Snowboard boot binder attachments

Apparatus responsive to rider action for enhancing the maneuverability of a snowboard comprising:

• a pair of first circular plate members adapted to be secured in fixed spaced relationship directly to a snowboard,
• a pair of second plate members rotatably secured, one each, to said pair of first circular plates to thereby permit relative rotation between said first and said second plates,
• boot binder means secured to each of said second plates for releasably engaging the boots of a snowboard rider,
• each of said pair of second plate members being responsive to rider induced action to rotate relative to each of said first circular plate members,
• at least one elastomer element disposed between each connected first and second plate to limit relative rotation therebetween and to exert a force on said plates to effect return to an original preset position after said plates are rotated relative to each other,
• adjustment means attached to the top surface of each of said pair of second plates to permit separate fixed angular adjustment settings for said boot binder means on each member of said pair of second plates,
• said at least one elastomeric element comprising at least a pair of elongated coil springs, each member of said pair of coil springs being disposed within an arcurate channel formed in each of said first plates, each of said elongated coil springs having one end thereof connected to a stop member secured within said arcurate channel and having the other end thereof connected to a boss extending within said arcurate channel, each said boss being secured to and rotatable with said second plate member, whereby, each said boss is rotated by rotation of said second plate member, and at least one member of said pair of coil springs will be expanded to increase the tension thereon.

Apparatus responsive to rider action for enhancing the maneuverability of a snowboard comprising:

• a pair of first plate members adapted to be secured in fixed spaced relationship to a snowboard,
• a pair of second plate members rotatably secured, one each, to said pair of first plates to thereby permit relative rotation between said first and said second plates,
• boot binder means secured to each of said second plates for releasably engaging the boots of a snowboard rider,
• each of said pair of second plate members being responsive to rider induced action to rotate relative to each of said first plate members,
• means disposed between each connected first and second plate to limit relative rotation therebetween and to exert a force on said plates to effect return to an original preset position after said plates are rotated relative to each other,
• said means disposed between each connected first and second plates to limit relative rotation therebetween and to exert a force on said plates to effect their return to an original preset position after said plates are rotated relative to each other including at least one elastomeric element,
• said at least one elastomeric element comprising two pair of elongated coil springs, an arcurate circumferential channel disposed within and adjacent the circumferential boundary of each member of each said first pair of plates, means disposed within said arcurate circumferential channel dividing said channel into four separate arcurate channels, said four arcurate channels being paired and including two pair of stop members disposed in facing relationship and substantially 180.degree. apart within said arcurate circumferential channel, two pair of boss elements disposed in facing relationship and substantially 180.degree. apart, said boss elements and said stop members being substantially 90.degree. from each other, said two pair of boss elements attached to and depending from each member of said second pair of plates, said stop elements being attached to said first plate, said two pair of coil springs being disposed one each in said four separate arcurate channels and having one end thereof in contact with one of said boss elements and the other end thereof in contact with one of said stop elements, an adjustment mechanism disposed within each member of each said pair of depending boss elements and within each member of said stop members, said adjustment mechanism serving to adjust the effective length of the said elongated springs disposed in said arcurate channels.

Apparatus for enhancing the maneuverability of a snowboard during a snowboard ride comprising:

• a snowboard,
• a boot binder attachment for each boot of a snowboard rider,
• each said boot binder attachment including a first plate member secured to said snowboard,
• a second plate member rotatably secured to said first plate for relative rotational movement therewith,
• boot binder means secured to said second plate for bindingly engaging a boot of a rider,
• means disposed between and engaging said first and said second plates to limit relative rotation therebetween and to exert a force on said plates to effect return to an original preset position after said plates are rotated relative to each other,
• said means disposed between said engaging said first and said second plates to limit relative rotation therebetween including at least one elastomeric element,
• said elastomeric element comprising an elongated spiral spring, an arcurate passageway formed in said first plate, said elongated spiral spring being disposed in said passageway and having one end thereof engaging a boss, said boss extending into said passageway and being attached to and rotatable with said second plate, said spring having the opposite end thereof engaging a stop element, said stop element being disposed in said passageway and being secured to said first plate.