Patent Publication Number: US-2022234694-A1

Title: Reconfigurable wakesurf binding apparatus and system

Description:
This application claims benefit to provisional patent application No. 63/142,628, entitled “RECONFIGURABLE WAKESURF BINDING APPARATUS AND SYSTEM”, filed Jan. 28, 2021, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention surrounds a reconfigurable wakesurf binding as shown in and described herein. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Wakesurfing involves riding a wakesurf board in the wake of a boat without a rope or tether, such as used in water skiing. Wakesurfing can be performed on a board with or without bindings dependent upon the preference of the rider. However, current wakesurf bindings offer limited or no adjustability or require numerous penetrations into the top surface of the board which can compromise the structure of the board and/or lead to water penetration into the interior of core of the board. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The wakesurf binding disclosed herein provides a number of advantages depending on the particular aspect, embodiment, and/or configuration. It provides the advantages of minimizing board penetrations while allowing a user to removably interconnect and reconfigure a binding based on factors such as a user&#39;s foot size, preferred binding tension, riding style left-foot forward (regular) or right-foot forward (goofy) stance, and angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the board and/or relative to each foot. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A —Is a plan view of a wakesurf board showing an embodiment of the wakesurf binding system. 
         FIG. 1B —Is a plan view of a wakesurf board showing an embodiment of the threaded insert of the wakesurf binding system. 
         FIG. 2 —Is a plan view of an embodiment of a strap of the wakesurf binding system in a first position. 
         FIG. 3 —Is a plan view of an embodiment of a strap the wakesurf binding system in a second position. 
         FIG. 4 —Is a plan view of an embodiment of a strap the wakesurf binding system in a third position. 
         FIG. 5 —Is a plan view of an embodiment of a strap the wakesurf binding system in a fourth position. 
         FIG. 6A —Is a side view of an embodiment of a strap of the wakesurf binding system in a fourth position. 
         FIG. 6B —Is a side view of an embodiment of a strap of the wakesurf binding system in a fifth position. 
         FIG. 7A —Is a plan view of a strap end in an embodiment of the wakesurf binding system. 
         FIG. 7B —Is a plan view of a strap end in an embodiment of the wakesurf binding system. 
         FIG. 7C —Is a plan view of a strap end in an embodiment of the wakesurf binding system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS 
     As shown in  FIG. 1A , the wakesurf binding apparatus and system comprises a first wakesurf binding  1000 . A first strap  1100  for constraining the forward foot of a user is configured to be interconnected with a top surface  2010  at a forward portion  2100  of a wakesurf board  2000 . In certain embodiments, the wakesurf binding apparatus and system comprises a second wakesurf binding  1001 . A second strap  1101  for constraining the rearward foot of a user is configured to be interconnected with a top surface  2010  at a rearward portion  2200  of wakesurf board  2000 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , in certain embodiments, the first strap  1100  of the wakesurf binding  1000  comprises a first end  1110 , a mid-section  1115 , a second end  1120 , and a longitudinal axis  1125 . The first end  1110  of the strap comprises a plurality of holes  1150  arranged in a matrix. Each hole is adapted for inserting a screw  1160  therethrough. Screw  1160  is inserted through one of the holes  1150  of the matrix of the first end  1110  and threaded into a first female threaded insert  1170 A of the board, thereby interconnecting the first end  1110  of strap  1100  with the board  2000 . Similarly, in certain embodiments, the second end  1120  of the strap comprises a plurality of holes  1150  arranged in a matrix and adapted for inserting a screw  1160  therethrough. Screw  1160  is inserted through one of the holes  1150  of the matrix of the second end  1120  and threaded into a second female threaded insert  1170 B of the board, thereby interconnecting the second end  1120  of strap  1100  with the board  2000 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1B , in certain embodiments, a third pair of female threaded inserts  1172 A and  1172 B are arranged along the longitudinal axis  2050  in rear portion  2200  of board  2000 . As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 5 , second strap  1101  comprises a longitudinal axis  1126 , a first end  1130 , mid-section  1135 , and a second end  1140 . The first end  1130  of the second strap  1101  comprises a plurality of holes  1150  arranged in a matrix. Each hole is adapted for inserting a screw  1160  therethrough. Screw  1160  is inserted through one of the holes  1150  of the matrix of the first end  1130  and threaded into female threaded insert  1172 A of the board, thereby interconnecting the first end  1130  of strap  1101  with the board  2000 . Similarly, in certain embodiments, the second end  1140  of the second strap  1101  comprises a plurality of holes  1150  arranged in a matrix and adapted for inserting a screw  1160  therethrough. Screw  1160  is inserted through one of the holes  1150  of the matrix of the second end  1140  and threaded into female threaded insert  1172 B of the board, thereby interconnecting the second end  1140  of second strap  1101  with the board  2000 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 1A, 2-5, and 7A-7C , the plurality of holes  1150  in strap first ends  1110  and  1130  and/or strap second ends  1120  and  1140  are arranged in a matrix pattern. In certain embodiments, the matrix pattern may comprise a 3 by 3 pattern of holes  1150  as shown as shown in the first end  1110  in  FIG. 2 , while other embodiments comprise a 3 by 4 pattern of holes  1150  as shown in the second end  1120  in  FIG. 2 . In a preferred embodiment, the matrix comprises a 3 by pattern such that the center row of holes  1150  is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis  1125  of the strap, with a second and third row of holes  1150  to either side. However, alternative numbers of holes  1150  can be used while in keeping with the spirit and scope of the present invention, such as 2 by 2, 2 by 3, 4 by 4, 4 by 5, 5 by 5, etc. The matrix of holes  1150  may be plurality of rows of holes aligned in a grid pattern as shown in  FIG. 2 , aligned in a radial pattern with the center of the radius originating along the longitudinal axis  1125  of the strap  1100  as shown in  FIG. 7A , aligned in a staggered pattern with the rows of holes offset relative to one another as shown in  FIG. 7B , or aligned in a 2 by pattern on either side of the longitudinal axis  1125  as shown in  FIG. 7C . In certain embodiments, first end  1110  and/or second end  1120  comprise a stiffener plate made of metal, such as of aluminum, or of plastic, with holes aligning with the hole pattern of first end  1110  and/or second end  1120 . In some embodiments, the stiffener plate is embedded within the first end  1110  and/or second end  1120 . In other embodiments, the stiffener plate is placed on the top surface of the strap  1100  to act like a fender washer. In certain embodiments, the first end  1110  and/or second end  1120  are comprised of a relatively inflexible material such as molded plastic or nylon, and the mid-section  1125  is comprised of a relatively flexible material such as woven nylon, vinyl, foam, and/or neoprene. Second strap  1101  may be similarly constructed to first strap  1100 . 
     In certain embodiments, wakesurf board  2000  comprises a longitudinal axis  2050 , a forward portion  2100 , and a rear portion  2200 . A forward portion  2100  of the board comprises a first pair of female threaded inserts  1170 A and  1170 B and a second pair of female threaded inserts  1171 A and  1171 B. The first pair of female threaded inserts  1170 A and  1170 B comprise a first female threaded insert and a second female threaded insert spaced a distance apart that is less than the length of the first strap  1100 , wherein the first pair of female threaded inserts  1170 A and  1170 B are coincident with first axis  1155  offset from longitudinal axis  2050  of the board at a first offset angle  1175 . The second pair of female threaded inserts  1171 A and  1171 B comprise a first female threaded insert and a second female threaded insert spaced a distance apart that is less than the length of the first strap  1100 , wherein the second pair of female threaded inserts  1171 A and  1171 B are coincident with second axis  1156  offset from the longitudinal axis  2050  of the board at a second offset angle  1180 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the first angle  1175  and the second angle  1180  are about equal and in opposite directions relative to the longitudinal axis  2050  of the board. In certain embodiments, the first angle  1175  and the second angle  1180  are unequal. The angle of offset of the first angle  1175  of certain embodiments is about 30 degrees, and the second angle  1180  of certain embodiments is about −30 degrees. In such embodiments, the first pair of female threaded inserts are configured for use in riding left foot forward, and the second pair of female threaded inserts are configured for use in riding right foot forward. Alternative offset angle ranges can be used while in keeping with the spirit and scope of the present invention, such as 1 and −1 degrees to 5 and −5 degrees, 5 and −5 degrees to 10 and −10 degrees, 10 and −10 degrees to 15 and −15 degrees, 15 and −15 degrees to 20 and −20 degrees, 20 and −20 degrees to 25 and −25 degrees, 25 and −25 degrees to 30 and −30 degrees, 30 and −30 degrees to 35 and −35 degrees. As shown in  FIGS. 2-3 , the opposing pairs of female threaded inserts allow a user to switch first strap  1100  to a preferred angled position for riding the wakesurf board with either the left foot forward or right foot forward, respectively. 
     The matrix pattern of the holes  1150  allows a user to configure the mounting of the first strap  1000  according to foot size and/or preferred binding tension. For example, as shown in  FIG. 6A , to make the strap shorter or tighter relative to a user&#39;s foot size (X), screws  1160  are inserted through one of the holes  1150  of the matrix in first end  1110  and/or second end  1120  closer to the mid-section  1115  in order to interconnect the strap to the board  2000 . Conversely, as shown in  FIG. 6B , to make the strap longer or looser relative to a user&#39;s foot size (Y), screws  1160  are inserted through one of the holes  1150  of the matrix in first end  1110  and/or second end  1120  further from the mid-section  1115  in order to interconnect the strap to the board  2000 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the matrix pattern of the holes  1150  in the first end  1110  and second  1120  allows a user to make angular adjustments to the first strap  1100  from the fixed angles permitted by female thread inserts  1170 A and  1170 B and first axis  1155 , and  1171 A and  1171 B and second axis  1156 . For example, as shown, by inserting screws  1160  through strap holes  1150  that are on opposing sides of longitudinal axis  1125  of strap  1100 , the offset angle between the longitudinal axis of the strap  1125  and the longitudinal axis  2050  of the wakesurf board is reduced from the fixed offset angle  1175  of 30 degrees to about 23 degrees. As will be appreciated, by inserting screws  1160  through strap holes  1150  on opposing sides of longitudinal axis  1125  of strap  1100  in the reverse position from that shown in  FIG. 4  would increase the angle between longitudinal axis  1125  and longitudinal axis  2050  from the fixed first angle  1175  of about 30 degrees to about 36 degrees. As will also be appreciated, by inserting screws  1160  through strap holes  1150  that are on the same side of longitudinal axis  1125  of strap  1100 , the position of the strap  1100  may be shifted laterally without altering the angle between the longitudinal axis  1125  and the longitudinal axis  2050 . As will also be appreciated, by inserting a screw  1160  through a strap hole  1150  that is offset from the longitudinal axis  1125  on one end of strap  1100  and by inserting a screw  1160  through a strap hole  1150  that is on the longitudinal axis  1125  on the other end of strap  1100 , the angle between the longitudinal axis  1125  and the first axis  1155  or second axis  1156  would be greater than 0 degrees. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1A , in certain embodiments, a second strap  1101  interconnected with a rear portion  2200  of the board, has a single mounting position. In alternate embodiments, the second strap comprises a plurality of holes  1150  for use in interconnecting the strap with female threaded inserts  1160  of the board. In alternate embodiments, the strap mounting position at the rear portion of the board comprises a first and second pair of female threaded inserts arranged the same or similarly to the forward portion as described herein and shown in  FIGS. 2-4 . 
     Depending upon how the holes are arranged and spaced in the matrix, the angle of variable offset of the first and second straps may be adjusted by 1 and −1 degrees to 3 and −3 degrees, 3 and −3 degrees to 6 and −6 degrees, 6 and −6 degrees to 9 and −9 degrees, 9 and −9 degrees to 12 and −12 degrees, 12 and −12 degrees to 15 and −15 degrees, 15 and −15 degrees to 18 and −18 degrees, 18 and −18 degrees to 21 and −21 degrees. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the matrix pattern of the holes  1150  in the first end  1130  and second  1140  allows a user to make angular adjustments to the second strap  1101  from the longitudinal position permitted by female thread inserts  1172 A and  1172 B that are arranged along the longitudinal axis  2050  of the board. For example, as shown, by inserting screws  1160  through strap holes  1150  that are on opposing sides of longitudinal axis  1126  of strap  1101 , the angle between the longitudinal axis  1126  and the longitudinal axis  2050  of the wakesurf board is set to about 6 degrees. As will be appreciated, by inserting screws  1160  through strap holes  1150  on opposing sides of longitudinal axis  1126  of strap  1101  in the reverse position from that shown in  FIG. 5  would reverse the angle between longitudinal axis  1126  and longitudinal axis  2050  to about −6 degrees. As will also be appreciated, by inserting a screw  1160  through a strap hole  1150  that is offset from the longitudinal axis  1126  on one end of strap  1101  and by inserting a screw  1160  through a strap hole  1150  that is on the longitudinal axis  1126  on the other end of strap  1101 , the angle between the longitudinal axis  1126  and the longitudinal axis  2050  of the wakesurf board would be greater than 0 degrees. As will also be appreciated, by inserting screws  1160  through strap holes  1150  that are on the same side of longitudinal axis  1126  of strap  1101 , the position of the strap may be shifted laterally without altering the angle between the longitudinal axis  1126  and the longitudinal axis  2050 . 
     The preceding is a simplified summary of the disclosure to provide an understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the disclosure and its various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations. It is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor to delineate the scope of the disclosure but to present selected concepts of the disclosure in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. Other aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations of the disclosure are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the inserts set forth above or described in detail below. Also, while the disclosure is presented in terms of exemplary embodiments, it should be appreciated that individual aspects of the disclosure can be separately claimed. 
     The structural materials employed advantageously in the present invention are fashioned from: molded, injected, extruded or machined plastics; molded, injected, extruded or machined rubber; extruded, machined, or cast aluminum, stainless steel, or other metals; and suitable alternatives are available, as one skilled in the art would recognize readily. Likewise, any padding, where padding is desirable, is preferably some kind of foamed elastomer, though other suitable materials exist. Other hardware, brackets, locking pins and supports may be fashioned from aluminum, stainless steel, brass, or other suitable material. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the present disclosure may be constructed of materials known to provide, or predictably manufactured to provide the various aspects of the present disclosure. These materials may include, for example, stainless steel, titanium alloy, aluminum alloy, chromium alloy, and other metals or metal alloys. These materials may also include, for example, carbon fiber, ABS plastic, polyurethane, and other fiber-encased resinous materials, synthetic materials, polymers, and natural materials. The system and its elements could be flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid and made of materials such as stainless steel, titanium alloy, aluminum alloy, chromium alloy, and other metals or metal alloys, carbon fiber, ABS plastic, polyurethane, and other fiber-encased resinous materials, synthetic materials, polymers, and natural materials. In one embodiment, some or all components are manufactured by way of 3-D printing. 
     The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, including various aspects, embodiments, configurations embodiments, sub-combinations, and/or subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the disclosed aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations after understanding the present disclosure. The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations, includes providing devices and processes in the absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease and\or reducing cost of implementation. 
     The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Description for example, various inserts of the disclosure are grouped together in one or more aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The inserts of the aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations of the disclosure may be combined in alternate aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claims require more inserts than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all inserts of a single foregoing disclosed aspect, embodiment, and/or configuration. 
     Moreover, though the Description has included description of one or more aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations and certain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the disclosure, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.