Suspension system for a ski
AssigneeAnton F. Wilson
InventorAnton F. Wilson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Suspension systems are provided for skis. In some implementations, the suspension system includes a spring-like element and a support structure configured to attach one end of the spring-like element to the central half of the longitudinal running length of a ski body. The spring-like element is configured so that the opposite end of the spring-like element contacts the ski body at a contact point on the front-most or rear-most fifth of the longitudinal running length of the ski body, and applies a downward force at the contact point such that the degree of free camber of the ski is increased relative to the natural free camber of the ski body without the suspension system attached.
Claims22
A suspension system for a ski comprising:
- at least two compressible elements;
- a support structure configured to attach one end of each of the compressible elements to the central half of the longitudinal running length of a ski body;
- and
- a mounting system that attaches said support structure to the ski body in a manner that substantially precludes yaw and roll movement between the support structure and the ski body,
- wherein:
- the compressible elements are configured so that the opposite ends of the compressible elements contact the ski body at contact points on the front-most and rear-most fifth of the longitudinal running length of the ski body, and apply a downward force at the respective contact points such that the degree of free camber of the ski is increased relative to the natural free camber of the ski body without said suspension system attached;
- at least two of the compressible elements are attached to the central half of the longitudinal running length of the ski body by a support structure that is attached to the central third of the longitudinal running length of the ski body;
- and
- the mounting system comprises elements configured to allow elastic movement between the support structure and the ski body in the vertical and longitudinal directions as well as around a pitch axis.
A suspension system for a ski comprising:
- at least two compressible elements;
- and
- a support structure configured to attach one end of each of the compressible elements to the central half of the longitudinal running length of a ski body,
- wherein:
- the opposite ends of the compressible elements contact said ski body at contact points on the front most fifth and rear most fifth of the longitudinal running length of the ski body, and each applies a downward force at the respective contact point such that at a predetermined degree of deflection, the ski body will exhibit a spring rate at least 25% less than the maximum spring rate exhibited by said ski prior to said predetermined degree of deflection;
- and
- the ski body, during the first 0.5 inch of deflection, exhibits a maximum spring rate that is at least 150% of the average spring rate exhibited during the following 0.75 inch of deflection.
A suspension system for a ski comprising:
- at least two compressible elements;
- and
- a support structure configured to attach one end of each of the compressible elements to the central half of the longitudinal running length of a ski body,
- wherein:
- the compressible elements are configured so that the opposite ends of the compressible elements contact the ski body at contact points on the front-most and rear-most fifth of the longitudinal running length of the ski body, and apply a downward force at the respective contact points such that the degree of free camber of the ski body is increased relative to the natural free camber of the ski body without said suspension system attached;
- at least two of the compressible elements are attached to the central half of the longitudinal running length of the ski body by a support structure that is attached to the central third of the longitudinal running length of the ski body;
- and
- the suspension system is configured so that a rearward movement of a skier's center of gravity increases the downward pressure applied by the forward compressible element of the suspension system to the forward fifth of the ski body, and a forward movement of a skier's center of gravity increases the downward pressure applied by the rear compressible element of the suspension system to the rear fifth of the ski body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.