The present invention is related to the construction of gliding boards for sporting activities and, more particularly, to the design of snowboards.
Winter sports activities such as skiing and snowboarding enjoy a great popularity throughout the world. The ease and enjoyment of participating in these sports have improved significantly with continued improvements in the design and construction of the requisite equipment. For example, innovations in boots and bindings used in winter sports have made remarkable advances, enhancing safety, capabilities, and comfort for the users.
The gliding boards themselves, i.e., skis and snowboards, have also improved, benefiting from advances in materials, manufacturing methods, and analytical models. Current skis and snowboards, for example, typically are constructed with an inner core formed of a wood and/or polymeric foam. The core may be sandwiched between or encased by one or more load-carrying structural layers. The structural layers are conventionally formed of composite materials, such as glass, carbon, or polyaramide fiber reinforced resins. Typically, a protective layer is provided over an upper surface of the structural layer and a gliding base element is affixed beneath the lower surface of the structural layer. The protective layer may include a decorative aspect to provide the snowboard with aesthetic appeal. One or more edge member(s), usually made from metal such as steel or titanium, is provided along the lower perimeter of the board, generally having a lower surface that is coplanar with the gliding base element.
A binding assembly mounts to the gliding board—for example, by bolting into inserts that may be formed integrally into the gliding board. Several types of bindings are available and different bindings may be suitable for different riding styles. For example, strap bindings are the most popular binding system in snowboarding due to their adjustability and secure and comfortable attachment. Strap bindings, however, can be hard to get into and out of. Step-in bindings are easier to get into and out of and have become increasingly popular. Other bindings, such as flow-in bindings, plate bindings, and baseless bindings are also available and may be particularly suited to specific classes of riders, such as alpine racers, halfpipe and park riders, and/or freestylers. Generally, bindings can be mounted on a snowboard in different positions, allowing the user to adjust the stance width, stance angle, and centering. Typically, a user may desire to reposition the bindings—for example, to accommodate differing riding styles and/or snow conditions or as the riders skills improve.
Snowboarding and skiing can generate significant vibrations that transmit through the gliding board and binding and into the rider's boots and feet. The vibrations can interfere with the rider's comfort and enjoyment of the sport. To reduce the vibrations transmitted to the user, sometimes a separate, elastomeric vibration-absorbing panel is installed on top of the snowboard between the binding and the snowboard. The use of separable vibration panels, however, has several disadvantages. For example, the vibration panel is at least partially exposed to the elements, which can cause the elastomeric panel to deteriorate and may require periodic replacement of the vibration panel. Also, if a rider desires to adjust the bindings to a different position, the task is complicated by also needing to reposition the vibration panel and may result in improper placement of the panel. This can be particularly inconvenient if the rider desires to adjust the binding position while on the slopes. Another disadvantage in some circumstances is that the vibration panel raises the binding with respect to the gliding board surface, which may interfere with the rider's ability to feel and control the board.
There remains a need, therefore, for an improved vibration suppression means for snowboards, skis and the like.
A gliding board construction is disclosed having a core that is substantially encased by a structural assembly, including an upper structural layer that substantially covers the upper surface of the core and a lower structural layer that substantially covers the bottom surface of the core. The upper structural layer includes an outer surface that defines a binding attachment region where the bindings are selectively positionable on the gliding board and a peripheral region that is not intended to receive the bindings. A vibration-absorbing panel is attached to the outer surface of the upper structural layer in the binding attachment region. A protective layer covers the outer surface of the upper structural layer, including the vibration-absorbing panel, such that the vibration-absorbing panel is an integral portion of the gliding board. A base element and edge piece define the undersurface of the gliding board.
In an embodiment of the invention, the vibration-absorbing panel is disposed only over the binding attachment region of the snowboard.
In an embodiment of the invention, the upper structural layer includes a recessed portion that is sized and shaped to receive the vibration-absorbing panel, such that the upper surface of the gliding board is substantially flat in the transverse direction.
In an embodiment of the invention, the vibration-absorbing panel includes a forward portion and a separate rearward portion.
The present invention may be practiced with gliding boards made using cap construction or with snowboards made using laminated construction methods.
The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Refer now to the figures, wherein like numbers indicate like parts throughout the figures.
As seen most clearly in
As shown in
It will also be appreciated that, in conventional snowboards having no integral vibration-absorbing panel 120, the binding plate 150 is attached directly to the protective layer 140 that is bonded to the rigid upper structural layer 134, resulting in a stiff and hard layer in contact with the binding, thereby transmitting the snowboard vibrations efficiently into the binding, resulting in an uncomfortable ride. In the embodiment shown in
The vibration-absorbing panel 120 is incorporated integrally into the snowboard 100 and completely covered by the protective layer 140. The vibration-absorbing panel 120 is therefore protected from the moisture and other external elements and is not directly in contact with the binding itself. It will be appreciated by the artisan that because the vibration-absorbing panel 120 is protected, the designer's options in selecting suitable materials is broader than what would be suitable for external, e.g. unprotected, elastomeric panels.
It will also be appreciated from
Although
In the currently preferred embodiment shown, the upper structural member 334 includes a recessed portion 335 that is sized to accommodate the vibration-absorption panel 220. The vibration-absorbing panel(s) 220, which is provided only at the binding attachment region 110, is therefore recessed or inlaid in the snowboard 300, such that the protective layer 340 may be substantially flat, providing the advantages discussed above.
While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/527,519, filed Dec. 5, 2003, the benefit of which is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. § 119.
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2 703 257 | Oct 1994 | FR |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20050127639 A1 | Jun 2005 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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60527519 | Dec 2003 | US |