Patent Publication Number: US-7219916-B2

Title: Snowboard

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to a snowboard, and more specifically, to a snowboard that is configured to increase downhill speed and stability by decreasing the bottom surface area of the snowboard that is in contact with the surface of the snow and that has increased longitudinal and lateral stiffness. 
   2. Description of the Art 
   A typical snowboard is comprised of an elongate, flat board with the forward and rear ends upwardly curved. In most boards, the bottom surface is flat so as to provide maximum contact between the board and the snow surface. Most snowboards are comprised of a layered, laminated structure that is designed to provide rigidity with limited flexibility depending upon the use of the snowboard, whether designed primarily for speed or maneuverability. 
   A typical snowboard is comprised of a gliding surface having a sole for gliding bordered by metal edges. A lower reinforcing layer, either fibrous or metallic, overlays the sole to which a core is attached. An upper reinforcing layer, either fibrous or metallic, is laminated to the core and covered by a protecting and decoration-supporting foil, made either in the form of a shell and therefore constituting the top and sides of the board, or existing solely on the upper face of the board. 
   Wood core “cap” construction, a technique which wraps a wooden core in fiberglass and covers the top and sides with a one-piece cap for snappy response, is widespread in the snowboard industry. Certain other designs (e.g., Morrow&#39;s 3D Revert freestyle snowboard) have rods which impart progressive flexibility and strength to the snowboard, while others (e.g., Killer Loop&#39;s freestyle Trick snowboards) use a modified “fiber tube” cap construction to provide for lighter weight and increased control. Traditionally, however, a laminated wood core construction with no cap has been used. 
   A core made of wood is relatively heavy, slightly vibrating, and of relatively low cost price. It improves the mechanical characteristics of stiffness, of resistance to deformation and of resistance to tear of the screws maintaining the bindings, as well as the characteristics of adhesion in bonding between the various layers of the snowboard. Compared to a core made of wood, a core made of synthetic foam can be lighter and more dampened, but more expensive. Such synthetic foams include fiber-reinforced polyurethane foam, polyurethane foam and acrylic foam. 
   It is known to wrap fiberglass (a fiber reinforced composite), around the core to provide a strong and lightweight torsion box construction for a snowboard. A sheet of woven glass (reinforcement) fiber is wetted with a binder resin and wrapped around the base core with a slight overlap, the base core being made of a lightweight wood or a synthetic foam such as polyurethane. The wetted reinforcement fiber sheet is then cured about the base core within a press, wherein heat may be applied for accelerating the curing process. During curing, the press molds the wetted fibers and base core with a desired profile while squeezing out excess resin so that the resulting cured composite is adhered to the base core without air pockets. 
   A variety of materials such as wood, metal and foam have been used in conjunction with fiberglass in an attempt to achieve a snowboard that is stiffer underfoot and more flexible in the tip and tail to aid in the absorption of bumps and other terrain irregularities. In many snowboards, a layer of plastic, such as P-Tex, is first molded into an appropriate shape for a snowboard. After the layer of plastic has cured, reverse graphics are printed on the plastic layer. Each longitudinal edge of the snowboard is provided with a metal edge that extends the length of the board. The metal edges are adhered to the layer of plastic. The metal edges are typically sharpened to an abrupt 90 degree angle to cut into the snow when turning and thus provide turning ability to the board. 
   A layer of fiberglass is applied over the surface of the plastic layer. A veneer inset is positioned within the layer of fiberglass. A stiff material such as wood, metal or foam is encapsulated with a fiberglass layer to form a core. Metal plates or inserts are inserted into the core so that bindings may be ultimately fastened to the snowboard. The snowboard is completed by applying a final resin or laminate layer that is applied over the surface of the fiberglass layer and over the edges of the fiberglass layer. 
   A snowboarder desires various degrees of longitudinal and torsional rigidity depending upon the snowboarding conditions and style. Longitudinal rigidity characterizes the board&#39;s ability to bend along its length. Torsional rigidity describes the ability of the board to flex and twist about its longitudinal axis. For downhill speed, a stiff snowboard is generally preferred wherein the longitudinal and torsional flexibilities are limited. 
   Another snowboard parameter is edging strength, which determines the ability of the board to cut and hold an edge against a slope under forces of a turn or stop. Edging strength is primarily related to the strength of the vertical composite side walls of the torsion box construction formed around the base core. In addition, while carving such a turn or stop, it is common to encounter an object with the edge of the snowboard, which object imparts a localized force to the vertical composite side wall of the torsion box core proximate the point of impact. If great enough, the localized force, which is not uniformly distributed across the snowboard, can cause a fracture in the vertical composite side wall or cause a portion of the board to break away proximate the localized force. Therefore, a strong composite is desired for providing the torsion box core with strong vertical composite side walls. However, in a conventional snowboard, the snowboard&#39;s edging strength and rigidity are both related to the strength of the composite of the torsion box core such that increasing the strength of the composite of the torsion box core for improving the board&#39;s edging strength in turn decreases the board&#39;s flexibility. 
   Another concern is a strength/weight compromise. In a typical snowboard having a uniform cross-section, increasing board thickness to increased board stiffness proximate the mid-section relative the nose and tail sections will also significantly increase the weight of the snowboard. 
   One of the problems associated with the metal edges of a snowboard is that a snowboarder can easily and unwillingly perform a maneuver commonly referred to as “catching an edge” in which upon transitioning the board from one edge to the other, the metal edge will quickly engage the snow thus sending the snowboarder to the ground. Especially for beginners, many of their injuries are a result of the board catching an edge and the snowboarder being essentially whipped to the ground. The impact of such whipping often results in broken wrists and other arm injuries. 
   One snowboard known in the art and referred to as the “tunnelboard” is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,224,085 to Cruz. The tunnelboard is provided with a profile that defines a longitudinally extending channel along the bottom surface of the snowboard. The cross-sectional thickness of the board, however, is generally uniform in order to maintain the flexibility of the snowboard. The tunnelboard also includes internal edges along the channel to grip the snow. The combination of the flexible board and internal edges results in a snowboard that is unstable at higher speeds and will result in more frequent edge catching as there is significantly more edging of the snowboard due to the internal edges. 
   Thus, it would be advantageous to provide a snowboard that is generally more torsionally and longitudinally rigid than a conventional snowboard without significant addition of weight to the snowboard. It would be a further advantage to provide a snowboard that is significantly faster than a conventional snowboard of similar size. It would also be an advantage to provide a snowboard that is generally more stable when riding and is less susceptible to edge catching than snowboards known in the art. 
   These and other advantages will become apparent from a reading of the following summary of the invention and description of the illustrated embodiments in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, a snowboard is comprised of an elongate board having a top surface, a bottom surface, a tip portion, a tail portion, a mid portion and first and second longitudinal edges. The top surface of the board being is relatively flat between the portion and the tail portion in order to support a pair of bindings for holding a pair of snowboard boots thereto. The snowboard also includes a pair of elongate runner surfaces that are integrally formed with the bottom surface of the board and that extend along a substantial length of the snowboard between the tip portion and the tail portion. Adjacent to the runner surfaces are a pair of edges that are coupled to the bottom surface of the board along the outside edge of each runner surface. The edges provide turning ability to the snowboard. 
   In one embodiment, the runner surfaces have a substantially consistent width substantially along their entire length. In another embodiment, the runner surfaces define an inner surface that is substantially linear, while the outside edge is curved to match the contour of the outside edge of the board. 
   In yet another embodiment, the snowboard according to the present invention is wider at the tip and tail portions than at a midpoint of the snowboard. 
   In another embodiment, a snowboard in accordance with the principles of the present invention includes first and second runner surfaces that are approximately between 0.5 inches and 2.0 inches wide. 
   In still another embodiment according to the present invention, the bottom surface of the snowboard defines a longitudinally extending channel that has a depth that is approximately between 0.2 inches and 1.0 inches relative to the runner surfaces. 
   The bottom surface of the snowboard defines a substantially smooth contour between the outer longitudinal edges of the snowboard. Thus, there is no internal edges that would otherwise make it more difficult to transition from one outside edge of the snowboard to the other. 
   In yet another embodiment of the snowboard of the present invention, the snowboard has a non-uniform cross-sectional thickness between the two outer edges of the snowboard. This variation in cross-sectional thickness of the snowboard significantly improves the stiffness of the snowboard and dramatically improves downhill speed performance characteristics. 
   A snowboard according to the present invention may be formed by providing an elongate core covered by a top layer defining a top surface, a bottom layer defining a bottom surface. A pair of longitudinal metal edges may be provided along each bottom edge of the snowboard to aid in turning of the board. A pair of elongate strips are formed to the bottom surface adjacent the outer longitudinal edges of the core. These strips define longitudinally extending runner surfaces with the strips forming a longitudinally extending channel along the bottom of the snowboard. 
   In one embodiment, the longitudinally extending strips are integrally formed with the core. In another embodiment, the longitudinally extending strips are attached to the bottom of the core as by laminating to form the runner surfaces. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments that illustrate what is currently considered to be the best mode for carrying out the invention, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific methods and instruments disclosed. 
       FIG. 1  is a bottom view of a first embodiment of a snowboard in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of the snowboard illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a left side view of the snowboard illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a front side view of the snowboard illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional end view of the snowboard illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4  and  5  taken along Section A—A shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional end view of a second embodiment of a snowboard illustrated in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a bottom view of a third embodiment of a snowboard illustrated in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional end view of a fourth embodiment of a snowboard illustrated in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional end view of a fifth embodiment of a snowboard illustrated in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional end view of a sixth embodiment of a snowboard illustrated in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in  FIG. 1 , a bottom surface  12  of a snowboard, generally indicated at  10 , in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The snowboard  10  is configured with a length to width ratio that is comparable to other snowboards known in the art. The snowboard  10  is provided with a first and second longitudinal runner surfaces  14  and  16  that are positioned along the lateral sides  18  and  20 , respectively, that form the outer longitudinal edges of the snowboard  10 . The runner surfaces  14  and  16  are defined by a longitudinally extending channel  22  that extends substantially along the bottom surface  12  of the snowboard  10 . For a conventional length of snowboard, the runner surfaces  14  and  16  may have a width of approximately 0.5 to 2 inches or more and extend from proximate the tip portion  24  of the snowboard  10  to the tail portion  26 . Moreover, as shown, the runner surfaces  14  and  16  have a substantially consistent width along their length. Thus, even though the width of the snowboard  10  may change between its two ends  24  and  26 , the runner surfaces  14  and  16  maintain their width and follow the inwardly curved contour of the snowboard  10 . 
   As further illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the snowboard  10  is generally comprised of three portions including a tip portion  24 , a tail portion  26  and a central or mid portion  30 . The top surface  32  of the snowboard  10  is substantially flat along the mid portion  30  between the tip potion  24  and the tail portion  26 . With the particular snowboard  10  as illustrated, the snowboard  10  is generally wider at the transition  25  between the tip potion and the mid portion  30  and at the transition  27  between the mid portion  30  and the tail portion  26  than at a central point  29  of the mid portion  30 . As such, the snowboard  10  has a somewhat hourglass shape with inwardly curved sides along its mid portion  30 , which aids in turning of the snowboard  10 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , the tip and tail portions  24  and  26 , respectively, are curved upwardly to allow the snowboard  10  to glide over the snow in either a forward or backward direction. The binding attachments  34 ′ and  34 ″ are embedded in and attached to the top surface  32  of the snowboard  10  and within the mid portion  30 . By providing the snowboard  10  with a substantially flat top portion, conventional boot bindings (not shown) can be used and attached to the internally threaded binding attachments generally indicated at  34 ′ and  34 ″. The runner surfaces, of which only runner surface  14  is visible, define longitudinally extending channel  22 . The longitudinally extending channel  22  has a generally consistent depth within the mid portion  30  of the board. The ends  36  and  38  have a tapered thickness so as to curve into the tip and tail portions  24  and  26 , respectively. Thus, the interface between the leading surface  40  of the tip portion  24  and the leading surface  42  of the runner  14  defines a relatively smooth transitional surface of consistent radius. It should be noted that while the thickness of the snowboard along its mid portion is illustrated as being relatively consistent along its length, it may, in reality be thicker at a central portion  33  and become thinner toward each end. This allows for greater stability in the snowboard between the binding attachments  34 ′ and  34 ″ while providing improved flexibility proximate the tip and tail portions  24  and  26 , respectively. In addition, the snowboard  10 , while being described as having a substantially flat top surface  32 , may actually include a slight chamber or bow to the snowboard  10  between the tip portion  24  and the tail portion  26 . 
   Thus, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the longitudinally extending channel  122  is defined by the bottom surface  12  of the snowboard  10  and extends between the two runner surfaces  14  and  16 . While the top surface  32  is substantially linear between the left side  44  and the right side  46 , the bottom surface, and particularly the channel  22  defines an arcuate recess or channel that extends substantially the entire length of the snowboard  10 . The width W of each runner surface  14  and  16  is approximately between 0.5 inches and 2.0 inches. In addition, the depth of the channel  22  need not be significant in order to achieve the benefits associated with a snowboard  10  configured in accordance with the present invention. Thus, the depth D of the channel  22  may range from approximately 0.2 inches to about one inch. The entire bottom surface  12  of the snowboard  10  provides a relatively smooth contour from the left edge  44  to the right edge  46 . 
   A metal edge  48  is provided around the perimeter of the snowboard  10  along its lower edge  50 . The metal edge  48  prevents the snowboard&#39;s lower edge  50  from becoming damaged due to impact with hard objects, such as rocks, and also to aid in turning of the snowboard  10 . The metal edge  48  thus extends along an outside edge of each runner surface  14  and  16  and defines an abrupt angle to cut into the snow when performing a turning maneuver. Thus, there are no other edging surfaces needed for turning the snowboard of the present invention and the smooth contour of the bottom surface  12  aids in smooth transitioning from one runner surface  14  to the other. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5  there is illustrated a first embodiment of a cross-section taken along section lines A—A of  FIG. 1  of the snowboard  10  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The snowboard  10  is comprised of various layers that are bonded together as by laminating through heat and pressure. The snowboard  10  is constructed of a core  60 , typically comprised of wood, plastic, foam, a composite material or other materials known in the art. The core  60  is typically formed from a relatively lightweight material that reduces the overall weight of the snowboard  10 . Various layers  62 ,  64 ,  66  and  68  are then laminated to the core  60  to provide the board with the desired stiffness and torsional rigidity characteristics, wear characteristics, as well as for the addition of graphics. Thus, the top layer  62  may be provided to include a top graphic and finish to the snowboard  10  while the layer  64  provides certain stiffness characteristics. Likewise, the first bottom layer  66  that is bonded to the core  60  is provided for stiffness and torsional rigidity, while the second bottom layer  68  is a material that is wear and scratch resistant, such as PTEX, that can glide along the snow without significant damage. Metal edges  70  and  72  flank the outer edges  74  and  76  of the snowboard  10  for edge protection and turning. In this particular example, the cross sectional thickness T of the snowboard  10  is non-uniform across its width. At the runner surfaces  14  and  16 , the thickness T is greater than at a midpoint M of the snowboard  10 . As such, in addition, the arcuate shape of the bottom surface  22  increases torsional and transverse stiffness of the board  10 . The increased thickness of the board  10  proximate the runner surfaces  14  and  16  also increases the longitudinal stiffness of the board  10  without significantly increasing the weight of the board. Also, in this embodiment of the snowboard  10 , the core  60  has a non-uniform cross-section in that its thickness also varies from being thicker to define the runner surfaces  14  and  16  to being thinner at the midpoint M to define the channel  22 . 
   The runner surfaces  14  and  16  in combination with the channel  22  provide significantly improved performance characteristics to the snowboard  10 . First, for downhill speed competitions, the snowboard performs significantly better than conventional snowboards because the stiffness of the board is increased without significantly increasing the weight of the snowboard  10 . With a conventional snowboard where the cross-sectional thickness is substantially uniform across its width, the snowboard must either be made heavier in order to increase its stiffness or employ the use of significantly more expensive materials to increase the stiffness. Second, the use of raised surfaces  14  and  16  which form runner surfaces significantly decreases the drag of the snowboard  10  when the board is moving in a downhill direction. Thus, the snowboard performs more like a downhill skill in that the surface area of the bottom surface  22  that is bearing the load of the snowboard is significantly reduced and is placed primarily on the runner surfaces  14  and  16 . Third, the use of the raised runner surfaces  14  and  16  in combination with the smooth contour of the bottom surface significantly improves the ease of transition between the left runner surface  14  to the right runner surface  16 . More particularly, as the snowboard  10  is transitioned between the left edge  72  and the right edge  70 , the weight of the snowboarder is easily transferred between the two and thus substantially reduces the chance of the snowboarder “catching an edge” thus significantly improving enjoyment of the sport and reducing possible injuries to snowboarders. 
     FIG. 6  is another embodiment of a cross-sectional view of a snowboard, generally indicated at  100 . The snowboard  100  is somewhat similar in configuration to that illustrated in  FIG. 5  with one exception being that a core  102  is comprised of a relatively thin, relatively flat panel. Raised runners  104  and  106  formed from elongate strips are positioned adjacent the bottom surface  108  of the core  102 . The runners  104  and  106  have inwardly tapered sides  110  and  112 , respectively, that define tapered surfaces  114  and  116 . The angle of the tapered surfaces  114  and  116  relative to the plane defined by the bottom surface  108  of the core  102  is such that a relatively gradual transition is formed between the bottom surface  108  of the core  102  and the runner surfaces  118  and  120  of runners  104  and  106 , respectively. 
   The runners  104  and  106 , being raised above the bottom surface  108  of the core define a longitudinally extending channel  121  along the bottom  123  of the snowboard. As such, the snowboard  100  is configured with an overall non-uniform cross-section that is thicker at the runners  104  and  106  and more narrow at the channel  121 . This variation in cross-sectional thickness significantly increases the stiffness characteristics of the snowboard to prevent, for example, “chatter” when snowboarding at high speeds without a significant increase in the weight of the snowboard  100 . Also, as previously discussed, the runner surfaces  125  and  127  defined by the bottom layer  129 , carry the principle load of the snowboarder and thus decrease the surface area of the snowboard that is in weight bearing contact with the snow to decrease drag and increase downhill speed characteristics of the snowboard. 
   As with the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 , metal edges  122  and  124  extend along the lower outer edge of each runner surface  118  and  120 , respectively. In addition, various layers  126 ,  127 ,  128  and  129  are provided to cover the core  102  and runners  104  and  106  in order to add various features to the snowboard  100  as previously described. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 7 , there is shown another alternative embodiment of a snowboard  200  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The bottom surface  202  of the snowboard  200  is provided with runners  204  and  206  that extend from a tip portion  208  to a tail portion  210 . In this example, however, while the outer longitudinal edges  212  and  214  of the runners  204  and  206 , respectively, have a gradual inward curvature, the inside surfaces  216  and  218  of the runner surfaces  204  and  206 , respectively, are relatively linear along their length. Thus, the width of the runners  204  and  206  vary along their length between the tip and tail portions  208  and  210 . As such, a longitudinally extending channel  220  defined by the runners  204  and  206  has a substantially consistent width along its entire length. 
     FIGS. 8 ,  9 ,  10  and  11  illustrate various cross-sections of snowboards configured in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The snowboard, generally indicated at  300  as shown in  FIG. 8  has a cross-sectional shape similar to that previous described with reference to  FIG. 5 . That is, while the top surface  302  is relatively flat, the bottom surface  304  is contoured between the runners  306  and  308 . Thus, the snowboard  300  has a cross-sectional thickness that is greater at the runners  306  and  308  and that is thinner at its center. 
   In  FIG. 9 , however, in order to further decrease the weight of the snowboard, generally indicated at  320 , the snowboard  320  proximate its outer edges  322  and  324  has thinned portions  326  and  328  at the runners  330  and  332 , respectively. This thinning of the snowboard  320  along the outer edges  322  and  324 , however, does not affect the stiffness of the board  320  as the snowboard  320  also has thicker portions  334  and  336  proximate the runners  330  and  332 . Again, the top surface  340  of the snowboard  320  is relatively flat to allow mounting of conventional bindings thereto and the bottom surface  342  defines a longitudinally extending channel  344 . 
     FIG. 10  illustrates a snowboard, generally indicated at  350 , in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The snowboard  350  includes runner surfaces  352  and  354  along the outer edges  356  and  358  but includes a pair of longitudinally extending channels  360  and  362  divided by a longitudinally extending central runner  364 . The central runner  364  has a height that is substantially coplanar with the plane of the runners  352  and  354 . The runners  352  and  354  and central runner  364  essentially form a wavy bottom surface  366  to the snowboard. Because the snowboard  350  is thicker along the central runner  364  than along the channels  360  and  362 , the snowboard  350  is stiffened along its longitudinal central axis. Thus, by providing the channels  360  and  362  to a snowboard  350  having thickness at the center of the central runner similar to the thickness of a conventional snowboard, the weight of the snowboard  350  will be substantially less than that of a conventional snowboard of similar construction. That is, the amount of material removed from the snowboard when forming the channels  360  and  362  will significantly decrease the weight of the snowboard without affecting its stiffness properties. Indeed, the introduction of a contoured bottom surface  366  as illustrated is significantly more stiff than a snowboard of uniform cross-sectional thickness. As such, a snowboard configured in accordance with the principles of the present invention can be made lighter and thinner than a conventional snowboard while simultaneously increasing the stiffness and speed characteristics of the snowboard. 
   Of course, the exemplary embodiments of a snowboard illustrated herein are not limited to the specific designs shown in the drawings, and other designs obvious to persons skilled in the art may be used according to this invention. Thus, while the apparatus of the present invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it is contemplated that upon review of the present invention, those of skill in the art will appreciate that various modifications and combinations may be made to the present embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as recited in the claims. The claims provided herein are intended to cover such modifications and combinations and all equivalents thereof. Reference herein to specific details of the illustrated embodiments is by way of example and not by way of limitation.