Abstract:
A snowboard that facilitates turn carving has an elongated body with first and second elevated bases mounted thereto, and an area of increased stiffness extending radially from the first and second bases toward the central axis of the body of the snowboard. V-shaped, diamond shaped or T-shaped drive members are mounted to the body or formed integrally therewith to increase the stiffness of the body in the area between the bases. The combination of the elevated bases and area of increased stiffness increases the flex area and the positive running edge of the snowboard. Additional stiffener fingers can be included to extend outwardly from the bases toward the nose and tail ends to provide shock absorption and vibration dampening.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a snowboard and more particularly to a snowboard with a drive system that facilitates turning. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Whether on skis or a snowboard, everyone wants to be able to carve a turn as they traverse down the ski slope. Carving a turn amounts to putting the skis or snowboard on edge and then shooting through a smooth arc. World cup skiers carve their turns as they thread the gates on a slope. Advanced snowboarders carve turns as they lean deep into the mountain and drive the edge of their boards hard into the slope. Most skiers and snowboarders, however, do not carve their turns, but rather skid their ski or snowboard tails through a scraping turn. 
     To master the art of turn carving, the snowboarder or skier must drive the snowboard or ski into the slope hard enough to cause it to bend to form the turn carving arc. It follows then that the stiffer the snowboard or ski, the more difficult it will be to turn. Although it will be easier to form a turn carving arc the more flexible the snowboard or ski is made, the snowboard or ski will also be less stable the more flexible the snowboard or ski is made. This decrease in stability is more pronounced in a snowboard because of the snowboard&#39;s wide body. As a result of its wide body, the ends of the snowboard will naturally tend to twist before the snowboard bends as the edge of the snowboard is driven into the mountain to make a turn. Thus, as the snowboard becomes more flexible, it will more readily twist and, as a result, more readily vibrate. 
     To attempt to make the snowboard easier to turn while maintaining its stability, the snowboard has been constructed with parabolic side cuts to form an arcuate turning or running edge. Although the parabolic side cuts currently utilized with conventional snowboards may make the snowboard easier to turn, they are not likely to enable the average snowboarder to readily carve a turn. Because of the configuration of the conventional snowboard, the parabolic side cuts cannot be made drastic enough to significantly reduce the likelihood that the snowboard will skid through a scraping turn instead of holding an edge through a carving arc. For example, if a drastic side cut is incorporated into the snowboard such that the waist or midsection of the board is cut narrower than the length of the snowboarder&#39;s feet, the snowboarder&#39;s toes or heels will undesirably drag in the snow as the snowboarder turns the snowboard on edge and leans into a turn. If, on the other hand, the width of the ends of the snowboard are increased to provide a more drastic side cut, the torsional forces that cause twisting and vibration during a turn will also increase and make the board less stable. 
     Parabolic side cuts are also unlikely to enable the average snowboarder to readily carve a turn because a conventional snowboard tends to be inherently incapable of holding an edge through a turn. Because of the lateral spacing of the snowboarder&#39;s feet, the portion of the snowboard between the snowboarder&#39;s feet will not flex or will tend to flex in a direction opposite to the direction that the snowboard flexes outside of the snowboarder&#39;s feet as the snowboarder attempts to turn the snowboard. This non-flex or counter directional flex results in a negative running edge between the snowboarder&#39;s feet. In conventional snowboards, the ratio of a positive running edge located outside the snowboarder&#39;s feet to a negative running edge located between the snowboarder&#39;s feet is approximately 1-1.5:1. 
     Because of the relative size of a conventional snowboard&#39;s negative running edge, the negative running edge tends to prevent the snowboard from following a path defined by a turn carving arc and tends to counteract the influence of the parabolic side cut. Thus, the conventional snowboard is not likely to enable the average snowboarder to carve a turn with any predictability. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to have a snowboard that facilitates turn carving by increasing the ratio of the positive running edge to the negative running edge without reducing the snowboard&#39;s stability, that provides better edge hold through a turn, that performs more predictably and, additionally, that tends to reduce vibration in the end of the snowboard during turning. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The snowboard of the present invention serves to facilitate turn carving by increasing the ratio of the positive running edge of the snowboard to the negative running edge of the snowboard without reducing the snowboard&#39;s stability. Furthermore, the snowboard of the present invention provides better edge hold through turns, performs more predictably and tends to reduce vibration in the end of the snowboard during turning. The snowboard preferably comprises an elongated body having turned up nose and tail ends and first and second bases mounted in spaced relation on the body on opposite sides of the central axis of the snowboard. The first and second bases can be mounted to the snowboard along with bindings utilizing the conventional mounting holes of a conventional snowboard. The first and second bases preferably elevate the snowboarder&#39;s boots captured in the bindings above and in spaced relation with the body of the snowboard. The stiffness of the area of the snowboard between the bases is preferably increased by mounting V-shaped, diamond-shaped, or T-shaped drive members to the body or integrally forming the V-shaped or T-shaped members with the body. By elevating the snowboarder&#39;s boots and increasing the stiffness of the body between the first and second bases, the flex area and positive running edges of the snowboard are increased as compared to a conventional snowboard. The positive running edge on the snowboard of the present invention tends to extend toward the central axis of the snowboard beyond the first and second bases resulting in the formation of a smooth carving arc during turning of the snowboard. Additionally, stiffener fingers that extend from the first and second bases toward the ends of the nose and tail sections are added to provide shock absorption and vibration dampening. The stiffener fingers can be mounted on the body or formed integrally therewith. 
     An object of this invention is to provide an improved snowboard. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of a conventional snowboard known in the art. 
     FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the conventional snowboard in FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic showing the shape of a running edge of the conventional snowboard during turning. 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic of an ideal turn-carving arc for a conventional snowboard. 
     FIG. 5 is a top view of a novel V-drive snowboard of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic showing the shape of the running edge of the V-drive snowboard in FIG. 5 during turning. 
     FIG. 7 is a partial top view of the V-drive snowboard in FIG. 5. 
     FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a V-drive member of the V-drive snowboard in FIG. 5. 
     FIG. 9 is an elevation view of the V-drive snowboard in FIG. 5. 
     FIG. 10 is an isometric view of an X-drive snowboard of the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 is an isometric view of an X-drive member of the X-drive snowboard in FIG. 10. 
     FIG. 12 is a top view of an integrated X-drive snowboard. 
     FIG. 13 is a top view of an integrated diamond-drive snowboard. 
     FIG. 14 is a top view of an integrated T-drive snowboard. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     Referring now in detail to FIGS. 1-3, therein illustrated is a conventional snowboard 10 known in the art. The snowboard 10 typically comprises an elongated planar body 12 having arcuate or parabolically cut sides 18 and 20. The body 12 is generally wider than a conventional alpine ski known in the art. The ends 14 and 16 of the nose and tail of the body 12 tend to be curved upwardly at bend lines 15 and 17. Two groups of mounting holes 22 and 24 are positioned in spaced relation and on opposite sides of the central axis A1 of the snowboard 10 and tend to straddle the longitudinal axis A2 of the snowboard 10. Bindings (not shown) which capture boots 23 and 25 are mounted to the snowboard 10 using mounting holes 22 and 24. The boots 23 and 25 are shown schematically to illustrate the typical spacing between boot 23 and 25 locations on conventional snowboards 10. 
     To perform a turn, the snowboarder turns the snowboard 10 on its running edge 26 and leans into the turn. By leaning, the snowboarder applies a load to the body 12 of the snowboard 10 at points 34 and 36 along the running edge 26 adjacent to the toe end of the boots 23 and 25. This load causes the body 12 of the snowboard 10 to flex in the cross-hatched areas 38 and 40 between respective load points 34 and 36 and the bend lines 15 and 17 of the ends 14 and 16. The flex of the body 12 of the snowboard 10 includes a twisting motion around the longitudinal axis A2 and a bending motion around the central axis A1. When referring to FIG. 2, the bending motion will direct the ends 14 and 16 in an upwardly direction forming arcs that are directed downwardly. However, the central portion of the body 12 of the snowboard 10, located between the boots 23 and 25, will either tend not to flex or will tend to bend in a direction opposite to the direction that the ends 14 and 16 bend, i.e., when referring to FIG. 2, the central portion of the body 12 between the boots 23 and 25 will bend forming an arc directed upwardly, if it bends at all. 
     The flex areas 38 and 40 define areas of a positive running edge 28 and 30 along the running edge 26. The positive running edges 28 and 30 are smooth shaped arcs which guide the snowboard in a turn (see FIG. 3). However, the area between the boots 23 and 25 defines a negative running edge 32. The negative running edge 32 is either flat or slightly curved in an opposite direction to the positive running edges 28 and 30 as shown in FIG. 3, and tends to prevent the snowboard 10 from holding an edge through a turn defined by an arcuate path. Thus, the shape of the running edge 26 during a turn, as shown in FIG. 3, causes the conventional snowboard 10 to slide or skid through a turn rather than following a defined path through a smooth turn carving arc, as defined by the turn carving arc 42 shown in FIG. 4. 
     In a conventional snowboard, the ratio of positive running edge to negative running edge is approximately 1-1.5:1. As this ratio decreases, the snowboard is more likely to skid or slide through a turn. However, as this ratio increases, the shape of the running edge 26 during a turn will more closely resemble the smooth turn carving arc 42 shown in FIG. 4, and thus will more likely carve a turn rather than skidding or sliding through a turn. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now in detail to FIGS. 5-9, therein illustrated is a preferred embodiment of a V-drive snowboard 50 of the present invention. The V-drive snowboard 50 comprises V-drives 52 and 54 mounted on a conventional snowboard. Accordingly, like components will be identified with the same numerals. 
     The V-drives 52 and 54 comprise torsional bases 56 and 58 and V-plates 60 and 62 extending therefrom toward the central axis A1 of the V-drive snowboard 50. The V-plates 60 and 62 comprise radially extending stiffener fingers 64 and 66, 68 and 70 that extend respectively from the torsional bases 56 and 58 inwardly toward the central axis A1 of the snowboard 50 and outwardly toward the side edges 18 and 20 of the body 12 of the V-drive snowboard 50. The torsional bases 56 and 58 of the V-drives 52 and 54 include mounting holes 57 and 59 which allow the V-drives 52 and 54 to be mounted with boot bindings onto a conventional snowboard utilizing the existing mounting holes 22 and 24. By utilizing the existing mounting holes 22 and 24 the V-drive snowboard 50 preserves the conventional mounting locations for the bindings and the conventional positioning of a snowboarder&#39;s boots 23 and 25. The fingers 64, 66, 68 and 70 can also be fixed to the body 12 with epoxy or simply bolted. As shown in FIG. 9, the torsional bases 56 and 58 are advantageously elevated to raise the snowboarder&#39;s boots 23 and 25 above the body 12 of the V-drive snowboard 50. A compressive material (not shown) could be mounted between the boots 23 and 25 and the body 12 to prevent snow and ice from packing in between the elevated mount and the body 12 of the snowboard 50. 
     To turn, the snowboard 50 is turned on its running edge 26 as the snowboarder leans to drive the running edge 26 into the slope. By leaning, the snowboarder causes a torque to be applied at torsional bases 56 and 58 of the V-drives 52 and 54 to the body 12 of the snowboard 50 about the snowboard&#39;s 50 longitudinal axis A2. The V-drives 52 and 54 advantageously apply a load through the stiffener fingers 66 and 70 of the V-plates 60 and 62 along the running edge 26 of the body 12 at load points 35 and 37. If the snowboard was turned on the snowboard&#39;s opposite running edge along the opposite side edge 18 to turn the snowboard in the other direction, a similar torque would be applied at the torsional bases 56 and 58 and the V-drives 52 and 54 would advantageously apply a load through the stiffener fingers 64 and 68 along the opposite running edge at load points similarly located adjacent the ends of the fingers 64 and 68. As compared to the conventional snowboard 10 (FIG. 1), the V-drives 52 and 54 advantageously direct the load applied by the snowboard during a turn to load points 35 and 37 that are much closer to the central axis A1 than the load points 34 and 36 of the conventional snowboard 10 (see FIG. 2). Because the snowboarder&#39;s boots 23 and 25 are elevated and the load points 35 and 37 are applied closer to the central axis A1, the body 12 of the V-drive snowboard 50 flexes an additional amount as shown by the cross-hatched areas 38A and 40A in FIG. 7. The increased flex areas 38A and 40A increase the length of positive running edges 28 and 30 along the running edge 26 at edge portions 28A and 30A. The ratio of a positive running edge, which causes the snowboard to follow an arc defined path, to a negative running edge, which causes the snowboard not to follow an arc defined path, is far greater using the V-drive snowboard 50. As shown in FIG. 6, the turning shape of the running edge 26 of the V-drive snowboard 50 is a substantially smooth turn-carving arc. The turn-carving arc shape of the running edge 26 causes the V-drive snowboard 50 to follow a path defined by the arc rather than sliding throughout the turn. 
     As a result of its construction, the V-drive snowboard 50 is more responsive and its performance is more predictable. By elevating the snowboarder&#39;s boots 23 and 25 above the body 12, the snowboarder has greater leverage to make more aggressive turns. By directing the load toward the central axis A1 of the snowboard 50, the running edge 26 of the snowboard 50 more easily deforms into a smooth turn carving arc, which results in more precise turns, less slide, and better edge hold through the turn. 
     In addition, a more drastic side cut can be incorporated with the V-drive snowboard 50. Because the snowboarder&#39;s boots are elevated from the body 12, the waist or midsection of the body 12 can be made narrower without causing the snowboarder&#39;s feet to drag during a turn. A more drastic side cut will further enhance the turn-carving characteristics of the V-drive snowboard 50. 
     Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, an X-drive snowboard 71 incorporates the advantages and characteristics of the V-drive snowboard 50 while adding shock absorption and/or vibration dampening characteristics to the snowboard. The X-drive snowboard 71 comprises opposing X-drives 72 and 74 which include the torsional bases 56 and 58 and V-plates 60 and 62 of the V-drives shown in FIGS. 5 and 7-9. The X-drives 72 and 74 also include X-plates 76 and 78 having stiffening fingers 80 and 82, 84 and 86 that radially extend outwardly from the torsional bases 56 and 58 toward the sides 18 and 20 of the body 12 adjacent the ends 14 and 16 of the nose and tail of the X-drive snowboard 71. 
     In operation, the stiffener fingers 80 and 82, 84 and 86 of the X-plates 76 and 78 will act as shock absorbers and/or vibration dampeners. As the board bends or twists as it flexes during turning or other operations, shearing occurs between the body 12 of and the fingers 80 and 82, 84 and 86. The buildup of friction between the X-plates 76 and 78 and the body 12 of the snowboard 71 advantageously causes a dampening of the vibration of the snowboard 71. Thus, the running edge 26 of the X-drive snowboard 71 can be driven into the snow with more force than with the V-drive snowboard 50. In addition, the X-plates 76 and 78 advantageously tend to reduce the concentration of stress along the running edge 26 at the load points 35 and 37 adjacent the end of the stiffener fingers 66 and 70 of the V-drives 52 and 54. 
     The V-drive and X-drive snowboards 50 and 71 shown in FIGS. 5-11 include V- and X-drives 52, 54, 72 and 74 that are mountable to conventional snowboards. Referring to FIG. 12, the same advantages and characteristics of these V- and X-drives 52, 54, 72 and 74 could be provided in an integrated snowboard 87 by increasing the stiffness of the cross-hatched areas 61, 63, 77 and 79. By increasing the stiffness in the cross-hatched areas 61, 63, 77 and 79, the flex areas and positive running edges of the snowboard 87 are thereby increased. The stiffness of the cross-hatched areas 61, 63, 77 and 79 of the snowboard 87 can be increased by utilizing a special layup or internal stiffeners. Thus, the combination of these areas of increased stiffness with the elevation of the snowboarder&#39;s boot on torsional base mounts 56 and 58 will provide the same or similar benefits experienced with the externally mounted V- and X-drive snowboards 50 and 71. 
     Turning to FIG. 12, a diamond drive snowboard 88 comprises a diamond drive stiffener 89 embedded in the body 12 of the snowboard 88. As with the V-drive snowboard 50, the diamond drive 89 will direct the turning torque applied at the elevated torsional bases 56 and 58 (shown in phantom) toward the central axis of the snowboard 88. Thus, the diamond drive snowboard 88 will have an increased flex area that will result in a larger positive running edge 28 and 30, which will provide better turning characteristics. 
     Similarly, a T-drive snowboard 90, shown in FIG. 14, will also provide an increased flex area in the body 12 of the T-drive snowboard 90 that will result in a larger positive running edge 28 and 30. The T-drive snowboard 90 comprises T-drives 92 and 94 integrated into the body 12. The T-drives 92 and 94 include stem stiffeners 95 and 96 extending toward the central axis of the snowboard 90 from elevated torsional bases 56 and 58 (shown in phantom) and cross-bar stiffeners 97 and 98 extending outwardly to the sides 18 and 20 of the body 12 of the T-drive snowboard 90 adjacent the central axis. 
     While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Other variations are possible. 
     Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated above, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.