Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to a storage pouch, and more particularly to a pouch mounted on a snowboard binding highback.
Reference may be made herein to other United States Patents, foreign patents, and/or other technical references. Any reference made herein to other documents is an express incorporation by reference of the document so named in its entirety.
Traversing snow using skis or other devices coupled to a user's foot have been used for many years. Cross-country (Nordic) skiing has been an Olympic sport since the first Winter Olympics in 1924, and Alpine (or downhill) skiing has been an Olympic sport since 1936. Other types of skis, such as the monoski, where both feet are attached in-line with the direction of travel to a single device (also referred to as a “board” or “ski), have had various degrees of popularity for the past several decades.
In addition to snow skiing, snowboarding, where a user's feet are attached to a single board somewhat transversely to the direction of travel, has become a common winter activity. Since the introduction of “the Bunker,” a toboggan-like device attached to shoes with leather bands to navigate snowy terrain in 1939 (see U.S. Pat. No. 2,181,391), to the “Snuffer” (see U.S. Pat. No. 3,378,274), a combination snow-surf board with a rope handle, to Jake Burton Carpenter's addition of ski-like bindings to the single board in the late 1970's and addition of competitive snowboarding events to the Olympics in 1998, snowboarding has become a multi-billion dollar industry.
As with snow skis, snowboards employ mechanical devices, known as bindings, to attach and/or couple application-specific footwear (also referred to as “boots” or “snowboard boots” herein) to the snowboard. There have been various types of snowboard bindings employed for the past thirty years, and one of the most common types is known as a “highback” binding. Unlike snow-skiing enthusiasts, however, snowboarders often disengage one boot from one of the bindings to allow for controlled movement while embarking and disembarking from a ski lift (also referred to as a “chair lift” herein).
Because one of the bindings is often disengaged upon disembarking from the ski lift, the mechanical connection for a snowboarder (also referred to as a “rider” or “boarder” herein) between one foot and the snowboard is not precise or as easily controlled at those times. Thus, snowboarders may often be seen sitting down near the top of the chair lift to re-engage and/or adjust the bindings before taking a snowboarding run.
The practice of engaging/disengaging the binding of one boot from the snowboard several times a day, and the inherent physics of snowboarding, also gives rise to another issue: many riders do not like to wear a backpack. Backpacks are uncomfortable for riders, as they are sitting down on the snow several times a day and the backpack may catch snow and introduce snow to the interior of the rider's clothing, and/or are not fashionable in the snowboarding community. Further, any falls on a snowboard result in the rider falling either on their chest or on their back, in which case the backpack either is caught between the rider and the snow, or is forced against the rider's back when falling forward. Either scenario may possibly result in additional injuries to the rider, depending on the contents of the backpack, the direction of fall, and the speed of the rider at the time of the fall. Without a pack or pouch to carry tools, food, or other items, the ability of a rider to be able to eat, repair or adjust their bindings, or store other items like a cellular phone or other emergency equipment, is very limited.
The present disclosure describes a bag, pouch, and/or other container which may be attached to the snowboard in such a way that the bag is not cumbersome or obtrusive to the rider. In an aspect of the present disclosure, the pouch may be removably and/or permanently attached to the highback of a snowboard binding without modification to the snowboard or snowboard binding.
An aspect of the present disclosure comprises a pouch configured for mounting on a snowboard binding highback. In such an aspect, the pouch may comprise a body, a flap, a first plate, and a strap. The body is coupled to the flap and may comprise a first connector. The first plate is coupled to the flap. The flap and the plate are coupled to a first side of the snowboard binding highback, while the body is coupled to a second side of the snowboard binding highback. The strap is coupled to the flap and comprises a second connector. The second connector is configured to be coupled to the first connector by wrapping the strap around a heelcup of the snowboard binding.
Such an aspect further optionally includes the strap being configured to reduce interference with a canting device on the second side of the snowboard binding highback, the first plate being configured to substantially conform to a contour of the snowboard binding highback, a second plate, coupled to the body, the second plate further comprising a notch, such that the notch is configured to reduce interference of the body with a canting device on the second side of the snowboard binding highback, a pocket formed by selective coupling of the flap to the body.
Such an aspect further optionally includes the strap being adjustable in length and/or adjustably coupled to the flap with and/or without an elastic coupling, at least one side strap and at least one ring, the at least one side strap being configured to be coupled to the at least one ring to, at least in part, secure the pouch to the snowboard binding highback, and the at least one side strap being coupled to the flap and the at least one ring being coupled to the body.
Another aspect of the present disclosure comprises a pouch configured for mounting on a snowboard binding highback. Such a pouch comprises a body, a flap, coupled to the body, and a first plate, coupled to the flap. The flap and the plate are coupled to a first side of the snowboard binding highback and the body is coupled to a second side of the snowboard binding highback. The first plate is configured to be malleable to a contour of the first side of the snowboard binding highback.
Such a pouch further optionally comprises a strap, coupled to the flap, the strap configured to be coupled to the body around a portion of the snowboard binding, and the strap couples to the body when wrapped around a heelcup of the snowboard binding. The strap may be further configured to reduce interference with a canting device on the second side of the snowboard binding highback, be adjustable in length, and/or adjustably coupled to the flap with or without an elastic coupling.
Such a pouch may further optionally comprise at least one side strap and at least one ring, in which the at least one side strap is configured to be coupled to the at least one ring to, at least in part, secure the pouch to the snowboard binding highback, and the at least one side strap is coupled to the flap and the at least one ring is coupled to the body.
The above summary has outlined, rather broadly, some features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described below. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that this disclosure may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same or similar purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the teachings of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features, which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further features and advantages, will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.
For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The detailed description set forth below, in connection with the appended drawings, is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the various concepts. It will be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring such concepts. As described herein, the use of the term “and/or” is intended to represent an “inclusive OR”, and the use of the term “or” is intended to represent an “exclusive OR”.
Snowboard 100 comprises an elongated, linearly extended oval shaped device. Snowboard 100 may be made of wood, wood in combination with fiberglass, carbon fiber, aluminum, or other materials, with an extruded and/or sintered base (for contacting the snow and/or other surfaces) and metal edges that allows snowboard 100 to traverse the snow and/or carve turns in snow similar to skis or skates.
The front 102 of snowboard 100 may be turned upward (towards the top view of
Attachment points 106 are often threaded inserts that are molded or otherwise coupled to snowboard 100, such that screws may be threaded into attachment points 106. Several attachment points 106 are often included in snowboard 100 to accommodate several different stances and/or different distances between attachment points 106. The several attachment points 106 allow for personal preferences for riders to attach bindings to snowboard 100.
Snowboard 100 may range in length from 35 inches (90 centimeters) to 85 inches (215 cm), and are often in the 55-65 inch (140-165 cm) range. Depending on the type of riding and/or size of the rider's feet, the sidecut 108 distance may vary on different snowboard 100 models to accommodate riding style and/or longer feet. Further, the camber 110 distance, which allows snowboard 100 to contact the snow only at certain places, may be varied to suit individual types of riding. As shown in
Binding 200 comprises a baseplate 202, a toe strap 204, a heel strap 206, and a highback 208. Baseplate 202 provides a surface for a snowboard boot to rest, and also provides a mechanical connection between binding 200 and snowboard 100. A plate, often part of and/or coupled to baseplate 202, is attached to snowboard 100 at attachment points 106.
Toe strap 204 provides a mechanical connection between the forefoot of a snowboard boot and binding 200, where a rider's forefoot (toe section) is adjustably coupled to the binding 200. By adjusting the toe strap 204, movement of a rider's forefoot will be coupled to the snowboard 100, allowing for fine adjustment of a turn or fine control of snowboard 100.
Heel strap 206 provides a secure connection between the heel of the snowboard boot and binding 200. Heel strap 206, in conjunction with highback 208, provides a mechanical connection between the rider's heel and/or calf (and/or the heel and calf of the snowboard boot) to snowboard 100, and is likely the main control surface for controlling the direction of snowboard 100 travel. As a rider leans back against highback 208, the force is applied to one side and/or edge of snowboard 100 to “roll” snowboard 100 onto that particular edge. As a rider leans forward, away from highback 208 and places pressure on the forefoot (either with or without the use of toe strap 204), snowboard 100 “rolls” onto the opposite edge turning in the other direction.
Another type of binding 200 is called a “step-in” binding, similar to bindings 200 used with skis. Although step-in bindings 200 may not include toe strap 204 and/or heel strap 206, step-in bindings 200 often include a highback 208 to allow for a larger control surface between rider and snowboard 200. In many bindings 200, including step-in bindings 200, highback 208 is contoured to conform to the rounded contour of the heel of a snowboard boot.
On some bindings 200, highback 208 comprises a canting device 210. Canting device 210 adjusts the amount of forward lean of highback 208. In some bindings 200, as shown in
Although shown as adjusting the canting angle, canting device 210 may, additionally and/or alternatively, also adjust the vertical angle of binding 200, vis-a-vis adjusting the perpendicularity of highback 208 with respect to the top surface of snowboard 100. Adjustments to canting device 210 control the interface between rider and snowboard 100, and thus this interface can be personalized for each rider and for each type of snowboard 100 riding conditions through adjustments to canting device 210. As such, accessibility to canting device 210 is somewhat important to riders, both for initial setting of the canting device 210 and for adjustment of canting device 210 based on snow conditions, riding style, and/or comfort.
The freestyle binding position 400 is approximately symmetrical about board center 406. Each binding 200 is attached to snowboard 100 at approximately angle 410, which may be between 10 and 25 degrees depending on a rider's preference. This approximate symmetry of the binding 200 attachment allows riders to travel in direction 408, as well as direction 412, so tricks, spins, flips, etc. can be performed from either direction 408 and/or 412 in a free-form or “freestyle” manner.
In all mountain binding position 402, the bindings are attached to snowboard 100 in a substantially similar position as that in freestyle binding position 400. The snowboard 100 of all mountain binding position is usually longer and wider than snowboard 100 used in freestyle binding position 400.
In freeride binding position 404, the binding 200 farther from the primary direction of travel 408 (indicated in
As seen in
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, pouch 500 comprises body 502, flap 504, and strap 506. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, body 502 may comprise one or more selectively closed volumes, also referred to as “pockets,” which may be closed by closure 508. Closure 508 is shown in
Body 502 also comprises one or more rings 510, coupled to one or more locations on body 502, for mating with one or more side straps 512. Body 502 may also comprise a gusset 514, which may help define the volume and/or shape of body 502. On body 502, or, additionally and/or alternatively, on gusset 514, connector 516 is coupled, for mating with connector 518 on strap 506. Although shown on one portion of body 502 for ease of illustration, connector 516 may be coupled to other portions of body 502, as shown in
In an aspect of the present disclosure, strap 512 and ring 510 may be different coupling device, such as elastic, tension rope, etc., and may be different on one side of pouch 500 than on another. For example, and not by way of limitation, one side of pouch 500 may be sewn closed, or employ an elastic section sewn between flap 504 and body 502, and the other side of pouch 500 may employ a strap 512 and ring 510 for adjusting the tension between pouch 500 and highback 208.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, a pocket or recess may be formed by selective attachment of body 502 to flap 504, such that pouch 500 slips over the contour/outline of highback 208. In such an aspect, the pocket may be adjustable via strap 506, elastic, or other adjustment means, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Clips may also be attached between body 502 and flap 504 to adjust the fit and/or form-fitting between pouch 500 and highback 208 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
Flap 504 is coupled to body 502, and is coupled to strap 506 at attachment point(s) 520. Plate 522, shown in phantom lines as plate 522 may be underneath flap 504 in the perspective shown in
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, strap 506 may be adjustable in length, with a D-ring, hook-and-loop material, elastic, or other adjustment means. Coupled to strap 506 is connector 518, which mates with connector 516 on body 502. Although connector 518 is shown as a quick-connect connector, connector 518 may be a hook-and-loop connector, a button, snap, or other type of connector without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
As shown in
Plate 522 may be of a malleable or moldable plastic or other material, such as a thin sheet of metal, etc., such that plate 522 can be shaped to form and/or form-fit to the shape of highback 208. Although shown in a planar side view in
Side strap 512, when coupled with ring 510, couples flap 504 to body 502 at one or more locations. As side strap(s) 512 are tightened, a portion of body 502 is more tightly coupled to the “outside” of highback 208. The “outside” of highback 208, as referred to herein, is a portion opposite the portion that the rider's boot contacts when the boot is coupled to the binding 200.
Strap 506 is placed along the inside of highback 208, and coupled to connector 516 via connector 518. Strap 506 is shown in
As can be seen from
In an aspect of the present disclosure, coupling 600 between body 502 and flap 504 may be arranged such that a pocket 602 may be formed. In such an aspect, pocket 502 may be separately selectively closed with another closure 508, or may be open to accept such items as a water bottle, map, or other items. Further, in another aspect of the present disclosure, a second plate 604 may be located in body 502 or in pocket 602, to assist in the coupling of the body 502 to the highback 208. Such coupling may aid in minimizing and/or reducing the movement of any mass of items in body 502.
Taking
When connector 518 has been passed around heelcup 212, connector 518 may be placed in a position to connect to connector 516 such that strap 506 creates a “V” shape around canting device 210. To illustrate the “wrap around” feature of strap 506, which is also shown in
Further, plate 604 (shown in phantom view in one possible embodiment of the present disclosure, as body 502 is not shown) may be shaped and/or placed within body 502 to aid body 502 in avoiding interference with canting device 210. Plate 604 may be shaped, the material used for plate 604 may be specified, and/or a thickness of plate 604 may be selected to aid pouch 500 in avoiding interference with canting device 210.
As described above, strap 506 may be attached to gusset 514 and/or other portions of body 502, depending on the size and location of pouch 500. For example, in an aspect of the disclosure, pouch 500 may comprise a “saddle” shaped body 502 with two lobes, similar to the shape of plate 604 shown in
Plate 522, as a contoured and/or malleable feature of the present disclosure, allows a snowboard boot to highback 208 connection to retain its intended geometry, and allows for secure connection between pouch 500 to highback 208 vis-à-vis strap 506 and side strap(s) 512. Further, plate 522, and, optionally, plate 604, allows for a more stable attachment for pouch 500, allowing for a larger volume of pouch 500, additional weight capacity of pouch 500, and more stability of any weight carried in pouch 500 while snowboarding. The contour and/or conforming ability of plate 522 also allows for familiar entry and exit of the boot with binding 200.
Plate 522, may employ a moldable material, e.g., Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), acrylic polyvinylchloride (PVC), and/or other thermomolded materials, and/or may employ fabrics, stiffeners, plastics, metals, and/or other materials without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Plate 522, in some aspects of the present disclosure, allows for molding and/or contouring of plate 522 to individual rider's boots and highback 208 shapes. Materials may be employed for plate 522 such that plate 522 maintains and/or retains the contours of an individual rider's boots and highback 208 shapes. Strap 506, alone and/or in conjunction with a designed shape of plate 604, allow for operation of canting device 210 while pouch 500 is installed.
Various materials may be employed for flap 504, body 502, and strap 506. Nylon, cotton duck, leather, and/or other materials of a durable nature that can be employed in the scenarios commonly encountered in snowboarding may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Further, additional pockets may also be added onto body 502 as desired without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
Although the present disclosure and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the technology of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. For example, relational terms, such as “above” and “below” and/or “inside” and “outside” are used with respect to a specific device. Of course, if the device is inverted, above becomes below, and vice versa. Additionally, if oriented sideways, above and below may refer to sides of a device. Further, reference to “first” or “second” instances of a feature, element, or device does not indicate that one device comes before or after the other listed device. Reference to first and/or second devices merely serves to distinguish one device that may be similar or similarly referenced with respect to another device.
Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular configurations of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding configurations described herein may be utilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.
The description of the disclosure is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to those reasonably skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be limited by the examples presented herein, but is envisioned as encompassing the scope described in the appended claims and the full range of equivalents of the appended claims.
The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Patent Application No. 62/124,624, entitled “Storage Pouch for Attachment to Snowboard Binding Heel Plate,” filed Dec. 28, 2014, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62124624 | Dec 2014 | US |