Integral suspension system for skis

Abstract

A suspension system for skiis which incorporates a plurality of linkage mechanisms that control absorption dynamics. The linkage mechanisms couple a plurality of plates between the ski binding and the ski. A plurality of resilient elements are located between these plates to dampen impact forces and resiliently maintain spacing between the ski bindings and the ski. The linkage mechanisms may include unitarily constructed panels having flexural couplings or formed rod linkages. These linkage mechanisms constrain the lateral rotational motion of the plates relative to the ski, thus providing edge control concurrent with vertical movement. This allows for precise edge control and significant absorption of impacts and vibration. This device may be integral with the ski, or mounted on top of the ski. In either case, it is a mounting platform for the bindings.

I claim:  
     
         1 . Integral suspension system for skis, comprising a first substantially rigid plate, a second substantially rigid plate integral with a ski, and a first linkage coupled to the first and second substantially rigid plates, and the first linkage defines a first flexure axis on the first plate and the first linkage defines a second flexure axis on the second plate, and a second linkage coupled to the first and second substantially rigid plates that defines a third flexure axis on the first plate and a fourth flexure axis on the second plate and wherein force on the second plate can compressibly move the second substantially rigid plate relative to the first substantially rigid plate and the first linkage maintains the first flexure axis substantially parallel to the second flexure axis, and the second linkage maintains the third flexure axis substantially parallel to the fourth flexure axis during compression of the second plate thereby attenuating impacts.  
     
     
         2 . The Integral suspension system of  claim 1  wherein the linkages are panels extending substantially across each of said plates and each panel is flexurally coupled to the first and second plates.  
     
     
         3 . The integral suspension system of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of resilient elements located between the first and second plates.  
     
     
         4 . The integral suspension system of  claim 1  wherein a substantially rigid top plate, a second substantially rigid middle plate, a third substantially rigid ski plate integral with a ski, and a plurality of primary linkages coupled to the first and second substantially rigid plates, and the first linkages define first flexure axes on the first plate and the first linkages define second flexure axes on the second plate and a plurality of secondary linkages coupled to the second and third substantially plates, and the secondary linkages define tertiary flexure axis on the second plate and the secondary linkages define quaternary flexure axes on the third plate wherein force applied to the first and third plates can compressibly move the first, second and third plates relative to each other and the first linkages maintain the first flexure axes substantially parallel to the secondary flexure axes and the secondary linkages maintain the tertiary flexure axes substantially parallel to the quaternary flexure axis during compression thereby attenuating impacts.  
     
     
         5 . The integral suspension system of  claim 4  wherein said linkages are panels extending substantially transversely across said plates.  
     
     
         6 . The integral suspension system of  claim 4  wherein said linkages are formed rods.  
     
     
         7 . Integral suspension system comprised of a first substantially rigid plate, a second substantially rigid plate, and a plurality of linkages that couple the first substantially rigid plate to the second substantially rigid plate such that compressive forces cause the two plates to move together in substantially similar planer orientation.  
     
     
         8 . The integral suspension system of  claim 7 , further comprising resilient elements located between the first and second plates.  
     
     
         9 . The integral suspension system of  claim 7  wherein said linkages are panels extending substantially across said plates.  
     
     
         10 . The integral suspension system of  claim 7  wherein said linkages are formed rods.  
     
     
         11 . The integral suspension system of  claim 7 , further including a third substantially rigid plate integral with a ski, and a plurality of linkages connecting the third plate to the second plate such that compressive forces cause the first and third plates to move together in substantially similar longitudinal and planar orientation.  
     
     
         12 . The integral suspension system of  claim 11  wherein said plates are of unitary construction with said linkages.  
     
     
         13 . The integral suspension system of  claim 11  wherein said linkages are panels extending substantially transversely across said plates.  
     
     
         14 . The integral suspension system of  claim 11  wherein said linkages are formed rods.