Abstract:
A snowboard assembly containing a snowboard attached to a locking device. The locking device is contained within an enclosure, which is attached to the snowboard. The enclosure contains a base hingeably attached to a cover; the cover and base may be readily connected to and disconnected from each other. The locking device is inclined with respect to the base to afford ready visibility and easy access. A cable is connected to the locking device and is adapted to be connected to a post or other secure structure.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of applicants&#39; copending patent application U.S. Ser. No. 09/231,269, filed on Jan. 15, 1999. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     A snowboard assembly comprised of a snowboard connected to a locking device. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Retractable locking assemblies for securing equipment such as ski poles, skis, and the like are well known. Thus, by way of illustration, U.S. Pat. No. 5,063,762 of Catherine M. Vanderweghe discloses a locking assembly external to, and mounted on, a portable or riding device. 
     The locking assembly described in the Vanderweghe patent is less than ideal. In the first place, it is rather cumbersome to use, requiring locking structure on each of two separate ski poles. Furthermore, because it involves the digital manipulation of several small parts, such as a rewind button  14  and a retractable cover  16 , it is often difficult to manipulate by one whose fingers are numbed. 
     To the best of applicants&#39; knowledge, no one in the prior art has provided a snowboard assembly comprised of a locking device which easy to use, relatively durable and reliable, and attractive. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the invention, there is provided a snowboard assembly comprised of a snowboard attached to a locking assembly, wherein the locking assembly is comprised of a case attached to said snowboard, and a locking assembly disposed within said case. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be described by reference to the specification and to the enclosed drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one preferred locking device of this invention securing two ski poles and two skis to a stand; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the locking device of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is top view of the locking device of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the locking device of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is bottom view of the locking device of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is a front view of the locking device of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 7 is a back view of the locking device of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the interior of the locking device of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 9 a front view of a shim disposed within the brackets of the locking device of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 10 is side view of the shim of FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a ski pole disposed within the brackets of the locking device of FIG. 1 without a shim; 
     FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the a ski pole disposed within the shim of FIG. 9 which, in turn, is disposed within the brackets of the locking device of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another locking device of this invention securing a snowboard to a stand; 
     FIG. 14 is a side view of the locking device of FIG. 13 connected to such snowboard; 
     FIG. 14 a  is a perspective view of the locking assembly  100  depicted in FIG. 14; 
     FIG. 15 is a top view of the locking device of FIG. 14; 
     FIG. 16 is a right side view of the locking device of FIG. 14; 
     FIG. 17 is a front view of the locking device of FIG. 14; 
     FIG. 18 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the device depicted in FIG. 17; 
     FIG. 19 is a perspective view of another preferred locking device of the invention; 
     FIG. 20 is a side sectional view of the device of FIG. 19; 
     FIG. 21 is a front sectional view of the device of FIG. 19; 
     FIG. 22 is a partial sectional view of the device of FIG. 19, illustrating a ski pole disposed within such device without the use of a shim; and 
     FIG. 23 is a partial sectional view of the device of FIG. 19, illustrating a ski pole disposed within such device with the use of a shim. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the first portion of this specification, reference will be made to a locking assembly  10  which can be used with one or more ski poles  16  and  18 . In the second portion of this specification, reference will be made to a locking assembly  100  which is attached to a snowboard  102 . 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a locking assembly  10  which, in the preferred embodiment depicted, is being used to secure skis  12  and  14  and ski poles  16  and  18  to stand  20 . In the preferred embodiment depicted, locking assembly  10  is attached to ski pole  18 , and a retractable cable  22  from locking assembly  10  extends from locking assembly  10 , around ski pole  18 , ski  12 , ski pole  16 , stand  20 , and ski  14 , and then back to the locking assembly  10 , wherein it is secured. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of locking assembly  10 . It will be seen that retractable cable  22  may be extended in the direction of arrows  24 ,  26 , and  28  and secured within keyhole orifice  30 . The skis  12  and  14 , the ski poles  16  and  18 , and the stand  20  which the cable  22  is wrapped around have been omitted from FIG. 2 for the sake of simplicity of representation. It will be understood, however, that cable  22  preferably, when fully extended, is from about 1 to about 3 feet long and, more preferably, from about 20 to about 28 inches. 
     One may use any cable in the locking assembly  10  that will serve the desired function. Thus, as used in this specification, the term cable includes cables made from metal materials, elastomeric materials, and any other materials commonly used in industry exhibiting the traits of strength of flexibility. The preferred cable material is a braided metallic structure. 
     Referring again to FIG. 2, once the cable  22  has been secured within keyhole  30 , it is lockably secured therein and only can be removed upon the alignment of the proper combination numbers in tumblers  32 ,  34 , and  36 . 
     One may use any conventional cable lock with a retractable cable for the assembly depicted in FIG.  2 . Thus, by way of illustration and not limitation, one may use one or more of the assemblies disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,063,762, 4,543,806 (retractable cable lock), U.S. Pat. No. 3,950,972 (lock with retractable cable), U.S. Pat. No. 3,906,815 (retractable cable assembly and lock), U.S. Pat. No. D272,986 (combination lock with retractable cable), and the like. The disclosure of each of these United States patents is hereby incorporated by reference into this specification. 
     Combination locks with retractable cables are readily commercially available and may be purchased, e.g., as a “RECOILER” lock, manufactured by the Ski Tote U.S.A. of 161 Plaza LaVista, Camarillo, Calif. 93010. Similar ski locks may be purchased under the name of “KRYPTONITE.” 
     In one embodiment, the combination lock with retractable cable is manufactured by the Sinox Company of Taiwan and sold as part number PL966. 
     Referring again to FIG. 2, and in the preferred embodiment therein, it will be seen that locking assembly  10  is comprised of a first bracket  38  and a second bracket  40 , each of which is removably attached to body  42 . In the embodiment depicted, the brackets  38  and  40  are removably attached by means of screws  44  and  46 , and also by means of other screws (not shown in FIG.  1 ). 
     Referring again to FIG. 2, and in the preferred embodiment depicted, it will be seen that first bracket  38  defines an orifice  48 , and the second bracket  40  defines an orifice  50 . The orifices  48  and  50  define an angled path for a ski pole. Thus, referring to FIG. 4, when a line  52  is drawn through the center of orifices  48  and  50 , it will preferably form an angle  54  with the base  56  of the locking device  10  of from about 8 to about 15 degrees and, more preferably, from about 9 to about 12 degrees. Thus, the ski pole (not shown in FIG. 2) disposed within orifices  48  and  50  diverges away from tumblers  32 ,  34 , and  36  and thus gives one more ready access thereto. Additionally, it is preferred that the distance  58  between the top  60  of tumblers  32 ,  34 , and  36  and the bottom  62  of notch  64  be at least about 0.25 inches and, more preferably, is from about 0.3 to 0.65 inches. 
     In another embodiment, not shown, the first bracket  38  and the second bracket  40  are combined into one bracket(not shown). 
     It is preferred that the body  42  of the locking assembly  10 , and the brackets  38  and  40 , consist essentially of plastic material. In one preferred embodiment, the plastic material used is a polyester, and most preferably a elastomeric material which consists essentially of polyester. By way of illustration and not limitation, one suitable polyester elastomer is sold by the E.I. duPont deNemours Company of Wilmington, Del. as ST801. 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of locking assembly  10 , illustrating how screws  44 ,  45 ,  46 , and  47  secure the brackets  38  and  40 . In one preferred embodiment, screws  44 ,  45 ,  46 , and  47  are substantially rust-proof screws such as those which are coated with “black oxide  632 ”. Alternatively, or additionally, one may use stainless steel screws. 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the locking device  10 . In the preferred embodiment depicted in FIG.  4 ,it will be seen that cable  22  is disposed within a notch  66  which preferably has a length  68  of at least about 0.7 inches and a height of at least about 0.3″ to allow ready access to the cable  22 . In one embodiment, the notch  66  may be as large as, e.g., 1.0″ by about 0.5″. 
     Referring again to FIG. 4, it will be seen that device  10  is comprised of a button  70  which, when depressed, will release the locking mechanism (not shown in FIG. 4) and, additionally, will release the tension on the cable  22 . 
     FIG. 8 is a schematic view of one preferred locking mechanism. Referring to FIG. 8, it will be seen that cable  22  is wound around spring-loaded reel assembly. Cable locks with spring-loaded reel assemblies are well known to those skilled in the art and are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,467 (spring loaded reel with gear lock), U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,566,198, 4,404,822 (cable lock with spring loaded reel), U.S. Pat. No. 4,086,795 (cable lock with spring loaded reel), and the like. The disclosure of each of these United States patents is hereby incorporated by reference into this specification. 
     Referring again to FIG. 8, it will be seen that cable  22  is equipped with a locking tab  74  which may be withdrawn in the direction of arrows  76 ,  78 , and  80  and removably locked within keyhole orifice  30 . Once so locked, it may be disengaged when release button  70  is depressed. 
     In the mechanism depicted in FIG. 8, when button  70  is depressed, it will cause locking cylinder  82  to travel in the direction of arrow  84 , thereby aligning orifice  30  with locking tab  74  and allowing their engagement. This type of locking cylinder arrangement, and similar arrangements, are well known to those skilled in the art and are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,855,129, 5,472,313, 5,288,210, 5,275,534, 5,236,302, and the like. The disclosure of each of these United States patents is hereby incorporated by reference into this specification. 
     FIG. 9 is an end view of a shim  86  which may be disposed within orifices  48  and  50  (see FIG.  2 ); and FIG. 10 is a side view of shim  86 . As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, ski poles, such as ski pole  18 , come in a variety of diameters, generally varying from about 0.515″ to about 0.750 in diameter. The locking device  10  is preferably equipped with a multiplicity of shims  86  of varying internal diameters. In one embodiment, the internal diameter  88  is from about 0.515″ to about 0.560″, and the external diameter  90  of shim  86  is preferably about 0.750 inches. The length  92  of shim(s)  86  is generally from about 2.4 to about 2.5 inches. 
     FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment wherein shim  86  is not disposed within orifices  48  and  50 , whereas FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment wherein shim  86  is so disposed within orifices  48  and  50 . 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another locking device  100  being used to secure a snowboard  102  to stand  20 . As is known to those skilled in the art, a snowboard is a generally long structure in the shape of a plate, generally flat, whose thickness is approximately constant. Reference may be had, e.g., to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,998,668, 5,988,470, 5,984,757, 5,984,346, 5,984,343, 5,984,325, 5,983,529, 5,980,602, 5,979,726, 5,979,080, 5,975,557, 5,975,556, 5,975,554, 5,975,546, 5,975,229, 5,971,423, 5,967,542, 5,966,844, and the like. The disclosure of each of these United States patents is hereby incorporated by reference into this specification. 
     Referring again to FIG. 13, and in the preferred embodiment depicted therein, it will be seen that snowboard  102  is comprised of a first retention element  103 , and a second retention element  105 , both of which are adapted to a snowboarder&#39;s (“surfer&#39;s) boots in support on the base structure  107  of the snowboard  102 . 
     Referring again to FIG. 13, it will be seen that locking device  100  is mounted on base structure  107  in the front half of the snowboard. However, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the locking device  100  can be mounted substantially in any position on snowboard  102  and its base structure  107 . It is preferred that the locking device  100  be suitably mounted so that the cable  22  can be wrapped around a post  20 . 
     FIG. 14 is a side sectional view of the locking device  100  attached to snowboard  102 . Any conventional attachment means may be used to secure the locking device  100  to the snowboard  102 . By way of illustration and not limitation, one may use adhesive attachment means such as, e.g., “VHB ACRYLIC FOAM TAPE” sold by the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Corporation of Minneapolis, Minn. as product number VHB4941. 
     In one embodiment, any of the commonly available double-stick tapes may be used to secure the locking assembly  100  to the snowboard. Thus, e.g., one may use product number  4956  of the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Corporation which is identified as “Double Linered Loose Pieces.” 
     Referring again to FIG. 14, and in the preferred embodiment depicted therein, it will be seen that a ramped shelf  104  is attached to the snowboard  102  by means of base  110 . and, mounted therein is a cable lock assembly  106  which is substantially identical to the lock assembly  10  but differs therefrom in not containing the body  42  and the brackets  38  and  40 . The lock assembly  106  is substantially identical to the “KRYTPONITE” combination lock with retractable cable which is referred to elsewhere in this specification. 
     The ramped shelf is configured that cable lock assembly  106  is disposed at an angle  109  with regard to base  110  of from about 5 to about 20 degrees and, more preferably, from about 8 to about 15 degrees. This geometric relationship insures ready visual and tactile access to the tumblers  32 ,  34 , and  36  and allows for cover  108  to have an aerodynamic profile with minimal wind resistance. 
     In one embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 14, each of base  110 , ramped shelf  104 , and cable lock assembly  106  are integrally connected to each other. 
     In one embodiment, not shown, adhesive means are used to secure lock assembly  106  to ramped shelf  104 . In another embodiment, not shown, a screw is used to secure lock assembly  106  to ramped shelf  104 . 
     In the preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 14, ramped shelf  104  is integrally and hingeably attached to cover  108  and base  110 . As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, this arrangement prevents the entry of snow and other contaminants into the locking device but facilitates easy entry thereto whenever necessary. 
     One may use any conventional means for hingeably attaching cover  108  to base  110 . In one embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 14 a , a live hinge  111  is used to providing such attachment means. As is known to those skilled in the art, a live hinge is a device which is usually integrally molded with a body as a unitary physical structure. Reference may be had, e.g., to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,988,429, 5,855,272, 5,842,806, 5,785,399, 5,676,306, and the like. The entire disclosure of each of these United States patents is hereby incorporated by reference into this specification. 
     Referring again to FIG. 14 a , it will be seen that, in the preferred embodiment depicted therein, means are provided for removably locking cover  108  to base  110 . In the preferred embodiment illustrated, these means comprise a male lip  113  adapted to engage with a female lip  115  and to removably secure cover  108  to base  110 . When so secured, the cover  108  and the base  110  provide a weatherproof seal protecting against the elements. When a user desires to disengage cover  108  from base  110 , he may apply pressure with a finger on ridges  117  in the direction of arrow  119 . 
     FIG. 15 is a top view of the assembly of FIG. 14, showing it in its closed position. It will be seen that, in the preferred embodiment depicted, the combination of cover  108  and base  110 , in its closed position, forms a enclosure  119  which is substantially pear shaped. Although other aerodynamic shapes also may be used, what is important is that such shape not have any sharp, wind-resistant edges or surfaces. The absence of sharp edges also minimizes the risk of injury to the snowboarder. 
     Referring again to FIG. 15, and in the preferred embodiment depicted therein, it will be seen that the distance  121  between the front of tumblers  32 ,  34 , and  36  and the edge  123  formed by the intersection of cover  108  and base  110  is preferably at least about 0.4 inches. In one embodiment, distance  121  is preferably from about 0.4 to about 0.8 inches. 
     FIG. 16 is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 15, from which detail of the locking device  106  has been omitted for the sake of simplicity of representation. Referring to FIG. 16, it will be seen that orifice  131  is formed between cover  108  and base  110  and is adapted to receive a cable (not shown in FIG. 16, but see FIG.  8  and cable  22 ). 
     FIG. 17 is a front schematic view of the device of FIG.  14 . An orifice  133  is formed between cover  108  and base  110  and is adapted to receive a cable (not shown in FIG. 16, but see FIG.  8  and cable  22 ). 
     FIG. 18 is partial sectional view of the device of FIG. 14, illustrating how lips  113  and  115  interlockably engage each other when cover  108  is closed. 
     FIG. 19 is a perspective view of another locking device  130  which functions in a manner similar to that of the device depicted in FIGS. 1 and 21 and has many of the same components such as, e.g., a barrel tumbler locking mechanism with a retactrable cable. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the device  130  differs from the device  10  in that the former device is comprised of a handle body  132  with an orifice (not shown) adapted to receive pole  18 . By comparison, the body  42  of the device of FIG. 2 is attached to brackets  38  and  40 , which brackets receive the ski pole  18 . Otherwise, these devices are similar in structure and operation. 
     Referring to FIG. 19, it will be seen that, in the preferred embodiment depicted, body  132  is attached to a clip  134 . 
     FIG. 20 is a sectional view of the device of FIG.  19 . As will be apparent, the reel device  72  of FIGS. 20 and 21 operates in substantially the same manner as the reel device  72  of FIG.  8 . 
     Referring to FIG. 20, and in the preferred embodiment depicted therein, it will be seen that a shim is being used to securely attach ski pole  18  within the body  132 . 
     FIGS. 22 and 23 are partial sectional views which illustrate how the device of FIG. 20 can be used without a shim (FIG. 22) and with a shim (FIG.  23 ). 
     It is to be understood that the aforementioned description is illustrative only and that changes can be made in the apparatus, in the ingredients and their proportions, and in the sequence of combinations and process steps, as well as in other aspects of the invention discussed herein, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.