Water Sports Device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a novel water sports device that allows a user to perform water skiing and other activities while sitting on the device. The device includes a toboggan style structure positioned atop a pair of water skis. The pair of skis are secured to the underside of the toboggan using a plurality of panels or supports so that the skis partially overlap and extend beyond the edges of the toboggan. Each of the pair of skis comprise a binding which is sized and configured to accommodate a foot of the user while sitting on the toboggan. The device provides enhanced balance, buoyancy, and floating capability, and also comprises a backrest for supporting the back of the user while enjoying the device on the water.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A water sports device comprising;
 a toboggan having a front portion, a central portion and a rear portion;   a first ski;   a second ski;   at least one buoyancy material; and   a first set of support panels connecting the first and second skis to the front portion of the toboggan; and   a second set of support panels connecting the first and second skis to the rear portion of the toboggan.   
     
     
         2 . The water sports device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one buoyancy material is one of a Styrofoam, a polyurethane foam, a nylon foam, a polystyrene foam or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The water sports device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the toboggan further comprises a back rest attached to the rear portion. 
     
     
         4 . The water sports device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the central portion has a pair of cut outs to allow a rider to sit centrally of the toboggan. 
     
     
         5 . The water sports device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second set of support panels are curved. 
     
     
         6 . The water sports device as recited in  claim 3  further comprising a repositionable seat portion on the toboggan positioned adjacent to the back rest. 
     
     
         7 . The water sports device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of the toboggan and the first and second skis are constructed from one of a wood, a fiberglass, a composite material, a laminate or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The water sports device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the toboggan is spaced apart from each of the first and second skis by between 1 and 2 feet. 
     
     
         9 . The water sports device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second skis comprises a foot holder or a binding. 
     
     
         10 . The water sports device as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the foot holder or the binding are comprised of a leather or a silicone rubber. 
     
     
         11 . The water sports device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a top surface of the toboggan comprises a rubberized anti-slip coating. 
     
     
         12 . The water sports device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second skis is provided with a fin on an undersurface of the first and second skis. 
     
     
         13 . A water sled comprising:
 a top portion comprised of a front end, a central region and a back end, wherein the central region is comprised of a pair of cut outs to accommodate a rider and the back end comprises a back rest extending upwardly from a top surface of the top portion;   a first set of supports;   a second sets of supports;   a first ski, wherein the first set of supports connect the first and second skis to the front end of the top portion;   a second ski, wherein the second set of supports connect the first and second skis to the back end of the top portion; and   at least one buoyancy material disposed under a portion of the top portion.   
     
     
         14 . The water sled as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the at least one buoyancy material is selected from a group consisting of a Styrofoam, a polyurethane foam, a nylon foam, a polystyrene foam and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The water sled as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the at least one buoyancy material is positioned under the front end of the top portion. 
     
     
         16 . The water sled as recited in  claim 13 , wherein a second buoyancy material is positioned under the central region. 
     
     
         17 . The water sled as recited in  claim 13 , wherein a second buoyancy material is positioned under the back end. 
     
     
         18 . The water sled as recited in  claim 13  further including a first foot binding positioned on the first ski and a second foot binding positioned on the second ski, wherein each of the first and second foot bindings is comprised of a silicone rubber. 
     
     
         19 . A riding ski comprising:
 a toboggan comprised of a front portion, a central portion, a rear portion and a back rest attached to the rear portion;   a first ski mounted to the toboggan along the front portion by a first support panel and mounted to the toboggan along the rear portion by a second support panel;   a second ski mounted to the toboggan along the front portion by an additional first support panel and mounted to the toboggan along the rear portion by an additional second support panel;   a first foot holder or binding comprised of a silicone rubber and attached to the first ski;   a second foot holder or binding comprised of a silicone rubber and attached to the second ski; and   a buoyancy material attached to the toboggan, wherein the toboggan is spaced apart from each of the first and second skis by a distance of between 1 and 2 feet.   
     
     
         20 . The riding ski as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the buoyancy material is attached to each of the front, central and rear portions of the toboggan and is selected from a group consisting of a Styrofoam, a polyurethane foam, a nylon foam, a polystyrene foam and a combination thereof.