Snow sport shock absorbing device
11701570 ยท 2023-07-18
Inventors
Cpc classification
International classification
Abstract
A snow sport shock absorbing system includes: a snow sport device and a shock absorbing device, which is configured to attach to the snow sport device, such that the shock absorbing device absorbs shocks incurred from using the snow sport shock absorbing system for movement on a ground surface. The shock absorbing device includes an upper mounting structure, a lower mounting structure, and a shock absorber which is connected between the upper lower mounting structures.
Claims
1. A snow sport shock absorbing system, comprising: a) a snow sport device; b) a shock absorbing device, which is connected to the snow sport device; wherein the shock absorbing device comprises: a lower mounting structure, which is connected to the snow sport device; an upper mounting structure, which is configured to compress downwards towards the lower mounting structure; and a shock absorber, which is connected between the lower mounting structure and the upper mounting structure, such that the shock absorber absorbs and damps the shock impulses from the ground surface as the shock impulses travel from the lower mounting structure to the upper mounting structure; and c) a snow equipment piece; wherein the snow sport device is a snowboard; wherein the snow equipment piece is a snowboard binding; wherein the snowboard binding is attached to the upper mounting structure; and wherein the shock absorbing device is configured to absorb shock impulses incurred from using the snow sport shock absorbing system for movement on a ground surface, whereby the snow sport shock absorbing system provides a user with a smooth ride on the ground surface; d) further comprising: a plurality of linkage arm assemblies, which are configured to connect the upper mounting structure and the lower mounting structure, such that the upper mounting structure is compressible downwards towards the lower mounting structure; e) wherein the plurality of linkage arm assemblies comprises: a front linkage arm assembly, which comprises at least one front linkage arm, wherein an upper end of the at least one front linkage arm is rotatably connected to a front end of the upper mounting structure and a lower end of the at least one front linkage arm is rotatably connected to the lower mounting structure; and a rear linkage arm assembly, which comprises at least one rear linkage arm, wherein an upper end of the at least one rear linkage arm is rotatably connected to a rear end of the upper mounting structure and a lower end of the at least one rear linkage arm is rotatably connected to the lower mounting structure, to a rear of the lower end of the front linkage arm assembly; and f) wherein the rear linkage arm assembly further comprises: at least one connection point, such that an upper end of the shock absorber is rotatably connected to the at least one connection point; wherein a lower end of the shock absorber is rotatably connected to the lower mounting structure, such that the shock absorber compresses when the upper mounting structure moves downward and damps a downward motion of the rear linkage arm assembly.
2. The snow sport shock absorbing system of claim 1, wherein the snow sport device further comprises a set of attachment holes and wherein the lower mounting structure comprises attachment apertures, which are configured to align with the attachment holes of the snow sport device, such that a plurality of screws are insertable through the attachment apertures into the attachment holes, such that the plurality of screws attach the lower mounting structure to the snow sport device.
3. The snow sport shock absorbing system of claim 1, wherein the upper mounting structure comprises snow equipment piece attachment holes, which are configured to align with a set of snow equipment piece apertures on the snow equipment piece, such that a plurality of screws are insertable through the snow equipment piece apertures into the snow equipment piece attachment holes, such that the plurality of screws are configured to attach the snow equipment piece to the upper mounting structure.
4. The snow sport shock absorbing system of claim 1, wherein the front linkage arm assembly further comprises: a) a front upper axle, which is configured to connect to the upper mounting structure, such that the upper end of the at least one front linkage arm is rotatably connected to the front upper axle; and b) a front lower axle, which is configured to connect to the lower mounting structure, such that the lower end of the at least one front linkage arm is rotatably connected to the front lower axle; such that the front linkage arm assembly is configured to rotate to allow for downward compression motion of the upper mounting structure towards the lower mounting structure and upward decompression motion of the upper mounting structure away from the lower mounting structure.
5. The snow sport shock absorbing system of claim 1, wherein the rear linkage arm assembly further comprises: a) a rear upper axle, which is configured to connect to the upper mounting structure, such that the upper end of the at least one rear linkage arm is rotatably connected to the rear upper axle; and b) a rear lower axle, which is configured to connect to the lower mounting structure, such that the lower end of the at least one rear linkage arm is rotatably connected to the rear lower axle; such that the rear linkage arm assembly is configured to rotate to allow for downward compression motion of the upper mounting structure towards the lower mounting structure and upward decompression motion of the upper mounting structure away from the lower mounting structure.
6. The snow sport shock absorbing system of claim 1, wherein the at least one connection point is configured as a plurality of connection points, such that the shock absorber is configured to detachably connect to a selected connection point in the plurality of connection points, such that a preload and/or damping of the shock absorber is adjustable by connecting the shock absorber to the selected connection point in the plurality of connection points.
7. The snow sport shock absorbing system of claim 1, wherein the shock absorbing device further comprises: a safety assembly, which is configured to stop the plurality of linkage arm assemblies from decompressing upwards past a maximum height.
8. The snow sport shock absorbing system of claim 7, wherein the safety assembly comprises: a) a safety piece, which is rotatably connected to the lower mounting structure, wherein an upper portion of the safety piece comprises a protruding opening; b) a spring, which is placed underneath the safety piece between the safety piece and the lower mounting structure, such that the spring holds the safety piece up; and c) an adjustment screw, which is insertable through the protruding opening of the safety piece, such that the adjustment screw is insertable through the spring and screwed into the lower mounting structure; wherein a height of the adjustment screw determines a height of an upper end of the safety piece, such that the adjustment screw is screwed to adjust the height of the upper end; wherein the rear linkage arm assembly comprises an interior protrusion, which contacts the upper end of the safety piece, such that upward motion of the rear linkage arm assembly is stopped by the upper end of the safety piece; whereby the height of the upper end of the safety piece determines the maximum height of the shock absorbing device.
9. The snow sport shock absorbing system of claim 1, wherein an upper surface of the snow sport device comprises: a lower mounting structure; wherein the shock absorbing device comprises: an upper mounting structure, which is configured to compress downwards towards the lower mounting structure; and a shock absorber, which is connected between the lower mounting structure and the upper mounting structure, such that the shock absorber absorbs and damps the shock impulses from the ground surface as the shock impulses travel from the lower mounting structure to the upper mounting structure.
10. A snow sport shock absorbing system, comprising: a) a shock absorbing device, which is configured to attach to a snow sport device; which is a snowboard, wherein the shock absorbing device comprises: b) a lower mounting structure, which is configured to be connectable to the snow sport device; c) an upper mounting structure, which is configured to compress downwards towards the lower mounting structure; d) wherein the upper mounting structure is configured to receive a snowboard binding, such that the snowboard binding is attachable to the upper mounting structure; and e) a shock absorber, which is connected between the lower mounting structure and the upper mounting structure, such that the shock absorber absorbs and damps the shock impulses from the ground surface as the shock impulses travel from the lower mounting structure to the upper mounting structure; f) wherein the shock absorbing device is configured to absorb shock impulses incurred from using the snow sport device with the shock absorbing device mounted for movement on a ground surface, whereby the shock absorbing device provides a user with a smooth ride on the ground surface; g) further comprising: a plurality of linkage arm assemblies, which are configured to connect the upper mounting structure and the lower mounting structure, such that the upper mounting structure is compressible downwards towards the lower mounting structure; h) wherein the plurality of linkage arm assemblies comprises: a front linkage arm assembly, which comprises at least one front linkage arm, wherein an upper end of the at least one front linkage arm is rotatably connected to a front end of the upper mounting structure and a lower end of the front linkage arm assembly is rotatably connected to the lower mounting structure; and a rear linkage arm assembly, which comprises at least one rear linkage arm, wherein an upper end of the at least one rear linkage arm is rotatably connected to a rear end of the upper mounting structure and a lower end of the rear linkage arm assembly is rotatably connected to the lower mounting structure, to a rear of the lower end of the front linkage arm assembly; and i) wherein the rear linkage arm assembly further comprises: at least one connection point, such that an upper end of the shock absorber is rotatably connected to the at least one connection point; wherein a lower end of the shock absorber is rotatably connected to the lower mounting structure, such that the shock absorber compresses when the upper mounting structure moves downward and damps a downward motion of the rear linkage arm assembly.
11. The snow sport shock absorbing system of claim 10, wherein the shock absorbing device comprises: a) a lower mounting structure, which is connected to the snow sport device; b) an upper mounting structure, which is configured to compress downwards towards the lower mounting structure; and c) a shock absorber, which is connected between the lower mounting structure and the upper mounting structure, such that the shock absorber absorbs and damps the shock impulses from the ground surface as the shock impulses travel from the lower mounting structure to the upper mounting structure.
12. The snow sport shock absorbing system of claim 10, wherein the front linkage arm assembly further comprises: a) a front upper axle, which is configured to connect to the upper mounting structure, such that the upper end of the at least one front linkage arm is rotatably connected to the front upper axle; and b) a front lower axle, which is configured to connect to the lower mounting structure, such that the lower end of the at least one front linkage arm is rotatably connected to the front lower axle; such that the front linkage arm assembly is configured to rotate to allow for downward compression motion of the upper mounting structure towards the lower mounting structure and upward decompression motion of the upper mounting structure away from the lower mounting structure.
13. The snow sport shock absorbing system of claim 10, wherein the rear linkage arm assembly further comprises: a) a rear upper axle, which is configured to connect to the upper mounting structure, such that the upper end of the at least one rear linkage arm is rotatably connected to the rear upper axle; and b) a rear lower axle, which is configured to connect to the lower mounting structure, such that the lower end of the at least one rear linkage arm is rotatably connected to the rear lower axle; such that the rear linkage arm assembly is configured to rotate to allow for downward compression motion of the upper mounting structure towards the lower mounting structure and upward decompression motion of the upper mounting structure away from the lower mounting structure.
14. The snow sport shock absorbing system of claim 10, wherein the at least one connection point is configured as a plurality of connection points, such that the shock absorber is configured to detachably connect to a selected connection point in the plurality of connection points, such that a preload and/or damping of the shock absorber is adjustable by connecting the shock absorber to the selected connection point in the plurality of connection points.
15. The snow sport shock absorbing system of claim 10, wherein the shock absorbing device further comprises: a safety assembly, which is configured to stop the plurality of linkage arm assemblies from decompressing upwards past a maximum height.
16. The snow sport shock absorbing system of claim 15, wherein the safety assembly comprises: a) a safety piece, which is rotatably connected to the lower mounting structure, wherein an upper portion of the safety piece comprises a protruding opening; b) a spring, which is placed underneath the safety piece between the safety piece and the lower mounting structure, such that the spring holds the safety piece up; and c) an adjustment screw, which is insertable through the protruding opening of the safety piece, such that the adjustment screw is insertable through the spring and screwed into the lower mounting structure; wherein a height of the adjustment screw determines a height of an upper end of the safety piece, such that the adjustment screw is screwed to adjust the height of the upper end; wherein the rear linkage arm assembly comprises an interior protrusion, which contacts the upper end of the safety piece, such that upward motion of the rear linkage arm assembly is stopped by the upper end of the safety piece; whereby the height of the upper end of the safety piece determines the maximum height of the shock absorbing device.
17. A snow sport shock absorbing system, comprising: a) a snow sport device; and b) a shock absorbing device, which is connected to the snow sport device; wherein the shock absorbing device comprises: c) a lower mounting structure, which is connected to the snow sport device; d) an upper mounting structure, which is configured to compress downwards towards the lower mounting structure; and e) a shock absorber, which is connected between the lower mounting structure and the upper mounting structure, such that the shock absorber absorbs and damps the shock impulses from the ground surface as the shock impulses travel from the lower mounting structure to the upper mounting structure; and f) a snow equipment piece; wherein the snow sport device is a ski; wherein the snow equipment piece is a ski binding; wherein the ski binding is attached to the upper mounting structure; and g) the shock absorbing device is configured to absorb shock impulses incurred from using the snow sport shock absorbing system for movement on a ground surface, whereby the snow sport shock absorbing system provides a user with a smooth ride on the ground surface, h) further comprising: a plurality of linkage arm assemblies, which are configured to connect the upper mounting structure and the lower mounting structure, such that the upper mounting structure is compressible downwards towards the lower mounting structure; i) wherein the plurality of linkage arm assemblies comprises: a front linkage arm assembly, which comprises at least one front linkage arm, wherein an upper end of the at least one front linkage arm is rotatably connected to a front end of the upper mounting structure and a lower end of the at least one front linkage arm is rotatably connected to the lower mounting structure; and a rear linkage arm assembly, which comprises at least one rear linkage arm, wherein an upper end of the at least one rear linkage arm is rotatably connected to a rear end of the upper mounting structure and a lower end of the at least one rear linkage arm is rotatably connected to the lower mounting structure, to a rear of the lower end of the front linkage arm assembly; j) wherein the rear linkage arm assembly further comprises: at least one connection point, such that an upper end of the shock absorber is rotatably connected to the at least one connection point; wherein a lower end of the shock absorber is rotatably connected to the lower mounting structure, such that the shock absorber compresses when the upper mounting structure moves downward and damps a downward motion of the rear linkage arm assembly.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(17) Before describing the invention in detail, it should be observed that the present invention resides primarily in a novel and non-obvious combination of elements and process steps. So as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will readily be apparent to those skilled in the art, certain conventional elements and steps have been presented with lesser detail, while the drawings and specification describe in greater detail other elements and steps pertinent to understanding the invention.
(18) The following embodiments are not intended to define limits as to the structure or method of the invention, but only to provide exemplary constructions. The embodiments are permissive rather than mandatory and illustrative rather than exhaustive.
(19) In the following, we describe the structure of an embodiment of a snow sport shock absorbing system 100 with reference to
(20) In an embodiment, as shown in
(21) In a related embodiment, the snow sport device 170 can be configured as a snowboard, as shown in
(22) In another related embodiment, as shown in
(23) In a related embodiment, as shown in
(24) In a further related embodiment, as shown in
(25) In yet another related embodiment, the snow equipment piece 190 can be a snowboard binding, as shown in
(26) In a related embodiment, as shown in
(27) In another related embodiment, as shown in
(28) In a further related embodiment, as shown in
(29) In a further related embodiment, as shown in
(30) In a further related embodiment, as shown in
(31) In a further related embodiment, as shown in
(32) In a yet further related embodiment, as shown in
(33) In a related embodiment, as shown in
(34) In another related embodiment, as shown in
(35) In an alternative configuration, as shown in
(36) In another related embodiment, as shown in
(37) Thus, in an embodiment, a shock absorbing device can be configured to attach to a snow sport device; such that the shock absorbing device is configured to absorb shock impulses incurred from using the snow sport device with the shock absorbing device mounted for movement on a ground surface, whereby the shock absorbing device provides a user with a smooth ride on the ground surface.
(38) Here has thus been described a multitude of embodiments of the snow sport shock absorbing system 100, and methods related thereto, which can be employed in numerous modes of usage.
(39) The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention, which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
(40) Many such alternative configurations are readily apparent and should be considered fully included in this specification and the claims appended hereto. Accordingly, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, the invention is not limited to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and thus, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.