Flex Enhancing Device

Abstract

The invention is a device that enhances the flex capability of a ski, such that the ski's performance is improved over prior art. With the advent of shorter shape skis being accepted in the industry there is an inherent problem with the prior art boot to ski attachment, such that a dead or flat spot in the flex is created. The invention de-couples the stiff element of the ski boot from affecting the ski's flex. The invention comprises a novel means of providing de-coupled ski boot and binding attachment for the benefit of all stature of skiers, such as a child and adults. A substantially short (with regards to ski length) riser plate is centrally mounted to a ski. A platform plate is mounted to said riser plate, such that said platform is elevated above said ski. The invention results in said ski flexing freely to initiate smooth carve turns and dampen impacts from rough terrain. A ski binding can easily be attached to the platform using traditional methods, such that prior art ski bindings can be utilized. Further, the design can be integrated directly into the design construction of the ski to provide enhanced performance with fewer parts. The invention is clearly advancement to the existing prior art technology.

1 . A ski with a raised section and a platform above said ski top, such that said platform extends from said raised section in the front distal and rear distal direction of said ski, and said platform distal ends are not contacting the ski top in the ski's non flexed condition.  
     
     
         2 . A ski as described in  claim 1 , wherein said raised section and said platform and said ski are one composite lamina.  
     
     
         3 . A ski as described in  claim 1 , wherein said raised section elevates said platform substantially above said ski top surface, such that said ski can freely flex.  
     
     
         4 . A ski as described in  claim 3 , wherein said ski can freely go into reverse camber flexing.  
     
     
         5 . A ski as described in  claim 3 , wherein said elevated platform is substantially stiff to support a skiers weight with little flexing.  
     
     
         6 . A ski as described in  claim 1 , in which said space between said platform and said ski top is filled with a filling element.  
     
     
         7 . A ski as described in  claim 6 , wherein said filling element is a foam material of little stiffness.  
     
     
         8 . A ski as described in  claim 6 , wherein said filling element is of a material of substantially stiffness to affect the overall flex of the ski.  
     
     
         9 . A ski with a raised section, such that a platform can be attached to said raised section, wherein said platform extends from said raised section in the front distal and rear distal direction of said raised section, such that said platform distal ends are not contacting the ski top in the ski's non flexed condition.  
     
     
         10 . A ski as described in  claim 9 , wherein said raised section and said ski are one composite lamina.  
     
     
         11 . A ski as described in  claim 9 , wherein said platform is fastened to said raised section of said ski.  
     
     
         12 . A ski as described in  claim 9 , wherein said raised section elevates said platform substantially above said ski top surface, such that said ski can freely flex.  
     
     
         13 . A ski as described in  claim 9 , wherein said ski can freely go into reverse camber flexing.  
     
     
         14 . A ski as described in  claim 9 , wherein said elevated platform creates a space between said ski top and the platform.  
     
     
         15 . A ski as described in  claim 9 , in which said space is filled with a filling element.  
     
     
         16 . A ski as described in  claim 15 , wherein said filling element is of a material of little stiffness.  
     
     
         17 . A ski as described in  claim 15 , wherein said filling element is of a material of substantially stiffness to affect the overall flex of the ski.  
     
     
         18 . A ski as described in  claim 12 , wherein said platform is a composite lamina.  
     
     
         19 . A ski as described in  claim 12 , wherein said platform is a metal material.  
     
     
         20 . A ski as described in  claim 11 , wherein said platform is attached with fastener means to the top surface of said raised section, such that said fasteners are loaded in tension.  
     
     
         21 . A ski as described in  claim 11 , wherein said platform is attached with fastener means to the sides surface of said raised section, such that said fasteners are loaded in shear.  
     
     
         22 . A ski as described in  claim 1 , wherein said platform has side plates attached to the sides of said platform creating a channel in which ski binding elements can be attached within said channel.  
     
     
         23 . A ski as described in  claim 11 , wherein said platform has side plates attached to the sides of said platform creating a channel in which ski binding elements can be attached within said channel.  
     
     
         24 . A ski as described in  claim 9 , wherein said platform has an intermediate shim between said platform and said raised sections top surface, such that said platform is fastened to said raised section and clamping said shim securely.  
     
     
         25 . A ski as described in  claim 24 , wherein said platform is attached with fastener means to the top surface of said raised section, such that said fasteners are loaded in tension.  
     
     
         26 . A ski as described in  claim 24 , wherein said platform is attached with fastener means to the sides surface of said raised section, such that said fasteners are loaded in shear.  
     
     
         27 . A ski as described in  claim 24  wherein said shim has an incline angle between said front and rear sections of said ski.  
     
     
         28 . A ski as described in  claim 24  wherein said shim has an incline angle between said sides of said ski.  
     
     
         29 . A ski lifter plate assembly comprising a riser plate, said riser plate being relatively short in length in comparison to said skis length, and having a height which evaluates said riser plate top surface above said ski surface, such that a platform substantially longer than said riser plate length and substantially shorter than said ski length is on the raiser plate's top surface, such that said assembly is attached to said ski.  
     
     
         30 . A ski lifter plate assembly as described in  claim 29 , wherein said riser plate elevates said platform substantially above said ski top surface such that said ski can freely flex.  
     
     
         31 . A ski lifter plate as described in  claim 29 , wherein said ski can freely go into reverse camber flexing.  
     
     
         32 . A ski lifter plate assembly as described in  claim 29 , wherein said platform creates a space between said ski top and the platform.  
     
     
         33 . A ski lifter plate assembly as described in  claim 29 , wherein said space is filled with a filling element.  
     
     
         34 . A ski lifter plate assembly as described in  claim 33 , wherein said filling element is of a material of little stiffness.  
     
     
         35 . A ski lifter plate assembly as described in  claim 33 , wherein said filling element is of substantially stiffness to affect the overall flex of the ski.  
     
     
         36 . A ski lifter plate assembly as described in  claim 29 , wherein said platform is a composite lamina.  
     
     
         37 . A ski lifter plate assembly as described in  claim 29 , wherein said platform is a metal material.  
     
     
         38 . A ski lifter plate assembly as described in  claim 29 , wherein said platform is attached with fastener means to the top surface of said riser plate, such that said fasteners are loaded in tension.  
     
     
         39 . A ski lifter plate assembly as described in  claim 29 , wherein said platform is attached with fastener means to the sides surface of said riser plate, such that said fasteners are loaded in shear.  
     
     
         40 . A ski lifter plate assembly as described in  claim 29 , wherein said platform has side plates attached to the sides of said platform creating a channel in which ski binding elements can be attached within said channel.  
     
     
         41 . A ski lifter plate assembly as described in  claim 29 , wherein said platform has an intermediate shim between said platform and said raised sections top surface, such that said platform is fastened to said raised section and clamping said shim securely.  
     
     
         42 . A ski lifter plate assembly as described in  claim 41 , wherein said platform is attached with fastener means to the top surface of said riser plate, such that said fasteners are loaded in tension.  
     
     
         43 . A ski lifter plate assembly as described in  claim 41 , wherein said platform is attached with fastener means to the sides surface of said riser plate, such that said fasteners are loaded in shear.  
     
     
         44 . A ski lifter plate assembly as described in  claim 41 , wherein said shim has an incline angle between said front and rear sections of said ski.  
     
     
         45 . A ski lifter plate assembly as described in  claim 41 , wherein said shim has an incline angle between said sides of said ski.