Land vehicles – Skates – Shoe attaching means
Reexamination Certificate
2002-05-20
2004-04-27
Johnson, Brian L. (Department: 3618)
Land vehicles
Skates
Shoe attaching means
C280S014220, C280S613000, C280S618000, C280S626000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06726238
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed generally to the field of bindings for gliding sports, and more particularly to the field of snowboard bindings.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Snowboard binding systems used with soft snowboard boots typically are classified as one of two general types. A strap binding typically includes one or more straps that extend across a rider's boot to secure the boot to the binding. In contrast, a step-in binding typically employs one or more strapless engagement members, rather than straps, into which the rider can step to lock the boot into the binding. The strapless engagement members are configured to engage with one or more corresponding engagement members on the boot.
A strap binding typically delivers a feel or performance many riders find desirable. More particularly, a strap binding allows a rider's foot to roll laterally when riding by allowing the boot to roll relative to the binding. Some riders, however, may find a strap binding inconvenient because a rider must unbuckle each strap of the rear binding after each run to release the rear boot when getting on a lift, and must subsequently re-buckle each strap before the next run.
A step-in binding avoids the need to unbuckle and re-buckle straps each time a rider needs to release a boot from the binding. Many riders, however, find conventional step-in bindings undesirable for several reasons. First, most step-in bindings fail to deliver the desirable feel or performance associated with a strap binding. Rather, conventional step-in binding systems typically employ a rigid interface between the boot and binding that does not allow foot roll since the boot is rigidly attached to the binding. Second, a soft snowboard boot configured for use with a step-in binding typically requires a more rigid sole, as compared to a soft boot for a strap binding. Additionally, in many step-in systems, a rigid interface is attached to the sole of the boot, further reducing the comfort of the boot when walking.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved binding system for engaging a snowboard boot to a snowboard.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a binding system for securing a snowboard boot to a snowboard. The binding system comprises a binding interface and a snowboard binding base. The binding interface includes an interface body including medial and lateral sides with first and second regions provided along each of the medial and lateral sides, a first strap attached to the first region of the interface body and a second strap attached to the second region of the interface body. The first and second straps are constructed and arranged to extend across first and second portions of the snowboard boot, forward of a heel portion thereof, to secure the binding interface to the snowboard boot. The snowboard binding base includes a base body, which has a heel end and a toe end, to be mounted to the snowboard. The snowboard binding base further includes at least one strapless engagement member, supported by the base body, that is to engage the binding interface at each of the first and second regions of the interface body along both the medial and lateral sides. A highback is supported at the heel end of the base body.
A further embodiment of the present invention is directed to a binding system for securing a snowboard boot to a snowboard. The binding system comprises a binding interface and a snowboard binding base. The binding interface includes an interface body, at least three mating features supported by the interface body, and first and second straps, supported by the interface body, to secure the binding interface to the snowboard boot. The first and second straps are constructed and arranged to extend across first and second portions of the snowboard boot forward of a heel portion thereof. The snowboard binding base includes a base body, which has a heel end and a toe end, to be mounted to the snowboard. The snowboard binding base further includes at least three engagement members, supported by the base body, that are adapted to engage the mating features of the binding interface. A highback is supported at the heel end of the base body.
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a binding system for securing a snowboard boot to a snowboard. The binding system comprises a binding interface and a snowboard binding base. The binding interface includes an interface body having a toe end and a heel end, a pair of first mating features supported at the heel end of the interface body, a pair of second mating features supported at the toe end of the interface body, and at least one strap, supported by the interface body, to secure the binding interface to the snowboard boot. The snowboard binding base includes a base body to be mounted to the snowboard. The base body has a toe end and a heel end, and a highback supported at the heel end of the base body. The snowboard binding base also includes a pair of first engagement members, each of the pair of first engagement members being movably supported at the heel end of the base body between at least one closed position to engage a corresponding one of the pair of first mating features of the interface and an open position to release the corresponding one of the pair of first mating features. The snowboard binding base further includes a pair of second engagement members supported at the toe end of the base body to engage the pair of second mating features of the interface.
A further embodiment of the present invention is directed to a binding system for securing a snowboard boot to a snowboard. The binding system comprises a binding interface and a snowboard binding base. The binding interface includes an interface body having a toe end, a heel end and lateral and medial sides, a pair of first mating features, one each supported along the lateral and medial sides of the interface body, a pair of second mating features, one each supported along the lateral and medial sides of the interface body, and at least one strap supported by the interface body to secure the binding interface to the snowboard boot. The snowboard binding base includes a base body to be mounted to the snowboard. The base body has lateral and medial sides, and a highback supported at the heel end of the base body. The snowboard binding base also includes a pair of first engagement members, one each movably supported along the lateral and medial sides of the base body between at least one closed position to engage a corresponding one of the pair of first mating features of the interface and an open position to release the corresponding one of the pair of first mating features. The snowboard binding base further includes a pair of second engagement members that are independent of the pair of first engagement members. One each of the pair of second engagement members is supported along the lateral and medial sides of the base body. Each of the pair of second engagement members is adapted to engage a corresponding one of the pair of second mating features of the interface.
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a snowboard binding to secure a snowboard boot to a snowboard. The snowboard binding comprises a base including a toe end and a heel end, and a highback supported at the heel end of the base. The snowboard binding also comprises a pair of first engagement members supported by the base, the pair of first engagement members being adapted to engage a pair of first mating features supported along opposing sides of the snowboard boot. Each of the pair of first engagement members is movable between an open position to release a corresponding one of the pair of first mating features and at least one closed position to secure the corresponding one of the pair of first mating features. The snowboard binding further comprises a pair of second engagement members supported by the base, the pair of second engagement members being adapted to receive the snowboard boot therebetwe
Johnson Brian L.
Shriver J. Allen
The Burton Corporation
Wolf Greenfield & Sacks P.C.
LandOfFree
Snowboard binding does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Snowboard binding, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Snowboard binding will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3248427