Patent Application
20060113787
The present invention is related generally to the field of sporting accessories and, more specifically, to a device for supporting and managing the weight of a snowboard while in use.
Snowboarding is a popular sport that involves riding a wide, flat, elongated runner similar to a ski, sled, or other gliding device down a snow-covered slope. Unlike in skiing, where the rider of the ski uses ski boots which restrict ankle motion and are mounted inside releasable binding, snowboarding requires constant motion of knees and ankles to maintain the rider's balance and to maneuver the board.
A leash or tether connecting the rider to the snowboard is required by ski areas to reduce the risk of a loose snowboard from injuring other ski area attendees. It is generally required that a rider be connected to the snowboard at all times when using the snowboard, even when walking and carrying the snowboard. Similar devices are used on surfboards, skis, skimming boards, skateboards and related apparatuses.
Various snowboard leashes have been proposed and implemented and are generally constructed of a durable resilient material such as nylon webbing which serves as the tether line. At either end of the tether is a connecting device, generally a small metal swivel, which attaches to the snowboard on one end and a leg cuff on the other, normally made from hook and loop fastening elements.
The most prevalent mechanism for transporting the skiers or snowboarders to a higher elevation is a chair lift. To use the chair lift, a snowboarder must detach his or her back foot in order to position himself or herself on the chair. Thus, a snowboarder mounts the chair lift with only one foot attached to the bindings on the snowboard and with the second foot dangling free. Because snowboards can weigh a substantial amount, considerable downward force is experienced by the front leg of the snowboarder, causing stress and fatigue.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,729 describes a support strap that is connected at its upper end to a harness worn around the waist and shoulders of the user and connected at its lower end to a snowboard to support the weight of the snowboard when the user is riding a chair lift. A short tether extends between the support strap and a lower leg portion of the user to tether the snowboard to the user when the snowboard is being ridden. The support strap needs to be shortened for riding a chair lift or the like. When it is desired to ride the snowboard down a slope, the support strap is again adjusted to an appropriate length to permit the user to ride the snowboard normally.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,048 discloses a leash arrangement attachable to a snow gliding device and having a leash tube extending up along the user's leg with a strap at the top to hold the leash tube at a position accessible to the user. A shock cord is threaded inside the leash tube. One end of the shock cord is attached to the snowboard and the other end has a handle, which may be mounted by a snap to the leg strap. Upon sitting on a lift chair, the user pulls on the handle thereby elongating the shock cord. The handle is then placed under the thigh of the user to provide affirmative hoisting of the snow-gliding device during the chair lift ride.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,290,260 discloses an apparatus for preventing injury to an individual who seeks to transport a snowboard on a chairlift. It provides a detachable loop strap which encircles a portion of the snowboard and goes over the individual's knee and/or thigh such that when the individual has one foot in the snowboard binding at one end, the dangling portion of the board is supported by the loop strap over the individual's knee or thigh. Upon reaching the top of the chairlift, the board is released by unbuckling and removing the looped strap.
Attempts at improving leash mechanism for snowboards have largely focused on providing support while the user is riding a ski lift, rather than when the snowboard is in use. Further, in cases where an integrated leash device has been developed, that can be used both while maneuvering a snowboard and while riding a ski lift, the user is required to adjust the leash manually every time he or she switches between these two activities. Additionally, prior art devices are designed to require frequent adjustments or other interactions by the users, thereby increasing the degree of inconvenience and imposing a safety risk if the prior art devices are not adjusted properly.
There is therefore a need for connection methods and systems that are comfortable for a user during snowboarding maneuvers and provide the user with support for the snowboard while sitting on a ski lift. There is an additional need for that support to be provided automatically, that is, without requiring further adjustments or actions by the user. Such a system should not only provide the required safety, but should also be capable of supporting the weight of the snowboard to minimize strain on one leg of the user.
The present invention is directed toward a support device for easing the strain on the legs of a snowboarder by supporting the weight of a snowboard while riding a chair lift as well as while snowboarding. In one embodiment, it comprises a device for supporting the weight of a snowboard during use of said snowboard and while riding a ski lift chair, comprising a belt wearable around a waist of a user, a down strap, wherein a first end of said strap has a connector attachable to said snowboard and wherein a second end of said strap is attached to a flexible link, and a flexible link attached to the down strap and the belt.
Optionally, the down strap has a length of flexible material being capable of adjusting the distance between the belt and the snowboard. The geometry of said device adapts to support the weight of said snowboard when said user rides a ski lift chair. At least a part of the flexible link is comprised of elasticized material. The flexible link has a “Y” configuration. The flexible link comprises multiple straps connected to the waist belt and the down strap. A strap is wearable around the leg of the user and the strap is configured to maintain the device close to the body of the user. One end of the down strap is releasably attachable to the snowboard by a quick-release coupling. The device can be integrated with an item of apparel worn by the user. In another embodiment, the present invention includes a method for supporting the weight of a snowboard during the user's use of said snowboard and while riding a ski lift chair, comprising the steps of connecting around the user's waist a waist belt, connecting a first end of a down strap to said snowboard wherein a second end of said down strap is connected to a flexible link, and adjusting said waist belt and said down strap. Optionally, the method further comprises the step of connecting a strap wearable around the leg of the user, wherein the strap is configured to maintain the device close to the body of the user.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be further appreciated, as they become better understood by reference to the detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings:
a and 2b are diagrams illustrating device geometry in standing and sitting positions respectively;
The present invention discloses a support device for easing the strain on the legs of a snowboarder by supporting the weight of a snowboard while riding a chair lift as well as while snowboarding. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the disclosure set forth herein may be applicable to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and the claims appended hereto. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments described, but is to be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the disclosure set forth herein. In particular, while the figures depict the use of the present invention with a specific leg, it can be equally used with either the right or left leg.
Referring to
The flexible link 110, connecting the waist belt 120 and the down strap 140, allows the device to move with the user when performing maneuvers while riding a snowboard. The flexible link is preferably made of durable, extensible material, such as elastic rubber, thereby making the flexible link expandable and capable of taking up slack as the user moves. When sitting on the ski lift chair, the flexible link ensures proper position of the down strap for maximum support and distributes the weight of the snowboard across the user's waist. For the flexible link to be effective, it needs to be properly positioned relative to the user's body. The “Y” configuration depicted in
While the design depicted in
In one embodiment, shown in
In one embodiment, shown in
The connection to the snowboard is designed to use any suitable coupling mechanism such as a cord, buckle, or hook and loop fasteners, which is suitable to hold the required load. In one embodiment the quick release clip 150 is designed as a “D” ring and snap hook which can be conveniently disengaged from the snowboard, and yet has enough strength for keeping the board secured. This design of the quick release clip is advantageous for disconnecting from the snowboard without having to remove the device when in a safe area such as a ski lodge. The present invention preferably anchors to the inside of the user's front foot; anchoring to the outside of the front foot, while possible, tends to be more awkward for the user to use.
The waist belt 120 can be a multi-functional device and include containers, straps, and fanny packs for attaching accessories typically used by a snowboarder. Specifically, the waist belt can include straps, connected using Velcro, buckles, snaps, or other attachment mechanisms, used to surround and hold tool sets, water bottles, electronic devices, such as GPS receivers, music players, mobile phones, or personal data assistants. The waist belt can also include fanny packs to contain money, keys, and other loose items.
a and 2b depict the device geometry in standing and sitting positions respectively. The flexible link that connects the belt 205a to the down strap 206a is made up of an elastic material and allows for lengthening the distance between the waist belt 205a and the snowboard. The down strap and flexible link arrangement are connected to the waist belt such that they ride over the users backside 200a and down the inseam to the snowboard connection 206a. Therefore, as shown in
When the user 202b sits on the ski lift, as illustrated in
The design of the device of the present invention may be simplified by omitting the flexible link. An alternative configuration of the support device, without the flexible link is shown in
Further, the leg strap 430 and the quick release clip 440 are also optional accessories to the support device and are not necessary for the functioning of the device. Hence these two accessories may also optionally be omitted.
In another embodiment, the support device of the present invention is integrated into apparel such as pants or snowsuit. An example of this embodiment is shown in
The above examples are merely illustrative of the many applications of the system of present invention. Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been described herein, it should be understood that the present invention might be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the present examples and embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.
The present application relies on for priority purposes U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/630,980 filed on Nov. 26, 2004 and entitled “Snowboard leash for automatic support of snowboard weight when riding ski lift”.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60630980 | Nov 2004 | US |
