Snowboard having modified edge structure

Abstract

Snowboards with various edge structures are disclosed herein. A portion of the edge of the snowboard may be formed by a hardened or metal edge. A remaining portion of the edge defined by an absence of the hardened or metal edge forms a grind edge. The disclosed invention provides a snowboard that has only partial metal or hardened edges along its perimeter to allow the rider to slide or grind on a rail without worry of catching a hardened or metal edge on the rail, or damaging the hardened or metal edge during the grinding activity. Embodiments of the invention also relate to edge structures of snowboards that allow for easy repair of those edge structures.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A snowboard comprising: 
 a main body having a bottom surface, a front end, a rear end, and a sidewall extending around said main body, said sidewall intersecting with said bottom surface;    a first portion of said intersection along said main body forming a first grind edge; and    a second portion of said intersection adjacent one of said ends forming a first hardened edge.    
     
     
         2 . The snowboard of  claim 1  wherein said bottom surface is made of P-Tex.  
     
     
         3 . The snowboard of  claim 1  wherein said sidewall is made of P-Tex along said first grind edge.  
     
     
         4 . The snowboard of  claim 1  wherein said first hardened edge is made of metal.  
     
     
         5 . The snowboard of  claim 1  further comprising a third portion of said intersection along said main body forming a second grind edge.  
     
     
         6 . The snowboard of  claim 5  further comprising a fourth portion of said intersection adjacent one of said ends forming a second hardened edge.  
     
     
         7 . The snowboard of  claim 1  further comprising a third portion of said intersection adjacent one of said ends forming a second grind edge.  
     
     
         8 . The snowboard of  claim 7  further comprising a fourth portion of said intersection adjacent one of said ends forming a second hardened edge.  
     
     
         9 . The snowboard of  claim 1  wherein a plurality of portions of said intersection are formed by a plurality of hardened edges.  
     
     
         10 . The snowboard of  claim 10  wherein said plurality of portions of said intersection formed by said plurality of hardened edges do not extend around at least one of said ends.  
     
     
         11 . The snowboard of  claim 1  wherein said first hardened edge terminates in said main body.  
     
     
         12 . A snowboard comprising: 
 a main body having a bottom surface, a front end, a rear end, a middle portion defining opposing sides, and a sidewall extending around said main body, said sidewall intersecting with said bottom surface;    a first portion of said intersection extending along at least one of said ends being formed by a hardened material; and    a second portion of said intersection extending along at least one of said opposing sides being formed without said hardened material.    
     
     
         13 . The snowboard of  claim 12  wherein said bottom surface is made of P-Tex.  
     
     
         14 . The snowboard of  claim 12  wherein said hardened material terminates within said main body.  
     
     
         15 . The snowboard of  claim 12  further comprising a plurality of portions of said intersection formed by said hardened material.  
     
     
         16 . The snowboard of  claim 15  wherein said plurality of portions of said intersection formed by said hardened material do not extend around at least one of said ends.  
     
     
         17 . The snowboard of  claim 12  wherein said hardened material is made of metal.  
     
     
         18 . A snowboard comprising: 
 a main body having a bottom surface made of P-Tex, a top surface, a front end, a rear end, a middle portion defining a first side opposite of a second side, and a sidewall made of P-Tex extending around said main body, said sidewall forming an intersection with said bottom surface;    a plurality of layered materials between said bottom surface and said top surface;    a first portion of said intersection being formed by a first hardened edge adjacent said front end, said first hardened edge having at least one end tucked into said sidewall;    a second portion of said intersection being formed by a second hardened edge adjacent said rear end, said second hardened edge having at least one end tucked into said sidewall;    a third portion of said corner being formed by P-Tex extending along said first side; and    a fourth portion of said corner being formed by P-Tex extending along said second side.    
     
     
         19 . The snowboard of  claim 18  wherein said hardened edges are made of metal.  
     
     
         20 . The snowboard of  claim 19  wherein said hardened edges define a plurality of T-shaped extensions extending inwardly into said sidewall.  
     
     
         21 . The snowboard of  claim 20  wherein said hardened edges define a first thickness and said tucked ends define a second thickness wherein said second thickness is smaller than said first thickness.  
     
     
         22 . The snowboard of  claim 18  wherein the tucked ends terminate.  
     
     
         22 . The snowboard of  claim 17  wherein the tucked ends terminate.