Patent ID: 8794658

Claim:
A suspension system for a ski, the suspension system comprising: a compressible element having a first free end and a second free end that is opposite of the first free end, wherein the first free end and the second free end are separated by a first distance when the compressible element is in an uncompressed state; and a support structure having an elevated platform configured to be attached to a boot binding, the support structure being attached to the first free end of the compressible element at a point spaced above and out of contact with an upper surface of a ski body, the support structure being configured for attachment to a central half of a longitudinal running length of the ski body; the second free end of the compressible element being configured for attachment to the ski body at an attachment point on a front-most or rear-most fifth of the longitudinal running length of the ski body, wherein attaching the suspension system to the ski body causes the compressible element to be preloaded in a compressed state wherein (i) the first free end and the second free end are separated by a second distance that is less than the first distance and (ii) the compressible element applies a first downward force at said attachment point such that a degree of free camber of the ski body is increased relative to a natural free camber of the ski body without said suspension system attached.