Abstract:
A snowboard with a core and a flexible running surface layer which has between the core and the running surface layer at least one hollow chamber, which can be filled with a gaseous or liquid medium.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention pertains to a snowboard.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Such snowboards are generally known and available commercially. On their bottom side, which contacts the snow in normal use, they have a running surface layer, which, in principle, is designated as flat, because it is merely adapted to the curvature or deflection of the snowboard.  
         [0003]     For many applications, it is desirable to vary the geometry of the running surface of the snowboard, e.g., so that the snowboard has a different lifting behavior in deep snow; so that, with so-called “rail slides,” the snowboard has better control and prevents catching of the steel edges; also so that the snowboard prevents the steel edge from catching when impacting the piste after jumps; or also so that the snowboard turns easier on the piste with a convex running surface.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     Thus, an object of the invention is to create a snowboard with a variable running surface geometry.  
         [0005]     This object is realized by the features given in claim  1 . Briefly, therefore, the invention is directed to a snowboard with a core and a flexible running surface layer, characterized in that between the core and the running surface layer, there is at least one hollow chamber, which can be filled with a gaseous or liquid medium. Advantageous configurations and refinements of the invention follow from the subordinate claims.  
         [0006]     The basic principle of the invention is to change the running surface geometry of the snowboard by filling gaseous or liquid media into at least one hollow chamber, which is arranged between the running surface layer and the core of the snowboard.  
         [0007]     Because the running surface layer is flexible, so that just by itself it adapts to bending of the snowboard while snowboarding, by filling the hollow chamber with the medium under pressure, the running surface layer curves into a convex shape, thereby changing the running surface geometry.  
         [0008]     The arrangement of one or more hollow chambers can be varied to a great extent. In one embodiment there is one hollow chamber which extends in the longitudinal direction of the snowboard nearly over its entire length and likewise nearly over its entire width. In another embodiment one hollow chamber is provided, which is arranged only in the region of the nose. Furthermore, two or more narrower hollow chambers running in the longitudinal direction of the snowboard can be provided that run parallel to each other. These hollow chambers can be completely independent of or connected to each other. The hollow chambers can be arranged mirror-symmetrically or asymmetrically with respect to the center longitudinal axis of the snowboard.  
         [0009]     The hollow chamber can be directly formed by the surface of the running surface layer pointing inwards towards the core of the snowboard and the surface of a synthetic laminate opposite this coating. It can also be formed by tubes made from rubber or elastic synthetic film, wherein these can be inserted between the laminate and the running surface layer or between a wooden core and the laminate, and wherein, in addition, there can be recesses provided in the wooden core for holding the tubes.  
         [0010]     The hollow chambers or tubes are connected via channels to valves, which are arranged on the top side of the snowboard and preferably in the region of a binding.  
         [0011]     The invention realizes not only the objects mentioned above, but also that of varying the behavior of the snowboard according to the shape of the hollow chambers. Thus, e.g., a snowboard, which is purposefully made to be concave and whose edge thus digs in aggressively, can be converted with a wide hollow chamber by inflation into an approximately planar or even convex snowboard, thereby producing better turning ability.  
         [0012]     By filling the medium under pressure, the cross section of the snowboard also increases, so that its torsional stiffness increases. Thus, one obtains a variable flexibility that can be adjusted by the snowboarder. According to the pressure of the filled medium in the one or more hollow chambers, a damping effect can also be achieved, which, e.g., damps the resulting impact when landing after a jump.  
         [0013]     A large degree of variation is imparted by means of the number and arrangement of the hollow chambers, as well as by means of separate valves for the individual chambers. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0014]     In the following, the invention is explained in detail with reference to embodiments in connection with the drawing. Shown are:  
         [0015]      FIG. 1 , a view of the bottom side of a snowboard according to the invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2 , a cross section along line A-A of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3 , a plan view on the bottom side of a snowboard according to a second embodiment of the invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4 , a side view of the snowboard according to  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 5 , a view of the top side of the snowboard of  FIG. 3 ; and  
         [0020]      FIG. 6 , a section along line B-B of  FIG. 3 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0021]     This application claims priority from German Utility Model application 203 16 335.4, filed Oct. 22, 2003, the entire disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0022]     First, the  FIGS. 1 and 2  will be discussed. The snowboard is designated in its entirety by reference symbol  1 . It has a top side  2  and a bottom side  3 , which contacts the piste or the snow during normal use. Its front end typically has a somewhat bent, rounded nose  4 . Its tail  5  is bent and rounded ( FIGS. 3-5 ) or can be a straight line ( FIG. 1 ). In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there are two hollow chambers  8  and  9 , which extend parallel to each other and parallel to the center longitudinal axis of the snowboard, essentially from the nose  4  to the tail  5 . The width of the hollow chambers can be selected arbitrarily. In the embodiment shown, each hollow chamber has a width of approximately one-fourth the width of the snowboard.  
         [0023]     From  FIG. 2 , one can see the construction of the snowboard. Starting from the top side  2 , a cover layer  13  is above a wooden core  14 . On this follows a laminate layer  15  and a running surface layer  16 . The typical steel edges  17  are attached to the edges of the running surface layer. Between the laminate layer  15  and the running surface layer  16 , which are connected to each other in an air-tight and liquid-tight manner, e.g., adhered, there are the hollow chambers  8  and  9 , which here are shown in the full state, so that they bend outwards in a convex shape. The hollow chambers  8  and  9  connect via channels  18  and  19  to valves  11  and  12 , which extend up to the top side  2  through the cover layer  13 . Through the valves, a medium, such as air or liquid, can be brought into the hollow chambers  8  and  9 . If air is used, a commercially available air pump can be used, as well as commercially available valves, such as those known, e.g., for bicycle tires. However, reversible valves of a known type can also be used, such that the medium can not only be bled off from the hollow chambers  8  and  9  but also a vacuum formed in these chambers, so that the running surface layer  16  becomes completely flat again, which is desirable, on the one hand, for setting certain snowboarding characteristics, and on the other hand, also for treating the running surface layer, e.g., for sanding and waxing.  
         [0024]     The second embodiment of  FIGS. 3-6  differs from that of  FIGS. 1 and 2  essentially in that the hollow chambers  8  and  9  are formed by elastic tubes  20  and  21 , which are arranged between the wooden core  14  and the laminate layer  15 , wherein recesses  22  and  23  are provided in the wooden core for holding the tubes  20  and  21 . The tubes  8  and  9  can communicate with each other, as can be seen from  FIG. 3 , wherein, in this case, only one valve ( 11  or  12 ) is needed. Instead of two tubes connected to each other, of course, a single, continuous tube can also be used. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the valves  11  and  12  are arranged in the center of the snowboard. It is also possible to arrange these in the region of mounting devices, such as so-called inserts (recessed screw nuts)  6  and  7 .  
         [0025]     When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.  
         [0026]     In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.  
         [0027]     As various changes could be made in the above methods and products without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.