SNOWBOARD TETHER DEVICE

Abstract

A pocket token for use with a snowboard tether device. The pocket token comprises a knob and a magnet that surrounds the knob. The knob of the pocket token is sized so as to fit within a well on an underside of a movable part of a snowboard tether device. The movable part of the snowboard tether device comprises a magnet that surrounds the well on the underside of the movable part. When the knob on the pocket token is inserted into the well on the underside of the movable part, the magnets of the movable part and pocket token are attracted to each other, thereby holding the pocket token in place against the underside of the movable part. In an alternate embodiment, the magnet of the pocket token is replaced with a metal ring. The pocket token optionally comprises a bottle opener.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/493,664 filed on Jun. 29, 2009. The contents of that applications are hereby incorporated by reference into the present disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of snowboards, and more particularly, to a snowboard tether device.

2. Description of the Related Art

According to research conducted on behalf of the inventors, seventy-two percent (72%) of snowboarders experience knee and/or ankle pain while on the chairlift because only one foot is attached to the snowboard, and the entire weight of the snowboard is therefore borne by one leg. Some snowboarders compensate for this discomfort by positioning one side of the snowboard on top of the free foot (i.e., the foot that is not attached to the board).

Market research indicates that there were approximately five million snowboarders in the United States in 2007. If seventy-two percent (72%) of them are experiencing the problem described above, then between three and four million people are suffering on chairlift rides each year. Not only are the chairlift rides uncomfortable for these people, but the pain and discomfort they experience on the chairlift can lead to fatigue, which causes shorter days on the slopes and ultimately contributes to the likelihood of injury.

What is needed is a device that lessens or eliminates the burden placed on the knee and ankle of a snowboarder on the chairlift when the other foot is disengaged from the snowboard. The device must be easy to use and quick to engage and disengage, and it should have built-in safety features so as not to pose additional hazards to the snowboarder. The ideal device would also not be cumbersome or visible when the snowboarder is snowboarding.

Although there have been a few innovations relating to tethering systems for snowboards, none of them possesses the structural and functional advantages of the present invention. Described below are several inventions that deal generally with tether or harness systems, some of which relate to snowboarding.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,389,750 (Rogers et al., 2008) provides a quick connect tether system for a pet in which the leash and collar are magnetically coupled. The coupling has a female section and a male section that interconnect, and a magnet is disposed within the receptacle of the female section. The male section comprises a plunger that is magnetically attracted to the magnet in the female receptacle, and locking elements hold the male plunger in place within the receptacle.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,252,450 (Aguirre et al., 2007) discloses a writing instrument holding and retaining device comprising a wristband/bracelet and a tether/leash with a writing instrument holder. The tether/leash connects the writing instrument holder to the wristband. The writing instrument can be secured to the wristband when the writing instrument is not in use, and the tether/leash can be fastened to the wristband to keep it from dangling. The invention is intended to keep busy people from losing their writing instruments.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,702,328 (Malleis et al., 2004) describes a binding and boot engagement system for use with a snowboard with a step-in binding system. The system comprises a flexible tether, one end of which attaches to the snowboard and the other end of which attaches to the snowboarder. The tether is comprised of two pieces of nylon strap that attach to each other by hook-and-loop fastener in roughly the middle of the tether. The patent expressly contemplates that magnetic couplers may be used in lieu of the hook-and-loop fastener system, although no detail is provided as to how the magnetic couplers would be configured. The top half of the tether attaches to a belt that is worn around the waist of the snowboarder. In one embodiment, the top half of the tether comprises a retractable cable. A clip on one end of the bottom half of the tether attaches to an anchor that is fixedly attached to the snowboard.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,592 (Negus, 2000) involves a ski or skateboard harness assembly in which a person's leg and foot are secured to a skateboard or snowboard that does not otherwise have a binding system. A first strap is wrapped around the person's leg beneath the knee and above the calf, and a second strap is attached to the first strap and removably attached to the board. The second strap is held in tension and in sliding communication with the board so that the person's leg can be moved longitudinally along the board.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,931,656 (Thomson, 1976) discloses a surfboard leash for attaching a surfboard to a surfer. The surfboard leash has a tubular outer element made of rubber and a partially resilient inner reinforcement element made from a material that has limited stretching ability (such as braided nylon cord). The leash attaches on one end to a fixing ring or other mounting device on a surfboard. The patent does not describe how the leash attaches to the surfer, although what appears to be a leg band is shown in the figures.

U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2008/0108260 (Wiginton) describes a tether system for surfing in which a flexible strap is detachably connected to a surfboard and a surfer. The strap is connected at one end to the surfboard with a leash plug that is inserted into the deck of the surfboard. The other end of the strap has a flared end, and the strap is attached to the surfer with a coarse patch (preferably VELCRO™) that is free to slide up and down the flexible strap but cannot slide over the flared end.

U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2006/0113787 (Siebrecht) involves a support device for easing the strain on the legs of the snowboarder by supporting the weight of the board when the snowboarder is on the chair lift or snowboarding. The device comprises a belt worn around the snowboarder's waist, a down strap, a flexible link, and a quick release clip. One end of the strap is attached to the snowboard with the quick release clip, and the other end of the strap is attached to the flexible link, which in turn is attached to the waist belt. The disadvantages of this invention are that it requires the snowboarder to wear a waist belt, and the strap is not retractable, which poses a safety hazard.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a snowboard tether device comprising a base unit and a movable part; wherein the base unit is affixed to a snowboard; wherein the movable part is connected to the base unit by a retractable cable; wherein the cable is wound around a cable spool located inside the base unit; wherein the base unit comprises a retractor housing that houses a retractor spring that causes the cable to retract; wherein the base unit comprises a receiving area; wherein the receiving area comprises a magnet; and wherein the movable part comprises a magnet that is attracted to the magnet on the receiving area of the base unit. In a preferred embodiment, the movable part comprises a center portion around which the cable is wound; the movable part comprises an inner support member; the inner support member comprises a bracket, and the bracket comprises a slot; and the cable is inserted into the slot in the bracket to secure it when the tether device is in use.

In a preferred embodiment, the base unit comprises a spool, and the cable spool and retractor housing are both part of the spool located inside the base unit. Preferably, the base unit comprises a spool post piece; the spool post piece comprises a base plate with a center and a spool post that extends vertically upward from the center of the base plate; the spool comprises a center and an opening that runs vertically throughout the center of the spool; and the spool post is inserted into the opening in the spool. The base unit preferably comprises a spool cover; the spool cover comprises a ceiling with a center and a bearing part that extends downward from the center of the ceiling; and the spool post is fastened to the bearing part with a screw.

In a preferred embodiment, the base plate of the spool piece comprises a perimeter, and the spool post piece comprises a vertical extension that extends vertically upward from the perimeter of the base plate; the spool cover comprises a perimeter and a vertical port on the perimeter of the spool cover; the vertical extension of the spool post piece extends upward inside of the vertical port of the spool cover; the vertical extension comprises an uppermost edge that forms a floor of an aperture through which the cable extends; the vertical port comprises an uppermost edge that forms a ceiling of the aperture through which the cable extends; the receiving area of the base unit comprises a rear wall; and the cable is guided by the floor and ceiling formed by the vertical extension and the vertical port so that it exits the base unit via a cable port on the rear wall of the receiving area. Preferably, the retractor housing comprises a channel; the spool post comprises a slot; the retractor spring comprises two ends; and one end of the retractor spring is inserted into the slot in the spool post, and the other end of the retractor spring is inserted into the channel in the retractor housing. The cable preferably comprises two ends; one end of the cable extends through an aperture in the cable spool and is secured therein; and the other end of the cable extends through an aperture in the center portion of the movable part and is secured with a cable plug.

In a preferred embodiment, the movable part comprises an underside with a well; and the cable plug is located inside the well on the underside of the movable part. Preferably, the invention further comprises a pull that is attached to the movable part by a piece of nylon webbing.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention further comprises a pocket token; the pocket token comprises a magnet and a knob; the movable part comprises an underside with a well; the knob on the pocket token is sized so as to fit within the well of the movable part; the magnet of the movable part surrounds the well on the underside of the movable part; the magnet of the pocket token surrounds the knob on the pocket token; and when the knob on the pocket token is inserted into the well on the underside of the movable part, the magnets of the movable part and pocket token are attracted to each other, thereby holding the pocket token in place against the underside of the movable part. In one embodiment, the pocket token comprises a bottle opener.

In a preferred embodiment, the base unit and the movable part each comprises an outer housing; and the outer housing of the base unit and movable part are comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic elastomer, urethane and vinyl. Preferably, the inner support member is comprised of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene.

In a preferred embodiment, the movable part comprises a perimeter; and the perimeter of the movable device comprises a plurality of indentations that serve as finger grips. Preferably, the magnet of the movable device is in the form of a ring; the movable part and the magnet of the movable part each has an outer diameter; the outer diameter of the magnet is less than the outer diameter of the movable part; the movable part has a bottom surface; and the magnet is embedded into the bottom surface of the movable part. The movable part is preferably sized so that at least a portion of the movable part fits into the receiving area of the base unit; and when the movable part is situated in the receiving area of the base unit, a portion of the magnet on the movable part is situated directly on top of the magnet in the receiving area of the base unit.

In a preferred embodiment, the base unit comprises a bottom surface; and the base unit is adhered to the snowboard with an adhesive backing on the bottom surface of the base unit. Preferably, when the movable part is pulled away from the base unit, tension is created in the retractor spring; and when the movable part is released, the retractor spring automatically retracts, thereby rewinding the cable around the cable spool and pulling the movable part back to the base unit. The spool post piece preferably serves as an axis about which the spool rotates.

In a preferred embodiment, the center portion of the movable part comprises a top part; and the top part of the center portion is configured to represent a logo. Preferably, the invention further comprises a separately molded logo part that sits on top of the top part of the center portion of the movable part.

In a preferred embodiment, the movable part comprises an outer housing; the outer housing of the movable part comprises a slot; and the slot on the outer housing of the movable part is horizontally aligned with the slot in the bracket of the inner support member.

The present invention includes a pocket token comprising a knob and a magnet that surrounds the knob; wherein the knob is sized so as to fit within a well on an underside of a movable part of a snowboard tether device; wherein the movable part of the snowboard tether device comprises a magnet that surrounds the well on the underside of the movable part; and wherein when the knob on the pocket token is inserted into the well on the underside of the movable part, the magnets of the movable part and pocket token are attracted to each other, thereby holding the pocket token in place against the underside of the movable part. In an alternate embodiment, the present invention is a pocket token comprising a knob and a metal ring that surrounds the knob; wherein the knob is sized so as to fit within a well on an underside of a movable part of a snowboard tether device; wherein the movable part of the snowboard tether device comprises a magnet that surrounds the well on the underside of the movable part; and wherein when the knob on the pocket token is inserted into the well on the underside of the movable part, the magnet of the movable part and the metal ring of the pocket token are attracted to each other, thereby holding the pocket token in place against the underside of the movable part. Optionally, the pocket token comprises a bottle opener.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention with the movable part on the base unit.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention showing the underside of the movable part.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the base unit of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the base unit of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a section view of the base unit of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a first exploded perspective view of the base unit of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a second exploded perspective view of the base unit of the present invention shown without the outer housing.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the spool post piece inside of the spool cover.

FIG. 9 is a first exploded side view of the spool compartment of the base unit of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a second exploded side view of the spool compartment of the base unit of the present invention.

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of the movable part of the present invention shown without the cable.

FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the movable part of the present invention shown with the cable.

FIG. 12A is an exploded perspective view of the movable part of the present invention.

FIG. 12B is a bottom perspective view of the inner support member of the movable part.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the pocket token of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the pocket token of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment of the pocket token of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a section view of the movable part and pocket token of the present invention with a layer of fabric between them.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

• • 1 Base unit
  • 2 Movable part
  • 3 Pull
  • 4 Nylon webbing
  • 5 Cable
  • 6 Plug
  • 7 Center portion (of movable part)
  • 8 Finger grip
  • 9 Receiving area (of base unit)
  • 10 Magnet (on movable part)
  • 11 Magnet (on base unit)
  • 12 Logo (on base unit)
  • 13 Cable port
  • 14 Rear wall (of receiving area)
  • 15 Outer housing (of base unit)
  • 16 Spool cover
  • 17 Spool
  • 17a Cable spool
  • 17b Retractor housing
  • 17c Channel (in retractor housing)
  • 17d Aperture (in cable spool)
  • 18 Retractor spring
  • 19 Spool post piece
  • 19a Spool post
  • 19b Slot (in spool post)
  • 19c Vertical extension (of spool post piece)
  • 19d Base plate (of spool post piece)
  • 20 Screw
  • 21 Adhesive backing
  • 22 Slot (in outer housing of movable part)
  • 23 Outer housing (of movable part)
  • 24 Slot (for webbing)
  • 25 Inner support member
  • 26 Aperture (in center portion)
  • 27 Top part (of center portion)
  • 28 Bracket (of inner support member)
  • 29 Slot (in bracket)
  • 30 Well (in movable part)
  • 31 Knob (on pocket token)
  • 32 Pocket token
  • 33 Magnet (on pocket token)
  • 34 Steel backing (of pocket token)
  • 35 Bottle opener
  • 36 Frame (of pocket token)
  • 37 Layer of fabric
  • 38 Recess (for magnet in movable part)
  • 39 Logo (on center portion of movable part)
  • 40 Opening (in retractor housing)
  • 41 Bearing part (of spool cover)
  • 42 Opening (in cable spool)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention with the movable part on the base unit. As shown in this figure, the present invention comprises a base unit 1 and a movable part 2. The base unit 1 is adhered to the top surface of a snowboard, preferably to the outside of the right foot (see FIG. 16). The movable part optionally comprises a pull 3 (made of any suitable material) that is attached to the movable part 2 by a piece of nylon webbing 4 or other suitable means. The purpose of the pull is to make it easier to pull the movable part 2 away from the base unit 1 with gloves on. As explained more fully below, the movable part 2 is held in place on the base unit 1 by a magnet. In a preferred embodiment, the outer housing 15 of the base unit 1 and the outer housing 23 of the movable part 2 are comprised of a thermoplastic elastomer; alternately, they may be comprised of any other suitable material, including, but not limited to, urethane and vinyl.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention showing the underside of the movable part. As shown in this figure, the movable part 2 is connected to the base unit 1 by a cable 5. One end of the cable 5 is mounted to the movable part 2. In this case, that end of the cable 5 is secured by a plug 6 inside the center (well 30) of the movable part 2, as shown in FIG. 2. In a preferred embodiment, the center portion 7 (see FIG. 1) of the movable part 2 is shaped so that the cable 5 can be wound around the center portion 7 to manually decrease the length of the cable or unwound to increase the length of the cable (see FIGS. 11A and 11B).

The movable part 2 is preferably circular in shape, and it preferably comprises a plurality of finger grips 8 (i.e., indentations around the outer edge) to facilitate handling of the movable part 2. The movable part 2 is sized so that it fits into the receiving area 9 of the base unit 1 (see FIG. 3). The movable part 2 comprises a magnet 10, preferably in the form of a ring and smaller in diameter than the movable part 2 itself, that is embedded into the bottom surface of the movable part 2. The receiving area 9 of the base unit 1 comprises a magnet 11 to which the magnet 10 on the movable part 2 is attracted. A retractor spring inside the base unit 1 (see FIGS. 5-7) causes the cable 5 to retract when tension on the cable is released, thereby pulling the movable part 2 toward the base unit 1. When the magnet 10 is in the vicinity of the magnet 11, the forces of attraction between the magnet 10 and the magnet 11 cause the movable part 2 to land on the receiving area 9 of the base unit 1 such that a portion of the magnet 10 is situated directly on top of the magnet 11, as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the base unit of the present invention. This figure clearly shows the receiving area 9 of the base unit 1. A logo may optionally be embossed, engraved, affixed or otherwise provided on the top of the base unit 1. The cable 5 is not shown in this figure; however, the cable spool (not shown) is housed within the base unit 1 (see FIG. 5), and the cable exits the base unit via a cable port 13 in the back wall 14 of the receiving area 9. FIG. 4 is a front view of the base unit of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a section view of the base unit of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the base unit 1 comprises an outer housing 15, a spool cover 16, a spool 17, a retractor spring 18, and a spool post piece 19. The spool 17 comprises a cable spool 17a and a retractor housing 17b. A screw 20 secures the spool post piece 19 to the spool cover 16 (more specifically, to the bearing part 41 of the spool cover 16). The cable 5 is wound around the cable spool 17a portion of the spool 17, and the retractor spring 18 is housed within the retractor housing 17b of the spool 17. An adhesive backing 21 is affixed to the bottom of the base unit 1 for securing the base unit 1 to a snowboard (as shown in FIG. 16). The configuration of the various components within the base unit 1 is further illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 6 is a first exploded perspective view of the base unit of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the spool post piece 19 comprises a spool post 19a, and the spool post 19a comprises a slot 19b. One end of the retractor spring 18 fits into a slot 19b in the spool post 19a. The other end of the retractor spring fits into a channel 17c (see FIG. 7) in the retractor housing 17b of the spool 17. As the movable part 2 is manually pulled away from the base unit 1, the cable 5 is unwound from the cable spool 17a, and the spool 17 rotates about the spool post 19a. The spool cover 16 and spool post piece 19, however, remain stationary. As the spool 17 rotates, tension is created in the retractor spring 18 because it is fixed on one end to the stationary spool post 19a and on the other end to the rotating spool 17 (more specifically, the channel 17c in the retractor housing 17b of the spool 17). Thus, when the movable part 2 is released, the retractor spring 18 will automatically retract, thereby rewinding the cable 5 around the cable spool 17a and pulling the movable part 2 back to the base unit 1.

Referring to FIG. 6, the top part of the spool post 19a is preferably indented. The diameter of the top part of the spool post 19a is preferably slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the opening 40 in the retractor housing 17b portion of the spool 17. This prevents the retractor housing 17b from abutting up against the base plate 19d. Similarly, a bearing part 41 that is circular in cross-section extends downward from the center of the inside ceiling of the spool cover 16. This bearing part 41 has a larger diameter in the top half of the bearing part (just barely visible in FIG. 7) than in the bottom half. The diameter of the bottom half of the bearing part is preferably slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the opening 42 in the cable spool 17a portion of the spool 17. This prevents the cable spool 17a from abutting up against the ceiling of the spool cover 16. In addition, the screw 20 screws into the bearing part 41, thereby holding the assembly shown in FIG. 7 together.

FIG. 7 is a second exploded perspective view of the base unit of the present invention shown without the outer housing. This figure shows the same components as in FIG. 6 but from a different perspective. As shown in this figure, the spool post piece 19 comprises a vertical extension 19c that is connected to the base plate 19d of the spool post piece 19, preferably at its perimeter. The spool cover 16 comprises a vertical port 16a (located on the perimeter of the spool cover 16), and when the base unit 1 is assembled, the vertical extension 19c of the spool post piece 19 extends upward inside of the vertical port 16a. The uppermost edge of the vertical extension 19c forms the floor of the aperture through which the cable (not shown) extends, and the uppermost edge of the opening in the vertical port 16a forms the ceiling of the aperture through which the cable extends (see FIG. 8). In this manner, the cable is guided so that it exits the base unit 1 via the cable port 13 on the rear wall 14 of the receiving area 9 of the base unit 1.

FIG. 9 is a first exploded side view of the spool compartment of the base unit of the present invention. The spool compartment comprises the spool cover 16, the spool 17, the retractor spring 18, the spool post piece 19, and the screw 20 that holds the spool post piece 19 to the spool cover 16. The spool post piece 19 comprises a spool post 19a that acts as the axis about which the spool 17 rotates. This figure shows clearly the cable spool 17a portion of the spool 17 and the aperture 17d through which one end of the cable is inserted and preferably held in place with a cylindrical end piece (not shown) that is molded onto the end of the cable and that presses up against the tapered walls of the aperture 17d (see FIG. 10).

FIG. 10 is a second exploded side view of the spool compartment of the base unit of the present invention. This figure shows the vertical port 16a of the spool cover 16. It also shows the tapered walls of the aperture 17d into which one end of the cable is inserted and held in place with a cylindrical end piece (not shown) or other suitable means. This view also shows the channel 17c into which one end of the retractor spring 18 is inserted and secured in place. As described above, the other end of the retractor spring 18 is inserted into the slot 19b in the spool post 19a (see FIG. 9).

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of the movable part of the present invention shown without the cable. FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the movable part of the present invention shown with the cable. These figures show the slot 22 in the outer housing 23 of the movable part 2. To decrease the length of the cable 5, the cable is manually wound around the center portion 7 of the movable part 2 and then secured in the slot 22. To increase the length of the cable 5, the cable is removed from the slot 22 and manually unwound from around the center portion 7. The cable may be completely unwound or partially unwound and then re-secured in the slot 22. Once a given snowboarder has adjusted the length of the cable to his or her liking, there should be no need to adjust it again; this adjustment feature is intended to allow each person to adjust the cable length to his or her preferred height (i.e., the distance between the base unit on the snowboard and the movable part when it is coupled with the pocket token).

FIG. 12A is an exploded perspective view of the movable part of the present invention. This figure shows the magnet 10 on the underside of the movable part 2 (see FIG. 2). It also shows the outer housing 23 of the movable part 2 and the slot 24 for insertion of the nylon webbing 4. The outer housing 23 surrounds an inner support member 25, which comprises the center portion 7 around which the cable 5 may be wound. The inner support member 25 is preferably comprised of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS).

As can be seen in FIG. 12, the center portion 7 comprises an aperture 26 through which one end of the cable 5 is inserted and secured with the cable plug 6 (see FIG. 2). The top part 27 of the center portion 7 may optionally be configured to represent a logo, as shown in this figure. In a preferred embodiment, the logo 39 is a separately molded part that sits on top of the top part 27 of the center portion 7. FIG. 12B shows the recess 38 on the underside of the inner support member 25 into which the magnet 10 is inserted.

The inner support member 25 preferably comprises a bracket 28 that in turn comprises a slot 29. This slot 29 is preferably horizontally aligned with the slot 22 on the outer housing 23 of the movable part 2 so that when the movable part is fully assembled, slots 22 and 30 line up. The reason for the bracket 28 is to provide added support for that part of the movable part 2 where the cable 5 is inserted.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the pocket token of the present invention. The underside of the movable part 2 preferably comprises a well 30 (see FIG. 2) into which the knob 31 of the pocket token 32 fits. The pocket token 32 comprises a magnet 33, preferably in the form of a ring, that is attracted to and preferably the same size as the magnet 10 of the movable part 2. The pocket token further comprises a flat steel backing (not shown) on the reverse side of the pocket token from the magnet 33 that is roughly the same size as the magnet 33. The pocket token 32 is preferably carried in one's pocket, and when the tether device is in use, the pocket token 32 is coupled to the movable part 2 as shown in FIG. 16. Although the pocket token is shown in the figures as comprising a magnet, it would be possible to utilize a pocket token without a magnet, as long as the pocket token comprised a piece of metal strong enough to couple with the magnet on the movable part.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the pocket token of the present invention. In this embodiment, the steel backing 32 comprises a bottle opener 35 that may be used to open bottles. The pocket token 32 is preferably sized so that it will easily fit into the pocket of a garment (such as snowboard pants). Although two embodiments of the pocket token are shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the present invention is not limited to any particular shape, size or configuration of the pocket token. For example, in addition to the embodiments shown, the pocket token may take the form of a fabric patch or clothing clip (modified to incorporate a knob 31), as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/338,477, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment of the pocket token of the present invention. This figure shows the magnet 33, frame 36 and steel backing 34 of the pocket token 32. As shown in this figure, the bottle opener 35 is part of the steel backing 34, and the knob 31 is part of the frame 36. The frame 36 may be comprised of any suitable material.

FIG. 16 is a section view of the movable part and pocket token of the present invention with a layer of fabric between them. As illustrated in this figure, when the tether device is in use, the knob 31 of the pocket token 32 lies inside the well 30 of the movable part 2, and the two magnets 10, 33 force the pocket token 32 and movable part 2 to couple with each other in the manner shown. To decouple the pocket token 32 from the movable part 2, the user would simply pull on the pull tab 3 (not shown) of the movable part 2. The tension created in the retractor spring 18 when the cable 5 was extended and the spool 17 rotated about the spool post 19a will cause the movable part 2 to move back to the base unit 1 and into the position shown in FIG. 1.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A pocket token comprising a knob and a magnet that surrounds the knob;

wherein the knob is sized so as to fit within a well on an underside of a movable part of a snowboard tether device;

wherein the movable part of the snowboard tether device comprises a magnet that surrounds the well on the underside of the movable part; and

wherein when the knob on the pocket token is inserted into the well on the underside of the movable part, the magnets of the movable part and pocket token are attracted to each other, thereby holding the pocket token in place against the underside of the movable part.

2. A pocket token comprising a knob and a metal ring that surrounds the knob;

wherein the knob is sized so as to fit within a well on an underside of a movable part of a snowboard tether device;

wherein the movable part of the snowboard tether device comprises a magnet that surrounds the well on the underside of the movable part; and

wherein when the knob on the pocket token is inserted into the well on the underside of the movable part, the magnet of the movable part and the metal ring of the pocket token are attracted to each other, thereby holding the pocket token in place against the underside of the movable part.

3. The snowboard tether device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the pocket token comprises a bottle opener.