Abstract:
An apparatus for binding a boot to a base plate of a snowboard, having: a first band mounted on a first side of the base plate; a second band mounted on a second side of the base plate opposite the first side of the base plate in a width direction, the second band being removably attached to the first band, so as to fasten a toe end portion of the boot to the base plate wherein the second band fastens the toe end portion at an acute angle with respect to the base plate and the toe end portion of the boot.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to a binding for a snowboard.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    Now, FIG. 30 is an explanatory view of a conventional binding for a snowboard. In FIG. 30, reference numeral  1  designates a base plate to be fixed to a snowboard main body (not shown);  2 : a boot;  3 : a back support fixed to the rear end of the base plate  1  in such a manner that it can be contacted with the rear surface of the boot  2 ;  4 : a cushion mounted on the inner surface of the back support  3 ;  5 : an ankle strap disposed on the base plate  1  for fastening the instep of the boot  2 ;  6 : ankle strap pad mounted on the inner surface of the ankle strap  5 ;  7 : a toe strap disposed on the base plate  1  for fastening the tiptoe portion of the boot  2 ; and  8 : a toe strap pad mounted on the inner surface of the toe strap  7 , respectively.  
           [0005]    Now, FIG. 31 is an explanatory detailed view of the toe strap. 7 . In FIG. 31, reference numeral  9   a  designates one band having one end thereof fixed to the one-side rising portion  10  of the base plate  1 ;  9   b : the other band having one end thereof fixed to the other-side rising portion  10  of the base plate  1 ;  11 : a buckle connected to the free end of the other band  9   b ;  12 : a ratchet belt connected to the buckle  11 ; and  13 : a lock part including a ratchet pawl for connecting the ratchet belt  12  to one band  9   a.    
           [0006]    By the way, the ankle strap  5  has the same structure as the toe strap  7 .  
           [0007]    In the thus structured binding for as now board, when mounting the boot  2  onto the base plate  1 , the engagements between the ratchet belts  12  and lock parts  13  of the ankle strap  5  and toe strap  7  are removed, and one band  9   a  and the other band  9   b  are separated from each other by both hands. After then, the boot  2  is placed onto the base plate  1  from above thereof, the ratchet belt  12  is inserted into the lock part  13  including a ratchet pawl in such a manner as shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, and the buckle  11  is then fastened to thereby fix the instep portion and tiptoe portion of the boot  2  to the base plate  1 .  
           [0008]    In the binding of this type, in the rising portion  10  of the base plate  1 , there are formed a plurality of holes which are used to fix one of the bands  9   a ,  9   b  such that the position thereof can be adjusted. That is, when adjusting the boot fixed state again, without removing the base plate from the snowboard, one of the bands is removed from its previously engaged one of the plurality of holes and is inserted into a new one of the plurality of holes to fix the boot to the base plate.  
           [0009]    However, since the bands  9   a ,  9   b  and the rising portions  10  of the base plate  1  are fixed by bolts and nuts, a tool must be used to mount and remove them, which is troublesome.  
           [0010]    Also, because the toe strap  7  is simply fastened from the upper portion of the tiptoe portion thereof, there is play in the tiptoe direction, so that the boot cannot be fastened sufficiently.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    The present invention aims at eliminating the drawbacks found in the above binding for a snowboard.  
           [0012]    In attaining the object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for binding a boot to a base plate of a snowboard, having: a first band mounted on a first side of the base plate; a second band mounted on a second side of the base plate opposite the first side of the base plate in a width direction, the second band: being removably attached to the first band, so as to fasten a toe end portion of the boot to the base plate,wherein the second band fastens the toe end portion at an acute angle with respect to the base plate and the toe end portion of the boot.  
           [0013]    It is preferable that the apparatus further having: a pad attached to one of the first band and the second band at an upper surface of the pad, and the toe end portion of the boot at a lower surface of the pad.  
           [0014]    It is preferable that the pad is a soft material, for example, urethane foam, EVA (chloroethene) and sewed product made from natural leather, artificial leather or cloth.  
           [0015]    It is preferable that the pad comprises a first plate contacting a front surface of the toe end portion of the boot, and a second plate contacting an upper surface of the toe end portion of the boot, the first plate being adjacent to the second plate.  
           [0016]    It is preferable that the pad is a hard material, for example plastic molded component, metal pressed component and FRP (Fiberglass reinforced Plastic) component.  
           [0017]    In attaining the object, according to a second aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for binding a boot to a base plate of a snowboard, having: a first band mounted on a first side of the base plate; a second band mounted on a second side of the base plate opposite the first side of the base plate in a width direction; and a pad mounted on the first band at a first portion and removably attached to the second band at a second portion, wherein the pad fastens a toe end portion of the boot at an acute angle with respect to the base plate and the toe end portion.  
           [0018]    In attaining the object, according to a third aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for binding a boot to a base plate of a snowboard, having: a fixing structure connects a first side of the base plate to a second side of the base plate at an acute angle with respect to a toe end of the boot; and a first band that removably connects the fixing structure connects to the first side of the base plate.  
           [0019]    It is preferable that the fixing structure having: a first belt for fastening an upper portion of the toe end of the boot to the base plate; a second belt for fastening a front portion of the toe end of the boot to the base plate, the first belt and the second belt being connected to each other at first ends thereof and connected to each other at second ends thereof; and a second band connected removably to the first ends of the first belt and the second belt, and connected fixedly to the second side of the base plate, wherein the second ends of the first belt and the second belt are removably connected to the first band.  
           [0020]    It is preferable that the first belt and the second belt are formed integrally with respect to each other.  
           [0021]    It is preferable that the fixing structure having: a first belt for fastening an upper portion of the toe end of the boot to the base plate; and a second belt for fastenings front portion of the toe end to the of the boot to the base plate, the first belt and the second belt being fixedly connected to each other at first ends thereof and removably connected to each other at second ends thereof, wherein the first ends of the first belt and the second belt are removably connected to the first band, and the second ends of the first belt and the second belt are removably connected directly to the second side of the base plate.  
           [0022]    It is preferable that the first ends of the first belt and the second belt are adjustable with respect to the first band, and the second ends of the first belt and the second belt are not adjustable with respect to the second of the base plate.  
           [0023]    It is preferable that the first ends of the first belt and the second belt are adjustably connected directly to the second side of the base plate.  
           [0024]    It is preferable that the apparatus for binding a boot to a base plate of a snowboard further having: a pad for covering the toe end of the boot disposed between the first belt and the second belt.  
           [0025]    It is preferable that the first belt, the second belt and the pad are formed integrally with respect to each other.  
           [0026]    It is preferable that the first band is adjustable with respect to the first ends of the first belt and the second belt. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0027]    [0027]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the binding for a snowboard of the invention;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 2 is a longitudinal front view of a first embodiment of fixing means for fixing together bands and the rising portion of a base plate used a binding for a snowboard according to the invention;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 3 is a side view of the bands and the rising portion of a base plate used in a binding for a snowboard according to the invention shown in FIG. 2;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the rising portion of the base plate of a binding for a snowboard according to the invention;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 5 is a longitudinal front view of the rising portion of the base plate of a binding for a snowboard according to the invention;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 6 is a side view of the rising portion of the base plate of a binding for a snowboard according to the invention;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 7 is a front view of a pin and a lever used in a binding for a snowboard according to the invention;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 8 is an explanatory side view of a modification of the first embodiment of the fixing means for fixing together the bands and the rising portion of the base plate used in a binding for a snowboard according to the invention;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 9 is an explanatory side view of a second embodiment of the fixing means for fixing together the bands and the rising portion of a base plate in a binding for a snowboard according to the invention;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 10 is an explanatory side view of the fixing means shown in FIG. 9 in a binding for a snowboard according to the invention;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 11 is an explanatory side view of a third embodiment of fixing means used in a binding for a snowboard according to the invention;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 12 is an explanatory side view of the fixing means shown in FIG. 11 in a binding for a snowboard according to the invention;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 13 is an explanatory side view of the fixing means shown in FIG. 11 in a binding for a snowboard according to the invention;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 14 is an explanatory side view of a modification of the third embodiment of fixing means used in a binding for a snowboard according to the invention;  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 15 is side view of a fourth embodiment of fixing means for fixing together bands and the rising portion of a base plate in a binding for a snowboard according to the invention;  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 16 is an explanatory side view of the fixing means shown in FIG. 15 in a binding for a snowboard according to the invention;  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 17 is side view of a fifth embodiment of fixing means for fixing together the bands and the rising portion of a base plate in a binding for a snowboard according to the invention;  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 18 is an explanatory side view of the fixing means shown in FIG. 17 in a binding for a snowboard according to the invention;  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 19 is a transverse plan view of a sixth embodiment of fixing means used in a binding for a snowboard according to the invention;  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 20 is a side view of a lever shown in FIG. 19 in a binding for a snowboard according to the invention;  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 21 is an explanatory side view of the lever shown in FIG. 19 in a binding for a snowboard according to the invention;  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 22 is an explanatory transverse plan view of the lever shown in FIG. 19 in a binding for a snowboard according to the invention;  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 23 is an explanatory transverse plan view of the lever shown in FIG. 19 in a binding for a snowboard according to the invention;  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 24 is an explanatory side view of another embodiment of a binding for a snowboard according to the invention;  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 25 is a plan view of the main portions of the binding for a snowboard according to the invention shown in FIG. 24;  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 26 is a plan view of a modification of the band shown in FIG. 25;  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 27 is a plan view of another modification of the band shown in FIG. 25;  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 28 is a section view taken along the line A-A shown in FIG. . 25 ;  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 29 is an explanatory view of a modification of a pad shown in FIG. 28;  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 30 is a side view of a conventional binding for a snowboard;  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 31 is a front view of a conventional binding for a snowboard;  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 32 is an explanatory front view of the conventional binding for a snowboard shown in FIG. 31;  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 33A is a plan view of another modification of the band shown in FIG. 25;  
         [0060]    [0060]FIG. 33B is a section view taken along the line B-B shown in FIG. 33A;  
         [0061]    [0061]FIG. 34A is a plan view of another modification of the band shown in FIG. 25;  
         [0062]    [0062]FIG. 34B is a section view taken along the line C-C shown in FIG. 34A;  
         [0063]    [0063]FIG. 35A is a plan view of another modification of the band shown in FIG. 25;  
         [0064]    [0064]FIG. 35B is a section view taken along the line D-D shown in FIG. 35A;  
         [0065]    [0065]FIG. 36A is a plan view of another modification of the band shown in FIG. 25; and  
         [0066]    [0066]FIG. 36B is a view taken along the E arrow shown in FIG. 36A. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0067]    Now, description will be given below of the preferred embodiments of a binding for a snowboard according to the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
         [0068]    In a binding for a snowboard according to the invention, as fixing means for fixing one of bands  9   a ,  9   b  of an ankle strap  5  and a toe strap  7  to the rising portion  10  of a base plate  1 , instead of bolts and nuts, as shown in FIGS.  1  to  7 , there is used a pin  16 . FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the binding for a snowboard of the invention. The pin  16  is inserted into a hole(first hole)  14  formed in one of the bands  9   a ,  9   b  as well as one of a plurality of holes(second holes)  15  formed in the rising portion  10  of the base plate  1 . In addition, a lever  17  for rotating the pin  16  is fixed to the outer end of the pin  16  in such a manner that it is perpendicular to the pin  15 .  
         [0069]    In the rising portion  10  of the base plate  1  in which the hole  15  is formed, there is formed an insertion groove  19  which is used to insert the above band into the central portion of the upper end face of the rising portion  10 ; and, due to formation of the insertion groove  19 , the rising portion  10  forks into outer and inner sections  10   a  and  10   b . A hole to be formed in the outer section  10   a  of the forked rising portion  10  is formed as a hook-shaped hole (like key hole)  15   a  including a hook groove  20  formed in an inner surface thereof. On one side surface of the outer end portion of the pin  16 , there is provided a projection  18  which corresponds to the hook groove  20 . And, in an arbitrary depth portion of the hole  15   a , there is concentrically formed an arc-shaped groove  21  which communicates with the hook groove  20  and corresponds to the projection  18  in length and width.  
         [0070]    By the way, the groove  19  may be omitted. That is, the inner section of the forked shape of the rising portion  10  of the base plate  1  may not be formed.  
         [0071]    Since a binding for a snowboard according to the invention is structured in the above-mentioned manner, as shown in FIG. 3, in case where the pin  16  of the lever  17  is inserted into the hole  15  of the rising portion  10  and the hole  14  of the band in a state where the projection  18  of the pin  16  is situated at a position corresponding to the hook groove  20  of the hook-shaped hole  15   a . For example, in a state where the lever  17  stands erect, the projection  18  of the pin  16  is guided through the hook groove  20  up to the arc-shaped groove  21 . In this state, as shown in FIG. 8, in case where the lever  17  is incliningly rotated clockwise, for example, by 90°, the projection  18  is allowed to move within-the arc-shaped groove  21  to a position where the projection  18  is unable to return from the hook groove  20 . Therefore, the pin  16  is prevented from removing from the hole  15 , so that one of the bands  9   a ,  9   b  can be positively fixed to the base plate  1 .  
         [0072]    By the way, in case where the lever  17  is made to slidingly contact with the outer surface of the outer section  10   a  of the rising portion  10 , and in a state where the projection  18  of the pin  16  is inserted into the arc-shaped groove  21 , the lever  17  can be prevented from playing.  
         [0073]    Also, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, instead of the lever  17 , there may be used a circular-shaped knob part  22 . That is, using the knob part  22 , the pin  16  may be rotated.  
         [0074]    Now, FIG. 11 shows a third embodiment of fixing means used in a binding for a snowboard according to the invention. In the present embodiment, on the side of the loose end portion of the lever  17  that is opposed to the outer surface of the outer section  10   a  of the rising portion  10 , there is provided a projected portion  23 . In addition to this, the band  9   a ( 9   b ) and the rising portion  10   a  define a space  121  for accommodating a projected portion  18  of the pin  16 . The rising portion  10   a  has a thin-wall part surrounding a hole  15   a  with the hook groove  20 , and the space  121  defined between the band  9   a ( 9   b ) and the thin-wall part accommodates the projected portion  18  of the pin  16 , the space  121  being communicated with the hook grove. As shown in FIG. 12, in the position relation where the pin  16  and the projection  18  are inserted into the hole  15   a  and groove  20 , the projected portion  23  is situated at a position beyond the end face  24  of the outer section  10   a  of the rising portion  10 . And, in case where the lever  17  is incliningly turned clockwise from this position, as shown in FIG. 13, the projected portion  23  is moved up onto the end face  24  of the outer section  10   a  of the rising portion  10 . After then, the lever  17  is flexed and is thereby slidingly contacted with the outer surface of the outer section  10   a . For example, when the lever  17  is incliningly rotated by a given angle such as by 90°, the projected portion  23  may be fitted into the other hole  15  of the rising portion of the base plate  1 . According to the present embodiment, there is eliminated a fear that the lever  17  can be rotated without good reason and the pin  16  can be removed from the hole  15  without good reason.  
         [0075]    By the way, as shown in FIG. 14, in the direction from the free end face of the lever  17  to the base portion thereof, there may be formed two slits  25  with the projected portion  23  between them to thereby facilitate the flexing of a lever portion  26  having the projected portion  23 .  
         [0076]    Now, FIGS. 15 and 16 show a fourth embodiment of fixing means used in a binding for a snowboard according to the invention. In the present, instead of the projected portion  23  provided in the third embodiment, there is provided a projected surface.  27  in the outer surface of the outer section  10   a  of the rising portion  10 . When the lever  17  is incliningly turned clockwise from its erect state shown in FIG. 15 by 90° into its another state shown in FIG. 16, the lower surface of the base end of the lever  17  may be situated at a position beyond the projected surface  27 . According to the present embodiment, there is no possibility that the lever  17  can play counterclockwise, thereby being able to prevent the pin  16  from being removed from the hole  15  without good reason. By the way, the projected surface  27 , as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, may also be replaced with a pin  27 . In this case, in order to prevent the lever  17  from rotating excessively clockwise from the state shown in FIG. 18, preferably, there may be provided a stop pin  28 .  
         [0077]    Now, FIGS.  19  to  23  show a fourth embodiment of fixing means used in a binding for a snowboard according to the invention. In the present embodiment, there is formed a groove  30  in the base end portion of the lever  17  to thereby turn the lever  17  into a forked shape. The outer end portion of the pin  16  is inserted into the groove  30 , and the lever  17  and pin  16  are pivotally supported through a pivot support pin  29  in such a manner that they can be incliningly rotated with respect to each other. And, in a state where, as shown in FIG. 20, the longitudinal-direction axis of the lever  17  is matched to the axis of the pin  16 , the pin  16  is inserted into the hole  15  of the rising portion  10  and also into the hole  14  of the belts  9   a ,  9   b . Then, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the lever  17  is rotated clockwise by 90° about the axis of the pin  16 . Next, as shown in FIG. 23, the lever  17  is incliningly rotated about the pivot support pin  29  by 90° with respect to the pin  16  to thereby fit the projected portion  23  into the other hole  15  in such a manner that the corner portion  31  of the forked end face of the lever  17  can be elastically engaged with the outer surface of the outer section  10   a  of the rising portion  10 . According to the present embodiment, there is eliminated a fear that the lever  17  can be played with respect to the pin  16  without good reason and the pin  16  can be removed from the hole  15  without good reason.  
         [0078]    In the embodiments shown in FIGS.  1  to  23 , there are provided a pin having a projection and a plurality of holes having hook grooves and a arc-shaped grooves. However, a pin having a hook groove and a arc-shaped groove formed coaxially with the associated pin, and a plurality of holes each having a projection maybe adopted into these embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0079]    Now, FIGS. 24 and 25 show a sixth embodiment of fixing means used in a binding for a snowboard according to the invention. In the present, one end of a band  33  is fixed to the free end of one (for example,  9   a ) of the bands  9   a ,  9   b  of the conventional toe strap  7 . One end of a band  33  is composed of one belt  32   a  for fastening the upper portion of the tiptoe portion of a boot and the other belt  32   b  for fastening the leading end portion of the tiptoe portion of the boot. On the other end of the band  33 , a buckle  34  is mounted. One end of the band  9   b  is inserted into the buckle  34  to thereby fasten the band  33  and, at the same time, an expandable pad or a connecting member  35  is fixedly interposed between the belts  32   a  and  32   b . The belts  32   a  and  32   b  may preferably be formed of the material that can be expanded and compressed to a slight degree.  
         [0080]    In the present embodiment, the upper portion and leading end portion of the tiptoe portion of the boot can be fastened at the same time using one belt  32   a  and the other belt  32   b.    
         [0081]    By the way, the two end portions of one belt  32   a  and the other belt  32   b  may be formed integrally with each other, or, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, one-side end portions of the belts  32   a  and  32   b  may be formed integrally with each other, while the other-side end portions thereof may be pivotally supported by a pin  36  in such a manner that they can be incliningly rotated with respect to each other.  
         [0082]    Also, the connecting member  35 , as shown in FIG. 28, may be formed of the material that is thick and has good cushioning, or, as shown in FIG. 29, it may be formed of the material that has good cushioning and is thin.  
         [0083]    While only certain embodiments of the invention have been specifically described herein, it will apparent that numerous modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.  
         [0084]    As has been described heretofore, in a binding for snowboard according to the invention, there can be provided a great advantage that the bands of the ankle strap and toe strap can be removed easily from the base plate without using a tool.  
         [0085]    Also, there can be obtained another great advantage that the upper portion and leading end portion of the tiptoe portion of the boot can be fastened at the same time and thus the boot can be fixed positively to the binding for a snowboard without producing any play in the tiptoe direction of the boot.  
         [0086]    [0086]FIGS. 33A to  34 B show further embodiments of the present invention. In these embodiments, pad  35  (connecting member) can fasten both of the upper portion and leading end portion of the tiptoe portion of the boot at the same time with using belt  33  fixed on the pad  35 .  
         [0087]    [0087]FIG. 33B shows B-B sectional view of FIG. 34A. A pad  35  shown in FIG. 34A and- 34 B has a first part  35   b  contacting on a front end portion of a tiptoe portion of a boot and a second portion  35   a  contacting on an upper portion of the tiptoe portion of the boot. Preferably, the pad  35  is made of hard material so as to correspond to a shape of the tiptoe portion, for example, plastic molded component, metal pressed component and FRP (Fiberglass reinforced Plastic) component.  
         [0088]    [0088]FIG. 34B shows C-C sectional view of FIG. 34A. A pad  35  shown in FIG. 34A and 34B is made of soft material so as to fit the shape of the tiptoe portion of the boot. The soft material is, for example, urethane foam, EVA (chloroethene) and sewed product made from natural leather, artificial leather or cloth.  
         [0089]    [0089]FIGS. 35A to  36 B show further embodiments of the present invention. In these embodiments, pad  35  can fast both of the upper portion and leading end portion of the tiptoe portion of the boot at the same time by coupling two belts  9   a  and  9   b  through pad  35  or directly each other.  
         [0090]    [0090]FIG. 35B shows D-D sectional view of FIG. 35A. As shown in FIG. 35A, one belt  9   a  is attached on one end portion of a pad  35 , and a buckle  34  is attached on the other end portion of the pad  35 . The pad  35  of this embodiment can be made by the above mentioned soft material. However, in the case of using the soft material, it is preferable that cloth or the like may be adhibited on the pad  35  in order to secure breaking strength of the pad.  
         [0091]    [0091]FIG. 36B shows E arrow view of FIG. 36A. As shown in FIG. 36A, one belt  9   a  is attached on one end portion of a pad  35  the one belt  9   a  and the other belt  9   b  have protrusions respectively. In a state that the other belt  9   b  is disposed on the pad  35 , as shown in FIG. 36 B, circular wire  33  is hooked both of the protrusions of the belts  9   a  and  9   b . Therefore, the pad  35  is fastened by the belts  9   a  and  9   b.