Abstract:
A snowboard binding interface and methods of making the same are disclosed herein. The snowboard binding interface can be used to provide a quick and simple way of changing the orientation of a snowboarder&#39;s feet relative to the snowboard. In one embodiment, an interface includes a single rotational unit in a front binding interface and a non-rotational unit in a back binding interface that matches the height of the rotational unit. The rotational unit can move 360° so that a snowboarder can change position of one foot relative to the snowboard. The binding interface reduces boot heel and toe drag during edging on snow because the binding is elevated above the surface of the board, and the force to the edges of the snowboard is increased due to the leverage generated by the additional distance between the snowboard and the binding.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The disclosed technology relates to bindings and, in particular, to snowboard bindings including rotational interfaces. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Snowboarding generally does not allow as much variation in foot, ankle, and leg positions as skiing provides, which tends to fatigue snowboarders&#39; muscles and ligaments. If a snowboarder&#39;s forward foot could be oriented along the longitudinal axis of the snowboard, the weight of the board would put less stress on his/her knee. For example, a snowboarder may want to change his/her foot orientation to align with the longitudinal axis of the snowboard when standing in a lift line, gliding on flatter ground getting to the lift, riding a lift, and/or hiking out of backcountry areas not serviced by lifts. Additionally, a snowboarder may want to change his/her foot position so that both feet oriented positively (i.e., facing forward) when snowboarding more aggressively and carving. Under other conditions, a snowboarder may want to have his/her forward foot oriented positively and his/her rear foot oriented negatively (i.e., one foot facing forward and one foot facing rearward), or in another combination of foot positions dictated by slope conditions and snowboarder preference. When resting on a steeper slope in a sitting position, a snowboarder may wish to have one or both feet oriented at zero degrees to the board so that the snowboard can face perpendicular to the fall line with the snowboarder&#39;s feet, ankles, and legs in the most relaxed position. However, snowboarders currently do not have the option of easily changing the position of one or more feet secured in the snowboard binding. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    A snowboard binding interface in accordance with the new technology can be used to provide a quick and simple way of changing the orientation of a snowboarder&#39;s feet relative to the snowboard. In one embodiment in accordance with the new technology, a binding includes a single rotational unit in a front binding interface and a non-rotational unit in a back binding interface that matches the height of the rotational unit. The rotational unit can move 360° so that a snowboarder can change position of one foot relative to the snowboard, and a locking mechanism can be used to lock the rotational unit in a desired position. In another embodiment, a binding interface can include two rotational units for more foot variations. Both embodiments provide two additional advantages: (1) boot heel and toe drag during edging on snow are lessened because the binding is elevated above the surface of the board, and (2) force to the edges of the board is increased due to the leverage generated by the additional distance between the board and the binding. Embodiments in accordance with the new technology can also provide easy operation so that a snowboarder can quickly adjust a rotational unit on a binding interface when on a slope. The locking mechanism can be hands free and the binding interface can include multiple preset adjustment positions. 
         [0004]    Additionally, embodiments in accordance with the new technology can include a mounting hole and/or slot pattern that provides the ability to adjust stance position of a snowboarder in a continuous, infinite number of positions along the longitudinal and transverse axis of the snowboard. In one embodiment, mounting slots in a base of a shell of a binding interface allow infinite positional movement along the length of the board, instead of incrementally jumping between sets of mounting holes. An embodiment in accordance with the new technology can also include infinite positional movement of the slot in the binding which attaches to the top of the interface (e.g., rotational unit, non-rotational unit) and allows precise positioning of heel and toe overhang on the board. The position of the rotating interface unit is also infinite (360 degrees). The new technology allows infinite stance adaptability along the long axis of the snowboard, across the long axis of the board as well as rotation, which is a unique feature. 
         [0005]    Advantageously, the new technology can be combined with existing equipment on the market and can be used or adapted for use with a wide variety of bindings and boards. 
         [0006]    Binding interfaces in accordance with the new technology can also have the added benefits of being durable, water resistant, corrosion resistant, relatively lightweight, and requiring minimal maintenance. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a section of a binding interface shell in accordance with an embodiment of the new technology. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a section of a binding interface shell in accordance with an embodiment of the new technology. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a binding interface rotational unit in accordance with an embodiment of the new technology. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a schematic top view of a binding interface rotational unit in accordance with an embodiment of the new technology. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a schematic top view of a section of a binding interface in accordance with an embodiment of the new technology. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional side view of a binding interface in accordance with an embodiment of the new technology. 
       
    
    
       [0013]    Appendix A includes additions color images of one or more embodiments of the assembly and components of the assembly. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    The present disclosure is directed to a binding interface that provides height and rotational changes in binding position as well as simultaneous infinite longitudinal and horizontal stance adjustments, and methods of making the same. Certain specific details are set forth in the following description and  FIGS. 1-6  to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the disclosure. For example, embodiments of snowboard bindings are described in detail below. The disclosed technology however may be used in a variety of bindings including wakeboard bindings, ski bindings, and other suitable bindings. Additionally, the term disc is used below to describe a rotational unit, but the rotational unit can be any suitable shape including a sphere, hexahedron, or another shape. In addition, any dimensions, angles and other specifications shown in the figures are merely illustrative of particular embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments of the invention can have other dimensions, angles and specifications without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0015]    Well-known structures, systems, and methods often associated with such apparatuses have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the various embodiments of the disclosure. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the relevant art will understand that additional embodiments of the new technology may be practiced without several of the details described below. 
       Rotational Interface: 
       [0016]    In the figures that follow, identical reference numbers identify identical or at least generally similar elements.  FIGS. 1-6  illustrate different views of a rotational interface  100  for a binding in accordance with the new technology. For example,  FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a section of a binding interface shell  102  in accordance with an embodiment of the new technology. The binding interface  100  can include the shell  102  comprising a base  104 , a plurality of holes  106 , and a rim  108 . An upper surface of the snowboard (not shown) can be directly in contact with the base  104  of the shell  102 . The base  104  of the shell  102  may be partially or completely coated with a thin cushioning material that contacts the board. The cushioning material (e.g., urethane or another suitable material) can aid in shock absorption and allow slightly more board flex in contact areas. 
         [0017]    The base  104  of the shell  102  may be flat, multi-planed, curved up on the edges, or another suitable shape that provides enough surface area contacting the snowboard surface to allow for the transfer of force to the board and its edges. The shell  102  may be made of any material that provides sufficient strength and rigidity to allow the shell  102  to withstand occasional extreme stress and violent use of the snowboard without failure between the shell  102  and the snowboard. The shell  102  can be rigid enough to allow transfer of force quickly and forcefully to the snowboard and its edges. The shell material can also be relatively light, resistant to water damage and corrosion, resistant to permanent distortion, and low maintenance. 
         [0018]    The shell  102  can include the plurality of holes  106  and/or a plurality of slots  110  in the base  104  that allow the shell  102  to be fixed to a snowboard by any means that prevents the shell from moving anteroposteriorly, laterally, or vertically relative to the snowboard once it is attached in a desired location. The shell  102  can be moved to different positions on the snowboard by selecting different attachment points in the snowboard. Attachment means for the shell  102  can include screws, wires, and other suitable attachment means. The shell can be made of a rigid material, such as metal, plastic, composite or other suitable materials. 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a second section of a binding interface shell  102  in accordance with an embodiment of the new technology. The shell  102  can be identical to the shell  102  described in  FIG. 1 , and can be combined with the shell in  FIG. 1  to secure a rotational unit. In alternative embodiments, the shells  102  in  FIGS. 1 and 2  can differ, and in further embodiments, the shells  102  can be a single unit. 
         [0020]    The shell  102  can also include a locking device (not shown). The locking device can interact with a rotational unit, such as a disc  112  shown in  FIGS. 3-6 , to prevent movement of the disc  112  relative to the shell  102  when the disc  112  is in a desired position. Desired positions can be selected in advance by a snowboarder or by a manufacturer. The lock can be released manually and/or by a wireless remote to allow the disc to rotate. The lock can also be configured to release and relock without the need for a snowboarder to remove his/her foot from the binding (not shown). 
         [0021]    In one embodiment, the lock device can be spring loaded and can include a plurality of indents, slots, and/or holes along the shell  102 . This embodiment allows the disc  112  to lock in a position by simply rotating the disc  112 , without manual intervention (e.g., using hands to lock the disc  112 ) until an indent, slot, and/or hole in the disc  112  is encountered. The plurality of indents, slots, and/or holes can be positioned along any portion of the rim  108  that contacts the disc  112  or on another suitable position on the shell  102  (e.g., the base  104 ). 
         [0022]    In another embodiment, the lock device may be configured so the disc  112  and an attached binding (not shown) are locked relative to the shell  102  so that the disc  112  is oriented in a neutral position, along the longitudinal axis of the snowboard. The neutral position is the most favorable position for a snowboarder&#39;s leading foot, ankle, and knee for all snowboard related activities (e.g., walking to the lift, riding a chair, riding a t-bar or rope toe, gliding on substantially flat terrain, hiking out of back country areas) other than actually snowboarding down mountain runs. The advantage of this position is that it puts the foot, ankle, and knee in the most natural, unstrained position relative to the snowboard. Eliminating ligament and muscle stress, strain, and fatigue in the foot, knee, ankle, and leg is advantageous for an athlete because it decreases possible injuries. Additionally, providing a neutral position allows a snowboarder to use a footrest on a chairlift and decreases a snowboarder&#39;s interference with others using the footrest. 
         [0023]    This embodiment may further include a locking device having one or more non-neutral positions that a snowboarder can choose from while riding downhill. In this embodiment, the locking can be released using any of the methods described above allowing the disc  112  to rotate to a desired position. 
         [0024]    In an embodiment in accordance with the new technology, the disc  112  can rotate freely within the shell  102  when the disc  112  not in the locked position. The disc  112  can be rigid to allow transfer of force quickly to the shell  102 , which in turn transfers force to the snowboard and its edges. The disc  112  can also be strong enough to secure screw attachments (not shown) without breaking under forces applied during snowboarding. Additionally, the disc  112  can comprise a water resistant material, a material light enough to make the overall weight of the binding interface  100  practical to use in conjunction with a binding and snowboard, a material resistant to distortion, and/or a low maintenance material. The disc  112  can also comprise a material that can be cut accurately to allow for interfacing with the locking device. The disc  112  can be repairable if a cut area needs to be filled in to restore the disc  112 . 
         [0025]    Additionally, an embodiment in accordance with the new technology includes a disc  112  that is multileveled. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the disc  112  can be multileveled, and can be configured to fit partially inside the shell  102 . In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the only portion of the disc that is visible is the top surface  114  of the disc  112 . The bottom layer of the disc  112  can provide a contact patch that can act in conjunction with the base  104  of the shell  102  to transfer force vertically onto the snowboard. 
         [0026]    The disc  112  can be securely positioned within the shell(s)  102 . A vertical inner wall  116  of the shell  102  can prevent the disc  112  from moving horizontally. For example, the inner rim  108  of the shell  102  can have a vertical rim wall  120  that can also prevent horizontal movement of the disc. The rim  108  of the shell  102  can form a continuous circle, or can have another suitable shape. The underside  122  of the rim  108  can prevent the disc  112  from moving vertically away from the board. As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the disc  112  can further include a ledge portion  124  that extends from an edge of the disc  112  under the rim  108  of the shell  112  to a raised portion  126  in the center of the disc  112 , abutting the rim  108 . The ledge portion  124  can extend around the circumference of the disc  112  and can contact the underside  122  of the rim  108  and the base  104  of the shell  112  simultaneously. The ledge portion  124  can provide leverage for the disc  112  to transfer force to the shell  102 . The ledge portion  112  can also transfer force in an upward direction to the rim  108  and force in a downward direction to the base  102  of the shell making the transfer of force to the snowboard and its edges quicker and more forceful. 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the disc  112  can further include a first plurality of holes  128  and/or slots  130  that provide access screws that attach the shell  102  to the snowboard. 
         [0028]    Additionally, the disc  112  can include a second plurality of holes (not shown) to attach the binding to the disc. The second plurality of holes can have any suitable arrangement for attaching the binding and can be configured the same as or different from the first plurality of holes  128  and/or slots  130 . The binding can be attached using any method that can secure the binding to the disc  112  and allow adjustment. In one embodiment, the attachment method includes T-nuts within the disc  112 . The T-nut can be recessed away from the upper and lower surfaces of the disc  112  to decrease friction or interference with either the shell  102  or the binding. When attaching the binding using T-nuts, the disc must be comprised of a material that has sufficient strength to resist pulling forces from the binding on the screws inserted into the T-nuts. 
         [0029]    In an additional embodiment, the disc  112  can be elevated in the center of the disc  112 , above the level of the ledge portion  124 . The elevation can be greater than the height of the top of the rim  108  of the shell  102  so that the attached binding does not bind against the shell  102  when the disc  112  rotates within the shell  102 . In further embodiments in accordance with the new technology, the height of the top surface of the disc  112  relative to the top surface of the rim  108  of the shell  102  may vary according to the materials being used for the disc  112 , the shell  102  and the binding. 
         [0030]    Advantageously, the binding interface  100  increases force applied to the edges of the snowboard because the height of a binding attached to the binding interface  100  is higher than a typical mounting height for a binding. This increases the lever arm from the binding to the snowboard and its edges. 
         [0031]    In another embodiment in accordance with the new technology, the binding interface  100  is symmetrical when attached to the snowboard, so the force delivered to the snowboard is more evenly distributed than it would be when an asymmetrical binding is mounted to a snowboard. 
         [0032]    In an additional embodiment in accordance with the new technology, a channel or a plurality of channels on the snowboard can be used to attach the snowboard to the shell. The channel(s) may have an attachment that protrude slightly above the inner surface of the base of the shell, so the bottom of the disc can be relieved to allow free movement of the disc without interference from the attachment. 
         [0033]    Another embodiment includes a shell that can be one piece instead and the rim of the shell can be separate from the base. The rim and base of the shell can be connected using screws, bolts, or another suitable attachment mechanism. The disc can be positioned between the shell and the rim during attachment. This embodiment can further include a slot or slots on the bottom of the shell for acceptance of the attachment bolts or screws. Advantageously, no special channel style bindings would be required with the interface which attaches to the channel style snowboard. In another embodiment, a disc can be made of different materials for variations on board flex and pressure transfer to the snowboard. The disc can be made of a harder material for quicker edge response or a softer internal material can be used to allow more board flex. The disc having a softer flexing material can include a slight “v” shape where two halves of the shell meet at the inner edges, thereby allowing the two halves of the shell to flex towards each other to a limited extent as the snowboard flexes. The components of the binding interface assembly can be made of a variety of suitable materials. For example, some components can be metallic components, such as aluminum, alloys, stainless steel, or the like, or the compontents may be made from other materials, such as plastic, nylon, composites, etc. In some embodiments, components may be made of other materials, such as acetal copolymer or delrin type materials. 
       Non-Rotational Interface: 
       [0034]    Snowboarders may select to use the rotational interface  100  described above with only one foot (e.g., the front foot), and combine the rotational interface  100  with a non-rotational interface on the other foot (e.g., the rear foot). The non-rotational interface provides a pedestal for the rear foot that matches the height of the rotational interface  100  so that both feet have similar leverage properties. In one embodiment, the non-rotational interface does not have a shell, a disc, or a locking device as described above. The non-rotational interface may include a plurality of holes (as described above) to secure the non-rotational interface between the binding and the snowboard. 
         [0035]    An additional embodiment in accordance with the new technology can include two non-rotational interfaces to provide greater leverage and/or raise the height of the binding above the snowboard. 
         [0036]    An additional embodiment in accordance with the new technology can include two rotational interfaces to provide additional advantages: Foot position adjustment options that may be preferred by the snowboarder. Different slope conditions may require a variety of different front and back foot position combinations. In addition, while riding a chairlift, if a front facing rear foot unit is use with a rear entry binding, the weight of the snowboard can be supported by slipping the rear foot into the binding and lifting to take strain off the front knee and leg. The rear foot can also be slipped into a front facing rear entry binding when getting off the chairlift to add more control to the snowboard. From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.