Patent Grant
9016714
The invention relates to the field of recreational sports where an individual stands on a rider-support surface of a board and rides the board through or atop of a medium such as air, snow or water. Particular embodiments provide binding systems which may be used to retain the individuals feet atop the rider-support surface.
Many recreational sports, such as snowboarding, for example, involve riding a board through or atop of a medium such as air, snow or water. A rider stands on one surface (the rider-support surface) of an elongated snowboard with his or her feet spaced apart from one another and oriented at various angles oriented generally transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the snowboard. The rider rides the board down snow covered inclined slopes in directions generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the board with one foot in front of the other in a manner similar to that of surfing. Because of the transverse orientation of the rider's feet with respect to the longitudinal axis of the board, depending on whether the rider puts their right foot forward or their left foot forward, the rider's stance defines one edge of the snowboard to be the “heel side” or “heel edge” (i.e. the edge of the board closest to the rider's heels) and the transversely opposite edge of the snowboard to be the “toe side” or “toe edge” (i.e. the edge of the board closest to the rider's toes).
Snowboards typically incorporate bindings which may increase the rider's control over the board. Bindings typically retain the rider's feet in their generally transverse orientations atop the rider-support surface of the board and assist the rider to transfer his or her weight between the toe and heel edges of the board and to thereby assist the rider to turn the board. There are many types of prior art snowboard bindings. Most prior art bindings incorporate a binding base plate or the like which is located on the rider-support surface of the board and is rigidly mounted to the board. The most common type of binding, typically referred to as a “high back” binding, incorporates a back member which projects from the binding base plate on the rider-support surface, such that the rider may lean toward their heel edge (e.g. against the back member) to apply pressure to the heel edge of the board, and one or more straps which extend over top of the foot and bind the foot to the binding base plate, such that the rider may lean toward their toe edge (e.g. against the straps) to apply pressure to the toe side of the board. Another common type of binding, referred to as the “step-in” binding, typically requires that the rider wear a hard shell boot which is secured to the binding base plate, such that the rider can apply pressure to the heel and toe edges of the snowboard by applying corresponding pressure against the interior surfaces of their hard shell boots. Step-in bindings use a variety of techniques for securing the hard shell boot to the binding base plate.
There is a general desire to improve the performance of prior art binding systems and/or to provide binding systems which offer new features over those of the prior art.
Aspects of this invention provide binding systems for recreational boards. Particular aspects of the invention are suitable for snowboard type recreational boards.
In one aspect, a binding system is mountable atop a rider-support surface of the board. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the binding system is moveable (e.g. pivotal, tiltable, etc.) with the rider's foot and with respect to the board. This relative motion between the rider's foot and the board may be associated with movement (e.g. pivoting, tilting and/or the like) of the rider's foot toward the heel edge or toward the toe edge of the board and may thereby allow the rider to have greater control over the application of weight to the heel and/or toe edges of the board.
In particular embodiments, the binding system comprises: a base rigidly mounted or mountable atop a rider-support surface of the board; and a foot-retainer for retaining the rider's foot in generally fixed relation thereto. The foot-retainer is coupled or coupleable to the base via one or more movement joints (e.g. pivot couplings) for motion (e.g. pivotal motion) of the foot-retainer and the rider's foot relative to the base and/or the board. The binding may be configured to receiver the rider's foot (or footwear) with the rider's toes on one side of a longitudinal axis of the board and the rider's heel on the other side of the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the rider's foot may be received on a generally flattened foot-receiving surface of the base. In some embodiments, the binding is provided in a baseless configuration where the foot-receiving surface is provided by the generally flattened rider-support surface of the board itself.
In some embodiments, the movement joints comprise pivot couplings configured for pivotal motion about a pivot axis. The pivot axis may be located in a pivot plane which is spaced upwardly apart from and generally parallel to the generally flattened foot-receiving surface. In this manner, the pivot axis is located above the bottom of the rider's foot, whether the foot-receiving surface is part of the base or the foot-receiving surface is provided by the rider support surface of the board itself. In some embodiments, the base comprises one or more stand-off flanges, each stand-off flange shaped to locate a corresponding one of the pivot couplings at a location spaced upwardly apart from the foot-receiving surface. In some embodiments, the base comprises a front stand-off flange and a rear stand-off flange, the front stand-off flange shaped to locate a corresponding front pivot coupling at a front pivot location forward of the foot-receiving surface and spaced upwardly apart from the foot-receiving surface and the rear stand-off flange shaped to locate a corresponding rear pivot coupling at a rear pivot location rearward of the foot-receiving surface and spaced upwardly apart from the foot-receiving surface.
In some embodiments, the base comprises a front stand-off flange and a rear stand-off flange, the front stand-off flange shaped to locate a corresponding front movement joint at a front joint location forward of the foot-receiving surface and the rear stand-off flange shaped to locate a corresponding rear movement joint at a rear joint location rearward of the foot-receiving surface. The front and rear joint locations may be spaced upwardly apart from a foot-receiving surface provided by the base. The front and rear joint locations may be spaced upwardly apart from a foot-receiving surface provided by a rider support surface of the board. The base may optionally comprise a front mounting flange that projects longitudinally from the front stand-off flange and a rear mounting flange that projects longitudinally from the rear stand-off flange. The front mounting flange may project forwardly from the front stand-off flange and the rear mounting flange may project rearwardly from the rear stand-off flange. The front and rear mounting flanges may be shaped to abut against a rider-support surface of the recreational board and may be apertured for projection of fasteners therethrough to mount the binding to the recreational board.
In some embodiments, the foot-retainer comprises a front rail located forwardly of the foot-receiving surface and a rear rail located rearwardly of the foot-receiving surface for receiving the rider's foot therebetween. Each of the front and rear rails may comprise a pair of legs (i.e. a toe-side leg and a heel-side leg) and a central portion located between the pair of legs. The lower edge of each rail may have a downwardly opening concave profile, such that the legs extend downwardly from the central portion. The pair of legs of each rail may extend downwardly to contact the board or to contact deformable pads interposed between the legs and the board, such that the central portion is spaced upwardly apart from the rider-support surface of the board. In some embodiments, the rails may be shaped such that their central portions are spaced upwardly apart from the foot-receiving surface.
Movement joints between the foot-retainer and the base may be located (at least in part) in the central portions of the rails and may be provided between the central portions of the rails and respective ones of the front and rear stand-off flanges. In the embodiments where the movement joints comprise pivot couplings, the pivot couplings may be located (at least in part) in the central portions of the rails and may be provided between the central portions of the rails and respective ones of the front and rear stand-off flanges. The front and rear rails may be apertured with apertures elongated in a transverse direction for adjustability of transverse locations of the front and rear rails relative to the front and rear stand-off flanges and the front and rear movement joints and/or pivot couplings. The apertures of the front and rear rails may comprise transversely spaced apart concavities between vertically extending projections for supporting the front and rear pivot couplings within the transversely spaced apart concavities.
The binding system may optionally comprise one or more deformable pads which may be located at points of contact between the foot-retainer and the board and/or at points of contact between the foot and the board. Such pads may be elastically deformable with corresponding movement of the foot-retainer and the rider's foot. The deformable pads may comprise: one or more toe-side deformable pads located below lowermost portions of the toe-side legs of the front and rear rails and located on a toe-side of the longitudinal axis of the board; and one or more heel-side deformable pads located below lowermost portion of the heel-side legs of the front and rear rails and located on a heel-side of the longitudinal axis of the board, the heel-side of the longitudinal axis transversely opposed to the toe-side of the longitudinal axis. Pivotal motion of the foot-retainer relative to the base and the recreational board in a first angular direction causes compression of the one or more toe-side deformable pads and pivotal motion of the foot-retainer relative to the base and the recreational board in an opposing angular direction causes compression of the one or more heel-side deformable pads. The one or more toe-side deformable pads and the one or more heel-side deformable pads may be elastically deformable such that when compressed, they exhibit restorative forces which tend to restore them to their non-compressed shapes.
In some embodiments, the foot-retainer may comprise a heel cup which extends longitudinally between the front and rear rails on a heel side of the binding, the heel cup comprising a concave surface shaped to accommodate a portion of a heel of the rider's foot. In some embodiments, the foot-retainer may comprise: a high-back located on the heel-side of the binding. The high-back may extend upwardly from the heel cup. The high-back may additionally or alternatively extend between and upwardly from the front and rear rails. The high-back may comprise a concave surface shaped to accommodate an upper portion of the heel of the rider's foot; and a strapping system extending longitudinally between one or more of: the front and rear rails, front and rear portions of the heel cup and front and rear portions of the high back, the strapping system adjustable to a first configuration where the rider's foot is retained under the strapping system and against the concave surface of the high back so as to be generally fixed in relation to the foot-retainer and to a second configuration wherein the rider's foot is insertable into and removable from the foot-retainer.
The base may provide the generally flattened foot-receiving surface as an upper surface of a base plate shaped to abut against a rider-support surface of the recreational board. The base plate may extend longitudinally between the front stand-off flange and the rear stand-off flange. The base plate may comprise one or more apertures through which one or more fasteners may extend to mount the base plate to the recreational board. The base plate may comprise: a generally circularly shaped cut-out having an annular region of upwardly facing, radially extending ridges around a perimeter thereof; and a generally circularly shaped mounting disc having an annular region of downwardly facing, radially extending ridges inside a perimeter thereof, the downwardly facing ridges of the mounting disc shaped to engage the upwardly facing ridges in the annular region around the perimeter of the cut-out. The mounting disc may be apertured for projection of one or more fasteners therethrough to mount the binding to the recreational board. The front and rear stand-off flanges may be one of: integrally formed with the base plate; rigidly coupled to the base plate; rigidly coupleable to the base plate.
In embodiments, where the movement joints comprise pivot couplings, the front pivot coupling may comprise a front pivot pin that is generally circular in cross-section such that pivotal motion of the foot-retainer relative to the base and to the board is associated with one or more of: relative motion between the front rail and the front pivot pin; and relative motion between the front stand-off flange and the front pivot pin; and the rear pivot coupling may comprise a rear pivot pin that is generally circular in cross-section such that pivotal motion of the foot-retainer relative to the base and to the board is associated with one or more of: relative motion between the rear rail and the rear pivot pin; and relative motion between the rear stand-off flange and the rear pivot pin. In embodiments, where the movement joints comprise pivot couplings, the front pivot coupling may comprise a front pivot joint between a first front pivot coupling component fixed relative to the front rail and a second front pivot coupling component fixed relative to the front stand-off flange, such that pivotal motion of the foot-retainer relative to the base and to the board is associated with relative motion of the first and second front pivot coupling components; and the rear pivot coupling may comprise a rear pivot joint between a first rear pivot coupling component fixed relative to the rear rail and a second rear pivot coupling component fixed relative to the rear stand-off flange, such that pivotal motion of the foot-retainer relative to the base and to the board is associated with relative motion of the first and second rear pivot coupling components. The front and rear pivot couplings may be located in range of 0.5 cm-10 cm from the lowermost part of the binding. The front and rear pivot couplings may be located in range of 0.5 cm-10 cm from the foot-receiving surface.
In some embodiments, the one or more movement joints each comprise a shaft that extends between the foot-retainer and the base and motion of the foot-retainer and the rider's foot relative to the base and the recreational board is associated with corresponding movement of the shaft. In some embodiments, the shaft may be the shaft of a pivot coupling. For each of the one or more movement joints, the shaft may extend through a bore of each of one or more deformable bushings. For each of the one or more movement joints, at least one of the one or more bushings may extend between the foot-retainer and the base. For each of the one or more movement joints, at least one of the one or more bushings may be located on a side of the base opposite that of the foot-retainer. For each of the one or more movement joints, at least one of the one or more bushings may be located on a side of the foot-retainer opposite that of the base. The shaft may extend in a plane generally parallel to a rider-support surface of the recreational board in an absence of forces applied by the rider. The shaft may extend generally vertically between the foot-retainer and the base in an absence of forces applied by the rider. In some embodiments, the one or more movement joints each comprise a plurality of shafts that extend between the foot-retainer and the base and motion of the foot-retainer and the rider's foot relative to the base and the recreational board is associated with corresponding movement of the plurality of shafts.
Another aspect of the invention provides a binding system for retaining a rider's foot atop a recreational board. The binding system comprises a pair of rails locatable on opposing sides of a generally flattened foot-receiving surface for receiving a rider's foot. Each rail comprising a central portion mountable to the recreational board, a toe-side leg which extends from the central portion toward a toe-side of the recreational board and a heel-side leg which extends from the central portion toward a heel-side of the recreational board. The heel-side and the toe-side are located on transversely opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of the board. Each rail comprises at least one deformation-enhancing feature for enhancing an ability of the rail to deform elastically relative to the board.
The at least one deformation-enhancing feature may enhance an ability of at least one of the toe-side leg and the heel-side leg to deform elastically relative to the central portion. For the at least one of the rails, the at least one deformation-enhancing feature may comprise a heel-side deformation-enhancing feature located between the heel-side leg and the central portion for enhancing an ability of the heel-side leg to deform elastically relative to the central portion. For the at least one of the rails, the at least one deformation-enhancing feature may comprise a toe-side deformation-enhancing feature located between the toe-side leg and the central portion for enhancing an ability of the toe-side leg to deform elastically relative to the central portion.
For the at least one of the rails, the heel-side deformation-enhancing feature may comprise a heel-side cut-away slot which extends inwardly from an edge of the at least one of the rails between the heel-side leg and the central portion. The slot may be shaped to provide an opening located at an end of the slot most proximate the edge of the at least one of the rails and elastic deformation of the heel-side leg relative to the central portion may comprise at least one of increasing a size of the opening and decreasing the size of the opening. The slot may be shaped to provide the opening at a lower edge of the at least one of the rails. The slot may be shaped to provide the opening at an upper edge of the at least one of the rails.
For the at least one of the rails, the toe-side deformation-enhancing feature may comprise a toe-side cut-away slot which extends inwardly from an edge of the at least one of the rails between the toe-side leg and the central portion. The slot may be shaped to provide an opening located at an end of the slot most proximate the edge of the at least one of the rails and elastic deformation of the toe-side leg relative to the central portion may comprise at least one of increasing a size of the opening and decreasing the size of the opening. The slot may be shaped to provide the opening at a lower edge of the at least one of the rails. The slot may be shaped to provide the opening at an upper edge of the at least one of the rails.
For the at least one of the rails, the heel-side deformation-enhancing feature may comprise a heel-side deformation member, the heel-side deformation member relatively more deformable than the heel-side leg and the central portion. In some embodiments, the heel side deformation member may be fabricated from a material relatively more deformable than the heel side leg and the central portion. In some embodiments, the heel side deformation member may comprise a lower density of reinforcing ribs than the heel side leg and the central portion. For the at least one of the rails, the toe-side deformation-enhancing feature may comprise a toe-side deformation member, the toe-side deformation member relatively more deformable than the toe-side leg and the central portion. In some embodiments, the toe side deformation member may be fabricated from a material relatively more deformable than the toe side leg and the central portion. In some embodiments, the toe side deformation member may comprise a lower density of reinforcing ribs than the toe side leg and the central portion.
For the at least one of the rails, the at least one deformation-enhancing feature may comprise the heel-side leg being relatively more deformable than the central portion. In some embodiments, the central portion comprises a plurality of stiffening ribs and the heel-side leg comprises a lower density of stiffening ribs relative to the central portion, thereby making the heel-side leg relatively more deformable than the central portion. In some embodiments, the heel-side leg is fabricated from a material that is relatively more deformable than the central portion. For the at least one of the rails, the at least one deformation-enhancing feature may comprise the toe-side leg being relatively more deformable than the central portion. In some embodiments, the central portion comprises a plurality of stiffening ribs and the toe-side leg comprises a lower density of stiffening ribs relative to the central portion, thereby making the toe-side leg relatively more deformable than the central portion. In some embodiments, the toe-side leg is fabricated from a material that is relatively more deformable than the central portion.
Another aspect of the invention provides a binding system for retaining a rider's foot atop a recreational board, where the binding system comprises: a base mountable to the recreational board, the base comprising a front stand-off flange located forwardly of a generally flattened foot-receiving surface for receiving a rider's foot and a rear stand-off flange located rearwardly of the foot-receiving surface; and a foot retainer for retaining the rider's foot in generally fixed relation thereto, the foot-retainer comprising a front rail located forwardly of the foot-receiving surface and connected to the front stand-off flange at one or more front connections and a rear rail located rearwardly of the foot-receiving surface and connected to the rear stand-off flange at one or more rear connections. Either: (a) the front rail is relatively more deformable than the front stand-off flange and the rear rail is relatively more deformable than the rear stand-off flange for motion of the rider's foot relative to the recreational board by deformation of one or both of the front and rear rails; or (b) the front standoff flange is relatively more deformable than the front rail and the rear stand-off flange is relatively more deformable than the rear rail for motion of the rider's foot relative to the recreational board by deformation of one or both of the front and rear stand-off flanges.
In some embodiments, each of the front connections comprises a shaft that extends between the front rail and the front stand-off flange and motion of the rider's foot relative to the recreational board is associated with corresponding movement of the shaft. In some embodiments, the shaft extends through a bore of one or more deformable bushings, the one or more deformable bushings more deformable than both the front stand-off flange and the front rail. In some embodiments, each of the rear connections comprises a shaft that extends between the rear rail and the rear stand-off flange and motion of the rider's foot relative to the recreational board is associated with corresponding movement of the shaft. In some embodiments, the shaft extends through a bore of one or more deformable bushings, the one or more deformable bushings more deformable than both the rear stand-off flange and the rear rail.
In some embodiments, the relative deformability of the rails and the stand-off flanges may be provided by fabricating the rails and stand-off flanges from different materials, fabricating the rails and stand-off flanges to have different component thicknesses and/or fabricating the rails and stand-off flanges to have different rigidity-enhancing features, such as rib densities.
Another aspect of the invention provides a recreational board (e.g. a snowboard) which comprises a pair of bindings mounted thereto, the bindings incorporating any of the features, combinations or sub-combinations of features of the binding systems described herein.
Another aspect of the invention provides s kit comprising a recreational board (e.g. a snowboard) and a pair of bindings mountable to the board, the bindings incorporating any of the features, combinations or sub-combinations of features of the binding systems described herein.
Another aspect of the invention provides methods for riding a recreational board, the methods providing at least one binding incorporating any of the features, combinations or sub-combinations of features of the binding systems described herein and exerting force against a part of the binding (e.g. the foot-retainer) to cause a portion of the binding and the rider's foot to move relative to the board.
Other aspects provide methods of operating, manufacturing and/or assembling binding systems for recreational boards wherein at least a portion of the binding system is movable with the rider's foot and with respect to the board.
Further features and applications of specific embodiments of the invention are described below.
In drawings which depict non-limiting embodiments of the invention:
Throughout the following description, specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, the invention may be practiced without these particulars. In other instances, well known elements have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense.
Aspects of this invention provide binding systems for recreational boards. The binding system is mounted atop a rider-support surface of the board. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the binding system is moveable (e.g. pivotal, tiltable, etc.) with the rider's foot and with respect to the board. This relative motion may allow the rider to move their foot relative to the base and/or the board in a manner which directs relatively more of the forces associated with rider's weight and/or other forces exerted by the rider onto one of the heel and/or the toe edge. For example, such forces may be transferred by moving their foot (e.g. pivoting their foot about a pivot axis) relatively close to the heel edge or relatively close to the toe edge. Such relative movement of the rider's foot may in turn allow the rider to have greater control over the application of such forces to the heel and/or toe edges of the board. In particular embodiments, the binding system comprises: a base rigidly mounted atop rider-support surface of the board and having a foot-receiving surface for receiving the rider's foot thereatop; and a foot-retainer for retaining the rider's foot in generally fixed relation thereto. When the rider's foot is received atop the foot-receiving surface of the base and is retained by the foot-retainer, the rider's foot (or footwear) is retained with the rider's toes on one transverse side of a longitudinal axis of the board and the rider's heel is retained on an opposing transverse side of the longitudinal axis. The foot retainer is mounted or mountable to the base via one or more movement joints (e.g. pivot couplings) for motion of the foot-retainer relative to the base and/or the board such that the rider's foot can move (e.g. pivot) relatively close to the heel edge of the board or relatively close to the toe edge of the board.
In some embodiments, the movement joints between the foot retainer and the base are located above the foot-receiving surface of the base. In the case of pivot joints, for example, the pivot axis about which the pivot joints are configured to pivot may be located above the foot-receiving surface of the base. In some embodiments, a base is not necessary and the rider's foot is received directly atop the rider-support surface of the board (i.e. the rider-support surface of the board also provides the foot-receiving surface). In such embodiments, movement joints may be provided between the foot retainer and a pair of standoff flanges. In such embodiments, the movement joints (e.g. the pivot axes of pivot joints) may be located above the rider-support surface of the board.
In some embodiments, each binding comprises a front movement joint (e.g. a front pivot joint) that is located forwardly of the rider's foot (e.g. forwardly of the rider's forward ankle) when the rider's foot is retained in the binding and a rear movement joint (e.g. a rear pivot joint) that is located rearwardly of the rider's foot (e.g. rearwardly of the rider's rearward ankle) when the rider's foot is retained in the binding. The binding system may optionally comprise one or more deformable pads which may be located at points of contact between the foot-retainer and the board and/or at points of contact between the foot and the board. Such pads may be elastically deformable with corresponding movement of the foot-retainer. In some embodiments, the movement joints between the foot-retainer and the base may comprise deformable bushings, bias mechanisms or the like to dampen or otherwise cushion the relative motion between the foot-retainer and the base. Such bushings may be elastically deformable.
Some embodiments of the invention provide a binding system which comprises a pair of rails locatable on opposing sides of a generally flattened foot-receiving surface for receiving a rider's foot. Each rail comprising a central portion mountable to the recreational board, a toe-side leg which extends from the central portion toward a toe-side of the recreational board and a heel-side leg which extends from the central portion toward a heel-side of the recreational board. The heel-side and the toe-side are located on transversely opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of the board. Each rail comprises at least one deformation-enhancing feature for enhancing an ability of the rail to deform elastically relative to the board.
Some embodiments of the invention provide a binding system for retaining a rider's foot atop a recreational board, where the binding system comprises: a base mountable to the recreational board, the base comprising a front stand-off flange located forwardly of a generally flattened foot-receiving surface for receiving a rider's foot and a rear stand-off flange located rearwardly of the foot-receiving surface; and a foot retainer for retaining the rider's foot in generally fixed relation thereto, the foot-retainer comprising a front rail located forwardly of the foot-receiving surface and connected to the front stand-off flange at one or more front connections and a rear rail located rearwardly of the foot-receiving surface and connected to the rear stand-off flange at one or more rear connections. Either: (a) the front rail is relatively more deformable than the front stand-off flange and the rear rail is relatively more deformable than the rear stand-off flange for motion of the rider's foot relative to the recreational board by deformation of one or both of the front and rear rails; or (b) the front standoff flange is relatively more deformable than the front rail and the rear stand-off flange is relatively more deformable than the rear rail for motion of the rider's foot relative to the recreational board by deformation of one or both of the front and rear stand-off flanges.
Binding system 12 of the illustrated embodiment comprises: a base 14, which may be rigidly mounted to board 10 atop rider-support surface 15 of board 10 and which comprises a foot-receiving surface 14A for receiving the rider's foot thereatop; and a foot-retainer 18 for retaining the rider's foot in generally fixed relation thereto such that the rider's foot (or footwear) is retained atop foot-receiving surface 14A with the rider's toes retained on one transverse side of a longitudinal axis 21 of board 10 and the rider's heel retained on the opposing transverse side of longitudinal axis 21. The transverse edge of board 10 closest to the rider's heel may be referred to as heel edge 24A of board 10 and the transverse edge of board 10 closest to the riders toes may be referred to as toe edge 24A of board 10. As mentioned above, board 10 is generally designed to be ridden in directions aligned with its longitudinal axis 21. In the
Foot-retainer 18 is moveably mounted to base 14 at movement joints 20A, 20B (collectively, movement joints 20) for motion of foot-retainer 18 relative to base 14 and/or board 10. In the
In the illustrated embodiment, where movement joints 20 comprise pivot couplings, the riders foot may pivot with foot-retainer 18 about pivot axis 22. The motion of foot-retainer 18 and the corresponding motion of the rider's foot with respect to board 10 and/or base 14 may move their foot relative to the base and/or the board in a manner which directs relatively more of the forces associated with rider's weight and/or other forces exerted by the rider onto one of heel edge 24A and/or toe edge 24B of board 10. For example, such forces may be transferred by moving their foot (e.g. pivoting their foot about pivot axis 22) relatively close to heel edge 24A or relatively close to toe edge 24B. Such relative movement of the rider's foot may in turn allow the rider greater control over the transfer of weight to heel edge 24A and/or to toe edge 24B (collectively, edges 24) of board 10. By way of non-limiting example, in comparison to rigidly mounted (i.e. non-moveable) bindings, the motion of foot-retainer 18 may provide a rider with increased control by allowing the rider to increase the amount of force/weight transferred to edge(s) 24, to decrease the amount of effort required to transfer a given amount of force/weight to edge(s) 24 or the like. This greater control in turn provides greater rider comfort ad/or less fatigue.
This description and the accompanying claims use a number of directional conventions to clarify their meaning:
In the illustrated embodiment, base plate 24 comprises a generally circular cut-out 28 with upwardly and radially extending ridges 30 around a perimeter thereof. Cut-out 28 permits base 14 to be rigidly mounted atop rider-support surface 15 of board 10 using a mounting disc 32 (
Mounting disc 32 may comprise a plurality of downwardly and radially extending ridges 36 around a perimeter thereof. Such ridges 36 may interact with corresponding radially and upwardly extending ridges 30 around the perimeter of cut-out 28 to permit pivotal adjustment of base 14 about a vertical axis relative to board 10 when the fastener components are loose or removed. When the fastener components are tightened, interaction of ridges 30, 36 may prevent (or at least mitigate against) movement of base 14 relative to board 10 under the occasionally high torques associated with riding a recreational board. The longitudinal location of base 14 atop rider-support surface 15 of board 10 may be adjusted by decoupling the fastener components that project through apertures 34 from the fastener components in board 10, moving base 14 and mounting disc 32 to a new longitudinal location atop board 10 and re-coupling the fastener components that project through apertures 34 into a new set of fastener components in board 10. Board 10 may be provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart sets of fastener components to facilitate such longitudinal adjustment.
The above-described system using cut-out 28 and mounting disc 32 represents one non-limiting embodiment for rigidly mounting base 14 atop rider-support surface 15 of board 10 and permitting adjustment of the position and/or orientation of base 14 relative to board 10. In other embodiments, other systems and/or modified versions of the above-described system may be used to rigidly mount base 14 atop rider-support surface 15 of board 10 and/or to permit adjustment of the position and/or orientation of base 14 relative to board 10. For example, base 14 (including base plate 24 and/or stand-off flanges 26) may be mounted to board 10 using a channel provided in board 10 and corresponding fasteners similar to those marketed by Burton Snowboards (The Burton Corporation) under the product line EST™.
Returning to
In the illustrated embodiment of
In the illustrated embodiment of
Binding 12′ of
Returning to binding 12 of
In the illustrated embodiment, heel retainer 40 comprises a high back portion 41 and a heel cup 45. High back portion 41 and heel cup 45 may be similar in many respects to the high backs and heel cups used in prior art snowboard bindings. High back portion 41 and heel cup 45 may have concave surfaces that open toward toe edge 24B to accommodate the convex surfaces of the heel portion of a rider's foot/footwear.
High back portion 41 may extend upwardly towards the rider's calf, such that the rider may apply force against high back portion 41 and heel edge 24A using their calf. High back portion 41 may be rigidly mounted to heel cup 45 or may be pivotally mounted to heel cup 45 (e.g. at pivot joints 58, only one of which is shown in the illustrated views). Embodiments where high back 41 is pivotally mounted to heel cup 45, may comprise a mechanism (e.g. a pivot stop mechanism) for limiting the pivotal movement of high back portion 41 away from toe edge 24B and rider-support surface 15 and thereby limiting the angular orientation of high back portion 41 relative to rails 42. For example, such a pivot stop mechanism may comprise a protrusion from high back 41 toward heel edge 24A which limits the pivotal movement of high back portion 41 to the configuration shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, heel cup 45 comprises a cross-portion 33 which crosses binding 12 and heel cup 45 comprises spaced-apart legs 45A, 45B (collectively, legs 45) which extend downwardly to respective rails 42A, 42B, thereby providing aperture 43 on the heel side of binding 12. In the illustrated embodiment, heel cup 45 is integrally formed with rails 42 or is rigidly joined to rails 42 at spaced apart legs 45A, 45B. This is not necessary. In some embodiments, heel cup 45 may be pivotally mounted to rails 42 (e.g. at legs 45) for limited pivotal movement of heel cup 45 with respect to rails 42.
Strapping system 47 (
In the illustrated embodiment, strapping system 47 comprises a pair of straps 48A, 48B (collectively, straps 48) which may be similar in many respects to the straps used in prior art snowboard bindings. Straps 48 of the illustrated embodiment are adjustable to an open configuration (not shown) wherein the rider may insert their foot into, or remove their foot from, binding 12 and adjustable to a variety of rider-adjustable closed configurations wherein the rider's foot is retained between rails 42. In the illustrated embodiment, straps 48 may also retain the rider's foot against heel retainer 40 when straps 48 are in their closed configurations. Straps 48 of the illustrated embodiment respectively comprise: first strap portions 50A, 50B (collectively, first strap portions 50); second strap portions 54A, 54B (collectively, second strap portions 54); and lock/adjustment mechanism 52A, 52B (collectively, lock mechanism 52).
Lock/adjustment mechanisms 52 may be mounted on second strap portions 54 and may interact with first strap portions 50 to connect first strap portions 50 to second strap portions 54. In the illustrated embodiment, first strap portions 50 may comprise ridges 56A, 56B (collectively, ridges 56) which extend transversely thereacross and which may be engaged by a corresponding pawl (not shown) in lock/adjustment mechanism 52. Strap portions 50 having such ridges 56 may be referred to as ladder straps 50. In some embodiments, lock/adjustment mechanisms 52 may comprise a ratcheting mechanism (not shown) for tightening ladder straps 50 and a release mechanism (not shown) for releasing ladder strap 50. In other embodiments, other techniques may be used to facilitate the interaction between lock mechanisms 52 and first strap portions 50. Non-limiting examples of such other techniques comprises pivoting buckles or the like.
In the illustrated embodiment, second strap portions 54 comprise pads 55A, 55B (collectively, pads 55) which may distribute some of the pressure that may be applied to the top of the rider's foot. Pads 55 are not necessary.
Strapping system 47 may be mounted to one or more of the other parts of foot-retainer 18 (e.g. to heel retainer 40 and/or to rails 42), such that strapping system 47 moves with foot-retainer 18 when it moves (at movement joints 20) relative to base 14 and/or board 10, as explained in more detail below. In the illustrated embodiment, strap 48A is pivotally mounted to rails 42 at pivot joints 58 and strap 48B is pivotally mounted to rails 42 at pivot joints 60. It should be noted that only one pivot joint 58 and one pivot joint 60 (which mount first strap portions 50 to rail 42A) are shown in the illustrated views, but that there are similar pivot joints (not shown) which mount second strap portions 54 to rail 42B. In other embodiments, one or more parts of strapping system 47 may be mounted to heel retainer 40. Pivot joints 58, 60 allow straps 48 to be pivotally adjustable relative to rails 42 (i.e. for rider comfort or the like), but straps 48 move with foot-retainer 18 when it moves (at movement joints 20) relative to base 14 and/or board 10, as explained in more detail below.
Strapping system 47 shown in
Foot-retainer 18 also comprises rails 42. In the illustrated embodiment, when the rider's foot is retained atop foot-receiving surface 14A, a rearward one 42A of rails 42 is located rearwardly of the rider's foot and a forward one 42B of rails 42 is located forwardly of the rider's foot. Rails 42 of the embodiment shown in
While the shape of rails 42 shown in the illustrated embodiment (i.e. downwardly extending legs 62, 64 and concave lower edges 69) may assist with, and/or permit a greater range of pivotal motion, of rails 42 at movement joints 20, this shape is not necessary and the profile of the lower edges of rails 42 may be provided with other shapes (e.g. a relatively flat or the like).
Rails 42 of the embodiment shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, rails 42 comprise apertures 44A, 44B (collectively, apertures 44). Apertures 44 may form portions of, or otherwise accommodate or support, pivot couplings 20 between rails 42 and base 14 at locations spaced upwardly apart from rider-support surface 15. In particular embodiments, portions of the bore surfaces of apertures 44 may provide portions of the bearing surfaces for suitably configured pivot pins of pivot couplings 20. In other embodiments, apertures 44 may be replaced by (or used to accommodate or support) one or more components of other types of pivot couplings 20. In such embodiments, the cross-sectional shapes of apertures 44 may be non-circular.
In the illustrated embodiment of
The transversely elongated shape of apertures 44 is not required. In some embodiments, apertures 38 of stand-off flanges 26 may be provided with a transversely elongated shape, in which case, apertures 44 may be provided with non-elongated shapes. In some embodiments, the transversely elongated shape of apertures 44 (or apertures 38) may be replaced with a plurality of transversely spaced apart apertures which may be used to adjust the transverse position of rails 42 relative to base 14 and pivot couplings 20. In some embodiments, transverse adjustment of rails 42 relative to base 14, board 10 and pivot couplings 20 is not required, in which case apertures 44 may be non-elongated in shape.
In the illustrated embodiment of
Movement joints 20 of the embodiment shown in
Hinge pins 78 may have a substantially circular cross-section. In this embodiment, one or both rails 42 and base 14 may pivot relative to hinge pins 78. For example, apertures 38 may be provided with a substantially circular cross-section, such that the edge(s) of apertures 38 bear on, and slide relative to, hinge pins 78 to allow relative pivotal motion between hinge pins 78 and stand-off flanges 26. Similarly, hinge pins 78 may bear on, and slide relative to, the edges of apertures 44 to allow relative pivotal motion between hinge pins 78 and rails 42. In some embodiments, the semi-circular cross-sectional shape provided by projections 68, 70 may allow the edges of projections 68, 70 to bear on, and slide relative to, hinge pins 78.
Pivot couplings 20 of the illustrated embodiment represent one particular non-limiting type of pivot coupling 20. In other embodiments, pivot couplings 20 may comprise any suitable pivot joints which facilitate pivotal movement of rails 42 relative to board 10 and/or base 14 (e.g. stand-off flanges 26) about pivot axis 22.
In some embodiments, pivot couplings 20 may comprise internal pivot joints (e.g. internal bearing surfaces, internal ball-bearing races or the like) which permit pivot-coupling components 80, 82 (or other pivot-coupling components) to pivot relative to another to facilitate the pivotal movement of rails 42 relative to base 14 and/or board 10. In such embodiments, the internal pivot mechanisms of pivot couplings 20 permit rails 42 to be fixed (in non-pivoting relationships) to pivot-coupling components 82 and base 14 to be fixed (in non-pivoting relationships) to pivot coupling components 80. In such embodiments, the cross-sectional shapes of apertures 38 (of base 14) and 44 (of rails 42) may be non-circular in shape to maintain these fixed (non-pivoting relationships). In some embodiments, such non-circular cross-sections may be provided by suitably shaped projections similar to projections 68, 70 (
Additionally or alternatively, in such embodiments, central portions 66 of rails 42 may be provided with ridges around a perimeter of transversely elongated apertures 44 which may engage corresponding ridges on flanges 74 of pivot-coupling components 82. Stand-off flanges 26 of bases 14 may be provided with similar ridges around apertures 38 for engaging similar ridges on the flanges of pivot-coupling components 80. Such ridges may interact with one another in a manner similar to ridges 36 of mounting disc 32 and ridges 30 of base plate 24. In addition to helping to maintain a non-pivoting relationship between rails 42 and pivot couplings 20 and between base 14 and pivot couplings 20, the interaction of these ridges may help to retain pivot couplings 20 in a particular transverse location within transversely elongated apertures 44. In some embodiments, these ridges may assist projections 68, 70 to retain pivot couplings 20. In other embodiments, these ridges may be used in the place of projections 68, 70 to retain pivot couplings 20 in desired transverse locations.
The operation of binding 12 is illustrated in
In
In
Pads 19 may be adhesively bonded or otherwise fastened (by suitable fasteners or suitable fastening mechanisms) atop rider-support surface 15 of board 10. Pads 19 may additionally or alternatively be adhesively bonded or otherwise fastened (by suitable fasteners or suitable fastening mechanisms) to the bottoms of legs 62, 64 of rails 42. Depending on the materials from which pads 19 are fabricated, pads 19 may become fatigued with extensive use or over time. Such fatigue may reduce the forces associated with deforming (i.e. compressing) pads 19 and may reduce the restorative forces that tend to cause pads 19 to restore themselves to their original size and shape. In such embodiments, it may be desirable to replace pads 19 from time to time. In such embodiments, it may be desirable to mount pads 19 atop rider-support surface of board 10 or to legs 62, 64 using a removable adhesive and/or a removable fastening system. In some embodiments, binding 12 may be provided with a variety of rider-selectable pads 19 having various thickness or various deformation characteristics (e.g. densities), such that a rider may select between pads 19 having suitable characteristics for their particular riding style. For example, in some embodiments, binding 12 may be provided with a plurality of interchangeable pads 19 having a plurality of discrete thicknesses in a range between 2 mm-15 mm. In some embodiments, this range may be between 3 mm-10 mm.
In some embodiments, the restorative forces associated with the deformation of pads 19 may be such that contact is either maintained between pads 19 and legs 62, 64 of rails 42 and/or between pads 19 and board 10 or there is minimal space between pads 19 and legs 62, 64 of rails 42 and/or between pads 19 and board 10 for most of the torques associated with conventional riding. Maintaining contact between legs 62, 64 and pads 19 is not necessary. In some embodiments, it may be possible to pivot foot-retainer 18 sufficiently far in direction 90 (
Pads 19 may be fabricated from any suitable resilient material which may be deformed (e.g. compressed) under the forces associated with the operational movement of binding 12 as described above. Pads 19 may be fabricated from a material which tends to elastically restore itself (e.g. to expand) to its original shape and size when such forces are removed or reduced. Suitable materials for pads 19 includes various types of elastomeric materials, foam, rubber, suitable plastics, suitable polymeric materials and/or the like. It will be appreciated that resiliently (e.g. elastically) deformable pads 19 may act as springs in allowing compression and providing restorative forces which tend to restore pads 19 to their uncompressed states.
In some embodiments pads 19 may comprise springs such as compression springs 19′ as shown in
The illustrated embodiment of
Binding 112 differs primarily from bindings 12 described above in that movement joints 120 of binding 112 are not limited to pivot couplings, but permit more generalized movement of foot-retainer 118 and the rider's foot relative to base 114 and/or board 10. Movement joints 120 comprise deformable (e.g. compressible) bushings 171A, 171B (collectively, bushings 171) which may be deformed to facilitate movement between foot-retainer 118 and base 114. Bushings 171 may be elastically deformable such that they tend to restore their original shape after being compressed by external forces.
In operation, when a user exerts force on foot-retainer 118, portions of bushings 171 of movement joints 120 may be compressed to facilitate the movement of foot-retainer 118 relative to base 114 and/or board 10. In addition to displacement via compression of bushings 171, movement joints 120 may also permit pivotal movement—for example, foot-retainer 118 may pivot about the outer surface of bushings 171, foot-retainer 118 and bushings 171 may pivot about shaft 177; and/or fastener components 173, 175 may be provided with internal pivot mechanisms. Such movement of foot-retainer 118 relative to base 114 and/or board 10 may also comprise compression of one or more of pads 119. The motion of foot-retainer 118 and the corresponding motion of the rider's foot with respect to base 114 and/or board 10 may allow the rider to move their foot relative to base 114 and/or board 10 in a manner which directs relatively more of the forces associated with rider's weight and/or other forces exerted by the rider onto one of the heel edge 24A and/or the toe edge 24B (e.g. by moving their foot relatively close to the heel edge 24A and/or toe edge 24B). Such relative movement of the rider's foot may in turn allow the rider greater control over the transfer of weight to heel edge 24A and/or to toe edge 24B of board 10.
Binding 112 also differs from binding 12 of
In other embodiments, the movement joints between foot-retainers and bases may be provided by a variety of other configurations which involve the deformation (e.g. compression) of elastomeric bushings.
In operation, when a user exerts force on foot-retainer 218, portions of bushings 274, 276 of movement joints 220 may be compressed to facilitate the movement of foot-retainer 218 relative to base 214 and/or board 10. Such movement of foot-retainer 218 relative to base 214 and/or board 10 may also comprise compression of one or more of pads similar to pads 19 described above. The relative amount of force required to compress bushings 274, 276 may be controlled be the tightness of fastener component 278 on king pin shaft 272. For example, when fastener component 278 is relatively tight on king pin shaft 272, it may pre-compress bushings 274, 276, making it relatively hard for a rider to further compress bushings 274, 276 to move foot-retainer 218 relative to base 214 and/or board 10. In contrast, when fastener component 278 is relatively loose on king pin shaft 272, it is relatively easy to compress bushings 274, 276 and to thereby move foot-retainer 218 relative to base 214 and/or board 10.
In the illustrated embodiment of movement joint 220, king pin shaft 272 is integrally formed with or rigidly connected to rail 242 and extends through stand-off flange 226. In other embodiments, the king pin shaft could be integrally formed with or rigidly connected to stand-off flange 226 and could extend through rail 242.
Operation of movement joints 320 may be similar to operation of movement joints 220. When a user exerts force on foot-retainer 318, portions of bushings 374, 376 may be compressed to facilitate the movement of foot-retainer 318 relative to base 314 and/or board 10. Such movement of foot-retainer 318 relative to base 314 and/or board 10 may also comprise compression of one or more of pads similar to pads 19 described above Like movement joints 220 described above, the relative amount of force required to compress bushings 374, 376 may be controlled be the tightness of fastener component 378 on king pin shaft 372.
In the illustrated embodiment of movement joint 320, king pin shaft 372 is integrally formed with or rigidly connected to stand-off flange 326 and extends upwardly through rail 342. In other embodiments, the king pin shaft could be integrally formed with or rigidly connected to rail 342 and could extend through stand-off flange 326.
Rails 542 of binding 512 are spaced apart from one another along longitudinal axis 21 of board 10, so that they can receive a rider's foot (or footwear) therebetween with the rider's toes on one side of longitudinal axis 21 and the rider's heel on the other side of longitudinal axis 21. In the illustrated embodiment, rails 542 comprise heel-side legs 562A, 562B (together, heel-side legs 562), toe-side legs 564A, 564B (together, toe-side legs 564) and central rail portions 566A, 566B (together, central rail portions 566) located between heel-side legs 562 and toe-side legs 564. Binding system 512 of the illustrated embodiment also comprises optional pads 19H between heel-side legs 562 and rider-support surface 15 of board 10 and optional pads 19T between toe-side legs 564 and rider-support surface 15 of board 10.
Binding system 512 differs from binding system 12 primarily in that, rather than providing movement joints, rails 542 of binding system 542 are designed to deform elastically to permit movement of the rider's foot relative to board 10. More particularly, each of rails 542 comprises one or more deformation-enhancing features 520 which enhance the ability of rails 542 to deform elastically relative to the board. In some embodiments, each deformation-enhancing feature 520 may enhance the ability of a corresponding rail 542 to deform in a vicinity of the deformation-enhancing feature 520 which may be referred to herein as a deformation-enhancement region. In the illustrated embodiment, each rail 542 comprises a pair of deformation-enhancing features 520 which include a heel-side deformation-enhancing feature 520H (generally located between heel-side leg 562 and central rail portion 566) and a toe-side deformation-enhancing feature 520T (generally located between toe-side leg 564 and central rail portion 566). In other embodiments, each rail 542 may comprise a different number of deformation-enhancing features 520 which may be located at different positions on rail 542.
In the illustrated embodiment, deformation-enhancing features 520 comprise cut-away slots 522H (heel-side), 522T (toe-side) which have open ends 523H (heel-side), 523T (toe-side) at one or more edges of a corresponding rail 542 and which extend inwardly into the corresponding rail 542 to provide closed ends 521H (heel-side), 521T (toe-side) at locations spaced apart from the edges of the corresponding rail 542. In some embodiments, open ends 523 of slots 522 may be wider than closed ends 521, although this is not necessary.
In operation, when a user exerts a heel-side force on foot-retainer 518, heel-side slots 522H may be compressed to facilitate relative movement of heel-side legs 562 toward rider support surface 15 of board 10. Such movement of heel-side legs 562 and corresponding compression of heel-side slots 522H may also reduce the sizes (e.g. widths) of openings 523H of slots 522H and may involve compressing heel-side pads 19H. At the same time, toe-side slots 522T may be expanded such to facilitate relative movement of toe-side legs 564 away from rider support surface 15 of board 10. Such movement of toe-side legs 564 and corresponding expansion of toe-side slots 522T may also increase the sizes (e.g. widths) of openings 523T of slots 522T and may involve expansion of toe-side pads 19T. Conversely when a user exerts a toe-side force on foot-retainer 518, toe-side slots 522T may be compressed to facilitate relative movement of toe-side legs 564 toward rider support surface 15 of board 10. Such movement of toe-side legs 564 and corresponding compression of toe-side slots 522T may also reduce the sizes (e.g. widths) of openings 523T of slots 522T and may involve compressing toe-side pads 19T. At the same time, heel-side slots 522H may be expanded to facilitate relative movement of heel-side legs 562 away from rider support surface 15 of board 10. Such movement of heel-side legs 562 and corresponding expansion of heel-side slots 522H may also increase the sizes (e.g. widths) of openings 523H of slots 522H and may involve expansion of heel-side pads 19H. It will be appreciated that compression of heel-side slots 522H need not be associated with a commensurate level of expansion (or any expansion) of toe-side slots 522T and vice versa. This is particularly, the case where heel-side legs 562, toe-side legs 564 and/or central rail portions 566 have different levels of deformability, as discussed below.
In some embodiments, deformation-enhancing features 520 may be provided by other features (e.g. in addition to or in the alternative to slots 522). In one non-limiting example, deformation-enhancing features 520 may comprise regions of rails 542 having different levels of deformability. For example, deformation-enhancing features 520 may comprise deformation-enhancing members which are relatively deformable in comparison to the rest of rails 542 (e.g. heel-side legs 562, toe-side legs 564 and central rail portions 566). As another example, heel-side legs 562 and toe-side legs 564 may be relatively more deformable than central rail portions 566 or vice versa. Different levels of deformability may be provided by different materials, different rail thicknesses and/or different rigidity-enhancing rail features, such as ribs 568. In the illustrated embodiment, rails 542 comprise optional ribs 568. It can be seen from
Foot-retainer 518, and in particular legs 562, 564 may be formed of a relatively soft or deformable plastic material to provide deformation-enhancing features 520. Such plastics may include high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, nylon, etc. In some embodiments, other materials such as rubber and composite materials may be used. While the illustrated embodiment of foot-retainer 518 is integrally formed, in other embodiments at least central portion 566 and legs 562, 564 may be separately formed and coupled together to form foot-retainer 518. In particular embodiments, central portion 566 may be formed of a rigid material while legs 562, 564 may be formed of a relatively soft or deformable material. Available materials for forming foot-retainers are known in the art. In some embodiments, slots 522 may optionally be filled with a deformable material, such as a resiliently deformable material or a flexible material. This may make binding 512 easier to maintain by reducing the areas in which debris such as dirt or snow may be collected during use.
In the illustrated embodiment of
In the
Binding system 512′ differs from binding system 512 in that binding system 512′ does not include a base. Instead, rider support surface 15 of board 10 provides the foot-receiving surface for binding system 512′ and central rail portions 566 are provided with mounting flanges 529A, 529B (collectively, mounting flanges 529) which are analogous to mounting flanges 29′ described above (
In the
Binding system 612 of the illustrated
Binding system 612 also differs from binding system 12 in that rails 642 may be relatively rigid in comparison to stand-off flanges 626. As discussed above in relation to rails 542 of binding system 512, different levels of deformability may be provided by different materials, different component thicknesses and/or different rigidity-enhancing features, such as rib densities. In one particular embodiment, rails 642 are formed from relatively rigid material (e.g. hard plastic or metal) and stand-off flanges 626 are formed from a relatively deformable plastic or rubberized material.
When a user exerts a heel-side force on foot-retainer 618, heel-side leg 662 may move toward rider support surface 15, compressing heel-side pad 19H. This heel-side force may also cause center rail portion 666 to compress flange 626 by way of connections 617 (and/or to compress connections 617 when connections 617 comprise movement joints). Because flange 626 is relatively softer or more elastically deformable than foot-retainer 618 (including rails 642), flange 626 may deform, allowing further range of motion of heel-side leg 662. Conversely, when a user exerts a toe-side force on foot-retainer 618, toe-side leg 662 may move toward rider support surface 15, compressing toe-side pad 19T. This toe-side force may also cause center rail portion 666 to compress flange 626 by way of connections 617 (and/or to compress connections 617 when connections 617 comprise movement joints). Flange 626 may deform, allowing further range of motion of toe-side leg 664. Preferably, flange 626 is formed of an elastically deformable material.
In some embodiments, stand-off flanges 626 may be provided in a base-less format using mounting flanges, apertures and suitable fasteners analogous to those described above in FIGS. 7A and 7B—i.e. where rider support surface 15 of board 10 provides the foot-receiving surface. In some embodiments, rails 642 may be configured to be relatively more deformable than standoffs 626. Such relative deformability of rails 642 relative to standoffs 626 may be provided in a manner similar to that discussed above—e.g. by different materials, different component thicknesses and/or different rigidity-enhancing features, such as rib densities.
Binding system 712 differs primarily from binding system 612 in that in addition to or in the alternative to providing standoffs 726 that are relatively more deformable than rails 742, standoffs 726 of binding system 712 comprise deformation-enhancing features 720 (e.g. slots 722) similar to deformation-enhancing features 520 described above (
While binding system 512 of
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. For example:
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/318,103 having a 35 USC §371 date of 28 Oct. 2011, which is a national phase entry application under 35 USC §371 of Patent Cooperation Treaty Application No. PCT/CA2010/000648 filed 30 Apr. 2010 which in turn claims priority from, and the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 of, U.S. Patent Application No. 61/174,361 filed 30 Apr. 2009. All of the aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
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| Child | 13622920 | US |
