1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to snow-sport equipment and more specifically to a combination snowboard and downhill ski.
2. Introduction
A wide variety of riding products exist for mountain snow sport enthusiasts. Downhill skiing has a long history of innovation and a great variety of ski designs have been developed over the years. Generally downhill skis are substantially flat axial planks with a binding used to couple with a ski boot. Each axial side of the individual skis has a sharpened metal edge that gives the skier the ability to turn and control his speed during downhill descent. Oftentimes the axial side of the individual skis have a parabolic sidecut, meaning the tip and tail of the ski are wider then the middle of the axial distance. The parabolic shape gives the skier more control over turning because the sidecut naturally encourages parabolic motion downhill as a skier applies pressure to the given edge.
Like downhill ski technology, there are many solutions for cross-country skiing and backcountry/alpine trekking One common design feature for cross-country skiing and backcountry/alpine trekking skis include a binding that holds the toe of the boot securely in place while allowing the heel of the boot to rise and fall in a rhythmic motion. The rhythmic motion facilitates gliding as opposed to a marching motion that is used when snowshoeing.
More recently, snowboarding has enjoyed huge popularity and snowboard design has progressed steadily. Like downhill skis, snowboards are typically designed with substantially parabolic edges to facilitate turning. For functional and safety reasons, snowboards also typically employ bindings that semi-permanently hold the snowboarders boot to the board, forcing the rider to strap in and strap out of the bindings one or two feet when a rider wants to traverse flat or upward portions of the mountain or trail. Likewise, unstrapping one foot from a snowboard and “skating” eliminates the advantage of having a large surface area under a rider's feet, causing the rider's feet to sink into the snow and requiring more effort.
In addition to skis and snowboards for use in specific skiing/riding styles, splitboards, which allow use of a single device for more than one ski/ride style, have gained a somewhat recent popularity. A splitboard is a reconfigurable snowboard/alpine-trekking ski combination designed with various clasps and multi-purpose binding configurations to allow a user to physically split a snowboard down its length into two skis, reconfigure the bindings, and use the skis for cross country skiing or backcountry trekking However, splitboards do not have inside edges suitable for downhill skiing. Due to the lack of edges and a function-limiting straight inside edge, splitboard skis are unusable for downhill skiing.
Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or can be learned by practice of the herein disclosed principles. The features and advantages of the disclosure can be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or can be learned by the practice of the principles set forth herein.
Disclosed are various embodiments of a combination ski-snowboard device interchangeably configured in one of: a ski configuration comprising two skis each with both an inside and outside edge and a ski binding mounting systems, and in a snowboard configuration having two outside edges and two binding mounting systems.
Some embodiments involve a ski-snowboard combination device involving a first gliding board having and first edge having a substantially concave shape, a second gliding board having a first edge having a substantially concave shape, and a fastening device configured to reversibly affix the inside edge of the first gliding board to the inside edge of the second gliding board, thereby forming an opening with two convex sides.
In some embodiments, the ski-snowboard combination device comprises a ski binding mounting system coupled with each of the gliding boards and one half of a snowboard binding system, thereby allowing the ski-snowboard to be converted between ski and snowboard configurations.
In some embodiments, the ski binding mounting systems involve a bottom plate coupled with a gliding board, an aperture in the bottom plate, and a top plate having a disk disposed on the bottom-side surface of the top plate. The disk releasably couples with the aperture of the bottom plate and releases in the event of a threshold level of torque applied to the disk and a topside surface of the top plate is configured with a boot. In some embodiments, the bottom plate includes a torque-sensitive release mechanism, a set screw accessible from the outside of the bottom plate in mechanical communication with the torque-sensitive release mechanism and configured for adjusting the threshold torque, an release setting gauge visible from the outside of the bottom plate for displaying a quantified representation of the threshold torque.
In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the disclosure can be obtained, a more particular description of the principles briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the principles herein are described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
Various embodiments of the disclosure are discussed in detail below. While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations may be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
Disclosed is a gliding board that is adapted to split apart to become a pair of downhill skis and further adapted to come together to become a snowboard and which supports boots in both the skier position as well as the snowboarder's position. Some embodiments of the combination snowboard/skis include especially designed connection hardware that facilitates switching between snowboarding mode and skiing mode. Additionally, some embodiments include binding configurations designed to allow snowboarding mode, downhill skiing mode, cross-country skiing, and telemark (alpine touring) skiing.
The individual gliding boards 111, 112 each include two sharpened metal edges 111a, 111b, 112a, 112b. In some embodiments, all of the edges 111a, 111b, 112a, 112b comprise a substantially parabolic shape. In the snowboard configuration, edges 111a and 112a comprise the snowboard's outer edge configured to facilitate turning the snowboard. Also, the edges 111b and 112b form a small channel 160. In some embodiments, an insert (not shown) is configured to fill the channel 160 and couple with the gliding boards 111, 112. In some other embodiments, the one or both of the gliding boards 111, 112 are configured with a movable flange (not shown) to fill the channel 160.
In the snowboard configuration, the set of bindings 130, 140 were coupled with the combination snowboard/skis via a snowboard binding system comprising two snowboard binding plate systems 151, 152.
The snowboard binding plate systems 151, 152 are each configured with a sub-plate positioned substantially across from another sub-plate on each gliding board 111, 112, respectively. As shown, the snowboard binding plate systems 151 comprise sub-plates 151 a and 151b; likewise, the snowboard binding plate system 152 comprises sub-plates 152a and 152b. In some embodiments of the present technology, the position of the sub-plates 151a, 151b, 152a, and 152b are reconfigurable to allow individual riders to customize their binding positions. For example, in some embodiments, a series of drill holes (not shown) are drilled into the gliding boards 111, 112 and the sub-plates 151a, 151b, 152a, 152b coupled with the gliding boards 111, 112 via the drill holes in a plurality of combinations and arrangements. In some other embodiments, the sub-plates 151a, 151b, 152a, 152b are in a substantially fixed position and the rider tailors the riding position using a puck system in the sub-plates 151a, 151b, 152a, 152b or in the bindings themselves. Additionally, some embodiments of the present technology involve binding plate systems that are configured such that the binding system separates in the event of a threshold level of torque being applied, thereby causing the skier's/rider's feet to come free from the board(s) in circumstances that could cause injury to the rider.
In the ski configuration, the set of bindings 130, 140 are coupled with the combination snowboard/skis via the ski binding plate systems 121, 122.
In some embodiments of the present technology, the binding 200 is configured with a lockable calf back 216. The lockable calf back 216 can fold down for convenience and can lock in a rigid upright configuration. Additionally, the binding 200 can include a reconfigurable top strap 249 that can be positioned in a mid-ankle position (as shown) to hold a rider's boot in an ankle-flexing snowboard stance and positioned on the calf back 216 to hold a skier's boot in a high-ankle rigid ski stance.
As explained above, the combination snowboard/skis illustrated in
Gliding board 311 is configured with clips 316, 317 and gliding board 312 is configured with clips 316′, 317′, where clips 316, 316′ and clips 317, 317′ are configured to connect the gliding boards 311, 312 when in the snowboard configuration (illustrated below.)
As shown in
The individual gliding boards 311, 312 each include two sharpened metal edges 311a and 311b, 312a and 312b, respectively. In some embodiments, all of the edges 311a, 311b, 312a, 312b comprise a substantially parabolic shape.
The gliding boards 311, 312 are coupled in the snowboard configuration with clips 316, 317, 316′, and 317′. In some embodiments of the present technology, the tips and tails of the gliding boards 311, 312 are also coupled with each other with a jacket, clip, etc. As shown in
Next, the method 400 involves positioning the skis in a proper downhill configuration 410. For example, some embodiments involve swapping the position of the gliding boards relative to the axial length of the boards such that the curved portion of the tips and tails are positioned on the inside edge of the skier's stance, see
The method 450 begins with removing the bindings from the ski binding plate systems 452 and positioning the gliding boards into a snowboard configuration position 454. In cases using a structural and semi-circular jacket, the method 450 involves positioning the jacket 456 over the tips and tails of the gliding boards. Next, the method involves coupling the tip connector and tail connector 458, and coupling the ski connection clip pairings 460. Finally, the method 450 involves attaching the bindings to ski binding plate systems 462.
As explained above, some embodiments of the present technology involve binding plate systems that are reconfigurable and are configured such that the binding system separates in the event of a threshold level of torque being applied, thereby causing the skier's/rider's feet to come free from the board(s) in dangerous circumstances.
The disk (not shown) extending from the bottom surface of the top plate 510 is releasably coupled inside the aperture 525 of the bottom plate 520 via a plurality of pins 353. The bottom plate 520 also includes a release-setting gauge 530 that displays a setting for the currently selected torque threshold required to separate the disk from the aperture 525. The bottom plate 520 also includes a set screw (shown in
The feet strap 712 enables a rider boot to enter and exit the reconfigurable binding conveniently. In one embodiment, the feet strap 712 is hinged on one side of the reconfigurable binding and has a latch and hook on the other side of the reconfigurable binding. The latch and the hook enable the rider to tighten or shorten the length of the feet strap 712 to hold the rider boot securely. In other embodiment, the feet strap 712 includes a strap buckle which can be conveniently utilized to tighten the feet strap.
The reconfigurable binding 700 includes a binding base 702 mounted on the gliding board. The binding base includes opening 720 which is configured to receive a cotter pin that secures the reconfigurable binding 700 to the ski binding plate system 121, 122 in alpine touring ski mode. The binding base also includes opening 722, which is configured to receive a cotter pin that secures the reconfigurable binding 700 to two snowboard binding plate systems 151, 152.
The reconfigurable binding 700 includes side rails 704 underneath the reconfigurable binding 700. The side rails 704 are configured to slide into a plate rail on the gliding board, thereby coupling the reconfigurable binding 700 to the gliding board.
The reconfigurable binding 700 includes alpine touring connections 706A 706B. The alpine touring connection 706A is positioned in the front of the feet and includes opening 720. The alpine touring connection 706B is positioned in the heel area and engages onto the heel of the rider boot. The alpine touring connection 706B can comprise a series of pins and springs to engage with the movement of the heel of the rider. In alpine touring configuration, when the rider climbs or walks up the mountain, the pins can move along with the rider to disengage the heel of the rider from the binding base 702 for a great degree of freedom.
The reconfigurable binding includes opening 722 for holding the reconfigurable binding in place when the rider is using the reconfigurable binding as a split board. In this configuration a rider will place their boot into the reconfigurable binding. The binding is secured to two snowboard binding plate systems 151, 152 via side rails 704, and a pin that is received within opening 722. The pin also serves to secure the heel of the binding into a fixed position.
Reconfigurable binding is also configured to engage with a traditional alpine ski binding for times when a user doesn't want to use the alpine split board, but instead would like to use traditional alpine skies. In such instances it can be inconvenient to have to change from snowboarding boots into alpine ski boots. The reconfigurable binding 700 removes this impediment by functioning as an alpine ski boot itself. The alpine touring connection 706A has a front edge having a protruding shape to be received by a toe portion of a conventional alpine ski binding. The alpine touring connection 706A can be shaped as a toe-shaped to match a shape of the front portion of the ski boot. The rear portion of the alpine touring connection 706B is shaped to be configured to be received by a heel portion of a conventional alpine ski binding. In some embodiments, the height 705 for the front part of the alpine touring connection 706A is shorter than the height 707 of the rear part of the alpine touring connection 706B. This dimension is to be compatible with the traditional alpine ski boots.
The reconfigurable binding 700 can be further configured with a lockable shin wing 708 for “side to side” control in ski mode. The lockable shin wing 708 has a high back that wraps around the shin, thus the skier can have more lateral movement when making turns. The lockable shin wing 708 can fold down for convenience and can lock in a rigid upright configuration. When the skier makes left or right turns, the skier can lean on the lockable shin wing 708 as the entire lockable shin wing 708 will lean with the skier. The lockable shin wing 708 can give more coverage and leverage around shin.
A shin strap slot 714 can be coupled with the lockable shin wing 714 to give more support to the skier. The shin strap can come out of the shin strap slot 714 to have the lockable shin wing to be tightly fixed to the skier's shin. The shin strap can be positioned on a calf position to hold a skier's boot in a high-ankle rigid ski stance. The shin strap can be any elastic or stretchable band. The shin strap may be adhered to the other side of the shin strap by any velcroed material or clip. When the shin strap is not in use, the shin strap can remain in the inside of the lockable shin wing 714.
As described herein, the reconfigurable binding can be used with the alpine split board described herein when the alpine split board is in both split board mode (i.e., snow board configuration and ski mode). The reconfigurable binding is further adapted to be able to be received within a conventional downhill ski binding, wherein the reconfigurable binding functions as part of the rider's boot. Finally, the reconfigurable binding can further be used a binding for a traditional snowboard and alpine touring.
The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made to the principles described herein without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/751,007, filed on Jan. 25, 2013, entitled “Reconfigurable Snowboard/Downhill Skis” which claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/591,818, filed Jan. 27, 2012, entitled “Alpine Split Board” and U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/681,069, filed Aug. 8, 2012, entitled “Alpine Split Board,” both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61591818 | Jan 2012 | US | |
61681069 | Aug 2012 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 13751007 | Jan 2013 | US |
Child | 14263878 | US |