Abstract:
An apparatus for a board binding system. A board can include a channel that includes the a first magnet. A plurality of caps can be affixed to the board, separated by a distance capable of holding a binding assembly. An adjusting plate can be affixed to the binding assembly. The adjusting plate can secure the binding assembly to the board via engagement with the plurality of caps. The binding assembly can include a second magnet. The binding assembly can be configured to dock or undock with the plurality of caps by arranging the second magnet above the first magnet and rotating the binding assembly.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claim priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/944,316 filed on Feb. 25, 2014, entitled “Board Sport Binding Mechanism.” 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     When riding a snowboard, kiteboard, or wakeboard, each of the user&#39;s boots is secured to the board surface with an apparatus called a “binding.” The bindings keep the user and board from separating during the ride down the slope or across the water. Bindings are also commonly configured to transfer forces from the user to the board, allowing the user to control the board during the ride. 
     For snowboarding, one common type of binding for use with a snowboard may be referred to as a “strap-in” binding that may be designed to receive a boot, such as, for example, a “soft boot.” A strap-in binding commonly incorporates one or more adjustable straps that when tightened push the user&#39;s boot against the relatively rigid interior surfaces of the binding. The pressure of the straps and the interior surfaces hold the boot in the binding while the snowboard is in use and help the user to control the snowboard. 
     Another common type of snowboard binding may be referred to a “step-in” binding. A step-in binding may incorporate a relatively flat base that includes a mechanism that connects to hinges, fixtures, or other mechanisms on the bottom of the user&#39;s boot. A boot for use with a step-in binding is typically more rigid and sturdy than one typically used with a strap-in binding, and the rigid structures of the boot may transmit forces exerted by the user to the board, helping the user to control it. The construction that makes a boot for use with a step-in binding may also make the boot heavier than a soft boot, however, as may the hardware built into the boot that is needed to secure the boot to the snowboard. 
     Inconveniences attend the use of either of the strap-in binding and the step-in binding. For example, securing a boot inside a strap-in binding commonly requires that the user&#39;s hands be available to tighten the straps. A common problem is that a snowboard user cannot ride directly off of a ski lift and onto a slope, as skiers may do, because the user typically must first get off of the ski lift and then secure the remaining unattached boot to the appropriate binding. Also, when snowboarders ride the lift with one boot in the binding and one boot out of the binding, the entire weight of the snowboard causes a strain on the single foot and boot strapped into the binding. 
     Step-in bindings, as mentioned above, commonly entail using boots that may be heavier and stiffer than the soft boots that may typically be used with a strap-in binding. The weight and rigidity may make such boots less comfortable to wear than soft boots, and even experienced snowboard users may feel that the weight and rigidity compromise the user&#39;s control of the snowboard during a ride. 
     For wakeboarding and kiteboarding, two common types of bindings for use with the board may be referred to as an “open-toe” or “closed-toe” bindings. Both of these bindings may be designed to receive a foot without a boot as the binding itself incorporates the supportive structure around the user&#39;s foot and ankle to act as the boot as well as the interface to connect to the board and enable the user to control the board. Effectively, this boot/binding combination remains permanently fixed to the boards surface during normal use via threaded screws and threaded inserts in the board. Another common type of binding, primarily used for kiteboarding, may be referred to as a “strap” that may be designed to receive the foot without any supportive boot structure. The strap commonly incorporates a base underneath the foot and a strap stemming from that base that wraps laterally, from the arch of the foot, around the top of the foot with the heel and toes exposed. 
     Inconveniences attend the use of the open-toe and closed-toe binding. Due to the binding being affixed to the board for use via threaded screws and inserts, it is difficult to customize the fit of the binding for each individual user. Also, to secure feet into the bindings, each user must take a considerable amount of time to insert his or her feet into the binding to secure them tightly. This is done sometimes on land or on the boat, but also in the water. This inconvenience adds considerable amount of time when interchanging riders on the wakeboard. 
     Straps also have several shortcomings when used for kiteboarding. As the user must manage a kite and keep it in the air, the user&#39;s hands are usually required for such an operation, thus making securing of the foot into the straps very difficult. This requirement is one of the reasons why kiteboarders use straps as opposed to open-toe or closed-toe bindings that require the use of hands to adjust and secure them for usage. Also, when a kiteboarder is executing maneuvers such as flips and spins, straps fail to provide the proper support to keep the board securely on the user&#39;s feet and thereby can cause the board to fall off or become difficult to manage. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     A board binding can comprise three main cooperating parts or assemblies. A first part, referred to as a “binding assembly,” may be secured to a user&#39;s soft boot. A second part, referred to as the “caps,” may comprise two components that house locking components that may be secured permanently to the board. A third part, referred to as the “magnets,” may comprise a single magnet or plurality of magnets that are embedded in the board&#39;s surface or on top of the board. The binding assembly and the caps may be detached from one another and may also be securely reattached to each other with aid of the magnets so that the user can ride the board. By means of example, the binding assembly may house magnets that, when they come in close proximity to magnets housed in the board, may unite the binding assembly, board, and caps via magnetic attraction and align the binding assembly with components in the caps that could enable the user to engage a mechanical lock. 
     The binding assembly, caps, and the magnets may be configured to help a user to join the binding assembly and caps without use of the hands. For example, the user may wear a soft boot secured in a binding assembly and may by moving the leg or foot align the binding assembly with the caps via the force of the magnets, allowing the components to be docked together. The user may then by rotating the foot cause the components to engage with each other to prevent the components from separating. 
     Continuing to rotate the foot may cause a locking mechanism to engage, keeping the components joined in a configuration for use. The locking mechanism may keep the components in this configuration until manually disengaged. 
     A board binding can comprise a binding assembly configured to accept a boot while the boot is being worn by a user and comprising one or more adjustable straps located to secure the boot in the binding assembly. The binding assembly is capable of being secured to a board while the boot being worn by the user is secured in the binding assembly. The binding assembly may be capable of being separated from the board while the boot being worn by the user is secured in the binding assembly. 
     A board binding apparatus can comprise a binding assembly that may be configured to accept a boot while the boot is being worn by a user and comprises one or more adjustable straps located to secure the boot in the binding assembly. The board binding apparatus can also comprise caps that are permanently affixed to a board deck and capable of being locked to the binding assembly and released from the binding assembly. 
     The binding assembly and the caps may be configured to be docked with one another prior to being locked together. The binding assembly can comprise one or more magnets. The board can comprise one or more magnets, The magnets in the binding assembly and the magnets in the board may be configured to attract the binding assembly and the caps to each other in a docked configuration. Further, when the caps and the binding assembly are in a docked configuration, rotating the binding assembly around an axis perpendicular to the board deck may mechanically engage the binding assembly and the caps. Further rotating the binding assembly around the axis may engage a locking mechanism in the caps that prevents reversing the rotation, thereby securing the binding assembly and the caps in an engaged and aligned position for use. 
     The caps can comprise one or more shelves. The binding assembly can comprise one or more protrusions referred to as “nubs.” The shelves and the nubs may be located in relation to one another so as not to interfere with docking the binding assembly to the caps, but also so that rotating the binding assembly around an axis perpendicular to the board deck causes the shelves to overlap the nubs in a configuration that prevents separation of the binding assembly from the caps and the surface of the board. The nubs may move along a vertical axis until a point at which they are located relatively along the same plan as the shelves. At that point, the binding assembly may be rotated horizontally, rotating and positioning the nubs underneath the caps, at which point, the nubs will be prevented from further vertical movement as they have slid underneath the caps. 
     Further rotating the binding assembly around the axis may engage a locking mechanism that prevents reversing the rotation, thereby securing the binding assembly and the caps in an engaged and aligned position for use. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts the caps affixed to a board deck and a channel in the board housing a series of magnets. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a portion of the binding assembly, viewed from above, docked with the caps via the alignment of the magnets in the binding assembly with the magnets in the channel in the board. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a portion of the binding assembly, viewed from above, mechanically locked with the caps on top of the board deck after the user counters the force of the magnets and rotates the binding assembly in an axis perpendicular to the surface of the board. 
         FIG. 4  depicts the binding assembly, viewed from above, docked with the caps via the alignment of the magnets in the binding assembly with the magnets in the channel in the board. 
         FIG. 5  depicts the binding assembly, viewed from above, mechanically locked with the caps on top of the board deck after the user counters the force of the magnets and rotates the binding assembly in an axis perpendicular to the surface of the board. 
         FIG. 6  depicts the angle alignment mechanism in the binding assembling, set at approximately 15 degrees. 
         FIG. 7  depicts the binding assembly with straps and highback positioned on board for normal usage. 
         FIG. 8  is a view facing the binding assembly incorporating caps with a tethered leash used to disengage the locking mechanism in order to remove the binding assembly from the caps and board. 
         FIG. 9  is a view facing the binding assembly and caps showing the retention of the binding assembly in a position for normal usage. 
         FIG. 10  shows the bottom view of the binding assembly  125  with the magnets  140  in the adjusting plate  135  visible that attract to the magnets  150  in the channel and the nubs  115  that interact with the shelves  160  in the caps  105  to keep the binding assembly  125  from moving during usage. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  depicts the caps  105  affixed to a board  110 . As depicted, the cooperating component may comprise magnets  150  inside a channel  120  in the board  110 . The caps  105  are depicted without the binding assembly  125 . 
     A user may use a snowboard, for example, by riding the snowboard down a slope while the user is secured to the snowboard. A user may use a wakeboard or kiteboard, for example, by riding across the water being pulled by a marine vehicle, motorized cable, or kite while the user is secured to the wakeboard or kiteboard. 
       FIG. 2  depicts the caps  105  that may be permanently held to the top of a board  110 . For example, the feature or configuration held permanently may or may not be alterable without causing damage to the assembly  100  or any one or more parts of it, and, if alterable, making such alteration may or may not involve appropriate tools. 
     Methods of securing the caps  105  to the board  110  can include, for example, a board  110  with threaded metal inserts (not pictured) incorporated. Caps  105  may be fastened, e.g., directly to the board  110  by one or more fasteners  130  such as threaded bolts, screws, or studs, that pass through one or more holes in the caps  105  into the threaded inserts in the board. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6 , and  FIG. 7 , the binding assembly  125  may not be directly affixed to the board  110 , but may be held firmly against the board  110  and prevented from rotating by an adjusting or pivoting plate  135 . The adjusting plate  135  may be affixed to the binding assembly  125  by threaded fasteners  130  that pass through respective holes in the adjusting plate  135 . The adjusting plate  135  may be connected to the binding assembly  125  and adjusted as part of the binding assembly  125  to provide the user with a particular stance angle when using the board  110  such as in  FIG. 7 , where the adjusting plate  135  is set to approximately 15 degrees. The angle of the adjusting plate being 15 degrees is for illustrative purposes, as the angle may be 0 to 30 degrees. In addition, the adjusting plate  135  can be of any shape that can assist in the alignment of the magnet  150  in the board  110  to the magnets  140  in the binding assembly  100 . For example, instead of a disc as depicted, the adjusting plate  135  can have a spherical, circular, triangular, rectangular, triskelion, bowtie-like, horseshoe (U), chi (X), torus (O), or any polygonal shape. 
     Returning to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , tightening the fasteners  130  (not shown) may cause the adjusting plate  135  to stay in a fixed position inside the binding assembly  125 , thereby aligning the nubs  115  at a particular alignment outside of the binding assembly  125 . The alignment of the binding assembly  125  relative to the board  110  may be set, e.g., when the binding assembly  125  is secured to the board deck  110  via the caps  105 . The pressure exerted by the adjusting plate may hold the binding assembly  125  firmly and securely to the caps  105  on top of the board  110 , and may inhibit rotation of the binding assembly  125  relative to the caps  105  and board  110 . The alignment of the binding assembly  125  relative to the board deck  110  may be adjusted by loosening the fasteners  130 , rotating the binding assembly  125  into a desired alignment, and then tightening the fasteners  130 . 
     The dimensions of the binding assembly  125  and the adjusting plate  135  may be such that, e.g., when the fasteners  130  are fully tightened, the bottom of the adjusting plate  135  may be flush with the bottom of the binding assembly  125 . In  FIG. 10 , the adjusting plate  135  is tightened to the binding assembly  125  such that the bottom of the adjusting plate  135  housing the magnets  140  are flush with the bottom of the binding assembly  125 . This may enable the magnets  140  in the binding to come in contact with the magnets  150  in the channel in order to allow for optimal magnetic attraction between the components. This may, in line, position the nubs  115  on the adjusting plate  135  on a horizontal plane so that the user may rotate the binding assembly  125  about a vertical axis. Further, the nubs  115  may engage the cams  175  and force their rotation in order for the nubs to enter the cap assembly. The adjusting plate  135  may house magnets  140  that may be flush or nearly flush to the bottom of the adjusting plate  135 . These magnets  140  may attract and be attracted to magnets  150  in the channel  120  of the board  110  as depicted in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 7 . 
     The board  110  may comprise one or more permanent magnets  145 . For example, the binding assembly  125  may comprise cutouts  155 , each with a flanged rim that is sufficient in extent and strength to retain one of the magnets  145  in the respective cutout  155  despite attraction between the magnet and any outside objects. The strength of such flanged rim should be sufficient enough to prevent the magnets  150  from being pulled out of the channel  120  by its own magnetic force or the combined force of such magnets  145  with another ferrous object. One or more of the magnets  145  may be, e.g., partially covered by or encased in, a material such as nickel or plastic to protect or improve the durability of the magnet  145 . The one or more magnets may be encased inside the binding assembly  125  itself. 
     One or more of the magnets  140  may be glued to the surface of the board  110  or otherwise fixed inside the body of the board  110  via a channel  150 . One or more of the permanent magnets  140  (not pictured) may be embedded in the actual material of the board  110  itself, making the top sheet of the board  110  ferrous. One or more of the magnets  140  may be fixed to the board  110  in a manner capable of exerting attractive or repulsive forces on an object above but relatively near to the board  110 . For example, depending on the strength of the magnets, the magnets  140  may exert attractive or repulsive forces on an object such as the binding assembly  125  within a foot of the board  110 . 
     Other ways may exist to incorporate one or more magnets in the board  110 . For example, no portion of either magnet  140 ,  145  may protrude from the surface of the board  110  or binding assembly  125 . 
     The caps  105  may comprise two separate sets of shelves  150 , which project parallel to the board  110 . Each shelf  150  may describe, e.g., a portion of an hypothetical circle (e.g., the arc of a circle) such that all shelves  150  describe respective portions of the same hypothetical circle. 
     One set of shelves  150  (the “left lateral shelves”  155 ) may be, e.g., on the edge of the board  110  nearest the left side of the user&#39;s foot. The left lateral shelves  155  may comprise, e.g., two shelves. In this example, the left lateral shelves  155  may be, e.g., ¼ of an inch from the surface of the board  110 . The same or similar dimensions may be used, e.g., for the two depicted right lateral shelves  160 . 
     The width of the shelves  150  may vary depending, e.g., on the strength and flexibility of the material or materials used and the manner of construction; the shelves  150  are ¼ inch wide. All shelves  150  may be the same thickness and width, but one or more of the shelves  150  may differ in thickness, width, or both from one or more other shelves  150 . 
     Some or all of the shelves  150  may be made, for example, as integral parts of the board  110  or as distinct parts, that may be affixed directly or indirectly to the board  110  during manufacturing. 
     In  FIG. 7 , a board binding may comprise a binding assembly  125 . The binding assembly  125  is configured to receive and retain a boot (not pictured), which may be worn by the user while the board is in use. For example, a binding assembly  125  may be configured, e.g., in a manner similar to that of a strap-in binding, such as described above, to receive a soft boot (not depicted) and to secure it in place with one or more adjustable straps  180  that are capable of holding the boot against the base  165  of the binding assembly  125  and a highback  170 . 
     As described in more detail below, the binding assembly  125  may be configured to dock with the caps  105 , e.g., guided or otherwise assisted by magnetic forces. Once docked, structures of the binding assembly  125 , the nubs  115 , may be engaged with structures of the caps  120 , the cams  175 , to hold the components together. While engaged, the components may be secured to one another in a configuration for use. A locking mechanism, comprising nubs  115  and cams  175 , may hold the bases in an engaged and secured configuration until manually released. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 7 , the base  165  of the binding assembly  125  may contain one or more permanent magnets  140 . One or more of the magnets  140  may be affixed to or embedded in the base  165  or the adjusting plate  145 . For example, one or more of the magnets  145  may be affixed to or embedded in the board  110 . One or more of the magnets  140 ,  145  may be, e.g., partially covered by or encased in a material such as nickel or plastic to protect or to improve the durability of the magnet  140 ,  145 . Further, no part of the magnets  140 ,  145  protrudes from the lower surface of the binding assembly  125  of the board  110 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 7 , the relative polarities of the magnets  140 ,  145  as installed, may be such that the magnets  140 ,  145  attract one another. For example, when the upright binding assembly  125  is placed vertically above the board  110 , aligned as depicted in  FIG. 7 . The respective polarities may also be chosen such that the respective pairs of magnets  140 ,  145  are mutually repelled. For example, if the binding assembly  125  is rotated 180 degrees relative to the board  110  from the alignment that  FIG. 7  depicts. 
     The corresponding magnets  140  in the board  110  and the magnets  145  in the binding assembly  125  may be substantially equal in size. For example, the dimensions of the magnet  140  in the board can be 2 inches by 1 inch by 0.125 inch and the dimensions of the magnet  145  in the binding assembly may be 2 inches by 1 inch by 0.25 inch, varying in depth by 0.125 inch. These dimensions are for illustrative purposes, as the width, height, or depth of the magnets may vary by 0 inch to 6 inches. Furthermore, there may be a differing number of magnets in the binding assembly  125  and the board  110 . For example, these dimensions may be comprised of a single magnet that is 4 inches by 1 inch by 0.25 inch or multiple magnets, such as 16 magnets that are 0.25 inch by 1 inch by 0.25 inch. In addition, the shapes of the magnets may vary. These shapes can include, for example, rectangular bars, disc, spheres, cubes, horseshoes, cylinders, rings, or other polygon shapes. Magnets  140  and  145  may also be permanent magnets, temporary magnets, electromagnets, or any other ferrous material. The corresponding magnets  140 ,  145  may be vertically aligned relative to each other when the binding assembly  125  and the board  110  are placed relative to one another, e.g., at an angle such as  FIG. 7  depicts. 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 2-7 , with magnets configured magnetic attraction may hold the board  110  to the binding assembly  125  in an alignment. The magnets  140 ,  145  may be chosen to be sufficiently strong such that the depicted alignment may be maintained, e.g., against gravity or incidental forces, until the user chooses to exert sufficient force to disturb that alignment. Magnets may comprise, e.g., neodymium or other rare-earth magnets, but any sufficiently strong and compact magnets may be used. 
     One or more magnets may be replaced, e.g., with a piece of ferromagnetic material (not pictured). Each piece of ferromagnetic material in one component may correspond, e.g., to a magnet in the other component, e.g., such that magnetic attraction will pull the components together into a docked configuration. 
     The binding assembly  105  may comprise nubs  115 , e.g., corresponding to the shelf features  150  of the caps  105 . The nubs  140  may circumscribe portions of an imaginary circle in a manner similar to that in which the shelves  150  of the caps  105  describe portions of an imaginary circle. The imaginary circle that the nubs  115  circumscribe may have a slightly smaller diameter than that described by the shelves  150 , which may, e.g., be consistent with the functions of the nubs  115  and shelves described below. 
     The placement and dimensions of the nubs  115  may be such that, for some relative placements of the caps  105  and the binding assembly  125 , the nubs  115  and shelves  150  may be in an underlapping/overlapping configuration. For example, in a configuration or alignment in which one or more of the nubs  115  may be located wholly or partially underneath one or more of the shelves  150 , e.g., as a result of rotation of the binding assembly  125  relative to the board  110 , the shelf  150  may, e.g., prevent the binding assembly  125  from being simply pulled apart from the board  110 . The orientation of the binding assembly  125  relative to the board  110  may be changed, e.g., by rotation of the binding assembly  125  in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction, before the components may be separated. 
     In  FIG. 8 , the binding assembly  125  is connected to the board  110  for normal usage.  FIG. 9  shows the positioning of the nub underneath the shelves  160  in the cap  105  after the user has rotated the binding assembly  125  about the vertical axis and mechanically locked the binding assembly  125  and the leash  185  that can be used to disengage the locking mechanism. To release the binding assembly  125  from the board  110 , the user can simply pull the leash  185  that is connected to the cams  175  via a metallic wire to rotate them about the vertical axis. The rotation may enable the user to further rotate the bindings assembly  125  about the vertical axis to free the nubs  115  of any vertical obstruction by the caps  175 . Other unlocking mechanisms can be used besides the leash. For example, a mechanical lever that can be pushed down, hook that can be pulled, arm that can be pushed down, O-ring that can be pulled, wedge that can be pulled, screw that can be loosened, or any other mechanical component can be used to disengage the binding assembly. In addition, the unlocking mechanism can be connected to the cams  175  used other material besides a metallic wire, such as plastic, textile fiber, synthetic, or composite materials. 
     For example, the shelves  150  on the caps  105  may have the dimensions described above The nubs  115  of the binding assembly may be approximately ¼ of an inch thick and flush with the bottom of the binding assembly and flush with the underside of the shelves  150 . The relative sizes and alignments of the shelves  150  and nubs  115  may be such that the nubs  115  may slide relatively unimpeded below the shelves  150 , e.g., as the binding assembly  125  is rotated relative to the board  110 , until a point of maximum rotation is achieved. 
     As the binding assembly  125  is rotated relative to the board  110  towards a configuration in which the components are secured together for use, the relative tightness of the joining of the components may increase, e.g., to prevent or reduce any wobbling or other unsteadiness in the joint. One or more of the shelves  150  or nubs  115  may taper (not pictured) to increase this firmness as the relative rotation increases. The required rotational force may increase as the degree of rotation increases, but the required force may not require subjectively excessive exertion by the user 
     Returning to  FIG. 4 , as depicted, the caps  105  and a binding assembly  125  are in what may be referred to as a docked configuration. In such a configuration, the corresponding meeting surfaces of the components may sufficiently flush against one another to present no substantial impediments to rotating the components relative to each other while maintaining substantial contact between the surfaces. As depicted, in this configuration, no overlap may exist between any of the nubs  115  and any of the shelf features  150  such as might interfere with the contact between the meeting surfaces of the components. 
     As depicted in the figures, the magnets may tend to hold the components in a docked alignment such as  FIG. 4  depicts. Geometry or one or more corresponding structures on one or both components may serve to guide the components into a docked configuration or to retain them in such a configuration, in addition to or instead of magnets as described above. Rotation may be used to engage structures that retain the components in a joined configuration, any such structures may be designed not to interfere with such rotation. For example, a circular indentation (not pictured) in the underside of the binding assembly  125  may correspond to a circular raised portion (not pictured) on the upper side of the caps  105 . 
     The corresponding nubs  115  and shelves  150  may engage to retain the binding after minimal counterclockwise or clockwise rotation. Maximal counterclockwise or clockwise rotation may be achieved when the lateral edges of the components are evenly aligned with one another. For example, beginning from the docked configuration, the binding assembly  125  may rotate counterclockwise or clockwise through an angle of 20 degrees, at which point a locking mechanism engages.  FIG. 4  depicts the components in such a configuration. One nub  140  may encounter the edge of a cam  175  adjoining the shelves  150  to impede rotation beyond the point of maximum relative rotation, while the other nub  140  may encounter another cam  175  that then may rotate against the force of a spring about an axis perpendicular to the board  110 . 
     At this point of relative rotation, a locking mechanism may secure the components in their relative positions, e.g., making the board and binding ready for riding. At some degree of rotation, the nub  140  may no longer contact the cam  175 , and the torsion force of the spring may counteract the rotation of the cam  175  and return to its original orientation. In conjunction with the shelves  150 , the cams  175  may act to keep the nubs  115  and, subsequently, the entire binding assembly  125  firmly in place. While the shelves  160  prevent vertical retrograde, the cams  175  can prevent horizontal retrograde after the nubs  115  are positioned between them. After the nubs  115  engage and rotate the cams  175 , due to the force of the user rotating the binding assembly  125 , the torsion springs can force the cams  175  back into their original orientation (like closing a door). If the user attempts to counter-rotate at this point to disengage the locking mechanism, they are prevented from disengaging as the cams  175  hold the nubs  115  in place. These cams  175  can be rotated to allow for the rotation of the binding assembly  125  and removal of the nubs  115  manually by the user by pulling on the leash  185  that is attached to the cam  175 , forces of which causes the cam to rotate about an axis point where they no longer obstruct the nubs  115  from movement. 
       FIG. 5  depicts the binding assembly  125  and the caps  105  at maximal relative rotation, in a locked configuration. 
     or Components may be made of any one or more materials separately or in combination. For example, materials for the caps  105 , binding assembly  125 , or channel  150  may include, plastic (including but not limited to polycarbonate or other thermoplastics), nylon, glass injected plastic, carbon fiber, graphene, and aluminum and other lightweight, durable metals, among many other materials. 
     The dimensions of the components may reflect the intended use, including, for example, considerations such as the expected sizes of the board  110  to which the caps  105  may be secured and the boot (and, by extension, the user&#39;s foot) that may be secured within the binding assembly  125 . In one example, the caps may be roughly  6  inches apart (left to right in relation to the user&#39;s foot and boot), approximately 4 inches long (toes to heel in relation to the user&#39;s foot and boot), and approximately ½ inch thick. The caps  105  may match the outline dimensions of the binding assembly  125  to create a flush fit when the entire system is locked and operable. These dimensions are for illustrative purposes, as the components may be designed with different dimensions and proportionalities. 
     A user may dock, engage, and lock the components  105  and  125 . The components  105  and  125  may permit a user to easily secure the user&#39;s foot to a board for use without use of the hands. For example, a user may be seated on a ski lift when considering snowboarding or standing on a beach when considering kiteboarding, with one foot secured to the board by a binding. The user&#39;s other foot may be wearing a boot that is secured within a binding assembly  125 , and the binding assembly  125  may correspond to caps  105  that are permanently secured to the board deck  110 . 
     In such circumstances, the user may dock the caps  105  with the binding assembly  125 , e.g., by moving a foot so that the bottom of the foot (and thus the bottom of the binding assembly  125 ) is within a few inches of the top of the board  110 , canted approximately 20 degrees counterclockwise or clockwise to the caps  105 . So aligned, The magnetic attraction may draw the caps  105  and the binding assembly  125  into a docked configuration. 
     Having docked the caps  105  and binding assembly  125 , the user may then rotate the boot and the enclosing binding assembly  125  20 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise to a point of maximum relative rotation at which the edges of the components  105 ,  125  may be flush with one another. The cams  175  may then engage the nubs  115 , holding the caps  105  and binding assembly  125  in such a relative alignment until released by the user. 
     The relative placement and sizes of the nubs  115  and shelves  150  may hold the components firmly together. While locked in such a position, the effect of the joined components may be considered equivalent to creating a solid ½ inch base under the user&#39;s foot.