US20140315455A1

US20140315455A1 - Leash mount and releasable leash system

Info

Publication number: US20140315455A1
Application number: US14/256,983
Authority: US
Inventors: Hannes Simon Hänska
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-04-22
Filing date: 2014-04-20
Publication date: 2014-10-23

Abstract

A leash mount comprises a bottom wall, a side wall having an inner side wall section and an outer side wall section, and an upper wall. A leash cavity is formed between the bottom wall, the side wall, and the top wall. The leash cavity is accessible through a leash opening arranged in the outer side wall section and through a deck opening arranged in the upper wall. A retainer member extends upwardly from the bottom wall to the deck opening. The retainer member has an upper surface sloped outwardly towards the leash opening and a substantially vertical inner surface opposite the leash opening. The leash mount is used with correspondingly shaped looped end of a leash to form a releasable leash system. When engaged, the looped end of the leash wraps around the retainer member of the leash mount, securing the leash to the leash mount.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to provisional application 61/814,749 filed on Apr. 22, 2013, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a releasable leash system and more specifically to a releasable leash system that mechanically couples a human being to a mobile sports device, such as a surfboard, snowboard, skateboard, wakeboard or bodyboard.

BACKGROUND

Numerous sports devices include a board element upon which a user stands and balances during use. It is often desirable to provide a leash coupling the user to the board element to increase the ease of management and retrieval of the board element. In the prior art a first end of the leash is typically attached to the trailing section of the board element. Board leashes may include a second end having a wrist or ankle strap for attachment to the user's body. The leash is preferably long enough to reduce the likelihood of injury to the user, e.g., a surfer, when the user becomes separated from the board element, while enabling the surfer to readily recover the board element for remounting.
A rail saver comprising a strip of fabric wider than the cord may optionally be provided to protect the board element from damaging contact with the cord. The rail saver may increase undesirable drag that degrades the mobility of the board element.
The prior art provides leashes that enable removal of the leash from the user as desired by the user, while securing the leash to the board by means of a cord knotted about a pin located within a plug assembly. The plug assembly (hereafter “plug”) may be fitted into a recessed area of the board, whereby the plug and its pin are located below a substantially planar deck surface of the board. The cord may be untied from the pin to facilitate storage of the sports device. Undesirably, the cord may also be detached from the other leash elements and misplaced between uses of the leash.
The prior art includes various attempts to improve leash systems, in particular for use with surfboards. U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,861 presents a combination leash attachment and lock for a surfboard. U.S. Pat. No. 5,199,916 discloses a releasable anchor plug with a retractable leash pin which secures a loop of a leash in a leash cavity. U.S. Pat. No. 6,390,872 discloses a surfboard having improved leash plug anchoring. U.S. Pat. App. Publication 2008/0160848 discloses a surfboard leash connection module using a hook and loop attachment fabric to secure a rail saver to an attachment pin. U.S. Pat. App. Publication 2012/0244763 presents a flexible restraint for use as a leash for a surfboard in which an elongated elastic main portion and an end portion are molded as a one piece structure. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,127,861; 5,199,916; 6,390,872 and U.S. Patent Application Publications 2008/0160848 and 2012/0244763 are hereby incorporated by reference thereto in their entireties.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides an improved leash mount for use with a mobile sporting device such as for example a surfboard. The new leash mount and releasable leash system can be manufactured at lower cost, comprises fewer components, is more reliable, quicker to operate and lighter than known leash systems. By providing a predetermined directionality of the leash the disclosed system significantly reduces the risk of a surfer becoming entangled by the leash.
These advantages are achieved by a leash mount which comprises a bottom wall, a side wall with an inner side wall section and an outer side wall section, and an upper wall. A leash cavity is formed between the bottom wall, the side wall, and the upper wall. The leash cavity is accessible through two openings in the leash mount: A leash opening is provided and arranged in the outer side wall section. A deck opening is arranged in the upper wall. A retainer member extends upwardly from the bottom wall towards the deck opening. The retainer member has an upper surface sloped outwardly towards the leash opening and a substantially vertical inner surface opposite the leash opening.
The leash cavity within the leash mount is shaped to accept a looped end of a leash which is inserted into the leash mount through the leash opening such that the looped end of the leash wraps around the retainer member.
The leash cavity may further comprise a nipple recess within the inner side wall section opposite the leash opening. The nipple recess provides space for a nipple which extends forward from the looped end of a leash. When engaged, the nipple may be the only part of the leash that extends through the leash opening of the leash mount. The nipple is used to disengage the leash from the leash mount, allowing a user to easily pull the looped end of the leash rearwardly over the retaining member.
To securely attach the leash mount to a mobile sporting device a width (w4) of the outer side wall is preferably shorter than a maximum width (w2) of the leash mount.
The leash mount may be made of molded polymer. In particular, the leash mount may be formed as a molded piece of polyamide plastic.
The leash mount may be securely attached to a trailing section of a board element of a mobile sports device, e.g. a surfboard. In that case the upper wall is substantially level with a deck surface of the board element, and the outer side wall section is exposed at a rear end of the board element. The board element may comprise laminated fiberglass, and the leash mount may be attached during assembly of the board element before the board element is laminated. In that case a disposable seal member or a plurality of disposable seal members may be used to seal the leash cavity during assembly of the leash mount to the board element.
The leash plug and a corresponding leash form a releasable leash system. The corresponding leash has a looped first end and an opposite second end. The leash is inserted into the leash mount through the leash opening and the looped first end wraps around the retainer member. In the engaged state the looped first end of the leash transfers any longitudinal force from the leash into the substantially vertical inner surface of the retaining member.
The leash mount and the leash may be made of a same material. More specifically, the leash may be made of an elastic material which assumes a predetermined shape when not deflected by external force. By using an elastic material the leash may be provided predetermined directionality by appropriately positioning the leash opening of the leash mount.
The leash may comprise a first leash section and a second leash section which are connected to each other by a swivel. The swivel may be disposed substantially centrally within the leash between the looped first end and the second end of the leash. More preferably, the first leash section and the second leash section may be sized unevenly. More specifically, the length of the first leash section may be between 5% and 30% of the total length of the leash. To total length of the leash is the sum of the length of the first leash section and the length of the second leash section.
The first and second leash sections may be made of material having different elasticity and hardness. The first and the second leash section may be injection molded pieces, and the swivel between them may be overmolded into the first leash section and/or the second leash section. The first leash section and the section leash section may be simultaneously molded in one process step. The leash may be made of polyurethane. The looped first end of the leash may be an integral injection molded part of the leash.
The second end of the leash may be connected to an ankle cuff. To further improve the directional guidance of the leash the ankle cuff may comprise an adhesive inner surface which prevents rotation of the ankle cuff against the skin of a user. The adhesive inner surface may be silicone. The ankle cuff may be sewed to an attachment plate, which is an integral molded part of the second end of the leash.
The looped first end of the leash may further comprise a nipple which extends upwardly through the deck opening when the leash is connected to the leash mount.
A protective device for a surfboard may be inserted into the leash mount to protect a trailing section of the surfboard which is stored upright. The protective device provides an elastic stand having a first end shaped to securely engage the leash mount and a second end extending outwardly from the leash mount beyond the trailing section of the surfboard.
The releasable leash system may comprise a leash mount having a leash opening through which an end of a leash is inserted. The leash mount comprises a leash cavity and a retainer member disposed within the leash cavity. The retainer member may be arranged substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the leash. The end of the leash comprises a retainer recess which engages the retainer member when the leash is fully inserted into the leash mount. The leash may be made of elastic material, and the leash opening may be smaller than the end of the leash such that the end of the leash is elastically deformed while being inserted through the leash opening. The shape of the end of the leash corresponds to a shape of the leash cavity.
The disclosed leash mount may further comprise a deck opening. The end of the leash may protrude through the deck opening while the end of the leash slides over the retaining member when the leash is inserted through the leash opening into the leash cavity. The end of the leash may be arranged substantially level with or below the deck opening when it is fully inserted into the leash mount and the retaining member engages the retainer recess. The retainer recess may be an eye of a loop.
The leash mount may be mounted within a trailing section of a board element of a mobile sports device. In this arrangement the end of the leash may be directed rearward away from the sporting device when inserted into the leash mount. This prevents the leash from being washed onto the board and become an entanglement hazard for the surfer.
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary complete releasable leash system with a leash mount and a leash.

FIG. 2 a is a more detailed view of a leash mount and a corresponding end of a leash.

FIG. 2 b is the same as FIG. 2 a, showing different reference numerals.

FIG. 3 a through FIG. 3 d show a cross sectional view A-A of FIG. 2 b, during various phases of inserting a leash into a leash mount.

FIG.4 shows an exemplary releasable leash system in use on a surfboard.

FIG. 5 shows proportions of an exemplary releasable leash system.

FIG. 6 a is a perspective view of an attachment plate to which an ankle cuff can be attached.

FIG. 6 b is a side view of the attachment plate show in FIG. 6 a.

FIG. 7 shows disposable seal members that may be used to protect the leash mount during assembly to a sporting device.

FIG. 8 shows a core suitable for forming an integral leash mount within a sporting device.

FIG. 9 shows a leash adapter for connecting a novel leash to a traditional leash plug.

FIG. 10 shows a leash mount adapter and alternative uses thereof.

FIG. 11 shows an exemplary surfboard with two leash mounts and alternative uses of the leash mount adapter shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 a shows a leash mount where the deck opening and the leash opening are both accessible from the deck of a mobile sporting device.

FIG. 13 b shows a leash mount using a stainless steel pin to separate the deck opening and the leash opening of the mount.

FIG. 13 c shows a leash mount with ribs in its inner side wall section.

FIG. 13 d shows a leash mount with an extended side wall.

FIG. 14 a shows a looped end of a leash with a nipple.

FIG. 14 b shows a looped end of a leash with a release tab.

FIG. 15 shows a swivel connecting a first leash section to a second leash section with screws connecting the swivel to the leash sections.

FIG. 16 shows a swivel connecting a first leash section to a second leash section with a combination of a screw and overmolding used to connect the swivel to the leash sections.

FIG. 17 shows a swivel connecting a first leash section to a second leash section, the swivel being molded into both the first and the second leash section.

FIG. 18 shows a swivel connecting a first leash section to a second leash section, the swivel being molded into both the first and the second leash section, the leash sections being an integral part of the leash.

FIG. 19 shows a camera mount which may connect to a leash mount.

FIG. 20 illustrates various alternative placements of leash mounts on a surfboard.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a releasable leash system 1 can be used to releasable connect a human to a mobile sporting device, e.g. a surfboard. FIG. 1 show the releasable leash system 1 in a disengaged state where a leash 100 is disconnected from a leash mount 200. The leash 100 comprises a first leash section 110 which is connected by a swivel 130 to a second leash section 111. A first end 101 of the leash 100 is configured to attach to the leash mount 200. The first end 101 of the leash is formed as a loop 113, leaving an eye 115 which, when inserted into the leash mount 200, wraps around a corresponding retaining member 230. Opposite the first end 101 is a second end 102 of the leash 100. Connected to the second end 102 of the leash is an ankle cuff 120.
A more detailed view of the leash mount 200 and the first end 101 of the leash 100 is provided in FIG. 2 a. As shown, the leash mount 200 comprises a bottom wall 210 and a side wall 220. The side wall 220 comprises an inner side wall section 221 which is invisible within the mobile sporting device when the leash mount 200 is assembled within a corresponding opening of a mobile sporting device. Contrary thereto, an outer side wall section 222 is visible and accessible when the leash mount is assembled within a mobile sporting device.
An upper wall 218 is provided opposite the bottom wall 210. The bottom wall 210, the side wall 220 and the upper wall 218 form the outer surfaces of the leash mount 200. Between these walls and within the leash plug a leash cavity 217 is formed. The leash cavity 217 is accessible from outside through a leash opening 219 which is provided within the outer sidewall section 222. The leash cavity 217 is also accessible through a deck opening 240 within the upper wall 218. As shown in FIG. 2 a, the upper wall 218 may extend with a radius into the outer side wall section 222. The upper wall 218 separates the deck opening 240 from the leash opening 219. The upper wall 218 need not necessarily be long: The upper wall 218 may for example be formed as a round metal pin to hold down the first end 101 of the leash 100 within the leash cavity 217.
Disposed within the leash cavity 217 is a retaining member 230. The retainer member 230 extends upwardly from the bottom wall 210 towards the deck opening 240. The retaining member has an upper surface 232 which is sloped outwardly towards the leash opening 219. A substantially vertical inner surface 231 faces inwardly opposite the leash opening 219. The substantially vertical inner surface 231 is arranged substantially perpendicular to an entry channel for a leash formed by the leash opening 219.
The leash cavity 217 may further comprise a nipple recess 216 within the inner side wall section 221. The nipple provides space for a corresponding nipple 114 of the leash 100 when the leash 100 engages the leash mount 200.
Advantageous proportions of the releasable leash system 1 are further described with reference to FIG. 2 b. The leash cavity 217 has a width w₁. The leash mount 200 has a maximum width w₂inward of the outer side wall section 222. The outer side wall section 222 has a width w₄. The leash opening 219 within the outer side wall section 222 has a width w₃. The looped end 101 of the leash 100 has a maximum width w₅across its eye 115.
To firmly attach the leash mount 200 within a corresponding cavity of a mobile sporting device the maximum width w₂of the leash mount 200 is wider than the width w₄of the outwardly accessible outer side wall section 222. In effect, any force pulling the leash mount 200 towards the leash opening 219 can be absorbed by the widening inner side wall section 221. The leash mount 200 may comprise slots or ribs in its inner side wall section 221 or in its bottom wall 210 to further strengthen the bond between the leash mount 200 and the mobile sporting device to which it is attached. Exemplary ribs 255 in the inner side wall section 221 are shown in FIG. 13 c.
The width w₁of the leash cavity 217 corresponds to the width w₅of the looped leash end 101 and is wider than the width w₃of the leash opening 219. In effect, the leash end 101 is elastically deformed by pushing together the looped end 101 when inserting it through the relatively narrower leash opening 219.
Operation of the releasable leash system is illustrated more detailed in FIG. 3 a through 3 d. FIG. 3 a shows the first end 101 of the leash 100 including the nipple 114 being inserted into the leash opening 219 of the leash mount 200. The leash 100 is pushed in insertion direction (I) through the leash opening 219 towards the leash cavity 217 of the leash mount 200. In this phase the looped end 101 is compressed to fit through the leash opening 219.
At some point, as illustrated in FIG. 3 b, the first looped end 101 of the leash 100 including the nipple 114 reach the retaining member 230 within the leash cavity 217. Here, the looped end 101 which had been compressed while sliding through the leash opening 219 expands back to its original width and slides upwardly along the upper surface 232 of the retaining member. While sliding upward the first looped end 101 of the leash 100 reaches through the deck opening 240 of the leash mount 200.
Continued inward movement of the leash 100 along insertion direction (I) allows the looped end 101 to reach the tip 233 of the retaining member 230 as illustrated in FIG. 3 c.
Finally, as shown in FIG. 3 d, the looped end 101 of the leash 100 slides over the tip 233 of the retaining member and engages the substantially vertical inner surface 231 of the retaining member 230. In this fully engaged position only the nipple 114 reaches through the deck opening 240 of the leash mount 200. The looped end 101 of the leash is seated within the leash cavity 217 and retained therein by the retaining member 230 which engaged the eye 115 of the looped end 101 of the leash 100. Upward movement of the leash 100 is prevented by the upper wall 218. The leash 100 is now securely attached to the leash mount 200. Any retracting force (F) on the leash 100 is transferred into the substantially vertical inner surface 231 of the retaining member 230. Any sideways, upward or downward component of a retracting force (F) on the leash is absorbed by the leash opening 219, thereby preventing unintentional disengagement of the leash 100 from the leash mount 200.
The simple plug-operating allows very quick attachment of the leash 100 to the leash mount 200, resulting in an approximately 90% time saving over traditional leash attachment systems. This time saving is important for competitive surfers who often switch their board. For recreational surfers the new attachment system 1 increases convenience, especially when switching boards in water, where the relative ease of attachment will be appreciated.
To release the leash 100 from the leash mount 200, a user may pull upwardly and backwardly on the nipple 114 of the leash 100 until the looped end 101 of the leash 100 reaches the tip 233 of the retaining member 230. After that, the leash 100 may be pulled out of the leash mount 200 opposite the direction insertion (I).
While the nipple 114 may be molded as an integral part of the looped end 101 it may also be formed as a string or a band which is attached to or molded into the looped end 101. Nipple 114 may also be eliminated, however in that case a tool may be needed to grab and pull backward the looped end 101 when it is located in the leash cavity 217.
Referring now to FIG. 4, the leash 100 may be made of an elastic material which assumes a predetermined shape when not deflected by external force. As shown, the leash mount 200 is assembled in the aft section of a surfboard 300, connecting the leg 41 of a surfer to his board. Traditional leash systems suffered from the leash washing onto the deck of a surfboard 300, leading to possible entanglement of the surfer with the leash. In contrast, the disclosed leash 100 when inserted into the leash mount 200 is directed way from the surfer. The selected elastic material of the leash 100 supports the forming of a loop from the leg 41 of the surfer to the leash mount 200 without twisting.
FIG. 5 shows the releasable leash system 1 in an engaged state where the leash 100 is connected to the leash mount 200. The leash 100 comprises a first leash section 110 which is connected by a swivel 130 to a second leash section 111. The first end 101 of the leash 100 is configured to attach to the leash mount 200. Opposite the first end 101 is a second end 102 of the leash 100. Connected to the second end 102 is an ankle cuff 120.
Previously, leash systems used to require two swivels, one swivel being disposed close to the first end of the leash, and a second swivel being disposed close to the second end of the leash. In contrast, the disclosed leash system requires only one swivel 130, which is located more centrally between the first end 101 and the second end 102 of the leash 100. In particular, the length 11 of the first leash section between the first end 101 of the leash 100 and the swivel 130 is beneficially between 5% and 30% of the total length l1+l2 of the leash 100. In practice, one may manufacture the first leash section 110 at a fixed length, and manufacture the second leash section 111 with different lengths to achieve a desired total leash length of e.g. 5 to 10 feet. A first leash section 110 may for example be 0.5 foot long, and a second leash section 111 may be 9.5 feet long, i.e. the length l1 of first leash section 110 is 5% of the total length l1+l2 of the leash 100. In a different example a first leash section 110 may for example be 1 foot long, and a second leash section 111 may be 4 feet long, i.e. the length l1 of first leash section 110 is 20% of the total length l1+l2 of the leash 100. The placement of the swivel 130 leads to the swivel 130 being subjected exclusively to longitudinal force and rotational force through the leash 100 without a lateral or bending component, thus allowing the swivel 130 to operate optimally. Unnecessary loops or noses that prior leash systems are prone to develop during use are effectively prevented with the disclosed arrangement.
The first leash section 110 and the second leash section 111 may be made of the same material, for example be made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). Different types of thermoplastic polyurethane having different hardness are available. The first leash section 110 and the second leash section 111 may be made of material having different elasticity and hardness. Advantageously, the first leash section 110 may be harder than the second leash section 111. For example, a regular leash with a diameter of 6 mm may comprise a first leash section 110 and its looped first end 101 with a hardness of about 95 Shore A while the second leash section 111 may be softer with a hardness between 82 and 92 Shore A. A competition leash with a diameter of 5 mm may have a first leash section 110 having a hardness of about 95 Shore A while the second leash section 111 may be softer with a hardness of 90±2 Shore A. For optimal performance the looped end 101 should have a hardness of more than 92 Shore A. The diameter of the leash 100 is chosen depending on the specific intended use (large waves or small waves).
The swivel 130 may be overmolded into the first leash section 110 and/or the second leash section 111. Swivel 130 may include an internal ball bearing and is preferably made of stainless steel. The first leash section 110 and the second leash section 111 may be simultaneously molded in one process step. Similarly, the looped first end 101 of the leash 100 may be an integral injection molded part of the leash 100.
As shown in FIG. 5, an ankle cuff 120 is attached to the second end 102 of the leash 100. FIG. 6 a and FIG. 6 b show the second end 102 of the leash in more detail. The second end 102 of the leash as shown comprises an integral plate 126 to which the ankle cuff 120 can be sewed. The dimensions of the integral plate 126 may be about 4 cm×4 cm.
In a further improvement, an adhesive material, for example silicon, may be applied to the inner surface 121 of the ankle cuff 120. The adhesive material prevents the ankle cuff 120 from rotating around the ankle of the surfer even under traction, so that the leash 100 is directed rearward away from the surfer's leg. The ankle cuff 120 may be made of Alcantara® or a similarly soft material to provide user comfort.
The disclosed design provides a significant cost advantage by reducing the total number of parts that make leash 100, and by allowing the remaining parts to be manufactured very efficiently. In a first manufacturing step the leash 100 can be molded with its looped end 101 on one end and attachment plate 126 on the opposite end. In a second manufacturing step the ankle cuff 120 is sewed to the attachment plate, completing the leash 100 in only two steps. Previously, two swivels were typically attached to the leash, one being screwed or riveted to a rail saver, the other being screwed or riveted to the ankle cuff. Having overmolded one swivel 130 directly into the leash 100 eliminates the need for manual attachment of a swivel and increases robustness of the system overall. Even though the disclosed leash 100 is more robust, it also is about 20% lighter than a traditional leash.
The directional guidance of both ends of the leash 100 when in use addresses a significant drawback of existing leash systems: Previously, ankle cuffs had a tendency to slip around a surfer's ankle when under lateral tension. As a result of such a rotation at the ankle, a leash could run between the surfer's legs, and thus have a disruptive effect on further surfing. Also, known leash plugs provided no directional guidance for the leash, allowing waves to push the leash, or a string attached to the leash, onto the board which caused entanglement and subsequent falling. The here presented releasable leash system 1 guides the leash 100 rearward away from the surfer both at the ankle cuff 120 and at the leash mount 200 and effectively solves the problem of a surfer becoming entangled with the leash. This is particularly important during the critical take off phase when a surfer catches a wave and rises from a lying position to standing on the board.
Also, previously known leash plugs were mounted onto a surfboard such, that the leash would be attached from the deck side of the surfboard, requiring strings and rail savers to attach a leash and to protect the board from being damaged. Those are no longer necessary, as the leash opening 219 of the here presented leash mount 200 is positioned within a surfboard such, that the leash 100 exists rearward without contacting the deck of the surfboard. In prior systems the string, the rail saver, and the leash were typically made from materials having different elasticity. This caused additional weak spots and increased likelihood of failure. The present system avoids these weak spots and, by virtue of reducing the overall part count, increases the robustness of the system as there are fewer components that can fail.
The leash mount 200 may be made of a polymer and may in particular be formed as an injection molded piece of polyamide with a fiberglass content of approximately 30%, e.g. with a fiberglass content between 20% and 40%.
The leash mount 200 may be securely attached to a trailing section of a board element of a mobile sports device, such that the upper wall 218 is substantially flush with a deck surface of the board element. The outer side wall section 222 may be exposed at a rear end of the board element. In particular, the leash mount 200 may be mounted into a correspondingly shaped cavity of a surfboard.
In an exemplary installation method the leash mount 200 may be installed during the original assembly of a surfboard which comprises laminated fiberglass. The leash mount 200 is attached during assembly of the surfboard, and the surfboard deck is laminated after the leash mount 200 has been attached. To prevent contamination of the leash cavity 217 during assembly a first disposable seal member 34 as shown in FIG. 7 may be used to close the deck opening 240 of the leash mount 200. A second disposable seal member 33 may further be used to close the leash opening 219.
The leash mount 200 need not necessarily be a separate component but may be formed as an integral part of a mobile sporting device such as a surfboard. It may for example be produced by using a silicon core 35 as shown in FIG. 8. The silicon core 35 is effectively a negative of the shape of the leash mount 200. The silicon core 35 is placed onto the board before and during lamination of its deck and removed afterward. Thus, in the same production step of laminating the board's deck with resin and fiberglass, the leash mount 200 is seamlessly shaped and becomes available upon removal of the silicon core 35. By manufacturing the leash mount 200 with the silicon core 35 there is no need for a separate leash mount component or for protecting such a separate component during manufacturing.
The releasable leash system 1 may be used in a variety of different ways. Ideally, the disclosed leash 100 and corresponding leash mount 200 are used together, and the leash mount 200 is mounted to a mobile sporting device as part of the original sporting device manufacturing process. Alternatively, the leash mount 200 may be assembled to a mobile sporting device in a retrofit assembly operation. Some users may, however, wish to combine a novel leash 100 with a traditional leash plug 91 when using an older sporting device. This can be accomplished by providing a leash adapter 40 as shown in FIG. 9.
Similarly, a user may wish to use an older conventional leash with the novel leash mount 200. This can be accomplished by providing a leash mount adapter 28 as shown in FIG. 10. The leash mount adapter 28 mimics the shape of the end 101 of the novel leash 100, but is significantly shorter. The leash mount adapter 28 comprises a hole 30 which allows various uses. For example, a hook 29 may be attached to the leash mount adapter 28. Hook 29 may be used in combination with a leash mount 200 that is placed in a forward section of a surfboard to secure the surfboard to a rail as shown in FIG. 11, e.g. for storing the surfboard or showcasing multiple surfboards in a store. The leash mount adapter 28 may also be used as a protective stand when inserted into a rear leash mount 200 as shown in FIG. 11, thereby protecting the rear section of a surfboard from being damaged when storing the surfboard upright.
As shown in FIG. 11, a surfboard may comprise two leash mounts 200, one in the trailing section and one in the bow section. The leash mount 200 in the bow section of the surfboard may be used to attach a rearward facing camera, e.g. a wide-angle waterproof video camera thereto.
FIGS. 13 a-13 d illustrate alternative embodiments of leash mounts. The alternative embodiment of a leash mount 251 shown in FIG. 13 a is accessible only from an upper deck of a surfboard into which the leash mount 251 may be mounted. As illustrated, a stainless steel pin 250 serves as an upper wall, restricting upward movement of a looped end of a leash within a leash cavity and secures the looped end of the leash when it is wrapped around the retaining member 230. The stainless pin 250 effectively separates the deck opening 219 from the leash opening 219 of the leash mount 251, both openings being substantially level with the deck surface of a sporting device.
FIG. 13 b shows another embodiment of a leash mount 252. Here, the leash mount also uses a stainless steel pin 250 to secure a looped end of a leash within a leash cavity. In contrast to the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 a, the end of the leash is however inserted from the rear of the leash mount.
FIG. 13 c shows yet another embodiment of a leash mount 254. Here, ribs 255 are provided on the inner side wall section to strengthen the bond between the leash mount 254 and the sporting device into which is may be mounted. Also, the illustrated embodiment does not utilize a nipple recess.
Yet another embodiment of the leash mount 253 is shown in FIG. 13 d. As shown, the leash mount 253 uses an extended side wall section.
Referring to the various embodiments of a leash mount 251, 252, 253, 254 shown in FIG. 13 a-d, the following commonality can be observed: A leash mount 251, 252, 253, 254 comprises a leash cavity for accepting a looped end of a leash. A substantially vertical retaining member 230 is arranged within the leash cavity. The looped end of a leash is wrapped around the substantially vertical retaining member. In use, the substantially vertical retaining member absorbs pulling forces on the leash. A substantially horizontal retaining member (also referred to as an upper wall before) is disposed rearward of the substantially vertical retaining member, extending between two opposite walls that form the leash cavity. The substantially horizontal retaining member prevents upward movement of the looped end of the leash. A deck opening is located above the substantially vertical retaining member. A leash opening is located rearward of the substantially horizontal retaining member.
FIG. 14 a and FIG. 14 b illustrate alternative embodiments of the looped end 101 of a leash 100, and in particular different styles of a release member which may be a nipple 114 a or a release tab 114 b.
FIG. 15 shows the connection between a first leash section 110 and a second leash section 111 in more detail. Here, a known swivel 180, preferably made of stainless steel, is provided. The first leash section 110 comprises a first screw cavity 151 for securing the swivel 180 to the first leash section 110 with a screw 170. Screw 170 may be a hexagonal headless set screw. Similarly, the second leash section 111 comprises a second screw cavity 161 which secures the swivel 180 to the second leash section 111 with a screw 170. As illustrated, the second leash section may be made of relatively inexpensive bulk stock material 162, which is overmolded with 95A shore TPU material 160 to connect the swivel 180 to the bulk stock material 162
FIG. 16 shows an alternative embodiment of the connection between the first leash section 110 and the second leash section 111. Here, a swivel 181 is overmolded within the first leash section 110. Swivel ribs 131 are used to secure the overmold connection and securely hold the swivel 171 within the first leash section 110. The attachment of the swivel 181 to the second leash section 111 is as shown in FIG. 15, using a set screw 170 to connect the swivel 181 to the second leash section 111. As before, the second leash section may utilize bulk stock material 162 which is overmolded with TPU material 160 to connect swivel 181.
Yet another embodiment of a swivel 182 is shown in FIG. 17. Here, both ends of the swivel comprise swivel ribs 131 and are overmolded. As shown, no screws are needed to connect the first leash section 110 to the second leash section 111. Instead, swivel 182 is molded directly to the first leash section 110 and to the second leash section 111. As before, the second leash section may comprise bulk leash material 162 which is overmolded with material 160 to connect the swivel 182.
As shown in FIG. 18, the first leash section 110 and the second leash section 111 may be formed as molded TPU, and swivel 130 may be directly overmolded with the respective leash sections. Swivel ribs 131 may be axially spaced along the swivel's longitudinal axis to retain the swivel within the molded leash sections 110,111.
FIG. 19 shows a camera mount 190 having a looped end 191 which may connect to the leash mount as disclosed in this paper. Fins 192 are provided at the opposite end to stabilize a camera (not shown), which may be attached to the camera mount 190.
While the leash mount as disclosed provides an excellent way of attaching a leash to a mobile sporting device, it may be used to attach other elements or devices to a mobile sporting device. Possible locations of a leash mount on a surfboard are shown in FIG. 20. Those mounts may for example be used to attach camera(s) or ankle straps on alternative positions on the surfboard with a common releasable attachment system.
While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the disclosed or illustrated embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover numerous other modifications, substitutions, variations and broad equivalent arrangements that are included within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A leash mount comprising:

a bottom wall;

a side wall comprising an inner side wall section and an outer side wall section;

an upper wall;

a leash cavity between the bottom wall, the side wall, and the upper wall;

a leash opening arranged in the outer side wall section;

a deck opening arranged in the upper wall; and

a retainer member extending upwardly from the bottom wall to the deck opening, the retainer member having an upper surface sloped outwardly towards the leash opening and a substantially vertical inner surface opposite the leash opening.

2. The leash mount as in claim 1,

wherein the leash cavity is shaped to accept a looped end of a leash which is inserted into the leash mount through the leash opening such that the looped end of the leash wraps around the retainer member.

3. The leash mount as in claim 1,

wherein the leash cavity comprises a nipple recess within the inner side wall section opposite the leash opening.

4. The leash mount as in claim 1,

wherein a width (w₄) of the outer side wall is shorter than a maximum width (w₂) of the leash mount.

5. The leash mount as in claim 1 made of a molded polymer.

6. The leash mount as in claim 1 formed as a molded piece of polyamide with a fiberglass content of approximately 30%.

7. The leash mount as in claim 1 securely attached to a trailing section of a board element of a mobile sports device,

wherein the upper wall is substantially level with a deck surface of the board element, and

wherein the outer side wall section is exposed at a rear end of the board element.

8. The leash mount as in claim 7,

wherein the board element comprises laminated fiberglass, and

wherein the leash mount is attached during assembly of the board element, and

wherein the board element is laminated after the leash mount has been attached.

9. The leash mount as in claim 8, further comprising a disposable seal member which seals the leash cavity during assembly of the leash mount to the board element.

10. A releasable leash system comprising:

the leash mount as in claim 1 and

a leash having a looped first end and an opposite second end,

wherein the leash is inserted into the leash mount through the leash opening and the looped first end wraps around the retainer member.

11. The releasable leash system as in claim 10, wherein the looped first end of the leash transfers a force from the leash into the substantially vertical inner surface of the retaining member.

12. The releasable leash system as in claim 10, wherein the leash mount and the leash are made of a same material.

13. The releasable leash system as in claim 10, wherein the leash is made of an elastic material which assumes a predetermined shape when not deflected by external force.

14. The releasable leash system as in claim 10, wherein the leash comprises a first leash section and a second leash section, further comprising a swivel connecting the first section to the second section.

15. The releasable leash system as in claim 14, wherein the swivel is disposed between the looped first end and the second end.

16. The releasable leash system as in claim 14, wherein a length (l1) of the first leash section is between 5% and 30% of the total length (l1+l2) of the leash.

17. The releasable leash system as in claim 14, wherein the first leash section and the second leash section are made of material having different elasticity and hardness.

18. The releasable leash system as in claim 14, wherein the swivel is overmolded into the first leash section and/or the second leash section.

19. The releasable leash system as in claim 14, wherein the first leash section and the section leash section have been simultaneously molded in one process step.

20. The releasable leash system as in claim 10, wherein the leash is made of polyurethane.

21. The releasable leash system as in claim 10, wherein the looped first end of the leash is an integral injection molded part of the leash.

22. The releasable leash system as in claim 10, wherein the second end of the leash is connected to an ankle cuff.

23. The releasable leash system as in claim 22, wherein the ankle cuff comprises an adhesive inner surface which prevents rotation of the ankle cuff against the skin of a user.

24. The releasable leash system as in claim 23, wherein the adhesive inner surface is comprises silicone.

25. The releasable leash system as in claim 10, wherein the second end of the leash extends into an attachment plate 26).

26. The releasable leash system as in claim 25, wherein an ankle cuff is sewed to the attachment plate.

27. The releasable leash system as in claim 10, wherein the looped first end of the leash further comprises a nipple which extends upwardly through the deck opening when the leash is connected to the leash mount.

28. A protective device for a surfboard comprising

the leash mount as in claim 1 securely attached to a trailing section of the surfboard and

an elastic stand having a first end shaped to securely engage the leash mount and a second end extending outwardly from the leash mount beyond the trailing section of the surfboard.

29. A releasable leash system comprising

a leash mount having a leash opening through which an end of a leash is inserted,

the leash mount comprising a leash cavity and a retainer member disposed within the leash cavity,

wherein the end of the leash comprises a retainer recess which engages the retainer member when the leash is fully inserted into the leash mount.

30. The releasable leash system as in claim 29,

wherein the end of the leash is made of elastic material, and wherein the leash opening is smaller than the end of the leash such that the end of the leash is elastically deformed while being inserted through the leash opening.

31. The releasable leash system as in claim 29,

wherein a shape of the end of the leash corresponds to a shape of the leash cavity.

32. The releasable leash system as in claim 29,

wherein the leash mount further comprises a deck opening,

wherein the end of the leash protrudes through the deck opening while the end of the leash slides over the retaining member when the leash is inserted through the leash opening into the leash cavity and

wherein the end of the leash is level with or below the deck opening when the end of the leash is fully inserted into the leash mount and the retaining member engages the retainer recess.

33. The releasable leash system as in claim 29,

wherein the retainer recess is an eye of a loop.

34. The releasable leash system as in claim 29,

wherein the leash mount is mounted within a trailing section of a board element of a mobile sports device and

wherein the end of the leash is directed rearward away from the sporting device when inserted into the leash mount.

35. The releasable leash system as in claim 29,

wherein the retainer member is arranged substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the leash.

36. A releasable leash system comprising:

a leash mount having a leash cavity formed between two opposite side walls;

a substantially vertically arranged retainer member disposed within the leash cavity; and

a substantially horizontally arranged retainer member extending between the opposite side walls rearward of the substantially vertically arranged retainer member.

37. The releasable leash system as in claim 36,

further comprising a leash having a looped end which wraps around the substantially vertically arranged retainer member and is held within the leash cavity by the substantially horizontally arranged retainer member.