Adjustable snowboard binding apparatus and method

A simple and lightweight, quick action snowboard binding securing device allows continuous rotational adjustment of the orientation of the binding with respect to the snowboard without the need for the removal of the rider's boot and without requiring the use of any tools. A clamping mechanism stiffens the binding and allows the rider's boot to rest directly on the binding for optimum performance. The device can be used with all bindings which have a central aperture to receive a securing disk or hold down plate.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to snowboard bindings, and, more particularly, 
relates to adjustable binding systems for securing a rider's boots to the 
surface of a snowboard. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Most snowboard binding systems being sold today use a circular disk to 
fasten the binding to the snowboard. The disk generally provides a pattern 
of slots for receipt of three or four bolts or screws which allows some 
adjustment of the position of the disk with respect to the longitudinal 
center line of the snowboard. When the disk is secured to the snowboard 
using screws it captures the binding and prevents it from moving in any 
manner with respect to the snowboard. 
The binding itself may use straps to secure the rider's boot or it may be a 
step in type which automatically secures the boot when the rider steps 
into the binding. In either case the binding has a central hole through 
which at least a portion of the disk extends. In some cases the disk and 
the binding have tooth like profiles to mechanically engage the disk and 
binding so as to prevent the binding from turning with respect to the 
disk, and hence the snowboard, once the mounting screws are fastened. 
Other systems rely on a friction member between the disk and the binding, 
or simply the relative coefficient of friction of the disk and binding, 
which as a consequence of the axial force provided by the mounting screws 
prevents relative rotation of the binding and disk when the mounting 
screws are secured. 
As will be apparent from the specific descriptions of prior art which 
follow, all of the currently known or utilized systems have at least one 
of the following inherent disadvantages: complexity, including many parts 
and therefore bulky or heavy mountings, undue production expense and/or 
lack of reliability; or inability to be easily reoriented without tools or 
with the rider's boot secured to the binding; or an undesirably large 
vertical offset between the bottom of the boot and the top of the 
snowboard; or failure to allow for small adjustments of the location of 
the rotation center of the binding with respect to the central axis of the 
snowboard; or allowance of only a finite number of discrete orientations 
of the binding with respect to the snowboard; or requirement for special 
hole patterns in the snowboard in addition to, or instead of, the industry 
standard patterns used for securing disks to snowboards; or no 
adjustability to allow rotational slip when a prescribed torque is 
applied. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,883 teaches a device which allows adjustment of the 
orientation of the binding with respect to the snowboard central axis. It 
is, however, limited to discrete angular positions and requires a mating 
circular pattern of holes in the snowboard. This mating hole pattern is 
undesirable because it is expensive, weakens the snowboard and most 
importantly does not allow for any adjustment to the location of the pivot 
axis with respect to the snowboard central axis. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,689 teaches the hold down plate with at least three 
holes extending in a common direction, a base plate forming a part of a 
binding for receiving the boot of a user and having an aperture for 
receiving the hold down plate in at least two rotational orientations, and 
a means defining a pattern of second holes in a snowboard formed such that 
first holes are aligned with a like number of second holes when the 
hold-down plate is placed over the snowboard for permitting the hold down 
plate to assume at least two spaced apart positions along the snowboard, 
each corresponding to a different rotational orientation of the hold down 
plate. 
This patent teaches the means to orient the hold down plate in at least two 
different orientations with respect to the snowboard central axis. This 
capability is afforded by the unique pattern of holes in the snowboard and 
in the hold down plate. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,236,216 teaches a hold down disk which allows a continuous 
selection of orientation angles of the binding with respect to the central 
snowboard axis. The means by which the rotation of the base plate with 
respect to the hold down plate is arrested involves a friction lining in 
combination with the axial force of the fasteners which has a direction 
generally normal to the surface of the snowboard. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,354,088 teaches another device which allows a finite number 
of discrete angular orientations of the boot with respect to the 
snowboard. An inherent consequence of this device is that the boot is 
substantially raised above the surface of the snowboard. This device does 
not require a plurality of holes in the snowboard itself. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,028,068 teaches a device for pivotally mounting a snowboard 
binding on a snowboard with a quick action handle and including a series 
of flexible bushings to absorb vibration and to flex when the user shifts 
his or her body weight. This system is complex and expensive, raises the 
users boot significantly above the surface of the snowboard due to the use 
of an adapter plate, and does not allow for small adjustments in the 
position of the rotation center with respect to the snowboard central 
axis. 
Snowboard bindings which incorporate a central disk for securing the 
binding to the snowboard would also benefit from a convenient and fast 
means to rake small adjustments to the position of the disk center with 
respect to the longitudinal center line of the snowboard. The most 
important direction in which to allow such adjustment is perpendicular to 
the longitudinal center line of the snowboard (i.e., from side to side). 
Such an adjustment allows the rider's boot to be centered laterally on the 
snowboard and thereby eliminates toe and heel drag: conditions which occur 
when either the toe of the boot or the heel of the boot extends beyond the 
turning edge of the snowboard. When several different boot sizes are to be 
accommodated by a single binding, the lateral adjustment of the binding is 
critical. Virtually all disks sold today utilize either a three hole or 
four hole pattern of elongated slots which allow this type of adjustment. 
The biggest problem with the disks is that all of the disk mounting screws 
must be at least loosened, if not completely removed, in order to 
facilitate the lateral adjustment. This is time consuming, especially for 
rental shops. 
As may be appreciated, further improvement of snowboard binding systems, 
allowing greater and simplified adjustability or flexibility for users, 
could thus yet be utilized. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
This invention provides an adjustment mechanism for incorporation into a 
snowboard binding to allow rotational adjustment and ready free rotation, 
and method for modifying bindings to accommodate such movement. The 
primary subsystems of this snowboard binding are the central disk, the 
binding base plate and the adjustment mechanism. This invention requires 
only small changes to currently available components. Such modifications 
are easily accomplished and can be integrated into the manufacturing 
processes currently used to produce these parts with minimal tooling 
costs. The mechanism preferably includes a clamping mechanism for 
rotationally restraining the binding at the disk. 
This invention overcomes the shortcomings and disadvantages of heretofore 
known and/or utilized adjustable bindings, which include complexity, high 
cost, difficulty of adjustment, limited angular orientations, vertical 
offset between the bottom of the rider's boot and the top of the base 
plate, no adjustment to the rotation center of the binding with respect to 
the snowboard central axis, or special non-industry standard hole patterns 
in the snowboard. 
This invention provides an inexpensive, lightweight, and reliable means to 
secure the binding to the snowboard which allows quick, continuously 
adjustable, reorientation of the binding with respect to the snowboard 
without the necessity of removing or loosening the mounting screws or the 
rider's boot and without the need for any tools (i.e., toolless release 
and adjustment). There is thus provided greater rotational adjustability 
for different users, as well as rotational release allowing relatively 
free rotational movement of a user's foot and boot relative to the 
snowboard to accommodate more flexible user movement (for example, when 
negotiating mounting of a ski lift and/or moving through ski lift lines 
with the rear boot free of the snowboard). 
The rotationally adjustable binding for binding a user's boot to a top 
surface of a snowboard of this invention includes a base plate configured 
to be supported by the top surface of the snowboard and to receive the 
user's boot, the base plate having an aperture therein and an outer edge 
with the aperture configured for receipt therethrough of a typical 
securing member, such as a securing disk. A continuous slot is formed 
between the aperture and the outer edge thus defining first and second 
base plate portions at each side of the slot, the slot having a width 
between the base plate portions. 
A rotational release and securement means is connected with the base plate 
adjacent to the continuous slot (at both of the base plate portions) and 
includes a manipulable portion, preferably a manually manipulable member. 
The rotational release and securement means selectively governs the width 
of the slot and thereby relationship of the aperture to the securing 
member by user movement of the manipulable portion between rotational 
release and rotationally secure positions. The base plate is rotatable 
relative to the securing member when the manipulable portion is moved to 
the rotational release position and is secured from rotation relative to 
the securing member when the manipulable portion is moved to the 
rotationally secure position. 
The invention may be embodied in only portions of known bindings or in an 
entire replacement binding system that includes the securing member. The 
securing member has an arcuate shank receivable through the aperture of 
the base plate (and in contact with the base plate thereat) and a shoulder 
for restraining the base plate between the shoulder and the snowboard. 
The method for modifying a snowboard binding to accommodate toolless 
rotational release and reorientation of the binding relative to the 
snowboard of this invention includes the steps of forming a slot in the 
base plate between the aperture and an outer edge thereof, and connecting 
user manipulable release and securement means with the base plate adjacent 
to the slot for selectively manipulating width of the slot. 
Another inventive aspect of this disclosure provides means to quickly, 
reliably and conveniently adjust the binding location laterally on a 
snowboard so that a particular rider's boot may be centered laterally on 
the snowboard. This lateral adjustment device of the invention works with 
both standard three and four hole mounting patterns, and is both 
inexpensive and lightweight. 
The laterally adjustable snowboard binding anchoring device of this 
invention includes a track connectable to the snowboard with a connector 
constrained by and yet linearly movable along the track. A clamping member 
configured for retaining the binding and having an aperture therein is 
secured by securing means releasably engagable with the connector through 
the aperture of the clamping means. 
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved 
rotationally adjustable snowboard binding apparatus and method. 
It is another object of this invention to provide a means for quick, 
toolless, change over of stance position for the rider. 
It is another object of this invention to provide a convenient means for 
setting up a snowboard binding to accommodate the needs of all riders, 
whether they are left or right footed. 
It is another object of this invention to allow the rider to reduce stress 
and fatigue while riding chair lifts and maneuvering through lift lines by 
allowing quick changes to stance position as dictated by the situation at 
hand. 
It is another object of this invention to allow the customization of the 
performance characteristics of the binding by fine tuning the location of 
the rotation center of the binding and the angular orientation of the 
binding with respect to the snowboard longitudinal center line. 
It is another object of this invention to provide an inexpensive, reliable, 
and lightweight means to secure the binding to the snowboard. 
It is another object of this invention keep the bottom of the rider's boot 
immediately above the base plate. 
It is another object of the invention to selectively alter the flex 
characteristics of the binding to either increase or decrease the 
deflection of the binding when a given force is applied by the rider. 
It is another object of the invention to provide a continuously adjustable 
orientation of the binding with respect to the snowboard central axis 
which can be limited between a specific angular range less than 360 
degrees. 
It is another object of the invention to provide a means to allow the 
binding to rotate with respect to the securing disk when a prescribed 
torque is applied to the binding. 
It is another object of the invention to provide an apparatus and method 
for allowing selected free binding rotation which can easily be used in 
conjunction with a large number of snowboard bindings available today 
including both those with and those without flanges. 
It is another object of this invention to provide a rotationally adjustable 
means for securing a user's foot or boot to sports equipment. 
It is still another object of this invention to provide a rotationally 
adjustable binding for binding a user's boot to a top surface of a 
snowboard, the binding anchorable to the snowboard by a securing member 
that is attached to the snowboard, the binding including a base plate 
configured to be supported by the top surface of the snowboard and to 
receive thereat the user's boot, the base plate having an aperture therein 
and an outer edge with the aperture configured for receipt therethrough of 
the securing member, a continuous slot being formed between the aperture 
and the outer edge thus defining first and second base plate portions at 
each side of the slot, the slot having a width between the base plate 
portions, and rotational release and securement means connected with the 
base plate adjacent to the continuous slot and including a manipulable 
portion, the rotational release and securement means for selectively 
governing the width of the slot and thereby relationship of the aperture 
to the securing member by user movement of the manipulable portion between 
rotational release and rotationally secure positions, the base plate being 
rotatable relative to the securing member when the manipulable portion is 
moved to the rotational release position and secured from rotation 
relative to the securing member when the manipulable portion is moved to 
the rotationally secure position. 
It is yet another object of this invent:on to provide a selectively freely 
rotatable binding for securing a user's boot to a top surface of a 
snowboard, the binding including a base plate configured to be supported 
by the top surface of the snowboard and to receive the user's boot 
thereat, the base plate having a central arcuate aperture therethrough and 
an outer edge, a continuous slot being formed between the aperture and the 
outer edge thus defining first and second base plate portions at each side 
of the slot, the slot having a width between the base plate portions, a 
securing member having an arcuate shank receivable through the aperture of 
the base plate and a shoulder for restraining the base plate between the 
shoulder and the snowboard, the securing member being connectable to the 
snowboard, the base plate being in contact with the shank at the aperture, 
and rotational release and securement means connected with the base plate 
at each of the base plate portions adjacent to the continuous slot and 
including a manually manipulable portion, the rotational release and 
securement means for selectively governing the width of the slot and 
thereby contact relationship of the aperture and the shank of the securing 
member by user movement of the manually manipulable portion. 
It is still another object of this invention to provide a method for 
modifying a snowboard binding to accommodate toolless rotational release 
and reorientation of the binding relative to the snowboard, the binding 
including a base plate for receiving a user's boot thereat between edges 
thereof and a securing member receivable through an aperture in the base 
plate and affixable to the snowboard, the method including the steps of 
forming a slot in the base plate between the aperture and an outer edge 
thereof, and connecting user manipulable release and securement means with 
the base plate adjacent to the slot for selectively manipulating width of 
the slot. 
It is yet another object of this invention to provide means to quickly, 
reliably and conveniently adjust binding location laterally on a 
snowboard. 
It is still another object of this invention to provide a laterally 
adjustable snowboard binding anchoring device including track means 
connectable to the snowboard, a connector constrained by and yet linearly 
movable along the track means, clamping means configured for retaining the 
binding and having an aperture therein, and securing means releasably 
engagable with the connector through the aperture of the clamping means. 
With these and other objects in view, which will become apparent to one 
skilled in the art as the description proceeds, this invention resides in 
the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially 
as hereinafter described, it being understood that changes in the precise 
embodiment of the herein disclosed invention are meant to be included as 
come within the scope of the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
The overall binding system (including the modifications and mechanism 20 of 
this invention that accommodate ready rotational binding release and 
securement) is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 for use in securing a user's boot 21 
to the top surface of snowboard 22 by means of base plate 23. The system 
includes securing disk 24 which is fastened to snowboard 22 by screws 25. 
In accord with this invention, rotational release and securement 
modifications and mechanism 20 includes mounting blocks 26 secured to base 
plate 23 (one on each side of slot 37 hereinafter described) by screws 27 
or other suitable means such as adhesive bonding, rivets, welding, or as 
integral inserts in the case of molded base plates. Slider 28 is linearly 
moveable within mounting blocks 26 with a close running fit. One end of 
the slider is threaded to receive washer 29 and preload nut 30. The other 
end of the slider is threaded to receive manually manipulable locking 
lever 31. 
FIG. 3 shows a typical four hole mounting disk 24 which is known in the 
prior art. FIG. 4A is a side view of a typical three hole mounting disk 32 
showing shoulder 33 and arcuate shank 34 (which also are found in four 
hole disk structures). FIG. 4B shows a top view of disk 32. FIG. 5A is a 
top view of a known type of binding base plate 23 with flanges 35 (which 
are used to anchor straps 49 which secure boot 21 to base plate 23 of the 
binding as well as to attach other auxiliary hardware essential to the 
binding system) and central hole, or aperture, 36 of arcuate (generally 
circular) configuration. FIG. 5B is a side view of the base plate shown in 
FIG. 5A and shows flange 35 with numerous typical holes and slots. 
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a typical prior art binding assembly 
(utilizing a disk 24 or 32 and base plate 23 having flanges 35). Binding 
base plate 23 is sandwiched, or restrained, between the top of snowboard 
22 and the bottom surface 24' of shoulder 33 of disk 24 wherein a small 
amount of axial play, approximately 0.005" to 0.015", is required between 
shank 34 of disk 24 and hole 36 in binding base plate 23. This allows the 
binding to rotate with respect to the disk/snowboard by removing the boot 
and by loosening or removal of mounting screws 25. 
FIG. 7A illustrates how use of the standard circular aperture in the 
binding base plate is modified in accord with this invention by cutting 
continuous slot 37 from a point 38 on the aperture (hole 36) circumference 
to a point on the outer edge 39 of base plate 23 (and through flange 35, 
where present) thus defining base plate portions 35' and 35". Typically 
this slot is straight or linear, but it can also be curved, and is 
approximately 0.025" in width. The slot sections the base plate, creating 
increased compliance and flexibility of the base plate in a direction 
generally perpendicular to that of the slot. The slot is shown cut 
horizontally (i.e., perpendicular to flange 35) in FIG. 7, but in many 
instances it can be advantageous to cut the slot vertically (i.e., 
parallel--see FIG. 11) or askew with respect to flanges 35 of base plate 
23. 
While shank 34 of disk 24 in FIG. 6 is shown with a perpendicular arcuate 
shank surface corresponding to a generally cylindrical shape normal to 
surface 24' of shoulder 33 as is typical in known prior art securing disks 
of this type, improvement for use with this invention could be provided 
where this invention is embodied as an entire (i.e., new equipment) 
binding and binding securement system. 
As shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, advantage may be afforded by modification of, 
or deviation from, prior art disks to provide tapered arcuate wall 34' of 
shank 34 (FIG. 7B), or indenting to form concave wall 34" (FIG. 7C), to 
increase the area in contact with aperture 36 of base plate 23 without 
increasing the height or length of shank 34 (in both cases, the arcuate 
surface of aperture 36 would also be correspondingly modified to take 
advantage of the additional surface contact). Moreover, concavity 34" on 
shank 34, by engaging a mating bevelled edge on the arcuate surface of 
aperture 36 of base plate 23, would tend to keep base plate 23 (including 
both portions 35' and 35") vertically centered with shank 34. 
Returning to FIG. 2, once all the components have been fastened in place, 
lever 31 is rotated toward the top of the snowboard. This corresponds to 
the locked position of the device. Preload nut 30 is then tightened on 
slider 28 reducing the width of slot 37 until the desired normal load is 
developed between disk shank 34 and central hole 36 of base plate 23. The 
clamping force thereby attained is the product of the normal load thus 
developed and the relative coefficient of friction of shank 34 of disk 24 
and the mating edge of central hole 36 in base plate 23. A typical 
coefficient of friction is 0.8. The holding torque is the product of the 
clamping force and the radius of central hole 36 in base plate 23. 
Typically the radius of the central hole is about 1.5 inches and normal 
forces are on the order of several hundred pounds. It follows that holding 
torques of several hundred inch-pounds are easily achieved. 
The middle section of slider 28 and the bore in mounting blocks 26 have the 
same cross section shapes and are so designed that rotation of preload nut 
30 or locking lever 31 does not cause slider 28 to rotate with respect to 
mounting blocks 26. Locking lever 31 has a central bore with internal 
threads to engage the threads on slider 28. A variety of thread designs 
could be utilized, for example 3/8-16 UNF or, preferably, 5/16-0.125 
lead-0.062 pitch-double thread. In such cases locking lever 31 advances or 
recedes axially with respect to slider 28 a distance of from about 0.062 
to 0.125 inches (preferably 0.125 inches in most cases) per revolution of 
the locking lever. 
Thus, for about a quarter turn of the locking lever away from the top 
surface of the snowboard (as would be maximal in most practical 
applications), slot 37 will open (increase in width) a distance of between 
about 0.016 to 0.032 inches (preferably 0.032 inches in most cases) at a 
position adjacent to the slider central axis. This is sufficient to reduce 
the normal force between shank 34 of disk 24 and central hole 36 of base 
plate 23 (by movement of base plate portions 35' and 35" away from one 
another and so expansion of the width of slot 37) such that base plate 23 
can be readily and freely rotated with respect to disk 24. In this 
fashion, the need for loosening and/or removal and retightening of screws 
25 to accommodate rotational reorientation of base plate 23 is eliminated 
(as is the potential for failure over time of a screw and/or related hole 
in the snowboard due to repeated manipulations of the screws). 
Ready free rotation for purposes of this disclosure does not mean absolute 
resistance to rotation. Some limited resistance to rotation even when 
locking lever 31 is turned to the release position would appear to be 
desirable to allow a selected level of user control and stability when the 
base plate is rotationally released. The selected level of rotational 
resistance desired in free rotation mode can be preconfigured by slider 28 
or locking lever 31 thread selection (for example, by altering thread 
pitch) or by altering other mechanical parameters such as the nominal fit 
between disk shank 34 and hole 36 in base plate 23, and/or could be 
established at the time of initial set up to provide the desired free 
rotational characteristics. 
FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9 and 10 show a first alternate embodiment of the invention. 
While the same principle is utilized to generate the clamping normal 
force, the alternate embodiment uses a cam type mechanism to effect the 
relative linear displacement of the two mounting blocks. FIG. 8A shows the 
cam and lever assembly wherein cam lever 40 is constrained to rotate cam 
surface 46 and journals 44 and 45 (FIG. 8B) in the bores of bushing 41 
which causes cam follower screw 42 to move in a generally linear fashion. 
The assembly is held together by nut 43. 
FIG. 8B is an exploded view of the cam lock mechanism showing rear bearing 
surface 44, front bearing surface 45 and eccentric cam 46. A 180 degree 
rotation of the handle causes follower screw 42 to move linearly a 
distance of two times the eccentricity of cam 46. FIG. 9 shows a partial 
top section view of the cam lock mechanism in the locked position and FIG. 
10 shows a partial top section view of the cam lock mechanism in the 
released position. The relative widths of slot 37 are indicated in these 
two FIGURES. The lever is included for understanding despite the fact that 
it resides above the section. It is therefore shown in ghosted lines. 
Mounting blocks 26' are secured to base plate 23. Follower screw 42 of the 
cam lock mechanism is held through apertures in mounting blocks 26' by nut 
and washer assembly 30'. 
FIG. 11 shows a second alternative embodiment of the invention using the 
same cam action principal of the first alternate embodiment in conjunction 
with a base plate which includes a traverse rod 47 which is used to secure 
the rider's boot to the base plate by means of a clamp attached to the 
bottom surface of the boot. Traverse rod 47 normally has tensioning nuts 
48 on both threaded ends thereof. The second alternative embodiment is 
achieved by orienting slot 37 parallel to flanges 35 (again forming base 
plate sections 35' and 35") and replacing one of tensioning nuts 48 with 
the cam action device described in the first alternate embodiment. Cam 
follower screw 42 is altered whereby the external thread thereof is 
replaced by an internal thread 42' which engages one end of traverse rod 
47, thereby essentially employing traverse rod 47 and nut 48 as functional 
parts of the rotational release and securement mechanism of this 
invention, as shown in FIG. 11. Slot 37 is preferably cut vertically so as 
to be substantially perpendicular to the tensioning action of the cam 
action device. The initial set up and the operation of this embodiment is 
analogous to that described above for the previous embodiments. 
As lever 40 is rotated from the release position to the locked position a 
compression force develops across the width of slot 37, as indicated by 
direction "X" in FIG. 11, resulting in a deflection or flexing of the 
binding which reduces the width of the slot and reduces the effective 
diameter of aperture 36. The diameter of the aperture reduces only 
slightly before the aperture engages shank 34 of disk 24. The remaining 
rotation of the lever to the locked position develops strong normal forces 
between the aperture of the binding and the shank of the disk. 
Whether utilizing snowboard binding straps 49 shown in FIG. 1 or a traverse 
rod 47 as shown in FIG. 11 (as is may be the case for some step-in type 
bindings), the teaching of this invention can easily be applied to make 
the improved rotationally adjustable snowboard binding. 
FIG. 7 shows horizontal slot 37 cut into the binding base plate. Slot 37 
reduces the stiffness of the base plate. The embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 
and 8 through 10 can enhance the performance of such bindings by altering 
the flex characteristics thereof. The thin webs of the base plate on 
either side of the disk aperture allow the binding to deflect under load. 
This is generally undesirable. The devices shown in these FIGURES span the 
weakest section of the base plate such that the overall stiffness of the 
modified binding system is increased or decreased to enhance the 
performance characteristics of the binding. The overall stiffness can be 
increased by reducing looseness of the sliding fit between slider 28 and 
mounting blocks 26, by increasing the stiffness of the slider material, or 
by increasing the separation between the blocks in conjunction with a 
corresponding increase in the length of the slider. Other means to alter 
the flex characteristics will be readily apparent to those skilled in the 
art. 
FIG. 12 depicts a third alternative embodiment of the invention. It can be 
adapted to any snowboard binding system that uses a central disk for 
setting the angle of the base plate with respect to the snowboard and for 
securing the base plate to the snowboard This embodiment uses all of the 
principals outlined thus far. The base plate is again cut from one side to 
the central aperture for the mounting disk as shown in FIG. 7 (forming 
slot 37 and base plate portions 35' and 35"). As described earlier most 
base plates include such flanges (35 in FIG. 5A for example). However, in 
the event that the flanges are not an integral part of the base plate, 
they can easily be added. 
Alternatively, the clamping device can be mounted directly to the 
flangeless base plate. FIG. 12 shows a flat (flangeless) base plate 57 
mounted on the top surface of snowboard 22 with central aperture 36 and 
slot 37 as discussed hereinabove. Brackets 58 and 58' are mounted to base 
plate 57 at bores 59 (utilizing screws, for example) or by other suitable 
means to thus serve as mounting flanges for the rotational release and 
securement mechanism of this invention. Because the base plate has been 
cut, the stiffness and flex characteristics have been altered. The base 
plate is now more compliant and will generally tend to flex with respect 
to the cut when the appropriate external forces of the rider are applied. 
For example, as the rider leans forward and backward, forces are generated 
which tend to cause relative motion between the sections of the flange 
immediately adjacent to the cut (slot 37). The relative movement of the 
binding flanges may be undesirable. If this is the case, the quick release 
clamping device can be constructed in a manner which reintroduces a 
prescribed level of stiffness to the binding. Furthermore, it is possible 
to utilize the locking mechanism to increase the overall stiffness of the 
base plate beyond that of the original molded plastic or metal base plate. 
The embodiment shown in FIG. 12 has the advantage of providing increased 
overall stiffness to resist the relative motion of the flange sections in 
the general direction indicated as "B" in the FIGURE. This is accomplished 
by a close running fit between slider 51 and mounting blocks 52 and 55. 
When locking lever 53 is rotated to the locked position, the two brackets 
58 and 58' (and thus base plate portions 35' and 35") are drawn together 
in the general axial direction "C" as cam locking faces 54 engage the face 
of mounting block 52 nearest locking lever 53. This provides a clamping 
force of base plate aperture 36 against disk shank 34 (as discussed 
above). Even for low clamping forces this system does not allow motion in 
the general direction "B" because of the constraint afforded by slider 51 
in mounting blocks 52 and 55. Mounting blocks 52 and 55 are attached to 
brackets 58/58' secured to base plate 57, one on each side of slot 37. 
While it is very cost effective to simply allow the base plate to flex as a 
means to generate the clamping forces, this may result in very high 
stresses, especially for plastic base plates. This can be circumvented as 
illustrated in FIG. 13 by placing an active hinge or pivot 56 on the 
flange opposite the one with the locking mechanism. In order to provide 
the requisite stiffness the hinge length can be increased or decreased in 
the vertical direction. FIG. 13 illustrates a fourth alternate embodiment 
which has the distinctive characteristic that the clamping force is not 
generated as a result of the deflection of the base plate material itself, 
but rather by the relative rotation of base plate portions 35' and 35" 
(made independent by base plate edge to edge extension of slot 37) which 
are joined opposite the quick release mechanism by hinge type device 56. 
The use of the improved binding is very straightforward. The rider simply 
secures his or her boot to the binding in the manner and fashion 
prescribed by the manufacturer of the binding. If the binding is a strap 
type it is typical that two or more straps 49 must be secured around the 
boot. If the binding is of the step in type, the rider simple steps into 
the binding and exerts sufficient downward force to engage the latching 
system. Once the boot is secure, the rider simply rotates lever 31 shown 
in FIG. 2 to the release position, then adjusts the angle of the binding 
to the desired orientation with respect to the snowboard and finally lever 
31 is rotated to the locked position to engage aperture 36 against shank 
34 of disk 24 thereby preventing further rotation of the binding with 
respect to snowboard 22. 
As may be appreciated, a method for modifying (even retrofitting) known 
types of snowboard bindings to accommodate toolless rotational release and 
reorientation of the binding relative to the snowboard is provided by this 
invention. Slot 37 can be cut in any known type of base plate as described 
herein between aperture 36 and a convenient outer edge thereof (for 
example, at flange 35 as shown in FIG. 2, the edge adjacent mid-rod 47 as 
shown in FIG. 11, or any selected edge for flangeless type base plate 57 
as shown in FIG. 12). Thereafter, the release and securement mechanism of 
this invention adaptable to the particular base plate can be connected to 
the base plate adjacent to slot 37 as discussed hereinabove (utilizing 
whatever means may be convenient and effective) to thereby provide 
selective manipulation of the width of the slot for rotational adjustment 
and resecurement of the base plate. 
Referring to the FIGS. 14 through 17, the elements of an adjustable 
centering device for snowboard bindings are illustrated in accord with 
another inventive aspect of this disclosure as it relates to such bindings 
in general (though the centering device could of course be utilized with 
the rotationally adjustable binding apparatus of this invention). While 
the base plate is not shown in these FIGURES, its position and utilization 
is no different that heretofore described. 
The adjustable centering device includes disk 60 with a shoulder and a 
shank for retaining a binding base plate, as described earlier, and also 
hollowed out section 61 extending upward from the bottom of the disk. The 
hollowed out section is shown as a rectangle with rounded corners. It 
could also have the shape of a slot with full radius round ends or other 
shapes as will become apparent. The disk has central bore 62 approximately 
0.75 inches in diameter. The disk is about four inches in diameter and 
approximately 0.188 inches thick. 
FIG. 15 shows a cross section of the centering device taken along the 
section line B--B of FIG. 14 (the front of the snowboard as viewed in FIG. 
14 is at the top of the page). Referring to the exploded view shown in 
FIG. 16, T nut 63 extends through central bore, or aperture, 62 of disk 60 
and has threads 70 to, engage threads 71 of lock bolt 64. The lock bolt is 
shown as a spanner type, but it could also engage with a hex wrench, 
phillips screwdriver or other convenient tool. When lock bolt 64 is loose 
the assembly consisting of lock bolt 64, disk 60, and T nut 63 are free to 
move linearly to the left and right in FIG. 14 along track brackets 65 and 
66 anchored to snowboard 22 with screws 67 or other suitable anchoring 
means. Hollowed out section 61 of disk 60 limits the travel of the 
assembly when the lock bolt is loosely engaged. 
FIGS. 17A, 17B, and 17C illustrate the operation of the centering device. 
In FIG. 17A disk 60 is shown positioned in its rightmost position which 
would most beneficially position the center line of the disk to the right 
of the longitudinal center line of snowboard 22. As shown in FIG. 17B, 
lock bolt 64 is loosened so as to allow the left to right linear movement 
of disk 60, T nut 63 and lock bolt 64. When the desired left to right, or 
lateral centering has been achieved, lock bolt 64 is tightened so that the 
flange of T nut 63 engages the bottom surface of track brackets 65/66 the 
disk 60 is squeezed between the top of track brackets 65/66 and lock bolt 
64 with sufficient normal force and friction to prevent disk 60 from 
slipping. 
The secured new position shown in FIG. 17C is the leftmost position of the 
centering device. With a four inch diameter disk the device can easily 
allow a left to right adjustment of the disk center line of about +/-0.50 
inches. This is more adjustment than that allowed by the arrangements 
found in most current three and four hole disks. Moreover, since screws 
anchored in the snowboard are not being frequently loosened and 
retightened to accommodate adjustment, the likelihood of screw or hole 
failure, and thus binding failure, is substantially reduced. 
In summary, this invention provides a new and novel apparatus for fastening 
a binding to a snowboard which allows ready adjustability and binding 
flexibility while overcoming the shortcomings and disadvantages of the 
prior art noted hereinabove. The rotationally adjustable apparatus of this 
invention provides a low cost, lightweight simple and reliable means to 
fasten the binding to the snowboard which has the following unique and 
desirable features: ability to enhance the performance characteristics of 
the binding by increasing or decreasing the overall flexibility of the 
binding system; quick, continuously adjustable reorientation of the 
binding without removal of boot (i.e., user initiated free rotational 
movement of the boot relative to the board); uses industry standard 
snowboard hole patterns; allows fine tuning of performance by adjustment 
of the center of the binding with respect to the snowboard; allows the 
bottom of the rider's boot to contact the top surface of the binding and 
securing disk, eliminating undesirable vertical offset; the specific 
orientation of the hold down plate is not predefined, thus there is no 
need for multiple unique orientations of the hold down plate; and the 
clamping torque can be set to a prescribed level such that the base plate 
can rotate with respect to the snowboard when the set torque threshold is 
exceeded at the binding. 
The adjustable lateral centering device of this invention provides for 
quick and easy, even where necessary on-slope, change over and fine 
adjustment of binding position laterally on the board to accommodate 
different users or conditions, a feature not now available to snowboard 
users or providers.