Abstract:
The invention is a device that enhances the flex capability of a ski, such that the ski&#39;s performance is improved over prior art. With the advent of shorter shape skis being accepted in the industry there is an inherent problem with the prior art boot to ski attachment, such that a dead or flat spot in the flex is created. The invention de-couples the stiff element of the ski boot from affecting the ski&#39;s flex. The invention comprises a novel means of providing de-coupled ski boot and binding attachment for the benefit of all stature of skiers, such as a child and adults. A substantially short (with regards to ski length) riser plate is centrally mounted to a ski. A platform plate is mounted to said riser plate, such that said platform is elevated above said ski. The invention results in said ski flexing freely to initiate smooth carve turns and dampen impacts from rough terrain. A ski binding can easily be attached to the platform using traditional methods, such that prior art ski bindings can be utilized. Further, the design can be integrated directly into the design construction of the ski to provide enhanced performance with fewer parts. The invention is clearly advancement to the existing prior art technology.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to the construction of glide boards with non-flexing members attached, in particularly the interface between a skier&#39;s boot and the ski.  
       BACK GROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     In recent years the traditional profile and length of alpine downhill skis has changed from long relatively straight gliding boards to very short and non-straight profiles. A ski is made up of a few very distinct features, such as camber, side cut and stiffness. These attributes are the basic elements of what make the ski perform. The side cut of a ski is a geometric feature which enables the ski to ride on its edge for the duration of a turn. The side cut is the smooth arc between the tip and tail of the skis when looking at the top surface of a ski. Side cut is in general the varying width of the ski along the length of the ski.  
         [0003]     The ski is further comprised of camber, which gives the ski&#39;s ability to absorb bumps and resist the centripetal forces of a turn. The camber is the smooth arc of the ski when viewed from the side. The camber is similar to that of a leaf spring, in that when weighted the curvature reduces and energy is stored in the ski structure. The typical amount of camber build into a ski is about 13 mm per ski as measured from the horizontal in the middle of the ski&#39;s length. During skiing the ski can go into a reverse curve, or reverse camber. The reverse camber of a ski in a high-speed turn could be as much as 3 times the camber.  
         [0004]     Modern skis are constructed of composite materials such as fiberglass, carbon fiber, wood and laminates of various types of metals, aluminum, steel, titanium all suspended in a matrix of plastic polymers, such as thermoplastic or thermoset. Skis are engineered to various stiffness or flexes, as well as different turning radii for different skier abilities, i.e. racing, advanced, intermediate, and beginner.  
         [0005]     In ski racing it is advantageous to turn the ski on its edges, such that speed is not wasted in skidding. This efficient method of turning is called carving. Essentially, a carve turn is a method of putting the ski on edge, and forcing the ski into reverse camber. When these two elements of a turn are put together the highly efficient carve turn results.  
         [0006]     In the 1970s, a 5 ft 8 inch tall person would typically use a ski length of 205 cm long with little variation in the side cut. The side cut can be described as width measurements (in millimeters) of the tip/center/tail section of the ski, i.e. 80/62/75 millimeters. The camber of the ski has not changed very much in the pass 20 years.  
         [0007]     The length of the average person&#39;s foot is about 26 cm. The typical length of a ski boot sole which would fit a 26 cm long foot is about 305 mm. The ski boot is typically attached to the top surface of the ski by a ski binding means. Said binding is made up of a spring-loaded device assembly comprising and individual toe and a heel piece. The toe piece is typically about 75 mm long and the heel piece about 95 mm long. The ski boot/binding length combined is 48 cm, which is about 25% of the total length of the prior art ski length (205 cm).  
         [0008]     The new ski designs are called shape skis due to their very dramatic side cuts. For example the side cuts are now about 100/62/95 millimeters for a shape ski. The same 5 ft 8 inch person is now using skis of about 150 cm long or 27% shorter. The typical ski boot/binding combined length is now about 32% of the ski length.  
         [0009]     The ski boot/binding element of the entire ski assembly, i.e. ski, binding, boot is inherently stiff and non-flexing. The ski binding and boot combination does not have the same flex characteristics as the ski. The shorter ski lengths amplify the miss match in flex of the ski assembly.  
         [0010]     In continuation of the ski length to boot/binding disproportion, smaller youth skier are further disadvantaged by the disproportion the ski length to the boot/binding length. A youth skier of about age 10 to 12, typically is using shape skis length of about 130 cm. The toe and heel binding lengths remain the same as for adults. The statistical norm for youths skis boot size is a 23 cm length, which has a sole length of about 275 mm, yielding a boot/binding length of 45 cm. The ski length to boot/binding length ratio increases further to about 35% of the ski length.  
         [0011]     Clearly the introduction of the shorter shape skis has made it arduous to provide a ski assembly which can freely flex and provide efficient carve turns.  
         [0012]     Prior art ski flex enhancing devices are limited in the amount of decoupling they can accomplish. Prior art has typically attempted to integrate the ski binding into an elevated platform. The elevated platform resides on the middle length of the ski and is raised about 9 to 35 mm above the top of the ski surface. These platforms are disposed beneath the ski binding toe and heel piece areas. The method to decouple the platform from the ski is by inserting an elastomeric material between the platform and the ski top, typically middle distance on the platform. Other embodiments of prior art incorporates mechanical means to decouple the platform from the ski, such as distinct pivot points by attaching the platform to the side wall of the ski. Another method uses the elastomeric material in conjunction with slots and shoulder screws. The slots are disposed on the platform beneath the ski binding toe and heel piece fixation of the binding to the platform. The shoulder screws are disposed in the slots such that the platform is decoupled from the flexing motion of the ski.  
         [0013]     In all prior art embodiments, the attempts to decouple the platform from the ski are inefficient once the ski boot is attached to the binding. A ski boot sole by design has to be a non-flexible member so that during ski flexing it does not flex out of the binding attachment. Further, the design of the ski boot sole has to be non-flexing, so that the foot inside the boot is not subjected to multiple flexing, which causes skier fatigue. When the ski boot is coupled to the prior art platform devices with said pivot points, elastomeric materials and slotted sliding devices the ski boot stiff sole limits ability of the prior art to provide efficient independent flexing of the ski.  
         [0014]     The invention solves the problem of decoupling the stiff boot and binding combination by treating it as a separate element in the ski-boot/binding assembly.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]     The invention consists of a first plate attached to a ski top surface. The first plate is disposed approximately in the middle of the skis center length. The first plate can be either a metallic structure, and or a composite material. The first plate is composed of two distal surfaces, such that a thickness or height of said plate is established. The height of said first plate can vary depending on the intended use of the device. The first plate could be approximately 6 mm in height, measure with respect to the top surface of the ski approximately at the middle of the skis length.  
         [0016]     The first plate can be attached to the ski by means of fasteners, adhesives or a type of mechanical locking feature. Further, said first plate could be a simple raised feature in the skis cross section, as an integral part of the skis composite laminate.  
         [0017]     The preferred embodiment&#39;s first plate&#39;s planer shape is that of a rectangle with its width slightly less (about 1 to 3 mm less on each side) than the skis top width. The length of the first plate, as in the direction of the longest dimension of a ski, can be as small as possible to allow for adequate surface area for inserting fasteners for a second plate. The invention&#39;s first plates length can be approximately 150 mm. Further, the planer shape of said plate is not limited to a polygon of a rectangle, but could be that of a circular shape, or elliptical.  
         [0018]     A second plate is disposed on top of the first plates top surface. The second plate is also comprised of two distal surfaces, such that a thickness or height is established. The second plate&#39;s first distal surface is adjacent to the top distal surface of the first plate. The second plate is fixed to the first plate&#39;s top distal surface by means of fasteners, adhesive or mechanical interlocking means. The second plate is preferred to be of a lightweight inexpensive material such as plastic.  
         [0019]     A third plate is disposed on top of the second and first plate. The length of the third plate is slightly longer than the total length of a combined ski binding assembly from front to back.  
         [0020]     A third plate or platform can be comprised of a solid piece of metal or in the preferred embodiment a composite laminate construction. The composite laminate can be, but is not limited to a semi-isotropic lamina of fibrous materials with a matrix binding material, and a center core material with thin outer solid sheets. Said composite lamina could have a larger portion of fibers orientated in the longitudinal direction. The composite lamina can be comprised of various fibrous materials such as carbon fiber, fiberglass, Kevlar, boron, spectra or of similar high strength and modulus materials, and or combinations of said fibrous materials. Said matrix material could be but is not limited to thermo setting polymers, such as bismalimides, and high strength engineering thermoplastic resins, such as polyamides. Said core material are not limited to kiln dried hard woods, such a birch plywood, but synthetic materials such as polyurethane foam cores, and thermoplastic. Other cores materials would include metal honeycomb. The thin outer solid sheets could have a thickness of 1/16 of the second plates total thickness or about 0.5 to 1.5 mm thick. Said solid sheets could be aluminum, steel, titanium, plastic, or a pre-cured composite lamina.  
         [0021]     The thickness of the third plate can vary with the intended use of the device. The thickness of the third plate would vary depending on the intended use, for example a youth skiers which weight 50 to 60% less than adults and has not fully developed their muscle strength, would be substantial less than an adult or an intended aggressive racer. Further, the third plates thickness is also directly related to the lamina materials selected in its construction.  
         [0022]     In the sport of alpine ski racing there are rules for the amount of height that a ski binding can be from the ski&#39;s bottom surface. Alpine ski racing international sports governing body, Federation of International Skiing or FIS has ski bottom to ski boot sole height requirements. For example youth ski racers are limit to a height of 50 mm and adults to 55 mm. Meeting the FIS ski bottom to boot height requirements can be accomplished by adjusting the second plates thickness and or adding thin shims to the overall stack height. It is best to optimize the stack height such that the second plate is as tall as possible. The second plate&#39;s height determines the free flexing range of the ski.  
         [0023]     The ski has a varying cross sectional thickness in the longitudinal direction. The ski&#39;s cross section is typically thicker in the center than at the tip distal and the tail distal ends. As an example the tip and tail thickness can be about 7 mm, where as the center thickness can be about 20 mm.  
         [0024]     The side profile of the ski with the camber and thinner from the middle to the tip and tail creates two negatively sloping surfaces. If an imaginary horizontal plane is established in the middle of the ski, there would be an increasing gap between the horizontal plane and the front and rear top surface of the ski. The gap between the horizontal plane and the top surface of the ski increases as you move farther away from the center distance of the ski. This gap between the horizontal plane and the ski top is referred to as the free flex zone. Free flexing would be in regards to the ski&#39;s ability to travel in to reverse camber uninhibited. A free flexing ski will be very responsive and leads too highly efficient carve turns.  
         [0025]     The free flex zone is also the gap between a rigid non-flexing plate, which is attached to the top surface of the ski. The rigid non flexing plate is generally parallel to the skis running surface, or the two points where the arched skis would contact a flat surface. These two contact points are located forward and aft of the ski&#39;s center length. The non-flexing rigid plate&#39;s length is about med distance of the front portion of the ski and med distance of the rear section of the ski. When the ski flexes into reverse camber the front and rear sections of the ski move toward the rigid horizontal plate resulting in a decreasing gap between them. The gap where the ski front and rear sections can move or flex without contacting the rigid horizontal plate is the free flex zone.  
         [0026]     There are conditions when the ski could exhibit an extreme flex or reverse camber such that the top of the ski would make contact with the bottom of rigid horizontal plate. In such a case, the invention would provide the same function as any prior art device has in the past. However the invention is a major improvement in providing a decoupling device to attach a ski&#39;s boot/binding combination to a ski. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0027]     The following drawings will show by pictorial description the non-limiting means, the advantages, and the benefits of the invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is a perspective drawing of a ski assembly consisting of the interfacing device for decoupling the ski boot and binding elements from the ski. The ski is show both flexed and non-flexed  
         [0029]      FIG. 2 , is a side view of  FIG. 1  with the ski in the relaxed and in the flexed reverse camber condition.  
         [0030]      FIG. 3 . is detailed cross sectional view of  FIG. 2  with the ski front and end sections removed for clarity.  
         [0031]      FIG. 4 . is a cross sectional view trough line IV-IV of  FIG. 3 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 5 . is a cross sectional view through line V-V of  FIG. 3  detailing the first plate.  
         [0033]      FIG. 6 . is planer view of the top surface of the platform plate.  
         [0034]      FIG. 7  is perspective view of alternate embodiment of the ski with an integrated riser plate.  
         [0035]      FIG. 8 . is a cross sectional view of  FIG. 7  approximately in the middle of the ski through line VIII-VIII.  
         [0036]      FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view through line IV-IV of  FIG. 3  with the ski shown in  FIG. 7  to illustrate the canting feature.  
         [0037]      FIG. 10  is a side cross sectional profile of an alternate embodiment of  FIG. 3  showing forward and aft adjusting device.  
         [0038]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention where by the platform plate is attached to the sides of the ski.  
         [0039]      FIG. 12  is cross sectional view through line XII-XII of  FIG. 11 , showing side attachment of the platform to the ski with a additional binding attachment feature.  
         [0040]      FIG. 13  shows a cross sectional view of an embodiment from  FIG. 8  with an additional gap-filling feature. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0041]      FIG. 1  shows an illustration of the invention consisting of; a ski  1 , raiser plate  2 , height shim  3 , platform  4  and front  5  and rear  6 , ski binding assemblies and ski boot  7 . The ski boot  7  is fastened into the ski binding assembly&#39;s front  5  and rear  6  pieces.  
         [0042]     A Cartesian coordinate system  19  is show in  FIG. 1  to define a horizontal plane  20  created between the X and Z-axis. The Y-axis is shown in the positive upward direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane  20 .  
         [0043]     In  FIG. 1  there are two images of a ski, super imposed on one another. Skil is in a relaxed, non-flexed condition and ski  18  is the same ski in a flexed condition. This flexed condition is called reverse camber, where by the tip  8  and the tail  9  are flexed above the horizontal plane  20 .  
         [0044]     The ski  1  is comprised of a upwardly curved tip  8 , which is located at the front distal portion  10  of the ski. A tail  9  is disposed in the extreme opposite direction of the tip  8 . The distance between the tip  8  and the tail  9  make up the length of the ski  1 . The front section  10  of the ski  1  is disposed between the ski&#39;s middle distance  12  forward toward the tip  8 . A rear section  11  of the ski  1  is disposed between the middle distance  12  rearward to the tail of the ski  1 .  
         [0045]     Ski  1  is in a non-flexed condition and is resting on horizontal plane  20  by contact points of the front section  10  and the bottom portion of the tip  8  and the rear section  11  and the bottom portion of the tail  9 . The skis middle distance  12  is elevated above the horizontal plane  20  a height of about 20-mm. The ski bottom  15  running between the tip  8  and tail  9  create and curved surface, generally referred to in the ski industry as camber. Distal to the ski bottom  15  in the Y-axis is the ski top  14 , which traverses the length of the ski in an arc, and is not concentric to the ski bottom  15 . The space between the ski bottom and the ski top  14  establish the ski thickness  16 .  
         [0046]     In general the skis thickness  16  varies as shown in  FIG. 1 , such that the middle  12  is substantially thicker than the tip  8  and the front section  10  and the tail  9  and the rear section  11 . The construction of the ski  1  is such that the flex and stiffness characteristics are determined by the variation of the ski&#39;s thickness  16  along the longitudinal direction of the ski.  
         [0047]     Looking directly down on the top of the ski  14  along the Y-axis shows that the front section  10  and middle section  12  and the rear section  111  are of varying widths. This width variation creates the side cut of the ski. The side cut is also a smooth arc between the tip  8  and the tail  9 . The ski industry is current producing skis with a high degree of difference in side cut. As an example the tip  8  width can be 105 mm wide and the middle  12 , 62 mm wide and the tail  9 , 95 mm wide. The side cut is a smooth arc of a distinct radius, in particular a side cut radius of 12 meters is used for tight radius turn as those found in an alpine slalom ski race. A side cut radius of 21 meters would be used for larger radius turns as those found in an alpine giant slalom ski race.  
         [0048]     The side cut and the camber arcs as well as the stiffness of the ski are the three main elements of the ski design which allows the ski to carve a turn on its longitudinal edge  17 .  
         [0049]     Approximately middle distance  12  of the ski  1  is a raising plate  2  projecting above the ski top  14 . The height of said raising plate  2  can vary depending on the intended use of the ski assembly. The ski industry&#39;s international governing body or the federation international of skiing (FIS) has established ski bottom to ski boot sole requirements for competition. As an example the ski bottom to ski boot sole maximum height for a youth skier is 50 mm. The maximum height requirement for an adult ski racer is 55 mm. It has been found in the ski industry that by elevating the skier&#39;s boot above the ski top surface creates increased leverage to the ski, which makes it less difficult to execute a carve turn.  
         [0050]     A brief explanation of a carve turn is provided. The mechanics to perform a carve turn is to roll the skiers knees into the turn while putting the skis on edge. When the skis are on edge the side cut of the ski makes non-skidding contact with the snow surface. The skis travel down the ski slope on the edges, which initiates a carve turn. As the radius of the turn tightens or the speed increases the ski flexes in a reverse arc or reverse camber. The side cut of the ski and the reverse flexing help to produce the highly efficient non-sliding carves turn.  
         [0051]     There are a number of prior art devices for creating a raiser plate, such as a simple solid block means running the length between the front and rear binding. Said solid block raiser plate means are limiting in that they add an additional stiffness element to the ski. When attempting to perform a carve turn the additional stiffness of the solid raiser plate disrupts the skis natural arc and therefore makes it difficult to perform a carve turn.  
         [0052]     Other such prior art raiser plate devices attempt to compensated for the skis natural flexing or reverse camber by complicated mechanical means such as springs, mechanical hinges, elastomeric materials in conjunction with mechanical fasteners in slotted holes. The entire prior art raiser plate devices fail to adequately isolate the stiff rigid ski boot sole and binding assembly from the flexing ski.  
         [0053]      FIG. 2  illustrates how the ski  1  flexes during a carve turn. The ski  1  is the non-flexed condition and the ski  21  is in the flexed reverse camber condition. In the flexed condition  21 , the ski is in reverse camber, which implies that the front section  10  and the rear section  11  of the ski  1  has moved away from the horizontal plane  20 , such that a smooth arc  22  is created a long the longitudinal length of the ski. The smooth arc  22  is such that the top of the ski  14  does not contact front most distal edge  23  and  24  of the platform  4 . The rear section  11  of the ski&#39;s top surface  14  does not contact the rear most distal edge  24  of the platform  4 . The front bottom surface  25  of the platform  4  and rear bottom surface  26  establish a planar surface  27  which is generally parallel to the horizontal plane  20 .  
         [0054]     Further, the front ski binding boot attachment plane  28  and the rear ski binding boot attachment plane  29  are in general parallel to both the plate  4  and bottom surface  27  and the horizontal plane  20 . The generally non-flexing ski boot&#39;s sole  30  is mostly parallel to horizontal plane  20  and isolated from the flexing ski  21  in the reverse camber condition.  
         [0055]     It is important to understand that platform  4  is designed to be a rigid non-flexing member of the ski assembly. The ski boot&#39;s sole  30  in general is a non-flexing element of the ski assembly. The front and rear binding elements  5 ,  6  are also by nature of their numerous metal parts assembly non-flexing elements of the ski assembly. The configuration of the invention isolates all the inherently rigid non-flexing elements from the ski by providing a raiser plate  2  which does not run the entire longitudinal length of the binding/boot assembly. The longitudinal length of the raiser plate  2  is typically shorter than the distance of the toe and rear contact points of the ski boot  28 ,  29 . As an example the longitudinal length of one of the embodiments of the invention is about 150 mm for a Mondo size 26 ski boot. The longitudinal length of the raiser plate  2  is not limited to one length but can vary for the application, such as for small children or large adults.  
         [0056]      FIG. 2  also illustrates the ability of the invention to dampen vibration from the ski to the skier&#39;s boot. The binding/boot attached to platform  4  and height shim  3  are attached to the riser plate  2  in such a manner that the ski can flex freely between the non-flexed  1  and flexed  21  conditions without directly applying loads to the attached skier&#39;s ski boot.  
         [0057]     The elevated position of the ski boot sole  30  in relation to the mounting location on the ski provided additional mechanical leverage. The relationship of the toe contact  28  to the center length  12  of the ski provides a front mechanical lever arm L 1 . A rear mechanical lever arm L 2  is established between the rear of the ski boot contact point  29  and the middle of the ski  12 . These front and rear mechanical lever arms, L 1  and L 2  make it advantageous to weight the ski during carve turns with reduced effort from the skier.  
         [0058]     Prior art binding/ski boot to ski attachment devices with raised platforms are not able to create the front and rear lever arms L 1  and L 2  because the boot toe contact  28  and rear contact  29  are coupled directly into the ski top  14 .  
         [0059]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of the invention to illustrate the attachment means to the ski  1  and further illustrate a typical attachment means of said binding. The front and rear sections  10 ,  11  of the ski  1  have been omitted for clarity. The riser pate  2  is fixed to the ski  1  approximately at the ski&#39;s mid length  12 . The adjacent height shim  3  is sandwiched between the platform  4  and the riser plate  2 . The bottom distal surface  32  of the riser plate  2  is in direct contact with the skis top surface  14  and fixedly attached to said top surface  14 , such that a rigid attachment is achieved. There is a pattern of threaded and clearance holes which will be shown in more detail in  FIG. 5  through the riser plate  2  top surface  31  and through said plates center section between distal surfaces  31  an  32 . Said riser plate  2  is attached to the ski top  14  by means of at least one high strength wood screw. In this embodiment six of said wood screws are used. The cross section visibly shows two of said wood screws  33 ,  34 . Said wood screws  33 ,  34  do not protrude out of the bottom surface  15  of the ski, but are embedded into the ski core  35 .  
         [0060]     The riser plate  2  has a top surface  31 , which is generally parallel to the ski&#39;s top surface  14 . The riser plate  2 , top surface  31  height in relation to the riser plates distal bottom surface  32  is approximately 6 to 20 mm. A shim plate  3  is found between said riser plate  2  and said platform  4 . The shim plate  3  has a bottom distal surface  36  and a top distal surface  37  that creates a height for said shim plate  3 . The height of the shim plate  3  can be adjustable to suit the skiers needs and stay within the FIS rules of ski boot heights. Said shim plate  3 , bottom distal surface  36  is in direct contact with riser plate  2 , top distal surface  31 . Said shim plate  3 , top distal surface  37  is in direct contact with the bottom distal surface  27  of the platform  4 .  
         [0061]     The platform  4  is rigidly attached to the riser plate  2  by means of at least one fastener. In this embodiment six of said fasteners are used. The cross section visibly shows two of said fasteners  37 ,  38 . Said fasteners  37 ,  38  do not protrude out of the bottom surface  15  of the ski  1 , but have threaded engagement in the riser plate  2 . The threaded fasteners  37 ,  38  extended through the shim plates distal top and bottom surfaces  37 ,  36 . When said fasteners are tightened the platform  4  and the shim  3  are clamped to the riser plate  2 , creating a stable mount.  
         [0062]     The threaded fasteners  37 , 38  are easily disassembled from the platform  4  such that other embodiments of the invention can be created such as those shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . It is not beyond the scope of this invention that the said shim plate  3  can be eliminated from the stack height of the attachment of the platform  4 . It will be shown that the intermediate shim plate  3  can allow other geometric customizing features not found in prior art.  
         [0063]     Platform  4  has a forward section  39  which projects beyond the front most edge  64  of the riser plate  2 . The platform  4  has a rear section  40 , which extends beyond the rear most edge  65  of the riser plate  2 . The length of the platform  4  is substantially longer than the riser plate  2 . The center of the platform  4  is typically aligned with the middle distance  12  of the riser plate  2 . The longitudinal alignment of the riser plate  2  and platform  4  to the ski  1  longitudinal length are of a personal preference to the skier. As an example in slalom ski racing the ski binding assembly is typically mounted a few millimeters forward of the skis mid-length  12 . In giant slalom the binding assembly is mounted on center of the mid-length  12 . In downhill events the binding assembly is typically mounted a few millimeters behind the mid-length  12  of the ski. The length of the platform  4  can be sized according to its intended use, as for youth skiers with relatively short length feet, to adults with relatively long feet length. It is envisioned that the platform  4  element of the invention could be produced in a number of sizes, such as youth, junior, small adult, adult, and large adult.  
         [0064]     The platform  4  has a front ski binding assembly  5  fixed mounted to the front section  39  of the platform  4 . The front binding assembly  5  in one embodiment can be fix mounted to the platform  4  with wood screws  42 ,  43 . The rear ski binding assembly  6  in one embodiment of the invention can be fix mounted to the platform  4  with wood screws  44 ,  45 . The length between the front and rear bindings  5 ,  6  is based on the ski boot  7  sole length  30 , such that adequate ski boot toe  48  and heel  49  clamping is provided to the toe and heel contact zones  28 ,  29  of the binding assembly. With varying lengths of ski boot  7 , one platform  4  length could be provided and the rear distal end  24  could be cut to the required length needed. In such an embodiment where the platform  4  is cut to length after binding mounting a platform end cap  50  is provided to protect the cut end of the platform from having moisture intrude into the laminate.  
         [0065]      FIG. 4  is a cross section of the invention seen through section line IV of  FIG. 3 , which illustrates the inventions internal and external composition. The ski  1  is comprised of a bottom  15 , side edges  52 ,  53 , center core  35 , exterior side structure  54 ,  55  and top surface  32 . The riser plate  2  is fixed attached to the top surface  32  with riser to ski fasteners  51 . Riser to ski fasteners shown in  FIGS. 3, 33 ,  34  are used to fix the riser plate  2  to the ski top  32 . Said riser to ski fasteners  33 ,  34 , and  50  extended through said top surface  32  into said center core  35 , such that the fasteners  50 ,  33 ,  34  do not extend through the bottom  15 .  
         [0066]     Platform  4  can be constructed of a number of suitable rigid materials such as metal, as an example; aluminum, titanium, or steel. The preferred embodiment of the platform  4  is comprised of a composite construction of fibrous materials embedded in a plastic matrix material. The composite material encapsulates a core  35  material such as hard wood, plastic foam, a honey comb structure of either a metal (aluminum or steel) or plastic honey comb structure, which are typical of the composites industry. The platform  4  is comprised of an outer skin  61  of composite material. Said skin  61  includes a top skin  57 , side skin  59 , 60  and bottom skin  58 . The outer skin  61  encapsulates the core  56 .  
         [0067]     Said outer skin  61  can be comprised of a carbon fiber material such as AS4 medium modulus material or a high modulus fiber to increase the platform&#39;s stiffness. The fiber orientation within the skin  61  lamina is preferred to be such that the platform  4  is non-flexing along the length of the ski  1 , and also providing torsion rigidity. An example of a composite lamina fiber orientation would be a zero degree, +/−30 degree and a zero degree orientation, denoted as [0/+30/−30/0]. Said zero degree orientation would be along the length of the ski  1 . The fiber would be a 12 k filament in uni-direction fabric material of either a prepreg or wet lay-up resin matrix system. The resulting composite lamina would have a resin content by weight of about 33%, which is typical for the composite industry. The resulting lamina skin  61  thickness by this example would be approximately 1 to 2 millimeters.  
         [0068]     The manufacturing method incorporated to produce the composite platform  4  can be those typical of the manufacturing methods employed in the composites industry, such as closed molding, resin infusion molding, resin injection molding, wet lay-ups, vacuum forming. The preferred method is a closed mold with a heat activated resin system with a short cure cycle of 2 to 10 minutes.  
         [0069]     In the preferred embodiment platform  4  is attached to the raiser plate  2  by means of threaded fasteners  37 , 38 . Said platform  4  threaded fasteners  37 , 38  are such that the do not extend into the top surface  14  of the ski  1 , thus reducing the number of stress concentrations introduced to the ski. It is not beyond the scope of the invention to eliminate the raiser to ski fasteners  33 ,  34  and  51  and have the platform  4  to riser fasteners  37 ,  38  extend through the raiser plate  2  and the ski top  14 , and the ski core  35 . In the preferred invention there are six fasteners for attaching the raiser  2  to the ski  1 , which would be of the type of high strength wood screw typical of the ski industry for mounting a ski binding to a skis. Further there would be a set of six fasteners for attaching the platform  4  to the raiser plate  2 , which would be of a high strength machine screw, such that the platform  4  could easily be removed if needed.  
         [0070]     The location of the ski binding on the ski, can drastically effect the turning performance of the ski. Typically the binding is centered to the width of the ski, in the Z direction. The binding and or ski boot position relative to the ski length or X direction is critical to good ski performance. The invention functions best when the riser plate  2  centered is aligned with the center length of the ski  12 . Further the location of the ski boot  7  relative to the ski  1  should be such that the ski boots mid sole length  62  ( FIG. 2 ) is aligned with the riser plate center and ski center  12 . By locating the riser plate  2 , platform  4  and ski boot  7  mid sole  62  with the center of the ski  12 , the ski  1  is allow to flex in an unrestricted manner. All the skiers&#39; weighting and force inputs are directed to the center of the ski  12 , there by being more efficient.  
         [0071]      FIG. 5  is a plainer view of the top surface  31  of the riser plate  2 , such that the mounting hole pattern is clearly shown. The riser plate  2  has a center hole  63 , which has the main function of reducing the weight of the riser plate  2 . The riser plate  2  dimension for this embodiment is approximately 75 mm wide×150 mm long. The center hole  63  is approximately 35 mm in diameter. At the distal front  64  of the riser plate  2  and symmetrically to the distal rear  65  is a pattern of six mounting holes  66 ,  67 ,  68 ,  69 ,  70 ,  71 . There is also another set of six platform  4  to riser plate  2  threaded mounting holes consisting of holes  72 ,  73 ,  74 ,  75 ,  76 ,  77 . The riser plate  2  to ski mounting holes  66 ,  67 ,  68 ,  69 ,  70 ,  71  have a through bore and a count sunk hole such that when receiving a fastener its top surface  80 ,  81  is not above the top surface  31  of the riser plate  2 . The riser to platform holes  72 ,  73 ,  74 ,  75 ,  76 ,  77  are threaded machine holes for accepting machine screws  37 ,  38  as an example.  
         [0072]      FIG. 6  is a plainer view of the top surface of the platform  4 , such that the mounting hole pattern is clearly shown. The platform  4  similarly has a front mounting hole pattern of holes  82 ,  83 ,  84  and a rear mounting hole pattern of holes  85 ,  86 ,  87 . The front mounting hole pattern of holes  82 ,  83 ,  84  are in direct alignment with riser plate  2  front holes  72 ,  73 ,  74 . The rear mounting hole pattern of holes  85 ,  86 ,  87  are in direct alignment with riser plate  2 , rear holes  75 ,  76 ,  77 . The platform to riser plate mounting holes  82 ,  83 ,  84 ,  85 ,  86 ,  87  have a through bore and a counter sunk hole such that when receiving a fastener its top surface  92 ,  93  is not above the top surface  30  of the platform  4 .  
         [0073]     There has been a trend in the ski industry, whereby prior art lifter plates are pre-drilled for accepting specific binding types. The invention can also accommodate such a desired feature as shown in  FIG. 6 , by toe binding mounting hole patterns  95 , and rear binding mounting hole patterns  96  and  97 . It may also be desirable to provide a cut line  98  if a short length boot is mounted to a generic length platform plate. Cutting the end of the said platform plate  4  and eliminating any excess platform length would allow the ski to bend in reverse camber without contacting the platform.  
         [0074]      FIG. 7  shows another embodiment of the invention, which would integrate the riser plate into the construction of the ski  100 . The ski  100  basic construction in regards to the camber, and side cut would be similar to ski  1  previously described. The novelty of ski  100  is that in the middle length  120  of the ski  100  there is a raised section  99 . Said raised section  99  has a top distal surface  101 , which is above the top surface of the ski  114 . There is a smooth transition from the ski top  114  to the raised section  99 , top surface  101  comprising a front transition  106  and a rear transition  107 . The height of said top surface  101  in relation to the ski&#39;s top surface  114  is from 5 to 30 mm from the ski&#39;s top surface  114 .  
         [0075]     The top distal surface  101  has a front distal edge  102  and rear distal edge  103 , as well as side edges  104  and  105 . The side edges  104  and  105  are in general aligned with the ski&#39;s&#39; width at the middle length of the ski  120 . The general shape of the top surface  101  is a polygon, or a rectangle with a length of about 90 to 200 mm and a width, which is approximately the same width of the ski in the middle  120  section.  
         [0076]     The raised top surface  99  can be comprised of forward mounting hole pattern of holes  108 ,  109 ,  110  and a rear mounting hole pattern of holes  111 ,  112 ,  113 . Said hole patterns  108 ,  109 ,  110 , and  111 ,  112 ,  113  would be in direct alignment with the platform  4  hole pattern holes  82 ,  83 ,  84 ,  85 ,  86 ,  87  of  FIG. 6 , such that the platform  4  could be attached to said top surface  101 .  
         [0077]      FIG. 8  is similar to  FIG. 4  in that it shows the cross sectional construction of the ski  100  with the platform  4  mounted.  FIG. 8  depicts an embodiment of the invention, which would integrate the ski  100 , cross sectional geometry into providing a raised section  99 . The embodiment of  FIG. 8  would eliminate two parts from the assembly shown in  FIG. 1  and subsequently the additional mounting fasteners to secure the riser plate  2  to the ski  1 . The construction of the ski with an integrated riser plate  99  would be such that ski core  135  profile would be increased above the typical top surface  32  (shown in  FIG. 8  as a phantom line) of the ski  100 . The ski sides  154 ,  155  would be extended to include an additional height of  114 ,  115  above the typical ski  1  top surface  32 . The top surface  101  of the ski  100  substantially in the center of the ski&#39;s length would be higher than the previous ski top surface  32 . The height difference between the old design top surface  32  and the new design  101  would be approximately 6 to 30 mm.  
         [0078]     In skiing the human element has many varying lower leg bone structure alignments and personal preferences. The tibia, knee joint and ankle alignment can be either pronation, or supination or straight. These various lower leg alignments affect the efficiency of how the ski can be turned, and weather the ski can be maintained flat to the snow. The ski functions best when the ski is flat to the snow surface, which provides an even snow melt layer between the ski surface and the snow for good gliding. When a person&#39;s lower leg is out of alignment the ski boots can be adjusted such that the tibia and ankle are aligned with the ski boot, such that the skier has the tibia centered in the boot. Such an alignment is refereed to in the ski industry as “canting”. Still further canting alignment is needed between the boot and the ski, because although the boot and leg can be aligned the skier can still have a natural tendency to weight the inside or outer edge of the ski. Riding either the inside or out side edge of the ski produces uneven snow melting which results in poor ski performance.  
         [0079]     Another embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 9 , which is a similar cross sectional view as  FIG. 4 , and  FIG. 8 . In this embodiment the ski  100  with the integrated riser  99  is shown with a canting plate  200  which is used to adjust canting of the skier. The cant plate  200  is preferred to be the same width as the ski  112  in the Z direction. The width of the cant plate  200  has a distal edge  201  and opposing distal edge  202 . The height of distal edges  201  and  202  are not equal, such that the cant plate  200  top surface  203  is non parallel to the ski  100  top surface  101 . Said cant plate  200  can be produced in ½ degree angle increments. Multiple cant plates  200  can be stacked on top of one another between the ski  100  top surface  101  and the platform bottom surface  27  to achieve the desired canting angle  204 . Said cant plate  200  is secured to the ski  100  by meaning of fastener  37 ,  38  which extended through a holes  205 ,  206  in the cant plate  200 , thus clamping the cant plate  200  between the platform  4  and the ski  100 . The cant pate  200  would have the same mounting hole patterns  82 ,  83 ,  84 , and  85 ,  86 ,  87  as the platform  4  as described previously. It is not beyond the scope of this invention that a normal ski  1  as shown in  FIG. 4  could be employed with a cant plate  200 .  
         [0080]     In skiing there are other methods of adjusting the ski position relative to the ski and boot assembly. One such method is to place a lifter plate inside the ski boot to help evaluate the ski&#39;s heel and thus put more weight on the ski&#39;s toe or forefoot. Another method to achieve lift is to place plates under the heel of the binding and under the ski boot heel, however these methods have problems with boot/binding compatibility. There are standard dimensions for ski boot to ski binding interface such as DIN 7880 and ISO. When a lift is placed under the boot soles heel it is difficult to adjust the boot heel to comply with the DIN and ISO standards. Also when raising just the heel of the binding, this changes the way the boot rests in the toe and heels of the binding and could adversely affect how the binding functions.  
         [0081]      FIG. 10  shows another embodiment of the invention with a lifter plate  300  installed in the assembly, which is similar to  FIG. 3  (with out the binding shown). A cross section of the ski  1  is shown with the riser plate  2  attached to the ski top surface  14 . The lifter plate  300  is preferred to be the same width as the ski  1  in the Z direction. The length of the lifter plate  300  has a front distal edge  301  and opposing rear distal edge  302 . The height of distal edges  301  and  302  are not equal, such that the lifter plate  300  top surface  303  is not parallel to the ski  1  top surface  14 . The height of the front distal edge  301  is less than the rear distal edge  302 , such than the platform  4  is at an incline angle  305  relative to the ski top surface  14 . Said incline angle  305  provides lift to the skier ski boot heel such that they tend to distribute more weight on the front section of the ski. Said lifter plate  300  can be produced in ½-degree angle increments. Multiple lifter plates  300  can be stacked on top of one another between the ski  1  top surface  14  and the platform bottom surface  37  to achieve the desired heel lift angle  305 .  
         [0082]     Said lifter plate  300  is secured to the ski  1  by meaning of fastener  37 ,  38  which extended through holes  306 ,  307  in the lifter plate  300 , thus clamping the lifter plate  300  between the platform  4  and the ski  1 . The lifter pate  300  would have the same mounting hole patterns  82 ,  83 ,  84 , and  85 ,  86 ,  87  as the platform  4  as described previously. It is not beyond the scope of this invention that an integrated raiser plate ski  100  as shown in  FIG. 7  could be employed with a lifter plate  300 .  
         [0083]     It is not beyond the scope of this invention to have both canting plates  200  and lifting plates  300  stacked between said raiser plate  2  and platform  4  to achieve both a canting and lifting combination.  
         [0084]     There is some concern that for extreme reverse camber flexes  21  that the platform  4  could contact the top surface  14  of the ski  1  and thus putting high tension loads on all of the mounting screws, for both the raiser plate  2  and the platform  4 . These high-tension loads would have a tendency to strip or rip the fasteners out of the ski core  35  and top surface  14  of ski  1 . By building the ski with an integrated riser plate  99  the high tension loads, which could pull the riser plate  2  off the ski can be eliminated which is presented in  FIG. 11 .  
         [0085]      FIG. 11  shows an alternate embodiment of the invention, such that the high-tension loads to the platform mounting fasteners is configured into a shear load.  FIG. 11  is a isometric view similar to  FIG. 3 . Also  FIG. 12  is provided, which is a cross sectional view through line XII of  FIG. 11 . The ski  100  is the type with the integrated riser plate  99 , however the width between the integrated riser plate vertical walls  114 ,  115  would be less than the ski  100  width from side wall  155  to side wall  154 . The platform  400  for this embodiment would have two vertical tangs  401  and  402 . The inside width of said tangs  401  and  402  would be slightly larger than the width of the integrated riser vertical walls  154 ,  155 . The vertical tangs  401 ,  402  extend downward from the bottom surface  403  of the platform  400 . The platform  400  would be made of a composite material, as previously discussed in regards to platform  4 . Said vertical tangs  401 ,  402  of this embodiment is made of a composite lamina extending from the bottom surface  403  of the platform  400 . It is not beyond the scope of this invention to use alternate materials for said platform  400  and vertical tangs  401 ,  402  such as a metal (aluminum, steel, titanium). The vertical tangs  401 ,  402  have a pair of through holes for accepting fasteners  404 ,  405  and  409 . It can be appreciated that there is a total of four-platform tang fasteners in the assembly. There would be two fasteners  405 , and  409  per vertical tang  401 , and another pair of fasteners for vertical tang  402 . The fasteners  404 ,  405  and  409  and a fourth not shown, which extend through the vertical tangs  401 ,  402  and into the ski  100  integrated riser walls  114 ,  115  and further into the core  135  of the ski  100 .  
         [0086]     The length of said tangs  401 ,  402  would be approximately the same length as the integrated riser  99 , established by distal edges  102  and  103 . Attaching the platform  400  in such a described manner creates a stable non-pivoting attachment.  
         [0087]     In this embodiment, if the ski  100  goes into extreme reverse camber  21  and contacts the distal ends of the platform  407 ,  408  the load on the fasteners  404 ,  405 ,  409  (and a fourth fastener not shown) are perpendicular to the length of the fastener. The resulting load on the fasteners  404 ,  405 ,  409  (and a fourth fastener not shown) is a shear load through the cross section of the screw, as opposed to a tension load, which would act only on the threaded engagement of the fastener to the parent material.  
         [0088]      FIG. 11  shows an alternate embodiment for attachment of said ski bindings  5 ,  6 , by means of sliding channel and a track. A front sliding channel is established by fixing side plates  410 ,  411  to the sides  416 ,  417  of the platform  400  with fasteners  418 , and  419  and an opposing set of two fasteners on the opposite side  417  of platform  400 . The side plates  410 ,  411  have an elongated section  423 , and  425 , which extend above the platform top surface  457 . The side plates  423 , and  425  have another elongated section  426 , and  427 , which extend toward the middle width of the platform  400 . Side plates  423 , and  425  further have a vertical edge  428 ,  429  extending toward the top surface  457  of the platform  400 . The above-described geometry creates two sliding channels  430  and  431  for accepting a front ski binding  5 . Said channels  430  and  431  would restrict the vertical movement of said bindings in the Y direction.  
         [0089]     Tracks,  414  and  415 , which are recessed below the top, surface  457  of platform  400  to create a means to restrict any motion of bindings in the forward and aft direction of the platform  400  in the X direction. The tracks  414  and  415  would have a number of indentations of about 1.5 mm deep and 2 mm wide by 10 mm long, evenly spaced about 2 mm apart. Said indentations would create a female type thread pattern. The ski bindings would have threaded engagement to said tracks  414  and  415 . Ski bindings with a means to have threaded engagement in the X direction is well know to those skilled in the art of ski binding design and will not be elaborated here.  
         [0090]     It can be appreciated in  FIG. 12  that said side plates  410 , and  411  and front track  414  would create a front binding attachment assembly and similarly said plates  412  and  413  and rear track  415  would create a rear binding attachment assembly. Said front and rear binding assembles would have sufficient length in the X direction to securely fasten front and rear ski binding assemblies  5  and  6 . Further the length of said front and rear binding assemblies  5  and  6  would be sufficient enough to accommodate a range of ski boot sizes, as an example mondo size 24 through 28.  
         [0091]     Another embodiment of the conceived invention is shown in side profile cross section of  FIG. 13 , which is a similar view as  FIG. 3 , however in this embodiment shows ski  500 . Ski  500  is of a monocque composite lamina construction and would consist of a riser  501  and platform  502 . The embodiment would only require fasteners to attach the binding  5 ,  6 .  
         [0092]     Typically a ski is molded in a two-part mold with a split line near the bottom surface  503  of a ski. In this embodiment of  FIG. 13 a  three part mold would have to be employed, such that the riser  501  rear distal end  508  could be molded above rear ski top surface  504 , by means of a removable insert between the rear top surface  504  and the rear bottom surface  505  of the platform  500 . The molded riser  501  and platform  502  would be centered about the ski center  510 . The riser  501  front distal end  509  could be molded above ski top surface  506 , by means of a removable insert between the front top surface  506  and the front bottom surface  507  of the platform  500 . The geometry of the riser  501 , and platform  502  would be the same as described in the previous embodiments.  
         [0093]     It may also be preferred to fill the front gap  157  and rear gap  158  between the platform bottom surface  505 ,  507  and the ski top surface  504  and  506 , of the ski  500 . The filler material would add little to no stiffness to the ski  500 . It is not beyond the scope of this invention that fillers  155  and  156  could be employed to fine-tune the stiffness and damping of the ski, by designing said fillers stiffness such that they contribute to the overall flex of the ski  500 . Said fillers  155 ,  156  could be made of low-density plastic foam, and or an injection molded part, and or a composite lamina.  
         [0094]     In the case that the front filler  155  and rear filler  156  has some structural stiffness, then the ski  500  could be manufactured in the traditional method of a two part mold, whereby fillers  155 ,  156  are simply left in the lamia. One advantage of having the fillers  155  and  156  is that snow and ice would not accumulate in the gaps  157 ,  158  between the platform  502  and the ski  500 . Another advantage of the fillers  155  and  156  is that the ski  500  is more aerodynamic. Said fillers  155 ,  156  if functioning as a structural member of the composite lamina could be adhesive bonded in place. Further if the fillers  155 ,  156  function is mainly for cosmetic appearance or for aerodynamic improvements, the fillers,  155 ,  156  could be fastened to the platform  502  and the ski  500  by means of screws and or a type of plastic mechanical snap in method.  
         [0095]     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that several modifications and variations not mentioned exist. Accordingly the previous descriptions are only meant for the purposes of illustration, and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention.