Ratchet-type buckle and snowboard binding

A ratchet-type buckle for engaging an elongate strap having a plurality of transverse teeth, the buckle comprising:

• a base portion having an upper surface adapted to receive the strap;
• a pair of oppositely disposed sidewalls extending upwardly from the base portion;
• a strap engagement member rotatably mounted between the pair of sidewalls, wherein the strap engagement member includes a plurality of outwardly disposed teeth that is adapted to drivably engage the strap teeth, the strap engagement member being movable between a first position, wherein the strap engagement member teeth are disposed to engage the strap teeth, and a second position, wherein the strap engagement member teeth are disposed releasable above the strap teeth;
• a holding pawl mounted between the pair of sidewalls, the holding pawl adapted to permit rotation of the strap engagement member in a forward direction and to interfere with rotation of the strap engagement member in the direction opposite the forward direction;
• and
• a lever assembly pivotally mounted to the pair of sidewalls, the lever assembly including a driving pawl that is adapted to drivably engage the strap engagement member for rotation in the forward direction and to slidably accommodate the strap engagement member in the direction opposite the forward direction;
• wherein the sidewalls are pivotally attached to the base portion such that movement of the strap engagement member from the first position to the second position is accommodated by pivoting the sidewalls.

A ratchet-type buckle for use with an elongate strap having a plurality of transverse teeth, the buckle comprising:

• a channel adapted to receive the strap;
• a pair of oppositely disposed sidewalls extending upwardly from the channel;
• a barrel having a central axis and rotatably mounted between the pair of sidewalls, wherein the barrel includes a plurality of outwardly disposed teeth that are spaced to drivably engage the strap teeth, the barrel being movable between a first position wherein the barrel teeth are disposed to engage the strap teeth, and a second position wherein the barrel teeth are disposed to release the stray teeth;
• a holding pawl mounted between the pair of sidewalls, the holding pawl positioned to permit rotation of the barrel in a forward direction and to interfere with rotation of the barrel in the direction opposite the forward direction;
• and
• a lever pivotally mounted between the pair of sidewalls, the lever including a driving pawl that is adapted to drivably engage the toothed barrel for rotation in the forward direction and to slidably accommodate the barrel without rotating the barrel in the direction opposite the forward direction;
• wherein the sidewalls are pivotable with respect to the channel such that the toothed barrel is movable between the first position and the second position by pivoting the sidewalls.

A ratchet-type buckle for use with an elongate strap having a plurality of transverse teeth, the buckle comprising:

• a channel adapted to receive the strap;
• a pair of oppositely disposed sidewalls extending upwardly from the channel;
• a barrel having a central axis and rotatably mounted between the pair of sidewalls, wherein the barrel includes a plurality of outwardly disposed teeth that are spaced to drivably engage the strap teeth, the barrel being movable between a first position wherein the barrel teeth are disposed to engage the strap teeth, and a second position wherein the barrel teeth are disposed to release the strap teeth;
• a holding pawl mounted between the pair of sidewalls, the holding pawl positioned to permit rotation of the barrel in a forward direction and to interfere with rotation of the barrel in the direction opposite the forward direction;
• and
• a lever pivotally mounted between the pair of sidewalls, the lever including a driving pawl that is adapted to drivably engage the toothed barrel for rotation in the forward direction and to slidably accommodate the barrel without rotating the barrel in the direction opposite the forward direction;
• and
• further comprising opposed annular elements disposed coaxially with the barrel, and wherein the lever comprises left and right link members, each link member having a proximal end with a circular aperture that slidably engages one of the annular elements such that the link members are pivotable about the barrel axis, the lever further comprising a lever body pivotally attached between the link members wherein the forward portion of the lever body comprises the driving pawl.