U.S. patent application number 09/757441 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-11 for hinge strap for snowboard conventional binding.
Invention is credited to Carrasca, Robert G..
Application Number | 20020089151 09/757441 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25047830 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020089151 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Carrasca, Robert G. |
July 11, 2002 |
Hinge strap for snowboard conventional binding
Abstract
A conventional (strap) binding assembly for use with a
snowboard. The binding assembly comprises a frame (120) having a
base portion (122) that receives a snowboard boot. A pair of side
walls (124) extend upwardly from either side of the base, and a
high back portion (24) extends upwardly from the rearward end of
the base. An ankle strap assembly (130) having a first ankle strap
(131) attached to one side wall and a second ankle strap (135)
attached to the other side wall, is provided, including a clasp
(140) for adjustably securing the first ankle strap to the second
ankle strap. The first ankle strap is attached to the side wall
with a biased hinge assembly (150), biasing the distal end (131b)
of the strap away from the frame. In a preferred embodiment, a toe
strap assembly (160), functionally similar to the ankle strap
assembly is also provided, disposed forwardly of the ankle strap
assembly.
Inventors: |
Carrasca, Robert G.;
(Seattle, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHRISTENSEN, O'CONNOR, JOHNSON, KINDNESS, PLLC
1420 FIFTH AVENUE
SUITE 2800
SEATTLE
WA
98101-2347
US
|
Family ID: |
25047830 |
Appl. No.: |
09/757441 |
Filed: |
January 9, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
280/617 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63C 10/04 20130101;
A63C 10/045 20130101; A63C 10/06 20130101; A63C 10/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/617 |
International
Class: |
A63C 009/00 |
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. An improved conventional snowboard binding of the type
comprising a high back frame for receiving a snowboard boot, the
frame securable to the snowboard, and at least one hinged strap
assembly comprising a first strap having a proximal end attachable
to one side of the frame and a distal end having a clasp mechanism,
and a second strap having a proximal end attachable to the other
side of the frame and a distal end adapted to be adjustably engaged
by the clasp mechanism, the improvement comprising: a hinge
mechanism attached to the proximal end of at least one of the first
strap and the second strap, the hinge mechanism being disposed to
permit the strap to hingedly swing outwardly, away from the
frame.
2. The improved snowboard binding of claim 1 wherein the hinge
mechanism comprises a hinge plate that is attached to the frame and
adapted to receive a proximal end of the first strap, and a pivot
pin pivotally connecting the hinge plate to the first strap.
3. The improved snowboard binding of claim 1 further comprising a
biasing member disposed on the hinge mechanism that urges the
attached strap towards an open position.
4. The improved snowboard binding of claim 3 wherein the biasing
member is a coil spring.
5. The improved snowboard binding of claim 3 wherein the hinge
mechanism and biasing member is a V-shaped elastic member.
6. The improved snowboard binding of claim 1 comprising two hinged
strap assemblies, wherein the first strap assembly is disposed to
clasp about a toe portion of the boot and the second strap assembly
is disposed to clasp about an ankle portion of the boot.
7. The improved snowboard binding of claim 6 wherein the hinge
mechanisms comprise a hinge plate that is attached to the frame and
adapted to receive a proximal and of the first strap, and a pivot
pin pivotally connecting the hinge plate to the first strap.
8. The improved snowboard binding of claim 7 further comprising a
biasing members disposed in each hinge mechanism that urge the
attached straps toward an open position.
9. A snowboard boot binding comprising: (a) a frame secured to a
snowboard, the frame having a base plate with a first side wall
extending upwardly from one side, a second side wall extending
upwardly from the other side, and an upwardly extending high back
portion; (b) a first ankle strap having a proximal end hingedly
connected to the first side wall whereby the first ankle strap can
be pivoted away from the frame, and a distal end having an ankle
clasp; and (c) a second ankle strap having a proximal end connected
to the second side wall and a distal end adapted to be adjustably
secured by the ankle clasp.
10. The snowboard boot binding of claim 9 further comprising a
biasing mechanism disposed at the proximal end of the first ankle
strap, the biasing mechanism adapted to urge the first ankle strap
to rotate about the pivotally connected proximal end such that the
distal end of the ankle strap is urged away from the frame.
11. The snowboard boot binding of claim 9 wherein the biasing
mechanism comprises a coil spring connected to the biased strap and
the side wall.
12. The snowboard boot binding of claim 9 wherein the biasing
mechanism comprises a V-shaped elastic member.
13. The snowboard boot binding of claim 9 further comprising: (a) a
first toe strap having a proximal end hingedly connected to the
first side wall whereby the first toe strap can be pivoted away
from the frame, and a distal end having a toe clasp; and (b) a
second toe strap having a proximal end connected to the second side
wall and a distal end adapted to be adjustably secured by the toe
clasp.
14. The snowboard boot binding of claim 13 further comprising a
first biasing mechanism disposed at the proximal end of the first
ankle strap and a second biasing mechanism disposed at the proximal
end of the first toe strap, the first and second biasing mechanisms
disposed to urge the first ankle strap and the first toe strap
toward an open position such that the distal end of each strap is
urged away from the frame.
15. The snowboard boot binding of claim 14 wherein the first and
second biasing mechanisms comprise a coil spring.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to bindings for
sports equipment and, more particularly, to sport boots and
bindings for releasable attachment to snow boards and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The sport of snowboarding has been practiced for many years,
and has grown in popularity in recent years, establishing itself as
a popular winter activity rivaling downhill skiing. In snowboarding
a rider stands with both feet atop a single board, and negotiates a
gravity-propelled path down a snow-covered slope. Both of the
rider's feet are secured to the snowboard, and the rider controls
speed and direction by shifting his or her weight and foot
positions. A particularly important aspect of controlling the
snowboard is rotating the snowboard about its longitudinal axis,
thereby selecting which lateral edge of the snowboard engages the
snow, the angle of engagement and the orientation of the snowboard
with respect to the slope of the terrain.
[0003] In order to control the orientation of the snowboard, the
rider wears boots that are firmly secured to the snowboard in an
orientation that is generally transverse to the longitudinal axis
of the snowboard. In this stance, the rider can raise the toe-side
edge of the snowboard by leaning backward and rotating his/her
feet, for example, and can rotate the board within the plane of the
board, and/or about the boards short axis, by appropriate foot
movement. In order to accomplish precise control of the snowboard,
the soles of the rider's boots must therefore be firmly attached to
the board. Mechanisms for releasable attaching snowboard boots to
the snowboard are called snowboard bindings. Many binding
mechanisms have been developed, generally categorized as either
strap bindings (also called conventional bindings) wherein a pair
of frames having straps for releasably securing the rider's boots
is attached to the board, and step-in bindings wherein cleat
mechanisms are integrated into the sole of the snowboard boots and
a complementary cleat-engagement mechanism is attached to the
snowboard.
[0004] In strap bindings, the binding frame typically includes a
flat base portion that receives the sole of the boot. The base
portion attaches to the board, frequently in an adjustable manner
such that the rider can select a particular angle between the boot
axis and the board axis. Integral side walls extend upwardly from
either side of the base portion, providing lateral support to the
attached boot, and a high back portion extends vertically from the
back. The high back portion is important particularly when the
rider is using soft boots, as it enables the rider to raise the
toe-side edge of the board by leaning backwardly against the high
back portion. Typically, two pairs of straps are attached to the
frame side walls, the straps being adapted to extend over the
rider's boots and adjustably interconnect, to secure the snowboard
boots to the snowboard. The first pair of straps extends generally
around the ankle portion of the boot, and the second pair extends
generally over the toe portion of the boot.
[0005] A common problem encountered with conventional snowboard
bindings is that as the rider mounts the snowboard by stepping onto
the base portion of the frame, the straps can get in the way of the
rider, sometimes becoming trapped behind or underneath the rider's
boots, requiring the rider to adjust his/her feet and attempt to
pull the straps out and over the boots. This task can be
particularly difficult and frustrating when the rider is
re-mounting a snowboard in the field, for example, after
dismounting the snowboard to traverse level portion of a run. In
this case, the boots, straps, binding, and snowboard may be covered
with snow, the rider is typically wearing gloves and bulky
clothing, and the snowboard and rider may be situated on an
inclined and/or slippery snowy field. Under these conditions,
properly orienting and securing the binding straps can be
particularly challenging.
[0006] In addition to the physical difficulties associated with
properly mounting the snowboard, physical damage and undesirable
wear and tear can be caused to the strap assembly. The straps, and
particularly the clasping mechanism for securing the straps, can be
damaged, for example, if the rider inadvertently steps on the
straps or imposes sharp bends in the straps between the boot and
the high back portion of the frame. Moreover, the process of
pulling the straps (including the clasp mechanism) out from between
the boot and the frame can result in unnecessary stresses and
strains in the strap assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is directed to a conventional, or
strap-type, snowboard boot binding that facilitates easy mounting
of the snowboard by the rider. The improved snowboard boot binding
includes a high back frame for receiving a snowboard boot that is
secured to the snowboard, and at least one hinged strap assembly,
wherein the hinged strap assembly includes: (i) a first strap
attached at one end to one side of the frame and the other end
having a clasp mechanism, (ii) a second strap attached at one end
to the other side of the frame and adapted to be adjustably engaged
by the clasp mechanism, and (iii) a hinge mechanism attached to the
at least one of the first strap and the second strap, the hinge
permitting the attached strap to swing outwardly, away from the
frame.
[0008] In an embodiment of the invention, the hinge mechanism
includes a simple hinge wherein the hinged strap is connected to
the frame by a hinge plate attached to the frame, a hinge arm
attached to the strap, and a pivot pin pivotally connecting the
hinge plate to the hinge arm.
[0009] In a second embodiment of the invention, the hinge mechanism
includes an elastically deformable, V-shaped plate connecting the
strap to the frame, wherein the V-shaped plate can be
non-plastically deformed to a generally flat configuration for
binding the snowboard boot to the snowboard.
[0010] In another embodiment of the invention, the hinge mechanism
is provided with a biasing member, such as a coil spring, that
urges the strap toward an open position, with the distal end of the
strap urged away from the frame.
[0011] It is an aspect of the present invention that some or all of
the straps used to bind the snowboard boot to the snowboard can be
positioned away from the frame, thereby making it easier to mount
the snowboard by reducing or eliminating the possibility that the
rider will inadvertently step on, or otherwise trap the binding
straps behind or under the snowboard boot.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages
of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same
become better understood by reference to the following detailed
description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pair of snowboard boots on
a snowboard with a strap binding according to a first embodiment of
the present invention, with the straps for the left side boot
clasped to attach the boot to the snowboard, and the straps for the
right side boot unclasped.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective close-up view of the right side
bindings shown in FIG. 1, with a rider's foot mounting the
binding.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a close-up perspective view of a portion of the
ankle strap shown in FIG. 2, showing the hinge mechanism at the
base of the strap.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a side view of another embodiment of a hinge strap
according to the present invention utilizing an elastically
deformable V-shaped hinge element.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a
strap hinge according to the present invention, wherein a spring is
used to bias the hinge toward an open position.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a
strap hinge according to the present invention, wherein the strap
pivots about the hinge pin and preferentially snaps between a first
and second position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] A snowboard binding made in accordance with the present
invention is illustrated in FIG. 1, which shows a perspective view
of two snowboard boots 20L, 20R atop a snowboard 10. A pair of
snowboard bindings 110L, 110R support the boots 20L, 20R. As seen
most clearly in FIG. 2 which shows binding 110R, the binding
includes a frame 120 that is secured to the snowboard 10. The frame
120 includes a generally flat base portion 122 that is designed to
receive and provide a stable platform for the sole 26 of the boot
20. Integral side walls 124 extend upwardly from either side of the
base portion 122, and an elongate high back portion 126 extends
generally upwardly from the rear of the base portion 122. The side
walls 124 include a generally U-shaped connecting portion 125 at
the rearward end that cooperatively with other portions of the
frame 120 form a heel cup. In a preferred embodiment the high back
portion 126 is shaped and curved to generally conform to the
exterior of the high back ankle portion 24 of the boot 20. A
mechanism 121 is included for adjusting the angle formed between
the high back portion 126 and the base portion 122 to accommodate
the preferences of the rider. The side walls 124 of the frame 120
are spaced apart to accommodate the boot 20 therebetween.
[0020] Although the bindings 110L, 110R are shown attached in a
single position on the snowboard 10, it is contemplated by this
invention that one or both of the bindings 110L, 110R, may be
adjustably disposed on the snowboard 10 such that the angular
orientation of the bindings 100 may be selectively modified, or the
longitudinal position of the bindings may be adapted to accommodate
the rider's needs and preferences. It is also contemplated that the
present invention could be practiced using a frame that is
adjustable either laterally or longitudinally (or both) to
accommodate different sizes of snowboard boots.
[0021] The frame 120 may be made from any suitably strong and stiff
material, or combination of materials, including plastics, graphite
composites, aluminum, and/or magnesium. In a preferred embodiment,
for example, the base portion 122 and side walls 124 are made from
injection-molded magnesium, with an aluminum rearward heel cup
portion, and the high back portion 126 is made from a carbon
composite.
[0022] An ankle strap assembly 130 is attached near the rearward
end of the side walls 124 (in the disclosed embodiment, on the
connecting portion 125). The ankle strap assembly includes a first
ankle strap 131, a second ankle strap 135, and a clasp 140 for
releasably securing the first ankle strap 131 to the second ankle
strap 135. The first ankle strap 131 has a proximal end 131a and a
distal end 131b. The proximal end 131a is pivotally attached to a
rearward portion of side wall 124. The clasp 140 is attached to the
distal end 131b of the first ankle strap 131.
[0023] The first ankle strap 131 includes a narrow proximal section
132 extending from the proximal end 131a, and a wider distal
section 133 extending from the proximal section 132 to the distal
end 131b. The distal section 133 is preferably contoured to
approximately conform to the outer portion of the boot 20 engaged
by the first ankle strap 131, and may additionally be padded or
otherwise resilient. The wider distal section 133 spreads the
forces generated by the tension in the ankle strap 131 over a
larger portion of the boot 20, to increase the comfort of the
rider. Additionally, the interface between the proximal section 132
and the distal section 133 may include an adjustment mechanism 134
(shown in FIG. 3) to permit gross adjustments in the total length
of the first ankle strap 131 and the position of the wider distal
section 133.
[0024] The second ankle strap 135 includes a proximal end 135a and
a distal end 135b. The proximal end 135a is attached to a rearward
portion of side wall 124. The second ankle strap 135, sometimes
referred to as a ladder strap, includes a plurality of transverse
ridges 136 along one side of the strap that cooperate with the
clasp 140 to adjustably secure the first ankle strap 131 with the
second ankle strap 135 when the second ankle strap 135 is inserted
into the clasp 140. It will be appreciated that although the
present invention has been described in terms of a clasping
mechanism and a ladder strap, numerous other clasping mechanisms
are known in the art. The present invention can be practiced with
any appropriate securing mechanism for adjustably connecting the
first ankle strap 131 to the second ankle strap 135.
[0025] As seen most clearly in FIG. 3, which shows a close-up view
of a portion of the first ankle strap 131, the first ankle strap
131 is connected to a rearward portion of the side wall 124 with a
hinge assembly 150. The hinge assembly 150 includes a hinge base
152 that includes a hole 151 that is used to secure the hinge base
152 to the side wall 124 with a connector such as a screw or rivet
(not shown). In the disclosed embodiment the connector permits the
first ankle strap 131 to pivot laterally, permitting the strap to
be adjusted to cross the rider's foot at a convenient location. A
hinge arm 154 is pivotally connected to the hinge base 152 with a
hinge pin 153.
[0026] In a second embodiment of the first ankle strap 231, shown
in FIG. 5, a hinge assembly 250 includes a hinge arm 254 that is
pivotally connected to a hinge base 252 with a hinge pin 253. The
hinge arm 254 is rotationally biased toward the hinge base 252 with
a biasing member such as a spring 256, such that the distal end
131b of the first ankle strap 131 is biased away from the frame
120.
[0027] It will be appreciated that the biasing member 256 is
selected to produce a biasing force that is large enough to rotate
the unencumbered first ankle strap 131, and small enough that it is
not unduly difficult for the rider to rotate the first ankle strap
131 against the biasing force, and the clasp 140 can easily
maintain the first ankle strap 131 in a clasped configuration
against the biasing force.
[0028] In the preferred embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-2, a toe
strap assembly 160, similar in function to the ankle strap assembly
130, is also provided. The toe strap assembly 160 includes a first
toe strap 161, a second toe strap 165, and a clasp 170 for
releasably securing the first toe strap 161 to the second toe strap
165. The proximal end of the first toe strap 161 is pivotally
attached to a forward portion of side wall 124, and a clasp 170 is
attached to the distal end of the first toe strap 161.
[0029] The first toe strap 161 is generally similar to the first
ankle strap 131, and includes a narrow proximal section 162
extending from the proximal end, and a wider distal section 163
extending from the proximal section 162 to the distal end of the
first toe strap 161. The distal section 163 is preferably contoured
to approximately conform to the outer portion of the boot 20
engaged by the first toe strap 161, and may additionally be padded
or otherwise resilient. The interface between the proximal section
162 and the distal section 163 may include an adjustment mechanism
(not shown) to permit gross adjustments in the total length of the
first ankle strap 161.
[0030] The proximal end of the second toe strap 165 is attached to
a forward portion of side wall 124. The second toe strap 165
includes a plurality of transverse ridges 166 along one side of the
strap that cooperate with the clasp 170 to adjustably secure the
first toe strap 161 to the second toe strap 165 when the second toe
strap 165 is inserted into the clasp 170.
[0031] The proximal end of the first toe strap 161 is provided with
a hinge assembly 150, that may include a biasing mechanism 256,
functionally equivalent to the hinge assembly 250 described above
and shown in FIG. 5.
[0032] In the disclosed embodiment the hinge assemblies 150 are
provided at the proximal ends of the first ankle strap 131 and the
first toe strap 161, but not on the second ankle strap 135 or the
second toe strap 165. This configuration is currently preferred
because the second ankle strap 135 and the second toe strap 165 are
generally lighter than their corresponding straps 131, 161, and
tend to naturally extend away from the frame 120 upon release from
the clasps 140, 170. Moreover, if both straps on one side of the
binding can hinge out of the way, it is relatively easy for the
rider to mount the binding from the "open" side, and therefore a
hinge structure on the opposite side may not be necessary. It is
contemplated by this invention, however, and may be preferred in
some applications, that the second straps 135, 165 may be provided
with a hinge assembly functionally equivalent to hinge assembly
150, such that the second straps 135, 165 may also be positioned
away from the frame 120.
[0033] A third embodiment of a hinge assembly 350 for the first
ankle strap 131 according to the present invention is shown in FIG.
4. In this third embodiment, a V-shaped elastic hinge member 355 is
attached to and between the hinge base 352 and the first ankle
strap 131. The elastic hinge member 355 is oriented such that the
strap 131 is biased towards an open position, i.e., away from the
frame 120. The elastic hinge member 355 can be elastically deformed
to a generally flat configuration, for releasably attaching the
first strap 131 to the second strap 135, without plastically
deforming the member 355. The elastic hinge member 355 can be
attached to the strap 131 and hinge plate 352 (or directly to the
side wall 124) using any suitable attachment means, including for
example, rivets, screws or snaps. Although the elastic hinge member
355 is disclosed with the first ankle strap 131, it will be
apparent that the same structure can also be applied to any
combination of straps 131, 135, 161, and 165.
[0034] A fourth embodiment of a hinge assembly 450 for the ankle
strap 131 according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 6. In
this fourth embodiment, the proximal end 132 of the ankle strap 131
is pivotally attached to a hinge base 452, with a hinge pin 453
that extends through an aperture 458 spanning the width of the
strap 131. A pair of oppositely disposed side panels 455 project
generally perpendicular to, and on either side of, the hinge base
452. Each side panel 455 includes an aligned aperture 457
therethrough, providing support for the hinge pin 453. The strap
131 is sized to fit between the side panels 455, as shown in FIG.
6, such that the strap aperture 458 is aligned with the hinge side
wall apertures 457, whereby the hinge pin 453 can be inserted
through the first side wall aperture 457, the strap aperture, and
the second side wall aperture 457 to pivotally attach the strap 431
to the hinge base 452.
[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the strap 131 is made from a
relatively elastic material, and the proximal end 432 of the strap
is at least partially squared off. The strap 131 is positioned
between the side panels 455 with the strap side disposed against or
very near to the hinge base 452. It will be appreciated that in
this embodiment the edges of the squared-off distal end 432 of the
strap will interfere with the hinge base 452 when the user attempts
to pivot the strap 131 about the hinge pin 453. By the appropriate
and straightforward selection of the elasticity of the strap
material and the position of the strap aperture 458, the
interference between the strap distal end 432 and the hinge base
452 can be selected such that the strap 131 will preferentially
"snap" into an open position with the surface of the distal end 432
adjacent the hinge base 452, as the strap 131 is pivoted
outwardly.
[0036] While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been
illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various
changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention.
* * * * *