Wakeboard outerbase support shell and bladder combination

Abstract

A wakeboard foot binding combination including a base plate having a lower surface for contact with the upper surface of the wakeboard and having an upper surface on which to mount a foot binding, the base plate forming a pair of arcuate slots therethrough, between the upper surface to the lower surface, one the slot located on each side of the means to mount the foot binding, for registration with apertures formed in the wakeboard and for receipt therethrough of threaded fasteners to allow the plate to be rotated, with respect to the main axis of the wakeboard, and thereafter fixedly attached to the wakeboard to lock the binding against further rotational movement, and a groove formed in the upper surface of the base plate, opening outward from each side of the arcuate slot for receipt therein of binding-base plate interfasteners for use with the threaded fasteners wherein, the binding-base plate interfasteners include curved bodies, to interface closely with the grooves and further including at least one small area pressure plate for concentrating the fastening pressure of the threaded fasteners to small areas of the base plate.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention pertains to the sport of wakeboarding, where a person is towed behind a high speed boat over water while standing on a specially made “wake” board. More particularly, this invention pertains to a unique set of foot bindings for attaching the operator's feet and legs to the wakeboard to provide the operator with the opportunity to perform superior stunts, tricks or maneuvers while on the board.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The fields of skiing, snow boarding, wakeboarding, and wake skating appear to overlap in certain respects. In each sport there is one operator standing on one (or, in the case of skis, two) pieces of wood or wood substitutes (“boards”), and each operator or user is motivated to use the boards to move quickly over the surface of water. In snow skiing and snow boarding the water is in the form of snow and ice while in the case of wakeboarding and wake skating the water is in its liquid form. Further, while snow skiing and snow boarding uses gravity to power the user (downhill), wakeboarding and wake skating use the power of a boat to drag or tow the user over a level surface of water.

Turning to wakeboarding and wake skating, the main difference is that, in wake skating, the user stands on the board without the aid of any device to hold his or her feet to the skate, other than some friction-enhancing material such as grip-tape surfaces for traction. On the other hand, wakeboarding requires the use of mechanical attachments, mounted on the upper surface of the board, into which the operator slips his or her bare feet in order to stay firmly attached to the board during the ride. It is to the field of wakeboarding that this foot binding invention is directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a wakeboard foot binding combination that includes a unique base plate, having a lower surface for contact with the upper surface of the wakeboard, and having an upper surface on which to mount the foot binding where the base plate forms a pair of arcuate slots, between the upper and lower plate surface, one slot located on each side of the foot binding, for registration with apertures formed in the wakeboard and for receipt therein of threaded fasteners to allow the plate to be rotated, with respect to the main axis of the wakeboard, and thereafter fixedly attached to the wakeboard to lock it against further rotational movement.

A novel inner and outer foot binding combination is disclosed which exhibit the properties of inflation, to hold the foot snugly in the binding, and locking at different foot-ankle angles at the option of the user. A novel bladder-airpump combination is disclosed that allows the foot binding to be inflated to bind the foot tighter than can be done by tightening the binding laces. Finally, an elastomeric footbed is described that contains numerous areas of different type elastomers to support and comfort some areas of the foot while attenuating shock to others areas of the foot.

Accordingly, the main object of this invention is a new foot binding for wakeboards that supports the foot of the user, cushions against unwanted discomfort, and attenuates shock to the foot during use of the board. These and other objects of the invention will become more clear when one reads the following specification, taken together with the drawings that are attached hereto. The scope of protection sought by the inventors may be gleaned from a fair reading of the claims that conclude this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustrative picture of a person riding a wakeboard over the surface of the water;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the base plate that is attached to the wakeboard;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the base plate showing the foot cushion positioned thereover;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation and bottom plan view of the first threaded interfastener of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the rear ankle cover of the foot binding of this invention with a first, small, broken-out section, showing the thickness of the cover, and a second, small area showing the weave of the outer surface of the cover;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the inner front segment of the foot binding and its cover plate of this invention;

FIG. 7 is an illustrative view of the wakeboard foot binding combination of this invention;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the outer binding segment of the foot binding combination of this invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the foot cushion of this invention with a portion of the rear of the cushion separated and pulled upward to show the inner construction;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the foot cushion shown in FIG. 10; and,

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the foot binding-base plate second interfastener of this invention

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning now to the drawings, wherein elements are identified by numbers and like elements are identified by like numbers throughout the 11 figures, FIG. 1 shows a person “A” using a wakeboard that contains a wakeboard foot binding combination of this invention. The wakeboard foot binding combination 1 of this invention is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 to comprise a base plate 3, preferably of metal and planar, having a lower surface 5 for contact with the upper surface 7 of the wakeboard 9 and having an upper surface 13 on which to mount a foot binding 15. Base plate 3 has formed therein numerous holes, in order to lighten the overall weight without lessening the strength of the plate, and other holes that accept bolts or screws therein (not shown) allowing it to be tightly fastened to threaded or metal-lined holes (also not shown) formed in wakeboard upper surface 7. A pair of arcuate slots 17a and 17b formed in base plate 3, between base plate upper surface 13 and lower surface 5, one along each side of base plate 3. One slot is located on each side of foot binding 15, for registration with apertures 19 formed in wakeboard 9 and for receipt therethrough of a plurality of threaded fastener 21 to allow plate 3 to be rotated, with respect to the main axis, X-X, of wakeboard 9. Upon tightening fasteners 21, foot binding 15 becomes fixedly attached to base plate 3 and to wakeboard 9 and they are locked together against further rotational movement.

A groove 25 is formed in base plate upper surface 13, opening outward from each side of arcuate slots 17a and 17b for receipt therein of foot binding-base plate interfastener means 27. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, one preferred form of binding-base plate interfastener means 27 includes a curved fastener body 29, for interfitting closely in grooves 25 and further includes at least one, but preferably two, small area pressure plates 31 formed in body 29. Pressure plates 31 are formed in body 29 for concentrating the fastening pressure of center fastener (machine screw) 21 downward, as shown, to small areas along the bottom of grooves 25 and into base 3.

The outer or peripheral edge 33 of base plate 3 extends outside or beyond arcuate slots 17a and 17b and partially outside the periphery of the foot of the user. In addition, slots 17a and 17b are of a width slightly greater than the threaded shaft of center bolt 21 to allow unrestricted passage of the threaded shaft through plate 3 and into apertures 19. It is preferred that apertures 19 be lined with a threaded sleeve (not shown) to prevent threaded fastener 21 from tearing or ripping out from the wakeboard during violent maneuvers by the wakeboard operator.

Foot binding 15 is made up of a number of components, each of which lends a specific function to the invention. Actually, there are two such foot bindings, one spaced to the side of the other as shown in FIG. 1, however, this description will be limited to one such binding as the second binding is identical in design and operation. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, an inner rear segment 37 is provided in foot binding 15 for covering the rear part of the foot that is inserted into the binding. Inner rear segment 37 includes a rear pad 39 including a wide heel cover 41, a centralized, upwardly directed rear ankle cover 43, generally extending above heel cover 41. A bottom-located, outwardly directed, narrow, marginal edge 45 is provided having at least one, but preferably a plurality of apertures 49 for receipt therethrough of foot binding—base plate interfastener means 51.

As shown in FIG. 5, a reinforcement strap 53 is attached about heel cover 41 to provide reinforcement against excessive wear about the heel area of foot binding 15 due to repeated inserting and withdrawing one's foot from the binding and against sideways stress placed against the heel area during violent wakeboard maneuvers. Further, inner rear segment 37 is shown in FIG. 5 to be in the form of a slightly filled or thickened pad 55 having a smooth inner surface and a rugged, hard-wearing, woven outer surface 57 to provide a measure of comfort to the foot. In addition, reinforcement strap 53 is formed of an elastomeric material sewn in the marginal area about heel cover 41, as shown, to allow a certain amount of movement for the heel in the binding. Rear ankle cover 43 is preferably narrower than heel cover 41 and further includes a centralized upstanding loop 63, of tape or other narrow material, for use in grasping by the fingers of one's hand to help guide the sliding of one's foot down into inner rear segment 37 when stepping into the binding.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, foot binding 15 also includes an inner front segment 65 that is provided separately from inner rear segment 37 and includes a broad wraparound section 67, for placement just behind and above the toes of the user, left and right about the upper part of the foot and down against base plate 3. A centralized narrower portion or flap 69 extends upward from the center of section 67, along the front of the ankle of the user, and includes a tongue 73. Tongue 73 is preferably attached to flap 69 through a flexible hinge 75. A marginal edge 77 and a crease 79 form side portions 81 that have holes 83 formed therethrough for receipt of foot binding plate interfastener means 51. Further, tongue 73 is shown to be in the form of a slightly filled or thickened pad 87 having a smooth inner surface and a hard-wearing, woven outer surface 89. Strips 91, of hard material such as plastic, having holes 93 formed therethrough, are provided to overlie side portions 81, and other side portions of foot binding 15, to facilitate the attachment of, and spread the stress of, foot binding—base plate interfastener means 51 to base plate 3.

As shown in FIG. 6, inner front segment 65 and tongue 73 further include an air bladder 97, shown in dotted outline, formed between the smooth inner surface of slightly filled pad 87, and woven outer surface 89, for expanding and contracting against the front area of inner front segment 65 and the foot of the user. Bladder 97 is formed by elastomeric walls 99 that are hermetically sealed about their respective peripheries and connected to an incoming tube 101 and an exhaust tube 103. A hand-operated or squeezable bulb-type air pump 105 is shown in FIG. 6 as operably connected through incoming tube 101 to air bladder 97 and preferably located in the top of tongue 73 for pumping air into air bladder 97 by squeezing the bulb as desired. An air release valve 109, is also located in tongue 73, preferably adjacent pump 105, and operably connected through exhaust tube 103 to air bladder 97, for manipulation by the fingers to release or exhaust air from bladder 97 as desired. The use of pressurized air in a hermetically sealed bladder is to tighten the foot in binding 15 without the need to pinch the skin of the foot such as by pulling forcefully on the laces.

Foot binding 15 also includes an outer binding segment 111, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, including a wraparound section 113 adapted to fit over a portion of inner rear segment 37 and inner front segment 65. An opening 115 is left at the front of foot binding 15 for tongue 73 to be exposed and for adjustment of the fit. A marginal edge 117 surrounds outer binding segment 111 and contains attachment strips 121 having holes 123 formed therethrough for attachment with plastic strips 91 to base plate 3 by foot binding—base plate interfastener means 51. A plurality of pairs of hooks 125 and pairs of loops 127 are provided adjacent or facing the front portion of outer binding segment 111 where opening 115 will be formed after assembly of foot binding 15, for receipt therethrough of laces 115 to form a lace ladder for the user to draw foot binding 15 about the user's foot.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, means 133 is provided to adjust the angle “a” between the lower leg of the user and the main axis X-X of wakeboard 9. Means 133 includes a first strap or binding 135 passing from the lower inside area of outer binding segment 111, upwardly and around behind, or to the rear of, the user's ankle, and then continuing around segment 111 to the opposite side thereof and downwardly and forwardly to the lower outside thereof. At least one strap adjustment means, including a buckle and ladder strap system 137, including a loop 139, is located along strap 135 to provide a length adjustment feature thereto. A center metal loop 141 is centrally mounted high on outer binding segment 111 to aid in directing strap 135 about the binding.

A second strap adjustment means 145, in the form of a pair of straps 147 sewn into outer binding segment 111 and terminated with an adjustable metal clip 149, is provided for joining with adjustment means 145 to augment this adjustment feature in the angle. Such an adjustment feature allows the user to vary angle “α” of his or her lower leg with the main axis of wakeboard 9 in order to facilitate various tricks with the board.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 9 and 10, an elastic foot bed 151 is provided for use with foot binding 15. Footbed 151 is made up of a lower outsole 153 in the general outline of a sandal having a lower surface 157 bounded by an outer periphery 159 and an upper surface 161. On top of lower outsole 153, and in adjacent contact with upper surface 161, is a midsole 163, preferably having the same outline as foot bed 151 and extending upward, from upper surface 161 to form its own upper surface 165. In midsole upper surface 165 are formed two depressions. The first depression 169 is located in an area under the middle plantar area of the foot and second depression 171 is located in an area under the heel of the foot and both are filled with special elastomeric materials. In an area located under the foot of the user, inside footbed outer periphery 159 and on top of midsole upper surface 165, first (filled) depression 169 and second (filled) depression 171, lies in a bedlayer 177. Bedlayer 177 extends over middle plantar depression 169 and heel depression 171 and is placed there after said depressions are filled with elastomeric material.

As further shown in FIGS. 3, 9 and 10, elastomeric materials with different physical properties are used in outsole 153, midsole 163, depression filling 173, depression filling 175 and bedlayer 177. As an example, the elastomeric material making up outsole 153 is Adiprene® with an Asker value of C 35. The elastomeric material making up midsole 163 is EPDM rubber with an Asker value of A 60. The elastomeric material 173 used to fill plantar depression 169 is EPDM rubber with an Asker value of A 60. The elastomeric material 175 used to fill heel depression 171 is EPDM rubber with an Asker value of C 60. And, the elastomeric material making up bedlayer 177 is EPDM rubber with an Asker value of A 60. With respect to depressions 169 and 171, the elastomeric material inserted therein is either cut to fit, both in peripheral outline and thickness, or molded to fit. It is preferred that the top surface of the elastomeric material inserted therein is made planar with midsole upper surface 165.

In addition, means 181 is provided to temporarily lock foot bed 151 against base plate 3 and prevent it from sliding thereon during operation of foot binding 15. As shown in FIG. 3, means 181 comprises a first aperture 183 in plate 3, preferably located over plantar depression 169, and further preferably having at least one straight or rectilinear side 185 formed therealong. A like-formed projection 187 is molded outward from the bottom surface or sole 157 of elastic foot bed 151 and is adapted for insertion in aperture 183. A second aperture 189 is formed in base plate 3, spaced-apart from first aperture 183, preferably above heel depression 171. A like projection 193 is molded outward from sole 157 and is adapted for insertion in aperture 189. Both projections 187 and 193 are arranged to extend into and fit tightly in apertures 183 and 189 when elastic foot bed 151 is arranged on top of base plate 3. The weight of the user keeps projections 187 and 193 in apertures 183 and 189 during use.

A threaded fastener 51 is provided for attaching marginal edges 45, 77 and 117 of foot binding 15 to base plate 3. As shown in FIG. 11, threaded fastener 51 comprises a plate 195 of finite thickness, such as {fraction (1/16)} of an inch thick, and is defined by first and second opposite sides, 197 and 199. Plate 195 has an aperture 201 formed therethrough. A sleeve 205 is formed integral with plate 195 and surrounds aperture 201. Sleeve 205 extends outward (upward) from plate 195 and has threads formed on the inside surface thereof. A machine screw 207, comprising a threaded shaft 209 with a screw head 211 formed at one end of the shaft, is provided wherein the threads inside sleeve 209 and threads on shaft 209 match so that screw 207 can be threaded into sleeve 209 to connect the parts together such as to hold foot binding 15 to base plate 3.

While the invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment, those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications to the described embodiment of the invention without departing from the true spirit and scope thereof. It is intended that all combinations of elements and steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve substantially the same result are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A wakeboard foot binding combination comprising:

a) a base plate having a lower surface for contact with the upper surface of the wakeboard and having an upper surface on which to mount a foot binding;

b) said base plate forming a pair of arcuate slots therethrough, between said upper surface to said lower surface, one said slot located on each side of said means to mount said foot binding, for registration with apertures formed in said wakeboard and for receipt therethrough of threaded fasteners to allow said plate to be rotated, with respect to the main axis of said wakeboard, and thereafter fixedly attached to said wakeboard to lock said binding against further rotational movement; and,

c) a groove formed in said upper surface of said base plate, opening outward from each side of said arcuate slot for receipt therein of binding-base plate interfastener means for use with said threaded fasteners; wherein,

d) said binding-base plate interfastener means include curved bodies, to interface closely with said grooves and further including at least one small area pressure plate for concentrating the fastening pressure of said threaded fasteners to small areas of said base plate.

2. The wakeboard foot binding of claim 1 wherein said base plate is planar and extends beyond the edges of said foot binding.

3. The wakeboard foot binding of claim 1 wherein said binding-base plate interfastener includes an aperture, for receipt of said threaded fastener therethrough, and an area pressure plate, formed on each side of said aperture facing downward, toward said bottom surface of said base plate, when said interfastener is inserted in said groove and slot, for concentrating the fastening pressure of said threaded fastener to a small area of said base plate.

4. A wakeboard foot binding combination comprising:

a) a base plate having a lower surface for contact with the upper surface of the wakeboard and an upper surface on which to mount a foot binding;

b) an inner foot binding comprising: i) a rear pad including a heel cover, a rear ankle cover and a marginal edge; ii) a front pad including an upper foot cover, a tongue and a marginal edge wherein said rear pad and said front pad are attached to said base plate about their respective marginal edges to provide, along with said base plate, a binding surrounding a majority of the surface area of the wearer's foot except for the toes of the foot; and,

c) an outer foot binding, including a wraparound section adapted to fit over a portion of said inner foot binding, a marginal edge for attachment to said base plate, and a lacing ladder for drawing said wraparound section tightly over said inner foot binding and close to the wearer's foot.

5. The wakeboard foot binding combination of claim 4 wherein said inner foot binding further includes a reinforcement strap attached about said heel cover to reinforce the marginal area about the heel cover.

6. The wakeboard foot binding combination of claim 5 wherein said inner foot binding includes a woven textile pad and said reinforcement strap is an elastomeric strap sewn in the marginal area about the heel cover.

7. The wakeboard foot binding combination of claim 4 wherein said rear ankle cover is narrower than said heel cover and further includes an upstanding loop for use in sliding one's foot down into said binding.

8. The wakeboard foot binding combination of claim 4 wherein said upper foot cover includes a broad woven textile pad, for spreading laterally about the upper part of the wearer's foot, and said tongue is hinged to said upper foot cover.

9. The wakeboard foot binding combination of claim 4 wherein said upper foot cover and said tongue include broad woven textile pads, for spreading laterally about the upper part of the wearers foot and extending upward on the front of the ankle of the wearer, respectively, and said, said hinge, between said upper foot cover and said tongue includes a flexible, non-woven material.

10. The wakeboard foot binding combination of claim 4 wherein said upper foot cover and said tongue further include:

a) an air bladder formed therein for expanding and contracting against the front area of said upper foot cover;

b) an air pump, operably connected to said air bladder, for pumping air into said air bladder on command; and,

c) an air release valve, operably connected to said air bladder, for exhausting air from said air bladder upon command.

11. The wakeboard foot binding combination of claim 4 wherein said outer foot binding includes:

a) a woven textile pad;

b) an outer non-woven pad attached over said woven textile pad; and,

c) a plurality of hooks and loops mounted to said pads and arranged adjacent the outer edges thereof, for receipt of laces for closing said outer foot binding over said inner binding.

12. The wakeboard foot binding combination of claim 4 wherein said outer foot binding further includes:

a) first strap means anchored in the lower rear portion of said outer foot binding and passing forwardly and upwardly along the outer surface of said outer foot binding to terminate in the dorsal surface of the foot of the wearer;

b) second strap means anchored in the lower front portion of said outer foot binding and passing rearwardly and upwardly along the outer surface of said outer foot binding to terminate at the rear, upper ankle portion of the wearer; and,

c) means, attached to said outer foot binding, for shortening and lengthening said first and second strap means to adjust the angle between the lower leg and the foot of the wearer.

13. A wakeboard foot binding combination comprising:

a) a base plate having a lower surface for contact with the upper surface of the wakeboard and an upper surface on which to mount a foot binding;

b) an elastomeric foot cushion, for fitting between the upper surface of the wakeboard and said foot binding;

c) said elastomeric foot cushion comprising: i) an outsole area of a size and shape to extend under the entire surface of the foot and supporting the foot on the upper surface of said base plate; ii) a midsole area, inside said outsole area, for support the contour of the instep of the foot; and, iii) insert areas, inside said outsole area, under the heel area and forefront area of the foot to provide cushioning against shock to those parts of the foot.

14. The wakeboard foot binding combination of claim 13 wherein said outsole area includes a non-slip surface formed thereover.

15. The wakeboard foot binding combination of claim 13 wherein said outsole area, said midsole area, and said insert areas all contain elastomeric materials having different physical properties.

16. The wakeboard foot binding combination of claim 13 further an action surface formed on the bottom of said elastomeric foot cushion for contact with said upper surface of said base plate and including means for temporarily locking and unlocking said foot cushion in said base plate.

17. The wakeboard foot binding combination of claim 16 wherein said means for temporarily locking and unlocking said foot cushion in said base plate includes:

a) at least two spaced-apart apertures formed in said base plate and aligned along the major axis of the binding; and,

b) at least two protrusions formed on said action surface of said elastomeric foot cushion and arranged to mate with and be inserted in said apertures in said base plate to temporarily hold said foot cushion in alignment on said base plate.

18. The wakeboard foot binding combination of claim 17 wherein one of said protrusion-aperture combinations is formed under the heel portion of the binding and the other protrusion-aperture combination is formed forwardly thereof, along the foot region of the binding toward the front thereof.

19. A wakeboard foot binding combination comprising:

a) a base plate having a lower surface for contact with the upper surface of the wakeboard and having an upper surface on which to mount a foot binding wherein said base plate is planar and extends beyond the edges of said foot binding;

b) an inner foot binding including a marginal edge for attachment to said base plate;

c) an outer foot binding including a marginal edge for attachment to said base plate; and,

d) a threaded fastener for attaching said marginal edges of said inner and said outer foot binding to said base plate, wherein said threaded fastener comprises: i) a plate of finite thickness defined by first and second opposite sides thereof and having an aperture formed therethrough; ii) a sleeve integral with said plate, surrounding said aperture, and extending outward from said first side of said plate, said sleeve having threads formed inside thereof; and, iii) a bolt, comprising a threaded shaft with a bolt heat formed at one end of said shaft, wherein said threads inside said sleeve and said threads on said bolt shaft match so that said bolt can be threaded into said sleeve to hold said inner foot binding and said outer foot binding to said base plate.

20. A wakeboard foot binding combination comprising:

a) a base plate having a lower surface for contact with the upper surface of the wakeboard and having an upper surface on which to mount a foot binding;

b) said base plate forming a pair of arcuate slots therethrough, between said upper surface to said lower surface, one said slot located on each side of said means to mount said foot binding, for registration with apertures formed in said wakeboard and for receipt therethrough of threaded fasteners to allow said plate to be rotated, with respect to the main axis of said wakeboard, and thereafter fixedly attached to said wakeboard to lock said binding against further rotational movement; and,

c) an inner foot binding comprising: i) a rear pad including a heel cover, a rear ankle cover and a marginal edge; ii) a front pad including an upper foot cover, a tongue and a marginal edge wherein said rear pad and said front pad are attached to said base plate about their respective marginal edges to provide, along with said base plate, a binding surrounding a majority of the surface area of the wearer's foot except for the toes of the foot;

d) an outer foot binding, including a wraparound section adapted to fit over a portion of said inner foot binding, a marginal edge for attachment to said base plate, and a lacing ladder for drawing said wraparound section tightly over said inner foot binding and close to the wearer's foot.

e) an air bladder formed in said front pad for expanding and contracting against the front area of said upper foot cover;

f) an air pump, operably connected to said air bladder, for pumping air into said air bladder on command;

g) an air release valve, operably connected to said air bladder, for exhausting air from said air bladder upon command;

h) wherein said outer foot binding further includes: i) first strap means anchored in the lower rear portion of said outer foot binding and passing forwardly and upwardly along the outer surface of said outer foot binding to terminate in the dorsal surface of the foot of the wearer; ii) second strap means anchored in the lower front portion of said outer foot binding and passing rearwardly and upwardly along the outer surface of said outer foot binding to terminate at the rear, upper ankle portion of the wearer; and, iii) means, attached to said outer foot binding, for shortening and lengthening said first and second strap means to adjust the angle between the lower leg and the foot of the wearer;

i) an elastomeric foot cushion, for fitting between the upper surface of the wakeboard and said foot binding, comprising: i) an outsole area, including a non-slip surface, of a size and shape to extend under the entire surface of the foot and supporting the foot on the upper surface of said base plate; ii) a midsole area, inside said outsole area, for support the contour of the instep of the foot; and, iii) insert areas, inside said outsole area, under the heel area and forefront area of the foot to provide cushioning against shock to those parts of the foot;

j) wherein said outsole area, said midsole area, and said insert areas all contain elastomeric materials having different physical properties;

k) wherein an action surface is formed on the bottom of said elastomeric foot cushion for contact with said upper surface of said base plate and including means for temporarily locking and unlocking said foot cushion in said base plate;

l) wherein said means for temporarily locking and unlocking said foot cushion in said base plate includes: i) at least two spaced-apart apertures formed in said base plate and aligned along the major axis of the binding; and, ii) at least two protrusions formed on said action surface of said elastomeric foot cushion and arranged to mate with and be inserted in said apertures in said base plate to temporarily hold said foot cushion in alignment on said base plate wherein one of said protrusion-aperture combinations is formed under the heel portion of said binding and the other protrusion-aperture combination is formed forwardly thereof, along the foot region of said binding toward the front thereof; and,

m) a threaded fastener for attaching said marginal edges of said inner and said outer foot binding to said base plate, wherein said threaded fastener comprises: i) a plate of finite thickness defined by first and second opposite sides thereof and having an aperture formed therethrough; ii) a sleeve integral with said plate, surrounding said aperture, and extending outward from said first side of said plate, said sleeve having threads formed inside thereof; and, iii) a bolt, comprising a threaded shaft with a bolt heat formed at one end of said shaft, wherein said threads inside said sleeve and said threads on said bolt shaft match so that said bolt can be threaded into said sleeve to hold said inner foot binding and said outer foot binding to said base plate.