Summary

A collapsible snowboard pole is presented. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention a snowboard pole can be provided with a manually expandable and compressible shaft, a basket at the tip, and a handle at the top.


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Posted by Jon Silverman under Sports & Entertainment

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Snowboarders generally do not use poles as skiers do.  Due to the variety of air maneuvers often performed by snowboarders, being forced to continually hold the equivalent of a ski pole is often too cumbersome to be practical.  There are instances, however, when a snowboarder cannot simply move himself with both feet on the snowboard.  This occurs when the snowboarder is on a flat, or nearly flat (i.e., slightly inclined either upward or downward) grade.  In these instances a snowboarder has to unbuckle his boot and use one foot, generally his back foot, to push on the snow.  This frequently occurs when having to traverse a mountain (as when on a lift line) or when disembarking from a chairlift.  Thus, notwithstanding its general cumbersomeness, there are many instances when a pole or similar device would be useful to a snowboarder and allow him to increase his speed and/or maneuverability.       There are few, if any, commercially available snowboard poles.  While it is possible to use ski poles, this forces the snowboarder to hold the pole or poles continually while snowboarding.  This is contrary to the flow and feel of snowboarding, inasmuch as poles are generally not needed when traveling down an incline, and they simply get in the way.         While there have been some attempts at creating snowboard poles that can be attached to either snowboards or to the lower legs of snowboard users while not in use, these utilize cumbersome attachment mechanisms and do not allow for both convenient access and deployment of the snowboard pole as well as convenient and low-footprint storage of the pole when not in use by a snowboarder while he or she is on the snowboard and moving.

       Thus, what is needed in the art is a pole for a snowboard that can be conveniently and quickly accessed and deployed when needed whole on a moving snowboard, and that can also be conveniently stowed while on a moving snowboard when not. 

A collapsible snowboard pole is presented.  In exemplary embodiments of the present invention a snowboard pole can be provided with a manually expandable and compressible shaft, a basket at the tip, and a handle at the top.  The basket can slide between a lower tip-ward (distal) position for storage and an upper top-ward (proximal) position for use.  In exemplary embodiments of the present invention the pole can be expanded to full length and disengaged form a docking mechanism located at the back of a snowboard with one hand, while a user is in motion on the snowboard.  Once disengaged, the user can easily deploy the basket to its full upward extension for use.  Additionally, a user can dock a collapsed pole and secure it in a docking mechanism, or can insert the pole tip in a docking mechanism, then collapse the pole and then secure it in the docking mechanism, all with one hand while in motion on the snowboard.

       In exemplary embodiments of the present invention a collapsible snowboard pole and base are provided.  In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the base can be a small device which can be attached to a convenient place on a snowboard.  In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a base can be attached to a snowboard just behind where a back boot is normally attached so that it can be out of a snowboarder’s way.  Alternatively, the base can be fully integrated with the snowboard for better strength, less parts to assemble and sleekness of appearance.  In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a base can be, for example, light enough so as not to impede a snowboarder’s ability to jump or move.  Such a base can, in exemplary embodiments, have an attachment mechanism, such as, for example, a clip device, so that it can hold a pole when the pole is not in use.        In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the pole itself can be lightweight and collapsible, in one exemplary embodiment having a fully collapsed length of, for example, 8-12 inches, and a fully expanded length of, for example, anywhere from 2-4 feet.  In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, in its collapsed state an exemplary pole can, for example, be attached to a docking mechanism or base and stored therein on the snowboard.  In operation, for example, a snowboarder can reach down, release the handle of the pole from the base and extend it, and then disengage the basket from the docking mechanism.  Or, for example, the pole can be totally disengaged from the base and then extended.  Once disengaged, a user can, still with one hand, deploy the basket to a full upright position for use by, for example, pushing down on the extended pole in the snow.  

        An exemplary snowboard pole according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be configured in such a way that the clamp can be mounted in a lateral or longitudinal direction with respect to the snowboard, or at an angle, as depicted in the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures.  Further, in exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a snowboard clamp can be designed in such a way that it “grasps” or partially surrounds the snowboard pole when the two interface.  This represents a unique feature in that such a mount does not require straps, clips, or any other type of locking mechanism to secure the pole when not in use.  A clamp can, for example, be attached to a snowboard, for example, by means of screws.  In such exemplary embodiments there can be screw seats such as are used for attaching boots.