Recreational Board Carrier

Abstract

A method of collapsing a board carrier that has a central portion having a pocket and a remainder section. The carrier also has shoulder straps and board-retaining tension members, some of which are attached to the exterior surface of the pocket. The pocket is inverted, thereby pulling the portions of shoulder straps and tension members attached to the exterior surface of the pocket into the inverted pocket. Then, all remaining straps and tension members and the remainder section are stuffed into the pocket, thereby creating a compact packet.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from provisional application Ser. No. 61/924,068, filed on Jan. 6, 2014, which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

Many devices are known for carrying skis, snowboards and surfboards. Yet a visit to a snowboarding venue will reveal many persons struggling to carry their boards. Some carriers require the wearer to carry the board diagonally, or even horizontally, which is awkward. One design is collapsible, but would appear to require careful folding and then the mutual attachment of corresponding pieces of hook and loop material, which could prove a challenge to those whose minds are focused on athletic pursuits. Another collapsible design appears to require either the assistance of another, or else taking the device off from around the user's waist, and then fitting it back around the waist, which again requires a good degree of coordination and patience on the part of the user.

SUMMARY

The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of the above-described problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other improvements.

In a first separate aspect, the present invention may take the form of a snowboard carrier that has a central portion made of flexible material and that has a pocket section that defines a pocket, and a remainder section, which includes all of the central portion other than the pocket section. The central portion defines a longitudinal dimension and a transverse dimension, along which it is shorter than along the longitudinal dimension. Also, a pair of shoulder straps are each attached at a pair of longitudinally spaced-apart positions of the central portion and a first board-retaining tension member is attached to the central portion at two positions that are mutually spaced-apart transversely, but that are substantially aligned longitudinally. Further, a second board-retaining tension member is attached to the central portion at two positions that are mutually spaced-apart transversely, but that are substantially aligned longitudinally, and that is displaced longitudinally from the first board-retaining tension member. Additionally, the pocket is sized to accept and retain the shoulder straps, the board-retaining tension members and the remainder section. Finally, the pocket can be inverted and the shoulder straps, the board-retaining tension members and the remainder section can be stuffed into the inverted pocket, to quickly transform the snowboard carrier into a compact packet.

In a second separate aspect, the present invention may take the form of a board and carrier assembly, comprising a recreational board, having a length, thereby defining a longitudinal dimension, and having a transverse dimension perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension. Also, a board carrier, has first and second tension members connected about the board at longitudinally spaced positions, and a central portion connecting the first and second tension members, made of flexible material and having a pocket section that defines a pocket, and a remainder section including all of the central portion other than the pocket section. Further, a pair of shoulder straps are each attached at a pair of longitudinally spaced positions. Finally, the pocket is sized to accept and retain the shoulder straps, the snowboard straps and the remainder section, when inverted. Whereby, the pocket can be inverted and the shoulder straps, the snowboard straps and the remainder section can be stuffed into the pocket, to quickly transform the snowboard carrier into a compact packet, after it has been removed from the board.

In a third separate aspect, the present invention may take the form of a method of collapsing a board carrier that has a central portion having a pocket and a remainder section. The carrier also has shoulder straps and board-retaining tension members, some of which are attached to the exterior surface of the pocket. The pocket is inverted, thereby pulling the portions of shoulder straps and tension members attached to the exterior surface of the pocket into the inverted pocket. Then, all remaining straps and tension members and the remainder section are stuffed into the inverted pocket, thereby creating a compact packet.

In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by study of the following detailed descriptions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric bottom side view of a snowboard carrier, according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an isometric bottom side view of the snowboard carrier of FIG. 1, in a different configuration.

FIG. 3 an isometric front bottom view of the carrier of FIG. 1, placed about a snowboard.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the carrier and snowboard combination of FIG. 3, from a perspective point above and to the side of the top of the snowboard.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the carrier and snowboard combination of FIG. 3, being carried by a user, from a perspective point behind, to the side of and above the user.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the snowboard carrier of FIG. 1, folded up into itself, to form a compact packet.

Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 an embodiment of a snowboard carrier 10, includes a central portion 12 that includes first sheet of flexible material 14 and a second sheet of flexible material 16, which together define a pocket 18. The flexible material of sheets 14 and 16 can be any cloth or webbing that can be cut to shape and which are strong enough to hold a snowboard as it is being carried, including, for example, rip-stop nylon. An upper snowboard strap 20 (which may also be more broadly described as a “tension member”), including a buckle 22, and a lower snowboard strap 24, including a buckle 26, are attached to the top and bottom of the central portion 12, respectively. Also, shoulder straps 28 each extend from an attachment point at the top of central portion 12 to an attachment point at the bottom of central portion 12. In one embodiment the central portion 12 is 22.5 inches tall, 7.5 inches wide at its base, tapering to 5 inches wide at its top.

Referring to FIG. 3-5, in use on a snowboard 30, the lower strap 24 is connected together by buckle 26 to extend beneath the bottom of a pair of snowboard bindings 32 and the upper strap 20 is connected together by buckle 22, to extend over the top of the pair of snowboard bindings 32, to securely retain the board. In one embodiment, buckles 22 and 26 also permit the length adjustment of straps 20 and 24, respectively. This permits various sizes of boards to be accommodated and also permits the straps to be tightened around the board 30.

In an alternative embodiment, straps 20 and 24 do not include releasable buckles such as buckles 22 and 26, but may include non-releasable buckles that permit straps 20 and 24 to be loosened to fit around bindings 32 and then cinched up, to retain board 30. In a further alternative, straps 20 and 24 may take the form of elastic members, such as bungees, which may by stretched outwardly to fit over bindings 32, and then permitted to elastically contract to retain board 30. The transverse curvature of the board 30, expanding as snowboards typically do at the top and bottom, helps to keep the board 30 retained by the carrier 10. The shoulder straps 28 permit a user to easily carry the board, as shown (FIG. 5).

Carrier 10 may include a large marking on the back side of central portion 12, such as a gold “X” against a black background. This permits a user to apprehend quickly which side he is viewing, when he is in the process of attaching carrier 10 about a board 30.

Referring to FIG. 6, after use, the carrier 10 may be collapsed into a small packet by inverting the pocket, to form an inverted pocket 40. This action pulls lower strap 24 and the lower portion of the shoulder straps 28 into the inverted pocket 40. The remainder of the central portion 12, the top strap 20 and the top of shoulder straps 24 are then stuffed into inverted pocket 40, to form a small packet, suitable for being placed in the pocket of a pair of ski pants, for the trip down the hill.

Skilled persons will appreciate that carrier 10 has many advantages over currently available carriers. First, the board 30 may be carried vertically so that it does not stick out on either side, potentially knocking into a nearby person if the person carrying a snowboard were to turn suddenly. Also the vertical position avoids potentially knocking into a doorway that the user might wish to pass through. In an alternative manner of use, however, a shoulder strap 28 may be lifted over the head of the user, so that it is then retained in the corner of the neck and shoulder, with the strap 28 diagonally crossing the user's chest. This allows the board to be 30 to be easily placed in carrying position with a single swinging motion. In either manner of use, the board is carried securely and will not swing wildly from side to side. Finally, carrier 10 is easily collapsible, without any need for careful folding or alignment of material. Also, carrier 10 collapses into an easily managed packet, which may be slipped into the pocket of a ski suit.

While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those possessed of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.

Claims

1. A snowboard carrier, comprising:

(a) a central portion made of flexible material and having a pocket section that defines a pocket, and a remainder section including all of said central portion other than said pocket section, said central portion defining a longitudinal dimension and a transverse dimension, along which it is shorter than along said longitudinal dimension;

(b) a pair of shoulder straps, each attached at a pair longitudinally spaced-apart positions of said central portion;

(c) a first board-retaining tension member attached to said central portion at two positions that are mutually spaced-apart transversely, but that are substantially aligned longitudinally;

(d) a second board-retaining tension member attached to said central portion at two positions that are mutually spaced-apart transversely, but that are substantially aligned longitudinally, and that is displaced longitudinally from said first board-retaining tension member.

(e) said pocket being sized to accept and retain said shoulder straps, said board-retaining tension members and said remainder section; and

(f) whereby said pocket can be inverted and said shoulder straps, said board-retaining tension members and said remainder section can be stuffed into said inverted pocket, to quickly transform said snowboard carrier into a compact packet.

2. The snowboard carrier of claim 1, wherein said first and second board-retaining tension members each include a releasable connector.

3. The snowboard carrier of claim 2, wherein said releasable connectors are buckles.

4. The snowboard carrier of claim 2, wherein each said releasable connector is centrally located on each said board-retaining tension member.

5. The snowboard carrier of claim 1, wherein each said board-retaining tension member is substantially inelastic.

6. The snowboard carrier of claim 1, wherein said first board-retaining tension member is longitudinally displaced from said second board-retaining tension member by between 1.5 and 2 feet.

7. The snowboard carrier of claim 1, wherein said first and second board-retaining tension members are straps.

8. A board and carrier assembly, comprising:

(a) a recreational board, having a length, thereby defining a longitudinal dimension, and having a transverse dimension perpendicular to said longitudinal dimension;

(b) a board carrier, having: (i) first and second tension members connected about said board at longitudinally spaced positions; (ii) a central portion connecting said first and second tension members, made of flexible material and having a pocket section that defines a pocket, and a remainder section including all of said central portion other than said pocket section; and (iii) a pair of shoulder straps each attached at a pair of longitudinally spaced positions; and

(c) said pocket being sized to accept and retain said shoulder straps, said snowboard straps and said remainder section, when inverted; and

(d) whereby said pocket can be inverted and said shoulder straps, said snowboard straps and said remainder section can be stuffed into said inverted pocket, to quickly transform said snowboard carrier into a compact packet, after it has been removed from said board.

9. The board and carrier assembly of claim 8, wherein said recreational board includes first and second boot bindings and further wherein said boot bindings are between said first and second tension members, with said first boot binding abutting said first tension member and said second boot binding abutting said second tension member.

10. The board and carrier assembly of claim 8, wherein said recreational board varies in transverse dimension over its length and wherein said tension members are sufficiently tightly fitted so that said recreational board is retained at least in part by having sections that are too wide to fit through said straps.

11. The board and carrier assembly of claim 8, wherein said first and second tension members each include a releasable connector.

12. The board and carrier assembly of claim 11, wherein said releasable connectors are buckles.

13. The board and carrier assembly of claim 11, wherein each said releasable connector is centrally located on each said tension member.

14. The board and carrier assembly of claim 8, wherein each said tension member is substantially inelastic.

15. The board and carrier assembly of claim 8, wherein said first tension member is longitudinally displaced from said second tension member by between 1.5 and 2 feet.

16. The board and carrier assembly of claim 8, wherein said first and second tension members are straps.

17. A method of collapsing a board carrier, comprising:

(a) providing a board carrier having: (i) a central portion having a pocket section defining a pocket having an exterior surface, and a remainder section, including all of said central portion other than said pocket section; (ii) shoulder straps; (iii) board-retaining tension members; and (iv) wherein some of said straps are attached to said exterior surface of said pocket;

(b) inverting said pocket and thereby pulling said portions of shoulder straps and tension members attached to said exterior surface of said pocket, into said inverted pocket and stuffing all remaining straps and tension members and said remainder section into said pocket, thereby creating a compact packet.

18. The method of claim 17, further including the step of placing said compact packet into a snowsuit pocket.

19. The snowboard carrier of claim 17, wherein said first and second board-retaining tension members each include a releasable connector.

20. The snowboard carrier of claim 19, wherein said releasable connectors are buckles.