초록 ▼

A powered snowboard having a drive assembly mounted thereon, the drive assembly including a frame, a track assembly having a track suspended over multiple wheels, the track assembly being supported in the frame such that it is able to travel in a vertical direction as well as pivot about an axis, an

A powered snowboard having a drive assembly mounted thereon, the drive assembly including a frame, a track assembly having a track suspended over multiple wheels, the track assembly being supported in the frame such that it is able to travel in a vertical direction as well as pivot about an axis, and a motor operatively engaged with the track such that it drives the track thus propelling the snowboard. A cutout is formed in the snowboard through which the track assembly engages the snow or ice below the snowboard, and the track assembly is biased against the snow or ice to maintain a constant contact with the snow or ice during use.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for propelling a passenger across a ground surface, comprising: a board including a top surface, a bottom surface, a front end and a back end, said top surface being adapted to receive the passenger thereon, and said bottom surface being adapted for sliding engag

What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for propelling a passenger across a ground surface, comprising: a board including a top surface, a bottom surface, a front end and a back end, said top surface being adapted to receive the passenger thereon, and said bottom surface being adapted for sliding engagement on a ground surface; a frame attached to said board proximate said back end, wherein said frame further includes a first side member, a second side member, an axel frame, and a spring means for biasing said axel frame in a specific direction, said first side member including a first channel therein, said second side member including a second channel therein, said axel frame including a first leg member with a first opening and a second leg member with a second opening, said first leg member being received within said first channel, said second leg member being received within said second channel such that said axel frame moves vertically within said first and second side members, said axel frame being forced in a generally downward direction by said spring means, and said first axel extending through said first and second openings of said first and second leg members of said axel frame; and a drive assembly mounted to said frame, said drive assembly including a first wheel, a second wheel, a motor and a track, said first wheel being spaced apart from said second wheel such that said track is supported by said first wheel and said second wheel, and said drive assembly further includes at least one arm member, a first axel, and a second axel, said at least one arm member including a first end with a first aperture, and a second end with a second aperture, said first axel extending through said first aperture, said first wheel being received on said first axel, said second axel extending through said second aperture, said second wheel being received on said second axel, wherein said at least one arm member is connected to said frame by a biasing means for forcing said at least one arm member in a generally downward direction such that said track engages the ground surface, said motor being operatively engaged with said track such that, in operation, said track drives said board across the ground surface. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an opening formed in said back end. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said frame is attached to said top surface. 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein a portion of said track extends through said opening in said back end. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said biasing member is one or more of a spring member, a coil spring, an air spring, and an elastomeric spring. 6. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first wheel and said second wheel have a width, and wherein said track has a width, said track width being greater than said first and second wheel width. 7. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said motor includes a drive shaft, said drive shaft including a first end operatively connected to said motor, and a second end extending outwardly from said motor, said drive shaft including a first sprocket at said second end, said first axel including a second sprocket, said first sprocket and said second sprocket being operatively engaged by a drive chain such that when said drive shaft rotates, said first axel rotates in turn rotating said first wheel thus rotating said track such that said track drives said board across the ground surface. 8. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said frame includes disengagement means for lifting said track from engagement with the ground surface. 9. An apparatus for propelling a passenger across a ground surface, comprising: a board including a top surface, a bottom surface, a front end and a back end, said top surface being adapted to receive the passenger thereon, and said bottom surface being adapted for sliding engagement on a ground surface; a frame attached to said board proximate said back end, wherein said frame further includes a first side member, a second side member, an axel frame, and a spring means for biasing said axel frame in a specific direction, said first side member including a first channel therein, said second side member including a second channel therein, said axel frame including a first leg member with a first opening and a second leg member with a second opening, said first leg member being received within said first channel, said second leg member being received within said second channel such that said axel frame moves vertically within said first and second side members, said axel frame being forced in a generally downward direction by said spring means, and said first axel extending through said first and second openings of said first and second leg members of said axel frame; and a drive assembly mounted to said frame, said drive assembly including a first wheel, a second wheel, a motor and a track, said first wheel being spaced apart from said second wheel such that said track is supported by said first wheel and said second wheel, and said drive assembly further includes at least one arm member, a first axel, and a second axel, said at least one arm member including a first end with a first aperture, and a second end with a second aperture, said first axel extending through said first aperture, said first wheel being received on said first axel, said second axel extending through said second aperture, said second wheel being received on said second axel, wherein said at least one arm member is connected to said frame by a biasing means for forcing said at least one arm member in a generally downward direction such that said track engages the ground surface, said motor includes a drive shaft, said drive shaft including a first end operatively connected to said motor, and a second end extending outwardly from said motor, said drive shaft including a first sprocket at said second end, said first axel including a second sprocket, said first sprocket and said second sprocket being operatively engaged by a drive chain such that when said drive shaft rotates, said first axel rotates in turn rotating said first wheel thus rotating said track such that said track drives said board across the ground surface. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising an opening formed in said back end. 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said frame is attached to said top surface. 12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein at a portion of said track extends through said opening in said back end. 13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said biasing member is one or more of a spring member, a coil spring, an air spring, and an elastomeric spring. 14. The apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said first wheel and said second wheel have a width, and wherein said track has a width, said track width being greater than said first and second wheel width. 15. The apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said frame includes disengagement means for lifting said track from engagement with the ground surface.