Snowboard training apparatus

Abstract

The invention is generally a snowboard training apparatus or training tether used to assist in teaching proper snowboard riding mechanics—managing a rider's distribution of their center of gravity over a snowboard—thereby minimizing unintended falls while riding. Additionally, the training tether makes it easier for the rider to get onto the snowboard from a sitting position. In exemplary embodiments, the training tether comprises a handle; a handle strap forming a loop, wherein the handle encompasses a top portion of the loop of the handle strap; a tension strap connected to a lower portion of the handle strap; and a lateral strap coupled to the tension strap, the lateral strap including a first terminal end and a second terminal end configured to register with a first connector and a second connector that secures the apparatus to a snowboard, a snowboarder's bindings, or a snowboarder's boots.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to a snowboard training apparatus and more specifically, to a training tether used to assist in teaching proper snowboard riding mechanics; by utilizing a training tether in accordance with the present invention, a rider's center of gravity is properly distributed over a snowboard, thereby minimizing unintended falls while riding.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Snowboards resemble a wide snow ski, with the ability to traverse a slope of snow and ice. A snowboard rider (hereinafter, “rider”) stands with feet substantially transverse to the longitude of the snowboard, though a rider's feet may be angled somewhat obliquely, and the rider's feet are securely attached to the snowboard by use of boots and snowboard bindings. The snowboard also has two edges, a toe-edge and a heal-edge, which are critical for controlling a snowboard's path down a slope.[0003]To ride a snowboard, the rider shifts the rider's cent...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]To minimize the limitations in the prior art, and to minimize other limitations that will be apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present disclosure describes an apparatus for training a snowboard rider, or a training tether, which helps a snowboard rider learn to manage the rider's center of gravity and therefore learn how to better ride a snowboard. Additionally, the training tether makes i

Problems solved by technology

Thus, controlling a snowboard, at its most basic level, involves at least two problems: (1) maintaining more of the rider's weight on the down-slope foot; and (2) shifting the rider's center-of-gravity over the longitudinal centerline of the snowboard to engage either edge.

Because of this, a rider with loose fitting boots or a loose binding fitting has a greatly diminished capacity to control the snowboard; more importantly, a rider with poor control or management of their center of gravity over the snowboard will surely experience loss of control and unintended falls.

If a shift in the rider's center of gravity over the longitudinal centerline occurs that is unintended the result is generally an unintended fall of the rider or temporary loss of control.

Novice riders are generally not accustomed to the need to control a rider's center of gravity with such precision, nor do novice riders usually have the initial ability to finely control their center o

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