Abstract:
A sports board, such as a snow board, has a board core structure that provides desired structural characteristics localized to select regions of the board while maintaining predictable produceability and optimum operating qualities of the board. In an embodiment, the sports board includes a plurality of layered elements or segments, of which certain elements or segments are joined using interlocking elements.

Description:
REFERENCE TO PRIORITY DOCUMENT 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation and claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC §120 of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/743,452, filed May 2, 2007, which claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/797,113, filed May 2, 2006. Priority of the aforementioned filing dates are hereby claimed and the disclosures of the applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Disclosed is a specially-configured board for gliding along terrain, such as a snowboard, snow ski, water ski, wake board, kite board, surf board, skateboard and the like. Although described herein in the context of snowboarding, it should be appreciated that a “board” described herein will refer generally to any of these sorts of boards as well as to other board-type devices which allow a rider to traverse a solid or fluid surface. 
         [0003]    A snowboard includes a tip, a tail, and opposed side edges. The width of the board typically tapers inwardly from both the tip and tail towards the central region of the board, facilitating turning and edge grip. A rider typically has an asymmetrical position with respect to the board and with respect to the slope. The rider has two support points on the board, and, by a differential action of both boots, the rider can effect flexural or torsional shape changes to the board to aid in control. 
         [0004]    Size, shape and materials used in construction of the board vary depending upon the desired riding qualities. Since snowboarding is a very dynamic sport, material characteristics and interactions play a significant role in determining overall performance as well as suitability for specific applications. 
         [0005]    Although it is difficult to optimize all of the many different parameters in a board to obtain optimum gliding, maneuverability and operational qualities, materials can be added to the board during construction to mitigate forces that adversely impact board structure and operating qualities. For example, materials can be inserted which facilitate the attachment of bindings or provide strength to the board at the sites of binding attachment. Other materials can be inserted to reduce vibration traveling through the board. However, the resulting parameters are mutually connected and variation of one parameter due to the use of a particular material can directly or indirectly modify another parameter of the board, often to the detriment of the operating qualities. 
         [0006]    Board construction techniques known in the art originate from the construction of conventional skis, and include various methods including the use of injected cores and the lamination of various structural components. These techniques all require some type of “active” pressing and curing of the structure under pressure. Such techniques of board construction can lead to shifting of materials added for their particular structural characteristic. This can result in points of weakness, inconsistency from one finished item to the next and/or an unpredictable operational quality of the board. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a board core structure that provides desired structural characteristics localized to select regions of the board while maintaining predictable produceability and optimum operating qualities of the board. 
         [0008]    In one aspect, there is disclosed a sports board, comprising a plurality of layered elements or segments, of which certain elements or segments are joined using interlocking elements. In another aspect, there is disclosed a sports board, comprising: an elongated base; and an interlocking structure including: (a) a central bridge; and (b) interlocking segments positioned on opposed regions of the central bridge, the interlocking segments adapted to interlock with the opposed regions of the central bridge so as to maintain the central bridge and interlocking segments in a substantially fixed orientation with respect to one another. 
         [0009]    The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  shows a plan view of a snowboard including an interlocking board structure. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  shows a top view of the interlocking board structure shown in phantom lines in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3A  shows a top view of the snowboard shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3B  shows a cross-sectional view of the snowboard shown in  FIG. 3A  taken along line B-B. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    Provided herein is a board with an interlocking design of certain structural elements that are used to localize structural and dynamic properties to regions of the board. Certain regions of the board benefit from a particular structural characteristic, whereas the presence of that same structural characteristic at other regions of the board can have a negative or undesired impact on the board&#39;s performance. As described in more detail below, provided herein is a board that is tuned to one or more specific, localized stresses or to a combination of such localized stresses by way of an interlocking structure containing a plurality of materials. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  shows a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a snowboard  100  including the interlocking structure  180 . The snowboard  100  comprises a long base structure  120 , which can be symmetrical with respect to a vertical and longitudinal plane or asymmetrical. The base  120  of the snowboard  100  is shown in  FIG. 1  as divided into a front zone  130 , a central zone  140  and a rear zone  150 . The central zone  140  of the snowboard  100  has two mounting zones  160  and  162  schematized in the form of two circles. The diameter of these mounting zones  160  and  162  can be slightly less than the width of the base structure  120  in this area. Within the mounting zones are a plurality of binding fasteners or inserts  170 . Bindings can have a center disc inside each baseplate with holes that align with the inserts  170  on the snowboard. The baseplates are fixed by screwing into a pair of binding inserts  170  within each mounting zone. 
         [0016]    The central zone  140  also includes an interlocking structure  180 . The various shear, compressive, tensile and torsional stresses a board undergoes during a ride may not be applied uniformly across the board but, rather, localized regions may be subject to a greater magnitude of a particular load. Thus, the interlocking structure  180  can be constructed of a plurality of materials with different structural characteristics that are particularly well-suited for their location in the board. The interlocking structure includes two or more elements that interlock with one another. In addition, at least a portion of the interlocking structure can interlock with any other component of the board&#39;s construction. 
         [0017]    As described above, the size and shape of a board as well as the materials used in the construction of the board can vary depending on the qualities needed for the board and the different snowboarding activities to be performed. It can therefore be desirable to insert an interlocking structure that is constructed of a plurality of materials, wherein the materials can be selected and positioned on the board to provide localized structural characteristics to the board.  FIG. 2  shows a more detailed view of an exemplary embodiment of an interlocking structure  180 . The interlocking structure  180  includes a bridge  205  and lateral interlocking segments,  210   a,    210   b,    210   c  and  210   d.  In the illustrated embodiment, the bridge  205  is positioned centrally between the four interlocking segments  210 . The bridge  205  is substantially elongated. The interlocking segments are coupled to either end of the bridge  205  on opposed, lateral edges of the bridge  205 . As discussed below, the bridge  205  and interlocking segments  210  have complimentary engagement regions and are shaped so as to form an interlocking arrangement. The bridge  205  and the interlocking segments  210  collectively form a substantially X-shaped assembly with lateral edges that taper toward a point. 
         [0018]    The bridge  205  and interlocking segments  210  can be comprised of different materials. As mentioned above, the material chosen for each segment of the interlocking structure  180  is selected based on the structural property desired such that one structural quality is localized to a particular region of the board. 
         [0019]    As mentioned above, the materials of the bridge  205  and interlocking segments  210  are selected to provide localized structural characteristics to particular regions of the board. The structural characteristics of one segment do not necessarily affect the structural characteristics of an adjacent segment. For example, the bridge  205  can be manufactured of a material that is particularly suited for the central region of the board. The bridge material desirably has characteristics that support a lively feel in the central region of the board. The bridge material can be highly resilient and can exhibit high rebound characteristics. In one embodiment, the bridge is made of a woven fiberglass material. 
         [0020]    Still with reference to  FIG. 2 , the bridge  205  and interlocking segments  210  of the core structure  180  have scalloped edges. These scallops  215  interlock with one another at each segment junction thereby forming a unitary structure  180 . The scallops  215  at each junction maintain the bridge  205  and the interlocking segments  210  in a fixed orientation or substantially fixed orientation with respect to each other. The bridge  205  includes inserts  270 . During manufacturing, pins can be placed through the inserts  270  to prevent shifting or movement during the curing stage. This maintains the core structure  180  in a fixed orientation with respect to the axes of the board. The interlocking scallops  215  assure that such secondarily connected components not directly positioned using pins will be unlikely to shift in position during the curing process. 
         [0021]      FIG. 3B  shows a cross-section view of the snowboard in  FIG. 3A  taken along line B-B. In this embodiment, the board has a central structure  315  enveloped on the top and sides by a reinforcement laminate  317  and a running base  320 . Inside the structure  315  are interlocking components, including a bridge  305  and lateral interlocking segments  310   a  and  310   b.  The board can be manufactured of various materials and using various methods. It should be appreciated that the cross-section shown in  FIG. 3A  is merely exemplary and that other configurations can be used. 
         [0022]    The board including the structure described herein provides advantages over other boards. The core structure described herein provides a board with both strength and flexibility in a localized fashion to meet desired performance parameters. 
         [0023]    Although embodiments of various methods and devices are described herein in detail with reference to certain versions, it should be appreciated that other versions, embodiments, methods of use, and combinations thereof are also possible. Therefore the spirit and scope of the disclosure should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein.