Patent Grant
11986724
The invention generally relates to converting independent skis into a mono-board with functional capabilities of a snowboard.
Inventions in the field typically fall into two categories: a coupling device turning skis into a forward-facing mono-ski, or a snowboard split in half to adapt independent platforms for increased non-riding maneuverability. Both categories have functional purposes for their designs, namely, the mono-ski is for a style of skiing where a user is facing forward, with an orientation of a user's foot also facing forward. The splitboard operates mainly to allow a user to access areas that are not serviced by ski lifts, where the use of cross-country skis would allow a user faster traverse of the landscape.
A splitboard is a type of snow sport equipment that combines the features of a snowboard and snow skis. Splitboards can be operationally separated into two splitboard skis or coupled to create a unitary snowboard. Some users operate the splitboard as separate splitboard skis, known as touring mode, when climbing uphill or cross-country skiing. Users also operate the splitboard as a joined snowboard, known as riding mode, when gliding downhill slopes.
Patents, such as U.S. Pat. No. 8,708,371 to Richard Balun, titled “Reconfigurable Snowboard/Downhill Skis” attempt to combine skis and snowboards into a new product. However, the embodiments shown and described would fail to produce a device capable of both snowboarding maneuvers, and techniques employed while downhill skiing on alpine skis. Thus, the availability of activities able to be accomplished on Balun's board are limited to those of a snowboard. Further, Balun's device is also coupled the two platforms at the tip and tail, which would increase vibrations in the board causing issues with seamless gliding needed to achieve proper emulation of both skiing and snowboarding.
Thus, there exists a need in the industry for a device that is capable of combining skis that are capable of operating with the capabilities of a snowboard, but are independently capable of operating as downhill skis. Further, it is also a need in the industry for a device that is capable of combining “off-the-shelf” downhill skis into an emulation snowboard that is capable of quick conversion and operation as either, that may use currently available skis, bindings, and the like, but still provide features of both winter activities.
The current invention seeks to fill this gap in the industry with the invention as shown and described herein.
Provided is a system and configuration of a pair of skis to perform as an emulation snowboard. The system includes a pair of skis, and a coupling device including a platform having an upper planar surface with a plurality of mounting locations wherein each mounting location is configured to receive a mounting system. The mounting system couples the skis together and provides a surface on which a pair of bindings may be affixed. Each mounting system is configured to affix the platform to a pair of skis thereby forming the pair of skis into an emulation snowboard, wherein the platform combines each ski in the pair of skis in parallel allowing each ski to flex independent of each other. The platform includes a plurality of binding apertures, whereby the apertures are configured for receiving mounting screws for snowboard bindings.
Further provided is a method for converting a pair of skis into a mono board for emulation of snowboarding. The method comprises providing a pair of skis, removing a ski binding from each ski in the pair of skis, if a binding is installed on either ski in the pair of skis, providing a platform with a mounting system, utilizing the mounting system to affix the platform to each ski in the pair of skis, and attaching a pair of snowboard bindings to the platform.
It is an object of the invention to provide a multi-use snow sport system that is capable of emulating maneuvers of a snowboard, but also may be deconstructed into operable downhill skis.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a system capable of calibration to emulate both a convex and concave snowboard through manipulation of the hardware in the mounting system.
It is yet further an object of the invention to provide a system capable of quick construction and deconstruction of the device for a fast transition from skis to an emulation snowboard, and back into skis.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a system that reduces unwanted vibrations that affect performance of the snow device.
It is additionally an object of the invention to provide a system that couples two skis, but allows for flex between the mounting points to provide for proper radial turning.
It is yet further an object of the invention to provide a platform capable of slight flex that is also torsionally rigid.
The above and yet other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the hereinafter set forth Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description of the Invention, and Claims appended herewith.
The present invention provides a solution to coupling a pair of skis to form a mono-board, with a capability of maneuvering equivalent to maneuvering accomplished on a snowboard, thereby resulting in an emulation snowboard, as shown herein in
The invention described herein is for a platform to couple off-the-rack alpine skis using a configurable mounting system that is adaptable for different riding styles and emulates riding a snowboard. The platform is also configured to receive snowboard bindings to allow proper stance when riding the device.
A user may convert the skis to an emulation snowboard by removing the bindings, if a pair of bindings is installed. The bindings are removed rather than incorporated because, among other things, bindings would increase height, which could make the system more top heavy which could affect the feel as an emulation snowboard. Without the bindings on the skis, the user may attach mounting brackets to the holes of the skis or attach the platform directly to the ski. While appropriate holes will likely be present in skis that have been used with bindings, new skis may require a user to drill new holes. In some embodiments, a race plate or similar plate may be added. The race plate allows the natural flexibility of the ski to remain unimpeded by any rigidity of the platform, even though the platform itself will have some flexibility. When the platform is affixed to the skis, whether directly or by a bracket or race plate, a rider may attach snowboard bindings to apertures in the platform for a natural snowboard feel.
The platform can be affixed to the skis in in different configurations, but in the illustrated embodiment, the user will affix the platform using a mounting system recessed into the platform, as may be seen in
Another important feature of the illustrated embodiment is the use of slider blocks. These slider blocks are included within the mounting system but affect the different orientations of the skis when attached to the platform, shown in
Typical snowboards receive pressure on the board from carving in the snow, which limits excessive vibration. Because the skis are independent, but for the platform, vibration is also a potential issue. When a user shifts his weight and pivots the emulation snowboard to carve, one ski grips the snow while the other is suspended in the air. The ski suspended in the air does not receive consistent external pressure, and oscillations caused by internal tension as well as air pressure may cause vibrations that could affect performance. To solve this problem, the illustrated device includes vibration dampers that attach to the platform, and place pressure on the top surface of the ski. The vibration dampers may be seen in
When a user wishes to convert the emulation snowboard back into a pair of skis, the user simply detaches the platform, and reinstalls the ski bindings. Unlike inventions that require a specialized board, the device disclosed herein incorporates a regular pair of skis. This allows the user to use the skis as both an emulation snowboard, and a pair of skis, with all the operation and maneuverability of the respective snow sport, including downhill skiing/snowboarding. This feature sets the current invention apart from any known device. That is, no other device can operate as both a snowboard and a pair of skis without significant limitations on operation of one or both sports. Further, the use of a platform allows for independent adjustment of each ski below, which modifies the characteristics and angulation of the ski independently.
The above-described embodiment of the invention is shown in
References to the terms “bolts” and “screws” may be made interchangeably, and are equivalents of each other, as a user may use either a bolt or screw depending on the application.
An exemplary embodiment is shown in
In some embodiments, for structural support, the platform 100 includes an underside 162 with at least one support beam 164 and cross-bracing 166 formed into the platform 100, wherein the cross-bracing 166 forms an exoskeletal structure. This may be appreciated in
In some embodiments, the platform 100 also includes a plurality of recessed cavities 174/176a/176b/176c for the mounting system, as shown in
The sidewalls 140 in the platform 100 have a series of sidewall apertures 142 therein for the insertion of the shoulder bolt 126. The shoulder bolt 126 extends through a series of apertures therein. These apertures include a sidewall aperture 142, apertures in the sidewalls 1748a/178b of the cavities 176a/176b/176c, a first slider block 132, through a channel 120 of the mounting bracket 112, and through a second slider block 132 fixing to a threaded opening 148 formed into the platform 100.
In addition to the above-described mounting system 104, other methods, such as implementation of a vertically adjustable bolt that independently raises and lowers each mounting location 104, may be employed. This would allow a mounting bolt to be tightened or loosened by a professional to calibrate the feel to a user's preferences or skill, and to raise and lower certain positions of the platform 100. However, such a system may not provide for front to back slidability for increased flexibility as the exemplary embodiment provides.
In the exemplary embodiment, the mounting system 104 includes a mounting bracket 112, as described above, having a plate 114 with a plurality of apertures 116 therein for bolts or screws that, when inserted, affix the mounting plate 114 to a plurality of ski 200 connection locations 118. The mounting bracket 112 of the mounting system 104 further includes a pair of upward protrusions 122 on the upper surface of the mounting bracket 112, creating a channel 120 therebetween for containing a shoulder bolt 126. This channel 120 may be one size or may vary in size to be elongated to allow forward to back travel of the shoulder bolt 126. This would be important to allow slidable movement of the bolt 126 thereby allowing the skis 200 to flex because they would not be limited by stiffness of the platform 100.
Threaded apertures 124 are included at the top surface 152 of each of the protrusions 122 for complemental engagement with locking bolts 154 that, when inserted through the slider lock 130, affix the slider lock 130 to the mounting bracket 112, and therein, enclosing the channel 120 in the bracket 112 and center cutout 150 in the slider lock to contain the shoulder bolt 126. The slider lock 130 is affixable to the upward protrusions 122 on the mounting bracket 112 by insertion of the locking bolts 154 through a pair of apertures 156 in the slider lock 130 and secured to the threaded apertures 124 in the top surface 152 of the upward protrusions 122.
The slider lock 130, has center cutout 150, and channel 151, wherein the center cutout 150 is configured for the insertion of the shoulder bolt 126, whereby the slider lock 130 bridges a gap between a top 152 of the upward protrusions 122 of the mounting bracket 114 thereby closing off the channel 120 for containment of the shoulder bolt 126. This contains the shoulder bolt 126 vertically, but depending on the channel 120, may allow front to back slidability. In some embodiments, one set (of channels 120 in brackets 114), front or back, is elongated, and the remaining set (of channels 120 in brackets 114) is a single-spaced channel. That is, with some brackets, the channel created between the upward protrusions in the mounting brackets is spaced apart from one another to allow the shoulder bolt a distance of travel, whereby the traveling of the bolt allows the pair of skis the ability to flex beyond the degree of flex of the platform, whereby the flex allows precise emulation of a snowboard, whereby the channel allows each ski in the pair of skis to flex independently from one another. This difference in channel size can be particularly seen in
In the exemplary embodiment, a pair of slider blocks 132 for each mounting bracket 112 are included. The slider blocks 132 are parallel to the slider lock 130 in separate recesses 176a/176b/176c; one recess 176c to the inside and one recess 176a to the outside. Each slider block 132 contains an aperture 134 in its broad side 136 extending through the slider block 132. While some embodiments may have an aperture 134 in the direct center, most embodiments will have a vertically off-centered aperture 134 that allows for multiple configurations of the orientation of the skis 200. The aperture 134 may be vertically asymmetrical, that is, the aperture 134 is not in the vertical center, thereby providing an offset that, when the slider block is flipped, toggles the feel of the system between a convex emulated snowboard to a concave emulated snowboard.
The plurality of recessed cavities 176a/176b/176c can be further defined as four mounting locations 106 on the platform 100. Each mounting location 106 includes a series of three parallel cavities 176a/176b/176c separated by a pair of dividers 178a/178b. Slider blocks 132 are inserted into two outer cavities 176a/176c per mounting location 106 and a slider lock 130 is inserted into a center cavity 176b per mounting location 106. Each mounting 106 location corresponds with a location of a ski connection location 118. That is, the location 106 of the mounting system 104 of the platform 100 lines up with a location 118 on the skis 200 wherein the mounting system 104 can engage and affix to the skis 200. The plurality of ski connection locations 118 defines four locations, whereby two locations exist per ski 200.
In some embodiments, the plurality of ski connection points 118 defines a connection directly between each ski 200 and the mounting brackets 112, wherein each mounting bracket 112 is coupled to each ski 200 connection point 118. In other embodiments, including embodiments where increase radial turning is desired, an intermediary plate 180 may be located between the mounting bracket 112 and each ski 200. In some embodiments, intermediary plate 180 located between the mounting bracket and each ski 200 may be a race plate. The race plate 180 may be configured to provide additional flexibility for radial turning, wherein the race plate 180 allows the platform 100 the ability to remain stiff while the skis 200 are allowed a degree of flex under the platform 100. The race plate 180 may include a plurality of mounting apertures 182 for complemental connection with a plurality of mounting screws 184, whereby the race plate 180 is secured to the ski 200 by screwing the race plate 180 down, and the mounting bracket 112 is affixed to the race plate 180 by tightening screws 184 though the apertures 116 of the mounting bracket 112 to threaded apertures 182 on the race plate 180.
To provide for shock absorption and vibration damping, some embodiments include a pair of snow sticks 186/188 per ski 200, as shown in
In an exemplary embodiment for a method for converting a pair of skis 200 into a mono board for emulation of snowboarding, the steps include: providing a pair of skis 200, removing a ski 200 binding from each ski 200 (if a binding is installed on either/each ski), providing a platform 100 with a mounting system 104, utilizing the mounting system 104 to affix the platform 100 to each ski 200, and attaching a pair of snowboard bindings 110 to the platform 100.
The method further continues with the steps of providing a plurality of mounting bolts (not shown, but should be appreciated as a standard screw or bolt) configured to pass through the apertures 116 in the mounting brackets 112 and engage with the holes 182 in the pair of skis 200 or racing plate 180, and the method includes affixing each of the four mounting brackets 112 to the skis 200 or race plate 182. Each ski 200 receives a pair of mounting brackets 112 that are fastened to the skis 200 by the plurality of mounting screws (not shown, but should be understood as a standard screw or bolt) inserted through the apertures 116 in the mounting brackets 112 and engaged with the holes 182 in the pair of skis.
The method further continues by the steps of aligning the platform 100 to the mounting brackets 112. The platform 100 is configured to include a plurality of mounting locations 106, wherein each mounting location 106 corresponds to a location of each of the mounting brackets 112 and each mounting location 106 having a series of three recesses 176a/176b/176c, whereby a center recess 176b in the series of three recesses is configured to align with the protrusions 122 on each mounting bracket 112.
Next, the method includes inserting a pair of slider blocks 132, including a first slider block (see outer slider block 132) and a second slider block (see inner slider block 132), into outer recesses 176a/176c relative to an inner recess 176c in the three recesses 176a/176b/176c in each mounting location 106. Each slider block 132 includes a horizontal aperture 134 in its broad side 136 extending through each of the slider blocks 132.
Further, the method provides the steps of inserting a series of shoulder bolts 126 into apertures 142 in sidewalls 138 of the platform 100, wherein the platform 100 is configured to have four sidewall 138 apertures 142 each corresponding to a mounting location 106. The shoulder bolt 126 extends through: the sidewall aperture 142, the horizontal aperture 134 in the first slider block 132, the first divider wall 178b, the channel between 120 the protrusions 122 on the mounting bracket 112, the second divider wall 178a, the horizontal aperture 134 in the second slider block 132, and the threaded opening 148 in the inner sidewall of the innermost recess 176c of the mounting location 106.
Next, the method includes the steps of providing a plurality of slider locks 130, each corresponding with a mounting bracket 112, and configured to have a center channel 150 for complemental insertion of the shoulder bolt. Each slider block 132 has a pair of apertures 156 corresponding with each of the protrusions 122 in the mounting brackets 112.
The method also provides for aligning apertures 156 on the slider lock 130 to the threaded apertures 124 in the top surface 152 of the protrusions 122 in the mounting brackets 112, and aligning the center channel 150 of the slider lock 130 to the center channel 120 of the mounting brackets 112, providing a pair of locking bolts 128/154 per slider lock 130, and inserting the locking bolts 128/154 through each aperture 156 in the slider lock 130 and securing the locking bolts 128/154 to the threaded apertures 124 in the protrusions 122 in the mounting brackets 112.
In some embodiments, the platform 100 with a mounting system 104 in the step of providing a platform 100 with a mounting system 104 further includes the structure as described in the exemplary embodiment above, and as shown in
In some embodiments, the pair of skis 200 in the step of providing a pair of skis 200 is a pair of shaped skis. This provides a particular benefit because shaped skis may be purchased off the shelf, or may already be in the possession of a user, and thus, the invention does not require a specialized pair of skis.
In some embodiments, the step for utilizing the mounting system 104 to affix the platform 100 to each ski 200 further includes placing the skis 200 in a parallel orientation, drilling a plurality of holes 182 in each ski 200 in the pair of skis 200, and providing four mounting brackets 112. Each mounting bracket 112 includes mounting apertures 116 configured to align with the plurality of drill holes 182 in the pair of skis 200. Each mounting bracket 112 includes a pair of protrusions 122 on an upper surface 152 thereby creating a channel 120 therebetween. Each protrusion 122 includes a threaded aperture 124 on its upper surface 152.
In some embodiments, the method further includes configuring the platform 100 to perform like a convex snowboard by flipping an orientation of the pair of outermost slider blocks 132, closest to the sidewall 138, to have the aperture 134 in its broad side 136 closer to a bottom surface and the pair of innermost slider blocks 132 to have the aperture 134 in its broad side 136 closer to a top surface. This will result in the performance as a convex snowboard. As may be seen in
In some embodiments, the method further includes the step of configuring the mounting system 104 to precisely emulate the turning mechanics of a snowboard by providing for increased flexibility of the emulated snowboard. This includes configuring a pair of mounting brackets 112 to have an elongated channel 120 therein to accommodate front to back movement of the shoulder bolt 126. In some embodiments, a front pair of brackets 112 may have an elongated channel 120, and in some embodiments a rear pair of brackets 112 may have an elongated channel 120. In some embodiments, the front pair of mounting brackets 112 have a standard channel 120 if the rear mounting brackets 112 have an elongated channel 120, and in some embodiments, the rear mounting brackets 112 have a standard channel 120 if the front mounting brackets 112 have an elongated channel 120. This further includes configuring a complemental pair of slider locks 130 to have an elongated channel 150, as shown in
In some embodiments, when an intermediary plate 180 is not already attached to the ski 200, the method further includes the step of attaching an intermediary plate 180 to each ski 200 prior to affixing the platform 100 to the skis 200. This step, for each intermediary plate 180, includes providing an intermediary plate 180 with a plurality of apertures 182 for mounting the intermediary plate 180, drilling mounting holes in each ski 200 in the pair of skis 200 (if holes are not already existing), mounting the intermediary plate 180 to each ski 200 in the pair of skis 200 by aligning holes 182 in the intermediary plate 180 to the mounting holes in the skis 200, and securing a threaded bolt 184 through the aperture 182 into the mounting holes in the skis 200. In some embodiments, the intermediary plate 180 may be a race plate 180, configured to provide additional flexibility for radial turning, wherein the race plate 180 allows the platform 100 the ability to remain stiff while the skis 200 are allowed a degree of flex.
In some embodiments, the method further provides for including a pair of ski sticks 186/188 for each platform 100. Each ski stick 186/188 is configured to attach a forward end of the platform 100 to a forward end of each ski, 200 and attach a rear end of the platform 100 to a rear end of each ski 200. The ski sticks 186/188 provide stiffness to each ski 200 to prevent over flexing and encourage vibration damping.
In some embodiments, the method further includes configuring the platform 100 for structural rigidity by forming cross bracing 166 into an underside 162 of the platform 100. Further, to prevent snow buildup, a user may take the additional step of fastening a plate 170 to a centerline 172 of the cross bracing 166.
In some embodiments, the step of utilizing the mounting system 104 to affix the platform to each ski 200 further includes placing the skis 200 in a parallel orientation and providing four mounting brackets 112. Each mounting bracket 112 includes mounting apertures 116 configured to align with the plurality of threaded apertures 182 in each of the intermediary plates 180. Further, each mounting bracket 112 includes a pair or protrusions 122 on an upper surface 152 thereby creating a channel 120 therebetween, wherein each protrusion 122 includes a threaded aperture 124 on its upper surface 152. In addition, the step includes providing a plurality of mounting bolts (not shown) configured to pass through the apertures 116 in the mounting brackets 112 and engage with the threaded apertures 182 in the intermediary plates 180. Further, the step includes affixing each of the four mounting brackets 112 to the intermediary plates 180, wherein each ski 200 received a pair of mounting brackets 112 that are bolted to each of the intermediary plates 180 by the plurality of mounting bolts (not shown) inserted through the apertures 116 in the mounting brackets 112 and engaged with the holes 182 in intermediary plates 180. Next, the step includes aligning the platform 100 to the mounting brackets 112. The platform 100 is configured to include a plurality of mounting locations 106. Each mounting location 106 corresponds to a location of each of the mounting brackets 112 and each mounting location 106 having a series of three recesses 176a/176b/176c, whereby a center recess 176b in the series of three recesses 176a/176b/176c is configured to align with the protrusions 122 on each mounting bracket 112. Next, the method step provides for inserting a pair of slider blocks 132, including a first slider block 132 and a second slider block 132, into outer recesses 176a/176c in the three recesses 176a/176b/176c in each mounting location 106. Each slider block 132 includes a horizontal aperture 134 in its broad side 136 extending through each of the slider blocks 132, a user may continue the process by inserting a series of shoulder bolts 126 into apertures 142 in sidewalls 138 of the platform 100. The platform 100 is configured to have four sidewall apertures 142 each corresponding to a mounting location 106, wherein the shoulder bolt 126 extends through the sidewall aperture 142, then the horizontal aperture 136 in the first slider block 132, then the first divider wall 178b, then the channel 120 between the protrusions 122 on the mounting bracket 112, then the second divider wall 178a, then the horizontal aperture 134 in the second slider block 132, and then into the threaded opening 148 in an inner sidewall of an innermost recess 176c of the mounting location 106. The method step also includes providing a plurality of slider locks 130, each corresponding with a mounting bracket 112, and configured to have a center channel 150 for complemental insertion of the shoulder bolt 126, and each slider lock 130 having a pair of apertures 156 corresponding with threaded apertures 124 of each of the protrusions 122 in the mounting brackets 112. Next the method includes aligning the apertures 156 on the slider lock 130 to the threaded apertures 124 in the top surface 152 of the protrusions 122 in the mounting brackets 112, and aligning the center channel 150 of the slider lock 130 to the center channel 120 of the mounting brackets 112. The method step in this embodiment may be completed by providing a pair of locking bolts 154 per slider lock 130, and inserting the locking bolts 154 through each aperture 156 in the slider lock 130 and securing the locking bolts 154 to the threaded apertures 124 in the protrusions 122 in the mounting brackets 112.
While there has been shown and described above the preferred embodiment of the instant invention it is to be appreciated that the invention may be embodied otherwise than is herein specifically shown and described and that certain changes may be made in the form and arrangement of the parts without departing from the underlying ideas or principles of this invention as set forth in the Claims appended herewith.
This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of provisional patent application Ser. No. 63/133,566, Filed Jan. 4, 2021, all of which are incorporated by reference in its entirety.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20230097209 A1 | Mar 2023 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63133566 | Jan 2021 | US |
