GB2447211A - Ski binding - Google Patents

Abstract

Ski bindings 3 adapted to accommodate a snow boot 1 are attached to skis via threaded holes 4 and screws 2. The skis may be made in any shape or size, and must be wide enough to accept the ski binding. A number of holes may be included to allow a variety of bindings to be used.

Description

Skis for ImDrOved Comfort It is often felt by skiers that the standard

ski boot is very uncomfortable in its fitting and very cwnbersome to walk in. It is also known that snowboard boots are more comfortable, usually warmer and much easier to walk in.

While efforts have been made to improve the standard ski boot in to a more comfortable fitting, the bindings which attach the boots to the skis, require the underneath of the ski boot to be rigid to clip in to the bindings. This restriction does not apply to standard snowboard boots which usually have a grip on the snow to allow the snowboarder to walk more easily. However, a snowboard boot does retain the adequate suppolt and stability required to edge into the snow for turning and traversing.

Unfortunately, a standard set of skis which take conventional ski bindings are too narrow to adapt for a snowboard binding and therefore do not make a suitable combination.

This invention relates to a design of 2 skis which are wide enough to take snowboard bindings and therefore snowboard boots.

Figure 1: Illusirates a typical breakdown of snowboard boots and snowboard bindings which fit to one of the 2 skis.

Figure 2: Shows a view of a typical snowboard binding and snowboard boot fitted to the ski.

Figure 3: Illustrates a typical skier using the skis with the snowboard bindings and boots to edge into the snow as part of a turn.

In figure!, the ski (5) contains a number of threaded holes (4) by which means a standard snowboard binding (3) can be attached using the necessary screws (2). The configuration of threaded holes may sometimes vary according to the manufacturer of snowboard bindings so different skis can be made to suit a different formation of threaded holes. The threaded holes in the skis are deep enough to accommodate the screws but do not penetrate the underneath of the ski as this needs to be as smooth as possible to operate effectively on the snow.

The widthofthe ski (y) must be at minimum, the samewidth orgreaterthan the snowboard binding used. A narrower dimension may result in damage to the snowboard boots and bindings. The width of the skis at the front (Z) must be the same width orgreater than the width (y) depicted at the centre of the threaded holes (4).

The overall length (a) and the width at the rear (b) of the ski can vary according to the skier's ability and preference.

The front of the skis (6) are turned up similar to that of skis and snowboards to prevent the skis from channelling into the snow when in motion. The skis can be manufactured with or without a similar turn up at the rear (7) which would allow the skier to ski backwards more easily.

Figure 2 shows a 3 dimensional view of a ski with the snowboard boot and binding attached. The composition of the skis may vary in material types as do other types of skis and snowboards. They will also require the inherent metal rims built into the edges around the entire ski as also used in snowboards and skis designed to achieve greater stability and grip in the snow and ice.

Figure 3 shows a skier in snowboard bindings and snowboard boots which are attached to the skis. The angle of the skis depict a carving turn in the snow where the metal edges on each ski makes contact with the snow.

The skier may have the choice to use ski poles to assist with stability and turning but they are not likely to be necessaly as the skis are shorter and wider than conventional skis.

As the skis (5) and snowboard bindings and boots are much wider than conventional skis, bindings and ski boots, this would naturally encourage the skis to be approximately shoulder width apart. This style of skiing should increase stability and ease of turning.

Claims (5)

1. I

   Claims 1. A set of 2 skis which contains threaded holes to allow standard snowboard bindings to be fitted.
2. 2. As the skis are fitted with snowboard bindings, standard snowboard boots can be worn.
3. 3. The size and shape of the skis can be manufactured to meet the skier's preference and ability.
4. 4. The skis are wide enough to accommodate the snowboard binding.
5. 5. The skis can be manufactured with the threaded holes in a different layout to meet other snowboard binding screw configurations.