Abstract:
A universal snow boot and binding for use in connection with either snow skiing of snow-boarding which is easy to use and provides quick, easy and positive interconnection of the snow boot with the upper surface of the ski or snow-board. Uniquely only magnetic forces are used to affix the snow boot to the ski or snow-board.

Description:
This is a Continuation-In-Part application of application Ser. No. 09/058,087 filed Apr. 9, 1998, U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,357. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a winter sport apparatus. More particularly, the invention concerns a novel winter sport apparatus for gliding over snow which includes unique snow boots which are removably connected to a snow engaging support base such as a snow-board or ski board through the use of magnets. 
     2. Discussion of the Prior Art 
     In recent years snow sports have continually increased in popularity. While, for many years snow skiing was the sport of choice among winter sport enthusiasts, recently, the sport of snow-boarding has catapulted into popularity particularly among young persons. 
     With the increase in popularity of snow boarding has come the demand for better and easier-to-use equipment. Particularly in demand is the need for superior boots and bindings. As a general rule, the boots and bindings used for snow boarding are the same as used for snow skiing and closely resemble those which have been used for over fifty years. Typically, the bindings comprise rather heavy, bulky frames which are affixed to the upper surface of the snow-board with the boots being affixed to the frames by conventional types of straps, buckles and wires of the character used in snow skiing. These type of bindings are generally cumbersome, difficult to use and often fail to provide a type of interconnection between the boots and the snow-board which is essential to the sport of snow boarding. 
     Among the more recent improvements in snow sport bindings are those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,355 issued to Henry. The Henry patent describes a binding which is particularly suitable for snow boarding and provides an easy-to-use, kick-in boot engagement feature and a number of convenient ways to disengage the boot in a relative small, light-weight, and economical structure. Another type of ski binding is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,397 issued to Stepanek et al. This patent describes a part for a ski binding comprising a carriage slidably attached to a base plate. One end of the base plate is fastened to the ski with fasteners while the other end rests freely on the bottom of a U-shaped clamp also fastened to the ski with fasteners. Attachment of the carriage to the base is accomplished by carriage structural features that retain the carriage in the clamp and further carriage structural features that prevent the carriage from being vertically disengaged from the part of the base adjacent to the base plate fastened end. 
     Still another improved binding for a snow-board is that described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,369 issued to Shaanan et al. The Shaanan et al patent concerns a binding for a snow-board that has a base, side members extending upwardly and rearwardly from the sides of the base with an arcuate member joining the rear ends of the side members. Fastening means on one of the side members and one side edge of the board at the front provide for attachment of one end of two straps. Fastening means on the other side member and on the other side edge serve for attachment of a locking bar which, in turn, connects the other end of each strap to the side member and base. 
     The foregoing prior art patents represent some of the more recent attempts to improve the quality of snow boots and bindings particularly for use in connection with snow boarding. While the devices disclosed in the aforementioned patents constitute substantial improvements over the prior art, they nevertheless remain somewhat complicated, bulky and difficult to use. 
     The thrust of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art snow-ski and snow-board boots and bindings and to provide a universal boot and binding which is easy to use and enables the quick and positive interconnection of the snow boots with the upper surface of the ski or snow-board. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a universal snow boot and binding for use in connection with either snow skiing or snow boarding which is easy to use and provides quick, easy and positive interconnection of the snow boot with the upper surface of the ski or snow-board. More particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide a highly novel snow boot and binding in which only magnetic forces are used to affix the snow boot to the ski or snow-board. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described in the preceding paragraphs which is light-weight, is simple to manufacture and install, and is virtually fail-safe in operation. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the afore-mentioned character which includes novel means for quickly and easily disconnecting the snow boot from the upper surface of the snow-board or snow ski which carries the magnetic elements of the apparatus. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus as described in the preceding paragraph in which the release mechanism comprises an easy-to-use, hand-operated lever which enables the skier or the snow-boarder to quickly and easily disconnect the snow boot from the upper surface of the ski or snow-board. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide cooperating gripping means on the snow boot and the magnet to prevent accidental slippage of the snow boot relative to the magnet. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a novel ski boot and cooperating binding which is compact, lightweight and of a simple, straight forward construction that and can be inexpensively manufactured. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side-elevational view of the support base portion of one form of the apparatus of the invention for gliding over snow. 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the support base shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines  3 — 3  of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines  4 — 4  of FIG. 3 
     FIG. 5 is a side-elevational view of one form of the foot enclosure assembly of the apparatus of the invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a view taken along lines  6 — 6  of FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 7 is a greatly enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines  7 — 7  of FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 8 us a top plan view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the foot enclosure assembly of the invention in position on the support base of the apparatus. 
     FIG. 9 is an enlarged view taken along lines  9 — 9  of FIG.  8 . 
     FIG. 10 is a view taken along lines  10 — 10  of FIG.  9 . 
     FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  11 — 11  of FIG.  10 . 
     FIG. 12 is a side-elevational view similar to FIG. 5, but illustrating the manner of operation of one form of the operating means of the invention for disengaging the foot enclosure assembly from the magnet affixed to the support base. 
     FIG. 13 is a view taken along lines  13 — 13  of FIG.  12 . 
     FIG. 14 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines  14 — 14  of FIG.  13 . 
     FIG. 15 is a generally perspective view of the upper portion of the release means of the apparatus of the invention for separating the foot enclosure from the support base. 
     FIG. 16 is a side-elevational view of the apparatus of the invention for gliding over snow. In this form of the invention, the support base as shown in the form of a conventional ski rather than a snow-board. 
     FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the support base portion of the apparatus shown in FIG.  16 . 
     FIG. 18 is a greatly enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines  18 — 18  of FIG.  17 . 
     FIG. 19 is a side-elevational, exploded view, partly in cross-section showing an alternate embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 20 is a foreshortened view taken along lines  20 — 20  of FIG.  19 . 
     FIG. 21 is a foreshortened view taken along lines  21 — 21  of FIG.  19 . 
     FIG. 22 is a side-elevational view similar to FIG. 19 but showing the foot enclosure assembly in engagement with the specially configured magnet. 
     FIG. 23 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the area designated in FIG. 22 by the numeral  23 . 
     FIG. 24 is a side-elevational view of yet another form of the apparatus of the invention. 
     FIG. 25 is a view taken along lines  25 — 25  of FIG.  24 . 
     FIG. 26 is a view taken along lines  26 — 26  of FIG. 24 partly broken away to show internal construction. 
     FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  27 — 27  of FIG.  26 . 
     FIG. 28 is a generally perspective view of a portion of one form of the release means of this latest form of the invention. 
     FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  29 — 29  of FIG. 26 
     FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  30 — 30  of FIG. 26 
     FIG. 31 is a plan view similar to FIG. 26 but showing the release means moved into a foot enclosure release configuration. 
     FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 27 but showing the foot enclosure separated from the support base. 
     FIG. 33 is a plan view of an alternate form of release means of the invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 through 7, one form of the apparatus of the invention for gliding over snow is there shown. In this form of the invention, there are three principal cooperating components, namely, a support base  14 , a foot enclosure assembly  16 , and release means connected to the foot enclosure assembly for releasably interconnecting the foot enclosure assembly with the support base. Support base  14  includes an upper surface  14   a  and a lower surface  14   b  and, in the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, comprises a snow-board. As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the upper surface  14   a  of support base  14  is provided with a pair of spaced-apart, generally circular shaped recesses  17  within which is mounted a generally circular shaped magnet  18 . Magnets  18  are of a high holding power, compact design, and can be constructed from various materials. By way of example, magnets  18  can comprise powerful ceramic ring, permanent magnets which are readily commercially available from various sources including A-L-L Magnetics, Inc. of Palencia, Calif. These ceramic magnets can be constructed in various configurations and, if desired, can be encased in nickel-plated steel cups. Magnets  18  are commercially available in a number of different sizes and range in diameter from about 2 inches to about 5 inches. The larger of these magnets exhibit holding power of on the order of 200 pounds per magnet. 
     It is to be understood that in constructing the apparatus of the present invention, a single relatively large magnet can be used, or in the alternative, a plurality of smaller magnets disposed in a suitable array can be used to provide the magnetic forces necessary to releasably secure the foot enclosure assembly of the apparatus to the support base. By way of example a snow-board of a nominal length will require one magnet per foot enclosure with a pulling strength of about 150 pounds per magnet. This will achieve a total pulling strength of 300 pounds. The average weight of a person using a snow-board will typically be about 150 pounds. The magnets will then have double the pulling strength of the weight to be held in the desired position on the snow-board. 
     Referring to FIG. 5, the foot enclosure assembly  16  of the present invention can be seen to comprise a snow boot-like foot enclosure  20  and a first metal plate  22  which is affixed to the lower surface of the snow boot  20  by any suitable means such as rivets  23  (FIGS.  6  and  7 ). Plate  22  may be constructed from any suitable rigid metal which is capable of being attracted by the magnets  18  which are interconnected with the support base  14  by adhesive bonding or any other suitable means. 
     Also forming a part of the foot enclosure assembly of the invention is a second plate  24  which is pivotally connected to plate  22  for very limited movement of a few degrees about a pivot pin  26 . More particularly, as shown in FIG. 5, plate  24  extends upwardly from plate  22  and normally is disposed generally perpendicularly with respect thereto. Plate  24  functions to provide support to the heel portion of the foot enclosure  20 , but permits slight forward movement through a limited distance of X (FIG.  5 ). However, plate  24  positively resists rearward angular movement of the rear portion of the boot and lower leg of the user. The distance X can, of course, vary depending upon the physical stature of the user, but generally is on the order of about 1 inch. This movement is sufficient to permit the skier or snow boarder to comfortably lean forward in the binding but, at the same time, provides support against rearward angular leaning movement relative to plane of the support base. 
     Forming an important feature of the apparatus of the present invention is the release means for releasing the foot enclosure assembly from the support base. As best seen by referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the release means here comprises a guide frame  27  which includes a rear plate  28  that is securely affixed to plate  24  of the foot enclosure assembly. Protruding rearwardly from plate  28  are a pair of transversely spaced-apart side members  30  and a top closure plate  32 . Spaced-apart sides  30 , along with a back wall or rear plate  38 , cooperate to define a guideway  34  (FIG. 14) within which a release plate  36  is telescopically movable from the first upper position shown in FIG. 11 to the second, release position shown in FIG.  14 . Rear plate  38  is provided with a vertically extending, elongated guide slot  40  (FIG.  13 ), which guides the vertical travel of a guide pin  42  which is affixed to release plate  36 . With this construction, as release plate  36  moves from the first position shown in FIG. 11 to the release position shown in FIG. 14, guide pin  42  moves from a position proximate the upper extremity of guide slot  42  (FIG. 11) to a second position proximate the lower extremity of the guide slot  40  (FIG.  14 ). 
     In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, release plate  36  is controllably moved from the uppermost position shown in FIG. 11 to the release position shown in FIG. 14 by operating means which here comprises as a cam assembly  48 . Cam assembly  48  includes a cam member  50  having outwardly extending bosses  52  which are affixed at either side of the cam member in the manner shown in FIG.  15 . As shown in FIG. 13, bosses  52  extend through aligned openings  54  provided in side walls  30  of FIG.  26 . With this constrtuction, a handle assembly  56  can be used to pivot cam member  50  from the position shown in FIG. 11 to the release position shown in FIG.  14 . Handle assembly  56  of the character best seen in FIG.  15 . As there shown, handle assembly  56  includes two spaced-apart side arms  58 , each of which terminates at its upper end in a generally annular shaped connector  58   a  which is connected to bosses  52  of cam member  50  by suitable connectors such as a set screw  59  (FIG.  15 ). The opposite, or out board end  58   b  of each of the arm  58  is connected to a two-part handle member  60  comprising portions  60   a  and  60   b . When portions  60   a  and  60   b  are interconnected in the manner shown in FIG. 10 the handle member can be grasped by the user in a manner to move the handle assembly from the position shown in FIG. 11 to the upward release position shown in FIG.  14 . As shown in FIGS. 11 and 14, as the handle assembly is pivoted upwardly, release plate  36  will be forced downwardly by cam member  50  causing the lower extremity  36   a  thereof to move into pressural engagement with the upper surface  14   a  of the support base. As the handle assembly is urged upwardly in the manner shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, release plate  36  will be urged downwardly so that plate  22  will be separated from the magnet  18  thereby breaking the magnetic attraction and allowing separation of the foot enclosure assembly from the support base. Following separation of the foot enclosure assembly from the base plate, the handle assembly is, of course, pivoted downwardly into the starting position so that the foot enclosure assembly can, at such time as is desired, be reconnected to the base plate by superimposing plate  22  over a selected one of the magnets  18 . 
     Turning next to FIGS. 16 through 18, an alternate form of the apparatus of the present invention for gliding over snow is there shown. This apparatus is similar in many respects to the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 through 15. However, in this latest form of the invention the support base, rather than being a snow-board, comprises a ski  63  of a generally conventional configuration. Ski  63  has an upper surface  63   a , and a lower snow engaging surface  64   b . Upper surface  63   a  is provided with a generally rectangular shaped cavity  65  within which is affixed permanent magnet  67 . Magnet  67  is of the same character as the magnets  18  previously discussed herein and is preferably constructed from a powerful magnetizable ceramic or metal material . Once again, magnet  67  should be designed to apply a force of approximately 150 pounds on the metal plate of the foot enclosure assembly which is identical to that previously described. Because the foot enclosure assembly, as well as the release means of this second apparatus of the apparatus is identical to that described in connection with FIGS. 1 through 15, like numerals are used in FIG. 16 to identify like components of the foot enclosure assembly and release means. It is to be understood that when two skis are used, each ski is of the general construction shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 with each ski being provided with a magnet receiving cavity  65  and an appropriately powerful permanent magnet  67  embedded therewithin. Use of the release means of the invention to release the foot enclosure assembly from the ski is accomplished in the same manner as previously described herein. 
     Turning to FIGS. 19 through 23, still another alternate form of the apparatus of the invention is there shown. This apparatus is similar in many respects to that illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 18 and like numerals are used in FIGS. 19 through 23 to identify like components. The major difference between the apparatus of the invention shown in FIGS. 19 through 23 and the earlier-described embodiments of the invention resides in the provision of anti-slip gripping means on the first metal base plates of the foot enclosure assemblies and on the magnets which are affixed to the support base of the apparatus. As best seen by referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, the g&amp;ripping means provided on the metal base plates of each of the foot enclosure assemblies of the invention here comprises a multiplicity of downwardly extending, generally conically shaped, spike-like protuberances  70 . Protuberances  70  extend downwardly from the central portion of metal base plate  72  of the foot enclosure assemblies of this latest form of the invention and as indicated in FIG. 23, are generally conical in shape. 
     Also forming a part of the gripping means of this latest form of the apparatus of the invention are a multiplicity of generally conically-shaped cavities  74  which are formed in magnet  76  of this latest form of the invention. Depressions, or cavities  74 , are of the same general size and configuration as conically shaped protuberances  70  so that when the foot enclosure assemblies are mated with the magnets, protuberances  70  will be received within cavities  74  so as to prevent slippage between metal plate  72  of the foot enclosure assemblies and magnets  76  which are affixed to support base  14 . As best seen in FIG. 21 in this latest form of the invention, magnets  76  are generally rectangular in shape and are suitably secured within rectangularly shaped cavities  78  formed in the support bases. 
     It is to be understood that protuberances  70  can be of a number of different shapes. For example, the protuberances can comprise spaced-apart downwardly extending ribs which can be received within mating grooves provided in the magnets or, alternatively, they could be generally hub-like in shape and be received within socket-like cavities provided in the magnets. In any case, so long as the protuberances when received in mating cavities formed in the magnet function to prevent slippage between the foot enclosure assemblies and the magnets, their precise configuration is unimportant. In a similar fashion, the gripping means of the invention could comprise cooperating side frames provided on the foot enclosure assemblies and the magnet or support base to resist sliding movement of the foot enclosure assemblies relative to the support base. 
     Referring next to FIGS. 24 through 32, yet another form of the apparatus of the invention for gliding over snow is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  82 . This form of the invention is similar in some respects to the earlier described embodiments and like numbers are used to identify like components. In this latest embodiment of the invention there are four principal cooperating components, namely, a support base  84 , a foot enclosure means for enclosing the ulser&#39;s foot, connector means for releasably connecting the foot enclosure means to the connector means and release means for releasing the foot enclosure means from the connector means. 
     As best seen in FIGS. 24,  26  and  27 , the connector means of the invention includes a connector frame  86  that is provided with a pair of spaced-apart, generally oval shaped recesses  87  within which generally circular shaped second magnets  88  are slidably mounted. As before, magnets  88  are of a high holding power, compact design, and can be constructed from various materials of the character previously described herein. Connector frame  86  is connected to the upper surface  84   a  of the support base which surface is spaced apart from the lower surface  84   b  that is adapted to glide over the snow. 
     The foot enclosure means of the invention comprises a foot enclosure assembly  90 , which includes a snow boot  89  having a pair of magnets  92  affixed to the sole  89   a  thereof by any suitable means such as adhesive bonding (FIG.  24 ). Preferably the magnets are received within a pair of generally circular shaped cavities  94  formed in the sole of the boot  90  and are secured in place therewithin by a suitable epoxy resin. 
     Forming an important aspect of the apparatus of this latest form of the invention is the previously mentioned connector means for releasably connecting the foot enclosure assembly  90  to the support base  84 . As best seen by referring to FIGS. 26 and 27, connector frame  86  is of a generally barbell-like configuration and is securely affixed to the upper surface  84   a  of support  84  by connector pins  97 . As indicated in FIGS. 26 and 31, second magnets  88  are slidably mounted within the oval shaped openings  87  for movement between a first position shown in FIG. 26 wherein the second magnets are in index with the first magnets  92  to a second position shown in FIG. 31 wherein the second magnets are displaced from the first magnets (see also FIG.  27 ). 
     Forming another extremely important aspect of the apparatus of the present invention is release means for disconnecting the foot enclosure assembly  90  from the connector means. In this latest embodiment of the invention, this important release means includes displacement means for controllably displacing second magnets  88  with respect to first magnets  92 . This novel displacement means here comprises a displacement mechanism generally designated in the drawings by the numeral  100 . Displacement mechanism  100  is operably associated with frame  86  for controllably sliding second magnets  88  within oval-shaped openings  87  from the first position shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, wherein the magnets are substantially aligned with the first magnets disposed within the boot of the enclosure means to a second position shown in FIG. 31, wherein the second magnets are displaced from and misaligned with the first magnets. 
     This important displacement mechanism  100  of the invention here comnprises a driven member  102  which is rotatably connected to frame  86  for rotation between a first and a second position. Operably associated with driven member  102  is a driving member  104 . As best seen in FIGS. 27 and 30, driven member  102  includes a conventional pinion gear  106  and a generally elliptically shaped head portion  108  which is connected to gear  106 . Also forming a part of the displacement mechanism of the invention is a pair of connector links  110  which function to interconnect driven member  102  with second magnets  88 . In the manner presently to be described, connector links  110  function to controllably move the second magnets within oval shaped guide openings  87  between the first and second positions upon rotation of the driven member  102  by the driving member  104 . 
     In the present form of the invention, the driving member includes a rotatable shaft  112  having a rack portion  112   a  for engagement with pinion gear  106  in the manner shown in FIGS. 26,  29  and  30  and a finger gripping head portion  114  for gripping by the user of the apparatus to impart rotation to shaft  112  and to pinion gear  106  which is rotatable with a stub shaft  107  carried by frame  86  (FIG.  30 ). As indicated in FIGS. 26 and 30, shaft  112  is of a length such that finger gripping head  114  extends outwardly from frame  86  to enable easy rotation by the user of the apparatus. 
     In operating the unique displacement means of the invention, with head portion  108  of driven member  102  in the longitudinally extending position shown in FIG. 26, rotation of finger gripping head  114  will cause pinion gear  106  along with elliptical head  108 , to rotate into the transversely extending position shown in FIG.  31 . In the present form of the invention the connector links have their inboard ends connected to ends  108   a  of elliptical head portion  108  and their outboard ends connected to second magnets  88  in the manner shown in FIGS. 26 and 29. With this construction, movement of shaft  112  and elliptical head portion  108  into the second position shown in FIG. 31 will cause second magnets  88  to slide within oval shaped openings  87  toward the second displaced position shown in FIG.  31 . It is apparent that as the second magnets are moved inwardly within oval shaped openings  87 , they will move out of alignment with magnets  92  and as the second magnets become progressively more misaligned with the first magnets  92 , the holding strength of the cooperating magnets will decrease. Accordingly, the displacement means can be used to controllably adjust the holding power of the magnets and, in turn, the force with which the foot enclosure means is secured to the connector means and to support  84 . It is also apparent from a study of FIGS. 26 and 31 that as the second magnets reach their second innermost position, the gripping power between magnets  88  and  92  will lessen to such and extend that the foot enclosure means can be easily separated from the connector means and from support  84  in the manner shown in FIG.  32 . Accordingly, the novel release means of the invention not only permits adjustment of the holding power of the magnets, it also permits the controlled release of the foot enclosure means from the connector frame. 
     It is to be understood that various mechanisms of a character well understood by those skilled in the art could be used to accomplish a sliding movement of magnets  88  within oval shaped openings  87 . By way of example and not by way of limitation, magnets  88  could be moved from the first to the second position by displacement means comprising a linkage mechanism of the character illustrated in FIG.  33 . More particularly, rather than rotating elliptical-shaped member  108  by means of the finger engaging wheel and gear arrangement shown in FIGS. 24 through 32, member  108  can be rotated by a linkage mechanism  117  of the character shown in FIG.  33 . In this instance the linkage mechanism is carried by a connector frame  119  which is of a slightly different construction and includes a pivot pin  121  to which a driving member of linkage arm  123  is connected. A second linkage arm  125  is pivotally connected to an arm  123  and to member  108  so that a movement of arm  123  from the position shown in the sold lines of FIG. 33 to a position shown in the phantom lines will rotate member  108  into the release position. Other similar mechanical arrangements well known by those skilled in the art could be used to accomplish the movement of elliptical head portion  108 . 
     Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the following claims.