Embodiments are generally related to snowboards. Embodiments are particularly related to a hinged and rotatable binding system for snowboards.
Snowboarding is a fastest growing sport since 1997 and has become a winter sport in the United States and other countries. It is usually done on commercially operated slopes which are designed to accommodate many skiers and snowboarders. Snowboarding is similar to skiing, but inspired by surfing and skateboarding. Market research statistics during the period 1990-2004 has shown that the overall snowboarding population increased by 294 percent during this period (i.e., an average increase of 20 percent per year). Another statistics for this period (2004-2005) shows that 6.6 million tickets were sold to snowboarders. These statistics reveal vast growth and popularity of the snowboarding sport on the younger generations.
Snowboarding is a sport that involves descending a snow-covered slope on a single board, a “snowboard”, attached to a user's feet using special boots held within a snowboard-mounted binding. A snowboarder uses a boot designed especially for the requirements of snowboarding. As with skiing, snowboarding requires that boots be secured to a snowboard by boot bindings.
Snowboarding generally involves the use of chair lifts to carry snowboarders from a base to a summit. At each lift there will be a line of skiers and snowboarders waiting to board the chairlift. Snowboarders experience a burden while shuffling over to the chairlift on foot because one foot (the lead foot) remains tied to the snowboard, while the other foot (rear trailing foot) is used to push the user via the snowboard over to the chairlift (similar to how a skateboarder moves himself on a skateboard). Moving by foot on a snowboard can be very tiring, painful and unattractive given the users' odd attachment by a single foot to their snowboards.
The snowboarding differs significantly from skiing. In snowboarding, rather than having separate skis for each foot and poles for each hand, both feet of a snowboarder are held, one in front of the other (or side by side with shoulder width separation), on a single, relatively wide board using a binding system including two boot bindings fixed to the top surface of the snowboard. The primary purpose of the binding system for snowboards is to hold both of the user's boots onto the snowboard during use on ski slopes. Besides that, the binding system must provide adaptability to various shoe sizes and adjustability of the angle of the boots to the longitudinal axis of the snowboard.
The general construction of a snowboard involves three basic components. They are namely the core, base, top surface and edge. A core is typically interior construction of the snowboard. The base is typically the bottom of a board that makes contact with the snow. The edge can be a strip of metal, tuned normally to just less than 90° that runs the length of either side of the board. The top surface is where the binding system is mounted and is the area that directly supports a snowboarder.
The snowboard can be a thin, hourglass shaped board that can be ridden down a ski run. Snowboards generally have a length between 140-165 cm and a width from about 24 up to 27 cm or more. The size variants are meant to accommodate many varieties of people, skill levels, snow types and riding styles. The snowboards are usually constructed with a laminated wood core sandwiched between multiple layers of fiberglass. The bottom or ‘base’ of the snowboard can be generally made of various materials including plastic or coated wood, and can be surrounded by a thin strip of steel as the ‘edge’. The top surface layer can include printed graphics and can be coated with an acrylic. Bindings are separate components from the snowboard top surface (e.g., or “deck”) though they are a very important part of the total snowboard interface. The main function of the binding is to hold the riders boot in place tightly so the rider can transfer their energy to the board.
A chairlift is a type of aerial lift, which comprises of a continuously circulating steel cable loop strung between two end terminals and usually over intermediate towers, carrying a series of chairs. Chair-lift is an on hill transport generally used to travel across various posts.
Passengers moving towards for boarding or traveling on a chair lift need to take necessary precautions to avoid injuries. When the passengers are in a stance position and shuffling towards a chair lift for a ride, they need to adjust the bindings accordingly to alleviate pain in ankles and knees. Snowboards can generally provide up to 45° rotation between the toe areas of each of the bindings that are mounted on a snowboard. The binding positions generally remain fixed once set. The binding position associated in such snowboards can be painful and uncomfortable while a snowboarder is moving along in lift lines and while riding on a chair lift. The stance of the user may look awkward and unnatural. Ideally, binding adjustment should be enabled when the snowboarder is in stance position shuffling over to a chair lift or while riding on a chairlift in order to alleviate pain in the snowboarder's knee and the ankle of the leg that a snowboard can remain tethered to while the snowboarder is dealing with chairlift usage.
The present inventor has created a snowboard binding that can be rotated and that is hinged in order to alleviate pain experienced in a user's leg as it remains tethered to the snowboard during chairlift approach or while standing in chairlift lines, and from dangling snowboards from a user's leg while the user is riding a chairlift. The majority of prior art binding systems do not focus on managing the impact of chairlift wind and the snowboard load on user's foot. The lack of a hands free locking and release system limits the capability of prior art snowboards. There is currently no rotatable binding system for the snowboards which can ease the load on user's foot while shuffling along in chairlift lines as well as when riding on a chairlift. Consequently the snowboard load causes stress on knee and ankle and causes an awkward stance by snowboarders while they move along through lift lines. Similarly the binding position while in lift lines and on the chair lift associated with such systems is painful and its pulling force while tethered by a binding to the user is unnatural for lead ankle. The cascading effect typically results in a binding position which is painful and cumbersome for users while in lift lines and on the chair lift.
Furthermore, if two users are sitting next to each other on a chairlift, and they use opposite boots as their front boot, the twisting of their legs due to their respective bindings can cause their snowboards to collide with each other. This is not only painful, but may also be potentially dangerous. Similarly getting off a chair lift can also be troublesome because the angle at which the user's front boot is bound to the snowboard can make it difficult for the user to position the snowboard in line with forward movement of the chair lift to the point of dismount from the chairlift by the snowboarder. If the snowboard is not positioned in a forward direction with movement of the chair lift as the snowboard touches the ground, the user can veer off to one side and run into the person next to the disembarking snowboarder who had been sharing the chair lift. Hence, an improved snowboard binding system is needed in order to provide greater safety and comfort for snowboarders while in lift lines and on the chair lift.
Based on the foregoing it is believed that a need therefore exists for an improved snowboard binding system that eliminates rotation at the knee and flexion at the ankle which is incorporated with a hands free locking system. It is also believed a need exists for the snowboard binding system to reduce discomfort and injury when loading and unloading from chairlift.
The following summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the embodiments disclosed and is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the embodiments can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole.
It is, therefore, one aspect of the present invention to provide for improved snowboarding binding system.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide for improved rotating binding system.
It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide for improved hands-free locking system.
It is, therefore, one aspect of the present invention to provide for an improved snowboard binding system that eliminates rotation at the knee or flexion at ankle.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide for an improved snowboard binding system that will rotate the front binding to a parallel position for ease of mobility.
It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide for an improved snowboard binding system that is incorporated with a hands free locking system.
The aforementioned aspects and other objectives and advantages can now be achieved as described herein. A hinged rotatable binding system for snowboards that eliminates leg pain while on the chair lift and in movement through lift lines is disclosed. The binding system includes a base plate which is fixed to the snowboard and a top rotating plate which is mountable to a boot binding harness. A hinge plate connects the base plate to a mid static disk. The binding system includes a latch lever which acts as a hands-free locking system that is mounted through an outer ridge of the base plate and connected to a retractable plunger. The binding system is provided with an internal hinge and a number of friction plates therefore, fewer parts are needed. The hinged rotatable binding system for snowboards is a cost effective and light weight model with simple assembly features.
Connectors such as locking dowels can connect the hinge plate with the mid static disk and mounts the latch lever with the base plate. A base plate bolt connects the base plate with the snowboard. A central axis bolt mounts the top rotating disk to the mid static disk. The hinge plate of the rotatable binding system is open while user is riding the chairlift. The hinge plate enables the snowboard to rotate away from user's foot attachment to the binding. The base plate connected by hinge plate to static disk, supports rotating of the disk thereon. The materials used in the snowboard binding system are to be non-corrosive, light weight, strong and durable.
The snowboard binding system can comprise of a rotating disk which is connected to a mid-static disk using a number of shoulder bolts. The rotating disk along with the mid-static disk is connected to a base plate of the binding system using a hinged plate. The hinge plate enables the snowboard to rotate away from user's foot attachment to the binding using double hinge action. A plunger can be used to connect the hinge plate with the rotating disk and the mid-static disk. A lock base plate is connected to one end of the base plate which uses a spring plunger to lock and unlock the binding system. The rotating disk can rotate up to 90° when the binding system is unlocked to alleviate pain in the ankle and the knee when the snowboarder is in lift lines or chair lift. The snowboard binding system is a rotational hinged system. Such binding system comprises of less number of parts as it uses friction plates. The snowboard binding system is non-corrosive, durable, cost-effective and easy to use. According to the comfort of the user the binding can be rotated to 90° which alleviates torque and movements on the ankle while on the lift.
A hinged rotatable binding system for snowboard can comprise a base plate that is mounted on a surface which is in direct contact with the snowboard. A mid static plate can be connected with the base plate through a plurality of dowel axis. The dowel axes are colligated with a lock base plate and a plunger to provide hands free locking system. A rotating disk is mounted on the mid-static disk which is attached with a hinge plate and a plurality of screws and screw-receiving holes that are utilized to integrate the binding system. The binding system enables the snowboard to rotate away from user's foot that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the snowboard which eliminates rotation at knee and/or flexion at ankle.
The snowboards are incorporated with the binding system that rotates up to 90° due to the hinge and the rotating disk attached to the base plate. The rotating disk eliminates twist in the ankle and on the torque of user while on lift line and/or chair lift. The lock base plate is utilized for hands free locking system. The lock can be released by the foot stamped down when the user is on chair lift so that the binding system may be elevated to feel user comfortable on the chair lift. The snowboards binding system are cost effective and the material utilized is light weight so that it is easy to handle.
The system includes friction plates hence fewer parts are needed which in turn leads to a simple and a light weight system. The manufacturing process and assembly is simple and cost effective, thus providing a system that is feasible. The hinged, rotatable binding system relieves stress during ankle dorsiflexion, the movement which decreases the angle between the foot and the leg and during ankle supination in the foot, which occurs when a person appears with their weight supported primarily on the anterior of their feet. The hinged, rotatable binding system also eases mobility by rotating the front binding to parallel position.
The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally-similar elements throughout the separate views and which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, further illustrate the embodiments and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain the embodiments disclosed herein.
The particular values and configurations discussed in these non-limiting examples can be varied and are cited merely to illustrate at least one embodiment and are not intended to limit the scope thereof.
There are generally two types of snowboard bindings used for a soft snowboard. A strap binding typically includes one or more straps that extend across the rider's boot to secure the boot to the binding. In contrast, step in binding typically employs one or more strapless engagement members, rather than straps, into which rider can step to lock the boot into binding. The strapless engagement members are configured to engage with one or more corresponding engagement members on the boot. Some riders may find a strap binding inconvenient because a rider must unbuckle each strap of the rear binding after each run to release the rear boot when getting on a lift and must subsequently re-buckle each strap before the next run.
The problems associated with prior art binding systems, when moving on level areas, and into and through chair-lift lines, is that the snowboarder has to remove the back foot from its binding, leave forward foot fixed into its binding in the transverse position, and then try to propel himself or herself on the snowboard along in a scooter/skateboard fashion. With the forward foot locked in the pre-selected transverse position and the other foot out of the binding, even a casual observer can see the front foot (and thus the front leg) is contorted to one side, forcing the snowboarder to walk in an extremely pigeon-toed manner. This obviously results in undue stresses to the snowboarder's joints and body.
In addition, for the same reason, while the snowboarder is riding chair-lifts with other skiers, the snowboard tends to hang at a sideways angle, rather than pointing straight forward in a position parallel with the skis of the other riders on the chair-lift. Here again, the snowboard often bangs into or on top of adjacent skis much to the discomfort of skiers since chipping and scratching of their equipment can and does occur. Such snowboard binding systems tend to look extremely uncomfortable, cumbersome with awkward stance position and hard to maneuver. When snowboarders are moving along in chair-lift lines, or riding up on chair-lifts, they lack dignity and style due to the extremely awkward, pigeon-toed (transverse foot) positioning of their feet. Another problem with the snowboard binding systems is that they tend to cause physical discomfort and injury. Snowboarders experience stress to their joints from undue torque and strain on their ankle and knees.
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The latch lever 450 is connected to the outer ridge of the base plate 495 and is further held to the base plate 495 through a hole 433 formed in the base plate 495 by a retractable plunger 430 and operates the retractable plunger 430 to interact with and secure the rotating disk 420 within the base plate 495. The upper dowel axis 440 connects the hinge plate 480 with the mid static disk 470. The lower dowel axis 460 connects the hinge plate 480 with the base plate 495. The base plate 495 holds the entire assembly on it is used to couple the binding system 140 with the base board 110.
The binding system 140 is provided with the hinge plate 800 and a number of friction plates therefore, fewer parts are needed. The materials used in the snowboard binding system 140 are to be non-corrosive, light weight, strong and durable. The hinged rotatable binding system 140 for snowboards 100 is a cost effective and light weight model with simple assembly features.
The snowboard binding systems can be made of materials like 01 tool steel, 6061 aluminum and magnesium that used in the snowboard binding systems whose tensile strength, yield strength and density are as mentioned in the following table.
It is believed that utilizing the system described herein, relieves knee and ankle pain for snowboarders while in lift lines and on the chair lift. The system described herein also can be adapted for rotating the front binding to a parallel position and to reduce discomfort and injury when loading/unloading from chairlift.
It will be appreciated that variations of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
The present application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/049,390, filed on Apr. 30, 2008, entitled “HINGED ROTATABLE BINDING SYSTEM FOR SNOWBOARDS”, which is herein incorporated by reference.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20090273163 A1 | Nov 2009 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61049390 | Apr 2008 | US |