Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6267390
-
Patent Number
6,267,390
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, June 15, 199925 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, July 31, 200123 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks P.C.
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 280 1421
- 280 1131
- 280 607
- 280 600
- 280 619
- 280 620
- 280 621
- 036 119
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
An apparatus comprising a snowboard boot and a strap to hold down a rider's foot in the snowboard boot. The strap includes a tightening element attached to the snowboard boot, a strap body supported by the tightening element, and a closure device including a spool about which the tightening element is wrapped to tighten the strap down onto the snowboard boot. In one aspect, the closure device includes a body and an actuator that is rotatably mounted to the body and is coupled to the tightening element so that rotation of the actuator causes the tightening element to be drawn into the closure device body to tighten the strap.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to snowboard boots and bindings, and more particularly to straps for use on snowboard boots, bindings and interfaces.
2. Related Art
Snowboarding, which has become an increasingly popular sport, typically involves the a use of a snowboard, a pair of snowboard boots worn by a rider, and a snowboard binding that secures the snowboard boots to the snowboard. While there are other types of snowboard boots, the most widely used variety is known as a soft snowboard boot, which typically includes a soft and flexible upper made from a resilient material (e.g., leather). There are two primary types of snowboard bindings used with soft snowboard boots, i.e., tray bindings and step-in bindings. Tray bindings typically employ a rigid highback into which the heel of the boot is placed, and one or more straps that secure the boot to the binding. Conversely, step-in bindings have eliminated the need for binding straps, and provide the rider with the convenience of engaging the boot to the binding by simply stepping into the binding. Examples of step-in binding systems each of which are assigned to the present assignee and which are thereby incorporated herein by reference, include U.S. Ser. No. 08/375,971, Snowboard Boot Binding Mechanism; U.S. Ser. No. 08/584,053, Method and Apparatus for Interfacing A Snowboard Boot to a Binding; U.S. Reg. No. 5,722,680, Step-in Snowboard Binding; U.S. Ser. No. 08/780,721, Step-in Snowboard Binding.
The development of soft boot step-in bindings has presented a problem not previously encountered. In particular, tremendous lifting forces are generated at the heel of a snowboard rider during riding. It is desirable to prevent the rider's foot, particularly the heel, from lifting from the bottom of the boot to maximize control. In a tray binding, the straps can be tightened down over the boot sufficiently to hold the rider's foot down and prevent heel lift. However, with a strapless soft boot step-in binding, the binding does not employ any straps to perform this function. Although the laces of the snowboard boot are available to resist lifting forces, the laces alone are often not capable of sufficiently holding down the heel of the boot to provide the desired control.
To hold down the rider's heel in the boot, many soft boots adapted for use with a step-in binding employ an ankle strap in addition to the lacing system used to close the front of the boot. The ankle strap is typically a two-piece strap including a ratchet tongue and a buckle mechanism. Each of the two strap components has a fixed end that is attached to one side of the boot, and a free end that is adapted to mate with the other strap component. Typically, the buckle mechanism is a ratchet type fastener to engage with the ratchet tongue, such that when tightening the strap typically involves, a relative sliding motion between the two strap components, with one of the components sliding between the boot and the other strap component.
When tightening a ratchet-type ankle strap attached to the boot in the manner described above, significant frictional forces between the strap and the boot can cause the strap to bear against the rider's foot in a non-uniform way, resulting in high pressure points that can be uncomfortable on the rider's foot. Compounding the problem is the fact that the two strap components lie in slightly different planes (with one component overlying the other), so that the tension extending through the two strap components can cause a moment tending to twist the buckle slightly, which can tend to dig the buckle into the boot, potentially creating another uncomfortable pressure point for the rider.
Two-piece ratchet-type straps of the type described above have also been used to form the straps (e.g., both a toe strap and a heel strap) in a tray binding, and in systems that employ an interface for attaching the snowboard boot to the binding, wherein the strap attaches the interface to the boot. While not as severe as when the strap is attached directly to the snowboard boot, the above-described issues involving the creation of pressure points bearing on the rider's foot can also be experienced when two-piece ratchet-type straps are employed on a tray binding, or are used to attach an interface to a snowboard boot.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one illustrative embodiment of the invention, a snowboard binding is provided. The binding includes a base for receiving a snowboard boot and a strap to hold the snowboard boot in the binding. The strap includes a tightening element attached to the base. The strap also includes a closure device including a spool about which the tightening element is wrapped to tighten the strap to secure the boot to the binding.
In another illustrative embodiment of the invention, a snowboard binding is provided. The binding includes a base for receiving a snowboard boot and a strap to hold the snowboard boot in the binding. The strap includes a tightening element attached to the base. The strap also includes a closure device including a body and an actuator that is rotatably mounted to the body and is coupled to the tightening element so that rotation of the actuator causes the tightening element to be drawn into the closure device body to tighten the strap.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, a snowboard binding is provided. The binding includes a base having at least one strap anchor and a strap to hold a snowboard boot in the binding. The strap includes a tightening cable attached to the at least one anchor. The tightening cable is routed to and redirected by a portion of the at least one anchor so that the tightening cable can be drawn in one direction about the portion of the at least one anchor to tighten the strap.
In still another embodiment of the invention, a snowboard binding is provided. The binding includes a base for receiving a snowboard boot and a strap to hold the snowboard boot in the binding. The strap includes at least one load bearing strap component that is attached to the base at first and second locations on opposite sides of the base. The at least one load bearing strap component has a first portion that is attached to the first location on the base and a second portion that is attached to the second location on the base. The strap also includes a strap body movably mounted to each of the first and second portions of the at least one load bearing strap component and adapted to overlie the snowboard boot. The strap also includes a single closure device to tighten the strap by simultaneously tensioning the first and second portions of the at least one load bearing component and causing relative movement between the strap body and each of the first and second portions of the at least one load bearing component.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Various embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of a boot securing strap according to one aspect of the present invention;
FIG. 2
is a perspective view showing the securing strap attached to a soft snowboard boot;
FIG. 3
is a perspective view of the boot securing strap shown in an unsecured position on one side of the boot;
FIG. 4
is a fragmenting cross-sectional view taken along line
4
—
4
of
FIG. 3
;
FIG. 5
is a side view of the boot securing strap of
FIG. 1
attached to a soft snowboard boot in an alternative manner, and wherein the boot is engaged by a step-in binding;
FIG. 6
is a fragmenting cross-sectional view taken along line
6
—
6
of
FIG. 5
;
FIG. 7
is an alternative embodiment of the boot securing strap attached to a soft snowboard boot in an alternative manner on one side of the boot, and being in an unsecured position on the other side of the boot;
FIG. 8
is another alternative embodiment of the boot securing strap attached to a soft snowboard boot in a different manner;
FIG. 9
is an enlarged view of the area encircled by arrows
9
—
9
of
FIG. 8
showing a closure device for the boot securing strap of
FIG. 8
;
FIGS. 10 and 11
are exploded perspective views showing a boot securing strap according to the present invention for use in attaching a binding interface to a snowboard boot;
FIG. 12
is a side view showing a pair of boot securing straps according to the present invention on a tray binding for securing a snowboard boot to the tray binding; and
FIGS. 13-15
are perspective views showing alternative views of a tongue stiffener for use with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
One illustrative embodiment of the present invention is directed to an improved strap that can be used in any of numerous applications, including for use as a strap (e.g., a heel strap) attached directly to a snowboard boot, as a strap (e.g., a toe strap or heel strap) in a tray binding, or as a strap for attaching a binding interface to a snowboard boot. In one embodiment, the strap employs a tightening mechanism that evenly distributes pressure throughout the strap, to avoid the creation of uneven pressure points as can occur with conventional two-piece ratchet-type straps of the type described above. In another embodiment, tightening of the strap does not result in a sliding movement of the strap across the surface of the snowboard boot, thereby avoiding the creation of significant frictional forces between the strap and the snowboard boot. In a further embodiment, the tensioned or load bearing components of the strap lie in a common plane, so that no moment is created as in conventional ratchet-type straps, thereby avoiding uncomfortable pressure points that can result therefrom.
One illustrative embodiment of a strap
20
in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG.
1
. The strap
20
includes four major components, e.g., a strap body
22
, a tightening element
24
, a guide
30
for guiding the tightening element
24
across the strap body
22
, and a closure device
26
that is used to tighten the tightening element
24
. The tightening element
24
includes loop ends
34
and
36
that may be attached to anchors on a snowboard boot, a snowboard binding or a binding interface any of various ways as discussed below. As shown in
FIG. 1
, the tightening element
24
is guided via the guide
30
from one opening
26
a
of the closure device
26
, through an upper portion
30
a
of the guide
30
, to the loop end
36
, through a lower portion
30
b
of the guide
30
to the loop end
34
, and through a second upper portion
30
c
of the guide
30
back into the closure device
26
through a second opening thereof
26
b.
Operation of the strap
20
will now be described in connection with
FIG. 2
, which illustrates an embodiment of the present invention wherein the strap
20
is attached to a soft snowboard boot
28
that may include a lace
31
that closes the front of the boot. The boot includes a pair of anchors
40
(only of one of which is shown in
FIG. 2
) for mounting the loop ends
34
and
36
of the tightening element
24
to the boot. The anchors
40
can be implemented in any of numerous ways as discussed below. The closure device
26
tightens the strap
20
by taking up slack in the tightening element
24
, so that the strap
20
is tightened down over the top surface of the snowboard boot. The closure device
26
can include a housing or body into which the tightening element
24
is drawn to take up the slack in the tightening element. The closure device can include a spool (not shown) about which the tightening element
24
can be wrapped to take up the slack therein. For example, the spool can be implemented as a substantially cylindrical body, that is rotatably mounted relative to the housing of the closure device. However, the spool can also be implemented in any of numerous other ways, and is not limited to any particular configuration. For example of the spool need not be cylindrical, as any of numerous other configurations (square, triangular, elliptical, hexagonal) can be employed. In addition, the spool could be provided as simply two or more spaced apart members about which the tightening element can be wrapped.
Preferably, the closure device
26
is capable of providing a plurality of incremental tightening positions, to provide the rider with tremendous flexibility in determining the desired tightness for the strap
20
. In the illustrative embodiment shown in
FIGS. 1-2
, the closure device
26
is a rotary closure device having a spool around which the tightening element
24
is wound to take up the slack in the tightening element
24
, and further including a ratchet and pawl to provide one-way incremental locking adjustments. Such closure devices are well known for use in other applications, such as for use with a cable tightening system to replace conventional laces in an athletic shoe, and examples of such rotary closure devices are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,738,027; 3,808,644; 4,433,456; 4,616,524; 4,660,300; 4,748,726; 4,761,859; 4,787,124; 4,796,829; 4,841,649; 4,884,760; 4,961,544; 5,042,177; 5,065,481; 5,150,537; 5,152,038; 5,157,813; 5,325,613; 5,600,874; 5,606,778; 5,638,588; and 5,669,116; and European patent applications EP056,953 and EP264,712. It should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the use of any particular type of closure device, as any mechanism that is capable of taking up slack in the tightening element
24
and providing a plurality of tightening positions can be used in connection with the present invention.
In the illustrative embodiment shown in
FIGS. 1-2
, the closure device
26
is attached to the strap body
22
in a center area
22
a
thereof. However, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited in this respect and that the closure device
26
can be attached in numerous other places on the strap body
22
. Furthermore, as discussed below, in an alternative embodiment of the invention, the closure device
26
need not be mounted to the strap
20
at all, but rather, can be mounted to the snowboard boot, the binding or the binding interface with which the strap
20
is employed.
In use, the strap
20
can be disengaged to enable the rider to place his or her foot into the snowboard boot in any of numerous ways. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a sufficient length of the tightening element
24
is provided within the closure device
26
, so that when the closure device
26
is actuated to release the tightening element
24
, sufficient slack can be provided therein to enable the rider to place his or her foot into the snowboard boot
28
. Thereafter, the lace
31
on the boot, if used, can be tightened. Next, the tightening mechanism
26
can be actuated to take up the slack in the tightening element
24
, thereby causing the strap
20
to cinch down over the top of the snowboard boot
28
.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the anchor
40
on at least one side of the snowboard boot can be adapted to releasably engage the tightening element
24
, so that the rider can disengage the strap
20
from one side of the snowboard boot to facilitate entry and exit of the rider's foot into the boot
28
. When the rider is putting on the boot
28
, and after placing his or her foot therein and tightening the lace
31
, the free end of the strap
20
can be attached to its anchor
40
. Thereafter, the closure device
26
can be actuated to reduce slack in the tightening element
24
and achieve the desired level of tightness in the strap
20
.
As should be appreciated from the foregoing, when the strap
20
is tightened down onto the boot, the strap body
22
cinches down over the top of the boot. In this respect, when the tightening element
24
is tensioned, it can move relative to the strap body
22
, so that the strap body
22
moves relative to the tightening element
24
, toward the snowboard boot on both sides thereof. Thus, in contrast to conventional two-piece ratchet-type straps, there is no significant relative sliding between the strap body
22
and the upper surface of the boot
28
, thereby avoiding the creation of uncomfortable pressure points that can be caused with conventional straps as discussed above. In addition, the strap components that are tensioned when the strap is tightened (i.e., the tightening element
24
) can be located in a single plane, such that no moment is created on the strap as it is tightened as with conventional two-piece ratchet-type straps, thereby avoiding the uncomfortable pressure points that can result therefrom. In addition, since the strap
20
does not include two major strap components that overlie one another, the strap
20
has a low profile that can be integrated into the boot in an aesthetically pleasing manner.
The strap body
22
can be formed in any of numerous ways, as the present invention is not limited to any particular construction. The strap body
22
may be formed of any suitable material, such as plastic, leather, fabric or any suitable combination, and may be made using any suitable manufacturing technique, such as cutting, stamping, injection or compression molding or stitching. Although shown in the figures as a single component, it should be appreciated that the strap body
22
can be made of any number of components formed of a single or multiple materials, which may be joined together using any suitable joining technique (e.g., gluing, stitching, heat bonding, etc.). The strap body
22
may be rigid and shaped to conform to the portion of the boot
28
which it overlies. Alternatively, the strap body
22
may be flexible and resilient so that it will conform to the shape of the boot as the strap
20
is tightened down. Plastic components in the strap body
22
may be molded into the desired shape, whereas leather or fabric components in the strap body
22
may be stitched into the desired shape.
In one embodiment of the invention, the strap body
22
includes a padded support (not shown) disposed on an inner surface for increased comfort. In addition, the strap body
22
can be provided with an opening adapted to overlie the instep bone of the rider to further increase the comfort of the strap, as described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/619,358, entitled Snowboard Boot and Binding Strap, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. In one embodiment, the strap body
22
is sized to extend from substantially one side of the boot to the other, thereby maximizing distribution of pressure across the top surface of the boot
28
. In addition, by extending from substantially one side of the boot to the other, the strap body
22
is essentially self-centering between the anchors
40
. Although providing the advantages discussed above, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to employing a strap body
22
that extends substantially the entire length between the anchors
40
. For example, a smaller strap body
22
can be employed along with a guide
30
having ends
32
that extend well beyond the strap body
22
and are incompressible, so that the guides
30
can achieve the self-centering effect. Furthermore, although this self-centering feature is advantageous, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited in this respect, and that a strap
20
can be implemented in accordance with the teachings of the present invention without a self-centering capability.
The guides
30
can be implemented in any of numerous ways, and the present invention is not limited to any particular implementation. In this respect, the function performed by the guides
30
is to guide the tightening element
24
from the closure device
26
, through the strap body
22
to the anchors
40
. In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 1
, the guides
30
extend substantially along a longitudinal axis
23
of the strap body
22
, which is advantageous in that a large portion of the strap body
22
is held down onto the boot
28
via the tightening element
24
. However, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited in this respect, and that numerous other configurations for the guides
30
are possible. In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 1
, the guide
30
does not completely enclose the tightening element
24
(e.g., the tightening element exits the guide
30
at the loop ends
34
and
36
), so that the length of the tightening element can be altered to tighten or loosen the strap
20
independently of the guide
30
. In one embodiment of the invention, the guide
30
can be formed of a low-friction high abrasion resistant material, to minimize friction between the tightening element
24
and the guide
30
, and thereby facilitate even distribution of the tightening pressure exerted by the tightening element
24
on the strap body
22
. Although advantageous, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the use of a low-friction and/or high abrasion resistant material for the guide
30
.
In the embodiment shown, the guide
30
includes five distinct components, e.g., upper guide components
30
a
and
30
c
, each of which is disposed within and extends beyond a lumen (indicated by the dotted lines in
FIG. 1
) in the strap body
22
, a lower guide component
30
b
that is similarly disposed within a lumen in the strap body
22
and extends there beyond at each of its ends, and upper guide components
30
d
and
30
e
that respectively couple the guide components
30
a
and
30
c
to the closure device
26
. The strap
20
further includes a pair of connectors
35
a
and
35
b
that respectively connect the guide components
30
a
and
30
c
to the guide components
30
d
and
30
e
. It should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the particular implementation shown, and that the guide
30
can be formed in numerous other configurations to route the tightening element
24
through sufficient portions of the strap body
22
to effectively hold the strap
20
down atop the boot
28
.
In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 1
, the upper portion of the guide
30
extending toward each side of the strap body
22
is formed from two components (e.g., guide components
30
a
and
30
d
that route the tightening element from the closure device
26
to the right side of the strap body
22
in
FIG. 1
, and guide components
30
c
and
30
e
that guide the tightening element to the left side of the strap body
22
). While each of the two components of the guide
30
that route the tightening element from the closure device
26
to one side of the strap body
22
can be formed from a low-friction high abrasion resistant material, in one embodiment of the present invention the flexibility of and/or compressibility of these components differs. In this respect, in one embodiment of the present invention, the guide components
30
d
and
30
e
are made from a substantially non-compressible material. While not limited in this respect, in one embodiment of the present invention the guide components
30
d
and
30
e
are formed from a substantially incompressible steel coated with plastic, similar to the type of material used to route bicycle cables from the brake handles to the brakes. Of course, it should be appreciated that other incompressible materials can also be employed. In contrast the guide components
30
d
and
30
e
, the other guide components
30
a
-
30
c
can be formed from more flexible and compressible material to better conform to the shape of the snowboard boot
28
as the strap
20
is tightened down. Again, while not limited in this respect, the guide components
30
a
-
30
c
can be formed from a low-friction high abrasion resistant plastic material.
The effect achieved by forming the guide components
30
d
-
30
e
from an incompressible material is that they maintain their shape as the tightening element
24
is tensioned. In this respect, if the guide elements
30
d
-
30
e
were compressible, it should be appreciated that when the tightening element
24
was tensioned in response to actuation of the closure device
26
, the guide elements
30
d
-
30
e
would simply collapse under the tension. In one embodiment of the present invention, it is desirable to route the tightening element
24
from the closure device
26
, so that it is constrained to extend substantially in-line with the incompressible guide channels
30
a
and
30
c
at the locations where the tightening element
24
enters those guide channel components (e.g., in the area of the connectors
35
a
and
35
b
). It should be appreciated that this achieved by forming the guide components
30
d
-
30
e
from incompressible material, so that these components of the guide
30
will maintain the shape shown in
FIG. 1
, such that even when tensioned, the tightening element
24
will extend substantially in-line with the guide components
30
a
and
30
c
. By ensuring that the tightening element
24
is in-line with the guide components
30
a
and
30
c
, the embodiment of the present invention shown in
FIG. 1
ensures that the configuration of these guide components will not be altered when the tightening element
24
is tensioned.
In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 1
, the guide components
30
d
and
30
e
are arranged in a criss-cross fashion, such that each routes the tightening element
24
from one side of the closure device
26
to the opposite side of the strap body
22
. As a result of this criss-cross pattern, the radius of curvature of the guide components
30
d
and
30
e
is larger than if the tightening element
24
were to take a sharper turn when extending from the closure device
26
to the guide components
30
a
and
30
c
. As a result, less friction is exerted on the tightening element
24
when passing through the guide components
30
d
and
30
e
. Although advantageous, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited in this respect, and that the tightening element
24
can be routed from an opening on one side of the closure device
26
to the same side of the strap body
22
. Furthermore, alternative designs can also be employed wherein no incompressible components of the guide channel
30
are employed. For example, the mounting position for the closure device
26
can be altered so that its openings
26
a
and
26
b
are substantially inline with the guide components
30
c
and
30
a
, respectively, thereby achieving the same benefit as provided by the incompressible guide components
30
d
and
30
e
. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to orienting the openings
26
a
-
26
b
of the closure device
26
in any particular manner relative to the strap body
22
, as numerous orientations are possible. In addition, as discussed below, the closure device
26
need not employ a pair of openings
26
a
and
26
b
for the tightening element
24
, as a single opening can alternatively be employed.
As mentioned above, in the embodiment shown in
FIG. 1
, the strap body
22
includes three lumens (not specifically shown, but represented by the dotted lines in
FIG. 1
) that receive the guide channels
30
a
-
30
c
. The lumens enclose substantially all of the guide channels
30
a
-
30
c
except for their ends
32
a
-
32
c
. It should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited in this respect, as numerous other configurations are possible. For example, the ends of the guides channels
30
a
-
30
c
need not extend beyond the lumens, and can terminate in-line with the lumens. Alternatively, the guide channels
30
a
-
30
c
can be attached to the strap body
22
in other ways, rather than being enclosed within a lumen as shown in FIG.
1
. For example, the guide channels can simply be affixed to the outer surface of the strap body
22
. Furthermore, although the tightening element
24
extends substantially in-line with the longitudinal axis
23
of the strap body
22
in the embodiment shown in
FIG. 1
, the present invention is not limited in this respect. The tightening element can be routed across the strap body
22
in any of numerous ways, including in routing patterns that zig-zag in directions transverse to the longitudinal axis
23
of the strap body
22
, as discussed in more detail below. Furthermore, although the provision of distinct guide channels
30
provides advantages as discussed above, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to their use, as guide elements (e.g., lumens or protrusions) can be provided directly from the material of the strap body
22
itself, rather than employing discrete guide channels. As should be clear from the foregoing, the present invention is not limited in any respect to the particular manner of routing the tightening element
24
through the strap body
22
.
The tightening element
24
can be implemented in any of numerous ways, and the present invention is not limited to any particular implementation. The tightening element
24
should be sufficiently strong to resist the substantial lifting forces that can be encountered when snowboarding, and in this respect may require greater strength than the tightening elements employed in the above-referenced patents relating to rotary closure devices for use on athletic shoes. The tightening element
24
can be formed from a monofilament or a multistrand line. In accordance with one illustrative embodiment of the invention, the tightening element is formed of a low-friction material capable of resisting a high tensile force without elongation to minimize frictional engagement between the tightening element
24
and the guide
30
, and thereby facilitate even pressure distribution along the entirety of the strap body
22
in the manner discussed above. While not limited to any particular material, examples of materials that can be used for the tightening element
24
include various types of plastics or metals, Kevlar® and Spectra Cord®.
In the embodiment shown, the tightening element
24
is formed as a single piece component, with each of the free ends attached to the closure device
26
in a manner that cooperates therewith to enable the tightening element to be drawn into the closure device to tighten the strap
20
. As mentioned above, the present invention can employ any of numerous types of closure devices, and is not limited to any particular type of closure device. In one embodiment of the invention, the closure device
26
is a rotary closure device, wherein each of the ends of the tightening element
24
is attached to a spool, such that rotation of the closure device draws both ends of the tightening element
24
into the closure device to wrap around the spool. As mentioned above, in alternative embodiments of the present invention discussed below, the tightening element
24
can alternatively be attached at only one end to the closure device
26
.
In the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 1-2
, a single tightening element
24
and a single closure device
26
are employed. However, the present invention is not limited in this respect, as multiple tightening elements
24
and/or multiple closure devices
26
can be employed. When multiple tightening elements
24
are employed, each can be routed through a different portion of the strap body
20
, and the multiple tightening elements
24
can be attached to a single common closure device
26
. Alternatively, multiple tightening elements
24
can be employed wherein each is attached to a separate closure device
26
.
As discussed above, in the embodiment of
FIG. 2
, the strap
20
can be attached to the snowboard boot
28
by securing the tightening element
24
to two or more anchors
40
disposed on the boot. The anchors
40
(only one of which is shown in
FIG. 2
) can be implemented in any of numerous ways, and the present invention is not limited to any particular implementation. In this respect, the function performed by the anchors
40
is to enable the tightening element
24
to be routed thereto, and then be redirected by the anchor. For example, in shown in
FIG. 2
, the anchor
40
redirects the tightening element
24
at the loop end
36
, in that the upper portion of the tightening element
24
travels from the closure device
26
out toward the side of the boot, and then is redirected by the anchor
40
back toward the lace area of the boot. The anchors
40
may be formed of any suitable material (e.g., plastic or metal) that is sufficiently strong to withstand the lifting forces exerted on the strap
20
. The anchors
40
may be integrally formed into the boot
28
, or may be attached thereto using any suitable attachment method, such as stitching, riveting, screwing, heat welding, adhesive bonding, etc. As shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4
, each anchor
40
may be provided with a lumen
42
through which the tightening element
24
can be threaded to secure the tightening element
24
to the anchor
40
. When a lumen
42
is employed, the tightening element
24
will not separate from the anchor, even when significant slack is provided in the tightening element
24
. Although the use of a through lumen as the attachment feature on the anchor
40
for mating with the tightening element
24
advantageously provides such secure engagement, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited in this respect, and that numerous other types of mating features can be employed. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the anchor
40
can include a pulley about which the tightening element
24
is wrapped, to further reduce friction between the anchor
40
and the tightening element
24
.
In the embodiment of the invention shown in
FIG. 2
wherein the strap
20
is attached in the ankle area of the boot to hold down the heel of the rider, the position at which the anchors
40
are attached to the boot can be as taught in co-pending application Ser. No. 08/619,358, entitled Snowboard Boot and Binding Strap, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. However, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited in this respect, as the strap
20
can alternatively be attached at other locations.
In the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 1-2
, the snowboard boot
28
is provided with a single strap
20
that is attached at a pair of anchors
40
disposed in the ankle area of the boot, so that the strap is adapted to hold down the rider's heel in the boot. It should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited in this respect, and that a strap embodying the present invention can be attached at other locations on the snowboard boot (e.g., as a toe strap or shin strap), and that a single snowboard boot
28
can employ two or more straps in accordance with the present invention. For example, a strap can be provided to hold down the toe of the rider, one can be attached about the shin area of the snowboard boot
28
, and/or a heel strap can be provided. When multiple straps are employed on the snowboard boot
28
, each can be provided with its own closure device
26
, or a single tightening element
24
can be routed through the multiple straps and can be tightened by a single closure device
26
.
FIGS. 5 and 6
illustrate an alternative anchor
41
for mounting the strap
20
to a snowboard boot
28
. In
FIG. 5
, the snowboard boot is illustrated as being engaged via a step-in binding
44
that is attached to a snowboard
46
. The step-in snowboard binding conceptually illustrated in
FIG. 5
is that disclosed in co-pending application Ser. No. 08/780,721. However, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to use on a snowboard boot compatible with that particular step-in binding, and can be employed with any type of snowboard boot, including boots compatible with any other type of step-in binding.
FIG. 6
illustrates the construction of anchor
41
for attaching the tightening element
24
to a snowboard boot
28
. In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 6
, the anchor
41
includes a hook
43
that defines an opening
48
to receive the tightening element
24
. In contrast with the embodiment shown in
FIG. 4
, can the rider can engage and disengage the tightening element
24
from the hook, without separating the free ends of the tightening element
24
from the closure device
26
, removing the anchor from the boot, or breaking the tightening element or the anchor. This is advantageous for use in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention wherein entry and exit into the snowboard boot
28
is facilitated by detaching one end of the strap
20
from the snowboard boot
28
. For use in accordance with this embodiment of the present invention, one end of the strap
20
can be made detachable, while the other end can non-detachably secure the tightening element
24
to the anchor. Examples of detachable and non-detachable anchors are respectively shown in
FIGS. 4 and 6
. However, it should be appreciated that the aspect of the present invention directed to the use of one detachable connection and one non-detachable connection is not limited to use with the particular anchors
40
and
41
shown in
FIGS. 4 and 6
, as numerous other implementations for each of the detachable and non-detachable anchors are possible.
In another embodiment of the present invention, each of the anchors attached to the snowboard boot
28
is implemented so that it can detachably release the strap
20
. As a result, when the snowboard boot is used with a step-in binding, the strap can be attached thereto. Furthermore, in accordance with the invention recited in co-pending application Ser. No. 08/619,358, entitled Snowboard Boot and Binding Strap, the strap
20
can also be completely removed from the snowboard boot
28
so that the boot can alternatively be employed with a tray binding.
In another embodiment of the present invention (not shown), one end of the tightening element
24
is fixedly attached to the snowboard boot
28
, and only a single free end of the tightening element
24
is attached to the closure device
26
. The end of the tightening element
24
that is fixed to the snowboard boot
28
can be fixedly attached in any suitable manner, as the present invention is not limited to any particular attachment technique. For example, the tightening element can be looped back upon itself to create a noose-type loop that can be wrapped around a post or other element fixed to the snowboard boot
28
, an eyelet can be attached to the free end of the tightening element
24
which can be secured to a hook or screw on the snowboard boot or, a hook or other mating feature can be attached to the free end of the tightening element
24
and can be mateable with a corresponding mating feature fixed to the snowboard boot
28
. In the embodiment wherein one end of the tightening element
24
is fixed to the snowboard boot
28
, the remainder of the tightening element
24
can be routed through the strap body
22
in much the same manner as discussed above, to traverse a sufficient portion of the strap body
22
to tighten the strap down over the top of the snowboard boot
28
. The tightening element
24
can be attached at the other side of the boot using any of the anchoring schemes discussed above.
In a further alternative embodiment (not shown), separate tightening elements
24
can be employed to attach each side of the strap
20
to a corresponding side of the snowboard boot
28
. For example, two tightening elements
24
can be employed, each with a free end attached to the closure device
26
and a fixed end fixedly attached to one side of the snowboard boot in much the same manner as discussed above. Each tightening element
24
can be attached to the same closure device
26
, each tightening element
24
can alternatively be attached to a separate closure device
26
.
In a further alternative embodiment of the invention shown in
FIG. 7
, the strap
20
is fixedly secured at one end
50
directly to the boot, and the tightening element
24
is employed only to connect a second end
52
of the strap
20
to the snowboard boot. The end
50
of the strap
20
can be fixedly attached to the boot in any of numerous ways (e.g., by stitching, riveting, screwing, adhesive bonding, etc.), as the present invention is not limited to any attachment technique. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an attachment technique is employed that enables the end
50
of the strap
22
to be removed from the snowboard boot in accordance with the teachings of co-pending application Ser. No. 081619,358.
In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 7
, both ends of the tightening element
24
are secured to the closure device
26
, with the tightening element forming a loop end
36
that is attachable to an anchor (not shown) on the snowboard boot in any of the ways discussed above in connection with the earlier-described embodiments of the invention. Alternatively, only a single end of the tightening element
24
can be attached to the closure device
26
, with the other end being attached to the anchor on the boot as described above. The tightening element
24
can be of sufficient length so that the strap can be loosened sufficiently to enable the rider to get his or her foot into and out of the snowboard boot
28
, and/or the tightening element can be made detachable from the boot
28
to facilitate entry and exit from the boot as discussed above.
In the embodiments of the present invention shown in
FIGS. 1-7
, the closure device
26
is mounted to the strap body
22
. The present invention is not limited to any particular mounting location for the closure device
26
on the strap body
20
, as numerous locations can be employed. As discussed above, the closure device
26
can be disposed substantially in-line with the routing pattern for the tightening element
24
(as shown in FIG.
7
), or the openings (
26
a
-
26
b
in
FIG. 1
) of the closure device
26
can be disposed away from the primary path of the tightening element
24
as shown in
FIGS. 1-2
. In the embodiment of the invention shown in
FIG. 1
, the closure device is disposed away (above in
FIG. 1
) from the plane in which the tightening element
24
will primarily distribute pressure through the strap body
22
. As a result, when the strap is tightened down atop the boot, the closure device
26
will not bear down on the snowboard boot
28
, and therefore will not create an uncomfortable pressure point. Although advantageous, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited in this respect, and that the closure device can alternatively be disposed more in-line with the tightening plane of the strap
20
as shown in FIG.
7
.
The closure device
26
can be mounted to the strap body
22
in any of numerous of ways, as the present invention is not limited to any particular mounting technique. In one embodiment of the invention, the closure device
26
is preferably mounted to the strap body
22
in a manner that is detachable by the rider, so that if there is a malfunction of the closure device
26
or if the tightening element
24
breaks, the entire system including the tightening element
24
and closure device
26
can simply be removed and replaced by the rider. In one embodiment of the invention, a substantially rigid pressure distribution plate (not shown) can be mounted to the strap body
22
(e.g., by stitching, by using a screw and T-nut, adhesive bonding, etc.). The pressure distribution plate provides some rigidity to withstand the forces exerted on the tightening element
24
while riding, and can be provided with a mating feature that mates with a corresponding feature on the closure device
26
to allow the closure device to be detachably secured to the pressure distribution plate. Alternatively, the closure device
26
can be mounted to the strap body
26
in such a way that forces exerted thereon by the tightening element
24
cancel each other out (e.g., forces pulling toward the medial side of the boot balance those pulling toward the lateral side of the boot), such that the pressure distribution plate is unnecessary. In this embodiment, the attachment of the closure device
26
to the strap body
22
need not be as secure. For example, the closure device
26
can simply be stitched into the strap body
22
. Alternatively, the closure device
26
need not be attached at all.
The closure device
26
need not be mounted to the strap body
22
, but rather, can be mounted directly to the snowboard boot for each of the embodiments of the present invention discussed above. An illustrative example of an embodiment of the present invention wherein the closure device
26
is mounted directly to the snowboard boot
28
is shown in FIG.
8
. As shown therein, the tightening element
24
is attached at one end
24
b
to the closure device
26
, and extends over the strap body
22
to the other side of the boot, wherein it is secured via an anchor (not shown), and then returns back over the strap body
22
so that its other end
24
a
is at the same side of the boot as the closure device
26
. Rather than being attached directly to the boot, the end
24
a
of the tightening element can also be attached to the closure device
26
, in the manner discussed above. In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 8
, the end
24
a
of the tightening element is attached (either fixedly or detachably) directly to the snowboard boot
28
using any of the numerous techniques discussed above.
As with the embodiments discussed above, the anchor that attaches the tightening element
24
to the opposite of the snowboard boot
28
can be implemented in any of numerous ways, as the present invention is not limited to any particular implementation technique. Like with the embodiments discussed above, the connection between the tightening element
24
and the anchor on the opposite side of the boot can be made detachable, to facilitate entry and exit from the snowboard boot
28
, or the attachment can be made non-detachable, such that entry and exit from the snowboard boot
28
is accomplished by achieving sufficient slack in the tightening element
24
to loosen the strap
20
. Similarly, the tightening element
24
can be routed over the strap body
22
in any of numerous ways. For example, the strap body
20
can be provided with one or more guide channels similar to guide channels
30
a
-
30
c
discussed above in connection with the embodiment of FIG.
1
. Alternatively, the strap body can be provided with two or more attachment elements
61
that are mounted to the strap body
22
and attach the tightening element
24
thereto. The attachment elements
61
can be implemented in any of numerous ways, as the present invention is not limited to any particular implementation. For example, the attachment elements
61
can be provided with one or more through lumens (not shown) to receive the tightening element
24
in much the same manner as the lumens
42
provided in the anchor
40
illustrated in FIG.
4
. The attachment elements
61
can be attached to the strap body
22
in any of numerous ways (e.g., via riveting, screwing, stitching, adhesive bonding, etc.). As shown in the embodiment of
FIG. 8
, when two or more attachment elements
61
are employed, the tightening element
24
can simply overlie the strap body
22
rather than passing through a portion thereof as is the case when guide elements such as those shown in
FIG. 1
are employed. In one embodiment of the invention, when the tightening element
24
is adapted to overlie the strap body
22
, the surface of the strap body
22
that underlies the tightening element
24
can be formed from a low-friction material to facilitate sliding of the tightening element
24
over the strap body
22
.
As mentioned above, the present invention is not limited to the particular routing patterns of the tightening element
24
shown in
FIGS. 1-8
. In this respect, in each of the embodiments shown, the tightening element
24
is generally guided through the strap body
22
in a direction that is substantially parallel to a length axis
23
(
FIG. 1
) of the strap body
22
. However, the invention is not limited in this respect, as numerous other routing patterns are possible. For example, the tightening element
24
can be routed across (e.g., either through, atop, below or a combination thereof) the strap body
22
in a zigzag pattern wherein the tightening element travels toward a top surface
22
t
(
FIG. 1
) of the strap body
22
over part of its length, and toward a bottom surface
22
b
(
FIG. 1
) of the strap body
22
along other portions of its length. When routed in ways that require a change in direction for a portion of the tightening element
24
passing across the strap body
22
, routing features such as the attachment elements
61
shown in
FIG. 8
can be employed to assist in guiding the change in direction, or guide channels such as
30
a
-
30
c
shown in
FIG. 1
can be provided that are shaped to provide the desired change in direction and formed from an incompressible material. It should be appreciated that in addition to zigzag patterns, numerous other routing patterns for the tightening element
24
are possible, as the present invention is not limited to any particular routing pattern.
It should be appreciated that each of the embodiments of the present invention relating to detachably or non-detachably securing the tightening element
24
to the snowboard boot has certain advantages. In this respect, for the embodiment of the invention wherein the tightening element
24
is detachably secured to the snowboard boot
28
, the strap can be completely removed from the snowboard boot, to make it compatible with a tray binding. In addition, since the tightening element
24
need not be long enough to enable the strap to be loosened enough to facilitate entry and exit from the boot, the closure device
26
can potentially be made smaller, as it need not house as great a length of the tightening element
24
. However, in one embodiment of the invention wherein at least one end of the strap is detachably secured to the boot, sufficient length of tightening element
24
is provided to enable some slack to be experienced therein, so that the rider can adjust the position of the strap body
22
over his or her foot by sliding the strap body
22
relative to the tightening element
24
.
In a further alternative embodiment, shown in
FIG. 5
, the strap
20
may also include a registering feature, which is used to register or locate the strap
20
on the boot in a desired medial, centered or lateral position. The registering feature can be implemented in any of numerous ways and the present invention is not limited to any particular implementation. In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 5
, the registering feature is formed as a non-stretchable strip
54
that is attached (e.g., stitched) at one end
54
a
to the strap body
22
and at the other end
54
b
to the boot upper. The non-stretchable strip limits the extent of movement of the strap
20
in the direction away from the end
54
b
attached to the boot. The strip
54
may be provided with any suitable adjustment means to adjust the length of the strip
54
. For example, the strip
54
may be provided with a buckle, such as a ladder-lock buckle, to adjust the length of the strip
54
. In this regard, the length of the strip
54
may be infinitely incrementally adjustable along at least a part of its length. Thus, a rider may adjust the length of the strip such that when the strip is fully extended, the strap
20
is registered in a desired position relative to the boot
28
. The rider may then tighten the strap
20
against the boot in order to secure the strap
20
in the desired position.
Although in the example described with reference to
FIG. 5
the strip
54
is stitched to the strap
20
at one end and to the boot at the other end, any suitable fastening means may be used in place of the stitching. For example, a snap fastener or a hook and loop fastener may be used at one end of the strip
54
. In this regard, the fastener selected may provide the adjustability in the length of the strip
54
such that a separate adjustment mechanism is not required.
In another embodiment (not shown), the registering feature may be provided by providing mating features directly on the strap
20
and the boot
28
. For example, a hook and loop fastener may be disposed between the strap
20
and the boot
28
such that the strap
20
may be registered in a desired position on the boot. Alternatively, cooperating halves of a plurality of snap fasteners may be used to register the strap
20
directly to the boot
28
. Once the strap is registered in the desired position, the closure device
26
can be actuated to tighten the tightening element
24
to firmly secure the strap
20
to the boot
28
in the desired position.
In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 8
, the closure device
26
is mounted to the outside of the snowboard boot. However, it should be appreciated that the embodiment of the present invention wherein the closure device
26
is mounted to the snowboard boot is not limited in this respect, as the closure device can be mounted to numerous other locations on the snowboard boot, such as on the inside of the boot, or the tongue or behind the heel. In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 8
, wherein the closure device
26
is mounted to the side of the snowboard boot, it should be appreciated that it is desirable to employ a closure device
26
that has a relatively low profile, so that it does not extend a significant distance from the side of the snowboard boot
28
. Such a closure device is shown in FIG.
9
. As the present invention is not limited to any particular type of closure mechanism, the details of the closure device
60
are not described herein. The closure device
60
includes a knob
62
that can flip from a down position to an extended position shown in
FIG. 9
to facilitate grabbing by the rider. When in the extended position of
FIG. 9
, rotation of the knob
62
can cause an incremental tightening of the tightening element
24
in much the same manner as with conventional rotary closure mechanisms. Advantageously, when not needed for actuation, the knob
62
can be flipped down to the non-use position in which it lies substantially flush with the side of the boot to reduce the profile of the closure device
60
. This type of closure mechanism is known in the art of bike shoes. The closure device
60
may also optionally include a release button
66
, which, when actuated, releases the tightening element
24
.
In each of
FIGS. 2-3
,
5
and
7
-
8
which shows a strap according to the present invention mounted to a snowboard boot, the snowboard boot is shown as a soft snowboard boot having a pair of laces
31
that close the front of the boot. Although the strap of the present invention provides a number of advantages when used in connection with such a boot as described above, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited in this respect and that the various embodiments of a strap in accordance with the present invention can be provided on other types of snowboard boots. For example, the various embodiments of the present invention can be used in connection with any soft snowboard boot, regardless of the closure system used to close the boot, as various other types of closure systems (e.g., buckles) can be employed rather than a pair of laces
31
. In addition, the various embodiments of a strap according to the present invention can also be used with a bard snowboard boot or a hybrid snowboard boot.
In the embodiments of the present invention discussed above, the strap
20
includes a strap body
22
that, among other functions, serves to distribute pressure exerted on the snowboard boot
28
via the tightening element
24
. In this respect, it should be appreciated that the strap
20
could be formed with the tightening element
24
directly overlying the surface of the boot
28
, and with the closure device
26
being mounted elsewhere. However, when the relatively thin tightening element
24
is tensioned, it could create uncomfortable pressure points on the boot
28
. Thus, one function served by the strap body
22
is to distribute the pressure created via the tightening element
24
across a greater surface area. This pressure distribution function is enhanced when the strap body
22
is provided with padding to increase the comfort of the strap
20
on the snowboard boot
28
.
In an alternate embodiment of the present invention shown in
FIGS. 13-15
, the snowboard boot
28
can itself be provided with a pressure distribution element to distribute pressure exerted thereon via the tightening element
24
. An example of such a pressure distribution element is the tongue stiffener
90
shown in
FIGS. 13-15
. An example of such a tongue stiffener is described in co-pending U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/111,309, which is incorporated herein by reference. As shown in
FIG. 13
, the tongue stiffener is mounted to the tongue
91
of the snowboard boot
28
. The purpose of the tongue stiffener
90
is to cooperate with the tongue
91
to increase resistance of the boot to forward bending. In the view shown in
FIG. 13
, portions of the boot upper, including the laces
31
, have been removed for the sake of clarity.
The tongue stiffener
90
can be formed from any rigid material (e.g., plastic). In addition to stiffening the tongue, a substantially rigid tongue stiffener
91
will also distribute pressure exerted thereon via the tightening element
24
. As a result, in one embodiment of the present invention, the strap can be modified to employ a substantially reduced strap body
92
, as the strap body
92
need not perform any pressure distribution function. As a result, a minimal strap body
92
can be employed which includes no padding, but merely provides a guide for routing the tightening element
24
from one side of the boot to the other. Alternatively, the strap body
92
can be even further minimized, such that it includes two discrete guide channels for guiding the upper and lower portions of the tightening element
24
that extend between the two sides of the snowboard boot
28
. Furthermore, it is also possible to eliminate the strap body
92
altogether, such that the tightening element
24
is exposed as it extends between the two sides of the snowboard boot
28
.
As shown in the embodiment of
FIG. 13
, when the strap body
92
is minimized, it may not be sufficiently supportive to mount the closure device thereto. Therefore, in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention wherein either a minimal or no strap body is provided, the closure device
26
can be mounted to the pressure distribution element (e.g., tongue stiffener
90
), the tongue
91
, or to some other portion of the boot as shown in FIG.
13
.
It should be appreciated that the pressure distribution element can be formed in any of numerous ways, and is not limited to having the configuration of the tongue stiffener
90
illustrated in FIG.
13
. In this respect, the pressure distribution element can be disposed only in the area crossed via the tightening element
24
, and need not extend significantly above or below that area in the manner that the tongue stiffener
90
does in FIG.
13
. In addition, the pressure distribution element can be formed of any suitable material capable of sufficiently distributing the pressure exerted thereon via the tightening element
24
. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in
FIG. 13
, the tongue stiffener is shown mounted to the outer surface of the tongue
91
. It should be appreciated that rather than being mounted to the tongue, the pressure distribution element can be incorporated into the structure of the tongue
91
. Finally, while the pressure distribution element has been described herein as being useful with a non-padded strap, it should be understood that the pressure distribution element can also be used in conjunction with a padded strap.
As with the embodiment discussed above in connection with
FIG. 7
, the embodiment of the present invention directed to the use of a pressure distribution element can also be employed with the tightening element
24
being only routed to one side of the snowboard boot. In this respect, in the embodiment shown in
FIG. 14
, a guide
94
is formed in a wing
96
of the tongue stiffener
90
and receives the tightening element
24
. Therefore, when the closure device
26
is actuated to draw in the tightening element
24
, the tongue stiffener
94
is tightened down atop the tongue
91
to secure the rider's foot in the boot
28
. It should be appreciated that the guide
94
can be disposed through the tongue stiffener
90
, or a separate routing element for the tightening element
24
can be mounted to the tongue stiffener
90
. It should further be appreciated that a separate closure device
26
and tightening element
24
can be attached to the opposite side of the tongue stiffener
90
to work in the same manner, or alternatively, the opposite side of the tongue stiffener
90
can be fixedly secured to the tongue
91
so that the tongue stiffener
90
is not displaced when the tightening element
24
is tensioned.
In a further embodiment of the invention shown in
FIG. 15
, the strap is formed without a strap body, and is routed through (rather than over as in
FIG. 13
) the pressure distribution element (e.g., the tongue stiffener
90
) from one side of the snowboard boot
28
to the other. In this respect, the tongue stiffener
90
includes a pair of guide channels
94
through which the tightening element
24
is routed. In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 15
, the closure device is mounted on one side of the boot
28
. Of course, as described above, the closure device
26
can alternatively be mounted directly to the tongue stiffener
90
or to the tongue
91
.
In another illustrative embodiment of the present invention shown in
FIGS. 10-11
, the strap
20
is employed with a binding interface
70
to mount a snowboard boot
71
thereto. The binding interface
70
includes a pair of mating features
73
(only one of which is shown in
FIGS. 10-11
) for mating with a step-in binding
72
to releasably secure the binding interface
70
thereto. In the particular embodiment shown in
FIGS. 10-11
, the step-in binding
72
and the binding interface
70
are implemented as described in co-pending application Ser. No. 09/062,143, entitled Snowboard Binding, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. As disclosed in that related application, the step-in binding
72
includes a pair of movable engagement members
79
(only one of which is shown in
FIG. 10
) for mating with the mating feature
73
on the binding interface, and further includes a mating feature
77
adapted to mate with a corresponding mating feature
75
at the toe end of the snowboard boot. The snowboard boot
71
includes a recess
78
for receiving the binding interface
70
. The toe end of the snowboard boot
71
is directly engaged to the binding
72
via the mating feature
75
, while the heel end of the snowboard boot is engaged to the binding via the engagement between the snowboard boot
71
and the interface
70
. In this respect, the binding interface
70
is engaged by the step-in binding
72
, whereas the heel of the snowboard boot
71
is held in engagement with the binding interface
70
via the strap
20
.
The strap
20
according to the embodiment of the invention shown in
FIGS. 10-11
performs a similar function to that described in the embodiments of
FIGS. 2-9
, wherein the strap is attached directly to the snowboard boot. In this respect, the strap
20
holds the heel of the rider down in the snowboard boot
71
. However, the strap
20
in the embodiment of
FIGS. 10-11
also performs the function of attaching the heel of the snowboard boot to the binding interface
70
, and through the interface
70
, to the step-in binding
72
. It should be appreciated that the aspect of the present invention directed to the use of a strap for a snowboard binding interface is not limited to the particular interface and step-in binding system disclosed in
FIGS. 10-11
, as it can be employed with any snowboard binding interface, including one that has a different configuration and mates with a different type of snowboard binding.
It should be appreciated that all of the discussions above concerning the various embodiments and configurations of the strap
20
are equally applicable to the embodiment of the present invention wherein the strap is employed on a snowboard binding interface.
For example, the snowboard binding interface
70
can be provided with a pair of anchors
74
for securing the strap
20
to the interface. The anchors
74
can be adapted to engage the tightening element
24
on both sides of the binding interface, or the strap body
22
can be fixed to one side of the binding interface as discussed above in connection with the embodiment of FIG.
7
. Each of the anchors
74
can be adapted to fixedly secure the strap
20
to the binding interface, such that the rider can step into the binding interface by actuating the closure device
26
to release sufficient slack in the tightening element
24
to allow the boot to be stepped into the binding interface
70
. Alternatively, the tightening element
24
can be fixedly attached at one end to the binding interface
70
, and can be detachably secured at the other, so that the rider can simply detach one end of the strap
20
from the binding interface
70
to get into or out of engagement with the binding interface
70
in a manner similar to that described above. Furthermore, multiple straps
20
can be employed to mount the snowboard boot
71
to the binding interface
70
, and each of the straps can employ any of the numerous configurations discussed above.
As shown in
FIGS. 10-11
, the binding interface
70
can be provided with a plurality of holes or other mounting positions
76
so that the attachment location of the anchors
74
can be adjusted to suit the rider's preference.
In another illustrative embodiment, the ankle strap
20
according to the present invention can be employed to attach the snowboard boot directly to a binding such as a tray binding
80
attached to a snowboard
82
, as shown in FIG.
12
. As shown in
FIG. 12
, the tray binding
80
includes a highback
83
, as well as multiple straps
20
that are used to attach the snowboard boot
28
to the binding
80
. Although not shown, an additional strap may be used to secure the shin area of the boot to the upper portion of the highback. It should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to use with a binding that includes a highback
83
, nor one that includes any particular number of straps. In addition, it is contemplated that a snowboard binding can be provided with a strap according to the teachings of the present invention, along with one or more conventional straps. For example, a tray binding can be employed with the heel strap being implemented in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, while the toe strap is a conventional ratchet-type strap.
It should be appreciated that all of the aspects of the present invention discussed above in connection with a strap on a snowboard boot can also be employed in the embodiment of the invention wherein the strap is attached to a snowboard binding. In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 12
, the snowboard binding
80
includes a base
81
having a plurality of anchors
74
attached thereto for securing the tightening elements
24
of the straps
20
. As shown in
FIG. 12
, the base can include multiple holes
76
for receiving the anchors
74
in multiple mounting positions.
Having thus described certain embodiments of the present invention, various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modification, 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 not intended to be limited. The invention is limited only as defined in the following claims and the equivalents thereof.
Claims
- 1. A snowboard binding, comprising:a base for receiving a snowboard boot; and a strap, supported by the base, to hold the snowboard boot in the binding, the strap comprising: a tightening element attached to the base; a strap body supported by the tightening element; and a closure device, supported by the base, comprising a spool about which the tightening element is wrapped, wherein the tightening element is movable relative to the strap body as the closure device tightens the strap to secure the boot to the binding.
- 2. The snowboard binding of claim 1, wherein the closure device is mounted to the strap body.
- 3. The snowboard binding of claim 1, wherein the closure device is mounted directly to the base.
- 4. The snowboard binding of claim 1, wherein the base comprises at least one anchor, and wherein the tightening element is attached to the at least one anchor.
- 5. The snowboard binding of claim 4, wherein the at least one anchor is adapted to non-releasably attach the tightening element to the base.
- 6. The snowboard binding of claim 4, wherein the at least one anchor is adapted to releasably attach the tightening element to the base.
- 7. The snowboard binding of claim 1, wherein the strap is attached at at least two locations on opposite sides of the base.
- 8. A snowboard binding, comprising:a base for receiving a snowboard boot; and a strap, supported by the base, to hold the snowboard boot in the binding, the strap comprising: a tightening element attached to the base; and a closure device, supported by the base, comprising a spool about which the tightening element is wrapped to tighten the strap to secure the boot to the binding, wherein the base comprises at least one anchor, wherein the tightening element is attached to the at least one anchor, wherein the at least one anchor comprises at least first and second anchors, and wherein the tightening element is movably mounted to each of the first and second anchors, so that a portion of the tightening element in engagement with each of the first and second anchors changes as the tightening element is wrapped around the spool to tighten the strap.
- 9. The snowboard binding of claim 8, wherein the strap further comprises a strap body supported by the tightening element and wherein the first and second anchors are disposed on opposite sides of the base so that when the tightening element is wrapped around to the spool to tighten the strap, the strap body cinches down over a surface of the snowboard boot.
- 10. The snowboard binding of claim 1, wherein the strap body has a longitudinal axis, and wherein the tightening element is routed over the strap body so that a portion of the tightening element extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.
- 11. A snowboard binding, comprising:a base for receiving a snowboard boot; and a strap, supported by the base, to hold the snowboard boot in the binding, the strap comprising: a tightening element attached to the base; and a closure device, supported by the base, comprising a spool about which the tightening element is wrapped to tighten the strap to secure the boot to the binding, wherein the tightening element is a cable that is round in cross-section.
- 12. The snowboard binding of claim 1, wherein the strap body comprises at least a portion thereof formed of a substantially rigid material.
- 13. The snowboard binding of claim 1, wherein a first portion of the strap body is mounted to the binding via the tightening element, and wherein a second portion of the strap body is directly attached to the binding.
- 14. The snowboard binding of claim 1, wherein the strap body is adapted to distribute pressure exerted thereon by the tightening element across the strap body.
- 15. The snowboard binding of claim 1, wherein the strap body comprises at least one lumen that receives the tightening element.
- 16. The snowboard binding of claim 15, wherein the at least one lumen extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the strap body.
- 17. A snowboard binding, comprising:a base for receiving a snowboard boot; and a strap, supported by the base, to hold the snowboard boot in the binding, the strap comprising: a tightening element attached to the base; and a closure device, supported by the base, comprising a spool about which the tightening element is wrapped to tighten the strap to secure the boot to the binding, wherein the strap further comprises a strap body supported by the tightening element, the snowboard binding further comprising a sheath, supported by the strap body, that encases at least a portion of the tightening element.
- 18. The snowboard binding of claim 17, wherein the sheath is formed of a low-friction material.
- 19. A snowboard binding, comprising:a base for receiving a snowboard boot; and a strap, supported by the base, to hold the snowboard boot in the binding, the strap comprising: a tightening element attached to the base; and a closure device, supported by the base, comprising a spool about which the tightening element is wrapped to tighten the strap to secure the boot to the binding, wherein the closure device is adapted to simultaneously draw at least two separate ends of the tightening element onto the spool when the strap is tightened.
- 20. The snowboard binding of claim 4, wherein the anchor comprises a lumen for receiving a portion of the tightening element threaded therethrough.
- 21. The snowboard binding of claim 4, wherein the anchor comprises a pulley for receiving the tightening element.
- 22. The snowboard binding of claim 1, wherein the tightening element is non-releasably and movably attached to the base at a first location and is releasably and movably attached to the base at a second location.
- 23. The snowboard binding of claim 1, wherein the tightening element comprises a first end fixedly attached to the base, so that the first end of the tightening element does not move relative to the base as the strap is tightened.
- 24. The snowboard binding of claim 1, wherein the tightening element has sufficient length such that upon unwinding the tightening element from the spool, there is sufficient slack in the strap to enable the boot to enter and exit the binding.
- 25. The snowboard binding of claim 1, wherein the closure device comprises a ratchet and pawl, coupled to the spool, for holding the tightening element in a plurality of incremental locked positions.
- 26. The snowboard binding of claim 1, wherein the tightening element is formed of a low-friction material.
- 27. The snowboard binding of claim 18, wherein the tightening element is formed of a low-friction material.
- 28. The snowboard binding of claim 17, wherein the sheath is formed of an incompressible material.
- 29. The snowboard binding of claim 17, wherein the sheath comprises multiple separate sections, wherein the closure device has at least one opening through which the tightening element passes to exit the closure device, and wherein the at least one opening is in-line with a longitudinal axis of one of the sections of the sheath.
- 30. The snowboard binding of claim 17, wherein the strap body comprises a lumen that at least partially encloses the sheath.
- 31. The snowboard binding of claim 1, wherein the tightening element is routed across the strap body to create a hold down area wherein the strap body is held down by the tightening element onto the snowboard boot, the closure device being mounted to the strap body outside of the hold down area, so that the closure device does not bear on the snowboard boot when the strap is tightened.
- 32. The snowboard binding of claim 1, wherein the closure device is detachably mounted to the strap body.
- 33. The snowboard binding of claim 1, wherein the binding further comprises a highback mounted thereto.
- 34. The snowboard binding of claim 8, wherein the closure device is adapted to simultaneously draw at least two separate ends of the tightening element onto the spool when the strap is tightened.
- 35. The snowboard binding of claim 1, wherein the closure device comprises a body, and wherein the spool is rotatably mounted to the closure device body.
- 36. The snowboard binding of claim 1, wherein the closure device comprises a body, and an actuator that is rotatably mounted to the closure device body, the actuator being operatively associated with the spool to wind the tightening element about the spool to tighten the strap.
- 37. The snowboard binding of claim 1, wherein the closure device comprises means for wrapping the tightening element about the spool to tighten the strap in a plurality of incremental locked positions.
- 38. The snowboard binding of claim 4, wherein the anchor comprises means for attaching the tightening element to the base.
- 39. The snowboard binding of claim 1, wherein the tightening element comprises a smooth outer surface over its entire length.
- 40. A snowboard binding, comprising:a base for receiving a snowboard boot; and a strap, supported by the base, to hold the snowboard boot in the binding, the strap comprising: a tightening element attached to the base; a strap body supported by the tightening element; and a closure device, supported by the base, comprising a body and an actuator that is rotatably mounted to the body and is coupled to the tightening element so that rotation of the actuator causes the tightening element to be drawn into the closure device body to tighten the strap, wherein the tightening element is movable relative to the strap body as the closure device tightens the strap to secure the boot to the binding.
- 41. The snowboard binding of claim 40, wherein the closure device is mounted to the strap body.
- 42. The snowboard binding of claim 40, wherein the closure device is mounted directly to the base.
- 43. The snowboard binding of claim 40, wherein the base comprises at least one anchor, and wherein the tightening element is attached to the at least one anchor.
- 44. The snowboard binding of claim 40, wherein the strap is attached at at least two locations on opposite sides of the base.
- 45. The snowboard binding of claim 43, wherein the at least one anchor comprises at least first and second anchors, and wherein the tightening element is routed to and redirected by each of the first and second anchors, so that a portion of the tightening element in engagement with each of the first and second anchors changes as the tightening element is drawn into the closure device body to tighten the strap.
- 46. A snowboard binding, comprising:a base for receiving a snowboard boot; and a strap, supported by the base, to hold the snowboard boot in the binding, the strap comprising: a tightening element attached to the base; and a closure device, supported by the base, comprising a body and an actuator that is rotatably mounted to the body and is coupled to the tightening element so that rotation of the actuator causes the tightening element to be drawn into the closure device body to tighten the strap, wherein the base comprises at least one anchor, and wherein the tightening element is attached to the at least one anchor, wherein the at least one anchor comprises at least first and second anchors, and wherein the tightening element is routed to and redirected by each of the first and second anchors, so that a portion of the tightening element in engagement with each of the first and second anchors changes as the tightening element is drawn into the closure device body to tighten the strap, wherein the strap further comprises a strap body supported by the tightening element and wherein the first and second anchors are disposed on opposite sides of the base so that when the tightening element is wrapped around the spool to tighten the strap, the strap body cinches down over a surface of the snowboard boot.
- 47. A snowboard binding, comprising:a base for receiving a snowboard boot; and a strap, supported by the base, to hold the snowboard boot in the binding, the strap comprising: a tightening element attached to the base, wherein the tightening element is a cable that is round in cross-section.
- 48. The snowboard binding of claim 40, wherein the strap body includes at least one lumen that receives the tightening element.
- 49. A snowboard binding, comprising:a base for receiving a snowboard boot; and a strap, supported by the base, to hold the snowboard boot in the binding, the strap comprising: a tightening element attached to the base, wherein the strap further comprises a strap body supported by the tightening element, the snowboard binding further comprising a sheath, supported by the strap body, that encases at least a portion of the tightening element.
- 50. The snowboard binding of claim 40, wherein the closure device is adapted to simultaneously draw at least two separate ends of the tightening element into the closure device body when the actuator is actuated.
- 51. The snowboard binding of claim 40, wherein the tightening element is routed across the strap body to create a hold down area wherein the strap body is held down by the tightening element onto the snowboard boot, the closure device being mounted to the strap body outside of the hold down area, so that the closure device does not bear on the snowboard boot when the strap is tightened.
- 52. The snowboard binding of claim 40, wherein the binding further comprises a highback mounted thereto.
- 53. The snowboard binding of claim 40, wherein the closure device comprises means for drawing the tightening element into the body of the closure device.
- 54. The snowboard binding of claim 40, wherein the anchor comprises means for attaching the tightening element to the snowboard boot.
- 55. The snowboard binding of claim 40, wherein the tightening element comprises a smooth outer surface over its entire length.
- 56. A snowboard binding, comprising:at least one strap anchor; and a strap to hold a snowboard boot to the binding, the strap comprising: a tightening cable comprising a looped end attached to the at least one anchor, the looped end being formed as a result of the tightening cable being routed to and redirected by a portion of the at least one anchor so that the tightening cable can be drawn in one direction about the portion of the at least one anchor to tighten the strap.
- 57. A snowboard binding, comprising:at least one strap anchor; and a strap to hold a snowboard boot to the binding, the strap comprising: a tightening cable attached to the at least one anchor, the tightening cable being routed to and redirected by a portion of the at least one anchor so that the tightening cable can be drawn in one direction about the portion of the at least one anchor to tighten the strap, wherein the tightening cable is round in cross-section.
- 58. The snowboard binding of claim 56, wherein the binding further comprises a base and wherein the at least one anchor comprises first and second anchors disposed on opposite sides of the base, and wherein the tightening cable comprises first and second loop ends respectively routed to and redirected by portions of the first and second anchors.
- 59. The snowboard binding of claim 56, further comprising a closure device that is coupled to the tightening cable and is adapted to draw the tightening cable about the portion of the at least one anchor to tighten the strap.
- 60. The snowboard binding of claim 59, wherein the strap further comprises a strap body, supported by the tightening element, adapted to overlie the snowboard boot, the closure device being mounted to the strap body.
- 61. The snowboard binding of claim 56, wherein the binding further comprises a base and wherein the at least one anchor is adapted to non-releasably attach the tightening cable to the base.
- 62. A snowboard binding, comprising:at least one strap anchor; and a strap to hold a snowboard boot to the binding, the strap comprising: a tightening cable attached to the at least one anchor, the tightening cable being routed to and redirected by a portion of the at least one anchor so that the tightening cable can be drawn in one direction about the portion of the at least one anchor to tighten the strap, wherein the strap further comprises a strap body, supported by the tightening cable, adapted to overlie the snowboard boot, the strap body comprising at least one lumen that receives the tightening cable.
- 63. A snowboard binding, comprising:at least one strap anchor; and a strap to hold a snowboard boot to the binding, the strap comprising: a tightening cable attached to the at least one anchor, the tightening cable being routed to and redirected by a portion of the at least one anchor so that the tightening cable can be drawn in one direction about the portion of the at least one anchor to tighten the strap, wherein the strap further comprises a strap body, supported by the tightening cable, adapted to overlie the snowboard boot, the strap further comprising a sheath, supported by the strap body, that encases at least a portion of the tightening cable.
- 64. The snowboard binding of claim 59, wherein the closure device is adapted to draw the tightening cable into the closure device to tighten the strap.
- 65. The snowboard binding of claim 64, wherein the closure device is adapted to simultaneously draw at least two separate ends of the tightening cable into the closure device to tighten the strap.
- 66. The snowboard binding of claim 56, wherein the binding further comprises a highback mounted thereto.
- 67. A snowboard binding, comprising:a base for receiving a snowboard boot; and a strap to hold the snowboard boot in the binding, the strap comprising: at least one load bearing strap component that is attached to the base at first and second locations on opposite sides of the base, the at least one load bearing strap component having a first portion that is attached to the first location on the base and a second portion that is attached to the second location on the base; a strap body movably mounted to each of the first and second portions of the at least one load bearing strap component and adapted to overlie the snowboard boot; and a single closure device, supported by the base, to tighten the strap by simultaneously tensioning the first and second portions of the at least one load bearing component and causing relative movement between the strap body and each of the first and second portions of the at least one load bearing component.
- 68. The snowboard binding of claim 67, wherein the strap body is adapted to distribute pressure exerted by the at least one load bearing component on the snowboard boot.
- 69. The snowboard binding of claim 67, wherein the first and second portions of the at least one load bearing strap component are formed from a single-piece load bearing strap component.
- 70. The snowboard binding of claim 67, wherein actuation of the single closure device causes the strap body to move, relative to the first and second portions of the at least one load bearing component, toward the first and second locations on opposite sides of the base.
- 71. The snowboard binding of claim 1, wherein the strap body is padded.
- 72. The snowboard binding of claim 1, wherein the strap body comprises a guide that receives at least a portion of the tightening element.
- 73. The snowboard binding of claim 8, wherein the closure device is mounted directly to the base.
- 74. The snowboard binding of claim 8, wherein the strap comprises a strap body supported by the tightening element, and wherein the closure device is mounted to the strap body.
- 75. The snowboard binding of claim 8, wherein the strap body is padded.
- 76. The snowboard binding of claim 8, wherein the strap comprises a strap body supported by the tightening element, and wherein the strap body comprises a guide that receives at least a portion of the tightening element.
- 77. The snowboard binding of claim 11, wherein the closure device is mounted directly to the base.
- 78. The snowboard binding of claim 11, wherein the strap comprises a strap body supported by the tightening element, and wherein the closure device is mounted to the strap body.
- 79. The snowboard binding of claim 11, wherein the strap comprises a strap body supported by the tightening element, and wherein the strap body is padded.
- 80. The snowboard binding of claim 11, wherein the strap comprises a strap body supported by the tightening element, and wherein the strap body comprises a guide that receives at least a portion of the tightening element.
- 81. The snowboard binding of claim 11, wherein the strap further comprises a strap body supported by the tightening element, and wherein the tightening element is movable relative to the strap body as the closure device tightens the strap to secure the boot to the binding.
- 82. The snowboard binding of claim 17, wherein the closure device is mounted directly to the base.
- 83. The snowboard binding of claim 17, wherein the closure device is mounted to the strap body.
- 84. The snowboard binding of claim 17, wherein the strap body is padded.
- 85. The snowboard binding of claim 19, wherein the closure device is mounted directly to the base.
- 86. The snowboard binding of claim 19, wherein the strap comprises a strap body supported by the tightening element, and wherein the closure device is mounted to the strap body.
- 87. The snowboard binding of claim 19, wherein the strap further comprises a strap body supported by the tightening element, and wherein the strap body is padded.
- 88. The snowboard binding of claim 19, wherein the strap further comprises a strap body supported by the tightening element, and wherein the strap body comprising a guide that receives at least a portion of the tightening element.
- 89. The snowboard binding of claim 19, wherein the strap further comprises a strap body supported by the tightening element, and wherein the tightening element is movable relative to the strap body as the closure device tightens the strap to secure the boot to the binding.
- 90. The snowboard binding of claim 40, wherein the strap body is padded.
- 91. The snowboard binding of claim 40, wherein the strap body comprises a guide that receives at least a portion of the tightening element.
- 92. The snowboard binding of claim 46, wherein the closure device is mounted directly to the base.
- 93. The snowboard binding of claim 46, wherein the closure device is mounted to the strap body.
- 94. The snowboard binding of claim 46, wherein the strap body is padded.
- 95. The snowboard binding of claim 46, wherein the strap body comprises a guide that receives at least a portion of the tightening element.
- 96. The snowboard binding of claim 47, further comprising a closure device that is coupled to the tightening element, wherein the closure device is mounted directly to the base.
- 97. The snowboard binding of claim 47, further comprising a closure device that is coupled to the tightening element, wherein the strap further comprises a strap body supported by the tightening element, and wherein the closure device is mounted to the strap body.
- 98. The snowboard binding of claim 47, wherein the strap further comprises a strap body supported by the tightening element, and wherein the strap body is padded.
- 99. The snowboard binding of claim 47, wherein the strap further comprises a strap body supported by the tightening element, and wherein the strap body comprises a guide that receives at least a portion of the tightening element.
- 100. The snowboard binding of claim 47, wherein the strap further comprises a strap body supported by the tightening element, and wherein the tightening element is movable relative to the strap body as the tightening element is tightened to secure the boot to the binding.
- 101. The snowboard binding of claim 49, further comprising a closure device that is coupled to the tightening element, the closure device is mounted directly to the base.
- 102. The snowboard binding of claim 49, further comprising a closure device that is coupled to the tightening element, and wherein the closure device is mounted to the strap body.
- 103. The snowboard binding of claim 49, wherein the strap body is padded.
- 104. The snowboard binding of claim 56, wherein the strap further comprises a strap body supported by the tightening cable, and wherein the strap body is padded.
- 105. The snowboard binding of claim 56, wherein the strap further comprises a strap body, supported by the tightening element, and wherein the strap body comprises a guide that receives at least a portion of the tightening element.
- 106. The snowboard binding of claim 56, wherein the binding further comprises a base, and wherein the closure device is mounted directly to the base.
- 107. The snowboard binding of claim 62, further comprising a closure device that is coupled to the tightening cable and is adapted to draw the tightening cable about the portion of the at least one anchor to tighten the strap.
- 108. The snowboard binding of claim 107, wherein the closure device is mounted to the strap body.
- 109. The snowboard binding of claim 107, wherein the strap body is padded.
- 110. The snowboard binding of claim 107, wherein the binding further comprises a base, and wherein the closure device is mounted directly to the base.
- 111. The snowboard binding of claim 63, further comprising a closure device that is coupled to the tightening cable and is adapted to draw the tightening cable about the portion of the at least one anchor to tighten the strap.
- 112. The snowboard binding of claim 111, wherein the closure device is mounted to the strap body.
- 113. The snowboard binding of claim 111, wherein the strap body is padded.
- 114. The snowboard binding of claim 111, wherein the binding further comprises a base, and wherein the closure device is mounted directly to the base.
- 115. The snowboard binding of claim 67, wherein the closure device is mounted directly to the base.
- 116. The snowboard binding of claim 67, wherein the closure device is mounted to the strap body.
- 117. The snowboard binding of claim 67, wherein the strap body is padded.
- 118. The snowboard binding of claim 67, wherein the strap body comprises a guide that receives at least a portion of the at least one load bearing strap component.
- 119. A snowboard binding, comprising:a base for receiving a snowboard boot; a toe strap mounted to the base at a toe strap mounting location; and a heel strap mounted to the base at a heel strap mounting location, the toe and heel straps cooperating to hold the snowboard boot to the binding, the base extending between the toe strap mounting location and the heel strap mounting location; wherein, at least one strap of the toe strap and heel strap comprises: a tightening element mounted to the base; and a closure device, supported by the base, comprising a spool about which the tightening element is wrapped to tighten the at least one strap to secure the boot to the binding.
- 120. The snowboard binding of claim 119, wherein the at least one strap further comprises a strap body supported by the tightening element, the closure device being mounted to the strap body.
- 121. The snowboard binding of claim 119, wherein the closure device is mounted directly to the base.
- 122. The snowboard binding of claim 119, wherein the base comprises at least one anchor, and wherein the tightening element is attached to the at least one anchor.
- 123. The snowboard binding of claim 122, wherein the at least one anchor is adapted to non-releasably attach the tightening element to the base.
- 124. The snowboard binding of claim 122, wherein the at least one anchor is adapted to releasably attach the tightening element to the base.
- 125. The snowboard binding of claim 119, wherein the at least one strap is attached at at least two locations on opposite sides of the base.
- 126. The snowboard binding of claim 122, wherein the at least one anchor comprises at least first and second anchors, and wherein the tightening element is movably mounted to each of the first and second anchors, so that a portion of the tightening element in engagement with each of the first and second anchors changes as the tightening element is wrapped around the spool to tighten the at least one strap.
- 127. The snowboard binding of claim 126, wherein the at least one strap further comprises a strap body supported by the tightening element and wherein the first and second anchors are disposed on opposite sides of the base so that when the tightening element is wrapped around to the spool to tighten the at least one strap, the strap body cinches down over a surface of the snowboard boot.
- 128. The snowboard binding of claim 119, wherein the tightening element is a cable that is round in cross-section.
- 129. The snowboard binding of claim 119, wherein the at least one strap further comprises a strap body supported by the tightening element, a first portion of the strap body being mounted to the binding via the tightening element, and a second portion of the strap body being mounted directly to the base.
- 130. The snowboard binding of claim 119, wherein the at least one strap further comprises a strap body supported by the tightening element, the strap body comprising at least one guide that receives the tightening element.
- 131. The snowboard binding of claim 119, wherein the at least one strap further comprises a strap body supported by the tightening element, the snowboard binding further comprising a sheath, supported by the strap body, that encases at least a portion of the tightening element.
- 132. The snowboard binding of claim 119, wherein the closure device is adapted to simultaneously draw at least two separate ends of the tightening element onto the spool when the at least one strap is tightened.
- 133. The snowboard binding of claim 119, wherein the tightening element is non-releasably and movably mounted to the base at a first location and is releasably and movably mounted to the base at a second location.
- 134. The snowboard binding of claim 119, wherein the tightening element comprises a first end fixedly attached to the base, so that the first end of the tightening element does not move relative to the base as the at least one strap is tightened.
- 135. The snowboard binding of claim 119, wherein the tightening element has sufficient length such that upon unwinding the tightening element from the spool, there is sufficient slack in the at least one strap to enable the boot to enter and exit the binding.
- 136. The snowboard binding of claim 119, wherein the closure device comprises a ratchet and pawl, coupled to the spool, for holding the tightening element in a plurality of incremental locked positions.
- 137. The snowboard binding of claim 119, wherein the at least one strap further comprises a strap body supported by the tightening element, the tightening element being routed across the strap body to create a hold down area wherein the strap body is held down by the tightening element onto the snowboard boot, the closure device being mounted to the strap body outside of the hold down area, so that the closure device does not bear on the snowboard boot when the strap is tightened.
- 138. The snowboard binding of claim 119, wherein the binding further comprises a highback mounted thereto.
- 139. The snowboard binding of claim 119, wherein the closure device comprises a body, and wherein the spool is rotatably mounted to the closure device body.
- 140. The snowboard binding of claim 119, wherein the closure device comprises a body, and an actuator that is rotatably mounted to the closure device body, the actuator being operatively associated with the spool to wind the tightening element about the spool to tighten the strap.
- 141. The snowboard binding of claim 119, wherein the strap further comprises a strap body supported by the tightening element, the strap body including at least one lumen that receives the tightening element.
- 142. The snowboard binding of claim 141, wherein the closure device is mounted to the strap body.
- 143. The snowboard binding of claim 119, wherein the strap body is padded.
- 144. The snowboard binding of claim 57, further comprising a closure device that is coupled to the tightening cable and is adapted to draw the tightening cable about the portion of the at least one anchor to tighten the strap.
- 145. The snowboard binding of claim 144, wherein the strap further comprises a strap body supported by the tightening cable, wherein the closure device is mounted to the strap body.
- 146. The snowboard binding of claim 144, wherein the strap further comprises a strap body supported by the tightening cable, and wherein the strap body is padded.
- 147. The snowboard binding of claim 144, wherein the binding further comprises a base, and wherein the closure device is mounted directly to the base.
- 148. A snowboard binding, comprising:a base for receiving a snowboard boot; and a strap, supported by the base, to hold the snowboard boot in the binding, the strap comprising: a tightening element attached to the base; a strap body supported by the tightening element, wherein the strap body is padded; and a closure device, supported by the base, comprising a spool about which the tightening element is wrapped to tighten the strap to secure the boot to the binding.
- 149. The snowboard binding of claim 148, wherein the closure device is mounted to the strap body.
- 150. The snowboard binding of claim 148, wherein the closure device is mounted directly to the base.
- 151. The snowboard binding of claim 148, wherein the base comprises at least one anchor, and wherein the tightening element is attached to the at least one anchor.
- 152. The snowboard binding of claim 151, wherein the at least one anchor is adapted to non-releasably attach the tightening element to the base.
- 153. The snowboard binding of claim 151, wherein the at least one anchor is adapted to releasably attach the tightening element to the base.
- 154. The snowboard binding of claim 151, wherein the at least one anchor comprises at least first and second anchors, and wherein the tightening element is movably mounted to each of the first and second anchors, so that a portion of the tightening element in engagement with each of the first and second anchors changes as the tightening element is wrapped around the spool to tighten the strap.
- 155. The snowboard binding of claim 154, wherein the first and second anchors are disposed on opposite sides of the base so that when the tightening element is wrapped around to the spool to tighten the strap, the strap body cinches down over a surface of the snowboard boot.
- 156. The snowboard binding of claim 148, wherein the tightening element is a cable that is round in cross-section.
- 157. The snowboard binding of claim 148, wherein a first portion of the strap body is mounted to the binding via the tightening element, and wherein a second portion of the strap body is mounted directly to the base.
- 158. The snowboard binding of claim 148, further comprising a sheath, supported by the strap body, that encases at least a portion of the tightening element.
- 159. The snowboard binding of claim 148, wherein the closure device is adapted to simultaneously draw at least two separate ends of the tightening element onto the spool when the strap is tightened.
- 160. The snowboard binding of claim 148, wherein the tightening element comprises a first end fixedly attached to the base, so that the first end of the tightening element does not move relative to the base as the strap is tightened.
- 161. The snowboard binding of claim 148, wherein the binding further comprises a highback mounted thereto.
- 162. The snowboard binding of claim 148, wherein the closure device comprises a body, and wherein the spool is rotatably mounted to the closure device body.
- 163. The snowboard binding of claim 148, wherein the closure device comprises a body, and an actuator that is rotatably mounted to the closure device body, the actuator being operatively associated with the spool to wind the tightening element about the spool to tighten the strap.
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