U.S. patent application number 14/416945 was filed with the patent office on 2016-04-28 for snowboard.
The applicant listed for this patent is Deog Soo KIM. Invention is credited to Deog Soo KIM.
Application Number | 20160114240 14/416945 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52346426 |
Filed Date | 2016-04-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160114240 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; Deog Soo |
April 28, 2016 |
SNOWBOARD
Abstract
A snowboard according to the disclosure includes a deck body (A)
having a panel-type effective edge part (100) and nose and tail
sections 200 respectively extending at an upwardly inclined angle
from opposite sides of the effective edge part (100), wherein the
deck body (A) is detachably provided with a plurality of laminated
deck plates including at least a transparent deck plate, with an
LED (50) disposed therein, such that the deck plates and the LED
are able to be easily replaced, and wherein the nose and tail
sections (200) have internal spaces (S) for diffusing light from
the LED.
Inventors: |
KIM; Deog Soo; (Yangju,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KIM; Deog Soo |
Yangju |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
52346426 |
Appl. No.: |
14/416945 |
Filed: |
July 16, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
July 16, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2014/006418 |
371 Date: |
January 23, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
280/609 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63C 5/124 20130101;
A63C 5/126 20130101; A63C 2203/14 20130101; A63C 5/128 20130101;
A63C 5/035 20130101; A63C 5/03 20130101; A63C 5/12 20130101; A63C
5/003 20130101; A63C 2005/063 20130101; A63C 5/006 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63C 5/00 20060101
A63C005/00; A63C 5/12 20060101 A63C005/12; A63C 5/03 20060101
A63C005/03 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 16, 2013 |
KR |
10-2013-0083702 |
Claims
1. A snowboard comprising: a deck body (A) having a panel-type
effective edge part (100) and nose and tail sections (200)
respectively extending at an upwardly inclined angle from opposite
sides of the effective edge part (100), wherein the deck body (A)
is detachably provided with a plurality of detachably-laminated
deck plates including at least a transparent deck plate, with an
LED (50) disposed therein, such that the deck plates and the LED
are able to be easily replaced, and wherein the nose and tail
sections (200) have internal spaces (S) for diffusing light from
the LED.
2. The snowboard according to claim 1, wherein the deck plates are
provided, on opposite facing coupling surfaces, with a
concave-convex coupling structure, whereby the deck plates are
detachably coupled together.
3. The snowboard according to claim 1, wherein a lowermost deck
plate of the deck plates has a coupling strip (31) extending
upwards from an edge thereof such that the deck plates other than
the lowermost deck plate are surrounded and coupled by the coupling
strip.
4. The snowboard according to claim 1, wherein the internal space
(S) of the nose or tail section (200) is formed in any one of the
deck plates between uppermost and lowermost deck plates.
5. The snowboard according to claim 1, wherein the internal space
(S) of the nose or tail section (200) is provided with a
plasma-producing unit (210), wherein the plasma-producing unit
includes a plasma-producer (211) and an arrester (212) to receive
the plasma produced by the plasma-producer (211).
6. The snowboard according to claim 1, wherein the internal space
(S) of the nose or tail section (200) is provided with a
light-diffusion unit (220), wherein the light-diffusion unit
includes a plurality of LEDs (221) and a plurality of polygonal
reflectors (222) so that light emitted from the LEDs (221) arrives
at the reflectors (222) and then is diffused and reflected in many
directions.
7. The snowboard according to claim 1, wherein the internal space
(S) of the nose or tail section (200) is provided with a plurality
of optical fibers (230) via which light is emitted.
8. The snowboard according to claim 1, wherein a reinforcing
framework (40) is disposed in the deck body (A).
9. The snowboard according to claim 8, wherein the reinforcing
framework (40) is disposed on at least one of the deck plates of
the deck body (A), wherein the reinforcing framework (40) has an
edge portion formed inwards along the edge of the at least one deck
plate, and perpendicularly-disposed longitudinal and horizontal
framework parts formed on the effective edge part (100) of the at
least one deck plate.
10. The snowboard according to claim 8, wherein the reinforcing
framework (40) is formed of duralumin.
11. The snowboard according to claim 8, wherein the nose or tail
section (200) is provided, on a lower surface thereof, with a
protruding rotation hemisphere (240) serving as a rotation axis
whereby the deck body (A) changes its direction.
12. The snowboard according to claim 1, wherein the effective edge
part (100) is provided with binding fasteners (110) for fastening
bindings, to which boots are coupled, wherein the binding fasteners
are each provided with LEDs and pressure sensors along the edge
thereof, such that the LEDs emit light when a rider's load is
detected by the pressure sensors.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims foreign priority of Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2013-0083702, filed on Jul. 16, 2013, which is
incorporated by reference in its entirety into this
application.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The disclosure relates, in general, to a snowboard and, more
particularly, to a snowboard, in which a sheet or sheets of deck
plates can be replaced with other plate(s) according to a user's
taste, and which is easy to repair when damaged, and which is
provided with LEDs for improved user's safety and decoration of the
snowboard.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Generally, winter sports include skiing, snowboarding,
skating, etc. Among them, snowboarding was developed into a winter
sport in the United States in the 1960s and was subsequently
introduced in South Korea in the early 1980s, where it is currently
becoming widely popular as a winter sport.
[0004] Such snowboarding is a recreational activity that involves
speedily descending snowy slopes, such as on a mountain or hill,
using a snowboard attached to a rider's feet while turning the
travelling direction via adjustment of the rider's feet as well as
via shifting of the rider's centre of gravity. The snowboard
includes a panel-type deck, boots, and bindings for the attachment
of the boots onto the top of the deck. Here, the deck is classified
into categories for Alpine snowboarding, freestyle snowboarding,
all round type snowboarding and the like, depending on the
performance of turning, weight or the like.
[0005] The board deck consists of laminated deck plates made of a
variety of materials, such as wood, synthetic resin or the like;
and is manufactured into articles of various shapes and colors to
satisfy the riders' tastes.
[0006] However, a currently available deck has problems in that,
even if only some of deck plates are damaged, the entire deck
itself should be replaced with a new deck, which is costly.
Further, a user often purchases a variety of decks to satisfy
his/her taste, which is also costly.
[0007] In the meantime, to ensure the safety of a snowboarder, a
snowboard equipped with a light-emitting means was proposed in
Korean Utility Model No. 20-0280228 (referred hereinafter to as
`Related art Document`).
[0008] While the snowboard of the Related art Document has
advantages of being capable of easily alerting somebody to a
rider's location using the light-emitting means 20, thereby
improving the rider's safety, the light-emitting means 20 are
coupled to opposite sides of a deck 10, not detachably, but
fixedly, so, if the light-emitting means 20 fail, the deck itself
should be replaced.
DISCLOSURE
Technical Problem
[0009] Accordingly, the disclosure has been made keeping in mind
the above problems occurring in the related art, and is intended to
provide a snowboard, in which a sheet or sheets of deck plates can
be replaced with other plate(s) according to a user's taste, and
which is easy to repair when damaged, and which is detachably
provided with LEDs for improved user's safety and decoration of the
snowboard.
Technical Solution
[0010] In order to accomplish the object, in an aspect, the
disclosure provides a snowboard including a deck body A having a
panel-type effective edge part 100 and nose and tail sections 200
respectively extending at an upwardly inclined angle from opposite
sides of the effective edge part 100, wherein the deck body A is
detachably provided with a plurality of laminated deck plates
including at least a transparent deck plate, with an LED 50
disposed therein, such that the deck plates and the LED are able to
be easily replaced, and wherein the nose and tail sections 200 have
internal spaces S for diffusing light from the LED.
Advantageous Effects
[0011] According to the disclosure, since the plurality of deck
plates constituting the deck body are detachably coupled together,
even if one or more of deck plates are damaged, damaged deck
plate(s) can be easily replaced, increasing the convenience of use
and reducing maintenance costs. Further, since a user can purchase
and attach only an uppermost deck plate of various shapes and
colors, the user can modify his/her snowboard according to his/her
taste without having to replace the entire snowboard.
[0012] Further, since an LED is detachably mounted in the deck
body, the safety of the user and an appearance of the snowboard are
improved, and if the LED is to be replaced with another, owing to
the failure or desired color-change thereof, the LED is easily
replaced after the deck plates are disassembled.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the structure of a conventional
snowboard;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the structure of a snowboard
according to an embodiment of the disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the snowboard
according to the embodiment of the disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a concave-convex coupling
structure applied to the snowboard according to the disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a view of an exemplary coupling structure of the
snowboard according to the disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a view of an exemplary nose/tail section of the
snowboard in which a plasma-generating part is formed according to
an embodiment of the disclosure;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a view of an exemplary nose/tail section of the
snowboard in which light-diffusion part is formed according to an
embodiment of the disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a view of an exemplary nose/tail section of the
snowboard in which optical fibers are provided according to an
embodiment of the disclosure; and
[0021] FIGS. 9A and 9B are views of an exemplary nose/tail section
of the snowboard under which a rotation hemisphere is attached
according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
MODE FOR INVENTION
[0022] The disclosure is related to a snowboard, in which a sheet
or sheets of deck plates can be replaced with other plate(s)
according to a user's taste, and which is easy to repair when
damaged, and which is provided with LEDs for improved user's safety
and decoration of the snowboard. The snowboard includes a deck body
A having a panel-type effective edge part 100 and nose and tail
sections 200 respectively extending at an upwardly inclined angle
from opposite sides of the effective edge part 100, wherein the
deck body A is detachably provided with a plurality of laminated
deck plates including at least a transparent deck plate, with an
LED 50 disposed therein, such that the deck plates and the LED are
able to be easily replaced, and wherein the nose and tail sections
200 have internal spaces S for diffusing light from the LED.
[0023] The disclosure is not limited to embodiments to be described
below, but may be implemented into diverse forms by those skilled
in the art without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
[0024] The snowboard according to the disclosure will now be
described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 9B.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the snowboard includes a deck body A
having a panel-type effective edge part 100 and nose and tail
sections 200 respectively extending at an upwardly inclined angle
from opposite sides of the effective edge part 100. The deck body A
may change in shape according to rider's preferred snowboarding
styles such as Alpine snowboarding, freestyle snowboarding,
etc.
[0026] The effective edge part 100 means a portion that actually
produces friction against the snow surface while a rider plays
snowboarding with his/her feet attached thereto. As shown in FIG.
2, the effective edge part 100 thus has binding fasteners 110
thereon for fastening bindings to which boots are coupled.
[0027] In use, bindings are first fastened to the binding fasteners
110 and then a rider who wore the boots fixes his/her boots to the
bindings. Herein, LEDs and pressure sensors may be disposed close
to the binding fasteners 110 in order to turn on the LEDs when a
rider stands on the effective edge part so that the pressure
sensors detect the rider's load on the binding fasteners 110. This
improves the appearance of the snowboard and facilitates coupling
of the boots to the bindings at night owing to light-emission of
the LEDs.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, the deck body A is composed of a
plurality of laminated deck plates, which are coupled together with
a concave-convex coupling structure which consists of some
protrusions and depressions on opposite facing surfaces. Thus, the
deck plates can be detachably coupled together using the
concave-convex coupling structure, so, even if one or more of the
deck plates constituting the deck body A are damaged, only the
damaged one(s) can be disassembled and replaced. Further, a user
can only purchase and mount an uppermost deck plate of e.g. various
shapes and colors in order to satisfy his/her taste. Thus,
convenience of use is improved and maintenance costs are
considerably reduced.
[0029] While the number of the protrusions and depressions, which
constitute the concave-convex coupling structure, is not
particularly restricted, higher number is preferred for increased
coupling force. Further, while the concave-convex coupling
structure may be configured such that protrusions are formed on one
facing surface and depressions are formed in the corresponding
facing surface, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the configuration may be
such that protrusions and depressions are alternately formed on one
facing surface and corresponding depressions and protrusions are
alternately formed on the other facing surface in order to further
improve the coupling force.
[0030] Further, a lowermost deck plate of the deck plates
constituting the deck body A, which will be in contact with the
snow surface during snowboarding, is integrally provided with an
upwardly protruding coupling strip 31 around an edge thereof as
shown in FIG. 5. Thus, the rest of the deck plates is received and
coupled in the lowermost deck plate. The above-mentioned
concave-convex coupling structure for the assembly/disassembly of
the deck plates is reinforced by such a coupling structure using
the coupling strip 31 as shown in FIG. 5, so that the deck plates
can be prevented from being accidently disassembled especially from
the edge of the deck body during snowboarding.
[0031] In the meantime, the deck body A is provided with LEDs 50
therein, in order to easily alert somebody to a rider's location
for the rider's safety, as well as to improve the appearance of the
snowboard if LEDs are arranged in a pattern that a user desires.
Here, the deck body A also includes a power source to supply power
to the LEDs 50 and a controller to control the LEDs 50.
[0032] At least one of the deck plates of the deck body A is
provided with a mounting groove for the LED 50, and as set forth
above, the deck plates are detachably assembled using the
concave-convex coupling structure. Thus, if the LED 50 fails or is
intended to replace with another for change of LED's color, the LED
50 can be easily replaced by disassembling only the deck plate
having the LED therein.
[0033] At least one of deck plates is formed of a transparent
material to allow light from the LED 50 to be transmitted
therethrough. Alternatively, all or some of the deck plates mat be
formed of a transparent material in order to allow light from the
LED to be emitted in the direction that a user desires.
[0034] For example, in FIG. 5 in which the deck body A consists of
an upper plate 10, a middle plate 20, and a lower plate 30, an LED
50 is disposed in the middle plate 20, and the lower plate 30 is
provided with a coupling strip 31 around an edge thereof, at least
the middle plate 20 and a portion of the coupling strip 31 may be
transparent in order to allow light from the LED 50 to be
transmitted to the outside.
[0035] Further, light emitted from the LED 50 is reflected at
arbitrary angles by the protrusions and the depressions of the
concave-convex coupling structure. Thus, the amount and direction
of emitted light can be adjusted by forming the shape of the
protrusions and depressions into diverse shapes such as a circle, a
polygon or the like.
[0036] Although not shown in the drawings, it may be configured
such that an LED-mounted silicone PCB is mounted in the deck body A
and the deck body A is formed of a transparent material, thereby
allowing light emitted from the LED to be transmitted through the
silicone PCB, i.e. through the entire deck body A.
[0037] Further, the deck body A may be further provided with a
variety of sensors such as a speed sensor or the like, via which
the direction or brightness of light emitted from the LED 50 can be
adjusted. For example, it may be configured such that, when a user
stands up on the deck body A while wearing the boots attached
thereto, the LED 50 emits flashing light slowly, whereas, when the
user plays snowboarding, flashing light is rotatably emitted from
the LED at a varying speed depending on the snowboarding speed.
Further, the LEDs 50 may be turned on serially in the same
direction or opposite direction with respect to the traveling
direction of the deck body A. In addition, the brightness of the
LEDs 50 may be adjusted in response to the snowboarding speed.
[0038] Each of the deck plates of the deck body A is formed of
other material such as woods, synthetic resin, or the like, or a
composite material of many materials. For example, the deck plate
may be formed of a composite material consisting of a thermosetting
resin and a base material such as paper or glass. Such a deck plate
provides excellent electrical properties, such as insulation
resistance, a dielectric constant, etc., and excellent
physiochemical properties such as heat resistance, flame
retardancy, alkali resistance, damp proof property, mechanical
strength, etc., facilitating machining of the deck plate.
[0039] Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a reinforcing framework
40 may be disposed in the deck body A in order to prevent the deck
body A from being curved or broken during snowboarding. The
reinforcing framework 40 may be formed of woods, synthetic resin or
the like. Particularly, a light, age-hardenable alloy, i.e.
duralumin, may also be employed. When the reinforcing framework 40
made of duralumin is employed in the deck body A, the number of the
deck plates of the deck body A may be reduced.
[0040] The reinforcing framework 40 may be provided on at least one
of the deck plates of the deck body A, and in this case, the deck
plate formed with the reinforcing framework 40 may be provided with
a coupling structure consisting of a plurality of protrusions and
depressions for the engagement with other deck plate on the rest of
a portion where the reinforcing framework 40 is installed.
[0041] The reinforcing framework 40 may be formed into diverse
shapes. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the reinforcing framework
40 has a shape in which an edge portion is formed inwards along the
edge of the deck plate, to which the reinforcing framework is
installed, thereby reinforcing the edge section of the deck body A,
on which contact load against the snow surface is concentrated, and
longitudinal and horizontal framework parts, which are
perpendicular to each other, are formed on the effective edge part
100 of the deck plate, to which a rider's load is heavily applied,
thereby reinforcing the entire deck body A.
[0042] For example, in the case where the deck body A consists of
the upper plate 10, the middle plate 20, and the lower plate 30 as
shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the reinforcing framework 40 may preferably
be installed onto the middle plate 20 in order to most-effectively
support the rider's load and to prevent the deck body A from being
damaged from the friction against the snow surface. Thus, the
reinforcing framework 40 is formed such that the edge portion
extends along a circumferential section inwards from the edge of
the middle plate 20, and the longitudinal and horizontal framework
parts are formed perpendicularly on the effective edge part 100 of
the middle plate 20. Herein, the longitudinal direction means the
direction towards the opposite nose and tail sections 200.
[0043] In the above example, the middle plate 20 is basically
formed of synthetic resin, and is provided, on an upper portion
thereof, with a mounting groove for the engagement with the
reinforcing framework 40. Further, if mounted, an LED 50 is
disposed between the mounting groove and the edge of the middle
plate 20. Further, preferably, the middle plate 20 is provided, on
the upper and lower surfaces thereof, with concave-convex coupling
structures for the engagement with the upper plate 10 and the lower
plate 30, respectively, on the rest of a portion where the
reinforcing framework 40 and the LED 50 are mounted. In the
meantime, although not shown in the drawings, the middle plate 20
is preferably provided with a power source, a controller and the
like in order to protect circuit devices or the like from external
impact. However, such a structure is merely provided for
illustrating the structure of the deck plate including the
reinforcing framework 40, so the disclosure is not limited
thereto.
[0044] According to the disclosure, a variety of light-emitting
means may be formed in the nose/tail sections 200 in order to
improve the appearance of the snowboard and to satisfy the user's
taste. For example, the light-emitting means may be disposed in the
internal space S of the nose/tail section(s) 200 of the middle
plate 20, and the middle plate is covered with the upper plate 10
and the lower plate 30, thereby providing diverse types of
light-emitting effects. Embodiments will now be described with
respect to the light-emitting effects.
Embodiment 1
[0045] As shown in FIG. 6, a plasma-producing unit 210 may be
disposed in the internal space S of the nose/tail section(s) 200.
The plasma-producing unit 210 includes a plasma-producer 211 to
produce plasma via the application of high voltage, and an arrester
212 to receive the plasma produced from the plasma-producer 211.
Here, the plasma-producing unit 210 has an internal closed space
that is vacuumed and then is injected with a small amount of gas.
Light emitted from the plasma changes in color depending on the
kind of gas injected.
Embodiment 2
[0046] As shown in FIG. 7, a light-diffusion unit 220 may be
disposed in the internal space S of the nose/tail section(s) 200.
The light-diffusion unit 220 includes a plurality of LEDs 221 and a
plurality of polygonal reflectors 222. Light emitted from the LEDs
221 arrives at the reflectors 222 and then is diffused and
reflected in many directions. As shown in FIG. 7, the reflectors
222 may have, but is not limited to, a hexagonal shape, and the
reflectors 222 may be arranged in a regular or irregular
pattern.
Embodiment 3
[0047] As shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of optical fibers 230 may be
disposed in the internal space S of the nose/tail section(s) 200.
Light is emitted from the optical fibers via the application of
power source. Thus, a user can obtain a desired light-emitting
effect by arranging the optical fibers 230 as desired.
[0048] When various kinds of light-emitting means are disposed in
the nose/tail section(s) as described above, the internal space
near the light-emitting means is preferably surrounded by a
transparent material. In addition, the deck body A may be provided
with a speaker or the like in order to provide an acoustic effect
such as a clap of thunder when light is emitted. Further, the
provision of a speed sensor or the like may provide the adjustment
of brightness of light or the like depending on the varying
speed.
[0049] In the meantime, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the nose/tail
section(s) 200 may be provided, on a lower surface thereof, with a
protruding rotation hemisphere 240. When a rider stands up on the
deck board or plays snowboarding so that the deck body A travels in
a direction, the rotation hemisphere can act as an axis so that it
allows the center of weight of the rider to move towards the nose
or tail section 200, allowing the deck body A to rotate as he/she
intends to turn. This allows a rider to further enjoy snowboarding.
Further, an LED may be disposed in the rotation hemisphere 240 so
that, for example, when a rider tries to jump during snowboarding,
the LED in the rotation hemisphere 240 is turned on, enabling the
rider to accurately check his/her landing point even at night while
improving the appearance of the snowboard.
* * * * *