Abstract:
A retractable retention device for use to stow away an equipment tether or leash that is used to satisfy sports equipment, such as snowboarding and snow skating, safety regulations. The retractable retention device includes means to secure the retraction mechanism and retractable cord to equipment and user, and an internal energy source capable of allowing extension and retraction of the retractable cord. The retractable retention device can be attached to or designed into personal clothing articles, boots, binding, and other sports equipment.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/533,551, titled “RETRACTABLE SAFETY LEASH DEVICE AND ATTACHMENT SYSTEM” filed on Dec. 31, 2003, and which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates generally to safety retention devices, and, more particularly, to a retractable sport safety leash device that attaches the equipment to user and retracts when not in use.  
         [0003]     For example, in the sport of snowboarding a retention safety leash should attach either the snowboard or one of its bindings to a garment or other equipment fixed or otherwise attached to the user. Hereinafter, the term “accessory” or “user” may be used interchangeably and will refer to boots, socks, pants, jacket, shirt, or any garment that during normal activities associated with the sport is attached to the person practicing the sport. The term “equipment” or “object” may be used interchangeably and will herein refer to snowboard, snowboard bindings, skateboard, snowskate, surfboard, and any other sporting equipment requiring a leash. The term “tether” may refer hereinafter to rope, cord, string, twine, and any other flexible, pliable material having the capability to be coiled.  
         [0004]     Most users that practice the sport use conventional safety retention devices to appease the ski resort personnel as the devices intended safety duties are very rarely ever called into practice. Conventional retention devices, such as snowboard leashes, are designed with inherent problems such as lack of convenience or nuisance when not in use either on the equipment to be retained, such as a snowboard or binding, or when fixed to a garment or equipment on the user, such as a pant leg or a boot. The lack of convenience may be illustrated in the loose length of leash or tether that is always present with conventional leashes.  
         [0005]     Another problem with conventional retention devices is that they are dangerous when in normal use because any excess retention device length that dangles from the equipment can cause injury to the user in several possible ways. For example, if the device is a snowboard leash attached to a snowboard, the device can get caught under the edges and cause the user to fall. The device can also get snagged on anything ranging from trees to people either while the user is riding on the chair lift or riding down the mountain.  
         [0006]     A still further problem arises when transporting the equipment on an exterior automobile ski rack. Conventional devices can flap in the wind, possibly harming people, other equipment, or the automobile.  
         [0007]     Therefore, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a convenient retractable retention device that will overcome the shortcomings, previously described, of conventional retention devices and can be readily adapted for use with equipment such as a snowboard or the like.  
         [0008]     A second object is to provide a retractable retention device that provides for retracting a leash into a casing that can be of any size or style.  
         [0009]     A third object of the present invention is to provide a retractable retention device that provides for a casing that can be firmly and conveniently stowed within an area in the structural sections of an equipment snowboard binding or the like.  
         [0010]     A fourth object is to provide a retractable retention device wherein the structural section of the equipment, for example snowboard binding, is the casing of the retraction mechanism.  
         [0011]     A fifth object is to provide a retractable retention device that can be inserted into a pouch within a snowboard binding strap.  
         [0012]     A sixth object is to provide a retractable retention device that can be laid up within the structural housing of a surfboard.  
         [0013]     A seventh object is to provide a retractable retention device that can be housed within a snowskate board.  
         [0014]     An eighth object is to provide a retractable retention device that may be easily removed from some of the equipment previously described if desired.  
         [0015]     A ninth object is to provide a retractable retention device that allows for normal user movement and normal operation of the equipment.  
         [0016]     A tenth object is to provide a retractable retention device that, when engaged, relieves retraction tension on the tether, user, and equipment.  
         [0017]     An eleventh object is to provide a retractable retention device that is lightweight and does not affect the overall balance of the equipment.  
         [0018]     A twelfth object is to provide a retractable retention device that provides adequate safety strength to prevent runaway equipment.  
         [0019]     A thirteenth object is to provide a retractable retention device that may also be used as a theft deterrent lock mechanism whether in function, fashion, or both.  
         [0020]     A fourteenth object is to provide a retractable retention device that satisfies recognized safety criteria.  
         [0021]     A fifteenth object is to provide a retractable retention device that is economical to manufacture and capable of being readily mass-produced.  
         [0022]     A sixteenth object is to provide a retractable retention device that can be fabricated to be housed within a pair of snowboard pants.  
         [0023]     A seventeenth object is to provide a retractable retention device that can be internally installed within a snowboard sock.  
         [0024]     An eighteenth object is to provide a retractable retention device that can be built into a snowboard boot as an internal feature within the tongue, ankle, heel, or the like.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]     The objects set forth above as well as further and other objects are achieved by the present invention. The solutions and advantages of the present invention are realized by the illustrative embodiment of the present invention described hereinbelow.  
         [0026]     The retractable retention device of the present invention includes a stored energy retraction initiating device, a casing that can conceal or hold a retracted cord or leash, a locking device that can hold the cord in an extended or a retracted position, and a release device that can release the cord from its locked state. The stored energy retraction initiation system (either automatic or manual) retracts the cord by means of a stored energy source such as, for example, a coiled copper piece, a spring, or any mechanical device that utilizes “stored energy”. Pulling the retractable cord to the suitable length engages the cord at the given length. The cord can be wrapped around or attached to the retraction/extension device such that when the cord is fully extended an “outward snap” or “release button” releases the cord, and the internal energy or “spring like mechanism” returns the cord to its coiled storage position.  
         [0027]     The retractable retention device includes a casing that can be securely (i) attached to an unused binding insert on the equipment binding such as a snow board, (ii) adhered to the topsheet of the equipment, (iii) wrapped around any binding strap, binding highback, the outside of either binding heelcup, or the outside of either binding baseplate, or (iv) affixed within or adhered to the outside of user clothing. The retractable retention device can be mounted in several ways including, but not limited to, an attachment clip, such as a swivel clip, that enables the user to store the retention device conveniently on any conventional pant belt or anywhere on the equipment or binding that does not interfere with ease of function. 
     
    
       [0028]     For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects thereof, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and detailed description.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
       [0029]      FIG. 1A  is a pictorial view of the present invention in use in conjunction with a snowboard;  
         [0030]      FIG. 1B  is an exploded pictorial view of the several separate parts of the retractable retention device of the present invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is an exploded pictorial view of the housed cord and spring of the retractable retention device of the present invention;  
         [0032]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are top and bottom pictorial views, respectively, of the retractable retention device of the present invention when ready for attachment and fully retracted;  
         [0033]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are top and side views of a clip used as an attachment mechanism for the retractable retention device of the present invention;  
         [0034]      FIG. 5  is a pictorial view of a binding strap used as an attachment mechanism for the retractable retention device of the present invention;  
         [0035]      FIG. 6  is a pictorial view of an adhesive coated casing used as an attachment mechanism for the retractable retention device of the present invention;  
         [0036]      FIG. 7A  is a pictorial view of a built-in pants pouch that can house the retractable retention device of the present invention;  
         [0037]      FIG. 7B  is a partial view of the clothing attachment system of  FIG. 10A ;  
         [0038]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are side and front views, respectively, of a boot illustrating various locations shown in phantom for locating the present invention of  FIG. 1B  therein;  
         [0039]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  are side and front views, respectively, of a boot binding illustrating various locations shown in phantom for locating an integral retraction retention device therein;  
         [0040]      FIG. 10A  is pictorial view of an alternative attachment means for securing the present invention to a user;  
         [0041]      FIG. 10B  is a partial view of the alternative attachment means of  FIG. 10A ;  
         [0042]      FIG. 11  is a pictorial view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention shown integral with a snowboard; and  
         [0043]      FIG. 12  is a pictorial view of a retraction stop mechanism embodiment. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0044]     The present invention is now described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which various illustrative embodiments of the present invention are shown. Similar reference numbers in the following drawings denote similar elements throughout the several views of the drawings.  FIG. 1A  illustrates the present invention of the retractable retention device  10  used in conjunction with a snowboard user outfitted with sports equipment (for example, bindings  61  and snowboard  63 ) and garments (for example, pants  53  and boots  37 ).  
         [0045]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1B and 2 , the retractable retention device  10  includes screw or bolt  11 , top cap  13  of casing  29 , cord or tether  15 , biasing means  17  (for example, a coil spring or an elastomer), tether race  19 , and bottom cap  21  of casing  29 . The tether  15  is stored within the race  19  when retracted. The tether  15  may be made of any material that can be drawn into filament geometry, capable of being wound or coiled, and has sufficient tensile strength to withstand the loads under which the device shall be intended to operate. The tether  15  should also be made of a material that is tough to cut, or withstand high shear loads since the present invention may be used as a lock or theft deterrent device. The coil spring  17  may include a fold  33  capable of interconnection with the casing bottom cap  21 . Fold  33  can wrap around the hemispherical protrusion  23  in the bottom cap  21  and connects similarly to the race body  19  as folded into a part of the race  19 . Also shown is a boss  25  of bottom cap  21  which may be a bearing surface for the race  19  to rotate around as the tether  15  is engaged and retracted, as well as a mating surface hole for the threaded member  11  to be inserted through. Tether  15  may have attachment means  31  (shown illustratively in  FIG. 4 ) fixed to the free end  75  of tether  15  in order to attach the user or equipment to tether  15  when retractable retention device  10  is used for its intended purpose. Top cap  13  and bottom cap  21  may be manufactured as one solid unit or two units to form casing  29  which houses all of the components described above.  
         [0046]     Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , bottom cap  21  and top cap  13  are sufficiently sized to fit securely together through engagement of threaded member  11  with mating boss hole  26  ( FIG. 1B ), the completed assembly forming casing  29 . Casing  29  is not limited to a two-part system as described herein. The shape of the casing  29  and thus top cap  13  and bottom cap  21  may be of any shape suitable to the particular application. Top cap  13  and bottom cap  21  may be snapped together if the outer and mating inner edge of the caps is made to form an interference fit or threaded connection with suitable cooperating lips for snapping or screwing to caps together.  
         [0047]     Casing  29  can be made of a number of different materials that can be formed to the desired shape and with the necessary tolerances for mating caps  13 ,  21 . A preferred material should have a low thermal expansion coefficient in order to maintain shape and tolerances with the other components of the retractable retention device  10  when exposed to varying temperature changes that are inherent with the sports of, for example, snowboarding, surfing, and snowskating which may be on the order of magnitude of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or more. The casing material is preferably resistant and flexible.  
         [0048]     The threaded portion  27  of the screw  11  extends out of bottom cap  21  at predetermined distance and ready to be screwed into any suitably threaded hole  28  within snowboard  63  ( FIG. 1A ), snowboard binding, snowskate board, skateboard, snowboard boot or the like. The screw  11  may be inserted through casing holes  24  which may be at any location within the casing  29  and may be either threaded holes or non-threaded holes. The head  30  of the bolt  11  may be slightly larger in diameter than casing holes  24  and boss hole  26  so that bolt  11  will constrain the entire retractable device  10  securely to whichever piece of equipment or clothing is chosen.  
         [0049]      FIGS. 4A, 4B ,  5 ,  6 ,  10 A and  10 B further illustrate embodiments to externally secure the device  10  to equipment or user. The attachment means shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  is similar to a money or belt clip style fastener that includes a clip  39  attached to casing  29 . Clip  39  is preferably made of a strong material with a high strain to failure and high flexural strength characteristics, but easy to form into the desired complex shape, for example steel, plastics, aluminum alloys, polymers, and metal alloys having similar characteristics. Clip  39  may be of any suitable size for the desired device  10  attachment location on a snowboard binding strap  55  or highback  57  (shown in  FIG. 9 ) or snowboard boot (see  FIG. 8 ).  
         [0050]     Another embodiment of the present invention includes an attachment mechanism, shown in  FIG. 5 , having strap  41  which is connected to casing  29  through strap mount  43 , which is either fixedly or removably mounted to casing  29  through conventional means. Strap mount  43  may be formed directly into or integral to casing  29  during the molding or forming of casing  29 . Strap mount  43  may also be a separate piece that may be secured to the casing  29  through conventional means. Strap  41  can be wrapped around any binding strap, binding highback, heelcup, or baseplate, bootlaces, as well as around the user&#39;s clothing. Strap  41  is sized according to its intended mating feature. The strap  41  ends may connect together through a snap button, hook and loop, removable adhesive, or clip mechanism. The strap  41  should be made of a flexible material, fabric or such suitable material for strength and flexibility.  
         [0051]     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , another embodiment of the present invention includes an attachment mechanism having adhesive surface  45  that can be used to attach the casing  29  to any flat or compatibly contoured surface on the equipment or user of the sporting equipment.  
         [0052]     Referring now to  FIGS. 10A and 10B , another embodiment of the present invention includes an attachment means having plurality of holes or loops  59  formed along the outer surface of casing  29  through which thread or fiber  35  can be inserted or woven. Fiber  35  can be sewn through the holes or loops and into the user&#39;s clothing, boot, binding, or any suitable surface on the sporting equipment, garment  20 , boot  37 , pant leg  53 , binding strap  55 , and binding structure  57 , thereby weaving or attaching device  10  semi-permanently to the user or user&#39;s equipment or apparel. If the mating surface on the equipment is a hard surface, then it must contain appropriate mating holes or loops  59  prefabricated to accept the thread or fiber  35 . Casing holes or loops  59  may be either formed during a secondary process during manufacture of the casing  29  or during the primary process of forming the casing  29 . Casing holes or loops  59  may be located either circumferentially around the edge of the circular or otherwise shaped casing  29  or at any other suitable location on the casing  29 .  
         [0053]     Referring to  FIG. 12 , another embodiment of the present invention includes a retraction stop mechanism  64  that maintains the extended tether  15  at a certain length desired by the user during use of the retraction retention device  10 . The retraction stop mechanism  64  includes a stop release actuator  65  having an actuator head  67 , a protrusion  69 , and an elongated portion  71 . The stop release actuator  65  is made of plastic, thin metal, polymer, graphite, or other sufficiently elastic material such that when actuator  65  is depressed or otherwise deformed it will spring back or return to an initial or locked position without permanent deformation of actuator  65 . The elongated portion  71  is attached to the inside surface  73  of the casing  29 . The elongated portion  71  can be attached by conventional means including, for example, rivet, pin, press-stud, screw, weld, braze, nut/bolt, and adhesive. The actuator  65  can also be pivotally attached to the casing  29  by use of same or similar conventional attachment means listed above. Protrusion  69  is configured to cooperate with and engage teeth cutouts  18  of race  19 . Pressing on or actuating actuator  65  laterally moves protrusion  69  inward and away from teeth cutouts  18  thereby disengaging the protrusion  69  from within the teeth cutouts  18 . Alternatively, actuator  65  can be actuated or rotated upward to an angular displacement to vertically raise the protrusion  69  above teeth cutouts  18 , thereby disengaging protrusion  69  and teeth cutouts  18 . Once protrusion  69  and teeth cutouts  18  are disengaged, the biasing means  17  can recoil thereby retracting extended tether  15  back into casing  29 . Actuator head  67  extends outside of the casing  29  and is accessible by the user. The casing  29  has an aperture (not shown) to receive Actuator  65  as it transverses inward and outward or upward and outward to disengage and engage protrusion  69  and teeth cutouts  18 .  
         [0054]     Referring now to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the retractable retention device  10  is housed within a user&#39;s article of clothing, for example pant leg  53 . The clothing attachment system  20  may include a pouch or pocket  47  that is manufactured within the garment  20 . The pocket  47  may have a closing device  49  to keep the retractable retention leash device  10  from falling out of the pocket  47 . The closing device  49  may comprise a zipper, button, snap, hook and loop, or resealable adhesive. The pouch  47  also has a small tether hole  51  where the tether  15  protrudes from the internal cavity of the pouch  47  in the pants  53  to the outside where the user may access the tether attachment means  31 . The pocket  47  must be suitably larger than the casing  29  of the device  10 . The tether hole  51  is preferably larger in diameter than the tether  15  but smaller than that of the leash clip  31  so that upon retraction, the free end  75  of tether  15  and the clip  31  do not retract back into the inside of the pants  53  within the pocket  47 .  
         [0055]     An alternative internal garment housing system may not have a pocket closing device  49 . Device  10  may be installed within the garment  20  at the time of manufacture. This option will be common to all of the following embodiments regarding internally housing the device  10  within any of the equipment or accessories pertinent to the sports of snowboarding, skateboarding, surfing, and snowskating.  
         [0056]     Referring to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the retractable retention device  10  may be internally stored within or integral with, for example a snowboard boot  37 . Device  10  can be positioned in any location within the boot  37  because the size of the retractable retention device  10  is small enough to fit anywhere in the shell or bladder  42 , tongue  38 , or sole  40  of a boot  37 .  FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate three possible locations for a pocket  47  housing the retractable retention device  10 , one of which illustrates a pocket closing device  49 . Pocket  47  is preferably formed in boot  37  at the time of manufacture. An alternative embodiment of the present invention eliminates casing  29  since boot  37  acts like a casing when the biasing means  17 , tether  15 , and other internal components of the device are positioned in a mold that will form a cavity around the internal components during the manufacturing process.  
         [0057]     Yet another embodiment of device  10  includes an attachment means within the snowboard binding  61  ( FIGS. 9A and 9B ). Four locations within the binding  61  have been shown for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the present invention to the embodiments disclosed. Two locations are within binding structure  57  and two locations are within each of straps  55 . Snowboard binding straps  55  are often made of flexible fabric material within which a retractable leash device casing  29  can be stored. The structural part of the binding  57  may be injection or stamp molded plastic or composite material. Device  10  may be manufactured integral to the structure  57  during binding fabrication having a tether hole  51  for the tether  15  to come through to the outside surface and thus accessible to the user.  
         [0058]     Referring to  FIG. 11 , retractable retention device  10  (shown in phantom) may be manufactured integral within the equipment, for example snowboard  63 , surfboard, or snowskate boards. A fabrication process for this equipment may eliminate the need for casing  29 , as disclosed above.  
         [0059]     To use the retractable retention leash device  10 , the user first attaches casing  29  securely by any suitable attachment means described above to either the user or the equipment, such as binding  61  and snowboard  63 . User then grasps the leash attachment means  31  of the free end  75  of tether  15  and secures it to user or to equipment with attachment means  31 . Tether  15  can be locked in extended position by stop mechanism  64  ( FIG. 12 ). To retract tether  15  back into its storage position within casing  29 , the actuator  65  is actuated to allow the internal energy biasing mechanism  17  to retract the tether  15  into the casing  29 .  
         [0060]     It is to be fully understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the specific details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the previous description or illustrations. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded and limiting. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the previous description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. It should be realized this invention is also capable of a wide variety of further and other embodiments within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.