Apparatus for adapting a snowboard boot for use with an alpine ski
AssigneeMad Jack Snow Sports
InventorEric Mehiel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An adjustable ski binding adapter apparatus that adapt a snowboard boot for use with alpine ski bindings. The ski binding adapter apparatus includes a back support pivotally coupled to a sole plate, where the back support pivots to aid in stepping into the ski binding adapter apparatus. The sole plate is adjustable for length. Adjustable strap assemblies are coupled to the sole plate and the back support and snugly encircle and restrain the boot in the ski binding adapter apparatus. The back support and the sole plate are configured to conform to ski boot standards and attach to a conventional ski binding.
Claims16
A ski binding adapter apparatus for a boot comprising:
- a back support configured to receive a calf portion of a boot;
- a sole plate configured to receive a sole of the boot, a heel end of the sole plate pivotally coupled to a lower end of the back support, a heel lip at the heel end of the sole plate configured to torsionally and longitudinally release from an alpine ski binding, a toe flange at a toe end of the sole plate configured to torsionally and longitudinally release from the alpine ski binding and configured to slide into and removably couple to the alpine ski binding;
- a flexible foot pad configured to rest on a top of a foot portion of the boot when the boot is received by the sole plate;
- at least two toe straps, each toe strap coupling a side of the foot pad to a side portion of the sole plate, whereby a toe portion of the boot is snugly encircled by the sole plate, the foot pad, and the toe straps when the sole of the boot is received by the sole plate;
- at least two ankle straps, each ankle strap coupling a side of the foot pad to a side portion of the sole plate, whereby an ankle portion of the boot is snugly encircled by the sole plate, the foot pad, and the ankle straps;
- when the sole of the boot is received by the sole plate;
- and
- a shin pad assembly comprising a shin pad interposed between two shin straps, each shin strap coupling the a side of the shin pad to a side of the back support, whereby a leg portion of the boot is snugly encircled by the back support, the shin pad, and the shin straps, wherein when the boot is received in the ski binding adapter apparatus and the boot is snugly encircled by the apparatus at the toe portion, the ankle portion, and the leg portion, the boot is configured for use with the alpine ski binding.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.