Abstract:
A snow pole and snow board binding combination is disclosed. The snow pole is conveniently stored on a snowboard binding. The snow pole has telescoping pole members that may be automatically extended from an interior portion of a housing of the snow pole and may be automatically retracted into an interior portion of a housing of the snow pole. The snow pole may have an emergency flag system that is contained within the housing of the snow pole.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/883,188 filed Jul. 2, 2004 now abandoned in the name of the Applicant, to which priority is claimed. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates generally to snow poles and more specifically to a snow pole and snowboard binding combination wherein the snow pole may be automatically extended from and retracted into an interior portion of a housing of the snow pole and wherein the snow pole may be conveniently stored on the snowboard binding. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Snowboarding has become a popular past-time for many people. Snowboarding differs from skiing principally in the use of a single board with two spaced apart bindings for a person&#39;s feet instead of two skis with a binding for each foot of the person. A skier typically uses two ski poles to control motion on snow surfaces. Generally, a ski pole is not used by snowboarders, since the snowboard is wider than a ski and usually a person is able to maneuver the snowboard like a surfboard. A snowboarder controls the snowboard by shifting the snowboarder&#39;s weight from side to side like a surf board. 
   In some situations, such as when the slope of a hill is flat, the snowboarder may lose momentum. Instead of having to unstrap one&#39;s boots from their snowboard bindings to walk the snowboard across the flat slope, it would be useful for a snowboarder to have a snow pole to help push the snowboard along while remaining strapped into the snowboard bindings. Additionally, a pole would also be useful when a snowboarder is unable to use a foot for safely maneuvering the snowboard. 
   Collapsible and adjustable poles for skiing are known. Hoffman, U.S. Pat. No. 6,217,073 disclosed a manually extendable and retractable shaft for a snow pole with a basket or plate at one end of the snow pole shaft. The basket or plate end of the snow pole is placed against the snow surface, so that the snowboarder can push along the surface of the snow. According to Hoffman&#39;s disclosure, the collapsible snow pole is substantially a regular-sized ski pole which must be carried like a small ski pole by the snowboarder and does not permit hands-free snowboarding. Furthermore, the Hoffman snow pole is very large and is attached to the snowboard in between the snowboard bindings. Most snowboarders would find this to be cumbersome and dangerous, because it leaves very little room for a snowboarder to place his/her rear boot when getting on and off the chair lift. Such a large snow pole may also prove to be dangerous for freestyle snowboarders riding through a terrain park, because the snow pole could detach from the snowboard and hit the snowboarder or someone else. 
   The present inventor has recognized the need for a snow pole and snowboard binding combination that allows the snow pole to be conveniently and safely stored on the snowboard binding so that the snowboarder may ride the snowboard hands-free. The snow pole will also preferably be automatically extendable and retractable. The present inventor&#39;s snow pole also has additional advantages including an emergency flag housed within the handle of the snow pole and a homing device which may be activated by the snowboarder during an emergency. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved snow pole and snowboard binding combination that allows the snow pole to be conveniently and safely stored on a snowboard binding. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved snow pole having pole members that may be automatically extended from an interior portion of a housing of the snow pole. 
   It is a still further object of this invention to provide an improved snow pole having pole members that may be automatically retracted into an interior portion of a housing of the snow pole. 
   It is a further object of this invention to provide an emergency flag system that is contained within the housing of the snow pole. 
   BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a snow pole and snowboard binding combination is disclosed. The combination comprises a snow pole and a snowboard binding having attachment means for removably coupling the snow pole to the snowboard binding. 
   In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a snow pole and snowboard binding combination is disclosed. The combination comprises a snow pole that comprises: a housing; a plurality of telescoping pole members slidably coupled together and having a plurality of locking pins for securing the pole members in an extended position, the pole members being located within an interior portion of the housing; a release lever having: a first end protruding out of an aperture defined by the housing; and an L-shaped second end removably coupled to an aperture defined by a pole tip coupled to a distal end of an innermost pole member when the snow pole is in a retracted position; wherein depressing the first end of the release lever causes the L-shaped second end to pivot out from the aperture defined by the pole tip; and means for retracting the pole members into the housing. The combination also comprises a snowboard binding comprising: a mounting plate coupled to a side portion of the snowboard binding; and at least one clamp lock coupled to the mounting plate. 
   In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a combination snow pole and snowboard binding is disclosed. The combination comprises a snow pole comprising: a housing; a plurality of telescoping pole members slidably coupled together and having a plurality of locking pins for securing the pole members in an extended position, the pole members being located within an interior portion of the housing; means for extending the pole members out of the housing; means for retracting the pole members into the housing; and an emergency flag assembly contained within the housing. The combination also comprises a snowboard binding having attachment means for removably coupling the snow pole to the snowboard binding. 
   The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of a snow pole and snowboard binding combination of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the snow pole and snowboard binding combination of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of a mounting plate and two clamp locks coupled thereto, the clamps are shown in an open position and are shown without the snow pole. 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of two clamp locks, one shown in an open position and one shown in a closed position. 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of a snow pole in a retracted position. 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of the snow pole of  FIG. 5  in an extended position. 
       FIG. 7  is a side cross-sectional view of the snow pole of  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 8  is a side view of a release lever wherein the L-shaped second end is coupled to an aperture defined by a pole tip coupled to a distal end of an innermost pole member when the snow pole is in a retracted position. 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of the release lever of  FIG. 8 , wherein depressing the first end of the release lever causes the L-shaped second end to pivot outwardly. 
       FIG. 10  is a side view of the release lever of  FIG. 8  wherein the L-shaped second end is coupled to an aperture defined by an outermost pole member when the snow pole is in an extended position. 
       FIG. 11  is a side cross-sectional view of the snow pole of  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 12  is a side cross-sectional view of several locking pins and tapered stopper rings coupled to several pole members. 
       FIG. 13  is an exploded view of a locking pin of  FIG. 12 . 
       FIG. 14  of a side view of a tapered stopper ring of  FIG. 12 . 
       FIG. 15  is a side cross-sectional view of the snow pole revealing a spring lock shown engaging both an aperture defined by a proximal end of an innermost pole member and engaging an aligning aperture defined by a distal end of a preceding pole member. 
       FIG. 16  a side cross-sectional view of the snow pole revealing the spring lock of  FIG. 15  shown disengaging the aperture defined by the proximal end of the innermost pole member and disengaging the aligning aperture defined by the distal end of the preceding pole member. 
       FIG. 17  is a side view of the spring lock of  FIG. 16 . 
       FIG. 18  is a side view of the spring lock of  FIG. 15 . 
       FIG. 19  is top cross-sectional view of the snow pole, showing a flag assembly stored within the housing. 
       FIG. 20  is a side view of the snow pole showing the flag in a deployed position. 
       FIG. 21  is a side view of the snow pole of  FIG. 20  showing the flag in a stored position. 
       FIG. 22  is a side view of the flag coupled to a spring ratchet. 
       FIG. 23  is a side view of the flag being deployed from within the housing of the snow pole. 
       FIG. 24  is side view of the flag coupled to a tension line wrapped about the spring ratchet. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrated embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals and symbols represent like elements. 
     FIGS. 1-24  disclose a snow pole and snowboard combination of the present invention. The combination  10  comprises a snow pole  28  that is removably coupled to a snowboard binding  12 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , the combination  10  of the present invention is shown. The snow pole  28 , when in a retracted position, may be coupled to the snowboard binding  12  by at least one clamp lock  14 . While the snowboard binding  12  is shown to have two clamp locks  14  coupled thereto, it should be clearly understood that further substantial benefit may be derived from the snowboard binding  12  having only one clamp lock  14  or more than two clamp locks  14 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , each of the clamp locks  14  defines an aperture  16  dimensioned to secure the snow pole  28  within the clamp lock  14 . The clamp locks  14  are preferably coupled to a mounting plate  20  that is coupled to the side portion  18  of the snowboard binding  12 . The mounting plate  20  will preferably define two apertures  22  that will align with the apertures  23  defined by the side portion  18  of the snowboard binding  12 . A bolt  24  is then passed through a ladder strap  26 , the aperture  22  defined by the mounting plate  20 , and the aperture  23  defined by the side portion  18  of the snowboard binding  12  in order to secure the mounting plate  20  into place. It should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from the clamp locks  14  being removably coupled to the side portion  18  of the snowboard binding  12  so that the clamp locks  14  may be used on any snowboard binding  12 . Further substantial benefit may be derived from the clamp locks  14  being integral to the side portion  18  of the snowboard binding  12 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 5-6 , the snow pole  28  comprises a housing  30 , a plurality of telescoping pole members  40  slidably coupled together and located within an interior portion  32  of the housing  30 , means for extending the pole members  40  out of the housing  30 , and means for retracting the pole members  40  into the housing  30 . The snow pole  28  also has a pole tip  76  coupled to the distal end  54  of the innermost pole member  50 . The pole tip  76  is the part of the snow pole  28  that engages the snow and preferably is made of carbon, ice steel, or any other suitable durable material. 
   Turning now to  FIGS. 7-18 , the means for extending the snow pole  28  out of the housing  30  preferably comprises a release lever  70 . The release lever  70  is coupled within the housing  30  and has a first end  72  protruding out of an aperture  34  defined by the housing  30  and has an L-shaped second end  74  protruding out of another aperture  34  defined by the housing  30 . 
   When the snow pole  28  is in a retracted position, the L-shaped second end  74  is removably coupled to an aperture  80  defined by the pole tip  76 . By pressing the first end  72  of the release lever  70 , the L-shaped second end  74  pivots out from the aperture  80  defined by the pole tip  76 . Then, by swinging one&#39;s arm, centrifugal force will cause the pole members  40  to extend out of the housing  30 . While this is preferred, it should also be clearly understood, however, that substantial benefit may nevertheless be derived from manually extending the pole members  40 . 
   The snow pole  28  preferably has a plurality of locking pins  60  for securing the pole members  28  in an extended position. The locking pins  60  preferably comprise a spring  62  and two L-shaped tabs  64  coupled at opposing ends of the spring  62 . The L-shaped tabs  64  preferably have first ends  66  dimensioned to engage opposing apertures  44  defined by a proximal end  42  of a pole member  40  and to engage aligning opposing apertures  39  defined by a distal end  38  of the housing  30  when the snow pole  28  is in an extended position (shown in  FIG. 11 ) or aligning opposing apertures  48  defined by a distal end  46  of a preceding pole member  40 . Each L-shaped tab  64  also has a second end  68  oriented downwardly within the pole member  40 . 
   A spring lock  98  is also preferably used to secure the pole members  40  in an extended position. The spring lock  98  has a proximal end  100  coupled to a distal end  96  of the reel line  92 . When the pole members  40  are fully extended, the distal end  102  of the spring lock  98  will engage the apertures  44  defined by the proximal end  52  of the innermost pole member  50  and will engage the aligning apertures  48  defined by the distal end  46  of the preceding pole member  40 . The L-shaped second end  74  of the release lever  70  may then also be inserted into an aperture  58  defined by the outermost pole member  56 . 
   The means for retracting the snow pole  28  into the housing  30  preferably comprises a spring loaded reel  82 , a retraction lever  84 , a plurality of tapered stopper rings  90 , a length of reel line  92 , and a spring lock  98 . The retraction lever  84  comprises a first end  86  protruding out of an aperture  36  defined by the housing  30  and an L-shaped second end  88  removably coupled to the spring loaded reel  82 . 
   Each tapered stopper ring  90  is coupled to the proximal end  42  of a pole member  40  and is dimensioned to engage the second ends  68  of the two L-shaped tabs  64  of the locking pin  60  of a preceding pole member  40 . A length of reel line  92  has a proximal end  94  that is coupled to the spring loaded reel  82  and a length of the reel line  92  is wound about the spring loaded reel  82 . A spring lock  98  has a proximal end  100  that is coupled to a distal end  96  of the reel line  92  and the spring lock  98  has a distal end  102  that is dimensioned to engage at least one aperture  44  defined by a proximal end  52  of the innermost pole member  50  and to also engage at least one aligning aperture  48  defined by the distal end  46  of the preceding pole member  40 . Preferably, the distal end  102  of the spring lock  98  comprises two opposing ends with a spring  103  coupled there between and the two opposing ends engage two apertures  44  defined by the proximal end  52  of the innermost pole member  50  and also engage two aligning apertures  48  defined by the distal end  46  of the preceding pole member  40 . 
   By pressing the first end  86  of the retraction lever  84 , the L-shaped second end  88  pivots and releases the spring loaded reel  82 . As the reel line  92  begins to wind about the spring loaded reel  82 , the distal end  102  of the spring lock  98  compresses and disengages from the aligning apertures  48  defined by the distal end  46  of the preceding pole member  40 . As the innermost pole member  50  is retracted into the preceding pole member  40 , the tapered stopper ring  90  coupled to the proximal end  52  of the innermost pole member  50  engages the second ends  68  of the L-shaped tabs  64  of the locking pin  60  that couples the proximal end  42  of the preceding pole member  40  to the distal end  46  of the next preceding pole member  40 . This causes the spring  62  of the locking pin  60  to compress which then causes the first ends  66  of the L-shaped tabs  64  to disengage from the aligning apertures  48  defined by the distal end  46  of the next preceding pole member  40 . The first ends  66  of the L-shaped tabs  64 , however, do not disengage from the apertures  44  defined by the proximal end  42  of the preceding pole member  40 . This helps to keep the locking pins  60  in place when the snow pole  28  is in a retracted position. Alternatively, the locking pins  60  may be coupled to the bottom portion of the tapered stopper rings  90  directly above them (not shown). Each of the pole members  40  retract in similar fashion until all of the pole members  40  have retracted within the housing  30 . Once all of the pole members  40  have retracted within the housing  30 , the L-shaped second end  74  of the release lever  70  may then be inserted into the aperture  80  defined by the pole tip  76 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 19-24 , a flag assembly  104  is shown to be contained within a slit  120  defined by the housing  30 . The flag assembly  104  comprises a flag  106 , a spring ratchet  112 , and a tension line  114 . A proximal end  116  of the tension line  114  is coupled to the spring ratchet  112  and a length of the tension line  114  is wrapped about the spring ratchet  112 . A proximal end  108  of the flag  106  is coupled to a distal end  118  of the tension line  114  and a distal end  110  of the flag  106  protrudes out of the slit  120  defined by the housing  30 . The flag  106  may be deployed from the housing  30 , by pulling the distal end  110  of the flag  106 . The flag  106  may be returned to its stored position, by pulling again on the distal end  100  of the flag  106  so that the tension line  114  will wind about the spring ratchet  112 , thereby retracting the flag  106  back into the slit  120 . 
   While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, a snow pole  28  having alternative means for retracting and means for extending the pole members  40  may be used in the combination  10 . Furthermore, the pole members  40  may be square-shaped, diamond-shaped, oval-shaped, or any other suitable shape.