FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a sleeve for a snow-sport skin of a snow-sport apparatus.

BACKGROUND

In alpine touring, friction skins are attached to the bottom surface of snow-sport apparatus, such as skis or split-boards, to allow a user to climb up a snow-covered slope. Often, these skins are attached using a combination of conventional straps at the ends of the skins, as well as adhesive in between the bottom of the snow-sport apparatus and the top surface of the skin.

During use, snow can accumulate around the ends of the skins, and can sometimes travel in between the skin and the snow-sport apparatus. This phenomenon is known as 'snow-creep' and can often result in a weakening of the adhesive connection between the skin and the snow-sport apparatus. Conventional skins, or skin attachments, do not prevent snow-creep. Attempting to clear the snow from the adhesive is typically ineffective. Therefore, over time, snow-creep can result in complete failure of the adhesive connection between the skin and the snow-sport apparatus.

In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents or such sources of information is not to be construed as an admission that such documents or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

It is an object of at least preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide a sleeve for a snow-sport skin of a snow-sport apparatus that protects skins from snow- creep, and/or to at least provide the public with a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a sleeve for a snow-sport skin of a snow-sport apparatus, the sleeve comprising: a sleeve member defining a sleeve pocket configured for removable receipt of a forward end of the snow-sport apparatus and configured for receipt of a forward end of the snow-sport skin or receiving the forward end of the snow-sport skin; wherein a length of the sleeve member is configured to extend from a front edge of the forward end of the snow-sport apparatus at least to a maximum width of the forward end of the snow-sport apparatus. In some embodiments, the sleeve member comprises a securing arrangement configured to releasably constrain the sleeve member to the forward end of the snow-sport apparatus.

In some embodiments, the securing arrangement extends around a periphery of the sleeve member proximate an open end of the sleeve pocket.

In some embodiments, the securing arrangement is provided on an upper surface of the sleeve member and extends substantially along the length of the sleeve member.

In some embodiments, the securing arrangement is integrally formed with the sleeve member.

In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a sleeve assembly comprising: the sleeve of the first aspect outlined above; and a tail sleeve comprising a tail sleeve member defining a tail sleeve pocket configured for removable receipt of a rearward end of the snow-sport apparatus; wherein a lower surface of the forward end of a snow-sport skin is connected to a top surface of a lower portion of the sleeve pocket such that the forward end of the snow-sport skin is received by the sleeve pocket, and wherein an upper surface of a rearward end of the snow-sport skin is connected to a lower surface of a lower portion of the tail sleeve member.

In some embodiments, a length of the tail sleeve member is configured to extend from a rear edge of the rearward end of the snow-sport apparatus at least to a rear edge of the rearward end of the snow-sport skin.

In some embodiments, the tail sleeve member comprises a tail securing arrangement configured to releasably constrain the tail sleeve member to the rearward end of the snow-sport apparatus.

In some embodiments, the tail securing arrangement extends around a periphery of the tail sleeve member proximate an open end of the tail sleeve pocket.

In some embodiments, the tail securing arrangement is provided on an upper surface of the tail sleeve member and extends substantially along a length of the tail sleeve member.

In some embodiments, the tail securing arrangement is integrally formed with the tail sleeve member. In some embodiments, the sleeve is integrally formed with the forward end of the snow- sport skin and the tail sleeve is integrally formed with the rearward end of the snow- sport skin.

The term 'comprising' as used in this specification and claims means 'consisting at least in part of'. When interpreting statements in this specification and claims which include the term 'comprising', other features besides the features prefaced by this term in each statement can also be present. Related terms such as 'comprise' and 'comprised' are to be interpreted in a similar manner.

It is intended that reference to a range of numbers disclosed herein (for example, 1 to 10) also incorporates reference to all rational numbers within that range (for example, 1, 1.1, 2, 3, 3.9, 4, 5, 6, 6.5, 7, 8, 9 and 10) and also any range of rational numbers within that range (for example, 2 to 8, 1.5 to 5.5 and 3.1 to 4.7) and, therefore, all sub-ranges of all ranges expressly disclosed herein are hereby expressly disclosed. These are only examples of what is specifically intended and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in this application in a similar manner.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more said parts, elements or features.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting. Where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

As used herein the term '(s)' following a noun means the plural and/or singular form of that noun.

As used herein the term 'and/or' means 'and' or 'or', or where the context allows both. The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples only. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows an illustrative view of an embodiment of a sleeve for a snow-sport skin of a snow-sport apparatus.

Figure 2A shows an illustrative view of an embodiment of a snow-sport apparatus. Figure 2B shows an illustrative view of an embodiment of an alternative snow-sport apparatus.

Figure 3 shows an illustrative view of an embodiment of a sleeve for a snow-sport skin on the forward end of a snow-sport apparatus.

Figure 4 shows a bottom view of the sleeve and forward end of the snow-sport apparatus.

Figure 5 shows an illustrative view of an embodiment of a securing arrangement of the sleeve of figure 3.

Figure 6 shows an illustrative view of an alternative embodiment of a securing arrangement of the sleeve of figure 3.

Figure 7 shows an illustrative view of an embodiment of a sleeve assembly on a snow-sport apparatus.

Figure 8 shows an illustrative view of an embodiment of a tail sleeve.

Figure 9 shows an illustrative view of an embodiment of a tail sleeve on a rearward end of a snow-sport apparatus.

Figure 10 shows a bottom perspective view of the sleeve and rearward end of the snow-sport apparatus.

Figure 11 shows a cross-sectional schematic view of a sleeve of an embodiment of a sleeve assembly and a snow-sport apparatus.

Figure 12 shows a cross-sectional schematic view of a tail sleeve of an embodiment of a sleeve assembly and a snow-sport apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Figure 1 shows a sleeve 100 for a snow-sport skin 300 of a snow-sport apparatus 500. The snow-sport apparatus 500 is shown in figure 2A (and figures 3-7 and 9-12) as a single ski of a pair of skis, but in some embodiments, the snow-sport apparatus 500 may be any other snow-sport apparatus to which skins are attached for alpine touring, such as a single half of a de-coupled split-board, as shown in figure 2B.

The sleeve 100 shown in figure 1 and 3 comprises a sleeve member 1 defining a sleeve pocket 3. The sleeve member 1 is shown formed from a single uniform material, and may be formed from a flexible material such as vinyl, high denier Nylon, PVC, neoprene or canvas, for example. This ensures the sleeve member 1 can be easily deformed into a smaller size for storage when not in use, while remaining lightweight and durable. However, in some configurations, the sleeve member 1 may instead be formed from a non-flexible material, such a moulded plastic, and/or be composed of several separate sections of different materials.

The sleeve member 1 is formed to define a sleeve pocket 3, the sleeve pocket 3 comprising an open space within the interior of the sleeve member 1 that is enclosed by the walls of the sleeve member 1. The sleeve pocket 3 is configured for removable receipt of a forward end 501 of the snow-sport apparatus 500, and is configured for receipt of a forward end 301 of the snow-sport skin 300 or receives the forward end 301 of the snow-sport skin 300.

As described further below with reference to figures 3-6, the sleeve pocket 3 may removably receive the forward end 501 of the snow-sport apparatus 500, and also removably receives the forward end 301 of the snow-sport skin 300 attached thereto, internally in the interior of the sleeve pocket 3. However, as described further below with reference to the sleeve assembly 700 of figures 7-12, some embodiments of the sleeve 100 are configured to receive the forward end 301 of the snow-sport skin 300 for attachment thereto (or integrally formed therewith) prior to, or separate from, removable receipt of the forward end 501 of the snow-sport apparatus 500.

In figures 2A-2B, the snow-sport skin 300 is shown already attached to the snow-sport apparatus 500. In this way, the forward end 301 of the snow-sport skin 300 is arranged at the forward end 501 of the snow-sport apparatus 500. Likewise, a rearward end 303 of the snow-sport skin 300 is arranged at the rearward end 503 of the snow-sport apparatus 500.

As shown in figure 4, when in use so that the sleeve pocket 3 has received the forward end 501 of the snow-sport apparatus 500 and the forward end 301 of the snow-sport skin 300, a length D1 of the sleeve member 1 is configured to extend from a front edge 505 of the forward end 501 of the snow-sport apparatus 500 at least to a maximum width 507 of the forward end 501 of the snow-sport apparatus 500.

This maximum width 507 of the forward end 501 of the snow-sport apparatus 500 refers to the maximum width between the lateral edges 509 of the snow-sport apparatus 500. During use, snow contacting the bottom surface 511 of the snow-sport apparatus 500 will typically accumulate at or around this maximum width 507, as it presents the largest snow contacting-point of the bottom surface 511 of the snow-sport apparatus 500. Some snow-sport apparatus may also be shaped such that this maximum width 507 also corresponds to a change in camber or curvature of the snow-sport apparatus, causing a further build-up of snow at this point, in a similar manner to the bow of a boat. Thus, snow accumulation at the widest point 507 will often cause the adhesive of a snow-sport skin 300 to weaken at or around this point, reducing the overall integrity of the connection between the snow-sport skin 300 and the snow-sport apparatus 500.

Therefore, the length D1 of the sleeve member 1, extends to at least this this maximum width 507 to ensure that the forward ends 301, 501 of the skin and apparatus at that point are enclosed by the sleeve pocket 3. This inhibits snow accumulation from effecting the enclosed snow-sport skin 300 and associated adhesive at or around the maximum width 507. In some configurations, the length D1 of the sleeve member 1 may extend beyond this point.

It should be noted that only a portion of the sleeve member 1 needs to extend to at least this maximum width 507. For instance, figure 4 shows only the lateral sides of the sleeve member and parts of the lower portion 13 of the sleeve member 1 proximal the lateral sides of the sleeve member 1 extending to this maximum width 507. Since the edges of the forward end 301 of the snow-sport skin 300 are where snow-creep would begin before progressing further, the lower portion 13 of the sleeve member 1 tapers from a position adjacent the front edge 505 of the snow-sport apparatus 500 to the lateral edges of the sleeve member 1, following the shape of the forwardmost edges of the forward end 301 of the snow-sport skin 300. This also exposes more surface area of the forward end 301 of the snow-sport skin 300, rather than having it enclosed by the sleeve member 1, which may be useful for increased friction during ascent of a slope, for example.

Thus, when reference is made to the sleeve 100, sleeve member 1, or sleeve pocket 3 enclosing, receiving or protecting the forward end 301 of the snow-sport skin 300, it is to be understood that this forward end 301 may encompass a substantial surface area of the forward end 301, or only a portion proximal the forwardmost edges of the forward end 301.

For instance, the lower portion 13 of the sleeve 100 of figure 1 does not taper forwardly like the sleeve 100 of figure 4, but extends transversally along the width of the sleeve member 1. In that case, the sleeve 100 of figure 1 encloses or receives a larger portion of the forward end 301 of the snow-sport skin 300 than the sleeve 100 of figure 4. Figures 5-6 also shows the sleeve member 1 comprises a securing arrangement 5 configured to releasably constrain the sleeve member 1 to the forward end 301 of the snow-sport apparatus 300. In the form shown, the securing arrangement 5 is provided on an upper surface 7 of the sleeve member 1 and extends substantially along the length D1 of the sleeve member 1.

In figure 5, the upper surface 7 of the sleeve member 1 is shown comprising two segments 7a, 7b that form a split down the centre of the upper surface 7 of the sleeve member 1. The two segments 7a, 7b, may be connected or disconnected using any suitable securing arrangement, for example, a zip arranged on edges of the respective segments 7a, 7b, a lace binding arrangement arranged similarly, a resiliently flexible elongate member such as a bungy cord, for example, that secures the two segments 7a, 7b, or corresponding Velcro surfaces comprising hook surface 5a and loop surface 5b that form the securing arrangement 5, as shown in figure 5.

The segments 7a, 7b may be of the same overall size, so as to form two halves of the upper surface 7, or may be of different sizes. Further, the securing arrangement 5 may not extend generally centrally along the length D1 of the sleeve member 1, but may instead extend at an angle, or may comprise a non-linear path.

A user may therefore part the two segments 7a, 7b of the upper surface 7 by pulling apart the edges thereof (e.g., by pulling a zip follower along the length of the securing arrangement 5, untying a lace binding arrangement, stretching the resiliently flexible elongate member, or pulling apart the respective Velcro surfaces 5a, 5b shown in figure 5), thereby forming an opening that extends substantially along the length D1 of the sleeve member 1. This allows a user to more easily place the sleeve member 1 around a forward end 501 of the snow-sport apparatus 500 and snow-sport skin 300 already attached thereto.

Following this, the two segments 7a, 7b of the upper surface 7 are bought back together and connected (e.g., by pulling the zip follower back along the length of the securing arrangement 5, retying the lace binding arrangement, allowing the resiliently flexible elongate member to shorten, or pressing together the respective Velcro surfaces 5a,

5b). This encloses the forward end 501 of the snow-sport apparatus 500 so as to tightly constrain the interior of the sleeve pocket 3 around the various surfaces of the forward end 501 of the snow-sport apparatus 500. As such, in the form shown, the sleeve 1 is dimensioned according to the dimensions of the snow-sport 500 apparatus to which it encloses, so that snow cannot enter the sleeve pocket 3 and thus interfere with the connection of the snow-sport skin 300 to the snow-sport apparatus 500.

It should be noted, however, that the securing arrangement 5 in some embodiments may not extend along the length D1 of the sleeve member 1. For instance, the securing arrangement 5, as shown in figure 6, may instead extend around a periphery of the sleeve member 1 proximate an open end 9 of the sleeve pocket 3.

In such an embodiment, the securing arrangement 5 may, for example, comprise an elongate securing device, such as a belt strap 5c.

In this way, rather than the upper surface 7 comprising two segments 7a, 7b to be parted, the belt strap 5c is simply loosened to loosen the periphery of the open end 9 of the sleeve pocket 3, allowing receipt of the forward end 501 of the snow-sport apparatus 500. Following this, the belt strap 5c can be retightened to tightly constrain the periphery of the open end 9 of the sleeve pocket 3 around the periphery of the snow- sport apparatus 500 with the snow-sport skin 300 attached thereto.

The securing arrangement 5 in this embodiment may also take forms other than a belt strap 5c, such as a Velcro strap, an elastic member such as a lace, a resiliently flexible elongate member such as a bungy cord, for example, or any other suitable form that extends around a periphery of the sleeve member 1.

In any case, both embodiments of the securing arrangement 5, whether it be the Velcro surfaces 5a, 5b of figure 5, or the belt strap 5c of figure 6 (or any other suitable fastening arrangement described above are), are shown integrally formed with the sleeve member 1. This reduces the overall size and profile of the sleeve 100 as the securing arrangement 5 does not extend outwardly from, or is not arranged around or on the sleeve member 1. This in turn prevents snow from accumulating on or around the securing arrangement 5 during use of the snow-sport apparatus 500, which may cause increased resistance while moving the snow-sport apparatus 500 forward.

It should be noted that while reference has been made to the embodiments of figures 1 and 3-6 being connected to and protecting the forward end 501 of the snow-sport apparatus 500, snow-creep can occur at the rearward end 503 of a snow-sport apparatus 500 too. Therefore, to protect both ends of the snow-sport skin 300 from snow-creep, figure 7 shows a sleeve assembly 700 comprising the sleeve 100 described above as well as a tail sleeve 200. As shown in figure 8, the tail sleeve 200 comprises a tail sleeve member 201 defining a tail sleeve pocket 203 configured for removable receipt of the rearward end 503 of the snow-sport apparatus 503. The tail sleeve 200 may take substantially the same form as the sleeve 100 with similar or matching corresponding functions or features.

The tail sleeve 200 may comprise a tail securing arrangement 205 configured to releasably constrain the tail sleeve member 201 to the rearward end 503 of the snow- sport apparatus 500. As shown in figures 8 and 9, the tail securing arrangement 205 may be provided on an upper surface 207 of the tail sleeve member 201 and extend substantially along a length D3 of the tail sleeve member 201, thus taking the form of two split segments 207a, 207b of the upper surface 207 that can be connected or disconnected by any suitable securing arrangement, for example, a zip arranged on edges of the respective segments 207a, 207b, a lace binding arrangement arranged similarly, a resiliently flexible elongate member such as a bungy cord, for example, or corresponding Velcro surfaces comprising hook surface 205a and loop surface 205b as shown in figures 8 and 9, or any of the other forms described above in relation to the securing arrangement 5.

Alternatively, the tail securing arrangement 205 may extend around a periphery of the tail sleeve member 201 proximate an open end 209 of the tail sleeve pocket 203, and thus take the form of a belt strap 205c, or any of the other forms described above in relation to the securing arrangement 5, in a similar manner to the securing arrangement 5, 5c of the sleeve 100 of figure 6.

The tail securing arrangement 205 may also be integrally formed with the tail sleeve member 201. The above described features, functions and alternatives of the securing arrangement 5 of the sleeve 100 may also apply to the securing arrangement 500 of the tail sleeve 200.

In any case, the principle difference between the sleeve 100 arranged at the forward end 501 of the snow-sport apparatus 500, and the tail sleeve 200 arranged at the rearward end 503 of the snow-sport apparatus 500 lies in how the respective sleeves 100, 200 are arranged relative to the respective ends 301, 303 of the snow-sport skin 300, as shown in figures 11-12.

For instance, whether the sleeve 100 is used alone or in combination with the tail sleeve 200 as part of a sleeve assembly 700, the sleeve pocket 3 will receive and enclose the forward end 501 of the snow-sport apparatus 500 and the forward end 301 of the snow- sport skin 300 attached thereto, internally in the interior of the sleeve pocket 3. This ensures that the front edge 307 of the forward end 301 of the snow-sport skin 300 is protected from snow-creep, as without the sleeve 100, that front edge 307 is typically where adhesion failure begins during snow creep.

However, in addition to that, and in preferred embodiments, a lower surface 305 of the forward end 301 of the snow-sport skin 300 is connected to a top surface 11 of a lower portion 13 of the sleeve pocket 3 such that the forward end 301 of the snow-sport skin 300 is received by the sleeve pocket 3, internally in the interior of the sleeve pocket 3. This is shown in figure 11, and provides tight constraint of the sleeve 100 to the snow- sport skin 300 and thus reduces the possibility of residual snow penetrating the sleeve 100 and compromising the adhesion of the snow-sport skin 300 from within.

By contrast, the tail sleeve 200 is arranged differently relative to the rearward end 303 of the snow-sport skin 300. The upper surface 309 of the rearward end 303 of the snow- sport skin 300 is connected to a bottom surface 215 of a lower portion 213 of the tail sleeve member 201, as shown in figure 12. In this way, the tail sleeve 200 does not receive and enclose the rearward end 303 of the snow-sport skin 300 like the sleeve 100 does the forward end 301.

Instead, the tail sleeve 200 only receives and encloses the rearward end 503 of the snow-sport apparatus 500, with the rearward end 303 of the snow-sport skin 300 instead remaining external the tail sleeve member 201, and connected to a bottom surface 215 of a lower portion 213 of the tail sleeve member 201. This ensures that snow does not catch or accumulate on a front edge of the lower portion 213 of the tail sleeve member 201, but instead glides along the lower surface 311 of the rearward end 303 of the snow-sport skin 300.

Stitching may be used to connect the lower surface 305 of the forward end 301 of the snow-sport skin 300 to the top surface 11 of the lower portion 13 of the sleeve pocket 3 and/or to connect the upper surface 309 of the rearward end 303 of the snow-sport skin

300 to the bottom surface 215 of the lower portion 213 of the tail sleeve member 201.

This can be seen in figure 7, whereby stitching is used proximate the taper of the lower portion 13 of the sleeve 100 to connect it to the lower surface 305 of the forward end

301 of the snow-sport skin 300, and is used proximate the edges of the rearward end 303 of the snow-sport skin 300 to attach it to the bottom surface 215 of the lower portion 213 of the tail sleeve member 201.

Alternatively, other suitable non-adhesive means may be used to connect the respective surfaces 305, 309 of the snow-sport skin 300 to the sleeve 100 and tail sleeve 200, such as plastic welding, for example.

Further, as shown in figure 10, a length D3 of the tail sleeve member 201 is configured to extend from a rear edge 513 of the rearward end 503 of the snow-sport apparatus 500 at least to a rear edge 313 of the rearward end 303 of the snow-sport skin 300. This ensures that the rear edge 313 of the rearward end 303 of the snow-sport skin 300, being stitched or otherwise connected to the bottom surface 215 of the lower portion 213 of the tail sleeve member 201, does not undergo adhesion failure as it may normally do due to snow-creep when simply adhesively connected to the rearward end 503 of the snow-sport apparatus 500.

It should be noted that figures 7, 9, 10, and 12 show the length D3 of the tail sleeve member 201 extending past the rear edge 313 of the rearward end 303 of the snow- sport skin 300. The length D3 of the tail sleeve member 201 need only extend from a rear edge 513 of the rearward end 503 of the snow-sport apparatus 500 at least to a rear edge 313 of the rearward end 303 of the snow-sport skin 300, to prevent adhesion failure of the rearward end 303 of the snow-sport skin 300.

Further, like the lower portion 13 of the sleeve member 1 of sleeve 100, the lower portion 213 of the tail sleeve member 201 may be tapered to suit the shape of the rearward end 303 of the snow-sport skin 300, as shown in figure 10. In this way, the surface area of the lower portion 213 covered by the upper surface 309 of the rearward end 303 of the snow-sport skin 300 is minimised compared to the lower portion 213 of the sleeve member 201 of the sleeve 200 of figure 8, which is not tapered but extends transversally along the width of the sleeve member 201. Tapering the shape of the lower portion 213 of the tail sleeve member 201 to suit the shape of the rearward end 303 of the snow-sport skin 300 assists with protecting the rearward end 303 since the edges thereof are where snow-creep would begin before progressing further.

Thus, when reference is made to the tail sleeve 200, tail sleeve member 201, or tail sleeve pocket 203 enclosing, receiving or protecting the rearward end 303 of the snow- sport skin 300, it is to be understood that this rearward end 303 may encompass a substantial surface area of the rearward end 303, or only a portion proximal the rearward most edges of the rearward end 303.

Therefore, the sleeve assembly 700 provides protection from snow-creep for both the forward end 301 and rearward end 303 of the snow-sport skin 300 during use of the snow-sport apparatus 500.

While snow-sport skins 300 are typically removed from a snow-sport apparatus 500 prior to downhill descent, they are sometimes left attached to the snow-sport apparatus 500 for brief periods of downhill travel. During such periods, the sleeve assembly 700 is appropriately configured to provide smooth, uninterrupted snow-contacting surfaces that do not 'catch' against the direction of snow travel thereby causing a build-up of snow accumulation that progresses into snow-creep.

Therefore, during descent, in which the snow-sport apparatus 500 will generally travel such that snow moves in a direction from the forward end 501 to the rearward end 503, snow will glide along a bottom surface 15 of the lower portion 13 of the sleeve member 1 past the maximum width 507 of the forward end 501 of the snow-sport apparatus 500, and then glide along the bottom surface 511 of the snow-sport apparatus 500 before gliding along the lower surface 311 of the rearward end 303 of the snow-sport skin 300.

Therefore, snow will not accumulate at the maximum width 507, to then progress into snow-creep which may weaken the adhesion of the forward end 301 of the snow-sport skin 300, nor will snow accumulate at the front edge of the lower portion 213 of the tail sleeve member 201 to increase resistance during descent and/or to progress into snow- creep which may weaken the adhesion of the rearward end 303 of the snow-sport skin 300.

During ascent, in which the snow-sport apparatus 500 will generally travel such that snow moves in a direction from the rearward end 503 to the forward end 501, some snow may 'catch' against the rear edge 313 of the rearward end 303 of the snow-sport skin 300. However, the very low speed of travel together with the connection of the rearward end 303 of the snow-sport skin 300 to the lower portion 213 of the tail sleeve member 201, ensures that the snow will not travel past the stitching (or other connection method) of the rear edge 313 of the rearward end 303 of the snow-sport skin 300 to the lower portion 213 of the tail sleeve member 201, to then progress into snow creep which may weaken the adhesion of the rearward end 303 of the snow-sport skin 300 to the rearward end 503 of the snow-sport apparatus 500. Further, some snow may 'catch' against the rear edge of the lower portion 13 of the sleeve member 1 of the sleeve 100. However, the very low speed of travel together with the connection of the lower surface 305 of the forward end 301 of the snow-sport skin

300 to the top surface 11 of the lower portion 13 of the sleeve pocket 3, ensures that the snow will not travel past the stitching (or other connection method) of the lower surface 305 of the forward end 301 of the snow-sport skin 300 to the top surface 11 of the lower portion 13 of the sleeve pocket 3, to then progress into snow creep which may weaken the adhesion of the forward end 301 of the snow-sport skin 300 to the forward end 501 of the snow-sport apparatus 500.

It should also be noted that the constriction and enclosure of the pockets 3, 203 about the various surfaces of the ends 501, 503 of the snow-sport apparatus 500 caused by tightening of the securing arrangements 5, 205, also helps to prevent any snow accumulation from progressing into snow creep which may penetrate into the pockets 3, 203 and weaken the adhesive connection between the snow-sport skin 300 and the snow-sport apparatus 500.

The snow-sport skin 300 is shown in figures 2A-2B having attachment devices 520 at either of its ends, such as straps or clips. Skin attachment devices 520 are commonly used to both attach the snow-sport skin 300 to the snow-sport apparatus 500 and to stretch and tension the snow-sport skin 300 for maximum adhesion to the snow-sport apparatus 500 as well as to provide a maximum surface area of the snow-sport skin 300 for maximal friction when ascending a snow-covered slope. While figures 3-7 and 9-12 do not show those attachment devices 520, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the snow-sport skin 300 may include attachment devices at either or both of its ends.

If attachment devices 520 are used for the forward end 301 of the snow-sport apparatus 300, for instance an attachment extending from the front edge 307 of the forward end

301 of the snow-sport apparatus 300 to the front edge 505 of the forward end 501 of the snow-sport apparatus 500 (as shown in figures 2A-2B), they will be enclosed within the sleeve pocket 3 since the forward end 301 and front edge 307 of the forward end 301 are also enclosed therein.

However, if attachment devices 520 are used for the rearward end 303 of the snow-sport skin 300, for instance extending from the rear edge 313 of the rearward end 303 of the snow-sport skin 300 to the rear edge 513 of the rearward end 503 of the snow-sport apparatus 500 (as shown in figures 2A-2B), then they will not be enclosed by the pocket 203, since the rearward end 303 of the snow-sport skin 300 instead connects externally to the bottom surface 215 of the lower portion 213 of the tail sleeve member 201. Instead, the attachment devices 520 will extend from the rear edge 313 of the rearward end 303 of the snow-sport skin 300 to a rear edge of the tail sleeve member 201.

Further, in some embodiments, attachment devices may not be used at all, with the connection of the respective surfaces 305, 309 of the snow-sport skin 300 to the sleeve 100 and tail sleeve 200 thereby providing a method of attachment in and of themselves. For instance, a user having connected the respective surfaces 305, 309 of the snow- sport skin 300 to the sleeve 100 and tail sleeve 200, thereby forming the sleeve assembly 700, simply connects the sleeve 100 to the forward end 501 of the snow-sport apparatus 500 and then stretches the snow-sport skin 300 so as to connect the tail sleeve 200 to the rearward end 503 of the snow-sport apparatus 500, or vice versa (with adhesion pre-applied to the snow-sport skin 300 and/or snow-sport apparatus 500 in the area between the ends 301, 303 of the snow-sport skin 300).

Further, in some configurations of the sleeve assembly 700, the sleeve 100 is integrally formed with the forward end 301 of the snow-sport skin 300 and the tail sleeve 200 is integrally formed with the rearward end 303 of the snow-sport skin 300. This removes the need for a user to connect the respective surfaces 305, 309 of the snow-sport skin 300 to the sleeve 100 and tail sleeve 200, as those surfaces 305, 309 will be integrally formed with the respective surfaces 11, 215 of the sleeves 100, 200.

However, the ends 301, 303 of the snow-sport skin 300 possess the same configuration relative to their respective pockets 3, 203 in such an embodiment of the tail sleeve assembly 700; i.e., the lower surface 305 of the forward end 301 of the snow-sport skin 300, and the forward end 301 itself both enclosed within the interior of (and integrally formed with) the sleeve pocket 3, and the upper surface 309 of the rearward end 303 of the snow-sport skin 300, and the rearward end 303 itself both arranged external the tail sleeve pocket 203 and connected to (and integrally formed with) the bottom surface 215 of a lower portion 213 of the tail sleeve member 201.

Therefore, in a similar manner as outlined above, a user simply connects the sleeve 100 to the forward end 501 of the snow-sport apparatus 500 and then stretches the snow- sport skin 300 so as to connect the tail sleeve 200 to the rearward end 503 of the snow- sport apparatus 500, or vice versa (with adhesion pre-applied to the snow-sport skin 300 and/or snow-sport apparatus 500 in the area between the ends 301, 303 of the snow- sport skin 300). Preferred embodiments of the invention have been described by way of example only and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.