Abstract:
The Angular Adjustment Mechanism for Snowboard Bindings positioned between the snowboard and boot bindings allows angular adjustment between the snowboard rider&#39;s boot bindings and the snowboard without the need for any tools or levers. The user can make adjustments at any time by weighting the board with either foot and lifting and rotating the opposite foot. A lifting action releases the mechanism allowing for the adjustment of angular orientation. Removal of the lifting force engages the locking mechanism preventing further angular movement.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Not Applicable 
   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not Applicable 
   DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX 
   Not Applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates generally to the field of snowboarding and more specifically to Angularly Adjustable Mechanism for Snowboard Bindings. Snowboard binding systems generally use a toothed disk bolted directly to the snowboard whereas the disk mates with a toothed recess in the boot binding. Altering the angular orientation is a time-consuming trial and error process necessitating disassembly and reassembly to eventually arrive -at a satisfactory alignment. However, a snowboarder may not use the same boot orientation for all snow surfaces. Half-pipes, slaloms, and downhill runs all might lend themselves to differing stances primarily the angular orientation of the bindings to the longitudinal axis of the snowboard. 
   In addition to the desirability of changing the angular orientation of the bindings to accommodate riding the snowboard over varying terrain, the bottom of the slope provides another opportunity for changing binding orientation. Typically after a downhill run, the snowboard rider will unbuckle one boot to propel himself or herself forward much like a skateboarder with the other boot still bound to the board. Unlike normal riding where the longitudinal axis of the snowboard is aligned side-to-side with feet and hips, during level-ground locomotion, the snowboard is aligned front-to-rear, with the boot still bound at a nearly perpendicular angle to what is anatomically comfortable. In addition to being very uncomfortable, it can lead to or exacerbate strains and other maladies in the leg. Using an Angularly Adjustable Mechanism for Snowboard Bindings, the rider in this situation can orient the boot still bound with the longitudinal axis of the snowboard and travel more easily and with greater comfort and safety, especially when mounting and dismounting the chair lift. 
   Prior devices have been invented for snowboard binding adjustment as described in the following patents: 
   
     
       
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
             
               U.S Pat. No. 
               Patentee 
               Issue Date 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
               5,941,552 
               Beran 
               Aug. 24, 1999 
             
             
               5,947,488 
               Gorza 
               Sep. 7, 1999 
             
             
               5,028,068 
               Donovan 
               Jul. 2, 1991 
             
             
               5,897,128 
               McKenzie 
               Apr. 27, 1999 
             
             
               6,206,402 
               Tanaka 
               Mar. 27, 2001 
             
             
               5,782,476 
               Fardie 
               Jul. 21, 1998 
             
             
               5,667,237 
               Lauer 
               Sep. 16, 1997 
             
             
               5,586,779 
               Dawes 
               Dec. 24, 1996 
             
             
               6,318,749 
               Eglitis 
               Nov. 20, 2001 
             
             
               6,022,040 
               Buzbee 
               Feb. 8, 2000 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   The prior patents: U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,552 Adjustable Snowboard Binding Apparatus and Method, U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,488 Angular Adjustment Device, Particularly for a Snowboard Binding, U.S. Pat. No. 5,028,068 Quick-Action Adjustable Snow Boot Binding Mounting, U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,128 Pivotally Adjustable Binding For Snowboards, U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,402 Snowboard Binding Adjustment Mechanism, U.S. Pat. No. 5,782,476 Snowboard Binding Mechanism, U.S. Pat. No. 5,667,237 Rotary Locking Feature For Snowboard Binding, U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,779 Adjustable Snowboard Boot Binding Apparatus, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,318,749 Angularly Adjustable Snowboard Binding Mount all require a lever to lock and unlock angular adjustment device. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,022,040 Freely Rotating Step-In Snowboard Binding provides no means of locking the binding&#39;s swiveling device. A rider employing a snowboard equipped with this device would have far less control over the snowboard than a rigidly secured binding. 
   Unlike prior inventions, the Angular Adjustment Mechanism for Snowboard Bindings positioned between the snowboard and boot binding allows angular adjustment between the snowboard rider&#39;s boot bindings and the snowboard without the need for any tools or levers. The user can make adjustments at any time by weighting the board with either foot and lifting and rotating the opposite foot. A lifting action releases the mechanism allowing for the adjustment of angular orientation. Removal of the lifting force engages the locking mechanism preventing further angular movement. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The primary object of the invention is the convenience of adjusting the angular orientation of the snowboard bindings easily at any time, even while in motion. Another object of the invention is no external levers or tools to perform the adjustment of binding orientation. Another object of the invention is no unintended angular motion. Another object of the invention is a device that is unaffected by board torsion. A further object of the invention is to use existing bolt holes on snowboards and boot bindings to allow a retrofit of conventional boards and bindings currently on the market. 
   In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed an Angular Adjustment Mechanism for Snowboard Bindings comprising: upper plate, upper gear coupling, wave washer, upper retainer, lower retainer, and lower gear coupling. 
   Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention. 
       FIG. 1   a  is an exploded view showing the position of the invention relative to the snowboard and boot binding. 
       FIG. 1   b  is a perspective view of the portions of the invention which mate with the snowboard and boot binding. 
       FIG. 2   a  is an exploded view of the invention. 
       FIG. 2   b  is a side view of the assembled invention. 
       FIG. 3   a  is a cross sectional side view of the invention in its engaged configuration. 
       FIG. 3   b  is a cross sectional side view of the invention in its disengaged configuration. 
       FIG. 4   a  and  FIG. 4   b  are perspective views of the invention illustrating its use. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner. 
   In accordance with the present invention,  FIG. 1   a  shows the position of Angular Adjustment Mechanism for Snowboard Bindings  10  in an exploded position relative to both boot binding  20  and section of snowboard  40 . Those portions of the invention which mate rigidly to either the snowboard  40  or the boot binding  20  are shown in  FIG. 1   b . Referencing both  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b , upper plate  11  and upper gear coupling  12  are shown with a bolt hole pattern matching that of boot binding  20  and, when incorporated, would mate rigidly to same. Lower retainer  16  and lower gear coupling  15  are shown with a bolt hole pattern matching that of snowboard  40  and, when incorporated, would mate rigidly to same. The components shown in use in Angular Adjustment Mechanism for Snowboard Bindings  10  in all figures are shown substantially thicker than necessary for purposes of clarity of illustration and can therefore be reduced in size for manufacturing. 
     FIG. 2   a  shows an exploded view of the Angular Adjustment Mechanism for Snowboard Bindings  10 . Upper plate  11  and upper gear coupling  12  both mount rigidly to boot binding using bolts or similar fasteners (not shown). Lower retainer  16  and lower gear coupling  15 , both mount rigidly to snowboard using bolts or similar fasteners (not shown). The upper retainer  13  features a lip at its top with bolt holes for affixing to upper plate  11  using bolts or similar fasteners (not shown). Inside the upper retainer  13 , at its bottom is a lip extending inwards. The lower retainer  16  features a lip at its top extending outwards. When assembled, the lower lip of upper retainer  13  is below the upper lip of lower retainer  16  which prevents a detachment of upper retainer  13  and lower retainer  16  and provides an annular cavity between these two features. Within this cavity is positioned wave washer  14 . Wave washer  14  provides a tension force that drives the combination of upper gear coupling  12  and lower gear coupling  15  together which locks the mechanism from rotating when external forces are absent. 
   Wave washer  14  is an undulating ring of spring steel that provides a resistive opposition to compression forces. Washers of differing stiffness or a plurality of washers could be made available to fit the user&#39;s preferences. Alternative components might include belleville washers, compression springs, or elastomers. 
   Upper plate  11  and upper gear coupling  12  are shown as separate items but can be constructed as one piece. Furthermore, lower retainer  16  and and lower gear coupling  15  are shown as separate items but can be constructed as one piece. 
   Upper gear coupling  12  and lower gear coupling  15  are plates with one side comprised of radially-extending raised teeth. When upper gear coupling  12  and lower gear coupling  15  are engaged (teeth of one extended into the recesses of the other), radial forces from the rider can be transmitted to the snowboard. Upper gear coupling  12  and lower gear coupling  15  are shown with a coarse tooth spacing for clarity of illustration, but more closely-spaced teeth would provide for a wider selection of boot angular orientation. 
     FIG. 2   b  shows a side view of the mechanism fully assembled. As shown, there is upper retainer  13  fastened to upper plate  11 . Also visible is lower retainer  16 . 
   To illustrate the principles of operation, there is shown in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  cross-sectional side views of the assembled mechanism. Upper plate  11  and upper gear coupling  12  are both mounted rigidly to the boot binding. Lower retainer  16  and lower gear coupling  15  are both mounted rigidly to snowboard. Upper retainer  13  would be positioned as shown surrounding lower retainer  16 . The lower lip of upper retainer  13  is a slip fit over the vertical side walls of lower retainer  16  such that relative vertical motion is allowed, but snow and grime will not pass the touching surfaces to get inside. Wave washer  14  is positioned within the cavity formed by the lower inside lip of upper retainer  13  and the upper outside lip of lower retainer  16 . 
   While there are no external forces on the mechanism shown in  FIG. 3   a , the wave washer  14  exerts pressure upward against lower retainer  16  and simultaneously downward against upper retainer  13 . This forces the upper part of the assembly (upper plate  11 , upper gear coupling  12 , and upper retainer  13 ) down against the lower part of the assembly (lower gear coupling  15  and lower retainer  16 ), thereby forcing together into a mating relationship upper gear coupling  12  and lower gear coupling  15 , which prevents any angular rotation of the top portion with respect to the lower portion. 
     FIG. 3   b  illustrates the mechanism when it is disengaged. When the upper portion of the assembly (upper plate  11 , upper gear coupling  12 , and upper retainer  13 ) which is attached rigidly to the boot binding is forced upward while simultaneously the lower portion of the assembly (lower gear coupling  15  and lower retainer  16 ) which is attached to the snowboard is forced downward, the resistance to compression of the wave washer  14  is overcome. The wave washer  14  then becomes substantially flattened as the upper and lower portions of the assembly are forced apart. When the separation of the upper and lower portions of the assembly become sufficiently great, the upper gear coupling  12  and lower gear coupling  15  become disengaged and the upper portion of the assembly is free to swivel in an angular direction with respect to the lower portion. 
   In accordance with the present invention,  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  illustrate a typical application. In these figures, the present invention Angular Adjustment Mechanism for Snowboard Bindings is mounted between the underside of boot binding  20  and the upper surface of snowboard  40  and is therefore concealed from view. In a static circumstance (no external forces applied), the Angular Adjustment Mechanism for Snowboard Bindings is locked and no angular motion is possible. To initiate intended angular repositioning, in  FIG. 4   a , the snowboard rider puts his or her weight on one boot  30  (indicated in the figure by the “down” arrow). Simultaneously, the rider lifts up on the other boot (indicated in the figure by the “up” arrow) which disengages the locking feature of the Angular Adjustment Mechanism for Snowboard Bindings which permits the angular rotation of the boot  30  in any orientation desirable ( FIG. 4   b ). Relieving the opposing forces on the Angular Adjustment Mechanism for Snowboard Bindings re-engages the locking mechanism prohibiting further angular motion. The preceding steps may be repeated in the opposite order to adjust the other boot&#39;s angular orientation. 
   While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.