Abstract: A core for a water skimming device, such as a water ski, is formed by lining a mold with flexible top and bottom films of acrylic sheet material, followed by injecting structural foam into the mold between the films. The structural foam sets in contact with the films and is encapsulated in and bonded to them. The encapsulated core is wrapped in fibrous reinforcing material, which then is impregnated with thermosetting adhesive. The assembly of core, reinforcing material, adhesive and an outer layer is compression molded to cure the adhesive, which readily bonds the encapsulated core to the outer shell.

Abstract: An improved water ski apparatus and method are disclosed. A slalom water ski having an adjustable rudder fin is configured such that the rudder fin can be selectively and precisely moved in vertical, horizontal and diagonal directions in a manner such that each movement parameter can be separated from the others and is precisely moveable to within thousandths of an inch accuracy, in calibrated manner. Means are provided to enable complete removal of the rudder fin from the ski, and subsequent replacement while exactly preserving the last adjusted mounting position of the fin relative to the ski. An improved fastening technique for mounting the rudder fin to the ski body without loosening or stripping of the fastening members is also disclosed, as well as a method for fabricating a ski body that integrally incorporates the improved fastening members in the body of the ski.

Abstract: A skiboard system comprising a skiboard having a channel extending along a portion of the length thereof and two bindings secured, via the channel, to the skiboard. The bindings are design to be rotated between a locked starting position, where the long axes of the bindings extend parallel to the long axis of the skiboard, and a locked skiing position, where the long axes of the bindings extend transversely to the long axis of the skiboard. After the bindings have been rotated to a selected position, the bindings are secured in place via a locking mechanism that is operated by movement of a pivotally mounted handle. In addition, the bindings include a resilient front strap assembly and a resilient heel support for securing the user's feet to the binding while at the same time permitting a user to quickly and easily remove his or her feet from the bindings in the event of a fall.

Abstract: A water ski with a short and broad ski body and having a forebody, midbody, and tail rocker and a top and bottom surface. Affixed to the top surface is foot binding having a right and left boot. The right and left boot are mounted on the right and left side respectively of the longitudinal centerline of the ski body by means of a binding plate which is adjustable either forward or rearward on the ski body. Just behind the heel clamp of the binding assembly is the transverse center of the stabilizing fin. The fin blade protrudes through a slot in the ski body downward through the ski body. The fin is affixed to the top surface of the ski body by the fin fixing flange. The bottom surface of the ski body has a bevel along the entire perimeter and a concave tunnel that begins at the tail and ends at the forbody. Between the bevel and concave tunnel is a flat rail the is generally parallel to the top surface of the ski body.

Abstract: In the illustrated embodiments, the boot (22) has a sole plate (24) and a monolithic (54) shell of substantially rigid plastic material upstanding thereon. The shell forms an open top shoe structure (26) in which the user can insert the base of his foot, while he at the same time engages the metatarsal portion of his foot in a "holster" formed under an arched cowl (32) at the forward end of the shell. Meanwhile, at the back of the shell, there is a rear wall (36) that upstands to a level above the ankle joint of the user's foot, to form a strongback for the achilles tendon of his foot. The strongback (36) is accompanied by a part annular cuff (38) which is adapted to be removably secured about the user's lower leg above the ankle joint therein, and is supported on the shell at the top opening (28) thereof, so as to have no more than a limited capability to flex in relation to the shell laterally thereof.

Abstract: The top surface of the rear end of a slalom water ski is modified by adding a special contour to same to improve its performance in racing competition. The modification relates to adding a "hump" or "hummock" on the rear one-third of the ski. The sides of the hump coincide with the sides of the rear of the ski and the curvature at the back of the "hump" just matches the contour of the back end of the ski. Also in this hump, the standard seven degree angle from vertical of a standard ski continues upwardly for a given distance above the normal top surface of the ski and is then reversed from that 7 degrees to 7 degrees from vertical the other way for a given distance, after which the top surface of the "hump" is smoothly "radiused" around.

Abstract: The water ski board of the present invention is a generally flat U-shaped board with an upward curvature at its forward end portion. Two short tails extend backward from the body of the board slightly forward of which is fixed a pair of foot bindings. The tails are of greater thickness than the board with a taper beginning at the front of each tail. A U-shaped channel with a plurality of holes provided along its length is affixed to the top of the board along its center axis to permit the tow line to be attached at any of the holes. The variable attachment of the tow lines allows the board to plane at different speeds, depending on the weight of the rider in relationship to the direction of pulling force from the boat. On the bottom surface of each tail a semicircular tunnel is formed at the approximate center running parallel to the axis. On both sides of the tunnel a tube runs through the length of the tail parallel to the axis.

Abstract: A device for movement over a viscuous or liquid medium, such as a water ski, has a textured contact surface which includes the bottom and side edges of the ski. The texture is formed of shallow dimples.

Abstract: A surfboard for surfing on snow has an hourglass profile including dimension lines curved inwardly in the runner zone, and wherein bindings each form an angle with a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the surfboard. Both dimension lines are offset longitudinally with respect to each other and are positioned so that the most curved point of each dimension line is located on the axis of symmetry of the axes passing through the two bindings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wedge device designed to be mounted on a water ski in a position where the wedge will underlie the rear foot of the skier. The wedge only supports the rear portion of the foot and allows the ball of the foot to directly contact the ski and thereby helps achieve proper slalom skiing body position with improved balance, stability, ski control, consistency and performance.

Abstract: A reaction injection molded recreation board with spaced rectangular reinforcing rods. The rods are rectangular in cross section and are disposed between upper and lower surfaces of the board. Position clips maintain the reinforcing rods in mutually spaced relationships within an injection mold during the process of injecting foam plastic. The structure of the positioning clips is also disclosed.

Abstract: A water ski binding includes: a flexible rear boot member for the rear part of the foot of the skier; a rear mounting structure for the boot member having wall surface structure which rises generally upwardly with respect to the top surface of the ski; and another rear mounting structure for the boot member, also having wall surface structure which rises generally upwardly with respect to the top surface of the ski, which slides relative to the first mounting structure in order to press the boot member between such wall surface structures and mount the boot member on the ski. The second mounting structure is formed to support the heel of the skier and the flexible boot member is formed to be held in position substantially solely through abutting wall surfaces of the mounting structures and boot member.

Abstract: A water ski binding having slideable toe piece which has rearward extensions which are cam locked in place in tunnels in a fixed heel piece.

Abstract: A water-ski locator device is comprised of a buoyant body fixed in position on the top surface of the water-ski's toe piece by a number of straps. So positioned, the buoyant body does not create water drag while the ski is in use. The device is also particularly adapted to restore the body uppermost over the ski and to visibly project above the water's surface in the event the ski becomes detached, or is purposely left by the skier, and comes to rest in an upside down orientation, i.e., if the ski initially comes to rest, as a water-ski is otherwise often inclined to do, with its bottom surface floating on the water and its shoe piece facing downward.

Abstract: A water ski including a buoyant fore section and an elongated hollow, fluid aft chamber in fluid communication with rear ports in the rear end of the ski and air ports in the top surface of the fore section of the ski whereby the aft section of the ski is flooded when the ski is relatively stationary in the water to cause said ski to assume an upright position in the water and which chamber is rapidly purged of water when said ski is in forward motion to assume a balanced, substantially horizontal skiing position on the water.

Abstract: A ski including a lower sliding surface connected to an upper surface by two lateral surfaces along opposed sides of the ski. At least one of the lateral surfaces has at least one portion which is inclined with respect to the lower surface and forms an angle of inclination.

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: A multicolored foam product and a method for the preparation thereof. Heat-plastified foamable gel of a thermoplastic resin or resins containing blowing agents are combined with different coloring materials added sequentially and extruded through an orifice of a die which is extended in length to facilitate laminar flow in the resin. This resin is expanded to form a multicolored layered foam product, such as multicolored foam planking, in a single extrusion. Multicolored foam planking produced is suitable for use as the body material for surfboards, body boards, and other recreational products.

Abstract: An elongated pennant-like member formed of a flexible sheet has a banner portion and a base portion; a connector pile panel extends transversely of the base portion and a connector hook panel extends transversely across the base portion in spaced relation to the pile panel for permitting the device to be attached to a supporting member such as rope or the like by folding one of said connector panels over into connecting contact with the other of said connector panels about such a supporting member.

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 rudder-steerable water ski is provided including a pivotable shoe rotatable by the user to correspondingly move a ski rudder through a transmission mechanism. A V-shaped rudder may be used with at least one blade of the rudder remaining in the water when the ski is angled with respect to the surface of the water. According to the method of the present invention, the conventional water ski may be modified to provide the rudder-steerable capability of the invention.

Abstract: A water ski including a core and an outer skin enveloping the core. The core comprises two transversely spaced longitudinal core members and a longitudinal stringer interposed between and fixedly secured to the two core members. The stringer provides longitudinal rigidity and resilience to the water ski.

Abstract: A slideable toe piece has rearward extensions which are cam locked in place in tunnels in the fixed heel piece.

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 molded ski has a preformed core rigidly attached to an inner plate and to an outer deck plate. The strength and density of the core is distinct from the strength and density of the remaining ski body.

Abstract: A tandem towing device for towing a pair of water skiers with one boat has a hook for attachment to a boat, a plate rotatably mounted on the shaft of the attachment hook, and a pair of diametrically opposed holes in the plate for attachment to two towlines. The holes receive the towlines through corresponding channels disposed about the perimeter of the plate. The towlines are retained in the holes in the circular plate by sleeves which slide about the towlines and into the holes. When the towlines are put in tension by normal use, the plate rotates to eliminate any tangling of the lines which may exist.

Abstract: The ski comprises an elongated body member having an upwardly turned tip portion on one end of the body member, a tail portion on the other end of the body member, a lower gliding surface extending between the tip portion and the tail portion and an upper surface coextensive with the lower surface. The upper surface includes a raised portion at a predetermined location between the tip portion and the tail portion with this raised portion being integral with the remainder of the upper surface and being capable of supporting at least one foot of a skier.

Abstract: A device for converting and stabilizing a narrow backed water ski member for use by beginners or handicapped persons which includes a stabilizing and training member attachable to the narrow aft portion of a narrow backed ski, the training member including an integrally elongated U-shaped member having side legs of the U-shape fitted alongside the aft ski end portion, and an aft extension on the U-shaped member interconnecting the aft ends of the side legs and fitted against the aft edge of the ski member, and securing elements for removably attaching the training member to the ski aft portion. The training member selectively increases the width and length of the aft end of the ski for increasing the area in contact with the water to enable the narrow backed ski member to be utilized as a broad backed ski member for training purposes.

Abstract: The rear end of a slab-type hull of the sort utilized for windsurfing, and also as disclosed herein adapted to be used in the place of a slalom ski, is horizontally bifurcated to define a rigid upper deck portion and a flexible deflection panel extending beneath, and spaced from, the upper rear deck portion. The deflection panel can flex upwardly independently of the upper, rigid rear deck. Although the flexure of the deflection panel beneath the upper rear deck is functional without any further controls or modifications other than the independent flexure of the deflection panel itself relative to the overlying upper rear deck, its characteristics are enhanced by incorporating certain control features in the nature of a detent element which fixes the curvature of the deflection panel, and/or one or more stops, preferably spring-loaded, which determine the uppermost deflection of a certain portion or portions of the deflection panel.

Abstract: A flexible foot binder is held in a slideable assembly which has upward facing detents along opposite sides. Inward opening slideways have over-the-center eccentric cam locks mounted on transverse pins. The cams engage the detents to press the slide assembly downward on the ski and to prevent motion of the slideable assembly.

Abstract: A signal flag apparatus for mounting on a boat that is towing a water skier, with the apparatus being operable to raise a warning flag when the water skier falls. The signal flag apparatus is an automatic mechanism which holds the warning flag down when the skier applies a tension on the tow rope and will quickly raise the flag in the absence of skier applied tension.

Abstract: A watercraft has a hull that is further supported above the surface while underway by a ski and integral hydrofoil, the hydrofoil is semicircular and is affixed to the hull and ski.

Abstract: There is disclosed a water-ski construction in which there is provided an elongated element having an upper and lower surface. The lower surface is divided, in the longitudinal direction, into a fore zone, a mid-zone, and an aft-zone, the lower surface of the element being adapted for contact with water. The fore-zone is designed by a single concave surface the nature of an arrow-like depression. The mid-zone is defined by first and second concave longitudinal channels separated by a sharp edge. The longitudinal channels extend throughout the mid-zone of the ski and into the aft-zone. The mid-zone further includes a flat surface which defines and frames the outer periphery of both the fore and mid-zones of the elongated ski element, thusly defining the outer transverse extent of the longitudinal channels. The depth of the concave longitudinal channels progressively deepens at the mid-zone and lessens at both the aft and fore zones.

Abstract: A water ski of conventional form so far as general contour and leading end uptilt is concerned, has two tunnels or grooves formed in its underface and a fin in each tunnel which projects downwardly from the trailing end portion of its tunnel. The tunnels:1. are arcuate in cross-section,2. begin in a point short of the leading edge of said underface and end at the trailing end of said underface, and3. at said point are of zero width and depth and, proceeding to said trailing end, progressively increase in both of these lateral directions.

Abstract: Equipment for movement on water surface and towless aquatic ski, comprising two hollow shoes for supporting a user under condition of static floatage, which shoes are provided with flexible connections for accomodating the user's feet, and at least one movable stabilizing fin, and two sticks with rotatable hollow rackets, peripherally provided with inclined tabs, for thrust impact on the water surface; the shoes are formed of two portions which are interconnected by an articulated joint, to be movable with respect to each other, and the rear portion is fitted with at least one fin.

Abstract: A molded water ski binding having a soft, pliable binding rubber portion and a hard framework portion bonded to the binding rubber portion during the molding process.

Abstract: A glove arrangement for water skiing for enabling the water skier to establish through his grip on the tow rope crossbar handle a finger controlled structural purchase that couples, through the glove arrangment, the skeletal structure of his arms to the tow rope handle in bypassing relation to the muscles of his hands and forearms, in which the glove for each hand is a hand cover of the usual finger glove configuration and includes a palm portion and a wrist portion in which a palm side strapping is affixed to the glove on its palm or gripping side that extends across the glove palm portion longitudinally thereof and along and between the glove finger portions and wrist portion on the palm side of same, and has a protuberant rib extending crosswise of the strapping and the finger portions adjacent the area of the first finger joints of the finger portions, which rib in use provides a finger controlled over center type socket forming purchase on the handle, and a wrist strapping anchored to the glove palm side

Abstract: A water ski formed of molded upper and lower shells made of sheet molding compound which have mating and overlapping flanges around the entire perimeter of the shells which are bonded together to form a buoyancy chamber. In one embodiment, the chamber is filled with polymerized foam and in another embodiment longitudinally extending ribs are formed to maintain the upper and lower surfaces of the shells in spaced relationship to each other.

Abstract: A dry land trick ski trainer is disclosed comprising a circular platform disposed at 21/2 to 10 degrees attitude and rotatingly supported at its center on a base. The circular platform is provided with a ski boot and markings to show the proper placement of feet. A ski rope is provided, one end of which is attached through a pulley to a set of weights so as to simulate the pull of a boat.

Abstract: A tubular float for use in a water ski tow device. The float has a hollow shaft pulley in one end thereof and a slot in the other end thereof. A hitch rope is attached to the transom of the boat at locations displaced from the central axis of the boat. The hitch rope is roved through the pulley. A tow rope is inserted through the slot and passed along the tubular body of the float through the hollow shaft of the pulley back along the hollow body of the float through the slot from an opposite direction and then tied or spliced to the main length of the tow rope to form a tow structure not susceptible to failure in the event of structural damage to the float.

Abstract: A ski having lower frictional resistance created by introduction of an air cushion. At least one chamber is formed in the running surface of the ski to hold air which is introduced through an air entrance on the ski. The sides of the chamber are formed to prevent lateral escape of the air. A channel in the form of a Venturi tube extends between the air entrance and the chamber.

Abstract: There is disclosed a water-ski construction in which there is provided an elongated element having an upper and lower surface. The lower surface is divided, in the longitudinal direction, into a fore zone, a mid-zone, and an aft-zone, the lower surface of the element being adapted for contact with water. The fore-zone is designed by a single concave surface the nature of an arrow-like depression. The mid-zone is defined by first and second concave longitudinal channels separated by a sharp edge. The longitudinal channels extend throughout the mid-zone of the ski and into the aft-zone. The mid-zone further includes a flat surface which defines and frames the outer periphery of both the fore and mid-zones of the elongated ski element, thusly defining the outer transverse extent of the longitudinal channels. The depth of the concave longitudinal channels progressively deepens at the mid-zone and lessens at both the aft and fore zones.