Land vehicles – Skates – Shoe attaching means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-10
2001-04-10
Mar, Michael (Department: 3619)
Land vehicles
Skates
Shoe attaching means
C036S117300, C280S617000, C280S014220
Reexamination Certificate
active
06213493
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1) Field of the Invention
The field of this invention relates to recreational equipment and more particularly to a boot binding system between a snowboard boot and a snowboard which is designed to be maneuvered by a human across snow.
2) Description of the Prior Art
Snowboarding, as a sport, is discussed within the prior application Ser. No. 08/931,099 of which this application is a continuation-in-part. Also, the prior application has discussed the prior art of “step-in” bindings to which the structure of the present invention is directed.
Previously, within snowboard boots, there have been utilized soft boots, hard boots and more recently, for the purpose of “step-in” bindings, a hybrid boot that includes a stiff shank imbedded in the sole for retention and control. In the past, a soft boot has been used for freestyle and free riding, with hard boots being used for alpine and racing. In the past, if a soft boot has been used, the boot is attached to the snowboard by a strapping arrangement. Such a strapping arrangement does not permit a step-into and a step-out-of procedure in conjunction with the snowboard. The strapping arrangement requires the user to actually fasten the straps to secure the boot onto the snowboard. This type of securement procedure for the snowboard boot is time consuming with the release procedure also being time consuming.
The step-in procedure in the past has always been reserved for the hard type of boot and the hybrid boot. The inclusion of a stiff shank in the sole of a boot inherently makes the boot less comfortable when being worn but has been necessary in the past for proper secure retention and control of the boot on the snowboard for “step-in” type binding attachments. A soft boot is far more comfortable for general recreational snowboarding, and this is the boot style of choice for the majority of the recreational snowboarders worldwide. The soft boot permits a normal walking movement when the user is walking in the boots when not connected to the snowboard where the hard boot restricts normal walking movement. In snowboarding applications, a soft boot also provides superior arch support, shock absorption and a soft foot bed that conforms to the shape of the rider's foot. A soft boot is easier for the rider to “skate” the snowboard across the snow. A normal walking movement for comfort requires a limited amount of bending movement of the sole with the sole being flexible. However, in the past, it has not been deemed to be possible to construct a soft boot to be utilized in conjunction with a “stepin” binding. “Step-in” bindings, with skis and snowboards, have long been known. The “step-in” bindings of the prior art allow for a single step-in procedure with generally the procedure constituting the (1) toe of the boot engaging first by spearing the toe of the boot forward beneath a bridge, pushing the boot forward and then pivoting of the heel of the boot (toe then heel) to complete engagement with the binding system mounted on the snowboard, (2) straight down simultaneous engagement and (3) side-to-side engagement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary objective of this invention is to construct a boot binding apparatus for a snowboard which will permit the rider to engage in three different manners, the first manner being heel then toe, the second manner being toe then heel and the third manner being heel and toe simultaneously.
A further objective of this invention is to allow the rider to easily engage the boot to the binding on any slope of terrain without having to reorientate the snowboard on the terrain.
A further objective of this invention is to allow the rider to easily engage the boot to the binding so the back of the boot abuts against the exterior highback without any adjustment of the highback.
A further objective is to create a “step-in” binding that utilizes a true soft boot.
With the boot binding system engaged with the snowboard boot, the sole of the boot is substantially in total flush contact with the upper surface of the base plate of the binding. In the toe to heel “step-in” bindings of the prior art where the securements are located under the sole of the boot, the snowboard boot is mounted to the binding with the boot assuming a slightly spaced position above the surface of the binding. This non-direct contact between the boot and the binding causes a wobbling type movement of the boot relative to the snowboard that is deemed to be undesirable. With the surface of the sole of the boot in direct contact with the upper surface of the binding, there is a fixed relationship (non-wobbling) between the boot and the binding so that both the boot and the snowboard operate as one together when the snowboard is moving across the snow. Also, the increased area of contact between the boot and the binding facilitates the application of slight precise movements that are required to turn the direction of the snowboard making such turning easier and quicker and provides the rider with a stable control surface providing phase reaction between the boot and the binding and superior shock absorption not found in the prior art.
Another objective of the present invention is that the binding mechanism between the boot and the snowboard is totally enclosed and is protected from contamination with snow or debris during operation of the snowboard. This contamination could affect the engagement and release procedure and subsequent reengagement of the binding apparatus as well as also affecting the flush interconnection between the sole of the boot and the upper surface of the snowboard.
Another objective of the present invention is to allow disengagement of the boot from the binding in a forward walking-like manner. When the release is activated, the heel of the boot is lifted and the toe is free to move forward away from the binding.
The boot binding apparatus of the present invention provides for a “step-in” binding while using of a true soft soled boot. The boot utilizes no stiffening shank imbedded in the sole and the boot upper has no internal rigid support structure. The sole of the boot is to rest directly onto the upper surface of the binding when the boot is securely engaged by the binding system of the snowboard. Latching mechanisms between the boot and the snowboard are totally enclosed and protected from contamination by snow and debris when the boot is engaged with the snowboard. The rear latching mechanism is continuously spring biased so such is always biased toward the latching position. The front latching mechanism may also be spring biased. Therefore, when operating of the snowboard, if there is an upward movement in a direction of the boot away from the snowboard, these biased latching mechanisms will actually more tightly engage to insure that the boot is prevented from accidental disengagement. The front hook member of the snowboard boot is to engage with the front latching mechanism mounted on the snowboard. The front latching member includes a front latching hook that faces directly toward the toe edge of the snowboard. The rear latching mechanism is to be movable between a latching position and an unlatching position by means of a pivotable cam which is connected to a manually operated handle. Flexing of the sole of the boot permits normal bending of the sole when skating and during walking and running movement when the snowboard boot is not engaged with the snowboard binding. The flexible sole provides comfortable arch support, soft foot bed cushioning and superior shock absorption.
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patent: 5401041 (19
Mar Michael
Munro Jack C.
LandOfFree
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