Snowboard boot with binding interface

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6450525
  • Patent Number
    6,450,525
  • Date Filed
    Friday, December 29, 2000
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, September 17, 2002
    22 years ago
Abstract
An apparatus comprising a snowboard boot and a binding interface including an interface feature that is adapted to releasably engage with a snowboard binding. The binding interface is movably mounted to the boot so that the boot can flex in a side-to-side direction through an angle relative to the binding interface to provide side-to-side flexibility. In one embodiment, the binding interface is mounted to the boot at a pair of laterally spaced attachment points with a pair of strapless fasteners. In another embodiment, the binding interface is mounted to at least one attachment point and a portion of the boot is flexible between the attachment point and a side. In other embodiments, at least a portion of the interface feature does not protrude below the bottom surface of the boot, and the interface feature does not protrude beyond the sides of the boot. In yet other embodiments, the apparatus includes an adjustment member to adjustably restrict the side-to-side flexibility between the boot and the binding interface, and a dampening element that dampens the side-to-side flexibility. The boot may include an arcuate lower surface that extends across the boot with the binding interface mounted to the boot below the arcuate lower surface. A fluid-filled bladder may be provided to control the side-to-side flexibility of the boot. The binding interface may be slidably mounted to the boot using arcuate surfaces, such as convex and concave surfaces, that allow the boot to slide across the binding interface.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




The present invention relates to a snowboard boot having a binding interface that facilitates side-to-side movement of the snowboard boot relative to a snowboard.




2. Description of Related Art




Snowboard riders typically prefer some degree of side-to-side flexibility between their snowboard boots and snowboard. Side-to-side flexibility (also known as foot roll) enhances the rider's ability to more easily shift his or her weight and body position over the board for balance and control. Side-to-side flexibility may also improve the overall ride by allowing bumps to be more readily absorbed than if the boot was rigidly attached to the board without any side-to-side flexibility. Thus, the ability of the boot to roll side-to-side relative to the board provides a performance and feel that many riders find desirable.




A rider's boots are secured to the board via bindings that are typically disposed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the board. Since the angle is a matter of personal preference, conventional snowboard bindings enable the rider to adjust and fix the rotational orientation of each binding to suit the rider's individual style. Generally, the degree of side-to-side flexibility preferred by a rider is a function of the boot orientation relative to the board. For example, when the boots


20


are positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Y—Y of the snowboard


21


as illustrated in

FIG. 1



a,


a rider may prefer a greater amount of side-to-side flexibility than when the boots are positioned at less of an angle to the longitudinal axis of the board, as illustrated in

FIG. 1



b.


The boots


20


may have different angular orientations relative to each other, and the rider may wish to have a different degree of side-to-side flexibility for each boot.




Snowboard boots are of three general types, i.e., hard boots, soft boots and hybrid boots which combine various attributes of both hard and soft boots. A hard boot is similar to an alpine ski boot and typically employs a relatively hard molded plastic shell for supporting a rider's foot and lower leg with minimal foot movement allowed by the boot. Hard boots are generally preferred by riders that engage in racing or alpine riding which requires fluid edge-to-edge movement for smooth carving in the snow at high speeds. Hard boots conventionally have been secured to the board using plate bindings that include front and rear bails or clips that engage the toe and heel portions of the boot. The bails in these bindings inherently allow the boot to roll side-to-side relative to the snowboard, which is desirable for the reasons stated above.




Soft boots, as the name suggests, typically are comprised of softer materials that are more flexible than the plastic shell of a hard boot. Soft boots are generally more comfortable and easier to walk in than hard boots, and are generally favored by riders that engage in recreational, “freestyle” or trick-oriented snowboarding. Soft boots conventionally have been secured to the board using a strap binding which includes several straps that are tightened across various portions of the boot. The straps are typically formed of a plastic material that inherently has some flexibility that allows the sole of the boot to roll side-to-side within the binding.




More recently, side-grip snowboard bindings have been developed for use with soft snowboard boots. Examples of such side-grip binding systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,299,823 (Glaser) and 5,520,406 (Anderson). These bindings generally employ rigid, metal engagement members that firmly grip opposite sides of a metal binding interface that is attached to the boot sole. The metal-to-metal contact between the binding and the interface results in the sole of the boot being more rigidly attached to the board than with a plate or strap binding. Additionally, because these types of bindings do not directly engage the toe or heel of the boot, the sole of the boot must generally be relatively stiff to prevent the rider's toe or heel from undesirably lifting away from the board when riding. This stiffness is typically provided by an internal stiffener that extends the length and width of the sole. The combination of a stiff boot sole and a binding that rigidly grips the sides thereof essentially eliminates any side-to-side flex or roll between the boot and the binding. Thus, when the snowboard boots are secured to the binding, there is little, if any, side-to-side roll or flexibility between the boot sole and the board.




It should be understood that when the sole of the boot is rigidly attached to the board, the boot itself, particularly if a hard shell boot, provides little, if any, side-to-side flexibility. The side-to-side flexibility afforded by snowboard boots is generally a function of the stiffness of the boot shell, which impacts the ability of the rider to roll the foot or flex the ankle within the boot. However, since the ankle joint itself has limited side-to-side flexibility, even soft shell boots may not provide the rider with as much side-to-side flexibility as a rider may desire when used in conjunction with side-grip bindings that rigidly engage the boot sole. Rather, the feel that most riders desire is achieved only by enabling the sole of the boot to roll side-to-side relative to the board.




In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for interfacing a snowboard boot and a snowboard.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




In one illustrative embodiment of the invention, an apparatus is provided that comprises a snowboard boot and a binding interface that includes at least one interface feature that is adapted to engage with a snowboard binding. The boot includes a pair of attachment points that are spaced apart in a side-to-side direction. The binding interface is movably mounted to the snowboard boot so that the snowboard boot can flex, relative to the binding interface, in the side-to-side direction through an angle to provide side-to-side flexibility. The binding interface is mounted to the boot at the pair of attachment points with a pair of strapless fasteners.




In another illustrative embodiment, an apparatus is provided that comprises a snowboard boot that includes a bottom surface, and a strapless binding interface that is movably mounted to the snowboard boot so that the snowboard boot can flex side-to-side relative to the binding interface to provide side-to-side flexibility. The binding interface includes a first interface feature disposed adjacent a first side of the boot and a second interface feature disposed adjacent a second side of the boot. The first and second interface features are adapted to engage with a snowboard binding. At least a portion of one of the first and second interface features does not protrude below the bottom surface of the boot.




In a further illustrative embodiment of the invention, an apparatus is provided that comprises a snowboard boot including a first side and a second side, and a strapless binding interface movably mounted to the snowboard boot so that the snowboard boot can flex side-to-side relative to the binding interface to provide side-to-side flexibility. The binding interface includes at least one interface feature that is adapted to engage with a snowboard binding, wherein the at least one interface feature does not protrude beyond the first and second sides of the boot.




In another illustrative embodiment of the invention, an apparatus is provided that comprises a snowboard boot, a binding interface movably mounted to the snowboard boot so that the snowboard boot can flex side-to-side relative to the binding interface to provide side-to-side flexibility, and an adjustment member supported by one of the boot and the binding interface. The adjustment member is constructed and arranged to adjustably restrict the side-to-side flexibility between the boot and the binding interface. The binding interface includes at least one interface feature that is adapted to engage with a snowboard binding.




In a further illustrative embodiment of the invention, an apparatus is provided that comprises a snowboard boot, a binding interface movably mounted to the snowboard boot so that the snowboard boot can flex side-to-side relative to the binding interface to provide side-to-side flexibility, and a dampening element coupled to at least one of the boot and the binding interface. The dampening element is constructed and arranged to dampen the side-to-side flexibility between the boot and the binding interface. The binding interface includes at least one interface feature that is adapted to engage with a snowboard binding.




In yet another illustrative embodiment of the invention, an apparatus is provided that comprises a snowboard boot including an arcuate lower surface that extends across the boot in a side-to-side direction, and a binding interface movably mounted to the snowboard boot below the arcuate lower surface, so that the snowboard boot can flex side-to-side relative to the binding interface to provide side-to-side flexibility. The binding interface includes at least one interface feature that is adapted to engage with a snowboard binding.




In yet a further illustrative embodiment of the invention, an apparatus is provided that comprises a snowboard boot including a sole and at least one attachment point, and a binding interface that is movably mounted to the snowboard boot at the at least one attachment point and that includes at least one interface feature adapted to engage with a snowboard binding. At least one portion of the sole disposed between the at least one attachment point and a side of the boot is flexible so that the snowboard boot can flex side-to-side relative to the binding interface.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:





FIG. 1



a


is a top view of a pair of snowboard boots positioned approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a snowboard;





FIG. 1



b


is a top view of the pair of boots of

FIG. 1



a


positioned at a smaller angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the board;





FIG. 2

is a side elevational view of a snowboard boot system according to one illustrative embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 3

is a schematic cross-sectional view along section line


3





3


of

FIG. 2

illustrating the snowboard boot system of

FIG. 2

secured to a snowboard binding;





FIG. 4

is a schematic view of the snowboard boot of

FIG. 3

flexed to one side relative to the binding interface;





FIG. 5

is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along section line


3





3


of one embodiment of a flexible attachment mechanism for coupling a boot and a binding interface;





FIG. 6

is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along section line


3





3


of an alternate embodiment of a flexible attachment mechanism for coupling a boot and a binding interface;





FIG. 7

is a schematic partial bottom view taken along view line


7





7


of

FIG. 3

illustrating one embodiment for adjusting the amount of side-to-side flexibility of a snowboard boot;





FIG. 8

is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along section line


3





3


of an alternate embodiment of the invention that includes a resilient element for enhancing the side-to-side flexibility of a snowboard boot;





FIG. 9

is a schematic, partially fragmented, cross-sectional view taken along section line


9





9


of

FIG. 2

of an embodiment for fixing a snowboard boot at a selected flex angle relative to the binding interface;





FIG. 10

is a schematic cross-sectional view similar to

FIG. 9

of an alternate embodiment of the present invention including a mechanism for dampening the side-to-side flexibility of a snowboard boot;





FIG. 11

is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along section line


3





3


of another embodiment for providing side-to-side flexibility in a snowboard boot;





FIG. 12

is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along section line


3





3


of a further alternate embodiment for providing controlled side-to-side flexibility of a snowboard boot; and





FIG. 13

is a schematic cross-sectional view similar to

FIG. 9

of a further embodiment for providing controlled side-to-side flexibility of a snowboard boot.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS




In accordance with one illustrative embodiment of the invention, a snowboard boot system is provided that includes a snowboard boot and a binding interface that is supported on the boot and is adapted to engage with a binding. The interface is supported from the boot so that even when the interface is rigidly engaged by the binding, the boot can advantageously roll or flex side-to-side relative to the snowboard. As discussed below, the binding interface can be movably supported on a bottom portion of the boot so that the boot may roll or lift about its longitudinal axis relative to the interface. The binding interface of the present invention can be used with any type of snowboard boot, including hard shell boots, soft shell boots and hybrid boots. In addition, the binding interface can be adapted to be compatible with any type of binding. Thus, it should be appreciated that the illustrative embodiments discussed below are provided merely for illustrative purposes, and that numerous other implementations are possible.




In one illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in

FIGS. 2-4

, a snowboard boot system


18


is provided that includes a snowboard boot


20


and a binding interface


22


that is supported on the boot in a manner that, even when the interface is rigidly engaged by a binding, advantageously allows the boot to roll or flex side-to-side. As discussed below, the binding interface


22


is movably supported on a bottom portion of the boot and is adapted to engage the binding so that, when the interface is fixed to the binding, the boot may roll or lift about its longitudinal axis relative to the interface. The illustrative snowboard boot


20


shown in

FIG. 2

is a hard boot of conventional construction, and includes a shell


24


, a liner


25


, a tongue


26


extending along the front portion of the boot, and a cuff


28


for supporting the lower portion of the rider's leg. The cuff


28


may be pivotally connected to the shell


24


using a fastener


30


, such as a rivet or pin, to provide the rider with the ability to flex his leg in a forward direction. One or more straps


32


may be provided so that the rider can tighten the boot about his foot. As discussed above, the present invention is not limited to any particular boot configuration, and can be employed with boots of many other types.




In the illustrative embodiment shown in

FIGS. 2-4

, a strapless binding interface


22


is supported, without the use of straps, below the in-step portion


34


of the boot between a forward toe portion


36


and a rear heel portion


38


. The binding interface


22


provides an interface for releasably attaching the boot to a side-grip binding. The bottom surface


40


of the binding interface


22


may be approximately coplanar with or disposed above a plane Z—Z defined by the bottom surfaces


42


,


44


of the toe and heel platforms


36


,


38


, so that it does not interfere with the rider's ability to walk in the boots. The binding interface


22


may be formed from metal, glass-reinforced plastic or any of a number of other suitable materials.




As mentioned above, many different arrangements are possible for interfacing a snowboard boot to a binding, and the present invention is not limited to any particular arrangement. In the illustrative embodiments discussed below, the binding is a side-grip binding having engagement members that move laterally to engage the binding interface, and the binding interface has one or more recesses adapted to engage the binding engagement members. It should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to a side-grip binding system, or to one wherein the interface has recesses for engaging the binding engagement members, as numerous alternate arrangements are possible that include different features for engaging the binding interface to the binding.




One illustrative example of a side-grip binding


46


is illustrated in

FIGS. 3 and 4

. The binding


46


includes a base plate


48


, and one or more engagement members


50


,


52


disposed on opposite sides of the base plate. The sides of the binding interface


22


include corresponding interface features


60


,


62


that are adapted to engage with the engagement members


50


,


52


. The base plate


48


may be mounted to a snowboard


21


in a conventional manner using a hold-down disc


55


that enables adjustment of the orientation of the base plate. One or more of the engagement members


50


,


52


may be coupled to an actuation member


56


so that the user may operate the binding to selectively lock and release the boot. The actuation member


56


may, for example, be a handle that is pivotally mounted to the base plate


48


adjacent the inner/medial side


58


of the boot. The engagement members


50


,


52


may be elevated above the base plate


48


and extend inwardly to engage their corresponding interface features (recesses


60


,


62


in the embodiment shown) provided in both the inner/medial side


64


and the outer/lateral side


66


of the binding interface


22


. At least a portion of one of the interface features is disposed above the bottom surface of the boot. One or more recesses


60


,


62


may be provided on each side of the binding interface.




An example of a binding interface for use with side-grip bindings is described in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/584,053, which is assigned to The Burton Corporation and is incorporated herein by reference. In one illustrative embodiment, the recesses


60


,


62


are formed of a non-metallic material, such as an elastomeric material, to form a shock absorbing engagement between the boot and the binding. Non-metallic material also reduces the likelihood of snow being attracted to and clogging the recesses.




As shown in

FIG. 2

, the binding interface


22


may include multiple recesses


60


,


62


on each side with a non-recessed portion disposed therebetween. In the embodiment shown in

FIG. 2

, a pair of recesses


62


is provided along at least one side of the binding interface. As discussed in application Ser. No. 08/584,053 referenced above, when formed from an elastomeric material, the use of multiple recesses provides a stronger engagement between the binding interface


22


and the binding


46


than a single recess. A pair of recesses doubles the number of recess mouth corners that resist forces tending to pry the recesses open. Additionally, a pair of recesses provides a greater bearing surface preventing front to back movement between the binding interface


22


and the binding


46


. When multiple recesses are provided along one or both sides of the binding interface, they can be distributed about the center of the length of the boot (i.e., in the in-step area) in a manner that maximizes the stability of the engagement between the snowboard boot system


18


and the binding


46


.




In the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in

FIGS. 3 and 4

, the mouth of each recess


60


,


62


is wider than its corresponding engagement member


50


,


52


, and the upper and lower walls are tapered inwardly toward each other to facilitate the engagement between the binding interface


22


and the binding


46


. In particular, this recess configuration allows for easier alignment between the binding interface


22


and the engagement members


50


,


52


, even when snow or ice has accumulated between the boot


20


and the base plate


48


. Additionally, when the engagement members


50


,


52


are moved into engagement with the recesses


60


,


62


, the tapered walls direct accumulated snow and ice out of the recesses to securely lock the snowboard boot system


18


to the binding


46


. The walls are angled a sufficient amount to facilitate alignment with the engagement members without reducing the effectiveness of the recesses to retain the engagement members therein. In one embodiment, the walls are angled within a range of approximately 95-135 degrees from a horizontal plane, with an angle of approximately 105 degrees having been found to work effectively.




Examples of snowboard side-grip bindings that are compatible with the illustrative binding interface shown in the figures are described in co-pending U.S. application Ser. Nos. 08/655,021; 08/674,976; and 08/780,721, each of which is assigned to The Burton Corporation and is incorporated herein by reference. The side-grip binding


46


and the recesses


60


,


62


for engagement therewith have several advantages as described in the related applications. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited in this respect, and that the binding interface


22


can alternatively include other interface feature configurations (e.g., plates, rods or the like that extend toe-to-heel or side-to-side, and that extend either within the profile of the boot, underneath the boot or outwardly beyond the boot profile) that are adapted to engage with compatible engagement members on other types of bindings to secure the boot thereto.




In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in

FIGS. 3 and 4

, the binding interface


22


is mounted to the bottom


68


of the boot


20


using one or more pairs of strapless fasteners


70


,


72


in a manner that allows the boot


20


to roll or pivot in a side-to-side direction L. The fasteners


70


,


72


can include mechanical fasteners (e.g., screws, pins, rivets or the like), chemical fasteners (e.g., adhesive or the like) or a combination thereof to resist separation between the binding interface and the boot. The amount and direction of side-to-side flexibility can be controlled by controlling the positioning of the fasteners


70


,


72


relative to the sides of the boot. When the fasteners


70


,


72


are located close to the sides of the boot


20


, there is substantially no relative movement between the binding interface


22


and the boot


20


, because the interface is effectively clamped to the edges of the boot. When the fasteners


70


,


72


are located at a pair of attachment points


71


,


73


that are positioned away from the sides of the boot and closer to a center longitudinal plane


74


extending along the length of the boot, the sides of the boot are not clamped to the binding interface


22


, and can be lifted from the interface


22


when sufficient side-to-side pressure is exerted on the boot by the rider.




For example, in the embodiment shown in

FIGS. 3-4

, the interface is mounted to the boot with the attachment point


71


being spaced from the outer edge of the boot, which is not clamped to the interface, so that the rider can exert an inward force P


1


that is sufficient to cause the outer edge of the boot to lift as shown at


75


in FIG.


4


. This allows the sole of the boot


20


to roll in an inward side direction L


1


relative to the binding interface


22


. Since the interface


22


is rigidly clamped to the board


21


, the sole of the boot


20


effectively rolls in a side-to-side direction relative to the board. In the embodiment shown in

FIGS. 3-4

, the attachment point


73


is adjacent the inner edge of the boot to clamp the inner edge to the interface


22


so that the boot does not roll in an outward side direction relative to the interface. However, it should be understood that the interface can be mounted to the boot with the attachment point


73


spaced from the inner edge so that an outward force on the boot causes the inner edge of the boot to lift.




In the embodiment of the invention shown in the figures, the boot


20


is engaged along the sides below the in-step portion


34


, which is disposed between the toe portion


36


and the heel portion


38


of the boot. In this embodiment, the boot


20


is provided with a sole that is sufficiently stiff along at least a rear portion of its length to resist lifting forces generated when riding, so that the rider's heel does not lift off the board. The sole may also be stiff along a forward portion of its length to resist lifting forces at the toe, which are generally less than those at the heel. Conventional hard boots include a sole that is sufficiently stiff to resist heel and toe lift. However, when used with soft boots, one embodiment of the invention employs a stiffener that is attached to the sole of the boot to provide the desired sole stiffness.




When the boot sole is stiff over its entire width, placement of the attachment points


71


,


73


away from the sides of the boot alone may not be sufficient to provide the desired foot roll. Accordingly, various techniques may be employed to allow side-to-side flexibility while also resisting heel and/or toe lift. These techniques can include techniques for construction of the boot sole, construction of the interface


22


, attachment of the interface


22


to the sole, or a combination of the foregoing.




In one illustrative embodiment shown in

FIGS. 3 and 4

, the boot includes longitudinally extending ribs


77


or pleats that stiffen the boot along its length to prevent heel lift, but flex between adjacent ribs to allow the boot


20


to roll side-to-side. In hard boots, the ribs


77


may be formed directly on the shell


24


during the molding process. In soft boots, the ribs


77


may be formed on a stiffener plate that is attached to or molded in the boot sole. The ribs


77


may be provided across the entire width of the boot between its sides


58


,


76


as shown in the figures, or the ribs


77


may be confined to those portions of the boot where side-to-side flexibility is desired, such as between one or both of the sides


58


,


76


and its closest attachment point


71


,


73


. The ribs


77


may extend along the entire length of the boot.




As mentioned above, other techniques can also be used to provide this combination of longitudinal stiffness in the boot sole and side-to-side flex of the boot relative to the binding interface. For example, the plastic shell for a hard boot or the sole stiffener in a soft boot may be selectively thinned along the side edges to provide side-to-side flexibility, while also retaining longitudinal stiffness. Alternatively, the sole may be formed from a combination of materials having different structural properties. For example, the sole or midsole of the boot may include a central core of glass-filled nylon for stiffness and portions of ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) disposed along the side edges of the sole for side-to-side flexibility. The nylon and EVA may be formed as separate parts and then bonded together, or they may be co-injected into a common mold.




As illustrated in

FIGS. 3 and 4

, the binding interface


22


may be mounted to the boot


20


using an attachment point pattern that is asymmetrical relative to the sides of the boot and controls both the direction and amount of side-to-side flex. In one embodiment shown in

FIG. 4

, the attachment point pattern is arranged so that the boot can roll to the inner/medial side, but not the outer/lateral side, as preferred by many riders. The inner fastener


72


is placed close to the inner side


58


of the boot to effectively clamp the boot


20


to the binding interface


22


, thereby preventing the boot from rolling or flexing outwardly when subjected to an outward force P


2


. Conversely, the outer fastener


70


is placed a greater distance from the outer side


76


of the boot toward the center plane


74


so that the outer side of the boot may lift from the binding interface


22


when subjected to an inward force P


1


, thereby allowing the boot to roll or flex inwardly through an angle A. The position of the outer fastener


70


relative to the outer side


76


of the boot establishes the amount of side-to-side flex or roll that the boot may experience. For example, the outer fastener


70


can be located a predetermined distance from the outer side so that the boot may be flexed or rolled to the inner side through a maximum angle A of approximately 25°.




Since the amount of side-to-side flexibility may be controlled by the distance of the fasteners


70


,


72


relative to the sides of the boot, in one embodiment of the invention, the rider is provided with the ability to selectively position the fasteners


70


,


72


to adjust the amount of side-to-side flexibility to his or her particular requirements. To this end, the boot


20


and the binding interface


22


may be constructed so that the position of the fasteners


70


,


72


may be adjusted relative to the sides of the boot. In one illustrative embodiment shown in

FIG. 7

, the binding interface


22


and the boot


20


each is provided with an adjustable attachment feature


79


, which may include a plurality of holes, a slot or a combination thereof, so that the position


78


of the fasteners


70


,


72


relative to the sides of the boot can be adjustably selected by the rider. For example, the outer fastener


70


may be selectively positioned between the outer side


76


and the center plane


74


to adjust inward or medial flexibility of the boot. Similarly, the inner fastener


72


may be selectively positioned between the inner side


58


and the center plane


74


of the boot to adjust outward or lateral flexibility of the boot. In one embodiment, the binding interface has a maximum width of approximately 10 cm, and a width between the outer and inner fasteners


70


,


72


of approximately 8 cm when each fastener is positioned at its corresponding side of the boot. The outer fastener


70


can be adjusted to a position within approximately 5 mm of the center plane


74


to maximize the inward roll or flexibility of the boot relative to the binding interface.




In an alternate embodiment, the boot sole can have a stiffness at its sides that would not allow the sole to flex, and a flexible attachment mechanism coupling the boot


20


and the binding interface


22


can be employed to provide the desired side-to-side flexibility. For example, in one embodiment illustrated in

FIG. 5

, the boot


20


includes flexible interface attachment features, such as molded bosses


83


or other resilient elements, that are designed to allow the boot to flex relative to the binding interface. As illustrated, the binding interface


22


is mounted to the boot


20


using fasteners


70


,


72


that are secured to the bosses


83


. When sufficient force is applied to the boot


20


, the bosses


83


flex (e.g., pivot or bend), thereby enabling the boot to move relative to the binding interface


22


. In another embodiment illustrated in

FIG. 6

, a flexible attachment feature, such as a elastomeric washer


85


or other resilient element, is coupled between the binding interface


22


and one or more of the fasteners


70


,


72


extending through boreholes


87


in the interface. For example, when the fastener


70


,


72


is a screw as shown in

FIG. 6

, the washer


85


can be disposed between the head of the screw


70


,


72


and the binding interface


22


. When subjected to sufficient force, the washer


85


is compressed, thereby enabling the fastener


70


,


72


to move within the boreholes


87


relative to the binding interface


22


, which allows the boot


20


to flex side-to-side relative to the binding interface


22


.




The flexible attachment mechanism may also be used to control the direction and amount of side-to-side flex. The spring characteristics of the flexible attachment features can be varied to control the amount of flex. Additionally, the flexible attachment features can have different spring characteristics to control the direction of flex. For example, the outer attachment features can be more flexible than the inner attachment features, thereby enabling the boot


20


to flex a greater amount in the inward or medial direction than the outward or lateral direction. In another embodiment, the location of the flexible attachment features can be selectively adjusted across the width of the boot and binding interface similar to the asymmetrical pattern technique discussed above to control the amount and direction of side-to-side flex.




In another illustrative embodiment shown in

FIG. 8

, the side-to-side flexibility provided by the binding interface


22


is enhanced by a resilient element


80


disposed between the boot


20


and the binding interface


22


. In the embodiment shown in

FIG. 8

, the resilient element


80


is in the form of a pad placed along the inner portion of the binding interface


22


so that the inner side


58


of the boot


20


may move downwardly against the resilient element as a force P


1


is exerted inwardly to roll the boot. The resilient element


80


may be formed from rubber or other resilient material that can be compressed or otherwise deformed to allow the boot to roll relative to the binding interface. In one embodiment, it has a thickness from approximately 5 mm to approximately 1 cm, extends along the entire length of the binding interface


22


and has a width from approximately the center plane


74


of the boot to within approximately 3 mm of the inner edge


64


of the binding interface. It should be understood that these dimensions are exemplary and that other dimensions can be used. Alternatively, the resilient element


80


can be placed along the outer portion of the binding interface, instead of the inner portion, so that the outer side


76


of the boot


20


may move downwardly in response to an outward force on the boot. Additionally, a resilient element


80


can be placed along both the inner and outer portions of the binding interface, or a resilient element can be placed across the entire width of the binding interface. Further, one or more resilient elements


80


may alternatively be disposed on the bottom of the boot, rather than in the interface


22


, to achieve similar results.




In another illustrative embodiment, an adjustment system is provided to limit or set the side-to-side flexibility of the boot


20


relative to the binding interface


22


. In one illustrative embodiment shown in

FIGS. 2 and 9

, the adjustment system


81


includes an adjustment member


82


that extends upwardly from the outer edge


66


of the binding interface


22


and lies adjacent the outer side


76


of the boot shell


24


. The adjustment member


82


has a vertical slot


84


through which a locking member


86


, such as a screw, extends to engage a corresponding fastener, such as a threaded hole or nut, in the boot. When the locking member


86


is loosened, the boot


20


may freely flex within a predetermined range from 0° to a maximum angle A limited by the length of the slot. In addition to providing a stop that limits the maximum flex angle of the boot, the adjustment member


82


and the locking member


86


allow the rider to fix the angle A of the boot


20


relative to the binding interface


22


. To fix the boot at a desired angle A, the rider can flex the boot to the desired angle, and then tighten the locking member


86


into the boot until the head of the screw is tightened against the adjustment member, thereby locking the boot at that angle. The specific angle A attained can be determined by providing an indicator, such as incrementally spaced indicia, along the adjustment member


82


or on the boot shell


24


adjacent the adjustment member.




It should be understood that the particular implementation of the adjustment system


81


shown in

FIGS. 2 and 9

is provided merely for illustrative purposes and that numerous other implementations of the system are possible. For example, the adjustment member


82


can be fixed to and extend downwardly from the boot


20


to lie adjacent the outer edge


66


of the binding interface


22


with the locking member


86


engaging a corresponding fastener in the binding interface. The adjustment system


81


can alternatively be provided along the inner side


58


of the boot, or an adjustment system


81


can be provided along both the outer side


76


and the inner side


58


of the boot to limit or set the flex in both directions.




Another illustrative embodiment of the adjustment system


81


is shown in FIG.


10


. In this embodiment, a horizontal arm or extension


90


is disposed on the outer side


76


of the boot


20


above the binding interface


22


. An adjustment member


92


extends vertically from the outer edge


66


of the binding interface


22


and through an aperture


94


in the arm


90


. A retainer


96


is attached to the adjustment member


92


and is spaced from the arm


90


so that the boot


20


may flex within a range from 0° to a maximum angle A limited by the distance between the retainer


96


and the arm


90


. It should be understood that the adjustment system


81


can alternatively be located on the inner side or on both sides of the boot. Furthermore, the adjustment member


92


may be disposed on the boot


20


to interact with an arm or similar structure on the binding interface.




In one embodiment of the invention, the retainer


96


is adjustably positioned along the adjustment member


92


so that the rider can selectively increase and decrease the range of side-to-side flex by increasing and decreasing the distance between the retainer


96


and the arm


90


. The retainer


96


can be positioned along the adjustment member


92


against the arm


90


to completely lock down the boot so that it cannot be flexed relative to the binding interface. The retainer


96


may be a nut or other suitable fastener that adjustably interacts with the adjustment member


92


, which can be in the form of a threaded shaft.




In one embodiment of the invention, the adjustment system


81


includes a dampening feature to produce a smooth flexing motion without an abrupt stop as the boot is flexed to the extreme limits of its range. One illustrative implementation of a dampening system


97


is shown in

FIG. 10

, wherein a dampening element


98


, such as a compression spring or other resilient element, is secured about the adjustment member


92


between the arm


90


and the retainer


96


. As the boot


20


flexes, the dampening element


98


is compressed between the arm


90


and the retainer


96


, thereby producing a variable force that opposes the side-to-side flexing and increases in proportion to the amount of flex, resulting in a smooth flex, rather than an abrupt stop. In addition to selecting the range of flex of the boot


20


, adjustment of the retainer


96


along the adjustment member


92


also increases or decreases the resistance to any side-to-side flex by adjusting the amount of force initially opposing the side-to-side flex. In addition, the rate of side-to-side flex may be adjusted by using dampening elements


98


having varied dampening characteristics, e.g., springs with different spring constants.




In another embodiment of the invention shown in

FIG. 11

, side-to-side flexibility between the boot


20


and the binding interface


22


is provided using an arrangement that enables the boot


20


to slide side-to-side over the binding interface


22


. The boot


20


and the binding interface


22


have arcuate surfaces


100


,


102


, respectively, that cooperate so that the boot may slide side-to-side across the binding interface through a desired angle A. The boot


20


and the binding interface


22


may be coupled to each other in any number of other ways that enable a sliding motion between the boot and the interface


22


. In one embodiment, the interface


22


is slidably attached to the boot


20


with fastening members


104


,


106


(e.g., screws, pins, rivets or the like) that are secured to the binding interface


22


and cooperate with slots


108


in the boot to enable the boot to slide with respect to the interface through an angle A defined by the length of the slot. Each fastening member


104


,


106


cooperates with the ends of the slot


108


to act as a stop to limit the degree of side-to-side flexibility.




In the embodiment shown in

FIG. 11

, the boot


20


has a convex lower surface


100


and the binding interface


22


has a concave upper surface


102


. Each surface has a radius R that allows smooth movement between the boot and the interface to provide the desired side-to-side flexibility. In one embodiment, the surfaces are smooth and have a cylindrical shape that extends along the entire length of the binding interface


22


, the surfaces have a radius R of approximately 15 cm, and the slots


108


are provided in the boot


20


and have a side-to-side length of approximately 1 cm along the radius.




It should be understood that other arrangements are possible, such as a concave boot surface and a convex binding interface surface. Alternatively, the fastening members can be secured to the boot


20


and cooperate with slots in the binding interface


22


. In addition, different lengths of the radii and slots may be used so long as the boot is capable of sliding across the binding interface through a desired angle. In the embodiment shown, the boot can flex inwardly and outwardly relative to the binding interface. However, it should be understood that the fastening members and/or the slots can be arranged to prevent the boot from flexing to the side in a particular direction (e.g., outwardly).




In one embodiment of the invention, the sliding arrangement of the present invention is provided with a dampening feature that produces a smooth sliding motion without abrupt stops as the boot is flexed to the extreme limits of its range. In an illustrative embodiment shown in

FIG. 12

, the binding interface


22


has a cavity


110


that is adapted to receive an arm or extension


112


, such as a wall or rib, that is disposed on the bottom surface


114


of the boot


20


. Dampening elements


116


,


118


are disposed in the cavity


110


between each side of the arm


112


and a side of the cavity. As the boot


20


slides across the binding interface


22


, one of the dampening members


116


,


118


is compressed by the arm


112


and produces a variable opposing force on the arm that increases in proportion to the amount of flex to reduce the rate of sliding. The dampening element can also limit the side-to-side flex of the boot, such as when the dampening element becomes fully compressed by the arm. It should be understood that the arm


112


can be disposed on the binding interface


22


and the dampening elements


116


,


118


can be disposed in the boot


20


.




The dampening elements


116


,


118


may be formed from a resilient element, such as rubber, compression springs, or the like. In one embodiment, the dampening elements


116


,


118


are rubber and have a thickness of 1 cm, a width of 2 cm and a length that extends along the length of the binding interface. However, the sizes and the spring characteristics of the dampening elements may be varied to control the amount and direction of side-to-side flex. In addition, the arm


112


may be positioned on the boot in an off-center arrangement relative to the cavity


110


to reduce the amount of sliding and side-to-side flex to a particular side of the boot. For example, the arm


112


may be disposed closer to the inner side and away from the outer side of the cavity to reduce the outward lateral flex and increase the inner lateral flex of the boot. To achieve similar control, the cavity can be configured so that one side of the cavity is disposed closer to the arm than the opposite side of the cavity, or the dampening element on one side of the arm can have a size and/or spring characteristics that are different from those of the dampening element on the opposite side of the arm. Additionally, the arm and/or the cavity can be arranged to prevent the boot from flexing to the side in a particular direction (e.g., outwardly).




Another illustrative embodiment for implementing side-to-side roll in a snowboard boot is illustrated in FIG.


13


. In this embodiment, the binding interface


22


is slidably attached to the boot


20


using fasteners


124


,


126


(e.g., rivets, pins, screws or the like) which extend through vertical connection members


128


,


130


disposed on opposite sides of the binding interface


22


. Each connection member


128


,


130


is provided with a vertical slot


132


,


134


so that the boot


20


may move and flex or roll to the side relative to the binding interface


22


. Each fastener


124


,


126


cooperates with the ends of the slot


132


,


134


to act as a stop to limit the amount of movement between the binding interface and the boot. The lower surface


135


of the boot is arcuate (e.g., convex) to enhance the ability of the boot


20


to roll relative to the binding interface


22


. It should be understood that the boot


20


and the binding interface


22


may be coupled to each other in any of a number of other ways that allows movement therebetween. For example, the boot may include the connection members with the binding interface being attached to the connecting members.




In an alternate embodiment for dampening the side-to-side flex or roll of the boot, the side-to-side flexibility of the boot


20


may be controlled using a dampening element disposed between the boot


20


and the binding interface


22


. As illustrated in

FIG. 13

, the dampening element can be implemented using a fluid bladder


120


, which includes a dampening fluid


122


, disposed between the binding interface


22


and the boot


20


. In the illustrative embodiment, the bladder


120


includes a pair of chambers


136


,


138


that are positioned on opposite sides of the center plane


74


of the boot and are fluidly coupled through a valve


140


. When the boot


20


moves relative to the binding interface


22


, one chamber is squeezed so that its fluid


122


(e.g., a liquid or gas) is forced through the valve


140


and into the other chamber. The amount by which the side-to-side flexibility or roll of the boot


20


relative to the binding interface


22


is dampened is a function of the rate and amount of fluid transfer between the chambers. Consequently, the amount of dampening can be controlled by adjusting the rate that the fluid


22


is transferred between the chambers


136


,


138


. An adjustment screw


142


may be used to adjust the size of the valve opening between the chambers.




It should be understood that the binding interface of the present invention may be configured to interface with various step-in or side-grip binding arrangements, and is not limited to the particular binding arrangement discussed above. For example, the binding interface


22


may include outwardly extending bail or plate members, longitudinal rods, or other interface features capable of securing a boot to a binding. The snowboard boot system can be provided with a set of interchangeable binding interfaces that include various interface features to allow the suspension system of the present invention to be used with different snowboard binding arrangements.




Having described several embodiments of the invention in detail, various modifications and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such modifications and improvements are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is by way of example only and is not intended as limiting. The invention is limited only as defined by the following claims and the equivalents thereto.



Claims
  • 1. An apparatus comprising:a snowboard boot including a bottom portion; a strapless binding interface including at least one interface feature adapted to engage with a snowboard binding; and at least one pair of flexible attachment members coupling the binding interface to the bottom portion of the snowboard boot so that the bottom portion of the snowboard boot can flex in a side-to-side direction relative to the binding interface to provide side-to-side flexibility when the binding interface is engaged by the snowboard binding, the at least one pair of flexible attachment members being spaced apart in the side-to-side direction.
  • 2. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one interface feature includes a first interface feature disposed adjacent a first side of the boot and a second interface feature disposed adjacent a second side of the boot.
  • 3. The apparatus recited in claim 2, wherein at least one of the first and second interface features has at least one recess that is adapted to receive a portion of the snowboard binding therein.
  • 4. The apparatus recited in claim 3, wherein the at least one recess is tapered.
  • 5. The apparatus recited in claim 2, wherein at least one of the first and second interface features includes a pair of spaced recesses.
  • 6. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the boot and the binding interface is constructed and arranged to resist heel lift of the bottom portion of the boot relative to the binding interface while enabling flex in the side-to-side direction.
  • 7. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one pair of flexible attachment members are disposed substantially at first and second sides of the boot.
  • 8. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one pair of flexible attachment members includes a pair of flexible mounting bosses disposed on one of the boot and the binding interface.
  • 9. The apparatus recited in claim 1, further comprising an adjustment member, supported by one of the boot and the binding interface, that is constructed and arranged to adjustably restrict the side-to-side flexibility between the bottom portion of the boot and the binding interface.
  • 10. The apparatus recited in claim 1, further comprising means for restricting the side-to-side flexibility between the snowboard boot and the binding interface.
  • 11. An apparatus comprising:a snowboard boot including a bottom portion and a bottom surface; a strapless binding interface including a first interface feature disposed adjacent a first side of the boot and a second interface feature disposed adjacent a second side of the boot, the first and second interface features being adapted to engage with a snowboard binding, wherein at least one portion of at least one of the first and second interface features does not protrude below the bottom surface of the boot; and at least one flexible attachment member coupling the binding interface to the bottom portion of the snowboard boot so that the bottom portion of the snowboard boot can flex side-to-side relative to the binding interface to provide side-to-side flexibility when the binding interface is engaged by the snowboard binding.
  • 12. The apparatus recited in claim 11, wherein at least one of the first and second interface features has at least one recess that is adapted to receive a portion of the snowboard binding therein.
  • 13. The apparatus recited in claim 12, wherein the at least one recess is tapered.
  • 14. The apparatus recited in claim 11, wherein at least one of the first and second interface features includes a pair of spaced recesses.
  • 15. The apparatus recited in claim 11, wherein at least one of the boot and the binding interface is constructed and arranged to resist heel lift of the bottom portion of the boot relative to the binding interface while enabling flex in the side-to-side direction.
  • 16. The apparatus recited in claim 11, wherein the at least one flexible attachment member includes a pair of flexible attachment members disposed substantially at first and second sides of the boot.
  • 17. The apparatus recited in claim 11, wherein the at least one flexible attachment members includes a pair of flexible mounting boss disposed on one of the boot and the binding interface.
  • 18. The apparatus recited in claim 11, further comprising an adjustment member, supported by one of the boot and the binding interface, that is constructed and arranged to adjustably restrict the side-to-side flexibility between the bottom portion of the boot and the binding interface.
  • 19. The apparatus recited in claim 11, further comprising means for restricting the side-to-side flexibility between the snowboard boot and the binding interface.
  • 20. An apparatus comprising:a snowboard boot including a bottom portion, a first side and a second side; a strapless binding interface including at least one interface feature adapted to engage with a snow binding, wherein the at least one interface feature does not protrude beyond the first and second sides of the boot; and at least one flexible attachment member coupling the binding interface to the bottom portion of the snowboard boot so that the bottom portion of the snowboard boot can flex side-to-side relative to the binding interface to provide side-to-side flexibility when the binding interface is engaged by the snowboard binding.
  • 21. The apparatus recited in claim 20, wherein the at least one interface feature includes a first interface feature disposed adjacent a first side of the boot and a second interface feature disposed adjacent a second side of the boot.
  • 22. The apparatus recited in claim 21, wherein at least one of the first and second interface features has at least one recess that is adapted to receive a portion of the snowboard binding therein.
  • 23. The apparatus recited in claim 22, wherein the at least one recess is tapered.
  • 24. The apparatus recited in claim 21, wherein at least one of the first and second interface features includes a pair of spaced recesses.
  • 25. The apparatus recited in claim 20, wherein at least one of the boot and the binding interface is constructed and arranged to resist heel lift of the bottom portion of the boot relative to the binding interface while enabling flex in the side-to-side direction.
  • 26. The apparatus recited in claim 20, wherein the at least one flexible attachment member includes a pair of flexible attachment members disposed substantially at first and second sides of the boot.
  • 27. The apparatus recited in claim 20, wherein the at least one flexible attachment member includes a pair of flexible mounting bosses disposed on one of the boot and the binding interface.
  • 28. The apparatus recited in claim 20, further comprising an adjustment member, supported by one of the boot and the binding interface, that is constructed and arranged to adjustably restrict the side-to-side flexibility between the bottom portion of the boot and the binding interface.
  • 29. The apparatus recited in claim 20, further comprising means for restricting the side-to-side flexibility between the snowboard boot and the binding interface.
  • 30. An apparatus comprising:a snowboard boot including a bottom portion; a binding interface including at least one interface feature adapted to engage with a snowboard binding at least one flexible attachment member coupling the binding interface to the bottom portion of the snowboard boot so that the bottom portion of the snowboard boot can flex side-to-side relative to the binding interface to provide side-to-side flexibility when the binding interface is engaged by the snowboard binding; and an adjustment member, supported by one of the boot and the binding interfaces, that is constructed and arranged to adjustably restrict the side-to-side flexibility between the bottom portion of the boot and the binding interface.
  • 31. The apparatus recited in claim 30, wherein the at least one interface feature includes a first interface disposed adjacent a first side of the boot and a second interface feature disposed adjacent a second side of the boot.
  • 32. The apparatus recited in claim 31, wherein at least one of the first and second interface features has at least one recess that is adapted to receive a portion of the snowboard binding therein.
  • 33. The apparatus recited in claim 32, wherein the at least one recess is tapered.
  • 34. The apparatus recited in claim 31, wherein at least one of the first and second interface features includes a pair of spaced recesses.
  • 35. The apparatus recited in claim 30, wherein at least one of the boot and the binding interface is constructed and arranged to resist heel lift of the bottom portion of the boot relative to the binding interface while enabling flex in the side-to-side direction.
  • 36. The apparatus recited in claim 30, wherein the at least one flexible attachment member includes a pair of flexible attachment members disposed substantially at first and second sides of the boot.
  • 37. The apparatus recited in claim 30, wherein the at least one flexible attachment member includes a pair of flexible mounting bosses disposed on one of the bottom and the binding interface.
Parent Case Info

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 08/974,025, filed Nov. 19, 1997, entitled Snowboard Boot With Binding Interface, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,168,173.

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