Abstract:
A sports board comprising a core member and a mounting structure interposed between the core member and an upper layer. The mounting structure defines a region on which the binding can be mounted, wherein the mounting structure comprises a flexible structure with holes that permits the core to flex during use.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Disclosed is a specially-configured board for gliding along terrain. The board can be, for example, a snow ski, water ski, snowboard, and the like. Although described herein in the context of snow skiing, it should be appreciated that a “board” described herein will refer generally to any of these sorts of boards as well as to other board-type devices which allow a rider to traverse a solid or fluid surface. 
         [0002]    A multimillion dollar issue for ski manufacturers relates to the problem of securing a binding to a ski. A common method of securing a ski binding is by mounting it directly onto the ski. Such a method has the unfortunate effect of stiffening the ski in the region of the ski binding. In particular, the ski is stiffened in the area underneath the boot of the skier, which can adversely affect the feel and performance of the ski. The stiffening effect is a result of resistant pressure created by the combined effect of the boot and binding during the normal flexing of a snow ski during a turn. The natural flexing of a ski is in this way inhibited, such that it has a negative effect on skiing, more specifically in the turning of the ski—an act achieved by angling the ski onto its side, thus causing the ski by bending to produce an arc. 
         [0003]    To improve the flexing of the ski under the region of the ski boot, a flexible intermediate plate is commonly used which flexes together with the ski and is more or less a part of the ski. This intermediate plate is attached by screws or elastic glue, either directly to the upper surface of the ski or via an additional elastic layer, which allows restricted longitudinal movement such that it absorbs the shortening of the ski during flexing. However, the aforementioned methods do not achieve optimal results. 
         [0004]    Another method of securing ski bindings is via an intermediate plate. The plate has a lower surface that is mounted onto the ski. The upper surface of the plate is then attached to the ski binding to thereby secure the binding to the ski. Screws are typically used in the mounting process. The screws are fastened onto the binding and onto the wood core of the ski. The screws provide a grip or fastening force that holds the bindings on the ski. The wood core is typically surrounded by an outer shells such as a fiberglass shell. It can be appreciated that it is important that the screws do not rip out of the wood core during use of the ski, such as when a skier exerts the various forces involved with both skiing and possibly falling. The interaction between the screws and the wood cores can result in undesirable effects on the performance of the ski during use. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In view of the foregoing, there is a need for methods and devices of constructing a ski that prevents an attached binding from exerting unwanted influence on the camber and flex of the ski. 
         [0006]    Disclosed is a sports board, such as a ski, having a structure that prevents an attached binding from exerting unwanted influence on the camber and flex of the ski. In one aspect, the sports board comprises a core member; an upper layer positioned on top of the core member, the upper layer forming an upper surface on which a ski binding can be mounted; a lower layer positioned below the core member, the lower layer forming a lower surface for gliding; and a mounting structure interposed between the core member and the upper layer, the mounting structure defining a region on which the binding can be mounted, wherein the mounting structure comprises a flexible structure with holes that permits the wood core to flex during use. 
         [0007]    The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  shows a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a snow ski. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the ski of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  shows a schematic top view of a portion of a core of the ski. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the core along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  shows a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the core along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]      FIG. 1  shows a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a ski  100 .  FIG. 2  shows a side view of the ski  100 . It should be appreciated that the particular shape and contour of the ski shown in  FIG. 1  can vary. Moreover, although described in the context of a ski, it should be appreciated that the disclosure can apply to any type of gliding board that couples to a binding. 
         [0014]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , the ski  100  includes first and second regions  105  configured for attaching a binding to the ski  100 . That is, a binding (not shown) can be attached to the ski at the regions  105 . As discussed in detail below, the regions  105  are configured in a manner that prevents unwanted influence on the camber and flex of the ski while still achieving a secure fastening of the bindings to the ski, such as with screws. The binding region, as described in detail below, holds bindings fast to the ski and allows the core to flex naturally. 
         [0015]    As known to those skilled in the art, a binding can be used to secure a user&#39;s boot to the ski. Any type of binding can be used. The ski  100  can include any quantity of regions for attachment of a binding. The ski  100  includes an elongated base structure, which can be symmetrical with respect to a vertical and longitudinal plane or asymmetrical. 
         [0016]    The ski  100  shown in is in the form of an elongated body that extends along a longitudinal direction. The ski  100  can be slightly cambered in a vertical plane. As mentioned, the ski  100  has one or more regions  105  provided to receive the elements for retaining the boot such as the ski bindings. Front and rear portions on either side of the regions  105  form the shovel and heel of the ski. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the ski has a lower gliding surface. The ski is bordered by two running edges. An upper surface is on the top of the ski and can be equipped with decorations, logos, graphics, etc. The ski further includes lateral edges, or side walls, between the upper surface and the lateral running edges. 
         [0017]    In cross section, the ski structure has a central core.  FIG. 3  shows a schematic plan view of the core  305  of the ski which is bordered by sidewalls  310  and on which the regions  105  are located. The core can be made of any appropriate material such, but not limited to, wood, metal, injected foam, or machined foam, such as, for example, polyurethane foam. As known, the cross-sectional dimensions can vary over the length of the ski, and the ski can be formed of a plurality of elements juxtaposed transversely and/or vertically. As mentioned, the ski can be coated with an outer layer that is decorated. 
         [0018]    The regions  105  are formed by a mounting structure that is positioned on or within the core  305 . The mounting structure can be formed of interconnected or interwoven members, such as threads or cords, that are collectively flexible in nature. In an embodiment, the mounting structure is mesh or wire. The mounting structure can be formed into any shape that corresponds to the desired shape of the region  105 . The region  105  is sufficiently large to cover an area that can accept a ski binding. In an embodiment, the region  105  is rectangular. In an exemplary embodiment, the mounting structure comprises a metal screen or wire mesh although the structure can be formed of other materials that are flexible. The mounting structure can be attached to the core  305  in a variety of manners including, for example, staples or glue. 
         [0019]      FIG. 4  shows a side view of the core  305  along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 . It should be appreciated that  FIG. 4  is schematic and not to scale. Furthermore, the core  305  can be contoured and shaped in manners different from shown in  FIG. 4 . In this embodiment, the mounting structure  310  is positioned on top of the core  305 . The structure  310  is positioned on top of an upper surface of the core  305  such that the upper surface of the structure  310  protrudes upward of the upper surface of the core  305 . As mentioned, staples, glue, or any other attachment structure can be used to secure the structure  310  to the core  305 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 5  shows another side view of the core  305  showing another embodiment of how the structure  310  can be secured to the core. In this embodiment, the structure  310  is positioned within a recess that has been formed into the top surface of the core. The recess can be formed in any manner, such as by a milling process. The structure  310  is sized to fit within the recess. The recess can be substantially larger than the size of the structure  310  or it can be sized such that the structure  310  fits snug within the recess. When the structure  310  is positioned in the recess, the upper surface of the structure  310  is flush or substantially flush with the upper surface of the core  305 . 
         [0021]    In use, a ski binding is positioned on the top surface of the ski over the region  105 . The binding is then secured to the ski such as with screws. The interface between the binding and the mounting structure prevents unwanted influence on the camber and flex of the ski that simply placing flat metal on the core cannot achieve to securely fasten the bindings with screws. The mounting structure holds the binding fast to the ski while still allowing the wood core to flex naturally. 
         [0022]    Although embodiments of various methods and devices are described herein in detail with reference to certain versions, it should be appreciated that other versions, embodiments, methods of use, and combinations thereof are also possible. Therefore the spirit and scope of the disclosure should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein.