Abstract:
A wakeboard binding assembly in which the upper may be directly connected to the base plate without additional adhesives, stitching, or fasteners thus facilitating the assembly, removal, modification or interchange of one or more components of the binding during manufacturing, by a consumer or dealer to customize the fit, function and/or aesthetics of the binding.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/884,410, entitled “Modular Component Wakeboard Binding,” filed Sep. 30, 2013. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is directed to a wakeboard binding and particularly to a wakeboard binding assembly in which the upper may be directly connected to the base plate without additional adhesives, stitching, or fasteners thus facilitating the assembly, removal, modification or interchange of one or more components of the binding during manufacturing, by a consumer or dealer to customize the fit, function and/or aesthetics of the binding. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Typically, the components of bindings used for wakeboards are permanently affixed to each other in a manner that makes modification of the binding after initial assembly difficult. Sometimes the upper of the binding is stitched together with a binding base as in U.S. Pat. No. 7,766,711 to Crumrine et al. Other times the binding components are attached using adhesives or cumbersome hardware. As a result, after manufacture, current wakeboard bindings are limited in configuration. However, a binding that is customizable to a broad range of riding configurations based on variation in material strength, stiffness, weight, density, color, etc. would be advantageous. Current connection methods such as stitching, adhesives, or hardware used to fasten an upper to a base plate are also slow, labor intensive, and complicate the replacement of broken parts. Thus, a need exists to provide improved binding assembly that can be easily adapted to be used for a multitude of riding styles and fit preferences. 
         [0004]    The present invention solves this need by providing a wakeboard binding in which an upper may be directly connected to a base plate without additional adhesives, stitching, or fasteners. Such a configuration allows for one or more components to be removed, modified or interchanged by a consumer or dealer in order to customize the fit, function and/or aesthetics of the binding. Additionally, the simplified assembly procedure enables a person at a basic skill level to be able to deconstruct and rebuild a complete boot without degrading the integrity of any of the binding parts. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present invention is a wakeboard binding assembly in which an upper can be directly connected to a base plate without additional adhesives, stitching, or fasteners. Such a configuration allows for one or more components to be assembled, removed, modified or interchanged by a consumer or dealer in order to customize the fit, function and/or aesthetics of the binding. This customization offers the user a broad range of riding configurations based on the chosen variation in material strength, stiffness, weight, density, color, etc. used for each respective component. Weight distribution within the binding can be directed into the components that require the most structural integrity. The invention also allows worn or defective components to easily be replaced without replacing the entire binding assembly. The binding assembly can be adapted to be used for a multitude of riding styles and fit preferences. The reconfiguration of the hardware is also beneficial for localizing performance aspects of the binding into individualized sections. Additionally, the simplified assembly procedure enables a person at a basic skill level to be able to deconstruct and rebuild a complete boot. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Various other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a view of an assembled inventive wakeboard binding mounted to a board. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a view of the skeleton frame portion of the upper. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the base plate. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the base plate. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a lock beam used in a preferred embodiment of the binding. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the interior instep view of the binding. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the press fit gasket. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and/or use the invention. For purposes of explanation, specific nomenclature is set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. Descriptions of specific embodiments or applications are provided only as examples. Various modifications to the embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest possible scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of an assembled inventive wakeboard binding  9 . As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the Applicant&#39;s invention includes an upper  1  and a base plate  2  that may be directly connected without additional adhesives, stitching, or fasteners. It should be understood that the upper  1  is a binding component that is intended to form an upper part of the binding that surrounds at least a portion of the user&#39;s foot. Examples of uppers  1  include toe pieces, heel pieces, overlays, one piece boots, underlays, combinations thereof, and the like. The upper  1  can be made of any material suitable for constructing a wakeboard binding. Typically, these materials include, canvass, synthetic leather, neoprene, nylon, rubber, synthetic materials, etc. In the preferred embodiment, the upper  1  includes a mechanism to form the upper to the user&#39;s foot  3 . Any known tightening mechanism  3  could be utilized for this purpose such as lases, buckles, straps, hooks and loop fasteners, ratchets, etc. In the preferred embodiment, the mechanism to form the upper to the user&#39;s foot  3  includes laces located above the user&#39;s forefoot and in front of the user&#39;s ankle. However, the mechanism  3  could be placed in other locations in the upper suitable for forming the upper to the user&#39;s foot. 
         [0016]      FIG. 2  shows the skeleton frame portion  5  of the upper  1 . The skeleton frame  5  is a component of the upper  1  that facilitates the connection between the upper  1  and the base plate  2 . The skeleton frame  5  can be a single structure or multiple structures integrated into the upper  1 . The skeleton frame  5  is preferably constructed using a semi-rigid material, such as fiberglass, nylon, plastic, composite, etc. In the preferred embodiment, the skeleton frame  5  is configured to fit over the user&#39;s forefoot and around the user&#39;s ankle. The portions of skeleton frame  5  used to integrate the skeleton frame into the upper  6  are typically of semi-rigid construction. Holes  7  may be inserted into portions of the skeleton frame  5  that do not facilitate the connection with the upper  1  to reduce weight and increase flexibility. Any known fastening mechanism  8  could be utilized to integrate the skeleton frame  5  into the upper  1  such as stitching, adhesives, rivets, etc. In the preferred embodiment, the solid portions of the skeleton frame  5  are stitched together with at least one other component of the upper  1 . See  FIG. 1 . In the preferred embodiment, the eyelets for the laces are stitched into the upper  1  so that the force of the laces pulls on the skeleton frame  5  and not on the textile portion of the upper  1 . Adhesives may also be used to insure the integrity of the connections between the components of the upper  1 . 
         [0017]      FIG. 3  shows a top view of the base plate  2  before it is connected to the upper  1 . The base plate  2  is a structure that facilitates the connection between the binding  9  and the wakeboard  10 . The base plate  2  can be made using a variety of materials suitable to meet weight, strength and cost constraints. In the preferred embodiment, the base plate  2  is constructed of fiberglass filled nylon. The base plate  2  has two connection flanges  11  that are used to connect the base plate  2  to the wakeboard  10 . These connection flanges  11  may be located outside of the instep and outstep of the user&#39;s foot when the binding  9  is in use. Alternatively, the connection flanges  11  could be placed on the inside of binding plate  2  for a board  10  with different mounting configurations or layouts. The connection of these flanges  11  to the wakeboard  10  can be accomplished by any means that is sufficient to insure a solid connection between the base plate and the wakeboard while the binding is in use  12 , such as thumb screws, bolts, clamps, and the like. In the preferred embodiment, each connection flange  11  is equipped with a channel  13  adapted to receive a washer assembly  14 . A fastener  15  is then inserted into the washer assembly  14  to connect with the wakeboard  10 . See  FIG. 1 . 
         [0018]    The upper  1  may be directly connected to the base plate  2  without additional adhesives, stitching, or fasteners. To facilitate this connection the portions of the skeleton frame  5  are configured to interlock with the base plate  2 . This may be accomplished using eyelets, posts, pins, pegs, channels, hooks, tongues, grooves, snaps, latches, a combination thereof or any other known interlocking system suitable for creating a secure connection between the upper  1  and the base plate  2 . In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of eyelets  16  is positioned around the lower periphery of the skeleton frame  5 . In the preferred embodiment, eyelets  16  are placed along the instep, along the outstep, and in the heel portion of the skeleton frame  5 . The base plate  2  is also fitted with a wall  17  that surrounds the heel and midstep of the user&#39;s foot. This wall  17  includes a plurality of attachment pegs  18  which facilitate the connection between the base plate  2  and the eyelets  16  in the skeleton frame  5 . The eyelets  16  are positioned generally planar to the connection flanges  11  and shaped to receive corresponding attachment pegs  18  that are similarly oriented in the base plate wall  17 . The skeleton frame  5  also may be constructed with a tongue  19  which is shaped to hook underneath a portion of the base plate  2 .  FIG. 4  shows the bottom  20  of the base plate  2 . The base plate  2  may be configured with a groove  21  on the bottom  20  of the base plate  2  which accepts the vertical portion of the tongue  22 . This configuration allows the skeleton frame  5  to snap into the base plate  2  creating a secure connection. 
         [0019]    Optionally, the base plate  2  may be configured with one or more lock beams  23  that facilitate the connection between the upper  1  and the base plate  2 .  FIG. 5  shows a lock beam  23  used in a preferred embodiment of the binding  9 .  FIG. 6  shows a close up of the bottom  20  of the base plate  2  with a lock beam  23  installed. A lock beam  23  may be equipped with grooves  24  that are configured to receive attachment pegs  18  on the skeleton frame  5  and base plate  2 . A lock beam  23  may be shaped in a variety of ways. When incorporated into the binding  9 , a lock beam  23  snaps to the base plate  2  in such a way that it sandwiches a portion of the skeleton frame  5  between the lock beam  23  and the base plate  2 . The lock beam  23  can be further secured to the base plate  2  using screws or similar fasteners. In the preferred embodiment, lock beams  23  are positioned along both the instep and outstep of the base plate  2 . In the preferred embodiment, the lock beams  23  are designed as multi-purpose components creating a tether between the upper  1  and the base plate  2 , as well as a structure intended to keep the base plate  2  rigid from heel to toe. 
         [0020]    The upper  1  may optionally incorporate a toe cap  25  that further facilitates the connection between the upper  1  and the base plate  2 . Toe caps  25  are known in the art and are generally designed to enhance the durability and esthetics of the toe portion of the upper  1 . Some embodiments of the inventive wakeboard binding  9  may incorporate a toe cap that is snapped to the base plate  2 . The toe cap  25  can be further secured to the base plate  2  using screws inserted through holes  26  in the base plate  2  or similar fasteners. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, a press fit gasket  27  may be added to the bottom of the base plate  20  of the inventive wakeboard binding  9 .  FIG. 7  shows a press fit gasket  27  used in a preferred embodiment of the binding  9 . This gasket  27  reduces rubbing between the binding  9  and the wakeboard  10  when the binding  9  is in use, allows the binding  9  to be more flexible and responsive while in use, and dampens vibration on the board&#39;s top surface. Additionally, this part adds more pressure to the heel and toe via high points in these locations that pre-load the base plate as it is fastened to the board. In embodiments utilizing a press fit gasket  27 , the gasket can be easily removed and replaced due to the way it is fitted to the base plate  2 . This offers the consumer possible material, density, and color modifications. In the past, base gaskets have been die stamped rubber or foam materials that need to be permanently adhered to the bottom of the base plate  2 . In embodiments utilizing a press fit gasket  27 , the gasket  27  may be directly connected to the base plate  2  without additional adhesives, stitching, or fasteners. To facilitate this connection the press fit gasket  27  is configured to interlock with the base plate  2 . This may be accomplished using eyelets, posts, pins, pegs, channels, hooks, tongues, grooves, snaps, latches, a combination thereof or any other known interlocking system suitable for creating a secure connection between the press fit gasket  27  and the base plate  2 . 
         [0022]    In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of pegs  28  are positioned around the periphery of the press fit gasket  27 . Three pegs  28  are place along the instep, three along the outstep, three in the toe portion, and three are placed in the heel portion of the press fit gasket  27 . The pegs  28  are positioned generally perpendicular to the bottom of press fit gasket  29  and shaped to press into holes  30  similarly positioned in the base plate  2 .