Snowboard suspension device

Abstract

A snowboard suspension device having the ability to dampen energy generated in snowboarding. The device having (per binding) a first disc dampener (11) that mounts to a snowboard with means of attaching a second disc. A second disc dampener (12) that mounts to the first disc with means of attaching a binding. A platform (16) that bends in a cantilever action to store and release energy is sandwiched between the binding and second disc.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates in general to snowboarding, and in particular to a snowboard suspension device that dampens the energies generated in snowboarding.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] Snowboarders negotiate a wide variety of terrain and distribute large amounts of energy that channel directly into the body. This is due to varying terrain being uneven and uncertain. These conditions pose threat to snowboarders in general because unlike skiing, snowboarders are fixed to the snowboard via static bindings that do not allow movement and do not release from the snowboard. This can cause injuries unique to snowboarders.

[0005] Absorbing these energies and impulses is critical in avoiding most types of snowboarder related injuries. Absorbing these energies also allows the snowboarder to elevate his/her riding ability by lowering the stresses distributed to the body, thus allowing more ability to negotiate uneven and uncertain terrain. Absorbing the shock of these energies has been attempted by the use of dampening pads such as Adjustable Damping Pads For Snowboard Bindings practice of Aiken U.S. Pat. Application No. 20,020,089,129 (2002). This invention does not allow the binding to move with respect to the snowboard, which is critical in greatly reducing the impulse of energy. Another invention that attempts to absorb the shock of these energies is the Snowboard Suspension System practice of GYR U.S. Pat. Application No. 20,010,001,520 (2001). This invention allows for substantial vertical movement of each binding, assisting the rider in downward compressive force. This system is best suited for the impulse of landing (jumping) and not best suited for the coupling forces generated in turning a snowboard.

[0006] No device is known, however, for dampening the energies generated in riding/turning a snowboard during normal (in snow) riding conditions.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0007] The principal object of this invention is to provide an interface that provides suspension in order to reduce the energy and impulses generated in snowboarding. Providing an interface that channels energy through four polyurethane disc bushings greatly reduce these energies. A Platform, mounted on top of these discs, further reduces these energies by acting as a flat spring, storing and releasing energy through its bending action.

[0008] Another object is to raise the height of the snowboarders binding with respect to the snowboard, thus allowing the toe and heel of the rider's boot to be elevated. In most situations the riders boot limits the angle a snowboard can turn, thus being a constraint in the ability to turn. Raising the height of the binding allows the rider to turn the board at a greater angle (sharper) before the toe and heel of the boot make contact with the snow. In transverse, it allows the rider to ride a more narrow board that is more suitable for edge to edge turning.

[0009] Another object is to enhance the flex of the snowboard. By creating an interface with less contact surface area than a standard binding, more of the snowboard is able to flex. A snowboards flex pattern is disrupted at the area where the binding is in contact with the snowboard, thus lowering the area of contact will add flexural length to the snowboard. This device reduces the area of contact and allows more of the snowboard to flex, thus enhancing the flex pattern of the snowboard.

[0010] The foregoing objects can be accomplished by providing a system that provides an interface between a snowboard and its bindings. This interface comprises (per binding) of two disc shaped polymer (plastic or rubber) parts that are used to dampen energy, and a platform that acts as a flat spring in order to store and release energy when deflected by an external load. Both discs have mounting platforms and hardware for assembly. These disc parts dampen energy by channeling the forces generated in snowboarding through polymer material that each disc is comprised of. This is achieved by using discs having two mounting platforms, channeling energy from the inner mounting platform to the outer mounting platform via polymer material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] The following illustrative embodiment descriptions detail this invention to better understand its assembly and function, in which:

[0012] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective top view of this invention.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of this invention.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of this invention.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a right side view of this invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] As shown in the drawings, the preferred snowboard suspension device in accordance with the present invention includes a platform 16 used to support a binding and bend in a cantilever action to store and release energy when deflected by an external load. The platform may or may not include optional bushings or springs 23, located underneath any cantilever area of the platform best shown in FIG. 4, used to manipulate its bending action.

[0017] Disc 1 11 and disc 2 12, preferably made of polymer material to dampen energy, both have an inner mounting platform 22 comprising an inner circular plurality of holes, and an outer mounting platform 21 comprising an outer circular plurality of holes best shown in FIG. 3. The mounting platforms are for assembly of this preferred device. An outer washer 15 and outer washer with a plurality of threaded inserts 14 mate together at the outer mounting platform of each disc to sandwich preferred embodiments. Similarly, An inner washer 13 and inner washer with a plurality of threaded inserts 17 provide a means of attachment at the inner mounting platforms of each disc to sandwich preferred embodiments.

[0018] The drawings in accordance with this present invention include a sectional view FIG. 2 of the assembled snowboard suspension device. It shows disc 1 11 mounted to the snowboard (not shown) at its inner mounting platform 22 using the inner washer 13 and screws—board 18 as means of attachment. Disc 1 11 is attached to disc 2 12 at the outer mounting platform 21 using outer washer with a plurality of threaded inserts 14, outer washer 15, and screws—outer washer 19 as means of attachment to sandwich both discs together. A platform 16 is sandwiched between disc 2 12 and binding (not shown) using inner washer with a plurality of threaded inserts 17 and screws—inner washer 20 as means of attachment at the inner mounting platform 22 of disc 2 12. The entire device is sandwiched together in union with no moving parts.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0019] 11 disc 1

[0020] 12 disc 2

[0021] 13 inner washer

[0022] 14 outer washer with a plurality of threaded inserts

[0023] 15 outer washer

[0024] 16 platform

[0025] 17 inner washer with a plurality of threaded inserts

[0026] 18 screws—board

[0027] 19 screws—outer washer

[0028] 20 screws—inner washer

[0029] 21 outer mounting platform

[0030] 22 inner mounting platform

[0031] 23 optional bushings or springs

Claims

1. A snowboard suspension device mounted to a snowboard with means of attaching a snowboard binding, the device comprising:

(a) a first disc having an inner mounting platform with a plurality of holes as means of attachment to a snowboard and an outer mounting platform with a plurality of holes as means of attachment to a second disc;

(b) a second disc having an outer mounting platform with a plurality of holes as means of attachment to said first disc and an inner mounting platform with a plurality of holes as means of attachment to a binding;

(c) a platform to support said binding sandwiched between said second disc and said binding.

2. The device of claim 1 further including mounting hardware for assembling said device at mounting platforms, mounting hardware comprising:

(a) a disc shaped washer as means of attaching said first disc to said snowboard using said inner hole pattern platform of said first disc;

(b) a disc shaped washer and a disc shaped washer with a plurality of threaded inserts as means of attaching said first disc to said second disc using said outer hole pattern platforms of said first disc and said second disc;

(c) a disc shaped washer with a plurality of threaded inserts as means of attaching said binding to said second disc using said inner hole pattern platform.

3. The platform in claim 1 further comprising bushings or springs mounted underneath any cantilever area to manipulate bending action of said platform.

4. A platform used to support a snowboard binding mounted onto a device to lift a snowboard binding.

5. An interface mounted to a snowboard with means of attaching a snowboard binding, the interface comprising:

(a) a first disc having an inner mounting platform with a plurality of holes as means of attachment to a snowboard and an outer mounting platform with a plurality of holes as means of attachment to a second disc;

(b) a second disc having an outer mounting platform with a plurality of holes as means of attachment to said first disc and an inner mounting platform with a plurality of holes as means of attachment to a binding.