Torsional Stabilizer for Skis

Abstract

A torsional stabilizer increases the torsional rigidity of skis without influencing the ataski's flexural characteristics. There are numerous embodiments of the invention disclosed for preventing torsional rotation of a ski about its longitudinal axis while at the same time having little to no impact on the flexing characteristics of the ski. The innovations defined by the invention may be delivered through exoskeletal means (via mechanisms and linkages attached directly to snow skis) or through dynamic structural members or mechanisms integrated within the ski design itself. In all cases, the stabilizers according to the invention effectively reduce the ski's tendency to twist about its longitudinal axis when subjected to the turning forces created during the sport of alpine skiing. The stabilizers may be tuned according to the skier's preference, and may be independently tuned for each ski edge. Rocker adjustment mechanisms are further disclosed.

1 . A stabilizer for a ski that defines a longitudinal axis between a tip and a tail, and an upper surface, the ski having a torsional stiffness, comprising:
 a stiffening member having a first end and a second end, the first end attached to the upper surface posteriorly of the tip and the second end attached to the upper surface posteriorly of the first end, wherein the stiffening member is adapted to affect torsional rotation properties of the ski; and   torsional rotation adjustment means for adjusting the torsional properties of the ski.   
     
     
         2 . The stabilizer according to  claim 1  in which the torsional rotation adjusting means further comprises a first adjustment member associated with the first end of the stiffening member and positioned adjacent a first lateral edge of the ski, and a second adjustment member associated with the first end of the stiffening member and positioned adjacent a second lateral edge of the ski, and wherein each adjustment member is adapted to apply pressure to the ski. 
     
     
         3 . The stabilizer according to  claim 2  wherein each adjustment member further comprises a ski contacting element and a compressible element that applies pressure to the ski contacting element. 
     
     
         4 . The stabilizer according to  claim 3  wherein each compressible element is defined by a compliant material. 
     
     
         5 . The stabilizer according to  claim 3  wherein each adjustment member may be independently adjusted so that each ski contacting element applies independently selected pressure to the ski. 
     
     
         6 . The stabilizer according to  claim 1  wherein the torsional rotation adjustment means further comprises first and second independently adjustable members adapted to impede torsional stiffness of the ski, the first adjustable member adapted to impede torsional stiffness of the ski along a first lateral edge of the ski and the second adjustable member adapted to impede torsional stiffness of the ski along a second lateral edge of the ski. 
     
     
         7 . The stabilizer according to  claim 3  wherein the stiffening member impedes torsional rotation of the ski about the longitudinal axis by a first amount when the ski is de-cambered to a first position, and when the ski is de-cambered to a second position that defines greater de-camber than the first position the stiffening member impedes torsional rotation of the ski about the longitudinal axis by a second amount that is different than the first amount. 
     
     
         8 . The stabilizer according to  claim 7  in which the first end of the stiffening member defines a torque transmitting element that extends transverse to the longitudinal axis and which includes a semi-spherical recess, and wherein a spherical spacer is received in the recess and an adjustable threaded nut extends through the spacer and the recess and into the ski to attach the first end to the ski. 
     
     
         9 . The stabilizer according to  claim 8  wherein adjustment of the threaded nut selectively increases or decreases the amount of pressure applied to the ski by the ski contacting elements. 
     
     
         10 . The stabilizer according to  claim 1  in which the stiffening member comprises a forward portion and a rearward portion, and wherein the torsional rotation adjustment means further comprises a resilient element extending from one of the forward or rearward portion into a receptacle in the other of the one of the forward or rearward portion. 
     
     
         11 . The stabilizer according to  claim 10  including means for moving the forward portion toward and away from the rearward portion, and wherein as the forward portion moves toward the rearward portion the resilient element moves deeper into the receptacle. 
     
     
         12 . The stabilizer according to  claim 1  in which the torsional rotation adjustment means further comprises a compressible element associated with the second end attachment member and wherein the second end of the stiffening member compresses the compressible element as the ski is de-cambered from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         13 . The stabilizer according to  claim 12  in which the second end attachment member defines an interface for interconnecting the stiffening member with the second end attachment member such that when the ski is the first position the second end of the stiffening member engages the second end attachment member so that the stiffening member impedes torsional rotation of the ski about the longitudinal axis by a first amount, and when the ski is de-cambered to the second position that defines greater de-camber than the first position the second end of the stiffening member is engaged with the second end attachment member so that stiffening member impedes torsional rotation of the ski about the longitudinal axis by a second amount that is different than the first amount. 
     
     
         14 . The stabilizer according to  claim 13  wherein the second end of the stiffening member is longitudinally slidable relative to the second end attachment member as the ski flexes along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         15 . The stabilizer according to  claim 2  wherein the first and second adjustment members comprise individually adjustable dash-pots. 
     
     
         16 . A stabilizer for a ski that defines a longitudinal axis between a tip and a tail, and an upper surface, comprising:
 a stiffening member having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the upper surface posteriorly of the tip and the second end connected to the upper surface posteriorly of the first end;   wherein the stiffening member dynamically impedes torsional rotation of the ski about the longitudinal axis when the ski is de-cambered from a first positon to a second position.   
     
     
         17 . The stabilizer according to  claim 16  in which the ski has lateral sides and including an adjuster that allows independent adjustment of the torsional stiffness of the ski on each side edge of the ski. 
     
     
         18 . The stabilizer according to  claim 16  including a lock movable between a first position in which the elongate member impedes torsional rotation of the ski and a second position in which the elongate member does not impede torsional rotation of the ski 
     
     
         19 . A stabilizer for a ski that defines a longitudinal axis between a tip and a tail, and an upper surface, comprising:
 a rod having a first end and a second end, the first end attached to the upper surface posteriorly of the tip and the second end attached to the upper surface posteriorly of the first end;   a lock movable between a first position in which the rod impedes torsional rotation of the ski and a second position in which the rod does not impede torsional rotation of the ski.   
     
     
         20 . The stabilizer according to  claim 19  including dynamic stabilization means for dynamic impedance of the torsional rotation of the ski as the ski de-cambers between a first position and a second position. 
     
     
         21 . The stabilizer according to  claim 20  wherein the dynamic stabilization means for dynamic impedance of the torsional rotation of the ski is defined by first and second independently adjustable members adapted for applying adjustable pressure to an upper surface of the ski.