Patent Publication Number: US-8113533-B2

Title: Snowboard and assembly for the practice of snowboarding

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of snow sports, such as downhill skiing, crosscountry skiing or snowboarding. More precisely, it relates to a board for gliding on snow, and to an assembly adapted for the practice of such a sport and comprising this board. 
     Snow sports are part of skiing sports in a natural environment, with which a spirit of freedom is often associated, and of which many enthusiasts like to be able to select the equipment expressing their personality. This is why one of the major selection criteria in the purchase of a set of skis or a snowboard is the aesthetics and the style of this ski or this snowboard. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The possession of a ski or snowboard having a style and an aesthetics corresponding to one&#39;s own taste is a need that manufacturers have been taking into account for several years. To meet this need adequately, marketing services are enlisted today, with the task of accurately grasping the market trends, particularly in terms of style and fashion. For the same purpose, it is common for several ranges of skis or snowboards to be proposed at the same time by the same manufacturer, these ranges being distinguished from one another by their respective aesthetics. 
     The services of marketing specialists and/or the proposal of several ranges of different styles represent solutions that are costly, without necessarily yielding satisfactory results. 
     It is also known how to improve the visual appearance of a used board for gliding on snow by masking the wear on its top by an adhesive tape, as proposed by each of the documents FR-2 165 278 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,567,237. Obviously, decorative motifs and/or inscriptions can be associated with such an adhesive tape. Today, however, the top surface of such boards are made from tougher materials than those used at the time when it was proposed to perform renovations by the application of adhesive tapes. These materials are now so rugged that the problem of premature wear of the top of a board for gliding on snow is a secondary factor today. Furthermore, an adhesive tape added on is unsuitable for the requirements of current consumers in terms of finish. 
     Moreover, any board for gliding on snow is intended to be equipped with a binding for connecting a boot. This binding is generally immobilized on the board by means of screws, each of which is screwed into the threaded hole of an insert present in the board. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is at least one object of the invention to offer novel possibilities in terms of matching the aesthetics of a board for gliding on snow to the individual choices of users. 
     According to the invention, this purpose is achieved by a board for gliding on snow, comprising a bottom at least partly defined by a base, a top and sides which connect the bottom and top to each other, part of the top and the sides being part of a visible surface of the board in use. This board is characterized in that it comprises a first part of means for reversibly mounting at least one removable decorative mask on said visible surface. 
     The mounting of the decorative mask(s) is reversible in that, after an initial mounting, the reversible mounting means employed for this purpose allow subsequent removal of the mask(s) and can be used again for a remounting of this same mask(s) on the board. In other words, the reversible mounting means are not damaged by a removal of the mask(s) and remain operational after such a removal. 
     Advantageously, the visible surface of the board bounds a hollow recess for accommodating the decorative mask. The decorative mask placed in this hollow recess projects only slightly, if at all, from the board, thereby protecting it while participating in its harmonious integration with the board. 
     According to one possible embodiment, the first part of said reversible mounting means may advantageously comprise at least two slots for inserting, with or without snap-in, nesting tabs of the decorative mask. When this is the case, each of the two slots for inserting the nesting tabs may terminate in one of the two opposite sides of the hollow recess. 
     According to another possible embodiment, the hollow recess may advantageously comprise a peripheral edge in which said first part of the reversible mounting means comprises a groove for accommodating and retaining one edge of the decorative mask, said groove extending at least on most of the length of said peripheral edge. 
     According to a further possible embodiment, the reversible mounting means may advantageously comprise a plurality of snap fasteners in two matching elements which are joinable to each other and of which one is fixed to the board. For at least part of them, the snap fasteners may advantageously be disposed in succession along a closed contour. 
     According to another possible embodiment, the reversible mounting means may advantageously comprise a velcro means of which part is fixed to the board. 
     According to a further possible embodiment, the first and a second part of the reversible mounting means may advantageously comprise two elements which are mutually attracted by ferromagnetism and whereof one is fixed to the board. 
     Advantageously, said removable decorative mask comprises a second part of the reversible mounting means. When the board carries said removable decorative mask, the first and second part of the reversible mounting means are then joined and/or connected to each other matchingly. 
     Advantageously, the hollow recess and the decorative mask have roughly matching peripheral contours. 
     According to a possible and advantageous embodiment, the decorative mask may comprise a cloth provided with said second part of the reversible mounting means. 
     According to another possible and advantageous embodiment, the decorative mask may comprise a window provided with said second part of the reversible mounting means, and also a strip which carries a décor visible through the window and which is held between said visible surface of the board and said window. 
     Advantageously, the decorative mask may comprise a slat provided with said second part of the reversible mounting means. When this is the case, the slat may advantageously be elastically flexible, said second part of the reversible mounting means comprising two nesting tabs carried by and extending beyond said slat and which are insertable into said slots via an elastic bending of this the slat. 
     Furthermore, the second part of the reversible mounting means may advantageously comprise two tabs carried by said slat, which are insertable into said slots and which are provided with means for nesting in these slots. 
     Once mounted, the decorative mask may be placed on a protective tip of one end of the board. 
     The invention also relates to an assembly for the practice of gliding on snow. This assembly is characterized in that it comprises a board as described above, and a set of a plurality of interchangeable decorative masks, each of which comprises a second part of the reversible mounting means, the first and second part of the reversible mounting means being matchingly joinable (i.e., connected) to each other. 
     The invention further relates to an assembly for the practice of gliding on snow. This assembly comprises a board as described above, provided with at least one binding for connecting a boot and ready to use, and also at least a removable decorative mask which has a second part of the reversible mounting means, in order to be carried by the board, the first and second part of the reversible mounting means being matchingly joinable to each other. Insofar as it is separate from the board, the decorative mask does not constitute a functional element of the board, which is complete without it and which can be used with or without the decorative mask. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The invention will be better understood from a reading of the description that follows, provided exclusively as an example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of a board for gliding on snow according to a first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows the same board as in  FIG. 1  and is similar to  FIG. 1  except that it is partially exploded; 
         FIGS. 3A ,  3 B and  3 C are schematic plan views, each of which shows a pair of decorative masks applicable to the board in  FIG. 1  and forming part of a set of several interchangeable pairs of decorative masks; 
         FIG. 4  is a similar view to  FIG. 2  and shows a board for gliding on snow in a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is also a similar view to  FIG. 2  and shows a board for gliding on snow in a third embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic and partially exploded view of a fourth embodiment of a board for gliding on snow according to the invention, in a cross section along a plane similar to plane VI in  FIG. 2 ; and 
         FIG. 7  is a cross section similar to  FIG. 6  and shows a board for gliding on snow in a fifth embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a ski  1  which is according to a first embodiment of the invention and which results from the assembly of a board  2  and a binding  3  for attaching a ski boot, not shown, to this board  2 . The board  2  comprises a front spatula  4 , of which a protective tip has the numeral  5 . 
     The binding  3  is in two parts which are fixed to the top of the runner portion  6  of the board  2  and which are a back heel  7  and a front stop  8  longitudinally offset from each other. 
     In the above sentence and in the following discussion, and in the appended claims, the terms “back” and “front” and similar terms, refer to the normal direction of advance of the ski  1  on snow in ordinary use. Similarly, in the following discussion and the appended claims, the terms “bottom” and “top”, and similar terms, refer to the position of the ski  1  in normal use, in which a bottom or lower face of the board  2  rests on the snow. 
     Apart from this bottom, the board  2  comprises a top or upper face  9  and sides  10 , which are visible when the ski  1  is used, that is when the board  2  rests on its bottom. Except at the runner portion  6  where a ski boot is positioned in front of it, the top  9  is also visible in normal use. In other words, a portion of this top  9  and the sides  10  form part of the outer surface which is visible in use, and which may also comprise a front portion of the bottom of the spatula  4 . 
     The board  2  carries two removable decorative masks, that is a back mask  11  and a front mask  12 , each of which is mounted reversibly on the abovementioned visible surface in a visible hollow recess referenced numeral  14  in  FIG. 2 . A set of several snap fasteners  15  in two parts  15 A and  15 B and matchingly joinable to one another maintain each of the masks  11  and  12  and the board  2  assembled together. 
     For this purpose, the board  2  carries one of the two matching parts of each snap fastener  15 , of which the other part  15 A is fixed to one of the masks  11  and  12 . The bottom parts  15 B of the snap fasteners  15  may be integrated with the board  2  when it is hot-molded, while it can also be fixed to this board  2  by simple adhesive. The mounting of the masks  11  and  12  by means of the snap fasteners  15  is reversible in that, after their assembly, these masks  11  and  12  can be removed without damaging the snap fasteners  15 , and can therefore be reassembled later by using the same snap fasteners  15  that are still operational. 
     In the example in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , each of the masks  11  and  12  is made from a flexible cloth that displays in particular the constitution of a printed cloth and of which the peripheral contour matches the peripheral contour of the hollow recess  14  intended to accommodate it. The snap fasteners  15  for mounting the front mask  12  are placed in succession along the peripheral contour of this mask  12 . 
     The masks  11  and  12  are shown alone in  FIG. 3A . They form part of a set of a plurality of interchangeable pairs of removable decorative masks. This set comprises two other pairs, one of which consists of the masks  11   b  and  12   b  shown in  FIG. 3B , and the other consisting of the masks  11   c  and  12   c  shown in  FIG. 3C . 
     Each of the masks  11   b  and  11   c  is provided with the same part  15 A of the snap fasteners  15  as the mask  11 . Similarly, the masks  12   b  and  12   c  carry the same parts  15 A of the snap fasteners  15  as the mask  12 . 
     The various interchangeable pairs of the set of masks are distinguished from each other by their aesthetics and their respective styles, in particular by the decors printed thereon. They may also be distinguished from each other by the material constituting their masks. In fact, the flexible layer of which the masks  11 ,  12 ,  11   b ,  12   b ,  11   c  and  12   c  are made may in particular comprise a fabric, a nonwoven fabric, leather or lace. Each of these masks may also be deep dyed or not and/or may be provided with one or more accessories such as false buttons and/or a décor that is printed, embroidered or fixed in any other appropriate manner. 
     The visual appearance of the board  2  may be modified easily. To do this, the masks  11  and  12  positioned on this board  2  are removed, and are replaced by the masks  11   b  and  12   b  or by the masks  11   c  and  12   c.    
     It appears from the above that at any time, the aesthetics and the style of the ski  1  can be modified and adapted easily to the passing whim of the user of the ski. 
     The board  2  provided with the binding  3  is ready for use. It can therefore be used normally equally well if it has one of the pairs of decorative masks of the set mentioned above, and in the opposite case, if it has no decorative mask. In this respect, the masks  11 ,  12 ,  11   b ,  12   b ,  11   c  and  12   c  are exclusively decorative in that they do not constitute functional elements of the board  2 , even though they are integrated in a technical solution. In short, the masks  11 ,  12 ,  11   b ,  12   b ,  11   c  and  12   c  are optional in that the board  2  provided with the binding  3  can be employed without having any of that, or any other decorative mask in their place. 
     As may be seen in  FIG. 2 , the tip  5  is joined to the spatula  4  by means of two screws  16 , each of which is screwed into a threaded hole  17 . 
     It may be observed that each of the decorative masks  11 ,  12 ,  11   b ,  12   b ,  11   c  and  12   c  is flattened and essentially planar once in place, extending mainly along a roughly planar surface that is not curved by more than 45°. Each of these masks is essentially two-dimensional once in place, mainly extending in two main directions such as a width and a length. Each of the decorative masks  11 ,  12 ,  11   b ,  12   b ,  11   c  and  12   c  has a thickness perpendicular to these two main directions. 
     It may also be observed that each of the decorative masks  11 ,  12 ,  11   b ,  12   b ,  11   c  and  12   c  comprises a peripheral edge and two main faces connected by this peripheral edge and of which both are essentially turned respectively in a first direction and in a substantially opposite second direction once the mask is in place. These two main phases are more precisely a visible top face in use and a back face, which is hidden in use and faces the board  2 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a ski  101  in a second embodiment of the invention. In the following discussion, it is only described insofar as it is distinguished from the ski  1 . Furthermore, a numeral used below to denote part of the ski  101  similar or equivalent to a referenced part of the ski  1  is constructed by adding 100 to the numeral identifying this part in the ski  1 . 
     The masks  111  and  112  are not overly flexible, but consist of elastically flexible slats, each of which is decorative and provided with four lateral nesting tabs  120 . 
     The nesting tabs  120  of each of the decorative masks  111  and  112  are disposed in two pairs opposite one another. Each of them laterally prolongs the mask  111  or the mask  112 . 
     In the edge of each hollow recess  114  four slots  121  terminate, in each of which a nesting tab  120  is intended to be inserted, via an elastic bending of the corresponding mask  111  or  112 . Once inserted into the slots  121 , the nesting tabs  120  retain the removable masks  111  and  112  in the hollow recesses  114 . By means of another elastic bending of the masks  111  and  112 , the nesting tabs  120  can be removed from the slots  121  in order to stop the joining of the board  102  and each of the masks  111  and  112 . Like the snap fasteners  15 , the nesting tabs  120  and the slots  121  form complementary means for a reversible mounting of a decorative mask on a snowboard  102 . The nesting tabs  120  may be provided with means for snapping into the slots  121 , in a manner similar to what is proposed in the embodiment described below. 
     Like the decorative masks  11  and  12 , the decorative masks  111  and  112  form part of a set of several interchangeable masks, of which the others are not shown for reasons of simplicity. 
       FIG. 5  shows a ski  201  in a third embodiment of the invention. In the following discussion, it is only described insofar as it is distinguished from the ski  101 . Furthermore, a numeral used below to denote part of the ski  201  similar or equivalent to a referenced part of the ski  101  is constructed by adding 100 to the numeral identifying this part in the ski  101 . 
     Each of the masks  211  and  212  is in two parts, one of which is a strip  230  decorated for example by printing. The other part  231  of each of the masks  211  and  212  is a window having the same constitution as the flexible mask  111  (i.e., slat with four lateral nesting tabs) or as the flexible mask  112  of  FIG. 4 , except that it is made from a transparent material through which one of the decorative strips  230  is visible. The top of each window  231  may be planar or may comprise one or more projecting portions and/or one or more hollow portions. 
     Furthermore, in the example shown, the nesting tabs  220  of the windows  231  are distinguished from the tabs  120  in that each of them has means for its snapping into a slot  221 . These snap-in means may comprise a bevelled pin  232  capable of hooking into a matching slot  221  for the purpose. 
     Several different pairs of decorated strips  230  are available to the user, who can replace those in place in their recesses  214  of the board  202  by others, by means of the removal followed by the remounting of the transparent window  231 . 
     A third removable decorative mask  233  can be mounted on the board  202 , in a hollow recess  234  having a matching shape, which bounds the top of a tip  205  protecting the free end of a front spatula  204  of the board  202 . The reversible mounting means of the third mask  233  are of the velcro type. They are sold for example under the trade name Velcro®. These mounting means comprise a strip covered with velvet loops to which hooks carried by another strip can be fastened. One of the two strips is fixed to the bottom of the recess  234 , while the other strip covers the underside of the mask  233 . 
     Such reversible mounting means of the velcro type can be seen in  FIG. 6 , which shows a board  302  constituting a ski in a fourth embodiment of the invention. In the following discussion, only what distinguishes this ski  302  from the ski  2  is described. Furthermore, a reference numeral used below to denote a part of the ski  302  similar or equivalent to a referenced part of the ski  2  and is constructed by adding 300 to the numeral denoting this part in the ski  2 . 
     Each snap fastener  15  is replaced by a velcro mounting device  315 , which consists of two parts that are matchingly joinable to each other, that is a velvet part  315 A and a hook part  315 B. 
     In the example shown, the mask  311  carries the velvet parts  315 A of the mounting devices  315 , of which the hook parts  315 B are fastened by adhesives or any other appropriate means in the recesses  314 , on an upper protective layer  340  constituting the board  302 . However, the arrangement may be different. In particular, each velvet part  315 A and each hook part  315 B can be fastened respectively to the ski  302  and to the removable decorative mask  311 . Furthermore, the mounting devices  315  can be elongated in the form of strips and may be two in number, in which case, each of them may run along one longitudinal edge of the hollow recess  314 . 
     Still in  FIG. 6 , the numeral  341 , numeral  342 , numeral  343 , numeral  344  and numeral  345  respectively denote a sliding base, one having two squares, a bottom reinforcement, a top reinforcement and an expanded foam core, which constitute the board  302 . Obviously, this board  302  may have another structure without extending beyond the scope of the invention. The base  341  and the two squares  342  define the bottom or underside  346  of the board  302 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a ski  402  in a fifth embodiment of the invention. In the following discussion, only what distinguishes it from ski  302  is described. Furthermore, a reference numeral used to denote a part of this ski  402  similar or equivalent to a referenced part of the ski  302  is constructed by adding 100 to the reference identifying this part in the ski  302 . 
     Each of the reversible mounting devices  415  comprises two elements  415 A and  415 B which are mutually attracted by ferromagnetism. The element  415 A is a magnetic strip fixed to the underside of the removable decorative mask  411 , but which could also be joined to the board  402 . The element  415 B is a strip of ferromagnetic metal, which is fixed to the board  402 , but which could also be carried by the mask  411 . 
     The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. In particular, other reversible mounting means than those described here can be provided to join the decorative mask(s) to the board. For example, these mounting means may comprise one or more zip fasteners of a type sold on the market. In this case, part of such a zip fastener is joined to the board, while the other part is mounted on a removable decorative mask. 
     Furthermore, the means for reversible mounting of a removable decorative mask may comprise a groove for accommodating and retaining an edge of this decorative mask. This groove or rail may be disposed substantially like the slots  121  and  212 , that is in the peripheral edge of the hollow recess, while being distinguished from these slots  121  and  221  in that it extends at least along most of the length of this peripheral edge. 
     Furthermore, it may be provided for the removable decorative mask or at least one of the removable decorative masks to be mounted between the back binding and the front binding of a snowboard, even if each of the decorative masks  11 ,  12 ,  11   b ,  12   b ,  11   c ,  12   c ,  111 ,  112 ,  211 ,  212 ,  311  and  411  of the exemplary embodiments proposed is intended to be installed behind or in front of the runner portion  6 . In each case, the or each removable decorative mask is mounted outside each zone for binding a boot, failing which it would not be visible during the use of the board. 
     Furthermore, the or at least one of the removable decorative masks may not be flattened. In particular, its topside may have one or more hollow portions and/or one or more projecting portions. Such hollow and/or projecting portions may be implicated in the decorative character of the mask. They may even confer the decorative character on the mask, which may not have a printed or painted décor. 
     Moreover, it may be provided for the or at least one of the removable decorative masks to be mounted on a portion that is not hollowed, for example on a projecting portion such as a bump, and not in a hollow recess. 
     It may also be provided for at least one portion of the zone where the or one of the removable decorative masks is mounted to extend along one or more of the sides  10 . It may also be provided for the decorative mask(s) to be positioned exclusively on the upper side of the board and/or only behind the front spatula, that is, at any location of the surface that is visible in use, except at the front spatula, in particular except at the front tip of the board. 
     Furthermore, the invention is not limited to ski, even if the embodiments described above concern skis. On the contrary, a snowboard or a cross country ski or even any other type of board can also conform to the invention.