A collapsible ski, by which the front part and a rear part of the ski, when aligned, in such position fixed by a platform, which is by hinges interconnected with a bearing plate, which is attached onto a top surface of the front part of the ski and is rotatable around geometric axis, which extends perpendicularly with respect to the top surface of the ski.

A collapsible ski, by which the front part and a rear part of the ski, when aligned, in such position fixed by a platform, which is by hinges interconnected with a bearing plate, which is attached onto a top surface of the front part of the ski and is rotatable around geometric axis, which extends perpendicularly with respect to the top surface of the ski.

A ski for use on ice or snow is disclosed. The ski includes a ski body having a tip portion, a tail portion, and a longitudinal running length extending between the tip portion and the tail portion and a substantially flat bottom surface for sliding on snow or ice. The ski also includes a suspension system comprised of a substantially rigid support structure secured to the longitudinally central region of the said ski body at two attachment locations separated by a distance of at least 5 inches along the longitudinal axis of the ski body, and at least one resilient element configured to exert an opposing force between the support structure and the ski body in the area between the two attachment locations.

A ski binding reduces a likelihood of injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the tibia is accomplished by absorption in the binding to limit loads transmitted through the boot-binding interface. Release based on an injury threshold includes a binding response tower attached to the ski and adapted for selective engagement with the ski, such that the binding response tower permits biased vertical and lateral horizontal displacement, prior to a release threshold. The binding is in communication with the boot heel and is adapted for slideable engagement in response to vertical and lateral forces exerted from the boot heel. The binding response tower adapted to disengage, or release upon reaching at least one a predetermined lateral displacement or a predetermined vertical displacement, such as when the boot heel is forced sufficiently sideways or upwards due to skier movement that would tend to cause an ACL injury.

A binding includes a forward base portion that is configured to attach to a top surface of the ski. The binding includes a rearward base portion that is hingedly attached to the forward base portion. The rearward base portion is removably securable to the ski and movable about the forward base portion. The binding includes a forward adjustable boot retention element that includes a pair of lug wings attached to at least one of the forward base portion and the rearward base portion. A width between the lug wings is adjustable. The forward adjustable boot retention element includes a strap attached to the pair of lug wings. The strap is more flexible than the lug wings.

A ski boot frame that is attachable to a soft shell snow boot, for example a snowboard boot, for downhill skiing. The ski boot frame is constructed of multiple rigid materials to provide a user with proper support for downhill skiing. The ski boot frame further includes adjustable toe clip and heel clips for attachment to a standard downhill ski binding. The toe and heel clips are preferably adjustable to fit the frame to a plurality of sizes of ski bindings. The ski boot frame further includes a calf support that provides for a progressive forward resistance critical for downhill skiing.

A system, method and apparatus for a digitally Controlled Variable Stiffness item of athletic equipment, such as a Ski, Snowboard, and Boots. A core of thermally responsive metal alloy, such as Nitinol is disposed within the athletic equipment. A thermal control module and controller permit the athlete to program the athletic equipment to a desired stiffness parameter. The controller may include an app operable via a mobile computing device in communication with the thermal control module.

A ski for use on ice or snow is disclosed. The ski includes a ski body having a tip portion, a tail portion, and a longitudinal running length extending between the tip portion and the tail portion and a substantially flat bottom surface for sliding on snow or ice. The ski also includes a suspension system comprised of a substantially rigid support structure secured to the longitudinally central region of the said ski body at two attachment locations separated by a distance of at least 5 inches along the longitudinal axis of the ski body, and at least one resilient element configured to exert an opposing force between the support structure and the ski body in the area between the two attachment locations.

The invention relates to a sports item (1), comprising a carrier (3) for a coupling device (25) for accommodating a user and including at least one distributing device (2) for the loads and/or forces to be transmitted to the sports item (1), which at least one distributing device (2) connects the carrier (3) to the sports item (1) via a joint arrangement, the latter having at least one pivoting arm (4, 5; 6, 7), which is pivotably connected, in each case via a joint (8, 9; 10, 11), to the sports item (1) at one arm end of the pivoting arm and to the carrier (3) at the other arm end of the pivoting arm, wherein the carrier (3) is movable from a starting position, counter to the restoring force of at least one elastic restoring element, to a balancing position in which the carrier is brought closer to the sports item (1). The sports item (1) according to the invention is characterized in that the at least one restoring element is an elastically deformable spring element (12; 13), which is held at one end on the carrier (3) and at the other end on the sports item (1).

A ski boot frame that is attachable to a soft shell snow boot, for example a snowboard boot, for downhill skiing. The ski boot frame is constructed of multiple rigid materials to provide a user with proper support for downhill skiing. The ski boot frame further includes adjustable toe clip and heel clips for attachment to a standard downhill ski binding. The toe and heel clips are preferably adjustable to fit the frame to a plurality of sizes of ski bindings. The ski boot frame further includes a calf support that provides for a progressive forward resistance critical for downhill skiing.