Support and suspension assembly for a snow sports board
AssigneeSnoyak LLC
InventorRobert W. Thompson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is a support and suspension assembly for a snow sports board. The assembly includes a base configured to be attached to a snow sports board and a frame above the base. The frame includes a first portion extending vertically upward or upward and forward to an upper end. The frame further includes a second portion extending generally rearward from the upper end of the first portion. A seat is on the second portion of the frame. A shock absorber is connected between the base and the frame. A linkage assembly is pivotably connected between the base and the first portion of the frame.
Claims12
A method of riding a snow sports board, comprising:
- providing a snow sports board having a suspension assembly mounted to the board and including leg supports on opposite sides of the suspension assembly, wherein the suspension assembly is configured to enable the rider to ride the board in a kneeling, face-forward position with the rider's lower legs on the leg supports such that during use knees of the rider are forward of and vertically lower than hips of the rider;
- initiating a turn in the kneeling, face-forward position by bracing body weight against a first one of the leg supports, thereby transferring weight to an edge of the snow sports board;
- and
- transferring centrifugal force to the board via the suspension assembly when coming out of the turn.
A method of boarding a chairlift with a snow sports board, the method comprising:
- providing a snow sports board having a suspension assembly mounted to the snow sports board, the suspension assembly comprising:
- a base mounted to the snow sports board;
- a frame connected to and extending above the base, the frame including a first portion above the base and extending vertically upward or upward and forward to an upper end, the frame further including a second portion extending generally rearward from the upper end of the first portion;
- a seat on the second portion of the frame;
- a shock absorber connected between the base and the frame;
- and
- leg supports on opposite sides of the frame;
- wherein the suspension assembly is configured for the rider to ride the board in a kneeling face-forward position with the rider's lower legs on the leg supports such that knees of the rider are forward of and vertically lower than hips of the rider;
- unweighting the shock absorber, thereby allowing the shock absorber to raise the second portion of the frame to a height of at least 16 inches above the snow sports board;
- moving the snow sports board into a path of a chairlift;
- and
- receiving a seat of the chairlift in an open region beneath the second portion of the frame.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.