Method and apparatus for reducing body stress typically experienced by a snowboarder while on a chairlift

A binding assembly for coupling a user's boot to the top surface of a snowboard, said assembly comprising:

• a boot retention member for engaging the sole of a user's boot;
• a mounting structure coupling said boot retention member to said snowboard top surface so as to allow said retention member to pivot between a closed position orienting said boot sole substantially parallel to said snowboard top surface and an open position orienting said boot sole substantially perpendicular to said snowboard top surface, wherein the pivot occurs about a fixed axis;
• a slam latch mechanism operable to latch said retention member in said closed position, wherein said retention member is fixed in the closed position by said slam latch;
• and
• a user operable release mechanism for releasing said latch mechanism to allow said boot retention member to pivot to said open position, wherein said release mechanism comprises a rotating actuator configured to rotate about a vertical axis, along the plane of said snowboard top surface.

In combination with a snowboard having a length, a width, and a top surface, a binding assembly comprising:

• a boot retention member including a boot sole support member defining a substantially planar sole support surface;
• a mounting structure attaching said boot retention member to said snowboard top surface and wherein said mounting structure includes a hinge allowing the plane of said sole support surface to pivot between a first position oriented substantially perpendicular to said snowboard top surface and a second position substantially parallel to said snowboard top surface, wherein the pivot occurs about a fixed axis;
• a slam latch mechanism responsive to movement of said sole support surface from said first position to said second position for latching said sole support member in said second position, wherein said retention member is fixed in the second position by the slam latch;
• and
• a user operable rotating actuator for unlatching said sole support member to allow said snowboard and sole support surface to move to said first position, wherein said rotating actuator is configured to rotate about a vertical axis, along the plane of said snowboard top surface.