Patent ID: 6299192
Filing Date: 2001-10-09
Classification: A63C,B63B

Abstract:
A binding apparatus for use with an item of sports equipment, including a first part adapted for attachment to an article of footwear and a second part adapted for attachment to the item of sports equipment, said second part including a protuberance and said first part being a housing adapted to be mounted in the sole of the article of footwear, said housing including a recess adapted to receive therein said protuberance, said first and second parts also having complementary securing means for releasably securing said protuberance in said recess upon said protuberance reaching therein a predetermined engagement for sideways pivoting movement of said article of footwear relative to said item of sports equipment, said recess having a substantially cylindrical face generally perpendicular to the sole of the article of footwear, and a lower opening defined by an inner lip adapted to receive therethrough said protuberance, said securing means including an outwardly biassed ring mounted on said protuberance, said ring being compressible from a normally expanded position in which it does not pass through said lower opening and a compressed position in which it does pass, the parts being so made and arranged that said ring may be forced through said lower opening in one direction into said recess by compressing said ring upon application of a predetermined application force whereupon said ring may engage with said lip to retain said protuberance in said recess and said protuberance may be released from said recess upon application of a predetermined breakaway force so that said ring is forced through said lower opening in the other direction by compressing said ring.