Abstract:
Apparatus  10  for a pivotal element  20  communicating between the base plate of the binding  24  and the top of the snowboard  16  that is secured in a fixed position when riding and can be selectively released for skating and while on a lift where the snowboard would hang downward from the user&#39;s boot in a substantially parallel relation therewith.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to snowboard bindings and, more specifically to a selectively pivotable element for snowboard bindings to provide the snowboarder with increased comfort and mobility when skating and riding lifts by allowing the user to selectively rotate the lead foot into a position substantially parallel with the board rather then the relatively perpendicular relation in which it is traditionally fixed. 
   Skating is the term used when a boarder releases the binding of the rear foot in order to travel uphill or on level ground and uses the rear foot to push off and the lead foot, which is still bound to the board, to glide over the snow in a manner similar to skateboarding. Unfortunately, the lead foot is fixed to its binding in an awkward position to perform such a task. Furthermore, boarders skate when in lift lines and when getting on the lift thereby resulting in the weight of the board twisting the leg of the user. This is rectified by using the free foot to lift the board and hold it in a substantially horizontal position for the duration of the ride which could be intrusive to a fellow passenger on the lift. 
   The present invention seeks to overcome the shortcomings inherent in snowboard bindings having fixed bindings by introducing a pivotable element communicating between the baseplate of the binding and the snowboard that is secured in a fixed position when riding and can be selectively released for skating and while on a lift where the board would hang downward from the user&#39;s boot in a substantially parallel relation therewith. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   There are other snowboard binding accessories suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described. 
   SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
   The present invention discloses a pivotal element communicating between the base plate of the binding and the top of the snowboard that is secured in a fixed position when riding and can be selectively released for skating and while on a lift where the snowboard would hang downward from the user&#39;s boot in a substantially parallel relation therewith. 
   A primary object of the present invention is to provide means for selectively rotating a boot binding relative to a snowboard. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotative member fixedly positioned between a boot binding and a snowboard. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a rotative member having an engagable and disengagable locking element. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a rotative member wherein a boot binding can be rotated 90 degrees relative to a snowboard. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide means whereby a user can easily change their boot binding position relative to a snowboard making it easier to cross relatively flat ground. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a rotative mechanism having spaced apart members with ball bearing positioned therebetween. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device having magnetic unlocking mechanism 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel snowboard accessory. 
   Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
   The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a binding which is normally fastened to a snowboard by several fasteners preventing any movement between the two and able to be selectively rotated by incorporating a rotative mechanism between the normally secured components and adding a locking mechanism which allows the user to lock the binding to the board while riding or releasing the binding to rotate while still being secured to the board. In essence, there are two highly desirable positions for a user&#39;s feet while using a snowboard. One is to secure the feet in a perpendicular direction relative to the board while riding. The other is to place the lead foot parallel to the board while skating and riding lifts. 
   The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
   The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of prior art. 
       FIG. 2  is an illustrative view of the pivot element of the present invention in use. 
       FIG. 3  is an illustrative view of the pivot element of the present invention in use. 
       FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic view of the pivot element of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of the rotation of the pivot element of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the pivot element of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is an exploded view of a pivot element of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a pivot element of the present invention. 
       FIG. 9  is a sectional view of the pivot element of the present invention. 
       FIG. 10  is an enlarged view of the rotation of the pivot element of the present invention. 
       FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the pivot element of the present invention. 
       FIG. 12  is an exploded view of the pivot element of the present invention. 
       FIG. 13  is a sectional view of the pivot element of the present invention. 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the lock element of the present invention. 
       FIG. 15  is an illustrative top view of the lock element of the present invention. 
       FIG. 16  is a sectional view of an alternate of the pivot element of the present invention. 
       FIG. 17  is a sectional view of an alternate of the pivot element of the present invention. 
   

   LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
   With regard to reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the drawings.
           10  present invention     12  ski lift     14  foot     16  snowboard     18  user     20  pivot element     22  flat surface     24  binding     28  locking mechanism     30  boot     32  securing plate     34  mounting screw     36  lock     37  shaft     38  bottom plate     39  side wall     40  pivot plate     41  recess     42  top ring     43  overhang portion     44  screws     46  bearing     47  race     48  top plate/snow guard     49  side wall     50  lock     52  set screw     54  threaded insert     56  pivot stop nub     58  screw     60  mounting holes     62  washer     64  arrow     66  top plate     67  bottom plate     68  nut     69  seated bearing     70  top rotating bearing     72  mounting hole     74  threaded lug     76  pins     78  spring     79  first housing     80  second magnetic housing     82  aperture     84  magnetic element     86  slots     88  springs     90  unlocked     92  locked     94  lock     96  clip     98  spring       

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention (and several variations of that embodiment). This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments since practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For a definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to the appended claims. 
   Turning to  FIG. 1 , shown therein is an illustrative view of prior art. Boarding a ski lift  12  while having one foot  14  in the binding  24  of a snowboard  16  can cause considerable problems for the wearer and other people on the lift seat. The snowboard user  18  must prop up the snowboard with their back foot to avoid clashing with another skier&#39;s ski. Maintaining this position can be extremely uncomfortable for any prolonged period of time. The present invention is a pivoting element for snowboards that overcomes the short comings of the prior art by providing a unique pivoting element that upon release of a lock, the foot and binding will pivot, allowing the snowboard to be positioned in a forward direction so that the board will not interfere with other people&#39;s skis. 
   Turning to  FIG. 2 , shown therein is an illustrative view of the pivot element of the present invention  10  in use. The present invention  10  has a pivoting element for snowboards  16  that upon release of a locking mechanism allows the binding to rotate whereby a user  18  can rotate their foot  14  in a forward direction preventing the board from contacting other people&#39;s skis. 
   Turning to  FIG. 3 , shown therein is an illustrative view of the pivot element  20  of the present invention  10  in use. Shown is the snowboard  10  pivoting element  20  in use on a substantially flat surface  22 . The present invention  10  provides means whereby a user  18  when faced with having to propel himself using the snowboard  16  can release a lock mechanism that allows the binding to be rotated. Therefore the foot  14  can be moved to a more natural parallel position on the board  16  as opposed to the perpendicular position used for riding the board on an incline. The binding release mechanism can be under some tensioning mechanism whereby if the foot  14  is rotated to an operative perpendicular direction the lock mechanism will engage the binding providing the user  18  means to continue a descent without having to stop to engage the locking mechanism. 
   Turning to  FIG. 4 , shown therein is a diagrammatic view of the pivot element of the present invention. Shown is the method of the present invention whereby a boot  30  in binding  24  which is normally fastened to a snowboard by several fasteners preventing any movement between the two is able to be selectively rotated by incorporating a rotative mechanism  20  with securing plate  32  between the normally secured components and adding a locking mechanism  28  which allows the user to lock the binding(s) to the board  16  while accelerating down a mountain or releasing the binding to rotate while still being secured to the board. In essence, there are two highly desirable positions for a user&#39;s feet while using a snowboard  16 . One is to secure the feet in a perpendicular direction relative to the board  16  while accelerating down a mountain. The other is to place the foot parallel to the board  16  while having to propel himself with the other foot. 
   Turning to  FIG. 5 , shown therein is an enlarged view of the rotation of the pivot element  20  of the present invention  10 . Shown is the present invention  10  positioned between a snowboard  16  and a binding  24  whereby a binding which is normally fastened to a snowboard by several fasteners preventing any movement is able to be selectively rotated by incorporating the rotative mechanism  20  of the present invention between the normally static binding and snowboard. The rotative mechanism  20  is comprised of a top plate for securing the binding thereto and a bottom plate which is secured to the snowboard  16 . Positioned between the top and bottom plate is a support that reduces the friction during motion of the top plate relative to the bottom plate. There can also be a locking mechanism engaging the plates to prevent rotational motion, which can be selectively disengaged allowing rotational motion of one plate to the other. Also shown are mounting screw  34  and lock  36 . 
   Turning to  FIG. 6 , shown therein is an exploded view of the pivot element of the present invention. Shown is an exploded view of the present invention  10  positioned between a snowboard  16  and a binding  24 . The rotative mechanism is comprised of a top plate  48  for securing the binding  24  thereto with screws  34  and a bottom plate  38  which is secured to the snowboard  16 . The pivot plate or disk  40  is retained within the bottom plate  38  by a top ring  42  which is fastened with screws  44  to the bottom plate once the pivot plate is positioned within. Positioned between the top  48  and bottom plate  38  is a bearing  46  that reduces the friction during motion of the top plate relative to the bottom plate. Also shown are lock  50 , set screw  52 , threaded insert  54 , pivot top nub  56 , screw  58  and mounting holes  60 . 
   Turning to  FIG. 7 , shown therein is an exploded view of a pivot element of the present invention. Shown is an exploded view of the present invention. The rotative mechanism has a bottom plate  38  with a plurality of apertures in the base for securing the bottom plate to a snowboard. The pivot plate  40  is retained within the bottom plate  38  by the top ring  42  which is fixed to the bottom plate by fasteners  44 . The top plate  48  is threadedly fastened with screw  52  to the bottom plate  38 . Positioned between the top  48  and bottom plate  38  is a bearing  46  that reduces the friction during motion of the top plate relative to the bottom plate. Also shown are lock  50 , threaded insert  54 , pivot top nub  56 , and screw  58 . Also shown are washers  62 . Top plate  48  also serves as a snow guard to protect the inner parts of the present invention. 
   Turning to  FIG. 8 , shown therein is a perspective view of a pivot element  20  of the present invention. Shown is a pivoting element  20  for snowboards having a unique means for fixing the binding(s) in a substantially perpendicular position relative to the board or selectively releasing the binding to move as shown by arrow  64  into a parallel position relative the snowboard. The device is comprised of two plate-like elements that are fastened to each other by a centrally positioned spindle. A tensioned locking member holds the plates from independent movement until the user disengaging the locking release mechanism allowing for movement of one plate relative the other. When the binding is moved back to its pre-rotative position the locking mechanism will re-engage preventing rotative movement. 
   Turning to  FIG. 9 , shown therein is a sectional view of the pivot element  20  of the present invention. Shown is a cross sectional view of the rotative mechanism  20 , taken from  FIG. 8  as indicated. The rotative mechanism  20  is comprised of a bottom plate  38  which is secured to the snowboard by fasteners  34 . Positioned within the bottom plate  38  having side wall  39  is the pivot plate  40  which slides against and is retained at recess  41  therein by the top ring  42  having overhang portion  43  which is fixed to the bottom plate by fasteners  44 . The top plate  48  has side wall  49  and is threadedly fastened with screw  52  to the bottom plate  38  and serves as means for attaching the binding having a plurality of threaded apertures. Positioned between the top  48  and bottom plate  38  is a bearing  46  in a race  47  on shaft  37  that reduces the friction during motion of the top plate  48  relative to the bottom plate  38 . There can also be a locking mechanism, not shown, that is pivotally fastened to the exterior of the top plate  48  having posts extending through an aperture in the bottom plate  38  and extending into the pivot plate. Also shown is pivot stop nub  56  and mating recess. 
   Turning to  FIG. 10 , shown therein is an enlarged view of the rotation of the pivot element  20  of the present invention  10  on board  16 . Shown is the rotation mechanism  20  of the present invention  10  wherein the locking mechanism engages the top plate and the bottom plate. To selectively rotate the binding  24  which is fastened to the top plate, pressure is applied to the free distal end of the lock  36  which will pivot on its pivot point retracting from its seated position within the top and bottom plate apertures thereby providing for rotative motion. To re-engage the locking mechanism is accomplished by rotating the binding  24  until the lock mechanism seats within the bottom plate lock aperture which will occur due to tensional forces continuously applied to the lock mechanism. 
   Turning to  FIG. 11 , shown therein is an exploded view of the pivot element of the present invention  10 . Shown is a variation of the present invention  10  disclosing a pivoting element for snowboards comprising a pivoting plate capable of full rotation and having ball bearing sleeves, manual lock, top plate  66  for the mounting of binders  24  and a bottom plate  67  for mounting to snowboard  16 . Also shown is mounting screw  34 , nut  68  with washer  62 , threaded insert  54 , lock  50 , seated bearing  69 , screw  58 , top rotating bearing  70 , mounting holes  60 , mounting hole  72 , and thread lug (axle)  74 . 
   Turning to  FIG. 12 , shown therein is an exploded view of the pivot element of the present invention. Shown is an exploded view of another mechanism whereby the binding(s) of a snowboard can be rotated. Upon release of a lock  50 , the foot and binding will pivot, allowing the snowboard to be positioned in a forward direction. The device also allows the user to easily push the snowboard across a flat surface similar to a skate board. The device of the present invention comprises a pivoting plate  66  capable of full rotation and having ball bearing sleeves, manual latch, top plate  66  for the mounting of binding(s) and a bottom plate  67  for mounting to snowboard. Other previously disclosed elements are also shown. 
   Turning to  FIG. 13 , shown therein is a sectional view of the pivot element of the present invention. Shown is a sectional view of the variation of the present invention disclosing a pivoting element for snowboards provides a unique pivoting element that upon release of a lock, the foot and binding will pivot, allowing the snowboard to be positioned in a forward direction. The device provides means whereby a user can rotate the binding(s) while still attached to the board and propel themselves across snow covered ground. The device of the present invention comprises a pivoting plate capable of full rotation and having ball bearing sleeves, lock, top plate  66  for the mounting of binding(s) and a bottom plate  67  for mounting to snowboard. Other previously disclosed elements are also shown. 
   Turning to  FIG. 14 , shown therein is a perspective view of the lock element of the present invention. Shown is the locking element comprising a plurality of magnetic pins  76  in a first u-shaped housing  79  having springs  78  thereon with a mating second u-shaped magnetic housing  80  having springs  88  thereto. The magnetic pins  76  and the magnetic element  84  are configured to present opposing magnetic forces to one another thereby repelling the magnetic pins  76  into their respective apertures  82  or releasing according to the position of the magnetic housing  80  with regard to the snow guard. Also shown are bottom plate  38 , snow guard or top plate  48 , slots  86  and springs  88 . 
   Turning to  FIG. 15 , shown therein is an illustrative top view of the lock element of the present invention. Shown is the lock element in the unlocked at  90  and locked at  92  position wherein magnetic pins  76  have interior spring members  78  that have a natural tendency to provide a bias to pull the pins from the apertures  82  and unlock the device when the magnetic housing  80  with magnetic element  84  is in the extended position. Closing the gap between the magnetic housing  80  and the top plate or snow guard  48  locks the device when the opposing magnetic forces of the magnetic element  84  and the magnetic pins  76  overcome the bias presented by the springs  78  and urge the pins into their respective apertures  82 . Other elements previously shown are also disclosed. 
   Turning to  FIG. 16 , shown therein is a sectional view of an alternate of the pivot element of the present invention. Shown is a sectional view of the rotative mechanism. The rotative mechanism is comprised of a bottom plate  38 , which is secured to the snowboard by fasteners  34 . Positioned within the bottom plate  38  is the pivot plate  40  which is retained therein by the top ring  42 , which is fixed to the bottom plate by fasteners. The top plate  48  is threadedly fastened at  52  to the bottom plate  38  and serves as means for attaching the binding having a plurality of threaded apertures. Positioned between the bottom  38  and top plate  48  is a bearing  46  that reduces the friction during motion of the top plate relative to the bottom plate. There can also be a locking mechanism  94  that is pivotally fastened to the exterior of the top plate  48  having posts extending through an aperture in the bottom plate and extending into the pivot plate along with a metal spring clip  96 . Other elements previously disclosed are also shown. 
   Turning to  FIG. 17 , shown therein is a sectional view of an alternate of the pivot element of the present invention. Shown is a sectional view of the rotative mechanism. The rotative mechanism is comprised of a bottom plate  38 , which is secured to the snowboard by fasteners  34 . Positioned within the bottom plate  38  is the pivot plate  40  which is retained therein by the top ring  42 , which is fixed to the bottom plate by fasteners. The top plate  48  is threadedly fastened at  52  to the bottom plate  38  and serves as means for attaching the binding having a plurality of threaded apertures. Positioned between the bottom  38  and top plate  48  is a bearing  46  that reduces the friction during motion of the top plate relative to the bottom plate. There can also be a locking mechanism  94  that is pivotally fastened to the exterior of the top plate  48  having posts extending through an aperture in the bottom plate and extending into the pivot plate along with a spring  98 . Other elements previously disclosed are also shown.