CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of the non-provisional patent application titled “Portable Snowboard”, application number 16/871,081, filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on May 11, 2020. The specification of the above referenced patent application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention, in general, relates to snowboards, and more particularly, relates to a modular snowboard.

BACKGROUND

[0003] The length of a conventional snowboard is between about 55 to 65 inches. The length and weight of a conventional snowboard makes traveling with and transporting a conventional snowboard difficult, cumbersome and unwieldy. Transporting a snowboard in a vehicle from a user's residence to the snowboarding destination usually requires the snowboard to be secured to a luggage carrier on top or at the rear of the vehicle, with the associated logistic issues involved with the subsequent transportation of the secured snowboard. After the user reaches the snowboarding destination, transportation of the snowboard to the top of the hill, down which user snowboards, usually requires the use of a duffel type snowboard bag equipped with rollers. Therefore, there is a long felt need for a snowboard that can be readily disassembled for transportation of the snowboard, and readily reassembled prior to riding the snowboard down a hill.

[0004] Conventional snowboards comprise a core with a substantially horizontal surface, sandwiched between multiple layers of material such as fibreglass to create the snowboard. The core of the conventional snowboard is generally cut from a single sheet of hardwood, carbon fibre, Kevlar, aluminium, etc., to provide the snowboard stability and reliability when the user rides the snowboard down a slope, for example a hill. It is difficult to travel with and/or transport the conventional snowboard constructed using a single 65 inch long sheet design. Therefore, there is a long felt need for a stable and robust snowboard that can be disassembled into component parts to allow the snowboard to be readily transported, and thereafter to be readily assembled when the user reaches the user’s destination down which the user rides the snowboard downhill.

[0005] Also, users usually carry personal items for example, cards, keys, money, first aid kit, etc., on their person or in a backpack when they go for snowboarding. Carrying personal items on their person or wearing a backpack to carry personal items during snowboarding is not desirable, uncomfortable and often results in the loss of such items when the user is travelling at high speeds down a hill and when the snowboard goes over a bump on the slope, takes a sharp turn on the slope, collides with an obstruction on the slope, etc. A conventional snowboard does not provide a compartment to store personal items. Therefore, there is a long felt need for a snowboard with one or more compartments to store personal items.

[0006] Hence, there is a long felt need for a snowboard that can be readily disassembled for transport, and thereafter reassembled when the user reaches the user’s destination or hill, down which the user rides the snowboard downhill. Furthermore, there is a long felt need for a snowboard which, after assembly from its component parts, is stable and robust for its intended purpose, namely, riding the snowboard downhill at a high speed. Furthermore, there is a long felt need for a snowboard with one or more compartments to allow a user to store personal items of the user which the user carries on his person, without the loss of such items when a user rides the snowboard downhill at high speeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further disclosed in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is not intended to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0008] The portable snowboard disclosed herein address the above recited need for a snowboard that can be readily disassembled for transport, and thereafter reassembled when the user reaches the user’s destination or hill, down which the user rides the snowboard. The portable snowboard disclosed herein provides a snowboard which, after assembly from its component parts, is stable and robust for its intended purpose, namely, riding the snowboard downhill. The portable snowboard disclosed herein comprises one or more compartments to allow a user to store personal items of the user, which the user carries on his person and which may be dislodged from the user’s person when the user rides the snowboard downhill at a relatively high speed.

[0009] The portable snowboard with detachable parts disclosed herein comprises a first planar section and a second planar section. The first planar section comprises a first member of an interconnecting joint. A first end of the first planar section is inclined with respect to the first planar section, and a second end of the first planar section comprises the first member of the interconnecting joint. The second planar section comprises a second member of an interconnecting joint. The first end of the second planar section is inclined with respect to the second planar section, and the second end of the second planar section comprises the second member of the interconnecting joint. The first planar section further comprises a front binding, and the second planar section further comprises a rear binding. The first planar section and the second planar section are made of a rigid material, for example, a high density polyethylene (HDPE). The first member of the interconnecting joint is detachably fastened to the second member of the interconnecting joint to engage the first planar section with the second planar section to form the portable snowboard. The first member and the second member of the interconnecting joint are splice joints. The splice joints comprise one of a half lap splice joint, a bevel lap splice joint, a tabled splice joint, and a tapered finger splice joint. The portable snowboard is generally oval shaped when the first planar section and the second planar section are detachably attached to each other. The first planar section and the second planar section further comprise in-built compartments. The in-built compartments are configured to store personal items comprising tools, fasteners, cards, money, etc.

[0010] In an embodiment, the portable snowboard with detachable parts disclosed herein comprises a first planar section and a second planar section. The first planar section comprises a first end and a second end. The first end of the first planar section is inclined with respect to the first planar section. The second end of the first planar section comprises a first member of an interconnecting joint. The second planar section comprises a first end and a second end. The first end of the second planar section is inclined with respect to the second planar section. The second end of the second planar section comprises a second member of the interconnecting joint. The first planar section further comprises a front binding and the second planar section further comprises a rear binding. The first planar section and the second planar section are made of a rigid material, for example, a high density polyethylene (HDPE). The first member of the interconnecting joint slideably engages and locks to the second member of the interconnecting joint to connect the first planar section and the second planar section to form the portable snowboard. The portable snowboard is generally oval shaped when the first planar section and the second planar section are detachably attached to each other. The second member is a tail joint and the first member is a socket and vice-versa. In an embodiment, the locking of the tail joint and the socket is facilitated by application of a removable glue to said interconnection joint. The first planar section and the second planar section further comprise in-built compartments. The in-built compartments are configured to store personal items comprising tools, fasteners, cards, money, etc.

[0011] In another embodiment, the portable snowboard with detachable parts disclosed herein comprises a first planar section, a second planar section, and a lockable hinge. The first planar section comprises a first end and a second end. The first end of the first planar section is inclined with respect to the first planar section. The second planar section comprises a first end and second end. The first end of the second planar section is inclined with respect to the second planar section. The first planar section further comprises a front binding, and the second planar section further comprises a rear binding. The first planar section and the second planar section are made of a rigid material, for example, a high density polyethylene (HDPE). The lockable hinge detachably engages the second end of the first planar section with the second end of the second planar section. The lockable hinge comprises a detachably attachable locking lever. The locking lever is inserted into a socket in the hinge to lock and unlock the lockable hinge. The portable snowboard is foldable at the hinge. The portable snowboard is generally oval shaped when the first planar section and the second planar section detachably engage each other. The first planar section and the second planar section further comprise in-built compartments. The in-built compartments are configured to store personal items comprising tools, fasteners, cards, money, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, exemplary constructions of the invention are shown in the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and components disclosed herein. The description of a method step or a component referenced by a numeral in a drawing is applicable to the description of that method step or component shown by that same numeral in any subsequent drawing herein.

[0013] FIG. 1A exemplarily illustrates a first embodiment of a portable snowboard with detachable parts.

[0014] FIG. IB exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of the first embodiment of the portable snowboard shown in FIG. 1A.

[0015] FIG. 1C exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a first planar section of the portable snowboard shown in FIG. 1A. [0016] FIG. ID exemplarily illustrates a rear elevation of a second planar section of the portable snowboard shown in FIG. 1A.

[0017] FIG. IE exemplarily illustrates a rear elevation view of the first embodiment of the portable snowboard shown in FIG. 1A.

[0018] FIG. IF exemplarily illustrates another embodiment of a portable snowboard shown in FIG. 1A.

[0019] FIG. 1G exemplarily illustrates another embodiment of a portable snowboard shown in FIG. 1A.

[0020] FIG. 2A exemplarily illustrates a second embodiment of a portable snowboard with detachable parts.

[0021] FIG. 2B exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of the second embodiment of the portable snowboard shown in FIG. 2A.

[0022] FIG. 2C exemplarily illustrates a rear elevation view of the second embodiment of the portable snowboard shown in FIG. 2A.

[0023] FIG. 2D exemplarily illustrates another embodiment of the portable snowboard shown in FIG. 2A.

[0024] FIG. 3A exemplarily illustrates a third embodiment of a portable snowboard with detachable parts.

[0025] FIG. 3B exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of the third embodiment of the portable snowboard shown in FIG. 3A. [0026] FIG. 3C exemplarily illustrates a rear elevation view of the third embodiment of the portable snowboard shown in FIG. 3A.

[0027] FIG. 3D exemplarily illustrates another embodiment of the portable snowboard shown in FIG. 3A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] FIG. 1A exemplarily illustrates a first embodiment of a portable snowboard 101 with detachable parts. The portable snowboard 101 with detachable parts disclosed herein comprises a first planar section 102 and a second planar section 103. The first planar section 102 and the second planar section 103 are made of a rigid material, for example, high density polyethylene (HDPE). The first planar section 102 comprises a first member 104a of an interconnecting joint 104. A first end 102a of the first planar section 102 is inclined with respect to the first planar section 102, and a second end 102b of the first planar section 102 comprises the first member 104a of the interconnection joint 104. The first end 102a of the first planar section 102 is inclined at an angle of about 5 degrees to about 90 degrees with respect to the horizontal surface 109 of the first planar section 102. The first planar section 102 further comprises a front binding 105 on an upper surface 102c of the first planar section 102. The angle of the front binding 105 with respect to the upper surface 102c is adjustable. The second planar section 103 comprises a second member 104b of the interconnecting joint 104. A first end 103a of the second planar section 103 is inclined with respect to the second planar section 103, and a second end 103b of the second planar section 103 comprises the second member 104b of the interconnecting joint 104. The first end 103a of the second planar section 103 is inclined at an angle of about 5 degrees to about 90 degrees with respect to the horizontal surface 110 of the second planar section 103. The second planar section 103 further comprises a rear binding 106 on an upper surface 103c of the second planar section 103. The angle of the rear binding 106 with respect to the upper surface 103c is adjustable. As illustrated in Fig. IB, the first member 104a of the interconnecting joint 104 is detachably fastened to the second member 104b of the interconnecting joint 104 to engage the first planar section 102 with the second planar section 103 to form a generally oval, portable snowboard 101. The first planar section 102 and the second planar section 103 further comprise in-built compartments 107 and 108. The in-built compartments 107 and 108 are configured to store one or more of tools, fasteners, cards, money, etc.

[0029] FIG. IB exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of the first embodiment of the portable snowboard 101 shown in FIG. 1A. The first member 104a of the interconnecting joint 104 is detachably fastened to the second member 104b of the interconnecting joint 104 to connect the first planar section 102 and the second planar section 103 to form the portable snowboard 101. As exemplarily illustrated in FIG. IB, the first member 104a and the second member 104b comprise screw holes 104d and 104e, respectively that are collinear with each other when the first member 104a of the interconnecting joint 104 engages with the second member 104b of the interconnecting joint 104. The screws 104c are used to removably fasten the first member 104a and second member 104b of the interconnecting joint 104. In an embodiment, the screws 104c are flathead or countersink screws. The screwhead of the screws 104c sit flush in the screw holes 104e when the first member 104a and the second member 104b are interconnected and fastened to each other by screws inserted through screw holes 104d and 104e, respectively.

[0030] The first member 104a and the second member 104b of the interconnecting joint 104 are members of a splice joint comprising a half lap splice joint, a bevel lap splice joint, a tabled splice joint, a tapered finger splice joint, etc. As illustrated in FIG. IB, the first member 104a and the second member 104b of the interconnecting joint 104 form a half lap splice joint. The first member 104a forms an under-lapping member of the half lap splice joint and the second member 104b forms an overlapping member of the half lap splice joint.

[0031] The front binding 105 and the rear binding 106 are attached to the first planar section 102 and the second planar section 103 respectively using fasteners, for example, screws. The front binding 105 and the rear binding 106 are one of strap-in bindings, step- in bindings, and hybrid bindings. In an embodiment the front binding 105 and the rear binding 106 are detachably attached to the first planar section 102 and the second planar section 103 respectively.

[0032] FIG. 1C exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a first planar section 102 of the portable snowboard 101 shown in FIG. 1A. FIG. ID exemplarily illustrates a rear elevation of a second planar section 103 of the portable snowboard 101 shown in FIG. 1A.

[0033] FIG. IE exemplarily illustrates a rear elevation view of the first embodiment of the portable snowboard 101 shown in FIG. 1A. As exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 1C, the base 102d and 103d is the side of the portable snowboard 101 which contacts the ground. Two examples of base construction are extruded and sintered construction. The first planar section 102 and the second planar section 103 are detachably attached and fastened at the interconnecting joint 104 to provide a seamless surface without any gaps between the first member 104a and the second member 104b of the interconnecting joint 104 on the upper surface and the base of the snowboard.

[0034] FIG. IF exemplarily illustrates another embodiment of a portable snowboard 101 shown in FIG. 1A. As exemplarily illustrated in FIG. IF, the first end 102a of the first planar section 102 is not inclined with respect to the horizontal surface 109 of the first planar section 102. The first end 103a of the second planar section 103 is not inclined with respect to the horizontal surface 110 of the second planar section 103.

[0035] FIG. 1G exemplarily illustrates another embodiment of a portable snowboard 101 shown in FIG. 1A. As exemplarily illustrated in FIG. IF, the first end 102a of the first planar section 102 is inclined at an angle of about 5 degrees to about 90 degrees with respect to the horizontal surface 109 of the first planar section 102. The first end 103a of the second planar section 103 is not inclined with respect to the horizontal surface 110 of the second planar section 103. [0036] FIG. 2A exemplarily illustrates a second embodiment of a portable snowboard

201 with detachable parts. The portable snowboard 201 with detachable parts disclosed herein comprises a first planar section 202 and a second planar section 203. The first planar section 202 and the second planar section 203 are made of a rigid material, for example, high density polyethylene (HDPE). The first planar section 202 comprises a first end 202a and a second end 202b. The first end 202a of the first planar section 202 is inclined at an angle of about 5 degrees to about 90 degrees with respect to the horizontal surface 209 of the first planar section 202. The second end 202b of the first planar section

202 comprises a first member 204a of an interconnecting joint 204. The first planar section 202 further comprises a front binding 205 on an upper surface 202c of the first planar section 202. The angle of the front binding 205 with respect to the upper surface 202c is adjustable. The second planar section 203 comprises a first end 203a and a second end 203b. The first end 203a of the second planar section 203 is inclined at an angle of about 5 degrees to about 90 degrees with respect to the horizontal surface 210 of the second planar section 203. The second end 203b of the second planar section 203 comprises a second member 204b of the interconnecting joint 204. The second planar section 203 further comprises a rear binding 206 on an upper surface 203c of the second planar section 203. The angle of the front binding 206 with respect to the upper surface 203c is adjustable. The first member 204a of the interconnecting joint 204 slideably engages and locks to the second member 204b of the interconnecting joint 204 to connect the first planar section 202 and the second planar section 203 to form the portable snowboard 201. The portable snowboard 201 is generally oval shaped when the first planar section 202 and the second planar section 203 are detachably attached to each other. The first planar section 202 and the second planar section 203 further comprise in built compartments 207 and 208. The in-built compartments 207 and 208 are configured to store personal items comprising tools, fasteners, cards, money, etc.

[0037] FIG. 2B exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of the second embodiment of the portable snowboard 201 shown in FIG. 2A. The first member 204a of the interconnecting joint 204 slideably engages and locks to the second member 204b of the interconnecting joint 204 to detachably connect the first planar section 202 and the second planar section 203 to form the portable snowboard 201. In an embodiment, the second member 204b is placed above and in contact with the first member 204s to align with the first member 204a. The second member 204b is then detachably locked with the first member 204a by application of a force on a top surface 203c of the second member 203. In an embodiment, the second member 204b is a tail joint and the first member 204a is a socket and vice-versa. In an embodiment, the detachable locking of the tail joint and the socket is facilitated by application of a glue comprising a removable glue to said interconnection joint 204. The front binding 205 and the rear binding 206 are attached to a top surface 202c of the first planar section 202 and a top surface 203c of the second planar section 203 respectively using fasteners, for example, screws. The front binding 205 and the rear binding 206 are one of strap-in bindings, step-in bindings, and hybrid bindings. In an embodiment the front binding 205 and the rear binding 206 are detachably attached to the first planar section 202 and the second planar section 203 respectively.

[0038] FIG. 2C exemplarily illustrates a rear elevation view of the second embodiment of the portable snowboard 201 shown in FIG. 2A. As exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 2C, the base 202d and 203d is the side of the portable snowboard 201 which contacts the ground. The first planar section 202 and the second planar section 203 engage with and are detachably attached and fastened with each other at the interconnecting joint 204 to provide a smooth surface without any gaps in the base of the snowboard.

[0039] FIG. 2D exemplarily illustrates another embodiment of a portable snowboard 201 shown in FIG. 2A. As exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 2D, the first end 202a of the first planar section 202 is not inclined with respect to the horizontal surface 209 of the first planar section 202. The first end 203a of the second planar section 203 is not inclined with respect to the horizontal surface 210 of the second planar section 203.

[0040] FIG. 3A exemplarily illustrates a third embodiment of a portable snowboard 301 with detachable parts. The portable snowboard 301 with detachable parts disclosed herein comprises a first planar section 302, a second planar section 303, and a lockable hinge 304. The first planar section 302 and the second planar section 303 are made of a rigid material, for example, high density poly ethylene (HDPE). The first planar section 302 comprises a first end 302a and a second end 302b. The first end 302a of the first planar section 302 is inclined at an angle of about 5 degrees to about 90 degrees with respect to the horizontal surface 309 of the first planar section 302. The first planar section 302 further comprises a front binding 305 on an upper surface 302c of the first planar section 302. The angle of the front binding 305 with respect to the upper surface 302c is adjustable. The second planar section 303 comprises a first end 303a and a second end 303b. The first end 303a of the second planar section 303 is inclined at an angle of about 5 degrees to about 90 degrees with respect to the horizontal surface 310 of the second planar section 303. The second planar section 303 further comprises a rear binding 306 on an upper surface 303c of the second planar section 303. The angle of the front binding 306 with respect to the upper surface 303c is adjustable. The lockable hinge 304 detachably attaches to the second end 302b of the first planar section 302 with the second end 303b of the second planar section 303 to form the portable snowboard 301. The lockable hinge 304 comprises a detachably attachable locking lever 311. The locking lever 311 is inserted into a socket 304a in the lockable hinge 304 to lock and unlock the lockable hinge 304. The portable snowboard 301 is foldable at the hinge 304. The portable snowboard 301 is generally oval shaped when the first planar section 302 and the second planar section 303 are attached to each other. The first planar section 302 and the second planar section 303 further comprise in-built compartments 307 and 308. The in-built compartments 307 and 308 are configured to store one or more of tools, fasteners, cards, money, etc.

[0041] FIG. 3B exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of the third embodiment of the portable snowboard 301 shown in FIG. 3A. As exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 3B, the portable snowboard 301 is folded at the lockable hinge 304. The lockable hinge 304 permits motion of the first planar section 302 and the second planar section 303 only in one plane. The portable snowboard 301 comprises a locking lever 311 to allow the first planar section 302 and the second planar section 303 to be locked in any desired position. The locking lever 311 is detachably attached to the lockable hinge 304. The lockable hinge 304 comprises a socket 304a. The locking lever 311 is inserted into the socket 304a and turned in a clockwise direction to lock the lockable hinge 304, and in an anticlockwise direction to unlock the lockable hinge 304. In an embodiment, the socket 304a is one of a hexagonal socket, a square socket, etc., with angled walls. The locking lever 311 comprises an engagement rod 311a configured to be inserted into the socket 304a. In another embodiment, the socket 304a comprises a threaded internal wall and the engagement rod 311a comprises threads on its outer surface. The threads on the outer surface of the engagement rod 311a engage with the threaded internal wall of the socket 304a. The locking lever 311 is turned in a clockwise direction to lock the lockable hinge 304, and in an anticlockwise direction to unlock the lockable hinge 304.

[0042] FIG. 3C exemplarily illustrates a rear elevation view of the third embodiment of the portable snowboard 301 shown in FIG. 3A. As exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 3C, the base 302d and 303d is the side of the portable snowboard 301 which contacts the ground. The first planar section 202 and the second planar section 203 attached by the hinge 304 provide a smooth surface without any gaps in the base of the snowboard.

[0043] FIG. 3D exemplarily illustrates another embodiment of a portable snowboard 301 shown in FIG. 3A. As exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 3D, the first end 302a of the first planar section 302 is not inclined with respect to the horizontal surface 309 of the first planar section 302. The first end 303a of the second planar section 303 is not inclined with respect to the horizontal surface 310 of the second planar section 303.

[0044] The foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the portable snowboard disclosed herein. While the portable snowboard has been described with reference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words, which have been used herein, are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Furthermore, although the portable snowboard has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, the portable snowboard is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the portable snowboard extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may effect numerous modifications thereto and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the portable snowboard disclosed herein in its aspects.