System and method of configuring skis into an emulation snowboard

Abstract

A system, configuration, and method for converting a pair of skis to perform as an emulation snowboard is provided. The system includes a pair of skis, and a coupling device including a platform having an upper planar surface with a plurality of mounting locations with mounting system therein. The mounting system couples the skis together and provides a surface on which a pair of bindings may be affixed. The steps for conversion include providing a pair of skis, removing a ski binding from each ski in the pair of skis, if a binding is installed on either ski in the pair of skis, providing a platform with a mounting system, utilizing the mounting system to affix the platform to each ski in the pair of skis, and attaching a pair of snowboard bindings to the platform.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A system, comprising:
 a platform having an upper planar surface with a plurality of mounting locations wherein each mounting location is configured to receive a mounting system;   each mounting system configured to affix said platform to a pair of skis thereby forming said pair of skis into an emulation snowboard, wherein said platform combines each ski in said pair of skis in parallel allowing each ski to flex independent of each other; and   said platform including a plurality of binding apertures, whereby said apertures are configured for receiving mounting screws for snowboard bindings.   
     
     
         2 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said platform includes:
 a plurality of recessed cavities for said mounting system.   
     
     
         3 . The system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said mounting system includes:
 a mounting bracket having a plate with a plurality of apertures therein for bolts that, when inserted, affix the mounting plate to a plurality of ski connection locations, a pair of upward protrusions creating a channel therebetween for containing a shoulder bolt, and threaded apertures at a top surface of each of said protrusions for complemental engagement with locking bolts that, when inserted, affix a slider lock;   a pair of slider blocks for each mounting bracket, wherein each slider block contains an aperture in its broad side extending through said slider block;   sidewalls in said platform having a series of sidewall apertures therein for insertion of a shoulder bolt;   a shoulder bolt extending through a series of apertures;   a slider lock, with center cutout, and channel, wherein said center cutout is configured for the insertion of said shoulder bolt, whereby said slider lock bridges a gap between a top of said upward protrusions of said mounting bracket thereby closing off said channel for containment of said shoulder bolt; and   said slider bolt affixable to said upward protrusions on said mounting bracket by insertion of said locking bolts through a pair of apertures in said slider block and securing to said threaded apertures in said top surface of said upward protrusions.   
     
     
         4 . The system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said series of apertures includes said sidewall aperture, said apertures in said sidewalls of said cavities, a first slider block, through said channel of said mounting bracket, and through a second slider block fixing to a threaded opening formed in to said platform 
     
     
         5 . The system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the channel created between the upward protrusions in at least one pair of mounting brackets is spaced apart from one another to allow the shoulder bolt a distance of travel, whereby said traveling of said bolt allows the pair of skis the ability to flex beyond the degree of flex of the platform, whereby said flex allows precise emulation of a snowboard, whereby said channel allows each ski in said pair of skis to flex independently from one another. 
     
     
         6 . The system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the channel created between the upward protrusions in the rear pair of mounting brackets is space apart from one another, whereas the forward pair of mounting brackets contains space slightly larger than the diameter of the shoulder bolt, whereby said rear shoulder bolt may travel between said protrusions of said rear mounting brackets and said forward shoulder bolt is substantially tight between said protrusions of said forward mounting brackets. 
     
     
         7 . The system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the aperture in the broad side of each slider block in said pair of slider blocks is vertically asymmetrical, wherein said aperture is not in the vertical center, thereby providing an offset that, when flipped toggles the feel of the system between a convex emulated snowboard to a concave emulated snowboard. 
     
     
         8 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the platform includes an underside with at least one support beam and cross-bracing formed into said platform, wherein said cross-bracing forms an exoskeletal structure. 
     
     
         9 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the platform includes an underside with at least one support beam and cross-bracing formed into said platform, wherein said cross-bracing forms an exoskeletal structure that provides for longitudinal flex and torsional rigidity. 
     
     
         10 . The system as recited in  claim 8 , wherein a plate is affixed to a centerline of said underside of said plate, covering open portions of the underside exoskeleton to prevent snow buildup on said underside of said plate. 
     
     
         11 . The system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said plurality of recessed cavities include:
 four mounting locations on said platform;   each of said mounting locations corresponding with a location of a ski connection location in said plurality of ski connection locations, wherein said plurality of ski connection locations defines four locations, whereby two locations exist per ski in said pair of skis;   each mounting location in said four mounting locations includes a series of three parallel cavities separated by a pair of dividers; and   said slider blocks are inserted in to two outer cavities per mounting location in said four mounting locations, and said slider lock is inserted into a center cavity per mounting location in said four mounting locations.   
     
     
         12 . The system, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of binding apertures is configured for a perpendicular orientation of alpine snowboard bindings, relative to a front-to-back centerline of said platform. 
     
     
         13 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of ski connection points defines a connection directly between each ski in said pair of skis and said mounting brackets, wherein each mounting bracket is coupled to each ski connection point. 
     
     
         14 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein an intermediary plate is located between said mounting bracket and each ski in said pair of skis. 
     
     
         15 . The system as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said intermediary plate located between said mounting bracket and each ski in said pair of skis is a race plate, configured to provide additional flexibility for radial turning, wherein said race plate allows the platform the ability to remain stiff while the skis are allowed a degree of flex under said platform. 
     
     
         16 . The system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said race plate includes a plurality of mounting apertures for complemental connection with a plurality of mounting screws, whereby said race plate is secured to said ski by screwing said race plate down, and said mounting bracket is affixed to said race plate by tightening screws though the apertures of the mounting bracket to threaded apertures on the race plate. 
     
     
         17 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a pair of skis. 
     
     
         18 . The system as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said pair of skis is comprised of shaped skis. 
     
     
         19 . The system as recited in  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a pair of snow sticks per ski in said pair of skis;   wherein a front flexible snow stick exerts downward force on a forward tip portion of said ski and attaches to a forward portion of said platform;   wherein a rear flexible snow stick exerts downward force on a rear tail portion of said ski and attaches to a rear portion of said platform; and   said snow sticks are configured to exert external pressure on to said forward tip portion of said ski and said rear tail portion of said ski to control flexure of said ski, whereby said sticks stop vibrations in said ski.