SNOWBOARD BINDING

Abstract

A snow board binding includes a base plate and a longitudinal frame that is pivotally attached to the front end of the base plate. A linkage is pivotally attached to the longitudinal frame. A strap, which is shaped complimentary to the front portion of the boot, has a front member that is connected to a front portion of the longitudinal frame and a rear member that is pivotally connected to the linkage. A heel cup defines a bottom rear pivot point that is pivotally attached to the base plate and defines a front pivot point that is pivotally attached to the linkage. The linkage is configured so that when downward force is applied to the longitudinal frame by the heel portion of the boot, the longitudinal frame pivots downwardly so as to be parallel with the base plate. The linkage is also configured to pull the strap downwardly, thereby securing the boot to the base plate.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/765,512, filed Feb. 6, 2006, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to recreational equipment and, more specifically, to a binding for use with snowboards and the like.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Snowboarding is an increasingly popular winter sport in which participants slide down a snow-covered slope on a single board. Typically, the participant wears snowboarding boots, which are secured to the board through the use of bindings. There are two types of snowboarding boots: soft boots and hard boots. Soft boots are relatively flexible, whereas hard boots are similar to ski boots in that they are rigid and are used primarily in timed competitive events. Snowboarding boots provide internal support to transfer a participant's movements to the board.

The bindings are fixed to the board, and hold the booted feet in place during use. There are several types of bindings, including: strap-in bindings, step-in bindings, and other specialized bindings. Most bindings are secured to the board with a standard coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism includes a disc having a serrated outer ring, which is secured to the board and a complementary hole defined by the binding that has a complementary serrated ring that engages the serrated outer ring secured to the board. The serrated ring allows the user to select an angle of the binding relative to the snowboard.

Strap-in bindings, which are relatively popular, require the user to wear a boot with a thick, but flexible, sole and padded uppers. The foot is held onto the board with two flexible straps, one strapped across the top of the toe area and one across the ankle area. The straps are ratcheted tightly for a tight fit and good rider control of the board. Strap-in bindings have a disadvantage in that they take longer to put on and the user frequently must sit down to adjust the straps. Also because the straps are fully released to remove the boot from the binding, the straps must be adjusted each time a user puts them on.

Step-in bindings employ hardware that engages predefined portions of the user's boots when the user steps into the bindings. Sometimes mechanical linkages transfer downward force from the user's boot, as the user steps into the binding, to other portions of the binding that apply securing forces to the boots.

Rear entry bindings combine the control levels attainable with strap bindings without having to adjust the binding straps for each entry. Typically, with a rear entry binding, the foot enters the binding through the back (which then clips into place) rather than the top. Some rear entry bindings use one big strap while others use two straps in a manner similar to strap-in bindings.

A stiff molded support behind the heel provides rear support for the user's calf area. This is referred to as a “high back.” A high back allows the user to apply pressure to the board with his calves when making turns.

Existing commercially available snowboard bindings allow a great deal of control and comfort, but all require the user to reach down to lock the binding closed. In the past, many step-in designs have attempted to overcome this disadvantage by designing boot and binding systems that interlock the boot to the binding. Thus, when a user would want to change boots or bindings, he would have to buy both. Also, existing designs tend to clog with snow and require precise alignment of their engagement mechanisms.

Therefore, there is a need for mechanically simple snowboard binding that may be used with a variety of boot types while allowing the user to step into the binding.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the present invention which, in one aspect, is a snow board binding for securing a boot, having a front portion and a heel portion, to a snowboard having a securing mechanism attached thereto. The binding includes a base plate having a back end, an opposite front end, a left side, an opposite right side and an engagement mechanism configured to be engageable with the securing mechanism to facilitate attachment of the base plate to the snowboard. A longitudinal frame is pivotally attached to the front end of the base plate. A linkage is pivotally attached to the longitudinal frame. A strap has a front member that is connected to a front portion of the longitudinal frame and a rear member that is pivotally connected to the linkage. The strap is shaped complimentary to the front portion of the boot so as to receive the front portion of the boot between the strap and a portion of the base plate. A heel cup has a shape that is complimentary to the heel portion of the boot. The heel cup defines a bottom rear pivot point that is pivotally attached to the base plate and defines a front pivot point that is pivotally attached to the linkage. The linkage is configured so that when downward force is applied to the longitudinal frame by the heel portion of the boot, the longitudinal frame pivots downwardly so as to be parallel with the base plate. The linkage is also configured so that when downward force is applied to the longitudinal frame by the heel portion of the boot, the heel cup pivots about the base plate so as to engage the heel portion of the boot and drive the front portion of the boot into engagement with the strap. The linkage is also configured so that when downward force is applied to the longitudinal frame by the heel portion of the boot, the linkage pulls the strap downwardly, thereby securing the boot to the base plate.

In another aspect, the invention is a binding for securing a boot, having a front portion and a heel portion, to a snowboard having a securing mechanism attached thereto. The binding includes a base plate having a back end, an opposite front end, a left side, an opposite right side, a left linkage arm extending upwardly from the base plate adjacent to the back end and the left side, a right linkage arm extending upwardly from the base plate adjacent to the back end and the right side, a left stub extending upwardly from the base plate adjacent to the front end and the left side, a right stub extending upwardly from the base plate adjacent to the front end and the right side, and an engagement mechanism configured to be engageable with the securing mechanism to facilitate attachment of the base plate to the snowboard. A left longitudinal member, having a bottom edge, an opposite top edge, a front end and an opposite back end, is pivotally attached to the left stub. A right longitudinal member, having a bottom edge, an opposite top edge, a front end and an opposite back end, is pivotally attached to the right stub. A lateral plate connects the back end of the left longitudinal member to the back end of the right longitudinal member. A left link has a first pivot point that is pivotally attached to the left longitudinal member adjacent to the back end and an opposite second pivot point, the left link also defines a left attachment point. A right link has a first pivot point that is pivotally attached to the right longitudinal member adjacent to the back end and an opposite second pivot point, the right link also defines a right attachment point. A strap connects a portion of the left longitudinal member to the right longitudinal member and is shaped so as to receive the front portion of the boot between the strap and a portion of the base plate. A rear portion of the strap is also pivotally connected to the left link at the left attachment point and the right link at the right attachment point so that rotation of the left link and the right link due to downward pushing on the left longitudinal member and on the right longitudinal causes the strap to be pushed toward the base plate. A heel cup, having a shape that is complimentary to the heel portion of the boot, defines a left bottom rear pivot point is pivotally attached to the left linkage arm extending upwardly from the base plate. The heel cup defines a right bottom rear pivot point that is pivotally attached to the right linkage arm extending upwardly from the base plate. The heel cup also defines a left front pivot point that is pivotally attached to the second pivot point of the left link and defines a right front pivot point that is pivotally attached to the second pivot point of the right link. A locking mechanism is configured to secure the boot to the base plate during use. The left link and the right link each have a length so that when downward force is applied to the left longitudinal member and the right longitudinal member by the heel portion of the boot, the left longitudinal member and the right longitudinal member both pivot downwardly so as to be parallel with the base plate and so that the heel cup pivots about the left linkage arm and the right linkage arm so as to engage the heel portion of the boot and drive the front portion of the boot into engagement with the strap, thereby securing the boot to the base plate.

In yet another aspect, the invention is a method of making a snow board binding in which a front portion of a frame is pivotally attached to a front portion of a base plate. A strap is attached to a portion of the frame so that the strap has a shape complimentary to a foot portion of a boot. A rear portion of a heel cup pivotally is attached to a rear portion of the base plate. A first end of a linkage is attached to a rear portion of the frame and an opposite second end of the linkage is attached to a front portion of the heel cup. The length of the linkage is chosen so that when a downward force is applied by the boot to the frame, the linkage pivots the heel cup toward the front of the frame, thereby driving the a portion of the boot into the strap. A securing mechanism is attached to the base plate and the frame so that the securing mechanism is configured to hold the frame adjacent and parallel to the base plate when the boot is secured in the binding.

These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings. As would be obvious to one skilled in the art, many variations and modifications of the invention may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a top perspective view of one embodiment of the invention in an engaged position.

FIG. 1B is a top perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A in a disengaged position.

FIG. 2A is a side elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A in a disengaged position.

FIG. 2B is a side elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A in an engaged position.

FIG. 3A is a left side elevational view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3B is a front side elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is a right side elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3D is a bottom side plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3E is a top side plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3F is a rear side elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a detail of a linkage employed in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A-3F

FIGS. 5A-5B are detail side elevational views of a locking mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of a strap.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a detail of the binding.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the invention is now described in detail. Referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like parts throughout the views. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise: the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.”

As shown in FIGS. 1A-1B and 2A-2B, one illustrative embodiment is a binding 100 for securing a boot 10, having a front portion and a heel portion, to a snowboard having a securing mechanism attached thereto. The binding includes a base plate 110 having a back end 112, an opposite front end 114, a left side 116 and an opposite right side 118. A left linkage arm 122 extends upwardly from the base plate 110 adjacent to the back end 112 and the left side 116 and a right linkage arm 124 extends upwardly from the base plate 110 adjacent to the back end 112 and the right side 118. A left stub 126 extends upwardly from the base plate 110 adjacent to the front end 114 and the left side 116 and a right stub 128 extends upwardly from the base plate 110 adjacent to the front end 114 and the right side 118.

A longitudinal frame 130 is pivotally attached to the front end 114 of the base plate 110. In one embodiment, the frame 130 includes a left longitudinal member 132, a right longitudinal member 134 and a lateral plate 136. The left longitudinal member 132 is pivotally fastened to the left stub 126. Similarly, the right longitudinal member is pivotally fastened to the right stub 128. The lateral plate 136 connects the back end of the left longitudinal member 132 to the back end of the right longitudinal member 134.

As shown in FIG. 7, the base plate 110 defines a step 210 into which the lateral plate 136 fits. Thus, when the boot is bound in the binding, the lateral plate 136 and the base plate 110 form a flat surface upon which the boot rests. The step 210 may include a sloped edge 212 that facilitates dislodgement of snow from the binding.

Returning to FIGS. 1A-1B and 2A-2B, a linkage is pivotally attached to the longitudinal frame 130. In one embodiment, the linkage includes a left link 150 and a right link. The left link 150 has a first pivot point 152 (as shown in FIG. 4) that is pivotally attached to the left longitudinal member 132 adjacent to the back end and an opposite second pivot point 164. The left link also defines a left attachment point 154. The right link, in one embodiment, is a mirror image of the left link 150 and has a first pivot point that is pivotally attached to the right longitudinal member 134 adjacent to the back end and an opposite second pivot point. The right link also defines a right attachment point.

Returning to FIGS. 1A-1B and 2A-2B, a strap 140 connects a portion of the left longitudinal member 132 to the right longitudinal member 134 and is shaped so as to receive the front portion of the boot 10 between the strap 140 and a portion of the base plate 110. A rear portion 144 of the strap 140 is pivotally connected to the left link 150 at the left attachment point 154 and the right link at the right attachment point. Rotation of the left link 150 and the right link due to downward movement of the left longitudinal member 132 and the right longitudinal member 134 causes the strap 140 to be pushed toward the base plate 110, thereby securing the boot 10 thereto.

The strap 140 includes a fore-foot member 142, which is shaped to facilitate engagement with a fore-foot portion of the boot 10, and mid-foot member 144, which is shaped to facilitate engagement with a mid-foot portion of the boot 10. In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3F and FIG. 6, an upper plate 148 is placed between the fore-foot member 142 and the mid-foot member 144 and has a shape that is complimentary to the shape of a portion of the boot. The upper plate 148, which may be made of a rigid material, holds the fore-foot member 142 and the mid-foot member 144 in a fixed relationship to each other and in a position that facilitates easy placement of the boot. As shown in FIG. 6, the fore-foot member 142 and the mid-foot member 144 can each include a ratcheting belt 190 and a ratchet mechanism 192 that engages the ratcheting belt 190 to allow secure tightening of the strap 140.

Returning to FIGS. 1A-1B and 2A-2B, a heel cup 160 is coupled to the linkage 150, the left linkage arm 122 and the right linkage arm 124. The heel cup 160 has a shape that is complimentary to the heel portion of the boot 10 and defines a left bottom rear pivot point 162 that is pivotally attached to the left linkage arm 122 and a right bottom rear pivot point that is pivotally attached to the right linkage arm 124. The heel cup also defines a left front pivot point 164 that is pivotally attached to the second pivot point of the left link and a right front pivot point that is pivotally attached to the second pivot point of the right link. A high back 170 extends upwardly from the heel cup 160 and provides rear support to a top portion of the boot 10.

The left link 150 and the right link each have a length and a shape that are selected so that when downward force is applied to the left longitudinal member 132 and the right longitudinal member 134 by the heel portion of the boot 10, the left longitudinal member 132 and the right longitudinal member 134 both pivot downwardly so as to be parallel with the base plate 110. When this happens, the heel cup 160 pivots about the left linkage arm 122 and the right linkage arm 124 so as to engage the heel portion of the boot 10 and drive the front portion of the boot 10 into engagement with the strap 140, thereby securing the boot 10 to the base plate 110.

A locking mechanism secures the boot to the base plate during use. As shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, the locking mechanism includes a latch member 182 and a hook member 184, which engages the latch member 182 when the frame 130 is pivoted against the base plate 110, thereby securing the frame 130 to the base plate 110. The hook member 184 is spring loaded 186 and includes a release handle 188 that allow easy disengagement of the hook member 184 from the latch member 182, thereby allowing the boot to be removed from the binding. As will be readily understood by those of skill in the recreational equipment design art, many other configurations of locking mechanism may be employed without departing from the scope of the invention.

Returning to FIGS. 1A-1B, the binding 100 includes an engagement mechanism 170 that allows affixation of the binding 100 to a typical binding engagement mechanism of a snowboard (not shown). The engagement mechanism includes a circular hole defined by the base plate and a circular a serrated area 172 that is coaxial with the hole. This engagement mechanism 170 allows coupling of the binding 100 to the snowboard at an angle that is selectable by the user.

While the embodiments shown involve bindings for snowboards, it is intended that the claims below also apply to snow skis and other recreational devices.

The above described embodiments, while including the preferred embodiment and the best mode of the invention known to the inventor at the time of filing, are given as illustrative examples only. It will be readily appreciated that many deviations may be made from the specific embodiments disclosed in this specification without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the claims below rather than being limited to the specifically described embodiments above.

Claims

1. A snow board binding for securing a boot, having a front portion and a heel portion, to a snowboard having a securing mechanism attached thereto, comprising: the linkage configured so that when downward force is applied to the longitudinal frame by the heel portion of the boot, the longitudinal frame pivots downwardly so as to be parallel with the base plate and so that the heel cup pivots about the base plate so as to engage the heel portion of the boot and drive the front portion of the boot into engagement with the strap and so that the linkage pulls the strap downwardly, thereby securing the boot to the base plate.

a. a base plate having a back end, an opposite front end, a left side, an opposite right side and an engagement mechanism configured to be engageable with the securing mechanism to facilitate attachment of the base plate to the snowboard;

b. a longitudinal frame that is pivotally attached to the front end of the base plate;

c. a linkage that is pivotally attached to the longitudinal frame;

d. a strap, having a front member that is connected to a front portion of the longitudinal frame and a rear member that is pivotally connected to the linkage, that is shaped complimentary to the front portion of the boot so as to receive the front portion of the boot between the strap and a portion of the base plate; and

e. a heel cup, having a shape that is complimentary to the heel portion of the boot, that defines a bottom rear pivot point that is pivotally attached to the base plate and that defines a front pivot point that is pivotally attached to the linkage,

2. The snow board binding if claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism that is configured to secure the boot to the snow board binding during use.

3. The snow board binding if claim 1, wherein the base plate further comprises:

a. a left stub extending upwardly from the base plate adjacent to the front end and the left side; and

b. a right stub extending upwardly from the base plate adjacent to the front end and the right side.

4. The snow board binding if claim 3, wherein the longitudinal frame comprises

a. a left longitudinal member, having a bottom edge, an opposite top edge, a front end and an opposite back end, that is pivotally attached to the left stub;

b. a right longitudinal member, having a bottom edge, an opposite top edge, a front end and an opposite back end, that is pivotally attached to the right stub; and

c. a lateral plate connecting the back end of the left longitudinal member to the back end of the right longitudinal member.

5. The snow board binding if claim 4, wherein the linkage comprises:

a. a left link having a first pivot point that is pivotally attached to the left longitudinal member adjacent to the back end and a spaced-apart second pivot point that is pivotally attached to heel cup, the left link also including a left attachment point to which the rear member of the strap is attached, the left attachment point located on the left link in a place that causes downward force to be applied to the strap when a downward force is applied to the lateral plate; and

b. a right link having a first pivot point that is pivotally attached to the right longitudinal member adjacent to the back end and a spaced-apart second pivot point that is pivotally attached to the heel cup, the right link also including a right attachment point to which the rear member of the strap is attached, the right attachment point located on the right link in a place that causes downward force to be applied to the strap when a downward force is applied to the lateral plate.

6. The binding of claim 4, wherein the base plate defines a step that is complimentary in shape to the lateral plate and placed so that when the binding is in use the base plate and the lateral plate form a flat surface upon which the boot rests.

7. The binding of claim 4, wherein the locking mechanism comprises:

a. a latch member affixed to a selected one of the base plate, the left longitudinal member or the right longitudinal member;

b. a hook member configured to engage the latch member so that the a left longitudinal member and the right longitudinal member are held against the base plate when the hook member is engaged with the latch member; and

c. a spring member that exerts force on the hook member so that the hook member tends to be in engagement with the latch member unless a preselected force is applied to the hook member.

8. The binding of claim 1, further comprising a high back extending upwardly from the heel cup and configured to provide rear support to a top portion of the boot.

9. The binding of claim 1, wherein the strap comprises:

a. a fore-foot member, configured for engagement with a fore-foot portion of the boot; and

b. a mid-foot member, spaced-apart from the fore-foot member, configured for engagement with a mid-foot portion of the boot.

10. The binding of claim 1, wherein the strap comprises:

a. an upper plate having a front end, an opposite rear end and a shape complimentary to a mid-foot portion of the boot;

b. a rear ratcheting belt extending downwardly from the rear end of the upper plate, the rear ratcheting belt affixed to the linkage; and

c. a front ratcheting belt extending downwardly from the front end of the upper plate, the front ratcheting belt affixed to a front portion of the left longitudinal member and to a front portion of the right longitudinal member.

11. The binding of claim 1, wherein the strap comprises a ratchet mechanism that is configured to allow secure tightening of the strap.

12. The binding of claim 1, wherein the engagement mechanism comprises a circular hole defined by the base plate, the base plate defining a circular a serrated area that is coaxial with the hole.

13. A binding for securing a boot, having a front portion and a heel portion, to a snowboard having a securing mechanism attached thereto, comprising: the left link and the right link each having a length so that when downward force is applied to the left longitudinal member and the right longitudinal member by the heel portion of the boot, the left longitudinal member and the right longitudinal member both pivot downwardly so as to be parallel with the base plate and so that the heel cup pivots about the left linkage arm and the right linkage arm so as to engage the heel portion of the boot and drive the front portion of the boot into engagement with the strap, thereby securing the boot to the base plate.

a. a base plate having a back end, an opposite front end, a left side, an opposite right side, a left linkage arm extending upwardly from the base plate adjacent to the back end and the left side, a right linkage arm extending upwardly from the base plate adjacent to the back end and the right side, a left stub extending upwardly from the base plate adjacent to the front end and the left side, a right stub extending upwardly from the base plate adjacent to the front end and the right side, and an engagement mechanism configured to be engageable with the securing mechanism to facilitate attachment of the base plate to the snowboard;

b. a left longitudinal member, having a bottom edge, an opposite top edge, a front end and an opposite back end, that is pivotally attached to the left stub;

c. a right longitudinal member, having a bottom edge, an opposite top edge, a front end and an opposite back end, that is pivotally attached to the right stub;

d. a lateral plate connecting the back end of the left longitudinal member to the back end of the right longitudinal member;

e. a left link having a first pivot point that is pivotally attached to the left longitudinal member adjacent to the back end and an opposite second pivot point, the left link also defining a left attachment point;

f. a right link having a first pivot point that is pivotally attached to the right longitudinal member adjacent to the back end and an opposite second pivot point, the right link also defining a right attachment point;

g. a strap connecting a portion of the left longitudinal member to the right longitudinal member and shaped so as to receive the front portion of the boot between the strap and a portion of the base plate, a rear portion of the strap also pivotally connected to the left link at the left attachment point and the right link at the right attachment point so that rotation of the left link and the right link due to downward movement of the left longitudinal member and the right longitudinal member causes the strap to be pushed toward the base plate;

h. a heel cup, having a shape that is complimentary to the heel portion of the boot, that defines a left bottom rear pivot point that is pivotally attached to the left linkage arm extending upwardly from the base plate and a right bottom rear pivot point that is pivotally attached to the right linkage arm extending upwardly from the base plate, the heel cup also defining a left front pivot point that is pivotally attached to the second pivot point of the left link and a right front pivot point that is pivotally attached to the second pivot point of the right link; and

i. a locking mechanism that is configured to secure the boot to the base plate during use,

14. The binding of claim 13, further comprising a high back extending upwardly from the heel cup and configured to provide rear support to a top portion of the boot.

15. The binding of claim 13, wherein the strap comprises:

a. a fore-foot member, configured for engagement with a fore-foot portion of the boot; and

b. a spaced-apart mid-foot member, configured for engagement with a mid-foot portion of the boot.

16. The binding of claim 13, wherein the strap comprises:

a. an upper plate having a front end, an opposite rear end and a shape complimentary to a mid-foot portion of the boot;

b. a rear ratcheting belt extending downwardly from the rear end of the upper plate, the rear ratcheting belt affixed to the left link and to the right link; and

c. a front ratcheting belt extending downwardly from the front end of the upper plate, the front ratcheting belt affixed to a front portion of the left longitudinal member and to a front portion of the right longitudinal member.

17. The binding of claim 13, wherein the strap comprises a ratchet mechanism that is configured to allow secure tightening of the strap.

18. The binding of claim 13, wherein the engagement mechanism comprises a circular hole defined by the base plate, the base plate defining a circular a serrated area that is coaxial with the hole.

19. The binding of claim 13, wherein the locking mechanism comprises:

a. a latch member affixed to a selected one of the base plate, the left longitudinal member or the right longitudinal member;

b. a hook member configured to engage the latch member so that the a left longitudinal member and the right longitudinal member are held against the base plate when the hook member is engaged with the latch member;

c. a spring member that exerts force on the hook member so that the hook member tends to be in engagement with the latch member unless a preselected force is applied to the hook member; and

d. a release mechanism coupled to the locking mechanism that is configured to cause disengagement of the hook member from the latch member.

20. A method of making a snow board binding, comprising the actions of:

a. pivotally attaching a front portion of a frame to a front portion of a base plate;

b. attaching a front portion of the strap to a portion of the base plate, the strap having a shape that is complimentary to a foot portion of a boot;

c. pivotally attaching a rear portion of a heel cup to a rear portion of the base plate;

d. attaching a first end of a linkage to a rear portion of the strap, attaching an opposite second end of the linkage to a front portion of the heel cup and attaching a mid potion of the linkage to a rear portion of the frame, the length of the linkage chosen so that when a downward force is applied by the boot to the frame, the linkage pivots the heel cup toward the front of the frame and draws the rear portion of the strap downwardly, thereby engaging a portion of the boot with the strap; and

e. attaching a securing mechanism to the base plate and the frame so that the securing mechanism is configured to hold the frame adjacent and parallel to the base plate when the boot is secured in the binding.