The invention refers to sports, namely to skis, and in particular to a collapsible ski.

The purpose of the present invention is to create a ski, which could be, on the one hand due to practical storage and transporting, and on the other hand also due to simplification of technology for manufacturing of each particular component, when compared with manufacturing of classic single-part skis, without using any tools simply and in situ assembled of several mutually in a detachable manner connectable parts, wherein the creative concept of each part as well as of their mutual connectivity as such should provide to each user all benefits of modern skis, namely a uniform bending line, a regular distribution of loadings along the ski edges, and the possibility of quickly mounting or replacing a ski binding in situ, or the like. Starting from said simplifying the technology of manufacturing each particular part, the purpose of invention is moreover also providing a possibility of combining such separately manufactured and preferably standardized parts both in view of providing semi-products and finalizing each collapsible ski as such.

A collapsible ski is disclosed in US 4,405,150. Such ski in its functional assembled state and when ready for use, like any other ski, comprises a front area with a tip, which is bent away from the ground, a rear area with a so-called tail, which is either planar or slightly bent away from the ground, as well as a central region, which is located between said front area and said rear area and is adapted for mounting each desired ski binding. A surface, which is during the use faced towards the ground, is furnished with a sliding layer, and both longitudinal edges thereof are appropriately reinforced in order to enable guiding the skis by turning along a hard ground. Such ski essentially consists of at least three parts, which are mutually connectable in a detachable manner, namely of a front part and a rear part, which are pivotally connected with each other in the central region of the ski, as well as of a covering part, which is pivotally connected with said rear part and can be placed over at least a portion of said front part and rear part of the ski and also fixed in such position when covering said parts. Said covering part is designed as U-profile and is adapted to cooperate with two ribs, which are present on the surface of said front part and said rear part at least in the central region of the ski, namely in the area of cooperation with said covering part. Those skilled in the art will understand that by bending such ski due to bending deformation said covering part and in particular a free end portion thereof is exposed to forces acting in the sense of removal said covering part from the surface of the ski, so that said covering part must be firmly fixed onto the surface of the ski, wherein the location of its attachment is exposed to high stresses.

Such concept actually enables relative movements of said covering part relative to said front part and rear part, which are pivotally connected with each other, but said front part and rear part are in the area of cooperation with said covering part essentially thickened, by which the rigidity thereof is essentially increased. Such locally increasing of rigidity changes bending characteristics of the ski as a whole, since its deflecting capability in the front portion and the rear portion is essentially higher than in the central region.

Besides, due such concept also the so-called standing height is essentially changed, namely a distance between the sliding surface and the bottom surface of a ski boot, which might be beneficial for skilled users, e.g. in ski competitions, which is however in contradiction with the concept of the ski as such, since it appears to be totally inappropriate for such purposes.

Moreover, said concept of such U-shaped covering part does not enable mounting of rails suitable for quickly mounting of ski bindings. Accomodation of the covering part to such purposes would namely lead to still further increasing of said standing height and also of weight and rigidity of the ski. The invention refers to a collapsible ski, comprising in its assembled i.e. functional state a front portion with a tip slightly bent away from the ground, a rear portion with either essentially flat or slightly away from the ground deflected tail, as well as a central region, which is adapted for mounting a ski binding consisting of a front part and a rear part and being suitable for attaching each ski shoe onto the top surface of the ski, which is during the use of the ski faced away from the ground, while the opposite sliding surface is during the use of the ski faced towards the ground and is along practically its complete length limited i.e. ended with two ski edges. On the other hand, such ski is assembled and consists of a front part and a rear part, which are mutually interconnected pivotally around a transversal geometrical axis extending parallel to said sliding surface and are optionally fixed in their linearly aligned state by means of a connecting platform, which is adapted to receive said front part and said rear part of the ski binding for mounting each ski shoe onto the top surface of the ski.

The invention provides that the front part and the rear part of the ski, when arranged in their linearly aligned position, are allowed to be fixed in such position by means of a platform, which is rotatable around an axis, which extends throughout a fold between said parts and is rectangular with respect to said sliding surface.

The front part and the rear part of the ski are connected with each other either in a non- detachable manner or in a detachable manner.

Each particular connecting platform having each pre-determined and optionally standardized dimensions is generally due to its rotation around said transversal axis extending throughout the fold and perpendicular with respect to the sliding surface optionally in a detachable manner connectable with each desired assembly of mutually interconnected front part and rear part, the length of which is determined optionally and independently on dimensions of said connecting platform as such.

In accordance with one of possible embodiments of the invention, the front part of the ski is in the area of cooperation with the connecting platform furnished with an indentation, and the rear part of the ski in the area of cooperation with the connecting platform is furnished with an indentation, wherein said connecting platform is adapted to be rest within the area of said indentations.

In such case, the connecting platform is on each of its terminal portions, which protrude apart from each other, furnished with a convex circular surface having a pre-determined radius of curvature, and a protrusion is available on each of said convex surfaces, wherein said indentation on the front part is ended with a concave circular surface, the radius of curvature of which is adjusted to the radius of curvature on each belonging terminal portion of the connecting platform, and which is furnished with a groove, which is adapted to cooperate with said protrusion on the belonging terminal portion of the connecting platform,

and wherein said indentation on the rear part is ended with a concave circular surface, the radius of curvature of which is adjusted to the radius of curvature on each belonging terminal portion of the connecting platform, and which is furnished with a groove, which is adapted to cooperate with said protrusion on the belonging terminal portion of the connecting platform.

In accordance with a further possible embodiment of the invention, the front part of the ski is furnished with a guiding protrusion which is located on essentially flat top surface of the ski in the area of cooperation with the connecting platform, and the rear part of the ski is furnished with a guiding protrusion which is located on essentially flat top surface of the ski in the area of cooperation with the connecting platform, wherein said connecting platform is adapted to be rest in the area of said guiding protrusions.

In such case, the connecting platform is on each of its terminal portions, which protrude apart from each other, furnished with a convex circular surface having a pre-determined radius of curvature, and a protrusion is available on each of said convex surfaces, wherein said guiding protrusion on the front part is ended with a concave circular surface, the radius of curvature of which is adjusted to the radius of curvature on each belonging terminal portion of the connecting platform, and which is furnished with a groove, which is adapted to cooperate with said protrusion on the belonging terminal portion of the connecting platform, and wherein said guiding protrusion on the rear part is ended with a concave circular surface, the radius of curvature of which is adjusted to the radius of curvature on each belonging terminal portion of the connecting platform, and which is furnished with a groove, which is adapted to cooperate with said protrusion on the belonging terminal portion of the connecting platform.

In accordance with a still further embodiment of the invention, the connecting member for establishing a pivotal interconnection between the front part and the rear part of the ski is hinge-like conceived and furnished with arresting protrusions, which protrude apart from each other and are arranged such that the arresting protrusion on the front part of the ski is located at a distance apart from the top surface of the front part of the ski and is directed towards the tip of the ski, and the arresting protrusion on the rear part of the ski is located at a distance apart from the top surface of the front part of the ski and is directed towards the tail of the ski, wherein the connecting platform is furnished with a centrally arranged cavity, which is located on its bottom surface facing towards said front part and rear part of the ski and within which two diametrically opposite recesses are arranged, which are adapted to cooperate with arresting protrusions on said connecting member , such that said arresting protrusions on said connecting member are allowed to be inserted into said cavity, when said front part and the rear part of the ski are linearly aligned and the connecting platform is rotated at certain angle around the vertical axis with respect to their longitudinal direction, and when the connecting platform is rotated around said vertical axis into position in which it is linearly aligned with said parts of the ski, then said protrusions of the connecting member are inserted within said recesses in the cavity of the connecting platform, by which the last is firmly, but still in a detachable manner, interconnected with said front part and said rear part of the ski.

In each of the previously described embodiments, the connecting platform includes suitable assemblies for mounting the front part and the rear part of the ski binding.

The invention will be described in detail on the basis of embodiments, which are presented in the attached drawings, where

Fig. 1 is a simplified isometric view of the first embodiment of a collapsible ski in its assembled i.e. functional state;

Fig. 2 is an isometric view of a ski according to Fig. 1 during assembling;

Fig. 3 is an isometric view of a ski according to Fig. 1 prior to assembling; Fig. 4 is an isometric view of a ski according to Fig. 1 at the beginning of assembling i.e. prior to placement of a connecting platform;

Fig. 5 is an isometric view of a further embodiment of a ski according during assembling;

Fig. 6 is an isometric view of a ski according to Fig. 6 at the beginning of assembling i.e. prior to placement of a connecting platform;

Fig. 7 is an isometric view of a still further embodiment of a ski according during assembling;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a still further embodiment of a ski according during assembling; Fig. 9 is a detail A according to Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the embodiment of a ski according to Fig. 8 in assembled state; Fig. 1 1 is a detail B according to Fig. 10.

A collapsible ski according to the invention is in the sense of conceptually identical, however in view of manufacturing and functionality different embodiments presented in Figs 1 - 11 , in its assembled i.e. functional state (Fig. 1) comprises a front part 91 with a tip 910 (Fig. 2), which is gradually bent away from the ground, a rear part 92 with a tail 920, which is either essentially flat or gradually bent away from the ground, as well as a central part 93, which is adapted for mounting of a ski binding, which is suitable for attaching a not shown ski shoe onto the top surface 94 of the ski. A sliding surface 95 is arranged opposite to said top surface 94 and is faced towards the ground and furnished with lateral ski edges 96, 97 extending practically along the complete length of the ski.

A ski binding 4 suitable for mounting onto the top surface 94 of the ski consists of a front part 41 and a rear part 42, and a ski shoe is insertable between them, which is then by means of said parts 41 , 42 of the ski binding temporarily and detachably connectable with the ski. Modern skis are furnished with parts 41, 42, which are in an easily and simple manner detachably connectable with the ski by means of connecting assemblies 410, 420 (Fig. 7), which are integrated within the ski during manufacturing thereof and each of them is adapted for interconnection with each belonging part 41, 42 of the ski binding 4, wherein each position of each of said parts 41 , 42 of the ski binding 4 can usually be adjusted in dependency on each particular size of the ski shoe. In accordance with the proposed concept, a collapsible ski according to the invention consists of a front part 1 and a rear part 2, which are pivotally connected with each other, as well as of a connecting platform 3, by means of which said front part 1 and said rear part 2 are optionally fixed in their linearly aligned position.

Said front part 1 and rear part 2 are interconnected in the central region 93 of the ski, namely pivotally around the transversal axis 100 extending essentially parallel to the sliding surface 95 of the ski. Said parts 1, 2 can be pivotally interconnected either on a detachable manner or in a non-detachable manner, by which the ski is either collapsed or assembled.

Thanks to said pivotal interconnection of said front part 1 and said rear part 2, said parts can be pivoted between their end positions, namely

- the first end position, in which said front part 1 and said rear part 2 are linearly aligned and form a functional shape of the ski (Figs. 4 and 6); and

- the second end position, in which said front part 1 and said rear part 2 are pivoted with respect to each other i.e. folded, and are placed on each other in the area of the sliding surface 95 and comfortable for transport or storage, in particular when they are interconnected in a detachable manner.

In the shown embodiments according to Figs. 1 - 11, said pivotal i.e. linked interconnection between the front part 1 and the rear part 2 is realized essentially as a hinged interconnection by means of connecting members 51, 52, and each of them is by means of one or more pins or axles or any other suitable elements mounted to the first part 1 and/or the rear part 2 of the ski.

Regarding the embodiment according to Figs. 9 - 1 1 , a hinge-like connecting member is furnished with protrusions 510, 520, which protrude apart from each other, wherein the protrusion 510 on the first part of the ski is arranged at a distance apart from the top surface 94 of the front part 1 of the ski and is directed forwardly towards the tip 91 of the ski, and wherein the protrusion 512 on the rear part 2 of the ski is arranged at a distance apart from the top surface 94 of the rear part 2 of the ski and is directed rearward towards the tail 92 of the ski. Moreover, said front part 1 and said rear part 2 of the ski are each per se adapted to cooperate with said connecting platform 3, which is adapted to interconnect said parts 1, 2 by means of rotation around a geometric axis 200 extending throughout the fold between said parts 1 , 2 in the central region 93 of the ski and at the same time perpendicularly with respect to the sliding surface 95 of said parts 1, 2, when these are aligned.

In one of possible embodiments of the ski as shown in Figs. 1 - 4, for such purposes the front part 1 is furnished with an indentation 1 1, which is located in the area of interconnection with said platform 3 and furnished with a concave circular front surface 12 with a pre-determined radius, in which a groove 13 is available. Quite analogously, also the rear part 2 is furnished with an indentation 21, which is located in the area of interconnection with said platform 3 and furnished with a concave circular front surface 22 with a pre-determined radius, in which a groove 23 is available.

Consequently, the connecting platform 3 is adapted to cooperate with said parts 1 , 2, wherein its width is adjusted to the central region 93 of the ski, while its height essentially corresponds, or is adapted respectively, to the depth of said cavities 1 1 , 21 on the front part 1 and the rear part 2 of the ski. Moreover, also said platform 3 is on the one hand in each terminal region 30', 30" furnished with a convex circular surface 31 ', 31 ", which is furnished with a protrusion 32', 32". Each of said protrusions 32', 32" on said surfaces 3 , 32" of the connecting platform 3 is adapted to cooperate with corresponding groove 13, 23 on surfaces 12, 22 in the area of said indentations on the front part 1 and the rear part 2 of the ski, and on the other hand, each radius of curvature of said surfaces 12, 22 on the parts 1, 2 is adjusted to the radius of curvature of the convex surfaces 3 Γ, 31 " on the connecting platform 3, by which said connecting platform 3 can be rotated around said axis 200, when placed above said front part 1 and said rear part 2 of the ski.

Those skilled in the art shall understand that after rotation of the platform 3 into position, in which it is aligned with the front part 1 and the rear part 2, and fixation of the platform 3 in such position by means of a suitable arresting means, such ski is an excellent substitute for a classic ski, by which an average skier should be perfectly satisfied. A further embodiment of the ski is shown in Figs. 5 -7, wherein the front part 1 is furnished, on its essentially flat top surface 94 in the area of cooperation with said connecting platform 3, with a guiding protrusion 1 Γ, which is ended with a concave circular front surface 12 with a pre-determined radius, in which a groove 13 is available. Quite analogously, also the rear part 2 is furnished, on its essentially flat top surface 94 in the area of cooperation with said connecting platform 3, with a guiding protrusion 21 ', which is ended with a concave circular front surface 22 with a pre-determined radius, in which a groove 23 is available.

Consequently, also said connecting platform is adapted for cooperation with said parts 1 , 2, wherein its width is adjusted to the width of the central region 93 of the ski, and its height is adjusted to dimensions of said guiding protrusions 1 Γ, 21 ' on the front part 1 and the rear part 2 of the ski. Moreover, said platform 3 is on each terminal portions 30', 30" furnished with a convex circular surface 3 Γ, 31 ", which is furnished with a protrusion 32', 32" . On the one hand, said protrusions 32', 32" on said surfaces 3 , 31 " of said connecting platform 3 are adapted to cooperate with grooves 13, 23 on surfaces 12, 22 of the guiding protrusions 1 1 ', 21 ' on the front part 1 and the rear part 2 of the ski, and on the other hand the radius of curvature of said concave surfaces 12, 22 on the protrusions 1 1 '. 21 ' on parts 1, 2 is adjusted to the radius of curvature of convex surfaces 3 , 31" on the connecting platform 3, by which the connecting platform 3, when placed above the front part 1 and the rear part 2, is able to rotate around the previously mentioned geometric axis 200.

Those skilled in the art shall understand that after rotation of the platform 3 into position, in which it is aligned with the front part 1 and the rear part 2, and fixation of the platform 3 in such position by means of a suitable arresting means, such ski is an excellent substitute for a classic ski, by which an average skier should be perfectly satisfied.

Regarding the embodiment according to Figs 7 - 1 1 , the platform 3 is furnished on its bottom surface 33, which is faced towards the front part 1 and the rear part 2 of the ski, with a centrally arranged cavity 35, in which extends coaxially with a vertical axis 200 and in which two diametrically opposite extending recesses 351, 352 are available, which are adapted to cooperate with two arresting protrusions 51 1 , 512 on the connecting member 51 (Fig. 9), such that said protrusions 51 1, 512 of said connecting member 51 can be inserted into said cavity 35 on the platform 3, when the parts 1, 2 of the ski are linearly aligned and the platform is rotated at certain angle around the vertical axis 200, while by further rotating said platform 3 around said vertical axis 200 into a position, in which the platform 3 is aligned with parts 1, 2 of the ski, said arresting protrusions 211, 512 on the connecting member 51 are located within said recesses 351, 352 on the platform 3 (Fig. 1 1), so that the platform 3 is firmly, although still in a detachable manner, interconnected with the front part 1 and the rear part 2 of the ski.

As evident in Figs. 1 and 2, said connecting platform is furnished with assemblies 410, 420 suitable for mounting the front part 41 and the rear part 42 of a ski binding thereon. As also evident in Figs. 1 and 2, thanks to the previously described concept of assembling a ski, the invention enables combining each particular connecting platform 3, together with integrated assemblies 410, 420 or without them, with different front parts 1 and rear parts 2 of such collapsible ski, by which also manufacturing of skis including managing of components and assembling as well as product or semi-product supply can be optimized in a quite new and non-conventional manner.