Abstract:
A shock absorption system for a sports board which includes a rocker assembly for attaching the board to a raised platform which rocks forward and aft on the board. A space between the platform and the board to accommodate two independent inflated bladders which create a cushion for the platform to rock into forward and aft. The pressure inside the bladders will be at the rider&#39;s desired psi and will be sufficient for the rider to exert extreme pressures for balance, control, and maneuvers on any given terrain conditions.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a completion application of United States Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/338,772, filed Dec. 4, 2001, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention pertains to sport boards. More particularly, the present invention concerns a shock absorbing system for a sport board. Even more particularly, the present invention concerns a universal shock absorbing system for a wide variety of sport boards. 
     2. Prior Art 
     In recent years, snowboarding, skate boarding, and water or aquatic board-related sports have continued to become increasingly popular sports. These sports have also become more competitive and demanding on both the rider and the equipment. The demand continues in recreational and competitive snow and water sports. 
     In any form of transportation, there is an inherent element of “shock” that is produced by changing terrain conditions that transfers energy from the terrain ground or water into the vehicle that is speeding across it. In most forms of transportation, the vehicle has been equipped with some form of “shock absorbers” to smooth out the ride and to increase performance of both the equipment and the rider. It has become essential for the vehicle to be equipped with shock absorbers except in vehicles like the snowboards, skateboards, water skis and wakeboards. The present invention, as subsequently detailed, addresses this issue. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance herewith, there is provided a shock absorbing system for a sport board which comprises: 
     (a) a longitudinally extending sport or sporting board having generally parallel, planar top and bottom surfaces, said bottom surface for engaging ground and water surfaces, 
     (b) a longitudinally extending rocker platform having forward and rearward end sections, a bottom surface, and a top surface for receiving and supporting both feet of a sport board rider, 
     (c) a rocker system interconnecting the center of the platform to the center of the sport board in a manner to define a hinge point between the platform and board which enables the end sections to “teeter” towards and away from the board, the feet of the sport board rider being supported on said forward and rearward sections and on opposite sides of the rocker hinge point, and 
     (d) a pair of compressible members, one and the other compressible member being disposed, respectively, between the forward and rearward end sections and the top surface of the sport board to resist movement of the platform section towards the top surface of the sport board. 
     The rocker system or rocker, generally, comprises a pair of spaced apart first and seconds, or lower and upper, respectively, rocking members which are disposed transverse to the longitudinal axis of the board and rocker platform. The rocking members are hingedly interconnected through suitable means, such as a hinge pin, to enable the rocker platform to rotate or pivot relative to the sport board and the opposite ends of the rocker platform to “teeter” or “rock” towards and away from the sport board. 
     The first or lower rocking member is integral with or otherwise affixed to the board on the upper surface thereof. 
     The upper or second rocking member is affixed to a platform which is disposed above the board such that a space is created between the bottom of the platform and the upper surface of the board. 
     The upper rocking member and the lower rocking member include means for interdigitating, such as spacers or hinge members which cooperate to define a hinge. A hinge pin, or the like, interconnects the two together and defines a pivot about which the platform rotates. 
     In a first embodiment here, a pair of bladders or other compressible bodies are affixed to the upper surface of the board, one on each side of the hinge, in the space between the board and the platform. Thus, as the platform teeters or pivots between a forward and an aft position on the board, it will encounter one of the two bladders. Each bladder is inflatable and contains the same amount of fluid, such as air. 
     The bladders and hinge may be encased within a sealed shroud or the like to protect it from the elements. 
     It is further contemplated in the practice of the present invention that the present invention be part of an original equipment or that it be retrofitted wherein the bladders, rocker members, and platform are disposed on a mounting plate which is secured to a sports board. 
     For a more complete understanding of the present invention, references made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views in which: 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of a sports board for use in the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of a sports board having the rocker system hereof mounted thereto; 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of a sports board having the lower rocker member mounted thereto; 
     FIG. 4 is a bottom review of the platform used herein having the upper rocker member mounted thereonto; 
     FIG. 5 is a partial side view showing the platform and the hinge pinhole; 
     FIG. 6 is a plan view, partly exploded, showing the hinge pin and the air bladders used herein; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a sleeve; 
     FIG. 8 depicts the rubber outer containment housing or shroud with upper and lower rubber seals and valve ports; 
     FIG. 9 is a front view of the upper and lower rocker members; 
     FIG. 9A is a front view of a spacer; 
     FIG. 10 is a side view of an air bladder; and 
     FIG. 11 is a side view of a second embodiment hereof. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Now, in accordance with the present invention, and with reference to the drawing, in particular FIGS. 1-10, there is depicted therein a sports board, generally, denoted at  16 . The sports board  16  hereof may comprise a ski board, skate board, water board, wave board, ski, or any other similar type of board which is used in various ground and aquatic sports. The present invention is contemplated for use in connection with and conjointly with any one of such type boards. Thus, the board  16  shown herein is a snowboard for illustrative purposes only. However, it is to be understood that the present invention is applicable to any other type of board such as those alluded to hereinabove. 
     Mounted in juxtaposed relation atop and centrally of the sport board  16  is a rocker platform  18  upon which both feet of a sport board rider are placed, as described further herein below. As can be seen, the sport board  16  and the rocker platform  18  are generally oblong in shape, symmetrically disposed along a longitudinal axis extending between the ends of the members, and extend longitudinally between opposite longitudinal ends. In the embodiment shown, the lateral sides of the rocker platform  18  and the sport board  16  are generally complementary with one another and the rocker platform  18  is about one-third the length of and centered within the middle third of the sport board  16 . 
     The sport board  16  hereof extends longitudinally between opposite ends  16   a  and  16   b , is generally oblong in shape and symmetrically disposed about a central longitudinal axis, and has an upper surface  11  and a lower surface  13 . The surfaces  11  and  13  are generally planar and parallel to one another except for respective forward and rearward end sections which curl upwardly from the plane of the upper surface  11  (shown best by reference to FIG.  2 ). 
     As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the rocker platform  18  extends longitudinally between opposite ends  18   a  and  18   b , and has a generally planar upper surface  15  and a lower or bottom surface  17 . The lower surface  17  of the platform  18  is disposed in facing relation with the upper surface  11  and forms a pair of substantially identical tapered spaces or cavities  90  between the board and platform and which extend outwardly and away from the upper and lower rocker members (or a fulcrum)  31  and  19  and towards the free ends  18   a  and  18   b  of the platform  18 . The platform  18  is substantially bisected by the upper rocker member  31  (or fulcrum) into a pair of identical surface portions or sections  17   a  and  17   b  which taper from the fulcrum  31  to the respective opposite ends  18   a  and  18   b  of the platform  18 . 
     Preferably and according to this invention there is provided a shock absorbing system or shock absorber defined by a rocker system or rocker, generally, denoted at  12  (see FIGS.  1  and  9 ). The rocker system  12  generally, comprises: 
     (a) a first or lower rocker member  19  which is associated with the sport board  16 , 
     (b) a second or upper second rocker member  31  which is associated with the rocker platform  18 , 
     (c) apertured hinge or flange elements  19   a  and  19   b  and  31   a  and  31   b , respectively, extending from the rocker members  19  and  31 , which interdigitate with one another to define, at least in part, portions of a through bore  35 , and 
     (d) a hinge pin  22  passable through the bore  35  formed by the apertures of the flange elements for interconnecting the hinge elements when interdigitated wherein to form a hinge joint or assembly. 
     In a first embodiment hereof, the lower rocker member  19  is secured to the board  16  by any suitable means and, preferably, is molded integrally with the board. The lower rocker member  19 , generally, comprises a transverse body  19   c  extending laterally across the width thereof. The lower rocker member  19  further includes: 
     (a) the spaced apart flanges  19   a  and  19   b , each flange  19   a  and  19   b  extending upwardly from the upper surface  11  of the sport board  16  and having an aperture formed therein, and 
     (b) a plurality of cylindrical sleeves  26  which are mounted onto the transverse body  19   c  or are integrally formed therewith. The lower rocker member  19  forms a transverse fulcrum about which the platform teeters. 
     The sleeves  26 , as noted, are cylindrical and have a hollow interior. The apertures of the sleeves  26  and the flanges  19   a  and  19   b  are co-axial with one another. 
     Disposed on either side of the fulcrum are compressible members  23  and  23 ′. Each compressible member is similar. The compressible members can comprise any suitable article such as a section of compressible foam, an inflatable bladder, or the like. Each of the bladders is independently inflatable with a suitable fluid such as water, air or the like. A valve member  24  associated with each bladder may be used to inflate and deflate its associated bladder, as desired. Preferably, in the practice of the present invention, each of the bladders contains the same amount of fluid so that they are substantially equal. Preferably, the bladders are air bladders. It is contemplated that the valves or valve members  24  will extend from their associated bladder through the platform  17  to facilitate accessibility thereto. 
     The compressible members are secured to the upper surface of the board by any suitable means such as through an anchor  30 . Alternatively, the bladders may be secured to the upper surface  11  with a nylon hook and fastener (Velcro), gluing, or the like. 
     As noted, the upper rocker member  31  is constructed similar to the lower rocker member  19  and includes a transverse body  31   c , a pair of spaced apart apertured flanges  31   a  and  31   b , and (optionally) a plurality of spaced apart sleeves  27  which are mounted onto the body  19   c  or are integrally formed therewith. The body  19   c  is secured at the center of and extends laterally across the width of the platform  18  by any suitable means, and preferably is molded thereto. The flanges  31   a  and  31   b  (and sleeves  27 ) extend upwardly from the lower surface  17  of the rocker platform  18  and the apertures of the flanges  31   a  and  31   b  and the sleeves  27  are coaxial with one another. The upper rocker member  31  forms a part of the transverse fulcrum about which the platform  18  teeters 
     The tapered surfaces  17   a  and  17   b  of the rocker platform  18  permit the space  90  between the lower surface  17  of the platform  18  and the upper surface  11  of the lower sport board  16  to reduce quickly when the forward and rearward end sections of the platform  18  “teeter” or alternately move upwardly and downwardly in a direction away from and towards the upper surface  11  of the sport board  16 . Such teetering movement is resisted by the air bladders  23  and  23 ′ disposed in the cavities  90 . 
     The apertured flanges  19   a  and  19   b  (and sleeves  26 ) of the lower rocker member  19  and corresponding apertured flanges  31   a  and  31   b  (and sleeves  27 ) from the upper rocker member  31  are spaced in a manner such that they will interdigitate, with one another, resulting in the apertures therethrough being aligned with one another and for a through bore  35  for receipt of the hinge pin  22  to hingedly interconnect the platform to the lower rocker. 
     It is readily appreciated that the platform pivots about the pin  22  both fore and aft in the directions of the arrow A (FIG.  5 ). 
     It should be noted that only the apertured flanges  19   a  and  19   b  and  31   a  and  31   b  are necessary for hinged interconnection by the hinge pin  22 . Additionally, the anchor  30  of the bladders  23  and  23 ′ may suitably be provided with an aperture  30   a  (see FIG. 10) wherein to enable the hinae pin  22  to secure the bladders  23  and  23 ′ to the rocker assembly  12 . Optionally, a plurality of wear rings or spacers may be disposed between the flanges and sleeves to prevent wear or the like. 
     In order to maintain the rocker system  12  sealed from the elements and to maintain the integrity and pressure within the bladders  23  and  23 ′, these elements are preferably sealingly enclosed and protected from exposure to the environment by a shroud or outer containment housing  33 . As shown FIGS. 2 and 8, the sealing arrangement includes oval shaped rim seals  20  and  32 , respectively, on the upper surface  11  of the sport board  16  and on the bottom surface  17  of the rocker platform  18 , and a resilient containment shroud  33 . The lower rim seal  20  is circumferentially disposed about the lower rocker member  19  and the upper rim seal  32  is circumferentially disposed about the upper rocker member  31 . The containment shroud  33  includes lower and upper seal members or lips  28  and  29  with sealing being accomplished by snap-fitting together the lower seal member  28  and the rim seal  20  of the sport board  16  and snap-fitting together the upper seal member  29  and the rim seal  32  of the rocker platform  18 . 
     FIGS. 2 and 8 illustrate, respectively, the sealed connection and the containment shroud  33 . In FIG. 2, the containment shroud  33  is shown (in cross-section) to illustrate the wall  21  of the containment shroud conforming to the outer periphery of the platform  18  and encircling the bladders  23  and  23 ′ in the cavities  90 , and the upper and lower seal members or lips  28  and  29  interfitted into the rim seals  20  and  32 . In order to accommodate the containment shroud  33 , valve ports  25  are provided in the wall  21  of the containment shroud  33 . The valves  24  extend from each of the bladders  23  and  23 ′ and protrude through the ports  25 , outwardly and away from the platform  18  to enable the valves to be connected to a suitable source of compressed air or other fluid (not shown). A pressure gauge or the like (not shown) can be operatively affixed to the valves to measure and control the pressure within the bladders. 
     Where used, the outer containment housing or shroud  33  is placed around the rocker assembly, the upper seal  29  and the lower seal  28  are snapped into the upper rim seal  32  and the lower rim seal  20 , respectively, to form a seal that will protect all the components inside from water, snow, ice, etc. The outer containment housing thus includes a bead, i.e. upper and lower seals  28  and  29 , that snaps into the rim seals all the way around the shock absorbing assembly to protect it from the elements. The outer containment housing is a continuous piece made of rubber, vinyl, nylon or other suitable water-impervious suitable material. 
     The shroud  33 , being attached at both its top and bottom to the rocker assembly has a sufficient extension capability to allow full range of motion of the most forward part and most aft part of the platform. 
     With the board and the platform joined together, there is defined a unitary shock absorbing assembly. The board and the platform are free moving parts, able to teeter in opposite directions from one another. 
     The user, when deploying the present invention as a snowboard, is positioned on the platform, toes pointing to one lateral edge, and heels pointing to the other or opposite lateral edge, one foot forward of the fulcrum, and one foot aft of the fulcrum, and the feet at about a nominal 3°-35° angle to the length and the width of the platform, though this is dictated by the comfort desires of the user. When associated with a ski, the platform may be modified to include mounting holes  14 , such as for securing a ski boot (not shown) or other like-footwear. 
     When used as water ski, the user has one foot forward of the fulcrum, centered on the platform and toes pointing toward the tip of the board, and the other foot aft of the fulcrum, centered on the platform and toes pointing toward the tip of the board. 
     As a kneeboard, the user is in the kneeling position, as a wake board, the user is in the same position as with a snowboard. 
     The present invention can be used to retrofit an existing sport boards. Thus, and shown in FIG.  11  and in a second embodiment hereof, generally, denoted at  210  there is provided a mounting plate  212  to which is secured the rocker system hereof. The mounting plate  212  is dimensioned to lie atop or be superposed a sport board (not shown). The mounting plate is secured to the sport board through any suitable means, such as threaded fasteners, adhesives, and the like. In all respects the shock absorbing system is the same as in the first embodiment. 
     While not shown, a containment shroud as described herein above may be circumferentially emplaced about the assembly  210  wherein to circumpose the mounting plate  212 , the rocker platform  18 , and protect the rocker system and air bladders  23  and  23 ′ from the environment. Additionally, if desired, the air valves  24  for the air bladders may be provided atop the rocker platform  18  (see FIG.  11 ). 
     It is to be appreciated that there has been described herein a sports board which enables the user to ride on a “cushion of air” or other suitable fluid thereby softening the ride while at the same time providing a rigid toe-to-toe or heel-to-heel (edge-to-edge) ride providing improved performance.