U.S. patent application number 09/775706 was filed with the patent office on 2001-10-18 for boot binding for a snowboard.
Invention is credited to Arnell, Charles, Korman, Nathan M., Miller, Jeff.
Application Number | 20010030411 09/775706 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27375774 |
Filed Date | 2001-10-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010030411 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Arnell, Charles ; et
al. |
October 18, 2001 |
Boot binding for a snowboard
Abstract
A snowboard binding system provides a step-in binding that can
be used with a soft boot having a sole that is flexible over its
entire length without the boot becoming uncoupled due to its
flexing. This is accomplished by having one element of the binding
constantly urging the associated binding member which is attached
to the boot away from the other binding element. This binding
element is also displaceable which allows both binding elements to
be engaged simultaneously. The rear binding element has a jaw which
is normally biased to an open position where it receives the
associated binding member which is attached to the boot. As the
boot is pushed downwardly the jaw is moved to a latched position
where it engages the binding member on the boot. When the jaw is
fully in its latched position it is engaged by a locking mechanism
which locks it in this position. A release mechanism allows the
locking mechanism to be disengaged when it is desired to release
the binding.
Inventors: |
Arnell, Charles; (Milwaukie,
OR) ; Miller, Jeff; (Beaverton, OR) ; Korman,
Nathan M.; (Los Angeles, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Charles D. McClung
CHERNOFF, VILHAUER, McCLUNG & STENZEL, L.L.P.
1600 ODS Tower
601 S.W. Second Avenue
Portland
OR
97204-3157
US
|
Family ID: |
27375774 |
Appl. No.: |
09/775706 |
Filed: |
February 1, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09775706 |
Feb 1, 2001 |
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09567380 |
May 10, 2000 |
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6213493 |
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09567380 |
May 10, 2000 |
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09087874 |
Jun 1, 1998 |
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6062586 |
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09087874 |
Jun 1, 1998 |
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08931099 |
Sep 15, 1997 |
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5941553 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
280/613 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63C 10/106 20130101;
A63C 10/24 20130101; A63C 10/04 20130101; A63C 10/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/613 |
International
Class: |
A63C 009/00 |
Claims
1. A system for attaching a snowboard boot having a bendably
resilient sole to a snowboard, comprising: (a) a front coupling
including a front securement member which is adapted for attachment
to a toe end of a snowboard boot having a bendably resilient sole
containing a front cavity which completely receives said front
securement member, and a front latching member which is attached to
the snowboard and releasably engages said front securement member;
(b) a rear coupling including a rear securement member which is
adapted for attachment to a heel end of a snowboard boot having a
bendably resistant sole containing a rear cavity which completely
receives said rear securement member, and a rear latching member
which is attached to the snowboard and releasably engages said rear
securement member; (c) said front and rear couplings being
separated from one another along an axis defined on said snowboard,
wherein (d) the latching member of one of said coupling members
holds the associated securement member immovable along said axis;
and (e) the latching member of the other of said coupling members
urges the associated securement member away from said one of said
coupling members to prevent the flexing of said sole from causing
said securement member to be released from said latching
member.
2. A system for attaching a snowboard boot to a snowboard,
comprising: (a) a snowboard boot having a sole which is bendably
resilient, said sole having a toe end and a heel end; (b) a front
coupling including a front securement member which is fixably
attached to said sole proximate the toe end completely within a
recess defined in said sole, and a front latching member which is
attached to the snowboard and releasably engages said front
securement member; (c) a rear coupling member including a rear
securement member which is fixably attached to said sole proximate
the heel end completely within a recess defined in said sole, and a
rear latching member which is attached to the snowboard and
releasably engages said rear securement member; (d) said front and
rear couplings being separated from one another along an axis
defined on said snowboard; wherein (e) the latching member of one
of said coupling members holds the associated securement member
immovable along said axis; and (f) the latching member of the other
of said coupling members urges the associated securement member
away from said one of said coupling members to prevent the flexing
of said sole from causing said securement member from being
released from said latching member.
3. A system for attaching a snowboard boot to a snowboard having a
planar upper surface, comprising: (a) a front coupling including a
front securement member which is adapted for attachment to a toe
end of a snowboard boot having a bendably resilient sole containing
a front cavity which completely receives said front securement
member, and a front latching member which is attached to the
snowboard and releasably engages said front securement member; (b)
a rear coupling including a rear securement member which is adapted
for attachment to a heel end of a snowboard boot having a bendably
resilient sole containing a rear cavity which completely receives
said rear securement member, and a rear latching member which is
attached to the snowboard and releasably engages said rear
securement member; (c) said rear securement and latching members
being configured such that said rear securement member becomes
engaged by said rear latching member when said rear securement
member is inserted into said rear latching member in a direction
which is substantially normal to the plane of said snowboard; and
(d) said front latching member includes a catch which is
displaceable toward said rear coupling, and said front securement
member is configured to displace said catch when said front
securement member is inserted into said front latching member
substantially normal to the plane of said snowboard and to release
said catch when said front securement member is fully inserted into
said front latching member to cause engagement there between.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein said rear latching member
comprises: (a) a jaw which is movable between a latched position
where it engages said rear securement member and an open position
where said rear securement member is released, said jaw being
normally biased to its open position; (b) said jaw and rear
securement members being configured so that when said rear
securement member is inserted into said rear latching member said
jaw is moved to its latched position; (c) a locking mechanism which
engages said jaw and prevents its movement when said jaw has been
moved to its latched position; and (d) a release mechanism which
permits said locking mechanism to be disengaged from said jaw to
permit said jaw to move back to its open position.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein said rear latching mechanism
includes a trough which cooperates with said jaw to cause said rear
securement member to move said jaw to its latched position and to
cause said jaw to engage said rear securement member.
6. The system of claim 4 wherein said locking mechanism is normally
urged to a locked position where it prevents movement of said jaw
out of its latched position.
7. The system of claim 6 wherein said locking mechanism is a
moveable pin.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein said release mechanism is a cable
which is attached to said pin, and a release handle which is
connected to said cable.
9. A step-in binding for joining a snowboard boot, having a sole
which is tortionally resilient along its entire length so as to be
readily bendable, to a snowboard, said binding comprising a toe
piece, mountable on a planer upper surface of a snowboard, which is
deflectable rearwardly when a matching securement element mountable
on a snowboard boot is urged against said toe piece by being moved
toward the snowboard along a line which is substantially normal to
the plane of the snowboard, and then is released to engage said
securement member.
10. A step-in binding for joining a snowboard boot to a snowboard
comprising: (a) a rear securement member which is adapted to be
mounted in a recess in a snowboard boot; (b) a rear latching member
which releasable engages said rear securement member, including:
(i) a jaw which is moveable between a latched position where it
engages said rear securement member and an open position where said
rear securement member is released, said jaw being normally biased
to its open position; (ii) said jaw and rear securement members
being configured so that when said rear securement member is
inserted into said jaw said rear latching member is moved to its
latched position; (iii) a locking mechanism which engages said jaw
and prevents its movement when said jaw has been moved to its
latched position; and (iv) a release mechanism which permits said
locking mechanism to be disengaged from said jaw to permit said jaw
to move back to its open position.
11. The binding of claim 10 wherein said rear latching mechanism
includes a trough which cooperates with said jaw to cause said rear
securement member to move said jaw to its latched position and to
cause said jaw to engage said rear securement member.
12. The binding of claim 10 wherein said locking mechanism is
normally urged to a locked position where it prevents movement of
said jaw out of its latched position.
13. The binding of claim 12 wherein said latching mechanism is a
moveable pin.
14. The binding of claim 13 wherein said release mechanism is a
cable which is attached to said pin and a release handle which is
connected to said cable.
15. A step-in binding for joining a snowboard boot to a snowboard,
comprising a snowboard boot having a sole that is tortionally
resilient along its entire length so as to be readily bendable,
said sole having a first securement and a second securement, said
first securement being spaced from said second securement and said
securements being mounted within a recessed portion in said
sole.
16. A step-in binding for joining a snowboard boot to a snowboard,
comprising a snowboard boot having a toe end, a heel end, a sole,
and front and rear longitudinally spaced securement members fixedly
attached to the sole proximate the toe and heel ends, respectively,
and depending therefrom, each of said front and rear securement
members being located within a recessed portion formed in said
sole, said sole being tortionally resilient along its entire length
so as to be readily bendable.
Description
REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation in part of application
Ser. No. 09/567,380 filed on May 10, 2000, which is a continuation
of application Ser. No. 09/087,874 filed on Jun. 1, 1998, now U.S.
Pat. No. 6,062,586, which is a continuation in part of application
Ser. No. 08/931,099 filed on Sep. 15, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No.
5,941,553.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The subject invention relates to a step-in binding for
snowboards and, in particular to a step-in binding which can be
utilized with a "soft" or flexible boot.
[0003] The background of the invention is discussed in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,062,586 and the background section of that patent is
incorporated herein by reference.
[0004] The subject invention provides a system for attaching a
snowboard boot having a bendably resilient sole to a snowboard. The
system includes front and rear securement members which are
attachable to the sole of the boot in recesses located near its toe
and the heel ends respectively. Front and rear latching members,
which are configured to releasably engage the front and rear
securement members, are mounted on the upper surface of the
snowboard. One of the latching members urges its associated
securement member away from the other latching and securement
members to prevent the securement member from being released from
the latching member due to flexing of the boot.
[0005] The latching member that urges its respective securement
member away from the other latching and securement member is
displaceable toward the other latching and securement member when
its respective securement member is pushed downwardly onto it to
allow both coupling and securement members to be engaged
simultaneously by inserting the boot normal to the plane of the
snowboard.
[0006] In one embodiment of the invention the rear latching member
includes a jaw which is moveable between a latched position where
it engages the rear securement member and an open position where
the rear securement member is released. The jaw normally is biased
to its open position, and when the rear securement member is
inserted into the jaw and pushed down the jaw moves to its latched
position. When the jaw is moved to its latched position a locking
mechanism engages the jaw and locks it in this position. A release
mechanism allows the latching mechanism to be disengaged when the
binding is to be released.
[0007] The foregoing and other objectives, features, and advantages
of the invention will be more readily understood upon consideration
of the following detailed description of the invention, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a snowboard binding
embodying the subject invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view showing the binding of the
subject invention, installed on a snowboard, and a snowboard boot
which are in position to be coupled to one another.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the binding of FIG. 1 installed on
a binding plate.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of
FIG. 3.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a detailed view, at an enlarged scale, of the
front coupling member of the invention in its coupled position.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a detailed view, at an enlarged scale, of the rear
coupling element of the invention immediately before it is
coupled.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a detailed view, at an enlarged scale, of the rear
coupling element when it is coupled.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0015] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a snowboard
binding 10 has a front securement member 12 which is attachable to
the sole 14 of a boot 16, in a recess 18. In the embodiment
illustrated the front securement member is a thin bar 13 having a
bottom face 15 which is angled downwardly as it extends forwardly.
A rear securement member 20 also is attachable to the sole 14 in
the recess 18. In the embodiment illustrated the rear securement
member is a semi-cylindrical rod 21. If desired, the boot can have
different recesses for the front and rear securement member rather
than having them mounted in the same recesses as shown. The front
securement member preferably is located proximate the toe portion
22 of the sole and the rear securement member preferably is located
proximate the heel portion 24. While the binding can be utilized
with hard boots, soft boots or hybrid boots, it is particularly
suitable for soft boots. A soft boot has a sole which is flexible
over its entire extent, and in particular is tortionally flexible.
This flexibility gives the rider the ability to perform maneuvers
which would be very difficult, if not impossible, with a hard boot.
The remainder of the binding is shown as a unitary element 26 which
is attached to the snowboard 27. This permits the binding to be
sold separately from the mounting plate 28 it operates in
conjunction with. This is not essential, however, and the various
components could be separate pieces which are attached to the
mounting plate 28.
[0016] Located at the front of the binding is a front latching
member, or toe piece 30, and located at the rear of the binding is
a rear latching member 32. In the center of the binding is a
mounting ring 33, which is used to attach the binding to the
mounting plate 28 and the snowboard 27. Referring now also to FIGS.
4 and 5, the front latching member 30 includes a pair of
side-by-side rails 34. Located between the rails 34 is a catch 36
having a central tab 38 which faces toward the toe end of the boot.
The catch is rotatably mounted on an axle 40. Springs 42 normally
urge the catch 36 forwardly to the position shown in FIG. 1, where
the tab 38 is substantially parallel with the snowboard. The top
surface 44 of the tab 38 is sloped downwardly as it extends
forwardly. Thus, if the bar 13 of the front securement member 12 is
pushed downwardly on the catch 36 the sloped surfaces interact to
rotate the catch rearwardly against the springs 42. When the bar
has moved past the catch the spring moves the catch forwardly again
over the top of the bar. While the front latching member is shown
as a rotatable catch, all that is required is that it be
deflectable rearwardly when the front securement member is pushed
downwardly against it and then returned to engage the front
securement member when it has passed.
[0017] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7, the rear latching
member 32 includes a pair of side-by-side rails 46. Rotatably
mounted on the inside of each rail 46 on an axle 48 is a jaw 50.
The jaws 50 are interconnected by a bar 51. Jaws 50 have curved
engagement surfaces 52. A spring 54 urges the jaws to open
positions, FIG. 6, where the engagement surfaces face generally
upwardly. The engagement surfaces are shaped such that when the rod
21 is placed on them and pushed downwardly the jaws are rotated to
latched positions, FIG. 7, where hooks 56 on the jaws fit over the
rod 21. When the jaws are in their latched positions a pin 56,
which is slidably located in slots 58 in the rails 46, is pulled
under the jaws by a spring 60 to lock the jaws in their latched
positions. Located in the rails 46 are troughs 62 which are
generally aligned with the engagement surfaces when the jaws are in
their open positions. The troughs ensure that the rod 21 is located
on the engagement surfaces, and prevents the rod from moving
forwardly when the jaws are in their latched positions. Attached to
the back side of the pin 56 is a cable 64. The cable 64 bends
around a pulley 66 and exits to the side of the mounting plate to a
release device 68. The cable bends around a second pulley 70 in the
release device and terminates in a handle 52. By raising the handle
the rider can pull the pin 56 out from under the jaws 50 which
allows the spring 54 to rotate the jaws to their open positions
where the bar 21 can be removed.
[0018] The mounting ring 33 includes a ledge 74 which receives a
cylindrical clamp plate 76. The clamp plate has a pair of slots 78
located in it. Screws 80 extend through the slots into threaded
openings, not shown, in the snowboard. When the screws 80 are
tightened the clamp plate clamps the binding to the snowboard. This
arrangement also permits changing the angular location of the
binding relative to the snowboard. The edges of the binding are
undercut, not shown, so that the edges of the binding plate 28 fit
under them. Thus, the binding plate is clamped to the snowboard by
the clamp plate 76 also.
[0019] The binding of the subject invention allows the heel and toe
portions to be coupled simultaneously by inserting the boot
substantially normal to the plane of the snowboard. When the boot
is placed into the binding the rod 21 will seat itself in the
trough 62. Further downward movement of the rod 21 causes the jaws
50 to rotate to their latched positions and the springs 60 will
pull the pin 56 into its locking position under the jaws. The
distance between the front and rear securement members on the boot
are such that when the rod 21 is in the trough the bar 13 is above
the tab 38 on the catch 36. As the boot is moved closer to the
snowboard the sloped surfaces 15 and 44 interact to deflect the
catch until the bar 13 has passed under it. The springs 42 then
cause the catch to return where it engages the bar, FIGS. 4 and 5.
However, the spacing of the front and rear securement members is
such that the catch does not fully return and the springs 42 cause
the catch to exert continuous forward pressure on the bar 13. Thus,
the front and rear securement members are continuously urged apart.
This prevents the binding from uncoupling when the sole of the boot
flexes during use.
[0020] The terms and expressions which have been employed in the
foregoing specification are used therein as terms of description
and not of limitation, and there is no intention, in the use of
such terms and expressions, of excluding equivalents of the
features shown and described or portions thereof, it being
recognized that the scope of the invention is defined and limited
only by the claims which follow.
* * * * *