Patent Grant
9415846
The disclosure relates generally to wakeboard bindings, wakeboards including such bindings, and methods of making and using such bindings. More specifically, disclosed embodiments relate to wakeboard bindings to which foot restraints (e.g., a boot or slip-on sock binding) may be releasably connected and which enable selective angular repositioning of the foot restraints while they are releasably connected to the wakeboard bindings.
A rider of a wakeboard is conventionally connected to the wakeboard by bindings that secure the feet of the rider within a padded underlay supported by an overlay. The overlay conventionally includes straps that wrap behind and in front of the foot to support the ankle of a rider. The straps are also conventionally secured to a base plate that is connected to the wakeboard. To ensure that a rider is not inadvertently ejected from the wakeboard bindings, the overlay is usually secured rather tightly. Thus, significant exertion is usually required to force the rider's feet into the bindings, often requiring uncomfortable contortions, application of lubricant, and significant force, generally while the rider is in the water with the wakeboard. This maneuvering can be especially difficult for new and inexperienced riders. Some bindings include releasable closures for the overlay straps, such as buckles, laces, or ties. While generally enabling a rider to enter the bindings with less exertion, the rider must still perform the fine motor movements required to secure the releasable closures, which may be difficult while in the water and may be particularly difficult in cold water. In addition, riders may inadvertently secure the releasable closures in a way that is looser than intended or recommended, which may cause injury to the rider due to loss of connection with and control of the wakeboard. Conversely, riders may inadvertently secure the releasable closure in a way that is tighter than intended or recommended, which may cause considerable discomfort while riding, even to the point of rendering the ride unsafe. The risk of unintentionally placing the bindings on a rider's feet in a way that is uncomfortable or dangerous may be particularly high in the case of new and inexperienced riders, due to their unfamiliarity with the bindings, inexperience with safe and desirable degrees of tightness, and discomfort in the water.
To accommodate riders that employ differing stances on the wakeboard comfortably, the base plate is conventionally formed of at least two pieces: a first piece that is fixedly secured to the wakeboard and another piece that is adjustably rotatable through various angular positions with respect to the first piece. This angular adjustment is conventionally performed when attaching the bindings to the wakeboard, a process that conventionally involves selecting a desired angular position for the binding and screwing or bolting the first piece to the wakeboard to fixedly secure the other piece in that angular position. Thus, a rider who wishes to adjust the angular positioning of conventional bindings to accommodate a different stance must remove his or her feet from the bindings, remove the bindings from the wakeboard, rotate the pieces of the bindings relative to one another, re-secure the bindings to the wakeboard, replace his or her feet in the bindings, and resume riding.
In some embodiments, wakeboard bindings may comprise a first member configured for connection to a wakeboard. A selective retaining device comprising at least one retaining member biased toward a rotation-precluding position and movable to a rotation-permitting position may be connected to the first member and disposed at a periphery of the first member. A second member may be rotatable with respect to the first member and may comprise at least one engagement member adjacent the selective retaining device. The at least one retaining member may be engaged with the at least one engagement member to preclude rotation of the second member in the rotation-precluding position and the at least one retaining member may be disengaged from the at least one engagement member to permit rotation of the second member in the rotation-permitting position. A releasable step-in connection device comprising a first connection member and a second connection member biased toward a connection position and movable to a release position may be connected to the second member and configured to releasably connect to a foot restraint.
In other embodiments, wakeboard assemblies may comprise a wakeboard and at least one wakeboard binding attached to the wakeboard. The at least one wakeboard binding may comprise a first member connected to the wakeboard. A selective retaining device comprising at least one retaining member biased toward a rotation-precluding position and movable to a rotation-permitting position may be connected to the first member and disposed at a periphery of the first member. A second member may be rotatable with respect to the first member and may comprise at least one engagement member adjacent the selective retaining device. The at least one retaining member may be engaged with the at least one engagement member to preclude rotation of the second member in the rotation-precluding position and the at least one retaining member may be disengaged from the at least one engagement member to permit rotation of the second member in the rotation-permitting position. A releasable step-in connection device comprising a first connection member and a second connection member biased toward a connection position and movable to a release position may be connected to the second member and configured to releasably connect to a foot restraint.
In still other embodiments, methods of positioning a foot restraint on a wakeboard binding may comprise releasably connecting a foot restraint to a releasable step-in connection device and adjusting an angular orientation of the foot restraint while the foot restraint is releasably connected to the releasable step-in connection device. Adjusting the angular orientation of the foot restraint while the foot restraint is releasably connected to the releasable step-in connection device may comprise disengaging at least one retaining member from at least one engagement member located laterally adjacent the foot restraint. The foot restraint may be rotated. The at least one retaining member may be engaged with the at least one engagement member.
While the disclosure concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming embodiments within the scope of the disclosure, various features and advantages of embodiments encompassed by the disclosure may be more readily ascertained from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The illustrations presented herein are not meant to be actual views of any particular wakeboard assembly, wakeboard binding, or component thereof, but are merely idealized representations that are employed to describe the disclosed embodiments. Thus, the drawings are not necessarily to scale. Additionally, elements common between figures may retain the same or similar numerical designation.
Directional terms, such as “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” “upward,” “downward,” etc., as used herein, refer to directions relative to the device when it is used during normal operation. Accordingly, such teems are not meant to be limiting, but are merely employed for convenience in describing spatial relationships.
Disclosed embodiments relate generally to wakeboard bindings to which foot restraints (e.g., a boot or slip-on sock binding) may be releasably connected and which enable selective angular repositioning of the foot restraints while they are releasably connected to the wakeboard bindings. More specifically, disclosed are wakeboard bindings that may more easily enable a user to put on and remove foot restraints, to more easily connect the foot restraints to and disconnect the foot restrains from a wakeboard, and to more easily adjust angular orientation of the foot restraints.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The wakeboard binding 14 may further comprise at least one selective retaining device 34 connected to the first member 30. Selective retaining devices 34 may be disposed, for example, at opposing ends of the periphery of the first member 30. For example, the selective retaining devices 34 may extend upwardly from the radially extending tabs 32 located at the periphery of the first member 30. Thus, the selective retaining devices 34 may be located above the first member 30. The selective retaining devices 34 may comprise at least one retaining member 36 biased toward a rotation-precluding position and movable to a rotation-permitting position. Retaining members 36 may comprise pins configured for insertion into corresponding holes in another device or structure in some embodiments. In other embodiments, retaining members 36 may comprise, for example, interlocking teeth configured to engage interlocking teeth in the other device or structure, friction pads configured to abut against the other device or structure, members having holes therein into which protrusions from the other device or structure may extend, or other members that interact with the other device or structure to preclude relative rotation in one position and permit relative rotation in another position. At least a portion of the selective retaining devices 34 may be formed integrally with the first member 30 in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the selective retaining devices 34 may comprise separately formed structures that are attached to the first member 30.
The wakeboard binding 14 may also comprise a second member 38 rotatable with respect to the first member 30. For example, the second member 38 may comprise a generally circular sheet of material (e.g., a generally disc-shaped member) that may be selectively rotated with respect to the first member 30. The second member 38 may comprise at least one engagement member 40 radially adjacent the selective retaining device 34. Engagement members 40 may be located at opposing ends (e.g., on opposing sides) of a periphery of the second member 38. The engagement members 40 may comprise, for example, upwardly extending members that extend at least partially around a circumference of the second member 38. The engagement members 40 may comprise a single, integrally formed unit with the second member 38 in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the engagement members 40 may comprise separate units that are attached to the second member 38. Retaining holes 42 may be formed in the engagement members 40 in some embodiments. For example, retaining holes 42 may be formed incrementally at differing angular positions along the circumferentially extending engagement members 40. In other embodiments, the engagement members 40 may include interlocking teeth, friction surfaces, radially extending protrusions, or other members that may interact with the retaining members 36 to selectively preclude and permit rotation of the second member 38 with respect to the first member 30. Thus, the retaining members 36 may be engaged with (e.g., inserted into or received within) the engagement members 40 to preclude rotation of the second member 38 in the rotation-precluding position. Further, the retaining members 36 may be disengaged from (e.g., withdrawn from within or retracted from over) the engagement members 40 to permit rotation of the second member 38 in the rotation-permitting position. In this way, the angular orientation of the second member 38 and, therefore, of the foot restraint 16, may be modified without disconnecting the wakeboard binding 14 from the wakeboard 12 (see
The wakeboard binding 14 may comprise a releasable step-in connection device 44 configured to releasably connect to a foot restraint 16 (see
The releasable step-in connection device 44 may comprise at least two points of attachment to which the foot restraint 16 (see
Referring to
Referring to
The wakeboard binding 14 may include a first selective retaining device 34A having a first retaining member 36A and a second selective retaining device 34B having a second retaining member 36B. The second selective retaining device 34B is shown in the rotation-precluding position. In the rotation-precluding position, the second retaining member 36B extends radially inwardly from the second selective retaining device 34B, which is disposed on a radially extending tab 32 at the periphery of the first member 30, and is inserted into a retaining hole 42 of the adjacent engagement member 40. Thus, mechanical interference between the engagement member 40 and the second retaining member 36B prevents the second member 38 from rotating relative to the first member 30 in the rotation-precluding position. The first and second retaining members 36A and 36B are biased toward the rotation-precluding position. For example, a biasing member 56 may push the first and second retaining members 36A and 36B toward the rotation-precluding position. The biasing member 56 may comprise, for example, a spring, a pneumatic piston, a compressible polymer or other elastomer, or another member that may exert a force to bias the first and second retaining members 36A and 36B toward the rotation-precluding position. The first selective retaining device 34A is shown in the rotation-permitting position. In the rotation-permitting position, the first retaining member 36A is withdrawn into the first selective retaining device 34A, which is disposed on a radially extending tab 32 at the periphery of the first member 30, and is retracted from a retaining hole 42 of the adjacent engagement member 40. Once the first retaining member 36A is removed from within the retaining hole 42, the second member 38 is free to rotate relative to the first member 30 in the rotation-permitting position.
A rider wishing to adjust the angular positioning of the second member 38 relative to the first member 30 and, therefore, the angular positioning of a foot restraint 16 (see
A distance d between a bottom surface 58 of the wakeboard binding 14 and an uppermost portion 60 of the wake board binding 14 may be about 1 inch (2.54 cm). For example, the distance d between the bottom surface 58 of the first member 30 and the uppermost portion 60 of the first connection member 46 of the releasable step-in connection device 44 may be about 1 inch (2.54 cm). More specifically, the distance d between the bottom surface 58 of the first member 30 and the uppermost portion 60 of the first connection member 46 of the releasable step-in connection device 44 may be between about 0.75 inch (1.91 cm) and about 2 inches (5.08 cm). Thus, the wakeboard binding 14 may have a lower vertical height above the wakeboard 12 (see
Referring to
In some embodiments, the first connection member 46 and the second connection member 48 (see
The wakeboard binding 14 may be formed from materials generally suitable for prolonged exposure to the water and for retaining structural integrity against forces generally encountered during wakeboarding. For example, the wakeboard binding 14 may comprise a metal or metal alloy (e.g., stainless steel or aluminum) or a polymer (e.g., a thermoplastic). Different components of the wakeboard bindings 14 may be formed from different materials in some embodiments. For example, the first and second members 30 and 38 may be at least substantially composed of (i.e., entirely composed of with the exception of naturally occurring contaminants) a thermoplastic, while the retaining members 36 and the biasing members 56 may be at least substantially composed of aluminum. In other embodiments, each component of the wakeboard bindings 14 may be formed from the same material. The wakeboard bindings 14 may be formed using processes generally known in the art, such as, for example, injection molding and machining.
Referring to
In some embodiments, the foot restraint 16 may further comprise a padded underlay 70 supported by an overlay 72. The overlay 72 may include adjustable straps 74 that wrap behind and in front of the foot to support the ankle of a rider. The adjustable straps 74 may be adjusted in length to accommodate riders having feet of differing sizes using, for example, latches, buckles, hook-and-loop fasteners, or laces. The adjustable straps 74 may also be secured to a base plate 76 to which the first and second mating members 66 and 68 are connected (e.g., by being separately formed and subsequently connected or by being integrally formed together) and from which the first and second mating members 66 and 68 downwardly extend. Thus, the foot restraint 16 may comprise a conventional wakeboard binding to which the first and second mating members 66 and 68 have been attached. In this way, existing wakeboard assemblies 10 (see
The rider may lower a heel portion of the foot restraint 16, 16′, 16″ (see
Should the rider wish to remove the foot restraint 16, 16′, 16″ (see
In further positioning the foot restraint 16, 16′, 16″ (see
Referring to
At least one of the first and second connection members 146 and 148 may be movable with respect to the other of the first and second connection members 146 and 148 to assume the connection and release positions. For example, the second connection member 148 may be movable, and the first connection member 146 may be fixed. To move the second connection member 148 from the connection position to the release position, a user may grasp a release member 192 connected to the second connection member 148 and exert a force on the release member 192 directed away from the first connection member 146 from the perspective of the second connection member 148. For example, a user may grasp a release member 192 comprising a lever and pull it laterally away from the first connection member 146 to move the second connection member 148 (e.g., along a track 198 with which the second connection member 148 is engaged and by which the second connection member 148 is connected to the second member 138) into the release position. The second connection member 148 may be biased toward the connection position, for example, by a spring. Accordingly, the second connection member 148 may return to the connection position by freeing the release member 192 and allowing the second connection member 148 to return to the connection position. In other embodiments, the first connection member 146 may be movable and the second connection member 148 may be fixed, or the first and second connection members 146 and 148 may both be movable to assume the release and connection positions. In some embodiments, movement of the first connection member 146, the second connection member 148, or both may be in directions other than lateral, such as, for example, front to back, back to front, or diagonal.
In some embodiments, the first and second connection members 146 and 148 may be releasably locked into the connection and release positions. For example, the release member 192 may be disposed in a connection groove 194 to impede (e.g., prevent) the second connection member 148 from unintentionally moving from the connection position to the release position. The release member 192 may be disposed in a release groove 196 to impede (e.g., prevent) the second connection member 148 from unintentionally moving from the release position to the connection position. For example, the release member 192 may be biased toward the connection and release grooves 194 and 196 (e.g., by a spring) such that freeing the release member 192 from the user's grasp causes the release member 192 to enter a respective groove 194 or 196 with which it is aligned. Such a configuration may enable a user to more easily ensure that the foot restraint 116 (see
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
A user wishing to use the wakeboard binding 114 and foot restraint 116 shown and described in connection with
In some embodiments, the user may be required to move the release member 192 out of the connection groove 194 to enable the first connection member 146, the second connection member 148, or both to move from the connection position toward the release position. In other embodiments, the first connection member 146, the second connection member 148, or both may move from the connection position toward the release position in response to forces generated from forcing the chamfered surface 222 against the sloped surface 206 even if the release member 192 is in the connection groove 194, which may enable easier, hands-free operation of the wakeboard binding 114.
Once the enlarged head 216 of the unitary mating member 190 is fully disposed in the retaining cavity 200, the first connection member 146, the second connection member 148, or both may return to the connection position in response to a bias force (e.g., exerted by a spring) directed toward the connection position. Moving toward the connection position may cause the opening 224 to the retaining cavity 200 to decrease in size to close around the enlarged head 216 of the unitary mating member 190 and secure it within the retaining cavity 200. Separation of the foot restraint 116 from the wakeboard binding 114 may be limited (e.g., prevented) by mechanical interference between the overhanging ledges 202 of the first and second connection members 146 and 148 and the mating ledge 214 of the unitary mating member 190. In this way, the overhanging ledges 202 may longitudinally secure the mating ledge 214 to impede (e.g., prevent) unintentional longitudinal separation between the foot restraint 116 and the wakeboard binding 114.
To detach the foot restraint 116 from the wakeboard binding 114, the user may displace the release member 192 from the connection groove 194, move the first connection member 146, the second connection member 148, or both to the release position responsive to movement of the release member 192 away from the connection groove 194 toward the release groove 196, and lock the first and second connection members 146 and 148 in the release position by disposing the release member 192 in the release groove 196. The overhanging ledge 202 may disengage from the mating ledge 214, and the unitary mating member 190 may be extracted from the retaining cavity 200 as the foot restraint 116 is separated from the wakeboard binding 114. In this way, a user wearing the foot restraint 116 may easily and safely step into and out of the wakeboard binding 114.
Referring to
The releasable step-in connection device 144′ may comprise a first connection member 146′ defining a retaining cavity 200′ in which at least a portion of at least one mating member (e.g., a unitary mating member 190′ (see
In some embodiments, the releasable step-in connection device 144′ may be releasably locked into the connection and release states. For example, a release member 192 may be disposed in a connection groove 194 to impede (e.g., prevent) the releasable step-in connection device 144′ from unintentionally moving from the connection state to the release state. The release member 192 may be disposed in a release groove 196 to impede (e.g., prevent) the releasable step-in connection device 144′ from unintentionally moving from the release state to the connection state. For example, the release member 192 may be biased toward the connection and release grooves 194 and 196 (e.g., by a spring) such that freeing the release member 192 from the user's grasp causes the release member 192 to enter a respective groove 194 or 196 with which it is aligned. Such a configuration may enable a user to more easily ensure that the foot restraint 116′ (see
Referring to
The second connection member 148′ may be movable with respect to the retaining cavity 200′ to assume the connection and release positions. For example, the second connection member 148′ may pivot about an axis 232 to dispose a distal end 234 of the second connection member 148′ into the retaining cavity 200′ and to remove the distal end 234 of the second connection member 148′ from the retaining cavity 200′. To move the second connection member 148′ from the connection position to the release position, a user may grasp a release member 192 connected to the second connection member 148′ and exert a force on the release member 192 directed away from the retaining cavity 200′ from the perspective of the second connection member 148′. For example, a user may grasp a release member 192 comprising a lever and pull it laterally away from the second connection member 148′ to move the second connection member 148′ (e.g., within a space 236 defined by the first connection member 146′ in which the connection member 236 is disposed) into the release position. The second connection member 148′ may be biased toward the connection position, for example, by a spring 238. Accordingly, the second connection member 148′ may return to the connection position by freeing the release member 192 and allowing the second connection member 148′ to return to the connection position. In other embodiments, the second connection member 148′ may be linearly displaced to assume the release and connection positions.
Referring to
Referring to
A user wishing to use the wakeboard binding 114′ and foot restraint 116′ shown and described in connection with
In some embodiments, the user may be required to move the release member 192 out of the connection groove 194 to enable the second connection member 148′ to pivot from the connection position toward the release position. In other embodiments, the second connection member 148′ may pivot from the connection position toward the release position in response to forces generated from forcing the enlarged head 216′ against the distal end 234 of the second connection member 148′ even if the release member 192 is in the connection groove 194, which may enable easier, hands-free operation of the wakeboard binding 114′.
Once the enlarged head 216′ of the unitary mating member 190′ is fully inserted into the retaining cavity 200′, the second connection member 148′ may return to the connection position in response to a bias force (e.g., exerted by the spring 238) directed toward the connection position. Separation of the foot restraint 116′ from the wakeboard binding 114′ may be limited (e.g., prevented) by mechanical interference between the overhanging ledges 202′ of the first connection member 146′, the distal end 234 of the second connection member 148′ and the mating ledge 214′ of the unitary mating member 190′. In this way, the overhanging ledge 202′ is configured to longitudinally secure the mating ledge 214′ of the enlarged head 216′, and the distal end 234 is configured to secure the enlarged head 216′ within the retaining cavity 200′. To detach the foot restraint 116′ from the wakeboard binding 114′, the user may displace the release member 192 from the connection groove 194, move the second connection member 148′ to the release position responsive to movement of the release member 192 away from the connection groove 194 toward the release groove 196, and lock the second connection member 148′ in the release position by disposing the release member 192 in the release groove 196. The enlarged head 216 may disengage from the distal end 234 of the second connection member 148′, and the unitary mating member 190′ may be extracted from the retaining cavity 200′ as the foot restraint 116′ is slid backward (i.e., in a direction from toe to heel) away from the wakeboard binding 114′. In this way, a user wearing the foot restraint 116′ may easily and safely slide into and out of the wakeboard binding 114′.
Additional, non-limiting embodiments within the scope of the disclosure include:
A wakeboard binding may comprise a first member configured for connection to a wakeboard; at least one selective retaining device comprising at least one retaining member biased toward a rotation-precluding position and movable to a rotation-permitting position connected to the first member and disposed at a periphery of the first member; a second member rotatable with respect to the first member comprising at least one engagement member adjacent the selective retaining device, wherein the at least one retaining member is engaged with the at least one engagement member to preclude rotation of the second member in the rotation-precluding position and the at least one retaining member is disengaged from the at least one engagement member to permit rotation of the second member in the rotation-permitting position; and a releasable step-in connection device comprising a first connection member and a second connection member biased toward a connection position and movable to a release position connected to the second member and configured to releasably connect to a foot restraint.
The wakeboard binding of Embodiment 1, wherein the at least one selective retaining device comprises at least two selective retaining devices disposed on opposing sides of the periphery of the first member and flanking the releasable step-in connection device.
The wakeboard binding of Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2, wherein the at least one engagement member comprises a plurality of retaining holes, each retaining hole corresponding to an angular position of the second member with respect to the first member, and the at least one retaining member comprises at least one pin biased toward insertion into at least one retaining hole of the plurality of retaining holes in the rotation-precluding position and withdrawn from the at least one retaining hole of the plurality of retaining holes in the rotation-permitting position.
The wakeboard binding of any one of Embodiments 1 through 3, wherein the first connection member of the releasable step-in connection device comprises a ledge configured to longitudinally secure a protrusion at a toe portion of the foot restraint and the second connection member comprises a latch configured to engage with a surface defining a recess at a heel portion of the foot restraint in the connection position and to disengage from the recess at the heel portion of the foot restraint in the release position.
The wakeboard binding of any one of Embodiments 1 through 3, wherein each of the first connection member and the second connection member of the releasable step-in connection device comprises an overhanging ledge configured to longitudinally secure a mating ledge of an oversized head of a unitary mating member at a heel portion of the foot restraint, wherein the first connection member and the second connection member cooperatively define a retaining cavity in which the oversized head is configured to be received and wherein the first connection member, the second connection member, or both is configured to move to increase a size of an opening to the retaining cavity in the release position and to decrease the size of the opening to the retaining cavity in the connection position.
The wakeboard binding of any one of Embodiments 1 through 3, wherein the first connection member comprises an overhanging ledge defining a slot configured to slidably receive a unitary mating member at a heel portion of the foot restraint and the second connection member comprises a distal end configured to secure an enlarged head of the unitary mating member, wherein the overhanging ledge is configured to longitudinally secure a mating ledge of the enlarged head, and wherein the second connection member is configured to pivot into a retaining cavity defined by the first connection member in the connection position and to pivot out of the retaining cavity in the release position.
The wakeboard binding of any one of Embodiments 1 through 6, wherein a distance between a bottom surface of the wakeboard binding and an uppermost portion of the wakeboard binding is about 1 inch (2.54 cm).
The wakeboard binding of any one of Embodiments 1 through 7, wherein the second member and the at least one engagement member comprise a single, integrally formed unit.
The wakeboard binding of any one of Embodiments 1 through 8, wherein mechanical interference between the first member and the second member precludes longitudinal separation of the second member from the first member.
The wakeboard binding of any one of Embodiments 1 through 9, wherein at least a portion of the second member is located in the same horizontal plane as at least a portion of the first member.
The wakeboard binding of any one of Embodiments 1 through 10, wherein the second member is rotatable with respect to the first member over an included rotation angle of about 60°.
The wakeboard binding of any one of Embodiments 1 through 11, wherein the first member and the second member are at least substantially composed of at least one of a polymer material, a metal material, and a metal alloy material.
A wakeboard assembly, comprising: a wakeboard; and at least one wakeboard binding attached to the wakeboard comprising: a first member connected to the wakeboard; a selective retaining device comprising at least one retaining member biased toward a rotation-precluding position and movable to a rotation-permitting position connected to the first member and disposed at a periphery of the first member; a second member rotatable with respect to the first member comprising at least one engagement member adjacent the selective retaining device, wherein the at least one retaining member is engaged with the at least one engagement member to preclude rotation of the second member in the rotation-precluding position and the at least one retaining member is disengaged from the at least one engagement member to permit rotation of the second member in the rotation-permitting position; and a releasable step-in connection device comprising a first connection member and a second connection member biased toward a connection position and movable to a release position connected to the second member and configured to releasably connect to a foot restraint.
The wakeboard assembly of Embodiment 13, further comprising a foot restraint releasably connected to the releasable step-in connection device.
The wakeboard assembly of Embodiment 14, wherein the foot restraint comprises a first mating member configured to be longitudinally secured by the first connection member and a second mating member configured to be releasably longitudinally secured by the second connection member and comprises one of a conventional wakeboard binding, a boot, and a skeleton structure attached to conventional footwear.
The wakeboard assembly of Embodiment 14, wherein the foot restraint includes a unitary mating member configured to be cooperatively longitudinally secured by the first connection member and the second connection member, wherein the foot restraint comprises one of a conventional wakeboard binding, a boot, and a skeleton structure attached to conventional footwear.
The wakeboard assembly of Embodiment 14 or Embodiment 15, wherein the selective retaining device comprises a plurality of retaining members disposed on opposing sides of the periphery of the first member and flanking the foot restraint.
The wakeboard assembly of any one of Embodiments 13 through 17, wherein the at least one engagement member comprises a plurality of holes, each hole corresponding to an angular position of the second member with respect to the first member, and the at least one retaining member comprises at least one pin biased toward insertion into at least one hole of the plurality of holes in the rotation-precluding position and removed from the at least one hole of the plurality of holes in the rotation-permitting position.
The wakeboard assembly of any one of Embodiments 13 through 18, wherein a distance between a bottom surface of the at least one wakeboard binding and an uppermost portion of the at least one wakeboard binding is about 1 inch (2.54 cm).
The wakeboard binding of any one of Embodiments 13 through 19, wherein the second member is rotatable with respect to the first member over an included rotation angle of about 45°.
A method of positioning a foot restraint on a wakeboard binding, comprising: releasably connecting a foot restraint to a releasable step-in connection device; and adjusting an angular orientation of the foot restraint while the foot restraint is releasably connected to the releasable step-in connection device, comprising: disengaging at least one retaining member from at least one engagement member located laterally adjacent the foot restraint; rotating the foot restraint; and engaging the at least one retaining member with the at least one engagement member.
The method of Embodiment 21, wherein releasably connecting the foot restraint to the releasable step-in connection device comprises: engaging a first mating member at a toe portion of the foot restraint with a first connection member of the releasable step-in connection device; lowering a heel portion of the foot restraint toward the releasable step-in connection device; and engaging a second mating member at a heel portion of the foot restraint with a second connection member biased toward a connection position and movable to a release position.
The method of Embodiment 21, wherein releasably connecting the foot restraint to the releasable step-in connection device comprises: contacting a unitary mating member at a heel portion of the foot restraint against a first connection member and a second connection member of the releasable step-in connection device to increase a size of an opening to a retaining cavity cooperatively defined by the first connection member and the second connection member by moving the second connection member from a connection position toward a release position; lowering the heel portion of the foot restraint toward the retaining cavity to insert an enlarged head of the unitary mating member into the retaining cavity; and decreasing the size of the opening to the retaining cavity to engage a mating ledge defined by the enlarged head with an overhanging ledge of each of the first connection member and the second connection member by moving the second connection member from the release position toward the connection position.
The method of Embodiment 23, wherein moving the second connection member from the release position toward the connection position comprises moving the second connection member from the release position toward the connection position responsive to a bias force biasing the second connection member toward the connection position.
The method of Embodiment 21, wherein releasably connecting the foot restraint to the releasable step-in connection device comprises contacting a unitary mating member at a heel portion of the foot restraint against a first connection member comprising an overhanging ledge defining a retaining cavity; sliding an enlarged head of the unitary mating member under the overhanging ledge toward the retaining cavity to insert the enlarged head into the retaining cavity and engage a mating ledge defined by the enlarged head with the overhanging ledge; pivoting a second connection member from a connection position toward a release position responsive to insertion of the enlarged head into the retaining cavity; and pivoting the second connection member from the release position toward the connection position to engage a distal end of the second connection member with the enlarged head to secure the enlarged head within the retaining cavity.
The method of Embodiment 25, wherein pivoting the second connection member from the release position toward the connection position comprises pivoting the second connection member from the release position toward the connection position responsive to a bias force biasing the second connection member toward the connection position.
The method of any one of Embodiments 21 through 26, wherein disengaging the at least one retaining member from the at least one engagement member located adjacent the foot restraint comprises retracting at least one pin biased toward insertion into at least one hole in the at least one engagement member from the at least one hole in the at least one engagement member and wherein engaging the at least one retaining member with the at least one engagement member comprises inserting the at least one pin into at least another hole in the at least one engagement member.
The method of any one of Embodiments 21 through 27, wherein releasably connecting the foot restraint to the releasable step-in connection device comprises releasably connecting one of a conventional wakeboard binding, a boot, and a skeleton structure attached to conventional footwear to the releasable step-in connection device.
While certain illustrative embodiments have been described in connection with the figures, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize and appreciate that embodiments encompassed by the disclosure are not limited to those embodiments explicitly shown and described herein. Rather, many additions, deletions, and modifications to the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the scope of embodiments encompassed by the disclosure, such as those hereinafter claimed, including legal equivalents. In addition, features from one disclosed embodiment may be combined with features of another disclosed embodiment while still being within the scope of the disclosure, as contemplated by the inventors.
This application is a national phase entry under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Patent Application PCT/US2012/052152, filed Aug. 23, 2012, designating the United States of America and published in English as International Patent Publication WO 2013/028918 A1 on Feb. 28, 2013, which claims the benefit under Article 8 of the Patent Cooperation Treaty to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/526,332, filed Aug. 23, 2011, and titled “WAKEBOARD BINDINGS, WAKEBOARDS INCLUDING SUCH BINDINGS, AND RELATED METHODS.”
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2012/052152 | 8/23/2012 | WO | 00 | 9/29/2014 |
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|---|---|---|---|
| WO2013/028918 | 2/28/2013 | WO | A |
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