WO2003049822A1 - Snow board with collapsible ski poles and method of use - Google Patents

Abstract

A snow board (1) is fitted with mounts (13) to hold collapsible ski poles (20), which allow the snow boarder to propel himself along level areas of snow. When going down-hill, the ski poles (20) are collapsed into a compact configuration, and held securely in mounts (13) affixed at the forward and rear areas of the snow board (1). Each pole (20) has a handle (5), a hollow upper shaft (17) , and a nested segment (22). Locking means (24) allow the user to lock the nested segment (22) within the upper shaft (17). The skier traverses the snow by planting both ski poles (20) forward of his forward foot, twisting his body forward, and keeping his weight forward of the longitudinal center of the snow board (1). By applying pressure with his cupped hands over the tops of the ski pole handles (5), and moving the hips forward, the skier traverses smoothly and easily.

Description

SNOW BOARD WITH COLLAPSIBLE SKI POLES AND METHOD OF USE

PROSECUTION HISTORY

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION.

The present invention relates to ski poles used in conjunction with snow boards,

and more specifically, to the use and construction of such ski poles which are collapsible,

and which are mounted on the surface of the snow board when not in use.

DESCRIPTION RELATIVE TO THE PRIOR ART

Snow boards have grown in popularity, and are widely used in venues where only

traditional skis have been formerly used. Snow boards suffer one disadvantage as

compared to skis, at least as currently used; because they are typically not used with ski poles, it is difficult, or impossible, for snowboarders to traverse level, or nearly level,

terrain. Skiers use ski poles under such circumstances, pushing themselves on their

poles, or "skating" on their skis.

Snowboarders enjoy the freedom of not carrying ski poles, and cannot "skate" on a

single ski. As a result, the technique currently used by snowboarders is to remove the snow board and carry it across level areas.

The current invention is a solution to the level terrain problem by providing the snow

board with collapsible ski poles mounted on the board. As a variant, the present

invention may be provided as a kit to provide mounts to hold collapsible ski poles, with

or without the poles, to be installed on pre-existing snow boards. The poles can be removed from the board and extended to their full size for use when desired. At other

times, they are replaced on the snow board until needed again.

A method is also disclosed for the use of these ski poles in propelling the snow board

user across a level, or slightly inclined terrain. The technique is substantially different

from the techniques used with traditional skis, as will be discussed further.;

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide ski poles and mountings for use

with snow boards.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a single-snow-board ski, having

an upper surface; and one or more bindings attached to the upper surface of the ski are

provided with two ski pole mountings attached to the upper surface of the ski; and two

collapsible ski poles, one mountable in one of the ski pole mountings, and the other

mountable in the other ski pole mounting.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, each ski pole mounting has a

tubular mounting body containing a longitudinal opening disposed along the upper part

of the mounting body, said body composed of a compliant material which grips the

collapsible ski pole when said pole is inserted in the mounting.

In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, each mounting is made up of a

mounting lower base, rigidly attached to the ski body, and a mounting upper base, which

is removeably attached to the mounting lower base, and upon which one of the tubular

mounting bodies is attached.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention, each collapsible ski pole has

an extended position and a collapsed position, and each pole includes a handle, a hollow

upper shaft, and a nested segment. This segment has an upper end and a lower end, and the upper end is slidingly inserted into the hollow upper shaft. Also provided are locking

means to lock the nested segment within the upper shaft. As a result, each collapsible ski

may be locked in the collapsed position, and may further be locked in the extended

position.

In accordance with a fifth aspect of the invention, the locking means contains an

eccentric split washer mounted in proximity to the upper end of the nested segment, the

washer having a flat portion and an opening opposite the split. The washer has two

positions. In the first, the washer is aligned with the nested segment. In the second, the

washer is in a jammed position, so that the washer extends beyond the cross-section of

the nested segment.

In accordance with a final aspect of the invention, the board has a major axis and

two ends, and each mount has a major axis. The major axis of each mount is then

aligned at an angle to the major axis of the snow board, allowing more room for the ski

pole. Each such mounting is located between one of the bindings and one of the ends of

the board.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These, and further features of the invention, may be better understood with reference

to the accompanying specification and drawings depicting the preferred embodiment, in

which:

Figure 1 depicts a perspective view of a skier, mounted on a snow board fitted with

the ski pole holders, and using the ski poles to propel himself.

Figure 2 depicts a perspective view of a snow boarder in place on the snow board

with the holders attached, and using the collapsible ski poles in collapsed position.

Figure 2a depicts a side elevation view of a collapsible ski pole in collapsed position. Figure 2b depicts a side elevation view of a collapsible ski pole in extended position.

Figure 3a depicts a perspective view of a holder assembly mounted on the snow

board.

Figure 3b depicts a perspective view of a holder mounted directly on the snow board.

Figure 4a depicts the eccentric washer assembly of the ski pole shaft in the concentric

position.

Figure 4b depicts the eccentric washer assembly of the ski pole shaft in the eccentric

position; and

Figure 5 depicts a perspective view of the snow board with the holders and

collapsible ski poles mounted.

Figure 6 depicts the skier at the beginning of a traverse, using the current invention.

Figure 7 depicts the skier in a further stage of the traverse, using the current

invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS.

The invention may be understood by first referring to Figure 5. The snow board 1 is

shown with bindings 30 mounted in a position typical for this type of board. Two ski

pole holders 13, are affixed to the board, each one located between a binding and an end

of the board. A collapsible ski pole 20, is contained within each ski pole holder. It is

seen that there is a significant amount of space between each end of the board and the

nearest binding, allowing for the mounting of the ski pole holders in a variety of ways.

As shown in Figure 5, the ski pole holders are mounted diagonally with respect to the

long axis of the snow board, thus allowing for a longer ski pole to be used and still be

contained within the top surface of the snow board without extending beyond the sides. Thus, the diagonal mounting arrangement provides for a safer implementation of the

invention.

Referring now to Figure 1, a snow boarder or skier is mounted on the snow board 1,

with his feet in the bindings, and holding the collapsible ski poles 20, which appear in

this drawing in the extended position. This figure shows how the poles are used to

propel the snow board on level terrain, with the snow boarder in a slightly crouched

position, and leaning forward to thrust the ski poles into the surface beneath him.

Referring now to Figure 2a the pole in this embodiment includes a handle 5. The

body of the pole includes shank 17, and, as seen in Figure 2b, nested segment 22. The

nested segment 22 extends within the shank in the collapsed position, as shown in Figure

2a, and may be withdrawn to extend to it full length, as shown in Figure 2b. In either

position the tip 7 is exposed at the end opposite the handle 5.

It should be noted that a number of collapsible, or foldable ski poles have been the

subject of US patents, and any of these may be used in conjunction with the mounts of

this invention. As an example, US No. 5,651,565 describes an appropriate ski pole for

use with the current invention. However, the preferred embodiment uses a shaft and

segment version with an eccentric-washer locking mechanism, which has been found to

be the most practical for this application.

Referring now to Figure 4a, the end of the nested segment 22, opposite the tip 7 is

shown. The end in Figure 4a is normally contained within the shaft 17, but may be

withdrawn completely from the shaft as shown. At this end, an eccentric washer 24 is

mounted on an axis not aligned with the long axis of the segment. The washer contains a

flat surface 26, and is split, as shown in reference number 28, allowing the washer to contract. The outer surface of the washer is roughened, or otherwise contains a high-

friction surface. In Figure 4a, the washer is aligned with the nested segment.

When the washer is further rotated, as shown in Figure 4b, however, it extends past

the surface of the segment 22. When the segment is inserted within the shaft 17, rotating

the washer will cause it to jam within the shaft, and lock in position.

In practice the segment is usually inserted into the shaft in either a fully extended

state, or in a fully collapsed state, as shown in figures 2a and 2b. In either state, the

eccentric washer is retained within the shaft. When the shaft is twisted relative to the

nested segment, the washer, having a high-friction surface, is rotated by means of its

contact with the inside of the shaft. As a result, the washer will jam, or lock within the

shaft in one position of rotation, and unlock in the other. This is true regardless of how

far the nested segment is inserted into the shaft.

There are many forms of such a collapsible ski pole in the prior art. The version

shown in Figure 2 is referred to as a telescoping style. Other styles in the prior art

include folding ski poles, which are formed into two or more segments attached to each

other by hinges, so that the pole folds up like an accordion.

The critical characteristic of the ski pole for the current application is that it be easy

to extend and collapse; and that, when extended, it remain extended until the user desires

to collapse it. While in use, the collapsible ski pole must not collapse simply from

pressure exerted by the user at the handle and toward the tip, since such pressure is

normally exerted while the ski pole is in use. Thus, some kind of positive locking

mechanism is required in the collapsible pole. Locking is accomplished in various

versions in the telescoping segment prior art by various means, including detents which

operate by rotating the segments relative to each other; and threaded segments which attach to each other by engaging the threads. Similar techniques are used in the folding

versions of the poles.

The holders are mounted in the positions shown in Figures 1 and 5, either by

attaching them directly to the snow board, or by using removable mountings. One such

mounting is shown in Figure 3a. Referring to Figure 3a, the mounting consists of a base

mount 10 which is rigidly affixed to the snow board 1. The holder 13 is seen to include a

tubular member with longitudinal slot 18. The collapsed ski pole is inserted into the

tube, which is made of a compliant material, such as rubber, plastic, or spring steel. The

dimension of the tubular member is such that cross-sectional dimension of the pole

segments at their widest point are greater than the internal diameter of the tube, so that

the tube must expand somewhat to allow the ski pole to be inserted. The compliant

material from which the mount is made will then exert a restoring force on the shaft of

the ski pole, positively capturing the ski pole within the tubular member, so that it does

not slide longitudinally when so captured.

The tubular member 13 is attached to upper base member 12 by welding, by

adhesives, or other means of permanently affixing. The upper base member fits atop

mount base 11, completely covering the mount base when in place. The upper base

member is removeably affixed to the base mount by quick-disconnect means, such as

detents. As shown in Figure 3a, an extending detent ball in the upper base member (not

shown) mates with the detent recess 11 in the base mount, so that a reliable attachment

results. Other means of affixing the upper base member to the base mount include

screws, cotter pins, and similar fasteners.

In the embodiment depicted by these drawings, it is assumed that the two base

mounts, forward and rear, will be permanently affixed to the snow board during the life of the board. If the user so desires, the upper base members may be removed and re¬

connected quickly and repeatedly.

In an alternate embodiment, as shown in Figure 3 b, the mount may be directly and

permanently attached to the surface of the board 1. In this embodiment, the mount may

be attached with screws, or other fasteners, or it may be affixed with adhesive, which has

the advantage of simplicity, and does not require damaging the board by drilling holes

for mounting screws.

METHOD OF PROPULSION USING THE SKI POLES

The use of the collapsible ski poles is substantially different than use of traditional

ski poles, and requires a different technique in propelling the skier across the snow.

Unlike the use of traditional ski poles, ski poles used to propel snow boards require

much less force to propel the skier, since the snow board has a much larger surface area

than traditional skis, and the pressure of the snow board on the snow is a small fraction

of the pressure of traditional skis on the snow under similar circumstances. Thus, the

friction between the skis and the snow is substantially reduced.

The present method of propulsion is not effective on steep grades, both because the

low friction causes the board to slide backwards down the grade, and because the short

length of the ski poles of the current invention makes it difficult to apply the forces

required to traverse up steeper grades.

The first obvious difference is the size of the ski poles of the current invention.

Traditional ski poles are usually selected so that the handles extend to the user's armpits

when the opposite end is touching the ground. For use with snow-boards, poles, when

fully extended, are typically thirty inches long. In the snow-board ofthe current invention, the user holds the ski poles by cupping

his hands 32 over the top ofthe handles. In the initial position, as shown in Figure 5, the

skier is standing with his weight somewhat behind the center 35 ofthe board, the skier's

body twisted to be facing the front 37 ofthe board, and the ski poles 36 substantially

upright, and in front of the user's front foot 38.. The cupped position ofthe hands above

the ski poles is noted. The knees 40 are slightly bent, leaving the skier in a crouched position.

In Figure 6, as the board moves forward, the skier's position has changed, so that the

board is now closer to the ski poles 36, which are no longer upright. The skier's weight

has further shifted so that it is forward ofthe midpoint 35 ofthe snow board. The skier

has achieved this position by moving his hips 42 forward, and applying a slight pressure

on the ski handles with the palms ofthe hands.

In Figure 7, the skier is in a third position, wherein the board has moved still closer to

the ski poles 36, and the skier's weight has shifted further forward ofthe center point 35

ofthe snow board. This position is achieved by maintaining the pressure on the handles

ofthe ski poles, and continuing to move the hips forward.

The skier now reaches forward and re-plants the ski poles in the position of Figure 5,

and moves his hips back to the position shown in Figure 5, and repeats the steps just

described. Throughout the traverse, the skier remains in a substantially crouched

position.

Some practice is needed to coordinate the motions ofthe planting ofthe ski poles and

the movement ofthe hips, but the result is a smooth, low effort traverse ofthe snow. It is not necessary to provide a variety of ski pole sizes for skiers of different heights,

because taller skiers simply assume a more crouched position than shorter skiers, which

is desireable in any event to low the skier's center of gravity.

It will be apparent that improvements and modifications may be made within the

purview ofthe invention without departing from the scope ofthe invention, and within

the purview ofthe following claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. A snow board for a skier, comprising:

(a) a single-snow-board ski, further comprising a horizontal upper surface, and a

placement area for the skier's feet; and

(b) two ski pole mountings attached to the upper surface ofthe ski, one forward

ofthe placement area and one behind said placement area, each mounting

configured to:

(i) securely retain a completely removable, collapsible ski pole when said

pole is inserted in said mounting;

(ii) allow the complete removal of said ski pole by the skier without

excessive effort; and

(iii) be oriented so that the corresponding collapsed ski pole does not

extend horizontally beyond the upper surface when the ski pole is

inserted in the mounting.

2. The snow board of claim 1 , wherein the mountings are oriented so that each entire ski

pole, when inserted in the corresponding mounting, lies in close proximity to said upper

surface.

3. The snow board of claims 1 or 2, wherein each ski pole mounting further comprises a

tubular mounting body containing a longitudinal opening disposed along the upper part

of the mounting body, said body composed of a compliant material which grips the

collapsible ski pole when said pole is inserted in the mounting.

4. The snow board of claim 3, further comprising two such ski poles, each having an

extended position and a collapsed position, wherein the dimensions of each ski pole are

such that in the extended position, each is of sufficient length to be used by the skier to provide movement ofthe ski along a non-downhill ski surface.

5. The snow board of claim 4, wherein each ski pole further comprises:

a handle; a hollow upper shaft segment; one or more nested segments, each nested segment further comprising an upper

end and a lower end, the upper end slidingly inserted into an adjacent nested segment; and

an eccentric split washer mounted in proximity to the upper end of each nested

segment, said washer comprising a flat portion and an opening opposite the split, and having a rotatable position whereby the washer is aligned with the nested

segment, and a jammed position, whereby the washer extends beyond the cross- section ofthe nested segment, locking to the adjacent segment by means ofthe friction produced thereby.

6. A method for improving the propulsion of a single, snow board ski, the ski

comprising a horizontal upper surface, and a placement area for the skier's feet, and the

method comprising affixing two ski pole mountings to the upper surface ofthe ski, one forward ofthe placement area and one behind said placement area, each mounting configured to:

(i) securely retaining a completely removable, collapsible ski pole when said

pole is inserted in said mounting;

(ii) allow the complete removal of said ski pole by the skier without excessive effort; and

(iii) be oriented so that the corresponding ski pole does not extend horizontally

beyond the upper surface when the collapsed ski pole is inserted in the mounting.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising orienting the mountings so that each

entire said ski pole, when inserted in the corresponding mounting, lies in close proximity

to said upper surface.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

(a) including two such ski poles, each able to extend and collapse;

(b) when not used for propulsion, collapsing and then mounting each ski pole in

one of said mountings so that the ski pole does not extend horizontally beyond

the upper surface;

(c) when used for propulsion, first entirely removing from said mounting, and

then

extending each ski pole.

9. The method of claim 8, each pole further comprising:

a handle;

a hollow upper shaft segment;

one or more nested segments, each nested segment further comprising an upper

end and a lower end, the upper end slidingly inserted into an adjacent nested

segment; and

an eccentric split washer mounted in proximity to the upper end of each nested

segment, said washer comprising a flat portion and an opening opposite the split,

the method further comprising, for each ski pole:

(a) rotating each segment in one direction to a position in which the washer is

aligned with the nested segment in order to extend or collapse the ski pole; and

(b) rotating each segment in the opposite direction to a position in which the washer extends beyond the cross-section ofthe nested segment in order to

lock the adjacent segments in a current position.

11. A method of propelling a skier on a snow board comprising ski poles, the skier

standing on the board so that one ofthe skier's feet is a forward foot, the method

comprising the following steps in order:

(a) twisting the skier's body so that it faces the front ofthe snow board;

(b) positioning the skier's body so that the center of gravity is behind a longitudinal

center ofthe ski board;

(c) planting the skies in the snow forward ofthe forward foot;

(d) moving the hips forward;

(e) allowing the center of gravity to move forward ofthe longitudinal center ofthe ski

board; and

(f) maintaining a pressure on the tops ofthe ski poles;

(g) repeating the preceding steps repeatedly,

so that the snow board is propelled smoothly and with low effort across the snow.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the ski poles are substantially vertical when

planted forward ofthe forward foot.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the skier remains in a crouched position .

14. The method of claim 13, where in skis are collapsible, having a collapsed and

extended position, and wherein they are approximately thirty inches in length when in

the extended position.

15. The method of claim 14, where in skis are approximately fourteen inches in length

when in the collapsed position.