Land vehicles – Runner vehicle – Standing occupant
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-02
2001-03-06
Johnson, Brian L. (Department: 3618)
Land vehicles
Runner vehicle
Standing occupant
Reexamination Certificate
active
06196559
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(a) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to bindings for boots and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a snowboot binding used for mounting on top of a snowboard.
(b) Discussion of Prior Art
In the ski industry, there are generally two types of bindings. One is a high back or buckle binding and the other is a plate binding. The high back or buckle binding is designed for use with soft boots and is constructed of plastic. The conventional high back binding includes a base plate, a high back support and various types of straps. The basic design of the plate binding consists of a rigid base plate or a toe and heel plate having extensions for clamping a hard shell boot thereon.
While there are numerous types of prior art snowboard bindings, all of the bindings include a base plate or are plateless. A major disadvantage of the prior art snowboard bindings is the lack of control associated with the binding straps which lacked the leverage and/or durability to adequately tighten the straps on the snowboot.
Early strap systems for snowboard bindings include the use of hook and loop fasteners. Later bindings rely on the user adjusting the strap so that connecting buckles were in close proximity when physically forcing them into a locked position. This type of binding was replaced by cam lever buckles with wire bales attached to one end of the strap. Slotted blocks were fitted on the end of the other strap into which the bales could be attached. These type of cam lever buckles allow only about a half inch take up by mechanical leverage after the mating parts are physically forced close enough together to make a connection. This type of binding provides inadequate tension allowing the wire bales to slip out of the blocks when a snowboarder's soft boots are compressed as a result of jumping or maneuvering.
A current strap binding for soft boots and used on most mass produced snowboards employ a ratchet buckle and strap. The binding is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,662,435 to Ivor J. Allsop. This binding is an improvement over earlier bindings inasmuch as the serrated plastic strap does not slip out of a spring loaded metal clamp when the rider's boot is compressed during jumps and maneuvers. However, because the strap still has to be forced into the spring loaded metal clamp, it is cumbersome to use. Also, the thin serrated strap is made of plastic which becomes brittle with age and unlike fabric it ages rapidly or it become brittle in cold weather which ever comes first and cannot reliably withstand stock during jumps and maneuvers. A broken strap will prevent a snowboarder from maintaining control of the board.
A further disadvantage of prior art snowboard binding straps is the need to use both hands to buckle and unbuckle the straps. This is because all prior art devices require some physical force to urge the strap or wire bale into a holding mechanism before a cam lever can be activated. In the release process, the cam lever has to be released and the spring loaded clamp has to be depressed while the bale or strap is removed from the slotted block or clamp.
Therefore, because of the above mentioned disadvantages of current bindings for snowboards, there is a need for a binding which is durable, not adversely affected by cold weather and whose mating parts can be attached without the snowboarder having to use physical force. The subject invention solves the above mentioned problems with the following objects and advantages as described herein.
None of the above mentioned prior art snowboard bindings provide a unique combination of structure and features of the subject snowboot binding adapted for engaging the sides and bottom of a sole of the snowboot and the heel of the snowboot.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, it is a primary object of the subject invention to provide a snowboot binding which can be quickly attached to the sides and bottom of a sole of a snowboot and released from the snowboot.
Another object of the subject snowboot binding is to eliminate the use of binding straps, cam levers and wire bales which heretofore were difficult to use, to clamp, to tighten and release from a snowboot.
Still another object of the invention is the binding is not effected by cold weather and is easy to use without having to apply physical force in engaging and releasing the snowboot from the binding.
Yet another object of the new binding is to fit the binding snugly on the bottom of the sole of the snowboot and engage the heel of the snowboot for increased stability and mobility when snowboarding.
The subject invention includes a horizontal baseplate with a front, a rear, a center portion and a first side and a second side on opposite sides of the center portion. Along the length of the first side of the base plate is an upwardly extending inverted “L” shaped first rail. Also, along the length of the second side of the base plate is an upwardly extending inverted “L” shaped second rail. A portion of the two “L” shaped rails are received in sole interface grooves formed in opposite sides of the sole of the snowboot. Mounted on one side of the first rail is a spring biased locking pin release lever having a locking pin extending inwardly toward the side of the sole of the snowboot. The sole having a snow cavity therein and with a locking pin bar mounted on the side of the sole and in front of the cavity. The locking pin bar adapted for receiving a portion of the locking pin therein when the sole of the snowboot is received along the length of the first and second rails. The baseplate also includes an alignment tab extending upwardly along the length of the center portion. The alignment tab is adapted for receipt in a sole alignment groove along the length of the sole. The alignment tab provides for proper alignment of the snowboot on top of the baseplate.
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those familiar with the different types of downhill and crosscountry ski bindings and snowboard bindings when reviewing the following detailed description, showing novel construction, combination, and elements as herein described, and more particularly defined by the claims, it being understood that changes in the embodiments to the herein disclosed invention are meant to be included as coming within the scope of the claims, except insofar as they may be precluded by the prior art.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5035443 (1991-07-01), Kincheloe
patent: 5261689 (1993-11-01), Carpenter et al.
patent: 5299823 (1994-04-01), Glaser
patent: 5499837 (1996-03-01), Hale et al.
patent: 5505478 (1996-04-01), Napoliello
patent: 5520406 (1996-05-01), Anderson et al.
patent: 5655786 (1997-08-01), Raftogianis
patent: 5975556 (1999-11-01), Lehmann
Johnson Brian L.
Klebe G B
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