Sliding device

Abstract

A sliding device provides a binding-free apparatus suitable for trick and other riding on snow, sand, ice and other surfaces. An elongated deck to support the rider is elevated from and attached to an elongated runner, which provides a surface that slides on the snow, sand, etc. The runner may be made more narrow than the deck to provide leverage for the rider to tilt the device onto an edge of the runner to steer the device. The runner may be provided with rocker and sidecut to improve turning. Longitudinal and/or lateral recesses may be provided to help position the device during tricks and maneuvers.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to sliding devices for use on snow, ice, sand or other surfaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] There has been a desire amongst snowsports enthusiasts to perform tricks similar to those performed with a typical skateboard. For example, snowboards have been used to perform skateboard-type tricks, such as half pipe and quarter pipe maneuvers and the like. Bindings fixed in place on the snowboard secure the rider's feet so that the rider can maneuver the board, e.g., tilt the board on edge to execute a turn. However, the bindings prevent the rider from freely moving his or her feet on the board, which in turn prevents the rider from performing some tricks, such as those common among skateboard riders.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In an illustrative embodiment, a sliding device in accordance with the invention provides a rider with the ability to perform skateboard-like tricks on snow, sand, ice, metal, plastic or other sliding surfaces.

[0005] In one aspect of the invention, a sliding device includes a deck having an upper surface constructed and arranged to support a rider's two feet during use, the deck being elongated and having lateral sides, a deck length and a deck width. A runner may be positioned below the deck and have a bottom surface constructed and arranged to contact and slide along a sliding surface. The runner may be elongated and have lateral sides, a runner length, and a runner width that is less than the deck width near a central portion along the length of the runner. A connecting portion between the deck and the runner may space the upper surface of the deck from the bottom surface of the runner. The deck, runner and connecting portion may be unitarily formed as a single piece, and the deck and runner may be arranged so that the lateral sides of deck overhang the runner at the central portion of the runner.

[0006] In one aspect of the invention, a sliding device includes a runner having first and second upturned ends, a runner width, a central portion between the upturned ends and a bottom surface that is constructed and arranged to contact a sliding surface. A deck may be elevated from the runner and have a deck width larger than the runner width at the central portion and an upper surface that supports a rider. A connecting portion may secure the runner to the deck so that forces applied by a rider on the deck are transmitted to the runner. A portion of the bottom surface of the runner in the central portion may include longitudinal rocker.

[0007] In one aspect, at least a portion of the bottom surface of the runner in the central portion may have a longitudinal rocker with an approximately elliptical shape. The rocker feature may be combined with sidecut formed in the runner edges.

[0008] In one aspect of the invention, a sliding device includes a runner having first and second upturned ends, a runner width, a central portion between the upturned ends and a bottom surface that is constructed and arranged to contact a sliding surface. A deck may be elevated from the runner, and have a deck width larger than the runner width at the central portion and an upper surface that supports a rider. A connecting portion may secure the runner to the deck so that forces applied by a rider on the deck are transmitted to the runner. A portion of the bottom surface of the runner in the central portion may include a lateral recess that extends across a width of the bottom surface.

[0009] In one aspect of the invention, a sliding device includes a deck with an upper surface constructed and arranged to support a rider's feet and upturned ends, and a runner with a bottom surface constructed and arranged to contact a sliding surface, upturned ends that merge with the upturned ends of the deck portion, and a central portion between the upturned ends. A width of the runner portion may be less than a width of the deck at the central portion, and the bottom surface may have a longitudinal rocker and sidecut at edges of the runner portion. A connecting portion between the deck portion and the runner portion may be constructed and arranged to vertically space the bottom surface of the runner about 1.5 to 4 inches from the upper surface of the deck portion.

[0010] Other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description below and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the following drawings, in which like reference numerals reference like elements, and wherein:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of the invention;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a side view of the FIG. 1 embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the FIG. 1 embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment along the line A-A in FIG. 3;

[0016] FIG. 5 is an end view of the FIG. 1 embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment along the line B-B in FIG. 2; and

[0018] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment along the line C-C in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Illustrative embodiments of the invention provide a sliding device that may be ridden by standing on the deck in much the same way as a typical skateboard. Although for clarity and ease of reference a sliding device in accordance with the invention is described in connection with a “snowdeck” for use on snow, the sliding device may be used on other surfaces, such as ice, sand, plastic, metal, and so on.

[0020] In one embodiment, the snowdeck has a bi-level design such that the rider stands in an upright position on a deck that is vertically spaced from a sliding portion, or runner, that contacts the sliding surface. Thus, for example, the snowdeck may be turned on the sliding surface, such as a snow-covered slope, by tilting the deck with the feet, somewhat similar to that in skateboarding. The deck can be tilted and the snowdeck steered by the rider shifting weight between her toes and heels on the deck. By tilting the snowdeck to one side or the other, the rider can cause the deck and attached runner to pivot about an edge and execute a turn like that in skiing and snowboarding. However, because the deck is vertically spaced from the runner, the rider can tilt the snowdeck without requiring bindings that secure the rider's feet to the deck. In one embodiment, the snowdeck is arranged to allow riding in either direction. That is, the snowdeck may not necessarily have a defined front or back end, but instead may provide the same or similar riding characteristics when ridden in either direction. This feature may be especially useful in trick riding.

[0021] In one illustrative embodiment of the invention, the snowdeck is made unitarily, e.g., all or most of the snowdeck is made as a single piece of plastic, metal and/or composite material. Such a construction may make the snowdeck more rigid and responsive during some tricks, such as ollies. The unitary piece may include a deck on which the rider stands, a runner spaced below the deck that slides on the snow or other surface and a connecting portion that interconnects the deck and runner. The connection between the deck and runner may be such that the runner only minimally flexes or moves independently relative to the deck.

[0022] Since the snowdeck may be made relatively rigid so the runner does not move appreciably relative to the deck during use, the snowdeck runner may be specially shaped so the snowdeck can be turned more easily. For example, a snowboard is typically turned by the rider tilting the board onto one edge having sidecut and flexing the board so the board's base is longitudinally convex. The combination of board flex and sidecut of the board edge causes the board edge to form and follow a curved track, and thus the board turns. A snowdeck that is made relatively rigid may not allow the runner portion to flex. Therefore, even if the runner is provided with some sidecut, the snowdeck may not turn as responsively as desired. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the runner may be formed to have longitudinal rocker. That is, the runner may be curved from front to back (a kind of bowl shape when viewed from the side) so the snowdeck can be more easily turned or spun about a vertical axis. The rocker present in this aspect of the invention is to be distinguished from snowboards, skis, sleds and other sliding devices that do not have rocker, but instead have upturned ends with a flat running section between the upturned ends. That is, if upturned ends are present, the rocker lies between the upturned ends. The rocker curve of the runner may be approximately elliptically shaped, which has been found to be particularly advantageous in some embodiments. In one embodiment, rocker and sidecut may be combined together in the snowdeck runner to provide a particularly agile device. For example, the rocker and sidecut may be formed to mimic a snowboard during mid-carve so the snowdeck can be easily turned by tilting the deck with the feet onto one edge. As a result, a relatively rigid snowdeck may be constructed so it can be effectively turned by a rider by simply tilting the snowdeck on edge.

[0023] In one illustrative embodiment, the deck may be wider than the runner at the central portion of the snowdeck, thereby providing leverage for the rider's feet to tilt the snowdeck. For example, the runner width may be made approximately 0.4 to 0.8 times the deck width. The bottom surface of the runner may also be vertically spaced a minimum distance of approximately 1 to 8.375 inches, preferably 1.5 to 4 inches, from an upper surface of the deck.

[0024] In another illustrative embodiment, the upper surface of the deck may have uplifted portions at or near the lateral edges so that the deck presents a concave area on which the rider can stand. For example, the lateral edges of the deck may be stepped, curved or otherwise uplifted compared to the center portion of the deck to form a shallow bowl-like shape. This concavity of the deck may provide better leverage for the rider in tilting the snowdeck since the rider can more easily and directly transfer weight to the edges using the heels and toes, or help to keep the rider's feet on the deck. Alternately, or in addition to the concave upper surface, the deck may be arranged so that the bottom of the side edges of the deck are uplifted away from the sliding surface. This arrangement may allow for more aggressive turning at steeper tilt angles of the snowdeck, since the uplifted side edges of the deck allow greater tilting before the edges contact the sliding surface and prevent further tilting of the snowdeck.

[0025] In another aspect of the invention, the upper surface of the deck may be arranged to facilitate gripping by the rider's boots or other footwear. In one illustrative embodiment, some or all of the upper surface of the deck includes a traction material, such as a rubber material. The traction material may cover the entire deck surface, and has been found to provide a good gripping surface for a rider's feet. That is, it has been found that a rider's feet are more likely to stay in place on the deck when the deck is covered with a gripping-type material or structures (treads, etc.).

[0026] In one illustrative embodiment, the deck and runner may be arranged so that ends of the runner merge with the ends of the deck. For example, in one embodiment, the ends of the runner portion curve upwardly and meet the upwardly curving ends of the deck. This feature may make certain maneuvers, such as ollies, easier to perform with the snowdeck since the rider may be able to more solidly strike the snow or other riding surface with one of the upturned ends, causing the snowdeck to “pop” or move upwardly off the snow.

[0027] FIGS. 1-7 show an illustrative embodiment that incorporates many aspects of the invention. As can be seen in FIG. 1, this illustrative embodiment includes a deck 1 that is attached to a lower sliding portion, or runner 3, by a connecting portion 2. The deck 1 may be covered, at least partially, by a grip enhancing material that helps keep a rider's feet in place on the deck 1. Although in this illustrative embodiment the snowdeck does not include bindings or any other suitable device to physically attach one or more of the rider's feet to the deck 1, bindings, straps or other devices may be used to securely fasten the rider's feet. The snowdeck may also include a leash, tether, rigid handle (similar to that on a scooter) (not shown) attached to the deck 1 or other portion of the snowdeck. The rider may hold the leash, handle or other device to help maintain balance on the snowdeck or to pull the snowdeck while walking. Alternately, the deck 1 may not include any additional features to help keep a rider's feet on the deck 1, i.e., no gripping material, bindings, handle, leash, skid-resistant material, sticky adhesive, etc.

[0028] Although the deck 1 and the runner 3 may be secured to each other in any suitable way, FIG. 2 shows the snowdeck may be made unitarily so there is a relatively rigid attachment between the deck 1 and the runner 3 in accordance with one aspect of the invention. For example, the snowdeck may be made as a single piece of molded plastic, metal or other composite material. Additional pieces, such as a gripping top surface, a base sheet on the bottom surface of the runner 3, a leash, etc. may be added to the unitary snowdeck after its basic formation. Although the snowdeck may be made solid throughout, the snowdeck may include voids or corings to reduce the weight of the snowdeck while maintaining its strength. The voids or corings may be made at the time of molding, e.g., an injection molding die may made to create the corings when the snowdeck is molded, or may be made after the snowdeck is formed, e.g., by drilling or milling material from the formed snowdeck. The corings may be made in any suitable portion of the snowdeck, such as from the deck into the body of the snowdeck, from the bottom surface of the runner into the body of the snowdeck, or otherwise. Coring holes that are open to the exterior of the snowdeck may be covered. For example, the snowdeck may be injection molded so that corings are formed in the top of the deck. The coring openings may be covered by a polymer sheet (e.g., a nylon sheet also possibly including a gripping material such as rubber) that is adhered to the snowdeck and forms the upper surface of the deck. Alternately, if the corings are formed from the runner side, a sheet of base material may be adhered to the bottom surface of the runner to cover the corings and form a sliding surface for the snowdeck. Other construction techniques are also possible, such as using a clam shell-type construction in which top and bottom portions of the snowdeck are made separately and permanently joined together in much the same way that some fiberglass boat hulls are made. However the snowdeck is made, a unitary construction as used herein refers to a construction in which the deck portion, runner portion and connecting portion are secured together in a permanent way and are not intended to be disassembled without damaging the snowdeck.

[0029] In this illustrative embodiment, the snowdeck includes a relatively rigid attachment between the deck 1 and runner 3 which may provide a responsive snowdeck since the force of a rider's feet on the deck 1 can be more directly transferred to the runner 3. That is, the runner 3 may be attached to the deck 1 so that no portion of the runner 3 can flex or otherwise move relative to the deck 1. In short, any structure may be used to secure the deck 1 and the runner 3 together in a vertically displaced way and so that the relative rotational stiffness or rigidity of the connection between the deck 1 and the runner 3 is maintained.

[0030] The side view of the illustrative embodiment in FIG. 2 shows upturned portions at both ends of the runner 3 and deck 1. Having upturned portions at both ends of the runner 3 may allow the snowdeck to be ridden in both directions. Thus, the snowdeck may not necessarily have any defined front or back, but instead may be symmetrical so that both ends of the snowdeck are arranged in a substantially similar way. However, in alternate embodiments that incorporate other aspects of the invention, this bi-directional arrangement of the illustrative embodiment is not required as the snowdeck may have defined front and back portions. For example, a front portion of the runner 3 and deck 1 may be somewhat wider and longer than a back portion of the runner 3 and deck 1. In one embodiment, the tail of the snowdeck may be approximately 0.5 inches shorter than the nose, and may be somewhat more pointed as compared to the more blunt and rounded nose. Front and back portions of the snowdeck may be defined by other features, such as the way bindings, kick blocks or other features secured to the deck 1, e.g., at upturned portions of the deck 1, or other.

[0031] In one aspect of the invention, the upturned ends of the runner merge with respective upturned ends of the deck. This is in contrast to other snowdeck types where the ends of the runner and deck are separate. As discussed above, this merged end feature may make the performance of some tricks and maneuvers easier.

[0032] In one aspect of the invention, the runner 3 may have a laterally formed recess 31 as shown in FIG. 2. This lateral recess 31 may make the performance of tricks, such as rail slides and some grinding maneuvers, easier since the snowdeck may tend to automatically center the rail or other feature relative to the snowdeck. The size and shape of the recess may be formed in any suitable way. In one illustrative embodiment, the recess has a shape of a partial cylindrical with a radius of 300 cm, extends completely across the width of the runner 3 and about 20 cm along the length of the runner 3, and about 1.8 mm deep at the center. FIG. 3 shows another view of the lateral recess 31 in a bottom view of the snowdeck.

[0033] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the runner 3 may include a longitudinal recess 32 as shown in FIG. 3. Like the lateral recess 31, the longitudinal recess 32 may make the performance of some tricks easier because the snowdeck may automatically center the snowdeck on a feature, such as a rail or curb edge. Like the lateral recess 32, the longitudinal recess 32 may be modest in dimensions, e.g., have a cylindrical shape with a radius of 50 cm, be about 5-10 cm wide, about 35 cm long, and no more than 2.2 mm deep. Together or alone, the lateral and longitudinal recesses 31 and 32 may provide a “trick anchor” that helps to properly position the snowdeck, and keep the snowdeck in place, during some tricks.

[0034] FIG. 3 also shows the sidecut 33 of the edges of the runner 3 that may be provided in accordance with one aspect of the invention. The sidecut 33 may be formed in any suitable way. In one illustrative embodiment, the sidecut 33 may have a radius of about 500 cm and extend along the entire length, or nearly the entire length, of the runner 3. The sidecut 33 may allow the snowdeck to turn more effectively because when the rider tilts the snowdeck on edge, the edge may engage the snow, and due to the curve (sidecut) of the edge, the edge will follow a curved track.

[0035] In another aspect of the invention, the deck 1 may be wider than the runner 3 in a central portion. This feature allows the lateral sides of the deck to overhang the edges of the runner and provide the rider with leverage to tilt the snowdeck. In another aspect of the invention, the width of the runner may be approximately equal to the width of the deck at or near the ends although the runner width is less than the deck width at the central section of the runner. This feature may help provide desired sidecut and/or extra stability when the snowdeck is ridden on one of the ends.

[0036] Another aspect of the invention shown in FIG. 3 is a rail grab 11 provided on an undersurface of the deck 1. This rail grab 11, which may be provided on both sides of the snowdeck and at any suitable location, may allow a rider to more easily grab the snowdeck, such as when going over a jump. The rail grab 11 may include any suitable feature, such as a textured rubber pad, ridges, grooves, etc.

[0037] In another aspect of the invention, at least a portion of the bottom surface of the runner may have a longitudinal rocker. By “rocker” it is meant that the runner 3 is shaped to have a bowl-like curve from front to back, as is shown in FIG. 4. As discussed above, the rocker may combine with a sidecut of the edges of the runner 3 so the runner 3 mimics the shape of a flexible snowboard or other gliding device in midcarve. This feature may make the snowdeck more maneuverable than would otherwise be the case. That is, if the runner 3 is made to be flat and so it does not flex in the central section during a turn, the runner edges typically will not follow a curved track even if the edges are provided with sidecut. By providing rocker together with sidecut, the runner 3 may have a preformed shape that is much like that in flexible gliding devices, such as snowboards or skis, during a turn. As a result, the rider may tilt the snowdeck on edge, and the runner edge will follow a curved track and turn.

[0038] The rocker provided for the runner 3 may have any suitable shape. In one illustrative embodiment, at least a portion of the runner 3 may have an approximately elliptical shape as shown in FIG. 4. In this illustrative embodiment, a portion of the runner near a central portion may have a radius R1 of about 480 cm, and portions of the runner nearer the ends may have a radius of about 20 cm. Of course, the runner 3 may have flat sections between the upturned ends, e.g., between a portion having rocker and the upturned ends or in a central section between portions that have a rocker curve.

[0039] FIG. 5 shows an end view of the FIG. 1 embodiment, FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view at line B-B in FIG. 2, and FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view at line C-C in FIG. 2. One aspect of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 is the deck 1 has uplifted lateral edges 12. That is, in this illustrative embodiment, the deck 1 has a concave upper surface on which the rider stands. These upturned edges 12 may make the snowdeck more responsive when the rider initiates a turn because the rider may be able to more quickly transfer weight from a heel or toe to one of the upturned lateral edges 12. In addition, the concave upper surface may help keep a rider's feet in place on the deck 1. Although in this embodiment the lateral edges 12 are uplifted along the mid-section of the deck 1 and terminate near where the ends of the deck 1 begin to turn upward, the lateral edges 12 may be uplifted along the entire length L of the deck 1, or only along selected portions. Also, although in this embodiment the lateral edges 12 gradually curve upward, the uplifted edges 12 may be formed by one or more steps or an angled slope.

[0040] The height h, i.e., the vertical spacing between the bottom surface of the runner 3 and the upper surface of the deck 1 may be approximately 1 inch to 8.375 inches, and more preferably approximately 1.5 and 4 inches. The inventors have found that vertical spacings outside of the 1 to 8.375 inch range, and in some cases outside of the 1.5 to 4 inch range (e.g., depending on the width ratio of the deck 1 and runner 3), either result in a snowdeck that does not have proper maneuvering capabilities or one that is too unstable, i.e., prone to uncontrollable tilting. If the runner 3 is provided with rocker, the height h may vary slightly over the length of the snowdeck, e.g., being larger near the middle of the snowdeck and smaller near the ends.

[0041] Another aspect of the invention illustrated in FIG. 6 is that the width w of the runner 3 is less than the width W of the deck 1 at a central section of the runner 3. Although the widths w and W of the runner 3 and the deck 1 may vary along the length of the snowdeck, in general, the ratio of w:W is approximately 0.4 to 0.8, and more preferably approximately 0.5 to 0.8. It has been found that these ratios between the widths w and W provide good leverage for the rider to maneuver the snowdeck, while also providing a stable ride, e.g., the snowdeck is not prone to uncontrolled tilting. The width w of the runner 3 may be approximately 3.5 to 12 inches, and the width W of the deck 1 may be approximately 7 to 15 inches. In general, the ratio of the widths w and W may be increased as the height h (or other measure of the vertical separation of the upper surface of the deck 1 and the bottom surface of the runner 3) increases. That is, if the deck 1 and runner 3 are separated by a relatively large distance, the ratio of the widths w:W may be increased to provide stability to the snowdeck, and vice versa. It should be understood, however, that this aspect of the invention need not be combined with embodiments that incorporate other aspects of the invention.

[0042] FIG. 7 shows the portions of the lateral recess 31 and the longitudinal recess 32. Although in this embodiment, the longitudinal recess 32 is deeper than the lateral recess 31, the lateral recess 31 may be made deeper.

[0043] Although the embodiments above are described in connection with a unitary snowdeck, various aspects of the invention, such as including rocker, a longitudinal recess, a lateral recess, sidecut and/or other features, may be incorporated into multipart snowdeck arrangements such as those described in U.S. application Ser. No. 09/733,626. Therefore, any of these features may be combined with any other features in any suitable type of snowdeck. For example, the deck 1 may be made of wood, metal, plastic, a laminate or a composite material, such as plywood, or other, and may be constructed in much the same way as a typical skateboard deck. The runner 3 may be made in a way similar to typical skis or snowboards and have metal edges 32, a plastic base material, vertical or horizontal wood laminate core or foam core material, and so on. An exemplary runner 3 would include a vertical laminate wood core surrounded by one or more layers of fiber laminate for torsional control. A sintered, extruded or graphite base is provided on the snow contacting surface of the runner 3 while a plastic, preferably opaque, top sheet for protecting the core and laminate from abrasion and from exposure to ultraviolet light is arranged on the opposite surface. Sidewall, cap or mixed sidewall/cap construction may be employed to protect the core. Stainless steel edges may be included to enhance edge grip. The runner 3 may be arranged with a fully distinct nose and tail for directional riding or, instead, with identical shaped tips (and flex patterns) at both ends for matched riding with either the tip or tail forward. Preferably, the nose and tail will be upturned in a shovel arrangement. The connecting portion that removably interconnects the deck and runner may be a spacer-type arrangement as disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 09/733,626, may be made unitary with the deck or runner, or may have any other suitable arrangement.

[0044] While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, embodiments as set forth herein are intended to be illustrative of the various aspects of the invention, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A sliding device comprising: a deck having an upper surface constructed and arranged to support a rider's two feet during use, the deck being elongated and having lateral sides, a deck length and a deck width; a runner positioned below the deck and having a bottom surface constructed and arranged to contact and slide along a sliding surface, the runner being elongated and having lateral sides, upturned ends, a runner length, and a runner width that is less than the deck width near a central portion of the runner; and a connecting portion between the deck and the runner that spaces the upper surface of the deck from the bottom surface of the runner; wherein the deck, runner and connecting portion are unitarily formed as a single piece, and the deck and runner are arranged so that the lateral sides of deck overhang the runner at the central portion of the runner.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the runner includes upturned ends that merge with respective ends of the deck.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of the runner is vertically spaced approximately 1.5 to 4 inches from the upper surface.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the deck width and the runner width are approximately equal at the ends of the runner.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the runner is fixed to the deck so the bottom surface of the runner only minimally flexes or moves independently of the upper surface of the deck.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein a portion of the bottom surface of the runner is shaped to have a longitudinal rocker in the central portion.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the bottom surface of the runner has a longitudinal rocker that approximates a portion of an ellipse.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of the runner in the central portion includes a longitudinal recess.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of the runner in the central portion includes a lateral recess.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the deck includes a portion that is concave in a lateral direction.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the deck includes upturned longitudinal ends.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the deck includes a gripping surface.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the runner width is approximately 0.4 to 0.8 times the deck width at a central portion of the runner, and the deck width is between 7 and 15 inches.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the runner has edges with sidecut.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the sidecut on both edges of the runner has a radius of approximately 500 cm.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the runner length and the deck length are approximately between 25 and 72 inches.

17. A sliding device for supporting a rider when sliding on a surface, comprising: a runner having first and second upturned ends, a runner width, a central portion between the upturned ends and a bottom surface that is constructed and arranged to contact a sliding surface; a deck elevated from the runner, the deck having a deck width larger than the runner width at the central portion and an upper surface that supports a rider; and a connecting portion securing the runner to the deck and constructed and arranged to transmit forces applied by a rider on the deck to the runner; wherein a portion of the bottom surface of the runner in the central portion includes a longitudinal rocker.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the runner includes upturned ends that merge with respective ends of the deck.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the bottom surface of the runner is vertically spaced approximately 1.5 to 4 inches from the upper surface.

20. The device of claim 17, wherein the deck width and the runner width are approximately equal at the ends of the runner.

21. The device of claim 17, wherein the runner is fixed to the deck so the bottom surface of the runner only minimally flexes or moves independently of the upper surface of the deck.

22. The device of claim 17, wherein at least a portion of the bottom surface of the runner has a longitudinal rocker that approximates a portion of an ellipse.

23. The device of claim 17, wherein the bottom surface of the runner in the central portion includes a longitudinal recess.

24. The device of claim 17, wherein the bottom surface of the runner in the central portion includes a lateral recess.

25. The device of claim 17, wherein the upper surface of the deck includes a portion that is concave in a lateral direction.

26. The device of claim 17, wherein the deck includes upturned longitudinal ends.

27. The device of claim 17, wherein the upper surface of the deck includes a gripping surface.

28. The device of claim 17, wherein the runner width is approximately 0.4 to 0.8 times the deck width at a central portion of the runner, and the deck width is between 7 and 15 inches.

29. The device of claim 17, wherein the runner has edges with sidecut.

30. The device of claim 29, wherein the sidecut on both edges of the runner has a radius of approximately 500 cm.

31. The device of claim 17, wherein a runner length and a deck length are approximately between 25 and 72 inches.

32. A sliding device for supporting a rider when sliding on a surface, comprising: a runner having first and second upturned ends, a runner width, a central portion between the upturned ends and a bottom surface that is constructed and arranged to contact a sliding surface; a deck elevated from the runner, the deck having a deck width larger than the runner width at the central portion and an upper surface that supports a rider; and a connecting portion securing the runner to the deck so that forces applied by a rider on the deck are transmitted to the runner; wherein a portion of the bottom surface of the runner in the central portion includes a lateral recess that extends across a width of the bottom surface.

33. The device of claim 32, wherein the runner includes upturned ends that merge with respective ends of the deck.

34. The device of claim 32, wherein the bottom surface of the runner is vertically spaced approximately 1.5 to 4 inches from the upper surface.

35. The device of claim 32, wherein the deck width and the runner width are approximately equal at ends of the runner.

36. The device of claim 32, wherein the runner is fixed to the deck so the bottom surface of the runner cannot flex or move independently of the upper surface of the deck.

37. The device of claim 32, wherein a portion of the bottom surface of the runner is shaped to have a longitudinal rocker in the central portion.

38. The device of claim 37, wherein at least a portion of the bottom surface of the runner in the central portion has a longitudinal rocker with an approximately elliptical shape.

39. The device of claim 32, wherein the bottom surface of the runner in the central portion includes a longitudinal recess.

40. The device of claim 32, wherein the upper surface of the deck includes a portion that is concave in a lateral direction.

41. The device of claim 32, wherein the deck includes upturned longitudinal ends.

42. The device of claim 32, wherein the upper surface of the deck includes a gripping surface.

43. The device of claim 32, wherein the runner width is approximately 0.4 to 0.8 times the deck width at a central portion of the runner, and the deck width is between 7 and 15 inches.

44. The device of claim 32, wherein the runner has edges with sidecut.

45. The device of claim 44, wherein the sidecut on both edges of the runner has a radius of approximately 500 cm.

46. A sliding device comprising: a deck with an upper surface constructed and arranged to support a rider's feet and upturned ends; a runner with a bottom surface constructed and arranged to contact a sliding surface, upturned ends that merge with the upturned ends of the deck portion, and a central portion between the upturned ends, a width of the runner portion being less than a width of the deck at the central portion, the bottom surface having a longitudinal rocker and sidecut at edges of the runner portion; and a connecting portion between the deck portion and the runner portion, the connection portion constructed and arranged to vertically space the bottom surface of the runner about 1.5 to 4 inches from the upper surface of the deck portion.

47. A sliding device for supporting a rider when sliding on a surface, comprising: a runner having first and second upturned ends, a central portion between the upturned ends, side edges having sidecut, and a bottom surface that is constructed and arranged to contact a sliding surface; and a deck having an upper surface that supports a rider and transmits forces of the rider to the runner; wherein a portion of the bottom surface of the runner in the central portion has a longitudinal rocker.