Shock-absorbing support pad for a snowboard binding equipped with such support pad

A binding for retaining a boot on a snowboard, said binding comprising:

• a shock-absorbing support pad adapted to directly contact the boot, said support pad comprising at least two layers of materials having different hardnesses, said at least two layers comprising:
• a first layer having a support surface positioned for contact with the boot, said first layer having a bonding surface opposite to said support surface, said first layer being made of a relatively flexible plastic material with a substantially continuous structure;
• and
• a second layer joined to said bonding surface of said first layer, said second layer being made of a relatively flexible plastic material, said second layer having a hardness less than a hardness of said first layer, and said second layer having a greater flexibility than a flexibility of said first layer.

A device for retaining a boot on a snowboard, said device comprising:

• a baseplate extending at least between a substantially metatarsal area and a substantial heel area, said baseplate having at least one upper surface;
• at least one shock-absorbing support pad projecting from said upper surface of said baseplate, said support pad having an exposed upper support surface for contacting the boot at at least one of said metatarsal area and said heel area;
• said support pad comprising at least two layers of materials of different hardnesses, a first of said two layers being made of a relatively flexible plastic material and comprising said exposed upper support surface for contacting the boot and a bonding surface opposite to said support surface, a second of said two layers being joined to said bonding surface of said first layer, said second layer having a hardness less than a hardness of said first layer of said at least one shock-absorbing pad;
• wherein said baseplate includes a through cavity extending between said upper surface to a lower surface of said baseplate;
• and
• wherein said shock-absorbing support pad is housed in said through cavity of said baseplate.

A device for retaining a boot on a snowboard, said device comprising:

• a baseplate extending at least between a substantially metatarsal area and a substantially heel area, said baseplate having at least one upper surface;
• at least one shock-absorbing support pad projecting from said upper surface of said baseplate, said support pad having an exposed upper support surface for contacting the boot at at least one of said metatarsal area and said heel area;
• said support pad comprising at least two layers of materials of different hardnesses, a first of said two layers being made of a relatively flexible plastic material and comprising said exposed upper support surface for contacting the boot and a bonding surface opposite to said support surface, a second of said two layers being joined to said bonding surface of said first layer, said second layer having a hardness less than a hardness of said first layer of said at least one shock-absorbing pad;
• wherein said baseplate includes a through cavity extending between said upper surface to a lower surface of said baseplate;
• wherein said shock-absorbing support pad is housed in said through cavity of said baseplate;
• and
• wherein said shock-absorbing support pad has a lowest extent flush with said lower surface of said baseplate.

A device for retaining a boot on a snowboard, said device comprising:

• a baseplate for receiving the boot, said baseplate extending at least between a substantially metatarsal area and a substantially heel area, said baseplate having at least one upper surface;
• at least one shock-absorbing support pad having a portion projecting upwardly beyond said upper surface of said baseplate, said support pad having an exposed upper support surface for contacting the boot at at least one of said metatarsal area and said heel area;
• said shock-absorbing support pad comprising at least two layers of supple materials of different hardnesses, a first of said two layers comprising said exposed upper support surface for contacting the boot and a bonding surface opposite to said support surface, a second of said two layers being joined to said bonding surface of said first layer, said second layer having a hardness less than a hardness of said first layer;
• wherein said baseplate includes at least one through cavity extending between said upper surface to a lower surface of said baseplate;
• wherein said shock-absorbing support pad is housed in said through cavity of said baseplate;
• and
• wherein said shock-absorbing support pad has a lowest extent flush with said lower surface of said baseplate, said lower surface of said baseplate to be supported directly on an upper surface of the snowboard.