Importance

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Abstract

A ski construction for cross-country skiing is provided including front and rear tandem ski sections pivotally joined together by an offset hinge at their adjacent ends for relative angular displacement about a transverse axis closely adjacent the undersurfaces of the sections between predetermined first positions with the undersurfaces substantially coplanar and variable second positions with the longitudinal undersurfaces defining an included angle greater than 180.degree.. Spring structure is operatively connected between the sections for yieldingly biasing the sections from the variable second positions toward the predetermined first positions and is in the form of a straight structural brace bracing the ski sections against angular displacement toward the second positions. The spring must be laterally deflected intermediate its opposite ends from the static brace defining straight position thereof to allow angular displacement of the ski sections toward the variable second positions. Ski boot binding structure is operatively associated with the spring in a manner such that downward toe pressure by an associated ski boot is operative to laterally deflect the midportion of the spring structure enabling the ski sections to be displaced toward their variable second positions. All moving parts subject to snow and ice buildup are protected by a flexible covering. The offset hinge serves as a rearward facing step which in conjunction with the deflected ski provides surfaces against which the skier can thrust to gain forward movement. Additionally, the offset hinge allows the ski to be folded.

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First Claim