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 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.

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.

Systems, apparatus, and methods are disclosed for enhancing the appearance and function of sports equipment. Systems include a mounting pad apparatus for attaching a variety of decorative or functional image exhibits. The disclosed apparatus may be configured to receive image exhibits of different sizes through the arrangement of slideable components, caddies, and other attachment arrangements. Systems, apparatus, and methods are also disclosed for decoratively and functionally enhancing sports equipment items such as sports boards by securing electronic image exhibits that communicate with users and other devices.

A trailer system for transporting multiple adult passengers and/or supplies over harsh terrain (e.g., snow, ice, wetland, etc.) when towed behind a vehicle. The trailer system includes a cabin, first and second skis, and first and second suspension assemblies. The suspension assemblies connect the skis, respectively, with the cabin. The suspension assemblies incorporate multiple pivot points that effectively isolate the skis from cabin, and promote true “tracking” of the trailer system relative to the towing vehicle. In some embodiments, the cabin has a highly buoyant construction, allowing the trailer system to float in water.

Ski or similar device for sliding on snow having a mounting plate (12) for a binding or for parts thereof, such as a binding plate and/or heel plate, which mounting plate is mounted on, especially bonded or welded to, the top face of the ski, wherein the mounting plate (12) is of foil-like form and is bondable or weldable onto the top face of the ski in such a manner that it effectively defines a structural unit therewith.

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.

A sports board comprises, at a minimum, a top layer, a bottom layer, and a core in between them. A structural element with puzzle piece shape fits into a correspondingly shaped seat formed by the core, in between the top and bottom layers. The shape of the structural element prevents the structural element from being dislodged by shock forces frequently associated with use of the board. Machined or molded features are provided that penetrate or partially penetrate the structural element. These features, which are filled or included with resin, adhesive or another chemical bonding agent, resist horizontal shearing between the structural element, the core, and the top and bottom layers. A leading portion of the structural element protrudes out from in between the top and bottom layers, forming a bumper that acts as the first point of contact between the board and the ground or an obstacle.

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 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.