded by an integrated outer ski or hull that creates buoyancy in deep powder preventing the device from sinking. The center ski has a fine scaled traction area under the foot zone that allows it to slide forward but not backwards. The underside of the main body has an exaggerated version of this traction extending a little beyond the foot zone but away from tip and tail granting maximum glide. The top of the device has a convex shape keeping unwanted snow from building up and weighing down the wearer. The present invention thus relates to a hybrid device that combines elements from snowshoes and cross-country and/or downhill skis.

Abstract: A snow gliding board, including front and rear lines of maximum width, and having sidecuts including a central area having a curvature directed towards the outside of the board, wherein said central area extends towards the front and/or the back in an adjacent area having a curvature oriented toward the inside, which extends at least all the way to the respective front and/or rear line of maximum width.

Abstract: A foil wing for creating lift force on snowboards and skis is disclosed. By use of this invention on skis or snowboards, the act of translating through powder creates the necessary lift force on the leading end and down force on the aft end that is required to stay afloat in powder. The snow wing generates lift upon need when the snow gets deep enough. Therefore, the rider is kept afloat in unforeseen loose-snow areas, carrying him safely over and out. On overall snow powder days, the use of this invention keeps riders from tiring so quickly and, therefore, makes the rider more in control, and thus safer.

Abstract: A snow gliding board, integrating a structure element incorporated in a raised end of said gliding board, said element having a plurality of hollowed through openings between its upper and lower surfaces, distributed across its surface, wherein said element comprises in said raised end at least one region free of through openings, separating two areas having through openings, the width of said region being greater than the shortest distance between two through openings in the areas separated by said region.

Abstract: A snowboard which incorporates a rocker element instead of a camber.

Abstract: Board for snowboarding, having forward and rear contact lines; binding-mounting areas, forward and rear respectively, each including a set of mounting points by which the binding is secured to the board, each mounting area having a central position; a non-zero camber (C), measured substantially midway between the forward and rear contact lines; wherein, seen from above, the forward and rear contact lines pass through areas, a forward and a rear area respectively, each delimited by two transverse lines, an inner and an outer line respectively, located between the central positions of the binding-mounting areas, the outer transverse line of the forward area being at a distance (D2) of at least 100 mm relative to the central position of the forward binding mount, the outer transverse line of the rear area being at a distance (D4) of at least 120 mm relative to the central position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a snow glide board, in particular a ski, having a glide board body and guide and mounting elements located in a binding area of the glide board body for interlocking mounting of a binding.

Abstract: A gliding board may have less resistance to bending in portions within one or both binding mounting regions as compared to portions at or near ends of the binding mounting regions. Some embodiments provide for increased ability to store and release energy when performing certain maneuvers with the board, such as nose presses, ollies and similar moves. Regions of greatest stiffness may be arranged at outer ends of the binding mounting regions, and may be arranged along lines that are transverse to a longitudinal axis of the board. Alternately, a board may include heel and toe convex portions in the heel and toe side edges that are offset along the board length, e.g., so that the heel convex portions are closer to each other and to a longitudinal board center than the toe convex portions.

Abstract: A ski for mounting a binding on the ski's surface approximately in the middle of the ski or slightly behind the middle, where the ski is provided with inwardly curved edge portions, the ski having greater width at the transition to the front tip than in the middle, and the ski has an upwardly curved front tip. The ski combines features from skis with a very special and characteristic three-dimensional geometry in the actual sliding surface, and a special design of the tip (possibly also in a rear tip where this is relevant), where the tip's secondary sole surfaces (3, 4) are twisted upwards relative to a central reference surface (1, 2), with the result that the ski's tip succeeds in pressing more snow under the ski when running in loose snow and slush, and the invention thereby provides a ski which both glides better in loose snow as well as retaining all the favourable dynamic properties which exist in the described three-dimensional design of the actual sliding surface on the ski.

Abstract: A protective top surface (6) for a board for gliding, which comprises at least one decorative component (10; 10?) passing through at least one slot or hole (7; 7?) in the protective top surface (6), comprising at least one lower part (11; 11?) arranged under the protective top surface (6) and at least one upper part (12) arranged above the protective top surface (6).

Abstract: A slide board for use on snow has a point of maximum width located beyond the contact line. The board includes a core extending over the greater part of the board, and a plurality of mechanical reinforcement layers lying directly or indirectly on the core, extending inside the board upturn beyond the contact line. The reinforcement layers are inclusive of that part of the board comprising the longitudinal axis. At least one of the reinforcement layers has an extreme longitudinal point offset transversely relative to the longitudinal axis of the board and, in a zone defined between the contact line and the point of maximum width, the reinforcement layer has an overall cross-section which decreases between the contact line and the point of maximum width. The reinforcement layers have extreme longitudinal points offset longitudinally relative to each other.

Abstract: A snowmobile ski comprises a body having a pair of rails laterally spaced from one another and interconnected at a tip. A spindle assembly connects the ski to suspension elements of the snowmobile. The spindle assembly has a pair of legs connected to respective rails to allow snow to pass between the legs.

Abstract: A ski which when it is flat on a horizontal plane, and loaded at its waist in such a way that the edges touch said horizontal plane at the waist, has a side cut extending between the front and rear contact lines; when it is pivoted around its longitudinal axis and tilted by a non-zero angle ? relative to said horizontal plane, and loaded at its waist in such a way that one of the edges touches said plane at the waist, has a side cut extending between two end contact points, front and rear respectively wherein for a tilt (?) equal to 35°, the ratio of the distance (D?) separating the front end contact point and the front contact line, related to the distance (D) separating the mid-point (9) of the shoe and the front contact line, is more than 12%.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ski or a snowboard, comprising a multilayered sliding board body comprising at least one strength-providing upper strap, at least one strength-providing lower strap, at least one strip-like core element arranged in between which is delimited essentially by a first and a second flat side and by lateral side surfaces, and which core element comprises at least in sections of its longitudinal extension an essentially trapezoidal cross section with a first base side with a first length and a second base side essentially parallel thereto with a second comparatively shorter length. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing a prefabricated semi-finished product for the production of such a ski or snowboard, a suitably assembled semi-finished product, as well as a method for producing the ski or snowboard according to the invention by using the prefabricated semi-finished product.

Abstract: A wearable device configured to selectively provide roller transportation, the wearable device including a shoe, a plurality of wheel assemblies, each wheel assembly being configured to selectively roll relative to a ground surface about an associated axis of rotation, and a frame connected between the wheel assemblies, the frame comprising a trunk and a plurality of branches extending from the trunk, each of the branches being configured for connection to at least one of the plurality of wheel assemblies, wherein at least a portion of the shoe is located vertically higher than at least a portion of the frame when at least one of the wheel assemblies is in contact with the ground surface and the at least one of the wheel assemblies is positioned to selectively roll relative to the ground surface.

Abstract: The disclosed technology allows for easier turning and a lighter ski by providing cut-out portions, cut into the side of a ski at one or both tips. These cut-out portions jut inward from the side creating a jagged, keyed, or honeycomb configuration with at least one slit, slot, triangle, or regular polygon, cut into the side of the ski, such as in a mirror image on each side of a tip, and/or correspondingly on each tip. In deep powder snow, the powder may rise through the cut-outs, allowing for less friction (smaller surface area) and path for the snow to flow, allowing the ski to turn more easily. In addition, the cut out portions reduce the weight of the ski relative to a conventional ski, and may provide a more aerodynamic design.

Abstract: A two-piece snowboard includes an improved bottom shape and connector. The bottom surface of each snowboard section facilitates three primary functions: riding in a straight line, turning, and stopping. The bottom surfaces are concave or substantially flat, and grooves or ribs are provided along bottom edges of the sections to provide for turning and/or braking. Thus placed, the grooves and/or ribs do not interfere with straight line riding. The connector is somewhat stiff, and resists twisting. An example of a suitable connector is a length of reinforced hydraulic hose. The connector allows both vertical and horizontal flexing to facilitate riding over irregular terrain, while resisting twisting between sections to facilitate control. In one embodiment, the two-piece snowboard is constructed from sandwiching upper platforms provided by a donor snowboard between a connector assembly and bottom platforms according to the present invention.

Abstract: In order to assure smooth and essentially equidistant running of correspondingly loaded pair of skis over ground when turning left or right without any sideslip, a ski is bent at its tip at a pre-determined angle around its longitudinal axis and deflected from the ground by a radius along a that longitudinal axis. Despite a practically symmetric appearance of the circumference of such ski when observed in top view, the distance between a front inflection point and a rear inflection point on the left ski edge and the distance between the front inflection point and the rear inflection point on the right ski edge differ from each other such that the active lengths of the ski edges differ from each other. A weak area of the ski is provided adjacent at least one inflection point to provide different compression distributions between the ground and each of the ski edges.

Abstract: Described herein is a sports board for gliding over a surface. The board includes an upper structural layer having an outer surface, a lower structural layer, a core having an upper surface substantially covered by the upper structural layer and a lower surface substantially covered by the lower structural layer. The board also includes a deformable element covered by the core on an upper surface. A first portion of the deformable element protrudes a distance beneath the lower structural layer towards a horizontal plane of the surface underlying the sports board. The board also includes a base element substantially covering the lower structural layer and the deformable element and an edge component positioned at least in part around a perimeter of the base element. At least a portion of the deformable element can deform upon application of an amount of pressure against the base element.

Abstract: A sport board is provided having a running surface which provides improved steering and directional control of the sport board. In one embodiment, the sport board has an arcuate bottom with a series of alternating ridges and grooves. The central ridges and grooves run parallel to the longitudinal axis of the board, while the ridges and grooves in the side areas run perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the board. In a second embodiment, the sport board comprises a bottom having a small number of a larger ridges and grooves which arrangement provides better control. By use of either approach, however, turning and cornering of the board is more controllable. The board is also fitted with foot straps so as to be easily convertible from a sport board configuration to a snowboard configuration.

Abstract: A gliding board may have less resistance to bending in portions within one or both binding mounting regions as compared to portions at or near ends of the binding mounting regions. Some embodiments provide for increased ability to store and release energy when performing certain maneuvers with the board, such as nose presses, ollies and similar moves. A board may have a concave portion in the top surface located at both the forward and rear binding mounting regions, and convex portions may be located in the top surface between the binding mounting regions as well as forward of the forward mounting region and rearward of the rear mounting region. In another arrangement, concave portions may be located in the bottom surface of the board under the binding mounting regions so as to give desired bending characteristics to the board.

Abstract: Some embodiments disclosed herein provide a splitboard joining device for releasably coupling at least two separate portions of a splitboard, thereby creating a snowboard when coupled and at least a first ski and a second ski when uncoupled. The device may include a first interface and a second interface for attaching to a first portion and a second portion, respectively, of the splitboard. In some embodiments, the device comprises an adjustable tension element disposed on either the first interface or second interface to adjustably control the tension between the first interface and second interface, and to adjustably control the compression between the first and second portions of the splitboard when coupled.

Abstract: A snowboard which incorporates a rocker element instead of a camber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a board-like sliding device in the form of a ski or snowboard. Said board-like sliding device comprises a multilayered sliding board body and at least one elongated force-transmitting element supported on the upper side of the sliding board body for influencing the bending resistance or the vibrational behavior of the sliding board body as well as a binding device for a potentially detachable connection with a sports shoe. Between the lower side of the force-transmitting element and the upper side of the sliding board body at least one engaging coupling means is formed. The force-transmitting element is designed in this case as a thin-walled shell body with a wall thickness of less than 5 mm, which at least over the main part of its longitudinal extension has a substantially U-shaped cross section. At least part sections of the side arms of the force-transmitting element run at least partly in groove-like depressions on the upper side of the sliding board body.

Abstract: A sliding board, in particular a ski, comprising a front part, a middle part and a rear part with a contact surface comprising a running surface and metal edges bordering it. In accordance with the present disclosure, the contact surface of the non-loaded sliding board has a curvature development which, starting from a central contact line in the middle part which has a horizontal tangent, in each case has a positive curvature without turning points toward the front part and rear part.

Abstract: Winter sports gear, particularly an ice skate, include runners to which a sliding blade (3) is detachably connected. The sliding surface (1) of the sliding blade (3) is provided with at least one, in this case three, profiled grooves (4) that extend in the direction of travel. Bulge-type dams (5) extend on both sides of the profiled grooves (4).

Abstract: Ski adapted to receive a skier's boot, the ski having a front tip, a rear end, front and rear contact lines, and a central zone between the front tip and the rear end. The distance separating the forward contact line and the ski tip is greater than or about 500 mm. The shovel, located between the front tip and the forward contact line has a convex zone which includes a first shovel portion having a lateral profile extending between an arc of circle with a 9-meter radius and an arc of circle with a 5-meter radius; a second shovel portion contiguous with the first shovel portion and having a lateral profile extending between an arc of circle with a 9-meter radius and an arc of circle with a 1-meter radius; a third shovel portion contiguous to the second shovel portion and extending to the front tip of the ski.

Abstract: A high-strength skateboard deck includes an elongated body having opposite ends, opposite sides, an upper side and a lower side, the lower side including a plurality of embossments therein that form corresponding bumps extending upwardly from the upper side, improving gripability of the upper side of the skateboard deck, improving the strength in the skateboard deck, reducing fatigue in the skateboard deck, and reducing the coefficient of friction of the lower side of the skateboard deck.

Abstract: A snowmobile ski comprises a body having a pair of rails laterally spaced from one another and interconnected at a tip. A mounting on the body secures the ski to a snowmobile.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ski or a snowboard, comprising a multilayered sliding board body comprising at least one strength-providing upper strap, at least one strength-providing lower strap, at least one strip-like core element arranged in between which is delimited essentially by a first and a second flat side and by lateral side surfaces, and which core element comprises at least in sections of its longitudinal extension an essentially trapezoidal cross section with a first base side with a first length and a second base side essentially parallel thereto with a second comparatively shorter length. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing a prefabricated semi-finished product for the production of such a ski or snowboard, a suitably assembled semi-finished product, as well as a method for producing the ski or snowboard according to the invention by using the prefabricated semi-finished product.

Abstract: An improved bi-directional snowboard having a board member with a pair of parallel, downwardly extending, reverse cambers or rockers disposed between a pair of snow boot bindings mounted on a top surface of the board member. The reverse cambers provide for reduced snow contact upon engaging the snow surface and increased speed during downhill racing. Also, the board member includes a pair of convex-shaped, traction planes on opposite sides of the board member between the board bindings. The traction planes provide for increased edge control and stability when making hard turns and during difficult snow conditions.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a board for riding on a snow surface, comprising a base having a first snow engaging element, a second snow engaging element, and a third snow engaging element positioned on a bottom surface of the base. The first snow engaging element can be positioned beneath a user's front foot during operation of the board and positioned entirely on a forward half of the base. The second and third snow engaging elements can be positioned such that a fore portion of each is positioned beneath a user's front foot during operation of the board and extends toward the rear portion of the board at least to the user's rear foot. In some embodiments, the snow engaging elements can be protrusions, depressions, or otherwise, and can be removably supported by the base.

Abstract: The tips are upwardly curved and the board's/ski's underside (the sole) is provided with first and second surfaces, straight in cross section, extending in the board's/ski's longitudinal direction, which are arranged at an angle to each other and usually interconnected via a third surface. The sole's first and second sole surfaces (2) at the lateral edge, which normally consists of a steel edge, have a varying height over a third sole surface (1), where this height typically both increases and decreases as one advances from the middle of the snowboard/ski towards the transition to the tip (A-A). At the same time the first and second sole surfaces (2) at the lateral edge substantially have a greater height over the third surface (1) in a 10 cm long area from the transition (A-A) and backwards than in the area forming the central half of the snowboard/ski.

Abstract: A high-strength skateboard deck includes an elongated body having opposite ends, opposite sides, an upper side and a lower side, the lower side including a plurality of embossments therein, improving the strength in the skateboard deck, reducing fatigue in the skateboard deck, and reducing the coefficient of friction of the lower side of the skateboard deck.

Abstract: A snowboard or ski for use in loose snow, the snowboard or ski having inwardly curved edge portions where the snowboard or ski has greater width at both ends at the transition to the tips than at the middle of the snowboard or ski with upwardly curved tips. The base is divided into a right running surface and a left running surface which two running surfaces together form a downwardly directed apex in the entire length of the snowboard or ski along a partition line between the two running surfaces when seen in a cross direction of the snowboard or ski. Each of the running surfaces forms an angle with the ground, where the sum total of the two angles is less than 90 degrees everywhere along the length of the snowboard or ski.

Abstract: A ski in accordance with the invention increases in width from a tip or shovel portion to a mid-portion. The mid-portion includes at least a slight sidecut. The ski then decreases in width from the mid-portion to a tail portion. The ski also includes an undersurface with a substantial portion being rockered. A substantial portion of the mid-portion of the ski is not rockered.

Abstract: A gliding board with an effective edge length to waist width ratio of 3.8 to about 4.35, a waist width of at least about 250 mm, a core that has an approximately constant thickness of greater than 5 mm along substantially the entire running length of the board and to within about 80-100 mm of the effective edge points, but thins to a thickness of about 2 mm or less in areas nearer the effective edge points, and/or side edges that include a curved, concave sidecut portion at the waist, curved, convex transition zones at the forward and rear effective edge points and a straight section in the running length adjacent each transition zone.

Abstract: A snow glider comprises a longitudinally-extending runner for supporting a rider on ridden snow and having a generally central, longitudinally-extending slot. The glider further comprises an elevated rider-supporting deck and chatter-absorbing means straddling the slot for supporting the deck above the runner. Preferably, the bottom surface of the runner is preferably generally convex across its width, with curved outer edges that provide directional control to the rider when turning, and at least one longitudinally-extending, generally straight longitudinally-extending inner edge adjacent the periphery of the slot for greater directional control when the rider is going straight. To enhance controllability, the deck of the preferred embodiment is preferably coupled to the runner near the runner's outer periphery so that the force exerted by the rider is transmitted from his/her feet directly to the outer edges of the runner.

Abstract: According to the invention, a ski is provided. The ski may be a longitudinal member having lengthwise edges, a convex base, and a first and second pair of undulations. Each lengthwise edge may have a sidecut portion, where the longitudinal member is thinner near a middle portion of the sidecut portion than at an end of the sidecut portion. The convex base, in an un-deformed state, may have lengthwise edges which are elevated compared to a bottom-most portion of the convex base. The first pair of undulations may be located at a first end of the sidecut portion, one undulation of the first pair per lengthwise edge. The second pair of undulations may be located at a second end of the sidecut portion, one undulation of the second pair per lengthwise edge. The undulations may be a downward depression of the base compared to proximate portions of the convex base.

Abstract: A ski including a structural unit, gliding structure, as well as a decorative and protective structure. The structural unit includes at least one lower reinforcement, at least one upper reinforcement, and an intermediate structure, or core, positioned between the upper reinforcement and the lower reinforcement. The ski has a longitudinally extending cambered shape such that, when the gliding structure is positioned on a flat surface, the ski rests on a shovel contact point and a tail contact point. The ski further includes a tension structure that exerts a tension force between a first anchoring, positioned longitudinally beyond the shovel contact zone, and a second anchoring, positioned on rearward of the shovel contact zone. The tension structure is positioned for most of its length beneath the decorative and protective structure, such tension structure being positioned for most of its length above the neutral axis of the ski, such as above the upper reinforcement.

Abstract: The disclosure herein is directed toward systems and methods for supporting a person and enabling motion of a person across a surface of snow while satisfying the countervailing requirements of increasing surface area for weight-carrying capacity on soft snow and reducing the opposing forces, like for example drag and friction, in hard snow. More specifically, a snowboard described herein includes an inner edge and an outer edge, and allows the rider to control the amount of board-to-snow contact. This snowboard is configured to improve rider support, increase speed and enhance safety performance.