Recreational board carrier and theft deterrent device

Abstract

The present invention relates to devices for carrying, storing, and deterring the theft of elongate recreational boards such as snowboards, skis, skateboards, surfboards, and sailboards and the like.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 298,801, filed Jun. 15, 2001, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to devices for carrying, storing, and deterring the theft of elongate recreational boards such as snowboards, skis, skateboards, surfboards, sailboards and the like. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Recreational board sports such as snowboarding have continually grown in their popularity and today are enjoyed international by millions of young and old alike. For example, Olympic officials at the recent Winter Games in the United States reported that the snowboarding events were among the most popular events held at the Games. The exposure gained by the snowboarding community at the recent winter Olympics has consequently fueled an explosion in the number of people beginning to snowboard. However, as more people participate in snowboarding, the limited num...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] The present invention contemplates that preferred embodiments of the carrying case be used to carry and secure recreational boards (e.g., snowboards, skateboards, surfboards, sailboards, snowshoes, water skis, and snow skis) and related equipment. When embodiments of the present invention are used to carry and secure recreational board equipment with more than one section or board piece (e.g., snow skis, water skis, etc.) the present invention contemplates that two receptacles be provided, one at each of the distal and proximal ends of the carrying case such these receptacles can releasably secure the respectiv

Problems solved by technology

However, as more people participate in snowboarding, the limited number of suitable snowboarding resorts are becoming increasingly crowded.

Crowds at popular snowboarding resorts are not only frustrating to those on the slopes, crowds can also encourage the would be criminal to try and steal other's snowboarding equipment.

For example, as the number of people enjoying snowboarding has increased, so has the incidence of equipment theft and vandalization.

Moreover, the cumbersome and awkward nature of snowboarding equipment often prohibits the snowboarder from carrying her equipment while stopping to eat, buy lift tickets, or to rest in the lodge.

Thus, the snowboarder must leave her equipment in common areas, such as against the wall of a ski lodge, and hope that no one steals her snowboard, adding to the risk of equipment theft and damage.

In addition to worrying about the theft or damage of her equipment once at her destination, the snowboarder, in particular, and other recreational board user more generally, faces difficulties transporting her bulky equipment through hotel lobbies, parking structures, and airport terminals often while also attempting to carry luggage and other personal items.

Typically, the lightweight construction of these devices does little to deter thieves and also affords little protection from damage during transportation and storage.

These devices, however, generally fail to provide recreational board carriers and storage devices that both protect the recreational boards during transport and deter theft.

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