Some aspects include a ski binding system using controllable electromagnets, alone or in combination with permanent magnets, as means of attaching or releasing a ski boot to a ski during use. Some aspects include a ski binding system using a controllable solenoid. In some aspects, microprocessor-based control releases binding electronically based on input from sensors located in binding, ski and/or boot, as well as in other equipment or clothing connected to them or to skier, or binding releases when a mechanical threshold is overcome. In some aspects, sensor data are recorded for analysis of system performance and for adjustment and improvement of system parameters based on data analytics.

Some aspects include a ski binding system using controllable electromagnets, alone or in combination with permanent magnets, as means of attaching or releasing a ski boot to a ski during use. Some aspects include a ski binding system using a controllable solenoid. In some aspects, microprocessor-based control releases binding electronically based on input from sensors located in binding, ski and/or boot, as well as in other equipment or clothing connected to them or to skier, or binding releases when a mechanical threshold is overcome. In some aspects, sensor data are recorded for analysis of system performance and for adjustment and improvement of system parameters based on data analytics.

A method of changing a shape of a gliding surface of a gliding device may involve, in response to longitudinal deflection of the gliding device, causing at least one force transfer element to move longitudinally relative to the gliding device. Causing the at least one force transfer element to move longitudinally relative to the gliding device may involve causing the at least one force transfer element to deflect first and second laterally opposite side elements of the gliding device along a portion of the gliding device extending longitudinally along a binding region of the gliding device. Apparatuses and gliding devices are also disclosed.

A foam product includes a foam core, a soft skin covering the foam core, and a base structure on which the foam core is disposed. The foam core of expanded beads has an outer surface on which some outermost beads of the expanded beads are exposed and bulging outward with different heights to form a bubbly texture. The foam skin has an inner surface attached to the outer surface of the foam core, and has at its inner surface a plurality of concave cavities each matedly surrounding a respective one of the bulging, outermost beads on the outer surface of the foam core.

A thrust-responsive structure for skis includes a plurality of retractable elements. Each retractable element includes a portion configured to move from an elevated position to a retracted position. Each retractable element further includes a first retention feature. The structure further comprises a matrix surrounding at least a subset of the plurality of retractable elements. The matrix is static relative to the plurality of retractable elements. The matrix includes a plurality of second retention features configured to captively engage the first retention features of the plurality of retractable elements. A position of each retractable element of the plurality of retractable elements, in the elevated position, is limited by contact between the first retention feature and the second retention feature.

A method for decorating a sliding board including on its visible part, a composite material formed of a fibrous layer coated with hardenable resin, includes preparing a transfer film that includes a face covered with a pattern constituted of an arrangement of grains of at least one type of ink. The ink includes colourants and a crosslinked polymer. The method also includes positioning the face of the transfer film covered with the pattern on all or some of the external surface of the composite material, applying pressure and temperature conditions generating the softening or/then hardening of the resin to as to incrust the grains of the pattern in the superficial layer of the composite material while conserving the arrangement of the grains, and peeling the transfer film.

An apparatus for traveling across snow includes a ski having opposing ends, a top surface, a bottom surface, and an aperture extending therethrough between the top and bottom surfaces. The apparatus also includes a centerboard pivotally connected to the ski and disposed at least partially within the aperture in the ski. The apparatus further includes a binding plate configured to have a boot binding connected thereto.

A sliding board, preferably a snow sliding board, including: a front sliding board region including a front end of the sliding board; a rear sliding board region including a rear end of the sliding board; and a binding region, extending between the front sliding board region and the rear sliding board region in the longitudinal direction of the sliding board, for fixing a sliding board binding for holding a boot. The snow sliding board exhibits a multi-layered structure including at least: a sliding board core; upper layers which are arranged above the sliding board core; and lower layers which are arranged below the sliding board core. At least one of the upper layers and/or at least one of the lower layers includes a fiber-composite material, wherein the fiber-composite material includes a multitude of fibers, wherein the fiber-composite material in a region exhibits a fiber orientation which varies within the region.

Disclosed is a multilayer film comprising a first surface layer comprising a cross-linked, partially neutralized copolymer of ethylene and one or more ,-unsaturated C.sub.3 to C.sub.8 carboxylic acid, and a second surface layer comprising a polyamide; a use of such multilayer film for, for example, decorating a substrate such as for example a ski, snowboard or skate board; as well as a ski comprising such coextruded multilayer film. Also disclosed is a process for decorating a substrate comprising coextruding a multilayer film comprising the first surface layer and the second surface layer comprising a polyamide; irradiating the coextruded multilayer film to cross-link the film; printing a decorative element on the second surface layer comprising a polyamide; cutting the multilayer film; contacting the second surface layer of the multilayer film with a surface to be decorated on a substrate; laminating, e.g., by heat, the multilayer film to the surface to be decorated.

The present invention generally relates to a cover for sports equipment, such as for skis, snowboards, surfboards, skateboards and the like. In one embodiment, the cover is formed in a similar shape to the equipment it is meant to cover, and large enough to cover at least one flat side and the edges of the equipment, while optionally leaving some portion of the equipment open to the air. The cover is made of a either a combination of fabrics, or a combination of faces of fabric, which allow for moisture to be wicked away from the sports equipment, and which provide protection for the equipment from rust and/or other damage.