Abstract:
A device is provided for supporting at least part of the weight of a snowboard on a boot of a snowboarder while sitting in a chairlift having no footrest, the snowboard having a boot binding for receiving and securing the boot onto the snowboard, where the device includes an elongated support member having a central portion, and fasteners at both ends, one for joining to the boot, and the other for joining to the boot binding so that the elongated support member is operable to transfer at least a portion of the weight on the boot binding to the boot. Other techniques are described that incorporate the foregoing back foot support device directly into the boot binding, by, for example, the boot binding manufacturer.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present divisional patent application is a division of and thereby claims priority benefit of U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 11/155,121 filed on Jun. 18, 2005 and entitled Snowboard Back Foot Support Apparatus. 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not applicable.  
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING APPENDIX  
       [0003]     Not applicable.  
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The present invention pertains to snowboarding equipment. More specifically, the invention relates to snowboards having a back foot attachment point.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     A large percentage of chairlifts on ski and snowboard mountains do not have rests for the rider&#39;s feet while the rider is riding the chair up the mountain. This creates a major inconvenience for a chairlift rider using a snowboard. When a chairlift rider is wearing a snowboard, the snowboard is only attached to the front foot. The orientation of the foot across the snowboard is close to perpendicular. The front foot is not centered on the board and an uncomfortable twisting load is transferred to the foot and subsequently the ankle and knee of the rider. This is not a major inconvenience for skiers because a skier has one ski on each leg and the weight is evenly distributed.  
         [0006]     This problem has been felt since the inception of snowboarding. Known approaches to solve this problem include different types of tethers to the board that are either connected to the rider or attach to the lift, and features added to the snowboard to support the weight of the snowboard with the rear foot. Tethers can be complicated and uncomfortable to attach to the body when that is the design. Tethers can also be difficult and dangerous to hook and unhook while on the chairlift. It is also an extra part to carry around. One known feature that may be added to the snowboard is a base plate that is mounted between the binding and the board. Attached to the base plate is a hook that the rider can use to support the load of the board with their back foot. This design can affect the performance of the snowboard by changing the stiffness due to the added attachment plate. The plate also raises the height of the back binding. Further, this relatively large and complex assembly would not be inexpensive to manufacture and would be difficult to assemble. Some of the other designs require adding holes to the snowboard as part of the design. This is undesirable on many levels and would void the warrantee of the snowboards.  
         [0007]     In view of the foregoing, there is a need for improved techniques of snowboard design, which enable a chairlift rider to support the weight of the snowboard with his back foot while not affecting the performance of the snowboard. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary snowboard  4  adapted with a back foot attachment point  8 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0010]      FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c  and  2   d  illustrate, by way of example, an isolated back foot attachment point, where the back foot attachment point is a separate unit that can be mounted to the back foot binding  6 , referenced in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2   a  shows an isolated transparent, top view of the back foot attachment point,  FIG. 2   b  shows an isolated transparent, side view of the back foot attachment point,  FIG. 2   c  shows an isolated front view of the back foot attachment point, and  FIG. 2   d  shows an isolated perspective view of the back foot attachment point;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary back binding  19  where a back foot attachment point  21  is designed into binding  19  when manufactured, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates, by way of example, an alternate embodiment for the mounting point of the back foot attachment point to the binding, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  illustrate, by way of example, an alternate embodiment for the mounting point of the back foot attachment point designed into the binding by the manufacturer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 5   a  shows an isolated side and top cross-sectional view of the exemplary back foot attachment point mounting point, and  FIG. 5   b  shows a transparent front view of the exemplary back foot attachment point mounting point;  
         [0014]      FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b  and  6   c  illustrate, by way of example, an alternate embodiment for the back foot attachment point in which the back foot attachment point may collapse, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6   a  shows an isolated transparent side and front cross-sectional view of the back foot attachment point,  FIG. 6   b  shows an isolated transparent side and front view of the back foot attachment point, and  FIG. 6   c  shows an isolated transparent side and cross-sectional view of the back foot attachment point; and  
         [0015]      FIGS. 7    a, b, c , and  d  illustrate, by way of example, various views of a back foot attachment point as a stand-alone part, and as applied to a typical boot. 
     
    
       [0016]     Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]     To achieve the forgoing and other objects and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, a variety of techniques for back foot support devices are described.  
         [0018]     In one embodiment, a device is provided for supporting at least part of the weight of a snowboard on a boot of a snowboarder while sitting in a chairlift having no footrest, the snowboard having a binding for receiving and securing the boot onto the snowboard, where the device includes an elongated support member having a central portion, a boot engagement end portion, and a binding joining end portion, and a first fastener operable for removably and securely joining the boot engagement end portion to the boot (other means are also provided to achieve this function), the boot engagement end portion is configured with the first fastener to thereby be operable for removably joining the elongated support member to the boot. At the other end of elongated support member, a second fastener operable for joining the binding joining end portion to the binding is provided (other means are also provided to achieve this function), the binding joining end portion is configured with the second fastener to thereby be operable for joining the elongated support member to the binding; hence the elongated support member is operable to transfer at least a portion of the weight on the binding to the boot. In some embodiments of the present invention, the first fastener is a tooth, Velcro, a magnet, sticky rubber, custom clamp, custom plug, ridge, or nub, and the second fastener is configured to be mountable to a toe strap, a heel strap, a screwable hole, or a high-back adjustment point of the binding.  
         [0019]     Alternate embodiments of the present invention, further include a flexible joint between the central portion and the boot engagement end portion or between the central portion and the binding joining end portion.  
         [0020]     Yet other embodiments are described that incorporate the foregoing back foot support device embodiments into the binding, by, for example, the binding manufacturer.  
         [0021]     Other features, advantages, and object of the present invention will become more apparent and be more readily understood from the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0022]     The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein.  
         [0023]     Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the Figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments.  
         [0024]     One aspect of the present invention is to provide a snowboard with a back foot attachment point that enables a chairlift rider to support part of the weight of the snowboard with his back foot while riding the chairlift. By supporting part of the weight of the snowboard with his back foot, the rider will avoid the uncomfortable twisting load on his front foot, ankle and knee created when the entire weight of the snowboard is placed on the front foot. This twisting load is created because of the position of the front foot on the snowboard. The front foot is not centered on the snowboard and is oriented almost perpendicularly to the snowboard.  
         [0025]     An embodiment of the invention provides a snowboard adapted with a back foot attachment point that is easy to use, convenient, and in preferred application does not generally affect the performance of the snowboard.  
         [0026]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary snowboard  4  adapted with a back foot attachment point  8 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Apart from back foot attachment  8  and associated structures, snowboard  4  is a conventional snowboard with a conventional front binding  2  and a back binding  6 . In the preferred embodiment shown, back foot attachment point  8  is a feature that extends from back binding  6  and holds onto a back foot  10  such that the back foot  10  can share the weight of snowboard  4  when riding a chairlift when no foot support bar is present. In some embodiments, back foot attachment point  8  may be a separate unit mounted to back binding  6 , while in other embodiments, back foot attachment point  8  may be designed and manufactured into back binding  6 .  
         [0027]     In a typical application, the chairlift rider would join back foot attachment point  8  to the boot of back foot  10 , causing the weight of the snowboard to be shared by both the front foot and back foot  10  of the chairlift rider. With the weight of the snowboard being distributed between both feet, the twisting load would no longer be significantly transferred to the rider&#39;s front foot.  
         [0028]      FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c  and  2   d  illustrate, by way of example, an isolated back foot attachment point, where the back foot attachment point is a separate unit that can be mounted to the back foot binding  6 , referenced in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2   a  shows an isolated transparent, top view of the back foot attachment point,  FIG. 2   b  shows an isolated transparent, side view of the back foot attachment point,  FIG. 2   c  shows an isolated front view of the back foot attachment point, and  FIG. 2   d  shows an isolated perspective view of the back foot attachment point. In the present embodiment, the back foot attachment point includes a feature to assist in holding onto back foot  10  shown in  FIG. 1 . Presently it is shown as but not limited to a tooth  17  at the tip of the back foot attachment point that would grab onto the boot of back foot  10  shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary back binding  19  where a back foot attachment point  21  is designed into back binding  19  when manufactured, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Moreover, in some embodiments the height and/or length of back foot attachment point  21  may be adjustable. In the present embodiment, exemplary means are shown for enabling the height adjustment of back foot attachment point  21 . These height adjustment means are shown as, but not limited to, mating ridges  23  on back foot attachment point  21  and back binding  19 . The height of back foot attachment point  21  could be adjusted by moving it up and down with respect to back binding  19 , engaging mating ridges  23  at the desired height, and then tightening back foot attachment point  21  in to place, by way of example, with a screw or bolt  25 . Depending on the needs of the particular application, some embodiments may include a second set of mating ridges  27  on the outside of back binding  19  so that back foot attachment point  21  may be placed on either side of back binding  19 . In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, if back foot attachment point  21  is not present and designed into the binding, a separate back foot attachment point, such as back foot attachment point  8  of  FIG. 1 , may be mounted to back binding  19  at points including, but not limited to, a toe strap  12 , a heel strap  14 , and a high-back adjustment point  16 . In the present embodiment, the back foot attachment point may be mounted to binding  19  by, but not limited to, a bolt or screw in the existing holes located at, but not limited to, toe strap  12 , heel strap  14  or high-back adjustment point  16 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 4  illustrates, by way of example, an alternate embodiment for the connection point of the back foot attachment point to the binding, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment shown, a hole or feature  18  in a binding  20  can be fitted with a custom part  22 . Custom part  22  would be a feature of the back foot attachment point so that the back foot attachment point  27  may be mounted to binding  20 . Examples of custom parts that may be included in this embodiment of the invention include, but are not limited to, custom clamps and plugs.  
         [0031]      FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  illustrate, by way of example, an alternate embodiment for the mounting point of the back foot attachment point to the binding, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 5   a  shows an isolated side and top cross-sectional view of the exemplary back foot attachment point mounting point, and  FIG. 5   b  shows a transparent front view of the exemplary back foot attachment point mounting point. In the embodiment shown, binding  26  is includes a t-slot  30  into which a back foot attachment point  24  may be inserted for mounting onto back binding  26 . Some embodiments may have features that would allow for the adjustment of back foot attachment point  24 , including, but not limited to height adjustment. In the present embodiment, back foot attachment point  24  can be adjusted vertically in back binding  26  by adding or removing spacers  28  in t-slot  30  then tightened into place, for example, with a screw or bolt  32 .  
         [0032]     Using known techniques, those skilled in the art will recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable means for mounting the back foot attachment point to the back bindings in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.  
         [0033]      FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b  and  6   c  illustrate, by way of example, an alternate embodiment for the back foot attachment point in which the back foot attachment point may collapse.  FIG. 6   a  shows an isolated transparent side and front cross-sectional view of the back foot attachment point,  FIG. 6   b  shows an isolated transparent side and front view of the back foot attachment point, and  FIG. 6   c  shows an isolated transparent side and cross-sectional view of the back foot attachment point.  
         [0034]     The back foot attachment may be configured to be capable of being moved out of the way. By way of example, and not limitation, hinges, living hinges, a swivel or flexible materials may be used to enable the back foot attachment to be moved out of the way when desired. This can be accomplished along any of the 3 axes shown in  FIG. 2   d  or in the approximate hinge area shown in  FIG. 2   b . In many applications, the hinge feature proves helpful to provide the back foot attachment a place to go when stepped on, thereby reducing the risk of failure to the back foot attachment and avoiding damage typically caused to the binding.  
         [0035]     Depending upon the needs of the particular application, hinges may be provided at appropriate pivoting points to allow the back foot attachment to be rotated out of the way when desired. For example, enabling rotation in the plane of the back foot attachment is typically most effective when the rider steps down on the top of the back foot attachment point. Three embodiments for the hinge approach are shown by way of example in  FIGS. 6   a, b , and  c.    
         [0036]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6   a , the back foot attachment point is split into a top section  40  and a bottom section  42 . As shown in the exemplary figure, top section  40  and bottom section  42  are joined together by a spring material  44 . In the present embodiment, bottom section  42  may be mounted to the back binding causing it to remain in a fixed position. Top section  40  may collapse when a downward force, being the rider&#39;s foot, is applied. In the present embodiment, when the back foot attachment point is in use on the chairlift, an upward load is applied to top section  40  and top section  40  will remain in the drawn configuration.  
         [0037]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6   b , the back foot attachment point is split into a top section  50  and a bottom section  52 . Top section  50  and bottom section  52  are joined together by a pin  54  and a spring  56 . In the present embodiment, bottom section  52  may be fixed to the back binding so that it remains in a fixed position. Top section  50  may collapse when a downward force, being the rider&#39;s foot, is applied. When the back foot attachment point is in use on the chairlift, and an upward load is applied to top section  50  and top section  50  will stay in the drawn configuration.  
         [0038]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6   c , the back foot attachment point is split into a top section  60  a bottom section  62  and a middle section  64 . As shown in the exemplary figure, the multiplicity of sections is joined together by a piece of spring material  66 . In the present embodiment, top section  60  and middle section  64  may collapse when a downward force, being the rider&#39;s foot, is applied. When the back foot attachment point is in use on the chairlift, and an upward load is applied to top section  60 , the back foot attachment point will stay in the drawn configuration.  
         [0039]      FIGS. 7    a, b, c, d , and  e  illustrate, by way of example, various views a back foot attachment point as a stand-alone part, and as applied to a typical boot.  
         [0040]      FIG. 7   a  illustrates an exemplary back foot attachment point as hatched area  70 . This hatched area would be the location to attach the attachment means such as, without limitation, Velcro, a magnet, sticky rubber, ridges or nubs. In many applications, a second part would be required for this design. The second part would be for the mating the attachment means.  FIG. 7   c  illustrates, by way of example, front and side views of a suitable part  72  that would be attached to the boot. In alternate embodiments of the present invention, this mating attachment point is designed directly into the boot. In some applications, the attachment is achieved by passing the laces of the boot through an attachment hole  74  on the back of part  72 , as shown by way of example in  FIG. 7   b , which shows a top view of part  72 . As shown by way of example in  FIG. 7   d , part  72  rests preferably on the boot top where it is held in place by the boot laces.  
         [0041]     In some embodiments, the features used to assist in holding onto the back foot may be, but are not limited by, Velcro™ hook and loop material on the tip of the back foot attachment point that mates with Velcro™ hook and loop material on the back foot or a magnet located on the tip of the back foot attachment point that would be attracted to another magnet or a piece of metal located on the boot of the back foot. In some embodiments, the mating part could be designed into the boot itself.  
         [0042]     In alternate embodiments of the present invention, the back foot attachment point may, according to the teachings of the present invention, be suitably configured according to known techniques for added support and control when performing what is referred to as “skating”; e.g., the back foot being out of the binding while riding. In many applications, this is capability is helpful when traversing flat ground or riding around with the back foot is on the board and not in the binding. It is contemplated that the present embodiment is suitable to enable a new class of ‘one-footer’ tricks, which the present embodiment would at least provide more control going into and out of a given trick.  
         [0043]     Using known techniques, those skilled in the art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention, recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable means for allowing the back foot attachment point to fold out of the way in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. For example, without limitation, the back foot attachment point could be made out of a flexible material or mounted to the snowboard by means of a hinge or a swivel.  
         [0044]     Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention, other equivalent or alternative back foot support devices according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention has been described above by way of illustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. The invention is thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims.