Snowboard binding system

• US 20080277904A1
• Filed: 05/11/2007
• Published: 11/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Peter Etges
• Original Assignee: Peter Etges
• Inventors: Etges, Peter
• Application Number:
  US11/803,058
• Publication Number:
  US 20080277904A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/613
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 10/04 Shoe holders for passing over the shoe
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 10/10 using parts which are fixed on the shoe, e.g. means to facilitate step-in
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 10/103 on the sides of the shoe
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 10/145 between two superimposed binding systems, e.g. cradle
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 10/24 Calf or heel supports, e.g. adjustable high back or heel loops

Abstract

A snowboard binding system includes a boot unit and a binding unit. The boot unit has a boot cradle that has straps that are secured to a snowboard boot and lugs that extend from the sides of the cradle. The binding unit has retainers that releasably engage the lugs of the boot unit. The retainer includes a lever that has a cam and a lever handle and a compression member. When the boot unit is inserted into the binding unit, the lever is actuated to lock the compression member against the lug and securely fasten the boot and boot unit to the board.

Claims

1. A snowboard binding comprising:

a boot unit for holding a snowboard boot comprising;

a boot plate having an upper surface that engages the sole of the snowboard boot;

a foot strap that is coupled to the sole plate and releasably secures the snowboard boot to the boot plate;

a heel loop coupled on one end of the boot plate that extends around a heel portion of the snowboard boot;

a angle strap that is coupled to the heel loop and releasably secures the snowboard boot to the heel loop; and

a first elongated lug and a second elongated lug that are mounted on opposite sides of the sole plate and aligned along the length of the sole plate, wherein the first lug and the second lug have planar upper surfaces;

a binding unit having

a baseplate having a bottom surface that is attached to a snowboard;

a fixed retention member that is attached to one side of the baseplate; and

a releasable cam lock attached to a second side of the baseplate opposite the fixed retention member comprising;

a clamping member that rotates about a rod coupled to the base plate, a spring member coupled to the base plate that is coupled to a cam at one end and a lever at the opposite end;

wherein when the boot unit is placed in the binding unit, the first elongated lug is inserted into the fixed retention member and the second lug engages the releasable cam lock, when the lever is actuated, the cam rotates about the spring member and compressing the second lug between the clamping member and the baseplate.

2. The snowboard binding of claim 1 wherein the spring member is an elongate metal rod having a straight section that is coupled to the cam and two curved sections that are coupled to the baseplate.

3. The snowboard binding of claim 1 wherein the cam has a curved section and a stop that engages the clamping member to stop the rotation of the cam and the lever.

4. The snowboard binding of claim 3 wherein the clamping member includes a planar upper surface that is made of a low friction material that allows the curved section of the cam to slide against the upper surface of the clamping member.

5. The snowboard binding of claim 1 wherein the spring member rotates about the base plate and the cam.

6. The snowboard binding of claim 1 wherein the releasable cam lock includes a first bracket and a second bracket that are coupled to the baseplate, a pivot rod mounted between the first bracket and the second bracket that is coupled to the clamping member.

7. The snowboard binding of claim 6 wherein the spring member is coupled to the first bracket and the second bracket.

8. The snowboard binding of claim 6 wherein the releasable cam lock includes a spring that is compressed when the clamping member is rotated towards the baseplate.

9. The snowboard binding of claim 1 further comprising:

a high back having a concave surface that engages the back of the snowboard boot that is coupled to the base plate.

10. The snowboard binding of claim 1 further comprising:

a high back having a concave surface that engages the back of the snowboard boot that is coupled to the boot unit.

11. A snowboard binding system comprising:

a boot unit for holding a boot comprising;

a sole plate having an upper surface that engages the sole of the boot, a lower surface and a thickness;

a foot strap that is coupled to the sole plate and releasably secures the boot to the sole plate;

a heel loop coupled on one end of the sole plate that extends around a heel portion of the boot;

an angle strap that is coupled to the heel loop and releasably secures the boot to the heel loop; and

a first elongated lug and a second elongated lug that are mounted on opposite sides of the sole plate and aligned along the length of the sole plate, wherein the first lug and the second lug have planar upper surfaces;

a binding unit having

a baseplate having a bottom surface that is attached to a snowboard;

a fixed retention member that is attached to one side of the baseplate; and

a releasable cam lock attached to a second side of the baseplate opposite the fixed retention member comprising;

a clamping member that rotates about a rod coupled to the base plate, a spring member coupled to the base plate that is coupled to a cam at one end and a lever at the opposite end;

wherein the snowboard boot has a sole with an toe section, a heel section and a midsection that is recessed into the sole by the distance that is greater than or equal to the thickness of the plate of the boot unit and wherein the sole plate of the boot unit is placed in the recessed section of the boot sole, the foot strap is secured around the toe section and the ankle strap is secured around the heel section of the boot, the boot unit is placed in the binding unit by inserting the first elongated lug into the fixed retention member and inserting the second lug into the releasable cam lock, actuating the lever to rotate the cam that rotates about the spring member and compressing the second lug between the clamping member and the baseplate.

12. The snowboard binding of claim 11 wherein the spring member is an elongate metal rod having a straight section that is coupled to the cam and two curved sections that are coupled to the baseplate.

13. The snowboard binding of claim 11 wherein the cam has a curved section and a stop that engages the clamping member to stop the rotation of the cam and the lever.

14. The snowboard binding of claim 13 wherein the clamping member includes a planar upper surface that is made of a low friction material that allows the curved section of the cam to slide against the upper surface of the clamping member.

15. The snowboard binding of claim 11 wherein the spring member rotates about the base plate and the cam.

16. The snowboard binding of claim 11 wherein the releasable cam lock includes a first bracket and a second bracket that are coupled to the baseplate, a pivot rod mounted between the first bracket and the second bracket that is coupled to the clamping member.

17. The snowboard binding of claim 16 wherein the spring member is coupled to the first bracket and the second bracket.

18. The snowboard binding of claim 16 wherein the releasable cam lock includes a spring that is deflected when the clamping member is rotated towards the baseplate.

19. The snowboard binding of claim 11 further comprising:

a high back having a concave surface that engages the back of the snowboard boot that is coupled to the base plate.

20. A binding system comprising:

a boot unit for holding a boot comprising;

a sole plate having an upper surface that engages the sole of the boot, a lower surface and a thickness; and

a first engagement feature and a second engagement feature that are mounted on opposite sides of the sole plate and aligned along the length of the sole plate;

a binding unit having

a baseplate having a bottom surface that is attached to a structure;

a fixed retention member that is attached to one side of the baseplate; and

a releasable cam lock attached to a second side of the baseplate opposite the fixed retention member comprising;

a clamping member that rotates about a rod coupled to the base plate, a spring member coupled to the base plate that is coupled to a cam at one end and a lever at the opposite end;

wherein the sole plate of the boot unit is secured around the boot, the boot unit is placed in the binding unit by coupling the first engagement feature with the fixed retention member and inserting the second engagement feature into the releasable cam lock, actuating the lever to rotate the cam that rotates about the spring member and compressing the second lug between the clamping member and the baseplate.