Releasable snowboard binding

A releasable foot binding apparatus for use in combination with a snowboard, comprising:

• a socket component mounted on said snowboard, including first and second spaced-apart upwardly-extending elongated siderails, each said siderail having an elongated flange portion extending laterally therefrom;
• a foot-engaging component longitudinally engageable with said socket component, said foot-engaging component having a bottom and including opposite side ribs positioned on said bottom to be slidably positionable below said flange portions of said socket component;
• a latch means for releasably securing said foot-engaging component against movement in one longitudinal direction relative to said socket component;
• and
• a stop means for limiting movement of said foot-engaging component relative to said socket component in an opposite longitudinal direction,
• wherein said latch means includes a displaceable pawl member on said socket component, said pawl member being spring biased into a position to engage a notch formed in said foot-engaging component when said component is engaged with said socket component, and
• wherein said pawl member includes a portion extending outwardly of said socket component to a position accessible when said foot-engaging component is engaged in said socket component, such that said outwardly extending portion may be moved to in turn displace said pawl member and release said foot-engaging component for longitudinal removal from said socket component.