U.S. patent application number 12/454670 was filed with the patent office on 2009-11-26 for shock absorbing and energy return system for board sports.
This patent application is currently assigned to Quiche John Carpenter. Invention is credited to Quiche John Carpenter.
Application Number | 20090289439 12/454670 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41341524 |
Filed Date | 2009-11-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090289439 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Carpenter; Quiche John |
November 26, 2009 |
Shock absorbing and energy return system for board sports
Abstract
A skiing mechanism comprises an elongated board, a first plate
and a second spring plate, comprised of two separate & fastened
material(s), one continuous material, or one spring plate
integrated with board at manufacture. The first spring plate
includes an angled section with a first predetermined cant directed
toward the tip of the board. This angled section is separated from
the board by a first distance. Furthermore, the second spring
includes a section angled according to a second predetermined cant
directed toward the tail of the board. This section of the second
spring plate is separated from the board by a second distance.
Inventors: |
Carpenter; Quiche John;
(Bonsall, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
QUICHE JOHN CARPENTER
31916 DEL CIELO ESTE UNIT # 13
BONSALL
CA
92003
US
|
Assignee: |
Carpenter; Quiche John
Bonsall
CA
|
Family ID: |
41341524 |
Appl. No.: |
12/454670 |
Filed: |
May 21, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61055892 |
May 23, 2008 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
280/618 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63C 10/26 20130101;
A63C 10/16 20130101; A63C 10/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/618 |
International
Class: |
A63C 9/02 20060101
A63C009/02 |
Claims
1. A skiing mechanism comprising: an elongated board having a tip
and a tail; and a first spring plate coupled to the board, the
first spring plate including a first section attached to the board
and a second section angled from the first section according to a
first predetermined cant and directed toward the tip of the board,
the second section is separated from the board by a first distance;
and a second spring plate coupled to the board, the second spring
including a first section attached to the board and a second
section angled from the first section according to a second
predetermined cant and directed toward the tail of the board, the
second section is separated from the board by a second
distance.
2. The skiing mechanism of claim 1, wherein the board includes a
first set of mounting inserts for the first spring plate and a
second set of mounting inserts for the second spring plate.
3. The skiing mechanism of claim 2, wherein the first section of
the first spring plate includes a plurality of inserts and the
second section of the first spring plate includes a boot or foot
binding.
4. The skiing mechanism of claim 3, wherein a plurality of
fasteners are inserted through the plurality of inserts and
attached to the first set of mounting inserts.
5. The skiing mechanism of claim 1, wherein both of the first and
second predetermined cants are typically less than twenty
degrees.
6. The skiing mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a waterproof
material inserted within the first distance between a bottom side
of the second section of the first spring plate and a top surface
of the board.
7. The skiing mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first and second
spring plates are made of a flexible material having substantial
properties to return to its unloaded, steady-state position after
additional forces applied to the spring plates are
discontinued.
8. The skiing mechanism of claim 1, wherein a nominal thickness of
the first and second spring plates is sized to approximately
one-quarter of an inch when the spring plates are made of a
graphite composition and sized for an average weight rider.
9. A skiing mechanism comprising: an elongated board having a first
set of mounting inserts and a second set of mounting inserts
approximately equidistant from the first set of mounting inserts
and a tail of the board; a first spring plate coupled to the board,
the first spring plate including (i) a first section having a
plurality of inserts corresponding to the first set of mounting
inserts for attachment to the board, and (ii) a second section
angled from the first section according to a first predetermined
cant increasing in separation distance from the board; and a second
spring plate coupled to the board, the second spring including (i)
a first section having a plurality of inserts corresponding to the
second set of mounting inserts for attachment to the board and (ii)
a second section angled from the first section according to a
second predetermined cant and directed toward the tail of the
board, the second section is separated from the board by an
increasing distance.
10. The skiing mechanism of claim 9, wherein the second section of
the first spring plate includes a boot or foot binding.
11. The skiing mechanism of claim 10, wherein the second section of
the second spring plate includes a boot or foot binding.
12. The skiing mechanism of claim 10, wherein a plurality of
fasteners are inserted through the plurality of inserts and the
first set of mounting inserts.
13. The skiing mechanism of claim 11, wherein a plurality of
fasteners are inserted through the plurality of inserts and the
first set of mounting inserts.
14. The skiing mechanism of claim 9, wherein both of the first and
second predetermined cants are less than twenty degrees.
15. The skiing mechanism of claim 9 further comprising a waterproof
material inserted within the first distance between a bottom side
of the second section of the first spring plate and a top surface
of the board.
16. The skiing mechanism of claim 9, wherein the first and second
spring plates are made of a flexible material having substantial
properties to return to its unloaded, steady-state position after
additional forces applied to the spring plates are
discontinued.
17. Attached to a snowboard, a spring plate comprising: a first
section including a plurality of inserts corresponding to a first
set of mounting inserts placed within the snowboard; and a second
section angled from the first section according to a predetermined
cant increasing in separation distance from the snowboard, the
second section including a boot binding.
18. The spring plate of claim 17, wherein the predetermined cant is
approximately 10 degrees.
19. The spring plate of claim 17, wherein the first and second
sections are made of a flexible material having substantial
properties to return to its unloaded, steady-state position after
additional forces applied to the spring plate are discontinued.
20. The spring plate of claim 17 further comprising a plurality of
fasteners inserted through the plurality of inserts for attachment
to the first set of mounting inserts.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/055,892 filed on 23, May 2008.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to the field of sporting
equipment. More particularly, the present invention relates to a
binding attached to a ski mechanism that allows for increased
vertical jumping capability, reduced impact on the rider, and
overall performance enhancement.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Snowboards, wakeboards and similar devices are being used
with increasing popularity. A snowboard is a single-ski mechanism
that is typically longer than a skateboard, designed for riding on
snow. A wakeboard is a single-ski mechanism of similar size for
riding on water. Currently, most snowboards & wakeboards
("boards") are provided with a pair of bindings that are attached
diagonally across the top surface of the board. Before riding, a
boot (for snowboards) or bare foot (for wakeboards) of the rider is
placed within each binding and held in a fixed position. Unlike
snow skis, snowboards & wakeboards do not have automatic
release capability. The reason is that a rider needs to laterally
transfer or to longitudinally transfer his or her center of gravity
in order to change directions of the snowboard. This allows the
snowboard to carve through the snow instead of sliding over it,
without fear of an inadvertent release.
[0006] During use, the board yields substantial forces on the
bindings as a rider performs turns, lands jumps and the like. These
forces reverberate to the rider, which can cause an uncomfortable
experience. For example, some riders may experience pain in the
feet, ankles, knees, hip joints & lower back.
[0007] To provide a more comfortable experience, in prior designs,
pads of resilient material have been placed between the bindings
and the board. These pads provide some shock absorbing "give" in
the binding when the rider performs turns or jumps. However, it is
not uncommon for these pads to become dislodged during the
activity. In the event that a pad becomes dislodged and the rider
is unaware of this mechanical failure, the rider may experience
loss of control during a run due to the current, flexible state of
the binding. This could cause the rider to loose control during the
run and suffer a severe injury. Other designs (Ref's. 1,2,3,4) have
incorporated shock-absorbing features into a binding, or have
incorporated extra curved surfaces into the board itself (Ref's.
5,6) to absorb shocks. These designs require the rider to purchase
an entirely new binding system (Ref's. 1,2,3,4) or new board
(Ref's. 5,6) thus increasing the cost.
[0008] It is desirable to produce a lightweight binding interface
that not only provides a smoother, all-around riding experience,
but also increases the performance characteristics of the system,
without increasing the rider's risk of injury. It is also desirable
to produce a design, which accomplishes the above goals without
necessarily requiring the rider to replace existing equipment.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Briefly, one embodiment of the present invention comprises a
snow or waterskiing mechanism comprising an elongated board, a
first plate and a second cantilevered spring plate. The first plate
includes a first section attached to the board and a second section
angled from the first section according to a first predetermined
cant and directed toward the tip of the board. The second section
of the spring plate is separated from the board by a first angle.
Furthermore, the second spring includes a first section attached to
the board and a second section angled from the first section
according to a second predetermined cant and directed toward the
tail of the board. The second section of the second spring plate is
separated from the board by a second distance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description of the
present invention in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a wire frame illustrative
embodiment of a snowboard featuring binding mounting inserts,
grouped in two sets of four.
[0012] FIG. 2 is an illustrative embodiment of a 2-piece spring
plate being mounted to a snowboard.
[0013] FIG. 3 is an illustrative embodiment of a 2-piece spring
plate after being mounted on a snowboard.
[0014] FIG. 4 is an illustrative embodiment of a snowboard
featuring a pair of 2-piece spring plates.
[0015] FIG. 5 is an illustrative embodiment of a typical binding in
the process of being mounted to one of the 2-piece spring plates
shown in FIG. 4.
[0016] FIG. 6 is an illustrative embodiment of a pair of bindings
mounted to the 2-piece spring plates, which are mounted to a
typical snowboard.
[0017] FIGS. 7A, &B, 7C, 7D an 7E are an illustrative
embodiment of five views of a 1-piece spring plate.
[0018] FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C are illustrative embodiments of a disc
which attaches the binding of FIG. 6 to the spring plate.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a detailed illustrative embodiment of the disc and
binding base enabling angular adjustability of a typical
binding.
[0020] FIG. 10 is an illustrative embodiment of a snowboard with
integrated spring plates and attached bindings, shown in 4
views.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The present invention relates to a skiing mechanism that
provides improved jumping and cushioning effects on the rider. It
is contemplated that the "skiing mechanism" includes a snowboard,
water ski or any other surface-riding device. Herein, a snowboard
implementation of the skiing mechanism is described. The exemplary
implementation should be broadly construed as illustrative in
nature in order to represent the spirit of the invention.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, an isometric view of an illustrative
embodiment of a snowboard is shown. Snowboard 100 includes an
elongated board 110 made of wood, metal and/or coated with
fiberglass, plastic or any other waterproof material. Board 110
typically includes four, six, eight (or more) metallic
machine-threaded mounting inserts, which in this embodiment are
grouped in two sets 120 and 130. As shown, each set of mounting
inserts 120 or 130 is arranged in accordance with an
industry-standard 4 cm.times.4 cm pattern. Of course, the mounting
inserts may be arranged to be compatible with other patterns such
as a triangular formation (e.g., using 3 machine-threaded inserts,
each insert approximately 2 inches apart from a neighboring insert)
or a slotted configuration.
[0023] As shown, mounting inserts 120 and 130 are placed on board
110 equidistant from its tip 140 and tail 150. However, for
different conditions and riding preferences, it is contemplated
that other mounting inserts may be placed at different locations of
board 110 with optional caps fastened to the unused mounting
inserts. This would mitigate water collection and damage to the
unused mounting inserts. Alternatively, a manufacturer may produce
boards without inserts to allow the rider to select the placement
of mounting insert patterns 120 and 130.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 2, a detailed view of a wire frame
illustrative embodiment of a 2-piece spring plate 200 is shown.
Designed for attachment to one of the sets of mounting inserts
(e.g., inserts 120 of FIG. 1), spring plate 200 is made of a
lightweight, climate resistant material. For example, spring plate
200 may be made of a carbon fiber composite (e.g., graphite),
titanium or any other material with similar strength, fatigue
resistance, thickness and memory properties as described below. The
memory property is sufficient so that cantilevered spring plate 200
returns to its unloaded position during its useful life, even after
experiencing repeated downward acting impact, bending and torsion
loads.
[0025] As further shown, the 2-piece design spring plate 200
comprises first section 210 and second section 220. To accommodate
the above-mentioned forces, a second section 220 is appropriately
sized. Of course, the thickness, material and even the sections of
spring plate 200 themselves may be varied, depending on the normal
weight of the rider, the desired response and the desired cost. For
example, more aggressive riders might want a stiffer (thicker)
configuration for a given weight.
[0026] Spring plate 210 includes at least a first and second set of
holes 230 and 280, which are situated in flat and angled sections
210 and 250, respectively. In particular, holes 230 are drilled out
in a pattern matching mounting inserts 120 or 130 of board 110 to
snugly retain a plurality of fasteners (e.g., machine-threaded
screws, etc.). These fasteners 235 would be attached to inserts 120
or 130 for fastening first section 210 securely to a top surface
115 of board 110 of FIG. 1. Inserts 240 may be tapped with machine
threads to accommodate fasteners that attach a binding to second
section 220 as shown below. Holes 290 are located on second section
spring plate 220 and aligned with threaded holes 280 in first
section 250 to provide a secure interface between spring plate 220
and plate 210.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 3, a detailed view of an illustrative
embodiment of the mounted 2-piece spring plate 200 to board 110 is
shown. First section 210 is constructed to receive fasteners 235
(hidden in this view) through countersunk holes 230 that are
pre-drilled at manufacture or produced after manufacture. In this
embodiment, holes 230 are arranged into a pre-installed "4.times.4"
hole pattern for alignment with inserts 120 or 130 of board 110 in
FIG. 1. Herein, fasteners 235 are 4.times.1/4-20 (SI) or 4.times.M6
(metric) machine-threaded inserts arranged in a square formation
approximately 4 centimeters (1.575 inches) apart from neighboring
inserts. Fasteners 285 pass through holes 290 of section 220 and
thread into holes 280 in section 250 of first section 210,
providing a rigid structure with respect to snowboard 110.
[0028] Referring back to FIG. 2, second section 220 of spring plate
200 includes inserts 240 (e.g., a group of 1/4-20, 6 mm Metric or
similar machine-threaded metal inserts to which any standard
binding can be attached). Second section 220 of spring plate 200 is
constructed with a cant angle 250 when first section 210 of spring
plate 200 is flush against top surface 115 of board 110. Cant 250
normally ranges from five (5) degrees to fifteen (15) degrees from
top surface 115 of snowboard 110. As shown, cant 250 is
approximately ten (10) degrees. The cant associated with a spring
plate attached to the other insert 120 or 130 of board 110 may be
identical to cant 250 of spring plate 200 or vary slightly
therefrom. As an option, a flexible, waterproof material may be
applied between a bottom side of second section 220 of spring plate
200 and top surface 115 of board 110. This material would prevent
snow and other foreign objects from getting lodged under second
section 220.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 4, a trimetric view of two spring plates
200 and 300 are shown, mounted to top surface 115 of snowboard 110.
During a typical snowboarding run, the weight from a rider would
cause the relative angle of second section 220 of spring plate 200
and 300 to decrease by only a few degrees. When turning and landing
jumps, however, forces are applied to a rider which by design may
cause the angle between second section 220 and first section 210 to
be almost negligible.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 5, an isometric view of an illustrative
embodiment of snowboard 100 with a spring plate 200 mounted to top
115 of board 110. In particular, fasteners 540 are inserted through
holes 535 of disc 530, by which binding base 510 is fastened to top
surface of spring plate 200 by means of inserts 240.
[0031] Second section 220 of spring plate 200 is designed to
accommodate all existing types of bindings, including traditional
"racing" and "based" style bindings, as well as the more modern
"step-in" designs.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 6, an isometric view of the illustrative
embodiment of traditional "based" bindings 500 and 700 are shown
mounted to second section 220 of a spring plate (e.g., spring plate
200). Binding 500 is equipped with a base 510, a highback 520 and a
disc 530, but for clarity does not include standard straps for
securing a foot of the rider. It is anticipated that in some
configurations, bindings 500 and 700 may be integrated with second
section 220 during manufacture.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 7, it is anticipated that the spring plate
may alternatively be comprised of one continuous section, which
performs in a similar manner as two fastened sections.
Consideration for access to holes 840 is provided by rotating
inserts 830 by a set angle, (45 degrees in this embodiment) about
the center of section 810 with respect to the 2-piece design, and
providing thru holes 820. A binding would be mounted to top surface
of section 810 in the same manner as described above.
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C, in most manufacturers
designs, there is usually a male/female interlocking pattern 536
placed on the outside edge of top side 534 of disc 530. The
repeated pattern 536 allows for incremental rotation of binding 500
relative to board 110. With the described fasteners 540 of FIG. 5
passing through holes 535 and partially tightened, binding 500 can
be centered and rotated to a comfortable position, at least ranging
up to 25 degrees in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise
rotation. The pattern gives a range of options to suit the rider's
desired stance angle. This pattern typically comprises
approximately sixty (60) pre-manufactured ridges. These ridges or
teeth typically radiate from the center of disc 530 and are
prevented from passing through binding base 510 by contact of
45-degree walls 537, meeting at a generally 45-degree angle with
mating walls 511 of FIG. 9.
[0035] When tightened, these teeth or ridges interlock with offset
mirror image grooves pre-manufactured into the centered aperture of
base 510, thereby fixating base 510 of binding 500 to second
section 220 of spring plate 200 at the prescribed stance angle.
However, other interfaces, such as (i) small squares along the edge
of disc 530 which are less thick than base 510, and (ii) mating
sets spaced equidistant along the center aperture, could be
manufactured and fastened with the same method. The size of this
interface dictates the incremental rotational precision.
[0036] Designs using sixty ridges would provide adjustability in
six (6) degree increments, while designs with 180 ridges would
provide two (2) degree increments. By rotating base 510 before
placing disc 530 thereon, the rider is able to adjust his or her
stance angle, within the limits of their bindings. As shown, once
the desired angle has been obtained, fasteners 540 are inserted
through holes 535 of disc 530 and disc 530 is lowered into base 510
of binding 500. Then, fasteners 540 are attached to inserts 240 of
top face of spring plate 200. Thus, binding 500 is hard-mounted to
second section 220 of spring plate 200.
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9C and FIG. 9, customarily base
510 is as thick as disc 530, and is configured with a centered
aperture 517 of binding 500 angled in a generally conical form so
that the size of the aperture 517 in base 510 is the same as face
537 in disc 530 as shown in FIGS. 8A-8C. Likewise, a bottom side of
disc 530 features (i) a bottom edge-to-edge diameter 533
corresponding in size to bottom diameter of the aperture and (ii) a
top edge-to-edge diameter 538 slightly larger than bottom
edge-to-edge diameter 533 and corresponding to the top diameter of
binding base 518. Disc 530 is typically manufactured with radial
teeth or ridges 536 sized for insertion into corresponding grooves
512 along sides of the aperture of base 510.
[0038] While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and
shown in the accompanying drawings, FIGS. 8A, 8BB, 8C & FIG. 9,
it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely
illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and
that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions
and arrangements shown and described, since various other
modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 10, it is contemplated that the spring
plate 220 from FIG. 2 could also be integrated into the snowboard
at manufacture, negating the need for the second section 210 from
FIG. 2. Bindings would be attached in a similar manner to that
discussed above and in FIG. 5.
References
TABLE-US-00001 [0040] 1) U.S. Pat. No. 7,309,077 December 2007
Bernard Couder 2) U.S. Pat. No. 6,655,700 December 2003 Robert John
Caputo 3) U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,525 B2 September 2002 Stefan Reuss 4)
U.S. Pat. No. 7,533,891 May 2009 Keith M. Orr 5) U.S. Pat. No.
6,382,658 May 2002 Donald P. Stubblefield 6) U.S. Pat. No.
6,394,483 May 2002 Donald P. Stubblefield
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