Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02562813 2006-10-06
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The following invention relates to snow vehicles, such as snowmobiles which
include a chassis and a propulsion unit. More particularly, this invention
relates to
boards mountable to lower forward portions of snow vehicles to support the
snow
vehicle upon the snow and to facilitate steering of the snow vehicle when
moving.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Standard snowmobiles and similar snow vehicles have a general configuration
including a chassis from which a propulsion unit and steering supports extend
downwardly to engage the snow. The propulsion unit is typically in the form of
a
moving track which is driven by some form of motor mounted to the chassis and
engages the snow to move the snowmobile or other snow vehicle forward. The
chassis
also typically supports a seat for a rider to sit. The steering module of a
standard
snowmobile or similar snow vehicle is typically in the form of a pair of snow
skis which
are rigid in form and which are together typically no more than 35% of a width
of the
propulsion unit, with the propulsion unit similar in width, but slightly of
less width than
the chassis. Runners typically extend down from a lower surface of the skis
and the skis
are typically coupled to a steering mechanism actuated by hands of the rider.
The skis
pivot from side to side so that the runner on the bottom of the skis can
engage
underlying snow at different angles to steer the vehicle.
Due to the size limitations of the skis on typical snowmobiles, and
particularly the
relatively narrow width of the two skis, the skis do not particularly "float"
on the snow.
Especially when the snow is powdery, snowmobiles rely heavily on the runner
and the
poorly floating skis themselves being turned away from the direction of
vehicle travel to
cause the vehicle to turn. Such steering is not particularly efficient with
the skis
typically semi-buried in the soft powder. Rather, snowmobiles are optimized
more
particularly for running on hard-packed snow or ice. Furthermore, with a
typical
snowmobile with steering skis, the inability of the skis to float
significantly makes the
overall riding experience less analogous to a "floating" experience similar to
that of
skiing or snowboarding, and more like a motorized vehicle experience.
Accordingly, a need exists for a powered snow vehicle which utilizes a single
wide
floating board for steering. Such a steering board would allow the vehicle to
have its
front end supported in a somewhat floating fashion for greater efficiency in
soft powder
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conditions and to enhance the overall enjoyment of the experience of riding
over the
snow.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
With this invention, a board is provided particularly for mounting to a
forward lower
portion of a powered snow vehicle for supporting the forward portion of the
snow
vehicle and for accommodating steering of the snow vehicle. The board has a
width
which is preferably approximately one-third of a length of the board, and at
least one-
fifth the length of the board. This board width is typically at least half,
and preferably
similar to a width of the propulsion unit and chassis of the snow vehicle.
The board includes an upper surface with a mounting bracket or similar mount
thereon which is adapted to couple the board to the chassis, such as through a
board
support strut which can be coupled to a steering control on the chassis. The
running
surface of the board, opposite the upper surface, is substantially planar and
allows the
board to float upon the snow, even when the snow is powdery.
Preferably, at least one fm extends downward from the running surface of the
board.
This fin is preferably located within a central plane perpendicular to the
running surface
and aligned with a longitudinal axis of the board. The fm can either be fixed
in position
or be adjustable. Such adjustability can be forward and rearward adjustability
and/or
upward and downward adjustability. In the case of upward and downward
adjustability, such adjustability can be selected by the user, such as by
attaching the fin
to the board in the desired configuration. Alternatively, the fin can be
mounted in a
pivoting fashion with an associated spring and damper biasing the fin toward a
most
downward position unless forces are applied to the fin which cause the fin to
flex
upwardly to extend a lesser distance down from the running surface.
Skegs are preferably provided as side fins adjacent to the larger central fm,
with each
of the fins located in separate parallel planes and equally spaced from each
other. The
skegs can either be fixed in a single position or be adjustably positionable
relative to the
running surface of the board. A carbide insert or other hardened material
insert is
preferably provided on bottom edges of the fins to maximize wear
characteristics for the
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fins. Also, side edges of the board are preferably formed of metal and
sufficiently sharp
to allow the side edges of the board to cut into underlying snow or ice to
allow the
board to carve turns utilizing these side edges, rather than relying upon the
fins, and
especially taking advantage of a preferred hourglass shape for each of the
side edges of
the board to carve smooth turns.
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OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a powered
snow
vehicle with a single board for supporting a forward portion of the snow
vehicle.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a board for a snow
vehicle
which has a relatively wide contour and is mounted on a forward lower portion
of the
snow vehicle to allow the snow vehicle to float somewhat upon a surface of the
snow.
Another abject of the present invention is to provide a board for a front of a
snow
vehicle to steer the snow vehicle
Another object of the present invention is to provide a snow vehicle which is
steered
at least partially by tilting the snow vehicle to cause side edges of a board
on a front of
the snow vehicle to engage the snow to cause a turn to occur.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a board for a snow
vehicle
which utilizes side edges to engage the snow for turning in soft snow
conditions and
which utilizes at least one fin extending downward from a running surface of
the board
for steering of the snow vehicle in harder snow conditions.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a board for a snow
vehicle
which has fins which are adjustable in position to maximize the effectiveness
of the
steering attributes provided by the board for the snow vehicle.
Other further objects of the present invention will become apparent from a
careful
reading of the included drawing figures, the claims and detailed description
of the
invention.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a top plan view of the board of this invention.
Figure 2 is a side elevation view of that which is shown in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a perspective view taken from below, further illustrating that
which is
shown in Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a side elevation view of a portion of that which is shown in
Figures 1-3
and revealing details of the skegs of this invention.
Figure 5 is a side elevation view of an alternative board with an adjustable
fm, with
height adjustability of the fin provided in two different ways which can
either be
utilized together or separately in various different embodiments of this
invention.
Figure 6 is a full sectional view of an alternative board of that which is
shown in
Figures 1-3 and particularly providing cross-sectional details of a central fm
and skegs,
as well as side edge details of the board.
Figure 7 is a full sectional view similar to that which is shown in Figure 6,
but
revealing an additional alternative embodiment for the central fin and skegs
according to
this alternative embodiment.
Figure 8 is a side elevation view of an entire snow vehicle and showing where
the
board of this invention is coupled to other portions of the snow vehicle.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like
parts
throughout the various drawing figures, reference numeral 10 is directed to a
board
(Figures 1-3) particularly for use in supporting a front of a snow vehicle 2
(Figure 8)
such as a snowmobile or similar vehicle. The board 10 provides for both
support of the
front of the snow vehicle 2 upon snow and steering of the snow vehicle 2
through
action of side edges 15 of the board 10, and/or a central fin 30 and skegs 40
extending
downwardly from the board 10.
In essence, and with particular reference to Figures 1-3, basic details of the
board 10
of this invention, according to the preferred embodiment, are described. The
board 10 is
a generally planar semi-elongate body extending from a nose 12 to a tip 14 and
with an
upper surface 16 opposite a running surface 18. A mounting bracket 20 is
coupled to
the upper surface 16. The mounting bracket 20 is adapted to couple the board
10 to the
chassis 6, such as through a board support strut 8 (Figure 8) to both support
the chassis
6 of the snow vehicle 2 upon the snow, and to facilitate steering of the snow
vehicle 2.
At least one fin in the form of a central fin 30 extends vertically downwardly
from
the running surface 18 of the board 10. This central fin 30 facilitates
steering of the
snow vehicle 2 (Figure 8) especially in hard snow and ice conditions. Skegs 40
in the
form of side fms preferably extend vertically downwardly from the board 10 in
a manner
parallel with the central fin 30, but laterally spaced from the central fin 30
similar
distances from opposite sides of the central fins 30 and near the side edges
15 of the
board 10. The skegs 40 further assist in allowing the board 10 to steer,
especially on
hard snow and ice.
More specifically, and with particular reference to Figure 8, details of one
typical
snow vehicle 2 with which the board 10 can be utilized, according to the
preferred
embodiment, are described. This snow vehicle 2 is generally in the form of a
snowmobile, but would typically be smaller than the smallest typical
snowmobiles, and is
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most particularly distinguished from standard snowmobiles in that a single
board 10 is
provided rather than a pair of skis for steering of the snow vehicle 2. The
snow vehicle
2 includes a propulsion unit 4 extending from a lower rearward portion of the
snow
vehicle 2. This propulsion unit 4 would typically be coupled to a motor on the
chassis 6
and is in the form of a revolving track adapted to engage the snow/ice under
the snow
vehicle 2 to push the snow vehicle 2 along the surface of the snow.
The chassis 6 provides a rigid structure from which the propulsion unit 4 and
the
board 10 extend downwardly. The chassis 6 also typically includes a seat upon
which
an operator can sit, or could alternatively include some other platform, such
as a standing
platform or foot pegs to allow the rider to stand while driving the snow
vehicle 2.
Typically, some form of steering control is provided upon the chassis 6 and
coupled
to the board 10 to enhance control of the board 10 to steer the snow vehicle
2. For
instance, some form of handlebars can be coupled to the board 10 through a
board
support strut 8 (Figure 8) which allows the board 10 to pivot somewhat for
steering of
the board 10 and hence the entire snow vehicle 2. As an alternative, the board
10 can
be fixed or substantially fixed relative to the chassis 6, and steering of the
snow vehicle
2 can occur by pivoting of the entire snow vehicle 2 to allow side edges 15
(Figures 1
and 3) to carve into the snow/ice and cause the snow vehicle 2 to turn. Most
preferably,
at least some form of board 10 pivoting, at least a slight amount, is provided
to further
assist in causing side edges 15 of the board 10 to engage a surface of the
snow to initiate
turning of the snow vehicle 2. In harder snow conditions, the fms 30 and skegs
40 can
engage the snow/ice beneath the snow vehicle 2 to facilitate turning of the
snow
vehicle 2.
With particular reference to Figures 1-3, details of the board 10 and
particularly the
body of the board 10, according to the preferred embodiment, are described.
The board
is primarily composed of a body which is generally planar in form and semi-
elongate,
extending from a nose 12 to a tail 14. The width of the board 10 preferably
varies
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slightly, with an average width of about one-third of the board 10 length. At
a minimum,
the board 10 is preferably no less than one-fifth as wide as it is long, with
a width to
length ratio of four to one also being acceptable.
The nose 12 is preferably curved slightly upwardly to keep the nose 12 from
digging
into snow or other objects forward of the board 10 and snow vehicle 2.
Otherwise, the
body is substantially planar, and preferably with a substantially constant
thickness
between the upper surface 16 and the running surface 18.
The body of the board 10 is preferably formed of a plastic or composite
material.
Optionally, the body of the board 10 can be formed of wood. The body of the
board 10
is preferably somewhat flexible with sufficient rigidity to avoid being flexed
when no
loads are placed upon the body of the board 10. However, when loads are placed
on
the body of the board 10 exceeding merely the weight of the board 10 itself,
the body
of the board 10 is capable of flexing somewhat. For instance, when the weight
of the
chassis 6, and rider upon the chassis 6 is pressing down on the board 10, and
the board
encounters uneven terrain, the running surface 18 of the board 10 is caused to
maintain more complete contact with the snow/ice due to the flexing ability of
the body
of the board 10.
As an alternative, this flexing ability of the body of the board 10 can be
adjusted,
such as by swapping boards 10 formed of different body material, or by
providing
torsional or longitudinal stiffeners which can either be removably attached to
the board
or adjusted to control stiffness and flexibility of the body of the board 10.
Other than
limited flexing in a vertical direction, the body of the board 10 is
preferably substantially
rigid.
The body of the board 10 includes central mount holes 13 utilized for
attachment of
the central fin 30, as described in detail below. The body of the board 10
additionally
includes side mount holes 17 through which the skegs 40 of the board 10 are
mounted,
as described in detail below. Side edges 15 extend from the nose 12 to the
tail 14. These
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side edges 15 have a cross-sectional form similar to that depicted as the side
edges 115
and side edges 215 of the alternative embodiments of Figures 6 and 7. This
sharp edge
preferably provided on the side edges 15 allows the side edges 15 to carve
turns in soft
and medium hard snow in a manner similar to an edge of a snow ski or a
snowboard.
The side edges 15 preferably have an at least partial "hourglass" form so that
the
side edges I S are slightly further from each other near the nose 12, then
slightly closer to
each other near a center portion of the board 10 and near the mounting bracket
20, and
then again widening on portions of the board 10 to a rear of the mounting
bracket 20,
with the side edges 15 preferably again tapering slightly towards each other
near the tail
14.
This hourglass shape particularly facilitates turning of the snow vehicle 2
(Figure 8)
when the entire snow vehicle 2 is leaned to one side so that one of the side
edges 15 of
the board 10 engages the snow. Such engaging of the side edges I S can be
additionally
encouraged by actuating steering control on the chassis 6 of the snow vehicle
2 (Figure
8) such that steering of the snow vehicle 2 can occur either by leaning of the
entire
chassis 6, or by actuation of steering control on the chassis 6 by the user,
or by some
combination of leaning and actuation of steering control. Due to the hourglass
shape of
the side edges 15, once the board 10 is angled to be supported upon the snow
through
one of the side edges 15, this hourglass shape causes the board 10 to desire
to follow a
curving path in turn causing the entire snow vehicle 2 to be turned.
With continuing reference to Figures 1-3, details of the mounting bracket 10
or other
mount for connecting the board 10 to the chassis 6 of the snow vehicle 2,
according to
this preferred embodiment, are described. The mounting bracket 20 provides a
preferred
form of mount for coupling the board 10 to the chassis 6 of the snow vehicle
2, such as
through a board support strut 8. In this preferred embodiment, the mounting
bracket 20
includes a plate 22 which is planar and coupled to the body of the board 10
through the
upper surface 16, by utilizing a plurality of mounting screws 24. Lateral
sides of the
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mounting bracket 20 include ears 26 extending vertically upward from side
edges of the
mounting bracket 20. Each of these ears 26 preferably includes a hole 28
passing
therethrough. These holes 28 are aligned with each other so that they can
receive a
mounting pin passing through each of the holes 28 in each of the ears 26, and
also
passing through the board support strut 8.
This mounting pin can be circular and configured to allow the board 10 to
pivot
about this pin relative to the board support strut 8. Alternatively, the pin
can be of
square cross-section, or otherwise be configured to resist rotation of the
board 10
relative to the board support strut 8. The board support strut 8 can be
rigidly mounted
to the chassis 6, or coupled to the chassis 6 through some form of steering
control on the
chassis 6. If steering control is provided through the board support strut 8,
this board
support strut 8 can be capable of some form of motion including rotational
motion about
various different rotational axes and/or linear motion in various different
directions.
Alternatively, the board support strut 8 can be substantially fixed in
position with
various different board 10 position control actuators also coupled between the
chassis 6
and the board 10 to cause the board 10 to pivot about various different axes
relative to
the chassis 6, while the board support strut 8 remains fixed in position.
With particular reference to Figures 2-4, details of the central fin 30,
according to the
preferred embodiment, are described. The central fin 30 is preferably a rigid
structure
formed of a high strength material, such as steel, with some form of coating
which allows
the central fin 30 to resist corrosion when placed in the operating
environment
extending down from the running surface 18 of the board 10. The central fin 30
is
preferably a largest of all of the fins 30 and is aligned within a central
plane extending
vertically down from a central axis extending from the nose 12 to the tail 14.
The central fin 30 includes a top edge 32 which is placed adjacent the running
surface 18. A series of mount screws 33 pass through the central mount holes
13 and
extend into the top edge 32 of the fin 30 to secure the central fin 30 to the
running
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surface 18. Preferably, more central mount holes 13 are provided than are
necessary, at
uniformly spaced locations, and the central fin 30 can thus be readily mounted
at various
different positions along the central axis of the running surface 18. In this
way, a user
can customize performance of the board 10 by adjusting a position of the fin
30 front to
rear. Also, by removing the mount screws 33, one central fin 30 (such as that
depicted in
the drawings herein) could be substituted for a central fin having a different
geometry,
made of a different material, or otherwise exhibiting different performance
characteristics.
The central fin 30 includes a bottom edge 34 opposite the top edge 32. This
bottom
edge 34 defines a portion of the central fm 30 which typically engages the
underlying
snow/ice during operation of the snow vehicle 2 (Figure 8). Hence, this bottom
edge 34
benefits from inclusion of a carbide insert 35 of hardened carbide steel, or
other
particularly hard material. This carbide insert 35 preferably extends along
only portions
of the bottom edge 34 which would engage the snow/ice or other underlying
surface
when this underlying surface is particularly hard. Hence, it is not required
that the
carbide insert 35 have a length as long as the bottom edge 34. The central fin
30
extends from a front tip 36 to a rear tip 38. This overall length is
preferably
approximately half of an overall length of the board 10. However, a length of
the central
fin 30 could be modified according to various different alternative
embodiments.
With particular reference to Figures 2-4, details of the skegs 40, according
to the
preferred embodiment, are described. The skegs 40 act as side fins to further
allow the
board 10 to steer effectively, particularly on hard snow and ice. These skegs
40 not only
assist in steering, but also provide the board 10 with some form of lateral
balance when
particularly hard conditions exist, and the board 10 is riding up upon the fin
30 and
skegs 40.
The skegs 40 include top edges 42 which are adapted to abut the running
surface 18
of the board 10. Bottom edges 44 opposite the top edges 42 are adapted to come
into
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CA 02562813 2006-10-06
contact with the snow or other underlying surface upon which the board 10 is
sliding.
Most preferably, a carbide insert 45 (Figure 4) is provided on the skegs 40,
generally
similar to the carbide insert 35 of the central fin 30 (Figures 2 and 3).
Alternatively, the
skegs 40 can be formed without such a carbide insert 45. The skegs 40
typically do not
extend downward from the running surface 18 quite as far as the central fin
30.
However, a depth of the skegs 40 between the top edges 42 and bottom edges 44
could
be varied to customize the board 10 with a desired performance. Mount screws
47
extend through the side mount holes 17 in the board 10 and into the top edges
42 of the
skegs 40 for mounting of the skegs 40 upon the running surface 18 of the board
10.
With particular reference to Figures 6 and 7, details of the first alternative
board 110
and second alternative board 210 are described. The first alternative board
110 (Figure
6) is similar to the board 10 of the preferred embodiment except for the
particular
configuration of the alternative central fin 130 and alternative skegs 140. In
particular,
the central fin 130 is not provided with a planar form, exhibiting a
substantially constant
thickness, as with the central fin 30 of the preferred embodiment (Figures 2
and 3).
Rather, the first alternative central fin 130 has a tapering form with a
unique narrow
notched shape and is configured in this embodiment to include a carbide tip
135. The
first alternative skegs 140 are triangular in cross-section to maximize an
ability of the first
alternative board 110 to carve turns in soft snow. Side edges 115 of the first
alternative
board 110 and second alternative board 210 (Figure 7) are further provided to
enhance
carving of such turns, in soft and medium hard snow.
With the second alternative board 210, the fins 230 and skegs 240 are further
slightly modified. With the second alternative central fin 230, the central
fin 230 is
wider than the central fin 30 of the preferred embodiment and again includes a
carbide
tip 235. The second alternative skegs 240 include carbide tips 245 and are
triangular in
shape, but with a tapering side facing outwardly, in contrast to the first
alternative skegs
140 of the first alternative board 110 (Figure 6). In such a configuration,
carving
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characteristics of the board 10 are somewhat less aggressive as that depicted
with the
first alternative board 110, but with side edges 215 similar to those provided
with the
first alternative board 110 and the board 10 of the preferred embodiment. The
alternative boards 110, 210 thus illustrate how various different fin and skeg
configurations can be utilized to alter performance of the board 10 as
desired.
With particular reference to Figure 5, details of a third alternative board
310 and an
associated pivoting fin 330 are described. With this third alternative board
310, a slot
312 is provided through which a pivoting fin 330 is mounted. This pivoting fin
330 can
either be fixed at various different depth positions relative to the board 310
or
configured to be adjustably positionable depending on forces applied to the
pivoting
pin 330 (or both).
In a first form, this third alternative board 310 has the pivoting fin 330
coupled to the
board 310 through a suspension 320. The suspension 320 includes a board mount
322
and a fin mount 324 with a spring 326 interposed between the board mount 322
and fin
mount 324. A central shaft 328 extends between the board mount 322 and fin
mount
324, with this central shaft 328 pivotably supported at a first end and
slidably supported
at a second end.
Ends 329 of the spring 326 include large diameter rigid portions which engage
ends
of the linear compression spring 326. This spring 326 causes the pivoting fm
330 to
pivot downward about a pivot axle 332 pivotably mounting the pivoting fin 330
to the
third alternative board 310. The pivoting fin 330 includes a top edge 334 with
a lever
336 extending upwardly therefrom and to which the fm mount 324 of the
suspension
320 is attached A bottom edge 338 of the pivoting fin 330 is opposite the top
edge
334 and adapted to contact snow or other surface underlying the third
alternative board
310. A carbide insert 339 is shown on this bottom edge 338 of the pivoting fin
330.
When the third alternative board 310 is in soft snow, or otherwise no forces
are
acting upon the pivoting fin 330 other than gravity forces and the forces of
the spring
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326, the spring 326 causes the pivoting fm 330 to pivot downwardly a maximum
amount to maximize a depth with which the pivoting fin 330 can extend into
snow,
such as soft powder snow. In this way, the pivoting fin 330 provides a maximum
extent
of surface area to allow the board 10 to turn within soft snow. When the snow
is harder,
or obstacles are encountered by the pivoting fm 330, forces act upon the
bottom edge
338 of the pivoting fin 330, causing the spring 326 to be compressed, and
causing the
pivoting fm 330 to pivot upwardly about the pivot axle 332, so that less of
the pivoting
fin 330 extends down from the third alternative board 310. Optionally, the
central shaft
328 can be in the form of a shock absorber, to damp out any vibration or
oscillation
tendencies of the spring 26 and pivoting fin 330.
As an alternative for the third alternative board 310, or in addition to the
suspension
320, the pivoting pin 330 can be positioned through utilization of a lockout
bracket
350. The lockout bracket 350 includes a flange 352 preferably mounted upon the
third
alternative board 310. A hole 354 is located in the flange 352. A mufti-hole
array 356 is
formed in the pivoting fin 330. Each of the holes in the mufti-hole array 356
can be
aligned with the hole 354 in the flange 352. A bolt, or other pin can be
passed through
the hole 352 in one of the holes in mufti-hole array 356 to lock the pivoting
fin 330 in a
desired position. In this way, a user selectable depth for the pivoting fin
330 is
provided. In such an arrangement, the pivoting fin 330 could be configured to
slide up
and down rather than pivoting, and still provide for depth adjustment to a
desired depth.
Such user controlled depth adjustment can be provided separate from the
suspension
320, or in addition to the suspension 320. If no suspension 320 is provided,
pivoting fin
330 adjustment is only provided by a user utivzing the lockout bracket 350 and
associated holes in the mufti-hole array 356. If both the suspension 320 a.nd
lockout
bracket 350 are utilized together, the pivoting pin 330 can be automatically
height
positioned by merely providing no pin between the lockout bracket 350 and the
multi-
hole array 356, so that the pivoting pin 330 can freely pivot up and down,
other than
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through forces exerted on the pivoting fin 330 by the spring 326. If the user
wishes to
lockout the suspension 320 and lock the position of the pivoting fin 330, the
user
would merely utilize an appropriate pin through the hole 354 in the flange 352
and one
of the holes in the multi-hole array 356 so that the pivoting fin 330 can be
positioned
precisely where desired. The third alternative board 310 can also be
configured where
the suspension 320 is provided without the lockout bracket 350, so that the
pivoting fm
330 is always adjustable. Figure 5 thus depicts a composite drawing of both
alternatives
of the third alternative board 310 together, even though these two
alternatives can be
provided either together or separately.
This disclosure is provided to reveal a preferred embodiment of the invention
and a
best mode for practicing the invention. Having thus described the invention in
this way,
it should be apparent that various different modifications can be made to the
preferred
embodiment without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention
disclosure.
When structures are identified as a means to perform a function, the
identification is
intended to include all structures which can perform the function specified.
When
structures of this invention are identified as being coupled together, such
language
should be interpreted broadly to include the structures being coupled directly
together
or coupled together through intervening structures. Such coupling could be
permanent
or temporary and either in a rigid fashion or in a fashion which allows
pivoting, sliding or
other relative motion while still providing some form of attachment, unless
specifically
restricted.
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