Variable property sporting equipment

Abstract

A system for adjusting physical properties of a ski or snowboard, through use of one or more specially shaped components applied upon or embedded within the ski or snowboard, wherein the components may be comprised of a thermally responsive material that includes nitinol, and wherein the nitinol components may themselves be treated using a specific method in order to achieve desired transformation results that adjust stiffness, rocker, and in some cases camber angle of a ski.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 an item body comprising a top body and a bottom body;   a plurality of components formed of a thermally responsive material overlayed on the item body;   a heating element proximate to the plurality of components configured to apply heat to the plurality of components;   an input module comprising one or more processors to receiver user input to specify a parameter; and   a heating control module to activate the heating element based on the parameter.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one component of the plurality of components is applied directly to the top body. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one component of the plurality of components is applied directly to the top body and the bottom body. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of components comprises a first geometric shape to impart a first change in a first property, and wherein the plurality of components comprises a second geometric shape to impart a second change in a second property. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the first change in the first property comprises a change of a stiffness property. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermally responsive material comprises a nitinol component. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the nitinol component undergoes treatment, wherein the treatment comprises treating the nitinol component at a temperature for a period of time. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the treatment of the nitinol component is determined based on an application of the nitinol component. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the application of the nitinol component comprises a location of the nitinol component. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the treatment of the nitinol component further comprises one or more quench cycles. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more quench cycles comprises cooling the nitinol component in one or more of water, oil, or air. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a battery operatively connected to the heating control module. 
     
     
         13 . A method comprising:
 applying a plurality of components formed of a thermally responsive material to an item body, the item body comprising a top body and a bottom body;   configuring a heating element proximate to the plurality of components to apply heat to the plurality of components;   maintaining communication between a heating control module and an input module comprising one or more processors configured to receiver user input to specify a parameter; and   activating the heating element, by the heating control module, based on the parameter.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein at least one component of the plurality of components is applied directly to the top body. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein at least one component of the plurality of components is applied directly to the top body and the bottom body. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of components comprises a first geometric shape to impart a first change in a first property, and wherein the plurality of components comprises a second geometric shape to impart a second change in a second property. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first change in the first property comprises a change of a stiffness property. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the thermally responsive material comprises a nitinol component. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the nitinol component undergoes treatment, wherein the treatment comprises treating the nitinol component at a temperature for a period of time. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the treatment of the nitinol component is determined based on an application of the nitinol component.