Land vehicles – Runner vehicle – Standing occupant
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-17
2001-07-31
Swann, J. J. (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Runner vehicle
Standing occupant
C280S624000, C280S613000, C036S117100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06267391
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to boot binding mechanisms. More specifically, the present invention relates to a snowboard boot binding mechanism that has a pair of engagement rods fixedly attached to a fixed plate and a second pair of engagement rods fixedly attached to a slidably movable plate to selectively engage and lock a snowboard boot in the boot binding mechanism.
2. Description of the Related Art
A recently popular sport, snowboarding presents operating conditions and physical demands to boot bindings that are somewhat dissimilar to other skiing-type sports. That is because in snowboarding, the operator stands with both feet on the snowboard such that both feet are typically disposed at an angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the ski. Given the sophisticated structure of presently manufactured boots for ski-type sports and the operating conditions the boots are subject to, a reliable and tight connection in between the boot and the snowboard is required.
An attempted solution to this problem is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,973,073 to Raines et al., issued on Nov. 27, 1990. The boot sole
40
of Raines is modified to have a binding ridge
42
,
50
placed on each side of the boot. Ridge
42
is received in a fixed entrapment member
60
and ridge
50
is received by a pivoting entrapment member
70
. To release a bound boot
18
, the user simply pushes the handle
102
away from the boot until the hooking lip
76
is in an open position and the second binding bridge
50
can be lifted out of the second socket
72
. Accordingly, during use the snowboard binding can be rather easily inadvertently opened if handle
102
or any part of member
70
is accidentally pushed away from the boot.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,063,752 to Whittaker issued on Dec. 20,
1977
discloses a ski binding that includes two opposing latch members
28
that each move towards and away from each other to control the latch operation. An engagement plate
32
is secured to the bottom of the boot by screws and has latch receiving formations
34
disposed at its marginal edges.
Notwithstanding the foregoing boot binding mechanisms, there are still major problems involved. The binding mechanisms are typically mounted on the ski or snowboard and are disposed in such a manner that outside forces can easily cause an accidental release of the binding mechanism. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a snowboard boot binding mechanism that permits selective engagement and locking of the snowboard boot while simultaneously preventing an inadvertent release of the boot from the locked position. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a boot binding mechanism that includes a base member which acts as a housing to enclose most of the moving parts of the boot binding mechanism to thereby minimize the risk of an accidental release of the binding from the locked position. It is a further object to provide a boot binding mechanism that permits the binding mechanism to clamp the boot sole from the side, i.e., from the in-step area of the foot. It is a further object to provide a snowboard boot binding mechanism that requires less parts and thus, is smaller and easier to manufacture. It is still a further object of the present invention that the snowboard boot binding mechanism be simple and cost effective to manufacture, yet reliable and efficient in use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with a preferred embodiment demonstrating further objects, features and advantages of the invention, a snowboard boot binding mechanism includes a base member having a recessed channel. A first plate is slidably attached to the base member. A first pair of engagement rods are fixedly attached to the first plate. Each of the first pair of engagement rods have a head disposed at an axial end of the rod for selectively engaging and locking a first bar attached to a first side of the snowboard boot. A second plate is fixedly attached to the base member. A second pair of engagement rods are fixedly attached to the second plate. Each of the second pair of engagement rods having a head disposed at an axial end of the rod for engaging and locking a second bar attached to a second side of the snowboard boot which is disposed opposite to the first side.
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Galde AG Snowboard Safety Binding (Advertisement and translation).
English Translation of JP 7-303728 (related to DE 94 13 356.5) International Search Report.
Family Search of Derwent World Patent Index.
McClellan James S.
Swann J. J.
The Burton Corporation
Wolf Greenfield & Sacks P.C.
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