US20080277442A1

US20080277442A1 - Sport Board Sling

Info

Publication number: US20080277442A1
Application number: US11/745,285
Authority: US
Inventors: David Lewis Crandall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-05-07
Filing date: 2007-05-07
Publication date: 2008-11-13

Abstract

In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a sport board carrying sling, to quickly secure boards and transport them under arm, simply and efficiently. The device constitutes a universal board carrying design allowing for multiple styles of boards to be carried. The carrying sling includes a simple opening and closing procedure that allows the inside portion of the carrier to wrap around the board. Fasteners lock the sling into place thus securing sporting boards for easy transportation.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is related to devices for carrying sporting boards. More particularly, this invention refers to a new and simplified board carrier that quickly secures around and releases from a sportboard.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

Carriers and organizations of various types for transporting and portage of sport board equipment is known in the prior art. Heretofore, a carrying sling that provides fast attachment of sport boards for carrying and then wearing during riding has heretofore not been provided as set forth by the current invention.
Examples may be found in Sharma, U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,346, that sets forth a carrying sling that may be used to hold a skateboard by loops attached to the truck assemblies.
Gibson, U.S. Pat. No. 6,799,707, that sets forth a carrying sling with attachments that fit on opposite ends of a board, then attached together by a sling.
Gillenwater, U.S. Pat. D 510,801, that sets forth a carrying sling with one base holder on a board and a loop on the opposite side to secure the board to the sling.
Johnson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,361, that sets forth a series of straps attached to a panel that wrap around a snowboard, attached to a sling.
Carretta, U.S. Pat. D 38,160, that sets forth a carrying bag to hold skateboards, without a sling.
Challoner, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,254, that sets forth a sling that attaches to base with a series of straps attached to the base.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The board sporting industry continues to grow in popularity throughout the world. For example, winter enthusiasts enjoy snowboarding. Skateboarders, sandboarders, mountainboarders or skimboarders participate during the appropriate seasons throughout the year.
Convenient ways to transport boards have evolved to allow participants to enjoy their sport. Each sport has its own unique applications for carrying the board at one point or another. Hands free carrying is desirable and in some cases necessary. For example, back country snowboarding requires hiking up mountains through snow and backcountry without the aid of ski lifts. Skateboarders must carry boards up stairs or steep roads. Sandboarders must climb sand dunes to properly position their next ride. Other applications for carrying boards include transporting boards through parking lots to desired lifts, for snowboarders. Malls and stores where skateboarding is not allowed, necessitate the carrying of boards through facilities. Convenience, comfort and ease of operation are key factors to functional board carrying devices.
This invention addresses the need for a simple board carrier that can be used conveniently to secure boards and release them quickly during the sporting activities. Advantages of the current invention as compared to referenced prior art show a significant difference in the universal adaptability of the sport sling to different boards. Additionally, the simple open and close features on the sport sling allow the user to place their board in the carrier while on the go. This reduces the time required to attach the board to the carrying device and release the same board when rider is positioned at the next riding point. Previous art cites hands free environment and secure attachment of boards for transportation. The invention not only includes these features, but also addresses the simplicity of obtaining these desired situations both in a single motion. The invention also addresses the positioning of the board in a horizontal holding direction. This makes it possible for longer boards to be carried with fewer physical range of motion issues to the person carrying the board. Longer boards carried only on the back in a vertical position do limit range of motion of the person carrying the board and require more time to switch from carrying to riding.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention is related to devices for carrying sporting boards including but not limited to the following list: skateboards, longboards, mountainboards, snowboards, elongated boards, sandboards and skimboards.
Accordingly, the invention is intended to carry boards in the most efficient way creating a hands free environment. Another object of this invention is to create a faster way that a board rider may switch from riding the board to transporting the board quickly and simply during boarding activities. This interactive ability to switch quickly between riding and transporting is key to the Sport Board Sling. The sling may be worn during all boarding activities.
Other objects and advantages of the disclosed invention will appear hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 Perspective view of board carrier sling fully opened exposing the inside.

FIG. 2 Perspective view of board carrier sling closed in the folded position.

FIG. 3 Perspective side view of a person carrying a board in the board carrier.

FIG. 4 Perspective back view of person carrying a board in the carrier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate a board carrying sling. The details of the two FIGS. 1 and 2 will illustrate the functional simplicity of the design.
FIG. 2 shows the closed position of the sling, revealing fasteners # 5, on both sides of the opened ends of the sling. With both closures secured, the sling is set to carry the sport board. For purposes of our description, nylon strapping or other suitable webbing may be used to constitute the strapping. The adjustable straps, located on the fastener, are used to tighten the folded unit together. Once the straps are tightened to the proper tension for the board being held, the sling is ready to carry the load properly. FIG. 2 #6 shows the outer body of the sling and in particular the pocket that was incorporated into the design. Both the body and pocket are made with the same nylon material, but may be produced with suitable durable material. FIG. 2 #3 shows the inner layer of the same material illustrated by FIG. 2 #6. The body of the sling is therefore composed of two layers of the nylon material, sewn together along the complete perimeter of the sling for strength. FIG. 2 #7 and FIG. 1 #4 illustrate a triangular tie down ring. There are two rings illustrated in these drawings per sling. These rings are sewn to the sling as an additional method of stability for board carrying. The purpose of the ring is to attach a bungee cord or other such corded material to this point and secure the other end of the cord directly to their board for added stability.
The sling body is attached to a shoulder strap as referenced in FIG. 2 #2, #3 and FIG. 1 #2. FIG. 2 #2 and FIG. 1 #2 illustrate the adjustable component of the shoulder strap. The adjustable straps are built in for comfort to the board rider while carrying the board.
FIG. 2 #1 and FIG. 1 #1 illustrate shoulder padding, which is movable along the shoulder strap for convenience and comfort, when placed on the riders shoulder. The shoulder padding is made from suitable nylon with foam or other suitable material combinations. FIG. 2 #4 illustrates an additional pocket with Velcro attaching cover. Pockets may be constructed with various closures in addition to the Velcro sample.
FIG. 1 reveals the inside view of the sling. FIG. 1 #6 is the male portion of the fitting closure, to connect to FIG. 1 #7 when the sling is closed. FIG. 1 #5 shows the inside layer of nylon material that constitutes the body of the sling. FIG. 1 #3 shows the inner liner that is sewn into the sling, which makes up more then half the surface coverage exposed on the inside of the sling. The material comprising # 3 of FIG. 1 is a synthetic vinyl, impervious to water and durable. This material serves as a protection to the board and to the sling. It also provides a friction hold to the board when the sling is secured around the board.
When the board sling is secured in the closed position as in both FIGS. 3 and 4, with the sling at the mid point of the sport board, the correct transportation is possible. For simplicity, FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the actual usage of the sport board sling while holding a skateboard, even though any of the other sport boards could have been represented in the carrier.
As to the description, operation and use of the invention, the above disclosure should be apparent and no need for further discussion relative to description, operation and use need be provided.
All patents mentioned in the above specification are herein incorporated by reference.
With respect to the above description, it should be understood that the optimum proportions, dimensional relationships of parts of the invention, to include the materials, size, shapes, function and manner of operation are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art. The foregoing descriptions of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof and various changes in size, shape and materials as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. While the descriptions and applications of this invention have been shown and described, it would be apparent to one skilled in the art that many more modifications are possible without departing from the inventive concepts as claimed, and should not be unduly limited to such embodiments. Therefore it is understood that all suitable modifications and applications are intended to be within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. Board carrier opens completely flat.

2. Board carrier wraps around midpoint of board to provide a balanced and secure hold.

3. Board riding surface and opposite side of the board contact the inside of the carrier in a horizontal sling hold.

4. Carrier closure is achieved as sling is folded together and corresponding top and bottom fasteners are engaged on both sides of the carrier.

5. Quick release buckles secure and adjust carrier for ease and correct fit of board.

6. Carrier is attached to padded and adjustable shoulder straps for comfort and control of carrier during use.

7. Carrier may be worn on the shoulder closest to board side of body or opposite shoulder to board side of body.

8. Carrier may be worn during board riding activities with minimal interference to the rider.

9. Convenient pockets for holding tools, phone, electrical devices and personal items are located on the outside of the carrier.

10. Non slip, waterproof lining is attached to the inside surface of the sling to provide contact protection for the board.

11. Non slip, waterproof, protective lining is attached to the inside surface of the sling carrier to limit wear and tear on the sling during transportation of boards with adhesive grip tape, other roughening agents or snowboard stomp pads on board surfaces.

12. Carrier is a universal holder of manufactured boards regardless of style or size.

13. Intended sling applications includes but not limited to carrying of skateboards, longboards, snowboards, sandboards, mountainboards, skimboards.

14. Interactive carrier allows fast attachment and release of sporting boards during board riding activities, while rider is on the go.