Abstract:
A skiing mechanism comprises an elongated board, a first plate and a second spring plate, comprised of two separate &amp; fastened material(s), one continuous material, or one spring plate integrated with board at manufacture. The first spring plate includes an angled section with a first predetermined cant directed toward the tip of the board. This angled section is separated from the board by a first distance. Furthermore, the second spring includes a section angled according to a second predetermined cant directed toward the tail of the board. This section of the second spring plate is separated from the board by a second distance.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/055,892 filed on 23, May 2008. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to the field of sporting equipment. More particularly, the present invention relates to a binding attached to a ski mechanism that allows for increased vertical jumping capability, reduced impact on the rider, and overall performance enhancement. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Snowboards, wakeboards and similar devices are being used with increasing popularity. A snowboard is a single-ski mechanism that is typically longer than a skateboard, designed for riding on snow. A wakeboard is a single-ski mechanism of similar size for riding on water. Currently, most snowboards &amp; wakeboards (“boards”) are provided with a pair of bindings that are attached diagonally across the top surface of the board. Before riding, a boot (for snowboards) or bare foot (for wakeboards) of the rider is placed within each binding and held in a fixed position. Unlike snow skis, snowboards &amp; wakeboards do not have automatic release capability. The reason is that a rider needs to laterally transfer or to longitudinally transfer his or her center of gravity in order to change directions of the snowboard. This allows the snowboard to carve through the snow instead of sliding over it, without fear of an inadvertent release. 
         [0006]    During use, the board yields substantial forces on the bindings as a rider performs turns, lands jumps and the like. These forces reverberate to the rider, which can cause an uncomfortable experience. For example, some riders may experience pain in the feet, ankles, knees, hip joints &amp; lower back. 
         [0007]    To provide a more comfortable experience, in prior designs, pads of resilient material have been placed between the bindings and the board. These pads provide some shock absorbing “give” in the binding when the rider performs turns or jumps. However, it is not uncommon for these pads to become dislodged during the activity. In the event that a pad becomes dislodged and the rider is unaware of this mechanical failure, the rider may experience loss of control during a run due to the current, flexible state of the binding. This could cause the rider to loose control during the run and suffer a severe injury. Other designs (Ref&#39;s. 1,2,3,4) have incorporated shock-absorbing features into a binding, or have incorporated extra curved surfaces into the board itself (Ref&#39;s. 5,6) to absorb shocks. These designs require the rider to purchase an entirely new binding system (Ref&#39;s. 1,2,3,4) or new board (Ref&#39;s. 5,6) thus increasing the cost. 
         [0008]    It is desirable to produce a lightweight binding interface that not only provides a smoother, all-around riding experience, but also increases the performance characteristics of the system, without increasing the rider&#39;s risk of injury. It is also desirable to produce a design, which accomplishes the above goals without necessarily requiring the rider to replace existing equipment. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    Briefly, one embodiment of the present invention comprises a snow or waterskiing mechanism comprising an elongated board, a first plate and a second cantilevered spring plate. The first plate includes a first section attached to the board and a second section angled from the first section according to a first predetermined cant and directed toward the tip of the board. The second section of the spring plate is separated from the board by a first angle. Furthermore, the second spring includes a first section attached to the board and a second section angled from the first section according to a second predetermined cant and directed toward the tail of the board. The second section of the second spring plate is separated from the board by a second distance. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a wire frame illustrative embodiment of a snowboard featuring binding mounting inserts, grouped in two sets of four. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is an illustrative embodiment of a 2-piece spring plate being mounted to a snowboard. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is an illustrative embodiment of a 2-piece spring plate after being mounted on a snowboard. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is an illustrative embodiment of a snowboard featuring a pair of 2-piece spring plates. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is an illustrative embodiment of a typical binding in the process of being mounted to one of the 2-piece spring plates shown in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is an illustrative embodiment of a pair of bindings mounted to the 2-piece spring plates, which are mounted to a typical snowboard. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 7A , &amp;B,  7 C,  7 D an  7 E are an illustrative embodiment of five views of a 1-piece spring plate. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 8A ,  8 B and  8 C are illustrative embodiments of a disc which attaches the binding of  FIG. 6  to the spring plate. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a detailed illustrative embodiment of the disc and binding base enabling angular adjustability of a typical binding. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is an illustrative embodiment of a snowboard with integrated spring plates and attached bindings, shown in 4 views. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    The present invention relates to a skiing mechanism that provides improved jumping and cushioning effects on the rider. It is contemplated that the “skiing mechanism” includes a snowboard, water ski or any other surface-riding device. Herein, a snowboard implementation of the skiing mechanism is described. The exemplary implementation should be broadly construed as illustrative in nature in order to represent the spirit of the invention. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an isometric view of an illustrative embodiment of a snowboard is shown. Snowboard  100  includes an elongated board  110  made of wood, metal and/or coated with fiberglass, plastic or any other waterproof material. Board  110  typically includes four, six, eight (or more) metallic machine-threaded mounting inserts, which in this embodiment are grouped in two sets  120  and  130 . As shown, each set of mounting inserts  120  or  130  is arranged in accordance with an industry-standard 4 cm×4 cm pattern. Of course, the mounting inserts may be arranged to be compatible with other patterns such as a triangular formation (e.g., using 3 machine-threaded inserts, each insert approximately 2 inches apart from a neighboring insert) or a slotted configuration. 
         [0023]    As shown, mounting inserts  120  and  130  are placed on board  110  equidistant from its tip  140  and tail  150 . However, for different conditions and riding preferences, it is contemplated that other mounting inserts may be placed at different locations of board  110  with optional caps fastened to the unused mounting inserts. This would mitigate water collection and damage to the unused mounting inserts. Alternatively, a manufacturer may produce boards without inserts to allow the rider to select the placement of mounting insert patterns  120  and  130 . 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a detailed view of a wire frame illustrative embodiment of a 2-piece spring plate  200  is shown. Designed for attachment to one of the sets of mounting inserts (e.g., inserts  120  of  FIG. 1 ), spring plate  200  is made of a lightweight, climate resistant material. For example, spring plate  200  may be made of a carbon fiber composite (e.g., graphite), titanium or any other material with similar strength, fatigue resistance, thickness and memory properties as described below. The memory property is sufficient so that cantilevered spring plate  200  returns to its unloaded position during its useful life, even after experiencing repeated downward acting impact, bending and torsion loads. 
         [0025]    As further shown, the 2-piece design spring plate  200  comprises first section  210  and second section  220 . To accommodate the above-mentioned forces, a second section  220  is appropriately sized. Of course, the thickness, material and even the sections of spring plate  200  themselves may be varied, depending on the normal weight of the rider, the desired response and the desired cost. For example, more aggressive riders might want a stiffer (thicker) configuration for a given weight. 
         [0026]    Spring plate  210  includes at least a first and second set of holes  230  and  280 , which are situated in flat and angled sections  210  and  250 , respectively. In particular, holes  230  are drilled out in a pattern matching mounting inserts  120  or  130  of board  110  to snugly retain a plurality of fasteners (e.g., machine-threaded screws, etc.). These fasteners  235  would be attached to inserts  120  or  130  for fastening first section  210  securely to a top surface  115  of board  110  of  FIG. 1 . Inserts  240  may be tapped with machine threads to accommodate fasteners that attach a binding to second section  220  as shown below. Holes  290  are located on second section spring plate  220  and aligned with threaded holes  280  in first section  250  to provide a secure interface between spring plate  220  and plate  210 . 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a detailed view of an illustrative embodiment of the mounted 2-piece spring plate  200  to board  110  is shown. First section  210  is constructed to receive fasteners  235  (hidden in this view) through countersunk holes  230  that are pre-drilled at manufacture or produced after manufacture. In this embodiment, holes  230  are arranged into a pre-installed “4×4” hole pattern for alignment with inserts  120  or  130  of board  110  in  FIG. 1 . Herein, fasteners  235  are 4×¼-20 (SI) or 4×M6 (metric) machine-threaded inserts arranged in a square formation approximately 4 centimeters (1.575 inches) apart from neighboring inserts. Fasteners  285  pass through holes  290  of section  220  and thread into holes  280  in section  250  of first section  210 , providing a rigid structure with respect to snowboard  110 . 
         [0028]    Referring back to  FIG. 2 , second section  220  of spring plate  200  includes inserts  240  (e.g., a group of ¼-20, 6 mm Metric or similar machine-threaded metal inserts to which any standard binding can be attached). Second section  220  of spring plate  200  is constructed with a cant angle  250  when first section  210  of spring plate  200  is flush against top surface  115  of board  110 . Cant  250  normally ranges from five (5) degrees to fifteen (15) degrees from top surface  115  of snowboard  110 . As shown, cant  250  is approximately ten (10) degrees. The cant associated with a spring plate attached to the other insert  120  or  130  of board  110  may be identical to cant  250  of spring plate  200  or vary slightly therefrom. As an option, a flexible, waterproof material may be applied between a bottom side of second section  220  of spring plate  200  and top surface  115  of board  110 . This material would prevent snow and other foreign objects from getting lodged under second section  220 . 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a trimetric view of two spring plates  200  and  300  are shown, mounted to top surface  115  of snowboard  110 . During a typical snowboarding run, the weight from a rider would cause the relative angle of second section  220  of spring plate  200  and  300  to decrease by only a few degrees. When turning and landing jumps, however, forces are applied to a rider which by design may cause the angle between second section  220  and first section  210  to be almost negligible. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , an isometric view of an illustrative embodiment of snowboard  100  with a spring plate  200  mounted to top  115  of board  110 . In particular, fasteners  540  are inserted through holes  535  of disc  530 , by which binding base  510  is fastened to top surface of spring plate  200  by means of inserts  240 . 
         [0031]    Second section  220  of spring plate  200  is designed to accommodate all existing types of bindings, including traditional “racing” and “based” style bindings, as well as the more modern “step-in” designs. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , an isometric view of the illustrative embodiment of traditional “based” bindings  500  and  700  are shown mounted to second section  220  of a spring plate (e.g., spring plate  200 ). Binding  500  is equipped with a base  510 , a highback  520  and a disc  530 , but for clarity does not include standard straps for securing a foot of the rider. It is anticipated that in some configurations, bindings  500  and  700  may be integrated with second section  220  during manufacture. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , it is anticipated that the spring plate may alternatively be comprised of one continuous section, which performs in a similar manner as two fastened sections. Consideration for access to holes  840  is provided by rotating inserts  830  by a set angle, (45 degrees in this embodiment) about the center of section  810  with respect to the 2-piece design, and providing thru holes  820 . A binding would be mounted to top surface of section  810  in the same manner as described above. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIGS. 8A ,  8 B, and  8 C, in most manufacturers designs, there is usually a male/female interlocking pattern  536  placed on the outside edge of top side  534  of disc  530 . The repeated pattern  536  allows for incremental rotation of binding  500  relative to board  110 . With the described fasteners  540  of  FIG. 5  passing through holes  535  and partially tightened, binding  500  can be centered and rotated to a comfortable position, at least ranging up to 25 degrees in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation. The pattern gives a range of options to suit the rider&#39;s desired stance angle. This pattern typically comprises approximately sixty (60) pre-manufactured ridges. These ridges or teeth typically radiate from the center of disc  530  and are prevented from passing through binding base  510  by contact of 45-degree walls  537 , meeting at a generally 45-degree angle with mating walls  511  of  FIG. 9 . 
         [0035]    When tightened, these teeth or ridges interlock with offset mirror image grooves pre-manufactured into the centered aperture of base  510 , thereby fixating base  510  of binding  500  to second section  220  of spring plate  200  at the prescribed stance angle. However, other interfaces, such as (i) small squares along the edge of disc  530  which are less thick than base  510 , and (ii) mating sets spaced equidistant along the center aperture, could be manufactured and fastened with the same method. The size of this interface dictates the incremental rotational precision. 
         [0036]    Designs using sixty ridges would provide adjustability in six (6) degree increments, while designs with 180 ridges would provide two (2) degree increments. By rotating base  510  before placing disc  530  thereon, the rider is able to adjust his or her stance angle, within the limits of their bindings. As shown, once the desired angle has been obtained, fasteners  540  are inserted through holes  535  of disc  530  and disc  530  is lowered into base  510  of binding  500 . Then, fasteners  540  are attached to inserts  240  of top face of spring plate  200 . Thus, binding  500  is hard-mounted to second section  220  of spring plate  200 . 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIGS. 8A ,  8 B,  9 C and  FIG. 9 , customarily base  510  is as thick as disc  530 , and is configured with a centered aperture  517  of binding  500  angled in a generally conical form so that the size of the aperture  517  in base  510  is the same as face  537  in disc  530  as shown in  FIGS. 8A-8C . Likewise, a bottom side of disc  530  features (i) a bottom edge-to-edge diameter  533  corresponding in size to bottom diameter of the aperture and (ii) a top edge-to-edge diameter  538  slightly larger than bottom edge-to-edge diameter  533  and corresponding to the top diameter of binding base  518 . Disc  530  is typically manufactured with radial teeth or ridges  536  sized for insertion into corresponding grooves  512  along sides of the aperture of base  510 . 
         [0038]    While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings,  FIGS. 8A ,  8 BB,  8 C &amp;  FIG. 9 , it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , it is contemplated that the spring plate  220  from  FIG. 2  could also be integrated into the snowboard at manufacture, negating the need for the second section  210  from  FIG. 2 . Bindings would be attached in a similar manner to that discussed above and in  FIG. 5 . 
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