Ski With Suspension

Abstract

Skis and methods of skiing are provided. In some implementations, the skis include a preload, and/or have a relatively low spring rate. In one aspect, the skis include (a) a ski body having a front and a back, the front and back terminating, respectively, at a tip and tail at opposite ends of the ski body; and (b) a suspension system connected to the ski body so as to apply a load to the front and back of the ski body. In some cases, the suspension system is configured to provide the ski with a spring rate that diminishes as the ski is flexed from a normal unloaded state or a predetermined state of deflection to a state of greater deflection.

1 . A ski comprising:
 a ski body having a first end and a second end; and   a suspension system connected to the ski body so as to apply a vertical downward force to the first and second ends of the ski body, wherein the suspension system is configured to provide the ski with a spring rate that diminishes as the ski is flexed from a normal unloaded state or a predetermined state of deflection to a state of greater deflection.   
     
     
         2 . The ski of  claim 1  wherein the suspension system is configured so that the downward force of a skier's weight is applied to three or more distinct points along the length of the ski body whenever the ski is in contact with a surface, wherein the first end and second end terminate, respectively, at a tip and tail at opposite ends of the ski body, and the suspension system is configured so that at least one of the points of applied downward force is located directly under a boot mounting position, at least one other point is located between the boot mounting position and the tip of the ski body, and at least one other point is located between the boot mounting position and the tail of the ski body. 
     
     
         3 . The ski of  claim 1  wherein the suspension system is configured so that at a predetermined degree of deflection the spring rate exhibited by the ski will be at least 10% less than a maximum spring rate exhibited by the ski at lesser degrees of deflection. 
     
     
         4 . The ski of  claim 1  wherein the suspension system is connected to the ski body by a mounting system, the mounting system being configured so that when the ski body is flexed beyond a predetermined degree of deflection the load applied to the ski body by the suspension system decreases or exhibits a decreasing spring rate. 
     
     
         5 . The ski of  claim 1  wherein the suspension system comprises a spring, wherein the spring is selected from the group consisting of pneumatic springs, pneumatic shocks, coil springs, torsion springs, torsion bars, leaf springs, bow springs and elastomers. 
     
     
         6 . The ski of  claim 1  wherein the suspension system is configured to allow a minimal initial deflection before a predetermined state of deflection at which point further significant deflection is precluded until the force applied by the skier exceeds a predetermined amount. 
     
     
         7 . The ski of  claim 1  wherein the suspension system includes a linkage between the first end of the ski body and the second end of the ski body that enables positive deflection of the first end of the ski body to increase the spring force at the second end of the ski body and positive deflection of the second end of the ski body to increase the spring force at the first end of the ski body. 
     
     
         8 . The ski of  claim 1  wherein the suspension system is configured so that, to cause the ski body to deflect 0.25 inch, it is necessary to apply a force of 20 pounds or greater. 
     
     
         9 . The ski of  claim 8  wherein the force required for a 1.0 inch deflection is less than three times the force required for a 0.25 inch deflection. 
     
     
         10 . The ski of  claim 1  wherein the spring rate exhibited during the first 0.25 inch of deflection of the ski body is at least 110% of the spring rate exhibited during the next 0.25 inch of deflection. 
     
     
         11 . The ski of  claim 1  wherein the suspension system is configured so that the additional force which must be applied to deflect the ski body from 0.25 inches deflection to 0.50 inches deflection is at least 10% less than the force which must be applied to deflect the ski body from 0.0 inches deflection to 0.25 inches deflection. 
     
     
         12 . The ski of  claim 1  wherein the suspension system comprises a support structure that is attached to a longitudinally central area of the ski. 
     
     
         13 . The ski of  claim 12  further comprising a mounting system that attaches the support structure to the ski in a manner that substantially precludes yaw and roll movement between the support structure and the ski body. 
     
     
         14 . The ski of  claim 12  wherein the support structure is releasably attached to the ski body. 
     
     
         15 . The ski of  claim 12  wherein the ski body defines a running length between the first end and the second end, and the suspension system includes a compressible element attached between the support structure and a rear longitudinal quarter of the running length of the ski body. 
     
     
         16 . A ski comprising
 a ski body having a front and a back, the front and back terminating, respectively, at a tip and tail at opposite ends of the ski body; and   a suspension system connected to the ski body so as to apply a downward force to the front and back of the ski body,   the suspension system being configured to contribute at least 20% to the resistive force that must be overcome in order to deflect the ski body from the totally flat, longitudinally linear state to a state of greater deflection, the remaining resistive force being contributed by the ski body.   
     
     
         17 . The ski of  claim 15  wherein the suspension system is configured to contribute at least 20% to the resistive force that must be overcome in order to deflect the ski body from zero deflection to 0.25 inch deflection, the remaining resistive force being contributed by the ski body. 
     
     
         18 . A ski configured to have a spring rate that diminishes as the ski is flexed from a normal unloaded state or a predetermined state of deflection to a state of greater deflection, comprising:
 a ski body having a first end and a second end;   a support structure attached to a longitudinally central area of the ski;   a first spring attached between the support structure and a front longitudinal third of the running length of the ski body, the first spring being under compression when no external forces are being applied to the ski; and   a second spring attached between the support structure and a rear longitudinal third of the running length of the ski body, the second spring being under compression when no external forces are being applied to the ski.   
     
     
         19 . The ski of  claim 18  wherein the first and second springs each apply a vertical downward force to the front and rear longitudinal thirds of the running length of the ski body respectively. 
     
     
         20 . The ski of  claim 18  wherein the first and second springs are leaf springs.