Ski with Swingable Tail

Abstract

Disclosed is a ski having a front ski section and a rear ski section, each having a central longitudinal axis and a skiing surface. Boot binding fixing locations are provided on the front ski section. The rear ski section is connected to the front ski section rearward of the boot binding fixing locations such that, in a neutral configuration, the central longitudinal axes of the ski sections are substantially in linear alignment, and the skiing surfaces of the ski sections are substantially in planar alignment. The rear ski section is capable of swinging sideways relative to the front ski section whereby the central longitudinal axes of the ski sections move out of linear alignment. The rear ski section is capable of moving up and down relative to the front ski section whereby the skiing surfaces of the ski sections move out of planar alignment.

1 - 45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 . A pair of skis for simultaneous use by a skier, each ski comprising:
 a front ski section and a rear ski section, each having a central longitudinal axis and a skiing surface;   boot binding fixing locations on the front ski section; and   connecting means for connecting the rear ski section to the front ski section rearward of said boot binding fixing locations such that, in a neutral configuration, the central longitudinal axes of the front and rear ski sections are substantially in linear alignment, and the skiing surfaces of the front and rear ski sections are substantially in planar alignment, and such that the rear ski section is capable of swinging sideways relative to the front ski section whereby the central longitudinal axes of the front and rear ski sections move out of linear alignment, and the rear ski section is capable of moving up and down relative to the front ski section whereby the skiing surfaces of the front and rear ski sections move out of planar alignment, wherein the connecting means comprises a first joint for allowing said sideways swing of the rear ski section relative to the front ski section, and a second joint for allowing said up and down movement of the rear ski section relative to the front ski section, and wherein the second joint is located rearward of the first joint.   
     
     
         49 . The pair of skis as claimed in  claim 48 , wherein the first joint is a pivotal connection and a pivot point of said pivotal connection is located on the rear ski section. 
     
     
         50 . The pair of skis as claimed in  claim 48 , wherein the front and rear ski sections are connected by said connecting means such that the rear ski section is not capable of substantial rotation about its central longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         51 . The pair of skis as claimed in  claim 48 , wherein the rear ski section is free to swing sideways relative to the front ski section within an angular range substantially centered on the central longitudinal axis of the front ski section, and said angular range is at least 10 degrees and no more than 90 degrees. 
     
     
         52 . The pair of skis as claimed in  claim 48 , wherein each ski comprises linear alignment biassing means, for exerting a return force which urges the rear ski section towards a central position in which the central longitudinal axes of the front and rear ski sections are substantially in linear alignment. 
     
     
         53 . The pair of skis as claimed in  claim 52 , wherein the linear alignment biassing means further comprises adjustment means for adjusting the linear alignment biassing means to vary the force exerted by the linear alignment biassing means. 
     
     
         54 . The pair of skis as claimed in  claim 48 , wherein the rear ski section is movable up and down relative to the front ski section within a limited angular range, and said angular range spans at least 5 degrees and no more than 45 degrees. 
     
     
         55 . The pair of skis as claimed in  claim 54 , wherein the angular range is limited by a downward movement limiter which prevents movement of the rear ski section substantially below the skiing surface of the front ski section, and the angular range is limited at one end by an upward movement limiter which prevents movement of the rear ski section beyond a predetermined angular limit with respect to the skiing surface of the front ski section. 
     
     
         56 . The pair of skis as claimed in  claim 48 , wherein the ski comprises a planar alignment biassing means for exerting a force which urges the rear ski section towards a position in which the skiing surfaces of the front and rear ski sections are substantially in planar alignment. 
     
     
         57 . The pair of skis as claimed in  claim 48 , wherein the length of the rear ski section is between one-third and one-fifth of the overall length of the ski. 
     
     
         58 . A pair of skis for simultaneous use by a skier, each ski comprising:
 a front ski section and a rear ski section, each having a central longitudinal axis and a skiing surface;   boot binding fixing locations on the front ski section;   connecting means for connecting the rear ski section to the front ski section rearward of said boot binding fixing locations such that, in a neutral configuration, the central longitudinal axes of the front and rear ski section are substantially in linear alignment, and such that the rear ski section is capable of swinging sideways relative to the front ski section whereby the central longitudinal axes of the front and rear ski sections move out of linear alignment;   linear alignment biassing means for exerting a force which urges the rear ski section towards a position in which the central longitudinal axes of the front and rear ski sections are substantially in linear alignment; and   adjustment means for adjusting the force exerted by said linear alignment biassing means.   
     
     
         59 . The pair of skis as claimed in  claim 58 , wherein the connecting means connects the rear ski section to the front ski section such that, in said neutral configuration, the skiing surfaces of the front and rear ski sections are substantially in planar alignment; and the rear ski section is capable of moving up and down relative to the front ski section whereby the skiing surfaces of the front and rear ski sections move out of planar alignment. 
     
     
         60 . The pair of skis as claimed in  claim 58 , wherein the adjustment means comprises means for increasing the force exerted by said biassing spring(s) by extending the biassing spring(s) to increase the tension therein. 
     
     
         61 . The pair of skis as claimed in  claim 58 , wherein the adjustment means comprises a ratchet mechanism. 
     
     
         62 . The pair of skis as claimed in  claim 58 , wherein the connecting means comprises a first joint for allowing said sideways swing of the rear ski section relative to the front ski section, and a second joint for allowing said up and down movement of the rear ski section relative to the front ski section, and wherein the second joint is located rearward of the first joint. 
     
     
         63 . The pair of skis as claimed in  claim 58 , wherein the rear ski section is free to swing sideways relative to the front ski section within an angular range substantially centered on the central longitudinal axis of the front ski section, and said angular range is at least 10 degrees and no more than 90 degrees. 
     
     
         64 . The pair of skis as claimed in  claim 58 , wherein the rear ski section is movable up and down relative to the front ski section within a limited angular range, and the angular range spans at least 5 degrees and no more than 45 degrees. 
     
     
         65 . The pair of skis as claimed in  claim 64 , wherein the angular range is limited by a downward movement limiter which prevents movement of the rear ski section substantially below the skiing surface of the front ski section, and wherein the angular range is limited at one end by an upward movement limiter which prevents movement of the rear ski section beyond a predetermined angular limit with respect to the skiing surface of the front ski section. 
     
     
         66 . The pair of skis as claimed in  claim 58 , wherein the ski comprises a planar alignment biassing means for exerting a force which urges the rear ski section towards a position in which the skiing surfaces of the front and rear ski sections are substantially in planar alignment. 
     
     
         67 . The pair of skis as claimed in  claim 58 , wherein the length of the rear ski section is between one-third and one-fifth of the overall length of the ski.