Splitboard binding apparatus

A binding apparatus for use on a splitboard allowing for the conversion between a ride mode and a tour mode, the binding apparatus comprising:

• at least one board joining device configured to join at least a first piece of a splitboard and at least a second piece of a splitboard together to form a snowboard, the at least one board joining device comprising a first element attached to a first splitboard piece and a second element attached a second splitboard piece;
• wherein the first element comprises at least a first shear tab configured to engage the second splitboard piece to resist shear movement of the first splitboard piece and the second splitboard piece when joined with the at least one board joining device, and wherein the first element comprises a buckle;
• wherein the second element comprises at least a second shear tab configured to engage the first splitboard piece to resist shear movement of the first splitboard piece and the second splitboard piece when joined with the at least one board joining device, and wherein the second element comprises a catch;
• and
• wherein when the first element and second element are joined, the buckle of the first element and the catch of the second element are the only parts of the at least one board joining device that are touching in a direction substantially parallel to a seam between the first and second pieces of the splitboard;
• and
• wherein the catch of the second element of the at least one board joining device is configured to engage the buckle of the first element;
• wherein the catch is offset to one side of the at least second shear tab and the catch is set back from the seam allowing the at least first shear tab to extend over the second splitboard piece without interference between the first element and the second element during engagement to join the splitboard pieces.

A binding apparatus configured for use with a splitboard for converting the splitboard between a tour mode and a ride mode, the binding apparatus comprising:

• a binding interface configured to receive a boot, wherein the binding interface has at least a first portion generally on a toe side of the binding interface;
• a ride mode interface configured to attach to a splitboard and selectively couple to the binding interface, such that when the ride mode interface and the binding interface are coupled to each other the binding interface is configured to be substantially fixed to the ride mode interface during normal operation of the splitboard;
• a tour mode interface configured to attach to a splitboard and selectively and pivotally couple to the first portion of the binding interface, the tour mode interface and the first portion of the binding interface defining a first configuration when the tour mode interface and the first portion of the binding interface are selectively and pivotally coupled to each other, the first configuration comprising:
• a pin configured to be not removed from the binding apparatus at least during normal transition of the splitboard between the tour mode and the ride mode;
• a recess, wherein the pin is configured to move in a direction that is not along a longitudinal axis of the pin to engage the recess and the recess is configured to constrain the pin in at least two translational directions;
• and
• a locking mechanism configured to releasably engage the pin within the recess;
• wherein at least one of the pin, the recess, and the locking mechanism is part of the first portion of the binding interface, and wherein the first portion of the binding interface is also configured to selectively couple the binding interface to the ride mode interface.