This invention relates generally to snowboarding, and, more particularly, to a retractable snowboard leash device which attaches to the snowboard or binding system itself as well as the person using the snowboard and retracts when not in use. Likewise, it can easily be produced and marketed for other sporting industries, such as wakeboarding, surfing, snowskating, etc.
It can be appreciated that state mandated snowboard retention device have been in use for years. Typically, a retention device/snowboard leash's have been made a variety of materials and or designs. None of which include a retraction feature like the current design being discussed... which lends itself to virtually unlimited marketing and creative packaging potentials which may drive product sales well beyond the mere convenience and efficiency offered over the current industry-standard equipment.
The main problem with the conventional snowboard leash is its lack of convenience when not in use either on your snowboard or in storage upon yourself. Another problem with the conventional snowboard leash is that it is dangerous when in normal use, because excess leash dangling off of your snowboard gets caught under your snowboard edges and causes the rider to fall. Another reason is that when the leash is engaged and or disengaged from the user it can get snagged on anything ranging from trees to people on the lift sitting next to you. A further complication with the conventional design is when snowboarders are hiking with their snowboards the leash dangling off of the snowboard is an annoyance. Another problem comes when transporting snowboards on the exterior automobile ski-rack the leash flaps in the wind hitting the roof of the car and can harm the exterior surfaces of the snowboard it is attached to, the car, any person, or other equipment.
In these respects, the retractable snowboard leash device departs from the conventional concepts and design of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of automatically stowing the snowboard leash in a much more aesthetically and functionally convenient form and in a variety of different locations.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of snowboard safety leashes now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new leash system that retracts into any location on the snowboard, binding, or person, that the user desires.
The general purpose of the retractable leash, which will be described subsequently in further detail, is to provide a new snowboard leash system that has many or all of the advantages of the snowboard leash mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new retractable leash system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art leashes, either alone or in any combination thereof.
To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a chord or leash retraction system (either automatic or manual), the chord of which can attach to the user securely. The retracted leash casing can firmly attach to the snowboard, binding, or person.
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a retractable snowboard safety leash system that will overcome the shortcomings, previously described, of the prior art devices.
An object of the present invention is to provide a retractable snowboard leash system that retracts the leash into any number of styles of small casings.
An object of the present invention is to provide a retractable snowboard leash system that firmly secures said casing to one or multiple areas of any snowboard/binding system through means of, but not limited to, an unused binding insert in the snowboard, the topsheet of the snowboard by an adhesive, around any binding strap, onto either binding highback, onto the outside of either binding heelcup, onto the outside of either binding baseplate, onto or built into the snowboard pant or clothing of the user
An object of the present invention is to provide a retractable snowboard leash system that will firmly attach to any conventional pants belt.
An object of the present invention is to provide a retractable snowboard leash system that may be removed from the snowboard or binding or person easily.
An object of the present invention is to provide a retractable snowboard leash system that does not interfere with the normal actions and operation of any snowboard/binding system.
An object of the present invention is to provide a retractable snowboard leash system that will eliminate retraction tension of the leash on the user upon engagement of the device.
An object of the present invention is to provide a retractable snowboard leash system that is lightweight and does not affect the overall balance of the snowboard system.
An object of the present invention is to provide a retractable snowboard leash system that provides adequate safety strength to prevent a runaway snowboard should the user drop the snowboard/binding system.
An object of the present invention is to provide a retractable snowboard leash system that may double as a locking theft deterrent.
An object of the present invention is to provide a retractable snowboard leash system that in no way satisfies any "American Ski Code" safety criteria, or any safety regulations for current leash safety regulations.
An object of the present invention is to provide a retractable snowboard leash system that may actually be built into a piece of snowboard outerwear clothing and attaches to the snowboard and or binding system.
For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further needs thereof, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ATTACHED "FIGURE" DRAWINGS, #1-10 and PROTOTYPE PHOTOGRAPHS
Figure 1 is a three-dimensional exploded view of one embodiment of the present invention which may be secured into an unused snowboard screw-binding insert;
Figure 2 is a three-dimensional semi-exploded view of one embodiment of the present invention which may be secured into an unused snowboard insert;
Figure 3 is a collapsed three-dimensional view of one embodiment of the present invention which may be secured into an unused snowboard insert;
Figure 4 is two-dimensional view of another embodiment of the present invention which may be secured into an unused snowboard insert or clip to any thin flat object, a snowboard binding strap;
Figure 5 is a two-dimensional view of another embodiment of the present invention which may be secured around an object, a snowboard binding strap;
Figure 6 is a two-dimensional view of another embodiment of the present invention which may be secured via adhesive to any semi-flat surface, the topsheet of a snowboard; and
Figure 7 represents a two-dimensional view of another embodiment of the present invention which may incorporate a built in pants pouch to house the retractable snowboard leash.
Figure 8 shows a hand-sketch of a snowboard boot where the leash may be either permanently encased within the boot shell or housed in a zipper pouch for removal and use elsewhere.
Figure 9 illustrates options for attaching or incorporating a retractable leash on or in a snowboard binding.
Figure 10 shows that the casing of a retractable leash could include features that allow it to be sewn/stitched to a pant leg or fabric boot outer shell.
Two additional photograph files are attached which show prototypes of a) retractable leash housed within a snowboard boot ankle lining and b) one whose casing was molded to resemble a grenade - one of an infinite number of shapes which can be used for stylish marketing purposes.
Although the invention has been described with respect to various embodiments, it should be realized this invention is also capable of a wide variety of further and other embodiments within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Similar reference characters in the following drawings denote similar elements throughout the several views, the attached figures illustrate a retractable snowboard/snowskate leash, which houses a "stored energy" mechanical retraction initiating device such as, but not limited to, a wound copper spring, an encasing which conceals or holds the retraction cord and or stored energy source of initiating and or locking the cable in extended and or retracted positions. The retractable leash has a variety of possible mounting configurations, an attachment clip which enables the user to store the leash conveniently on any conventional pant belt or anywhere on the snowboard/binding system that does not interfere with ease of function, as seen in Figure 4. The retraction/extension actuation is actuated by means of a stored energy source such as, a coiled copper piece, spring, or any mechanical device which utilizes "stored energy". When the leash needs to be engaged, pulling on the retractable cord and releasing at the suitable length may "set" the leash at the given length. The leash cord itself is wrapped or attached to the retraction/extension device such that when the leash is fully extended an "outward snap" or "release button" will release the leash and using the internal energy or "spring like mechanism" it will return into its coiled storage position. Figures 1 and 2 show a possible internal stored energy retraction/extension mechanism. The retractable cord may be made of a strong material such as wooden rope, metal, plastic composite, or any material that suits the need. The retractable cord can have various attachments fixed to the free end in order attach the person to the retractable leash when the leash is used for its intended purpose.
One of the various attachment mechanisms attached to the casing of the leash is similar to a "money clip" style fastener (Figure 4, Embodiment B). Another style of attachment enables the retractable snowboard leash to be attached, screwed into an unused snowboard binding insert (Figures 1 through 4).
The user first attaches the retractable snowboard leash securely by the means intended by the design. The user then grasps the end of the retracted chord which has another fastening mechanism which secures the user to the snowboard equipment. The leash has now been set to its extended length by means of some sort of catch which it will remain at during use. To retract the leash back into its storage position, the user releases one of the fixed ends of the leash and allows the internal energy mechanism to retract the leash into its casing.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
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Hard Case with board insert screw attachment, exploded view
Semi-exploded view of same hard-case
Collapsed view of same hard-case design
Hard-case design with money-clip style attachment for interface with binding strap, boot laces, pants belt
Hard-case design with velcro-strap attachment scheme for interface to boot, binding, etc.
Pant integration concept; sewn-in pant leg or a zip-pocket included in pants. This option requires partnership with soft-goods mfg.
Concept to integrate with outer shell of a boot; similar to pants concept, the boot mfg could either build the leash into the shell permanently or provide a pocket with access and hole for the tether.
Attachment schemes for built-in No-Leash with binding straps, highback, heelcup, etc.
Hard-case concept includes eyelets around the outer side surface of the casing for consumers that want to sew it onto a garment themselves.
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