Abstract:
Some embodiments disclosed herein provide a splitboard joining device for releasably coupling at least two separate portions of a splitboard, thereby creating a snowboard when coupled and at least a first ski and a second ski when uncoupled. The device may include a first interface and a second interface for attaching to a first portion and a second portion, respectively, of the splitboard. In some embodiments, the device comprises an adjustable tension element disposed on either the first interface or second interface to adjustably control the tension between the first interface and second interface, and to adjustably control the compression between the first and second portions of the splitboard when coupled.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/597,576, filed on Feb. 10, 2012, entitled “BOARD CLIP JOINING DEVICE,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure generally relates to split snowboards, also known as splitboards, and includes the disclosure of splitboard joining devices relating to, or configured to be used with, a splitboard for converting the splitboard between a snowboard for riding downhill in ride mode and touring skis for climbing up hill in tour mode. The present disclosure also includes systems and methods relating to splitboard joining devices. 
         [0003]    Splitboards are used for accessing backcountry terrain. Splitboards have a “ride mode” and a “tour mode.” In ride mode, the splitboard is configured with at least two skis held together to form a board similar to a snowboard with bindings mounted somewhat perpendicular to the edges of the splitboard. In ride mode, a user can ride the splitboard down a mountain or other decline, similar to a snowboard. In tour mode, the at least two skis of the splitboard are separated and configured with bindings that are typically mounted like a cross country free heel ski binding. In tour mode, a user normally attaches skins to create traction when climbing up a hill. In some instances, additional traction beyond what the skins provide is desirable and crampons are used. When a user reaches the top of the hill or desired location the user can change the splitboard from tour mode to ride mode and snowboard down the hill. 
         [0004]    With the growth of splitboarding in recent years, users seek to achieve solid snowboard performance and flex profile from their splitboards to allow them to ride more challenging terrain. An important component in achieving solid snowboard performance and flex profile is the joining device used to combine the at least two skis into a snowboard. One existing technology passively joins the two skis into a snowboard and does not provide any tensile or compressive preload to the splitboard. This passive attachment can wear over time to create slop in the seam of the splitboard. Slop in the seam of a splitboard creates a lag in board responsiveness and poor edge control and can lead to difficulty in turning and speed control. Existing technology does not allow for a user to adjust the joining device to create more tensile and compressive forces. The two main causes of slop in the seam of a splitboard are wear and manufacturing tolerances. 
         [0005]    There is a need in the art for a splitboard joining device which pre-loads a splitboard in both directions parallel to the seam, in both directions perpendicular to the seam, and in both directions vertically from the seam. Additionally, there is a need for a splitboard joining device which is adjustable to increase or decrease tensile and compressive forces in a splitboard. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    Some embodiments disclosed herein provide a splitboard joining device for releasably coupling at least two separate portions of a splitboard, creating a snowboard when coupled and at least a first ski and a second ski when uncoupled. The device may comprise a first interface configured to attach to a first portion of a splitboard, the first interface having at least one hook element and at least one tab element, and the at least one tab element extending past the inside edge of the first portion of a splitboard and over the second portion of a splitboard to limit upward movement of the second portion of the splitboard. The splitboard joining device can comprise a second interface configured to attach to a second portion of a splitboard, the second interface having at least one latch element and at least one tab element, and the at least one tab element extending past the inside edge of the second portion of the splitboard and over the first portion of the splitboard to limit upward movement of the first portion of the splitboard. The latch element of the second interface can be configured to engage the hook element of the first interface to releasably couple the at least two portions of a splitboard. The at least one latch element can comprise a lever rotating about a pivot for engaging and disengaging by hand without the use of an external tool the latch element of the second interface with the hook element of the first interface. The splitboard joining device may comprise an adjustable tension element on either the first interface or the second interface to adjustably control the tension between the first interface and second interface, and to adjustably control the compression between the first and second portions of the splitboard when coupled. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, when the first and second interface are coupled, the act of coupling creates tension between the first interface and second interface, creates compression between at least the first splitboard portion and second splitboard portion, creates compression between a first portion of a splitboard and the second interface, and/or creates compression between a second portion of a splitboard and the first interface. 
         [0008]    For purposes of the present disclosure and summarizing distinctions from the art, certain aspects of the apparatus, systems, and methods have been described above and will be described further below. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such aspects may be present in any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the apparatus, systems, and methods may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one aspect or group of aspects as taught herein without necessarily achieving other aspects as may be taught or suggested herein. All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure herein disclosed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the disclosed apparatus, systems, and methods will now be described in connection with embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, which are schematic and not necessarily to scale. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the apparatus, systems, and methods. The drawings include the following figures, which can be briefly described as follows: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1A  is an isometric view of an embodiment of a board joining device in a coupled position. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1B  is a side view of an embodiment of the board joining device in a coupled position. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1C  is a side view of an embodiment of the board joining device in an uncoupled position. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1D  is a top view of an embodiment of the board joining device in a coupled position. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1E  is a top view of an embodiment of a hook element of the board joining device. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1F  is a side view of an embodiment of the hook element of the board joining device with the hook in a neutral position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1G  is a side view of an embodiment of the hook element of the board joining device with the hook in a position to increase the tension when the board joining device is in a coupled configuration. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1H  is a side view of an embodiment of the hook element of the board joining device with the hook in a position to decrease the tension when the board joining device is in a coupled configuration. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2A  is an isometric view of a second embodiment of a board joining device in a coupled position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2B  is a side view of a second embodiment of the board joining device in a coupled position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2C  is a side view of a second embodiment of the board joining device in an uncoupled position. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2D  is a top view of a second embodiment of the board joining device in a coupled position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2E  is a top view of a second embodiment of the hook element of the board joining device. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2F  is a side view of a second embodiment of the hook element of the board joining device. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3A  is an isometric view of a third embodiment of a board joining device in a coupled position. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3B  is a side view of a third embodiment of the board joining device in a coupled position. 
           [0026]      FIG. 3C  is a side view of a third embodiment of the board joining device in an uncoupled position. 
           [0027]      FIG. 3D  is a top view of a third embodiment of the board joining device in a coupled position. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4A  is an isometric view of a fourth embodiment of a board joining device in a coupled position. 
           [0029]      FIG. 4B  is a top view of a fourth embodiment of the board joining device in a coupled position. 
           [0030]      FIG. 4C  is a side view of a fourth embodiment of the board joining device in a coupled position. 
           [0031]      FIG. 4D  is a side section view of a fourth embodiment of the board joining device in a coupled position. 
           [0032]      FIG. 4E  is a side view of a fourth embodiment of the board joining device in an uncoupled position. 
           [0033]      FIG. 4F  is a side view of a variation of a fourth embodiment of the board joining device in an uncoupled position. 
           [0034]      FIG. 5A  is a top view of a splitboard in a snowboard configuration with a board joining device in a coupled position. 
           [0035]      FIG. 5B  is a top view of a splitboard in a ski configuration with the board joining device in an uncoupled position. 
           [0036]      FIG. 6A  is a side view of an embodiment of a splitboard joining device. 
           [0037]      FIG. 6B  is a top view of the embodiment of the splitboard joining device of  FIG. 6A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0038]      FIGS. 1A-1F  illustrate an embodiment of a board joining device  100 . In particular,  FIG. 1A  illustrates an isometric view of the board joining device  100 . As shown, the board joining device  100  can include a buckle element  105  and a hook element  101 . In one embodiment, the buckle element  105  can include a base  102  with a shear tab  117 , mounting holes  106  and  107 , and a pivot  111 . A cam lever  103  may be pivotally attached at the pivot  111 . A loop  104  may also be pivotally attached to the cam lever  103  at the pivot hole  113 . The loop  104  can comprise a pivot attachment  114  and a hook attachment  115 . In one implementation, the hook element  101  can include a hook  112 , a hook lead-in  110 , mounting holes  109  and  108 , and a shear tab  116 . 
         [0039]    In one embodiment, the hook element  101  can be attached with a screw, rivet, or any fastening element through mounting holes  109  and  108  to a first ski (not shown) and the buckle element  105  can be attached can be attached with a screw, rivet, or any fastening element through mounting holes  106  and  107  to a second ski (not shown). In a further implementation, a user can join the first and second skis by engaging the hook element  101  and buckle element  105  to create a snowboard. 
         [0040]      FIG. 1B  shows a side view of the board joining device  100  of  FIG. 1A  with the hook element  101  and the buckle element  105  engaged. The hook attachment  115  of the loop  104  engages the hook  112  of the hook element  101 . In particular, when the loop  104  of the buckle element  105  engages the hook  112  of the hook element  101  and the cam lever  103  is in the over-center position, a first ski  121  and a second ski  120  compress together at a seam  119  to create a snowboard. In addition, the loop  104  may be in tension between the hook  112  and the pivot hole  113 . The over-center position may be defined by the pivot attachment  114  and the hook attachment  115  of the loop  104  being below the pivot  111  of the base  102 . In a further implementation, the loop  104  is in tension along the line of action “E” pulling the first ski  121  up into a shear tab  117  of the buckle element  105  and the second ski  120  into the shear tab  116  of the hook element  101  (seen in  FIG. 1A ). This configuration creates horizontal compression between the first and second skis  121  and  120 , vertical compression between the first ski  121  and the shear tab  117  of the buckle element  105 , and vertical compression between the second ski  120  and the shear tab  116  of the hook element  101 . The use of tension between the buckle element  105  and the hook element  101 , the use of horizontal compression between the first and second skis  120  and  121 , the use of vertical compression between the first ski  121  and the shear tab  117  of the buckle element  105 , and/or the use of vertical compression between the second ski  120  and the shear tab  116  of the hook element  101  creates preload in a splitboard  500  (shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B ) to actively join first and second skis  120  and  121 . The preload described above prevents relative motion in both directions along path J (shown in  FIG. 6B ) parallel to the seam  119 , both directions along path G (shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B ) perpendicular to seam  119  and both directions along path H (shown in  FIG. 6A ) vertically between the first and second skis  120  and  121 . This combination of tension and compression elements allows longitudinal and torsional flex to be transmitted from the second ski  120  to first ski  121 , thereby providing a user solid snowboard performance and flex profile from a splitboard. 
         [0041]    A benefit of using a loop  104  in a buckle element  105  over other tension arm embodiments is that the loop  104  transmits loads axially along path E without any bending loads, thus allowing smaller and lighter weight tensioning arms with higher tension to weight ratios. A tension arm that transmits axial and bending loads would have a lower tension to weight ratio and larger volume to achieve the same tension as with the loop  104  of  FIGS. 1A and 1B . A larger volume tensioning arm can also attract more snow build up and cause the splitboard to be heavier. Weight is a major factor in splitboarding as the user carries all the weight up and down the hill. 
         [0042]      FIG. 1C  shows a side view of the board joining device  100  with the hook element  101  and the buckle element  105  disengaged. The cam lever  103  of the buckle element  105  is rotated up along path “A” causing the hook attachment  115  of the loop  104  to disengage the hook  112  of the hook element  101 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 1D  shows a top view of the board joining device  100 . The shear tab  116  of the hook element  101  extends across the seam  119  created by the first and second skis  121  and  120 , which are shown in  FIG. 1B . The shear tab  117  of the buckle element  105  also extends across the seam  119  created by the first and second skis  121  and  120  (shown in  FIG. 1B ). The shear tabs  116  and  117  prevent vertical movement of the first and second skis  121  and  120 . 
         [0044]      FIGS. 1E through 1H  illustrate views of the hook element  101  of the board joining device  100 .  FIG. 1E  is a top view of hook element  101 .  FIG. 1F  is a side view of the hook element  101 , with shows the hook  112 , the hook extension  110 , and the shear tab  116 . In one implementation, the hook element  101  can be made of a material such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, magnesium alloy, and/or titanium alloy such that the hook extension  110  is stiff enough to withstand the tension load, without yielding, of the loop  104  described in  FIG. 1B  and can also be adjusted along path “C” to increase or decrease the tension loop  104 . Adjusting the loop extension  110  down along path “C” past nominal position “F” increases tension in the loop  104  by decreasing the radius of the hook  112 , which is shown, for example, in  FIG. 1G . Conversely, adjusting loop extension  110  up along path “C” past nominal position “F” decreases tension in the loop  104  by decreasing the radius of the hook  112 , which is shown, for example, in  FIG. 1H . 
         [0045]    In some embodiments, the hook element  101  can have a shim  118  added to the hook  112  to increase the tension in the loop  104 . An embodiment of the shim  118  is illustrated, for example, in  FIG. 1F . The shim  118  can be made of hard durometer materials or soft durometer materials to adjust the tension in the loop  104 . The shim  118  can also be made of materials of different thickness to adjust the tension in the loop  104 . 
         [0046]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 2A-2F , which illustrates another set of embodiments of a board joining device  200  in accordance with the present disclosure. The board joining device  200  of  FIGS. 2A-2F  may be similar in some respects to the board joining device  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1F  and described in more detail above, wherein certain features described above will not be repeated with respect to the embodiments of  FIGS. 2A-2F . Like components may be given like reference numerals. 
         [0047]      FIG. 2A  is an isometric view of the board joining device  200 , which can include a hook element  201  and a buckle element  105 . The hook element  201  can include slotted mounting holes  208  and  209  and grip teeth  218  and  219 . The purpose of the slotted mounting holes  208  and  209  is to adjust the tension between the hook element  201  and the buckle element  105  through the loop  104  by increasing or decreasing the mounted distance between the hook element  201  and the pivot  111  and/or pivot  113  of the buckle element  105 . 
         [0048]      FIGS. 2B through 2D  show additional views and configurations of the board joining devices  200 . For example,  FIG. 2B  is a side view of the board joining device  200  with the hook element  201  and the buckle element  105  engaged. This side view shows a possible profile of the grip teeth  218  and  219  of the hook element  201 . The grip teeth  218  and  219  can be formed, molded, forged, glued, welded, adhered, taped or any other form of fastening to the hook element  201 . The grip teeth  218  and  219  can also be a knurled surface, textured surface, or any of the like to increase friction between the grip teeth  218  and  219  and fastening elements, such as screws  222  and  223  (shown in  FIGS. 2E and 2F ).  FIG. 2C  shows a side view of the board joining device  200  with the hook element  201  and the buckle element  105  disengaged.  FIG. 2D  shows a top view of the board joining device  200 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 2E  shows a detailed top view of the hook element  201  of the board joining device  200 . The hook element  201  can be mounted to a first ski  121  with a first screw  222  and a second screw  223 . The first screw  222  can be positioned within a first slot  209  with a first toothed spacer  220 . The first spacer  220  grips into grip teeth  218  when the first screw  222  is tightened constraining the horizontal motion of the hook element  201  relative to the first screw  222 . Similarly, the second screw  223  can be positioned within a second slot  208  with a second toothed spacer  221 . The second spacer  221  grips into grip teeth  219  when the second screw  223  is tightened constraining the horizontal position of the hook element  201  relative to second screw  223 . To increase tension between the hook element  201  and the buckle element  105  (see  FIG. 2A ) the first and second screws  222  and  223  may be loosened and the hook element  201  can be moved along path “D” such that the hook  112  of the hook element  201  is an increased distance from the seam  119  of the splitboard. When the desired tension is achieved, the first and second screws  222  and  223  may be tightened. The positions of the screws  222  and  223  can be fixed relative to the seam  119 . In some embodiments, the first and second spacers  220  and  221  do not have teeth. The spacers  220  and  221  can be made from materials with a high coefficient of friction, soft materials such as aluminum or magnesium, or many other materials such that when compressed onto the grip teeth  218  and  219  sufficient friction is created to resist any loads which would cause the hook element  201  to move along the slotted mounting holes  208  and  209 . The slotted mounting holes  208  and  209  can be on either the hook element  201  or the buckle element  105 . The pivot  111  of the base  102  can be a separate component which can be moved relative to the base  102  to increase or decrease tension between the hook element  101  and the buckle element  105 . The spacers  220  and  221  are not required and the mounting screws  222  and  223  can have similar characteristics to the spacers  220  and  221  to create sufficient friction to resist any loads which would cause the hook element  201  to move along the slotted mounting holes  208  and  209 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 2F  is a detailed side view of the hook element  201  with the first screw  222  and the first spacer  220  in an exploded view for clarity. In some embodiments, the first spacer  220  can have teeth on a bottom side to engage the grip teeth  218  of the hook element  201 . In other embodiments, however, the first spacer  222  may not necessarily have teeth. The second screw  223  and the second spacer  221  may have a similar configuration. In other embodiments, however, the second screw  223  and/or the second spacer  221  may have a different structure and/or configuration from the first screw  222  and/or the first spacer  220 . 
         [0051]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 3A-3D , which illustrates another set of embodiments of a board joining device  300  in accordance with the present disclosure. The board joining device  300  of  FIGS. 3A-3D  may be similar in some respects to the board joining device  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1F  and described in more detail above, wherein certain features described above will not be repeated with respect to the embodiments of  FIGS. 3A-3D . Like components may be given like reference numerals. 
         [0052]      FIG. 3A  is an isometric view of the board joining device  300 , which can include a hook element  301  and a buckle element  105 . The hook element  301  can include scalloped slotted mounting holes  308  and  309 .  FIG. 3B  illustrates a side view of board joining device  300  in an engaged position, while  FIG. 3C  shows a side view of board joining device  300  in a disengaged position. 
         [0053]      FIG. 3D  is a top view of the board joining device  300  of  FIG. 3A . Tension between the hook element  301  and the buckle element  105  can be increased by moving the hook element  301  along path “D”, thereby moving the hook  112  away from seam the  119  of the splitboard. The scallops in a first scalloped slot  309  engaging on a first screw  322  may be configured to horizontally constrain and position the hook element  301  relative to the first screw  322 . Similarly, the scallops in a second scalloped slot  308  engaging on a second screw  323  may be configured to horizontally constrain and position the hook element  301  relative to the second screw  323 . The positions of the first and second screws  322  and  323  can be fixed relative to seam  119  of the splitboard. 
         [0054]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 4A-4F , which illustrates an additional set of embodiments of a board joining device  400  in accordance with the present disclosure. The board joining device  400  may be similar in some respects to the board joining device  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1F  and described in more detail above, wherein certain features described above will not be repeated with respect to the embodiments of  FIGS. 4A-4F . Like components may be given like reference numerals. 
         [0055]      FIG. 4A  is an isometric view of the board joining device  400  which can include a hook element  401  and a buckle element  406 . In one embodiment, the hook element  401  can include mounting holes  108  and  109 , a shear tab  116 , and a forked hook  405  with a “U” shaped opening  408 . In a further implementation, a buckle element  406  can include a base  102 , mounting holes  106  and  107 , a shear tab  117 , a pivot  111 , a cam lever  103  pivotally attached at the pivot  111  to the base  102 , a pivot attachment  404 , and a tension element  402  with a catch end  403 . In some embodiments, the catch end  403  can be a spherical shape, as shown, or any other shape larger than the diameter of the tension element  402 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 4B  is a top view of the board joining device  400  in the closed position. In the illustrated embodiment, the catch end  403  of the tension element  402  engages the forked hook  405 . The forked hook  405  is sized such that the tension element  402  fits through the “U” shaped opening  408 , while the catch end  403  does not fit through the “U” shaped opening  408 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 4C  is a side view of the board joining device  400  shown in the closed position. In particular, when the catch end  403  of the tension element  402  of the buckle element  406  engages the forked hook  405  of the hook element  401  and the cam lever  103  is in the over-center position, the first ski  121  and the second ski  120  compress together at the seam  119  to create a snowboard. Additionally, the tension element  402  may be in tension between the forked hook  405  and the pivot attachment  404 . The overcenter position may be defined by a pivot attachment  404  and the catch end  403  or the tension element  402  being below the pivot  111  of the base  102 . In some embodiments, the tension element  402  is in tension along the line of action E which is not horizontal, thereby pulling the first ski  121  up into the shear tab  117  of the buckle element  105  and pulling the second ski  120  into the shear tab  116  of the hook element  401  (seen for example in  FIG. 4A ). The tension along line of action E in tension element  402  creates horizontal compression between the skis  120  and  121 , creates vertical compression between the first ski  121  and the shear tab  117  of the buckle element  105 , and creates vertical compression between the second ski  120  and the shear tab  116  of the hook element  401 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 4D  is a cross-sectional view of the board joining device  400  shown in the closed position. In some embodiments, the tension element  402  can include a threaded end  407 . The threaded end  407  may thread into the pivot attachment  404 , which can have a threaded hole  411 . The length of the tension element  402  can be adjusted by threading the threaded end  407  into or out of the threaded hole  411  of the pivot attachment  404  along a path represented by line “G”. By decreasing the length of the tension element  402 , the tension in the board joining device  400  increases when in the closed position. By increasing the length of tension element  402 , the tension in board joining device  400  decreases when in the closed position. 
         [0059]      FIG. 4E  shows a side view of the board joining device  400  with the hook element  401  and the buckle element  406  disengaged. The cam lever  103  of the buckle element  406  is shown rotated up along path “A” causing the catch end  403  of the tension element  402  to disengage from the forked hook  405  of the hook element  401 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 4F  shows a side view of another embodiment of the board joining device  412 , which illustrates an additional example of the board joining device  400  in accordance with the present disclosure. The board joining device  412  may be similar in many respects to the board joining device  400  illustrated in  FIGS. 4A-4E  and described in more detail above, wherein certain features described above will not be repeated with respect to this embodiment. In the embodiment of  FIG. 4F , a tension element  409  (similar to the tension element  402  of  FIG. 4A ) has a threaded end  410  with a catch end  408  with a threaded through hole  413  attached thereto. The position of the catch end  408  can be adjusted along path “H” by spinning it along the threaded end  410 . Moving the catch end  408  towards the pivot attachment  404  increases tension in the board joining device  412  when in the closed position. Conversely, moving the catch end  408  away from the pivot attachment  404  decreases tension in the board joining device  412  when in the closed position. 
         [0061]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  show a splitboard  500  with a board joining device  100  attached. The board joining device securely joins a first ski  121  and a second ski  120  to create a snowboard. In some embodiments, the board joining device  100  can be replaced with board joining device  200  of  FIGS. 2A through 2F . In some embodiments, the joining device  100  can be replaced with board joining device  300  of  FIGS. 3A through 3D . In some embodiments, the joining device  100  can be replaced with board joining device  400  of  FIGS. 4A through 4E . In some embodiments, the joining device  100  can be replaced with board joining device  412  of  FIG. 4F . 
         [0062]      FIG. 5A  shows a top view of the splitboard  500  with the first ski  121  and the second ski  120  in the snowboard configuration, with the board joining device  100  in a coupled position. The splitboard  500  has a seam  119  between the first ski  121  and the second ski  120 .  FIG. 5B  shows a top view of the splitboard  500  with the first ski  121  and the second ski  120  in the ski touring configuration with the board joining device  100  in the uncoupled position. In some embodiments, the board joining device  100  consists of a hook element  101  on either the first or second ski and a buckle element  105  on the opposing ski. 
         [0063]      FIG. 5A  shows the splitboard  500  in a snowboard configuration. The splitboard  500  can have bindings  502  for attaching a user&#39;s feet to the snowboard. The bindings  502  are attached to the splitboard  500  through ride mode interfaces  501 . In a further implementation, the splitboard  500  can have tour mode interfaces  503 .  FIG. 5B  shows the splitboard  500  in a ski configuration with the bindings  502  attached to tour mode interfaces  503 . In the ski figuration, in some embodiments, a user can walk up the hill with bindings  502  pivoting about tour mode interface  503 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 6A  shows a side view of an example embodiment of a splitboard joining device  100  described in  FIGS. 1A through 1D . Path G is substantially perpendicular to the seam  119  of the splitboard  500 . Path H is substantially vertical with respect to the seam  119  of the splitboard  500 .  FIG. 6B  shows a top view of an example embodiment of the splitboard joining device  100 . Path G is substantially perpendicular to the seam  119  of the splitboard  500 , while path J is substantially parallel with respect to the seam  119 . 
         [0065]    Embodiments of the splitboard joining devices, and components thereof, disclosed herein and described in more detail above may be manufactured using any of a variety of materials and combinations thereof. For example, in some embodiments, one or more metals, such as, for example, aluminum, stainless steel, steel, brass, titanium, alloys thereof, other similar metals, and/or combinations thereof may be used to manufacture one or more of the components of the splitboard binding apparatus and systems of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, one or more plastics may be used to manufacture one or more components of the splitboard binding apparatus and systems of the present disclosure. In yet further embodiments, carbon-reinforced materials, such as carbon-reinforced plastics, may be used to manufacture one or more components of the splitboard binding apparatus of the present disclosure. In additional embodiments, different components using different materials may be manufactured to achieve desired material characteristics for the different components and the splitboard binding apparatus as a whole. 
         [0066]    Some embodiments of the apparatus, systems, and methods disclosed herein may use or employ apparatus, systems, methods, components, or features disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/604,256, which was filed on Oct. 22, 2009 and was published as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0102522 on Apr. 29, 2010, entitled “Splitboard Binding Apparatus,” the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Some embodiments of the apparatus, systems, and methods disclosed herein may use or employ apparatus, systems, methods, components, or features disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/458,560, which was filed on Apr. 27, 2012 and was published as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0274036 on Nov. 1, 2012, entitled “Splitboard Binding Apparatus and Systems,” the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
         [0067]    Conditional language such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, are otherwise understood within the context as used in general to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments. 
         [0068]    Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to each be present. 
         [0069]    It should be emphasized that many variations and modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein, the elements of which are to be understood as being among other acceptable examples. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed apparatus, systems, and methods. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included and fall within the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein.