Back to results
US 8,128,117 B2Granted
Tool-free adjustable binding for sports board
AssigneeFlow Sports, Inc.
InventorsRoger Neiley, Lucien Vink
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A binding is adapted for coupling footwear, such as a boot, to a sports board. The binding permits easy adjustment of the binding's position on the board, while also allowing for removal of the binding from the board for improved utility of storage or transport. Adjustment, engagement between binding and board, and removal functions may be accomplished without the use of tools or ancillary components. The binding includes a movable coupler element or elements that removably couple to a retaining disc to secure the binding to the retaining disc and the board.
Claims20
A binding for coupling a sports boot to a sport board, comprising:
- a base plate adapted to be secured to the sports boot, wherein the base plate can be secured to the sport board via a retaining disc positioned on the sport board;
- a coupler element to movably couple to the base plate, wherein the coupler element transitions between an engaged state wherein the coupler element provides an interfering engagement between the base plate and retaining disc to prevent the binding from being decoupled from the retaining disc and the sport board, and a disengaged state wherein the coupler element is free from the retaining disc such that the binding can be moved independently of the retaining disc and the sport board;
- and
- a locking member coupled to the coupler element, wherein the locking member transitions between a locked state wherein the coupler element is locked in the engaged state, and an unlocked state wherein the coupler element can freely move between the engaged and disengaged states, and wherein the locking member prohibits the sports boot from fully entering the binding when the locking member is in the unlocked state.
1 more element
A binding for coupling a sports boot to a sport board, comprising:
- a base plate adapted to be secured to the sports boot, wherein the base plate can be secured to the sport board via a retaining disc positioned on the sport board;
- and
- an orifice at least partially defined by the base plate, the orifice adapted to receive the retaining disc, wherein the size of the orifice can be adjusted so as to decrease the size of the orifice to a size that achieves a locked engagement between the base plate and the retaining disc;
- a locking member coupled to the base plate, wherein the locking member can transition to a state that locks the size of the orifice so that the retaining disc is secured to the base plate;
- and
- a sliding plate or flange that adjusts the size of the orifice,
- wherein the base plate comprises a first base plate portion and a second base plate portion that are slidably coupled to one another for adjusting the size of the orifice;
- and wherein the size of the orifice can be adjusted between at least:
- (a) a first size wherein the base plate is completely immobilized relative to the retaining disc;
- (b) a second size wherein the base plate cannot be removed from the retaining disc but the base plate can rotate relative to the retaining disc.
7 more elements
A binding for coupling a sports boot to a sport board, comprising:
- a base plate adapted to be secured to the sports boot, wherein the base plate can be secured to the sport board via a retaining disc positioned on the sport board;
- a coupler element to movably couple to the base plate, wherein the coupler element transitions between an engaged state and a disengaged state,
- wherein in the engaged state the coupler element provides an interfering engagement between the base plate and retaining disc to prevent the binding from being decoupled from the retaining disc and the sport board, and
- wherein in the disengaged state the coupler element is free from the retaining disc such that the binding can be moved independently of the retaining disc and the sport board and the disengaged state of the coupler element allows the base plate to be removed from the retaining disc;
- and
- a locking member coupled to the coupler element, wherein the locking member transitions between a locked state wherein the coupler element is locked in the engaged state, and an unlocked state wherein the coupler element can freely move between the engaged and disengaged states,
- wherein the engaged state further includes:
- (a) a fully engaged state wherein the coupler element provides an interfering engagement between the base plate and retaining disc in a manner that completely prohibits relative movement between the base plate and the retaining disc;
- and
- (b) a partially engaged state wherein the coupler element provides an interfering engagement between the base plate and retaining disc in a manner that prohibits the base plate from being removed from the retaining disc but still permits at least some movement between the base plate and the retaining disc.
7 more elements
A binding for coupling a sports boot to a sport board, comprising:
- a base plate adapted to be secured to the sports boot, wherein the base plate can be secured to the sport board via a retaining disc positioned on the sport board;
- a coupler element to movably couple to the base plate, wherein the coupler element transitions between an engaged state wherein the coupler element provides an interfering engagement between the base plate and retaining disc to prevent the binding from being decoupled from the retaining disc and the sport board, and a disengaged state wherein the coupler element is free from the retaining disc such that the binding can be moved independently of the retaining disc and the sport board;
- a locking member coupled to the coupler element, wherein the locking member transitions between a locked state wherein the coupler element is locked in the engaged state, and an unlocked state wherein the coupler element can freely move between the engaged and disengaged states;
- and
- a secondary lock coupled to the locking member, wherein the secondary lock transitions between (1) a first state that locks the locking member in the locked state, and (2) a second state that permits the locking member to move between the locked and unlocked state,
- wherein the secondary lock connects the locking member to the coupler element wherein the secondary lock comprises a rotating element positioned in such a way that an engagement surface between the secondary lock and either the locking member or the coupler element is created when the locking member is in the locked position.
3 more elements
A binding for coupling a sports boot to a sport board, comprising:
- a base plate adapted to be secured to the sports boot, wherein the base plate can be secured to the sport board via a retaining disc positioned on a sports the sport board;
- a coupler element to movably couple to the base plate, wherein the coupler element transitions between an engaged state wherein the coupler element provides an interfering engagement between the base plate and retaining disc to prevent the binding from being decoupled from the retaining disc and the sport board, and a disengaged state wherein the coupler element is free from the retaining disc such that the binding can be moved independently of the retaining disc and the sport board;
- and
- a locking member coupled to the coupler element, wherein the locking member transitions between a locked state wherein the coupler element is locked in the engaged state, and an unlocked state wherein the coupler element can freely move between the engaged and disengaged states,
- wherein the locking member cannot be moved from the locked state to the unlocked state when the sports boot is secured to the base plate.
2 more elements
A binding for coupling a sports boot to a sport board, comprising:
- a base plate adapted to be secured to the sports boot, wherein the base plate can be secured to the sport board via a retaining disc positioned on the sport board;
- an orifice at least partially defined by the base plate, the orifice adapted to receive the retaining disc, wherein the size of the orifice can be adjusted so as to decrease the size of the orifice to a size that achieves a locked engagement between the base plate and the retaining disc;
- and
- a locking member coupled to the base plate, wherein the locking member can transition to a state that locks the size of the orifice so that the retaining disc is secured to the base plate,
- wherein the base plate comprises a first base plate portion and a second base plate portion that are slidably coupled to one another for adjusting the size of the orifice, and
- wherein the size of the orifice can be adjusted between at least:
- (a) a first size wherein the base plate is completely immobilized relative to the retaining disc;
- and
- (b) a second size wherein the base plate cannot be removed from the retaining disc but the base plate can rotate relative to the retaining disc.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.