Land vehicles – Skates – Shoe attaching means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-29
2001-08-07
Oberleitner, Robert J. (Department: 3613)
Land vehicles
Skates
Shoe attaching means
C280S624000, C280S011360
Reexamination Certificate
active
06270110
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a snowboard binding for interfacing a boot to a snowboard.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Most conventional binding systems for soft snowboard boots are not “step-in” systems that can be automatically actuated by the rider simply stepping into the binding. These bindings typically include a rigid high-back piece into which the heel of the boot is placed, and one or more straps that secure the boot to the binding. Such bindings can be somewhat inconvenient to use because after each run, the rider must unbuckle each strap to release the boot when getting on the chair lift, and must re-buckle each strap before the next run.
Other soft boot bindings have been developed that do not employ straps, but use rigid engagement members to releasably engage the boot to the binding. These systems typically include a handle or lever that must be actuated to move one of the engagement members into and out of engagement with the snowboard boot, and therefore, are not step-in systems that are automatically actuated by the rider simply stepping into the binding. The requirement that the handle or lever be mechanically actuated to lock the boot into the binding makes it less convenient and more time consuming to engage the rider's boots to the snowboard each time the rider completes a run.
Further, more conventional bindings that employ rigid engagement members and an actuation handle or lever generally employ a large spring that biases the binding to hold it in the closed position. Thus, to open the binding, the rider must exert substantial force on the handle or lever, making the binding difficult to use.
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved step-in binding for mounting a boot to a snowboard.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one illustrative embodiment of the invention, a snowboard binding is provided for securing a snowboard boot to a snowboard. The binding comprises a base, a first engagement member, movably mounted to the base, adapted to engage a first lateral side of the boot, and a second engagement member, movably mounted to the base, adapted to engage a second lateral side of the boot opposite the first lateral side of the boot.
In another illustrative embodiment of the invention, a snowboard binding is provided that comprises a base, a first engagement member, mounted to the base, adapted to engage a first lateral side of the boot, a second engagement member, moveably mounted to the base, adapted to engage a second lateral side of the boot opposite the first lateral side of the boot, and a high-back leg support mounted to the base.
In a further illustrative embodiment, a snowboard binding is provided comprising a base including a baseplate adapted to receive a sole of the snowboard boot; a first engagement member, mounted to the base, adapted to engage a first lateral side of the boot; and a pair of engagement fingers, adapted to engage a second lateral side of the boot opposite the first lateral side of the boot, the pair of engagement fingers including a front engagement finger and a rear engagement finger, the pair of engagement fingers being pivotally mounted to the base for movement between an open position and a closed position, the pair of engagement fingers being mounted so that the rear engagement finger extends a greater distance above the baseplate than the front engagement finger when the engagement fingers are in the open position.
In another illustrative embodiment of the invention, a snowboard binding is provided that comprises a base; a movable engagement member, mounted to the base, adapted to move between an open position and a closed position wherein the movable engagement member secures the boot in the binding; and an over-center locking mechanism adapted to lock the movable engagement member in the closed position, the locking mechanism including a cammed surface that is mechanically coupled to the movable engagement member and a cammed socket adapted to receive the cammed surface when the movable engagement member is in the closed position, the locking mechanism being arranged so that any lifting force generated on the movable engagement member by the snowboard boot when the engagement member is in the closed position acts to seat the cammed surface in the cammed socket, thereby maintaining the engagement member in the closed position.
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Dodge David J.
Laughlin James
Oberleitner Robert J.
Rodriguez Pamela J.
The Burton Corporation
Wolf Greenfield & Sacks P.C.
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