Patent Publication Number: US-6213493-B1

Title: Boot binding system for a snowboard

Description:
REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION 
     This application is deemed to be a continuation of patent application Ser. No. 09/087,874 filed Jun. 1, 1998 entitled BOOT BINDING SYSTEM FOR A SNOWBOARD, by the present inventor, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,062,586 which in turn in a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/931,099 filed Sep. 15, 1997 entitled BOOT BINDING APPARATUS FOR A SNOWBOARD, also by the present inventor, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,553. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1) Field of the Invention 
     The field of this invention relates to recreational equipment and more particularly to a boot binding system between a snowboard boot and a snowboard which is designed to be maneuvered by a human across snow. 
     2) Description of the Prior Art 
     Snowboarding, as a sport, is discussed within the prior application Ser. No. 08/931,099 of which this application is a continuation-in-part. Also, the prior application has discussed the prior art of “step-in” bindings to which the structure of the present invention is directed. 
     Previously, within snowboard boots, there have been utilized soft boots, hard boots and more recently, for the purpose of “step-in” bindings, a hybrid boot that includes a stiff shank imbedded in the sole for retention and control. In the past, a soft boot has been used for freestyle and free riding, with hard boots being used for alpine and racing. In the past, if a soft boot has been used, the boot is attached to the snowboard by a strapping arrangement. Such a strapping arrangement does not permit a step-into and a step-out-of procedure in conjunction with the snowboard. The strapping arrangement requires the user to actually fasten the straps to secure the boot onto the snowboard. This type of securement procedure for the snowboard boot is time consuming with the release procedure also being time consuming. 
     The step-in procedure in the past has always been reserved for the hard type of boot and the hybrid boot. The inclusion of a stiff shank in the sole of a boot inherently makes the boot less comfortable when being worn but has been necessary in the past for proper secure retention and control of the boot on the snowboard for “step-in” type binding attachments. A soft boot is far more comfortable for general recreational snowboarding, and this is the boot style of choice for the majority of the recreational snowboarders worldwide. The soft boot permits a normal walking movement when the user is walking in the boots when not connected to the snowboard where the hard boot restricts normal walking movement. In snowboarding applications, a soft boot also provides superior arch support, shock absorption and a soft foot bed that conforms to the shape of the rider&#39;s foot. A soft boot is easier for the rider to “skate” the snowboard across the snow. A normal walking movement for comfort requires a limited amount of bending movement of the sole with the sole being flexible. However, in the past, it has not been deemed to be possible to construct a soft boot to be utilized in conjunction with a “stepin” binding. “Step-in” bindings, with skis and snowboards, have long been known. The “step-in” bindings of the prior art allow for a single step-in procedure with generally the procedure constituting the (1) toe of the boot engaging first by spearing the toe of the boot forward beneath a bridge, pushing the boot forward and then pivoting of the heel of the boot (toe then heel) to complete engagement with the binding system mounted on the snowboard, (2) straight down simultaneous engagement and (3) side-to-side engagement. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The primary objective of this invention is to construct a boot binding apparatus for a snowboard which will permit the rider to engage in three different manners, the first manner being heel then toe, the second manner being toe then heel and the third manner being heel and toe simultaneously. 
     A further objective of this invention is to allow the rider to easily engage the boot to the binding on any slope of terrain without having to reorientate the snowboard on the terrain. 
     A further objective of this invention is to allow the rider to easily engage the boot to the binding so the back of the boot abuts against the exterior highback without any adjustment of the highback. 
     A further objective is to create a “step-in” binding that utilizes a true soft boot. 
     With the boot binding system engaged with the snowboard boot, the sole of the boot is substantially in total flush contact with the upper surface of the base plate of the binding. In the toe to heel “step-in” bindings of the prior art where the securements are located under the sole of the boot, the snowboard boot is mounted to the binding with the boot assuming a slightly spaced position above the surface of the binding. This non-direct contact between the boot and the binding causes a wobbling type movement of the boot relative to the snowboard that is deemed to be undesirable. With the surface of the sole of the boot in direct contact with the upper surface of the binding, there is a fixed relationship (non-wobbling) between the boot and the binding so that both the boot and the snowboard operate as one together when the snowboard is moving across the snow. Also, the increased area of contact between the boot and the binding facilitates the application of slight precise movements that are required to turn the direction of the snowboard making such turning easier and quicker and provides the rider with a stable control surface providing phase reaction between the boot and the binding and superior shock absorption not found in the prior art. 
     Another objective of the present invention is that the binding mechanism between the boot and the snowboard is totally enclosed and is protected from contamination with snow or debris during operation of the snowboard. This contamination could affect the engagement and release procedure and subsequent reengagement of the binding apparatus as well as also affecting the flush interconnection between the sole of the boot and the upper surface of the snowboard. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to allow disengagement of the boot from the binding in a forward walking-like manner. When the release is activated, the heel of the boot is lifted and the toe is free to move forward away from the binding. 
     The boot binding apparatus of the present invention provides for a “step-in” binding while using of a true soft soled boot. The boot utilizes no stiffening shank imbedded in the sole and the boot upper has no internal rigid support structure. The sole of the boot is to rest directly onto the upper surface of the binding when the boot is securely engaged by the binding system of the snowboard. Latching mechanisms between the boot and the snowboard are totally enclosed and protected from contamination by snow and debris when the boot is engaged with the snowboard. The rear latching mechanism is continuously spring biased so such is always biased toward the latching position. The front latching mechanism may also be spring biased. Therefore, when operating of the snowboard, if there is an upward movement in a direction of the boot away from the snowboard, these biased latching mechanisms will actually more tightly engage to insure that the boot is prevented from accidental disengagement. The front hook member of the snowboard boot is to engage with the front latching mechanism mounted on the snowboard. The front latching member includes a front latching hook that faces directly toward the toe edge of the snowboard. The rear latching mechanism is to be movable between a latching position and an unlatching position by means of a pivotable cam which is connected to a manually operated handle. Flexing of the sole of the boot permits normal bending of the sole when skating and during walking and running movement when the snowboard boot is not engaged with the snowboard binding. The flexible sole provides comfortable arch support, soft foot bed cushioning and superior shock absorption. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional, side, exploded view depicting straight down simultaneous engagement of both the hook members of a snowboard boot with the front latching mechanism and rear latching mechanism of the boot binding apparatus mounted on the snowboard and also showing the flexibility of the soft boot; 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a portion of the boot binding apparatus mounted on the snowboard taken along line  2 — 2  of FIG. 1 with the boot binding apparatus being shown partly in cross-section; 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom cross-sectional view through the boot binding apparatus of this invention taken along line  3 — 3  of FIG. 1 showing an unlatching of cam mechanism in the position with the rear latching mechanism in the latched position; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a cam mechanism that is usable to move the rear latching mechanism of the snowboard from a latching position to an unlatching position showing the cam in its position with the rear latching mechanism in the unlatched position; 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the front latching mechanism of the boot binding system taken along line  5 — 5  of FIG. 2 showing the front latching hook in its forwardmost biased position; 
     FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but showing the front latching hook in its rearwardmost biased position; 
     FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the front latching hook of FIGS. 5 and 6; 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view through the rear latching mechanism of the boot binding apparatus of this invention taken along line  8 — 8  of FIG. 2 showing the rear latching mechanism in the latching position; 
     FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the rear latching mechanism of FIG. 8 showing the rear latching mechanism in the unlatching position; 
     FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the snowboard boot securely mounted in conjunction with the boot binding apparatus; 
     FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 10 depicting a heel then toe engagement procedure of the boot with the boot binding system; 
     FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 11 depicting a toe then heel engagement procedure of the boot with the boot binding system; 
     FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 12 depicting a heel then toe forward disengagement procedure of the boot relative to the boot binding system; 
     FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 12 but where the front latching mechanism mounted on the snowboard comprises a fixed member and is not movable as is shown in FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 15 is an isometric view of the fixed version of front latching mechanism that is to be mounted on the snowboard in FIG. 14; and 
     FIG. 16 is an isometric view depicting mounting of the snowboard binding of this invention in conjunction with boots and a snowboard. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring particularly to the drawings, there is shown an upper  20  of a boot  21  which is formed into a bottom, or lower surface, defined as the sole  22 . Sole  22  includes an exterior hiatused surface defined as a tread configuration  24 . Any particular tread configuration  24  could be utilized. The sole  22  includes an enlarged, centrally located recess  26 . Imbedded within the sole  22  is a forward retention plate  28  and a rear retention plate  29 . Attached to the forward retention plate  28  is a front hook member  30  also known as first securement. Attached to the rear retention plate  29  is a rear hook member  32  also known as second securement. The distance between the hook members  30  and  32  will change and be shorter in a smaller boot and greater in a larger size boot. 
     The front hook member  30  includes a hook shaped part  34  which is fixedly mounted by means of a plurality of bolts  36  to a T-plate  38  which is part of retention plate  28 . The T-plate  38  is to be fixedly imbedded within the sole  22 . The rear hook member  32  also includes a hook shaped part  40  which is fixedly mounted by bolts  42  to the rear retention plate  29  and T-shaped plate  44 . Again, the T-shaped plate  44  is imbedded within the sole  22  and is part of the retention plate  29 . Therefore, it is to be readily apparent that the hook shaped parts  34  and  40  can be separated from the sole  22  and then reengaged with the sole  22  by means of the bolts  36  and  42 . It is to be noted that both the hook shaped parts  34  and  40  face in a rearward direction toward the rear of the boot  21 . 
     A substantially planer snowboard  46  has a substantially planer upper surface  48  and a substantially planer lower surface  50 . The lower surface  50  is to be moved across snow, which is not shown. A base plate  52  is to be located directly against the upper surface  48 . The base plate  52  includes an enlarged, substantially centrally located hole  54 . Located within the hole  54  is a circular disc  56 . The disc  56  includes four in number of elongated holes  58 . Located within each elongated hole  58  is a bolt fastener  60 . Each bolt fastener  60  is threadably secured within a nut  62  (of which are four in number) which are fixedly mounted and imbedded within the snowboard  46 . The bolt fasteners  60  can be loosened and the base plate  52  can be adjusted to a desired angular position on the upper surface  48 . When the desired angular position is obtained, the bolt fasteners  60  are tightened thereby fixing in position the base plate  52 . Normally, the longitudinal dimension of the base plate  52  will be located substantially transverse to the longitudinal center axis of the snowboard  46 . Some particular riders prefer it in almost ninety degree position while other riders prefer some lesser angle, such as eighty or seventy degrees. Therefore, by using of the base plate  52 , the disc  56  and the bolt fasteners  60 , individual adjustment of the position of the base plate  52  on the snowboard  46  can be obtained. 
     It is to be understood that snowboard  46  is to include two in number of the base plates  52  located in a spaced apart manner. One base plate  52  is to be for the left boot  23  and the other base plate  52  is to be for the right boot  21  of the rider (see FIG.  16 ). 
     Referring particularly to FIG. 16, there is depicted the right boot  21  and the left boot  23  being mounted on the opposite surface  48  of the snowboard  46 . The snowboard  46  has a longitudinal center axis  45 . The right angled direction  47  has the longitudinal dimension  49  of the boot  21  mounted offset in the forward direction. The boot  23  has its longitudinal dimension  51  offset about 20° from the right angled direction  53  from the longitudinal center axis  45 . Both boots  20  and  23  face the toe edge  170  with the opposite edge of the snowboard  46  being called the heel edge  172 . 
     Fixedly mounted onto the base plate  52  is a front latching mechanism  66 . A rectangularly shaped cavity  70  is formed within the base plate  52 . The rectangularly shaped cavity  70  connects with a series of holes  72 . A plurality of bolts  76  are to align with a plurality of the holes  72  with bolts  76  being used to secure the U-shaped frame  78  of the front latching mechanism  66  to the base plate  52 . 
     Mounted between the legs of the U-shaped frame  78  is a pivot pin  80 . Pivotly mounted on the pivot pin  80  between the legs of the U-shaped frame  78  is a front latching hook  82 . The front latching hook  82  also has a pin  84  which is conducted through the front latching hook  82  and is located parallel to the pivot pin  80 . The pin  84  protrudes from each side of the front latching hook  82  with one end of the pin  84  being located within hole  86  and the other end of the pin  84  being located within hole  88  of the U-shaped frame  78 . Mounted about the pivot pin  80  is a coil spring  90 . The lower end  92  of the coil spring  90  rests against the U-shaped frame  78 . The opposite end  94  of the coil spring  90 , which is actually two separate members  94 , are each to abut against a respective protruding end of the pin  84 . It is the function of the coil spring  90  to exert a continuous bias tending to locate the front latching hook  82  in the latching position, which is shown in FIGS. 1,  5 ,  10  and  11 . The front latching hook  82  is to be pivotable to a displaced position as shown in FIG.  6 . The angular movement from the latched position to the displaced position is defined by the physical size of the holes  86  and  88 , which are of the same size, and the pin  84  which moves from one position within the holes  86  and  88  to another position. 
     Also mounted on the base plate  52  is a rear latching mechanism  96 . The rear latching mechanism  96  includes a block  98 . The block  98  is fixedly mounted by bolts  100  to the base plate  52 . Block  98  has an upper chamfered edge  102 . A pair of horizontal pins  104  and  106  are fixedly mounted within the block  98  with the pins  104  and  106  extending in a direction substantially parallel to the upper surface  48 . A rear latching hook  108  is supported on the horizontal pins  104  and  106 . The rear latching hook  108  is capable of being movable along the length of the pins  104  and  106 . This movement is limited by a rear block  112  which is also fixedly mounted by bolts  114  onto the base plate  52 . The amount of movement permitted by the rear latching hook  108  is the length of the space that is provided between block  98  and rear block  112 . Mounted between the rear block  112  and the rear latching hook  108  is a coil spring  116 . The coil spring  116  exerts a continuous bias tending to locate the rear latching hook  108  in the position shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings, that is abutting against the block  98 . A cover plate  118  is secured to the rear latching hook  108  and moves with the rear latching hook  108 . The cover plate  118  rides on the upper surface of the rear block  112 . The purpose of the cover plate  118  is to prevent contamination of the coil spring  116  with snow and/or debris. The rear latching hook  108  also includes an upper chamfered edge  120 . The purpose of the upper chamfered edges  102  and  120  will be explained further on in the specification. 
     It is noted that in order to tightly mount the back  21  onto the snowboard  46 , there must be used at least two (in number) of separate, spaced apart securing devices such as the front latching mechanism  66  and the rear latching mechanism  96 . However, some other securing device (not shown) could be used instead of the rear latching mechanism  96  in conjunction with the front latching mechanism  66 . The other securing device and the rear latching mechanism  96  function to prevent the boot  21  from shifting and keeps the boot  21  tightly engaged with the front latching mechanism  66 . 
     Formed within the bottom surface of the base plate  52  is a cavity  122 . Located within the cavity  122  is a cam  124 . The cam  124  is pivotly mounted by a pivot pin  126  to the base plate  52 . The inner leg of the cam  124  is connected to a cable  128 . The cable  128  is conducted through a through opening  130  formed in the base plate  52  and connects to a handle  132 . The handle  132  includes a rod  134  which is secured to the cable  128 . The rod  134  is movably mounted within a support block  136  which is fixedly mounted onto the side wall of the base plate  52 . 
     It is considered to be within the scope of this invention that the position of the support block  136  can be varied, such as being located on the opposite side of the base plate  52  as is clearly shown in phantom lines in FIG.  3 . This will mount the handle  132  to a different position on the base plate  52 . According to individual preference, one snowboard rider may choose the mounting in phantom lines shown in FIG. 3 while another snowboard rider would choose the solid line mounting shown in FIG.  3 . In the phantom line position shown in FIG. 3, the cable  128  is conducted through a through opening  138  formed in the base plate  52 . 
     The upper leg of the cam  124  is connected to one end of a coil spring  140 . The opposite end of the coil spring  140  is fixedly mounted to the base plate  52 . The lower end of the cam  124  abuts against a vertical pin  142 . The vertical pin  142  is fixedly mounted to the rear latching hook  108 . The vertical pin  142  is conducted through an elongated hole  144  formed within the base plate  52 . Normally, the cavity  122  is covered by a cover plate  146  which is secured to the base plate  52  by means of a plurality of screw fasteners  148 . The cover plate  146  is to prevent any snow, liquid or debris from entering within the cavity  122 . 
     As part of riding a snowboard, it is normally desirable to provide a support for the rear portion of the lower leg of the rider. This support is accomplished by providing a highback support plate  150 . This highback support plate  150  is basically cup-shaped on its inner surface and defines a pair of forwardly extending legs  152  and  154 . The legs  152  are fixedly secured to one of the sidewalls of the base plate  52  by means of bolts  156 . The bolts  156  are also to securely mount support block  136  onto the base plate  52 . The bolts  158  are used to fixedly secure the forward extending leg  154  to the opposite sidewall of the base plate  52 . The position of the highback support plate  150  can be adjusted by an adjusting mechanism  160 , which is deemed to be conventional and forms no specific part of this invention. A substantial area of support is required for the rider especially when initiating a heel side turn. In order to accomplish this, the rider has to lean rearwardly, and when doing that rearward leaning, a substantial area of contact is desired. It is for this reason that the highback support plate  56  is included with the base plate  52 . 
     Referring particularly to FIGS. 14 and 15 of the drawings, there is shown a modification wherein instead of the front latching mechanism  66 , there is utilized a fixed version of front latching mechanism in the form of a hook shaped part  162 . This hook shaped part  162  is securely mounted by the bolts  76  to the base plate  52 . In this version shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the only step-in procedure that will be permitted is a toe then heel step-in procedure. Within the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-13, not only can a toe then heel step-in procedure be utilized but also a heel then toe and where both the toe and the heel are engaged simultaneously. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the disengagement procedure of the boot is heel first and then toe with the boot then moving in a direction away from the highback support plate  150 . In FIG. 14, the arrows  164 ,  166  and  168  are used to indicate the engaging procedure which would be toe then heel. It is to be noted that in the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 the hook member  162  is again positioned so that it faces toward the toe edge  170  of the snowboard  46  rather than toward the heel edge  172 . Referring particularly to FIG. 1, it is to be observed that the sole  22  is deemed to be bendable or flexible as in a conventional shoe or boot. This bending or flexing is depicted in phantom lines with this bending or flexing movement being represented by the arrows  174  and  176 . Some limited bending or flexing of the sole  22  occurs during riding of the snowboard  46 . This bending or flexing of the sole  22  is to occur when the rider is not engaged to the snowboard  46  and is walking, running or skating in the boots. Skating is defined as when the front foot of the rider is attached to the snowboard  46  and the rear foot is detached so as to propel the rider across the snow. 
     The heel then toe engaging procedure is depicted generally in FIG.  11 . The hook shaped part  40  is placed in contact with the upper chamfered edges  102  and  120 , and upon applying a downward pressure in the direction of arrow  178 , the rear latching hook  108  will move rearwardly in the direction of arrow  180 . When adequate clearance is provided, the hook shaped part  40  will move to a lower position and be locked in place by rear latching hook  108 . Rear latching hook  108  will have moved in the direction of arrow  180  compressing spring  116 , and once the hook shaped part  40  is at the desired lowermost position, the rear latching hook  108  will then move in a direction opposite the arrow  180  thereby locking in position rear latching hook  108  with the hook shaped part  40 . 
     At this time, the user is to pivot the boot in a counterclockwise direction causing the hook shaped part  34  to abut against the front latching hook  82  of the front latching mechanism  66 . This will cause the front latching hook  82  to be pivoted in the direction of arrow  182  until hook shaped part  34  is moved to its displaced position at which time front latching hook  82  will then pivot in a direction opposite arrow  182  to lockingly engage with hook shaped part  34 . At this time, the sole  22  is firmly secured to the base plate  52 . 
     Referring particularly to FIG. 12, instead of the heel then toe securing procedure, the rider will have the option to first place into engagement the hook shaped part  34  and front latching hook  82  as indicated by arrow  184 . The rider will then pivot clockwise the boot  21  in the direction of arrow  186  causing, again, the hook shaped part  40  to press against the upper chamfered areas  102  and  120  and cause the rear latching hook  108  to move rearwardly against the bias of the spring  116  permitting the hook shaped part  40  to be moved to a lower position and then be engaged by the rear latching hook  108 . 
     Referring particularly to FIG. 13, the disengaging procedure is depicted. The rider is to physically grasp the handle  132  and pull in an upward direction as indicated by arrow  190 . The cable  128  will then cause the cam  124  to pivot counterclockwise stretching the spring  140  and applying pressure against the vertical pin  142  which will result in the rear latching hook  108 , to which it is attached, being moved rearwardly against the bias of the spring  116 . When the rear latching hook  108  has been moved to the position as shown in FIG. 13, the hook shaped part  40  can then be moved upwardly in a disengaging direction as depicted by arrow  188 . With the hook shaped part  40  in the position shown in FIG. 13, the rider can then move the boot  21  forwardly in the direction of arrow  192  which will then result in disengaging of hook shaped part  34  and front latching hook  82  with the boot  21  now being completely disengaged from the snowboard  46 . 
     The structure of the present invention provides a snowboard binding system that, when engaged, becomes torsionally rigid with no heel or toe lift with maximum control surface in the area of the sole  22 . This “stiffness while engaged” is accomplished while maintaining the shock absorbing, comfort and performance principles of a conventional soft boot. The soft boot is further advantageous when skating to the lift line and walking/running when not engaged with the snowboard  46 . Skating is defined when the rider disengages the rear boot only using this now free boot to propel the snowboard and the attached other boot across the snow when entering and leaving lift lines and when traversing flat terrain. 
     It is considered to be within the scope of this invention that sole  22  could include a stiff shank, but the preferred arrangement would be to not include such a shank so that a soft boot is obtained. The construction of the boot  21 , within the present invention, achieves lower cost boot manufacturing because the boot  21  does not require any molded parts such as a stiff shank or internal highbacks to be inserted within the boot, and the boot can be molded utilizing three different grades of polyurethane, the first grade being used for the outer sole  22  of the boot  21  with the outer sole  22  then being molded around the second grade of polyurethane, which is comprised of the polyurethane retention plates  28  and  29 , and the third grade of polyurethane being used as the cushion material which is to be contacted directly beneath the rider&#39;s feet. All three densities of polyurethane melt together without the use of any glue thereby further reducing the cost of manufacturing in the molding process. Also, no glue means there is a tight seal for all layers with no chance of water penetration and less labor for assembly. Prior art stiff shanks within boots require a gluing process. 
     Another feature of the present invention is to create a boot and binding that has a custom alignment for each boot size. This is accomplished by permitting adjusting of the U-shaped frame  78  to various positions provided by holes  72  increasing the spacing from the rear latching mechanism  96  or decreasing the spacing. Also, position of the highback support plate  150  is to be adjusted by loosening of the bolts  156  and  158  and moving of the highback support plate  150  relative to the base plate  52  and then retightening of the bolts  156  and  158 . The holes incorporated within the highback support plate  150  which engage with the bolts  156  and  158  are to be oversize, which are not shown in the drawing. The combination of these adjustments allows precise centering of each binding to the ball and heel of each foot. Each individual boot is to have the front latching mechanism  66  located underneath the anatomical ball of the foot of the rider, and the rear latching mechanism  96  located directly under the heel of the foot of the rider. Sizing can be done in the manufacturing process at the boot factory. 
     Within the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-13, because both the front latching mechanism  66  and the rear latching mechanism  96  are both spring biased, such apply a constant force on their respective connected hook members. When the boot flexes and or compresses under the force of the rider&#39;s movements, spring biasing maintains constant contact with no “play” while engaged. When the boot  21  experiences an upward or downward force from the rider&#39;s feet, the latching mechanisms  66  and  96  maintain constant contact with hook shaped parts  34  and  40  respectively. 
     The toe facing orientation of front latching hook  82  in combination with rear facing hook shaped part  34  accommodates a true soft boot “safely” without any chance of disengagement where prior art bindings must have a stiff shank to achieve effective retention of the boot  21  to the binding. 
     It is to be noted that the hook shaped parts  34  and  40  both face in the rearward direction, that is toward the highback support plate  150 . This rear positioning of the hook shaped parts  34  and  40  limits potential snow contamination during normal skating, walking and running with the boot  21  thereby minimizing collection of snow within the recess  26 . 
     The handle  132  requires a straight up pull force to achieve ease of release for the disengaging movement. Also, a strap could be attached to the handle  132  and extended up to the rider&#39;s waistline and/or neckline for emergency release by the rider. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to create a snowboard binding where all the parts are connected by screws and bolts. This makes repair and replacement convenient. It also permits removing of the front and rear hook shaped parts  34  and  40  for placement onto a second boot. 
     The boot binding of the present invention, when completely engaged with the boot  21 , has all the mechanisms completely contained interiorly in the contact area of the sole  22 . The only exposed part is the handle  132 , and the handle  132  is pulled upward and away from any snow piled up on the snowboard binding and the snowboard  46  thereby making the entire mechanism completely clog proof when engaged. No snow clearing will be required to effect disengagement. Every other mechanism within the prior art to some degree has exposed mechanical structures that become contaminated with snow thereby making disengagement potentially difficult.