Safety release binding

A safety release binding for attachment of each foot of a user to a snowboard, comprising

• a pair of first attachment units, each formed for attachment to a foot of the user, and each comprising
• a substantially plane surface throughout a central portion thereof,
• a support surface at each end thereof, and
• a first set of cohesive interlocking elements secured on the plane surface at the central portion thereof,
• a pair of second attachment unit secured to the snowboard, each formed with a substantially plane surface, and each comprising
• a second set of cohesive interlocking elements secured on the plane surface of the second attachment unit, and
• two pairs of support pads, each pair associated with a first attachment unit and disposed between the snowboard and the support surfaces of the first attachment unit when the units are in operative use position,
• said support pads being formed to provide a spacing between the first and second attachment units to obtain a correct interlocking between the first and second set of interlocking elements,
• whereby controlling forces are transferred between each foot of the user and the snowboard and an excessive force causes disengagement of the interlocking elements of the attachment units and release of the user's feet from the snowboard.

A safety release binding for attachment of each foot of a user to a snowboard, comprising

• a first attachment unit formed to be secured to the foot of the user,
• a second attachment unit secured to the snowboard, and
• a brake mounted on the snowboard near the edge thereof and part of which is under a normal operative position of the first attachment unit,
• said brake comprising
• a housing secured to the snowboard and having a recess on the upper surface thereof,
• said housing also having an elongated internal chamber open at one end and containing female threads at the opening,
• a generally U-shaped rod member having a male threaded section at one end of one leg with the male threads fitting the aforesaid female threads and having the other leg of the U fitting into the recess on the upper surface of the housing when the male end in within the chamber,
• spring means located within the chamber compressed to urge the U-shaped rod member outward thereof causing rotation from the position with the other leg of the U-shaped member in the recess to a final position below the snowboard,
• lock means for holding the leg of the U-shaped member in the recess, and
• means for releasing said lock means.