LATERAL UNIDIRECTIONAL MECHANISM AND BIROTATIONAL OPERATING SYSTEM
The present invention relates to such a system, apparatus, and a method for allowing freedom and range of motion, movement, and spatial position on at least a snowboard or other board device. In one embodiment of the present invention, a mechanism of non-injury or MONI is used to allow a rider of a snowboard (or other device) the ability to move in multiple dimensions (in multiple angles and in multiple planes); the MONI embodiment allows a snowboard or other device to be inverted and offers an adjustable safety release mechanism as akin to skis. In another embodiment of the present invention, electro-magnetism is used to secure a rider to a snowboard (or other device) instead of a boot-binding, finally allowing a rider to maneuver like a skateboarder or surfer, with the ability to move anywhere on the board at will.
This application claims the benefit of an earlier filed provisional application, filed Dec. 18, 2013, identified as Application No. 61/917,938.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system, apparatus, and a method for allowing freedom and range of motion, movement, and spatial position on at least a snowboard or other board device.
2. Description of Related Art
Snowboarding is wildly popular by riders all over the world. A “rider” generally refers to a person who rides snowboards (and that term shall be used herein), but the term may generally also refer to riders of other boards or other board devices (herein, collectively “device” or “devices”). A rider typically wears special purpose snowboard boots that are placed within bindings that are attached to the snowboard itself. The bindings are typically attached to the snowboard fastened by screws or other fasteners. When attached via screws, by way of non-limiting example, the bindings do not move relative to the snowboard. Accordingly, a rider strapped into the bindings has no ability to move the position of his foot (or feet) relative to the snowboard. This fixed riding position is distinct from other boarding sports such as skateboarding and surfing, whose riders are free to rotate and pivot in multiple dimensions. Further, this fixed riding position may lead to injury from fatigue and inability to compensate for loss of control since a rider's feet are bound, and he may absorb certain negative forces such as accidental axial contortion, dorsiflexion, inversion, shifting, or other twisting actions. In light of the foregoing and other shortcomings in the art, it is desirable to provide for freedom and range of motion, movement, and dynamic spatial position for snowboard riders.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention enables a rider of any snowboard or a similar device to operate more like a rider of surfboards (“surfer”) or a rider of skateboards (“skateboarder”), as the case may be, wherein any rider may manipulate the spatial positioning of his foot (or feet) unimpeded by a locking mechanism, an aspect not found in any prior art, and without the need for mere gross distribution of a rider's mass.
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an apparatus, in a preferred embodiment with thickness of an average pencil and with sufficient diameter to accommodate any size boot.
The apparatus enables virtually any relevant boot-binding brand typically found on a snowboard (or other device) to become independently spinnable, that is, freely rotateable, when said snowboard is attached to virtually any applicable snowboard brand(s) or similar. A preferred embodiment of the present invention, a pedal machine (or “hub and mounting assembly”) comprises three parts: a first part, a circular disc (or “top plate”), the platform upon which to attach a boot-binding or similar, acting as the cap plate protecting the inner workings; a second part, a circular disc (or “rim plate”) with a bevel cut donut center, acting as a turret, to which said first part may be secured; and a third part, a circular disc (or “a pivot”), preferably attachable to a snowboard or other device, with a matching/opposing bevel or truncation to said second part, preferably acting as the axel or hinge around which said first and second parts rotate, preferably together.
The three parts of the hub and mounting assembly may be designed differently, by way of non-limiting examples as a function of the snowboard or in an effort to reduce friction or maximize the hub and mounting assembly efficiencies. By way of non-limiting example, the rim plate should preferably use steps instead of a bevel that may allow for more precise and consistent measurement in production while attaining the same result. In another aspect, the rim plate incorporating steps may also incorporate O-rings. In another aspect, the thickness of the rim plate is decreased such that when it is secured to the top plate, the rim plate never touches the surface of the snowboard.
Certain aspects of the present invention may provide solutions to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been solved by currently available snowboards and the parts that bind it to its rider. For example, certain aspects of the present invention provide a system, apparatus and method for allowing a rider of a snowboard to change her spatial positioning relative to the snowboard.
According to an aspect of the present invention, a method includes receiving selected user preferences via a computer or similar device that enhance, via any number of metrics, of the ride of a snowboard. Said computer may employ computer program embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium causing a computer to receive selected user preferences, by way of non-limiting example.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method includes receiving selected real-time experiential data or other information, in one embodiment, employing sensors, to help find optimal positioning of the hub and mounting assembly.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, a method includes combining user preferences with experiential data to help find optimal positioning of the hub and mounting assembly. Further, the method may include prompting the rider to perform a task, by way of non-limiting example, moving the position of his foot. Where the rider successfully completes the task as defined by user preference or computer-assisted optimal positioning, the method includes taking the rider to a next task. If the rider does not successfully complete the task, the method includes prompting the rider to attempt the task again until the task is successfully completed.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an apparatus and system employs electro-magnetism in securing a rider to a snowboard with or without the need of a boot-binding. With the magnetic field engaged, a rider can be secured as if by conventional anchoring, able to withstand the same forces encountered in a given sport. By decreasing the magnetic field, a rider can reposition a single foot or both feet and the respective positions thereof as desired. By turning off the magnetic field, a rider can instantly dismount the board, by way of non-limiting examples, stepping off at the end of a run or during mid-air tricks, a rider can flip the board around like a skateboarder in a half-pipe. Additionally, pre-selected delay times can elapse, after which the full strength of the magnetic field automatically adjusts so that a rider can feel confident about reconnecting securely to the board; conversely, this feature can be incorporated into a rheostat or other device, fixable to the rider or remotely controlled by known devices. Additionally, an adjustment setting can be chosen, depending on a rider's weight, level of ability, or preference, thus allowing the snowboard or other devices to be released in case of an emergency, much like the safety features of skis, including a retractable tether/leash to prevent a runaway board.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, an apparatus and system imbeds a rotational mechanism similar to the hub and mounting assembly into a board itself.
The present invention may fit virtually any junior to adult size snowboard or other device and boot-bindings and similar but the invention may be tailored for varying-size riders.
The present invention increases a rider's leverage due to the extant increased height from the thickness of the hub and mounting assembly.
As the present invention may be applied to many types of boards, by way of non-limiting example, kite boarding, surfing, wake boarding, windsurfing or any board that, by way of non-limiting example, comes into contact with water, the materials selected for the hub and mounting assembly should be suitable for a particular environment, by way of non-limiting examples, poly-carbonate or preferably carbon fiber for boards related to water sports.
The foregoing and other aspects and advantages of the invention are illustrative of those that can be achieved by the various exemplary embodiments and are not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of the possible advantages which can be realized. Thus, these and other aspects and advantages of the various exemplary embodiments will be apparent from the description herein or can be learned from practicing the various exemplary embodiments, both as embodied herein or as modified in view of any variation which may be apparent to those skilled in the art.
In order that the advantages of certain aspects of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. While it should be understood that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below to explain the present invention by referring to the figures.
It will be readily understood that the components of various embodiments of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of a system, apparatus and method of the present invention, as represented in the attached figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed, but is merely representative of selected embodiments of the invention.
The features, structures, or characteristics of the invention described throughout this specification may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. By non-limiting example, reference throughout this specification to “certain embodiments,” “some embodiments,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in certain embodiments,” “in some embodiment,” “in other embodiments,” or similar language throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same group of embodiments, and the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments
As used in this application, the terms “a”, “an” and “the” may refer to one or more than one of an item. The terms “and” and “or” may be used in the conjunctive or disjunctive sense and will generally be understood to be equivalent to “and/or”. For brevity and clarity, a particular quantity of an item may be described or shown while the actual quantity of the item may differ. Features from an embodiment may be combined with features of another.
As used in this application, the term “including” (or any of its various forms such as include) means “including but not limited to” or without limitation; whereas “consisting” (or any of its various forms such as consist) means limited to a particular group or subset.
As used in this application and unless qualified, any reference to a single foot or to both feet may be interchangeable to either or both.
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention may provide freedom and range of motion by using what is referred to as a pedal machine, i.e., the hub and mounting assembly, that can be designed and structured to allow for unfettered spatial adjustment by which a rider's otherwise bound feet to a typical snowboard may now change the position of a foot relative to the snowboard. Typically, the spatial adjustment will be elicited by manual changes by the rider by movement of his foot. In one exemplary embodiment, computer technology can be used as a process to supply the means to take into account various information and data from the spatial position of the hub and mounting assembly and transduce said information and data to find optimal positioning of said hub and mounting assembly. The resulting positioning of the pedal machine and the freedom of change thereof, produced either electronically or naturally by the rider, or both, produces an enhanced technical ride on a snowboard (or other device) that is more efficient and more natural like skateboarding or surfing. Additionally, the resulting freedom of movement results in a more comfortable, convenient, and potentially safer ride since a rider's feet will no longer be bound, thereby precluding a rider from absorbing certain forces, by non-limiting example, accidental axial contortion, dorsiflexion, inversion, shifting or twisting action.
A hub and mounting assembly 100 may have varying overall dimensions, with one embodiment ranging from two inches to nine inches (2″-9″) in diameter with a thickness ranging from one-eighths inch (⅛″) to seven-eighths inch (⅞″), with one preferred embodiment, preferred overall dimensions of eight and one-half inches by three-eighths inches (8.5″ by ⅜″).
The pivot 104 may have any shape but is preferably circular with a preferably complementing edge 306 to interlock into the rim plate 106 at its inside edge called a turret 308. The pivot 104 may include a beveled edge resulting in a smaller diameter at the bottom of the pivot 104 and a larger diameter at the top of the pivot 104 whose thickness is preferably the same as the rim plate 106. The pivot 104 includes holes 310 to allow for various mounting configurations for snowboards or other devices as shown in
The rim plate 106 is preferably secured under the pivot 104 preferably by way of an interlocking inner beveled edge corresponding to an angle of the outer beveled edge of the pivot 106. The preferred embodiment range will have outer and inner circumferential edges that may vary between twenty-two point five degrees (22 ½°) to ninety degrees(90°) to between one-eighths inch to seven inches (⅛″-7″) wide. The preferred distance from the outer circumferential edge to the inner circumferential edge is seven-eighths inch (⅞″) when using a circular rim plate 106.
The rim plate 106 is of a thickness to allow it to spin or freely rotate without friction due to binding or rubbing with the snowboard. In another embodiment, the thickness of the rim plate 106 may vary such that the underside 706 (as found in
Another embodiment of the rim plate 106 may be between two inches (2″) to four inches (4″) diameter, assuming current, conventional, or commercially available boot-bindings are modified to allow rotation to occur within the bindings themselves, as found in
The rim plate 106, preferably circular in shape, may be any color or pattern, which allows the user to match or coordinate the parts of the hub and mounting assembly 100. The rim plate 106 includes mounting holes 312 that may be any size or shape but preferably three-sixteenths inch ( 3/16″) to attach the rim plate 106 and the top plate 102 together, so the rim plate 106 and the top plate 102 rotate together as an assembly. Varying locations of the mounting holes may be employed to secure the top plate 102, by way of non-limiting example, one-eighth inch (⅛″) to preferably seven-eighths inch (⅞″) from the circumferential edge of the rim plate 106. The rim plate 106 comprises preferably two or more mounting holes 312 for fasteners. In the preferred embodiment, the mounting holes 312 are threaded bores, preferably clear, offset, and not counter-sunk, one-half inch (½″) from the circumferential edge of the rim plate 106 resulting in alignment with the mounting holes 302 of the top plate 102.
Additionally or alternatively, the top plate 102 and the rim plate 106 may be integrally formed or otherwise attached to each other (e.g., by way of non-limiting examples, a bonding agent, a weld, clamping, or suction). Shown is one method of attaching the top plate (102) to the rim plate (106); other methods of attachment are contemplated and should be considered within the scope of the present application.
Though not preferred, additionally or alternatively, the pivot and the board may be integrally formed or otherwise attached to each other (e.g., by way of non-limiting examples, a bonding agent, a weld, clamping, or suction).
Any type of hinge, by way of non-limiting example, a saloon-door hinge, cafe-swinging door hinge, or double-acting spring hinge, may be used to attach the attachment plate and any successive leaf plate. The first angle adjustment can be possible preferably via an integrated hinge preferably comprising a barrel 808 from the top plate 804 with complementary barrels 814 on the attachment plate 806, secured by a pin 812 and may include a mechanism, by way of non-limiting examples, such as a spring 813 or elastic band (not shown), to automatically return the hinge to a closed position or lesser angle; the second angle adjustment can be possible preferably via an integrated hinge preferably comprising a barrel 820 on the top leaf plate 810 with complementary barrels 816 on the attachment plate 806 secured by a pin 818 and may include, by way of non-limiting example, a spring similar to 813 with similar function; all of which allow for adjustments by the rider to achieve more comfort and control if not greater maneuverability and epic tricks. The attachment plate, top leaf plate and pin may be made of any of the materials used in the hub and mounting assembly 100. Any hinge or part thereof, including by way of non-limiting example, a barrel, may be molded or attached by fasteners, welded, or other means.
In an alternative embodiment, electro-magnetism, instead of a boot-binding, is used to secure a rider to a snowboard. The snowboard itself may be made of plastic, fiber or composite material surfaces. The board may be constructed without the addition of fiberglass altogether, and replaced with a magnetic layer of steel, neodymium, or other sheet 910 as the base or core material, to which a modified boot binding 922, as found in
Electromagnetism and magnetism are both commonly known in scientific fields. Magnets are attracted to iron or steel utilizing magnetic flux lines of attraction. The top and side views of
Though not shown, a MONI device may have incorporated into it any of the embodiments identified in
The foregoing description discloses only exemplary embodiments of the invention. Modifications of the above-disclosed embodiments of the present invention of which fall within the scope of the invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For instance, although in some embodiments, a pedal machine is discussed, related methods and devices are also considered to be within the scope of the present invention. By way of non-limiting example, methods of manufacturing the embodiments are also considered to be within the scope of the present invention.
Accordingly, while the present invention has been disclosed in connection with exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood that other embodiments may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.
Claims
1. A pedal machine for a snowboard, comprising:
- a top plate;
- a rim plate, in communication with said top plate; and
- a pivot plate, in communication with said rim plate, wherein said pivot plate is configured to attach to the snowboard and around which said top plate and said rim plate can freely rotate,
2. The pedal machine of claim 1, wherein said rim plate includes step cuts in communication with said top plate.
3. The pedal machine of claim 1, wherein said rim plate includes bevel cuts in communication with said top plate.
4. The pedal machine of claim 1, wherein said rim plate includes bevel cuts and step cuts in communication with said top plate.
5. The pedal machine of claim 1, wherein said top plate includes boot-binding attachment holes.
6. The pedal machine of claim 1, wherein said top plate and said rim plate are integrally formed as a single unit.
7. The pedal machine of claim 1, wherein said top plate and said rim plate rotate.
8. The pedal machine of claim 1, wherein it includes an attachment mechanism, further comprising an attachment plate hingedly in communication with said top plate.
9. The pedal machine of claim 8, further comprising a top leaf plate hingedly in communication to said attachment plate.
10. A pedal machine for a device, comprising
- a top plate;
- a circular rim plate in communication with said top plate; and
- a circular pivot plate, in communication with said circular rim plate, wherein said circular pivot plate is configured to attach to the device and around which said top plate and said circular rim plate freely rotate.
11. The pedal machine of claim 10, wherein said top plate and said circular rim plate are integrally formed as a single unit.
12. The pedal machine of claim 10 wherein said top plate and said circular rim plate rotate.
13. The pedal machine of claim 10, further comprising an attachment plate hingedly connected to said top plate.
14. The pedal machine of claim 13, further comprising a top leaf plate hingedly connected to said attachment plate.
15. A pedal machine configured to be connected to both a snowboard and a binding, the pedal machine comprising:
- top plate;
- a circular rim plate fixedly attached to said circular top plate; and
- a circular pivot plate in communication with said rim plate through one or more of a bevel cut and a step cut, wherein said circular rim plate is configured to attach to the snowboard and around which said circular rim plate freely rotates.
16. The pedal machine of claim 15, further comprises an attachment mechanism, wherein said mechanism comprises:
- an attachment plate hingedly connected to said top plate; and
- a top leaf plate hingedly connected to said attachment plate.
17. The pedal machine of claim 16, wherein the top leaf plate includes boot-binding attachment holes configured to attach to said binding.
18. A pedal machine integral to a. snowboard, comprising:
- an electromagnet or magnet configured to magnetically communicate with a boot or a binding, wherein the electromagnet or magnet is positioned within the snowboard.
19. The pedal machine of claim 18, wherein the electromagnet or magnet comprises an electromagnet, and wherein the pedal machine further comprises a power source positioned within the snowboard powering the electromagnet.
20. A pedal machine integral to a snowboard, comprising:
- a circular pivot;
- a recess in the snowboard;
- a pivot collar surrounding the recess in the snowboard and within which the circular pivot can freely rotate.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 18, 2014
Publication Date: Sep 28, 2017
Applicant: Dry Water Productions Inc. (San Rafael, CA)
Inventor: Thomas Lundbaek (San Rafael, CA)
Application Number: 15/104,960