1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a rack for carrying a snowboard. Specifically, the present invention relates to a snowboard rack, for holding and carrying a snowboard, designed to be mounted to a frame of a snowmobile.
2. Background and Prior Art
The use of various types of equipment racks for carrying skis, wakeboards and snowboards are well known. More particularly, however, an example of a rack designed for carrying a snowboard in connection with operating a snowmobile is absent from the prior art. Commonly, snowboard racks in the prior art are taught to be attached to trucks, cars, or various types of water craft. As a result, the present invention seeks to provide a snowboard rack designed for mounting to a frame of a snowmobile for carrying a snowboard without hindering the snowmobile operator's ability to safely drive the snowmobile, and for securing the snowboard to the snowmobile in a safe manner to withstand various driving styles and conditions.
The following United States patents are herein incorporated by reference for their supporting teachings:                1) U.S. Pat. No. 5,752,638 issued to Meeks discloses a rack for storing one or more pairs of water skis and wake boards including one or more pairs of forks having parallel prongs extending from and coplanar with a base plate section. The pairs of forks are mounted on a support bar extending through an opening in the base plate section and may be positioned axially along and orientationally around the bar then clamped in the selected position such that each fork is aligned with its pair member. A strap is provided for each fork so that a water ski or wakeboard may be nested between neighboring prongs;        2) U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,265 issued to Deloza discloses a snowboard rack for transporting a snowboard in a pickup truck having a cab and a bed. The carrier has a carrier sleeve which extends over a header shaft to allow slidable movement thereupon. The carrier has a pair of cradles which support the snowboard therein, and a strap mechanism which secures the snowboard;        3) U.S. Pat. No. 6,189,753 issued to Kalhok et al. discloses a carrier rack for use primarily on a watercraft. The carrier rack has preferably two resilient, elastomeric cradles adapted to receive an object to be carried. Th cradles are adapted to be mounted on an outside surface of the watercraft, most preferably the gunwales;        4) U.S. Pat. No. 5,906,304 issued to Baldacchino discloses a rack that adjustably attaches to an inboard wall panel of a boat for securing water sport equipment in the cockpit of the boat. The device is configured so that the rack adjustably attaches to the inboard wall panel and secures a variety of equipment such as water skis and wake boards;        5) U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,837 issued to Ruffolo Jr. discloses a snowboard rack which is readily mountable to any roll-up window on an automotive vehicle; and        6) U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,683 issued to Stuck discloses a rotatable apparatus for servicing or repair of snowmobiles, including a frame or rack with a pair of generally parallel curved frame members which are located along a side of the snowmobile.        