Method of Constructing a Member Suitable for Traversing Snow
Though the sport of snowboarding is not new, it has taken many years to understand the specific characteristics which are required for making snowboards. There is better understanding of the dynamic bending properties needed for current riders, especially for the competition driven rider whose demands are ever changing, driving research and development to new levels on a daily basis. The early designs of snowboards were based on principals learned from the ski industry. Early snowboard designers did not understand or anticipate the use of snowboards as articles for gliding down a snow covered slope making long curving turns and at the same time, the boards to be jumped into the air, launching from half pipes edges and sliding down steel rails. Some of the differences from skis to snowboards can be seen in the prior art for skis. Skis are made for quick turns with a desire to stay firmly attached to the snow surface, where snowboards are made for long carving turns and jumping. Skis are stiff members with a resistance to bending moments and elongation, where these properties are desirable for snowboards. Snowboards are soft and flexible for slow speeds and ski are stiff for high speeds.
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This application is a divisional application from the originally filed application Ser. No. 11/163,440, which is currently pending, and herein incorporates the aforementioned application filed on Oct. 19, 2005 in the name of Steven Inge, said application being hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTIONThis invention relates to the field of devices that are used to enable the user to slide or glide across surfaces such as snow and ice. The device that is particular suited for this invention is a snowboard. As one skilled in the art will recognize, an application of this invention can extend further than just to the field of snowboarding, and as such would be covered by the concept and spirit of this invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ARTThis invention accomplishes some of the attributes desirable for a user to have a device that contains both damping characteristics and a cantilever stiffening aspect in one device. It is desirable for those who participate in the activity of snowboarding to have a board that is soft or damping around the edges, which will keep the snowboard conforming to the terrain, while at the same time being able to have the snowboard “spring” back to it's natural state after being bent around moguls, contours or steel pipe rails. Snowboarding is different from skiing as there is more demand for freestyle jumping and riding on the edge of object. Skiing demands more bending of the ski with extreme flexural characterstics, as skiers tend to ride moguls, contours and uneven terrain, seeking the ski to smoothly transition between valleys and peaks. Snowboarding on the other extreme has more jumps and skateboarding types of terrian where the snowboard needs to “grab” the surface, damping, but also need to provide “spring” or lift when jumping from the edge of half-pipes and rails. Also a snowboard is more likely to be subjected to flexural and compressive forces in one direction at the same time and than the opposite forces will be subjected on the board in the next immediate moments. Snowboards need to adapt to bending moments in both the vertical and horizontal planes which are constantly and rapidly changing.
The prior art for those devices which can be used for gliding across snow can generally be described as layering materials of various properties longitudinally along the vertical axis of the device. U.S. Pat. No. 4,412,687 issued to Andre on Nov. 1, 1983 discloses a ski that is laminated with high tensile strength materials, rods and filament bundles. The goal is to increase the rigidity and bending strength of the ski. U.S. Pat. No. 4,706,985 issued to Meatto on Nov. 17, 1987 also discloses the basic concept of layering materials to obtain the desired characteristic of the device. Meatto combines both circular rods and sheets of various components to increase flexural response and compressive structural strength of the ski. Snowboard though need to be soft and flexible not stiff as skis. The early snowboards were built as having the same composition of skis. But as snowboarding developed into a different style of sport from skiing, the design of snowboards have started to develop to adapt to this change in use. The prior art of snowboard design has followed the designs of both skis and skateboards.
Snowboards have three distinct sections, the main body, the front tip or nose, and the rear tail. Each is shaped different and in snowboards the tip and tail are significantly larger in width than is the body. Snowboards are riding with the center of gravity of the user generally over the center of gravity of the snowboard, where in skis the center of gravity is shifted toward the tail of the ski. The skier faces the along the axis of motion, where the snowboarder is transverse to the axis of motion, needing a wider plane in order to attach themselves to the snowboard and creating the need for torsional movement rather than axial movement, Generally, this torsional movement is generated on the edge of the snowboard and thus snowboards are now built with this recognition of movement in mind. Prior art shows snowboards developing softer edge material so that the snowboard is easier to carve in long turns. Patent Publication 2002/0105165 for DeRocco published Aug. 8, 2002 details this concept of varying edge properties by using ABS or other relatively rigid materials in different shapes and thicknesses in the core of the board disclosing that some rider like a stiffer board. U.S. Pat. No. 6,499,758 issued to Fournier on Dec. 31, 2002, discloses a complex series of angles and grooves designed to reduce the compression forces necessary to bend the board. U.S. Pat. No. 6,382,658 issued to Stubblefield on May 7, 2002 discloses a plurity of cross-sections and thicknesses of core to create an improved turning performance. These are both very complex to design and difficult to manufacture and thus they become very expensive and custom to a particular need of a rider in a particular situation, long smooth turns of Fournier to the sharp tight turns of Stubblefield. It would be desirable for a snowboard to be able to adapt to a multitude of different situations as they present themselves while snowboarding down a mountain slope. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,520,530 and 6,105,991 issued to Dodge et al on Feb. 18, 2003 and Aug. 22, 2000 respectively, addresses the issue of having various directions of the strength of materials so that the material's direction of strength is located along the areas of greatest stress on the snowboard. This is very complex and arduous task of aligning materials for a particular style of riding. These claim vertically laminated members which are non-parallel to the core axis and anisotropic structures oriented so that the principal axis is not in alignment with any of the core axis. It would be desirable to produce a snowboard that is can be readily manufactured that would contain the attributes of the prior art. It would be advantageous to be able to have a snowboard that combines the riders desires as well as the conditions available for him to ride. It would be desirable to have snowboard that is customizable in a short amount of time and can be mass produced for varying levels of ability uses the same concepts and materials
This invention derives it's uniqueness from a combination of responsive materials and a cantilever inspired spring return system. The main uniqueness of this invention is that it treats the core and tail and tip as third separate entities which enable the invention to focus on the different materials necessary for each part of the board to function as a unit yet have the different characteristics in the unique areas of the snow board. The choice of materials is developed about the nature of the conditions during use and construction of the snowboard. Materials must have consistent properties through-out the cold regions where the board is made, yet do not have their properties depreciated during the pressure, bending and heating process during construction. Where flex is required in the tail and tip, softer material is used, where the core of the body is stiff for responsiveness, and yet the edges are softer. The use of carbon fiber stiffening member “spring” the snowboard back to it's natural state quickly, so that the snowboard is ready to absorb the next grueling round of stresses around the next corner or half-pipe jump. This invention can be customizable by adjusting the stiffness of the snowboard by adding or subtracting stiffening members or by adjusting the thickness of the stiffening member.
The following figures are included to graphically detail the invention.
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Right edge 13 and left edge 14 has circumscribed thereabout a perimeter edge 8. Perimeter 8 is equivalent in height as is the height of edge 13 and 14 and is bonded to edge 13 and 14 using bonding means. Perimeter edge 8 follows the radius of vertical plane walls 9 and 10. Perimeter edge 8 extends in the horizontal plane a pre-determined distance based on desired board characteristics. Perimeter edge 8 is made of a isotropic material which is invariant with respect to any direction. This material must has stability of characteristics throughout the range of temperatures for where board 1 is to be subjected thereto and also not have any degradation of material characteristics when subjected to bonding means. In this invention, Celluarized or Expanded polyvinylchloride is used with of density of between 0.35 and 1 g/cm3, preferably 0.55 to 0.75 g/cm3. Perimeter 8 edge extends beyond upper horizontal plane wall 11 following tip cutin radius 41, terminating at the transition between the radii of vertical plane walls 9 and 10 and the tip radius 43. Perimeter 8 edge extends beyond lower horizontal plane wall 12 following tail cutin radius 42, terminating at the transition between the radii of vertical plane walls 9 and 10 and the tail radius 44.
Tail 4 is defined by a distance from the lower horizontal plane wall 12 to the apex of tail radius 38. Tail 4 constructed of material similar in characteristics to perimeter edge 8 and is connected to tail cutin radius 42 using bonding means. Tail radius 44 is defined as the curvature needed to connect the termination of vertical plane wall 9 and 10 to apex 38. Distance from lower horizontal plane wall 12 to apex 38 is determined by the characteristics of board 1 by the riders. In this invention, the distance is approximately 20-24 cm. Tail 4 contains at least one tail extension channel 37 which similar in shape dimensions as channel 7 and constitutes a continuation of channel 7 from core 5 to tail 4. There will exist at least an equal number of tail extension channel 37 corresponding to top channel 33 and bottom channel 34 that exist on core 5. Tail extension channel 37 will vary in length depending upon the particular characteristics required of board 1. Tail extension channel 37 will vary from 50% to 90% of the distance from lower horizontal plane wall 12 to apex 38.
Tip 3 is defined by a distance from the upper horizontal plane wall 11 to the apex of tail radius 36. Tip 3 constructed of material similar in characteristics to perimeter edge 8 and is connected to tail cutin radius 41 using bonding means. Tail radius 43 is defined as the curvature needed to connect the termination of vertical plane wall 9 and 10 to apex 36. Distance from upper horizontal plane wall 11 to apex 36 is determined by the characteristics of board 1 by the riders. In this invention, the distance is approximately 26-30 cm. Tip 3 contains at least one tip extension channel 35 which similar in shape dimensions as channel 7 on core 5 and constitutes a continuation of channel 7 from core 5 to tip 3. There will exist at least an equal number of tip extension channel 35 corresponding to top channel 33 and bottom channel 34 that exist on core 5. Tip extension channel 35 will vary in length depending upon the particular characteristics required of board 1. Tip extension channel 35 will vary from 50% to 90% of the distance from upper horizontal plane wall 11 to apex 36.
Core 5, in combination with bondly attached tip 3, tail 4 and perimeter edge 8 and along with bondly attached stiffening members 6, constitutes body 2. Body 2 is laminated to bottom layer 45 using bonding means. Bottom layer 45 is defined by upper bottom layer 49 and lower bottom layer 48 and bottom layer edge 50. Circumscribed about bottom layer edge 50 is metal carving extension rail 46 which is bondly attached to edge 50 using bonding means. Rail 46 is a flexible metallic piece that when sharpened after installation creates a edge that is able to carve into the solid ice facilitating turning of board 1 in icy conditions. The interface between edge 50 and rail 46 differs in shape corresponding to the type of rail 46 used. In this invention,
Top layer 51 is profiled to match body 2. Top Layer 51 is modified to accept mounting holes 19. Body 2 is layered with bonding strengthening material 47 and bonding means and then top layer 51. Board 1 is then subjected to pressure and heat to cure the bonding material and to shape the vertical profile of the board as shown in
Bonding means used in the construction of board 1 incorporate those characteristics which will provide superior adhesion of unlike materials, can be strengthened using bi-directional or omni-directional reinforcing materials, such as glass, carbon, metallic or similar natural or manmade fibers and can withstand temperature deviations typical where board 1 will be manufactured and used. In this invention, epoxy 53 is used as the bonding agent along with glass fiber mesh material, described as bonding strengthening material 47. The bonding material is subjected to heats up to 80 degrees Celsius and pressures up to 80 pounds per square inch during the curing process. The curing process is done in a press where the concave and convex shapes of the board are produced using opposing dies.
It is obvious that one that is skilled in the art will be able to adapt this invention's method to create items other than snowboards. Anyone who has an application whereby panel members that have requirements of varying bending moments and stiffness requirements can use this method to create such panels where extreme end sections of such panels can have a different composition than the main body of the panel.
Claims
1. A Method of constructing a sliding device for traversing snow comprising the steps of;
- Shaping a core, a tail and a tip to corresponding radii;
- Creating holes for inserts and inserting said inserts into core for binding mountings;
- Contouring plateaus in said core in vertical plane to desired thickness;
- Making dovetail joint on mating surfaces;
- Conforming perimeter edge material to outside edges of core;
- Feathering perimeter edge material on core to intersection of core radius and nose radius along core radius;
- Feathering perimeter edge material on core to intersection of core radius and tail radius along core radius;
- Inlaying channels onto exterior surfaces of core, tip and tail;
- Assembling tip and tail onto core and perimeter edge creating core assembly;
- Placing stiffening members into channels and bonding said members to said channel;
- Shaping a bottom layer to match shape of said core assembly;
- Conforming metal carving extension rail to entire perimeter of said bottom layer;
- Conforming a top layer to match shape of said core assembly;
- Creating holes in said top layer matching said inserts in said core;
- Bonding said bottom layer and said top layer to said core assembly using glass omni-directional glass fiber mesh material to stabilize bonding material and bonding pieces;
- Placing assembled device into shaping press;
- Supplying heat and pressure to press;
- Holding pressure and heat for period of time;
- Releasing shaped assembled device from press;
- Preparing said top layer for surface enhancements; and
- Preparing said bottom layer for accepting waxing materials.
2. A Method of constructing a sliding device for traversing snow as in claim 1 where the bonding material used is epoxy.
3. A Method of constructing a sliding device for traversing snow as in claim 1 number of channels are the same on each exterior surface of core, tip and tail.
4. A Method of constructing a sliding device for traversing snow as in claim 1 number of channels are not the same on each exterior surface of core, tip and tail.
5. A Method of constructing a sliding device for traversing snow as in claim 1 thickness of the stiffening members are the same on each exterior surface of core, tip and tail.
6. A Method of constructing a sliding device for traversing snow as in claim 1 thickness of the stiffening members are not the same on each exterior surface of core, tip and tail.
7. A Method of constructing a sliding device for traversing snow as in claim 1 where the material used on the perimeter edge, tip and tail is an isotropic material with of density of between 0.35 and 1 g/cm3, preferably 0.55 to 0.75 g/cm3.
8. A Method of constructing a sliding device for traversing snow as in claim 1 where said front stiffening member and said rear stiffening member are constructed of polymer based material that contains a unbiased carbon based rigidity enhancements, wherein said unbiased carbon based rigidity enhancements is a material selected from the group consisting of uni-directional, bi-directional and omni-directional fibers.
9. A Method of constructing a sliding device for traversing snow as in claim 1 where said bottom layer is constructed of a polymer such as ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.
10. A Method of constructing a sliding device for traversing snow as in claim 1 where said top layer is constructed of a colored UV-stabilized polymer selected from the group consisting of polybutylene terephthalate, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers, and ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.
11. A Method of constructing a sliding device for traversing snow as in claim 1 where said core is made of a wood.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 15, 2008
Publication Date: Jun 26, 2008
Applicant: YANKEE SNOWBOARDS LLC (Corona, CA)
Inventor: Steve Inge (Corona, CA)
Application Number: 12/014,318
International Classification: A63C 5/04 (20060101);