Folding and collapsible board systems are known in the art, but suffer from various deficiencies. For example, some systems include a plurality of board and assembly pieces that can be taken apart to reduce the size of an elongated board. Unfortunately, disassembly and re-assembly of such systems is time consuming and cumbersome, especially when there are multiple board sections and assembly pieces. Moreover, having assembly and board pieces that become physically separate is not desirable because if any one piece is lost, then the system becomes inoperable.
Additionally, while some board systems allow for reduced volume or length, which may be desirable for travel, existing board systems fail to provide for a compact stacked arrangement that allows board pieces to remain integrally connected.
Moreover, existing folding or collapsing board systems fail to provide a board that is sufficiently rigid or structurally sound, and such systems are prone to undesirable bending or decoupling. Accordingly, while such systems provide for folding or collapsing, the assembled board is not suitable for its intended purpose and fails to perform like a non-collapsible or non-folding board.
In view of the foregoing, a need exists for an improved folding board system and method to overcome the aforementioned obstacles and deficiencies of conventional collapsible board systems.
a is an exemplary perspective drawing illustrating an embodiment of a folding board system.
b is an exemplary side-view drawing illustrating an embodiment of a folding board system in a folded configuration.
c is an exemplary side-view drawing illustrating an embodiment of the folding board system of
a is an exemplary exploded top view drawing illustrating an embodiment of a folding board system.
b is an exemplary exploded side view drawing illustrating the embodiment of the folding board system of
c is an exemplary side view drawing illustrating an embodiment of a hinge mechanism and a latch clip.
a is an exemplary perspective drawing illustrating an embodiment of a hinge assembly in a closed configuration.
b is an exemplary perspective drawing illustrating the hinge assembly of
c is an exemplary front-perspective drawing illustrating the hinge assembly of
d is an exemplary rear-perspective drawing illustrating the hinge assembly of
a is an exemplary side view drawing illustrating an embodiment of a folding board system in an assembled configuration and comprising dual-axis hinges.
b is an exemplary side view drawing illustrating the folding board system of
c is an exemplary top-view drawing illustrating an embodiment of a folding board system having the dual-axis hinges of
a is an exemplary side view drawing illustrating an embodiment of a folding board system in an assembled configuration and comprising a hinge assembly.
b is an exemplary perspective view drawing illustrating the hinge assembly of
c is an exemplary perspective view drawing illustrating the hinge assembly of
a is an exemplary perspective view drawing illustrating an embodiment of a draw latch.
b is an exemplary top view of an embodiment of a folding board system in an assembled configuration and comprising a plurality of the draw latches of
c is an exemplary top view of an embodiment of a folding board system in an assembled configuration and comprising a draw latch of
a is an exemplary side view illustrating an embodiment of a folding board system in a folded configuration and comprising a living hinge.
b is an exemplary side view illustrating the folding board system of
c is an exemplary cut-away top view illustrating an embodiment of a folding board system comprising a hinge assembly with fixing rods.
d is an exemplary side view of the folding board system of
a and 9b are exemplary drawings of a user carrying an embodiment of a folding board system.
a is an exemplary drawing of an embodiment of a user storing a folding board system on a shelf.
b is an exemplary drawing of an embodiment of a folding board system stored in a vehicle.
It should be noted that the figures are not drawn to scale and that elements of similar structures or functions are generally represented by like reference numerals for illustrative purposes throughout the figures. It also should be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the preferred embodiments. The figures do not illustrate every aspect of the described embodiments and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure.
Since currently-available collapsible or folding boards fail to provide for a solid board structure when assembled and fail to provide for fast folding and stacking, novel folding board systems and methods that provide for a board that can fold into a compact stack, and that can be quickly assembled and folded, can prove desirable and provide a basis for improved portability and storage of such boards without sacrificing performance of the assembled board. This result can be achieved, according to one embodiment disclosed herein, by a folding board system 100 as illustrated in
Turning to
b and 1c depict examples of a folding board system 100 in a folded configuration and an assembled configuration respectively. As discussed in further detail herein, the hinge assemblies 120 may be configured to fold such that the board sections 110 can assume a stacked configuration as shown in
For example,
The board system 100 may be configured for use as various types of sports boards, including a surfboard (long-board or short-board), paddle-board, boogie-board, windsurfing board, or the like. In further embodiments, the board system 100 may be configured for use with other types of sports boards, including a skateboard, wakeboard, kitesurfing board, sandboarding board, snowboard, street luge board, skurfboard ski, or the like. In further embodiments, the board system 100 may be configured for use with any suitable extended objects of various sizes and shapes, both regular and irregular. Accordingly, the board sections 120 may comprise any suitable material, including fiberglass, foam, wood, plastic or the like.
Additionally, while the present example embodiments depict three board sections 110A, 110B, 110C and two hinge assemblies 120A, 120B, in further embodiments there may be any suitable number of hinge assemblies 120 and board sections 110. For example a board system 100 may be foldable into two, three, four, five, six, or seven sections in some embodiments.
a and 2b are top and side exploded views of a folding board system 100 in accordance with one embodiment. In this embodiment, each hinge assembly 120 comprises a latch-side end-cap 205, a button-side end-cap 210, a pair of hinge mechanisms 215 and a latch clip 220. The end caps 205, 210 are configured to couple with an end of a board section 110 and to couple with a portion of the hinge mechanisms 215 and latch clip 220 as described in further detail herein.
As shown in
For example, as depicted in
When the hinge assembly 120 is assuming a closed configuration where opposing planar faces of the end-caps 205, 210 come together, the latch head 222 is configured to enter the latch-cavity 315, and engage the latch bar 320. In various embodiments, the latch clip 220 may be biased toward the latch bar 320 such that the latch head 222 engages the latch bar 320, when the latch head 222 is sufficiently extended within the latch-cavity 315. The engagement of the latch bar 320 and latch head 222 may provide a rigid locked coupling between the end-caps 205, 210 such that opposing faces of the end-caps 205, 210 are held together. Such a rigid locked coupling in each of the hinge assemblies 120 of the board system 100 may allow the board system 100 to assume a rigid assembled configuration, wherein the board system 100 is operable for a desired sporting use such as paddle-boarding, or the like.
To unlock the rigid coupling generated by the latch clip 220 and latch bar 320, a user can actuate the latch lever 223, which rotates the latch head 222 out of the engaged coupling with the latch bar 320, and allowed the latch head 222 to emerge from the latch cavity 315 as the faces of the end-caps 205, 210 separate. In various embodiments, the latch lever 223 may be actuated via a button-orifice 310 that is defined by a portion of the button-side end-cap 210.
Although one example embodiment of a latch clip 220 and latch bar 320 is illustrated herein, various other suitable configurations of a latch mechanism can be used to rigidly couple the board sections 110. For example, some embodiments can comprise a latch mechanism that includes a rod having a notch that is configured to interface with a latch bar, or the like.
In various embodiments, the hinge assembly 120, hinge mechanisms 215 and latch clip 220 are substantially concealed when the board system 100 is in an assembled configuration. This may be desirable because it allows for use of the assembled board system 100 in sports activities without such parts obstructing use, generating unnecessary drag, or potentially causing injury to a user. In other words, the board system 100 may have a profile that is substantially or maximally similar to a non-foldable or non-collapsible board.
Accordingly, while some depicted embodiments show exposed portions, cavities or other features that are not typically present on a non-foldable or non-collapsible board, such features may be altered or removed to provide for a board system 100 that is substantially similar or analogous to a non-foldable or non-collapsible board. For example,
a-4c depict a hinge assembly 120 in a closed, partially open, and open configuration respectively, and
c and 4d illustrate latch-side hinge-arms 216 are rotatably coupled within respective latch-side cavities 325A, 325B defined by the latch-side end-cap 205 and button-side hinge-arms 217 rotatably coupled within respective button-side cavities 330A, 330B. For example, in various embodiments, the hinge-arms 216, 217 may be rotatably coupled within the cavities 325, 330 via coupling pins or other suitable structure.
Although specific embodiments of a hinge assembly 120 are depicted herein, such embodiments should not be construed to be limiting as to the numerous embodiments of hinge assemblies that are within the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, in some embodiments there may be one or more latch clip 220 and one or more latch bar 315. In some embodiments, a latch clip 220 and associated structures may be absent. In further embodiments a hinge assembly 120 may comprise one or more hinge mechanisms 215 disposed in any suitable position about the end-caps 205, 210. In some embodiments, the hinge mechanisms 215 may have any suitable number of hinge-arms 216, 217. Additionally, in further embodiments, the hinge assemblies 120 may be rigidly held together in a locked configuration via any suitable structures, including variations of latches, pin-in-slot, a friction coupling, or the like.
For example,
a-c illustrate another example embodiment of a hinge assembly 600 that can be included in a board system 100. This example hinge assembly 600 can comprise a pair of end caps or hinge plugs 610 that respectively extend along a plug axis Q and are coupled to respective hinge bodies 515. The hinge bodies 615 are rotatably coupled together via a hinge mechanism 620.
When in an open configuration as shown in
a is an exemplary perspective view drawing illustrating an embodiment of a draw latch 700 and
In further embodiments, board sections 110 can be hingedly coupled via a living hinge 800. In various embodiments, one or more living hinges 800 can be positioned on any suitable location on a board system 100 including on one or both sides of the board system 100 and one or more living hinge 800 can be coupled along a given edge of a side of the board system 100 and/or at a linear board section mating interface 105.
In still further embodiments, as illustrated in
As discussed herein, the example embodiments shown should not be construed to be limiting on the many variations and alternative embodiments that are within the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, one embodiment of a folding board system 100 can comprise a plurality of hinge assemblies (e.g., 500, 600, 800, 850, or the like) comprising fixing rods 860, and also comprise a plurality of draw latches 700 and/or latch clips 220, or the like.
Accordingly, the described embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, and specific examples thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the described embodiments are not to be limited to the particular forms or methods disclosed, but to the contrary, the present disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives.
This application is a non-provisional of, and claims the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/983,350 entitled FOLDING BOARD SYSTEM AND METHOD, filed Apr. 23, 2014. This application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61983350 | Apr 2014 | US |