Snow board brake

Abstract

A braking device for slowing a snow board which is to be used by novice or inexperienced users. The invention is comprised of a blade which is affixed either between the rear boot attachment means and the rear of the snow board or on the bottom upturned portion of the rear end of the snow board. The blade is adjustably angled forward against the snow in the direction of travel. When the blade is in the lowered position it cuts snow and directs the cut snow upward over the blade. A slot in the snow board just ahead of the blade allows the snow to pass upward through the snow board. Alternately for another embodiment, the blade is held in a bracket which is affixed to the rear upturned surface of the snow board. For this embodiment of the invention, the cut snow is directed upward between the blade and its supporting structure. The preferred embodiment of the invention is to employ a broad straight bottom edge for the blade about 4 inches wide with a maximum depth of cut of about 1 / 2 inch. An acceptable angle of cut of the angled blade can range from a vertical position to about 45 degrees downward and forward. When the snow board is not being used, the blade is repositioned by loosening the blade and sliding or rotating it relative to its support with tightening of the blade fixing means for its final securement. In another embodiment, a fixed blade in the form of a angle is attached directly to the bottom of the snow board perpendicular to the length of the snow board. Such blades can extend downward different distances to provide different amounts of drag.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION[0001] This invention relates generally to the field of speed reduction systems for sports training devices and more particularly to such devices for snow boards when used by inexperienced users.[0002] 1. Prior Art[0003] No prior art can be found which discloses the present invention. There are numerous devices however which disclose devices for braking for skis and / or snow boards which are distinguished from the present invention below. Initially however, it is appropriate to summarize the distinguishing feature of the present invention as compared with all of these devices. The key difference is that the present invention does not seek to have a means which can alter the amount of braking while the system is in use. It is instructive to compare the function of this invention with an application in another field, namely the use of small training wheels on each side and adjacent to the rear wheel of a bicycle as used by young children who are just learning to ride ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0026] The advantage of the present invention is its ease of use and the simple adjustment required to reset the depth of the blade. It is the availability of a simple means to adjust the blade depth to achieve a specific and invariant amount of braking that constitutes the principal value of the invention for inexperienced users Experienced snow boarders will not require or want such a braking device. In this regard, the invention is much like training wheels on a bicycle. They are good for beginners but after some measure of skill is acquired they are not needed.

Problems solved by technology

Stated another way, such users are generally rather inexperienced and it requires all of the limited skill of an individual may have just to manage to ride the bicycle or snow board without any additional options which might modify the character of the assistance.

However, none of the referenced patents are in commercial use to any extent and the need in the marketplace for this device has been long standing and is still unsatisfied.

The drag element lacks means for channeling the cut snow upward and away from the snow surface.

This is a design which is particularly unsuitable for the braking of snow boards as persons using snow boards do not use ski poles.

This is not a functionality which can easily be modified for use with a snow board.

The functionality is not suitable for snow board braking functions as it uses a rudder which penetrates into the snow.

The functionality of the devise is not suitable for snow boards.

These braking means and actuation means are not suitable for snow boards.

This is a complex arrangement which is not suited to snow board braking requirements.

This type of functionality is not suitable for the braking of snow boards.

This is not a suitable functionality for braking of snow boards.

The use of braking elements on the side of the ski is not suitable for snow boards.

The functionality is complex and requires considerable skill to utilize as control over motion, direction of travel and the amount of braking is all simultaneously required.

The usefulness of manual control over the amount of braking of a snow board by beginners is very questionable.

The functionality is not suitable for the braking of snow boards.

It is a complex design and one of possible benefit to skiers but it is not a suitable design for braking snow boards.

The design is not functional for snow boards.

The design is not easily modified for use with a snow board.

In particular, no disclosed design and no device now in commerce is meant to be used by inexperienced users as a training device while gaining skill in the use of a snow board.

Images