US20110221179A1

US20110221179A1 - Edge protecting device

Info

Publication number: US20110221179A1
Application number: US12/720,530
Authority: US
Inventors: Micah J. Nickolaisen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-03-09
Filing date: 2010-03-09
Publication date: 2011-09-15

Abstract

An edge protecting device for a variety of sports equipment, such as snow board, surf board and skate board, has been described. The edge protecting device includes multiple connecting elements and multiple edge covers. Further, the edge covers are connected to each other using the connecting elements. The connecting elements can be made of various materials, such as elastic cords, springs and connecting rods, so that the distance between the edge covers can be varied.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of edge protecting devices. More particularly the invention pertains to an edge protecting device for sports equipment such as snowboards, skis, skateboards, surfboards and other such equipment.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Edges of sports equipment are of prime importance to the performance of the sports equipment. For example, snowboard edges are an essential part of the snowboard which allows one to carve, turn and stop. Edges take a lot of abuse, so it's important to keep an eye on them and make sure to keep them tuned and in shape. Like the base, the edges stay in contact with the ground and may get banged up from rocks, ice and other irregularities. It's best to keep your edges sharp and smooth, so regular edge repair and maintenance is important. There is a large amount of activity in the general field of sports equipment and the prior art profile is saturated with numerous products and designs. However, none of the existing prior art offer a solution for protecting the edges in an efficient and easy manner, while allowing the user to practice with the equipment on alternative surfaces, such as a trampoline. The available solutions either change the function of the sports equipment or are used to carry the sports equipment. Either way, the available solutions do not protect surfaces from damage caused by the edges of sports equipment when practicing, in transit or in storage.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,938,864 issued to Simonian et al discloses a display device, configured for receiving a board shaped sporting device.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,736,263 issued to J S Smith discloses elastic coverings for alpine snow equipments.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,314 issued to P R McGovern discloses a snowboard protective cover which is a removable cover for a snowboard having an elongated, substantially longitudinally expandable bottom portion of configuration of a snowboard and a C-shaped expandable collar secured to and circumscribing the bottom portion, configured to receive the circumferential edge of a snowboard.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,808 issued to Whidden et al discloses a ski and snowboard edge covering device.
US Patent Application No. 2003/173384 issued to Clark et al discloses a container for storing and transporting sports boards.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,231,483 issued to Phillips et al discloses a carrying case for sports boards.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,374,207 issued to McCoy et al discloses an edge protecting device for snowboards. However, the edge protecting device includes elastic members which may lose their elasticity over periods of repeated use. Further, the edge protecting device includes a strap to hold the elastic members against the side edge portions of the snowboards.
The prior art profile indicated above has devices which serve their respective objectives and requirements, but none of the patents mentioned above has been able to address the need for a single product that protects the edges of a sports equipment, provides an option for practicing the skills on alternate surfaces such as trampoline, gives protection against chipping, gives protection against and to walls, corners, upholstery, and other surfaces, and protects the sports equipment during off-season storage.
Accordingly there exists a need for providing an edge protecting device for sports equipment which is capable of providing protection to the edges during travel and/or use, option of edge protection during off-season storage, protection against chipping, and an added advantage of being used on alternate surfaces.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention aims to overcome the above mentioned shortcomings in the prior art by providing an edge protecting device for sports equipments which is easy to use, provides protection to the edges during travel, storage and/or use on alternative surfaces for practice.
Hence, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a device for protection of the edges of the sports equipments of various shapes and sizes, such as snowboards and skis.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a device, the use of which can enable the user to practice on alternate surfaces such as a trampoline without damaging the edges of the sports equipments.
It is another objective of the present invention to offer an edge protecting device, which is capable of protecting the edges of the sports equipment against chipping or dulling.
It is a further objective of the present invention to offer edge protection during off-season storage of sports equipments.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide an edge protecting device for sports equipment; such that the use of the edge protecting device will decrease the need for regular maintenance, tune-ups and/or remachining of the edges of the sports equipments.
It is another objective of the invention to provide an edge protecting device for sports equipment; such as that the edge protecting device will require repair of the damaged part only in case of a mishap.
It is another objective of the invention to provide an edge protecting device that protects other surfaces such as walls, upholstery, doors, et cetera from being damaged by the edges of the sports equipment.
To attain the aforesaid objectives, the present invention provides an edge protecting device for sports equipment, which includes edge covers to protect the edges. The edge covers affix to the tips or ends of the sport equipments, and provides a tight, secure seal and a protective barrier around the edges. Further, the edge covers are connected using multiple connecting elements, such as cords and connecting rods.
For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objectives attained by a user of the invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated embodiments of the invention as applied to a snowboard sports equipment, as an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an edge protecting device and a snowboard, as per an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the edge protecting device wrapped around the snowboard, as per an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an edge cover of the edge protecting device, as per an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The exemplary embodiments described herein detail for illustrative purposes are subject to numerous variations. It is understood that various omissions, substitutions or equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the edge protecting device 100 for snow sports equipments, according to an embodiment of the present invention. As a non-limiting example, the sports equipments can be snowboard, ski, snowmobile, sledge, ice-skates, skateboard, surfboard. For the purpose of explaining the invention, hereinafter a snowboard 200 has been referred to, as per an embodiment of the present invention.
Further, FIG. 1 shows the snowboard 200 with various parts of the edge protecting device 100 placed at their respective locations to be attached to the snowboard 200. The edge protecting device 100 includes a pair of Tip edge covers 110 a and 110 b. Each of the pair of Tip edge covers 110 a and 110 b have shapes corresponding to the shapes of the tips 50 of the snowboard 200, as per an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the Tip edge covers 110 a and 110 b can be of deformable or elastic material to deform as per the shape of the tips of a snow sports equipment. In other embodiments of the present invention, the shape of the Tip edge covers 110 a and 110 b can vary according to the shape of the tips of the snow sport equipments.
The edge protecting device 100 also includes a pair of connecting elements 120 a and 120 b. The pair of connecting elements 120 a and 120 b connect the Tip edge covers 110 a and 110 b. In an embodiment, the connecting elements 120 a and 120 b can be elastic bands. In another embodiment, the connecting elements 120 a and 120 b can be cords. In yet another embodiment, the connecting elements 120 a and 120 b can be rods with threaded ends. This arrangement enables the edge protecting device 100 to attach on snow sports equipments of various sizes.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the edge protecting device 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the edge protecting device 100 is affixed to the snowboard 200. Further, the tips 50 of the snowboard 200 completely rest inside the Tip edge covers 110 a and 110 b. Also, the Tip edge covers remain attached to the body of the snowboard 200 as being connected and compressed using the connecting elements 120 a and 120 b whose length can be adjusted to give a tighter fix. This allows the edge protecting device 100 to attach on snow sports equipments of various sizes.
FIG. 3 is an isometric view of another preferred embodiment of the invention in which one of the Tip edge covers 110 a is demonstrated. The Tip edge cover 110 b is identical to 110 a. As can be seen, the space between the lower curve 130 and upper curve 140 of the Tip edge cover 110 a is shaped in a manner to complement and receive the edge of the snowboard 200 with a perfect fit.
Although, a particular exemplary embodiment of the invention has been disclosed for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized to those skilled in the art that numerous variations or modifications of the disclosed invention, including the rearrangement in the configuration of the structural aspects of the present invention as well as its method of use being amenable to modifications on account of various types of snow sports equipments, are possible.
As an non-limiting example, in another embodiment of the present invention the edge protecting device 100 can be used in conjunction with an electronic equipment securing the edges of the electronic equipment with the help of the Tip edge covers 110 a and 110 b modified correspondingly.
Accordingly, the invention is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations as may fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An edge protecting device comprising

a plurality of connecting elements; and

a plurality of edge covers, wherein the plurality of edge covers is connected using the plurality of connecting elements.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said connecting elements are cords.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said connecting elements are connecting rods.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said connecting elements are made of a deformable material.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said edge covers are made of a deformable material.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of edge covers is covering a plurality of edges of a sports equipment.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein said sports equipment is a snowboard.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein said sports equipment is a ski.

9. The device of claim 6, wherein said sports equipment is a sledge.

10. The device of claim 6, wherein said sports equipment is a skateboard.

11. The device of claim 6, wherein said sports equipment is a surfboard.

12. An edge protecting device for a snowboard comprising

a plurality of connecting elements; and

a plurality of edge covers covering a plurality of edges of the snowboard, wherein the plurality of edge covers is connected using the plurality of connecting elements.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein said connecting elements are cords.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein said connecting elements are connecting rods.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein said connecting elements are made of a deformable material.

16. The device of claim 12, wherein said edge covers are made of a deformable material, allowing the said edge covers to take the shape of the said edges of the snowboard.