US3819198A

US3819198A - Segmented ski apparatus including antivibration coupling means

Info

Publication number: US3819198A
Application number: US00353617A
Authority: US
Inventors: H Groves
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-04-23
Filing date: 1973-04-23
Publication date: 1974-06-25
Anticipated expiration: 1991-06-25
Also published as: CA997797A

Abstract

A segmented ski apparatus including a plurality of ski segments, each having mounting block means. Two adjacent ski segments are provided with mutually contiguous, mounting block means which are interconnected by antivibration coupling means. This antivibration mounting means includes spaced, mounting block contact zones which are separated by concavity means. A locking means extends between the mounting block means to secure the ski segments in coupled, vibration resistant, assembly, substantially retaining the flexural characteristics of a normal, one-piece ski.

Description

United States Patent [191 Groves SEGMENTED SKI APPARATUS INCLUDING ANTIVIBRATION COUPLING MEANS [76] Inventor: Harold W. Groves, 5200-San Mateo N.E., Alburquerque, N. Mex. 87109 [22] Filed: Apr. 23, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 353,617

[52] US. Cl 280/11.13 K, 403/339 [51] Int. Cl. A63C 5/02 [58] Field of Search 280/1 1.13 K; 403/339, 340,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1951 Meehan ..280/1l,131( 9/1963 Day ..2so/11.131

[11] 3,819,198 [4 June 25, 1974 Primary Examiner-Philip Goodman Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Burns, Doane, Swecker &

Mathis 5 7] ABSTRACT A segmented ski apparatus including a plurality of ski segments, each having mounting block means. Two adjacent ski segments are provided with mutually contiguous, mounting block means which are interconnected by antivibration coupling means. This antivibration mounting means includes spaced, mounting block contact zones which are separated by concavity means. A locking means extends between the mounting block means to secure the ski segments in coupled, vibration resistant, assembly, substantially retaining the flexural characteristics of a normal, one-piece ski.

6 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTED JUNZ 5 I974 sum 2 or 2 GENERAL BACKGROUND, OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF INVENTION Those familiar with the sport of skiing are acutely aware of the problems engendered in transporting skis from one site to another.

The ungainly length of skis is such as to make their transportation, in any sort of conventional vehicle, awkward and cumbersome.

Those who have been obliged to transport skis by way of commercial air transportation have been made particularly conscious of the difficulties involved in handling skis. Hardly anair traveller exists who has not experienced the extreme difficulty involved in handling skis at an airport, in having them transported between a car and the airport check-in point, and in undergoing the embarrassment and awkwardness involved in having skis especially packaged and handled during the check-in procedure.

Although the difficulties involved in handling skis have persisted for some time, the art has failed to produce an adequate remedy for this particular problem.

With the enhanced interest in skiing as a recreational sport, and with the persistent problems involved in handling skis, it is not surprising that a progression, and substantial number, of efforts have been made to resolve the ski handling problem by providing various forms of segmented, folding, or otherwise collapsible ski structures.

All these efforts notwithstanding, so far as can be ascertained, the art has yet to produce a segmented or otherwise collapsible ski structure which may be transported ina compact format, and yet assembled for consistently and enduringly reliable skiing performance.

In particular, so far as can be determined, the art has not heretofor ascertained or developed a technique for providing a collapsible or segmented ski structure which, when assembled, would generally retain the flexural and flexible characteristics of a conventional, one-piece ski.

Bearing these general criteria in mind, it is a particular object of the invention to provide a segmented ski structure which may be conveniently and readily assembled and disassembled while substantially retaining, in the assembled format, the flexural and performance characteristics of a conventional one-piece ski.

It is a further and particular object of the invention to provide a segmented ski structure which, when assembled, is uniquely resistant to vibration induced tendencies operating to loosen or separate ski segments.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a segmented ski structure which is characterized, when assembled, by unique structural strength and stability without impairing to any material degree the normal performance characteristics of a ski.

It is likewise an object of the invention to provide a ski segment coupling apparatus which is uniquely adapted to a wide variety of commercially available skis.

In accomplishing at least a substantial number of the foregoing objectives, there is presented through the present invention a segmented ski apparatus which comprises a plurality of longitudinally interconnectable ski segments. A first mounting block means in this apparatus is embedded in one of the: ski segments and includes a first mounting face means. A second mounting block means is embedded in another of the ski segments and has a second mounting face means. The first and second mounting face means, when the one and other ski segments are assembled, are disposed in mutually opposing and generally contiguous relationship.

An antivibration means, included in the segmented ski apparatus, comprises a first mounting face contact zone including first engagable portions of the first and second mounting face means. A second mounting face contact zone, included in the antivibration means, comprises second engagable portions of the first and second mounting face means. The: antivibration means additionally includes concavity means (which may be flattened out under assembly stress), extending, when the one and other ski segments are: assembled, between the first and second mounting face contact zones.

The segmented ski apparatus of the present invention additionally includes ski segment locking means comprising fastener receiving aperture means carried by one of the mounting block means. A socket means is carried by the other of the mounting block means. A fastener means is included in the locking means and is operable to pass telescopingly through the fastener re ceiving aperture means into locking cooperation with the socket means.

In another apparatus aspect of the invention, each of the first and second mounting face means and the concavity means are oriented so as to slope generally rearwardly between the top and base of the ski away from the tip of the ski.

In a still further apparatus aspect of the invention, an alignment securing means is provided which comprises one or more alignment pin means carried by at least one of the mounting block means. One or more alignment pin receiving aperture means is carried by the other of the mounting block means. The alignment pin means, usually a plurality, are operable to be telescopingly received within the alignment pin receiving aperture means and preferably pass transversely through the aforesaid concavity means. In this aspect of the invention, the alignment pin means and alignment pin receiving aperture means cooperate to substantially prevent relative lateral and longitudinal movement of the first and second mounting block means and their respectively associated ski segments.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, a generally U-shaped stabilizing means is carried by each of the aforesaid first and second mounting block means. Preferably, these U-shaped stabilizing means are oriented and arranged so as to slope rearwardly away from the tip of the ski, between the top and base of the ski.

In describing certain structural and advantageous characteristics of the invention, reference will be made to certain figures, included in the appended drawings by way of example and by way of illustrating and describing preferred embodiments of the invention.

DRAWINGS FIGS. 1 through 8, appended hereto, illustrate a rep v scope of invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates in exploded, perspective format, certain mounting block means, antivibration means, alignment securing means and ski segment locking means which may be advantageously employed to mutually secure separable but adjacent ski segments;

FIG. 2 provides a longitudinally sectioned, side elevational view of a portion of adjacent ski segments, viewed along a section line passing through alignment securing means, and illustrating the manner in which the FIG. 1 components may be employed to separably interconnect adjacent ski segments;

FIG. 3 provides a longitudinally sectioned side elevational view of adjacent ski sections interconnected by the FIG. 1 components (but with the concavity not yet flattened out) with this sectional view passing through ski segment locking means;

FIG. 4 provides a transverse sectional view of the FIG. 3 arrangement of components, as viewed along section line 4-4;

FIG. 5 provides a transverse sectional view of the FIG. 3 arrangement of components as viewed along section line 5-5;

FIG. 6 provides a top plan view of one arrangement of the interconnected ski segments shown in FIGS. 3-5, illustrating the manner in which ski bindings may be advantageously mounted in conjunction with these components;

FIG. 7 provides a side elevational view of the FIG. 6 arrangement; and

FIG. 8 provides a bottom plan view of the FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 assembled components.

With the FIGS. 1-8 having been generally described as to their display format, it now becomes appropriate to consider certain structural details of the invention.

DETAILS OF INVENTION In describing the invention, structural details will first be delineated in the context of an overall assembled ski, as depicted in various degrees of assembly in FIGS. 2-8.

As shown in these figures, a ski 1 is segmented so as to have a plurality of longitudinally interconnected ski segments.-

In the illustrated embodiments, the ski is divided into two segments, i.e., a forward segment 2 and a rear segment 3, detachably interconnected at a separable connection or juncture 4.

Juncture 4, in the illustrated embodiment, is located in the zone beneath the point where a skier would position his ski boot on the ski.

A first mounting block means 5 is embedded in forward segment 2 and provides a first mounting face means 6. A second mounting block means 7 is embedded in rearward segment 3 and provides a second mounting face means 8.

The mounting face means 6 and 8, as illustrated in FIG. 3, are mutually opposing, generally contiguous, and are inclined from the top 9 of the ski toward the base 10 of the ski in a direction slanting generally away from the tip of the ski (which would be at the outer extremity of segment 2).

The separable connecting means 4 includes an antivi bration means comprising a first mounting face contact zone 11. Contact zone 11 is defined by mutually engaged, upper portions of faces 6 and 8.

A second mounting face contact zone 12 is defined by mutually engaged lower portions of the mounting face means 6 and 8.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, by virtue of the inclination of the mounting face means 6 and 8, the contact zones 11 and 12 are mutually displaced, longitudinally of the ski.

A concavity, resulting from hollow grinding, preferably of both of the faces 6 and 8, is provided in the antivibration means. This concavity 13, as depicted in FIG. 3,slopes generally rearwardly away from the tip of the ski between the contact zone 11 and the contact zone 12. As will be later described, final assembly of joint 4 will effect substantial flattening of concavity l3 and bring faces 6 and 8 into generally flush, overall engagement.

Separable connecting means 4 additionally includes alignment securing means.

This alignment securing means, in the embodiment illustrated, may comprise a pair of alignment pins 14 and 15. These alignment pins 14 and 15 are depicted generally in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6.

As illustrated in these figures, the alignment pin means are embedded in or fixedly connected with the mounting block means 5, as for example by an interference fit type of connection.

Again, in connection with the illustrated embodiment, a plurality, i.e., in this instance a pair, of alignment pin receiving apertures 16 and 17 are provided to telescopingly receive the pin means 14 and 15.

The aperture means are formed in mounting block 7 as generally shown.

The pin means 14 and 15, and their respectively associated pin receiving aperture means 16 and 17, are spaced transversely of the longitudinal axis of the ski, with their axes being inclined generally perpendicular to the median plane of concavity 13 which extends be tween contact zones 11 and 12.

As illustrated, the alignment pin means 14 and 15, when received by the aperture means 16 and 17, pass through the concavity means 13 in a more or less normal or perpendicular relationship with respect to the median longitudinal plane of the concavity means 13.

The pin means 14 and 15 are fairly snugly received within the aperture means 16 and 17. When thus received, the cooperation between the pin means 14 and 15 and the aperture means 16 and 17 is operable to substantially prevent both relative lateral and relative longitudinal movement of the first and second mounting block means 5 and 7 and their respectively associated ski segments 2 and 3.

The separable coupling means 4 additionally includes ski segment locking means which, at least insofar as the illustrated and preferred embodiment is concerned, is threaded in nature. 1

This locking means may comprise threaded fastener receiving aperture means 18 carried by or formed in the mounting block 7. Threaded fastener receiving aperture means 18 may have a smaller diametered. portion 19 which fairly snugly receives the shank of a threaded fastener. Aperture means 18 may include an upper, enlarged diameter portion 20 which is operable to receive the head portion of a threaded fastener and provide an annular, locking or abutment surface 21 at the juncture between aperture zones 19 and 20.

This threaded, ski segment locking means further in cludes a threaded fastener 22 having an enlarged head portion 23 and a threaded shank portion 24. Head portion 23 may be provided with a conventional, Allenhead socket 25 operable to receive an Allen wrench.

As shown in FIG. 3, the threaded fastener means 22 is operable to pass telescopingly through the threaded fastener receiving aperture means 18 into threaded cooperation with a threaded socket means 26 which is carried by the block 5.

In the assembled arrangement depicted in FIG. 3, the aperture means 18, threaded fastener 22, and threaded socket 26 are all oriented with their longitudinal axes extending generally perpendicular or normal with respect to the median concavity plane passing between contact zones 11 and 12.

Threaded fastener 22, like pin means 14 andllS, may be preferably aligned with a transverse plane passing perpendicular between the sides of the ski I and generally through the mid-portion of the concavity 13.

The preferred embodiment of the detachable coupling means 4 additionally includes generally U-shaped stabilizing means carried by each of the first and second mounting block means 5 and 7. Each of these U- shaped stabilizing means includes a base portion extending across a base of the ski and exposed thereon, and side portions spaced transversely of the ski and projecting transversely outwardly of their respectively associated mounting block means and extending along (but embedded within) each side of the ski.

Thus, as will be apparent by reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, mounting block 5 is provided with a U-shaped stabilizing means 27 which includes a base portion 28. Base portion 28, as shown in FIG. 3, extends across and is exposed upon the base of the ski. Base portion 28 may be intersected by, and define a portion of, the longitudinal stabilizing groove 29 formed on the ski base 10.

U-shaped stabilizing means 27 additionally includes laterally projecting side or

wing portions

30 and 31.

Wing portions

30 and 31 are embedded within the lateral periphery of the ski 1.

Likewise, mounting block 7 includes a U-shaped stabilizing means 32 including a base portion 33 and laterally projecting, wing or

side portions

34 and 35. Base portion 33, as shown generally in FIGS. 3, 7 and 8, extends transversely across and is exposed on the ski base 10 and defines a portion of the longitudinal stabilizing groove 29.

As is illustrated in FIG. 3, the stabilizing

means

27 and 32 are formed contiguously with the face means 6 and 8 respectively and thus are disposed in mutually abutting cooperation at zones 11 and 12 when the joint 4 is assembled; When concavity 13 is flattened, these U-shaped stabilizing means become substantially fully contiguous.

As will be further apparent by reference to the draw ings, the

U-shaped stabilizing means

27 and 32 are oriented or arranged so as to slope rearwardly, away from the tip of the ski 1, between the top 9 of the ski and the base 10 of the ski.

Each of the mounting block means 5 and 7 may be embedded within mutually facing end portions of the ski segments 2 and 3 by mounting means such as epoxy glue or other conventional and well known adhesive means. As illustrated, this embodiment may be such as to cause the block means 5 and 7 to project partially above the plane of the normal top surface of the ski.

Thus, as shown generally in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, mounting block means 5 may be secured within the end of ski segment 2 by epoxy resin means 36 while mounting block means 7 may be embedded in the end of ski segment 3 adjacent the joint 4 by an embedment zone 37 of epoxy resin means.

While the separable connecting means 4 of the present invention may be employed in conjunction with a variety of ski formats, the invention is illustrated in the context of a ski including a wooden core 38, a metallic top layer 39 and a metallic bottom layer 40.

The top of the ski 9 may be covered with a conventional plastic finish 41 while the base of the ski 10, be tween the

metallic edges

42 and 43, may be covered with a friction reducing surface 44.

In the arrangement depicted by way of examples in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, a first metallic cover plate means 45 is mounted as by use of conventional threaded fastening means on ski segment 2 so as to overlie the mounting block means 5. This extent of overlying is generally depicted in the sectional view of FIG. 3 and shows how the plate means may be partially recessed on its underside to receive the upwardly projecting portion of block means 5.

Similarly, another metallic cover plate means 46 may be mounted as by use of conventional threaded fastening means on ski segment 3 so as to overlie mounting block 7, to the extent generally depicted in the sectional view of FIG. 3. As there shown, plate means 46 may also be partially recessed on its underside so as to receive the upwardly projecting portion of block means 5.

A toe binding means 47 of a conventional nature may be mounted on the first cover plate means 45, as generally depicted in phantom view in FIGS. 6 and 7.

As depicted generally in phantom in FIGS. 6 and 7, a heel binding means 48 may be mounted rearwardly of the second cover plate means 46 on the ski segment 3.

In order to afford access to the threaded fastener means 18, 22 and 26, the cover plate means 46 may be provided with a fastener access means or opening 49.

In connection with experimental tests conducted over the past few years, mounting; blocks fabricated of flexible aluminum (XX) have been employed.

At the present time, and based upon experimental work thus far effected in the field, it is believed that the concavity of each of the surfaces 6 and 8 should be generally cylindrical in nature such that the depth of each concavity (i.e., the maximum perpendicular distance between the midpoint of each surface 6 and S and a planar surface on which either of these surfaces would be resting without stress) would be on the order of 8/1000 of an inch.

Thus, when surfaces 6 and 8 are initially engaged at contact zones 11 and 12, there would be a maximum clearance between these surfaces, at the midpoint of concavity 13, on the order of about 16/1000 of an inch.

The concavity of each of surfaces 6 and 8 is generally cylindrical in curvature, with the axis of curvature extending perpendicularly between the ski sides.

It is contemplated that when the fastening means 22 is installed, and when it is screwed tightly into the socket 26 so that the head 23 abuttingly engages the shoulder 21, the concavity will be substantially closed so as to force the mid-portions of surfaces 6 and 8 into substantially contiguous engagement. In other words, in the assembled ski condition, the concavity means 13 may be substantially flattened out and conformed to a substantially linear contact zone between the surfaces 6 and 8, with the contact zones 11 and 12 affording resiliently operable, pressure zone engagement between these surfaces.

This phenomenon is believed to function in the manner of a lock washer or cold weld so as to uniquely resist loosening of the joint 4 as would result from vibration encountered during skiing operations.

While experimental efforts thus far have entailed the use of resilient or flexible aluminum, it is contemplated that the mounting block means may be comprised of other materials such as, for example, hardened tool steel material or spring steel material.

While dimensional parameters of the mounting block means may vary substantially, dependingupon particular ski parameters, some idea of the relative dimensions of an exemplary mounting block means arrangement may be gathered by reference to the following table. This Dimensional Criteria table is indicative of dimensions of mounting block means which have been employed in the context of a Head (Trademark) ski of the type generally illustrated. In each instance, the dimensions shown are identified in either FIG. ll, FIG. 3 or FIG. 5.

Dimensional Criteria Dimension As will be appreciated, the assembled ski as depicted in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 may be readily and conveniently disassembled by merely applying an Allen wrench to socket 25 of fastener 22 so as to remove this fastener from the socket means 26. With the threaded fastener means 22 thus removed, the ski components may be separated, as generally depicted in FIG. 2, so as to effect complete separation of the segments 2 and 3. The ski segments 2 and 3 may then be conveniently stored in a compact fonnat, substantially shorter in length than the usual format required for transporting, storing and/or handling skis.

In order to reassemble the skis, it is merely necessary to position the segment 3 relative to the segment 2 so as to cause the pin means 14 and 15 to telescopingly enter the socket means 16 and 17. After the pin means have thus been socketed, the threaded fastener means 22 may be reinstalled so as to apply pressure to the contact zones 11 and 12 and flatten, at least to a substantial degree, the concavity 13. As heretofor indicated, it is generally contemplated that the concavity 13 will be totally flattened during the tightening of threaded fastener means 22 so as to bring the faces 6 and 8 and the

U-shaped stabilizing means

27 and 32 into full abutting contact.

GENERAL ADVANTAGES AND SCOPE OF INVENTION As will be appreciated, the invention may be readily practiced by employing a variety of configurations, dimensions, materials, embedment arrangements, and ski structures in connection with the mounting block means. I

It likewise will be appreciated that more than one separable joint or coupling could be incorporated in a ski, i.e., two or more joints might be incorporated in certain instances so as to effect further compactness in handling and storage of the disassembled ski segments.

It likewise will be recognized that a wide variety of arrangements may be employed in connection with the mounting and location and types of bindings, and in connection with the use or structure and arrangement of cover plate means.

A particular advantage of the invention resides in the manner in which the aforesaid concavity means, in conjunction with the more or less transversely extending and linear, intensified pressure contact zones 1 1 and 12 serve to prevent loosening of the joint 4 as a result of vibration and other forces encountered during a skiing operation.

It is also significant to appreciate the manner in which the separable coupling of the present invention operates so as to substantially maintain the desirable flexing characteristics of the ski so as to produce no readily discernible interference with the normal performance characteristics of the ski in which the joint is incorporated.

The unique simplicity of installation of the mounting block means and the unique simplicity and reliability of the manner in which the separable joint may be connected and disconnected materially contribute to ease of manufacture and general use.

In particular, it should be recognized that this invention entails a wholly unobvious and non-analogous application and modification of the concept featured in my US. Pat. No. 3,156,230, and entailing a unique and novel transformation of this concept from the archery to the ski art.

In describing the invention, a variety of modifications have been indicated with reference to a preferred embodiment.

Those skilled in the skiing art and familiar with the present disclosure may well recognize additions, deletions, substitutions or other modifications which would fall within the purview of the invention which is deemed to be set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A segmented ski apparatus comprising:

a plurality of longitudinally interconnected ski segments;

first mounting block means embedded in one of said ski segments and having first mounting face means;

second mounting block means embedded in another of said ski segments and having second mounting face means;

said first and second mounting face means being mutually opposing and generally contiguous; antivibration means including a first mounting face contact zone comprising first engaged portions of said first and second mounting face means,

a second mounting face contact zone comprising second engaged portions of said first and second mounting face means,

concavity means extending between said first and second mounting face contact zones;

alignment securing means comprising at least one alignment pin means carried by at least one of said mounting block means,

at least one alignment pin receiving aperture means carried by the other of said mounting block means,

said alignment pin means being telescoping received within said alignment pin receiving aperture means, and

said alignment pin means passing transversely through said concavity means and into said alignment pin receiving aperture means and being operable to substantially prevent relative lateral and longitudinal movement of said first and second mounting block means and their respectively associated ski segments; and

ski segment locking means including fastener receiving aperture means carried by said one of said mounting block means,

socket means carried by said other of said mounting block means,

fastener means, and

said fastener means passing telescopingly through said fastener receiving aperture means into locking cooperation with said socket means,

said fastener means passing transversely through said concavity means of said antivibration means.

2. A segmented ski apparatus comprising: a plurality of longitudinally interconnected ski segments including at least a first ski segment, and

a second ski segment;

first mounting block means embedded in said first ski segment and having first mounting face means;

second mounting block means embedded in said second ski segment and having second mounting face means;

said first and second mounting face means being mutually opposing, generally contiguous, and being inclined from the top toward the base of the ski in a direction slanting generally away from the tip of said ski; antivibration means including a first mounting face contact zone comprising first engaged portions of said first and second mounting face means,

said first and second mounting face contact zones being mutually displaced longitudinally of said ski, and

concavity means extending between said first and second mounting face contact zones and sloping generally rearwardly away from the tip of said ski between said first mounting face contact zone and said second mounting face contact zone;

alignment securing means comprising a plurality of alignment pin means carried by one of said mounting block means,

a plurality of alignment pin receiving aperture means carried by the other of said mounting block means,

said alignment pin means being spaced transversely of the longitudinal axis of said ski andtelescoping received within said alignment pin receiving aperture means, and

threaded ski segment locking means including threaded fastener receiving aperture means carried by one of said mounting block means,

threaded socket means carried by another of said mounting block means,

threaded fastener means, and

said threaded fastener means passing telescopingly through said threaded fastener receiving aperture means into threaded cooperation with said threaded socket means,

said threaded fastener means passing transversely through said concavity means of said antivibration means.

3. A segmented ski apparatus as described in claim 2 including:

generally U-shaped stabilizing means carried by each of said first and second mounting block means, each said U-shaped stabilizing means comprising a base portion extending transversely across the base of said ski and exposed on said base, and

side portions, spaced transversely of said ski, and

projecting transversely outwardly of their respectively associated mounting block means and extending along each side of said ski,

said U-shaped stabilizing means of said first and second mounting block means being disposed in mutually abutting cooperation.

4. A segmented ski apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein each said U-shaped stabilizing means is oriented and mounted so as to slope rearwardly, away from the tip of said ski, between the top and base of said ski.

5. A segmented ski apparatus as described in claim 4 including:

first cover plate means overlying said first mounting block means; second cover plate means overlying said second mounting block means; toe binding means mounted on said first cover plate means; heel binding means mounted rearwardly of said second cover plate means; and threaded fastener access means: carried by said second cover plate means and affording access to said threaded fastener receiving aperture means. 6. A segmented ski apparatus comprising: a plurality of longitudinally interconnectable ski segments; first mounting block means embedded in one of said ski segments and having 1 1 l2 first mounting face means; other ski segments are assembled, between said second mounting block means embedded in another first and second mounting face contact zones;

of said ski segments and having and second moummg face ski segment locking means including said first and second mounting face means, when said 5 fastener receiving aperture means Carried by Said one and other ski segments are assembled, being mutually opposing and generally contiguous; antivibration means including a first mounting face contact zone comprising first engagable portions of said first and second 0 one of said mounting block means,

socket means carried by the other of said mounting block means,

fastener means, and

mounting f means, said fastener means being operable to pass telea second mounting face contact zone comprising Scopingly thfough saifl fastener refleiving p second engagable portions f id fi t d ture means into locking cooperation with said end mounting face means, socket means. concavity means extending, when said one and

Claims

1. A segmented ski apparatus comprising: a plurality of longitudinally interconnected ski segments; first mounting block means embedded in one of said ski segments and having first mounting face means; second mounting block means embedded in another of said ski segments and having second mounting face means; said first and second mounting face means being mutually opposing and generally contiguous; antivibration means including a first mounting face contact zone comprising first engaged portions of said first and second mounting face means, a second mounting face contact zone comprising second engaged portions of said first and second mounting face means, concavity means extending between said first and second mounting face contact zones; alignment securing means comprising at least one alignment pin means carried by at least one of said mounting block means, at least one alignment pin receiving aperture means carried by the other of said mounting block means, said alignment pin means being telescoping received within said alignment pin receiving aperture means, and said alignment pin means passing transversely through said concavity means and into said alignment pin receiving aperture means and being operable to substantially prevent relative lateral and longitudinal movement of said first and second mounting block means and their respectively associated ski segments; and ski segment locking means including fastener receiving aperture means carried by said one of said mounting block means, socket means carried by said other of said mounting block means, fastener means, and said fastener means passing telescopingly through said fastener receiving aperture means into locking cooperation with said socket means, said fastener means passing transversely through said concavity means of said antivibration means.

2. A segmented ski apparatus comprising: a plurality of longitudinally interconnected ski segments including at least a first ski segment, and a second ski segment; first mounting block means embedded in said first ski segment and having first mounting face means; second mounting block means embedded in said second ski segmeNt and having second mounting face means; said first and second mounting face means being mutually opposing, generally contiguous, and being inclined from the top toward the base of the ski in a direction slanting generally away from the tip of said ski; antivibration means including a first mounting face contact zone comprising first engaged portions of said first and second mounting face means, a second mounting face contact zone comprising second engaged portions of said first and second mounting face means, said first and second mounting face contact zones being mutually displaced longitudinally of said ski, and concavity means extending between said first and second mounting face contact zones and sloping generally rearwardly away from the tip of said ski between said first mounting face contact zone and said second mounting face contact zone; alignment securing means comprising a plurality of alignment pin means carried by one of said mounting block means, a plurality of alignment pin receiving aperture means carried by the other of said mounting block means, said alignment pin means being spaced transversely of the longitudinal axis of said ski and telescoping received within said alignment pin receiving aperture means, and said alignment pin means passing transversely through said concavity means and into said alignment pin receiving aperture means and being operable to substantially prevent relative lateral and longitudinal movement of said first and second mounting block means and their respectively associated ski segments; and threaded ski segment locking means including threaded fastener receiving aperture means carried by one of said mounting block means, threaded socket means carried by another of said mounting block means, threaded fastener means, and said threaded fastener means passing telescopingly through said threaded fastener receiving aperture means into threaded cooperation with said threaded socket means, said threaded fastener means passing transversely through said concavity means of said antivibration means.

3. A segmented ski apparatus as described in claim 2 including: generally U-shaped stabilizing means carried by each of said first and second mounting block means, each said U-shaped stabilizing means comprising a base portion extending transversely across the base of said ski and exposed on said base, and side portions, spaced transversely of said ski, and projecting transversely outwardly of their respectively associated mounting block means and extending along each side of said ski, said U-shaped stabilizing means of said first and second mounting block means being disposed in mutually abutting cooperation.

5. A segmented ski apparatus as described in claim 4 including: first cover plate means overlying said first mounting block means; second cover plate means overlying said second mounting block means; toe binding means mounted on said first cover plate means; heel binding means mounted rearwardly of said second cover plate means; and threaded fastener access means carried by said second cover plate means and affording access to said threaded fastener receiving aperture means.

6. A segmented ski apparatus comprising: a plurality of longitudinally interconnectable ski segments; first mounting block means embedded in one of said ski segments and having first mounting face means; second mounting block means embedded in another of said ski segments and having second mounting face means; said first and second mounting face means, when said one and other ski segments are assembled, being mutually opposing and generally contiguous; antivibration means including a first mounting face contact zone comprising first engagable portions of said first and second mounting face means, a second mounting face contact zone comprising second engagable portions of said first and second mounting face means, concavity means extending, when said one and other ski segments are assembled, between said first and second mounting face contact zones; and ski segment locking means including fastener receiving aperture means carried by said one of said mounting block means, socket means carried by the other of said mounting block means, fastener means, and said fastener means being operable to pass telescopingly through said fastener receiving aperture means into locking cooperation with said socket means.