Claims
- 1. A gliding apparatus for use in snow, comprising:
an elongate member including an intermediate portion between a pair of substantially symmetric upturned end portions, the elongate member including a bottom surface with a substantially planar bottom region configured to slide over snow; a pliant traction member covering substantially all of an upper surface of the elongate member; and a channel extending lengthwise at least partially along the bottom surface of the elongate member, the channel being configured to guide the elongate member over the snow; wherein the apparatus does not include bindings to secure the feet of a rider.
- 2. The snow-gliding apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a depression in an upper surface of the elongate member, wherein the pliant traction member is mounted at least partially within the depression.
- 3. The snow-gliding apparatus of claim 2, wherein the elongate member includes a rim adjacent the depression.
- 4. The snow-gliding apparatus of claim 3, wherein the rim extends upward, above a top surface of the traction member.
- 5. The snow-gliding apparatus of claim 3, wherein the rim does not extend above a top surface of the traction member.
- 6. The snow-gliding apparatus of claim 3, wherein the rim extends along each side of the depression, within the intermediate portion of the elongate member.
- 7. The snow-gliding apparatus of claim 3, wherein the rim extends around a perimeter of the depression.
- 8. The snow-gliding apparatus of claim 2, wherein the entire footprint of the traction member is mounted within the depression.
- 9. The snow-gliding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongate member includes a pair of opposed side edges, each of which tapers to a point at an angle of between about 30- and 60-degrees.
- 10. The snow-gliding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the channel is one of a plurality of substantially parallel channels extending lengthwise along the bottom surface of the elongate member, adjacent channels being separated by rounded ridges extending therebetween.
- 11. The snow-gliding apparatus of claim 10, wherein a cross-section of the channels and ridges has a substantially sinusoidal shape.
- 12. The snow-gliding apparatus of claim 1, a stringer embedded in and extending lengthwise along the elongate member.
- 13. The snow-gliding apparatus of claim 1, further comprising, a translucent layer positioned adjacent the elongate member such that indicia imprinted on a surface of the elongate member are visible through the translucent layer.
- 14. The snow-gliding apparatus of claim 13, wherein the indicia are imprinted on a bottom surface of the elongate member, and the translucent layer is positioned adjacent the bottom surface of the elongate member such that the indicia are visible through the translucent layer.
- 15. The snow-gliding apparatus of claim 14, wherein the channel is carved into the translucent layer.
- 16. The snow-gliding apparatus of claim 1, where the elongate member is made at least partially of wood.
- 17. The snow-gliding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the traction layer includes a plurality of upwardly extending protrusions.
- 18. The snow-gliding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongate member includes a plurality of channels formed lengthwise in the bottom surface of the elongate member, one of the plurality of channels being a center channel that is sized to facilitate sliding along an elongate hard object.
- 19. The snow-gliding apparatus of claim 18, wherein the center channel is wider horizontally than the remaining channels.
- 20. The snow-gliding apparatus of claim 18, wherein the center channel is polygonal in cross-section.
- 21. The snow-gliding apparatus of claim 18, wherein the center channel is configured to slide along a rail.
- 22. The snow-gliding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongate member is formed of a first layer and a second layer of material, the first layer being stiffer than the second layer.
- 23. The snow-gliding apparatus of claim 22, wherein the first and second layers are co-extruded.
- 24. The snow-gliding apparatus of claim 22, wherein the first and second layers are high-density polyethylene.
- 25. The snow-gliding apparatus of claim 22, wherein the first layer includes a stiffener.
- 26. The snow-gliding apparatus of claim 25, wherein the stiffener is talcum.
- 27. The snow-gliding apparatus of claim 22, wherein the first layer is positioned below the second layer.
- 28. The snow-gliding apparatus of claim 22, further comprising a third layer positioned adjacent the first and second layers, the third layer having a different stiffness from the first and second layers.
- 29. A gliding apparatus for use on snow, the apparatus comprising:
an elongate member including an intermediate portion positioned between a pair of longitudinally opposed upturned end portions, the elongate member including indicia on a bottom surface, the elongate member being made at least partially of wood; a channel extending lengthwise along a bottom surface of the elongate member, the channel being configured to guide the apparatus over snow; a translucent layer positioned adjacent the bottom surface of the elongate member such that the indicia is visible through the translucent layer; and a pliant traction layer covering substantially all of an upper surface of the elongate member; wherein the apparatus does not include bindings to secure the feet of a rider.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/798,502, filed Mar. 1, 2001, which in turn claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/518,231, filed Mar. 2, 2000, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,290,249. The entire disclosures of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/798,502 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,290,249 are herein incorporated by reference.
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09798502 |
Mar 2001 |
US |
Child |
10108937 |
Mar 2002 |
US |