Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field Of The Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a winter sport apparatus. More particularly, the invention concerns an apparatus for gliding over snow which includes unique snow boots that are removably connected to a snow engaging support base such as a snow-board through the use of a magnet and a cooperating mechanical locking mechanism.  
           [0003]    2. Discussion Of The Prior Art  
           [0004]    Winter sports such as skiing, ice-skating and a snowshoeing have traditionally been very popular in many locations within the United States and in foreign countries. While, for many years snow skiing was the sport of choice among winter sport enthusiasts, recently, the sport of snowboarding has catapulted into popularity particularly among young persons.  
           [0005]    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 types of bindings are generally cumbersome, difficult to use and often fail to provide a type of interconnection between the boots and the snowboard that is essential to the sport of snow boarding.  
           [0006]    A substantial improvement in snowboard, boots and bindings is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,224,086 B1 issued to the present inventor. The novel apparatus of the invention described in this patent comprises a unique snow boot binding in which only magnetic forces are used to removably affix the snow boot to a ski or snowboard. The apparatus also includes novel means for quickly and easily disconnecting the snow boot from the upper surface of the snowboard or snow ski, which carries the magnetic elements of the apparatus. In one form of the invention this novel 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 snowboard.  
           [0007]    Other 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.  
           [0008]    Still another improved binding for a snowboard 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 snowboard 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.  
           [0009]    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 in design, bulky and, in some cases, difficult to use.  
           [0010]    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 magnet-carrying boot and binding that is easy to use and one that enables the quick and positive interconnection of the snow boots with the upper surface of the snow-board.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    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 magnetic forces in cooperation with a novel mechanical locking mechanism are used to removably affix the snow boot to the ski or snowboard.  
           [0012]    Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the aforementioned character in which the snow boot or foot enclosure carries a permanent magnet while the mechanical locking mechanism is strategically mounted on the snow board.  
           [0013]    Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus as described in the preceding paragraph in which the mechanical locking mechanism includes a toe locking mechanism and a cooperating heel locking mechanism that is easily operable to enable the snow boot to be readily disconnected from the upper surface of the snow-board or snow ski.  
           [0014]    Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus as described in the preceding paragraph in which the heel locking mechanism comprises an easy-to-use, hand-operated lever that 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.  
           [0015]    Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described in which the snow boot carries a toe locking tab that is removably receivable within a tab receiving locking element carried by the snow board.  
           [0016]    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.  
           [0017]    Another object of the invention is to provide a novel ski boot and cooperating binding which is compact, lightweight and is of a simple, straight forward construction that and can be inexpensively manufactured.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]    [0018]FIGS. 1A and 1B, when considered together, comprise a top plan view of one form of the apparatus of the invention for gliding over the snow.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is a greatly enlarged, generally perspective view of one of the binding apparatus of the invention for releasably connecting the foot enclosure assembly of the invention to the support base.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 is a generally perspective bottom view of one form of the foot enclosure assembly of the invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 is a greatly enlarged, generally perspective, fragmentary view of the rear locking portion of the binding assembly shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 is a generally perspective view of the locking pin of the assemblage shown in FIG. 4.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 6 is a top plan view partly broken away to show internal construction of one of the foot enclosure assemblies that is interconnected with one of the binding assemblies of the character shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIGS. 7A and 7B, when considered together, comprise an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along lines  7 - 7  of FIG. 6.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  8 - 8  of FIG. 7A.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  9 - 9  of FIG. 8.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  10 - 10  of FIG. 9.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIGS. 10A and 10B, when considered together comprise a side-elevational, cross-sectional view similar to FIGS. 7A and 7B but showing the foot enclosure assembly of the invention being separated from the clamping assembly.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  11 - 11  of FIG. 10A.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  12 - 12  of FIG. 11.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  13 - 13  of FIG. 12.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 14 is a generally perspective bottom view of an alternate form of foot enclosure assembly of the invention.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 15 is a generally perspective view of an alternate form of binding assembly of the apparatus of the invention.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 16 is a fragmentary, top plan view, partly broken away to show internal construction, illustrating the forward portion of the foot enclosure assembly of FIG. 14 in position within the binding assembly shown in FIG. 15.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  17 - 17  of FIG. 16.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 18 is a side-elevational, cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 17, but showing the foot enclosure assembly being separated from the binding assembly. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0037]    Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 through 13, one form of the apparatus of the invention for gliding over snow is there shown. In this form of the invention, the principal cooperating components comprise a support base  14 , a pair of identical foot enclosure assemblies  16 , and connector means connected to the support base for releasably interconnecting the foot enclosure assemblies 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 through 13, comprises a snowboard.  
         [0038]    As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 7A, the lower surface  16   a  of each of the foot enclosure assemblies is provided with a threaded bore  18  that receives a threaded stud  20  that functions to connect a generally circular shaped permanent magnet  22  with the foot enclosure assembly. Magnet  22  is of a high holding power, compact design, and can be constructed from various materials. By way of example, magnet  22  can comprise powerful ceramic disk, permanent magnet of a character readily commercially available from various sources including A-L-L Magnetics, Inc. of Palencia, Calif. This type of ceramic magnet can be constructed in various configurations and, if desired, can be encased in nickel-plated steel cups. Magnet  22 , which is commercially available in a number of different sizes, can range in diameter from about 2 inches to about 3 inches. 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 heel portion of the foot enclosure assembly of the apparatus to the support base.  
         [0039]    Referring to FIGS. 3, 6,  7 A and  7 B the foot enclosure assembly  16  of the present invention can be seen to comprise a snow boot-like foot enclosure  26  having a heel portion  26   a  and a toe portion  26   b.  As best seen in FIG. 3 magnet  22  is affixed to the lower surface of the foot enclosure means intermediate the heel portion and the toe portion. For a purpose presently to be described, a toe locking member  28  having an outwardly extending locking tab  28   a  is affixed to the lower surface of the foot enclosure means proximate the toe portion. Also affixed to the lower surface of the foot enclosure means proximate the heel portion thereof is foot enclosure locking means for releasably locking the heel portion of the foot enclosure means to support base  14 . This means here comprises a generally “U” shaped heel-locking member  30  having an opening or bore  32  therethrough.  
         [0040]    Turning to FIG. 2, one of the two identical connector means of the invention for releasably interconnecting the entire foot enclosure assemblies  16  with the support base  14  can be seen to comprise an elongated frame-like assembly  34  having a first end  34   a  and a second end  34   b.  Each of the assemblies  34  is adjustably connected to support base  14  by two sets of threaded connectors  36 .  
         [0041]    Affixed to each of the frame assemblies intermediate the first and second ends thereof is a ferrous metal plate  36  that is engageable by magnets  22  when the foot enclosure assemblies  16  are mated with the frame assemblies in a manner presently to be described. The ferrous metal plates  36  comprise a part of the heel securement means of the invention for securing the heel portion of the foot enclosure assemblies  16  within their respective frame assemblies.  
         [0042]    The heel securement means of the invention also includes heel locking means for locking engagement with the heel portion of one of the foot enclosure assemblies  16 . Each of the identical heel locking means here comprises an upstanding heel-receiving block  40  that is connected to base portion  35  of its respective frame assembly  34 . Block  40  has a concave surface  42  and a bore  44  therethrough for telescopically receiving the locking tongue end portion  46   a  of an elongated, generally cylindrically shaped locking pin  46  that is carried by block  40 . (See FIGS. 4, 5,  7 A,  8  and  9 ). Also comprising a part of the heel locking means of the present invention is finger gripping means that includes a finger gripping lever  50  having a yoke portion  50   a  that is pivotally connected to heel receiving block  40  and to locking pin  46  by means of connecting links  52  and  54  respectively. As best seen in FIG. 8, a transverse pin  55  interconnects link  54  with locking pin  46 . With this construction, lever  52  can be moved between the upward, boot locking position shown and FIGS. 7A and 9, wherein end  46   a  of the locking pin is received within opening  32  of locking member  30  and the downward release position shown in FIGS. 2, 4,  10 A and  12  wherein the end of the locking pin is retracted from opening  32 .  
         [0043]    As is also shown in FIG. 2, each frame assembly  34  includes a generally disk shaped connector member  60  that is rotatably mounted within a central opening  63  formed in base portion  37 . Connector member  60  comprises a part of the adjustment means of the invention for adjustably interconnecting the frame assemblies  34  with support base  14 . More particularly, by loosening threaded connectors  36 , the frame assembly can be rotated relative to connector  60  in a manner to vary the angle of the frame assembly with respect to support base  14 . Similarly, connector member  60  is provided with a pair of spaced apart parallel slots  62  that receive threaded connectors  36 . With this construction, by loosening threaded connectors  36 , each connector member  60  can be moved transversely of the support base to adjust the transverse position of frame assembly  34  on the upper surface  14   a  on support base  14 .  
         [0044]    The connector means of the present form of the invention further comprises toe-securement means for securing the toe portion of foot enclosures  16  within their respective frame assemblies  34 . Each of the identical toe locking means here comprises an upstanding locking element or bracket  64  that is connected to the frame assembly proximate second end  34   b  thereof (FIG. 2). Bracket  64  is provided with an opening  64   a  that closely receives locking tab  28   a  of toe locking member  28  when a foot enclosure  16  is positioned within a frame assembly  34  in the manner shown in FIG. 6. In this regard, to initially correctly position the foot enclosures  16  within the frame assemblies  34 , positioning means are provided on each of the frame assemblies proximate end  34   b  thereof. As shown in FIG. 6, these positioning means here comprise a pair of upstanding locating pins  66  that are engageable by the forward portion of foot enclosure assembly  16  when the foot enclosure assembly is properly positioned within its respective frame  34  with the locking tab  28   a  thereof correctly positioned within opening  64   a  of bracket  64 .  
         [0045]    The foot enclosures can be removed from their respective frame assemblies in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B. More particularly, by moving lever  50  into the downward position shown in an FIG. 10A, the user can lift the heel of the foot enclosure upwardly in the direction of the arrows of FIG. 10A against the urging of magnet  22  so that the heel portion moves free of the frame assembly. This done, the user can move the foot enclosure rearwardly in the direction of the arrow of FIG. 10B so that tab  28   a  of the toe locking member slides free of the locking element  64 . To interconnect the foot enclosure with the frame assembly, the reverse procedure is, of course, followed.  
         [0046]    Turning now to FIGS. 14 through 18, an alternate form of the apparatus of the invention for gliding over snow is there shown. This form of the invention is similar in many respects to that shown in FIGS. 1 through 13 and like numerals are used in FIGS. 14 through 18 to identify like components. As in the earlier described embodiment of the invention, the principal cooperating components of this latest embodiment comprise a support base  14 , a pair of foot enclosure assemblies  70 , and connector means connected to the support base for releasably interconnecting the foot enclosure assemblies with the support base.  
         [0047]    As best seen in FIG. 14, the lower surface  70   a  of the foot enclosure assembly is provided with a threaded bore  72  that receives a threaded stud  20  that functions to connect a generally circular shaped permanent magnet  22  with the foot enclosure assembly. Magnet  22  is of the character previously described and can comprise a powerful ceramic disk, permanent magnet of a character readily commercially available from various sources including A-L-L Magnetics, Inc. of Palencia, Calif.  
         [0048]    Referring to FIGS. 14, 16,  17  and  18 , each of the identical foot enclosure assemblies  70  of the present invention can be seen to comprise a snow boot-like foot enclosure  76  having a heel portion  76   a  and a toe portion  76   b.  As best seen in FIG. 14, magnet  22  is affixed to the lower surface of the foot enclosure means intermediate the heel portion and the toe portion. For a purpose presently to be described, a second magnet  78  is affixed to the lower surface of the foot enclosure means proximate the toe portion. As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 17, the foot enclosure assembly is provided with a second threaded bore  80  that receives second threaded stud  82  that functions to connect the generally circular shaped permanent magnet  78  with the foot enclosure assembly. Magnet  78  also comprises a powerful ceramic disk, permanent magnet of a character readily commercially available from various sources including A-L-L Magnetics, Inc. of Palencia, Calif. Also affixed to the foot enclosure means proximate the heel portion thereof is a generally “U” shaped heel-locking member  30  having an opening or bore  32  therethrough.  
         [0049]    The important connector means of this latest form of the invention for releasably interconnecting the foot enclosure assemblies  70  with the support base  14  comprises a pair of identical, elongated frame-like assemblies  84 , one of which is shown in FIG. 15. This assembly has a first end  84   a,  a second end  84   b  and is adjustably connected to support base  14  by two sets of threaded connectors  36 . Affixed to each of the frame assemblies intermediate it&#39;s first and second ends is a ferrous metal plate  37  that is engageable by a magnet  22  when the foot enclosure assembly  70  is mated with the frame assembly in a manner presently to be described. Also affixed to the frame assembly intermediate the first and second ends is a second ferrous metal plate  87  that is engageable by magnet  78  when the foot enclosure assembly  70  is mated with the frame assembly in a manner shown in FIG. 17. Ferrous metal plate  87  here comprises a part of the toe securement means of this latest form of the invention for securing the toe portion of the foot enclosure within the frame assembly. Like frame assembly  34 , frame assembly  84  comprises two interconnected base portions  89  and  91  and is adjustably interconnected with support  14  in the manner previously described.  
         [0050]    Affixed to each frame assembly  84  proximate the heel end  84   a  is a heel locking means for locking engagement with the heel portion of said foot enclosure assembly and more particularly with locking member  30 . This important heel locking means is identical in construction and operation that described in connection with the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 through  13  and comprises an upstanding heel-receiving block  40  that is connected to base portion  89 . Block  40  has a bore  44  therethrough for telescopically receiving the locking tongue end portion  46   a  of an elongated, generally cylindrically shaped locking pin  46 . (See FIGS. 4, 5,  7 A,  8  and  9 ).  
         [0051]    Also comprising a part of the heel locking means of the invention is finger gripping means that includes a finger gripping lever  50  having a yoke portion  50   a  that is pivotally connected to heel receiving block  40  and to locking pin  46  by means of connecting links  52  and  54  in the manner previously described. This heel locking means functions in the identical manner previously described.  
         [0052]    As is also shown in FIG. 15, each frame assembly  84  includes a generally disk shaped connector member  60  that is rotatably mounted within a central opening  63  formed in base portion  91 . Connector member  60  comprises a part of the adjustment means of the invention for adjustably interconnecting the frame assembly  84  with support base  14  in an identical manner to that described in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 13. More particularly, by loosening threaded connectors  36 , the frame assembly can be rotated relative to connector  60  in a manner to vary the angle of the frame assembly with respect to support base  14 . Similarly, connector member  60  is provided with a pair of spaced apart parallel slots  62  that receive threaded connectors  36 . With this construction, by loosening threaded connectors  36 , connector member  60  can be moved transversely of the support base to adjust the transverse position of frame assembly  34  on the upper surface  14   a  on support base  14 .  
         [0053]    The foot enclosures can be removed from their respective frame assemblies in the manner previously discussed and as illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18. More particularly, by moving lever  50  into the downward position shown in FIGS. 10A and 15, the user can lift the heel of the foot enclosure upwardly in the direction of the arrows of FIG. 10A so that the heel portion moves free of the frame assembly. This done, the user can move the toe portion of the foot enclosure upwardly in the direction of the arrow of FIG. 18 so that the toe locking member, or second magnet  78  releases from metal plate  87  in the manner shown.  
         [0054]    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.

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