BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of the bottom surface of the snowboard of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the snowboard showing a cross sectional view from the aspect of the nose end of the snowboard.
FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the snowboard having exit holes for snow and ice channeled along the bottom of the snowboard.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Directing attention to FIG. 1, there is shown bottom surface 12 of snowboard 10 having a plurality of features of the present invention. Bottom surface 12 includes first raised area 14, which in the preferred embodiment is located substantially under the forward boot binding on the top side of snowboard 10. Second raised area 16, in the preferred embodiment, is located substantially under the rear boot binding on the top side of snowboard 10. Connecting raised area 18 joins first raised area 14 to second raised area 16, and forms a divider that separates snow underneath snowboard 10 and guides it through channels 20, 22. In some embodiments, connecting area 18 extends no farther than between first raised area 14 and second raised area 16, as shown in FIG. 1, connecting raised area can extend beyond first raised area 14 and second raised area 16 to form a central rail protruding from bottom surface 12. While in the preferred embodiment, first raised area 14 and second raised area 16 are substantially circular shapes that protrude downward from bottom surface 12 and can be somewhat spherical, they also can be shaped as shown in FIG. 1 to streamline the diversion of snow between and along channels 20, 22. Channels 20, 22 in the preferred embodiment are concave, longitudinal channels formed in bottom surface 12. The side of channel 20 and edge 26 define edge rail 28, and the side of channel 21 and edge 30 define edge rail 32. As shown in FIG. 2, snowboard 10 includes a trimaran design, in which there are three runners or rails supporting snowboard 10, defined by edge rail 28 on one side, the combination of first raised area 14, second raised area 16, and connecting raised area 18 as the central rail, and edge rail 32 on the other side. Snow displaced by these rails is directed through channels 20, 22. While in the preferred embodiment connecting area 18 is disposed between raised areas 14, 16, in an embodiment, connecting area 18 may be utilized in a design without any other raised areas, such as raised areas 14, 16.
In an embodiment, channels 20, 22 include apertures 21, 23, respectively, through which snow passing through channels 20, 22 exit. Directing attention to FIG. 3, apertures 21, 23 are positioned such that snow passes through them, thus reducing the drag or resistance of the portion of bottom surface 12 that is located between apertures 21, 23 and tail end 24. In an embodiment, apertures 21, 23 have forward edge 25 and read edge 27, both of which are oriented at acute angles with respect to the plane defining bottom side 12. When operated at sufficient speed, snow exiting from apertures 21, 23 is ejected upward in a substantially vertical direction with respect to bottom surface 12, creating a plume or rooster tail that is not only aesthetic, but also exerts a downward pressure on tail end 24 of snowboard 10. This is effective to reduce vibration or chatter experienced in the tail end when passing over a hardpacked snow or ice. The plume or rooster tail generated by snowboard 10 is also effective for teaching other riders to maintain a safe distance from snowboard 10. In an embodiment, diverters may be placed over apertures 21, 23 to divert the plumes, such as to a desired degree to left or right, elevational configuration, apart from each other, etc. Connection of diverters to snowboard 10 can incorporate the connection technique of edge guard 34.
Returning to FIG. 2, in an embodiment, edge guard 34 is attached to edge 26 and edge guard 36 is attached to edge 30 to protect snowboard 10 from impacts such as collisions with obstacles and general wear and tear associated with transporting and storing snowboard 10. Edge guards 34, 36 are flexible, extruded pieces of material, such as plastic or rubber, and include a key 38 that feeds into channel 40. Channel 40 is formed in edges 30 and 32 and receives edge guards 34, 36. In an embodiment, edge guards 34, 36 can be made from sufficiently flexible material to allow them to be pressed or hammered into channel 40. Also in an embodiment, removable nose guard 42, also made from plastic, rubber or other durable material, can be secured on nose end 44, and hold edge guards 34, 36, in place. As shown in FIG. 1, edge guards 34, 36 can be shaped to provide channel 46 and edge rail 48. Edge guards having this profile can improve handling and steering characteristics for snowboard 10.
Because snowboard 10 is flexible in the preferred embodiment, additional stiffening of snowboard 10 can be obtained by placing stiffener 50 on top side 52. In the preferred embodiment, stiffener 50 is positioned above the central rail formed by connecting raised area 18 on bottom surface 12. There are several ways contemplated for attaching stiffener 50. In a simple embodiment, stiffener 50 incorporates flat sections that are secured between snowboard 10 and the rider's boot bindings that are attached to top side 52. In a preferred embodiment, stiffener 50 snaps into channels 54 that are formed in top side 52. Stiffener 50 can be offered in a variety of flexibilities, and selected based on snow conditions or simply by rider preference.
While a unitary snowboard has been described and illustrated in its best mode, it is to be understood that many changes can be made to the various embodiments of the invention without departing from the spirit thereof.
Patent Application
20070278753
