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US 11,065,528 B2Granted
Thrust-responsive surface material for skis
OwnerStephen S. Daniellinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A thrust-responsive structure for skis includes a plurality of retractable elements. Each retractable element includes a portion configured to move from an elevated position to a retracted position. Each retractable element further includes a first retention feature. The structure further comprises a matrix surrounding at least a subset of the plurality of retractable elements. The matrix is static relative to the plurality of retractable elements. The matrix includes a plurality of second retention features configured to captively engage the first retention features of the plurality of retractable elements. A position of each retractable element of the plurality of retractable elements, in the elevated position, is limited by contact between the first retention feature and the second retention feature.
Claims20
A thrust-responsive structure for skis, comprising:
- a plurality of retractable elements, each retractable element including a portion configured to move from an elevated position to a retracted position, each retractable element further including a first retention feature;
- and
- a periodic matrix formed within a plane of a ski base, the periodic matrix fully surrounding a perimeter of at least a subset of the plurality of retractable elements, the matrix being static relative to the plurality of retractable elements, the periodic matrix including a plurality of second retention features configured to captively engage the first retention features of the plurality of retractable elements,
- wherein a position of each retractable element of the plurality of retractable elements, in the elevated position, is limited by contact between the first retention feature and the second retention feature.
1 more element
A thrust-responsive structure for skis, comprising:
- a plurality of retractable elements, each retractable element including a portion configured to move from an elevated position to a retracted position, each retractable element further including a first retention feature;
- and
- a matrix surrounding at least a subset of the plurality of retractable elements, the matrix being static relative to the plurality of retractable elements, the matrix including a plurality of second retention features configured to captively engage the first retention features of the plurality of retractable elements,
- wherein a position of each retractable element of the plurality of retractable elements, in the elevated position, is limited by contact between the first retention feature and the second retention feature,
- wherein the plurality of retractable elements is formed monolithically, and
- wherein the first retention features of the plurality of retractable elements are formed monolithically with the plurality of second retention features of the matrix.
3 more elements
A thrust-responsive structure for skis, comprising:
- a plurality of retractable elements, each retractable element including a portion configured to move from an elevated position to a retracted position, each retractable element further including a first retention feature;
- a matrix surrounding at least a subset of the plurality of retractable elements, the matrix being static relative to the plurality of retractable elements, the matrix including a plurality of second retention features configured to captively engage the first retention features of the plurality of retractable elements,
- wherein a position of each retractable element of the plurality of retractable elements, in the elevated position, is limited by contact between the first retention feature and the second retention feature;
- and
- a cover plate including a plurality of apertures and a lattice defined by the plurality of apertures, the cover plate being formed separately from the matrix, the cover plate functionally encompassing the plurality of second retention features of the matrix.
2 more elements
A thrust-responsive structure for skis, comprising:
- a plurality of retractable elements, each retractable element including a portion configured to move from an elevated position to a retracted position, each retractable element further including a first retention feature;
- and
- a matrix surrounding at least a subset of the plurality of retractable elements, the matrix being static relative to the plurality of retractable elements, the matrix including a plurality of second retention features configured to captively engage the first retention features of the plurality of retractable elements,
- wherein a position of each retractable element of the plurality of retractable elements, in the elevated position, is limited by contact between the first retention feature and the second retention feature,
- a control plate, the control plate including a plurality of engagement features configured to be deliberately devised to interactively intrude upon a free range of motion of the retractable elements, and thereby regulate the position of the retractable elements.
2 more elements
A ski equipped to be biased to forward motion, comprising:
- a ski body including a recess, the recess being formed in the bottom of the ski body;
- an insert compatible with the recess in the bottom of the ski, the insert including an array of periodic retractable elements formed within a plane of the ski base and pliably coupled to a commensurate periodic matrix, the matrix being held positionally stationary relative to the ski body and remaining substantially static relative to selective movement of the array of retractable elements;
- and
- fastening means to interchangeably attach the insert to the recess in the ski body.
1 more element
A method of forming a resilient structure, without preference for order or simultaneity, the method comprising:
- forming an array of monolithically interconnected retractable members having mechanical engagement means formed thereon;
- forming a matrix having mechanical engagement means thereon, the matrix being formed monolithically with the array of monolithically interconnected retractable members;
- and
- subjecting the array to mechanical force sufficient to structurally engage at least a portion of the monolithically interconnected retractable members with the matrix having mechanical engagement means thereon,
- wherein a positional extent of the retractable members is thereafter limited by a mutual obstruction between the mechanical engagement means formed on the monolithically interconnected retractable members and the mechanical engagement means formed on the matrix.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.