Abstract:
A snowboard training device, including: a board; a first wheel assembly connected to an underside of the board and including first and second pairs of rotatable wheels with first and second axis of rotation, respectively; and a second wheel assembly connected to the underside of the board and including third and fourth pairs of rotatable wheels with third and fourth axis of rotation, respectively. The first and second axis are non-parallel. The third and fourth axis are non-parallel. The first and second portions of the first and second wheel assemblies, respectively, are displaceable with respect to the board.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to a snowboard training device, in particular a device enabling realistic simulation of snowboarding movements. The present disclosure also relates to a device for generating and transmitting a signal to simulate snowboard activity based on the motion of the device. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Snowboarding is a sport rapidly increasing in popularity. The known prior art does not teach a means for providing training in snowboarding in a location remote from a ski slope. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a snowboard training device, including: a board; a first wheel assembly connected to an underside of the board and including first and second pairs of rotatable wheels with first and second axis of rotation, respectively; and a second wheel assembly connected to the underside of the board and including third and fourth pairs of rotatable wheels with third and fourth axis of rotation, respectively. The first and second axis are non-parallel. The third and fourth axis are non-parallel. The first and second portions of the first and second wheel assemblies, respectively, are displaceable with respect to the board. 
         [0004]    According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a snowboard training device, including: a board; first and second wheel assemblies connected to an underside of the board and including respective pluralities of wheels; and a center assembly connected to the underside of the board. At least a portion of the center assembly is rotatable with respect to the board, and respective portions of the first and second wheel assemblies are pivotable with respect to the board. 
         [0005]    According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method of forming a snowboard training device, including: connecting a first wheel assembly, including first and second pairs of rotatable wheels with first and second axis of rotation, respectively, to an underside of a board such that a first portion of the first wheel assembly is displaceable with respect to the board; connecting a second wheel assembly, including third and fourth pairs of rotatable wheels with third and fourth axis of rotation, respectively, to the underside of the board such that a second portion of the second wheel assembly is displaceable with respect to the board; orienting the first and second axis such that the first and second axis are non-parallel; and orienting the third and fourth axis such that the third and fourth axis are non-parallel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Various embodiments are disclosed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a snowboard training device; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the snowboard training device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the snowboard training device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is an end view of the snowboard training device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5A  is a schematic block diagram of a swiveling wheel assembly; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5B  is a schematic block diagram of a swiveling and rotating center assembly; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of a wheel assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements of the disclosure. It is to be understood that the disclosure as claimed is not limited to the disclosed aspects. 
         [0015]    Furthermore, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0016]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It should be understood that any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the disclosure. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of snowboard training device  100 . 
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a side view of snowboard training device  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a bottom view of snowboard training device  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is an end view of snowboard training device  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . The following should be viewed in light of  FIGS. 1 through 4 . Device  100  includes board  102  and wheel assemblies  104  and  106 . The wheel assemblies are connected to underside  108  of the board. Wheel assembly  104  includes pair  110  and  112  of wheels rotatable about axis of rotation  114  and  116 , respectively. Wheel assembly  106  includes pairs  118  and  120  of rotatable wheels axis of rotation  122  and  124 , respectively. In an example embodiment, axis of rotation  114  and  116  are non-parallel. In an example embodiment, axis of rotation  122  and  124  are non-parallel. In an example embodiment, axis  114  and  116  intersect at point P 1  between assemblies  104  and  106 . In an example embodiment, axis  122  and  124  intersect at point P 2  between assemblies  104  and  106 . 
         [0021]    Board  102  can be made of any material known in the art, including, but not limited to laminates or natural and/or synthetic materials. Board  102  is not limited to a particular size, shape, or thickness. The wheels for pairs  110 ,  112 ,  118 , and  120  can be any wheels known in the art. 
         [0022]      FIG. 5A  is a schematic block diagram of a swiveling wheel assembly. The following should be viewed in light of  FIGS. 1 through 5A . In an example embodiment, portions  126  and  128  of assemblies  104  and  106  are displaceable with respect to the board. In an example embodiment, portions  126  and  128  are arranged to swivel about axis A 1  and A 2 , passing through assemblies  104  and  106 , respectively. For example, as shown in  FIG. 5A , portion  127  is fixed to board  102  and portion S 1  enables portions  126 / 128  to swivel about axis A 1 /A 2  with respect to portion  127  and board  102 . It should be understood that portions  127  and S 1  could be integral and that portion  127  could be integral to board  102 . Any means known in the art can be used for portion  127 , including, but not limited to, various spring and torsion bar configurations. 
         [0023]    In an example embodiment, axis A 1  and A 2  are part of a single axis A 3  passing through assemblies  104  and  106 . In an example embodiment, axis A 1 , A 2 , and A 3  are substantially parallel to board  102 . In an example embodiment, axis A 1 , A 2 , and A 3  do not intersect board  102 . In an example embodiment, the board includes outer peripheral edge  136  enclosing the underside. Wheel  110 A extends beyond the outer peripheral edge in a direction D 1  from a point P 3  on wheel assembly  104  to the outer peripheral edge. Wheel  112 A extends beyond the outer peripheral edge in a direction D 2  from a point P 4  on wheel assembly  104  to the outer peripheral edge. In an example embodiment, wheels  118 A and  120 A extend beyond the outer peripheral edge in directions D 3  and D 4  from point P 5  and P 6  on wheel assembly  104 , respectively, to the outer peripheral edge. 
         [0024]    In an example embodiment, assembly  104 , in particular, portion  126 , is arranged to swivel such that as wheel  110 B approaches side  108  (moves in the general direction of D 5 ), wheel  112 B moves away from side  108  (moves in the general direction of D 6 ). That is, portion  126  rocks about axis A 1 . In like manner, portion  128  is arranged to swivel such that as wheel  118 B approaches side  108  (moves in the general direction of A 5 ), wheel  120 B moves away from side  108  (moves in the general direction of A 6 ). That is, portion  128  rocks about axis A 2 . 
         [0025]    In an example embodiment, assemblies  104  and  106  are fixed with respect to rotation about axis A 4  and A 5 , substantially orthogonal to the underside of the board and passing through assemblies  104  and  106 , respectively. Thus, in an example embodiment, assemblies  104  and  106  are fixed with respect to movement, in particular, rotation in plane PL 1  parallel to side  108 , but can swivel with respect to side  108 , for example, in plane PL 2 , respectively, orthogonal to PL 1  and passing through axis A 4  and A 5 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 5B  is a schematic block diagram of swiveling and rotating center assembly  138 . The following should be viewed in light of  FIGS. 1 through 5B . Device  100  includes center assembly  138  connected to the underside of the board between assemblies  104  and  106 . At least a portion of assembly  138  is able to rotate independently of the board, for example, about axis A 6  passing though the board. For example, portion  139  is fixed to board  102  and portion  142  is able to rotate about axis A 6  via rotation/swivel device RS 1 . Any means known in the art can be used for the rotating portion of RS 1 . It should be understood that portions  139  and RS 1  can be integral and that portion  139  can be integral to board  102 . 
         [0027]    In an example embodiment, portion  142  of assembly  138  is arranged to swivel about axis A 7 , passing through assembly  138 , in a manner similar to that described for portions  126 / 128  of assemblies  104 / 106 . In an example embodiment, axis A 7  is part of axis A 3 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 5B , portion  139  is fixed to board  102 , or integral to the board, and portion RS 1  enables portion  142  to swivel about axis A 7  with respect to portion  139  and board  102 . Any means known in the art can be used for the swiveling portion of RS 1 , including, but not limited to, various spring and torsion bar configurations. 
         [0028]    In an example embodiment, assembly  138 , in particular, portion  142 , is arranged to swivel such that as end  142 A approaches side  108  (moves in the general direction of D 5 ), end  142 B moves away from side  108  (moves in the general direction of D 6 ). That is, portion  142  rocks about axis A 7 . 
         [0029]    In an example embodiment, the center assembly includes positional assembly  144  arranged to generate signal  146  including information regarding a position of the center assembly with respect to the board or movement of the center assembly with respect to the board. The positional assembly is arranged to transmit the signal to a computer-based device  147  so that, for example, the signal can be used to generate a video image simulating movement of the board. In an example embodiment, the positional assembly is arranged to generate the signal including information regarding rotation of the center assembly about axis A 6  and swiveling of the center assembly with respect to axis A 7 . 
         [0030]    Assembly  144  can include any mechanical and electrical components known in the art. Assembly  144  can be powered by line power or by an on-board power source, such as a battery, or rechargeable battery. Assembly  144  can transmit the signal using any means known in the art, including, but not limited to hard wire transmission and wireless transmission. In the figures, signal  146  is shown as a wireless signal. 
         [0031]    In use, device  100  can be placed on a substantially planar and level surface, for example, surface  148  in  FIG. 2 . Contact of assembly  138  with the surface fixes assembly  138  with respect to the floor. In an example embodiment, on-skid pads or material  150  is placed on surface  152  of portion  142  such that material  150  firmly contacts the surface. Wheels pairs  110 ,  112 ,  118 , and  120  are in contact with the surface. The user mounts top surface  154  of the board and by shifting balance and weight distribution causes the board to rotate about assembly  138  (in particular, portion  142 ) and swivel with respect to assemblies  104 ,  106 , and  138  in a manner simulating movement of a ski board in use. Wheels pairs  110 ,  112 ,  118 , and  120  are oriented, in particular, axes  114  and  116  and axes  122  and  124  are oriented, to cause the board rotate about axis A 6 , for example, in directions R 1  and R 2 , in response to movement or shifting by the user. Assembly  144  tracks and monitors the displacement of the board. Thus signal  146  enables an accurate approximation of how the movements of the center assembly, and by extension of the user, translate into use of a snowboard. 
         [0032]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of wheel assembly  138  shown in  FIG. 1 . The following provides further example detail regarding device  100 . In an example embodiment, portions  139  and RS 1  include a rotating spring loaded top plate  139 A fixed to board  102  via spacer  150 . Portion  142  includes portion  142 C including bearings and one or more springs, which enable the swiveling motion of  142 .  142  also includes resilient pad  142 D, connected to fixed bottom plate  142 E, which counters and cushions the swiveling motion of  142 . For example, the pad enables  139 A to “bounce back” from an extreme swiveling position. 
         [0033]    It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.