Snowboard binding with adjustable-rigidity base

Details Snowboard binding with adjustable-rigidity base Snowboard binding with adjustable-rigidity base

1999-11-10

2001-03-13

Johnson, Brian L. (Department: 3618)

Land vehicles

Skates

Runner type

C280S014210, C280S607000, C280S618000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06199893

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a snowboard binding with adjustable-rigidity base.
It is known that one kind of snowboard binding that is particularly suitable for soft boots comprises a flat base provided with straps for fixing to the boot and with a heel unit for the rear resting thereof.
The base is centrally provided with a circular opening which is complementary with respect to a plate for fixing to the snowboard so that it can adjustably rotate about the plate.
Accordingly, by loosening the fixing of the plate to the snowboard it is possible to vary the inclination of the base with respect to the axis of the snowboard and therefore vary the arrangement of the foot.
The base has, around the opening, a plurality of notches which constitute means for engaging teeth of the plate in suitable angular positions so that mutual fixing after adjustment is stable.
The degree of inclination of the binding with respect to the axis of the snowboard is a parameter which depends on the choices made by the athlete and in particular on the posture that he intends to achieve in order to perform athletic body and leg movements in the best manner and achieve the best results.
In this context, the interaction between the binding and the snowboard also becomes particularly important, since the binding is the means by which the movements are transmitted to the board.
In particular, the rigidity of the base, which is currently substantially uniform, affects the entire region of the board to which the base is fixed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The aim of the present invention is to provide a snowboard binding whose flat base can adjust its rigidity so that it is possible to adjust its sensitivity, and the sensitivity of the snowboard, to the movements applied by the athlete.
Within the scope of the above aim, an object of the invention is to provide a snowboard binding with a base whose rigidity can be adjusted on either side with respect to the shoe locked by the binding.
A further important object of the invention is to provide a snowboard binding which does not entail particular complications with respect to current ones.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a snowboard binding whose dimensions are substantially the same as those of current bindings.
A further object of the invention is to provide a snowboard binding which can be produced with conventional machines and equipment at a cost which is substantially comparable with that of current bindings.
This aim, these objects and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a snowboard binding comprising a flat base which is provided with means for fixing to a shoe and is centrally provided with a circular opening which is shaped complementarily to a plate for fixing to a snowboard so that it can be rotated adjustably about said plate, said base having, around said opening, means for engaging said plate in preset angular positions, wherein said base has, adjacent to at least one of lateral edges thereof, two arms which protrude from said base and converge in a region where said arms are mutually opposite and rigidly coupled to means for adjusting the mutual distance between said arms.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5251923 (1993-10-01), Stepanek et al.
patent: 5261689 (1993-11-01), Carpenter et al.
patent: 5269555 (1993-12-01), Ruffinengo
patent: 5326126 (1994-07-01), Ruffinengo
patent: 5553883 (1996-09-01), Erb
patent: 5577755 (1996-11-01), Metzger et al.
patent: 5820155 (1998-10-01), Brisco
patent: 4106401 (1992-09-01), None
patent: 2626189 (1989-07-01), None
patent: 405220245 (1993-08-01), None

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Snowboard binding with adjustable-rigidity base 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 with adjustable-rigidity base, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Snowboard binding with adjustable-rigidity base will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2448385