Locks – Portable
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-03
2001-07-24
Gall, Lloyd A. (Department: 3627)
Locks
Portable
C070S018000, C070S019000, C070S058000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06263709
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to locking systems, and, more specifically, to portable locking systems for snowboards.
2. Description of the Related Art
Snowboards are growing in popularity. With this growth, the number of snowboard thefts is also increasing.
Because snowboarding is a relatively new sport, racks with locks designed to temporarily hold a snowboard while the user goes inside the ski lodge are not widely available. Therefore, portable locking systems for snowboards would be very useful.
Ideally, the locking system for a snowboard should be lightweight and compact so that it can be transported by the user while snowboarding. The system should also be easily and quickly attachable to the snowboard to prevent use of the snowboard and to prevent or at least deter theft when left unattended. The system should be capable of being used with most snowboard designs without requiring modification to the snowboard itself.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a snowboard locking system.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a snowboard locking system that is lightweight and compact for portability by the snowboarder while snowboarding.
It is another object of the invention to provide such a snowboard locking system that prevents use of the snowboard when the system is activated.
It is a further object of the invention to provide such a snowboard locking system that can be used with all snowboard designs to prevent theft when left unattended and does not require modification to the snowboard itself.
These and other objects are met by a snowboard locking system that uses two rigid elongated members that, during use, are transversely aligned and extended across opposite sides of a snowboard and then locked in position around the snowboard. Each elongated member includes a U-shaped element having sufficient width to engage the outer edge of a snowboard, at least one first leg component having sufficient length to extend at least one-half way across a snowboard, and a second leg component parallel to the first leg component having sufficient length to engage the opposite side of the snowboard and prevent movement of the elongated member perpendicular to the top or bottom surfaces of the snowboard. During use, the ends of the first leg components are locked together to prevent the elongated members from sliding transversely apart and being removed from the snowboard.
In the first embodiment, a longitudinally aligned wide body portion is formed on the distal end of the first leg component on each elongated member. During installation, the elongated members are positioned on opposite sides of the snowboard so that the wide body portions overlap. A manual lock is then used to selectively lock the wide body portions together. In a second embodiment, a turn lock mechanism is provided on the distal ends of the first leg components, which enable them to slide transversely over the snowboard and lock together.
Formed on the inside edge of the U-shaped element is an optional diagonally aligned edge slot designed to engage the outer metal edge of the snowboard. Also provided is an optional cable connected at its opposite ends to the two elongated members. During use, the cable may be extended around a fixed, stationary object to hold the snowboard thereto.
During use, the elongated members are locked in position so that the outer edges of the snowboard are pressed against the inside edges of the U-shaped elements. The elongated members are also positioned approximately at the mid-line axis between the first and second bindings. In both embodiments, the first leg components must be placed over the top surface of the snowboard so that the bindings prevent the locked elongated members from sliding longitudinally over the ends of the snowboard. If the second leg components are sufficient length so that their distal ends are blocked by the bindings, the first leg components may be placed over the bottom surface of the snowboard. When used on an “hour glass shape” snowboard with wide toe and tail sections, longitudinal movement and removal of the locked elongated members is prevented.
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Kapfhammer Eric
Kemery Mike
Craine Dean A.
Gall Lloyd A.
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