Abstract:
A snowboard binding for use with a snowboard and boots. The snowboard binding includes a top plate for affixation to a sole of a boot and a bottom plate for affixation to a snowboard. The top plate has two spaced apart and opposed upturned and inwardly angled end walls, and a locking bar with a hole formed therein. The bottom plate has two opposing end tabs which are inwardly angled by a predetermined angle generally mating to that of the end walls of the top plate. The bottom plate has a locking mechanism with a locking pin adapted to be biased into a hole formed in the locking bar when the top plate is fully engaged with the bottom plate.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a snowboard binding, and particularly to a binding that is designed to releasably engage a bottom plate and binding mechanism mounted to a snowboard, with a top plate mounted in a snowboard boot. Upon entry of the top plate into the bottom plate it is made to dislodge any snow or ice that may be present in bottom plate and binding mechanism, and upon full engagement automatically lock using mechanical means creating a secure connection. This snowboard binding also allows the snowboard rider to engage and disengage this mechanism without compromising a standing position in snowy or icy conditions. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The sport of snowboarding requires that the practitioner have a board for gliding on the snow generally referred to as a snowboard. A binding mechanism is needed to effectively hold a rider to the board, and is generally referred to as a snowboard binding. There are numerous bindings available but none solve all the problems associated with the sport of snowboarding. Snowboard bindings can be best categorized by the varied means of engaging the user&#39;s boot to the binding itself. Bindings are either manually operated (requiring the user to tighten a buckle and strap with hands before use), or step-in actuated (engaging by the motion of the foot entering the binding and locking in place at completion of entry.) The binding of the present invention being disclosed is of the step-in variety. All of these bindings vary slightly in mechanical make-up, but are all designed to maintain a positive connection between snowboard and rider. Most of these bindings require the user to wear an particular boot and step directly vertically downwardly onto a base piece mounted on a snowboard&#39;s surface. An example of such step-in binding devices is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,730, which requires downward force combined with a side-to-side rocking motion in order to engage and lock the binding mechanism. U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,420 is based on a similar concept, but requires a downward force combined with a toe to heel rocking motion where the toe catches and the heel is lowered locking the mechanism. 
     The manually operated bindings have straps that go over the tops of the users boot which often creates undue pressure and discomfort upon the users feet. Manual bindings require a user to sit or kneel in the snow while buckling or fastening foot straps. This may also be required to remove obstructive snow while in the same sitting or kneeling position. 
     Referring, in particular, to these step-in snowboard bindings, these types of bindings are complicated to engage when too much snow is present within the mechanism itself. Usually, such accumulation of snow or other foreign matter within the inner structure of the binding requires the user to, manually remove the foreign matter. The present step-in bindings are relatively expensive when compared to manually operated bindings. The large number of moving parts incorporated into the presently available step-in bindings make them susceptible to mechanical failure due to the amount of stress and pressure inflicted on the binding during the actual sport. The present engagement methods previously mentioned for the step-in bindings, namely downward motion engagement, toe to heel engagement, and side to side engagement, all promote blockage due to snow on or in the base piece mounted to the snowboard surface. This creates a barrier of snow between the users boot and the locking mechanism in the base piece. As a result this often times requires a user to sit or kneel in the snow and manually clear the snow from the binding so that it can be engaged. 
     Accordingly, with these ever-present problems with the current snowboard binding technology there has been a need for a snowboard binding such as the step-in style binding being disclosed that overcomes these shortcomings. 
     The binding of the present invention being disclosed is relatively inexpensive, simple to engage (not requiring the users hands) and disengage. The present invention being disclosed is very compact and lightweight. This particular binding permits the user to engage the boot into the base from the side horizontally, not directly down onto the binding. This binding, with its simply design comprising only three moving parts, eliminates all blockages due to obstruction by snow and decreases the chances of mechanical malfunctions by lessening the levels of stress and tension. This is particularly beneficial to users in areas which receive large amounts of snowfall. The convenience and ease of use allow a snowboard rider to remain standing during engagement and release of the mechanism even in deep snow, without any manual preparation or removal of snow, and without compromising a standing position. At the same time the binding ensures that a positive connection has been made that can only be disengaged by the rider acting intentionally and not accidentally. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One object of invention is to provide a new classification of “step-in” binding which slides in from the side, allowing for easy engagement, creates a positive connection, and automatically locks upon full engagement. 
     Another object of invention is to provide a snowboard binding that will not malfunction when snow is present in the binding by virtue of the sliding action and design of the locking mechanism, wherein snow and other matter that might accumulate on the base portion is simply pushed out of the base as the top plate of the boot engages with the binding. 
     Yet another object of invention is to provide a snowboard binding that prevents accidental release but still allows the user to disengage the binding easily and quickly, with the use of only one hand and without compromising a standing position. object of invention A further is to provide a snowboard binding 
     A further object of invention is to provide a snowboard binding that has a minimum number of moving parts and is cost effective to manufacture using the latest technology and materials. 
     Still another object of invention is to provide a snowboard binding that has an optional orientation of base plate and direction of entry into the binding. 
     A still further object of invention is to provide a snowboard binding that has variable options for ankle support. 
     Another object of invention is to provide a snowboard binding that is readily adaptable to all standard snowboards. 
     These and other objects of the invention are provided by the snowboard binding of the present invention, which is generally rectangular with upper and lower mating components. The upper piece, being the male portion of the snowboard binding, is to be contained on the bottom center surface of a snowboard boot. The lower piece, being the female portion, is to be mounted to the upper surface of a snowboard by conventional means. 
     The bottom plate&#39;s receiving front and rear edges are angled inwardly toward the center at about 45-degrees on each end. There is an aperture pattern centrally located on this bottom plate to allow for mounting to a snowboard. Additionally, this aperture pattern allows user to rotate the bottom plate, horizontally, to any angle that is preferred. The edges of the upper plate are angled upwardly at about a 45-degree angle as to accommodate the outer edges of the bottom plate when in position. Referring to the right and left edges of the bottom plate, a spring loaded locking mechanism is located on the inner edge facing the center of the board. This locking mechanism is designed to be actuated by the top piece sliding into the opposing bottom piece, and then locking the top piece into a fixed position. The edges of the upper plate are angled upwardly by about 45-degree angle as to accommodate the outer edges of the bottom plate when in position. Referring to the right and left edges of the upper plate, a protruding block, located on the same edge as the bottom plate&#39;s locking mechanism, receives the bottom plate&#39;s spring loaded pin through an aperture on it&#39;s beveled edge. This beveled surface pushes against the bottom plate&#39;s spring-loaded locking pin, forcing it back and compressing the spring. As the pin of the lock aligns with the aperture in the protruding block of the top plate, the spring decompresses allowing the pin to slide in creating a positive connection. This easily obtained positive connection is the basis of the present invention. To disengage the mechanism, it is required for user to reach down and push back on a lever connected to the pin of the locking mechanism. This backward movement of the lever decompresses the spring and allows the locking pin to be removed from the aperture in which it is located. Releasing the locking pin terminates the connection between the top and bottom plates allowing user to remove feet from the board. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Characteristics of the invention will be better understood with reference the description below. 
     FIG. 1 shows the present invention engaged in a fixed position on a snowboard; with the top piece attached to a snowboard boot (shown in phantom) locked into the bottom piece which is mounted to the upper surface of a snowboard. 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the location of both plates, means of mounting for both plates, and direction of engagement of both plates. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the relation of the two components of the present invention when engaged. 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the bottom plate. 
     FIG. 5 is a top plan view showing an embodiment of the top plate. 
     FIG. 6 is a section view, taken along lines  6 — 6  of FIG. 2, showing the top plate and bottom plate. 
     FIG. 7 is a detailed perspective view showing the locking mechanism located on the bottom plate with the opposing locking component of the top plate being engaged. 
     FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment for the top plate of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment for the top plate of the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment for the top plate. 
     FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment for both top and bottom plates of the present invention. 
     FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of another alternate embodiment in which both plates are oriented differently allowing a boot to slide backwards into an incorporated high back used for ankle support. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 shows snowboard boots  12  and  14  securely attached to snowboard  10  by fully engaged binding assemblies  18  and  20  which are secured to the board by inserting mounting hardware (screws)  22  into threaded mounting holes  16  in the board. The snowboard boots  12  and  14  are shown perpendicular to the long edge of the snowboard  10 , which is the most common stance. Aligning the opposing top and bottom pieces of assemblies  18  and  20 , and sliding them together to full engagement make engagement. 
     FIG. 2 shows all needed parts and illustrates the direction and orientation of top plate  24  and bottom plate  50  as needed for engaging and locking. FIG. 2 also shows the relationship and means of connection between top plate  24  and snowboard boot  12  as well as the relationship and means of connection of the bottom plate  50  and the snow board  10 . 
     A snowboard boot  12  is shown including a sole  46  and a recessed area  48  in the sole to accommodate the top plate  24  where the top plate  24  will be bolted on with screws or bolts  22  through holes into the snowboard boot&#39;s sole  46 . When the top plate  24  is in position and held in place with fasteners  22  it is not to move and the bottom of the top plate  24  should preferably be generally flush and level with the bottom of the snowboard boot&#39;s sole  46 . 
     The top plate  24  is generally referred to as the male part of the assembly with the base plate  50  being the female or receptor piece. The top plate  24  is generally rectangular in shape with the ends being turned up and angled in toward the center of the part at about 45 degrees creating contact surfaces  38  and  42  on each outside face of upturned ends. Other angles can also be used. Contact surfaces  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44  of the top plate  24  make contact with contact surfaces  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 , respectively, of the bottom plate  50 , making a positive connection between the top plate  24  and bottom plate  50 . The top plate  24  and bottom plate  50  are locked into place by use of a locking bar  32  on top plate  24  and locking mechanism  62  of the bottom plate  50 . The Locking bar  32  includes a locking hole  36  and a rounded or beveled surface  34  that actuates the locking pin  66  of locking mechanism  62  located on the bottom plate  50 . The top plate  24  slides into place with contact surfaces  40  and  44  riding on opposing contact surfaces  56  and  60  of the bottom plate  50 . Contact surfaces  38  and  42  of the top plate  24  oppose contact surfaces  54  and  58  of the bottom plate  50  only to maintain the connection by not allowing the two plates to separate in an upward direction. The main body of the top plate  24  is designed in such a fashion as to clear fasteners  22  when sliding into the bottom plate  50 . The leading edge  28  of top plate  24  is designed to remove ice and snow as the parts are engaged. The leading edge  28  clears any debris that may be obstructing engagement of plates  24  and  50  by scraping across contact surfaces  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60  of bottom plate  50  and removing any foreign matter present. 
     The bottom plate  50  is rectangular in shape and mimics the top plate  24  in that it has turned up end tabs containing on the inward faces of each tab, and contact surfaces  54 , and  60 . The bottom plate  50  is shown with locking mechanism  62 . The locking mechanism includes a locking pin  66 , and a release handle  64 . The means of attachment of the bottom plate  50  to the snowboard  10  by fasteners  22  inserted through apertures  52  in bottom plate  50  into threaded receiving holes  16  on the snowboard  10  is shown. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates the assembly  18  of plates  24  and  50 . The top plate  24  is shown sliding into bottom plate  50  with the connection between the two being made by contact surfaces  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44  of the top plate  24  against contact surfaces  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 , respectively, of the bottom plate  50 . This makes for a positive connection that will not allow the top plate  24  to disengage from the bottom plate  50  unless it is traveling in the correct direction. In this embodiment, the locking mechanism  62  of bottom plate  50  and the locking bar of top plate  24  have not achieved full locked position because the top plate  24  and bottom plate  50  are not fully engaged or slid in far enough to engage the lock mechanism  62  and locking bar  32 . This view illustrates clearly how the leading edge  28  of top plate  24  will clear snow obstructions on or in the bottom plate  50  as the top plate  24  slides into position. 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the bottom plate  50 . The apertures  52  for mounting the bottom plate  50  with attached locking mechanism  62  to the snowboard  10  are shown. A clearer relation between the bottom plate  50  and the locking mechanism  62  is shown. The locking mechanism  62  is preferably integral with the bottom plate  50 . 
     FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the top plate  24 . The holes  30  for securing the top plate  24  to the snowboard boot  12  are shown. The holes  30  pass directly through the body  26  and provide a secure means of fastening top plate  24  to a snowboard boot  12 . The location of the locking bar  32  in relationship to the top plate  24  is also shown. 
     FIG. 6 is a section view taken from FIG. 3 detailing the connection between top plate  24  and bottom plate  50 . Shown here are contact surfaces  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44  of top plate  24  completely secured by contact surfaces  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 , respectively, of the bottom plate  50 . 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the locking mechanism  62  of the bottom plate  50  and the locking bar  32  of the top plate  24  in a locked position detailing the relationship and function between these parts. As seen here, locking pin  66  is inserted into locking hole  36  of locking bar  32  to maintain the positive connection between top plate  24  and bottom plate  50 . The locking mechanism  62  contains a locking pin  66  which is inserted into the pin guide hole  72  which allows the tip of the locking pin  66  to slide in and out of the guide hole  72  by a controlled amount. This guide hole  72  is referred to as a blind hole. The locking mechanism  62  includes a biasing means (e.g. a compression spring)  68  in order to keep tension on the locking pin  66  which in turn maintains the locking engagement between the locking pin  66  and the locking hole  36  of the locking bar  32 . The amount of travel of the locking pin  66  is governed by the compression of the spring  68  and the locking handle  64  sliding in slot  70 . The locking handle  64  is attached directly to the locking pin  66  through slot  70  located on the outside of the locking mechanism  62 . This keeps the locking pin  66  in position and from coming out of the guide hole  72  because of the force exerted by the compression spring  68 . The spring tension is also what maintains the locked connection between the locking pin  66  and locking hole  36  of the locking bar  32  of the top plate  24 . In order to release the lock, the locking handle  64  is moved rearwardly, which in turn forces the locking pin  66  out of the hole  36 . As the top plate  24  is moved forwardly into the bottom plate  50 , the bevel  34  will ease the tip of the locking pin  66  until it snaps into hole  66 . 
     FIGS. 8,  9 , and  10  illustrate three alternate embodiments of top plates  100 ,  110  and  120 . These embodiments are similar in function as the embodiment of the top plate  24  shown in FIGS. 1-6, but vary in appearance and the amount of contact surface available for connection. 
     FIG. 11 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the snowboard binding  130 , with a bottom plate  132  with inwardly angled ends  134 , having inwardly angled surfaces  136 . Two separate boot engagement portions  138  have angled outer surfaces  140 , and are affixed to a user&#39;s boots. A locking portion  142  is also provided for attachment to a user&#39;s boot. The boot engagement portions  138  are slidably engagable with the angled ends  134  and the locking portion  142  is lockably detachable to a locking mechanism  144  of the bottom plate  132 . The locking mechanism can have the same structure as in the previously described embodiments. 
     FIG. 12 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the snowboard binding where the assembly  18  is oriented a 90 degree turn from its original orientation in FIG.  1 . This orientation allows the snowboard boot  12  with attached top plate  24  to slidably engage the bottom plate  50  in front to rear manner (unlike to side-to-side manner of the mounting of FIG.  1 ), such that the snowboard boot  12  can be supported by an ankle support mechanism or high-back  80  when fully engaged and locked into place. 
     The drawings and the foregoing description are not intended to represent the only form of the invention in regard to the details of this construction and manner of operation. In fact, it will be evident to one skilled in the art that modifications and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Although specific terms have been employed, they are intended in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation.