Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02596591 2007-08-01
RECREATION DEVICE FOR SLIDING DOWNHILL ON A SURFACE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of devices on which a user can
slide downhill
on snowy surfaces and the like. More particularly, the invention relates to
devices on which a
user reclines while riding downhill, such as sleds, luges and toboggans.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the prior art, there have been numerous devices that a user can ride
downhill on
snowy or icy surfaces. The most popular of these include skis, snowboards,
sleds, toboggans
and luges. With skis and snowboards, the user rides downhill while standing;
whereas, with
sleds, luges and toboggans, the user is either seated or reclined directly on
the device.
Heretofore, there has not been a device that provides the user with the unique
experience of
feeling like he or she is 'flying' over the snow.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention provides a novel recreation device on which
the rider
is suspended above the snowy or like surface, either in a generally horizontal
position ¨ face up
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or face down ¨ or in a reclined position, thereby providing the rider with a
unique experience or
sensation.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a
recreation
apparatus for sliding downhill on a snow covered surface and the like,
comprising a slide
member having a top and a low friction bottom adapted for sliding on the
surface, a support
connected to the top of the slide member and extending upward away therefrom,
and a harness
suspended from the support, wherein the support and harness are adapted to
suspend a user of
the apparatus above the surface. The support and the harness may be adapted to
suspend the
user in a horizontal position, either face up or face down.
In some embodiments, the slide member may be a conventional ski or snowboard
having mount points on the top, and the support may be adapted for connecting
to the mount
points. A steering mechanism may be included connected to the support or the
slide member,
and adapted for being actuated by the user to steer the apparatus while it is
in motion. Some
embodiments may include a handhold connected to the support or the slide
member, and
adapted for being grasped by the user. In some embodiments, the support
comprises a keel
portion that is connected to the slide member, a mast portion connected to the
keel portion and
extending upwards from the slide member, and a boom portion connected to the
mast portion
for suspending the harness over the slide member. Alternatively, the support
may comprise a
keel connected to the top of the slide member, a mast connected to the keel
and extending
upwards from the slide member, and a cantilevered boom connected to the mast
and extending
over the slide member for suspending the harness over the slide member. The
mast may be
connected for hinged movement in relation to the keel such that the mast may
be swung from
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an upright position to a folded position in which it is generally parallel
with the keel. The boom
may be connected for hinged movement in relation to the mast such that the
boom may be
swung from an operable position in which the boom is generally perpendicular
to the mast, to a
folded position in which the boom is generally parallel with the mast.
In some embodiments, the steering mechanism comprises two parallel arms, each
hingedly connected to the support on either side of the median plane of the
apparatus, and each
having a remote end that extends rearward beyond the periphery of the slide
member, each arm
being independently moveable by the user between a first position in which the
remote end
scrapes the surface and a second position in which the remote end is removed
from the
surface. The steering mechanism may further include a planar rudder connected
to each remote
end for contacting and scraping the surface when the arm is in the first
position, as well as a
foot harness connected to each remote end for receiving a user's foot thereby
enabling the user
to move each arm with his feet. An adjustable strap may be provided that is
connected between
the boom and each rudder arm for supporting the weight of the user's legs.
In some embodiments, the recreation device may include at least one tilt
generator that
connects the support to the slide member, and having an actuator means that
receives input
from a user and causes the tilt generator to impart a motive force to the
slide member to tilt the
slide member about a longitudinal axis relative to the support. The tilt
generator may comprise
of a hinge connector for connecting the slide member to the support such that
the slide member
is able to tilt about a longitudinal axis relative to the support, a cam
movably mounted on each
side of the support and being connected to the actuator means in a manner that
the actuator
means simultaneously causes the cam on one side to move in one direction and
the cam on the
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opposite side to move in an opposite direction, and a corresponding number of
cam followers
mounted on the slide member such that the cam followers cooperate with the
cams to impart
the motive force to the slide member to tilt the slide member relative to the
support. The tilt
generator may also include a disk member rotatably mounted on the support on
which the cams
are mounted at diametrically opposed portions, one cam on each side of the
support, and the
movement of the cams results from the rotation of the disk member. In some
embodiments, the
disk member may include a circumferential groove on its edge, and the actuator
may be a cable
wound around the disk member within the groove, and a lever that is moveable
by the user and
to which the cable ends are connected whereby movement of the lever translates
to rotation of
the disk member and hence movement of the cams.
The present invention further provides an apparatus for attaching to a
conventional
snowboard to provide a recreation device for sliding downhill on a snow
covered surface and
the like, comprising a support adapted to being connected to the snowboard and
extending
upward away therefrom, and a harness suspended from the support, wherein the
support and
harness are adapted to suspend a user of the device above the surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly
how it may
be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example to the
accompanying
drawings:
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Fig. 1 A side view of an embodiment of a recreation device of the present
invention in
which the rider is suspended in a generally horizontal, face down (i.e. prone)
body position;
Fig. 2 A side view of the device of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 A side view of the device of Fig. 1 in a collapsed configuration;
Fig. 4 A side view of a front portion of the device in Fig. 1 with a portion
of the keel cut
away, exposing the front mounting assembly;
Fig. 5 A front exploded view of the front mounting assembly;
Fig. 6 A top plan view of the portion of the device in Fig. 4 with the
interior and
underlying structure being shown with dashed lines;
Fig. 7 A cross section A-A of the front portion of the device in Fig. 4;
Fig. 8 A side view of a rear portion of the device in Fig. 1 showing the rear
mounting
assembly and mast socket assembly;
Fig. 9 A side view of the rear portion in Fig. 8 with a part of the side plate
cut away;
Fig. 10 A cross section B-B of the portion of the device in Fig. 8;
Fig. 11 A side view of a portion of the device in Fig. 1 showing the rear part
of the boom,
the top of the mast and the connector bracket;
Fig. 12 A bottom view of the portion of the device in Fig. 11;
Fig. 13 A mid-line section of a rudder fitting;
Fig. 14 A side view of the rudder fitting in Fig. 13;
Fig. 15 A top view of the rudder fitting in Fig. 13;
Fig. 16 A side view of the rudder fitting from the side opposite of that in
Fig. 14;
Fig. 17 A top view of a rear portion of the device in Fig. 1, excluding the
mast and boom,
showing the steering/braking assembly;
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Fig. 18 A side view of another embodiment of a recreation device of the
present
invention that suspends a user in a generally horizontal, face down (i.e.
prone) body position;
Fig. 19 A top view of the device of Fig. 18;
Fig. 20A side view of another embodiment of a recreation device of the present
invention that has a loop frame support;
Fig. 21 A side view of a loop frame of the device of Fig. 20;
Fig. 22 A side view of another embodiment of a recreation device of the
present
invention that suspends a user in a generally face up (i.e. supine) body
position;
Fig. 23 A side view of a further embodiment of a recreation device of the
present
invention;
Fig. 24 A top view of the device in Fig. 23, excluding the mast and boom;
Fig. 25 A bottom view of a rear portion of the boom of the device in Fig. 23;
Fig. 26 A bottom view of the handlebar assembly of the device in Fig. 23;
Fig. 27 A longitudinal section of a tilting mount assembly of the device in
Fig. 23;
Fig. 28 A cross section view of a titling mount assembly of the device in Fig.
23;
Fig. 29 A longitudinal section of a tilting mount assembly in Fig. 27 shown
with a
dust/snow boot;
Fig. 30 A side view of another embodiment of a dust/snow boot that completely
encloses
a tilting mount assembly;
Fig. 31 A cross section view of a titling mount assembly of the device in Fig.
23 shown
imparting a tilt to the snowboard;
Fig. 32 A cross section view of another embodiment of a titling mount assembly
shown
imparting a tilt to the snowboard;
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Fig. 33 A cross section view of a further embodiment of a titling mount
assembly shown
in a neutral position;
Fig. 34 A top view showing the path of the cable around the rotating cam
members of the
device in Fig. 23; and
Fig. 35 A side view of a further embodiment of a recreation device of the
present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the accompanying drawings, like numerals indicate the same elements. It
will be
understood that the present disclosure is an exemplification of the principles
of the invention
and does not limit the invention to the illustrated embodiments. Therefore,
specific details
disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis
for the claims and as
a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the
present invention.
Directional references such a up, down, fore, aft, left, right, rearward and
the like refer to the
device in the orientation in which it would be normally used for sliding
downhill and from the
point of view of the user.
Referring to Figs. 1 - 17, an embodiment of the recreation device is generally
indicated
at 10. Device 10 includes a harness 12 suspended from a support comprising an
elongate
tubular boom 14, a tubular mast 18 and a tubular keel 22. The boom 14 is
connected to the top
portion 16 of mast 18. The bottom portion 20 of the mast is connected to a
keel 22, which is
connected to a slide member having a low friction bottom adapted for sliding
on snow covered
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surfaces, such as a conventional snowboard 24, but could also be a ski, mono-
ski and the like.
It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that such winter devices may
be used for sliding
down other surfaces that mimic the sensation of a snow covered surface; for
example
conventional snowboards and skis have been used for sliding down sand dunes or
on inclined
ramps having low friction surface. Accordingly, while the invention herein is
described in the
context of its conventional use on snow covered surfaces, the other uses of
the invention should
also be borne in mind on alternative surfaces. Device 10 also includes a
steering/braking
assembly 26. Boom 14 is hinged to mast 18, and mast 18 and steering/braking
assembly 26 are
each independently hinged to keel 22, thereby enabling device 10 to be
collapsed into a folded
configuration as shown in Fig. 3.
Referring to Figs. 2-7, keel 22 comprises an elongate tubular member,
generally
rectangular in cross-section, and having front and rear end portions 28 and
30. A riser tube 32 is
connected at the front end portion 28 and extends forward and upward away from
the keel. At
terminal end 33 of riser tube 32 is provided a handhold, such as handle bar 34
for bracing the
front of the rider's body in absorbing shocks and in shifting the rider's
weight fore, aft or
sideways to control the board in conjunction with the rudders or the brakes.
The handlebar may
be adjustable for height as well as fore and aft, and it may be attached to a
sprung stem (similar
to those used on mountain bicycles) for absorbing shocks. The handlebars may
also be foldable
to reduce overall width for transport or storage. Other configurations of a
handlebar are
possible, and it may be attached to the slide member instead of the keel.
The keel 22 includes front and rear mounting assemblies 36 and 38 for mounting
the
keel to the snowboard 24. The spacing between the mounting assemblies 36 and
38
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corresponds to the spacing between the mount points on the snowboard. Each of
the mounting
assemblies comprises a mount bracket 40 for bolting to the corresponding mount
point of the
snowboard. Mount brackets 40 include a rectangular plate portion 42 having a
planar contact
surface 44 and a raised side flange portion 46 on each side with a transverse
threaded hole 47.
The plate portion 42 includes a plurality of slotted holes 48 to accommodate
the diversity in the
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spacing and pattern of the threaded holes 25 found in the mount points of
conventional
snowboards.
Referring to Figs. 4-7, in the front mounting assembly 36, the mount bracket
is
connected to a resiliently flexible polymer link member 50 via bolts 52 that
pass through the
threaded holes 47 on the flange portions and through transverse bore 54 in the
bottom portion
of the link member. The bottom of the keel is provided with an opening 56
through which the top
portion of the link member is inserted into the keel. Holes 58 are provided
through the sides of
the keel that aligns with bore 60 through the top portion of the link member.
Bolts 62 fasten the
link member to the keel. Accordingly, the link member at the front is recessed
into the keel to
allow more height for this flexible link, while maintaining the keel as low as
possible relative to
the snowboard thereby minimizing the folded height of the device. If more
direct control is
required, the polymer link in the front mounting assembly 36 may be replaced
with a more rigid
link member as shown in Fig. 35.
Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, in the rear mounting assembly 38, the mount
bracket is
connected to the keel 22 by two triangular plates 66 (one on each side), each
of which includes
holes 67, 68 and 69 at the apexes. The plates 66 are bolted to the mount
bracket by means of
the holes 67 in the flanges 47, and to the sides of the keel by means of holes
(not shown) that
align with holes 68 and 69 in the triangular plates. Accordingly, the rear
mounting assembly
allows the board to rotate longitudinally around the rear of the keel to
accommodate bending of
the board during use, but transmits all sideways "lean" forces from the mast
to the board.
Alternatively, if a softer suspension (and link between the keel and the
board) is desired, the
rigid links in the rear mounting assembly may be substituted with a polymer
mount as in the
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front mounting assembly. A foot strap 70 is included on the top of keel 22
adjacent the rear
mounting assembly for use by the rider in 'scootering' the device to and from
a chairlift or on
generally horizontal surfaces.
Referring to Figs. 8-10, to the rear end 30 of the keel 22 is bolted a mast
socket
assembly 74 for hingedly connecting the mast 18 and the steering/braking
assembly 26 to the
keel. The mast socket assembly 74 comprises two side plates 76 and 78 (each a
mirror image
of the other) that are each fastened near their bottom portion to a side of
the keel 22 by
fasteners 80. The side plates 76 and 78 extend upwards and taper inward to
accommodate for
the mast that is narrower than the keel. A bolt 82 extends between the plates
and through the
mast at a location above the keel. The bolt 82 includes a hard plastic spacer
83 that fits
between the side plates 76 and 78, and rests on the keel. The cross section of
the spacer is
trapezoidal in shape. The bottom edge 86 of the mast includes a complimentary
tapered slot 88
on each side that corresponds to the spacer 83 so that the bottom of the mast
fits snugly over
the spacer when the mast is fully inserted in the mast socket assembly. The
spacer provides a
fixed width for the pivot bolt to be tightened against to prevent distortion
of side plates 76 and
78, and it provides a wider load bearing surface for the slots 88 in the mast
to contact (as
opposed to just bearing on bolt 82) to prevent distortion in the walls of the
slots since this area is
highly loaded due to the moment placed on the mast by the rider's weight.
In the tapered portion of each side plate 76 and 78, and in vertical alignment
with the
bolt 82 is provided a vertical slot 84. The lower portion of the mast further
includes a hole 90
through the mast that aligns with the slots 84 on the side plates 76 and 78.
The mast is
connected to the side plates by a quick release clamp 92, which has a shaft 94
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through the slots 84 and hole 90 while the mast is received within the mast
socket assembly. A
rigid tubular spacer 96 having a length equal to the inside dimension of the
mast is fitted on the
shaft 94 within the mast, and allows the clamp 92 to be tightened without
crushing the mast.
Rigid plastic spacers 96 and 97 are provided to fill the gap due to the
difference in width of the
keel and the narrower mast and to provide extra support.
With the clamp 92 being released, the mast can be raised or lowered within the
confines
provided by the shaft 94 of the clamp traveling within slots 84. The bolt 82,
the slots 84 and the
hole 90 are relatively positioned so as to enable the bottom edge 86 of the
mast to clear the
spacer 83 when the mast is at its upper end of travel, and to enable the slots
88 to fully engage
the spacer 83 when the mast is at its lower end of travel. With the clamp 92
tightened, the top
portions of the side plates 76 and 78 grip the mast to prevent movement of the
mast in relation
to the plates. Accordingly, the mast may be locked into an upright alignment
by fitting the slots
88 over the spacer 83 and tightening the clamp 92, and it may be folded
parallel to the keel by
releasing the clamp, sliding the mast upward such that the slots 88 clear the
spacer 83. The
mast is held snugly in the socket when the quick release clamp 92 is
tightened, and any weight
shifting inputs from the rider are transmitted directly to the keel and to the
snowboard to allow
precise control of the device.
Referring to Figs. 11 and 12, boom 14 is connected to mast 18 for hinged
movement in
relation thereto by connector bracket 98 such that the boom may be swung from
a position in
which it is cantilevered by the mast ¨ being generally perpendicular to the
mast, to a folded
position in which the boom is generally parallel with the mast. Connector
bracket 98 comprises
side plates 100 and 101 (one on each side), each of which is generally
pentagonal in shape and
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includes a hole near each of its apexes. Plates 100 and 101 are connected to
each other at the
lower fore and aft apexes by bolts 106 and 107, and internal tubular spacers
109 and 110, and
by quick release clamps 112 and 113 at the upper apexes, thereby providing a
bracket for
slidably receiving boom 14 in a manner that the boom is supported by bolts 106
and 107. A rigid
reinforcement plate 108 is provided on the lower side of the boom to prevent
excess loading on
the boom that could otherwise lead to buckling at the points where the boom
rests on internal
spacers 109 and 110 on the bolts 106 and 107. The boom 14 may be clamped
tightly within the
connector bracket 98 by tightening the quick release clamps 112 and 113, which
force the
plates 100 and 101 to grip the boom. The quick release clamps are analogous to
the kinds of
quick release clamps typically used on bicycles. The quick release clamps
allow the boom to be
disassembled easily from the mast, or to be adjusted fore and aft as required
to accommodate
riders of different sizes or preferences for fore and aft weight distribution
of the rider's weight
relative to the snowboard.
The connector bracket 98 is hingedly attached to top end of mast 18 by pivot
bolts 114
and 115, each of which passes through a corresponding hole that is provided
through the top
portion 16 of the mast at a position that is offset towards the rear of the
center of the mast. The
rearward offset enables the boom to be folded parallel to the mast when
collapsing the device
10.
A spring clip boom lock 118 is provided on the bottom of the boom that
releasably
engages a pin 120 on the front of the mast when the boom reaches a position in
which it is
approximately perpendicular to the mast. When engaged, the boom lock maintains
the boom at
about a 90 degree angle to the mast and prevents it from rotating. In this
orientation the boom
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may be used to control the device when scootering towards a chair lift and
when dismounting
the chair lift. Having the boom thus locked also allows the rider to
distribute the weight of the
device over the top of his legs when on a chairlift, with the boom sitting
upon the legs. The
boom lock has a large release lever portion allowing use while wearing gloves.
Prior to use of
the device for sliding downhill, the boom lock is disengaged from the pin to
allow rotation of the
boom relative to the mast. An alternative lock arrangement may include a
release mechanism
and cable inside the mast that is triggered when the steering/braking
mechanism is folded
backwards for use, such that the cable retracts a pin and releases the boom
catch
automatically.
The tubular boom 14 includes removable but securely inserted end caps 122 that
allow
the inside of the tube to be used for storage.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, harness 12 comprises a form fitting fabric member
124 that is
adapted to support the torso of a user in a generally horizontal position.
Fabric member 124 is
attached by adjustable straps 126 to quick release hooks 128 and 129 that
connect to
suspension shackles 130 and 131 on the boom for suspending the harness below
the boom.
The harness can be a strap-on type (as shown) or it can be integral with a
jacket (not shown). In
either case, a pull cord 132 attached to the quick release hooks 128 and 129
and positioned
near one shoulder of the rider allows the rider to release the quick release
hooks by pulling on
the cord. This makes dismounting easier and allows easy disengagement from the
device if the
rider falls over. The rear shackle 131 is attached to the boom through one of
a number of
longitudinally arranged holes 134, thereby enabling a fore-aft adjustment of
the shackle 131 to
accommodate riders of different torso length or preferences. Additional fore
and aft adjustment
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of the harness as a unit is accomplished by sliding the boom in the connector
bracket 98 by
using the quick release clamps 112 and 113. In some embodiments, the harness
can
incorporate attachments that allow it to be used as a back pack, with the
device attached to it,
for hiking into the back-country. As well, the harness may include built in
storage compartments
or pockets.
Steering/braking assembly 26 comprises left and right rudder arm pivot members
136
and 138 that are attached to the mast socket assembly by means of the bolt 82
such that each
is able to rotate independently in relation to the mast socket assembly. The
rudder arm pivot
members each include a tubular portion 140 in which is securely connected left
or right tubular
rudder arm 141 and 142, and a planar portion 144 which is adapted to rest
flush against the
respective side plate 76 or 78 of the mast socket assembly. In between each
planar portion and
side plate of the mast socket assembly is a thin plastic bearing sheet 146 to
reduce friction. The
pivot, members are designed for minimum sideways deflection when the lateral
steering loads
are applied to them. As well, the location of the pivot point (the point of
attachment to the mast
socket assembly by bolt 82) of each pivot member is offset rearwards to
provide more forward
support to resist the lateral twisting force applied to the pivot as a result
of steering inputs.
At the remote end of each rudder arm 141 and 142 is a rudder fitting 148 by
which a
rudder 150 and foot harness 152 is attached to the rudder arm. The foot
harness can be as
simple as a pad and strap that fits the rider's toe, or it can be a swiveling
pedal with step-in or
strapped-in bindings, or a "clipless" pedal as used on bicycles. Both rudder
arms have the same
fitting installed, with the larger hole 154 for receiving the foot harness 152
facing outwards. Each
rudder 150 is bolted to downward facing tab 156 of its respective rudder
fitting. Each rudder
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fitting is secured to its rudder arm by bolts through clamp tab 158, and both
rudder fittings are
adjustable fore and aft along the rudder arms to accommodate varying rider leg
lengths. Each
rudder is set at an acute angle - preferably a 45 degree angle - outward to
the longitudinal axis
of the rudder arm on which it is mounted. This configuration enables the
rudders to be used for
both steering (when applied individually) and braking (when applied in
unison). In addition, each
rudder is shaped and angled to provide an upward force on its rudder arm when
in use, thereby
preventing them from self-applying and digging deeper into the snow than
intended by the rider,
and such that a small area at the leading edge contacts the snow first
allowing the rudder to
more effectively dig into hard packed snow or ice.
An adjustable rudder suspension strap 162 is connected to the rear portion of
boom 14
and includes a block 164 through which a line 166 is run and connected to each
rudder arm.
The rudder suspension strap 162 maintains each rudder arm above the snow when
the rider's
body is suspended in the harness 12, and the block 164 and line 166 provide a
pulley
mechanism to transmit a downward movement of one rudder arm into an upward
movement of
the other rudder arm. A boom travel limiting strap 168 comprising of an
internal elastic bungee
cord 170 within a fixed length webbing element 171 is connected to the back of
the keel and to
the rudder suspension strap 162. The bungee cord pulls the rear of the boom
down when the
rider removes his weight from the harness, thereby applying a braking force to
the device by
allowing both rudder arms to fall causing the rudders to dig into the snow.
The fixed length-
webbing element of the travel limiting strap 168 prevents the strap from
lengthening beyond a
particular limit, thus it counterbalances the rider's weight in the harness.
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Referring to Fig. 3, in order to fold the device into its collapsed
configuration (as
illustrated), the boom 14 is pivoted backward on pivot bolts 114 and 115 so
that the boom is
substantially parallel to the mast 18. Clamp 92 is loosened and the mast
(together with the
boom) is pivoted forward so that it is substantially parallel with the keel
22, and the front of the
boom rests on the handlebars 34. The rudder arms 141 and 142 are also folded
forward and lie
on either side of the keel 22. To deploy the device from collapsed
configuration, the rudder arms
are folded over backwards so that the rudders contact the snow. If needed, the
rudders can be
pressed down into the snow using foot pressure to act as "parking brakes". The
rider then lifts
the boom from the front. As it is lifted up and rearwards it starts to lift
the mast. As the mast lifts,
the boom can be pivoted simultaneously forward. When the boom becomes
perpendicular to the
mast, the boom lock 118 engages pin 120 and stops further rotation of the boom
relative to the
mast. The bottom of the mast is seated into the mast socket 74 such that slots
88 are firmly
seated over spacer 83, and the quick release clamp 92 is tightened. The limit
strap 168 is
connected onto the rear of the keel. Alternatively this strap can be left
attached and loosened for
folding then re-tightened to use the device (the straps between the rudder
arms and the back of
the boom remain in place and have enough slack to allow folding the rudder
arms over). The
bungee in the strap pulls the rear of the boom downwards.
Further adjustment of the device is accomplished by adjusting the straps 126
of the
harness; by adjusting the fore and aft position of the boom relative to the
mast using quick
release clamps 112 and 113; the angle of the boom by adjusting the strap 162;
the leverage
applied to the rudder arms by the fore-aft placement of the line 166 along the
rudder arms; and
the position of the rudders and foot harnesses along the rudder arms by the
positioning of the
rudder fittings 148.
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To mount the device, the rider dons the harness 12, releases boom lock 118 and
attaches quick release catches 128 and 129 to the shackles 130 and 131 on the
boom. Once
the strap 162 has been adjusted, the rider transfers his or her weight to the
harness. This
causes the boom to rotate forward and tightens the rudder straps, which lifts
the rudder arms.
When the boom limit strap 168 becomes tight, the boom and harness support the
rider's weight.
Alternatively the rider can support his weight with his hands and knees while
pushing off or
placing his feet into the rudder foot harnesses. The rider can then start
coasting or push off with
his hands or feet. Once sliding, the rider then places his feet into the
rudder straps. With the
rider being suspended from the harness, the strap 162 and line 166 that attach
from the front of
the rudder arms to the rear of the boom maintain the rudders above the surface
of the snow,
even with the weight of the rider's legs resting in the foot straps. The
weight of the rider
suspended from the front of the boom is partially balanced by the force down
on the rudders
transmitted through the strap 162 and line 166 which can attach at different
leverage lengths on
the boom and rudder arms. The leverage lengths are adjustable to achieve a
balance when
riding.
The bungee cord 170 of the boom limit strap 168 pulls the rear of the boom
down when
the rider removes his weight, thereby applying the brakes by lowering the
rudder arms ¨ a
safety feature. It also automatically raises the front of the boom making it
more convenient for
the rider to attach himself to the device. When a rider is suspended from the
front of the boom,
the webbing portion 171 of this strap becomes tight, limiting the amount that
the boom can drop
at the front and thereby more fully supporting the rider's weight.
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When a given rudder is pressed down into the snow by the rider's leg, it
causes the
device to turn in the opposite direction due to it being angled outward as
previously described:
right leg down turns the device to the left, and vice versa. The more the
rudder is pressed down
into the snow, the more turning action results. When both legs are pressing
down, and the
rider's body is supported somewhat by his hands and feet to un-weight the
front of the boom to
allow downward travel of the rudder arms, then both rudders penetrate the snow
and act as
brakes. When the rider's weight is removed from the device, the brakes
automatically press
down into the snow due to the action of the bungee, thereby preventing a
runaway device. In
addition, the device is inherently unstable when not in use on account of its
high center of
gravity; the device without rider will fall over onto its side after moving
only a short distance.
Dismounting and folding is the reverse of the above.
When transporting the device on flat terrain, such as when loading onto or
unloading
from a chairlift, the boom can be locked in perpendicular alignment with the
mast by the boom
lock 118 engaging pin 120. In this orientation, the boom may be used to
control the device when
scootering the device on flat terrain (i.e. with one foot in the foot strap 70
and the other pushing
off the snow to propel the device forward). On the chairlift, the rider
supports the weight of the
device by placing the boom across the top of his legs (or on the chair
structure) thus evenly
distributing the weight of the device over the legs to minimize problems of
restricted circulation
and numbness. A tether strap between the device and the rider may be provided
to prevent the
device being accidentally dropped from the chairlift.
Referring to Figs. 18 and 19, there is shown another embodiment of a
recreation device
of the present invention at 300 that does not fold and offers basic
adjustments as a lower cost
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CA 02596591 2007-08-01
alternative to device 10. Device 300 comprises a composite or reinforced
polymer frame 310
that incorporates the functionality of the keel, mast and boom of the
previously described
embodiment into a unitary support member having an analogous keel portion 322,
mast portion
316 and a cantilevered boom portion 314. The keel portion 322 is similarly
attached to the
snowboard 324 as in the device 10. The harness 312 is attached to boom portion
as in the
previous embodiment. The steering/braking assembly 326 is similar to that of
device 10, except
that the rudder foot harnesses 350 are just straps that the rider's toes fit
into. A foot pocket 370
for scootering is incorporated into the support on each side of the keel
portion. The support for
the rudders comprises of strong bungees 362, or alternatively, a spring
enclosed in a "boor' (to
prevent snow fouling).
Referring to Figs. 20 and 21, there is shown another embodiment of a
recreation device
of the present invention at 400. Device 400 includes a support comprising a
loop frame 414 with
suspension points 416 from which harness 412 is suspended within the loop. The
loop frame
414 is connected to a keel 422 that is analogous to the keel 22 of device 10.
The keel 422 is
connected to a slide member such as a conventional snowboard 424, but could
also be a ski,
mono-ski and the like. A steering assembly 426 is also provided comprising a
rudder assembly
430 connected to an elongate tubular rudder arm 428, which is attached to keel
422. The rudder
assembly 430 is capable of side-to-side rotation via swivel connection 429,
and up-down
rotation via swivel connection 431. The rudder assembly includes a rudder 432
and platform
434 by which the user transmits steering inputs to the rudder. Device 400 also
includes a
handlebar 436 connected to a stem 438 that is adjustable by means of a pivot
connection and a
quick release clamp mechanism 440 connecting the stem to the keel. The
handlebar includes
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CA 02596591 2007-08-01
bicycle style brake levers 442 that actuate snow brakes 444 on either side of
the snowboard via
cables 446.
Alternatively, the steering and braking functions on device 400 can be
combined by
using a steering/braking assembly that is similar to steering/braking assembly
26 of device 10. It
has been found that the steering/braking assembly 26 is considerable more
effective at stopping
the device than the snow brakes 444, and at steering the device than the
single rudder
assembly 430.
Referring to Fig. 22, there is shown another embodiment of a recreation device
of the
present invention at 500 on which a user is suspended in a generally supine
position as
illustrated. Device 500 comprises a harness 512 suspended from a loop frame
514 that is
similar to loop frame 414 in Fig. 21. The loop frame 514 is connected to a
keel 522 that is
analogous to the keel 422 of device 400, but includes a front neck 523 on
which is a swivel
mounted braking/steering platform 534 for supporting the user's feet and
transmitting steering
and braking inputs to the device. The keel 522 is connected to a slide member
such as a
conventional snowboard 524. A steering assembly 526 is also provided, which is
similar to
steering assembly 426 on device 400, except that actuation of the rudder 532
is accomplished
via cables 534 that link the rudder with the braking/steering platform 534.
Braking inputs from
the user are transmitted from the braking/steering platform 534 via cables 546
to snow brakes
544 on either side of the snowboard.
Referring to Figs. 23-34, there is shown a further embodiment of the
recreation device
generally indicated at 600. Having regard to Figs. 23-25, device 600 includes
a harness
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612 suspended from a support comprising an elongate tubular boom 614, a
tubular mast 618
and a tubular keel 622. The boom 614 has a slight bend and is angled upwards
to provide more
clearance at the front for the rider and a better angle at the rear to attach
and operate the rudder
lines. As shown in Fig. 25, the rear of the boom 614 includes two pulleys 760
for the two rudder
lines which are described below. The boom 614 is connected to the top portion
616 of mast 618.
The bottom portion 620 of the mast is connected to the keel 622, which is
connected to a slide
member having a low friction bottom adapted for sliding on snow covered
surfaces, such as a
conventional snowboard 624, but could also be a ski, mono-ski and the like.
Device 600 also
includes a steering/braking assembly 626. Boom 614 is hinged to mast 618, and
mast 618 and
steering/braking assembly 626 are each independently hinged to keel 622,
thereby enabling
device 600 to be collapsed into a folded configuration.
Keel 622 comprises an elongate tubular member, generally rectangular in cross-
section,
and having front and rear end portions 628 and 630. A riser tube 632 is
connected at the front
end portion 628 and extends forward and upward away from the keel. At terminal
end 633 of
riser tube 632 is provided a handle bar assembly 634. The keel 622 includes
front and rear
tilting mount assemblies 636 and 638 for mounting the keel to the snowboard
624 and imparting
a tilting force to the snowboard as will be described below. The spacing
between the tilting
mount assemblies 636 and 638 corresponds to the spacing between the mount
points on the
snowboard. A linkage such as cable 762 connects the handle bar assembly 634 to
the tilting
mount assemblies to cause the snowboard 624 to tilt relative to the mast
assembly and keel by
mechanisms that are described below. The purpose of the tilting mounts is that
when operating
the device in a traverse across a steep slope, especially in unfavorable snow
conditions, it is not
always possible to set enough of an edge to prevent sliding sideways downhill.
The tilting mount
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allows the rider to push "away" (toward the downhill side) on the handlebars
(which is necessary
to keep his weight to the uphill side as the board will be somewhat balanced
on the uphill edge).
When the bars are pushed away, the tilting mounts press the uphill side of the
snowboard
downward relative to the keel and mast assembly, providing the uphill edge
with more angle
relative to the slope and better ability to dig into the snow surface. This
feature is also useful
during hard turns and when sliding sideways to stop quickly. The tilting is
used in conjunction
with the rudders and weight shifting to offer very good control of the device.
Although the tilting
mounts are shown operated by a rotating handlebar, they could also be operated
by bicycle
style brake levers mounted on the handlebars, or any other mechanism that will
produce a "pull"
on the appropriate cable or cause the cam members to rotate when needed.
An adjustable foot strap 670 having a heel strap 671, and a serrated foot pad
672 are
included on the top of keel 622 adjacent the rear tilting mount assembly for
use by the rider in
'scootering' the device to and from a chairlift or on generally horizontal
surfaces. The heel strap
671 prevents the device from being inadvertently dropped while the rider is on
the chair lift.
Some riders may prefer to use a tether line which snaps onto their clothing
and to the device to
accomplish the same result.
To the rear end 630 of the keel 622 is bolted a mast socket assembly 674 for
hingedly
connecting the mast 618 and the steering/braking assembly 626 to the keel. The
mast socket
assembly 674 is basically the same as the mast socket assembly 74 of device
10, except that
instead of a clamp 92, the mast is held from moving upwards (and hence
disengaging) by a
large knob 692 which clamps onto a through bolt (not shown) that passes
through the side
plates, spacers and mast.
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Boom 614 is connected to mast 618 for hinged movement in relation thereto by a
connector bracket 698 very similar to that of device 10. Hence the boom may be
swung from a
position in which it is cantilevered by the mast, being generally
perpendicular to the mast, to a
folded position in which the boom is generally parallel with the mast. The
primary differences in
the connector bracket from that in device 10 is that the front of the plates
are curved to eliminate
a pinching hazard, and the plates include a hole 702 that corresponds to holes
703 (one of
which is hidden below side plate) on the mast through which the plates may be
selectively
connected to the mast by means of a push pin 705, that is a self locking pin
with a button to
operate a detent ball. Using the hole as show in Fig. 23 is for normal
operation, whereas hole
703 provides a lower angle to the boom placing it in a better attitude for
"scootering" in lift lines
and for when the device is being carried on the chairlift during which the
boom rests across the
rider's lap. A lower hole 704 is provided in the mast for storing the pin 705
when the unit is
folded.
Harness 612 comprises a form fitting fabric member 724 that is adapted to
support the
torso of a user and a lower leg support fabric member 725. The separate leg
support member
makes it more comfortable for some riders and easier to move around with the
harness on. Both
fabric members are attached by adjustable straps 726 to quick release snap
shackles 730 and
731 on the boom for suspending the harness below the boom. The front snap
shackle 731 is
attached to the boom through one of a number of longitudinally arranged holes
734, thereby
enabling a fore-aft adjustment of the snap shackle 731 to accommodate riders
of different torso
length or preferences. A pull cord 732 attached to the snap shackles and
positioned near one
shoulder of the rider allows the rider to release the snap shackles by pulling
on the cord. This
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makes dismounting easier and allows easy disengagement from the device if the
rider falls over.
The harness can be a strap-on type (as shown) or it can be integral with a
jacket (not shown). In
some embodiments, the harness can incorporate attachments that allow it to be
used as a back
pack, with the device attached to it, for hiking into the back-country.
Steering/braking assembly 626 is nearly identical to the steering/braking
assembly
described in relation to the embodiment of the device indicated as 10. The
rudder suspension
lines in this embodiment are attached to a ring 710 (Fig. 24) at the back of
the keel member 622
by a snap shackle 712. This shackle is released to detach and slacken the
lines and lower the
boom or fold the device. From the snap shackle 712, there are separate lines
for each rudder
that run up through the pulleys 760 at the rear of the boom (see Fig. 25),
then down to their
respective rudder arms and through a pulley attached to a sliding clamp 718
mounted on each
rudder arm. Each line then runs forward along the rudder arm and each is
secured at the base
of the mast with either a standard marine cleat or a standard marine jam
cleat. The sliding
clamps 718 with the pulleys on the rudder arms can be adjusted fore and aft to
balance the
riders weight with the force of their feet on the rudders. The length of the
rudder lines are
adjusted at the cleats, and the lines do not have to be disturbed during
folding of the device as
the lines are disconnected at the rear of the keel by means of the snap
shackle 712.
Referring to Figs. 23, 25 and 26, handlebar assembly 634 comprises a
horizontal
handlebar 730 connected to a near vertically oriented handlebar stem 732 and
terminating in
raised bar ends 734 on each side for improved grip and comfort for the rider.
The handlebar
stem 732 is rotatably mounted through the remote end of the riser tube 632 by
means of
bearings, bushings or other suitable means. The end of the handlebar stem on
the underside of
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the riser tube is fixedly connected to a horizontal actuator bar 736 that has
connector means
738 at each end to which the terminal ends of the cable 762 may be attached.
Horizontal
actuator 736 could also be a bell crank or have a circular pulley shape in
order to reduce or
prevent slackness in the cables as the mechanism is rotated. The cable ends
may be swaged
onto threaded adjusters attached to swiveling pins at each end of the actuator
bar (which are
common fittings typically used with cables) by way of example of suitable
connector means.
Accordingly, the turning of the horizontal handlebar 730 by the rider is
translated into a
corresponding turning of the actuator bar 736, which acts as a lever and pulls
on the attached
cable end for purposes of actuating the tilting mounts. Thus, the handlebar
assembly together
with the cable function as an actuator means that receives input from a user
and causes the
tilting mount assemblies to impart a tilting force to the snowboard relative
to the keel. In order
for the tilting to have the correct response, it is preferable that the
handlebars have some
resistance to turning under normal conditions so they can be used to control
the rider's side to
side weight shifting. To accomplish this, a stiff hairpin spring 738 is
fixedly connected around the
steering column such that the hairpin spring is stationary relative to the
actuator bar. A roller
lever 740 is attached to the rotatable handlebar stem and moves with it when
the handlebars
are rotated. The roller lever is positioned such that the roller is confined
between the hairpin
spring and contacts the arms of the hairpin spring. When the handlebar is
turned (shown in
phantom lines in Fig 26), the roller lever deforms the spring which tries to
return the assembly to
a central position thereby providing a centering bias to the handlebar. When
titling is necessary,
an extra push on the handlebar preferably causes it to overcome the centering
bias of the
spring. A stop block 742 may be provided to restrain the ends of the hairpin
spring under
substantial spring pressure. The magnitude of the centering bias can be
tailored to an
individuals weight and preference by changing to a stronger or weaker hairpin
spring and/or
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inserting a standard tension coil spring with hook ends between the two eyes
provided on the
ends of the hairpin spring. The centering bias could also be accomplished by a
ball and
detent/cam mechanism, or any other suitable mechanism.
Referring to Figs. 27 and 28, the front and rear tilting mount assemblies 636
and 638 are
illustrated. The tilting mount assemblies function to connect the snowboard to
the keel and also
as tilt generators to impart a motive force to the snowboard to cause the
snowboard to tilt or
rotate relative to the keel about a longitudinal axis. Both tilting mount
assemblies are very
similar in structure hence the rear tilting mount assembly will be described
in detail, and then the
differences in structure of the front tilting mount assembly will be
described. Rear titling mount
assembly 638 comprises a base plate 746 that bolts to the snowboard mounting
holes, and has
a cast or molded bracket 748 for supporting an axle 749 therein in
longitudinal alignment with
the keel, and a pair of brackets 750, each displaced laterally from the
bracket 748, and each
including a roller 752 rotatably mounted therein and having a plane of
rotation oriented
longitudinally with the snowboard. About axle 749 is mounted a threaded rod
end 754 that has
its threaded rod portion 755 mounted through a washer 756 that rests against
the eye of the rod
end, a cam retainer plate 757, a rotating cam member 764, a top plate 765, the
keel 622, and
which is secured on the upper side of the keel by a flat or recessed nut 766.
Accordingly, the
aforementioned parts are clamped together between the washer 756 and the nut
766 as the nut
is tightened on the threads of the rod end. In addition, the axle 749 passes
through the eye of
the rod end thereby connecting the base plate 746, the roller assembly, and
the snowboard to
the keel. Thus the rod end and axle assembly functions as a hinge connector
that connects the
snowboard to the keel in a manner that allows the snowboard to rotate or tilt
relative to the keel
about a longitudinal axis. Spacers 768 are provided on the axle 749 on either
side of the rod
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end between the bracket and the eye of the rod end for centering the rod end
relative to the axle
and preventing the rod end from moving along the axle. Rotating cam member 764
comprises a
ring base portion 770 having a circumferential groove 771 on its outer edge.
Groove 771 is
adapted for receiving the cable 762 therein as it wraps around the cam member.
On
diametrically opposed portions of the base portion, and facing toward the
snowboard, are
provided sloped cams having cam surfaces 772 and 773, each of which abuts a
respective
roller 752 that acts as a cam follower. The base portion 770 of the cam member
is sandwiched
between the washer 756 and the top plate 765 by the cam retainer plate 757
that includes a
circumferential shoulder 776 that engages a complimentary shoulder 777 on the
cam member.
Preferably the top plate is aluminum with a low friction lower surface such as
Teflon or a pre-
lubricated plastic sheet, and the cam retainer plate is a low friction plastic
such a high density
polyethylene. Accordingly, the cam member is able to rotate relative to the
keel and the
snowboard while its cam surfaces ride on the rollers. The base portion and the
cam retainer can
be functionally thought of as a rotatable disk member upon which cams are
mounted at
diametrically opposed portions on the disk. As the cam member is rotated in
one direction or the
other, one of the cam surfaces pushes down on its corresponding roller while
the other cam
surface allows its corresponding roller to ride up, thereby causing the
snowboard to tilt in one
direction or the other in relation to the keel, depending on which direction
the cam member is
rotated, as illustrated in Fig. 31.
The front tilting mount assembly 636 is the same as the rear tilting mount
assembly 638
with the exception that the front mount does not have spacers 768 on the axle
on each side of
the rod end in order to allow the rod end to slide fore and aft on its axle.
This freedom of
movement of the rod end on the front tilting mount allows for changes in
length of the
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snowboard that occur between the front and rear tilting mounts as the
snowboard flexes into a
curve or over bumps. An additional difference is that the cam surfaces in the
front tilting mount
are oriented 180 degrees relative to the cam surfaces in the rear tilting
mount, as shown in Fig.
23, so that preferably, the cam surfaces of both tilting mounts generally face
each other and
slope towards a midpoint on the keel between them thereby as the cam surfaces
try to "roll off'
the rollers when weight is applied, having them pointing in different
directions balances these
forces.
Referring to Figs. 29 and 30, some embodiments of the tilting mount assemblies
may
include a flexible boot 780 to protect the rod end from dirt and snow, and/or
they may include a
larger variation of a flexible boot 781 that is bonded to the cam member and
held down to the
base plate by an internal molded in spring for enclosing the whole tilting
mount assembly.
With reference to Figs. 28, 31 and 32, Fig. 28 shows a tilting mount with the
cam
member in a neutral position wherein no tilting force is being transmitted to
the snowboard. Fig.
31 shows a cam member with flat cam faces 772,773 which require rounded
rollers as the angle
of the cam face to the roller changes as they rotate relative to each other ¨
as does the effective
diameter ¨ as the cam or the board tilt (relative to one's point of view) the
effective radius of the
cam relative to the rollers changes, producing some sliding motion between the
two parts. Fig.
32 shows a cam member with a contoured bottom cam faces which progressively
change angle
around the face of the cam in order to keep the face of the cam at the same
angle as the mating
flat faced rollers as the cam rotates. Even though more difficult to
manufacture, this
configuration may be preferable as the cam can contact flat rollers which have
a more load
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bearing surface. If the cam is plastic, then the contoured surface may be
readily made once a
mould is produced. The contoured cam face/flat rollers still have some sliding
motion as the
cam rotates due to the effective change in diameter as the tilt occurs.
Referring to Fig. 33, an alternative embodiment of a rear tilting mount is
shown that may
be preferable in some instances, wherein the axle 749 (show in phantom lines)
is oriented
across the snowboard and the rod end 754, which is responsible for absorbing
fore and aft
forces between the keel and the snowboard, is oriented longitudinally whereby
its resistance to
these forces is greater. In this embodiment, the brackets 750 are use by both
the rollers and the
axle such that the rollers and the eye of the rod end are mounted coaxially on
the axle. Spacers
768 are mounted on the axle on either side of the rod end to keep it centered.
Figs. 23, 24 and 34 illustrate the path of the cable 762 in device 600.
Referring to Fig.
34, the path of the cable around the cam members is shown when viewed from the
top and from
point of view of a rider. For convenience of reference, the cable will be said
to originate from its
point of attachment on the right side of the horizontal actuator bar 736 and
terminate at its point
of attachment on the left side of the horizontal actuator bar. Thus, from its
origin, the cable runs
generally parallel to the riser tube 632 and passes through guide pulley 650
(see Fig. 23) that
aligns the cable with the grooves 771 on the rotating cam members. Preferably,
the guide pulley
includes a restrainer strap to prevent the cable from coming off the pulley.
From the guide
pulley, the cable wraps clockwise around the front cam member 783 and then
runs backward,
crosses over to the left side of the keel, and wraps around the back of the
rear cam member
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784 in a counterclockwise direction. The returning cable crosses over again to
the left side of
the keel, runs to the side of the front cam. It then passes through another
guide pulley on the left
side, and then to its point of termination. A clamp assembly 785 (see Fig. 27)
on each cam
member is used to tighten the cable into the groove 771 to prevent slippage of
the cable within
the groove. The purpose of the crossover is so that the cam member in the
tilting mounts rotate
in opposite direction in response to an input in the handlebar. This is
necessary to accomplish a
uniform tilting movement in the described embodiment because the cam surfaces
in the front
mount are oriented 180 degrees relative to the cam surfaces in the rear mount.
Without the
crossover in this described embodiment, an input from the handlebar would
result in a twisting
of the snowboard as the front mount would tilt in one direction whereas the
rear mount would tilt
in the opposite direction.
While the above embodiments of the present invention have been described and
illustrated as having particular features, it should be understood that some
features described in
relation to one embodiment may be used in an another embodiment. Thus, by way
of an
example, a further embodiment (Fig. 35) of the invention may be derived that
includes the
mounting assemblies of device 10 in combination with either one or more of the
boom,
connector bracket, rudder lines and handlebar of device 600 and in this case a
rigid rather than
flexible front mount assembly.
While the above description and illustrations constitute preferred or
alternate
embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated that numerous
variations may be
made without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in
the appended
claims.
