Slip prevention apparatus and method for snow equipment

Abstract

Certain embodiments of the invention provide a slip prevention apparatus for snowboard and ski equipment. In certain embodiments, the slip prevention apparatus lifts the ski or snowboard off the ground or snow to temporarily immobilize the ski or snowboard. In certain embodiments, the slip prevention apparatus creates a point of traction, while providing a stable platform to stand while strapping into bindings. Certain embodiments include a stop element that provides a point of traction. Certain embodiments of the invention include a retractable tether. Certain embodiments of the invention provide various types of stop elements. Certain embodiments of the invention include a cord having a magnet on an end, and a corresponding magnet attached to a stop element. In certain embodiments, when the user has finished strapping in, the retractable tether returns a stop element to a secure position.

Claims

1. A slip prevention apparatus comprising: a strap; a stop element comprising a clamp having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a slit therebetween; a retractable tether; the strap further comprising a first release feature; the retractable tether further comprising a housing and a cord, the cord having an end attached to a first magnet, and the housing attached to the strap; and the stop element attached to a second magnet, wherein the second magnet is configured to attach to the first magnet.

2. The slip prevention apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stop element comprises rubber.

3. The slip prevention apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stop element comprises a wedge.

4. The slip prevention apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stop element comprises a plate.

5. The slip prevention apparatus of claim 4, wherein the plate further comprises a surface feature.

6. The slip prevention apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stop element comprises an orb.

7. The slip prevention apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stop element comprises a polyhedron.

8. The slip prevention apparatus of claim 1, the first release feature is a buckle.

9. The slip prevention apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retractable tether is attached to the strap with a second release feature.

10. The slip prevention apparatus of claim 9, wherein the second release feature is a buckle.

11. A slip prevention apparatus comprising: a strap; a stop element comprising a clamp; a retractable tether; the retractable tether further comprising a housing and a cord, the cord having an end attached to a first magnet, the housing attached to a release feature, the strap attached to the release feature; and the stop element attached to a second magnet, wherein the second magnet is configured to attach to the first magnet.

12. The slip prevention apparatus of claim 11, wherein the stop element comprises rubber.

13. The slip prevention apparatus of claim 11, wherein the stop element comprises a wedge.

14. The slip prevention apparatus of claim 11, wherein the stop element comprises a plate.

15. The slip prevention apparatus of claim 11, wherein the stop element comprises an orb.

16. The slip prevention apparatus of claim 11, wherein the stop element comprises a polyhedron.

17. The slip prevention apparatus of claim 11, wherein the release feature is a buckle.

18. The slip prevention apparatus of claim 11, wherein the release feature is a carabiner.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1: An embodiment of a slip prevention apparatus in certain embodiments.

(2) FIG. 2A: An embodiment of a stop element in certain embodiments.

(3) FIG. 2B: An embodiment of a stop element in certain embodiments.

(4) FIG. 2C: An embodiment of a stop element in certain embodiments.

(5) FIG. 2D: An embodiment of a stop element in certain embodiments.

(6) FIG. 2E: An embodiment of a stop element in certain embodiments.

(7) FIG. 3A: An embodiment of a slip prevention apparatus attached to a user in certain embodiments

(8) FIG. 3B: An embodiment of a stop element attached to a snowboard in certain embodiments

(9) FIG. 4: An embodiment of a slip prevention apparatus in certain embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) In certain embodiments of the invention, a slip prevention apparatus is provided for assisting users to strap into their ski equipment. Referring to FIG. 1, in certain embodiments, a slip prevention apparatus 1 includes a stop element 2, a cord 8, a retractable tether 4, and a strap 3. A strap is attachable to any number of locations, including but not limited to, for example, a user's leg, calf, boot, belt, waist, or on a ski or snowboard. Still referring to FIG. 1, in certain embodiments, a strap includes a first release feature 9, for example, a buckle, for attachment. It will be appreciated that a strap is attached to user or ski or snowboard with other types of releasable elements, including but now limited to hook and loop attachment, carabiners, hooks, clips, and magnets.

(11) Still referring to FIG. 1, in certain embodiments, a slip prevention apparatus 1 includes a retractable tether 4 with a housing 14 attached to a strap 3. The retractable tether has a cord 8. It will be appreciated that a retractable tether typically has a housing 14 that houses a spiral torsion spring, a cord, and a spool. In certain embodiments, one end of a cord is attached to the spool, and the cord is further wrapped around the spool. A cord end 8a exits the housing 14 through an opening 15. The spiral torsion spring generally has a first end attached to the housing, and a second end attached to the spool. Pulling a cord out of the retractable tether rotates the spool about an axis and loads the spiral torsion spring, storing energy in the form of a recoil force. Release of the cord returns the cord into the retractable tether. It will be appreciated that a number of retractable tethers can be used for the purposes described herein.

(12) Still referring to FIG. 1, in certain embodiments, a cord end 8a is attached to a first magnet 6. A stop element 2 includes a second magnet 7 mateable with a first magnet 6. It will be appreciated that a magnet 6, 7 includes, but is not limited to, for example, ferrite magnets, aluminum nickel cobalt magnets, neodymium iron boron magnets, and samarium cobalt magnets. In certain embodiments, one of the magnets 6 or 7 is ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic, while the other magnet 6 or 7 is magnetically attractable.

(13) As seen in FIG. 2A-2E, in certain embodiments, a stop element is placed underneath a ski or snowboard. Referring to FIG. 2A, a stop element includes a wedge 2a, referring to FIG. 2B, a stop element includes a plate 2b, referring to FIG. 2C, a stop element includes a clamp 2c, referring to FIG. 2D, a stop element includes an orb 2d, and referring to FIG. 2E, a stop element includes a polyhedron 2e. Still referring to FIG. 2A-2E, embodiments of a stop element 2a-2e, include a second magnet 7. It will be appreciated that certain embodiments of a stop element have other shapes, including, but not limited to cylinders, cones, cubes, torus, and cuboids. In certain embodiments, a stop element includes a cavity 16 (for example, as shown in FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, and FIG. 2D). A cavity 16 is filled with air, liquid, and/or other materials. In certain embodiments, the stop element cavity is connected to the exterior with a tube, allowing the stop element to be inflated and deflated by a user.

(14) The stop element generally lifts the ski or snowboard off the surface of the snow to provide traction, allowing a user to balance and strap in. It will be appreciated that in certain embodiments, a stop element having other shapes provide traction to a ski or snowboard. In certain embodiments, a stop element includes a material providing traction. Examples of materials include, but are not limited to materials polymeric such as rubbers natural and synthetic, rubber compounds, rubber composite materials, polysiloxanes, polyurethane, polybutadiene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and plant-based materials such as cork. In certain embodiments, a stop element includes a non-abrasive material. In certain embodiments, as seen in FIG. 2B, a stop element further includes surface features 13 such as nubs to increase traction.

(15) Referring to FIG. 3A, a user attaches a slip prevention apparatus 1 to, for example, the leg 12, ankle, calf, waist, and other body parts. It will be appreciated that a slip prevention apparatus 1 is also attached to other parts, including a user's boot, snowboard, and the like. As seen in FIG. 3A, the strap 3 is secured to a user's leg 12. The strap is connected to a retractable tether 4 having an extensible cord 8, and a stop element 2 magnetically attached to the cord 8. Placement of the stop element 2 under a snowboard 13 allows a user to strap in while standing.

(16) Referring to FIG. 2C, an embodiment of a clamp 2c has a slit 11 dividing an upper portion 15a and lower portion 15b. As seen in FIG. 3B, a user places an edge of a snowboard 13 through slit 11. It will be appreciated that a clamp 2c design is advantageous in preventing the stop element from being buried in certain snow conditions, for example, in powdery snow.

(17) As seen in FIG. 4, an embodiment of a slip prevention apparatus 1 includes a release feature to facilitate easy attachment and removal. In certain embodiments, a second release feature 5, such as a buckle provides attachment and detachment between a retractable tether 4 and a strap 3. In certain embodiments, a third release feature 10, such as a carabiner, provides easy attachment and removal of a retractable tether 4 from a strap 3. In certain embodiments, a third release feature 10, such as a carabiner allows attachment to a user, including, for example, on a user's belt loop or belt.

(18) While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Further, the inventions described herein are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of including, comprising, or adding and variations thereof herein are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as, additional items.