Snowboard binding system with automatic forward lean support

A step-in binding for securing a boot to a bearing member capable of traversing a surface, the boot having a sole defining a toe end, a heel end, and a binding attachment surface, an ankle support portion capable of flexing relative to the plane of the sole, and an elongate ankle support member mounted to the exterior of the boot in the calf area thereof, the step-in binding comprising:

• (a) a rigid plate securable to the bearing member, the plate having a forward end and a rearward end;
• (b) at least a first binding member attached to the plate for receiving and coupling to the binding attachment surface of the boot;
• (c) a release member attached to the first binding member for selectively releasing the boot from the first binding member;
• and
• (d) elongate first and second lean support members having an upper surface, a forward end, and a rearward end, the first and second lean support members are fastened to opposing sides of the plate near the rearward end thereof, the first and second lean support members are positioned for engagement with the ankle support member to define a minimum forward lean angle of the boot and to limit the aft flexure of the ankle support portion of the boot.

A step-in binding for securing a boot to a snowboard, the boot having a sole defining a toe end and a heel end, the toe and heel ends having toe and heel binding attachment surfaces, respectively, the boot further having an ankle support portion capable of flexing relative to the plane of the sole and an elongate highback mounted to the exterior of the boot in the calf area thereof and extending from below to above the ankle area, the step-in binding comprising:

• (a) a rigid plate securable to the snowboard, the plate having a forward end and a rearward end;
• (b) a first binding member attached to the plate for receiving and coupling the toe attachment surface of the boot to the plate;
• (c) a second binding member attached to the rearward end of the plate for receiving and coupling the heel attachment surface of the boot to the plate;
• (d) a release member attached to the second binding member for selectively releasing the boot from the first binding member;
• (e) an elongate stopper block fastened to the lower end of the highback, the stopper block having forward and rearward surfaces;
• and
• (f) a lean support member mounted near the rearward end of the plate for engagement with the stopper block to define a minimum forward lean angle of the boot and to limit the aft flexure of the ankle support portion of the boot.

A snowboot and step-in binding combination for use with a snowboard, the combination comprising:

• (a) a boot having a sole defining a toe end and a heel end, the toe end defining a toe binding attachment surface, the heel end defining a heel binding attachment surface, the boot further comprising:
• (i) an ankle support portion capable of flexing relative to the plane of the sole;
• and
• (ii) an elongate highback mounted to the exterior of the boot in the calf area thereof and extending from below to above the ankle area;
• (b) a rigid plate securable to the snowboard, the plate having a forward end and a rearward end;
• (c) a first binding member attached to the plate for receiving and coupling the toe attachment surface of the boot to the plate;
• (d) a second binding member attached to the rearward end of the plate for receiving and coupling the heel attachment surface of the boot to the plate;
• (e) a release member attached to the second binding member for selectively releasing the boot from the first binding member;
• (f) an elongate stopper block fastened to the lower end of the highback, the stopper block having forward and rearward surfaces;
• and
• (g) a lean support member mounted near the rearward end of the plate for engagement with the stopper block to define a minimum forward lean angle of the boot and to limit the aft flexure of the ankle support portion of the boot.