Snowboard binding system

• US 6,290,250 B1
• Filed: 03/29/2001
• Issued: 09/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chris Karol
• Original Assignee: Chris Karol
• Inventors: Karol, Chris
• Primary Examiner(s): MAR, MICHAEL Y
• Application Number:
  US09/820,432
• Publication Number:
  US 20010019199A1
• Time in Patent Office: 173 Days
• Field of Search: 361/171, 361/173, 361/15, 280/613, 280/607, 280/617, 280/618, 280/624, 280/625, 280/633, 280/634, 280/14.21, 280/14.22, 280/14.24
• US Class Current: 280/618
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/0401 Snowboard boots
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/0403 Adaptations for soles or accessories with soles for snowboard bindings
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/0423 located on the sides of the sole
• 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 10/106 to the front and back of the shoe
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 10/145 between two superimposed binding systems, e.g. cradle
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 10/18 about a vertical rotation axis relative to the board
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 10/20 in longitudinal or lateral direction relative to the board

Abstract

A snowboard binding system comprising at least one movable engaging member that, when engaged, secures a snowboarder'"'"'s boot from vertical or horizontal movement. In one embodiment, the binding system has two active sides, allowing a snowboarder to engage the binding by stepping downwardly onto the binding mechanism, thus reversibly forcing tensioned engaging members between an extended and a retracted position and back to an extended position, thereby securing the snowboarder'"'"'s boot to the upper surface of a snowboard. A preferred embodiment utilizes positioning keys that properly orientate a snowboarder'"'"'s boot into binding engagement. Other embodiments include snowboard boots having active binding mechanisms positioned on the boot itself, such mechanisms engageable with static members secured to the surface of a snowboard. One snowboard boot has a calf support member and a reversibly mounted high-back element, as well as a canting system for adjusting angular orientation of a snowboarder'"'"'s foot position.

Claims

1. A snowboard binding for securing a snowboard boot to a snowboard, comprising:

a base adapted to receive the snowboard boot;

a movable engagement member that is mounted to the base for movement between an open position and a closed position in which the engagement member is adapted to secure the boot in the binding;

a lever mechanically coupled to the engagement member and adapted to move the engagement member from the closed position to the open position, the lever being movable between a first position corresponding to the engagement member being in the closed position and a second position corresponding to the engagement member being in the open position; and

an engagement indicator which indicates to a snowboarder that the boot is secured to said binding in the properly secured arrangement, an indication of a properly secured arrangement by the engagement indicator being one of the appearance or the disappearance of a colored surface operatively associated with said closed and opened positions of said engagement member.

2. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 1, wherein a second moveable engagement member is mounted to the base for movement between an open and a closed position in which the engagement member is adapted to secure the boot to the binding.

3. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 1, wherein said engagement member has a curved, rounded or slanted shape.

4. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 1, wherein said boot has rounded, curved or slanted portions that interact with said engagement member.

5. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 1, wherein said colored surface is green and appears only when a locking engagement of said binding has been achieved.

6. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism that precludes said lever from moving to said open position.

7. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 1, wherein said engagement member is moved from said closed to said open position by operation of a push button.

8. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a push button that is utilized to disengage said boot from said binding.

9. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a locking assembly that prevents said engagement member from moving.

10. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 1, further comprising one or more positioning contoured members configured for directing a snowboarder'"'"'s boot into a properly secured arrangement as the snowboarder'"'"'s boot descends downwardly.

11. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 1, wherein said engagement member is engageable with at least one receptacle on at least one side of a snowboard boot.

12. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 1, wherein said colored surface is present on a segment operatively associated with one of said two engaging assemblies.

13. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 1, wherein said engagement member is pivotally connected to said base.

14. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 1, wherein said binding further comprises boot position braces to preclude undesired movement of said boot.

15. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 1, wherein said lever operates on more than one engagement member to facilitate removal of a boot from said binding.

16. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 1, wherein said engagement member conforms to the configuration of receptacles formed in said boot.

17. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism on each side of said binding operatively associated with each of said engaging assemblies.

18. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 1, wherein said lever is used to actuate more than one engagement member.

19. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 1, wherein said colored surface is green and appears only when said binding is in said closed position.

20. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 1, wherein a second moveable engagement member is mounted to the base for movement between an open and a closed position in which the engagement member is adapted to secure the boot to the binding.

21. A snowboard binding for securing a snowboard boot to a snowboard, comprising:

a base adapted to receive the snowboard boot;

a movable engagement member that is mounted to the base for movement between an open position and a closed position in which the engagement member is adapted to secure the boot in the binding;

a lever mechanically coupled to the engagement member and adapted to move the engagement member from the closed position to the open position, the lever being movable between a first position corresponding to the engagement member being in the closed position and a second position corresponding to the engagement member being in the open position; and

an engagement indicator which indicates to a snowboarder that the boot is secured to said binding in the properly secured arrangement an indication of a properly secured arrangement by the engagement indicator being one of the appearance or the disappearance of a colored surface movably associated with said binding and indicating the movement of said engagement member into said closed position.

22. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 21, wherein said engagement member has a curved, rounded or slanted shape.

23. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 21, wherein said boot has rounded, curved or slanted portions that interact with said engagement member.

24. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 21, wherein said colored surface is green and appears only when a locking engagement of said binding has been achieved.

25. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 21, further comprising a locking mechanism that precludes said lever from moving to said open position.

26. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 21, wherein said engagement member is moved from said closed to said open position by operation of a push button.

27. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 21, wherein said lever is moved downwardly to move into said open position.

28. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 21, further comprising a locking assembly that prevents said engagement member from moving.

29. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 21, further comprising one or more positioning contoured members configured for directing a snowboarder'"'"'s boot into a properly secured arrangement as the snowboarder'"'"'s boot descends downwardly.

30. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 21, wherein said engagement member is engageable with at least one receptacle on at least one side of a snowboard boot.

31. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 21, wherein said colored surface is present on a segment operatively associated with one of said two engaging assemblies.

32. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 21, wherein said engagement member is pivotally connected to said base.

33. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 21, wherein said binding further comprises boot position braces to preclude undesired movement of said boot.

34. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 21, wherein said lever operates on more than one engagement member to facilitate removal of a boot from said binding.

35. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 21, wherein said engagement member conforms to the configuration of receptacles formed in said boot.

36. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 21, further comprising a locking mechanism on each side of said binding operatively associated with each of said engaging assemblies.

37. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 21, wherein said lever is used to actuate more than one engagement member.

38. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 21, wherein said colored surface is green and appears only when said binding is in said closed position.

40. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 21, wherein a second moveable engagement member is mounted to the base for movement between an open and a closed position in which the engagement member is adapted to secure the boot to the binding.

39. A snowboard binding for securing a snowboard boot to a snowboard, comprising:

a base adapted to receive the snowboard boot;

a movable engagement member that is mounted to the base for movement between an open position and a closed position which the engagement member is adapted to secure the boot in the binding;

a lever mechanically coupled to the engagement member and adapted to move the engagement member from the closed position to the open position, the lever being movable between a first position corresponding to the engagement member being in the closed position and a second position corresponding to the engagement member being in the open position; and

an engagement indicator which indicates to a snowboarder that the snowboard boot is secured to said binding in a properly secured arrangement, an indication of a properly secured arrangement comprising a colored visual signal that either appears or disappears when said engagement member is in said closed position, said colored visual signal presented upon the movement of said engagement member into said closed position.

41. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 39, wherein said engagement member has a curved, rounded or slanted shape.

42. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 39, wherein said boot has rounded, curved or slanted portions that interact with said engagement member.

43. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 39, wherein said colored surface is green and appears only when a locking engagement of said binding has been achieved.

44. The snowboard binding as setforthin claim 39, further comprising a locking mechanism that precludes said lever from moving to said open position.

45. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 39, wherein said engagement member is moved from said closed to said open position by operation of a push button.

46. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 39, wherein said lever is moved downwardly to move into said open position.

47. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 39, further comprising a locking assembly that prevents said engagement member from moving.

48. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 39, further comprising one or more positioning contoured members configured for directing a snowboarder'"'"'s boot into a properly secured arrangement as the snowboarder'"'"'s boot descends downwardly.

49. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 39, wherein said engagement member is engageable with at least one receptacle on at least one side of a snowboard boot.

50. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 39, wherein said colored surface is present on a segment operatively associated with one of said two engaging assemblies.

51. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 39, wherein said engagement member is pivotally connected to said base.

52. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 39, wherein said binding further comprises boot position braces to preclude undesired movement of said boot.

53. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 39, wherein said lever operates on more than one engagement member to facilitate removal of a boot from said binding.

54. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 39, wherein said engagement member conforms to the configuration of receptacles formed in said boot.

55. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 39, further comprising a locking mechanism on each side of said binding operatively associated with each of said engaging assemblies.

56. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 39, wherein said lever is used to actuate more than one engagement member.

57. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 39, wherein said colored surface is green and appears only when said binding is in said closed position.

58. A snowboard binding for securing a snowboard boot to a snowboard, comprising:

a base adapted to receive the snowboard boot;

a movable engagement member that is mounted to the base for movement between an open position and a closed position in which the engagement member is adapted to secure the boot in the binding;

a lever mechanically coupled to the engagement member and adapted to move the engagement member from the closed position to the open position, the lever being movable between a first position corresponding to the engagement member being in the closed position and a second position corresponding to the engagement member being in the open position;

an engagement indicator which indicates to a snowboarder that the snowboard boot is secured to said binding in a properly secured arrangement, an indication of a properly secured arrangement comprising a colored visual signal that either appears or disappears when said binding is in said closed position, said colored visual signal movable with respect to said base; and

at least one static element operatively associated with said binding to prevent movement of a snowboarder'"'"'s boot when in said closed position.

59. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 58, wherein a second moveable engagement member is mounted to the base for movement between an open and a closed position in which the engagement member is adapted to secure the boot to the binding.

60. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 58, wherein said engagement member has a curved, rounded or slanted shape.

61. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 58, wherein said boot has rounded, curved or slanted portions that interact with said engagement member.

62. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 58, wherein said colored surface is green and appears only when a locking engagement of said binding has been achieved.

63. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 58, further comprising a locking mechanism that precludes said lever from moving to said open position.

64. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 58, wherein said engagement member is moved from said closed to said open position by operation of a push button.

65. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 58, wherein said lever is moved downwardly to move into said open position.

66. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 58, further comprising a locking assembly that prevents said engagement member from moving.

67. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 58, further comprising one or more positioning contoured members configured for directing a snowboarder'"'"'s boot into a properly secured arrangement as the snowboarder'"'"'s boot descends downwardly.

68. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 58, wherein said engagement member is engageable with at least one receptacle on at least one side of a snowboard boot.

69. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 58, wherein said colored surface is present on a segment operatively associated with one of said two engaging assemblies.

70. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 58, wherein said engagement member is pivotally connected to said base.

71. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 58, wherein said binding further comprises boot position braces to preclude undesired movement of said boot.

72. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 58, wherein said lever operates on more than one engagement member to facilitate removal of a boot from said binding.

73. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 58, wherein said engagement member conforms to the configuration of receptacles formed in said boot.

74. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 58, further comprising a locking mechanism on each side of said binding operatively associated with each of said engaging assemblies.

75. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 58, wherein said lever is used to actuate more than one engagement member.

76. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 58, wherein said colored surface is green and appears only when said binding is in said closed position.

77. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 58, wherein a second moveable engagement member is mounted to the base for movement between an open and a closed position in which the engagement member is adapted to secure the boot to the binding.

78. A snowboard binding for securing a snowboard boot to a snowboard, comprising:

a base adapted to receive the snowboard boot;

a movable engagement member that is mounted to the base for movement between an open position and a closed position in which the engagement member is adapted to secure the boot in the binding;

a lever mechanically coupled to the engagement member and adapted to move the engagement member from the closed position to the open position, the lever being movable between a first position corresponding to the engagement member being in the closed position and a second position corresponding to the engagement member being in the open position;

an engagement indicator which indicates to a snowboarder that the boot is secured to said binding in the properly secured arrangement, an indication of a property secured arrangement comprising the movement of a visual verification member having a color associated therewith, the display of such color indicating that said engagement member is either in said closed position or in said open position.

79. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 78, wherein said engagement member has a curved, rounded or slanted shape.

80. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 78, wherein said boot has rounded, curved or slanted portions that interact with said engagement member.

81. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 78, wherein said colored surface is green and appears only when a locking engagement of said binding has been achieved.

82. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 78, further comprising a locking mechanism that precludes said lever from moving to said open position.

83. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 78, wherein said engagement member is moved from said closed to said open position by operation of a push button.

84. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 78, wherein said lever is moved downwardly to move into said open position.

85. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 78, further comprising a locking assembly that prevents said engagement member from moving.

86. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 78, further comprising one or more positioning contoured members configured for directing a snowboarder'"'"'s boot into a properly secured arrangement as the snowboarder'"'"'s boot descends downwardly.

87. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 78, wherein said engagement member is engageable with at least one receptacle on at least one side of a snowboard boot.

88. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 78, wherein said colored surface is present on a segment operatively associated with one of said two engaging assemblies.

89. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 78, wherein said engagement member is pivotally connected to said base.

90. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 78, wherein said binding further comprises boot position braces to preclude undesired movement of said boot.

91. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 78, wherein said lever operates on more than one engagement member to facilitate removal of a boot from said binding.

92. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 78, wherein said engagement member conforms to the configuration of receptacles formed in said boot.

93. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 78, further comprising a locking mechanism on each side of said binding operatively associated with each of said engaging assemblies.

94. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 78, wherein said lever is used to actuate more than one engagement member.

95. The snowboard binding as set forth in claim 78, wherein said colored surface is green and appears only when said binding is in said closed position.