US 2003/0197350 A1 · Snowboard binding

Abstract

A snowboard binding mechanism for securing a snowboard boot to a snowboard includes at least one moveable engagement member having an open position and at least one closed position. When in the closed position, the engagement member is biased toward the open position. As a result, when a snowboard boot is not disposed in the binding mechanism, the binding mechanism automatically moves to the open position. The engagement member may also function to compensate for snow, ice or debris accumulated beneath the boot. A single handle may be operatively connected to the engagement members to facilitate ease of removal of the snowboard boot from the binding by simply requiring actuation of the single handle to unlock the binding. A separate foot pedal may be operably coupled to the engagement member and is also employed to unlock the binding. The binding mechanism may also include a cocking feature that unlocks the binding mechanism without also causing the engagement members to move to open positions. A non-metallic heel hoop may be adjustably mounted to the base of a binding for movement in a forward and rearward direction relative to the base. The heel hoop is mounted at a location on the base such that no portion of the heel hoop extends forward of the engagement member. The heel hoop may also include a base portion that is adapted to at least partially underlie the sole of the boot when the boot is held within the binding.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims94

Dependent claims

A snowboard binding mechanism for use with a snowboard binding, the mechanism for securing a snowboard boot to a snowboard, the mechanism comprising:

at least one movable engagement member movable between an open position and at least one closed position wherein the engagement member is adapted to secure the boot to the snowboard, the at least one engagement member being biased toward the open position when in the at least one closed position and being constructed and arranged to automatically re-set to the open position when the boot is not in the binding.

A snowboard binding for securing a snowboard boot to a snowboard, the binding comprising:

a base adapted to receive the boot;
a first engagement member mounted to the base for movement between a first open position and at least one first closed position wherein the first engagement member is adapted to engage a first portion of the boot;
a first locking mechanism movable between a first unlocked configuration corresponding to the first open position of the first engagement member and at least one first locked configuration corresponding to the at least one first closed position of the first engagement member, wherein the first locking mechanism locks the first engagement member in the at least one first closed position when in the at least one first locked configuration;
a handle, operably coupled to the first locking mechanism, adapted to disengage the first locking mechanism from the first engagement member by moving the first locking mechanism to its unlocked configuration;
a second engagement member mounted to the base for movement between a second open position and at least one second closed position wherein the second engagement member is adapted to engage a second portion of the boot, the second engagement member being adapted to move between the second open position and the at least one second closed position independently of the first engagement member moving between the first open position and the at least one first closed position;
and
a second locking mechanism movable between a second unlocked configuration corresponding to the second open position of the second engagement member and at least one second locked configuration corresponding to the at least one second closed position of the second engagement member, wherein the second locking mechanism locks the second engagement member in the at least one second closed position when in the at least one second locked configuration;
wherein the binding is free of a handle that is adapted to disengage the second locking mechanism from the second engagement member by moving the second locking mechanism to its unlocked configuration.

5 more elements

A snowboard binding for securing a snowboard boot to a snowboard, the binding comprising:

a base adapted to receive the boot;
a first engagement member mounted to the base for movement between a first open position and at least one first closed position wherein the first engagement member is adapted to engage a first portion of the boot;
a first locking mechanism movable between a first unlocked configuration corresponding to the first open position of the first engagement member and at least one first locked configuration corresponding to the at least one first closed position of the first engagement member, wherein the first locking mechanism locks the first engagement member in the at least one first closed position when in the at least one first locked configuration;
an actuator, operably coupled to the first locking mechanism, adapted to disengage the first locking mechanism from the first engagement member by moving the first locking mechanism to its unlocked configuration;
a second engagement member mounted to the base for movement between a second open position and at least one second closed position wherein the second engagement member is adapted to engage a second portion of the boot, the second engagement member being adapted to move between the second open position and the at least one second closed position independently of the first engagement member moving between the first open position and the at least one first closed position;
and
a second locking mechanism movable between a second unlocked configuration corresponding to the second open position of the second engagement member and at least one second locked configuration corresponding to the at least one second closed position of the second engagement member, wherein the second locking mechanism locks the second engagement member in the at least one second closed position when in the at least one locked configuration;
wherein the binding is free of an actuator that is adapted to disengage the second locking mechanism from the second engagement member by moving the second locking mechanism to its unlocked configuration.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description10,730 words

Summary1,525 words

#1. Field of the Invention

#The invention relates to a snowboard binding for securing a boot to a snowboard.

#2. Related Art

Brief description of the drawings20 figures

#Various embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective exploded view of a snowboard binding according to one embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a portion of the snowboard binding of FIG. 1;

Detailed description8,762 words

#One illustrative embodiment of the invention is directed to a step-in snowboard binding mechanism for securing a snowboard boot to a snowboard. The binding mechanism includes at least one moveable engagement member having an open position and at least one closed position. When in the closed position, the engagement member is biased toward the open position. As a result, when a snowboard boot is not disposed in the binding mechanism, the binding mechanism automatically moves to the open position wherein it may readily receive the snowboarding boot.

#Another illustrative embodiment of the invention is directed to a snowboard binding mechanism that includes first and second engagement members which engage first and second portions of the boot. Each engagement member includes an open position and a plurality of closed positions that can compensate for snow, ice or debris accumulated beneath the boot. The closed positions of the engagement members are independent, so that any variability in the thickness of snow, ice or debris may be separately compensated for.

#Another illustrative embodiment of the invention is directed to a snowboard binding mechanism that includes engagement members that are adapted to rotate toward and away from the snowboard boot, and to engage with the boot. Advantageously, a single handle is operatively connected to both engagement members to facilitate ease of removal of the snowboard boot from the binding by simply requiring actuation of the single handle to cause both engagement members to disengage from the snowboard boot.

Facts

Application

10/442,629Filed 21 May 2003

Priority

28 Aug 2000

Published

23 Oct 2003

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

A63C 10/10
Characterised by details of the shoe holders: using parts which are fixed on the shoe, e.g. means to facilitate step-in
A43B 5/0401
Ski or like boots: snowboard boots
A43B 5/0403
Snowboard boots: adaptations for soles or accessories with soles for snowboard bindings
A43B 5/0423
For soles or associated with soles of ski boots; for ski bindings: located on the sides of the sole

Timeline

28 Aug 2000Priority claimedParent application 09/650,271
21 May 2003Application filedUS 10/442,629
23 Oct 2003Published
1 May 2009Assigned to Jpmorgan Chase Bank, National Association, AS Administrative Agentsupplemental patent security agreement
24 Aug 2010Assigned to The Burton Corporationrelease of security interest

Snowboard binding

Life of this patent

Snowboard binding

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims94

Description10,730 words

Drawings

Classification11 codes

Life of this patent

Description10,730 words