U.S. patent application number 09/956419 was filed with the patent office on 2002-08-01 for snowboard binding.
Invention is credited to Kawai, Shigehiro, Midorikawa, Shinobu, Okano, Yasutomi.
Application Number | 20020101061 09/956419 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18766773 |
Filed Date | 2002-08-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020101061 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Okano, Yasutomi ; et
al. |
August 1, 2002 |
Snowboard binding
Abstract
A snowboard binding for securing a snowboard boot to a snowboard
is disclosed. The snowboard binding includes a base plate that
includes a lifted portion which is detached from the snowboard. The
lifted portion elastically bends downward and provides cushioning
effects such that an improved control and maneuverability of the
snowboard is provided. An elastic plate, replaceable or not, may be
inserted between the lifted portion and the snowboard so that
additional control of the cushioning effects may be provided.
Inventors: |
Okano, Yasutomi; (Kani-Gun,
JP) ; Midorikawa, Shinobu; (Kani-Shi, JP) ;
Kawai, Shigehiro; (Komaki-Shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
W. Thad Adams, III
Adams, Schwartz & Evans, P.A.
2180 Two First Union Center
Charlotte
NC
28282
US
|
Family ID: |
18766773 |
Appl. No.: |
09/956419 |
Filed: |
September 18, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
280/618 ;
280/14.22 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63C 10/10 20130101;
A63C 10/285 20130101; A63C 10/24 20130101; A63C 10/106 20130101;
A63C 10/103 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/618 ;
280/14.22 |
International
Class: |
A63C 009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 18, 2000 |
JP |
2000-282223 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A snowboard binding to be attached to a snowboard, comprising a
base plate having a first surface and a second surface and a plate
support provided on the second surface of said base plate which
supports a portion of said base plate, the snowboard binding
further comprising a snowboard boot mounting mechanism provided on
said first surface of said base plate, said base plate including a
lifted portion around said plate support, which is detached from
the snowboard and elastically bendable downward.
2. A snowboard binding according to claim 1, wherein said lifted
portion is provided at a thenar portion of said base plate.
3. A snowboard binding of claim 1 or 2, further comprising an
elastic plate inserted between said lifted portion and said
snowboard.
4. A snowboard binding of claim 1 or 2, which is made into a
step-in type binding.
5. A snowboard binding of claim 3, which is made into a step-in
type binding.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention generally relates to a snowboard binding for
mounting a snowboard boot on a snowboard. More particularly, this
invention relates to a snowboard binding which improves snowboard
maneuverability including turning performance.
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] JP Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 11-206952 discloses a
snowboard binding 7 and a snowboard boot 6 depicted in the attached
FIG. 11 (prior art). The snowboard boot 6 is provided with a pair
of side protrusions 65, 66 and a rear bar 64 which respectively
engage with a pair of front receptors 77, 78 and a rear hook 75
provided on the corresponding portions of the snowboard binding 7
so that the snowboard boot 6 is securely received in the snowboard
binding 7.
[0005] The attached FIG. 12 (prior art) depicts a binding plate 100
disclosed in JP Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-165560, which
is to be fixedly mounted on a snowboard (not shown). This binding
plate 100 is provided with a central opening 36 having a thickness
which tapers toward the bottom surface of the binding plate 100,
whose upper diameter is larger than its lower diameter. A
correspondingly tapered and dimensioned press plate engages the
tapered opening 36 from above to be fixedly secured on the
snowboard.
[0006] The snowboard boot binding mechanisms shown in FIGS. 11 and
12 provide secure mounting of snowboard boots on snowboards, and
facilitate certain angle or orientation adjustment of the snowboard
boots relative to the snowboards. However, the snowboard boot
binding mechanisms shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 are not expected to
facilitate smooth motions of players' ankles which are important or
essential to optimal snowboard maneuvering.
[0007] JP Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 9-253268 teaches another
snowboard binding, including a base body having side portions and a
bottom layer whose elasticity is greater than that of the side
portions. This snowboard binding is described in the publication as
capable of adequately absorbing physical shocks that the snowboard
receives in use from the snowy ground.
[0008] The essential function of the elasticity of that base body
appears to be to help provide easier fastening of snowboard boots
onto the snowboard binding. The degree of flexion of the base body
does not correspond to the energy of the physical force exerted by
the user onto the snowboard. Sliding or turning performance of the
snowboard is not specifically improved thereby. This particular
structure is not readily applicable to popular step-in type binding
mechanisms such as shown in the accompanied FIG. 13 (prior
art).
[0009] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a snowboard binding which provides an optimal degree of
freedom of motion to a player's foot so that a substantially
improved maneuverability of the snowboard may be provided over
conventional snowboard bindings.
[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide
such freedom of motion under control so that a controlled
maneuverability of the snowboard may be provided.
[0011] Other objects of the present invention will be readily
apparent to the readers from the descriptions that follow.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] A snowboard binding of the present invention is comprised of
a generally planar base plate and a plate support provided on the
bottom surface of the base plate in addition to a snowboard boot
mounting mechanism. The plate support is generally a cylindrical
central support which is generally provided at a center of the
bottom surface of the base plate. A pair of such snowboard bindings
are secured to a snowboard generally in parallel to each other and
normal to the longitudinal axis of the snowboard. Each snowboard
binding is fixed to the snowboard generally by the central plate
support.
[0013] In an embodiment, the base plate and the central support are
integrally molded of a rigid-type plastic material which provides a
degree of elasticity.
[0014] The snowboard binding of the present invention provides a
degree of freedom of vertical or twisting motion to the foot or
ankle of its user through utilization of a novel cushioning
mechanism, improving maneuverability of the snowboard including its
turning and sliding performance.
[0015] The novel cushioning mechanism of the present invention is
provided by lifting or detaching a peripheral portion of the base
plate from the top surface of the snowboard, providing a void or
space between the lifted portion and the snowboard. The shape and
position of such a lifted portion may be selectively provided on
the base plate around the central support.
[0016] In an embodiment, a lifted portion of the base plate is
provided corresponding to the thenar of a player (user), which is a
very important portion of the snowboard binding in maneuvering or
adequately controlling the snowboard for turning and sliding
performances.
[0017] In an embodiment, the void provided beneath the lifted
portion is filled with an elastic plate which is generally made of
an elastic plastic material including a rubber material. The
elastic plate generally conforms to the spatial configuration of
the void between the lifted portion and the top surface of the
snowboard.
[0018] In another embodiment, the elastic plate is made
replaceable. By changing elastic plates, e.g., from a harder type
to a softer type, adjustment of the rigidity or elasticity of the
elastic plate (thus the lifted portion thereon) and therefore the
maneuverability of the snowboard is provided.
[0019] The snowboard binding mechanism of the present invention can
be readily incorporated into a popular step-in type binding.
[0020] The present invention is further described hereunder,
utilizing the accompanied drawings (FIGS. 1-10) and reference
numerals used therein.
[0021] A snowboard binding 10 of the present invention is comprised
of a base plate 11, a cylindrical central support 12 and snowboard
boot securing means attached to the top surface of the base plate
11. The base plate 11 receives a snowboard boot 30 in the snowboard
boot securing means. The base plate 11 is secured to a snowboard 20
by means of the central support 12 which is integrated with the
bottom surface of the base plate 11 at a central portion of the
base plate 11. Generally, the central support 12 receives and
supports all weight resting on the base plate 11.
[0022] The base plate 11 includes a lifted portion 11a having a
void or space thereunder, partially or fully in its periphery
portion. The lifted portion 11a is detached from the top surface of
the snowboard 20 and held a distant above the snowboard 20. The
lifted portion 11a is generally provided fully or partially around
the central support 12.
[0023] In an embodiment, the lifted portion 11a is made of a rigid
material having a certain degree of elasticity, which can slightly
bend downwardly to a degree which generally corresponds to the
magnitude of the force (pressure) applied onto the lifted portion
11a from above.
[0024] A lifted portion 11a having a selected size and shape may be
provided at a selected location of the base plate 11 according to a
personal preference and snowboard performance desired. A lifted
portion 11a may be provided at a heel portion and/or toe portion of
the base plate 11. When a lifted portion 11a is provided at a toe
portion, the lifted portion 11a may be advantageously provided
around the thenar region of the user.
[0025] The lifted portion 11a of the base plate 11 may be supported
with an elastic plate 13 filling the void created between the
lifted portion 11a and the snowboard 20. The elastic plate 13 is
made of an elastic material such as a rubber material or elastic
plastic material such as a foam material.
[0026] The lifted portion 11a provided at a thenar portion of the
base plate 11 with an elastic plate 13 underneath provides easily
controllable leeway to the downward and twisting motion of the
player's foot or ankle when the player applies extra pressure onto
the lifted portion 11a of the base plate 11 during use of the
snowboard 20, especially when he or she is making a turn. The
pressed lifted portion 11a elastically bends downward even when the
bottom of the snowboard boot 30 he or she is wearing is hard or
resistant to deformation, providing freer movement or motion of
his/her foot or ankle. Such freer motion of the player's feet
greatly improves sliding and turning performances of the snowboard
20.
[0027] One of the most important portions as far as snowboard
maneuvering is concerned is its thenar region. In an embodiment,
only this thenar portion of the base plate 11 is a lifted portion
11a. This lifted portion 11a may or may not be supported by an
elastic plate 13.
[0028] Advantageously, this elastic plate 13 is made replaceable,
e.g., from a hard-type material for a relatively skilled player to
a soft-type material for a relatively unskilled player including a
child.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1 shows a player using a snowboard with a pair of
snowboard bindings of the present invention mounted thereon;
[0030] FIG. 2 is a side-elevational view of a snowboard binding
according to an embodiment of the present invention on which a
snowboard boot is secured;
[0031] FIG. 3 is a side-elevational view showing part of the
snowboard binding of FIG. 2;
[0032] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of FIG. 3;
[0033] FIG. 5 is a side-elevational view showing part of a
snowboard binding according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0034] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of FIG. 5;
[0035] FIG. 7 is a side-elevational view showing part of a
snowboard binding according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0036] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of FIG. 7;
[0037] FIG. 9 is a side view of an elastic plate of the present
invention;
[0038] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of FIG. 9;
[0039] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a conventional boot
and a conventional snowboard binding;
[0040] FIG. 12 is a side-elevational view of another conventional
snowboard binding;
[0041] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a conventional step-in
type snowboard binding and a conventional step-in type snowboard
boot which matches that snowboard binding.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0042] In FIG. 1, a player wearing a pair of snowboard boots 30 is
using a snowboard 20 to which a pair of snowboard bindings 10 of
the present invention respectively mounting the snowboard boots 30
thereon are attached.
[0043] FIG. 2 shows a snowboard binding 10 according to an
embodiment of the present invention, on which a snowboard boot 30
is secured. The snowboard binding 10 comprises a base plate 11, a
plate support or circular central support 12 and a boot securing
mechanism (not shown). The base plate 11 is rigid enough to support
the weight thereon but is also provided with certain elasticity.
The circular central support 12 is rigid enough to support the
weight placed on the base plate but is also provided with certain
elasticity. The boot securing mechanism includes a high-back
support 14. The central support 12 is integrally provided with the
base plate 11 at a central portion of the base plate 11.
[0044] The snowboard binding 10 is secured to a snowboard 20 with
the central support 12. The portion of the base plate 11 which is
not directly held by the central support 12 is lifted and detached
from the top surface of the snowboard 20. The detached portion or
lifted portion 11a is slightly bendable downward elastically when
an extra force is applied thereto, e.g., during turning, providing
cushioning effects to the downward and twisting motions of the
player's foot, which improves maneuverability of the snowboard
20.
[0045] The base plate 11 is provided with a press plate (not shown)
at an internal portion which corresponds to the location of the
central support 12 provided on the bottom surface of the base plate
11 so as to securely integrate the central support 12 with the base
plate 11.
[0046] As is shown in FIG. 2, a peripheral portion around the
central support 12 is lifted from the top surface of the snowboard
20, providing a lifted portion 11a. The lifted portion 11a is rigid
enough to bear the weight placed thereon but is bendable downward
elastically when an extra weight or torque is momentarily exerted
on the lifted portion 11a.
[0047] The base plate 11 including the lifted portion 11a and the
central support 12 (or plate support) may be molded integrally with
a hard-type (but adequately elastic) plastic material.
[0048] FIG. 3 shows the snowboard binding 10 of FIG. 2 without the
boot 30, and FIG. 4 shows the bottom side of the snowboard binding
10.
[0049] FIG. 5 shows a snowboard binding 10 according to another
embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the lifted
portion 11a is provided only around a thenar region of the base
plate 11 as the thenar portion of the snowboard binding 10 is
considered to be a most important portion in maneuvering the
snowboard 20.
[0050] The remaining portion (other than the lifted portion 11a)
around the central support 12 of the base plate 11 is provided in
direct contact with the top surface of the snowboard 20 as is shown
in FIG. 5. The bottom of this snowboard binding 10 is depicted in
FIG. 6.
[0051] FIG. 7 shows a snowboard binding 10 according to another
embodiment of the present invention, which is a modification of the
snowboard binding of FIG. 5. This snowboard binding 10 further
comprises an elastic plate 13 made of an elastic material such as a
rubber material or foam material inserted underneath the lifted
portion 11a. The elastic plate 13 provides additional support or
cushioning effects to the lifted portion 11a and helps absorb the
torque that the lifted portion 11a receives. Advantageously, the
elastic plate 13 is made easily replaceable. Control of the overall
elasticity of the lifted portion 11a with the elastic plate 13
underneath is provided by changing the elastic plates 13.
[0052] Use of the elastic plate 13 provides an additional
advantage. Snow does not fill the space otherwise created
underneath the lifted portion 11a without the elastic plate 13.
[0053] FIG. 8 shows the bottom side of the snowboard binding 10 of
FIG. 7 having the elastic plate 13 (shaded portion) underneath the
lifted portion 11a. FIG. 9 is a side view of the elastic plate 13
and FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the elastic plate 13.
[0054] It is to be understood that the embodiments provided
hereinabove are all solely for the purpose of illustrating the
present invention. Modifications and changes can be made thereto
within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *