Patent Application
20060082089
THIS INVENTION relates to devices for recreational and competitive sporting pursuits. In particular, the present invention relates to a sports board for use by an operator in one or more sporting activities. More particularly, the invention is directed to a versatile sports board which can be used in a number of different pursuits. The invention is also directed to a versatile sports board that may be used as a training device and, preferably, a sports board which is lightweight, durable and adaptable to different applications.
Sports enthusiasts have long been known to use boards in a variety of different recreational pursuits. These pursuits have included snowboarding, wherein a participant mounts a snowboard and conducts a series of manoeuvres during a downhill run. It is also known to use sports boards on long sand hills. The sand islands of a number of countries are famous for providing excellent sporting runs with associated challenge and enjoyment for participants. Sports boards may also be formed as skateboards, wherein mobility is provided by a set of skateboard trucks often incorporating high quality and high technology wheel components to provide considerable speed and manoeuvrability in operation.
It is further known to use boards as an alternative for skis when towed behind a powerboat. The boards provide a support device which again is manoeuvrable and allows an operator to track directly behind a boat or swerve from side to side across the boat's wake.
Snowboards, for example, have a similar construction to that of snow skis usually with wood or foam cores, vertical or horizontal lamination, carbon and kevlar reinforcement, varied flex patterns, steel wrapped around the edges, protected tips and tails and other components. There are basically two types of boards that are used depending on the style of snowboarding that will be undertaken. Free riding is the more downhill oriented side of the sports, but free style is usually a higher profile, competitive-type pursuit.
These snowboards normally have bindings for attachment of feet to the board. The bindings often are a base plate with ratcheting straps. The bindings do not release like ski bindings, as the feet need to be secured to the board when in motion.
Typically, a snowboard is constructed in a number of layers of different material. On the bottom is often a layer of UHMW (Ultra High Molecular Weight) polyethylene. The base is usually surrounded by steel edges so the board will dig into the snow when turning. Next, a layer of fibreglass or fibreglass reinforced plastic is applied and this provides stiffness and strength to the board. This is followed by the core which is usually wood or foam with sets of metal inserts needed to mount bindings. Another layer of fibreglass lays on top of the core and the top layer is a protective plastic layer called a top sheet. The layers are usually bonded together with an adhesive or glue that holds them together and is usually in the form of an epoxy resin. The structure is therefore a relatively complex arrangement which takes a considerable amount of time and effort, particularly as each layer of snowboard is usually positioned in a mould before the epoxy resin is cured by the application of heat over a period of time. Additionally, a snowboard is usually only suitable for use as a snowboard.
A skateboard, on the other hand, is usually formed as a mono- or multi-layer and substantially planar deck with skateboard trucks attached fore and aft. The skateboard is restricted in use to operation as a skateboard. Neither conventional snowboards or skateboards are of any use in a water environment. Further, although skateboards may be used widely, sliding type boards are restricted to suitable environments such as snow and sand and cannot be utilised in other locations.
It would be beneficial to provide a single, versatile sports board which could be easily and cheaply constructed and, preferably, which could be used in more than one application and, preferably, more than one location.
It would also be of advantage if such a board was adapted to provide a training device for users.
Reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any country.
Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element or integer or group of elements or integers but not the exclusion of any other element or integer or group of elements or integers.
In a first aspect, the invention resides in a versatile sports board comprising:
a top deck adapted to support an operator;
a continuous side wall extending from the top deck; and
a bottom wall extending from the side walls;
wherein the top deck, side wall and bottom wall together define a central cavity containing gas and/or a lightweight reinforcing material.
The top deck, side walls and bottom wall are preferably integrally formed and may be moulded. The junction of the side wall and bottom wall is preferably formed as a rounded shoulder.
The sports board may be formed from fibreglass, graphite, Kevlar or even wood. It is preferred, however, if the sports board is formed of a plastic material.
The plastic material is preferably polyethylene and, most preferably, high density polyethylene such as UHMW polyethylene. In this specification, gas should be understood to include mixtures of gases.
The cavity may be air filled. Other gases may be used. A preferred gas is helium. Alternatively, the cavity may be filled, at least in part, with a lightweight reinforcing material such as polystyrofoam or expanded foam or similar.
The sports board preferably has an upwardly curved nose section continuous with a first surface recess adapted to receive a leading foot of an operator. The first surface recess may be continuous with a reinforced central region. The central region may be reinforced by thickened walls and/or an enlarged transverse circumference.
The central region may be continuous with a rearward top deck recess adapted to receive a trailing foot of an operator. The rearward recess may be continuous with an upwardly curved tail section. In one embodiment, the board is reversible in operation to interchange the nose and tail sections.
The nose and/or tail sections are preferably formed to be temporarily deformable, thereby providing variation of performing characteristics. After deformation, the nose and/or tail sections may gradually return to their original configuration due to inherent resilience of the material from which the board is constructed.
The sports board preferably has one or more strengthening ribs arranged longitudinally along its lower surface. The strengthening rib may be formed as a channel recessed into the bottom surface. Preferably, two spaced parallel channels are formed in the bottom surface. Each may be equally spaced either side of a central midline axis. Each channel may be formed with an inverted U shaped cross-section. The channels may extend substantially along the full length of the bottom wall.
The bottom wall may be slightly concave, particularly around the middle half of the board.
The board may further comprise foot restraint means. The foot restraint means may be removable. The foot restraint means may be formed as straps attached to the top deck. The straps may include hook and pile type fasteners for variable fixing of the straps to accommodate different sized feet. The foot restraint means may further comprise loops for positioning behind the ankles and to assist in control of the board during manoeuvres.
The sports board may be dimensioned sufficiently wide to act as a toboggan for operation by lying or sitting on the board. The sports board may include directional control reins or handles mounted to the front of the board.
The sports board may further comprise a curved recess formed centrally in the bottom wall and a separate base, the base having an upper curved structure dimensioned to fit into the curved recess to form a separable universal coupling.
Preferably, both the recess and upper structure are formed as complementary portions of spheres. The recess may be substantially hemispherical. The upper structure may be hemispherical but preferably is more ball-like. It may form around ¾ of a sphere supported upwardly on the base. The universal coupling may be suitable for static training purposes including practicing manoeuvres.
The sports board may further include mounting means for receiving a skateboard truck at both front and rear regions. The mounting means may comprise one or more threaded bores adapted to receive a bolt or other suitable fixing arrangement which, in turn, is engageable with the skateboard truck. Preferably, four threaded bores are provided for each skateboard truck. The sports board may further comprise caps or covers for location over the threaded bores when not in use with a skateboard truck.
In a further aspect, the invention resides in a system for operation of a sports board, the said system comprising a sports board as described above and sheeting material for overlaying a track surface, preferably a concrete track surface. The synthetic sheeting material is preferably formed as a perforate plastic material. Preferably, the plastic sheeting material is a polyethylene mesh and optionally a high density polyethylene mesh. The sheeting may be fibreglass or other synthetic material as appropriate. Any sheeting material that reduces friction with the sports board may be suitable. Plastic sheeting, shade cloth and tarpaulins may all be useful. Generally, it is preferred to use a mesh material to minimise function.
In order to provide a better understanding of the present invention, preferred embodiments will be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Referring to
Referring to
The hemispherical recess 20 is also seen in hidden detail. The surface recesses 30, 32 are in fact shallow concavities provided in the top deck to receive and partially localise the feet of an operator.
A base for use with the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in
The ball-like or hemispherical member 40 locates in the recess or socket 20 to provide a universal coupling which allows movement of the nose and tail regions of the board in the upward and downward direction 52 and rotationally in a plane parallel to the ground surface as shown by arrows 54. The board 10 may also pivot from the foreground to the background of the view shown, thereby providing movement in all three dimensions and enhancing the training utility of the present arrangement. This arrangement provides an operator with the chance to practice moves, improve balance and generally become accustomed to the function of the device. As an operator gains experience, he or she may be able to perform tricks while on the base, even to the point of kicking the board off the base into the air and then redirecting it onto the base to reform the universal coupling.
A further variation of a sports board 80 is shown in part-sectional view in
The advantages of the present invention are readily apparent in that a sports board is provided which may be used as one or more of a snowboard, a sand board, an earth or grass surfer, a skateboard and a toboggan. The device may be relatively cheaply formed and is preferably rotation moulded. The production may be accomplished by placing a weighed amount of plastic granules in a mould. The mould may then be “cooked” in a rotation oven to 240° C. for an appropriate time. The mould is then cooled, unloaded and trimmed. The dimensions may be any suitable range for the purpose intended. In one preferred embodiment, the board may be around 900 mm long with a top deck of approximately 170 mm width. The top deck may form a shoulder onto an outwardly curved side wall which has a depth of approximately 50 mm maximum and down to around 30 mm. The nose may kick up approximately 40 mm on the top surface and similar on the tail section. The nose and tail sections are preferably curved at their leading edge. The recesses may approximately 15 mm deep and the hemispherical recess may have a diameter of around 40 mm. It may be larger or smaller as needed.
The present invention may also be used in its training configuration for safe acquisition of riding skills.
Throughout the specification, the aim has been to describe the preferred embodiments of the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. Those of skill in the art will therefore appreciate that, in light of the instant disclosure, various modifications and changes can be made in the particular embodiments exemplified without departing from the scope of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be included within the scope of the appendant claims.
