Hybrid snowshoe-ski

Abstract

The hybrid snowshoe-ski comprises a rigid frame, a decking attached to the frame and a binding attached to one of the decking and the frame. The decking comprises undulations that each extend between first and second sides of the snowshoe-ski.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A hybrid snowshoe-ski defining front and rear ends, first and second sides and a topside and an underside, comprising :
 a rigid frame;   a decking attached to said frame;   a binding attached to one of said decking and said frame;   wherein said decking comprises undulations that each extend between said first and second sides.   
     
     
         2 . A hybrid snowshoe-ski as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said decking comprises a main body and a number of tongue members extending from said main body and peripherally spaced-apart about said main body such that gaps are formed between successive tongue members, with said decking being attached to said frame with said tongue members. 
     
     
         3 . A hybrid snowshoe-ski as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said undulations define apexes oriented towards said topside of said hybrid snowshoe-ski and bottoms oriented towards said underside of said hybrid snowshoe-ski, said decking defining a foot-bearing area on said topside of said hybrid snowshoe-ski for receiving a foot attached to said hybrid snowshoe-ski with said binding, with corresponding gaps being located in alignment with said foot-bearing area for evacuating snow located on said foot-bearing area towards said first and second sides. 
     
     
         4 . A hybrid snowshoe-ski as defined in  claim 3 , wherein said binding is pivotally attached to said decking on one of said apexes located frontwardly of said foot-bearing area. 
     
     
         5 . A hybrid snowshoe-ski as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said apexes of said undulations each extend between a pair of corresponding said tongue members. 
     
     
         6 . A hybrid snowshoe-ski as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said tongue members include attachment loops attached to said frame, said attachment loops being inclined so as to define upper frontward portions oriented towards said apexes and lower rearward portions oriented towards said bottoms. 
     
     
         7 . A hybrid snowshoe-ski as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said apexes of said undulations are aligned with a top portion of said frame and said bottoms of said undulations are aligned with a bottom portion of said frame. 
     
     
         8 . A hybrid snowshoe-ski as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said undulations are located frontwardly and underneath said foot-bearing area. 
     
     
         9 . A hybrid snowshoe-ski as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said decking comprises non-undulated portions located between said undulations and said front end of said hybrid snowshoe-ski and between said undulations and said rear end of said hybrid snowshoe-ski, said non-undulated portions being aligned with said bottoms of said undulations. 
     
     
         10 . A hybrid snowshoe-ski as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said foot-bearing area is located approximately midway between said front and rear ends. 
     
     
         11 . A hybrid snowshoe-ski as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said binding pivots entirely above said decking. 
     
     
         12 . A hybrid snowshoe-ski as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said binding comprises a live hinge member with a rigid blocker plate. 
     
     
         13 . A hybrid snowshoe-ski as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said undulations are rounded. 
     
     
         14 . A hybrid snowshoe-ski as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said frame is opened at said rear end. 
     
     
         15 . A hybrid snowshoe-ski as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said decking is semi-rigid.