Snowboard Accessory

Abstract

Systems and methods herein provide a snowboard rider with a manner for carrying a snowboard more easily to and from a lift. In one embodiment, a system includes at least one grasping means (e.g., a handle or a strap) affixed to a top surface of a snowboard. The system also includes an attachment means for affixing the grasping means to the top surface of the snowboard. The grasping means allows a snowboarder to grab the snowboard to carry the snowboard and more easily transport it. The grasping means may also allow the snowboarder to perform certain tricks (e.g., by grabbing the grasping means in air).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 at least one grasping means affixed to a top surface of a wake board; and   an attachment means for affixing the at least one grasping means to the top surface of the wake board,   wherein the at least one grasping means allows a wake boarder to grab the wake board to carry the wake board.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one grasping means comprises:   a hinge affixed to the top surface of the wake board near a lengthwise edge of the wake board; and   a handle affixed to the hinge,   wherein the hinge is operable to provide movement of the handle from a first position proximate to the top surface of the wake board to a second position away from the edge of the wake board to allow the wake boarder to grab the handle to carry the wake board.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the hinge is further operable to provide movement of the handle to a third position between the first and second positions and to lock the handle into the third position to allow the wake boarder to grab the wake board to perform a trick while the wake boarder rides the wake board.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the attachment means comprises an attachment plate affixed to the hinge; and   at least one screw operable to secure the hinge to the top surface of the wake board.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a locking means for securing the handle in the first position while the wake boarder rides the wake board.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the locking means comprises a compression clip configured from a semi-rigid plastic that is operable to retain the handle in the first position while the wake boarder rides the wake board.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the attachment means comprises a patch of hook and loop attachment material affixed to the top surface of the wake board proximate to a lengthwise edge of the wake board; and   the at least one grasping means comprises a strap configured with a patch of opposing hook and loop attachment material affixed to a distal end of the strap.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the attachment means comprises an adhesive operable to affix the patch of hook and loop material to the top surface of the wake board.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the attachment means comprises a loop connector affixed to the top surface of the wake board proximate to a lengthwise edge of the wake board; and   the at least one grasping means comprises a strap configured with a clip affixed to a distal end of the strap that is operable to clip onto the loop connector.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one grasping means comprises a strap configured with a clip affixed to a distal end of the strap that is operable to clip onto a wake board binding.