Abstract:
A collapsible sports board support assembly for removable attachment to a support structure, which can be mounted onto boats and other support structures, for supporting wake boards, snow boards, surf boards and various other sports boards. The apparatus includes at least one foldable board support fork hingedly attached to the support structure, the fork having prongs extending away from the support structure, where the foldable support fork is folded onto the support structure to minimize the space occupied by the assembly and to minimize the hazards associated with protruding forks. One embodiment includes a rotatable and pivotable support base which, in combination with the ability to fold the board support forks, allows the sports board support assembly to be nearly infinitely repositionable and adjustable and therefore is uniquely compatible with adjustable support structures such as height adjustable towers which change angles as the tower is raised or lowered.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention provides collapsible assembly for supporting wake boards, snow boards, surf boards and various other sports boards. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is a distinctive collapsible sports board support assembly which can be mounted onto boats and other support structures. The collapsible sports board support assembly includes folding forks which can be collapsed or folded to minimize the hazards associated with protruding forks and to minimize the space taken up by the assembly. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0003]      FIG. 1  shows a collapsible sports board support assembly for wakeboards. 
           [0004]      FIG. 2  shows a collapsible sports board support assembly for snowboards. 
           [0005]      FIG. 3  shows a collapsible sports board support assembly mounted on a boat. 
           [0006]      FIG. 4  shows a collapsible sports board support assembly mounted on a boat. 
           [0007]      FIG. 5  shows a collapsible sports board support assembly mounted on a boat. 
           [0008]      FIG. 6  shows a sports board being mounted to a collapsible sports board support assembly. 
           [0009]      FIG. 7  shows a sports board being mounted to a collapsible sports board support assembly. 
           [0010]      FIG. 8  shows a sports board being mounted to a collapsible sports board support assembly. 
           [0011]      FIG. 9  shows collapsible sports board support assembly with one folded fork. 
           [0012]      FIG. 10  shows a collapsible sports board support assembly as combined with a sports board. 
           [0013]      FIG. 11  shows a collapsible sports board support assembly as combined with a sports board with the forks partially folded to accommodate boot and binding. 
           [0014]      FIG. 12  shows a collapsible sports board support assembly with a board securing cord. 
           [0015]      FIG. 13  shows a collapsible sports board support assembly with a board securing cord. 
           [0016]      FIG. 14  shows the fork attachment hinge and fork hinge quick release handle. 
           [0017]      FIG. 15  shows a board support mount. 
           [0018]      FIG. 16  shows a board support mount. 
           [0019]      FIG. 17  shows a board support mount. 
           [0020]      FIG. 18  shows a quick release handle and a quick release bolt. 
           [0021]      FIG. 19  shows a collapsible sports board support assembly being mounted to a boat support structure. 
           [0022]      FIG. 20  shows a supplemental base support mount holder. 
           [0023]      FIG. 21  shows the board support base mount rotational section and its companion slot. 
           [0024]      FIG. 22  shows a collapsible sports board support assembly mounted to a boat structure with the forks folded (stowed position). 
           [0025]      FIG. 23  shows the board support base mount rotational section and its aperture. 
           [0026]      FIG. 24  shows a collapsible sports board support assembly mounted to a boat structure with the forks folded and positioned horizontal to the boat deck. 
           [0027]      FIG. 25  shows a collapsible sports board support assembly mounted to a boat structure with the forks folded and positioned horizontal to the boat deck. 
           [0028]      FIG. 26  shows a collapsible sports board support assembly mounted to a boat structure with the forks folded and positioned at a rotated angle from the boat deck. 
           [0029]      FIG. 27  shows a collapsible sports board support assembly mounted to a boat structure with the forks unfolded (board mounting position). 
           [0030]      FIG. 28  shows a collapsible sports board support assembly mounted to a boat structure with the forks unfolded (board mounting position). 
           [0031]      FIG. 29  shows a support structure mounted to a boat gunwale with an integrated support base. 
           [0032]      FIG. 30   a  shows board forks and hinges in the unfolded position (board mounting position) for mounting to a support base integrated into a support structure. 
           [0033]      FIG. 30   b  shows board forks and hinges with one fork in the folded position and the other fork in the unfolded position. 
           [0034]      FIG. 30   c  shows board forks and hinges in the folded position (stowed position) for mounting to a support base integrated into a support structure. 
           [0035]      FIG. 31  shows board forks and hinges in the unfolded position (board mounting position) mounted to an integrated support base as part of a support structure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0036]    The present invention is a collapsible sports board support assembly as shown in  FIG. 1-FIG .  31 . 
         [0037]    The preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown at least in  FIGS. 1-10  is a collapsible sports board support assembly  100  which includes a pair of board support forks  110  hingedly interconnected by a board support base  120 . The board support assembly includes a board support mount  130  which is attached to the board support base  120  for removably and pivotally mounting the collapsible sports board support assembly  100  to various structures such as boat towers, vehicles, and static supports. 
         [0038]    In the preferred embodiment of the invention each of the board support forks  110  include at least two, most preferably three, fork prongs  115  which extend outward from the board support base  120 . 
         [0039]    Alternate board support forks  110  may include four or more board support fork prongs  115  as needed. 
         [0040]    The board support fork prongs  115  extend to a distance suitable for securing the applicable sports board  101  between a pair of the fork prongs  115  as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0041]    Typically the length of the fork prongs  115  is approximately one-half the width of the sports board  101  which is to be supported. This allows safe and secure support of the sports board  101  while minimize the length of the fork prongs  115 . 
         [0042]    Its is further envisioned that the length of the fork prongs  115  can be optimized for the type and width of sports board  101  to be supported by determining the width and weight of the sports board  101  and selecting fork prongs  115  suitable for securely holding the anticipated load. 
         [0043]    Further, as shown in  FIGS. 5-7 , the fork prongs  115  may be positioned at an angle to the board support base  120  thereby by shifting the center of gravity of the supported supports board  101 . With the shift in the center of gravity of the supported sports board  101 , the length of the fork prongs  115  are complimentarily modified to provide the appropriate support. For example if the fork prongs  115  are angled at less than 45 degrees from the board support base  120  (clockwise rotation applied) the sports board  101  center of gravity will be directed towards the board support base  120  and short the fork prongs  115  may adequately support the sports board  101 . 
         [0044]    As the fork prongs  115  are angled further away from the board support base  120  (clockwise rotation applied) the sports board  101  center of gravity will be directed further away from the board support base  120  and longer fork prongs  115  may be required to adequately support the sports board  101 . 
         [0045]    As shown in at least,  FIGS. 30   b  and  30   c , it is novel to be able to fold two board forks that are approximately 11″ in length into a space in between the board forks that is only 8.5″ in width. It requires the board fork angle to be optimized in order to utilize the space between the board forks which is limited by the distance between the bindings on a wakeboard. As the angle of the forks increases, less width between the forks is required to fold them. The angle of the forks is often a critical factor in minimizing the required width between the board forks. This space optimizing factor creates a unique functionality of the device. 
         [0046]    Further the distance between each pair of fork prongs  115  is selected to be suitable with the anticipated thickness of the applicable sports board  101 . 
         [0047]    It is anticipated that additional structural features or elements may be provided to assist the fork prongs  115  in retaining the inserted sports board  101 . 
         [0048]    As previously stated the fork prongs  115  are hingedly attached  116  to the board support base  120  which allows the fork prongs  115  to be folded inward towards the board support base  120 . The length of the fork prongs  115  will effect the ability of the forks to be folded therefore an optimized selection of the length of the fork prongs  115  with relation to the sports board  101  width is preferable. 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 14 , the attachment hinge  116  preferably includes a fork hinge quick release handle  117  to lock or release the pivotal movement of the fork prongs  115 . The fork prongs  115  and board support base  120  are hingedly attached together similar to the hinged attachment of a door to a door frame. 
         [0050]    An added advantage of the foldable fork prongs  115  is that, as shown in  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 , the fork prongs  115  can be pivoted to support a variety of sports board widths. This is also important because sports boarders such as ski boarders users mount boots and bindings  111  to the surface of the sports board  101  at a width approximately equal to the width of the users shoulders and the mounted boots and binders  111  can interfere with placing the sports board  101  into a board support assembly  100 . 
         [0051]    By pivoting or folding the foldable fork prongs  115  slightly to accommodate the placement of the boots and bindings  111 , users can retain their preferred boot mount position. In contrast, with sports board support assemblies having rigidly attached fork prongs the users will have to remove their boots from the sports board prior to mounting the sports board onto the sports board support assembly and then re-install the boots onto the sports board assembly when the users want to use the sports board  101 . 
         [0052]    With the sports board  101  placed into the sports board support assembly  100 , a board securing cord  118 , such as a bungee cord, can be used to further secure the sports board to the sports board support assembly  100 . 
         [0053]    The entire collapsible sports board support assembly  100  is removably and pivotally mounted onto a support structure  102  such as boat towers, vehicles, and static supports via board support base  120  and base support mount  130 . 
         [0054]    The board support base mount  130  includes a rotational section  134  which locks into position via a support base mount quick release handle  135 , and support base mount quick release bolt  136  as shown at least in  FIGS. 15-18  and  FIGS. 25-26 . Locking the support base mount quick release handle  135  prevents the rotation of the rotational section  134  and thereby prevents the sports board support assembly  100  from rotation in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. Releasing the lock allows free rotation of the board support base  120 . 
         [0055]    As shown in at least in  FIG. 21  and  FIG. 23 , the board support base mount rotational section  134  includes an aperture  137  and a companion slot  138  thru which the support base mount quick release bolt  136  (see  FIG. 18 ) and extends when inserted to prevent or allow rotation of the board support base  120 . 
         [0056]    The base support mount  130  may be attached directly to the support structure  102  or, as shown in  FIGS. 20 and 24 , the base support mount  130  may be positioned on a supplemental base support mount holder  139 , which is attached to the applicable support structure  102 . The base support holder mount  139  may be and independent mounting element or a section of the support structure  102  (such as a boat tower) which includes mounting deformations (not shown) designed to allow the board support base  120  to be positioned substantially flush with the support structure  102 . 
         [0057]    Whether the base support mount  130  is attached directly to the support structure  102  or to a supplemental base support mount holder  139 , a removable base support mount securing pin  130   a  is used to further secure the base support mount  130  to the applicable structure. The purpose of the support mount securing pin  130   a  is to affect (prevent or allow) rotation of the base support mount on the supporting structure  102  or on the supplemental base support mount holder  139 . The removable base support mount securing pin  130   a  may be provided as a quick release mechanism having a quick release handle or as a completely removable pin. 
         [0058]    The combination of the ability to rotate the board support base  120  and the base support mount  130 , as well as the ability to fold the fork prongs  115  allows the sports board support assembly  100  to be nearly infinitely repositionable and adjustable and therefore the collapsible sports board support assembly  100  of the instant invention is uniquely compatible with adjustable support structures  102  such as height adjustable towers which change angles as the tower is raised or lowered as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 8,297,484. 
         [0059]    As an alternative embodiment as shown in at least in  FIGS. 29 through 31 , the board forks  210  and hinges  216  may be mounted directly to an integrated support base  103  as a part of a support structure  102  as a cost reduction method. 
         [0060]    Note the gunwale  140  is considered a part of the boat deck. As shown in  FIG. 29  the support structure  102  may comprise multiple support structures  102  attached to the boat deck along the same port or starboard gunwale  140 . 
         [0061]    An additional alternative embodiment (not shown) incorporates a drive mechanism to actuate the folding and unfolding of the board forks  110 . Various methods such as cable gears, actuated struts, or motor-driven gears may be used to move the board forks for ease of use to the user. 
         [0062]    Further, the support structures discussed herein are not considered an exhaustive list of support structures and it is anticipated the instant invention is useable with a variety of support structures  102  such as support assemblies on vehicles as well as support assemblies for mounting sports equipment to walls or other non-mobile structures. 
         [0063]    It is understood the components of the instant invention are constructed from materials suitable to the applicable usage environment. 
         [0064]    While various embodiments of the present invention may be shown and described herein, it will be obvious that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes and substitutions may be made without departing from the invention herein. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.