Snow-gliding apparatus

Abstract

A gliding apparatus for use in snow is provided. The apparatus typically includes an elongate member including an intermediate portion positioned between a pair of longitudinally opposed upturned end portions. The elongate member includes a bottom surface configured to glide over snow and a laterally upwardly curved surface. The apparatus further includes a traction layer positioned above the elongate member. The traction layer is typically a pliant foam layer. The apparatus may also include a translucent layer through which indicia is viewable, beveled edges, stringers, and/or an elongate member with layers of varying stiffness. The elongate member may also include a top surface with a rim and depression configured to retain at least a portion of the pliant foam traction layer, and a plurality of channels including a central channel that is wider than the remaining channels and is configured to facilitate sliding along a rail.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A gliding apparatus for use in snow, comprising: 
 an elongate member including an intermediate portion between a pair of substantially symmetric upturned end portions, the elongate member including a bottom surface with a substantially planar bottom region configured to slide over snow;    a pliant traction member covering substantially all of an upper surface of the elongate member; and    a channel extending lengthwise at least partially along the bottom surface of the elongate member, the channel being configured to guide the elongate member over the snow;    wherein the apparatus does not include bindings to secure the feet of a rider.    
     
     
         2 . The snow-gliding apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a depression in an upper surface of the elongate member, wherein the pliant traction member is mounted at least partially within the depression.  
     
     
         3 . The snow-gliding apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the elongate member includes a rim adjacent the depression.  
     
     
         4 . The snow-gliding apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the rim extends upward, above a top surface of the traction member.  
     
     
         5 . The snow-gliding apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the rim does not extend above a top surface of the traction member.  
     
     
         6 . The snow-gliding apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the rim extends along each side of the depression, within the intermediate portion of the elongate member.  
     
     
         7 . The snow-gliding apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the rim extends around a perimeter of the depression.  
     
     
         8 . The snow-gliding apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the entire footprint of the traction member is mounted within the depression.  
     
     
         9 . The snow-gliding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate member includes a pair of opposed side edges, each of which tapers to a point at an angle of between about 30- and 60-degrees.  
     
     
         10 . The snow-gliding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the channel is one of a plurality of substantially parallel channels extending lengthwise along the bottom surface of the elongate member, adjacent channels being separated by rounded ridges extending therebetween.  
     
     
         11 . The snow-gliding apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein a cross-section of the channels and ridges has a substantially sinusoidal shape.  
     
     
         12 . The snow-gliding apparatus of  claim 1 , a stringer embedded in and extending lengthwise along the elongate member.  
     
     
         13 . The snow-gliding apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising, a translucent layer positioned adjacent the elongate member such that indicia imprinted on a surface of the elongate member are visible through the translucent layer.  
     
     
         14 . The snow-gliding apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the indicia are imprinted on a bottom surface of the elongate member, and the translucent layer is positioned adjacent the bottom surface of the elongate member such that the indicia are visible through the translucent layer.  
     
     
         15 . The snow-gliding apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the channel is carved into the translucent layer.  
     
     
         16 . The snow-gliding apparatus of  claim 1 , where the elongate member is made at least partially of wood.  
     
     
         17 . The snow-gliding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the traction layer includes a plurality of upwardly extending protrusions.  
     
     
         18 . The snow-gliding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate member includes a plurality of channels formed lengthwise in the bottom surface of the elongate member, one of the plurality of channels being a center channel that is sized to facilitate sliding along an elongate hard object.  
     
     
         19 . The snow-gliding apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the center channel is wider horizontally than the remaining channels.  
     
     
         20 . The snow-gliding apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the center channel is polygonal in cross-section.  
     
     
         21 . The snow-gliding apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the center channel is configured to slide along a rail.  
     
     
         22 . The snow-gliding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate member is formed of a first layer and a second layer of material, the first layer being stiffer than the second layer.  
     
     
         23 . The snow-gliding apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the first and second layers are co-extruded.  
     
     
         24 . The snow-gliding apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the first and second layers are high-density polyethylene.  
     
     
         25 . The snow-gliding apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the first layer includes a stiffener.  
     
     
         26 . The snow-gliding apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the stiffener is talcum.  
     
     
         27 . The snow-gliding apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the first layer is positioned below the second layer.  
     
     
         28 . The snow-gliding apparatus of  claim 22 , further comprising a third layer positioned adjacent the first and second layers, the third layer having a different stiffness from the first and second layers.  
     
     
         29 . A gliding apparatus for use on snow, the apparatus comprising: 
 an elongate member including an intermediate portion positioned between a pair of longitudinally opposed upturned end portions, the elongate member including indicia on a bottom surface, the elongate member being made at least partially of wood;    a channel extending lengthwise along a bottom surface of the elongate member, the channel being configured to guide the apparatus over snow;    a translucent layer positioned adjacent the bottom surface of the elongate member such that the indicia is visible through the translucent layer; and    a pliant traction layer covering substantially all of an upper surface of the elongate member;    wherein the apparatus does not include bindings to secure the feet of a rider.