Abstract:
A support apparatus adapted to support a snowboard having a threaded insert during a tuning operation is provided. The support apparatus includes a support member and a board rest supported on the support member. An attachment member extends from the board rest and is adapted to engage the threaded insert of the snowboard. A method of supporting a snowboard is also disclosed.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/455,507 filed Mar. 18, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     
         [0002]    This invention relates to the art of snowboarding devices and, more particularly, an apparatus for securely supporting a snowboard during reconditioning and/or repair of the base surface and/or peripheral edges of the snowboard.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Snowboards are popularly used for the recreational purpose of gliding on snow, such as on a ski slope, for example. Snowboards are generally well known, and typically have a laminate construction that includes a base material, a laminate body supported on top of the base, and a metal edge.  
           [0004]    The base material includes a bottom surface, which is the primary snow-engaging surface. That is, the bottom surface of the base material is what glides across the snow, and it is typically formed from a sintered or extruded, porous base material. One commonly used base material is sintered ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, sold under the registered trademark P-TEX by IMS Composite Plastics. A wax or other friction reducing material is usually impregnated within the porous base material. As the snowboard flexes, the wax is “squeezed” out of the pores of the base material ensuring that wax is regularly reintroduced onto the bottom surface during use.  
           [0005]    The snowboard body is commonly formed from wood, such as aspen or poplar, for example. The body is fixed to the base material and includes numerous threaded inserts to which bindings are typically secured. A metal edge is supported along the body and extends along the periphery of the base material providing a relatively rigid edge to carve through the snow and ice. Though the metal edge material typically extends about the entire periphery of the snowboard, the two generally linear portions along the straight sides of the board are typically referred to as the edges of the board. A top sheet is typically applied along the body opposite the base material. The top sheet can be formed from any one of a variety of materials, such as plastic or fiberglass, for example, and often includes graphics and other decorative details. A side wall can optionally be provided adjacent the edge material and body to improve the aesthetics of the snowboard and further secure the edges to the body.  
           [0006]    After use, the base material and the edges of the snowboard typically need reconditioned and sometimes repaired, depending upon the conditions of use, among other things. In the former case, the old wax that had previously been impregnated into the base material is stripped off of the bottom surface and the base material is re-impregnated with wax. Additionally, the edges are commonly tuned by sharpening the corner of the metal edge material. In the latter case, gouges in the base material may need to be filled or in some cases small sections of the base material may need to be replaced. In either case, it is desirable to securely support the snowboard while such reconditioning or repair is being undertaken. Particularly so that the appropriate force and precision of technique can be used during the various processes.  
           [0007]    Snowboard support apparatuses have been provided heretofore and commonly include a pair of spaced-apart support stands each having a vertically extending slot therein that is suitable for supporting a snowboard on an edge thereof, as shown in Brill (U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,679), Lassley (U.S. Pat. No. 5,893,550) and Weissenborn (U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,783), for example.  
           [0008]    One disadvantage of such arrangements, however, is that the snowboard is commonly supported on its edge at least part of the time. This is particularly disadvantageous once the first of the two edges has been sharpened. Since the sharpened edge is then placed into the respective slots and used to support the snowboards while the other of the edges is being sharpened. As such, a freshly sharpened edge makes contact with each support apparatus and can dull or otherwise damage the freshly repaired edge. This is especially problematic if the snowboard is not rigidly clamped within the support apparatus and is allowed to slide or otherwise move along its edge.  
           [0009]    When the base material and/or bottom surface of a snowboard is being reconditioned or repaired using known support stands, the snowboard is supported in a generally horizontal position such that the bottom surface is facing upward. In this position, the top surface of the snowboard that engages the support stands is supported thereon by suction cups, as shown in Lassley, or by anti-slip pads, as shown in Brill and Weissenborn. Various other disadvantages exist with these known arrangements. For one, the suction cups tend to flex when a substantial force is applied to the board, such as the force from scraping the wax from the bottom surface. Additionally, suction cups do not always stick sufficiently to the top surface of the board, depending upon the flatness, smoothness and cleanliness of the snowboard. As such, the board can slip or become otherwise unattached from the suction cups. Furthermore, anti-slip pads tend to become less sticky over time and, as such, it does not take much force to break the adhesion between the top surface and the pads. This, too, is dependent upon the cleanliness of the top surface of the snowboard. Any such conditions that allow undue flexing and/or movement of the snowboard during the repair or reconditioning process are problematic and desired to be avoided or minimized.  
           [0010]    Still other snowboard support apparatuses are known that use elastomeric straps connected between the support apparatuses and the bindings of the board, or even clamp along the edges of the board or across the top and bottom surfaces of the snowboard, as shown in Weissenborn, for example. Each of these also have significant disadvantages.  
           [0011]    Support stands that use the elastomeric straps still flex and otherwise permit undesired movement of the snowboard during repair or reconditioning. Furthermore, these types of support stands require that the bindings be left on the snowboard. However, such an arrangement is disadvantageous because the bindings act as a heat sink causing cold spots in which the wax impregnation of the base material is less than optimal. And, efforts to minimize such cold spots can result in distortion or melting of the base material due to overheating.  
           [0012]    Furthermore, support stands that clamp the snowboard from edge to edge or between the top and bottom surfaces create discontinuous surfaces. This prevents the filing of the entire edge of the snowboard in one pass or the waxing of the entire bottom surface without repositioning the snowboard. This is because in each case, the clamp is in the way. Additionally, many snowboards now have capped or sloped side walls, such that certain support apparatuses that clamp along the sides of the snowboard do not securely hold the same.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0013]    A support apparatus in accordance with the invention suitably adapted to support a snowboard having a threaded insert during the tuning of the snowboard is provided. The support apparatus includes a support member and a board rest supported on the support member. An attachment member extends from the board rest and is adapted to engage the threaded insert of the snowboard.  
           [0014]    A support apparatus for use in tuning a snowboard having a threaded insert is provided and includes a support member, a support head, a board rest and an attachment member. The support member has a horizontally extending base member and a vertically extending upright attached to the base member. The support head is supported on the upright and includes a top wall. The board rest is supported on the top wall of the support head and has a board-engaging surface with a passage extending through the board rest along the board-engaging surface. The attachment member extends through the passage and is adapted to engage the threaded insert of the snowboard.  
           [0015]    A method of supporting a snowboard having a top surface with a threaded insert, a bottom surface and a pair of opposing edges is provided and includes the steps of providing a support apparatus that has a support member, a board rest supported on the support member, and an attachment member from the board rest and adapted to engage the threaded insert of the snowboard; positioning the top surface of the snowboard adjacent the snowboard rest with the threaded insert aligned with the passage; introducing the attachment member into the threaded insert; and, securing the snowboard against the board rest with the attachment member. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a pair of support apparatuses in accordance with the present invention shown in use supporting a snowboard.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one of the support apparatuses in FIG. 1 shown without a snowboard attached.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 is a perspective view, in partial cross-section, of the support apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with a snowboard supported thereon and disposed at an angle relative to horizontal.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 is a side view, in partial cross-section, of the support apparatus and snowboard shown in FIG. 3 with the snowboard disposed substantially horizontally.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIGS. 5-8 are perspective views of the support apparatus shown in FIG. 2 with the board rest rotated into various angular positions.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a support apparatus.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another alternate embodiment of a pair of support apparatuses shown in use supporting a snowboard.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of one of the support apparatuses in FIG. 10 shown with the board rest thereof disposed at an angle relative to horizontal and without a snowboard attached.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 12 is a perspective view, in partial cross section, of the support apparatus in FIGS. 10 and 11 with a snowboard supported thereon and disposed to an angle relative to horizontal.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 13 is a side view, in partial cross section, of the support apparatus in FIG. 12 with the board rest disposed substantially horizontally. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0026]    Referring to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention only and not for limiting the same, FIG. 1 shows a conventional snowboard SB supported on a pair of spaced-apart support apparatuses  10 . The snowboard has a top surface TS engaging each of the support apparatuses and a plurality of threaded inserts IN captured within the snowboard and accessible from top surface TS.  
         [0027]    As shown in FIG. 2, support apparatus  10  includes a support member  12 , a support head  14  pivotally attached to support member  12 , a board rest  16  supported on support head  14 , and a pair of attachment members  18 . Support member  12  includes a base member  20  having a bottom surface  22  suitable for mounting on a bench, table or other work surface (not shown). The base member also has a top surface  24  and includes mounting holes  26  extending through the base member for attachment to the work surface, such as by using fasteners (not shown). Support member  12  also includes an upright  28  supported on base member  20  and extending generally vertically upward therefrom. Upright  28  includes two spaced-apart vertical supports  30  and an intermediate support  32  secured between vertical supports  30 . Intermediate support  32  has a bottom wall  32 A and an upper wall  32 B. Additionally, intermediate support  32  is suitably, attached to at least one of vertical supports, and is positioned such that bottom wall  32 A is spaced away from base member  20 . This forms a lower opening  34  between vertical supports  30 , base member  20  and intermediate support  32 . Lower opening  34  can be used to receive a portion of a retaining member (not shown), such as a C-clamp, for example, to quickly and/or temporarily secure support apparatus  10  to a bench or other work surface (not shown).  
         [0028]    Intermediate support  32  stops short of extending to upper end  36  of vertical supports  30 . As such, an upper opening  38  is provided between vertical supports  30  along upper end  36 . A pivot passage  40  extends through each of the vertical supports adjacent upper end  36 . A pivot member  42 , such as a threaded fastener, for example, extends through pivot passages  40  and is captured along the outboard surfaces of vertical supports  30  in any suitable manner.  
         [0029]    One example of a suitable arrangement for capturing pivot member  42  includes the use of a cam lever  44  and a cam shaft  46 . In this example, pivot member  42  includes a shoulder (not shown), such as a head of a fastener, for example, on one end thereof and a plurality of threads (not shown) on the opposing end thereof. The pivot member extends through the pivot passages until the shoulder engages the outboard surface of one of the vertical supports. A suitable threaded passage (not shown) in cam shaft  46  interengages the threaded end of pivot member  42  such that the pivot member is axially captured between vertical supports  30 . Washers (not shown) can optionally be provided adjacent the outboard sides of vertical supports  30  to help distribute the force of the cam lever and shoulder over a larger area of the outboard surfaces of the respective vertical supports. In one suitable arrangement, a washer is attached to the end of the pivot member that is opposite the cam shaft. This can be done in any appropriate manner, such as by welding the washer to the head of the threaded fastener, for example.  
         [0030]    Support head  14  is shown in FIG. 2 as having a somewhat Y-shaped configuration with a lower body  48  and a pair of spaced-apart upper arms  50  extending from lower body  48  and forming a notch  52  in the support head. Lower body  48  is received within upper opening  38  between vertical supports  30  and includes a pivot hole  54  (FIG. 3) suitable for engaging pivot member  42 . Cam lever  44  is supported on camshaft  46  and can be pivoted thereabout. As cam lever  44  pivots around camshaft  46  and eccentric cam surface  56  engaging the outboard surface of the vertical support, or a washer positioned therebetween, effectively lengthens or shortens pivot member  42  respectively reducing or increasing the axial force compressing lower body  48  of support head  14  between vertical supports  30  of upright  28 . As such, cam lever  44  operates as a fast acting clamp for permitting and inhibiting pivotal movement of support head  14  on support member  12 . It will be appreciated that the upper portion of each vertical support flex toward one another under the clamping force applied thereacross. Additionally, the size of the upper opening can be varied by using intermediate members of greater or lesser length or otherwise by positioning upper wall  32 B closer to or further from upper ends  36 . In one suitable configuration, the size of upper opening  38  corresponds to the mechanical properties of the material from which the vertical supports are constructed. For example, material that is more easily flexed, such as wood, for example, could have a smaller upper opening. Whereas, material that is less easily flexed, such as steel or aluminum, for example, might have a larger upper opening.  
         [0031]    As can be better seen in FIG. 3, board rest  16  is supported on end walls  58  of upper arms  50  in any suitable manner, such as by adhesive or fasteners, for example. Board rest  16  includes a backing member  60 , a rest member  62  and a board-engaging material  64 . Backing member  60  can be formed from any suitable, relatively rigid material, such as metal, wood or plastic. In one preferred embodiment, backing member  60  is formed from aluminum. Rest member  62  is supported on backing member  60  and likewise can be formed from any suitable, relatively rigid material, such as metal, wood or plastic, for example. In one preferred embodiment, rest member  62  is formed from a material, such as wood, for example, that has a relatively low thermal conductivity relative to most metals, such as a thermal conductivity of less than about 10 BTU/(h·ft 2 ·°F.·ft), for example. It will be appreciated, however, that forming rest member  62  from a material that has a relatively low thermal conductivity, while desirable, is, nevertheless, optional. Rest member  62  is shown as having a curvilinear rest surface  63 , though it will be appreciated that any suitable shape can be used. Rest member  62  can optionally be covered by a soft, non-marring, board-engaging material  64  having a board-engaging outer surface  65 . The inclusion or use of board-engaging material  64  to cover rest member  62  is particularly useful where the rest member is formed from a material that could undesirably damage the top sheet of the snowboard. Board-engaging material  64  can be of any suitable, natural or synthetic material, such as rubber, cloth, leather or plastic, for example. In one preferred embodiment, board rest material  64  is formed from a polymeric coating material, such as a suitable dip coating material, for example. One example of a suitable dip coating material is available under the trade name PLASTI-DIP from Plasti Dip International, Inc. of Blaine, Minn.  
         [0032]    As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, top sheet TP of snowboard SB includes top surface TS that engages surface  65  of board-engaging material  64  on board rest  16 . The snowboard is secured to the board rest by attachment members  18  that extend from the board rest. It will be understood that the attachment members can be operatively engaged with the board rest in any suitable manner without departing from the scope and interest of the present invention. In one suitable embodiment, board rest  16  includes two spaced-apart passages  66  through which attachment members  18  extend. The attachment members are captured between board rest  16  and lower body  48  within notch  52 , and are upwardly displaceable against backing member  60  of the board rest to project through board-engaging member  62 . Preferably, upper arms  50  are of sufficient length such that the attachment members, when fully received in notch  52 , do not project outwardly from board rest  16 .  
         [0033]    It will be appreciated that different snowboard manufacturers use different insert patterns, configurations, and/or center distances between inserts IN on their respective snowboards. For example, one manufacturer might use a three-insert pattern with center distances of 40 mm while another manufacturer might use a four-insert pattern with center distances of 42 mm. As such, it is desirable for a single support apparatus to be able to support two or more of such patterns, configurations and/or center distances. This can be accomplished in any suitable manner, such as by providing one or more attachment members that can be re-positioned relative to the board rest. In one example, passages  66  in board rest  16  are simply oversized holes that provide sufficient clearance for the attachment members to accommodate various insert patterns and/or distances. Alternately, elongated slots of sufficient length to accommodate a variety of center distances can be used as passages  66 . It will be further appreciated that one passage  66  can be a generally cylindrical hole while the other passage is an elongated slot, or both passages can be holes or elongated slots.  
         [0034]    Attachment members  18  are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 as being bolts or screws  68  having a head  70 . A knob  72  is fitted over and secured to head  70  in any suitable manner, such as by a friction fit therewith, for example. It will be appreciated that any suitable attachment member can be used without departing from the principles of the present invention. The attachment members are extended through backing member  60  and board-engaging member  62  along passages  66  and threadably engage inserts IN in body BY of snowboard SB by the rotation of knobs  72 . The knobs are rotated until the snowboard is securely attached to the support apparatus, at which point the repair or reconditioning process can be initiated. It will be appreciated from FIGS. 1, 3 and  4  that the snowboard is supported such that bottom surface BS of base material BE, edges EG and side walls SW are unobstructed by the support apparatus.  
         [0035]    Depending upon personal preference and the area or component of the snowboard being reconditioned or repaired, the snowboard can preferably be angularly positioned through an angle of at least about 180 degrees, as shown in FIGS. 5-8. That is, in working on one edge, the support apparatuses can be arranged in the configuration shown in FIG. 5 such that the board is generally vertical and the edge being worked on is up. In working on the opposing edge, the support apparatuses can be configured as shown in FIG. 8 such that the snowboard is again generally vertical, but the opposing edge is up. It will be appreciated that this arrangement allows for both edges of the snowboard to be worked on without removing the snowboard itself from the support apparatuses.  
         [0036]    Additionally, as personal preference dictates, the support apparatuses can be configured at an infinite number of positions between that shown in FIG. 5 and that shown in FIG. 8, such as the positions shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, for example. This provides the repair person with the flexibility to position the snowboard as he or she prefers. For example, when working on the bottom surface of the snowboard, the technician may desire to have the board tipped toward him or her at about 5 degrees from horizontal.  
         [0037]    An alternate embodiment of a support apparatus  10 ′ is shown in FIG. 9. It will be appreciated that support apparatus  10 ′ is substantially similar to support apparatus  10  shown in and discussed with regard to FIGS. 1-8. As such, like item numbers will be used for like items, and new or modified items will include primed (′) item numbers.  
         [0038]    Support apparatus  10 ′ includes a support member  12 ′, a support head  14  rotatably attached to support member  12 ′, a board rest  16  supported on support head  14 , and attachment members  18  extending from board rest  16 . Support member  12 ′ includes a base member  20  and an upright  28 ′ at least partially formed from a pair of vertical supports  30  extending upwardly from the base member. Upright  28 ′ also includes one or more intermediate supports  32 ′ secured between the vertical supports in a suitable manner. It will be appreciated from FIG. 9 that intermediate supports  32 ′ are substantially shorter in length than intermediate supports  32  shown in and discussed with regard to FIGS. 1-8. However, bottom wall  32 A′ is spaced a similar distance from the top wall of base member  20  to bottom wall  32 A in support apparatus  10 . As such, lower opening  34  is substantially similar to the lower opening in support apparatus  10 . However, upper opening  38 ′ shown in FIG. 9 is substantially larger than upper opening  38  of support apparatus  10  due to the shorter length of intermediate member  38 ′.  
         [0039]    A pivot passage  42  (FIG. 2) extends through each of the vertical supports, and a pivot hole  54  (FIGS. 3 and 4) in lower body  48  of support head  14  is in substantial alignment with the pivot passages. A pivot member  42  (FIG. 4) extends through the pivot passages and pivot hole and threadably engages a threaded passage  45 ′ of a clamping knob  47 ′. It will be appreciated that the clamping knob  47 ′ is used in place of cam lever  44  and cam shaft  46  of support apparatus  10 . Clamping knob  47 ′ is simply rotated relative to the pivot member to increase of decrease the clamping force of vertical supports  30  against lower body  48  of support head  14 . Attachment members  18  are shown in FIG. 9 as extending through passages  66  in board rest  16 , as discussed above.  
         [0040]    Another alternate embodiment of a support apparatus  100  is shown in FIGS. 10-13. A conventional snowboard SB is supported on a pair of space-apart support apparatuses  100  in FIG. 10. The snowboard has a top surface TS engaging each of the support apparatuses and a plurality of threaded inserts IN captured within the snowboard and accessible from the top surface.  
         [0041]    As shown in FIG. 11, support apparatus  100  includes a support member  112 , a support head  114  pivotally attached to support member  112 , a board rest  116  supported on support head  114 , and a pair of attachment members  118 . Support member  112  includes a base member  120  and an upright  128  at least partially formed from a pair of spaced-apart vertical supports  130  extending from base member  120 . The base member also includes a bottom surface  122 , a top surface  124 , and mounting holes  126  extending through the base member between the top and bottom surfaces. Upright  128  also includes at least one intermediate support  132  secured between vertical supports  130 . This at least partially forms a lower opening  134  adjacent base member  120 . Each of vertical supports  130  has an upper end  136  forming an upper opening  138  therebetween in conjunction with intermediate support  132 . A pivot passage (not shown) extends through each of the vertical supports.  
         [0042]    Support head  114  includes a lower body  148  and upper arms  150  extending from the lower body and forming a notch  152  therebetween. A pivot hole  154  extends through lower body  148  and is substantially aligned with pivot passages  140  to receive a pivot member  142  to pivotally mount support head  114  on support member  112 . A clamping knob  145  is secured to a threaded end (not shown) of the pivot member and includes a plurality of threads  147  for engaging the pivot member. Upper arms  150  include end walls  158  to which board rest  116  is secured.  
         [0043]    As can be better seen in FIGS. 12 and 13, board rest  116  includes a backing member  160 , a board rest member  162  having a curvilinear rest surface  163 , and a board-engaging material  164  disposed along rest member  162  to provide a non-marring surface for engaging the top sheet of the snowboard.  
         [0044]    Attachment members  118  can extend from board rest  116  in any suitable manner to engage the inserts of a snowboard and secure the same against the board rest. In one embodiment, passages  166  extend through board rest  116  and attachment members  118  extend from within notch  152  through passages  166 . In at least one position, the attachment members project from board rest  116  adjacent board-engaging material  164 . Alignment members  174 A and  174 B are received in passages  166  and include a flange portion  176  adjacent backing member  160  of board rest  116 . Alignment members  174 A and  174 B each optionally includes a groove  178  adapted to receive a retaining ring  180  or other suitable retaining member, which secures the alignment member on backing member  160 . A hole  182 A and  182 B is respectively provided through each of alignment members  174 A and  174 B. The hole is preferably suitably dimensioned to receive a bolt or screw  168  that at least partially forms attachment member  118 . In one preferred embodiment, a hole  182 A of alignment member  174 A is disposed off center relative to the outside diameter of the alignment member. As such, rotation of alignment member  174 A within passage  166  permits the center distance, shown as dimension DST in FIG. 13, to be adjusted for variations in board construction and/or configurations from manufacturer to manufacturer. An optional lever or projection  184  (FIG. 11) extends from flange portion  176  of alignment member  174 A and is useful for assisting in adjusting the center distance DST between the alignment members. In one preferred embodiment, lever  184  can be moved between two or more positions to provide two or more predetermined center distances DST conforming to known snowboard configurations.  
         [0045]    While the invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments and considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the structures and structural interrelationships between the component parts of the embodiments disclosed, it will be appreciated that other embodiments of the invention can be made and that many changes can be made in the embodiments illustrated and described without departing from the principles of the invention. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. Accordingly, it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the present invention and not as a limitation. As such, it is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of this disclosure.