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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A snowboard training apparatus, comprising:
 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.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tension strap and the lateral strap are coupled together with a connecting ring. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a first board attachment configured to register with the first connector of the first terminal end of the lateral strap; and   a second board attachment configured to register with the second connector of the second terminal end of the lateral strap.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second board attachments include one or more openings that register with the snowboard or snowboard bindings. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second board attachments comprise of looped straps for registering with snowboard boots. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the lateral strap is comprised of:
 a first lateral strap portion including the first terminal end and a first connecting end that connects to the connecting ring; and   a second lateral strap portion including the second terminal end and a second connecting end that connects to the connecting ring.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tension strap includes a tension strap adjustor to adjust the length of the tension strap. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tension strap includes a release buckle. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tension strap includes a swivel. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lateral strap includes a lateral strap adjustor to adjust the length of the lateral strap. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second terminal ends of the lateral strap comprise of looped ends. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second connectors comprise of karabiners including an auto-locking or manual locking mechanism for coupling to the looped ends of the first and second terminal ends and the first and second board attachments. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second connectors comprise of male fasteners that register with female fasteners on the first and second board attachments. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second connectors comprise of female fasteners that register with male fasteners on the first and second board attachments. 
     
     
         15 . A snowboard training apparatus, comprising:
 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, including a tension strap adjustor to adjust the length of the tension strap, the tension strap connected to a lower portion of the handle strap;   a lateral strap coupled to the tension strap with a connecting ring, the lateral strap including a first looped end and a second looped end configured to register with a first connector and a second connector that secures the apparatus to a snowboarder's boots;   a first looped strap configured to register with the first connector of the first looped end of the lateral strap; and   a second looped strap configured to register with the second connector of the second looped end of the lateral strap, wherein the first and second looped straps register with snowboard boots.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second connectors comprise of karabiners including an auto-locking or manual locking mechanism for coupling the looped ends and the first and second looped straps that register with snowboard boots. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second connectors comprise of fasteners that register with complementary fasteners on the first and second looped straps that register with snowboard boots. 
     
     
         18 . A snowboard training apparatus, comprising:
 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, including a tension strap adjustor to adjust the length of the tension strap, the tension strap connected to a lower portion of the handle strap;   a lateral strap coupled to the tension strap with a connecting ring, the lateral strap including a first looped end and a second looped end configured to register with a first connector and a second connector that secures the apparatus to snowboard bindings;   a first binding attachment configured to register with the first connector of the first looped end of the lateral strap; and   a second binding attachment configured to register with the second connector of the second looped end of the lateral strap, wherein the first and second binding attachments include one or more openings that register with the snowboard bindings.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the first and second connectors comprise of karabiners including an auto-locking or manual locking mechanism for coupling to the looped ends and the first and second binding attachments that register with the snowboard bindings. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second connectors comprise of fasteners that register with complementary fasteners on the first and second binding attachments that register with the snowboard bindings.