GB2487184A

GB2487184A - Snowboard pole system

Info

Publication number: GB2487184A
Application number: GB1100051.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Tillen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-01-04
Filing date: 2011-01-04
Publication date: 2012-07-18
Also published as: GB201100051D0

Abstract

A snowboard pole system comprises a snowboard 3, a telescopically collapsible pole 1 and releasable fastenings 2. The system is such that the pole 1 may be releasably secured to the snowboard 3 in a longitudinal direction of the snowboard using fastenings 2. The releasable fastenings 2 may be secured on the top of both of the users snow boots 4, on the snowboard 3, or onto the snow boot bindings 5, wherein each fastening is adapted to receive and retain the collapsed pole 1 longitudinally of the snowboard.

Description

Page 1 of 4

SNOWBOARD POLE SYSTEM

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates generally to a Snowboard Pole System and storage devices, the snowboard pole is collapsible and the storage devices are releasable securings.

BACKGROUND ART AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A snowboard is an elongated board on which a persons feet are firmly fixed too by two individual boot bindings about shoulder width apart. The person is permanently attached to the board when using it, for momentum, the snowboard is directed down a snow covered slope, when sliding has commenced the person lifts the edges of the snowboard with his heels and then toes to create a rocking' action to control speed and direction of the board.

There are basic problems with this traditional system of snowboarding, the main one being that with out a slope all momentum is lost. The other problems include travelling over flat snow covered terrain with out momentum to get to a lift system or another snow covered slope. To remedy these problems involves the removal of one foot from a boot binding, having to pushing himself along in a skateboard fashion to gain momentum, this is exhausting. The alternative is to remove both feet from both boot bindings and walk, carrying the snowboard to the destination and then putting both feet into the boot bindings. Other problems include disembarking from a ski lift with only one foot bound into a snowboard which is caused by embarking onto a ski lift, this is dangerous and many injuries occur at these points, it is possible to embark on to the ski lift with both feet bound with the proposed system. There is a need for a system that enables the snowboarder to propel himself without removing either foot from any boot binding, then, be able to store this system securely and safely into the storage devices when the system is not required, then be able to snowboard as normal whilst carrying the snowboard pole system.

This invented system cures the propulsion and secure storage problems, the collapsible snowboard pole is extended to the required length to propel the snowboarder effectively, the collapsible pole and storage devices are designed for quick deployment from secure storage, to a usable extended position, then returned quickly to secure storage. The quick deployment aspect is key to the design as momentum can be kept if self propulsion is applied whilst still moving when on a declining snow covered slope.

The key design aspects of this invention will be more readily understood after consideration of the drawings and detailed description which follow.

Page 2 of 4

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG 1 is a isometric view of the invented snowboard pole system with releasable securings mounted on a snowboarders snow boots.

FIG 2 is a view of the invented snowboard pole system with releasable secu rings mounted on a snowboard.

FIG 3 is a view of the invented snowboard pole system with releasable secu rings mounted on the rear of snowboard boot bindings.

FIG 4 is a side elevation view of the pole of FIG 1-3 (1) in a collapsed position.

FIG 5 is a side elevation view of the pole of FIG 1-3 (1) in a extended position.

FIG 6 is a view of the lock mechanism that secures adjacent lengths of the pole FIG 5 (10 and FIG 5(11), with the lock mechanism in the locked position.

FIG 7 is a top elevation view of the lock mechanism.

FIG 8 is a isometric view of a releasable securing from FIG 1 (2), FIG 2 (2) and FIG 3 (2).

FIG 9 is a side elevation view of the releasable securings FIG 8 (13).

FIG 10 is a side elevation of the releasable securings shown in a biased position by dashed lines FIG 8 (13).

FIG 11 is a side elevation of the snow engaging end spike FIG 11(16).

Page 3 of 4

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invented snowboard pole system is shown in FIG I and includes a collapsible pole of telescopic sections FIG 1 (1), releasable securings FIG 1 (2), a snowboard FIG 1 (3), snowboard boots FIG 1 (4), snowboarders binding FIG 1 (5).

The pole FIG 1 (1) is secured in the releasable securings FIG (2). The releasable securings FIG 1 (2) are attached to the snowboarders boots FIG 1(4) or attached to the snowboard FIG 2 (2) or attached to the snowboard bindings FIG 3 (2).

When the snowboarder slides down a snow covered slope, the releasable securings FIG 1 (2), FIG 2 (2) or FIG 3 (2) will securely retain the pole FIG 1 (1), in an out-of-the-way position, it will not interfere with the snowboarder when snowboarding. The pole FIG 1 (1) must be secured to the releasable securings FIG 1 (2), FIG 2 (2) or FIG 3 (2) with sufficient force so that the pole FIG 1 (1) will not come unsecured while snowboarding.

As shown in FIG 4 the pole is collapsed and in FIG 5 the pole is extended, FIG 4 includes a user-grippable region FIG 4 (7). As Shown in FIG 4 (8), FIG 5 (8), the pole includes a securing handle.

The other end region FIG 4 (9) may be referred to as the snow engaging region FIG 4 (9), it includes snow-engaging elements, such as a spiked end with crossed snow grip grooves on the end. Snow-engaging region FIG 4 (9) is similar to the end of a conventional ski pole.

In FIG 4 the pole is collapsed, in FIG 5 the pole is extended, there can be various range of securing positions and secured via a known lock mechanism FIG 4 (6) that provides the required support. The collapsed length of pole FIG 4 should be short enough not to overhang the ends of the snowboard FIG 1 (3) when stored in the releasable securings FIG 1 (2), FIG 2 (2) or FIG 3 (2), when extended the pole FIG 5 should be long enough to reach over the rear end of the snowboard FIG 1 (3) when standing in the snow boot bindings FiG 1 (4) and be able to touch the ground to the rear of the snowboard.

When the pole FIG 5 is used by most adults the length will range according to the height of the user, when the pole FIG 5 is used by a child the length will be shorter than that if used by an adult, the child will be shorter, the child will not need to extend the pole FIG 5 as much as an adult to reach snow covered ground behind him.

A suitable lock mechanism FIG 6 (12), is shown for an illustrative and non-exclusive example in FIG 6 (12).

The lock mechanism FIG 5 (6) is shown attached to the interconnecting pole sections FIG 5(10) and FIG 5(11), interconnecting sections FIG 5(10) and FIG 5 (II) telescope and partially overlap with each other The lock mechanism FIG 5 (6) when tightened around inter connecting pole section Fig 5 (10) must be able to apply pressure to the inter connecting pole section FIG 5 (10) to restrict pole section FIG 5 (10) from sliding inside pole section FIG 5 (11), there must be sufficient tightening to withstand the user's full weight when placed upon pole section FIG 5.

Page 4 of 4 This invented snowboard pole system FIG I is used to provide leverage and support to the user when on flat ground. The lock mechanism FIG 6 (12) should be actable without requiring precise manipulation of the mechanism. Because the user will most commonly be wearing snowboard gloves or mittens, the user needs to be able to selectively engage and release the lock mechanism FIG 6 (12) without removing his gloves or mittens.

The drawing FIG 8 (13) is shown for an illustrative a non-exclusive example of a releasable securing as shown in FIG 1 (2) in more detail. The releasable securing FIG 8 (13) is a releasable securings that is sized to receive and retain the pole FIG 1 (1), FIG 2 (1) and FIG 3 (1) when in the collapsed position. Two releasable securings could be used in the snowboard pole system, each secured on the top section of each snowboard boot FIG 1 (2), or secured on to the snowboard FIG 2 (2) or onto the snowboard binding FIG 3(2). Each releasable securing FIG 8 (13) are designed to deform outwardly from a rest position (shown in FIG 9 (14) in solid lines to a biased position shown in dashed lines in FIG 10(15) as the pole FIG 1(1) is inserted or removed, and returns to the rest position, this enables pole FIG 1 (1) to be a snap-fit into and out of releasable securings.

It should be understood that receiver FIG 8 (13) may be adapted to receive and selectively retain collapsed poles of a variety of shapes and sizes.

To mount the pole FIG 1 (1) into the releasable securings FIG 8 (13) the user first collapses the pole FIG 1 (1) to its shortest position by unlocking the lock mechanisms FIG 6 (12). Once the pole is adjusted to its collapsed position it is snap fit into the releasable securings FIG 1 (2).

The pole FIG 1 (1) can be effectively used by removing it from the releasable securings FIG 1 (2) whilst the user is sliding along a flat snow covered surface, the existing momentum can be increased easily when the pole FIG 1 (1) is placed into the snow at an angle between I 0°-30° degrees or more behind himself, force applied by the hands of the users which will propel him forward, bending of the knees helps for better propulsion, the motion is similar to the punting movement in a punt boat or a gondola movement in a venetian rowing boat. Once the user has overcome the flat terrain and reached another slope he can collapse the pole FIG 1 (1) whilst still sliding over snow covered ground and store the pole FIG 1 (1) into the releasable securings FIG 1 (2), FIG 2 (2) or FIG 3 (2) with one click, he can keep his head up and still control his snowboard whilst placing the pole FIG 1 (1) into the releasable securings FIG 1 (2), FIG 2 (2) or FIG 3 (2). If the user reaches a lift system he can remaining bound in to the boot bindings FIG 1 (5) and use the poie FIG 1 (1) to help manoeuvre himself through the queue and into the path of the moving chair lift, this enables the the user to be transported by the lift whilst still bound into both snowboard bindings, disembarking is safer and easier as the user has good control of the snowboard.

While the invention has been disclosed in its preferred form, it is to be understood that the specific embodiment thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein is not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible and that no single feature, function or property of the preferred embodiment is essential. The invention is to be defined by the scope of the issued claims.

Claims

I claim: 1. A snowboard and pole system, comprising the combination of a collapsible pole of telescopic sections, having a snow engageable region, and a snowboard, the pole being securable directly or indirectly lengthwise on the snowboard.
2. The system of Claim I in which the pole has a user-grippable hand region, a securing strap region and a powder basket region.
3. The system of Claim I or Claim 2 in which the pole includes at least one lock mechanism adapted to retain adjacent telescopic sections.
4. The system of Claims 1, 2 or 3, in which there are releasable secu rings mounted on the snowboard, or for mounting on a snowboarders snow boot or on snowboard boot bindings.
5. A pole for system of Claim I, substantially as herein before described with respect to the accompanying drawings.