US 5,512,000 A · Shock absorbing binding

Abstract

A binding assembly for use with a recreation sport board, such as a ski-board, snow-board, or the like, wherein the binding assembly includes a binding having first and second mounting portions and a foot support extending therebetween. The first and second mounting portions being mountable at a first height relative to a top board surface of the board. The foot support has an elevated support plate that is supported by the first and second mounting portions at a second height relative to the top board surface. The second height is greater than the first height to define a tunnel under the elevated support portion. The elevated support portion securely supports the user's foot above the top board surface and moves toward the top board surface when an impact or shock load is exerted on the board, thereby dissipating shock exerted on the user's foot by the binding. A foot pad is adhered atop the elevated support portion and a foot retainer is connected to the binding to retain the user's foot on the foot pad while the sport board is being used.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A binding assembly for use with a recreation sport board to retain a foot of a user thereon and reduce transmitted impact loads from the board to the user's foot, the recreation sport board having a top board surface, comprising:

a binding having a mounting portion and a foot support, said mounting portion being adapted to securely mount to the top board surface with said mounting portion at a first height relative to the top board surface, said foot support having an elevated support portion with toe and heel portions and having a substantially rigid sidewall extending between said toe and heel portions, said substantially rigid sidewall extending between said elevated support portion and said mounting portion, said elevated support portion being securely supported by said substantially rigid sidewall and said mounting portion at a second height relative to the top board surface, said second height being greater than said first height to define a space between said elevated support portion and the top board surface, said elevated support portion being shaped and sized to support at least a portion of the user's foot, said foot support being adapted to allow said elevated support portion to move toward the top board surface to dissipate impact loads exerted on the user's foot by said elevated support portion;
and
a foot retainer to retain the user's foot atop said elevated support portion.

a binding having mounting plates, an elevated support plate therebetween, and a substantially rigid sidewall interconnecting said elevated support plate and at least one of said mounting plates, said mounting plates being adapted to securely mount to the top board surface with said mounting plates at a first height relative to the top board surface, said elevated support plate having toe and heel portions, and said substantially rigid sidewall extending between said toe and heel portions, said elevated support plate securely supported by said substantially rigid sidewall at a second height relative to the top board surface, said second height being greater than said first height to define a space between said elevated support plate and the top board surface, said elevated support plate being shaped and sized to support at least a portion of the user's foot, said heel portion of said elevated support plate being adapted to move toward the top board surface to dissipate impact loads exerted on the user's foot by said elevated support plate;
and
a foot retainer to retain the user's foot atop said elevated support plate.

a binding having mounting potions and a foot support extending between said mounting portions, said mounting portions being adapted to securely mount to the top board surface with said mounting portions at a first height relative to the top board surface, said foot support having an elevated support portion with toe and heel portions and having substantially rigid side portions that extend between said toe and heel portions and that interconnect said elevated support portion and said mounting portions, said elevated support portion being securely supported by said substantially rigid side portions at a second height relative to the top board surface, said second height being greater than said first height to define a space between said elevated support portion and the top board surface, said elevated support portion being shaped and sized to support at least a portion of the user's foot, said foot support being adapted to allow said elevated support portion to move toward the top board surface to dissipate impact loads exerted on the user's foot by said elevated support portion;
and
a foot retainer to retain the user's foot atop said elevated support portion.

A recreation sport board assembly for use by a user, comprising:

a recreation sport board having left and right edges and top and bottom board surfaces extending between said left and right edges, said bottom surface being adapted to slide on a preselected medium and receive and transmit impact loads;
and
a binding assembly mounted to said top board surface to retain a foot of the boarder on said board and reduce transmitted impact loads from said board to the user's foot, said binding assembly including:
a binding having a mounting portion and a foot support, said mounting portion being adapted to securely mount to said top board surface with said mounting portion at a first height relative to said top board surface, said foot support having a substantially rigid sidewall and an elevated support portion with toe and heel portions, said substantially rigid sidewall extending between said toe and heel portions, said elevated support portion being securely supported by said substantially rigid sidewall at a second height relative to said top board surface, said second height being greater than said first height to define a space between said elevated support portion and said top board surface, said elevated support portion being shaped and sized to support at least a portion of the user's foot, said foot support being adapted to allow said elevated support portion to move toward said top board surface to dissipate impact loads exerted on the user's foot by said elevated support portion;
and
a foot retainer to retain the user's foot atop said elevated support portion.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Shock absorbing binding

Life of this patent

Shock absorbing binding

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28