FOLDING AND COLLAPSIBLE SNOWBOARD POLE MOUNTING SYSTEM

Abstract

A detachable snowboard and snowboard pole with a collapsible shaft divided into segments, a basket tip, and a handle. In exemplary embodiments, the pole affixes to a planar top surface of the snowboard using a mounting system comprising a plurality of clamps at staggered attachment points, each clamp adapted to form a friction fit with segments of the snowboard pole, each clamp oriented in parallel with one another.

Claims

1. A detachable snowboard pole attachment assembly, the snowboard pole assembly comprising: a snowboard having a top surface and two boot bindings; a plurality of clamps affixed to the top surface of the snowboard, the clamps affixed in parallel orientation, staggered across the top surface of the board, the clamps adapted to form a friction fit with a collapsible pole; a collapsible pole having a plurality of segments, each segment received by a clamp.

2. The snowboard pole attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein the top surface is one of planar and concave.

3. The snow board pole attachment assembly of claim 1, w herein the plurality of clamps are mounted either forward of the bindings or rearward of the bindings.

4. The snowboard pole attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein the snowboard consists of three clamps.

5. The snowboard pole attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein the clamps are oriented substantially in parallel with one or more of the bindings.

6. The snowboard pole attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein each clamp comprises two rollers.

7. The snowboard pole attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein two of the clamps arc spaced in close proximity to one another such that a distance between a second and third clamp exceeds the distance between a first and second clamp.

8. The snowboard pole attachment assembly of claim 7, wherein a distance between a tip of a forward binding and the first clamp is substantially equal to a distance between the tip of the forward binding and the third clamp.

9. The snowboard pole attachment assembly of claim 7, wherein a distance between a tip of a forward binding and the first clamp is substantially equal to a distance between the tip of the forward binding and the second clamp.

10. The snowboard pole attachment assembly of claim 7, wherein the pole comprises three segments.

11. The snowboard pole attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein the clamps are oriented at 20 to 45 degrees off a long axis of the snowboard.

12. The snowboard pole attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein the baseplates arc formed as a single integrated piece.

13. A detachable snowboard pole attachment assembly, the snowboard pole assembly consisting of: a snowboard having a top surface and two boot bindings; three clamps affixed to the top surface of the snowboard, the clamps affixed in parallel orientation, staggered across the top surface of the board, the clamps adapted to form a friction fit with a collapsible pole, a collapsible pole having three segments, each segment received by a clamp; wherein the top surface is one of planar and concave; wherein the snow board consists of three clamps; wherein the clamps are oriented substantially in parallel with one or more of the bindings; wherein the clamps are oriented at 20 to 45 degrees off a long axis of the snowboard.

14. The snowboard pole attachment assembly of claim 13, wherein the clamps are adhered to the top surface of the snowboard.

15. The snowboard pole attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein the clamps comprise a baseplate abutting the snowboard shaped as one of square, circular, avoid, rectangular, octagonal, polygonal, and triangular.

16. The snow board pole attachment assembly of claim 15, wherein the baseplates are formed as a single integrated piece.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] FIG. 1 is an isometric, top perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a detachable snowboard pole assembly in accordance with the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 2 is an environmental, top perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a detachable snowboard pole assembly in accordance with the present invention; and

[0026] FIG. 3 is an environmental, top perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a detachable snowboard pole assembly in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment, an embodiment. or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases in one embodiment. in an embodiment, and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

[0028] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant an will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention

[0029] The schematic flow chart diagrams included herein are generally set forth as logical flow chart diagrams. As such, the depicted order and labeled steps are indicative of one embodiment of the presented method. Other steps and methods may be conceived that arc equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, of the illustrated method. Additionally, the format and symbols employed are provided to explain the logical steps of the method and are understood not to limit the scope of the method Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in the flow chart diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding method. Indeed, some arrow s or other connectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the method. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depicted method. Additionally, the order in which a particular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order of the corresponding steps shown.

[0030] It is an object of the present invention to provide a foldable, retractable snowboard pole and snowboard mounting system for said pole specifically adapted for strength and compact positioning w hen retracted. In various embodiments, the pole breaks down into 2-4 segments before being mounted on a forward segment of a snowboard. The pole is design to be lightweight and to quickly release from mounting clips on the front of the snowboard in a manner which does not hamper snowboard function and which is safe and convenient, and which permits the snowboard to be stored when not in use with the retracted pole detachably affixed in place.

[0031] FIG. 1 is an isometric, top perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a detachable snowboard pole assembly 100 in accordance with the present invention. The assembly comprises a pole 100 and a plurality of bindings 108a-c.

[0032] The pole 104 comprises three elongated segments 110 in the shown embodiment, but may comprise two, four, or more. The pole 104 may telescope as known to those of skill in the art. The lower segment 110a slides into the middle segment 110b which then slides into the upper pole segment 110c. The pole 104 comprises a palm-grip handle which may be heat-pressed onto the lower segment 110a. The segments may be joined by a single cable traverses each segment 110 through their long axis.

[0033] In various embodiments, a plurality of clamps 108a-c are affixed at predetermined intervals and orientations on a top surface 210 of the snowboard 202. The clamps 108 are positioned at attachment points on the top surface 210 of the snowboard 202

[0034] Each clamp 108 may comprise a spring-biased bulldog clamp or a clamp having a plurality of prongs 116 adapted to partially envelope a pole 104 and form a friction fit therewith. The prongs 116 may comprise a roller 118 adapted to facilitate receipt of the pole segment when forced into the clamp 108.

[0035] The clamps 108 (or clips) each comprise a baseplate 122 which affixes to the top of the snowboard. This baseplate 122 may adhered to the snowboard, including using two-sided tape. In alternative embodiments, the baseplate 122 magnetically affixes to the snowboard. In some embodiments, the baseplates 122 of each clamp 108 are formed as a single integrated piece which spans the snowboard. The clamps 108 and baseplate 122 may all be formed as a single integrated piece.

[0036] The clamps in the shown embodiment are mounted forward of the bindings, but may also be mounted rearward of the bindings.

[0037] In various embodiments, the baseplate 122 (or mounting plate 122) may be rectangular, square, circular, triangular, ovoid, octagonal, polygonal, or irregularly-shaped.

[0038] FIG. 2 is an environmental, top perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a detachable snowboard pole 200 assembly in accordance with the present invention.

[0039] In various embodiments, the clamps 108 are staggered on the top surface 210 of the board 202 in parallel orientation to one another such that the clamps are also in parallel with one or more of the bindings 206.

[0040] The distance between clamp 108a and the forward tip 212 of the binding is substantially equal to the distance between the forward tip 212 of the binding and the clamp 108c, as well as clamp 108b in some embodiments.

[0041] In various embodiments, the clamps 108 are oriented at 20 to 45 degrees 214 off a long axis of the snowboard as shown.

[0042] FIG. 3 is an environmental, top perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a detachable snowboard pole assembly in accordance with the present invention.

[0043] In various embodiments, the clamp 108a is spaced in close proximity to the clamp 108b wherein the clamp 108b is space in further proximity from clamp 108c to accommodate the handle and basket tip 112 of the pole 104. The clamps 108a-c are mounted forward of the bindings 206 on the longest axis of the snowboard 202 where a snowboarder can more easily lean forward than backward.

[0044] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.