Apparatus, system, and method for a collapsing approach ski

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a collapsing approach ski for maneuvering over terrain in a climbing and sliding fashion, with a traction component operative below the sliding surface on the underside of the ski to facilitate climbing uphill without substantially interfering with sliding downhill. It combines the advantages of a snowshoe, including a large surface area, a toe cleat that claws into the terrain and a lifting of the front tip with each step, with the advantages of an approach ski, including a fibrous skin for added traction climbing uphill and an ability to slide down hill. A stretchable portion in the skin adjacent to a hinge in the ski permits the ski to be compactly collapsed without removing the skin, for easy packing and storage while not in use. For climbing up a steep incline, a removable fixed cleat provides added traction, and a heel riser reduces the strain on the lower leg and Achilles tendon region of the skier.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 885,901 entitled “PIVOTAL SKI CLEAT SYSTEM AND APPROACH SKI SYSTEM” and filed on Jan. 21, 2007 for Lane A. Ekberg, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 888,700 entitled “FOLDING APPROACH SKI SYSTEM” and filed on Feb. 7, 2007 for Lane A. Ekberg, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 894,541 entitled “FOLDING SKIS FOR PACKS AND SNOWMOBILES AND AN ADJUSTABLE MOUNTING PLATE FOR FOOTWEAR” and filed on Mar. 13, 2007 for Lane A. Ekberg, which are all incorporated into this document by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]This invention relates to winter sports equipment and more particularly relates to an approach ski.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Approach skiing as well as snowshoeing are popular winter sports that provide backcountry exploration, exercise, and ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for an apparatus, system, and method that combines the benefits and avoids the disadvantages of current snowshoe and approach ski technology. Beneficially, such an apparatus, system, and method would adapt to changing terrain with minimal reconfiguration while in use and would permit easy packing and storage while not in use.

Problems solved by technology

Snowshoers cannot ski or glide down any incline they happen to meet and snowshoes do not pack well and take a lot of space.

The current ski industry only provides an approach ski that cannot move or climb as easily as snowshoes because the ski is longer in front of the footwear pivot point than behind it.

Additionally, current approach climbing ski systems offer cleats that penetrate the snow only when a user places the footwear heel closer to the ski, and when the footwear pivots upward the traction is pulled away from the snow.

This system offers no traction when a user is walking with the heel of the user going upward, thus causing the traction system to be virtually worthless in the most aggressive climbing situation.

Furthermore, the traction offers no propulsion from the forward pivot motion as it does in the operation of a snowshoe in which a toe cleat protrudes through the plane of the snowshoe.

Traction for “side-hilling” may also be insufficient with a heel cleat alone.

Another problem is that an approach ski has less surface area than a snowshoe, and thus is more prone to sink into soft snow.

Conversely, approach skis are wider than downhill skis, and thus have poor edge control in sliding downhill.

An area in which the current state of the art is further deficient is the lack of modularity in footwear binding mechanisms between snowshoes, approach skis, and other types of skis.

Thus the skier must carry additional footwear, adding to the overall weight of the total system.

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