Patent Publication Number: US-6702328-B2

Title: Snowboard accessory and method for engaging boot with binding

Description:
This is a Continuation-In-Part of application Ser. No. 09/374,564 filed on Aug. 13, 1999 now abandoned, for which benefit is claimed under 35 USC §120. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a snowboard accessory and method for releasably engaging a user with a snowboard, and more particularly to an assisting device for permitting a user to provide an upward bias to a snowboard so that the user may engage a boot with a snowboard binding without having to rely upon a snowboard support surface. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     For many years, winter snow sports have comprised essentially alpine and Nordic skiing. These disciplines relied on a pair of skis that were removably linked to the user and included a binding system for this purpose. Advances in alpine equipment, for example, lead to the use of step-in bindings. The primary convenience advantage of step-in bindings was to permit the user to engage the ski with the boot without having to significantly manipulate the binding: if the boot was removed properly, the binding would be poised to accept a boot when the user “stepped into” the binding. Similar approaches have been taken with respect to other sports wherein the user is removably linked to the sport equipment, e.g., bicycling. 
     While the step-in binding and metal glass ski were among the more notable advances in alpine or downhill snow sports, the first truly revolutionary paradigm shift occurred with the introduction of snowboards. In contrast with alpine skiing, the user is linked to a single gliding platform as opposed to two independent platforms (one for each foot). Moreover, the nature of the platform is quite different—a snowboard is generally shorter than alpine skis for a given person and is generally wider than an alpine ski by a factor of 250% to 350%. Another notable distinction, especially over monoskis, is the boot and body position of the user—the user is usually facing at a 45 to 90 degree angle compared to the intended direction of glide. Nevertheless, the construction and mechanics of both are generally similar: use of fiberglass, resins, and metal sheets to form the body of the boards; use of metal edges to enhance performance on hard surfaces; and bindings to engage a specialty boot worn by the user with the board. 
     As with any new and developing sport, there are bound to be improvements. In the approximately 25 years since Jake Burton, Chuck Barfoot, and Tom Sims introduced snowboards into downhill snow sports, there have been significant improvements with respect to board designs and shapes, selection of materials, types of boots, and types of bindings. In the field of bindings, the most notable improvement has been the introduction of step-in bindings. While sharing similar convenience improvements with its alpine kin, the dynamics involved with snowboards have dictated different design approaches. 
     The introduction of the snowboard step-in binding was particularly desirable since snowboarders do not have accessories for self-propulsion such as ski poles used by alpine and Nordic skiers. Moreover, because snowboarders are limited to a single gliding platform, they cannot rely upon “skating” (skating is a divergence of the skis to form an extension point with one ski whereby the skier can project forward, and glide on the other ski, and then carryout the process with the other leg) for self-propulsion as alpine and Nordic skiers can. Consequently, snowboarders are relegated to disengaging one foot from the board and using it as the means for self-propulsion. Consequently, and unlike alpine and Nordic skiers, snowboarders are constantly engaging and disengaging one foot from the board. In particular, this event occurs when entering a ski lift line. 
     A scenario encountered by all snowboarders is to complete a run, glide into the lift line, disengage one boot from the board, propel the board to the lift with the free leg, and use the lift (whether surface lift or chair lift). If a chair lift is being used, it is often times difficult or impossible to re-engage the free boot with the snow board until after leaving the lift equipment and offload area. With the wider-spread usage of step-in bindings on snowboards, the difficulty may be less prevalent, however, there is generally very little time to re-engage and adjacent skiers or boarders may not make it feasible to do so. Consequently, the snowboarder has only one boot engaged with the snowboard during the offload operation. And since most offload stations have a declined ramp to assist in removing skiers and boarders from the immediate offload area, the boarder is forced to use the board with only one boot engaged. The free boot and foot must either be located somewhere on the board, dragged on the snow, or elevated above the snow. The result is often an unintended fall, which may also affect adjacent skiers, especially when three or five other riders are on the lift. 
     With traditional bindings, the complicated strap systems only permitted the boarder to engage the boot with the binding after offloading. Until now, the only available solution for step-in binding equipped boards was to engage the free boot at the precise time of onloading, or during the lift ride, with the later option involving significant risk to the boarder since he or she must reach down to the board, grip it, and pull it upward to have the boot engage the binding. Thus, it is clear that some means for engaging the free boot with the step-in binding must be found to eliminate the realistic potential of an unintended fall after offloading from the lift or the realistic potential of an unintended fall from the lift while trying to grab the board to provide the necessary upward bias so that the step-in bindings could be engaged. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing, the invention is directed to an assisting means for permitting a user to provide an upward force to a snowboard so that the user can engage a free boot with the step-in binding. The means does not otherwise interfere with the user&#39;s operation of the snowboard or the lift loading and offloading operations. The invention is generally stowable so that when the board is unattended, it cannot be pilfered by other boarders who may be jealous of the assisting means. Moreover, the invention includes provide a safety feature so that if it does become unintentionally engaged with something other than the user or his/her equipment, it will not cause injury to the user. 
     The invention is intended to provide the desired assisting means and comprises a binding and boot engagement system having a flexible tether including a first portion and a second portion. A snowboard engaging member is attached at the first portion of the tether to engage a portion of the snowboard or binding thereof. Attached to the second portion is a user engaging member to engage a portion of the user or the user&#39;s clothing or other attached accessories, whereby the user is tethered to the snowboard via the system. The snowboard engaging member may be as simple as forming a loop with the tether about a portion of the snowboard or binding thereof, or may comprise a hook, a snap, a carabiner, or any other viable means for securing a tether to an object. Similarly, the user engaging member may comprise forming a loop with the tether about a portion of the user, or may comprise a hook, a snap, a carabiner, or any other viable means for securing a tether to an object. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the first portion of the tether has low strain properties and is intended to be gripped by the user to urge the snowboard towards the user, thereby permitting the user to engage the free boot with the free binding while the user is on an elevated lift. The second portion is preferably resilient or has a retraction bias to otherwise impart a slight tension force in the tether when the system is installed. In this manner, the system will have a slight tension bias so that the tether does not have slack present therein when not being used by the user. Thus, whether the user is fully flexed or fully extended, the tether will have a slight tension bias present, thereby decreasing the likelihood of the tether inadvertently engaging extraneous structures. 
     There are numerous means for providing a tension bias in the assist system. One possibility is to employ a shock cord or other longitudinally elastic member as the second portion of the tether. Another is to use a helical cord (similar to a telephone handset cord) as the second portion of the tether. Still another possibility is to use a recoil mechanism (similar to a retractable key chain assembly) to recoil the unneeded second portion of the tether. All of these means permit a generally linear extension of the second portion of the tether from the user while maintaining a retraction bias so as to impart tension in the system. 
     Also present in a preferred embodiment is an escapement connector that links the first portion of the tether to the second portion of the tether. By incorporating such a structure, upon accidental engagement of the system with a structure that is not part of the user or snowboard, the two portions will separate upon exertion of force sufficient to cause separation of the escapement portion. For example, if the tether becomes engaged with a portion of the elevated lift, and the user desires to leave the lift, the escapement portion will separate, thereby creating two free ends which should permit disengagement of the system from the lift. 
     In addition to the foregoing, a preferred embodiment utilizes an anchor mounted on the snowboard, proximate to the binding, so as to provide a sufficient connection point between the first portion or end of the tether and the snowboard. Naturally, such an anchor is not necessary if the tether is connected to the binding, however, such a mounting system may interfere with the operation and safety of the binding system. 
     An alternative embodiment further comprises a belt or band, which operates to link the user with the user engaging member of the tether second portion. The belt or similarly attached accessory preferably includes an attachment point to receive the user engaging member. Once the belt or band is securely (but removably) attached to the user, the tether can be attached thereto, thereby linking the user to the tether, which is desirably linked to the snowboard during use of the assisting means or system. 
     To use the described system, a user will engage the snowboard engaging member to the snowboard, binding, or auxiliary anchor, and engage the user engaging member to the user or user&#39;s accessories. Ideally, a slight tension bias will be imparted into the system when the user is in the athletic position, i.e., that position normally assumed during snowboarding activities. The escapement connector, if present, is engaged so as to retain the first portion of the tether with the second portion of the tether. When it is desired by the user to elevate the snowboard so as to engage the boot with the binding, the user need only grasp the first portion of the tether and urge the board toward the user. By centering the free boot above the free binding and applying a lifting force, the binding is brought to bear against the free boot and the boot will then engage. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a snowboard and user equipped with a first embodiment of the system showing the first and second portions thereof linked by an escapement connector, and linked to a user by a belt; 
     FIG. 1 a  is a perspective partial view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 illustrating a user gripping a portion of the tether to elevate the attached snowboard; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 when not attached to a user and highlighting the incorporation of an anchor to link the tether to a snowboard; 
     FIG. 3 is an end elevation view in section of the anchor used with the tether showing in particular a preferred means of mounting the anchor to the snowboard; and 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 when not attached to a user and showing a buckle fastener to link the second portion of the tether to the belt, thereby permitting the user to easily disconnect the tether from the belt; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 further showing interchangeable tether second portions; and 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a user equipped with the embodiment of FIG. 1 illustrating the release of an escapement device if the tether becomes entangled in an object. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Turning then to the several Figures wherein like numerals indicate like parts and more particularly to FIG. 1 the components of system  10  are shown. System  10  provides a link between user  12  and snowboard  14 , and includes tether  20  having first portion  22  with clip  24  attached thereto, second portion  26  having clip  28  attached thereto, and break-away or escapement connector  30  (alternatively referred to as connector portions  30   a  and  30   b ) to link first portion  22  with second portion  26 . Also shown is anchor  32  located at the rear portion of snowboard  14  and optional belt  34  worn by user  12 . 
     Turning to FIG. 5, first portion  22  is preferably constructed from a durable and flexible material such as nylon that has very low strain properties. While first portion  22  will not be subject to substantial tension during operation of system  10  when user  12  is providing an upward bias to snowboard  14 , a low stretch material is considered desirable from a usability perspective. Thus, a suitable material can be formed into any tension member including a strap, a web, a cord, a chain, a cable or any other configuration. As shown, clip  24  is securely attached to first portion  22 , in this Figure by looping a lower portion of first portion  22  thereabout and self-securing using a buckle. Second portion  26  is preferably constructed from a flexible material having an inherent or applied retraction bias. As illustrated, second portion  26  can include a light gage coiled cable  50 , which provides the desired retraction bias. Other materials such as elastic cord (shock cord) may be used, but in view of the harsh environment in which system  10  is intended to operate, it is considered more desirable to avoid material subject to failure in cold and wet environments, as well as degradation when exposed to high levels of ultraviolet radiation common in high altitude environments. Alternatively, separate retraction member  36  may be used, thereby broadening the selection possibilities for the material selection for the second portion of the tether. In either embodiment, second portion  26  is preferably linked to a break-away or escapement connector system  30  which will now be described. 
     A safety feature of the invention is the incorporation of a two-part break-away or escapement connector  30 . Connector portion  30   a , which is securely associated or integrated with first portion  22  cooperates with connector portion  30   b , which is securely associated or integrated with second portion  26 . Thus, if tether  20  becomes entangled, for instance, in a lift component as best illustrated in FIG. 6, the resulting tension in tether  20  in excess of a predetermined threshold will cause connector  30  to separate. Thereafter, connector portions  30   a  and  30   b  may harmlessly disengage from the source of entanglement. 
     In a preferred embodiment illustrated in the several Figures, connector  30  is comprised of a two-part hook and loop fastener system wherein one portion  30   a  is fixedly attached to first portion  22 , and one portion  30   b  is fixedly attached to second portion  26 . Beneficially, connector  30  also may function as a user grip as is best shown in FIG. 1 a  since it is fixedly attached to first portion  22 . If such use is contemplated, then incorporation of grip enhancing member may assist the user in grasping and retaining connector  30 . 
     Those persons skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous types of two part escapement connectors can be used. It is only required that the connector chosen be capable of reuse. Therefore, mechanical friction ball and socket connectors or snap connectors, and even magnetic couplers (two magnets with opposite opposing poles) would be considered suitable alternatives to the disclosed hook and loop fastener system disclosed herein. 
     Turning attention to FIG. 4, it can be seen that by adding a two part buckle system  44  to second portion  26 , tether  20  can be temporarily removed from belt  34 . 
     Returning to FIGS. 2 and 3, it can be seen that anchor  32  is fixedly attached to snowboard  14  by way of flanged, threaded collars  46  accepting screws  48 . While other means for attaching anchor  32  are proper, such as adhesives, lag screws, and welding, the illustrated means is preferred. Suitable recesses are formed in the base of the snowboard to receive collars  46  so that the base retains a flat gliding surface. By using a through bolt design, the highest level of attachment can be achieved. As will be noted below, this robust embodiment has uses beyond assisting the user with engaging a boot into a binding. 
     A common problem when participating in commercial downhill winter sports is the theft of one&#39;s equipment. To address this all to often problem, area operators often provide ski/board corrals (also know as ski-checks) and locking fixtures for use by area customers. Another alternative has been for the user to carry a small locking device so that the equipment can be secured to any nearby fixture. However, with click-in or step-in snowboard bindings, there is little available exposed hardware wherein a user can secure a locking device. To provide such a resource, anchor  32  can be used after removal of tether  20 . 
     To prevent the clever thief from merely detaching anchor  32  from board  14 , numerous removal prevention means can be used. Examples of such means include one-way screws, screws having uncommon drive head configurations (hex head, TORX® head, spanner head, etc.), and physical barriers applied to anchor  32  after attachment by conventional means.