Abstract:
The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for determining a custom fit stance for the user of a board-type conveyance such as a snowboard, wake board, or the like. The apparatus comprises a housing having top, bottom, front, back and side walls defining a space within, leveling means extending downward from the bottom of the housing and an anti-slip surface on the top of the housing, at least one plate linearly translatable across a portion of the top of the housing and having a first binding mounting plate separately radially rotatable thereon, a second binding mounting plate spaced from the linearly translatable mounting plate and radially rotatable relative to the housing and separate and independent of the first binding mounting plate, means for separately and independently rotating the first binding mounting plate and the second binding mounting plate, and means for linearly translating the movable plate and the first binding mounting plate relative to the second binding mounting plate.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method, the purpose of which is to establish a means of designating a custom fit stance for the user of a board-type conveyance such as a snowboard, wake board, or the like. This will reduce the risk of injury to the lower extremities and increase the user&#39;s performance. The apparatus and method are particularly applicable to use with snowboards. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   A stance represents the way a snowboarder stands on his/her snowboard that should be comfortable, natural and stable. The stance determines the way the bindings mount onto the snowboard according to personal preference. A snowboarder&#39;s stance is comprised of three variables: the angle of the left foot, the angle of the right foot and the distance between the feet. By determining a custom fit stance to reduce abnormal stresses on the knees and ankles, the rider may feel more comfort on the board before setting foot on the mountain. 
   Currently there is no means of designating a custom fit stance to a customer for his/her newly purchased or rented snowboard. The rental shop provides a board according to the customer&#39;s height, weight, and favored foot. The bindings are situated randomly, disregarding his/her lower physiology. Even when the customer buys a brand new board, the shops rarely set the board up for the customer&#39;s individual physiology. Rookie snowboarders are constantly sent out onto the slopes without any stance knowledge. 
   Everyone&#39;s lower physiology is different. Mathematically there are hundreds of thousands of ways to mount the bindings to the board. Even the different styles of boots and bindings can affect the users&#39; stance. The snowboard market needs the convenience of a device that simulates the typical snowboard, yet is capable of manipulating the foot placement while the customer is on the device with his/her feet in a chosen set of bindings. The device must allow the user to adjust the binding stance according to the individual&#39;s comfort and stability on the board. The stance positioning must be easily measured quantitatively and transformed into dimensions that can be used to mount the bindings onto the board in the same position. Being able to adjust the angles of each individual foot and the width between the feet into a comfortable position will maximize the rider&#39;s performance and confidence while minimizing the loading on the joints, thus preventing injury. 
   Currently, U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,959 Soejima discloses a method for positioning bindings to be fitted to a snowboard and a device therefore. The device comprises a snowboard shaped base with a pair of binding mounting discs thereon. However we note that the device only provides for determining and adjusting the rotational or axial deviation. There is no provision for determining a longitudinal position (stance width) for the bindings. With regard to longitudinal spacing between left and right foot bindings on a snowboard, prior art teaches such adjustment when bindings are actually mounted onto the board not on a measuring device prior to actually mounting the bindings on the board. 
   The angles of the left and right feet are very important for mounting the bindings onto the snowboard. But the distance between the feet is essential for proper stance configuration. Soejima clearly overlooked this concept. Foot angulations will change if the distance between the feet changes. Foot angles are directly proportional to the angle between the upper legs (femur bones). As the angle between the femur bones increases, the stance width increases. The lower leg remains at a fixed position in relation to the respective femur, translating into the angular position of the respective foot. As the distance between the feet increases, there will be an increase in external (lateral/outward) rotation of both feet. Angle of the foot is dependant upon the rotation of the hip. The distance between the feet can range from roughly 15″ to 24″ so the foot angulations will change respectively. Soejima does not take into consideration that the angles of the left and right feet are a direct function of the distance between the feet. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The device of the present invention will allow for intuitive testing of a person for their proper stance. The subject must designate whether he/she is right or left footed in order to determine a regular (left foot forward) or goofy stance (right foot forward). The subject&#39;s bindings will be mounted to the device. With boots tied to his/her feet, the subject stands on the device, straps into his/her bindings and begins with a stance width that is shoulder width apart, the average of the maximum stance and the minimum stance (for optimal side to side stability). The rider should look in the downhill direction (over the right or left shoulder depending on stance) and bend the knees slightly. The feet should be spread to a distance comfortable to the rider at several different degrees of flexion. 
   Once a reasonable stance width is found, the angles of the feet should be adjusted. The feet angles are moved outwards at any given increment until comfortable knee bending can occur through 90 degrees of flexion. The subject should bend his/her knees slightly while looking in the downhill direction and notice any uncomfortable stresses throughout the lower extremities. In an improper stance, the feet naturally turn inward or outward and press against the side of the boot, preventing the foot from turning. As a result the leg is twisted, producing a torque-like stress on the ankle and up to the knee. Adjusting the foot angle in the appropriate direction to relieve the pressure point reduces this stress. 
   For freestyle riding, negative rear foot angles or those close to 0 degrees are preferred while higher angles are preferred for carving. Further testing may be required on the mountain to determine if centering or offsetting the stance on the board optimizes stability, comfort and mobility. 
   The following list highlights the important concepts when determining a proper stance: 
   Maximum stability in all directions. The rider will tend to be least stable in the direction perpendicular to where the feet point when the rider&#39;s feet are placed close together. Also, for larger bases of support there will be better distribution of the body weight between the two legs and therefore, more stability. Large stance widths will yield a large base of support thus being more stable. On the other hand, a stance that is too wide will hinder knee bending and proper weight transfer. 
   Maximum mobility. In order to perform maneuvers, the rider needs to be able to shift his/her center of gravity from side to side. This becomes harder as the stance width increases. 
   A knee flexion angle of 90°. The ability to bend the knees to 90° flexion is important for both mobility and stability. The knees act as a spring for absorbing the energy of impact. The less flexion allowed, the greater the risk of injury at impact. The stance angle and stance width both limit flexion. 
   Maximum comfort. Comfort is the most important factor to consider. If the rider experiences initial tension in the muscles or joints in a basic stance, there is greater risk of serious injury when the joints are set in motion. Minimizing the loads by adjusting to a comfortable stance will lead to maximum comfort. 
   The design of the device stems from the idea of creating a custom fit stance to accommodate every rider&#39;s physiology. Many design criteria fit into the development of the device. The mechanism must accommodate both regular and goofy (right and left respectively) footed riders and securely support the weight of the rider with his/her equipment while successfully representing a real snowboard. The use of universal components in the device guides many decisions in the design for simplicity. An internal structure provides linear motion and radial motion. Digital/analog outputs give dimensions to the three variables of the stance. 
   In particular, the present invention presents an apparatus for determining the correct stance for snowboarders and mounting position for bindings comprising: a housing having top, bottom, front, rear and side panels and defining a space within, at least one movable plate linearly translatable across the top of the housing, a first binding mounting plate on the movable plate, a second binding mounting plate fixed to the top of the housing and laterally spaced from said the binding mounting plate, the first and second binding mounting plates being radially rotatable about vertical axes therethrough, and means for independently rotating the first and second binding mounting plates and means for linearly translating the movable plate relative to the second binding mounting plate, whereby lateral spacing and rotational angles of left and right foot bindings corresponding to the correct stance for a snowboarder are determinable and transferable to a snowboard. 
   The present invention further provides an apparatus and for determining a custom fit stance for the user of a board-type conveyance such as a snowboard, wake board, or the like wherein the apparatus comprises a housing having top, bottom, front, back and side walls defining a space within, leveling means extending downward from the bottom of the housing and an anti-slip surface on the top of the housing, at least one plate linearly translatable across a portion of the top of the housing and having a first binding mounting plate separately radially rotatable thereon, a second binding mounting plate spaced from the linearly translatable mounting plate and radially rotatable relative to the housing and separate and independent of the first binding mounting plate, means for separately and independently rotating the first binding mounting plate and the second binding mounting plate, and means for linearly translating the movable plate and the first binding mounting plate relative to the second binding mounting plate. 
   In addition, the present invention provides a method for determining a custom fit stance for a user of a board-type conveyance having foot bindings thereon and for determining correct placement of the bindings on the conveyance for the user, comprising: providing an apparatus comprising a housing having top, bottom, front, back and side walls defining a space within, leveling means extending downward from the bottom of the housing and an anti-slip surface on the top of the housing; at least one plate linearly translatable across a portion of the top of the housing and having a first binding mounting plate separately radially rotatable thereon; a second binding mounting plate spaced from the linearly translatable mounting plate and radially rotatable relative to the housing and separate and independent of the first binding mounting plate; means for separately and independently rotating the first binding mounting plate and the second binding mounting plate and means for linearly translating the movable plate and the first binding mounting plate relative to the second binding mounting plate; determining the user&#39;s leading foot; temporarily securing a set of foot bindings for a board-type conveyance to the binding mounting plates; placing the user&#39;s feet into the bindings; while the user is standing on the apparatus, adjusting the rotational angle of each of the first and second binding mounting plates and the linear separation of the first and second binding mounting plates relative to the user&#39;s lower body physiology, whereby abnormal stress and rotation of the user&#39;s legs is reduced or eliminated; determining the particular angle of rotation for each foot and the linear separation therebetween; and transferring the angles and separation to a board-type conveyance whereby the bindings are removed from the apparatus and mounted on the board-type conveyance at the indicated angle and separation. 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for determining a custom stance for a user of a board-type conveyance. 
   It is a further object to provide an apparatus for determining the correct placement of bindings on a board-type conveyance prior to the mounting of those bindings and to equate that placement with a custom stance for the user. 
   It is a still further object to provide a method and apparatus whereby the user of a board-type conveyance such as a snowboard can obtain an optimum custom stance for his or her style of riding, determine the correct spacing and angular relationship of foot bindings for that stance and transfer that spacing and angular relationship to the board when mounting the bindings thereon. 
   These and additional objects and advantages will become evident from the following description and drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1 . illustrates the angular and linear relationships of the feet in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 2 . is an oblique view of the apparatus of the present invention with a pair of snowboard bindings mounted thereon. 
       FIG. 3 . is a front elevation of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4 . is an exploded view of the housing of the apparatus. 
       FIG. 5 . is an exploded view of the apparatus illustrating the manual adjusting mechanism. 
       FIG. 6 . is a plan view of the top of the housing. 
       FIG. 7 . is a plan view of the linearly translatable movable plate. 
       FIG. 8 . is a plan view of a cosmetic plate for the second binding mounting plate. 
       FIG. 9 . is a top view of a binding mounting plate. 
       FIG. 10 . is a side view of a binding mounting plate. 
       FIG. 11 . is an exploded view of the apparatus illustrating a motorized adjusting mechanism. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1  illustrates the angular and linear relationships of the feet as they apply to riding of snowboards and similar board-type conveyances. The comfort and effectiveness of a rider&#39;s stance are affected by the spacing between the feet, dx, and the angle, d&lt;, of each foot in relation to the spacing. This applies whether the rider has a regular or goofy footed stance. Mounting bindings on a snowboard such that the rider does not have the correct stance for his style of riding and lower physiology, is at best uncomfortable for the rider thereby reducing the enjoyment of the sport, and at worst an incorrect stance can be dangerous in that it can easily result in injury to the legs, hips, knees and ankles. 
   The apparatus of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  and is based around a sheet metal housing structure  1  with a top panel  2  designed to provide the look and feel of an actual snowboard. Sheet metal can be protected &amp; accented with organic coatings and an anti-slip surface on the top platform  2 . Supported by rigid stiffeners underneath, the platform offers plenty of area for the user to stand on while buckling into his/her bindings mounted to the device. 
   Looking at  FIG. 4 , the housing  1  consists of the top  2 , and bottom panels  4 , left  5  and right  6  side panels, and front  7  and rear  8  panels assembled together with screws. Inner supports  9  assemble between top  1  and bottom  4  panels providing strength and rigidity to the housing  1 . Top panel  2  is preferably coated with an anti-slip coating to increase traction while standing on the device. Bottom panel  4  sits on four leveling mounts  10  assuring even weight distribution and level stability of the device on most floor surfaces. Level indicators  11 , such as bubble levels, may be included to assist the operator in leveling the device for use. 
   The user&#39;s bindings  3  fasten to two binding mounting plates  12  with four screws in the four hole pattern  14 , which is standard for snowboard bindings. The binding mounting plates  12  are identical and are illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . Binding mounting plates  12  each have an axle  15  depending vertically therefrom, one end of the axle  15  being received and secured in a collar  13  located centrally on the underside of the binding mounting plate  12 . One binding mounting plate  12  sits concentrically in a hole  16  in a cosmetic top  17  and the other sits concentrically in a hole  16  in the stance width mount  18 . Cosmetic top  17  and stance width mount  18  lay on the upper surface of the top panel  2  and represent a snowboard shape. Cosmetic top  17  is fixed to top panel  2  with screws, whereas stance width mount  18  is provided with a bracket  19  on the underside that extends downward through an E-shaped aperture  20  in the top panel  2 . Bearing means  21  located on the underside of bracket  19  engage rails  22  located on the inside of the bottom panel  4  below E-shaped aperture  20  and provide for smooth movement of stance width mount  18  back and forth. Bearing means  21  and rails  22  may be low friction material, or bearing means  21  may comprise wheels, ball bearings, roller bearings or other reduced friction rolling means cooperating with rails  22  to ease back and forth movement of stance width mount  18 . 
   A recessed case-folding handle  23  mounts into a hole  24  in the right side panel  6 . This handle  23  makes it easy to lift one end of the device so the other end sets onto two casters  25 . The casters  25  allow the device to be conveniently rolled and placed in a desirable location. 
   Returning to the binding mounting plates  12 , as noted, each has an axle  15  depending vertically therefrom and each axle is provided with a miter gear  26  secured thereto. In the case of the binding mounting plate  12  associated with cosmetic top  17 , axle  15  and its miter gear  26  extend downward through an aperture  31  in top panel  2 , which aperture  31  has a diameter no larger than that of binding mounting plate  12 , into housing  1 . The bottom end of axle  15  engages a bearing member  32  on the bottom  4  of housing  1  centrally located below aperture  31 . In this manner, binding mounting plate  12  is supported for ease of rotation when the user is standing thereon. Miter gear  26  engages a corresponding miter gear  27  which is fixed to a shaft  28  horizontally disposed in a flange mount bearing  29  attached to the inside of front panel  7 . Shaft  28  extends through front panel  7  and is provided with a knob  30  on its outer end. 
   Binding mounting plate  12  associated with stance width mount  18  has a similar axle  15 , shaft  28 , gears  26  and  27 , flange mount bearing  29 , knob  30  and bearing member  32  operating in the same manner, except that flange mount bearing  29  and bearing member  32  are located in bracket  19  so that binding mounting plate  12  and its operating mechanism are linearly movable with stance width mount  18  in addition to being able to rotate relative thereto. To accommodate such linear motion, shaft  29  of this assembly passes through a slot  33  in front panel  7  of housing  1 . Bracket  19  is essentially a U-shaped piece secured to the underside of stance width mount  18  that passes through E-shaped aperture  20 , the legs of the U-shaped piece being able to traverse through the upper and lower arms of E-shaped aperture  20  as stance width mount  18  traverses from left to right. The middle arm of E-shaped aperture  20  accommodates axle  15  of binding mounting plate  12 . 
   A rack and spur gear system controls the left and right traversal of stance width mount  18  relative to cosmetic top  17 . In this system, rack  34  mounted to bracket  19  is engaged by spur gear  35  that is fixed on an inner end of shaft  36 . A flange mount bearing  29  is secured to the inside of front panel  7  for spur gear shaft  36  to pass through and a knob  30  is secured to outer end of shaft  36 . Rotation of knob  30  on the end of shaft  36  causes spur gear  35  to rotatably engage rack  34 , thereby causing stance width mount  18  to traverse left and right. 
   On the upper surface of top panel  2 , adjacent to E-shaped aperture  20 , are indicia  37  corresponding to the distance between the center points of binding mounting plates  12 . As the stance width mount  18  is traversed left and right, the appropriate indicia is visible through window  38 , thereby providing a direct indication of the stance width. Around the periphery of holes  16  in cosmetic top  17  and stance width mount  18  are indicia  39  designating the positive and negative angles obtainable by the binding mounting plates  12  of 0° to 90° on each side. Each binding mounting plate  12  is provided with an indicator mark  40  to designate the angular position. 
   Turning any of the three knobs  30  changes the stance settings. Thus, turning knob  30  associated with stance width mount  18  will cause it to traverse left or right, thus changing the width of the user&#39;s stance. Turning knobs  30  associated with the binding mounting plates  12  will rotate the plates  12  on their axles  15  thereby changing the foot angles. By manipulating the knobs  30 , it is possible to obtain optimum stance settings for the user and, by noting the width and foot angle readings, to mount the bindings  3  on a snowboard so as to correspond to the settings and the stance determined using the apparatus of the present invention. 
   After appropriate adjustments are made and once the user is comfortable, the user&#39;s three stance dimensions—stance width, left foot angle &amp; right foot angle—are determined from the respective measurement readings provided by the indicia on the device. Alternatively, electronic measurement means may be provided with an analog or digital display of the three criteria. 
   All mechanical motion and motion transfer components may be replaced or upgraded with electrical or electronic motion and motion transfer components. In addition, where the mechanical components are replaced with electrical or electronic means for adjustment, a wired or wireless remote control unit may be included with controls for adjusting the width and rotation so the customer may make the adjustments himself based on his own perception of the degree of comfort in the stance. 
   In an example of such an alternative embodiment, the manual mechanical adjustment means described above may be replaced with motorized means such as that shown in  FIG. 11 . In this embodiment, electric motors  41  controlled by switches  42  or a remote control unit replace the gear and axle mechanisms of the binding mounting plates  12  and the rack and gear mechanism of the stance width mount  18 . In the case of the binding mounting plates  12 , vertically mounted reversible electric motors  41  provide rotational adjustment, the motor  41  for the binding mounting plate  12  associated with stance width mount  18  being located in bracket  19 . For left and right traversal of stance width mount  18 , a horizontally mounted reversible electric motor  41  drives threaded rod  43  that rotates within threaded follower  44  secured to bracket  19 . Rotation of threaded rod  43  causes follower  44  to move linearly there along thereby causing stance width mount  18  to traverse left and right. Other arrangements of motors, actuators, controllers, and the like adapted to provide the linear movement of stance width mount  18  and the rotational movement of binding mounting plates  12  while a user is standing thereon may be used without departing from the scope of this invention. 
   The focus of the device is to predict a stance width and foot angle for an individual based on the loads experienced during snowboarding and pre-existing conditions of the individual&#39;s lower extremities. The device is engineered so a rider can stand on a representation of a snowboard device to position his/her feet in a pose that is most comfortable for the rider&#39;s lower extremities. This will decrease post snowboarding pains by eliminating abnormal strains in the lower extremities. Providing the rider with the most comfortable stance will also minimize the risk of injury and maximize the rider&#39;s performance. 
   While the invention has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.