Abstract:
A foldable ski is part of a system for traversing over snow and ice covered terrain. The ski is configured to be moved from a deployed condition and shortened in length to a stowed condition. Thus, stowing the ski enables it to fit in small spaces such as in a snowmobile compartment or backpack pocket. The ski is constructed with a plurality of hinges, sections, and locking mechanisms configured to move the sections between the deployed condition and the stowed condition. The ski may also include a mechanism for pivotally coupling footwear to the ski, whether a user is wearing hardshell boots or softshell boots for hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, and/or snowboarding. The mechanism for coupling footwear may include an adjustable binding platform capable of position adjustment and/or length adjustment.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/894,541 entitled “FOLDING SKIS FOR PACKS AND SNOWMOBILES AND AN ADJUSTABLE MOUNTING PLATE FOR FOOTWEAR”, filed on Mar. 13, 2007 for Lane Ekberg, and a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/017,949 entitled “APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR A COLLAPSING APPROACH SKI”, filed on Jan. 22, 2008 for Lane Ekberg, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/888,700 entitled “FOLDING APPROACH SKI SYSTEM”, filed Feb. 7, 2007 for Lane Ekberg, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to devices used for traversing ice and snow, and more particularly relates to collapsible skis that can be easily stowed and carried between uses. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    A number of collapsible skis have been tried over the years. Some folding skis, which incorporate hinges, are known. However, these skis are patterned after bulky downhill designs. Bindings for securing hard shelled boots on downhill skis are known. 
         [0006]    The collapsible or foldable skis of the past predominantly have two sections that are joined near a center of the ski by hinges and/or locking mechanisms. The locking mechanisms are for holding the collapsible or folding skis in a deployed configuration, but typically have weak points and are prone to breakage under regular conditions of use for skis. 
         [0007]    Other devices used for traversing ice or snow include snow shoes. However, snow shoe devices are limited in their sliding and maneuvering capability. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Since it is cumbersome to pack full-length skis and because of the large space requirement, some folding skis have been developed. However, the skis typically fold approximately in half such that they are at least 50% as long as full-length skis. These skis typically have hardshell boot bindings, which take up additional space. As such, these skis are too long and bulky to fit into a snowmobile or backpack pocket. Furthermore, these skis are structurally very complex and expensive. 
         [0009]    Snowmobile enthusiasts sometimes experience engine trouble or machine breakage. The snowmobile may become stuck with no way to free the snowmobile. These situations can be life-threatening when may require a user to hike for help because they have not brought appropriate foot traveling devices that will enable the user to hike for help. It is difficult to walk or otherwise maneuver in deep fresh snow without skis or snow shoes. Moreover, even if a user desired to pack snowshoes or skis, those devices, as they are known in the prior art, are not capable of being stowed and fit into compartments of snowmobiles or backpacks. 
         [0010]    From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for an apparatus, system, and method that have the benefits of skis and the benefits of snow shoes. Beneficially, such an apparatus, system, and method would include foldability such that the apparatus may be a ski or snow shoe that can be folded into a compact volume that is less than half the length of the skis or snow shoes. However, when deployed, the apparatus should have excellent maneuverability in ice, snow, and powder conditions. 
         [0011]    The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available folding skis and snow shoes. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide an apparatus, system, and method for stowing skis or snow shoes in a compact volume that will easily fit in a back pack or snow mobile compartment, and which overcome many or all of the above-discussed shortcomings in the art. Indeed, the apparatuses of the present invention enable a user to more easily climb, slide, turn, and otherwise maneuver when traversing ice, snow, or power. 
         [0012]    In a simple form, an apparatus for traversing ice and snow in accordance with embodiments of the present invention includes a collapsible body having a bottom surface for traversing ice and snow covered terrain and a top surface for supporting a user on the ice or snow. The apparatus also includes at least two hinge areas such that the body is divided into at least three sections by the two hinge areas. The apparatus also has at least two separate locking mechanisms on the body proximate to the two hinge areas. The locking mechanisms are configured to hold the at least two hinge areas in a deployed mode with the sections aligned with each other when locked. The locking mechanisms are also configured to release the two hinge areas in a collapsed mode, thus enabling the sections to be stowed in a mutually overlying configuration when unlocked. 
         [0013]    The apparatus may further include an adjustable attachment mechanism coupled to the top surface for adjustably attaching footwear to the top surface of the apparatus. In one embodiment, the adjustable attachment mechanism has a mounting platform configured to secure footwear to the apparatus. In this embodiment, the platform is releasably coupled to the top surface of the apparatus. The platform may have at least one strap attached thereto for engaging hard or soft shelled footwear 
         [0014]    In another simple form, a system for selectively deploying and stowing a device for traversing snow or ice in accordance with embodiments of the invention includes a body having a plurality of sections movable between a deployed mode forming a ski or snow shoe and a stowed mode in which the sections are collapsed into overlying relation relative to each other. The system also has at least one releasable locking mechanism fixing at least one of the sections relative to another of the sections in the deployed mode. The system further includes a binding mounting mechanism disposed on a front half of the body on at least one of the sections when the sections are in the deployed mode. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment of the system, the binding mounting mechanism has a plurality of binding position elements. The binding position elements are configured for pivotally coupling footwear at a plurality of positions generally corresponding to the binding position elements along the body. The plurality of binding position elements are positioned on the front half of the body in the deployed mode. 
         [0016]    In still another simple form, a method of using a collapsible device for traversing snow or ice in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may include unfolding at least three sections of a ski or snow shoe and locking the at least three sections in an aligned, generally rigid, deployed configuration. The method may also include coupling footwear to the device at a position in a front half of the device. Coupling the footwear may include adjustably coupling a binding platform to one of a plurality of binding mounting elements on the front half of the device. The method may also include unlocking and folding the three sections into a compact stowed configuration. Folding may include moving the sections and forming them into the compact stowed configuration with the sections in overlying relation to each other and having a length less than approximately 45% of a length of the device in the deployed configuration. 
         [0017]    Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment. 
         [0018]    Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention. 
         [0019]    These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1A  is a top plan view illustrating one embodiment of a pair of the little skis in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 1B  is a top plan view of one of the skis of  FIG. 1A  with a front and rear sections folded behind a center section; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2A  is a side view of the folding ski of  FIG. 1A  in a deployed mode; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2B  is a side view of the folding ski of  FIG. 1A  in a stowed mode, and having a binding platform coupled thereto; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3A  is a bottom plan view of the folding ski of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3B  is a top plan view of an adjustable binding platform in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a folding ski in a stowed mode in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is a exploded perspective view of the folding ski and detachable binding platform in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of a folding ski with five folding sections and for a hinge areas in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 7A  is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of a foldable ski showing details that may be applied to regions such as region  7 A in  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 7B  is a detailed perspective view of a locking element or tab shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 7A   
           [0032]      FIG. 7C  is a side view of the ski of  FIG. 7A  showing details that may be applied to regions such as region  7 C in the embodiment of  FIG. 2A ; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 8  is a detailed view of an axle for mounting a binding platform to a ski in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0034]    Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. 
         [0035]    Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of various embodiments and user selections, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention. 
         [0036]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a pair of folding skis  1 . Each ski  1  has a front hinge area  2  and a rear hinge area  3  that provide two folding points and allow the ski to collapse from a deployed mode or configuration shown in  FIG. 2A  into a stowed mode or configuration shown in  FIG. 2B . The folded or collapsed ski  1  of  FIG. 2B  shows an example of how compact the folding ski  1  can become in the stowed configuration, making it possible to fit the ski  1  into very small compact spaces such as a snowmobile compartment or backpack pockets. Hinge locks or locking mechanisms  4  on each of the skis  1  may include pins or braces  6  that may move back and forth to lock or unlock the front hinge area  2  and rear hinge area  3 . 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the ski  1  has a deployed length in the deployed mode and a collapsed length in the collapsed mode that is substantially shorter than the deployed length. In fact, the collapsed length is less than or equal to approximately 45% of the deployed length. The collapsed length may be less than or equal to approximately 40% of the deployed length, or less than or equal to 35% of the deployed length. In one embodiment, the collapsed length is less than or equal to approximately 33% of the deployed length. In alternative embodiments, the ski can be shortened to a length that is at least 55% shorter than the overall deployed length. In some embodiments, the skis have a folding mechanism which allow the ski to be compacted in overall length to at less than or equal to ⅓ its original length. In other embodiments, the ski can be compacted to smaller percentages of the deployed length by incorporating more sections separated by hinge areas and having locking mechanisms that span the hinge areas and releasably lock the various sections in the deployed configuration. 
         [0038]    Hinge locks  4  maintain locked or unlocked the positions through retaining mechanisms. Retaining mechanisms may include a tether  8  capable of coupling to a tether hole  11  to hold the hinge locks  4  in an unlocked folding position. Lock mechanisms may also coupled to tether hole  10  to hold the hinge locks  4  in a locked hinge or deployed configuration. The hinge locks  4  may include bolts or braces  6  guided in slider slots or channels formed at least in part by keepers  12  located on a top surface of the skis  1 . It is to be understood that such keepers  12  with their channels may be formed by a molded polycarbonate protrusion on the upper surface, for example. Other materials forming the keepers and channels may include added elements including any of a variety of metals. A tab  20  prevents the braces  6  from sliding out of the slider slots or channels when the retaining mechanism is not tethered to any of the tether holes. 
         [0039]    A mounting plate or binding platform  26 , as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , may be releasably coupled to a center section  14  of each ski  1  through an axle  16  and mounting holes  18  located on the center section of the skis  1 . This binding platform  26  may provide a footwear base with which to bind footwear of a user to the ski. A pivot joint formed by the axle  16  and any oppositely facing pair of holes  18  may be positioned within the front half of the footwear base. The pivot joint may thus have the axle  16  mounted transversely on the ski the front half of the binding platform  26 . The front half of the footwear base may be referred to as the toe end of the footwear base. This positioning of the pivot joint on the front end of the platform  26  allows the heel end to rotate up away from the ski with each step taken by the user. A spring may be placed under the heel end of the platform to provide a lifting force to a heel of the user. Such a spring actually provides a negative weight in commonly used terms of the art. This is because a common measure in the art deals with weights in ounces or pounds, for example, that a user must lift each time he or she takes a step. A spring or suspension under the heel also provides a reactive force that lifts a tip of the ski  1  and thus aids the user in walking. 
         [0040]    The binding platform  26  may be coupled to the ski  1  by a quick-release mechanism to allow the ski  1  to fold more compactly. To detach the binding, a user would unlock the quick-release mechanism. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the binding platform  26  may be permanently attached to the folding ski  1 . 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIGS. 1A-2B , in some embodiments of the invention, the toe end of footwear base or binding platform  26  is positioned with approximately two thirds of the length of the ski  1  behind it similar to a snowshoe. In fact the ski  1  may alternatively be termed a skiing or downhill snowshoe. Placement of the binding platform in the front half of the body of the ski  1 , causes the front tip of the ski  1  to move upward when the user raises his foot up to take a step. This has the distinctive advantage of helping a user maneuver through deep and/or powdery snow. At the same time, a user can still have a measure of mechanical advantage to enable him or her to control the skis  1  in turns, for example. This is increasingly so as the pivotal connection is moved rearward on the toe end of the binding platform  26 . 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIGS. 1A-2B , the skis  1  may have three sections including the center section  14 , at least one front section  22 , and at least one rear section  24  that can be folded into mutually overlying relation. A left-hand ski  1  as viewed in  FIG. 1A  is shown with the braces  6  inserted through keepers  12  on each of the center, front, and a rear sections  14 ,  22 ,  24  such that the sections are locked in the deployed configuration. On the other hand, the right ski  1  as viewed in  FIG. 1A  has the braces  6  retracted such that they do not extend into the keepers  12  on the center section  14 , thus showing an unlocked configuration. From the unlocked position, the front and rear sections  22 ,  24  can be folded downward, and are out of view behind the center section  14  in  FIG. 1B . 
         [0043]      FIG. 2A  is a side view of the folding ski  1  in a deployed configuration illustrating a pivoting mounting plate  26  with footwear retaining straps  28  coupled to the mounting plate. The folded ski  1  is also shown in a folded condition illustrated in  FIG. 2B  with the binding platform  26  still attached. The mounting plate  12  can be quick-released from the main folding ski  1  body for easier pack storage. Multiple pivot positions can be utilized by selectively placing the axle  16  through the mounting plate and any of a plurality of sets of holes  18  to couple the binding platform  26  to the folding skis  1 . In this regard, the binding mounting mechanism is an adjustable binding mounting mechanism disposed on at least one of the sections. The binding mounting mechanism is adjustable because the binding mounting mechanism is configured to adjustably support the binding platform  26  in one of a plurality of mounting positions. 
         [0044]    As shown in the embodiments of  FIGS. 1A-2B , the adjustable binding mounting mechanism includes a pair of upwardly protruding flanges  29  on each ski  1 . The pair of flanges  29  on each ski has respective sets of holes  18  in the flanges for selectively supporting the platform  26  at positions corresponding to oppositely facing pairs of holes  18  in the flanges  29 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 3A  is a bottom plan view of the folding ski  1  showing the positions of the hinge areas  2 ,  3 . An optional metal edge  30  may also be used in the design of the ski  1 . The three sections  14 ,  22 ,  24  of ski are shown in the illustration of  FIG. 3A , which fold up very compactly. More sections can be used for longer ski configurations such as for cross-country skis or alternate configurations. 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIG. 3B , an adjustable binding  33  may include the binding platform having a two-piece plate  36  with a plurality of hole settings  39 ,  40 , which can be aligned and interconnected to adjust the plate  36  of the binding  33  to a particular boot size. A rib  43  holds a toe of the footwear on the adjustable mounting plate  36  and a rib  44  holds a heel of the footwear on the mounting plate  36 . A strap mount  47  is flexible and is configured to at least partially envelope the footwear of the user. Strap mount holes  49  receive ends of straps  28 , as shown in  FIG. 2B . To set the binding to a desired foot size the user must correlate the boot size with the length of the adjustable mounting plate by aligning the correct hole settings  39 ,  40  and inserting hardware into the correct hole settings. 
         [0047]    Referring back to  FIG. 2B , the mounting plate or binding platform  26 ,  36  can be left on the folding ski  1 . The hinge lock mechanisms can also be clearly seen in their folded positions. The side view of  FIG. 2B  shows the braces  6  of the hinge lock mechanisms retracted from the channels in keepers  12  disposed on the center section  14 . The hinge areas  2 ,  3  may include two pivot axles each to allow double pivoting in the hinges for a floating hinge structure. Pivoting in at least two places enables generally parallel overlying or overlapping structure of the different ski sections in the folded configuration. A heel lifter  55  and a heel riser  58  may optionally be incorporated to keep the heel of the user elevated while going up steep ascents and thus relieve stress on the lower leg and Achilles region of the user. One or both of the heel lifter  55  and heel riser  58  may be made integral with the structure forming the keepers  12 . Alternatively, the heel riser may be in the form of a bail or other structure that can be moved from a low profile position to a projected position. 
         [0048]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a foldable ski in a folded or stowed condition, in accordance with an alternative embodiment. As shown, a front section  22  of the ski is folded on top of the center section  14  in this embodiment. The rear section  24  is folded under the center section  14 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the folded configuration has a length of approximately ⅓ of the length of the ski  1  in the deployed configuration. Other folding configurations are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, both the front and rear sections  22 ,  24  may be folded on top of the center section  14 . In embodiments having more than three sections, an accordion folding configuration may be undertaken. 
         [0049]      FIG. 5  is an exploded side perspective view of the folding ski  1 , mounting plate  26 , and mounting pivot axle  16 . The pivot axle  16  is thrust through mounting holes  18  located on alternative mounting rails or flanges  61  extending upwardly from a top side of the ski  1  and a pivot mount  64  located on a bottom of the toe end of the mounting plate or binding platform  26 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the flanges  61  are disposed on two of the sections and an intermediate hinge area. The braces  6  of the hinge lock mechanism can easily be slid out of channels in the keepers to allow the hinges of the hinge areas  2 ,  3  to be unlocked, thus allowing the ski  1  to fold into a compact size for packing. The heel lifter  55  can be mounted to the top side of the ski  1  by fasteners that can be inserted in mounting holes  65 . From the illustration of  FIG. 5  in the previous discussion regarding the mounting of the binding platforms  26 ,  36 , it is to be understood that a mounting area for footwear and binding apparatuses is included in embodiments of the present invention. The binding platform  26 ,  36  may be pivotally supported on the ski in order to allow the foot of the user to move in a walking motion. That is, the pivotal connection of the binding platform  26 ,  36  enable us the heel of the user to move in arcs in an upward and a downward direction. Additionally or alternatively, the heel may be temporarily or permanently locked in a predetermined position. 
         [0050]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 1A , which show the locking mechanisms  4  in detail. For example, a first keeper  12  having a first channel  66  is disposed on the top surface on the forward section  22  of the three sections of the body as shown in  FIG. 1A . A second keeper  12  having a second channel  66  is disposed on the top surface on the center section  14  of the three sections of the body. The brace  6  may be an inflexible moveable locking brace configured to slideably engage the first channel and the second channel by spanning one of the hinge areas  2 . Analogous relations apply to each of the locking mechanisms in which the locking mechanisms each have at least one brace  6  and at least two keepers forming respective channels on different ones of the sections  14 ,  22 ,  24 . The brace is slideably received in the channels of both of the two keepers in the deployed mode and slideably removed from the channel of at least one of the keepers in the stowed mode as shown by left and right skis  1  respectively in  FIG. 1A . 
         [0051]    In the embodiments of  FIGS. 1A and 5 , there is a first forward section  22 , a second center section  14 , and a third rearward section  24 . Each of the three sections has at least one keeper  12 . The brace  6  may be a first brace of a plurality of braces in which at least one of the braces  6  is supported in the keepers  12  of the first and second sections  22 ,  14 , and at least another of the braces  6  is supported in the keepers  12  of the second and third sections  14 ,  24  when the ski or snow shoe is in the deployed mode. More sections could be applied with respective keepers  6  and braces for spanning interposed hinge areas. In the embodiments of  FIGS. 1A and 5 , each section  14 ,  22 ,  24  is shown with a pair of keepers disposed generally opposite each other on outer lateral edges of the sections. The locking mechanisms  4  are each shared by at least two sections. Thus, the locking mechanisms  4  each have a plurality of pairs of keepers. In the example embodiment shown, each of the braces  6  is generally U-shaped, and each end of the brace is slideably supported in a respective one of a pair of the plurality of pairs of keepers. 
         [0052]      FIG. 6  is a bottom plan view of a full length folding ski  67  in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. This ski  67  may be a cross-country ski or simply have a typical alpine ski length. Multiple ski sections such as more than three are incorporated to achieve a longer length ski. Mounting holes  18  are used to mount the mounting plate  26 ,  36  to the full length folding ski  67 . Hinge areas  70  and  73  are hinge areas in additional to hinge areas  2 ,  3 , which are similar to the hinge areas described above. Additional hinge areas with their respective hinges enable folding of addition sections of the ski  67 . In the example of  FIG. 6 , the ski  67  has five sections  76 ,  79 ,  81 ,  84 , and  87 . The sections are folded on to one another similar to that which has been describe, thus shortening the length of the ski  67  substantially when it is moved into the stowed configuration. In this way, the ski  67  is made to away allow the folded or stowed configuration to be very compact. 
         [0053]      FIG. 7A  is a top plan view of a foldable ski  90  in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention. However, the foldable ski  90  has hinge areas  92 ,  93  that may be structurally similar to the hinge areas  2 ,  3  of  FIGS. 1A-6 . In fact, details of the embodiment of  FIGS. 7A-7C  may be applied to the embodiments of  FIGS. 1A-6  and vice versa without limitation. For example, respective pivot housings  96 ,  96  may provide receiving and holding structure for pivot axles (shown in  FIG. 7C ) forming pivot axes of the hinge areas  92 ,  93 . These pivot housings  96 ,  99  provide the correct dimensions in the length direction to permit the a front section  102  and a rear section  105  to fold into substantially parallel mutually overlying relation to each other and a center section  108 , as has been described with regard to the embodiments above. These pivot housings  96 ,  99  may be of similar material to the material of the sections  102 ,  105 ,  108  and may have knuckles or interleaving portions  111  with transverse or laterally extending through holes. These interleaving portions  111  on the pivot housings  96 ,  99  are configured to interleave with interleaving portions  114  on the sections  102 ,  105 ,  108  between which the pivot housings  96 ,  99  lie. The interleaving portions  114  of the sections also have transverse through holes that align with the through holes (shown in  FIG. 7C ) in the interleaving portions  111  of the pivot housings  96 ,  99 . Thus, pins or pivot axles may be inserted through both sets of interleaving portions  111 ,  114  and form a double hinge in each hinge area  92 ,  93 . It is to be understood that pivot housings, interleaving portions, and pivot axles as described herein may be applied to each of the hinge areas  2 ,  3 , of the foldable ski of  FIG. 1A  including the region  7 A. 
         [0054]    As shown in  FIG. 1A  (region  7 A) and  FIG. 7A , the hinge areas  3  and  93  are in a locked mode with a brace  117  and the brace  6  in locked positions. In  FIG. 7A , a retaining mechanism includes a locking element in the form of a tab  120 . As shown in the detailed perspective view of  FIG. 7B , the tab  120  can be mounted to an upper surface of the ski  90  by a base  123 . Tabs  120  may be formed of foam or other material, and may be coupled to the ski  90  by adhesive and/or hardware including screws, rivets, etc. The tab  120  may have a protrusion  126  with a slot  129  for receiving a central portion of the brace  117  in a snap fit or friction fit engagement. Thus, the tab  120  acts to retain the brace  117  in a locking configuration inhibiting back and forth movement of the brace  117  disposed in respective keepers  12 , as shown in  FIG. 7A . 
         [0055]    The braces may have an upturned portion in a central region and/or a fabric tab  130  acting as handle(s) to facilitate grasping the brace  117  during locking and unlocking of the foldable skis  90 . Once in the locked position, a swivel pin  131 , similar to the blocking post described below with regard to  FIG. 8 , can be swiveled from a slot within an end of the brace  117  to further inhibit inadvertent movement of the brace  117  in a retracting direction. When the ski  90  is moved into its stowed mode, tabs  133  inhibit the brace from sliding completely out of the keepers  12  and inhibit the braces  117  from becoming separated from the ski  90 . These details are applicable to the other embodiments just as the details of the other embodiments can be incorporated into any combination with each other or the embodiment of  FIGS. 7A-7C  without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0056]    The pivot housings  96 ,  99  also have respective intermediate keepers  132  that abut the keepers  12  on the sections on each side of the pivot housings  96 ,  99 , receive the braces  117 , and provide increased strength when the ski is in the locked, deployed configuration. 
         [0057]      FIG. 7C  is a side view of the foldable ski  90  of  FIG. 7A  showing further details of the hinge areas  92 ,  93  with their respective housings  96 ,  99  and pivot axles  135 . As shown, the pivot axles  135  extend through the through holes  138  in outer interleaving portions  111  of the pivot housings  96 ,  99  and through the other through holes described above to form the plural hinges of the hinge areas  92 ,  93 . As may be appreciated, upper portions of the pivot housings  96 ,  99  form the intermediate keepers  132 , which abut the keepers  12  over a relatively large area and receive the braces  117  therethrough. The material forming the keepers  117  may include foamed polycarbonate and/or other material that can be molded integrally or otherwise attached to the rest of the ski for high strength. As with the other embodiments, when the braces  117  are unlocked from the tabs  120  and withdrawn from the locking position within the keepers  12 ,  132 , the front an rear sections  102 ,  105  can be collapsed or folded such as in a direction of arrows  141 ,  144  shown in  FIG. 7C . 
         [0058]      FIG. 8  is a detailed view of the axle  16  for pivotally connecting the binding platform to the ski. As shown, the axle  16  may have a head  153  on one end and a blocking post  156  on an opposite end thereof. A spring  159  pushes against the head  153  to urge the axle  16  in a retracting direction relative to flanges  29 ,  61 . Thus, in order to secure the axle in the holes  18 , the user aligns the blocking post  156  with the axle and inserts it through a first flange  29 ,  61 , the pivot mount  64  of the binding platform  26 ,  36 , and a second opposite flange  29 ,  61 . The user presses the head toward the first flange  29 ,  61  until the blocking post  156  extends past the second flange. The user then pivots the blocking post  156  to an orientation transverse to the axle  16  and releases pressure on the head  153 . The spring biases the axle in the retracting direction and causes the blocking post  156  to stoppingly engage an outer surface of the second flange such that the axle is inhibited from inadvertent removal from the flanges  29 ,  61 . 
         [0059]    It is to be understood that the hinges in the hinge areas between sections of the folding skis may include any of a variety of hinges such as living hinges, knuckle hinges, etc. 
         [0060]    The axle for pivotally connecting the binding platform to the ski, the hinge pins, the braces, and other components may be formed of steel rod. For example, the braces may be formed of one quarter inch steel rod material to provide high strength and rigidity to the locking mechanisms. 
         [0061]    The adjustable mounting plates or binding platforms in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention are capable of being adjusted by lengthening or shortening to accommodate a wide range of footwear sizes. The binding platforms may have any of a variety of straps attached thereto to retain the footwear on the platform. It is to be understood that the mounting plate may also have traction on its bottom side in order to engage the snow or ice. The traction may be provided by structure that is integral to or added onto the binding platform. Furthermore, the adjustable binding platforms may be applied to skis, snowboards, and/or snowshoes without limitation. 
         [0062]    Although the skis have been described herein as having retaining mechanisms including tethers for holding the braces in one of a locked and an unlocked position, other retaining mechanisms may alternatively or additionally be incorporated. Additionally, stow locking mechanisms may be provided for a holding our retaining the skis and stowed configuration. 
         [0063]    Any of a variety of materials may be utilized in forming the complements of the skis, platforms, locking mechanisms, retaining mechanisms, etc. In some embodiments cost savings are achieved through selection of less expensive manufacturing processes and materials. For example, the skis in accordance with some embodiments may be manufactured in an inexpensive mass production method in which each section is formed as a single molded piece. In other embodiments more complex construction may be undertaken such as providing metal edging, layered with, complex fibers, resins, clues, etc. plastics, carbon fibers, metal, and or wood may be used to form any of the various complements. 
         [0064]    The following operations set forth with regard to the method indicate a logical flow or order in accordance with one embodiment of the presented method. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, of the described method. Additionally, the order in which a particular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order of the corresponding steps described. 
         [0065]    A method in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes one or more of the operations set forth in the summary of the invention. Other operations may further be included in accordance with the disclosure of such operations in one or more of the embodiments described herein. Additionally, the method and apparatus may include attaching footwear to the ski with or without a binding platform and attachment mechanisms for doing so. Furthermore, the method includes one or more of climbing and gliding over snow or ice, and utilization of associated elements that facilitate such climbing and gliding. For example the method may include attaching a directional skin or other traction element to a lower surface of the ski. Traction elements may be attached to other structure on or associated with the ski. 
         [0066]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.