Patent Application
20150014962
The present invention relates to improvements in and relating to splitboard bindings.
Snowboarding is a relatively recent snow sport in which a single board is used to slide over the snow surface rather than the traditional form of skiing which utilizes two separate skis.
One problem that snow boarders experience is difficulty when moving on flat or uphill terrain. Users of skis have the ability to independently move each ski; this allows them to push with one ski whilst sliding with the other. This technique is typically enhanced by adding a skin to the lower surface of each ski in order to gain greater traction with the snow.
Typically a snow board comprises a single board, which means a snowboarder only has the option to either completely detach from the board and walk, or to detach one leg and scoot/shuffle the snow board. Both techniques are poorly suited to snow travel.
One solution to this problem is a split board. A split board is in effect a snowboard which can be separated into two halves. When riding downhill the two halves are attached together and operated in the same manner as a standard snowboard. When travelling on a flat or uphill surface the snowboard can be separated into two halves. The halves are then attached separately to each of the user's feet and can be used in the same manner as traditional skis.
One problem that is faced by split boarders is that the positioning of the feet is completely different when the board is used as a snowboard compared to when it is used as skis. This means that the boot binding which fastens the user's boots to the split board must be removed and repositioned between the snowboard arrangement and the ski arrangement. This is typically time consuming and requires a high degree of dexterity.
It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.
All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein; this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country.
Throughout this specification, the word “comprise”, or variations thereof such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.
The purpose of invention of the present application is to provide a boot attachment system for a split board, wherein the boot attachment provides two alternative attachment configurations. The first configuration provides a ‘ride mode’ in which the rider's boots are attached across the two halves of the split board allowing the joined board halves to be used as a complete snowboard for riding downhill. The second configuration provides a ‘ski mode’ in which the rider's boots are attached one on each half of the split board. This allows the halves of the board to be used in a similar manner to traditional skis. This is particularly useful when travelling uphill or on terrain that is insufficiently steep for the board configuration to be useable.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a boot attachment system, including:
In preferred embodiments the first clampable member and a second clampable member can be separated from one another when not being clamped by the clamp portion.
In preferred embodiments the first clampable member is configured to attach to a first surface.
Preferably the first surface is a first half of a split board.
In preferred embodiments the second clampable member is configured to attach to a second surface.
Preferably the second surface is a second half of a split board.
In preferred embodiments clamping of the first attachment portion to the first clampable member and the second clampable member rigidly fixes the position of the first clampable member and the second clampable member with respect to the first attachment portion.
In preferred embodiments the first clampable member includes a first angled surface positioned on a first clampable member first end.
Preferably the first clampable member includes a second angled surface positioned on a first clampable member second end, wherein the first clampable member second end is positioned on an opposite end of the first clampable member to the first clampable member first end.
It will be appreciated that the purpose of each angled surface is to redirect a clamping force applied at an angle of incidence to the angled surface.
In preferred embodiments the first angled surface and the second angled surface redirect a portion of an applied clamping force by substantially 90 degrees.
In preferred embodiments the force clamping the first angled surface and the second angled surface is redirected so as to force the first clampable member into the first attachment portion.
Preferably the first clampable member includes a first clampable member engaging portion configured to engage with at least a portion of the second clampable member, wherein the first clampable member engaging portion is positioned on the first clampable member second end.
Preferable the first clampable member engaging portion is a recess or slot configured to receive a protrusion or tab on the second clampable member.
In preferred embodiments the second clampable member includes a second clampable member engaging portion configured to engage with at least a portion of the first clampable member, wherein the second clampable member engaging portion is positioned on an opposite end of the second clampable member to the second clampable member first end.
Preferably the second clampable member engaging portion is a protrusion or tab configured to engage within a recess or slot in the second clampable member.
Preferably the second clampable member protrusion or tab is configured to be inserted into the first clampable member recess or slot, wherein clamping of the first clampable member and the second clampable member with the clamp portion holds the second clampable member protrusion or tab within the first clampable member recess or slot.
In preferred embodiments the first clampable member engaging portion is configured to prevent shearing movement between the first clampable member and the second clampable member when the first clampable member and the second clampable member are clamped by the first attachment portion clamp portion.
In preferred embodiments the clamp portion includes engagement regions configured to engage with each of the first angled surface, second angled surface, and the third angled surface.
Preferably each of the engagement regions includes at least one engaging portion configured to engage with a respective angled surface. A person skilled in the art will understand that the engaging portion could take any number of forms without departing from the scope of the present invention, non limiting examples of which include any surface capable of bearing against the angled surface.
In some preferred embodiments one or more of the engaging portions may include a surface which is sloped in the opposite direction to the slope of the angled surface with which it is configured to engage. An opposing slope should be understood to be a slope which is rotated by 180 degrees with respect to the slope of the angled surface.
In other embodiments one or more of the engaging portions may comprise a rod or the like running parallel to a said angled surface.
In preferred embodiments the clamping motion of the clamp portion is along a line substantially from the toe end to the heel end of the boot binding.
It will be appreciated that a force driving an engaging portion against the slope of an angled surface results in the engaging portion moving both in the direction of the clamping force and in a direction orthogonal to the clamping force,tThe resultant motion being substantially parallel to the slope of the angled surface.
Preferably the engaging portions function in combination with the first angled surface, first second angled surface and third angled surface to pull the second attachment portion towards the first attachment portion when clamped.
In use, clamping of the second attachment portion with the first attachment portion locks the first clampable member and the second clampable member together and pulls the first clampable member and the second clampable member towards the first attachment portion. In use the clamping action serves to pull the boot binding down onto the first surface and the second surface and locks the first surface and the second surface together.
In preferred embodiments the second attachment portion includes at least one curved attachment region that is configured to allow the second attachment portion to be both attached to the at least one surface and rotatable about an axis orthogonal to the surface.
Preferably each of the first clampable member and second clampable member include curved attachment regions.
In preferred embodiments the first clampable member curved attachment region provides an axis of rotation which is at, or near, the first clampable member engaging portion and which, in use, is orthogonal to the surface to which the first clampable member is attached.
In preferred embodiments the second clampable member curved attachment region provides an axis of rotation which is at, or near, the second clampable member engaging portion and which, in use, is orthogonal to the surface to which the first clampable member is attached.
It will be appreciated that when the first clampable member engaging portion and second clampable member engaging portion are engaged, the axis of rotation provided by the curved attachment regions will be positioned at, or close to, the region at which the first clampable member and the second clampable member are engaged.
In preferred embodiments the, or each, curved attachment region is fastened to the first, or second, surface by way of a retainer plate and mounting hardware such as a bolt or other type of standard fastener. In use a fastener is passed though an aperture in the retainer plate and into one or more standard fittings in the surface the attachment region is being fastened to. In the case of a snow board, or split board, it will be appreciated that one or more inserts are built into the core of the board during manufacture. Typically inserts are spaced along a portion of the length of the board. Spacing between inserts has evolved to be around 1 inch. As a standard rule the inserts are also offset from the medial plane of the board by around 2.75 inches, although these distances are standard practice rather than a rule. This limits the degree of adjustment available when mounting boot bindings to a board to 1 inch steps.
In preferred embodiments the retainer plate includes at least one slotted mounting aperture.
Preferably the at least one slotted mounting aperture is configured to provide between 1 inch and 2 inches of adjustment along the length of the board relative to the mounting hardware.
It will be appreciated that by providing between 1 inch and 2 inches of adjustment at the retainer plate, the user can adjust the position of a binding to any possible position when 1 inch spaced inserts are used in a board.
In some preferred embodiments the boot binding substantially planar base may include a recess in the lower surface thereof, the recess configured to receive the second attachment portion or part thereof.
In some embodiments the regions of the boot binding adjacent the recess may be configured to abut the at least one surface. It will be appreciated that clamping of the second attachment portion effectively pulls the adjacent sections of the boot binding down onto the at least one surface. This provides a more stable connection between the board and the boot binding.
In preferred embodiments the boot attachment system, includes a third attachment portion including:
In preferred embodiments the pivotable attachment is positioned above the base of the bracket.
In preferred embodiments the toe block includes a recessed slot configured to receive a toe end of the boot binding and a clamp receiving portion configured to be clamped by at least a portion of the clamp portion.
In some preferred embodiments the recessed slot may include a wedge shaped edge.
In some preferred embodiments the clamp receiving portion may include a wedge shaped edge.
In preferred embodiments the third attachment portion is configured to allow the first attachment portion to be pivotally connected to the at least one surface.
Preferably the pivotable attachment is configured to allow the heel end of the boot binding to be rotated substantially about the toe end of the boot binding when the boot binding is clamped to the third attachment portion.
Preferably the same clamp portion used to clamp the first attachment portion to the second attachment portion is used to clamp the first attachment portion to the third attachment portion.
In preferred embodiments the clamping mechanism includes a lever.
In preferred embodiments the clamping mechanism includes at least one moveable engaging portion.
Preferably the at least one moveable engaging portion is moved by movement of the lever.
Preferably the lever moves the at least one moveable engaging portion into engagement with one or more of the first clampable member or the second clampable member.
Preferably the lever moves at least one moveable engaging portion into engagement with the first clampable member first angled surface.
Preferably engagement of the at least one moveable engaging portion into engagement with the first clampable member angled surface results in the first attachment portion sliding and engaging the second attachment portion and the third attachment portion with the second angled surface and the third angled surface respectively.
In preferred embodiments the lever is adjustably connected to the at least one moveable engaging portion so as to provide an adjustable clamping force.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a latching device which includes:
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of interconnecting a first object having a substantially flat edge with a second object having a substantially flat edge by way of a latching device, the latching device including a first base plate attached to the first object adjacent the substantially flat edge thereof and having an upper surface and a lower surface, whereby a first flat headed pin protrudes from the upper surface of the first base plate and a beam is pivotably attached to the upper surface of the first base plate so as to be rotatable about an axis projecting orthogonally from the upper surface of the first base plate and a second base plate attached to the second object adjacent the substantially flat edge thereof and having an upper surface and a lower surface whereby a second flat headed pin projects from the upper surface of the second base plate and a camming pin is rotatably attached at one end to the upper surface of the second base plate and is fixed to a lever at the other end wherein the beam includes a first ‘T’ shaped slot configured to receive the first flat headed pin, a second ‘T’ shaped slot configured to receive the second flat headed pin and an aperture configured to receive the camming pin, the method including the steps of:
In preferred embodiments the first object and the second object are halves of a split board.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a sport board having a first half and a second half, the sport board being configurable between a joint configuration wherein the first half and second half of the board are fixed together and function as a single structure, and a separate configuration, wherein the first half and second half of the board are separated and function independently of each other, the sport board including: at least one boot attachment system, including a first attachment portion having a boot binding, the boot binding having a heel end, a toe end and a substantially planar base configured to receive the sole of a boot and a second attachment portion including a first clampable member attached to the first half of the sport board and a second clampable member attached to the second half of the sport board, wherein the first attachment portion includes a clamp portion configured to grip at least the first clampable member and the second clampable member.
In preferred embodiments clamping the first clampable member and the second clampable member with the clamp portion locks the first half and second half of the sport board together.
In preferred embodiments the sport board includes at least one latching device which includes a first base plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, whereby a first flat headed pin protrudes from the upper surface of the first base plate and a beam is pivotably attached to the upper surface of the first base plate so as to be rotatable about an axis projecting orthogonally from the upper surface of the first base plate and a second base plate having an upper surface and a lower surface whereby a second flat headed pin projects from the upper surface of the second base plate and a camming pin is rotatably attached at one end to the upper surface of the second base plate and is fixed to a lever at the other end, wherein the beam includes a first ‘T’ shaped slot configured to receive the first flat headed pin, a second ‘T’ shaped slot configured to receive the second flat headed pin and an aperture configured to receive the camming pin.
In preferred embodiments the at least one latching device locks the first half and the second half of the sport board together.
Preferably the at least one latching device stops shearing and out of plane alignment occurring between the first half and second half of the board.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a split board assembly, including:
In some preferred embodiments the split board may include one or more clips positioned along the adjacent edges of the left half and the right half of the joined split board. By including additional clips, in particular at the tip and tail of the split board, a much greater degree of rigidity is obtained, in addition any independent flexion or shearing between the split board halves is mitigated.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of non-limiting advantages over the prior art, examples of which include:
Increased lateral stiffness across the board thus increasing the responsiveness of the board to rider input through the binding interface.
Increased board feedback to the rider by clamping the binding directly down to the board.
The binding interface forces the two board halves together eliminating any gaps that can occur down the center of the board; this improves the performance of the board.
The middle angled surface and the interface between the first clampable portion and the second clampable portion pull both ski edges upwards when clamped by the clamp portion, thereby keeping the two board halves in plane and allowing no relative movement when the board halves are joined.
Tolerances for achieving a solid connection between the binding interface and ride mode interface are very large. The chance of failure in the backcountry is reduced, as large deformations of materials would be needed before the binding interface is incapable of engaging to the ride-mode interface. This is particular important when traveling in the backcountry, often hours or days away from safety.
The binding allows for flex in the longitudinal direction of the board; minimizing dead spots that occur under rigid bindings and providing a natural boot binding interface flex to the rider.
Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
a shows a plan view of a split sport board in a ride mode in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention,
b shows a plan view of the split board of
a-c shows a perspective view of the second attachment portion in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention shown in
a-e shows alternative embodiments of clamping mechanisms in accordance with the present invention.
With reference to
With reference to
With reference to
In the preferred embodiment of
Clamp portion 102 includes clamping mechanism 32 which has levers 32a. Rotating levers 32a results in angled face 35a being slid longitudinally in a direction along a line from the toe end 17b to the heel end 17a. Levers 32a may move angled face 35a in a number of ways, non limiting examples of which include: pulling a cable attached to the angled face 35a, pushing, or pulling a slideable member having an angled face 35a; or the lever 32a having an angled face formed directly thereon. Alternative embodiments of clamping mechanism 32 are shown in
With reference to
With reference to
First clampable member 24 and second clampable member 26 are attached to split board 101 second half 14 and split board 101 first half 12 respectively by way of curved attachment regions 54. Curved attachment regions 54 allow the angle of the second attachment portion 21 to be adjusted on the surface of split board 101. The curvature of curved attachment regions 54 provides an axis of rotation that is orthogonal to the board surface and is located substantially at the interface between the first clampable member and the second clampable member, as shown in
With reference to
Third clampable member 300 is attached to split board 101 by way of bracket 56. Toe block 62 is pivotally attached 58/64 to bracket 56 so as to provide an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the base of bracket 56. Toe block 62 recessed slot 68 and clamp receiving portion 66 form a region which can be clamped by first attachment portion 16 clamp portion 102.
With reference to
With reference to
Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.
This application is based on the Provisional specification filed in relation to United States Patent Application Number US 61/597,165, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/NZ2013/000011 | 2/12/2013 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61597165 | Feb 2012 | US |
