U.S. patent application number 10/966129 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-04 for responsive transport board.
This patent application is currently assigned to Mervin Manufacturing, Inc.. Invention is credited to Steve Cobb, Mike Olson.
Application Number | 20060091645 10/966129 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36203408 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060091645 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cobb; Steve ; et
al. |
May 4, 2006 |
Responsive transport board
Abstract
A board for transporting humans, including snow skis, water
skis, snow skates and snow boards, wherein the side edges of the
board are made with an undulating surface, increasing the ability
to carve a turn by causing the edge to cut deeper into the
supporting surface.
Inventors: |
Cobb; Steve; (Seattle,
WA) ; Olson; Mike; (Port Angeles, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Robert A. Jensen;Jensen & Puntigam, P.S.
2033 6th Ave., #1020
Seattle
WA
98121
US
|
Assignee: |
Mervin Manufacturing, Inc.
Seattle
WA
|
Family ID: |
36203408 |
Appl. No.: |
10/966129 |
Filed: |
October 15, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
280/609 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63C 2203/46 20130101;
A63C 5/0405 20130101; A63C 17/018 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/609 |
International
Class: |
A63C 5/04 20060101
A63C005/04 |
Claims
1. A board, including an upper surface to support a person and a
lower surface to contact and glide over a support surface, said
board including a front end, a back end and a pair of sides,
wherein the sides include at least one undulation between the
ends.
2. A board as in claim 1, wherein the board is a snow board.
3. A board as in claim 1, wherein the board is a ski.
4. A board as in claim 1, wherein the undulations are continuous
and regular.
5. A board as in claim 1, wherein the undulations are separated by
straight portions.
6. A board as in claim 1, wherein the board is a snow skate.
7. A board as in claim 1, wherein the sides include at least three
undulations.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to boards supporting riders, and in
particular boards which are used for supporting humans as they
travel upon a supporting surface. The boards include skis, water
skis, snow skates, and snow boards and incorporate an undulating
edge to efficiently grip the supporting surface during a turn.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Skis and snow boards have traditionally had non-parallel
edges, including a wider portion at either or both the front or
rear of the sides, wherein as the rider moves the board to its edge
to turn, the rider's weight causes the board to flex, causing the
wider portion to dig into the snow, facilitating the turn. Further,
because a water ski board is used on a specific medium, i.e. water,
and the skis are relatively stiff, the same geometry does not come
into play. However, the rider of a water ski board likewise wants
the ski to efficiently carve a corner. Therefore, it is proposed
that the undulating edge would likewise function on a water ski to
assist in the turn.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is a goal of the present invention to provide a vehicle,
which is dependent upon sliding contact with the support surface to
transport a rider, with a means for more efficient cornering.
[0004] Yet another goal of the present invention is to provide a
surface upon a vehicle, which, when in contact with the supporting
surface, promotes cornering.
[0005] It is a further goal of the present invention to provide the
turning or downhill edge of a board with a scalloped or undulating
edge such that the leading edge of each scallop, because of the
angle of attack, knives more directly into the supporting surface
carving the turn. The relieved portion following each scallop
enhances the cutting edge of the following scallop. The net result
of the invention is to provide a series of interconnected cutting
edges, which bite deeper into the surface.
[0006] Still a further goal of the present invention is to modify
the turn-generating surface of a vehicle to cause more efficient
cornering.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a snow board incorporating
the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a side view of a snow board incorporating the
present invention.
[0009] FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a snowboard
incorporating the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a snowboard incorporating
the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 5 is an illustrative depiction of the interaction with
the supporting snow that the present invention is designed to
prevent.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a snow ski incorporating the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a second species of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a water ski incorporating the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a snow skate incorporating the present
invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0016] As seen in FIG. 1, a snow board 2 of substantially a
standard size having an upper portion including threaded bores 4
for mounting bindings, protruding ends 6 which are flared slightly
outwardly as at 8 and 10 and undulated side portions 12 and 14. It
is to be understood that the side portions 12, 14, although shown
with a specific number of undulations, is intended to be only
representative, and the number and size of undulations may be
varied to maximize performance. Further, as discussed later, the
undulations need not be continuous, but may be broken by straight
sections.
[0017] As best seen in FIG. 3, undulations on both sides 12 and 14
form a smooth transition from concave to convex along the entire
side of the board. It is to be understood that the outwardly flared
portion comprises a regular design to help a board carve a corner
and therefore the undulations and their reaction to the supporting
surface may in fact allow the flared portion to be reduced.
[0018] Reference is now had to FIG. 4, wherein it can be seen that
the elevational side view includes the top skin 20, core 22 and a
bottom metal edge 24 make the appearance much the same as expected
with a standard ski.
[0019] Referring now to FIG. 5, the board 2 with the trailing edge
14 is illustrated, showing the pattern that would be traced in the
snow as the board moves laterally during the corner run.
[0020] As can be seen in FIG. 6, the inventive principle is applied
to a snow ski having a smooth body portion 26, bindings 28, 30, tip
32 incorporating a flared portion 34 and an end portion 36; with a
flared portion 38, with the undulations extending the length of the
ski, as at 40.
[0021] FIG. 7 depicts the inventive concept wherein the concave
portions 42 are separated by straight portions 44.
[0022] FIG. 8 depicts the inventive concept on a water ski 46
having bindings 48 and serrated edges 50.
[0023] FIG. 9 shows a snow skate having an upper platform or deck
52 similar to a skateboard platform, having mounted to the lower
surface thereof a pair of substantially parallel bent metal
brackets 54, to which are mounted a shortened ski or skate 56,
having scalloped edges 58.
[0024] It is to be understood that although most illustrations show
a smooth scallop, variations may, in fact, be more effective in
some applications.
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