U.S. patent application number 14/305982 was filed with the patent office on 2014-10-02 for snowboard binding.
The applicant listed for this patent is FLOW SPORTS, INC.. Invention is credited to Mark Elkington.
Application Number | 20140291968 14/305982 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32668038 |
Filed Date | 2014-10-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140291968 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Elkington; Mark |
October 2, 2014 |
SNOWBOARD BINDING
Abstract
A snowboard binding includes a base plate and a heel support
attached directly or indirectly to this base plate so that it can
pivot. Intermediate elements mount the heel support and can be
adjusted in the longitudinal direction of the snowboard binding.
Thus, the effective length of the snowboard binding can be adapted
to the respective boot. Also, through different positioning of the
intermediate elements, the heel support can be arranged diagonally
relative to the longitudinal axis of the snowboard binding.
Inventors: |
Elkington; Mark; (Hong Kong,
CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FLOW SPORTS, INC. |
San Clemente |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
32668038 |
Appl. No.: |
14/305982 |
Filed: |
June 16, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14042538 |
Sep 30, 2013 |
8752845 |
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14305982 |
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13461629 |
May 1, 2012 |
8544870 |
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14042538 |
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11956197 |
Dec 13, 2007 |
8172252 |
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13461629 |
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11411709 |
Apr 25, 2006 |
7367579 |
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11956197 |
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10772002 |
Feb 4, 2004 |
7232132 |
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11411709 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
280/633 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63C 10/06 20130101;
A63C 10/045 20130101; A63C 10/22 20130101; A63C 10/20 20130101;
A63C 10/18 20130101; A63C 10/24 20130101; A63C 10/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/633 |
International
Class: |
A63C 10/20 20060101
A63C010/20; A63C 10/22 20060101 A63C010/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 11, 2003 |
DE |
200310305764.1 |
Claims
1. A device for retaining a foot or boot on a sports apparatus, the
device comprising: a base plate extending lengthwise from a rear
end to a front end and widthwise from a first side to a second
side; a heel support element and a pivot mechanism mounting the
heel support element to pivot with respect to the base plate, the
pivot mechanism comprising a first pivot support and a second pivot
support; an elongated element extending between the base plate and
the heel support element to limit rearward pivot movement of the
heel support element relative to the base plate, the elongated
element having a first portion and a second portion, the first and
second portions of the elongated element being connected to the
base by a first and a second lower connection, respectively, the
first and second lower connections being located in front of the
first and second pivot supports; and an adjustment mechanism to
enable a modification of a longitudinal position of the heel
support element with respect to the base plate.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein: the adjustment mechanism
enables a predeterminate longitudinal displacement of the heel
support element independent of the elongated element.
3. A device according to claim 1, further comprising: a mechanism
to enable a predeterminate displacement of the heel support element
simultaneously with the elongated element.
4. A device according to claim 1, wherein: the adjustment mechanism
enables a predeterminate longitudinal displacement of the heel
support element in an area of at least one of two transversely
opposite sides of the heel support element.
5. A device according to claim 1, further comprising: an upward
element positioned at one of the sides of the base plate; a
displacement element mounted for longitudinal displacement with
respect to the upward element, the displacement element connected
to a fastening end of the heel support element; and the adjustment
mechanism comprising a structure to adjust the longitudinal
position of the displacement element.
6. A device according to claim 1, wherein: the device is a
snowboard binding for retaining a snowboard boot on a
snowboard.
7. A device according to claim 1, further comprising: an assembly
to mount the base plate to the sports apparatus.
8. A device according to claim 7, wherein: the base plate comprises
a through opening in a thickness of the base plate; the assembly to
mount the base plate to the sports apparatus comprises a disk
adapted to be positioned within and to be engaged with a periphery
of the opening of the base plate, and a plurality of screws adapted
to extend through holes in the disk and into the sports
apparatus.
9. A device according to claim 1, wherein: the adjustment mechanism
enables a predetermined longitudinal displacement of the heel
support element parallel to an upper support surface of the base
plate.
10. A device for retaining a foot or boot on a sports apparatus,
the device comprising: a base plate extending lengthwise from a
rear end to a front end and widthwise from a first side to a second
side; a heel support element and a pivot mechanism mounting the
heel support element to pivot with respect to the base plate, the
pivot mechanism comprising a first pivot support and a second pivot
support, said first and second pivot supports being widthwise
spaced apart; an elongated element extending from the heel support
element to widthwise spaced-apart positions adjustably fixed
longitudinally relative to the base plate, forward of respective
ones of said first and second pivot supports, to limit rearward
pivot movement of the heel support element relative to the base
plate; and an adjustment mechanism to enable a longitudinal
positional adjustment of the heel support element with respect to
the base plate.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] This application is a continuation (and claims the benefit
of priority under 35 USC .sctn.120) of co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/042,538, filed Sep. 30, 2013, titled,
"Snowboard Binding," which in turn is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/461,629, filed May 1, 2012, titled,
"Snowboard Binding," now U.S. Pat. No. 8,544,870; which in turn is
a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/956,197,
filed Dec. 13, 2007, titled "Snowboard Binding" by Elkington, now
U.S. Pat. No. 8,172,252; which is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/411,709, filed Apr. 25, 2006, titled
"Snowboard Binding" by Elkington, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,367,579;
which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/772,002, filed Feb. 4, 2004, titled "Snowboard Binding" by
Elkington, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,232,132; which claims priority to
German Patent Application No. DE10305764, filed Feb. 11, 2003,
titled "Snowboard Binding" by Elkington, the full disclosures of
which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0002] The invention relates to a snowboard binding.
[0003] One such binding is known from EP 0 838 248 B1. This binding
has a base plate, which can be mounted on the top side of a
snowboard. Side plates project vertically upwards on both sides
from the base plate. Adjustable toe and instep straps are attached
to these side plates, as well as a heel support, which can pivot
and which is generally also called a "highback." The heel support
consists of two parts, namely a lower part that can pivot and an
upper part screwed onto this lower part, wherein the upper part can
be adjusted in position by means of elongated holes. The mentioned
toe and instep straps can be adjusted in length in order to adapt
the binding to the particular shoe. Also, these straps can be
opened for stepping into or out of the binding.
[0004] Typically, such bindings are manufactured in only one or a
few sizes, wherein it is then up to the user to adapt the binding
to his shoe size by adjusting the mentioned straps. The relative
position of the heel support to the edge of the snowboard is
usually fixed, namely by threaded inserts (so-called inserts) in
the snowboard and corresponding holes in a holding plate, which is
inserted into an opening of the base plate. According to the
bindings found on the market, the holding plate has either an
elongated hole or a series of holes for each attachment screw,
wherein the position of the binding relative to the snowboard can
be adjusted and thus also the relative position between the heel
support and the adjacent edge of the snowboard. However, this
adjustment is tedious and is usually performed only once during the
first assembly of the binding.
SUMMARY
[0005] It is an object to improve the known snowboard binding such
that the binding can be adapted individually to the respective boot
even after the assembly of the base plate on a snowboard and
especially such that the position of the heel support is
adjustable.
[0006] In one aspect, the device disclosed here features a device
for retaining a foot or boot on a sports apparatus, the device
having a base plate extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front
end and widthwise from a first side to a second side. The device
also has a heel support element and a pivot mechanism mounting the
heel support element to pivot with respect to the base plate, the
pivot mechanism having a first pivot support and a second pivot
support. The device also has an elongated element extending between
the base plate and the heel support element to limit rearward pivot
movement of the heel support element relative to the base plate,
the elongated element has a first portion and a second portion, the
first and second portions of the elongated element being connected
to the base by a first and a second lower connection, respectively.
The first and second lower connections are located in front of the
first and second pivot supports. The device also has an adjustment
mechanism to enable a modification of a longitudinal position of
the heel support element with respect to the base plate.
[0007] In another aspect, the device disclosed here features a
device for retaining a foot or boot on a sports apparatus, the
device having a base plate extending lengthwise from a rear end to
a front end and widthwise from a first side to a second side. The
device also has a heel support element and a pivot mechanism
mounting the heel support element to pivot with respect to the base
plate, and the pivot mechanism having a first pivot support and a
second pivot support, said first and second pivot supports being
widthwise spaced apart. The device also has an elongated element
extending from the heel support element to widthwise spaced-apart
positions adjustably fixed longitudinally relative to the base
plate, forward of respective ones of said first and second pivot
supports, to limit rearward pivot movement of the heel support
element relative to the base plate. The device also has an
adjustment mechanism to enable a longitudinal positional adjustment
of the heel support element with respect to the base plate.
[0008] In the following, the embodiments are explained in more
detail in connection with the drawings. Other objects and features
will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a snowboard binding
according to an embodiment viewed diagonally from behind;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side view of the binding in partially cut-away
representation;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a top view of the base plate; and
[0012] FIG. 4 is a view of the bottom side of an intermediate
element.
[0013] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] The snowboard binding of FIG. 1 has a flat base plate 1,
from which on both sides side plates 2 project upwards essentially
vertically. In the front foot region, there is an instep strap 3,
which is attached to the side plates on both sides by means of
toothed straps 4 and 5. Locking devices 6 and 7 are attached to the
instep strap. The toothed straps 4 and 5 are threaded into these
locking devices and can be fixed in place, wherein the length and
thus also the height of the instep strap 3 is adjustable. The
instep strap 3 is here formed as one piece and extends essentially
from the front foot region 8 to the instep region 9 of the not
shown shoe.
[0015] In the heel region, an intermediate element 11 is attached
to both side plates 2. A heel support 12, which can pivot about a
pivot support 13, is mounted on this intermediate element, such
that the heel support 12 for opening the binding can be pivoted
backwards in the direction of the arrow 14. The heel support 12 is
held by a tensioning element 15 in the shown closed position,
wherein the tensioning element 15 is attached to both intermediate
elements 11 and surrounds the heel support 12 on its outer side.
Attachment points 16 for the tensioning element 15 can be formed as
a pivot support and can be offset forwards in the direction towards
the front foot region 8 relative to the pivot support 13. The
tensioning element 15 is held on the heel support 12 at a control
lever 17, which can pivot about a pivot axis 18. If the control
lever 17 is pivoted downwards in the direction towards the base
plate 1, then the heel support 12 can be pivoted backwards into the
open position. Conversely, the binding is closed by tilting the
heel support forwards and tilting the control lever 17 upwards.
[0016] As can be seen from FIG. 1, the toothed belt 5 can also be
attached to the corresponding intermediate element 11 either, as
shown with the reference number 5a, to the attachment point 16 for
the tensioning element 15 or to a different position of the
intermediate element 11, e.g., between the attachment point 16 and
the pivot support 13, as made clear with the reference number 5b.
The associated locking device 7, 7a, or 7b is always mounted on the
instep strap 3 so that it can pivot and so that it can be aligned
correctly relative to the toothed strap 5, 5a, 5b. Obviously, the
front toothed strap 4 and its locking device 6 are also fixed to
the side plate 2 or to the instep strap 3 so that they can pivot,
such that the instep strap 3 is also pushed forwards and backwards
in the longitudinal direction of the binding. In this way, the
instep strap can be positioned.
[0017] The intermediate elements 11 have on their lower side a
toothed section 19, which engages a counter toothed section 20 on
the side plates 2. The intermediate elements 11 can be displaced in
the longitudinal direction of the binding, wherein the position of
the heel element 12 can be adjusted relative to the longitudinal
axis of the binding. Thus, the effective length of the binding can
be adapted to the respective shoe.
[0018] The two intermediate elements 11 can be adjusted
independently from each other, wherein the heel support 12 can also
be positioned diagonally.
[0019] In one embodiment, the heel support 12 consists of two
parts, namely a lower part 22, which is attached to the
intermediate elements 11 and an upper part 23, which is attached to
the lower part, by means of a threaded connection 24, which permits
various relative positions between the upper and lower part 23 and
22 through a series of holes 25 or an elongated hole, wherein
likewise a diagonal position of the upper part 23 is possible
relative to the longitudinal axis 21.
[0020] The attachment of the intermediate elements 11 to the side
plates 2 can be seen in more detail in FIG. 2. The side plates here
each have two longitudinal holes 26 and 27, which extend to the
floor 25 of the base plate 1 and which extend in the longitudinal
direction of the binding. The toothed section 20 is formed all
around the longitudinal holes 26 and 27.
[0021] The intermediate elements 11 have two through-holes 28 and
29, which extend through the entire height of the intermediate
elements 11. Screws 30 and 31 can be inserted into these holes 28
and 29, which screws interact with threaded nuts 32 and 33, and
also, if necessary, plain washers or locking washers 34 and 35,
which are to be attached outwards from the floor 25 of the base
plate 1. The longitudinal holes 26 and 27 have an expanded section
36, 37 outwards from the floor 25, so that the nuts 32 and 33 and
the plain washers 34 and 35 can be received in these expanded
sections and do not project beyond the floor 25 of the base plate
1.
[0022] For better retention of the intermediate elements 11 on the
side plates 2, support elements 38 and 39, which engage flush in
the longitudinal holes 26 and 27, respectively, and which are
supported on their side walls, surround the screws 30 and 31. The
support elements 38 and 39 can be formed as separate parts and can
have a toothed section corresponding to the toothed section 19 on
their side pointing towards the intermediate element 11. However,
they can also be formed as one piece on the intermediate elements
11.
[0023] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the base plate 1 with the side
plates 2. The position and arrangement of the longitudinal holes 26
and 27, as well as the toothed section 20, can be seen clearly in
this figure. In a known way, the base plate is attached to the
snowboard by means of an attachment plate 40, which engages in an
opening in the base plate, by means of screws, which engage in
threaded holes 41. By means of this attachment plate, which is also
called a "rotating plate," the rotational position of the binding,
i.e., the alignment of the longitudinal axis 21 of the binding
relative to the longitudinal axis of the not shown snowboard, can
be adjusted.
[0024] FIG. 4 shows a view of the bottom side of an intermediate
element 11 with the support elements 38 and 39, as well as the
holes 28 and 29.
[0025] Finally, it should be mentioned that the device is usable
not only for snowboard bindings of the illustrated type, for which
the heel element 12 is pivoted backwards to open the binding. It
can also be used similarly for snowboard bindings, for which the
heel element can be pivoted only forwards and the binding is opened
by releasing the instep and toe straps.
[0026] When introducing elements of the present device or the
preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles "a", "an", "the" and
"said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the
elements. The terms "comprising", "including" and "having" are
intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional
elements other than the listed elements.
[0027] In view of the above, it will be seen that the several
objects of the device are achieved and other advantageous results
attained.
[0028] As various changes could be made in the above products and
methods without departing from the scope of the embodiments, it is
intended that all matter contained in the above description and
shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as
illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
* * * * *