Patent Application
20080277904
A snowboard is a board ridden to descend a snow-covered slope. The rider wears snowboard boots that are bound to the board with bindings. Snowboards are constructed with a laminated materials and the snowboards have steel edges. A variety of snowboards exist to suit specific body types and riding preferences.
Bindings are attached to the snowboard deck and function to hold the riders boot in place on the board. There are several different types of bindings that are currently available. Strap-in binding use straps to secure the boot to a base plate and high back. Strap-in bindings typically use two buckle straps. One strap across the top of the toe area and a second strap across the ankle area. The can be tightly ratcheted closed for a tight fit which improves the rider control of the board. Another type of binding is the step-in binding which have a mechanism that engages a boot plate that is attached to the bottom of the boot and may extend across the width of the boot.
When snowboarding at a ski resort, the boarders generally have to release one boot in order to get on and off chair lifts. Once at the top of the run, the boarders must then reattach the boot to the binding. With step-in bindings, the boarder can simply step into the binding while standing. With strap-in bindings the boarder must sit in the snow and bend over to secure the straps.
Snowboard bindings, unlike ski bindings, do not automatically release upon impact or after falling over. Ski bindings are designed to protect skiers from injuries (particularly to the knee) caused by skis pulled in different directions. Automatic boot release is not required in snowboarding because the boarder's legs are fixed in a static position and twisting of the knee joint cannot occur to the same extent as skiing. This lack of an automatic release reduces the prospect of a board hurtling downhill without the boarder.
The present invention is a snowboard binding that includes a binding unit and a boot unit. In an embodiment, the binding unit includes retainers that releasably couple to the boot unit. The binding unit includes compression members that apply downward pressure and horizontal pressure to the boot unit that prevents movement between the boot unit and the binding unit. The boot unit includes a boot cradle and straps to secure the boot unit to the snowboard boots. Lugs are elongate structures that are attached to the sides of the boot cradle and provide connection surfaces for the binding unit. The binding unit includes two retainers which are attached to a base plate. The binding unit may also include a high back. The retainers of the binding unit can engage and compress the lugs of the boot unit towards the base plate of the binding unit. In an embodiment, the binding may have one fixed retainer and one compressible/releasable retainer. In other embodiments, the binding unit may include two compressible retainers.
The compression of the lugs against the binding unit prevents horizontal movement and improves the boot to board connection. To further enhance the connection between the binding and boot units, the bottoms of the lugs may be textured and the corresponding surfaces on the base plate of the binding unit may also be textured. The compression of the textured surfaces against each other improves the friction and prevents horizontal movement. In addition to texturing, the interface between the boot unit and the binding unit can have features that improve the connection. For example, the boot unit can have concical protrusions that engage holes in the binding unit. As the boot unit is compressed into the binding unit, the conical protrusions are pressed into the holes for a secure engagement that resists horizontal movement.
To use the system, the boarder attaches the boot units to the snowboard boots with the straps. The boarder then steps into the binding units and actuates the retainers by pressing the levers to compress the lugs against the binding unit. This lug compression secures the boots and the boot units to the binding units and board. When fully actuated, the boot unit is locked to the binding unit and can only be released by actuating the lever to release the lugs. After the board is attached to the boots, the boarder can travel down the slope. When the boarder gets to chairlift, one of the boots is released by actuating a lever to release the boot unit from the binding unit. The free foot allows the snowboarder to get onto the chairlift. After the boarder is back at the top of the slope, the boot and boot unit are placed back in the binding unit and the lever is actuated to lock the boot unit to the binding unit.
The inventive snowboard binding includes a base unit and a separate boot unit. For improved detail, only a single binding is shown, rather than the two bindings that are required for a snowboard. With reference to
In an embodiment, the base plate 105 may have a circular hole that is slightly smaller in diameter than a circular plate 107. The circular plate 107 is attached to the board and may have a flange or a tapered edge that engates a corresponding surface around the hole circumference of the base plate 105. When the circular plate 107 is screwed to the board, the hole is compressed against the board and the base plate 105 is held securely in place. The angle of the base plate 105 is adjusted by loosening the screws in the circular plate 107 so that the angle of the base plate 105 can be adjusted. Once the base plate 105 is properly positioned, the screws in the circular plate 107 are tightened to secure the base plate 105 to the board. Teeth may be formed in the bottom surface of the circular plate 107 that engage teeth formed in a recessed upper surface of the circular hole in the base plate 105.
The binding can include a fixed retainer 109 and a releasable retainer 111. The fixed retainer and the releasable retainer engage lugs attached to the sides of the boot unit that extend out from the sides and run along a portion of the length of the boot unit. The lugs and boot unit will be described in more detail latter. The fixed retainer 109 may be a horizontal bar or rod 121 that is mounted between two posts 123 that are secured to the base plate 105. The rod 121 and posts 123 form an elongated rectangular or trapezoidal slot. In an embodiment, the fixed retainer 109 may include a spring or springs that allows the horizontal bar 121 to move or be deflected vertically. This spring force would apply a downward force upon the lug.
Although the fixed retainer is described as engaging a protruding lug, various other configurations would also be fully functional. For example, it would be possible to have a fixed retainer that had a protruding member that engages a slot in the boot unit to hold the boot unit against the binding unit. Thus, either the binding unit or the boot unit can have a recess or a corresponding engagement feature. Alternatively, rather than an elongated lug, various other engagement feature geometries can be utilized. The engagement feature can include a plurality of rods or angled protrusions. The features may be tapered so that they allow for easy initial engagement and a tighter fit when the boot unit is pressed into the binding unit horizontally.
In an embodiment, the releasable retainer 111 includes a lever 131 which may be an elongated piece having a width. The lever 131 can have a cam 137 on one end, a lever handle 139 on the opposite end and a pivot axis that is closer to the cam 137 side of the lever 131 that spans the width. The lever 131 can be made of a strong metal or plastic material and is attached to a spring 133. The spring 133 can be a curved rod that can resemble a sideways “D” shape. In other embodiments, the spring 133 can have any other shape including a rectangular shape with rounded corners. The spring 133 can be made of a strong elastic material such as metal or a strong plastic such as carbon reinforced materials. The cross section of the spring 133 may be a circular shape to facilitate low friction rotation of the lever 111 and the spring 133. The lever pivot can be an indentation across the width of the lever 111 that allows the lever 111 to rotate. The center portion of the spring 133 is attached to the lever 111 and the sides of the spring 133 curve down around the outside of two posts 135 that are fastened to the base plate 105. The ends of the spring 133 may be curved inward so that they are axially aligned and facing each other and may engage holes in the outer surfaces of the posts 135. The coupling of the posts 135 and the spring 133 function as a hinge that allows the spring 133 to rotate.
Details of an embodiment of the releasable retainer 111 are shown in
The compression member 141 rotates about the rotational axis 145 which can be a hole that runs through the compression member 141. In this embodiment, a rod 147 may be placed through the hole 145 and act as an axle. The ends of the rod 147 may be coupled to holes or counter bores in the inner surfaces of the two posts 135. Smaller lift springs may be used to rotate the compression member 141 up so that when the lever 131 is released, the compression member 141 will open. In an embodiment, the lift spring can be coil springs that are mounted around the axle rod 147 and fits within vertical slots in the compression member 141. The ends of the coil springs extend outward with one end resting against the base plate 105 and the other end engaging the compression member 141. In other embodiments, the spring or springs used to lift the compression member can be compression springs, torsion springs, elastic materials, or any other elastic compression mechanism.
In addition to the other described components, the base unit 105 can also include a high back 113 which provides support for the the heel and the calf area of the boarder's leg. This allows for better heel side control of the snowboard. The high back 113 is a curved structure that has a concave inner surface and a convex outer surface. The bottom of the high back 113 is coupled to the base plate 105. In an embodiment, the angle of the high back 113 is adjustable so that the rider can adjust the angle relative to the base plate 105. In the adjustable embodiment, the high back 113 may have a lower loop that engages two pivot points in the high back 113. An adjustment mechanism may have an adjustable spacer that controls the position of the high back 113 relative to the lower loop. With a longer spacer, the high back has more forward lean and with a shorter spacer, the high back 113 is more upright.
With reference to
In
As discussed above, although the figures include illustrations of lugs that are elongated features that have a rectangular cross section, various other geometries are possible. The protruding features can be part of the binding unit and a corresponding slot may be part of the boot unit or even the snowboard boot itself. These engagement features can include many different geometries such as a plurality of rods, tapered features, etc.
The cradle 231 may be a thin material such as metal, plastic or fiber reinforced composite such as carbon fiber bound together with an epoxy resin. The bottom of the boot cradle 231 can be a planar surface or alternatively, it can have a textured or three dimensional surface. This texturing may improve traction on the snow. The straps are fastened to the side walls or base of the cradle such as screws, bolts, rivets, etc. The elongate straps 235, 243 are made from a flexible material such as plastic, fiber webbing or other flexible materials that are strong in tension. Pads may be attached to the straps 235, 243 to provide some cushioning or increased surface area against the boot.
The lugs 251 of the boot unit 201 engage the fixed retainer 109 and the releasable retainer 111. In an embodiment, the lugs 251 are elongate pieces of metal that have a horizontal surface that extends away from the cradle 231. The length of the lugs 251 corresponds to the length of the retainer 109, 111 slots which are the distances between the matching posts 123, 135. The lugs 251 should fit snugly between the posts 123, 135 of the retainers 109, 111 to prevent horizontal movement. The downward force applied to the lugs 251 hold the boot unit 201 to the binding unit 101. Thus, it is very important for the lugs 251 to be very securely fastened to the cradle 231. In an embodiment, the lugs 251 are made of a strong metal material such as aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, magnesium or a high strength composite material such as carbon fiber. The cross section of the lugs 251 can be L shaped with the vertical portion providing a surface to secure the lug to the cradle 231 and the horizontal portion providing a compression surface for the retainers 109, 111. The lugs 251 can be attached to the cradle 231 with any fastener and/or adhesive. In other embodiments, the lugs 251 are integrally formed with the cradle 231.
The bottom surface of the lugs 251 may be flush with the bottom of boot unit 201 or alternatively, the lugs 251 may be placed slightly above the bottom of the boot unit 201. As discussed, the fixed retainer 109 and releasable retainer 111 can apply a downward force against the lugs 251. If the bottom of the lug 251 is flush with the bottom of the boot unit 201, the compressive forces will only be applied to the lugs 251.
In an embodiment, the bottom of the lugs 251 and the areas of the binding plate 105 that correspond to the bottom of the lugs 251 may be textured. This texturing can provide improved friction between the boot unit 201 and the binding unit 101 to prevent relative movement. If the lugs 251 are above the lower surface of the boot unit 201, the compressive forces are transferred to the cradle 231 which is compressed against the binding unit 101. Some of the compressive forces may also be transferred to the straps 241, 243 which force the bottom of the boot against the board and binding unit 101.
In an embodiment, the sole of the boot may be designed to engage the boot cradle for an improved coupling. With reference to
The engagement of the boot unit 201 with the binding unit 101 is illustrated with reference to
Although the present invention has been described in a specific embodiment, various modifications can be applied. For example, while the binding system is shown in
The binding unit 101 has been shown as having a high back 113. In an embodiment, the high back 113 is coupled to the boot unit 201 and is removed from the binding unit 101. This has the benefit of only having relatively flat binding components including the base plate 105 and retainers 109, 111, permanently attached to the board. By removing the high back 113 from the binding unit 101, the board requires much less storage space and can be more easily transported as well. Currently most car racks for snowboards have spacers that allow for the high backs 113. Rather than attaching the high back to the binding unit 101, the high back 113 can be omitted completely. This removal of the high back 113 may be acceptable for boots that do not require rear support such as hard boots. Alternatively, the high back 113 can be attached to the boot unit 201 as shown in
Optimum control of the board requires a very positive connection between the boot and the board. One of the important features is the ability of the inventive binding to compress the boot unit against the binding unit to prevent relative movement. This results in an improved connection between the boot and the board and prevents relative horizontal movement. In addition to the compression to prevent relative movement, other mechanisms can improve the boot to binding connection.
In an embodiment, the boots, boot units and binding units may have features that further improve the coupling. The bottom of the boots and the boot units may include features that engage each other to prevent movement. For example, the boot and/or boot unit can have tapered protrusions that engage holes in the binding unit. The protrusions also provide improve traction while the boot unit is disengaged from the binding unit. When the boot unit is placed into the binding unit, the protrusions can engage corresponding holes in the binding unit or alternatively, protrusion extending from the binding unit can engages holes in the boot or boot unit. The compression of the boot unit against the binding unit can produce a very secure fit between the units. The compression may also remove any snow that may have gotten between the units.
Any movement between the boot unit and the binding unit can result in reduced control of the board. This movement problem is common in step in type binding which horizontal bars that extend from a plate mounted to the sole of the snowboard boot. Some spacing is required so that binding will be functional if some particulates are trapped between the binding and the boot. When the boarder steps into the binding, a latch mechanism engages the bar to restrict movement, but does not provide any force or compression against the bar. Thus, the boot is able to move in a limited range relative to the board. This movement range increases as the coupling components of the binding system are worn down. Because snowboarding relies upon a positive coupling, the movement between the binding and the boot results in reduced performance.
It will be understood that although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, additions, deletions and changes could be made to these embodiments, without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the described snowboard binding system can be used for any other type of application that requires boots to be releasably fastened to a board. Specific applications may include surfboards, kiteboards, windsurfers, sand surfboards, water skies, wake boards, skateboards, etc.
