Ski core

Abstract

A core ( 130, 230 ) for a gliding board ( 100 ) is disclosed having a forward shovel section ( 132 ), a middle waist section ( 134 ), and a rearward heel section ( 136 ). The shovel section and heel section are formed from a lower-density material than the waist section. In a particular embodiment, the core is formed from a plurality of elongate members ( 112 ) made by joining low-density wood sections ( 132, 136 ) to high-density middle sections ( 134 ). The sections may be joined using finger joints ( 140 ). A reinforcing member, such as an elongate bamboo member ( 114 ), may attach to the elongate members ( 112 ). The invention also encompasses skis ( 100 ) having such variable density cores ( 130 ).

1 . A core for a gliding board comprising a front shovel section, a middle waist section and a rear heel section, wherein at least one of the core shovel section and the heel section is formed at least in part from a first material having a relatively low density and the middle waist section is formed at least in part from a second material having a relatively high density.  
   
   
       2 . The core of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second materials are wood.  
   
   
       3 . The core of  claim 2 , wherein the first material is falcatta and the second material is selected from fir and aspen.  
   
   
       4 . The core of  claim 2 , wherein the core includes a plurality of elongate wood members, the elongate wood members comprising a relatively low-density wood front portion, a relatively low-density wood rear portion, and a relatively high-density wood middle portion, and wherein the front and rear portions are joined to the middle portion to form the elongate wood member.  
   
   
       5 . The core of  claim 4 , wherein the front and rear portions are joined to the middle portion with a joint selected from finger joints, scarf joints, and three-dimensional finger joints.  
   
   
       6 . The core of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of elongate wood members is laminated together such that the joints of adjacent elongate wood members are staggered.  
   
   
       7 . The core of  claim 1 , further comprising a central elongate strengthening member disposed substantially along the length of the core.  
   
   
       8 . The core of  claim 2 , further comprising an elongate bamboo member that extends generally along the length of the core and comprises a portion of the front shovel section, the middle waist section, and the rear heel section.  
   
   
       9 . The core of  claim 4 , further comprising an elongate bamboo member, wherein the plurality of elongate wood members and the elongate bamboo member are laminated together to form a core blank.  
   
   
       10 . A ski comprising: 
 a core;    a lower structural member and an upper structural cap, the lower structural member and the upper structural cap substantially enclosing the core to define a reinforced core;    a base element attached to the reinforced core; and    an edge attached to the reinforced core, the edge having a lower surface that is substantially coplanar with the base element;    wherein the core comprises a front shovel section, a middle waist section, and a rear heel section, wherein the front shovel section and the rear heel sections are formed at least in part from a first material having a relatively low density and the waist section is formed at least in part from a second material having a relatively high density.    
   
   
       11 . The ski of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second materials are wood.  
   
   
       12 . The ski of  claim 11 , wherein the first material is falcatta and the second material is selected from fir and aspen.  
   
   
       13 . The ski of  claim 11 , wherein the core includes a plurality of elongate wood members, wherein the elongate wood members comprise a relatively low-density wood front portion, a relatively low-density wood rear portion, and a relatively high-density wood middle portion, wherein the front and rear portions are joined to the middle portion to form the elongate wood member.  
   
   
       14 . The ski of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of elongate wood members is laminated together such that the finger joints of adjacent elongate wood members are staggered.  
   
   
       15 . The ski of  claim 10 , further comprising an elongate strengthening member disposed substantially along the length of the core.  
   
   
       16 . The ski of  claim 15 , wherein the elongate strengthening member is formed from bamboo, and comprises a portion of the front shovel section, the middle waist section, and the rear heel section.  
   
   
       17 . The ski of  claim 16  wherein the plurality of elongate wood members and the elongate strengthening member are laminated together to form a core blank.  
   
   
       18 . A method of manufacturing a core for a gliding board comprising the steps of: 
 forming a plurality of variable-density elongate members by joining a section of relatively low-density first material to the front of a section of relatively high-density second material and joining another section of the relatively low-density first material to the back of the section of relatively high-density second material;    laminating the plurality of variable density elongate members together; and    cutting the blank to a desired core shape.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the first material and second material are wood.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the first material is falcatta and the second material is selected from fir and aspen.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the sections of relatively low-density first material are joined to the section of relatively high-density second material with joints selected from finger joints, scarf joints, and three-dimensional finger joints.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the joints of adjacent elongate members in the core blank are staggered.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the step of forming an elongate reinforcing member from a third material, and wherein the elongate reinforcing member is laminated to the plurality of variable density elongate members.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the third material is bamboo.