WO2002072405A2 - Foam core sledding device with steering control - Google Patents

Abstract

A sports board (10) that includes a body (12) having an expanded foam core and having a front end (12a), a rear end (12b), and two sides(12c,d). The sports board (10) also includes a steering control structure (18) pivotally coupled with the body (12) to provide steering inputs to the sled. The steering structure (18) includes a cross bar (20) pivotally with body (12) of the sports board (10) at a pivot point and extending beyond the two sides (12c,d) of the body(12), and a left and right handle (22) coupled with the cross bar(20), the left handle coupled with the cross bar (bar) left of the pivot point, the right handle coupled with the cross bar(20) right of the pivot point. The steering structure(18) also includes a steering pontoon (24) coupled with the cross bar (20) near each end of the cross bar (20) outboard of the body(12).

Description

FOAM CORE SLEDDING DEVICE WITH STEERING CONTROL

Related Application

The present application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent

Applications: Serial No. 60/274,697, which was filed on March 9, 2001, entitled

"FOAM CORE SLEDDING DEVICE WITH STEERING CONTROL," and Serial

No. 60/274,735, which was filed on March 9, 2001, entitled "FOAM SLEDDING

DEVICE," and the complete disclosures of both are hereby incorporated by reference.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to sports boards. More specifically, the

invention relates to sports boards having a steering control structure.

Background of the Invention

Sports boards are popular for a variety of recreational activities, such as snow

sledding, body boarding, surfing, etc. Wham-O, Inc.'s BOOGIE BOARD® body boards

have been used for years by children and adults for sport in ocean surf and to cool off, in

an entertaining way, on warm summer days. Similarly, Wham-O, Inc.'s

SNOWBOOGIE® sleds have been used for recreation on winter days. Typical sports

boards use an expanded foam core, a foam skin laminated to the top and side surfaces,

and a solid skin laminated to a foam backing member which is laminated to the core

along the bottom surface. The laminated solid skin improves durability and reduces drag

as the sports board slides along the snow or through the water.

One problem with sport boards when used as sleds is that they are difficult to

steer. The slick skin on the bottom of the foam core sled can glide over the snow equally

well in any orientation; as a result, the sled does not always travel in the direction a rider points it.

It would be desirable to develop a sports board for use as a sled that includes a

steering control structure that enables greater steering control of the sled.

Summary of the Invention

A sports board that includes a body having an expanded foam core and having

a front end, a rear end, two sides, and a steering control structure or mechanism

pivotally coupled to the body to provide steering to the sled. The steering structure

includes a cross bar pivotally coupled to the body of the sports board at a pivot point

and extending beyond the two sides of the body, and a left and right handle coupled

with the cross bar, the left handle coupled to the cross bar left of the pivot point, the

right handle coupled to the cross bar right of the pivot point. The steering structure

also includes a steering pontoon coupled with the cross bar near each end of the cross

bar outboard of the body.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a foam core sledding device according to one

embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the sledding device of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a steering structure for use with the sledding device

of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a partial sectional view of the attachment of the steering structure of Fig

3 attached to the sledding device of Fig. 1

Fig. 5 is sectional view of a rail and snap rivet assembly for use with the sledding

device of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a handle, and handle rail for use with the sledding

device of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 A is a bottom plan view of the sled construction with pontoons of Figs. 1

and 2.

Fig. 7B is a left-side view of the sled construction with pontoons with the right-

side view being a mirror image of Fig. 7B.

Fig. 7C is a front end view of the sled construction with pontoons taken from the

left of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7D is a rear end view of the sled construction with pontoons taken from the

right of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8A is a perspective view of a sports board constructed in accordance with a

first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8B is a top plan view of the sports board of Fig. 8 A.

Fig. 8C is a top end view of the sports board of Fig. 8B.

Fig. 8D is a left or right side view of the sports board of Fig. 8B.

Fig. 8E is a bottom end view of the sports board of Fig. 8D.

Fig. 9A is a perspective view of a sports board constructed in accordance with a

second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9B is a top plan view of the sports board of Fig. 9 A.

Fig. 9C is a top end view of the sports board of Fig. 9B.

Fig. 9D is a left or right side view of the sports board of Fig. 9B.

Fig. 9E is a bottom end view of the sports board of Fig. 9D.

Fig. 10A is a perspective view of a sports board constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 1 OB is a top plan view of the sports board of Fig. 10A.

Fig. IOC is a top end view of the sports board of Fig. 10B.

Fig. 10D is a left or right side view of the sports board of Fig. 10B.

Fig. 10E is a bottom end view of the sports board of Fig. 10D.

Fig. 11A is a perspective view of a sports board constructed in accordance with a

fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 1 IB is a top plan view of the sports board of Fig. 11 A.

Fig. 11C is a top end view of the sports board of Fig. 1 IB.

Fig. 1 ID is a left or right side view of the sports board of Fig. 1 IB.

Fig. 1 IE is a bottom end view of the sports board of Fig. 1 ID.

Fig. 12A is a perspective view of a sports board constructed in accordance with a

first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12B is a top and bottom plan view of the sports board of Fig. 12 A.

Fig. 12C is a right-side view of the sports board of Fig. 12B, and the left-side

view of Fig. 12B is a mirror image of Fig. 12C.

Fig. 12D is an end view of the sports board of Fig. 12B.

Fig. 12E is an end view of the sports board of Fig. 12B taken from the top.

Fig. 13A is a perspective view of a sports board constructed in accordance with a

second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13B is a top plan view (or bottom plan view) of the sports board of Fig. 13 A.

Fig. 13C is a right-side view of the sports board of Fig. 13B, and the left-side

view of Fig. 13B is a mirror image of Fig. 13C. Fig. 13D is an end view of the sports board of Fig. 13B.

Fig. 13E is an end view of the sports board of Fig. 13B taken from the top.

Fig. 14A is a perspective view of the saucer sled constructed in accordance with

the present invention.

Fig. 14B is a top plan view (and bottom plan view) of the sled of Fig. 14A.

Fig. 14C is a side view of the sled of Fig. 14 A.

Detailed Description and Best Mode of the Invention

A sports board according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown in

Figs. 1 and 2, generally indicated at 10. Sports board 10 may be a body board, a sled, or

similar recreation board for sliding along water or snow. As shown in Fig. 1 , the basic

construction of a board 10 includes a semi-rigid foam cored body 12, preferably

formed of a synthetic foam, such as Ethafoam®, a product of Dow Chemical. A top

skin 14, preferably formed of skinned Ethafoam, covers the top surface of the body,

and a bottom skin 16, preferably formed of Ethafoam with a polyethylene skin, covers

the bottom surface of the body. Solid bottom skin 16 may be in the range of 6 to 25

mils thick, and more preferably around 15 mils thick. Solid bottom skin 16 may be made

of extruded polyethylene or other polyolefms. The skins are preferably attached to the

body by thermolamination, or by other suitable means.

Bottom skin 16 preferably presents a smooth slick surface, for easy gliding on

the snow. The bottom skin may also be provided with an array of dimples on the

lower surface, which are believed to create a vacuum during sliding that helps to

maintain the bottom skin in contact with the snow while yet allowing easy gliding.

The sled may alternatively be constructed without either or both of the top and bottom

skins. Bottom skin 16 may be a solid polymer sheet having a low coefficient of friction

to enhance the performance of the sports board.

Body 12 includes a front end 12a, a rear end 12b, a left side 12c, and a right

side 12d. Body 12 is configured for sliding down a snow-covered surface with front end 12a leading and rear end 12b trailing. A rider may sit, kneel, or lie prone on sled

10 according to the rider's preference.

As shown in Figs. 1-3, Sled 10 includes a steering structure 18 configured to

permit a rider to steer the sled. Steering structure 18 is pivotally coupled with body 12

of sled 10. Pivotally coupling the steering structure with the body of sled 10 permits a

rider to provide steering inputs to the sled. Steering structure 18 includes a cross bar

20, a pair of handles 22, a pair of outrigger pontoons 24, and a pivot mount 26. Cross

bar 20 extends beyond sides 12c and 12d of the body and curve upward, like bicycle

handlebars, to accommodate mounting of handles 22 and outrigger pontoons 24

thereon. The steering structure 18 is positioned on the front half of sled 10 so that a

rider may sit or lie on the sled and steer. Handles 22 mount to distal ends of cross bar

20. Handle mounts 23 couple cross bar 20 with outrigger pontoons 24 and are

configured to provide space for a rider to grasp the handles. Handle mounts 23 space

the handles apart form the outrigger pontoons. Pivot mount 26 couples cross bar 20

with body 12 at about the centerline of sled 10.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, steering structure 18 pivotally connects to body 12.

Pivot mount 26 clamps cross bar 20 within a housing 40 and couples the cross bar with

pivot bolt 42. Pivot bolt 42 extends through body 12 of sled 10 at a pivot point near the

centerline of the body of the sled. Body 12 includes a pivot aperture 50 through the

centerline of body 12. Housing 40 includes a lower pivot collar portion 44 that extends

downward through pivot aperture 50 to engage a pivot cylinder 46. Pivot cylinder 46

extends upward from a retaining flange 48 through pivot aperture 50 in the body of sled

10. Pivot bolt 44 connects cross bar 20 with retaining flange 48 such that the cross bar may rotate about the pivot bolt. Flange 48 is circular and extends beyond the perimeter

of aperture 50, such that the flange abuts the bottom surface of body 12 and is securely

fastens steering structure 18 to body 12. The lower pivot collar is configured to rotate

within the pivot cylinder and aperture 50 enabling a rider to steer the sled. The rider

steers the sled by pushing and pulling on left and right handles 22, which causes

outrigger pontoons 24 to point in a different direction from body 12 of sled 10, thus

causing the sled to turn.

Handle 22 provides the rider a grip and enables the rider to steer the sled. All

handle components are preferably made of HDPE. Handles 22 are configured so the

rider may hold onto the handles in a kneeling or prone position, or so the rider may

steer with his or her feet in a seated position.

Left and right outboard steering runners or pontoons 24 are coupled

respectively beneath left and right handles 22. The pontoons are positioned outboard

of body 12 of sled 10. It should be noted that pontoons 24 may be referred to as

outriggers. Pontoons 24 are each formed of a pontoon body 28, preferably made of

the same construction as the main body 12 of sled 10, i.e., foam core with a smooth

bottom skin and a foam top skin, and a handle rail 30 coupled to the bottom of body

28 by handle pins, or snap rivets 32, which are fastened to integral cups, or snap posts

34 in handle rails 30. The handle rails and handle pins are preferably made of HDPE.

Handle rails 30 are configured for mounting to the bottom side of pontoons 24. Rails

30 bite into the snow to provide steering force for the steering structure. Handles 22

connect through body pontoon body 28 to handle rails 30 using snap rivets 32, as

shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Handle rail 30 may be a hard plastic or similar material adapted to keep sled 10 tracking along in the direction the steering structure is pointing. As

shown in Fig. 5, handle rail 30 has a narrow lower end configured to keep the sled on

track in the snow, traveling in the direction the rider points the sled.

In Fig. 5, the coupling of handle 22 and handle rail 30 through pontoon body 28 is

5 shown. Handle 22 is secured to pontoon body 28 by snap rivet 32. Snap rivet 32 may be

adapted to couple with a snap post 34 that extends upward from handle rail 30. Snap

post 34 includes snap slots 36 that are configured to engage snap rivet 32 and retain the

rivet after it has been inserted into the snap post. As illustrated in Fig. 5, snap rivet 32

includes snap segments 38. As shown, snap segments 38 are frusto-conical shape and

[0 are configured to snap into successive snap slots 36 until all the snap segments are

completely inserted.

The configuration of cross bar 20, handles 22, and handle rails 30 is clearly

shown in Fig. 6. Snap rivets 32 extend downward through a portion of the handle

structure to secure to the handle rails 30, through pontoon body 28 (not shown in Fig. 6).

15 Steering structure 18 provides to the rider a high degree of directional control

of sled 10. The rider simply turns the steering structure in the desired direction and the

handle rails guide the sled in that direction. Children, for example, may steer sled 10,

while sliding down hill on snow, by moving handles 22. It may be helpful for a rider to

shift their weight from side to side causing the handle rails to dig into the snow and carve

-0 a turn.

Sled 10 may include a rail or fin (not shown) attached on the bottom skin,

preferably in a rear central location on body 12. The rear rail helps the sled generally

to maintain an orientation in line with the sled's direction of travel, i.e., to reduce yaw, and also help the rider control and steer the sled. The rear rail may be coupled to the

sled by pins inserted through holes through the sled and held in integral cups or snap

posts in the rear rail.

In Figs. 7A-7D an embodiment of a foam sledding device is shown. The sledding

device includes pontoon outriggers on each side of a central body. The central body has

a flat front tip. The edges curve rearward to a wide shoulder region. The edges further

curve inward to a narrowed waist region and back outward to a wider tail region. The

tail, or end, region includes a concave rear edge. In a side view of the sledding device

the central body curves up at each end.

In Figs. 8A-8E another embodiment of a foam sledding device is shown. The

sledding device has a rounded front edge that may include elongate slots to provide

handles. The device has concave or narrowed side edges through a waist region. The

device further includes a concave rear edge.

In Figs. 9A-9E another embodiment of a foam sledding device is shown. The

sledding device has a rounded front end that includes a slightly raised or thickened front

region designed therein. The raised front region may include elongate slots to provide

handles. The sledding device has a narrowed waist region. The rear third of the

sledding device has a pair of mirror image raised regions along the sides designed

therein. The raised regions of the sides may include handles. The rear edge of the

device includes a concave arc.

In Figs. 10A-10E another embodiment of a foam sledding device is shown. The

sledding device has a rounded front end with a slight point at the tip of it. The device

includes a narrowed waist region and a concave tail region. In Figs. 11A-11E another embodiment of a foam sledding device is shown. The

sledding device has a rounded front end with a slight point at the tip of it. The device

includes a narrowed waist region and a concave tail region.

In Figs. 12A-12E another embodiment of a sledding device is shown at 60 which

includes a plurality of rails 62,64, and 66, etc. formed to extend downwardly along the

bottom surface. The rails become more curved the closer the rail is to the lateral edge.

The front end 60a is arc-shaped and diagonally extends opposed sides 60b and 60c

forming shoulders at 68 and 70. The lateral sides then angle diagonally inward at 72, 74

toward the rear end 76. The rear end is concave. The device has a concave shape front

to back and side to side so that its sides, such as shown at 78 in Fig. 12C extends

upwardly from the bottom 80. The other side, shown at 82 in Fig. 12B also curves

upwardly. The left side of sled 60, is a mirror image of the view shown in Fig. 12C.

In Figs. 13A-13E another embodiment of a sledding device is shown at 90 which

includes a plurality of rails 92, 94, and 96, etc. formed to extend downwardly along the

bottom surface. The rails become more curved the closer the rail is to the lateral edge.

The front end 90a is arc-shaped and diagonally extends opposed sides 90b and 90c

forming a first set of shoulders at 98 and 100. The lateral sides then curve inwardly to

form a waist at 102 and 104. Next the sides re-curve to form a second set of shoulders at

106 and 108, slightly less wide than the first set. Finally, the sides re-curve again to

narrow toward the rear end 110. The edge of the rear end is concave. The device has a

concave shape front to back and side to side so that its sides, such as shown at 112 in

Fig. 13C extends upwardly from the sleds bottom 114. The other side shown at 116 in

Fig. 13B also curves upwardly. The right side of sled 90, is a mirror image of the view in Fig. 13C.

In Figs. 14A-14C another embodiment of a sledding device is shown. The

sledding device is generally a concave saucer shape. The device includes four arced

slots near the saucers perimeter. The edges of the device are rolled or curled over.

It is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct

inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed

in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof, as disclosed and illustrated

herein, are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are

possible. The subject matter of the inventions include all novel and non-obvious

combinations and sub-combinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or

properties disclosed herein. Where claims recite "a" or "a first" element or equivalent

thereof, such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more

such elements, neither requiring, nor excluding two or more such elements.

It is believed that the following claims particularly point out certain

combinations and sub-combinations that are directed to one of the disclosed

inventions and are novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations

and sub-combinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be

claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in this or a

related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to a

different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader,

narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are also regarded as included within

the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. A sports board comprising:

a body having an expanded foam core and having a front end, a rear end, and

two sides; and

a steering control structure pivotally coupled with the body to provide steering

inputs to the sled.

2. The sports board of claim 1, wherein the steering structure includes:

a cross bar pivotally couple with the body of the sports board at a pivot point

and extending beyond the two sides of the body;

a left and right handle coupled with the cross bar, the left handle coupled with

the cross bar left of the pivot point , the right handle coupled with the cross bar right

of the pivot point; and

a steering pontoon coupled with the cross bar near each end outboard of the

body.

3. The sports board of claim 2, wherein the steering structure further

includes a rail coupled with a bottom side of each steering pontoon, and configured to

guide the board as the steering structure is pivoted.

4. The sports board of claim 3, wherein the rail includes a snap post and couples

to one of the left and right handle through one of the steering pontoons with a snap

rivet.

5 5. The sports board of claim 4, wherein the snap rivet includes snap

segments configured to engage snap slots in the snap post, and wherein the

engagement of the snap segments with the snap slots prevents the snap rivet from

being removed from the snap post.

[0 6. The sports board of claim 5, further including a tracking rail positioned

on the bottom side of the body of the sports board.