Child Snowboarding Training and Safety Device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a snowboarding or snow skiing training and safety device for children. A child wearing the training and safety device is controlled by a trainer or a parent through a connected leash. The device includes an adjustable waist strap extending horizontally around the waist of a child, an adjustable back leg strap extending horizontally around a thigh of the back leg of the child, and a releasable and adjustable longitudinally positioned connecting strap attached to the waist strap and the back leg strap. A leash is attached to a clip fastener disposed on the connecting strap and is held by the trainer to selectively control movement, speed, and/or spacing between the child on a snowboard and the trainer trailing behind.

Claims

1. A child snowboarding training and safety device comprising: a waist strap for circumscribing a waist of the child; a rear leg strap for circumscribing a thigh of the child; an adjustable length connecting strap for connecting said waist strap and said rear leg strap; an adjustable length leash for attaching at a first end to said connecting strap; and said leash includes a handle at a second terminal end for grasping by a trainer.

2. The child snowboarding training and safety device of claim 1, wherein said waist strap is adjustable in length to fit around a user's waist.

3. The child snowboarding training and safety device of claim 2, wherein said waist strap includes a waist handle.

4. The child snowboarding training and safety device of claim 3, wherein said rear leg strap is adjustable in length to fit around a user's thigh.

5. The child snowboarding training and safety device of claim 4, wherein said rear leg strap includes a width generally from about 5 cm to about 15 cm.

6. The child snowboarding training and safety device of claim 5, wherein said waist strap width is greater than said rear leg strap width.

7. The child snowboarding training and safety device of claim 5, wherein said leash is adjustable in length generally from about 100 cm to about 500 cm.

8. The child snowboarding training and safety device of claim 7, wherein said leash is retractable in length.

9. The child snowboarding training and safety device of claim 8, wherein said handle includes a reel to selectively retract and extend said leash.

10. The child snowboarding training and safety device of claim 9, wherein said leash is expandable in length.

11. A child snowboarding training and safety device comprising: a waist strap for circumscribing a waist of the child, wherein said waist strap is adjustable in length to fit around a user's waist; a first rear leg strap for circumscribing a thigh of the child, wherein said first rear leg strap is adjustable in length to fit around a user's thigh; an adjustable length first connecting strap for connecting said waist strap and said first rear leg strap; an adjustable length leash for selectively attaching at a first end to said first connecting strap, wherein said leash is adjustable in length generally from about 100 cm to about 500 cm; and said leash includes a handle at a second terminal end for grasping by a trainer, wherein said handle includes a reel to selectively retract and extend said leash.

12. The child snowboarding training and safety device of claim 11, wherein said waist strap includes a width generally from about 5 cm to about 15 cm.

13. The child snowboarding training and safety device of claim 12, wherein said first rear leg strap includes a width generally from about 5 cm to about 15 cm.

14. The child snowboarding training and safety device of claim 11, further comprising a second rear leg strap for circumscribing another thigh of the child, wherein said second rear leg strap is adjustable in length to fit around a user's thigh; and an adjustable length second connecting strap for connecting said waist strap and said second rear leg strap.

15. A snowboarding training and safety device comprising: a waist strap for circumscribing a waist of the child, wherein said waist strap includes a waist loop length adjuster to adjust a length of said waist strap to fit around a user's waist; a selectively removable rear leg strap for circumscribing a thigh of the child, wherein said selectively removable rear leg strap includes a rear leg loop length adjuster to adjust a length of said selectively removable rear leg strap to fit around a user's thigh; an adjustable length connecting strap for connecting said waist strap and said selectively removable rear leg strap; an adjustable length leash for attaching at a first end to said connecting strap, wherein said leash is adjustable in length generally from about 100 cm to about 500 cm; and said leash includes a handle at a second terminal end for grasping by a trainer.

16. The snowboarding training and safety device of claim 15, wherein said waist strap includes a waist handle.

17. The snowboarding training and safety device of claim 16, wherein said selectively removable rear leg strap includes a width generally from about 5 cm to about 15 cm.

18. The snowboarding training and safety device of claim 17, wherein said waist strap width is greater than said selectively removable rear leg strap width.

19. The snowboarding training and safety device of claim 15, wherein said handle includes a reel to selectively retract and extend said leash.

20. The snowboarding training and safety device of claim 19, further including a clip for attaching said leash to said connecting strap.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a child snowboard harness safety and training device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the child snowboard harness safety and training device of the present invention in an unfastened condition in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view showing a trainer or a parent controlling a child using one potential embodiment of the child snowboard harness safety and training device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates a side perspective view showing a child using one potential embodiment of the child snowboard harness safety and training device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

[0020] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0021] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

[0022] As noted above, there exists a long felt need in the art for a snowboarding training device that enables children to easily learn to snowboard. There is also a long felt need in the art for a snowboard training device that enables teachers/parents to easily teach their students/children to snowboard. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a harness device that enables the parents or teachers to match the speed of children learning to snowboard. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a harness device that enables the parents and teachers to keep control of their children while they learn to snowboard, and prevent them from falling. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a snowboard training device that prevents the children from falling frequently and becoming injured while learning to snowboard. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for a snowboard training device that ensures the children remain confident while learning to snowboard and to continue the learning process. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a snowboard learning device that keeps children safe while introducing them to snowboarding in a fun and entertaining manner.

[0023] The present invention, in one potential embodiment, is a novel snowboarding or snow skiing training device. The training device includes an adjustable waist strap extending horizontally around the waist of a child, an adjustable back leg strap extending horizontally around a thigh of the back leg of the child, a releasable and adjustable connecting strap attached to the waist strap and the back leg strap, wherein the connecting strap is in a longitudinal position between the waist strap and the back leg strap and a retractable leash attached to a clip fastener disposed on the connecting strap. The leash can be extended or retracted to increase or decrease the distance between a trainer and the child.

[0024] Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a child snowboard harness safety and training device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The child snowboard safety and training harness device 100 allows parents and teachers to easily control a child's speed when the child is learning to snowboard without losing balance and stability. The harness 100 can provide simultaneous and/or selective support to the waist and the back leg of the child, thereby allowing a balanced support while maintaining full control of the child when snowboarding.

[0025] The child snowboard safety and training harness device 100 allows the parent or trainer to directly control speed, direction, and weight distribution of the child on the snowboard using a leash 108. The harness device 100 includes a waist loop/strap 102 configured to wrap horizontally around the waist of a child and includes an adjustable buckle 116 for adjusting a perimeter or circumference of the waist strap 102 for a comfortable securement around the waist of a child. The waist strap 102 further includes a waist handle 103 for grasping in order to conveniently pick-up a fallen child. A back leg loop/strap 104 is configured to horizontally wrap around a thigh of the back leg when a child is standing on a snowboard. The back leg loop 104 also includes a corresponding adjustable buckle 118 for adjusting a perimeter or circumference of the back leg strap 104 for a comfortable securement around the thigh of the back leg of the child. A connecting cord/strap 106 connects the waist loop 102 and the back leg loop 104. The connecting cord 106 connects to the waist loop/strap 102 through a first connection loop 112 and connects to the back leg loop/strap 104 through a second connection loop 114. The connecting cord 106 is movable along the waist strap 102 and the back leg strap 104 due to the sliding nature of the connecting loops 112, 114. The length of the connecting cord 106 can also be adjusted as per the height of the child. The harness device 100 has a detachable leash 108 that is detachably-attached using a hook 110 that is snapped onto a clip 1060 positioned on the connecting strap 106. The detachable leash 108 includes a handle 109 to be held by a parent or a trainer while training a child for snowboarding to control speed and direction of the child.

[0026] It should be appreciated that in the present embodiment, the waist loop 102 and the back leg loop 104 can be detached by removing the connecting loops 112, 114. This is advantageous as the child becomes more skilled at snow skiing and/or snowboarding, the harness device 100 may be used without the back leg loop 104. In such a case, the detachable leash 108 can be detachably attached to the waist loop 102.

[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a child snowboard harness safety and training device of the present invention in an unfastened condition in accordance with the disclosed architecture. In the present embodiment, the waist loop 102 and the beck leg loop 104 are shown in an unfastened state. The waist loop 102 is sized and shaped to securely wrap around a child's waist. A clip 202 is securely latched by a buckle receiver 206 to form a closed waist loop 102, with a waist loop length adjuster 204 configured to adjust the length of the waist loop 102 to comfortably secure around the waist of a child. The clip 202, when fastened to the buckle receiver 206, forms the adjustable buckle (116 of FIG. 1).

[0028] Similarly, the back leg loop 104 is sized and shaped to securely wrap around a child's back leg (the leg positioned rearward on the snowboard). A second clip 208 is securely latched by a second buckle receiver 210 to form a closed back leg loop. A back leg loop length adjuster 212 is configured to adjust the length of the back leg loop length 104 to comfortably secure around the back leg of the child. It should be noted that the length of the waist loop 102 is larger than the length of the back leg loop 104, and both are connected to each other through a connecting cord 106. The connecting strap 106 has a clip 1060 for detachably-attaching a leash.

[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view showing a trainer or a parent controlling a child using a child snowboard harness safety and training device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. A child 300, when learning snowboarding on a snowboard 304, can be controlled and stabilized by a trainer or a parent 302. During use, the waist loop 102 can be secured around the waist 306 of the child 300, and the back leg loop 104 can be secured around a portion of back leg 308, preferably around the thigh 310. The waist loop 102 and the back leg loop 104 are secured using the buckles, such that they are comfortably secured to provide balance to the child 300.

[0030] Using clip 1060 of the connecting cord 106 that connects the waist loop 102 and the back leg loop 104, a leash 108 can be detachably-attached with the hook 110 of the leash 108. The leash 108 includes a retractable reel 1090 held by the trainer 302 at the other end for controlling speed, direction and spacing of the child 300 while performing snow skiing or snowboarding. The leash 108 when pulled by the trainer 302, does not provide a jerking or a jarring action to the child 300, as the pulling force is distributed across the lower body (including the waist 306 and the back leg 310) of the child 300. The harness 100 prevents the tilting or falling of the child 300 when controlled and stabilized by the trainer 302. The connecting cord 106 can be moved along the length of the waist strap 102 and the back leg strap 104, thereby allowing a child and trainer to position the connecting cord 106 in a desired and convenient position. In addition, another back leg strap 105, including another connecting cord 107, can be secured to waist strap 102 and another leg 309. It is to be appreciated that the leash 108 can be selectively decoupled from the connecting cord 106 and then coupled to cord 107 when the direction or orientation of the child 300 changes relative to the trainer 302. Additionally, the leash 108 can be connected to both connecting cords 106, 107 to enable use of the safety and training device for ski training.

[0031] The combination of the waist loop 102 and the back leg loop 104 allows the instructor 302 to use the retractable and extendable leash 108 to securely control and stabilize the child 300 on a snowboard 304. The distance between the child 300 learning to ski or snowboard and the trainer 302 can be selectively-adjusted using the retractable and extendable leash 108 and reel 1090. Further, the back leg loop 104 can be detached from the waist loop 102, depending upon factors such as the skiing terrain or the skill level of the child 300.

[0032] The leash 108 can be coupled to the clip 1060 using any conventional method including reversible couplings, for example, clamps, clips, stitching, quick-release connecters and the like. Both the waist strap 102 and back leg strap 104 are generally at least 6 cm wide, and can be in the range generally from about 5 cm to about 15 cm in width. In one potential embodiment, the waist strap 102 includes a greater width than the back leg strap 104. The leash 108 can have a length in the range generally from about 100 cm to about 500 cm. The safety harness 100 can be worn by a child throughout both active and rest periods during a training session. The leash 108 can be left by the trainer 302 during rest periods and can be held during active periods.

[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates a side perspective view showing a child using the child snowboard harness safety and training device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. In FIG. 4, the child 300 is holding the leash 108 using a hand 402 for additional support while performing snowboarding on the snowboard 304. By holding the leash 108, the child 300 feels more secure during the training period and gets more stability. The leash 108 is soft to hold and grip, with and without mittens/gloves.

[0034] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name, but not structure or function. As used herein “child snowboard safety and training harness device”, “snowboarding or snow skiing training device”, “harness device”, “snowboard training and safety harness” and “harness”, are interchangeable and refer to the child snowboard safety and training harness device 100 of the present invention.

[0035] Notwithstanding the forgoing, the child snowboard safety and training harness device 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the child snowboard safety and training harness device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the child snowboard safety and training harness device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the child snowboard safety and training harness device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the child snowboard safety and training harness device 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

[0036] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof

[0037] What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.