Abstract: A system and method for providing a ski-snowboard device capable of skinning in an uphill ski mode and skiing in a downhill snowboard mode. The system may include two skis with inner and outer edges having substantially concave side cuts, and an insert that fits into the space between the inner edge side cuts of each of the two skis. The concave side cuts of the inner edges of the skis may have a groove formed in each, and a mating tongue on each side of the insert can fit into the grooves in a downhill snowboard mode. The tongue-and-groove connection may improve the torsional stiffness of the board, and the concave side cuts may allow a user to better grip when skiing and eliminate the step of switching the skis when used as sides of the snowboard.

Abstract: A ski-attachable upright conveyance can have a swept-back handle, an upright frame, strengthening members, ski clamp attachments, a braking system, and a plurality of standing plates. The ski clamp attachments allow simple attachment to a variety of skis (skates, wheels, etc.) to form the base of the conveyance so that it can slide across snow, ice, etc. The standing plates provide a non-slip surface upon which a user places his/her feet, allowing the person to stand upright while operating the conveyance. A braking system can allow a user to safely control their speed, stop, etc. The upright frame sweeps upwards before joining the swept-back handle. The frame locks the ski clamp attachments together and provides rigidity. Additional rigidity and support can be added via strengthening support members. A user can vary the pressure and forces exerted on the swept-back handle to assist in steering.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus for wearing about an upper portion of a user's body and for securing weights having a centrally-located hole extending therethrough to the body. The apparatus generally includes a frame backpack and an exercise sled to which one or more weights may be attached. The exercise sled is removably mounted to the frame backpack to operate in a first mode of operation and may be used separately from the frame backpack in a second mode of operation. In certain embodiments, the apparatus may include a connection strap for connecting the exercise sled to the frame backpack in the second mode of operation such that a user may pull the exercise sled while wearing the frame backpack.

Abstract: The Snow Rider provides a rider with a platform that is stable, simple to use, and provides a significant amount of control for the rider. The Snow Rider makes use of two pairs of parallel-oriented articulated skis that are interconnected by a platform on which the rider's bindings are attached. The front and back end of the platform are connected to respective front and rear articulated segments of the pair of skis via control linkages which include trucks that translate leaning by the rider into a redirection of the Snow Rider and by simultaneously operable outriggers which get the skis up on edge and in contact with the snow as they are turned. The rider can either face the direction of motion as with skis or perpendicular to the direction of motion as with a snowboard.

Abstract: A seated skiing device having an adjustable heel protrusion and a fixed toe protrusion is provided. The distance between the toe and heel protrusions are adjustable such that the seated the skiing device may engage toe and heel bindings of a snow ski set to a riders ski boot. In this manner, the seated skiing device is engageable to the snow ski of the rider without any additional tools. Also, a seated snowboarding device is disclosed herein. The seated snowboarding device is removably attachable to standard front and rear bindings of a snowboard.

Abstract: A ski sled with adjustable boot blocks and a rider-operated weight-transfer device for rider-controlled steering. The boot blocks are provided with fixed and/or variable angle adjustment devices for changing the angle of the ski bottoms with respect to the snow surface, and the toe-in angle of the skis with respect to each other. Further, the boot blocks are provided with lengthwise adjustment mechanisms so that the boot blocks may be attached to any standard ski binding used on any ski without modification or any special attachments to the bindings or the skis.

Abstract: A ski-sled frame that can be detachably mounted to a standard pair of skis by attaching the frame to a standard set of ski bindings. The ski-sled may include a seat for carrying the rider, a frame supporting the seat, handles for balance and that aid in steering the ski-sled, and mounting means for attaching the ski-sled to a pair of skis.

Abstract: A ski scooter having a frame with a pivoting, steering post at its front and a seat tube at its rear. A handlebar is secured atop the steering post and a seat is secured atop the seat tube. A foot-supporting platform is secured atop the frame between the seat tube and the steering post. A forward ski is secured to the bottom of the steering post. A rearward ski is secured to the bottom of the frame beneath the seat. A brake assembly is secured to the frame between the seat and the rearward ski. The brake assembly includes a pair of tool bars positioned on opposite sides of the frame. Each of the tool bars has a forward portion that is pivotally secured to the frame and a rearward portion that extends rearward of the seat tube and, also, extends downwardly and rearwardly from the forward portion. A plow blade is secured to each of the rearward portions.

Abstract: A maneuverable sled is provided for use over snowy terrain. In particular, the sled includes a platform, a spring, and two runners. The spring slidingly engages the platform providing the sled with excellent maneuverability.

Abstract: A recreational board such as a snowboard incorporates strain transducers to damp a plate resonance of the board. The strain transducers are preferably located around a peripheral region to capture strain energy affecting control edges, for example steering control edges at the front and/or rear of the board. Electrical energy from the transducers is shunted to damp a targeted resonance. In a preferred embodiment the strain transducers cover a region of the snowboard adjacent one surface and extending along the forward periphery, preferably at both inside and outside edges, and are shunted with a resonant shunt tuned to a torsional or torsion-like mode of the board that is excited during steering maneuvers. The transducers may be fabricated as preassembled sheets or may be formed in the snowboard during the assembly process using sheets of piezoceramic material, or using piezo fiber or other composite constructions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a sled having independently steerable skis is provided. The apparatus provides a sled having skis that move in three distinct directions in response to a single control input. Each of the skis is independently controlled, and can be used in combination or individually to control the movement of the sled. The sled may be provided with a seat for carrying a human occupant, or alternatively may be remotely controlled using extended levers, or servo motors operated remotely, such as by a radio frequency remote controller. The method of the present invention comprises controlling a sled by providing a control input to a first ski of a sled, wherein the control input simultaneously pushes down the ski in relation to the frame, rotates a forward end of the ski towards the center of the sled, and rotates the ski about its longitudinal axis such that an outside edge of the ski moves towards the frame of the sled and an inside edge of the ski moves away from the sled.

Abstract: An accessible seating assembly for a snowboard which allows a physically challenged skier to participate in the sport of snowboarding. The seating assembly is composed of a rotatable seat to allow for transverse or forward-facing seating arrangement. The seating assembly is also capable of raising up to allow for users to ride conventional chair lifts without being detached from the seating assembly. The nature of the seating assembly allows for adaptation for riders of either orientation, goofy or standard. A further benefit of the seating assembly is that it is easily attached to a conventional snowboard or similar apparatus. This aids the user in the purchase of snowboards and also in changing the assembly from one snowboard to another. An adjustable shock absorber is included to cushion the user in a way similar to a normal rider's knees. It is also capable of adjusting to riders of different weight.