CONFIGURABLE SLIDE BOARD

Abstract

A configurable slide board includes: two or more board segments, each board segment including a top surface, wherein the board segments releasably engage each other; a gliding surface located along the top surface of the two or more board segments; and a plurality of receiving holes extending through the gliding surface into the board segments, wherein the plurality of receiving holes are adapted to receive a plurality of bumpers; wherein a first subset of the receiving holes are configured to receive a plurality of bumpers to form an octagon, further wherein a second subset the receiving holes are configured to receive a plurality of bumpers to form side-by-side linear slide boards.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/601,549 filed on Feb. 21, 2012, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to a configurable slide board. More specifically, the present invention relates to a slide board that may be configured into various arrangements.

Slide boards are used for conditioning by a variety of athletes. A user may exercise on a slide board by sliding back and forth laterally across the board. The lateral movement allows athletes to use muscles that are not commonly used in daily activity and exercise. Most fitness activities such as walking, running, and cycling train muscles in a forward and backward or up and down motion. However, many of the most popular recreational activities, such as basketball, skating, skiing, soccer, and tennis require side-to-side motion. Using the slide boards may enhance skills and movement efficiency for these and many other sports. Slide boards may also develop and condition those muscles of the legs and hips that make lateral motion possible.

Previously, slide boards had been statically configured and were for use by one person at a time. The typical slide board consisted of a rectangular sliding surface including a bumper at either end. However, some slide boards had been made in a larger square shape with more than two bumpers, such as four bumpers forming a square, or even eight bumpers forming an octagon. For example, when using eight bumpers, the slide board surface would typically be a large square shaped sliding surface, so as to provide enough space for a user to slide between the bumpers.

Varying exercises may be performed on the various configurations of slide boards. However, because slide boards were statically configured, users were unable to perform the varied exercises without access to multiple slide boards. Because of their size, it is often unpractical to have multiple types of slide boards in a single location. Accordingly, a need exists for a slide board having connectable parts that may be rearranged and configured into different arrangements so they may be capable of accommodating a variety of bumpers and/or may be used by multiple users at the same time as described and claimed herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A slide board according to the present invention includes a plurality of base boards, gliding surfaces, and a plurality of bumpers. The bumpers may be secured to the gliding surface in various configurations using releasable attachments mechanisms, such as bumper knobs that mate with predrilled receiving holes in the boards. The gliding surfaces may be integral with the base boards or may be independent elements. Collectively the base boards and gliding surfaces will be referred to herein as board segments.

The slide board is capable of being configured in a way in which the board segments may be joined to create a larger sliding surface. In one example, two or more board segments may be joined to create a larger square surface. In another example, two or more board segments may be joined sequentially end-to-end to create a longer gliding surface. Connecting multiple board segments may allow multiple users to exercise at once, or it may provide a larger surface so one user may utilize the surface more effectively and/or utilize a greater number of varied configuration of bumpers.

The board segments may be connected in a variety of ways. Each board segment may include edges that are capable of being connected to another board segment. In one example, a board segment may be capable of connecting to another board segment on all four sides. In another example, a board segment may only have one side capable of connecting to another board segment.

Once the board segments are connected, a plurality of bumpers may be attached to the board segments to provide an enclosed gliding surface, enabling the user to slide between the bumpers. The bumpers attach to the top of the board segments using releasable connectors. For example, typically bumper knobs that mate with predrilled receiving holes are used to secure the bumpers to the board segments. The interior surface of the bumper typically provides an inclined face (i.e., rigid ramp) against which a user's foot may contact the bumper in use. The sloped face allows for a gradual transfer of energy between the user's foot and the bumper, as the bumper stops the user and as the bumper provides a surface to push off in the opposite direction. The bumper's rigid ramp section may be made from or coated with a surface having a high coefficient of friction to increase friction with a user's foot and improve the user's ability to push off the bumper. The bumpers may also be secured to the gliding surface at a toe-out angle, thus providing comfort to the user and versatility for a variety of exercises. The toe-out angle may be adjusted by placing the bumper knobs into different predrilled holes in the board segments. The slide board may also include a non-slip material, such as an open cell sponge, that is attached to the backside of the board segments so that the slide board remains stationary while being used. It is contemplated that the board segments may be held together with brackets that enable the board to be held together for a user to move the assembled slide board and/or lean the assembled slide board up against a wall. Further, one or more of the board segments may include wheels (i.e., castors) at the end to facilitate movement of the assembled board.

In one example, a configurable slide board includes: two or more board segments, each board segment including a top surface, wherein the board segments releasably engage each other; a gliding surface located along the top surface of the two or more board segments; and a plurality of receiving holes extending through the gliding surface into the board segments, wherein the plurality of receiving holes are adapted to receive a plurality of bumpers; wherein a first set of the receiving holes are configured to receive a plurality of bumpers to form an octagon, further wherein a second set the receiving holes are configured to receive a plurality of bumpers to form side-by-side linear slide boards.

In some versions, the gliding surface may be a separate material overlain on the top surfaces of the two or more board segments. In others, the gliding surface is formed by the top surface of the two or more board segments. The receiving holes may be internally threaded and the bumpers may be secured to the board segments by bumper knobs screwed into the internally threaded receiving holes. The board segments may be further secured together by brackets and one or more of the board segments may include a plurality of castors.

In another example, a configurable slide board comprising: a gliding surface including a plurality of receiving holes adapted to receive a plurality of bumpers, wherein the plurality of receiving holes form at least two patterns, wherein each pattern includes receiving holes for receiving at least three bumpers and each pattern forms a different shape. In some versions, the plurality of receiving holes form a first octagonal pattern and a second non-octagonal pattern. The second non-octagonal pattern may provide side-by-side linear slide boards.

The gliding surface may be mated to a plurality of board segments to form the slide board. In another example, the gliding surface may be mated to a single board segment. In yet another example, the gliding surface may be integrally formed with the one or more board segments.

An advantage of the slide board is that it may be configured into multiple arrangements.

Another advantage of the slide board is that it may accommodate multiple users.

A further advantage of the slide board is that it may accommodate a plurality of bumpers.

Yet another advantage of the slide board is that it provides a functionally seamless transition between gliding surfaces when multiple gliding surfaces are connected.

Another advantage of the slide board is that the gliding surfaces may be connected easily and quickly.

Still another advantage of the slide board is that it may be wheeled around in assembled form to make the assembled board easier to move in a gym setting.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the examples will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following description and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by production or operation of the examples. The objects and advantages of the concepts may be realized and attained by means of the methodologies, instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a plurality of board segments configured as connected side-to-side horizontal slide boards.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the board segments from FIG. 1 configured as an octagonal board.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a bumper connected to a board segment.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of one end of a slide board including a bumper having a toe-out angle.

FIGS. 5 is a top perspective view of one contemplated example demonstrating how multiple board segments may be connected to form an octagonal exercise area enclosed by a plurality of bumpers.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the connection points used in the slide board example in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the slide board example in FIG. 5 shown without bumpers.

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of an alternate way of arranging the bumpers so that multiple users may use the slide board in a side-by-side configuration.

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of another contemplated example demonstrating how multiple board segments may be connected to form a wider exercise area enclosed by a pair of bumpers.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the connection points used in the slide board example in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of the slide board example in FIG. 9 shown without bumpers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a configurable slide board 10 (hereinafter “slide board 10”). As shown in FIG. 1, the slide board 10 includes two side-by-side board segments 12 each including an integral gliding surface 14. In alternative embodiments, the gliding surface 14 may be a separate element affixed atop the board segments 12. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the two side-by-side board segments 12 join at a seam 22. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the shorter side of each board segments 12 includes a bumper 16 secured thereto.

The slide board 10 is capable of being configured in a way where multiple board segments 12 may be joined to create a larger gliding surface 14. In one example, two or more board segments 12 may be joined to create the larger square surface shown in FIG. 1. In another example, two or more board segments 12 may be joined end to end to create a longer gliding surface 14 (FIGS. 9-11). Forming a larger slide board 10 may allow multiple users to exercise at once as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively shown in FIG. 2, the bumpers 16 may be arranged on the board segments 12 to form an octagonal slide board 10.

Since the slide board 10 may be formed from multiple board segments 12 it is important that the board segments 12 are made from sturdy and flexible materials. Therefore, when the board segments 12 are placed side-by-side, they form a virtually seamless connection 22 that does not interfere with the use of the gliding surface 14. Accordingly, a user may slide from one gliding surface 14 to the next gliding surface 14 without compromising the user's speed or movement. Also, particularly important when the gliding surface 14 is a separate element, the gliding surface 14 should be rigid enough to transfer forces applied by the user without creating wrinkles in the gliding surface 14, affecting the location of the gliding surface 14, or damaging the attachment of the gliding surface 14 to the board segment 12.

In examples of the slide board 10 in which the board segments 12 and the gliding surfaces 14 are separate elements, the gliding surface 14 is affixed atop the board segment 12. Further, the gliding surface 14 is approximately the same size of the board segment 12 so that the gliding surface 14 covers the entire surface of the board segment 12. The gliding surface 14 may be affixed to the board segment 12 using an adhesive or any other material or device that may effectively hold them together.

The example in FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of how the slide board 10 may be arranged using four bumpers 16 arranged such that a rectangular slide board 10 may be used as a pair of side-by-side linear slide boards 10. As used herein, a linear slide board 10 refers to the configuration shown in FIG. 1 wherein a user may slide linearly between a pair of bumpers facing each other.

As shown, seam 22 is formed along the longer side of two board segments 12. In FIG. 1 there are two board segments 12. However, it is contemplated that any number of board segments 12 may be connected so as to accommodate any respective number of users. For example, in an alternative embodiment (not pictured) five board segments 12 may be connected so as to accommodate five users.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of how the slide board 10 from FIG. 1 may be configured to form an octagonal slide board 10 by rearranging the number and location of the bumpers 16. Similar to Fig, 1, the slide board 10 in FIG. 2 uses a pair of board segments 12. However in FIG. 2, eight bumpers 16 are placed around the outside edges of the gliding surface 14, forming an enclosed section in the shape of an octagon. This configuration allows a user to slide back and forth laterally in at least eight different directions. In order for the bumpers 16 to be arranged in either of the shapes shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the board segments 12 may include several different predrilled threaded receiving holes 24 allowing the bumper knobs 18 to affix the bumpers 16 to the board segments 12 by screwing into the receiving holes 24 at the appropriate locations.

Accordingly, the slide board 10 may be configured and reconfigured to form a variety of different shapes. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the slide board 10 includes a pair of board segments 12 having mating edges that are capable of being connected to another board segment 12 along one edge only. In another example, board segments 12 may be capable of connecting to other board segments 12 on all four sides. In yet another example, board segments 12 may only have another number of sides capable of mating with other board segments 12.

FIGS. 1 and 2 shown a plurality of castors 42 associated with one or more of the board segments 12. The castors help facilitate movement of the assembled slide board 10. In the examples shown, the castors 42 are wheels that are elevated from the ground surface when the slide board 10 is in position for use, but can be used to wheel the slide board 10 around when the slide board 10 is tipped up onto one of its ends. It is contemplated that there are various embodiments of castors 42 that may be used for the purposes described herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates one example of how the bumpers 16 may be attached to board segments 12. As shown in FIG. 3, the bumpers 16 include a top surface 26, a bottom surface 28, a contact surface 30, and a back surface 32. The bumpers 16 are attached to the top of the gliding surface 14 using bumper knobs 18 that fit through the top surface 26 of the bumpers 16 in predrilled receiving holes 24. Once the bumper knobs 18 pass through the bottom surface 28 of the bumpers 16, they may fit into the predrilled receiving holes 24 in the board segment 12.

The interior surface of the bumper 16 typically provides an inclined face 30 (i.e., rigid ramp 30) against which a user's foot may contact the bumper 16 in use. The rigid ramp 30 allows for a gradual transfer of energy between the user's foot and the bumper 16, as the bumper 16 stops the user and as the bumper 16 provides a surface to push off in the opposite direction. The rigid ramp 16 may be made from or coated with a textured surface 20 with a high coefficient of friction, to increase friction with a user's foot and improve the user's ability to push off the bumper 16. As shown in FIG. 3, the textured surface 20 may cover a majority of the rigid ramp 30 of the bumper 16, thus effectively stopping a user's foot, and preventing a user's foot from passing over the bumper 16. However, the textured surface 20 must not have too high of a coefficient of friction. The user's foot must be able to slide substantially onto the rigid ramp 30, allowing the user to effectively push off of the bumper 16.

The bumpers 16 shown in FIG. 3 may be solid and made from a sturdy wooden material. However, it is contemplated that in other embodiments the bumpers 16 may be made from any other appropriate material.

Turning now to FIG. 4, the bumpers 16 are a length approximately equal to that of the width of the gliding surface 14. The bumpers 16 may also be secured to the gliding surface 14 at a toe-out angle 34 as shown in FIG. 4, thus providing comfort the user when they come in contact with the bumper 16, and versatility for a variety of exercises. The toe-out angle 34 may be adjusted by placing the bumper knobs 18 into different receiving holes 24 in the board segments 12. For example, a slide board 10 may have a variety of receiving holes 24 so that a user may affix the bumpers 16 in different locations on the slide board 10. This would allow a user to not only create a toe-out angle 34, but would also allow the user to place the bumpers 16 in different locations, such as configuring an octagon shaped gliding area as shown in FIG. 2.

The examples shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 provide only one seam 22 between the board segments 12. However, it is contemplated that in other embodiments, there may be multiple seams 22 in an assembled slide board 10. For example, FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the octagon slide board 10 from FIG. 2. In FIG. 5, there are four different board segments 12, and therefore four seams 22. However, it is also contemplated that in this embodiment there may be four different underlying board segments 12 and only one large gliding surface 14 such that there are no seams 22 at the gliding surface 14 level.

FIG. 6 illustrates the seams 22 in the octagon slide board 10 from FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 6, the four gliding surfaces 14 connect using an alternating teeth design. However, it is contemplated that in other embodiments the gliding surfaces 14 may connect in any other way, so long as the surfaces may be securely fastened. In other embodiments, the edges of the gliding surfaces 14 may be smooth, and they may be secured to the interlocked board segments 12, eliminating the need for any teeth or other similar interlocking surface.

As further shown in FIG. 6, it is contemplated that the board segments 12 may be held together with brackets 44 that enable the board segments 12 to be held together for a user to move the assembled slide board 10 and/or lean the assembled slide board 10 up against a wall. The brackets may secure adjacent board segments 12 to each other and may be attached to the board segments 12 in any manner known in the art. For example, the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 includes metal brackets 44 screwed into the board segments 12.

FIG. 7 illustrates the location of the receiving holes 24 included in the version of the reconfigurable octagon slide board 10 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Each of the four board segments 12 includes the same pattern of receiving holes 24 so that the bumpers 16 may either be arranged in either an octagon formation, as shown in FIG. 7, or a configuration such that multiple users may slide on the slide board 10 as shown in FIG. 8. In this example, the toe out angle 34 of the bumpers 16 indicate that two users may slide on either side of the slide board 10 so that they are facing each other. This position allows users to incorporate other challenges into their workout, such as passing a medicine ball back and forth. The bumpers 16 may also be arranged so that the two users would not be facing each other, but instead so that they are facing the same direction. Changing the location of the bumpers 16 is simple, and only requires the user to unscrew the bumper knobs 18 and reposition the bumpers 16 in the desired location.

FIG. 9 illustrates yet another alternative embodiment of the configurable slide board 10. In this variation, multiple board segments 12 may be arranged in a row creating a wider sliding surface. In the example shown in FIG. 9, three board segments 12 are connected. Either end of the assembled slide board 10 includes a bumper 16. There are two seams 22 that use the alternating teeth design, which is further shown in FIG. 10. As discussed above, the seams 22 may include any design that provides a secure connection between the multiple board segments 12. The seams 22 in FIG. 10 are also designed so that the inner board segment 36 may be removed, and the right board segment 38 may connect to the left board segment 40 providing a narrower slide board 10.

FIG. 11 demonstrates the slide board 10 from FIG. 9 shown without bumpers 16 attached. The left board segment 40 includes four sets of receiving holes 24 providing four different locations for a bumper 16. Between the ability to use the slide board 10 with or without the inner board segment 36, and the four different sets of receiving holes 24 in the left gliding surface 40, there are eight different sliding distances that may be used in this variation of the slide board 10. In other contemplated embodiments, the right gliding surface 38 and the left gliding surface 40 may each have four or more sets of receiving holes 24, thus creating even more possible sliding distances.

Although not shown in the Figures, each slide board 10 may include a non-slip material, such as an open cell sponge, that may be attached to the bottom of the board segments 12 that faces the floor so that the slide board 10 remains stationary while being used.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages.

Claims

1. A configurable slide board comprising:

two or more board segments, each board segment including a top surface, wherein the board segments releasably engage each other;

a gliding surface located along the top surface of the two or more board segments; and

a plurality of receiving holes extending through the gliding surface into the board segments, wherein the plurality of receiving holes are adapted to receive a plurality of bumpers;

wherein a first set of the receiving holes are configured to receive a plurality of bumpers to form an octagon, further wherein a second set the receiving holes are configured to receive a plurality of bumpers to form side-by-side linear slide boards.

2. The configurable slide board of claim 1 wherein the gliding surface is a separate material overlain on the top surfaces of the two or more board segments.

3. The configurable slide board of claim 1 wherein the gliding surface is formed by the top surface of the two or more board segments.

4. The configurable slide board of claim 1 wherein the receiving holes are internally threaded.

5. The configurable slide board of claim 4 wherein the bumpers are secured to the board segments by bumper knobs screwed into the internally threaded receiving holes.

6. The configurable slide board of claim 1 wherein the board segments are further secured together by brackets.

7. The configurable slide board of claim 1 wherein one or more of the board segments include a plurality of castors.

8. A configurable slide board comprising:

a gliding surface including a plurality of receiving holes adapted to receive a plurality of bumpers, wherein the plurality of receiving holes form at least two patterns, wherein each pattern includes receiving holes for receiving at least three bumpers and each pattern forms a different shape.

9. The configurable slide board of claim 8 wherein the plurality of receiving holes form a first octagonal pattern and a second non-octagonal pattern.

10. The configurable slide board of claim 9 wherein the second non-octagonal pattern provides side-by-side linear slide boards.

11. The configurable slide board of claim 8 wherein the gliding surface is mated to a plurality of board segments.

12. The configurable slide board of claim 8 wherein the gliding surface is mated to a single board segment.

13. The configurable slide board of claim 8 wherein the gliding surface is integrally formed with one or more board segments.