Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ERGONOMIC SPORTSBOARD
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of sporting
equipment. More particularly, it relates to a sportsboard used in an
upright standing or kneeling position which has an ergonomic upper
surface that reduces strain and wear on human joints.
2. Background of Related Art
Various types of sports requiring a sportsboard have
become popular. These sports are performed by riding different types of
sportsboards on various types of ridden medium, e.g., water, pavement or
snow.
For instance, surfboards and wakeboards have become
popular sportsboards for use on water. Surfboards are ridden on water by
planting a rider's bare feet at two points on the upper surface of the
surfboard, with the feet typically placed non-parallel to the length of the
surfboard. Wakeboards are towed behind a boat, with a rider kneeling or
standing on an upper surface of the wakeboard. Skateboards have
become popular sportsboards for use on pavement. Skateboards are
ridden by planting a rider's feet (typically wearing sneakers or other street
footwear) at two points on the upper surface of the skateboard, the feet
being typically placed non-parallel to the length of the skateboard.
Moreover, on snow, snowboards have become particularly
popular, by some estimates soon to be more popular than skis.
Snowboarding is performed on snow covered slopes which were typically
originally designed to accommodate skiers. As is well known, each foot of
a skier is mounted with a binding to a respective ski, the feet being
mounted parallel to the length of the skis.
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Although both skiing and snowboarding are performed on
snow, snowboarding differs significantly from skiing in that rather than
having separate sportsboards (i.e., skis) for each foot, only a single
sportsboard is used. In a typical snowboard mounting configuration, both
feet of the snowboarder are fixedly mounted with a binding to the single
sportsboard, one in front of the other, and transversely or at an angle to
the length of the snowboard. Also, unlike skiing, no poles are used in
snowboarding.
There are two prevalent types of snowboard mounting
techniques in use today: strap bindings and step-in bindings. Strap
bindings allow a user of the snowboard to wear relatively soft boots, which
are mounted at a non-parallel angle to the length of the snowboard. The
tops of the soft boots and often the upper portions are strapped or
clamped onto the snowboard. Step-in bindings are attached to the
snowboard at or near the soles of a stiffer boots. Step-in bindings provide
added convenience to the user over strap bindings, but come at the cost
of less comfortable boots and differing contact pressures between the
snowboard and the user's feet.
Use of safety release bindings is usually unnecessary with
snowboards, unlike with skis. When a skier falls, each foot has a
separate elongated lever attached to it (i.e., a ski) which is capable of
applying tremendous torsional force to the skier's ankles or knees. Thus,
safety release bindings are a requirement for skis to protect against
serious injury to the skier's ankles and knees. On the other hand, since a
snowboarder has both feet attached to a single lever or sportsboard (i.e.,
a snowboard), the twisting force resulting from a fall is exerted on the
torso, not necessarily the ankles or knees. The torso of the human body
is much more capable of withstanding the forces resulting from a fall
without serious injury.
Fig. 20 shows a conventional upright standing position of a
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user on a sportsboard, e.g., a snowboard.
In particular, in Fig. 20, the left foot 1102 and right foot 1104
of a user are mounted transversely or otherwise at a non-parallel angle to
the length of the sportsboard 1100. The user may typically place or
mount their left and right feet 1102, 1104 at any position along the upper
surface 1110 of the sportsboard. However, if the left and right feet 1102,
1104 are rested or mounted directly below the hips 1112, 1114, poor
control of the sportsboard 1100 would result. Conversely, if the left and
right feet 1102, 1104 are rested or mounted at too wide a distance apart
on the upper surface of the sportsboard 1100, although greater control of
the sportsboard 1100 may result, a greater amount of strain may be
placed on the human body. For instance, the ankles and knees may be
over-strained in maintaining an upright position of the human body, and
too large a torque may be required to turn the lager radius formed by the
wide distance between the left and right feet 1102, 1104. Thus, a balance
is usually made for lateral stability between the amount of control provided
by separated placement of the left and right feet 1102, 1104 on the
sportsboard, and the strain on the human body, particularly the ankles,
knees and torso, based on the feel of the particular rider. Accordingly, a
snowboarder is typically forced to assume a wider stance, creating a
severe shear effect in the ankle joints of the rider, a toss of aligned
momentum to the bindings, asymmetric muscle stress, and generally
excessive wear on the joints of the extremity.
Human feet do not generally have strong muscle structure to
provide a large amount of lateral strength. To compensate for this, most
riders over-use or over-stress the side of the leg muscles, e.g., the tibialis
anterior, extensor digitorium longus, peroneus longus, and/or the
peroneus previs. For instance, in the now well known talus fracture
particularly frequent among snowboarders, some of these muscles as well
as the attached ligaments are often damaged.
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Although snowboards were largely inspired by water
surfboards, the riding characteristics differ greatly, mostly because
snowboarders must wear boots while water surfboarders often go
barefoot. Thus, the rider of a surfboard has unlimited ankle movement to
maintain his or her balance on the surfboard while riding waves, while the
ankles of the rider of a snowboard are restricted somewhat by the boots
which must be wom, and thus movements of the sportsboard are
performed by movement of other elements of the human body.
Furthermore, the acceleration and deceleration forces encountered by a
snowboarder are typically greater than those encountered by a water
surtboarder. Nevertheless, the present invention provides improvements
to any type of sportsboard ridden in an upright position, including
snowboards and surfboards.
While the popularity of snowboarding and other upright
sportsboard type sports has increased sharply over the last few years,
various so-called wear-type of injuries have developed. Indeed, the type
of stance used by upright users such as snowboarders combined with the
types of forces that are exerted during practice of the relevant sport tend
to cause accelerated wear on joints such as the hip joints, the knee joints
and the ankles of the snowboarder.
As shown in Fig. 20, conventional sportsboard construction
includes a relatively flat upper surface 1110 on which the feet 1102, 1104
of the user are rested or mounted during a normal riding stance. It has
been discovered by the present inventor that this relatively flat riding
surface proves to be a disadvantage in conventional sportsboards.
For instance, when in an upright position on a sportsboard,
ground reaction forces are directed upwards against the planter aspect of
both feet and maintain the plane equilibrium and stability of the lower
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extremities and pelvis. With a single sportsboard, equal ground reaction
forces are exerted on the lateral and medial planter surfaces of both feet.
However, when the trunk is rotated relative to the feet (as is often the
case in snowboarding), the reactional forces and the equilibrium are both
modified.
For instance, when the trunk is rotated to the right, the right
foot supinates and the left foot pronates. The right forefoot inverts from
the ground and vertical ground reaction forces are greater against the
lateral side of the forefoot and less against the medial side of the forefoot.
The left forefoot remains flat on the ground and vertical ground reaction
forces are distributed evenly against the forefoot. Conversely, when the
trunk is rotated to the left, ground reaction exerts unusual forces against
the left forefoot and even forces against the right forefoot.
These type of normal ergonomic reactions of the human
body are satisfactory for situations wherein a given individual rests on a
static structure. However, when a given individual is subjected to
acceleration and deceleration forces, it is recognized by the present
inventor that the combination of the reaction forces can lead to
accelerated wear on various joints of the human body by using a
sportsboard with a relatively flat upper surface. Furthermore, not only is
excess wear placed on various joints of the human body, but the control
forces generated by the various body parts of the rider to control the
sportsboard may not be optimized for the type of movements required,
e.g., during riding of a snowboard.
Attempts have been made in the past in the design of, e.g.,
snowboards, to reduce the wear on various body parts. For example,
U.S. Patent 5,172,924 issued to Robert S. Barci on December 22, 1992
(hereinafter "the '924 patent") discloses a snowboard binding system
using wedge-shaped base members inserted between the upper surface
of the snowboard and the lower surface of the rider's boots. The upper
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surface of each wedge-shaped base member supports the sole of a boot.
Although the wedge-shaped base member provides a more
ergonomic connection between the rider's feet and the sportsboard, the
binding system disclosed in the '924 patent has several disadvantages.
For example, the wedge-shaped base members separates the rider's feet
from the upper surface of the sportsboard and thus adds increased height
to the center of gravity of the intended user. The separation of the feet
from the upper surface of the sportsboard and the increased center of
gravity both degrade control of the sportsboard. Moreover, the physical
separation between the soles of the boots and the upper surface of the
sportsboard reduces the transmission of some sensorial information from
the sportsboard to the feet of the rider when riding on a medium such as
snow or water. Furthermore, the wedge-shaped base member creates
concentrated areas of stress on the sportsboard that may eventually lead
to damage and/or breakage of the sportsboard at or near the point of
contact between the wedge-shaped base members and the upper surface
of the sportsboard.
Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved
sportsboard which reduces wear on a rider, provides accurate control
between the rider and the upper surface of the sportsboard, and which
provides the necessary sensorial information from the sportsboard to the
rider.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the principles of the present invention, an
ergonomic sportsboard comprises a lower surface for contacting a
medium to be ridden. An upper surface of the ergonomic sportsboard has
a first extremity contacting section and a second extremity contacting
section. The first extremity contacting section is adapted to receive a first
extremity of a rider in a riding position, and the second extremity
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contacting section is adapted to receive a second extremity of the rider in
the riding position. At least one of the first extremity contacting section
and the second extremity contacting section form an upward angle of
between 1 ° and 20°.
In another aspect of the present invention particularly
relating to a sportsboard for riding on snow, a snowboard comprises a
lower surface adapted for contact with snow when the snowboard is
ridden. The snowboard also includes an ergonomic upper surface. The
ergonomic upper surface includes at least one upwardly angled extremity
IO contacting section corresponding to a generally unstrained extremity of a
rider in a riding position.
A method of providing an ergonomic sportsboard in
accordance with the principles of the present invention comprises
providing a sportsboard with a lower surface adapted for contact with a
medium to be ridden. An upper surface is provided on the sportsboard.
The upper surface includes at least one upwardly angled extremity
contacting section adapted to receive a corresponding extremity of a rider
in a riding position. The extremity contacting section forms an angle of
between about 1 ° and 20°.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description
with reference to the drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a schematic elevation view of a snowboard in
accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, the
snowboard being shown with a rider mounted thereon.
Fig. 2 is an elevation view illustrating an insert component
part of the snowboard shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 shows the positioning of an upwardly angled extremity
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contacting section with respect to an x-y-z plane.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a section of the
snowboard illustrated in Fig. 1, taken along section I I I-III of Fig. 1.
Fig. 5 is an elevation view with sections taken out, illustrating
a section of a conventional sportsboard, as it is subjected to a bending
stress.
Fig. 6 is a schematic view illustrating a curve representing
the internal stress generated inside the sportsboard illustrated in Fig. 5.
Fig. 7 is an elevation view with sections taken out, illustrating
a snowboard in accordance with an embodiment of the present Invention,
as it is subjected to a bending stress.
Fig. 8 is a schematic view illustrating a curve corresponding
to the internal stress generated inside the board illustrated in Fig. 7.
Fig. 9 is a schematic elevation view illustrating a snowboard
in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 10 is an elevation view illustrating an insert component
part of the snowboard illustrated in Fig. 9.
Fig. 11 is a perspective view with sections taken out,
illustrating a section of the snowboard illustrated in Fig. 9, taken along
section X-X of Fig. 9.
Fig. 12 shows a wakeboard in accordance with the principles
of the present invention.
Figs. 13A to 13C show three embodiments of added
flexibility in the upper surface of a sportsboard in accordance with an
aspect of the present invention.
Figs. 14A and 14B show the compression of the upper
surface of a sportsboard having added flexibility in accordance with an
aspect of the present invention.
Figs. 15A to 15C show three views of a snowboard having
an ergonomic upper surface in accordance with the principles of the
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present invention.
Fig. 16 depicts the posture of a human body in a typical
position when riding a sportsboard having an ergonomic upper surface in
accordance with the principles of the present invention.
Fig. 17 shows one end of another embodiment of a
snowboard having an ergonomic extremity contacting portion in
accordance with the principles of the present invention.
fig. 18 shows one end of yet another embodiment of a
snowboard having an ergonomic extremity contacting portion in
accordance with the principles of the present invention.
Fig. 19 shows another embodiment of a snowboard having
an ergonomic upper surface in accordance with the principles of the
present invention.
Fig. 20 is a schematic view of an upright standing rider
mounted to a conventional sportsboard having a relatively flat upper
surface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
A sportsboard in accordance with the present invention has
an ergonomic upper surface (e.g., INTRACANT T"") which provides
several advantages over conventional sportsboards having a relatively flat
riding surface.
For instance, an ergonomic upper surface for positioning a
rider's feet relative to the sportsboard in a way which reduces the potential
for stress or other types of injury to the rider. Moreover, the ergonomic
upper surface and positioning of the feet thereon further improves the
efficiency of movements by the various body parts of the rider as control
forces exerted through the rider's feet to the upper surface of the
sportsboard. Furthermore, a sportsboard having an ergonomic upper
surface constructed in accordance with the present invention provides
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increased structural strength and resistance to damage in areas of a
sportsboard conventionally subjected to high stress, e.g., directly below
the rider's feet. Moreover, the ergonomic upper surface in accordance
with the principles of the present invention allows a rider to maintain an
improved center of balance with respect to the sportsboard.
Fig. 1 shows a sportsboard 10 having an ergonomic upper
surface 18 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
In Fig. 1, a sportsboard 10 has a generally elongated
configuration. The sportsboard 10 may be a snowboard, a wakeboard, a
surfboard, a sailboard, a skateboard, etc. The present invention provides
significant advantages for all types of sportsboards, particularly for
snowboards and for sailboards wherein a significant amount of downward
pressure is placed on the contacting extremities, e.g., the feet, even in
excess of the weight of the rider.
The sportsboard 10 has a first end section 12 and a
longitudinally opposed second end section 14. An under or lower surface
16 of the sportsboard 10 defines a medium contacting surface which is
generally in contact with a medium S (e.g., snow or water} when the
sportsboard 10 is ridden, and the ergonomic upper surface 18 forms an
efficient interface between the rider's feet and the sportsboard 10.
[mportantly, the present invention provides a curved,
ergonomic upper surface 18 in a portion of the sportsboard 10 wherein the
rider's feet are rested or mounted. A pair of longitudinally spaced apart
extremity contacting sections 20 and 22 are configured, positioned and
sized so as to respectively receive a first extremity (e.g., foot) 24, and a
second extremity (e.g., foot) 26 of a rider 28. The extremity contacting
sections 20 and 22 are angled upwardly with respect to a center of the
sportsboard 10 such that the extremities (e.g., feet} 24 and 26 pivot
inwardly toward the center of the sportsboard 10, as indicated by arrows
B in Fig. 1.
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It should be understood that although the extremity
contacting sections 20 and 22 illustrated in Fig. 1 are angled substantially
symmetrical relative to one another, only one extremity contacting section
need be angled. Alternatively, the extremity contacting sections 20 and
22 may be angled unsymmetrical relative to one another without departing
from the scope of the present invention.
Furthermore, the spacing between the extremity contacting
sections 20 and 22 may be any suitable distance. For instance, the
extremity contacting sections 20 and 22 may be two ends of a single
continuous extremity receiving section, and thus the spacing would be
zero. Alternatively, the spacing may be large with respect to a typical
stance by the rider, e.g., larger than that relatively shown in Fig. 1,
without
departing from the scope of the present invention. Similarly, the distance
between the first end section 14 and the first extremity contacting section
22, and the distance between the second end section 12 and the second
extremity contacting section 20, may be any suitable distance other than
that relatively shown in Fig. 1, without departing from the scope of the
present invention.
The upper surface of the upwardly angled extremity
contacting sections 20 and 22 can be relatively flat or upwardly arcuate.
An angle C is formed between the upwardly angled extremity contacting
sections 20 andlor 22 at a contact point with the extremity, and a
theoretical horizontal plane A including the contact points at each
extremity contacting section 20 and/or 22. The theoretical horizontal
plane A is referred to herein as a 'major horizontal plane'. A relatively flat
upwardly angled extremity contacting section 20, 22 will have a relatively
constant angle C throughout its area, whereas an upwardly arcuate
contacting section 20, 22 will have a range in the value of the angle C
depending upon the point of contact between the extremity and the
extremity contacting section 20, 22.
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The preformed, unflexed angle C is preferably in a range
between 1 ° and 20° with respect to the point of contact of the
extremity
and he theoretical horizontal plane A, more preferably in a range
between 4° and 14°, and most preferably in a range between
5° and 12°.
For flexible sportsboards such as snowboards, the angle C
should also take into account an amount of flex in the sportsboard 10.
For instance, snowboards are determined to normally flex or deform about
5° to 7° with respect to the point of contact of the
extremities. Thus, the
angle C for such a sportsboard is preferably in a range between 4° and
7°, which, together with the added angle due to the flex when the
sportsboard is ridden, will provide a total angle of between 9° and
14°.
For sportsboards which do not deform significantly when
ridden, e.g., surfboards, wakeboards and sailboards, the preformed,
unflexed angle C is preferably at least 4°, more preferably at least
5°, and
most preferably at least 6°.
In addition, the upwardly angled extremity contacting
sections 20 and/or 22 may be additionally laterally rotated an angle R
about the center of the sportsboard 10, i.e., about the y-axis as shown in
Fig. 3, to optimize the ergonomic benefits to contact with an extremity at
an angle other than perpendicular to the lengthwise axis of the
sportsboard 10. The angle R may be any appropriate value from 0° to
180° with respect to the lengthwise x-axis of the sportsboard 10 as
shown
in Fig. 3.
Furthermore, the upwardly angled extremity contacting
sections 20, 22 may be tilted an angle T about the lengthwise x-axis as
shown in Fig. 3, to accommodate a more comfortable position of the
sportsboard 10 with respect to the extremities of the rider. It is preferred
that the tilt angle T be within about +/- 5° with respect to the x-z
plane as
shown in Fig. 3.
Moreover, as shown in Fig. 1, at the upper ends of the
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extremity contacting sections 20 and 22, the sportsboard 10 has a thickest
cross-sectional width W between the lower surface 16 and the upper
surface 18 of the sportsboard 10.
A first radius of curvature D, may be defined between an
intermediate or center section 30 of the ergonomic upper surface 18 of the
sportsboard 10 and the upper end of the first extremity contacting section
22, and a second radius of curvature DZ may be defined between the
center section 30 of the ergonomic upper surface 18 of the sportsboard
and the upper end of the second extremity contacting section 20. The
10 first radius of curvature D, is defined by a lateral movement of the first
leg
32 of the rider 28 about its corresponding hip 34. Similarly, the second
radius of curvature DZ is defined by a lateral movement of the second leg
33 of the rider 28 about the other hip 35. So long as both legs 33, 34 of
the rider 28 are the same length, the first and second radius' of curvature
D, and D2 will be substantially equal, and collectively referred to herein as
"the radius of curvature D". The larger the radius of curvature D, the
generally wider apart will be the range of the extremity contacting sections
and 22.
The radius of curvature D can be customized for specific hip
20 configurations. For instance, the ergonomic upper surface 18 may have a
relatively small radius of curvature D for shorter riders, while the
ergonomic upper surface 18 may have a relatively large radius of
curvature D for taller riders. Thus, e.g., an entire line of snowboards may
be manufactured each having a particular radius of curvature
corresponding to a typical stance of a person of a particular height.
Similarly, a line of sportsboards such as snowboards can be focused on
the typical height of women, and a separate line of similar sportsboards
can be focused on the typical height of men.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1-3, the body of the
sportsboard 10 is provided with a singular core 36 illustrated more
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specifically in Fig. 2_ The core 36 typicahy extends integrally from the first
end section 14 to the second end section 12. Fig_ 4 shows the increased
width W of the core 36 of the sportsboard 10, particularly at the outer
portions of the extremity contacting sections 20, 22_
As discussed, some prior art devices position a separate
wedge-shaped block between the rider's extremity and a localized area of
the upper surface of a relatively flat conventional sportsboard_ However,
wedge-shaped blocks can cause localized stress in the sportsboard,
particularly at a point of contact between the wedge-shaped block and the
upper surface of the sportsboard.
The sportsboard 't0 in accordance with the principles of the
present invention includes structure to angle the extremity contacting
sections 20, 22 (i.e., core 36): The structure either includes the
ergonomic upper surface 18, andlor is positioned between the ergonomic
is upper surface 18 and the medium-contacting lower surface 16. Thus, as
compared with conventional ergonomic solutions to the upper surface of a
sportsboard, the core 36 of a sportsboard 10 in accordance with the
present invention is in more direct contact with the rider's feet, via the
upper surface 18, than with prior art sportsboards.
Figs. 5 to 8 illustrate more clearly the advantages of the
angled extremity contacting sections 20, 22 of the ergonomic upper
surface 18 of a sportsboard in accordance with the present invention.
Figs. 5 and 6 show the conventional sportsboard 1100 shown in Fig. 20,
but further including a wedge-shaped block 40 mounted on a relatively flat
extremity contacting section, and while subjected to a bending stress.
Figs. 7 and 8 show a sportsboard 10 having angled extremity contacting
sections in accordance with the principles of the present invention, while
subjected to a similar bending stress.
In particular, Fig. 5 shows a conventional sportsboard 1100
with a conventional wedge-shaped or angled block 40 mounted on an
(Substitute Sheet) ~ 14
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extremity contacting section of a relatively flat upper surface 1110 thereof.
Although the extremity (in this case a foot of the rider) is shown barefoot,
it is to be understood that the invention is equally applicable to a
sportsboard accepting a boot or other apparatus wom on the foot or other
extremity of the rider. The foot is shown barefoot merely for clarity of
explanation.
Fig_ 6 illustrates a strain curve 44 corresponding to the
bending stress 42 (Fig. 5) applied to one end of the sportsboard 1100.
The relative strain caused in the length of the conventional sportsboard
IO 1100 is shown, in pounds pet square inch (PSI). A local peak or
significantly excessive amount of strain 46 is caused in the conventional
sportsboard 1100 at a portion corresponding to an extremity contacting
section having a wedge-shaped block 40 in contact therewith.
The significantly excessive amount of stress, particularly at
the local peak 48, causes decreased control of the sportsbvard 1100,
deceased response of the sportsboard, and increased possibility of the
structure of the sportsboard 1100 failing in the area corresponding to the
peak stress 46, i.e., below the wedge-shaped block 40.
Conversely, Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate a bending stress
indicated by the arrow 42 similar fo that shown with respect to the
conventional sportsboard '1100 shown in Figs. 5 and 8, but as applied to a
sporfsboard 10 having angled extremity contacting sections and
ergonomic upper surtace 18 in accordance with the principles of the
present invention.
In particular, Fig. 7 shows a sportsboard 10 including a core
36 defining at least one angled extremity contacting section at the point of
contact of the rider's foot on the ergonomic .upper surface 18 of the
sportsboard 10.
Fig. 8 shows a strain curve 44' corresponding to the bending
3o stress applied along the length of the sportsboard 10 during appiicafion of
(Substitute Sheet) 15
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the same bending stress 42 shown in Fig. 7. The strain curve 44' defines
a relatively smooth distribution of the stress along the length of the
sportsboard 10. Note that the present invention reduces or eliminates the
peak or significantly excessive stress in the extremity contacting portion of
the sportsboard 10.
The conventional wedge-shaped blocks 40 are not
embedded within the body of the sportsboard 10, e.g., under the upper
surface 18, and thus control forces are not transmitted directly from the
rider, via the wedge-shaped block 40, to the sportsboard 10. Hence.
reaction time of the sportsboard 10 after control forces are initiated by the
rider, and the predictability of the sportsboard 10, suffers. In accordance
with the principles of the present invention, the geometry of the internal
and/or upper structure of the sportsboard 10, particularly in the regions)
corresponding to the extremity contacting section(s), is determined by a
structural component positioned within the board, as opposed to a
structure mounted on top of a relatively flat upper surface as in
conventional sportsboards. The resulting smooth distribution of the
bending stress provides a sportsboard 10 with better control, better
response, and better reliability as compared with conventional
sportsboards, e.g., having a wedge-shaped block 40.
Moreover, wedge-shaped blocks 40 increase the distance
between the sole of the extremity, e.g., foot, and the upper surface of the
sportsboard, thus raising the center of gravity of the rider with respect to
the sportsboard. Most riders find this disadvantageous because it
reduces response of the sportsboard and the level of control which the
rider has over the sportsboard. In accordance with the principles of the
present invention, the angling of the core 36 and/or upper surface 18 of
the sportsboard 10 allows for more direct contact between the rider's
extremities (e.g., feet) and the core 36 of the sportsboard 10. Thus, the
center of gravity of the rider is generally lowered, allowing better control
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and response of the sportsboard 10.
The extremity contacting sections 20 and 22 may be angled
above the main level of the upper surface 18, or they may be countersunk
with respect to the other portions of the upper surface 18 of the
sportsbaard 10, Countersunk extremity contacting sections 20 and 22
can lower the center of gravity of the rider with respect to the sportsboard
90.
Figs. 9 to 11 illustrate another embodiment of a sportsboard
in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
The sportsboard 10' shown in Figs. 9 to 11 is substantially
the same as the sportsboard 10 illustrated in Figs. 1-3, with the exception
of the core. In Figs. 1 to 3, the core 36 was of a generally singular
construction. However, the core 36' of the sportsboarcl 10' shown in Figs.
9 to 11 is a laminate composite.
The laminate composite core 36' includes a conventional
core component 38 extending substantially from the first end section 14 to
the second end section 1 Z, and an insert core component 40 extending
substantially between both extremity contacting sections 20 and 22. Of
course, more than iwo core layers may be implemented to form a core
24 structure forming at least one upwardly angled extremity contacting
section, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
Fig. 12 shows a wakeboard 10w ridden on a medium W
such as water, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
In particular, the wakeboard 10w includes two extremity
contacting sections 20, 22 in an upper surface 18 thereof. The positioning
of the upwardly angling extremity contacting sections 20, 22 are as
described with respect to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 tv 4, including
the angles C, R and T.
Note that the wakeboard 10w typically has one or more fins
1217 and an upwardly curving lower surface 16 from the perspective of
(Substitute Sheet) I7
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the rider. Nevertheless, the angling of the extremity contacting sections
20, 22, particularly the upward angle C, is unaffected by the curvature of
the lower surface 16.
Since the extremity contacting portions 20, 22 of the
sportsboard 10 present a greater thickness as they angle upwardly, the
extremity contacting portions 20, 22 increase the torsional rigidity of the
sportsboard 10 at respective locations where torsional rigidity is most
suitable. However, if increased torsional rigidity is not desired, flexibility
can be added to the sportsboard 10, particularly but not exclusively in the
extremity contacting portions 20, 22.
For instance, Figs. 13A to 13C show three embodiments of
a sportsboard 10 having added flexibility in accordance with an aspect of
the present invention.
In particular, Fig. 13A shows a plurality of angled grooves
990 cut in linear paths widthwise across the upper surface 18 of a
sportsboard 10. The angled grooves 990 result in a serrated portion of
the upper surface. Fig. 13B shows the formation of grooves normal or
orthogonal to the lower surface 16 of the sportsboard 10 in a widthwise
direction across the upper surface 18 of the sportsboard 10. Fig. 13C
shows the formation of U-shaped grooves 994 in the upper surface 18 of
the sportsboard 10. In all cases, the grooves 990-994 increase the
flexibility of the sportsboard 10 by decreasing the amount of compression
forces necessary to bend or deflect the sportsboard 10.
While the grooves 990-994 shown in Figs. 13A to 13C are
shown normal to the lower surface 16 of the sportsboard 10, it will be
understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the grooves 990-994
may alternatively be formed or cut at any appropriate angle, e.g., normal
to the upper surface 18 andlor normal to the lower surface 16, in
accordance with the principles of the present invention.
In the case of a snowboard, because of the compression of
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the upper surface i 8, the boot bindings should be mounted so as to allow
sufficient lateral movement of the upper surface 18 of the sportsboard 10
in a widthwise direction to allow the maximum desired amount of
compression of the upper surface 18 of the sportsboard 10. Alternatively,
the flexibility can be added in portions of the sportsboard 10 other than
directly under the Location of contact with the extremity. For instance, the
grooves 990-994 may be cut after appropriate bindings or other apparatus
is mounted to the upper surface 18 of the sportsboard. In this way, the
grooves 990-994 may be placed on either side of the binding and not
under the binding_
The grooves 990-984, white being shown in Figs. 13A in a
portion of the extremity contacting portion, may be located at any point
along the length of the sportsboard 10 to provide added flexibility thereto.
Fig. i 4A depicts an ergonomic sportsboard having angled
IS grooves 990 formed in an upper surface 18 thereof before flexion, and
Fig. 14B shows the compression of the upper surface 18 of the ergonomic
sportsboard shown in Fig. 14A when flexed.
The core components 36 (Figs. 1 to 3) or 36' (Figs. 9 to 11 )
may be inserted v~irthin the body of the sportsboard 10 by any one or more
of a plurality of manufacturing processes. For example, the cores 36 or
36' may be formed integrally within the sportsboard 10 during an injection
process. Alternatively, the cores 36 or 36' may be inserted between the
upper surface 16 and the tower surface 1 S during a pressure mold
manufacturing process. Other suitable manufacturing processes indude
plastic injection molding, foam molding, andlora formed wood core.
Although the embodiments shown in Figs. 1 to 3 and 9 to 71
include first and second end sections 12 and 14 that curve upwardly, it
should be understood that the rider's feet are not generally rested or
mounted on the upwardly curving first and second end sections 12 and 14
during riding, i.e., the first and second end sections 12 and 14 ace not
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general riding surfaces. The present invention may be implemented in a
sportsboard with or without upwardly curving first and second end
sections 12 and 14 without departing from the scope of the invention.
Figs. 15A to 17 show various embodiments of a snowboard
having an ergonomic upper surface, e.g., an INTRACANT TM upper
surface, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
In particular, Figs. 15A to 15C show three views of a
snowboard 1200 having an ergonomic upper surface in accordance with
the principles of the present invention. Fig. 16 depicts the posture of a
human body in a typical position when riding the snowboard 1200 shown
in Figs. 15A to 15C.
Fig. 17 shows one end of another embodiment of a
snowboard 1300 having an ergonomic extremity contacting portion 1302
in accordance with the principles.of the present invention. Note that the
extremity contacting portion 1302 is arcuate with respect to the upper
surface of the snowboard 1300, to provide similar ergonomic benefits
through a range of non-parallel angles of the extremity, e.g., a foot, with
respect to the snowboard 1300.
Fig. 18 shows one end of yet another embodiment of a
snowboard 1400 having an ergonomic extremity contacting portion 1402
in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The extremity
contacting portion 1402 in this embodiment is pointed in the region 1404,
recognizing that the extremity on a snowboard is not mounted parallel to
the length of the snowboard 1400.
Fig. 19 shows another embodiment of a snowboard 1500
having integral ergonomic pads 1502, 1504 on the upper surface of the
snowboard 1500, in accordance with the principles of the present
invention.
The present invention provides a rider of a sportsboard with
a healthier and more controlled stance without requiring added
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components between, e.g., a snowboard binding and the snowboard, thus
saving weight and structural integrity of the overall sportsboard. The
INTRACANT TM ergonomic upper surface in accordance with the
principles of the present invention provides a rider increased comfort,
endurance, stability, momentum at the contacting extremity, and more
power. The INTRACANT T"" ergonomic upper surface in accordance with
the principles of the present invention reduces torsional stress, and
provides a more rapid impulse transmission from 'brain to sportsboard'.
Moreover, the sportsboard, being slightly thicker around the
point of contact with the rider's extremities, is stronger with respect to
downward impact, distributes forces more evenly along the edge of the
sportsboard, and significantly reduces asymmetric forces. This increases
the reliability of, e.g., the lamination and shear strength of snowboard
edges, which commonly delaminate andlor shear in thinner snowboards.
The unibody type construction of the upper surface and the
ergonomic shape of the upper surface do not add significant weight to the
sportsboard. Moreover, particularly in the case of snowboards or other
sportsboards requiring a mounted binding, the thicker extremity contacting
sections allow for higher inserts having more threads inserted into the
sportsboard, increasing the strength of the bond between the bindings
and sportsboard significantly.
The present invention is equally applicable to upper surface
platforms which may be attached to substantially the entire upper surface
of a sportsboard. For instance, a platform forming the upper surface 18
may be mated with a relatively flat upper surface of a conventional
sportsboard to form a new upper surface 18 including the extremity
contacting sections 20, 22. With a snowboard, an ergonomic upper
surface 18 may be formed in a unibody-type construction and adhered to
a conventional snowboard with, e.g., highly resistant two-sided foam
urethane or neoprene tape. This semi-dense two-sided tape is known,
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and is typically about 1/64" thick. The platform would be further adhered
to the conventional upper surface of the snowboard with the mounting
screws which pass through the platform and mount into the core of the
conventional snowboard.
While the present invention has been shown with respect to,
and has particular application to, snowboarding, it is equally applicable to
any sportsboard ridden in an upright standing position (e.g., surfboards,
mono water skis, etc.) or upright kneeling position (e.g., a wakeboard,
etc. ).
While the invention has been described with reference to
exemplary embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will be able to
make various modifications to the described embodiments of the invention
without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.
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