Patent ID: 6022040
Filing Date: 2000-02-08
Classification: A63C,Y10T

Abstract:
A snowboard binding system for releasably attaching a boot of a user to a snowboard, comprising:a circular base plate having a bottom surface adapted to be fixedly attached to an upper surface of the snowboard, the base plate having a circumferential edge formed by a pair of opposed flange portions separated by first and second opposed recessed portions, the flange portions being arc-shaped and having radius of curvatures which are equal, the first recessed portion having an arcuate edge with a radius of curvature which is less than the radius of curvature of the flange portions, the flange portions having lower surfaces which are elevated relative to the bottom surface of the base plate;an attachment plate having a planar portion adapted to be fixedly attached to a bottom surface of the boot, a pair of end walls extending downwardly from opposite ends of the planar portion, the end walls being arc-shaped and having a pair of inwardly extending arc-shaped segments formed on lower ends of the end walls, each end wall having an inner surface with a radius of curvature substantially equal to the radius of curvature of the flange portions, the inner surfaces of the end walls being spaced apart a greater distance than a distance between the outer circumferential edges of the pair of flange portions for permitting relative rotation therebetween when the attachment plate is attached to the base plate, the arc-shaped segments having upper surfaces with locking portions selectively engageable with locking portions on the lower surfaces of the flange portions for releasably locking the boot at a selected angular position of adjustment relative to the base plate; anda locking assembly including a locking plate having an inner portion received within the second recessed portion of the base plate and pivotally attached thereto for movement of the locking plate between an elevated locking position and a downwardly extending release position, and a spring attached to the base plate for biasing the locking plate to the locking position, the locking plate permitting a limited range of pivotal movement of the attachment plate relative to the base plate while in the locking position and permitting rotation of the attachment plate to a position wherein the arc-shaped segments can pass through the first and second recessed portions for release of the attachment plate from the base plate when the locking plate has been moved to the release position.