Patent Application
20110221179
This invention relates generally to the field of edge protecting devices. More particularly the invention pertains to an edge protecting device for sports equipment such as snowboards, skis, skateboards, surfboards and other such equipment.
Edges of sports equipment are of prime importance to the performance of the sports equipment. For example, snowboard edges are an essential part of the snowboard which allows one to carve, turn and stop. Edges take a lot of abuse, so it's important to keep an eye on them and make sure to keep them tuned and in shape. Like the base, the edges stay in contact with the ground and may get banged up from rocks, ice and other irregularities. It's best to keep your edges sharp and smooth, so regular edge repair and maintenance is important. There is a large amount of activity in the general field of sports equipment and the prior art profile is saturated with numerous products and designs. However, none of the existing prior art offer a solution for protecting the edges in an efficient and easy manner, while allowing the user to practice with the equipment on alternative surfaces, such as a trampoline. The available solutions either change the function of the sports equipment or are used to carry the sports equipment. Either way, the available solutions do not protect surfaces from damage caused by the edges of sports equipment when practicing, in transit or in storage.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,938,864 issued to Simonian et al discloses a display device, configured for receiving a board shaped sporting device.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,736,263 issued to J S Smith discloses elastic coverings for alpine snow equipments.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,314 issued to P R McGovern discloses a snowboard protective cover which is a removable cover for a snowboard having an elongated, substantially longitudinally expandable bottom portion of configuration of a snowboard and a C-shaped expandable collar secured to and circumscribing the bottom portion, configured to receive the circumferential edge of a snowboard.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,808 issued to Whidden et al discloses a ski and snowboard edge covering device.
US Patent Application No. 2003/173384 issued to Clark et al discloses a container for storing and transporting sports boards.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,231,483 issued to Phillips et al discloses a carrying case for sports boards.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,374,207 issued to McCoy et al discloses an edge protecting device for snowboards. However, the edge protecting device includes elastic members which may lose their elasticity over periods of repeated use. Further, the edge protecting device includes a strap to hold the elastic members against the side edge portions of the snowboards.
The prior art profile indicated above has devices which serve their respective objectives and requirements, but none of the patents mentioned above has been able to address the need for a single product that protects the edges of a sports equipment, provides an option for practicing the skills on alternate surfaces such as trampoline, gives protection against chipping, gives protection against and to walls, corners, upholstery, and other surfaces, and protects the sports equipment during off-season storage.
Accordingly there exists a need for providing an edge protecting device for sports equipment which is capable of providing protection to the edges during travel and/or use, option of edge protection during off-season storage, protection against chipping, and an added advantage of being used on alternate surfaces.
The present invention aims to overcome the above mentioned shortcomings in the prior art by providing an edge protecting device for sports equipments which is easy to use, provides protection to the edges during travel, storage and/or use on alternative surfaces for practice.
Hence, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a device for protection of the edges of the sports equipments of various shapes and sizes, such as snowboards and skis.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a device, the use of which can enable the user to practice on alternate surfaces such as a trampoline without damaging the edges of the sports equipments.
It is another objective of the present invention to offer an edge protecting device, which is capable of protecting the edges of the sports equipment against chipping or dulling.
It is a further objective of the present invention to offer edge protection during off-season storage of sports equipments.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide an edge protecting device for sports equipment; such that the use of the edge protecting device will decrease the need for regular maintenance, tune-ups and/or remachining of the edges of the sports equipments.
It is another objective of the invention to provide an edge protecting device for sports equipment; such as that the edge protecting device will require repair of the damaged part only in case of a mishap.
It is another objective of the invention to provide an edge protecting device that protects other surfaces such as walls, upholstery, doors, et cetera from being damaged by the edges of the sports equipment.
To attain the aforesaid objectives, the present invention provides an edge protecting device for sports equipment, which includes edge covers to protect the edges. The edge covers affix to the tips or ends of the sport equipments, and provides a tight, secure seal and a protective barrier around the edges. Further, the edge covers are connected using multiple connecting elements, such as cords and connecting rods.
For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objectives attained by a user of the invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated embodiments of the invention as applied to a snowboard sports equipment, as an embodiment of the present invention.
The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:
The exemplary embodiments described herein detail for illustrative purposes are subject to numerous variations. It is understood that various omissions, substitutions or equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.
Further,
The edge protecting device 100 also includes a pair of connecting elements 120a and 120b. The pair of connecting elements 120a and 120b connect the Tip edge covers 110a and 110b. In an embodiment, the connecting elements 120a and 120b can be elastic bands. In another embodiment, the connecting elements 120a and 120b can be cords. In yet another embodiment, the connecting elements 120a and 120b can be rods with threaded ends. This arrangement enables the edge protecting device 100 to attach on snow sports equipments of various sizes.
Although, a particular exemplary embodiment of the invention has been disclosed for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized to those skilled in the art that numerous variations or modifications of the disclosed invention, including the rearrangement in the configuration of the structural aspects of the present invention as well as its method of use being amenable to modifications on account of various types of snow sports equipments, are possible.
As an non-limiting example, in another embodiment of the present invention the edge protecting device 100 can be used in conjunction with an electronic equipment securing the edges of the electronic equipment with the help of the Tip edge covers 110a and 110b modified correspondingly.
Accordingly, the invention is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations as may fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
