Patent Publication Number: US-2003230870-A1

Title: Adjustable rotatable snowboard boot binding

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The present invention relates to bindings for snowboards, and in particular to an adjustable rotatable binding which is adjustably configured to retrofit any of a variety of standard snowboard boot bindings and may be both locked in a stationary position and locked in a free rotation condition and which has an elevated lock ring to prevent icing of the locking holes, spring-controlled rotation with a safety stop, and spring-loaded variations of the locking mechanism as well as snowboard boot binding attachment variations.  
       [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art  
       [0004] Snowboard boot bindings are normally screwed onto the snowboard in a permanent orientation which is almost perpendicular to the direction of travel of the snowboard. This orientation is good for riding downhill on the snowboard, but is very uncomfortable when traveling over a flat or uphill snow contour, when it is necessary to release the back boot and use that boot to propel the snowboard. Having the front boot nearly perpendicular to the snowboard with the snowboard and back foot moving straight forward is very uncomfortable and potentially dangerous because a fall in this orientation may injure the ankle or knee joints of the snowboarder. Furthermore on a chair lift having the foot nearly perpendicular to the snowboard causes the snowboard to be positioned across the front of the chair which is an awkward orientation for mounting and dismounting and is disturbing or damaging to anyone seated on an adjacent chair. Mounting and dismounting the chair lift poses a serious danger for potential injury with the foot oriented nearly perpendicular to the snowboard.  
       [0005] It is desirable to be able to change the orientation of the snowboard boot binding when traveling on flats and uphills and when mounting and dismounting a chair lift to orient the front boot parallel to the snowboard for ease in propelling the snowboard forward with the rear boot, which is released from the binding.  
       [0006] It is also desirable to be able to adjust the angle of the snowboard boot binding to any desired orientation to the snowboard to adapt to individual preferences for best downhill snowboarding performance and to accommodate different snow and terrain conditions. For example, a nearly perpendicular orientation of the boots may be better for broad sweeping turns down a wide slope, while a slightly more forward orientation of the boots may be more desirable for moguls or snowboarding, down narrow trails where tight fast turns are required.  
       [0007] In addition, a snowboarder may prefer to be able to adjust the rear boot at a different orientation from the front boot, particularly for stunt snowboarding.  
       [0008] It is further desirable to be able to adjust a snowboard fitting to receive any of a variety of existing snowboard boots and bindings.  
       [0009] A number of prior art devices have provided rotatable snowboard bindings, but lack the improved performance and ease of adjustability of the present invention.  
       [0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,577,755, issued Nov. 26, 1996 to Metzger et al., provides a rotatable binding for a snowboard with a base plate on the snowboard and a binding plate and foot binding rotatably mounted on top of the base plate with a locking assembly for selectively locking the binding plate to the base plate at any desired angle. The top of the base plate has an indexing platform with a circular series of bores to receive a spring-loaded pin (or two pins) with a large loop for locking the binding plate in position. Indexing markers on the base plate align the pin or pins with the holes of the base plate. The Metzger patent does not have roller bearings, a screw-type lock which can be securely fixed in the up or down position, an elevated lock ring to prevent icing, a central guide post for ease of alignment during assembly, an easy grasp elevated T-shaped lock handle for use with gloves or mittens, a positive engagement safety device to limit the degree of rotatability during free rotation, a spring rotation control, or a retrofit capability for using the existing boot binding and snowboard.  
       [0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,649, issued Oct. 23, 1990 to Chamberlin, shows a snowboard boot binder which allows the rider to rotate his boots while riding the snowboard. It has two base plates secured to the board and two plates with boot binders rotatably connected to the base plates. Springs between each rotating plate and each base plate limit relative motion therebetween and bias the rotating plates to return to the original angle of orientation after the rider rotates the plates. The Chamberlain patent does use ball bearings. It does not have a secure screw-type up and down locking device, does not have an elevated lock ring to prevent icing, a central guide post for ease of alignment during assembly, an easy grasp elevated T-shaped lock handle for use with gloves or mittens, a positive engagement safety device to limit the degree of rotatability during free rotation, and does not have retrofit capability.  
       [0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,779, issued Dec. 24, 1996 to Dawes et al., claims an adjustable snowboard boot binding apparatus which is rotatably adjustable “on the fly” without removing the boot from the binding and is compatible with existing snowboard boot bindings. A central hub is attached to the board and a top binding mounting plate and bottom circular rotating plate are interconnected and sandwich the hub between them, so that the binding plate and circular plate rotate on a bearing between the binding plate and the central hub. No snow or ice may penetrate to the hub. A spring-loaded plunger lock mechanism locks the binding plate to the central hub in a series of holes in the hub. Alternately, gear teeth on the hub may interact with a plunger to lock the device. Several other locking devices are shown. The Dawes patent does not have a secure screw-type up and down locking device. The Dawes patent does have a retrofit capability, but does not provide a low-friction ring between the binding and the cap plate to allow the cap plate to be bolted tight to the snowboard and bottom baseplate to secure the entire assembly with only four bolts with the binding and rotatable plate sandwiched rotatably between the cap plate and baseplate, and instead the Dawes patent requires a number of screws or bolts securing various layers of plates together for relative rotation therebetween. The Dawes patent does not provide an elevated lock ring to prevent icing, a central guide post for ease of alignment during assembly, a positive engagement safety device to limit the degree of rotatability during free rotation, a spring rotation control, or an easy grasp elevated T-shaped lock handle for use with gloves or mittens.  
       [0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,028,068, issued Jul. 2, 1991 to Donovan, describes a quick-action adjustable snowboard boot binding comprising a support plate to which a conventional boot binding is mounted. The support plate is fixedly attached to a circular swivel plate which rotates, via a center bearing, relative to a base plate attached to the board. A cable encircles a groove in the swivel plate and a handle pivots up to release the cable for adjusting the angle of the swivel plate and pivots down to tighten the swivel plate at a desired angle. Both boot bindings are angularly adjustable. The Donovan patent does not have a secure screw-type up and down locking device and does not have retrofit capability to fit any existing binding, and does not have an elevated lock ring to prevent icing, a central guide post for ease of alignment during assembly, a positive engagement safety device to limit the degree of rotatability during free rotation, a spring rotation control, or an easy grasp elevated T-shaped lock handle for use with gloves or mittens.  
       [0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,689, issued Nov. 16, 1993 to Carpenter et al., discloses a snowboard binding system utilizing a binding plate supported on the snowboard with a circular disk-shaped hold-down plate over the binding plate. The binding plate rotates relative to the hold-down plate, which each have ribs or ridges which interact to lock the rotational position of the binding plate. The boot must be removed and attaching screws loosened to change the angular orientation. Both bindings are rotatable. The Carpenter patent does not have a secure screw-type up and down locking device and does not have retrofit capability. Further, Carpenter lacks a wide track roller bearing, an elevated lock ring to prevent icing, a central guide post for ease of alignment during assembly, a positive engagement safety device to limit the degree of rotatability during free rotation, a spring rotation control, and an easy grasp elevated T-shaped lock handle for use with gloves or mittens.  
       [0015] U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,883, issued Sep. 10, 1996 to Erb, indicates a snowboard binding which permits angular reorientation of a user&#39;s foot while maintaining that foot attached to the snowboard and utilizes a footplate that is rotatably connected in close proximity to the snowboard by a circular anchor plate. A pair of spring biased pins inserted in a circular array of holes in the snowboard lock the footplate at any desired angle. Both bindings are rotatable. The Erb patent does not have a secure screw-type up and down locking device, a retrofit capability, a large diameter roller bearing, an elevated lock ring to prevent icing, a central guide post for ease of alignment during assembly, a positive engagement safety device to limit the degree of rotatability during free rotation, a spring rotation control, or an easy grasp elevated T-shaped lock handle for use with gloves or mittens.  
       [0016] U.S. Pat. No. 5,354,088, issued Oct. 11, 1994 to Vetter et al., puts forth a coupling for releasably mounting a boot with boot binding to a turntable ring which is adjustably secured to a snowboard. A spring loaded pin with a long cord is the locking mechanism. The Vetter patent does not have a secure screw-type up and down locking device, a retrofit capability, a large diameter roller bearing, an elevated lock ring to prevent icing, a central guide post for ease of alignment during assembly, a positive engagement safety device to limit the degree of rotatability during free rotation, a spring rotation control, or an easy grasp elevated T-shaped lock handle for use with gloves or mittens.  
       [0017] U.S. Pat. No. 5,667,237, issued Sep. 16, 1997 to Lauer, concerns a rotary locking feature for a snowboard binding allowing rotation of a snowboard binding relative to the snowboard without removal of the binding from the boot. It utilizes a releasable latch integral with the binding to disengage a rotatable locking mechanism having a stationary circular hub notched around the perimeter with a spring-loaded pointer engaging the notches to lock the rotating binding in place at a desired angle. The Lauer patent does not have a secure screw-type up and down locking device, a retrofit capability, a large diameter roller bearing, an elevated lock ring to prevent icing, a central guide post for ease of alignment during assembly, a positive engagement safety device to limit the degree of rotatability during free rotation, a spring rotation control, or an easy grasp elevated T-shaped lock handle for use with gloves or mittens.  
       [0018] U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,837, issued Mar. 19, 1996 to Hale et al., illustrates a swivelable mount for a snowboard having a rotatable binding plate attached to a circular plate which rotates in a circular groove of a base plate secured to the snowboard. A handle with a cam and spring-loaded pin secures the binding plate at a desired angle. The Hale patent does not have a secure screw-type up and down locking device, a retrofit capability, a large diameter roller bearing, an elevated lock ring to prevent icing, a central guide post for ease of alignment during assembly, a positive engagement safety device to limit the degree of rotatability during free rotation, a spring rotation control, or an easy grasp elevated T-shaped lock handle for use with gloves or mittens.  
       [0019] U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,116, issued Mar. 1, 1988 to Hill, is for a releasable binding for snowboards having a ring secured to a snowboard and a block rotatably mounted on the ring with boot-engaging plugs at each end of the block. A spring-loaded double pin locking system is operated by a handle to move both pins simultaneously for locking the binding at a desired angle. The Hill patent does not have a secure screw-type up and down locking device, a retrofit capability, a large diameter roller bearing, an elevated lock ring to prevent icing, a central guide post for ease of alignment during assembly, a positive engagement safety device to limit the degree of rotatability during free rotation, a spring rotation control, or an easy grasp elevated T-shaped lock handle for use with gloves or mittens.  
       [0020] U.S. Pat. No. 4,871,337, issued Oct. 3, 1989 to Harris, provides a binding for a snowboard (and water ski board) with longitudinal and angular adjustment. Riding plates move along a channel running down the center of the board traveling on a pivotable connector riding in the channel locked in place by a thumbscrew. The Harris patent does not have a secure screw-type up and down locking device, a retrofit capability, a large diameter roller bearing, an elevated lock ring to prevent icing, a central guide post for ease of alignment during assembly, a positive engagement safety device to limit the degree of rotatability during free rotation, a spring rotation control, or an easy grasp elevated T-shaped lock handle for use with gloves or mittens.  
       [0021] U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,492, issued Dec. 17, 1996 to Fardie, provides an adjustable snowboard binding assembly which can be rotatably controlled without the use of external tools. The snowboard mounting platforms each have a plurality of inwardly facing radial teeth along the circumference of a centralized circular cutout, the bottom of which rests on four quadrant segments connected to a stainless steel band which moves along a groove in the center of the board activated by a lever. The mounting platform can rotate relative to the four quadrant segments and is locked in place at a desired angle by two spring loaded sliding segments with mating teeth to engage the teeth on the mounting platform to lock it in place at a desired angle. The Fardie patent does not have a secure screw-type up and down locking device, a retrofit capability, a large diameter roller bearing, an elevated lock ring to prevent icing, a central guide post for ease of alignment during assembly, a positive engagement safety device to limit the degree of rotatability during free rotation, a spring rotation control, or an easy grasp elevated T-shaped lock handle for use with gloves or mittens.  
       [0022] None of the prior art enable a secure locking of the snowboard boot binding in either the hold down position or the freely rotating position. They require holding the locking mechanism to allow rotation and releasing the locking mechanism to lock it by spring action or friction. They further lack a central guide post for ease of alignment during assembly combined with a retrofit capability, an easy grasp elevated T-shaped lock handle for use with gloves or mittens, large diameter roller bearings for ease of rotation, a positive engagement safety device to limit the degree of rotatability during free rotation, and an elevated lock ring to prevent icing of the locking holes. The prior art patents do not provide a low-friction ring with bottom teeth engaging the teeth of the existing boot binding to preserve the teeth of the existing boot binding and a top low-friction surface of the low-friction ring contacting the cap plate to permit rotation of the boot binding beneath the cap plate.  
       [0023] None of the prior art devices provide an advertising or identification plate combined with the snowboard binding.  
       [0024] None of the prior art devices provide an adjustable means to allow a rotatable binding apparatus to be used with any of a variety of existing snowboard boots and bindings.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a rotatable snow board boot binding device with adjustable means to receive any of a variety of differently sized and differently shaped snowboard boots and bindings and hold the bindings to a rotatable plate with a secure fit to enable rough handling in operation but with a means for easily securing any of a variety of bindings to the rotatable plate and easily removing them.  
       [0026] Another primary object of the present invention is to provide a retrofit device adapted to existing snowboards and existing snowboard boot bindings which retrofit device converts the existing snowboard boot binding into a rotatable snowboard boot binding which has a locking mechanism for locking the binding in a stationary position or locking the binding in a rotatable position. Locking the mechanism in the up position allows hands-free rotation of the snowboard boot binding while standing upright or with bended knees in the downhill position to insure the exact angle of orientation of the boot binding with the snowboard. Locking the mechanism in a down position engaging the locking ring hole with the screw locking mechanism with the snowboard boot binding in any desired angular orientation to the snowboard insures that the boot will not slip out of the desired position for downhill boarding with both feet angled, or for level and uphill propelling with one foot aligned with the snowboard and the other free. On the ski lift one boot is locked securely at a comfortable and safe straight alignment with the snowboard for ease and safety of mounting and dismounting and trouble-free straight orientation while riding the lift.  
       [0027] A related object of the present invention is to provide a spring loaded locking mechanism for ease of insertion with the spring biasing the mechanism in the locked orientation for ease of insertion. The spring loaded locking mechanism may be employed in the double locking mechanism or a conventional lock down only mechanism.  
       [0028] A secondary object of the present invention is to provide an elevated locking ring which elevates the locking holes into which the locking shaft is inserted higher than the level of the snowboard so that water and slush will not collect in the locking holes and freeze, which would prevent the insertion of the locking shaft in the locking holes.  
       [0029] A third object of the present invention is to provide an elevated T-handle or L-handle on the locking shaft, which handle protrudes vertically for ease of grasping and operation with a gloved or mittened hand.  
       [0030] Another object of the present invention is to provide a large diameter roller bearing or pair of large diameter roller bearings for a free and easy rotation of the boot binding regardless of the weight of the snowboarder. The large diameter roller bearing further enables the use of large bearings which are less likely to become immobile from icing.  
       [0031] One more object of the present invention is to provide a retrofit device to convert an existing snowboard boot binding into a rotatable snowboard boot binding, which retrofit device has the screw hole configurations to adapt to the commonly used snowboard boot bindings so that the existing bindings are merely unscrewed, the device of the present invention is placed under the existing binding and four bolts (or three bolts) secure the cap plate, existing binding, and the device of the present invention to the snowboard. A low-friction ring with bottom teeth fits into the teeth of the existing boot binding to preserve the teeth of the existing boot binding, while a low-friction top surface of the low-friction ring contacts the cap plate to allow rotation of the boot binding and rotatable plate of the invention relative to the cap plate.  
       [0032] An additional object of the present invention is to provide an elevated large diameter guide post in the center of the base plate for ease of aligning and mounting the rotatable plate thereon with the large center opening of the rotatable plate engaging the guide post of the base plate.  
       [0033] An alternate object of the present invention is to provide the rotatable plate with a downwardly extending guide post in the center of the rotatable plate, the guide post fitting rotatably within a center opening in the base plate and retained rotatably therein by a C-clip in a circular slot adjacent to the end of the guide post on the underside of the base plate.  
       [0034] A related object of the present invention is to provide a flat top surface on the rotatable plate to which any existing snowboard boot binding may be attached by screw means or other attaching means.  
       [0035] A further object of the present invention is to provide a rotatable plate with a wide rectangular groove for receiving all standard snowboard boot bindings therein for a universal retrofit capability.  
       [0036] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a positive engagement safety device in the form of a pin on one plate and a mating arc of a circular groove on the adjacent plate, one of which plates is rotatable relative to the other, to limit the degree of rotatability during free rotation to a safe arc of about 100 degrees (plus or minus 15 degrees), thereby preventing injuries which might occur if the foot were capable of rotating further.  
       [0037] A corollary object of the present invention is to provide one or more springs attachable between the two plates to control rotation.  
       [0038] An added object of the present invention is to provide an elevated flat labeling surface on the rotatable plate for advertising information, such as a name and phone number of the seller of the snowboard, or for engraving the name of the owner or any other desired information thereon.  
       [0039] In brief, a base plate with an elevated central guide post and hole configuration to mate with standard snowboard holes is secured to the snowboard. A rotatable plate has a circular opening slightly larger than the guide post and fits rotatably over the guide post. The rotatable plate has an adjustable means to receive any of a variety of sizes and shapes of standard snowboard boot bindings. L-shaped brackets sliding in transverse grooves across the rotatable plate serve to hold the binding in the preferred embodiment. Other embodiments use removable bolts with bushings in different holes in the rotatable plate, variable sizes and shapes of grooves in the rotatable plate, side bolts through side ridges, and a high-friction upper surface of the rotatable plate contacting the binding.  
       [0040] A cap having similar mating holes and bolts or screws is screwed through the base plate holes into the mating holes in the snowboard. The cap has an elevated outer rim which fits rotatably in a recessed groove in the boot binding and a recessed circular bottom which fits through a circular opening in the boot binding and mating circular opening in the rotatable plate to contact the guide post of the base plate. The rotatable plate and boot binding are rotatably sandwiched between the cap and the base plate.  
       [0041] A low-friction ring with bottom teeth and top low-friction surface is set into the teeth of the existing boot binding with the low-friction top surface contacting the cap plate, or a large roller bearing ring may be installed between the cap plate and the low friction plate. Another large roller bearing ring may be installed between the rotatable plate and the base plate to facilitate the ease of rotation of the integrated rotatable plate and boot binding.  
       [0042] A screw-type locking mechanism on the rotatable plate has an upwardly protruding T-shaped or L-shaped handle which is easy to grasp and operate with mittens or gloves. In a preferred embodiment, a locking mechanism has a handle, which may be a T-shaped handle, attached to a spring-loaded locking post with a pair of opposing tabs protruding on each side of the post and a mating split-ring interlocking means having opposing openings the full height of the ring on each side of the ring for receiving and locking the tabs in the locked position with the post fully engaging the rotatable plate and the base plate so that no rotation takes place. The split ring further comprises recessed notches on opposing sides of the top split circular surface of the ring offset by 90 degrees from the slit openings, so that the handle may be pulled upward to pull the tabs out of the slits and turned 90 degrees and released to engage the tabs in the notches, thereby locking the post up out of engagement with the base plate so that the rotatable plate is free to rotate.  
       [0043] Another embodiment provides a spring-loaded post with an L-shaped handle fitting within a locking ring formed by a circular ring having an angled top surface with a notch at the high end of the angled top surface. In the locked down position, the handle rests at the low end of the angled surface biased downwardly by the spring so that the post engages both the rotatable plate and the base plate and rotation is prevented. Alternately the L-shaped handle is turned 180 degrees moving the handle up the angled surface to the top where the protruding tab of the L-shaped handle rests in the recessed notch at the top of the angled surface, thereby locking the post up out of engagement with the base plate so that the rotatable plate is free to rotate.  
       [0044] In another embodiment, a square cross-section lock shaft fits slidably within a sleeve with exterior threads and four binding tabs. When the sleeve is screwed tight into a lock base on the rotatable plate, sloping walls of the lock base press the four binding tabs against the sides of the lock shaft to bind the lock shaft in place. When the sleeve is partially unscrewed, the binding tabs recede from the sloping walls and the lock shaft is free to slide up and down. The lock shaft may be locked in a down position with the end of the shaft through any of a series of holes in a lock ring around the perimeter of the base plate to lock the rotatable plate and boot binding securely in any desired horizontal angular orientation to the snowboard. Alternately, the lock shaft may be securely locked in an up position with the end of the lock shaft above the base plate, so that the rotatable plate and boot binding rotates freely without holding the lock mechanism, enabling the snowboarder to stand in any position to adjust the boot binding at any desired angle. The lock shaft may be spring biased to assist in inserting the shaft into one of the holes in the lock ring. Alternately, a shaft without a locking mechanism may have a spring biasing the shaft in the lock position, so that upon lifting the shaft out of the lock position rotating the rotatable plate to a desired position, and releasing the shaft, it will automatically be biased into the hole in the lock shaft by the spring.  
       [0045] The lock ring of the base plate is elevated above the snowboard to enable water, slush, and snow to drain out of the lock holes by gravity to prevent icing in the holes, so that the lock shaft will always fit easily into the lock holes.  
       [0046] A positive engagement safety device comprises a pin on either the rotatable plate or the base plate engaging a mating arc of a circular groove on the other plate, with the pin stopped at each end of the arc to limit the degree of rotatability during free rotation to a safe arc of about 100 degrees, thereby preventing injuries which might occur if the foot were capable of rotating further. A pair of springs positioned in the groove with one on each side of the pin control the rotation rate of the rotatable plate and cause the rotatable plate to return to its original position upon release of the rotatable plate.  
       [0047] One advantage of the present invention is that it securely and removably holds any of a variety of snow board boot binding sizes and shapes to prevent the binding from moving horizontally on the rotatable plate.  
       [0048] Another advantage of the present invention is that a snowboard boot binding is easily rotatable by the snowboarder in any position, standing or kneeling or whatever, without the need for the snowboarder to hold onto the lock mechanism while rotating the boot binding. This enables the snowboarder to adjust the angle of the binding to the exact angular orientation desired for different positions of performance and different snow conditions. It enables the snowboarder to make the adjustments while on the slope or the flat or on the lift.  
       [0049] Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the lock holes will not ice up, so that the lock mechanism always operates easily and smoothly with the lock shaft sliding easily into the lock holes.  
       [0050] Still another advantage of the present invention is that the large upwardly protruding T-shaped handle or L-shaped handle is easily gripped and operated by the snowboard with mittens or gloves on.  
       [0051] A corollary advantage of the present invention is that the screw-type lock locks securely without danger of the lock shaft being knocked out of the lock holes by rough operation of the snowboard and the large T-shaped or L-shaped handle provides the leverage to enable the snowboarder to screw the lock mechanism down tightly. Having a spring biasing the lock shaft in a downward position of a sloping surface or into a notch further insures a secured locked engagement of the shaft in either the up or down position.  
       [0052] An additional advantage of the present invention is that it may be retrofit to any existing snowboard and utilize the existing boot binding on the snowboard, so that only the rotatable plate, base plate, cap plate, optional low-friction ring, and optional bearings need be acquired to convert an existing snowboard with stationary boot bindings into a snowboard with one or two rotatable adjustable boot bindings.  
       [0053] A related advantage of the present invention is that the low-friction ring preserves the teeth of the existing boot binding while providing a low-friction surface to contact the cap plate or the optional roller bearing between the cap plate and the low-friction ring, allowing free rotation of the boot binding.  
       [0054] One more advantage of the present invention is that it is easily and accurately installed with mating holes aligning the base plate with the snowboard, a guide post aligning the rotatable plate and cap with the base plate, and a wide groove aligning the existing boot binding with the rotatable plate, requiring only four bolts to secure each converted boot binding to the snowboard.  
       [0055] Yet another advantage of the present invention is that using large diameter roller bearing rings allows very easy rotation of the boot binding.  
       [0056] Still another advantage of the present invention is that having a positive engagement safety limit of rotation of the boot permits free rotation of the boot without danger of rotating too far to create an injury.  
       [0057] A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides an elevated advertising or name plate surface clearly visible on the rotatable plate on the other side of the boot binding groove opposite to the lock mechanism.  
       [0058] These and other features, objects and advantages will be understood or apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the various drawing figures. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0059]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the components of the invention aligned for assembly with the existing snowboard and existing snowboard boot binding and showing the preferred flat rotatable plate having a downwardly protruding guide post rotatably engaging a stationary base plate and a flat top surface for attaching any existing snowboard boot binding directly to the plate which locks alternately in a rotatable configuration and stationary configuration;  
     [0060]FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view showing the components of the invention aligned for assembly with the existing snowboard and existing snowboard boot binding and showing a rotatable plate having a center opening to receive an upwardly protruding guide post from the stationary plate, the rotatable plate having notches with movable angles and screws thereon as an adjustable means for securing any boot binding to the rotatable plate;  
     [0061]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken through the centerline of the assembled invention of FIG. 1;  
     [0062]FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the T-shaped lock handle, square lock shaft, and externally threaded sleeve with binding tabs fitting slidably over the lock shaft;  
     [0063]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken through the lock base showing the externally threaded sleeve screwed down tight with the tapered walls of the lock base forcing the binding tabs against the lock shaft to bind it in place;  
     [0064]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken through the lock base showing the externally threaded sleeve screwed only part way into the lock base so that the binding tabs are apart from the lock shaft and the lock shaft is free to slide up and down in the externally threaded sleeve;  
     [0065]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken through the centerline of the assembled invention of FIG. 1A having only a lower roller bearing between the rotatable plate and the base plate and no upper roller bearing;  
     [0066]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken through the centerline of the assembled invention of FIG. 1A having only an upper roller bearing between the binding attaching plate and the boot binding and no lower roller bearing;  
     [0067]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken through the centerline of the assembled invention of FIG. 1A having no upper roller bearing and no lower roller bearing;  
     [0068]FIG. 9 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the locking mechanism with a downwardly biasing spring on the double screw lock in the locked mode released spring position so that the locking post downwardly engages the base plate to prevent rotation of the rotatable plate;  
     [0069]FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the alternate embodiment of the locking mechanism of FIG. 9 with a downwardly biasing spring on the double screw lock in the spring compressed position and the locking post elevated out of engagement with the base plate so that the rotatable plate may be freely rotated;  
     [0070]FIG. 11 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of another alternate embodiment of the locking mechanism with a downwardly biasing spring on a non-threaded spring-loaded lock shaft with the spring in the released position so that the locking post downwardly engages the base plate to prevent rotation of the rotatable plate;  
     [0071]FIG. 12 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the other alternate embodiment of the locking mechanism of FIG. 11 with a downwardly biased spring on a non-threaded spring-loaded lock shaft lock in the spring compressed position and the locking post elevated out of engagement with the base plate so that the rotatable plate may be freely rotated;  
     [0072]FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the base plate showing the safety means groove and mating pin from the rotatable plate with a pair of springs inserted in the groove with one on each side of the pin;  
     [0073]FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the rotatable plate having as adjustable binding securing means comprising L-shaped brackets sliding in transverse slots with screws through slotted openings to secure the tabs adjustably within the slots and showing a snowboard boot binding aligned to be secured between the tabs on the plate;  
     [0074]FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view taken through another embodiment one of the transverse slots of the rotatable plate and alternate embodiments of the L-shaped brackets aligned for insertion in the slots wherein both the transverse slots and the L-shaped brackets have mutually engaging sharp teeth ridges to secure the tabs against horizontal movement;  
     [0075]FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing an alternate embodiment of the rotatable plate having a variably shaped groove in the plate to receive an aligned mating shaped snowboard boot binding within the groove to prevent horizontal movement of the binding on the plate;  
     [0076]FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing an alternate embodiment of the rotatable plate having bolts with rubber bushings removably securable in any of a series of holes around the circumference of the plate to secure the aligned snowboard boot binding between the bolts to prevent horizontal movement of the binding on the plate;  
     [0077]FIG. 18A shows a side elevational view of one of the bolts of the embodiment of FIG. 17 having a rounded bushing;  
     [0078]FIG. 18B shows a side elevational view of another of the bolts of the embodiment of FIG. 17 having a conical bushing;  
     [0079]FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing an alternate embodiment of the rotatable plate having a central groove across the rotatable plate having elevated side ridges through which bolts are removably securable to engage the sides of the snowboard boot binding aligned with the plate to prevent horizontal movement of the binding on the plate;  
     [0080]FIG. 20 is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the rotatable plate having a high friction surface to engage the bottom surface of the snowboard boot binding to prevent the horizontal movement of the binding on the plate;  
     [0081]FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken through a centerline of the alternate embodiment of the rotatable plate of FIG. 20 showing the protruding points of the high friction surface on top of the plate;  
     [0082]FIG. 22 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the locking mechanism with a downwardly biasing spring on a locking shaft with an L-shaped handle movable on an angled top rim of a sleeve and shown in the locked mode released spring position so that the handle is at the bottom of the angled top rim and the locking post downwardly engages the base plate to prevent rotation of the rotatable plate;  
     [0083]FIG. 23 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the alternate embodiment of the locking mechanism of FIG. 22 with the handle engaged in a notch at the top of the angled rim, the spring in the compressed position, and the locking post elevated out of engagement with the base plate so that the rotatable plate may be freely rotated;  
     [0084]FIG. 24 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the locking mechanism with a T-shaped handle having side tabs protruding from the lock post which tab engage the two sides of a slot in a slotted ring encircling the lock post and a downwardly biasing spring on the lock shaft with the spring in the released position so that the locking post downwardly engages the base plate to prevent rotation of the rotatable plate;  
     [0085]FIG. 25 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the other alternate embodiment of the locking mechanism of FIG. 24 with the locking post elevated and turned 90 degrees so that the tabs are locked in notches on each side of the top rim of the split ring at 90 degrees to the slit, and the lock shaft lock in the spring compressed position, and the base of the locking post elevated out of engagement with the base plate so that the rotatable plate may be freely rotated.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     [0086] In FIGS. 1, 2 and  6 - 8  the invention comprises a rotatable snowboard boot binding device having a pair of rigid plates which may be retrofit to a standard snowboard  70  (shown dashed) and a standard snowboard boot binding  60  (shown dashed). A base plate  50  is adapted to be secured to the snowboard  70  with mating holes  53  in the bottom base plate to match the standard holes  73  in the snowboard  70  secured together by screws or bolts  21  screwed into the snowboard holes  73 .  
     [0087] The rotatable plate  30  is rotatably connected to the base plate with one plate having a protruding circular guide post and the other plate having a mating circular opening for encircling the guide post. In FIGS. 1 and 2 the guide post  140  extends downwardly from the center of the rotatable plate  30  and fits rotatably in a central opening  51  in the base plate. As seen in FIG. 2, a retaining pin  146 , such as a C-shaped spring clip, fits within a circular groove  145  around the guide post  140  adjacent to the bottom to retain the rotatable plate  30  rotatably attached to the base plate  50  with the retaining pin  146  accommodated by a recessed groove  52  on the underside of the base plate around the center opening  51 .  
     [0088] In FIGS. 1 and 2, a cap plate  20  secures the boot binding  60  to the rotatable plate  30  so that the boot binding and rotatable plate are rotatable relative to the base plate  50 . The boot binding  60  has a circular opening therethrough and the cap plate  20  has an elevated peripheral rim  26  and a downwardly protruding circular bottom  28 , smaller in diameter than the binding circular opening, so that the downwardly protruding circular bottom of the cap plate is capable of fitting into the mating circular opening and contacting the rotatable plate  30  to which the cap plate is secured by bolts  21 , or other attaching means in holes  143 , while the elevated peripheral rim  26  of the cap plate  20  secures the boot binding  60  to the rotatable plate  30  by the interlocking of the top teeth  81  and bottom teeth  61  thereby locking the boot binding  60  to the rotatable plate  30 .  
     [0089] In FIG. 1A an alternate embodiment has bolts or screws  21  through mating holes  23  in a top cap plate  20  secure the existing boot binding  60  and the rotatable plate  30  to the base plate  50  and to the existing snowboard  70  so that the boot binding and rotatable plate are rotatable relative to the base plate  50  and the top cap plate  20 . The downwardly protruding circular bottom  28  of the cap plate  20  is slightly smaller than the circular opening  65  formed by an inner circular wall  64  in the existing boot binding  60  and the outer elevated peripheral lip  26  of the cap plate  20  is slightly smaller in diameter than the outer circular wall  62  in the boot binding, so that the boot binding is free to rotate relative to the cap plate. The height of the circular wall  24  of the cap plate  20  is such that with the downwardly protruding circular bottom  28  of the cap plate  20  firmly secured to the protruding circular guide post  55  of the base plate  50 , the outer elevated lip  26  of the cap plate  20  does not restrict the circular ridge with teeth  61  of the boot binding  60  so that the boot binding  60  and the rotatable plate  30  are free to rotate relative to the cap plate. A low-friction ring  80  (shown dashed) has bottom teeth  81  to engage the teeth  61  of the boot binding  60  and a top low-friction surface  86  to contact the outer elevated lip  26  of the cap plate  20  for easier rotation between the cap plate and the boot binding and to preserve the teeth  61  of the boot binding  60 . A top large diameter roller bearing ring  27  with roller bearings  29  may be positioned between the cap plate  20  and the low-friction ring  80  to facilitate rotation therebetween.  
     [0090] In FIGS.  1 A,  6 - 8  and  14 - 21  the rotatable plate has a binding retaining means  100 ,  37 B,  17 ,  21 D, and  110  for receiving and securing a snowboard boot binding  60  and  60 A selected from a variety of snowboard boot bindings of various sizes and shapes. The binding retaining means is configured to adapt to the size and shape of the snowboard boot binding and confine the snowboard boot binding to a single stationary position on the rotatable plate to prevent horizontal movement of the snowboard boot binding relative to the rotatable plate.  
     [0091] In FIGS.  6 - 8 , a top rotatable plate  30  is adapted for receiving a standard snowboard binding  60  in a wide recessed groove area  38  having side walls  37 , the top rotatable plate secured to the bottom base plate by a rotatable means such as a circular opening  35 , as seen in FIG. 1A, in the rotatable plate  30  fits over the slightly smaller diameter circular elevated guide post  55  of the bottom base plate  50  allowing rotation therebetween. A large diameter bottom roller bearing ring  27  with roller bearings  29  may fit between the plates to facilitate the rotation.  
     [0092] In FIGS. 1A and 14, the rotatable plate  30 A is configured with two parallel slots  105  positioned transversely to the boot binding  60 . Each of the slots has a series of threaded holes  109  in the bottom of the slot. The preferred embodiment of the binding retaining means comprises a pair of opposing L-shaped brackets  100 , each having an elongated opening  103  through a bottom leg, and a screw means  21  for each of the L-shaped brackets securing each of the L-shaped brackets adjustably through the elongated opening  103  of each of the L-shaped brackets and into one of the series of holes  109  within each of the slots  105  with one of the L-shaped brackets  100  on each side of the boot binding contacting the boot binding. Each of the L-shaped brackets is preferably provided with a resilient pad  101 , such as rubber or a synthetic rubberlike substance with resilience and high friction, attached by adhesion or other means to the upright leg of the L-shaped bracket  100  to assist in creating a tight fit for the boot binding  60  and help resist movement of the boot binding horizontally along the rotatable plate  30 A.  
     [0093] In FIG. 1A the pair of L-shaped brackets  100  further comprise a threaded opening  104  through a top leg of each bracket and further comprising a screw means  21 A capable of being threaded through each threaded opening to engage the boot binding  60 .  
     [0094] In FIG. 15, the rotatable plate  30 B is configured with two parallel slots  105 B positioned transversely to the boot binding  60 , each of the slots having a series of angled teeth ridges  107  in the bottom of the slot, and the binding retaining means comprises a pair of opposing L-shaped brackets  100 A, each having a series of mating angled teeth  106  along a bottom surface of a bottom leg. Each of the pairs of L-shaped brackets  100 A is secured within each of the slots  105 B with one of the L-shaped brackets on each side of the boot binding  60  contacting the boot binding, wherein the angled teeth ridges  106  of the L-shaped brackets  100 A engage the angled teeth ridges  107  of the slot  105 B.  
     [0095] In FIGS. 20 and 21, the boot binding has a flat bottom surface formed of a malleable material and the binding retaining means comprises a high friction upper surface on the rotatable plate having pointed protrusions  110  which penetrate the malleable material surface of the boot binding with a high friction secure connection to prevent horizontal movement of the boot binding.  
     [0096] In FIG. 16, the binding retaining means comprises the rotatable plate  30 C having a wide groove in the top surface of the rotatable plate  30 C having a flat bottom  38  and elevated sides  37 B, the wide groove adapted by varying the shape of the elevated sides  37 B accordingly to conform to the shape and size of a boot binding  60 A to accommodate the boot binding therein in a tight friction fit with the boot binding contacting the elevated sides  37 B of the groove along their entire length.  
     [0097] In FIG. 19, the binding retaining means comprises the rotatable plate  30 E having a wide groove in the top surface of the rotatable plate having a flat bottom  38  and side walls  15  which protrude above the surface of the rotatable plate, each of the side walls having at least two holes  16  therein, one of the holes adjacent to a front of the boot binding and the other adjacent to a back of the boot binding, and a screw means  21 E threaded into each of the holes  16  in the side walls to engage the boot binding  60  secured therebetween.  
     [0098] In FIG. 17, the rotatable plate  30 D has a series of holes  36  therein and the binding retaining means comprises at least four screw means  17 , each fitted with a flexible bushing means  16 , the screw means capable of being threadedly engaged in selected holes  36  in the rotatable plate so that the screw means engage and prevent horizontal movement of the boot binding on each side of the boot binding adjacent to a front and adjacent to a back of the boot binding.  
     [0099] In FIGS. 2 and 6- 8 , the rotatable snowboard boot binding device has a double screw locking mechanism  40  capable of locking in a down position (shown dashed in FIGS. 2 and 6- 8 ) engaging both the base plate  50  and the rotatable plate  30 B with the end of the locking shaft  47  through one of the lock holes  59  in the elevated lock ring  56  of the base plate  50 , so that the rotatable plate  30 B is secured to the base plate  50  to prevent rotation therebetween and the side walls  67  of the snowboard boot binding  60  secured within the parallel side walls  37  of the wide groove  38  of the rotatable plate  50  is stationary relative to the snowboard  70 . The double screw locking mechanism  40  is further capable of locking in an up position (shown in solid lines) free of the base plate  50  to allow rotation between the rotatable plate  30 B and the base plate  50  so that the snowboard boot binding  60  is rotatable relative to the snowboard  70  without holding the locking means  40 .  
     [0100] In FIGS. 2 and 6- 8 , the base plate  50  has an elevated lock ring  56  with a series of openings  59  around the perimeter of the base plate  50 . The locking shaft  47  from the rotatable plate  30 B is capable of selectively engaging any one of the openings  59  of the base plate  50  to allow the rotatable plate  30 N and boot binding  60 A to be securely locked at any desired horizontal angle to the snowboard  70 . The elevated lock ring  56  is elevated above the snowboard  70  with a space  57  therebetween so that the lock holes  59  are elevated above the snowboard and fluids may drain from the lock holes to prevent icing in the lock holes  59 .  
     [0101] In FIGS. 3, 4, and  5  the double lock screw lock mechanism  40  comprises a square cross-sectioned locking shaft  47  which fits slidably within a sleeve  43  with external threads  44  and with four binding tabs  45  separated by slots  46 , the binding tabs adjacent to the four sides of the locking shaft, so that the locking shaft  47  is capable of turning the externally threaded sleeve  43  to screw the externally threaded sleeve  43  into and out of a locking base  42  secured to the rotatable plate  30 . The locking shaft  47  is provided at its top end with a T-shaped handle  41  protruding above the locking base  42  for easy grasping and good leverage in tightening and loosening the screw with gloved or mittened hands. The locking base  42  for receiving the locking shaft  47  therethrough is attached to the rotatable ring  30  on an elevated side  33  adjacent to the boot binding groove  38 . The locking base  42  has a hollow vertical opening with internal threads  48  over a top portion and having downwardly and inwardly tapering walls  49  over a bottom portion, so that the externally threaded sleeve  43  is capable of engaging the internal threads  48  of the locking base  42 . In a loosely screwed engagement, as in FIG. 5, the locking shaft  47  is freely movable vertically within the externally threaded sleeve  43 . In a tightly screwed engagement of the externally threaded sleeve  43  with the internal threads  48  of the locking base  42 , as in FIG. 4, the binding tabs  45  of the externally threaded sleeve are forced against the locking shaft  47  by the tapering walls  49  of the locking base  42  securely locking the locking shaft  47  within the locking base  42 . With the locking shaft  47  screwed tight in the locked position and engaging one of the openings  59  (as in dashed lines in FIGS. 2 and 6- 8 ) in the base plate  50  it prevents rotation of the rotatable plate  30  and the boot binding  60 . With the locking shaft  47  not engaging one of the openings  59  in the base plate  50 , (as in solid lines in FIGS. 2 and 6- 8 ) it allows free rotation of the rotatable plate  30  and the boot binding  60  without holding the T-shaped handle  41  of the locking mechanism.  
     [0102] In FIGS. 9 and 10, an alternate embodiment of the locking mechanism provides an enlarged lock opening  99  in the rotatable plate  30  with an elastic element, preferably a spring  90  encircling the lock shaft  47  of the double screw lock to bias the lock shaft toward the locked mode shown in FIG. 9 when the lock shaft is unscrewed from the released mode shown in FIG. 10. The spring  90  is held in place between an enlarged tip  95  of the lock shaft  47  and the bottom of the locking base  42 .  
     [0103] In FIGS. 11 and 12, another alternate embodiment of the locking mechanism has an enlarged lock opening  99  in the rotatable plate  30  to receive an elastic element, preferably a spring  90  surrounding a non-threaded spring-loaded lock shaft  47 A of an alternate locking mechanism  40 A with large T-handle  41 A. The spring  90  biases the lock shaft  47 A in the locked mode position for retaining the snowboard boot binding in the locked stationary position, as shown in FIG. 11. The shaft locks automatically from the force of the spring  90  when the lock shaft  47 A is let go from the manually held, top plate, released mode position shown in FIG. 12. It restricts rotation of the top plate  30  relative to the bottom plate  50  of the snowboard boot binding. The spring  90  is held in place between an enlarged tip  95  of the lock shaft  47 A and the bottom of the locking base  42 A.  
     [0104] In FIGS.  22 - 25 , the locking assembly  120  and  130  comprises a tension means, such as a spring  90 , for biasing the locking shaft  47 B and  47 C toward the base plate  50  and the locking shaft further comprises at least one lateral protrusion extending therefrom, such as the L-shaped handle  122  with the protruding arm  121  of FIGS. 22 and 23 and the protruding tabs  138  of FIG. 25. A locking base, such as an angle rimmed sleeve  123  with bolt  125  of FIGS. 22 and 23 or a split ring  133  with bolt  125  of FIGS. 24 and 25, is attached to the rotatable plate  30 . The locking base has a vertical opening  129  and  139  therethrough to admit the locking shaft fitting slidably therein and the locking base further comprising an upper shaft engaging means  124  and  134  for engaging the at least one lateral protrusion  121  and  138  of the locking shaft in an upper position with the locking shaft  47 B and  47 C disengaged from the base plate and a lower shaft engaging means  126  and  136  for engaging the at least one lateral protrusion of the locking shaft in a lower position with the locking shaft  47 B and  47 C engaging the base plate  50 .  
     [0105] In FIGS. 22 and 23, the locking base comprises a solid sleeve  123  having an angled top rim with a notch opening  124  in a top of the angled rim and a V-configuration  126  at the bottom of the angled rim. The notch opening  124  comprises the upper shaft engaging means and the V-configuration  126  comprises the lower shaft engaging means and the at least one lateral protrusion of the locking shaft comprises an L-shaped handle  122  with a flag-like arm  121  protruding laterally from the locking shaft, the arm  121  of the L-shaped handle capable of being secured alternately in the V-configuration  126 , as seen in FIG. 22 with the locking shaft  47 B engaged in the base plate  50 , and slid upwardly along the angled rim and rotated 180 degrees in the notch opening  124  with the locking shaft  47 B disengaged from the base plate  50  and the rotatable plate  30  free to rotate.  
     [0106] In FIGS. 24 and 25, the preferred embodiment of the locking mechanism  130  has a T-shaped handle  41 A attached to the top of the locking post  47 C and has side tabs  138  protruding from the lock post  47 C. The locking base comprises a split sleeve  133  having a pair of slit openings  136  the full height of the split sleeve  133  with one of the pair of slit openings on each of two opposing sides of the split sleeve. The top edge of the split sleeve has a pair of notch openings  134  in the ridge with one of the pair of notch openings on each of two opposing sides of the split sleeve orthogonal to the slits. The pair of slit openings  136  comprises the lower shaft engaging means and the pair of notch openings  134  comprises the upper shaft engaging means and the at least one lateral protrusion, the lateral tabs  138  of the locking shaft protruding laterally from the locking shaft on opposing sides of the locking shaft are capable of being secured alternately in the pair of slit openings  136 , as seen in FIG. 24 with the locking shaft  47 C engaged in the base plate  50 , and lifted upwardly and rotated 90 degrees in the pair of notch openings  134  with the locking shaft  47 C disengaged from the base plate  50  and the rotatable plate  30  free to rotate.  
     [0107] In FIG. 13, an alternate embodiment of the rotation safety means comprises a pair of springs  93  inserted in the groove  58 , with one spring  93  on each side of the mating pin  18  from the rotatable plate (not shown) to regulate the rotation of the rotatable plate relative to the base plate. The springs  93  are capable of regulating the rate of the rotation of the rotatable plate and biasing the rotatable plate to return to a single angular orientation relative to the base plate, the springs alternately biasing the pin to return to the same central position in the groove as the rotatable plate is rotated and released and maintaining a controlled pressure on the rotatable plate as it is turned. The springs are held in place in the groove by the rotatable plate  30  and the snowboard  70  which sandwich the lock plate  50  therebetween. While springs are preferred other elastic elements may be used.  
     [0108] In FIGS. 16 and 19, an elevated information bearing surface  39  is formed adjacent to the boot binding groove  38  elevated by wall  37  on the side opposite to the lock mechanism  40  on the rotatable plate  30 . Information  32  such as an advertising message with a name or phone number of the seller of the invention or the name of the owner of the snowboard may be visibly attached to the information bearing surface  39  by a plate  31  screwed on or a label adhered thereto bearing information affixed thereon or by imprinting or inscribing the information thereon.  
     [0109] In FIGS. 1, 2, and  6 - 8 , a safety means is incorporated in the base plate and the rotatable plate to limit the degree of relative rotation therebetween to permit the snowboard boot to turn within a safe limit and prevent the snowboard boot from turning beyond the safe limit. One of the pair of rigid plates has a groove  58 , shown in the base plate  50 , therein in the shape of an arc of a circle and the other of the pair of the rigid plates has a mating pin  18 , shown in the rotatable plate  30 , protruding downwardly therefrom, the pin  18  engaging the groove  58  and thereby limiting the degree of relative rotation of the rigid plates to the degree of the arc of the circular groove  58 , which is preferably 100 degrees. The groove is preferably cut through the plate and the pin may be formed with the other plate or welded or bolted on or otherwise attached. This safety feature prevents over-extension of the knee and ankle which might occur if the boot rotated too far. This permits a safe limit of free rotation of the boot while going downhill or performing any other activity.  
     [0110] The plates and cap of the invention are preferably fabricated of a non-rust durable material, such as a non-rusting metal plate or structurally durable molded or injected plastic. The lock shaft is preferably fabricated of stainless steel or other non-rusting strong metal. The low-friction ring is preferably fabricated of a low-friction material such as Nylon®.  
     [0111] Although the present invention has been described in terms of the presently preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that such disclosure is purely illustrative and is not to be interpreted as limiting. Consequently, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, various alterations, modifications, and/or alternative applications of the invention will, no doubt, be suggested to those skilled in the art after having read the preceding disclosure. Accordingly, it is intended that the following claims be interpreted as encompassing all alterations, modifications, or alternative applications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.