CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/451,150, filed Jan. 27, 2017 and entitled “SNOWBOARD WITH 3-D BASE PROFILES”, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND Many snowboarders yearn for the free and elemental feel of skateboarding or surfing. Due to the constraints of stiff boots and bindings, snowboards feel much more restrictive than either surfing or skateboarding, despite the fact that they are similar to surfing. A new element of snowboarding, called “NoBoarding” is addressing the need for more freedom of movement by abandoning bindings altogether. Such an approach has its own limitations however, as the boards are only good in powder due to their lack of ability to “hold an edge” on hard pack. Likewise, many of the new super wide powder-oriented skis suffer from poor edging when on groomed trails or hard pack.
A variety of double edged snowboards are disclosed in the prior art, but none of them incorporate the designs described herein. Thus they are limited in what they are trying to achieve and they are not well suited for use without bindings. This disclosure describes a number of design features which radically enhance edging for binding-free snowboards (and standard snowboards), wide powder skis, snowskates, and other snow sliders.
Altering the P-tex or base material (usually a high density polyethylene), and integrating multiple edges and facets is part of what allows for the variety of options available with dimensional bases.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Faceting/grooves as described herein radically alter performance variables, and they provide new options to traditional construction methods. Above all, making the base material itself multi-edged and/or convex (in concert with grooves/faceting) improves edge-to-edge control and overall performance for a variety of snow sliders.
There are many applications of the invention for wide powder skis. By including dimensional bases, wide skis retain their float in powder snow, while being much quicker edge-to-edge.
As used herein, the base of a snowboard or other snow-sliding device, also referred to as a snow slider, is the bottom surface of the snowboard or device. Also, as used herein, a dimensional base is one that has more than two dimensions. Ways to construct bases with more than two dimensions are by adding faceting and grooves, preferably clustered towards the longitudinal middle, which make a substantial difference in performance, allowing the snow-gliding device such as a snowboard or ski to be used in a wide variety of conditions. Since waxes have evolved to be more brush-on and not iron-on, they are easy to apply despite the dimensionality of the base. Dimensionally altering the base material (P-tex plastic) as opposed to adding more standard materials adds very little weight, and much more functionality.
By including facets/grooves in the convex or straight profile of the base, lateral movement is controlled, thus allowing for better tracking and edging while maintaining relative ease of movement edge-to-edge. This dynamic holds true for any snow sliding apparatus. The focus of this disclosure is on snowboards, skis, and snowskates, but the same dimensional base design can be easily adapted to sleds, as the basic dynamic remains the same, albeit the dimensions will vary.
Advantages of the Present Inventive Concept Over the Prior Art
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- Optimal edging
- Better tracking
- Optimal performance in all snow conditions.
- Reduced manufacturing costs (as the various profiles/features can be made from plastic instead of standard layup methods).
- More tuning options, through addition and subtraction of base components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a front view (including tip) of a standard snowboard with a flat base.
FIG. 2 shows a front view of a double edged snowboard of the prior art.
FIG. 3 shows a front view of a triple edged snowboard of the present concept.
FIG. 4 shows a front view of a four edged snowboard of the present inventive concept, with variable angle to slope of the edges indicated at number 22.
FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of a standard snowboard with flat base.
FIG. 6 shows a bottom view of a double edged snowboard of the prior art.
FIG. 7 shows a bottom view of a triple edged snowboard.
FIG. 8 shows a bottom view of a four edged snowboard, including a linear fourth base.
FIG. 9 shows a front view of a double edged snowboard with angled faceting.
FIG. 10 shows a front view of a triple edged snowboard with a convex base and angled faceting.
FIG. 11 shows a front view of a four edged snowboard with vertical indented and protruding facets.
FIG. 12 shows a bottom view of a single edged snowboard with a single straight protruding facet, or alternatively, indentation.
FIG. 13 shows a bottom view of a single edged snowboard with side facets and center straight facet (indented or protruding).
FIG. 14 shows a double edged snowboard with faceting (indented and/or protruding).
FIG. 15 shows a four edged snowboard with non-uniform partial third and fourth edges, and a center (indented and/or protruding) facet towards the tip and tail.
FIG. 16 shows a front view of a double edged convex base snowboard with indented and protruding facets.
FIG. 17 shows a front view of a convex base snowboard with facets, a resilient layer, and a resilient strip.
FIG. 18 shows a front view of a faceted base with a central concavity.
FIG. 19 shows a front view of an arced base with many small angled facets.
FIG. 20 shows a transverse section view of a resilient layer between the base and board.
FIG. 21 shows a transverse section view of a base which is thinner along the edge, for controlled deformation
FIG. 22 shows a transverse section of a base with a convexity in the center
FIG. 23 shows a transverse section of a base with thinner edges and uniform convexity.
FIG. 24 shows a side view of a board with upturned tip and tail.
FIG. 25 shows a side view of a board with a lightweight layer and upturned tail.
FIG. 26 shows a side view of a board with molded base bonded or attached to the board.
FIG. 27 shows a side view of a board with a reverse camber in the base.
FIG. 28 shows a side view of a board with regular camber in the base.
FIG. 29 shows a base with tapered indented and/or protruding grooves/facets.
FIG. 30 shows a base with larger and shorter indented and/or protruding grooves/facets.
FIG. 31 shows front view of a board with board with various facet asymetry.
FIG. 32 shows a board with a convex base and facets.
FIG. 33 shows a front view of a board with faceting, a resilient strip, and retention channel for the resilient strip.
FIG. 34 shows a bottom view of a board with arcuate tapered and/or variable depth/height grooves/faceting in the base.
FIG. 35 shows a bottom view of a board with fasteners for the base.
FIG. 36 shows a bottom view of a board with arcuate grooves and indented and/or protruding variable depth facets, and an elongated tip.
FIG. 37 shows a transverse sectional view of a broad sled or other snow glider with a base connector and resilient layer(s).
FIG. 38 shows a transverse section of a board with a base connector and resilient layer(s).
FIG. 39 shows a transverse section of a board with adjustable resilient layers.
REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS
- 2—Board, or body
- 4—Tip/Tail
- 6—Base
- 8—Edge
- 10—Angled facet
- 12—Vertical facet
- 14—Indented facet
- 16—Protruding facet
- 18—Resilient layer
- 20—Resilient strip
- 22—Angle to slope
- 24—Concavity
- 26—Convex Base
- 28—Tapered Grooves
- 30—Upturned tip/tail
- 32—Flexible edge
- 34—Bonded base
- 36—Variable depth grooves
- 38—Tracking strip
- 40—Fasteners
- 42—Retention channel
- 44—Base connector
- 46—Molded base
- 48—Reverse Camber
- 50—Cambered Base
- 52—Arced deck
- 54—Variable depth arcuate grooves
- 56—Linear grooves
DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 shows a conventional snowboard with a flat base. The force needed to put this conventional style of board on edge is derived from the snow conditions (hard pack or soft snow), the distance from the midline of the board to the board's edge, and the coupling of the rider to the board (binding). This force (and consequent resistance to edging) can be decreased with multiple edges and/or convex bases, better allowing for binding-free use, especially on hard pack snow. As used herein, board is intended to mean the body of any snow slider. Also, as noted above, and as used herein, base means the bottom surface of the board or body of a snow slider.
FIG. 2 shows a snowboard with two sets of edges, as is typical of conventional snowboards. FIG. 3 shows a snowboard made in accordance with the present invention that includes three sets of edges, each set having a slightly different lateral and vertical dimension. This is a big improvement over the prior art, as it allows the edging forces to be better tuned to the desired dynamics of the board, being that the angles at which the edges interface with the slope may be varied, (as FIG. 4 illustrates with varying angled lines 22). Consequently, there is less resistance to edge-to-edge pressure. The edges may be integrated metal edges within the base, but in some embodiments they are non-metal (uniform with the base material itself). As FIG. 8 illustrates they may be roughly parallel with the adjoining edges, and/or more linear. They may be asymetric, symetric, perpendicular with the base, or mitered (on the X-Y axis). The primary feature with multiple edges is the reduction of forces needed to apply pressure to the edges —thus there are many possible configurations.
FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of a conventional snowboard base. FIGS. 6 and 7 show double and triple edges respectively, while FIG. 8 shows four sets of edges. The edges shown in FIGS. 5-7 are roughly symmetrical front-to-back and side-to-side, but various other shapes are possible. Blending, converging or diverging, or softening of the edges laterally or at the tip and tail is also possible. As shown, faceting/grooves may be absent on each base, with the multiple base edges providing the edging control. FIG. 9 shows a double edged board with multiple angled/protruding facets. The angled facets may take the form of outward protrusions, or inward indentations (as in FIGS. 16-18), and be of varying heights and dimensions. They act as channels for enhancing tracking of the board, whether the base be flat, as in FIG. 9, or slightly convex, as in FIG. 10, or a combination thereof. Other forms of facets are also possible, as shown in FIG. 11, which has vertical facets and multiple edges, resulting in a net convexity of the base. The facets may be protruding or indented. Generally speaking, facets which protrude from the base give more “bite” to the snow, and thus may offer better tracking, albeit possibly less speed, while indented facets may offer less tracking but more speed, depending on their shape and arcuate dimensions. A combination of indented and protruding facets is also possible, as in FIGS. 16-18.
FIG. 12 shows a bottom view of a single-edge snowboard with a single protruding (or alternatively, indented) linear facet. FIG. 13 shows a series of facets on the base of a single edged board, and central concavity (or alternatively, protruding facet). FIG. 14 shows a series of variably spaced facets on a double-edged board. FIG. 15 shows non-uniform (and partial) third and fourth edges, and a center raised (or indented) facet at the tip/tail. Alternatively, there could be facets/multiple bases more towards the longitudinal center of the board. Faceting and additional edges may run the length of the board or only part way, as these drawings illustrate. The result is a base that may more closely resemble a boat hull, being of various thicknesses and dimensions in all axes along its length. FIG. 16 shows both indented and protruding facets, with the peaks of each facet being of varying radii.
FIG. 17 shows a resilient strip in the center. The resilient strip may be integral with the base or removal/interchangeable. FIG. 17 also shows a resilient layer between the base and board. The resilient layer and strip may be comprised of a layer of high density foam or deformable material that allows for some compression or deformation, comolded or bonded to a slideable surface. Bonding of the resilient strip to the base with velcro or other removable means is possible, to allow for tuning of the board by changing the type of resilient strip and/or layer used. It may be flat or contoured and of varying durometers, ranging from very supple to shoe sole hardness. FIG. 17 shows a relatively narrow resilient strip, but it may be much wider, and either flat, convex, concave or any combination thereof. It may also have facets and grooves. A resilient strip or layer can also be attached to standard boards/skis with methods germane to the art. Ideally the skis would be customized to accept the resilient strip. The resilient strip adds a whole range of adjustable performance possibilities. For instance, with the addition of a resilient strip and minor faceting, standard powder skis can become carving skis on packed snow, allowing for more all-conditions performance features despite the ski width. The resilient strip also acts as a shock absorber/vibration damper on firm snow.
FIG. 18 shows a single arced base with multiple facets and a central concavity. The concavity may have more acute angles at its margins, or be sloping as shown. FIG. 19 shows multiple angled protruding facets on a convex base. These facets can be quite small, increasing in height from roughly 0.020″. They may be adjoining or have space in between them. Making the facets more radiused and less arcuate optimizes speed. They may diverge, converge, and/or disappear towards the tips/tail to allow for carving. Angles of their sidewalls and troughs may vary considerably, as the indented facets of FIGS. 16-18 illustrate. They may be more numerous towards the margins than the center, or vice-versa. This embodiment is highly suitable for mass-production injection molding, as the entire board and sliding surface can be made in a single injection.
In some embodiments all the profiles are integral with the base(s) and the facets are formed from plastic or other formable material. Nonetheless, multiple bases may also be detachable. Detachable bases or resilient strips may be secured to the snowboard via screws, T-nuts/screwserts, hotglue, velcro or other means germane to the art. Making the components easily removable or detachable allows the rider to customize the feel of the board to varying conditions, and replace them when worn.
The overall shape of the base(s) may be derived from a mold which forms the base profile, and/or the underlying board shape. Using extrusions and molded/formed plastic is far easier than making multiple layers with standard snowboard and ski manufacturing methods, as in the double-edged boards of the prior art. Being that faceting/grooving the base provides such great tracking and edging, there is no need for metal edges (except optionally on the outer edge), thus there are fewer design and materials' constraints. Therefore, there is a great deal of freedom in designing base profiles compared with standard production methods, and such methods can be liberally employed in a variety of ways, given their ease of implementation.
The following embodiments relate specifically to the how the present inventive concepts may be incorporated into dimensional Snowskates (small skateboard-style decks with a sliding surface), and other snow sliders. (FIGS. 20-39)
FIGS. 20-23 show various forms of boards attached, bonded, or fastened to a resilient layer and lower base. The bases may have the various forms of faceting/grooves described herein, and they may include features such as convexity (FIGS. 22-23) or flexible edges (FIGS. 21-23), which are tapered, thus slightly more deformable in a vertical axis than the rest of the base.
FIGS. 24-28 show various embodiments of the snowskate. Some embodiments have upturned tip/tails, and FIG. 24 has a molded base bonded directly to the deck. As with all the embodiments, the base may be may be convex, flat, or concave, and may include a variety of facets/grooves. FIG. 18 shows a resilient layer that may range from relatively solid to elastic. FIG. 26 shows a thicker molded base that may be configured to easily detach, allowing for swappable bases. FIG. 27 shows a mild reverse-cambered base, while FIG. 28 shows a cambered base.
FIGS. 29-30 show a feature of most embodiments: tapered grooves/facets. Generally these are indented, but they may also be protruding or a combination of the two. Tapered grooves generally have their greatest depth towards the longitudinal center of the board, but this can vary. They may be arcuate variable-depth grooves or linear, but they taper towards the ends, where they become shallow, then disappear. Tapered variable depth grooves/facets enhance turning and carving, while still enabling the rider to “slash” or move the board sideways spontaneously in order to make very quick turns, scrub off speed, or do tricks. This is due to the deeper groove underfoot and lack of groove at the tip/tail. This makes a huge difference in performance, and offers a range of ways to further tune performance variables. Tapered grooves may be single or a plurality, arrayed on the underside of the base in a variety of ways, in addition to the embodiment as pictured. Optimal maximum depth is 0.1-0.15″. They may be linear or arcuate, or in combination with non-tapered grooves.
The arcuate and/or tapered grooves/facets pictured in FIGS. 29-33 allow the base to track well, while providing a steering dynamic when the deck is leaned to one side or the other. Being that the base can be separate from the deck it may be made from a single flat sheet of material, preferably a plastic such as UHMW or HDPE. The base may be planer, concave, or convex.
Being that skateboarders are used to concave (on the transverse axis) decks, concavity may be incorporated into the board top, or the board top may simply be a skateboard deck. The facets/grooves shown can be molded or machined into the base, foregoing standard mold/press expenses. Small grooves are excellent on hard pack, but don't perform as well in soft snow. Variable groove depth enables tuning of the board to all conditions.
FIG. 32 shows a board with an arced deck configuration. This can act as an additional edge for carving, when the board is tilted far to one side. As such its underside may include a sliding surface and grooves/facets and be made deform slightly (or not) when it makes contact with the snow.
The grooves may be formed from the base material or be a combination of plastic and other lightweight materials. The bases may be detachable or permanently fastened, bonded, glued, or otherwise attached to the resilient spacer and/or directly to the deck. Detachable bases/tracking strips, resilient dampening strips or spacers may be secured to the snowboard via fasteners such as screws (FIG. 35), T-nuts/screwserts, or other means germane to the art. Fasteners may be arrayed in transverse pairs, linearly, or other configurations. The fasteners may also include means for controlling compression of the resilient spacer, such as through the use of high-durometer plastic between the base and the deck near the fastener, or other means germane to the art. Such means limit compression, but also allow for adjustment of lateral torsional laxity/rigidity (optional). Longitudinal retention channels (FIG. 33) may also be employed to hold the various layers or bases onto adjoining layers. Such retention channels have corresponding angled profiles on the layer below them, allowing the lower layer to be slid onto the upper layer from either end, then secured in place longitudinally with a set screw or similar means germane to the art. Making the components easily removable or detachable allows the rider to customize the feel of the board to varying conditions. By varying the radii, profiles and depths of the facets/grooves, performance is also radically altered.
With these methods there is a great deal of freedom in designing base profiles when compared with standard production methods. Unlike with Bi-deck snowskates, the base is not an actual ski. Instead it derives most of its stiffness from the deck it's attached to (with foam or other low-density resilient layer in between).
The foam or lightweight resilient layer serves four functions: to limit snow compaction, to offset the base from the deck, to dampen shock, and to (optionally) differentially compress along the edges, allowing the base to flex on the Z axis. This can affect turning dynamics.
Bases which are longer than the deck are also possible, (FIG. 36). Higher density Polyethylene, EVA, Neoprene, or other similar closed-cell foams work well for this, as they allow for some flexing and resilience without being too pliable. Adding a stiffer material longitudinally is also an option for stiffening the tip or tail of the base. Depending on the width of the base in relation to the deck the spacer may range in thickness from 0.1″ to more than one inch.
FIGS. 37-39 show base connectors on a variety of embodiments. FIG. 37 shows a wider board or deck, which represents the dished seating portion of a snowsled. The base connector holds the base onto the board, and is preferably some relatively high-density plastic or semi-pliable material that allows for shock absorption and vibration damping, while acting as a spacer and means of securing the base to the board. Fasteners and methods germane to the art are suitable for this. A resilient layer can be positioned on either side of the base connector. FIG. 38 shows a narrower version, suitable for snowskates. FIG. 39 shows removable and/or adjustable resilient layers. This allows for further tuning of board dynamics, as a certain amount of flex (as the result of resilient layer compression) at the edges of the base is advantageous in some conditions.
Additional embodiments of the dimensional snowskate may include any combination of the following:
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- Variable-depth faceting, arced or flat bases, and/or multiple bases
- Various combinations of indented or protruding facets
- Symetric or asymetric faceting
- Symetric or asymetric outside profiles of the multiple edges/bases
- Detachable bases, resilient strips, and/or edges
- Various combinations of resilient materials integrated into or added to the bases and/or resilient layer(s)
- Asymetry front to back and exclusion/inclusion of certain features in each area
- Variable heights of faceting and base profiles along the length of the base
- Use of multiple (more than two) bases and/or standard layup construction methods
- Faceting or profiles which taper towards the tip/tail, diverging from the sidecut of the base
- Alternative means for attachment of the base
- Various traction surfaces, materials, or textures on the deck
- Use of various longitudinal stiffeners or flex controllers (in all axes), especially for Slopedecks with bases that extend past the tips/tails.
- Materials other than plastic or foam for the resilient layer.
- Various durometers, thicknesses, and characteristics of foam in different areas of the resilient layer.
- Means of preventing the resilient layer from being compressed too much adjacent to the fasteners.
- Velcro alone or in combination with other quick fasteners for attaching/detaching bases and resilient layers/strips.
- An adjustable angle (toward the vertical) on the tips/tails of the base.
- Add-on grip features to the deck.
- An area of springier material at the tips and tails.
- Inclusion of actual springs (coil or leaf) between the deck and the base at the tips and/or tails.
- Injection-molded plastic versions and components—this could include separate base and spacer, or integration of them with the board. Various modular spacers/bases can be interchangeable and detachable.
- Something other than skateboard-style decks/boards.
- A plurality of retention channels which secure all add-on features to the deck and/or other layers.
- The deck may be molded plastic, wood, or any suitable material, and be integrated with the base with no resilient layer or spacer in between.
- An embodiment includes one or more convex features in the base.
Clearly there are a variety of forms dimensional bases may take. The invention described herein can be applied to snow sliding gear, including skis for snowmobiles, sleds, downhill skis, and toboggans. It can also be applied to water gliding gear, such as water skis, kneeboards, and other devices upon which water-sports enthusiasts can glide on the surface of water.
