SNOWBOARD MOUNTING SYSTEM

Abstract

A snowboard mounting system includes a first member attached to a snowboard and a second member attached to a snowboard binding and the two members may be selectively engageable and rotatable with one another. In one embodiment, the first member includes a lip portion arranged with a body portion to form a channel. The lip portion includes a slot that extends into the channel. The slot is configured to receive a toe portion of the second member as a heel portion of the second member is moved into the channel. Because the second member is attached to the snowboard binding, the rider may secure the binding to the snowboard by rotating the binding relative to the snowboard, which moves the toe portion away from the slot and into the channel. In a riding position, the snowboard binding is coupled to the snowboard, yet remains rotationally free with respect the snowboard.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a snowboard mounting system, and more specifically to a snowboard mounting system for coupling at least one snowboard binding to a snowboard in a free-spinning state.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In snowboarding, the rider stands on a snowboard board with their left or right foot forward and both feet directed toward the same side of the board. The rider generally wears snowboarding footwear that may be strapped into snowboard bindings already attached to the snowboard. Alternatively, the snowboarding footwear may include a rod or other type of attachment device that locks to the snowboard by a stepping action of the rider. In either event, the rider's feet are generally non-releasable and thus are fixed to the board translationally and rotationally.

Several different types of binding systems are known in the art, as represented by the binding systems shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,354,088; 5,236,216; 5,190,311; 5,044,654; 4,964,649; 4,871,337. Two types of bindings are most commonly used in snowboarding: the high-back and the plate. The high-back binding is characterized by a vertical plastic back piece which is used to apply pressure to the heel-side of the board. The plate, or step-in, binding is used with a hard shell boot much like a ski binding, but it is non-releasable.

Most people who use snowboards recreationally prefer to have the front foot positioned at an angle (e.g., approximately 45 degrees or more) with respect to a longitudinal axis of the snowboard. When crossing various types of terrain, the rider typically releases the rear boot and uses it to push along while keeping the front foot connected to the snowboard. The types of terrain where this release and pushing maneuver is required may include, but is not limited to, saddles, generally flat terrain, vehicle tracks, and lift lines. These differing terrain conditions require different maneuvering speeds and generally as the speed decreases the more difficult it becomes for the rider to control the snowboard. For the lift lines in particular, the front foot remains fixed to the board at an awkward angle and results an uncomfortable torsional stress on the rider. Once on the chair lift, the inconvenient angle of the rider's foot often causes the snowboard to interfere with adjacent passengers. To avoid this, the rider may have to uncomfortably twist to compensate for the angle of the snowboard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred and alternative examples of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of a snowboard mounting system having a binding member attachable a board member according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top, plan view of the binding member and the board member of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the board member of FIG. 2 taken along Line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is cross-sectional schematic view of a snowboard mounting system having a binding member connectable to a board member with a biased detent pin assembly according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is exploded, side elevational view of a snowboard mounting system having a binding member and a board member according to yet another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the board member of FIG. 5 according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the invention. However, one skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without these details or with various combinations of these details. In other instances, well-known systems and methods associated with, but not necessarily limited to, snowboards, snowboard bindings, mounting systems for attaching a snowboard binding to a snowboard and methods for operating the same may not be shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments of the invention.

One aspect of the present invention is generally directed to a mounting system for attaching a snowboard binding to a snowboard, and more specifically for permitting the binding to be selectively rotatable relative to the snowboard. In one example, the snowboard mounting system includes a first engagement member fixed to a snowboard. The first engagement member includes a receiving portion. A second engagement member is attachable to a snowboard binding and includes an insertable portion that is selectively and releasably engageable by the receiving portion of the first engagement member. During use, an engaged position for the system includes the second engagement member coupled to the first engagement member and a disengaged position includes the second engagement member being at least rotatable with respect to the first engagement member.

In another example, a snowboard mounting system includes a first engagement member fixed to a snowboard and the first engagement member includes a channel with a receiving portion. A second engagement member is attachable to a snowboard binding and includes a body with a toe portion and a heal portion that are each releasably engageable with the channel of the first engagement member. A riding position of the snowboard includes the second engagement member vertically fixed and rotationally free with respect to the first engagement member.

In yet another example, a snowboard mounting system includes a first engagement plate attachable to a snowboard. The first engagement plate includes a lip portion arranged with a body portion to form a channel and the lip portion includes a slot open to the channel. The system further includes a snowboard binding configured to receive a footwear item. In addition, the system includes a second engagement plate attachable to the snowboard binding. The second engagement plate includes first and second protruding portions. The first protruding portion is configured to be received in the slot of the first engagement plate and the second protruding portion is configured with a thickness to be received in the channel beneath the lip portion of the first engagement plate. The first and second protruding portions are securable within the channel after the first protruding portion is rotated out of alignment with the slot.

FIG. 1 shows a snowboard mounting system 100 having a snowboard binding 102, a snowboard 104 and a mounting system 106. The snowboard binding 102 and the snowboard 104 may be conventional components that are commercially available. As such, it is appreciated that the mounting system 106 may be adapted to any binding 102 and snowboard 104 combination, even after they have been purchased or otherwise obtained.

The mounting system 106 includes a binding member 108 and a board member 110. The binding member 108 may be attached or otherwise coupled to the binding 102 with fasteners or some other equivalent mechanical means. For example, the binding member 108 may be riveted to the binding 102 using rivets 112 through openings 114 and 116, respectively. Likewise, the board member 110 may be attached or otherwise coupled to the snowboard 104 via similar mechanical means. For purposes of clarity, the fasteners for coupling the board member 110 to the snowboard 104 are not shown in the illustrated embodiment; however such fasteners would be placed in openings 118 and 120, respectively. In one embodiment, the snowboard 104 may include a recessed portion 122 configured to receive the board member 110.

FIG. 2 shows the mounting system 106 operates to permit a snowboard rider to selectively rotate at least one of their feet, preferably their front foot, relative to the snowboard 104. In addition, the mounting system 106 permits the rider to selectively free their foot from being attached to the snowboard 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting system 106 may accomplish the above-identified purposes by having the binding member 108 complementarily shaped to be received into and rotate relative to the board member 110.

The binding member 108 includes a body 124 coupled to a front engagement member 126 and a rear engagement member 128. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the board member 110 includes a body 130 having an overhanging or outstanding flange portion 132, which in turn includes a receiving portion 134 that is sized and shaped to receive the front engagement member 126. By way of example, the flange portion 132 and the body 130 may take the form of a C-shaped channel that continues around the body 130 and terminates at each side of the receiving portion 134. The flange portion 132 includes a smaller inner perimeter 136 as compared to an inner perimeter 138 of an inner wall 140 of the body 130.

The body 124 of the binding member 108 includes an outer perimeter 142 sized to be received into the inner perimeter 136 of the board member 110. The front engagement member 126 may take a variety of shapes and includes a thickness configured to be received within the channel width 144 (FIG. 3) formed by the flange portion 132 and the body 130 of the board member 110. Similarly, the rear engagement member may take a variety of shapes and includes a thickness also configured to be received within the channel width 144 (FIG. 3).

In operation, a rider attaches their foot to the binding 102 (FIG. 1) and then steps onto the snowboard 104 (FIG. 1) by first placing the rear engagement member 128 under the flange portion 132 and within the channel width 144 of the board member 110 and then placing the front engagement member 126 of the binding member 108 into the receiving portion 134 of the board member 110. Next, the rider may slightly rotate their foot to keep the binding member 108 from being vertically displaced or separated from the board member 110. In this embodiment, the rider's foot is attached to the snowboard 104 (FIG. 1), yet still free to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. In one embodiment, a filler member 133, which may take the form of a plug or tab, may be inserted into the receiving portion 134 after the rider's foot has been rotated. The filler member 133 may be closely received to have a friction fit with the receiving portion 134 or may be configured to snap or otherwise mechanically engage with the receiving portion 134.

FIG. 4 shows another snowboard mounting system 200 having a binding member 202 and a board member 204. The binding member 202 takes the form of a plate with a detent opening 206. The board member 204 includes a body 208 with a channel 210 and a biased detent pin assembly 212 positioned within the channel 210. The assembly 212 includes a detent pin 214 and a biasing device 216, which may take the form of a spring, to urge the detent pin 214 into the opening 206 and thus fix the binding member 202 to the board member 204. The biased detent pin assembly 212 may be actuated with a tension device 218 or an equivalent actuation mechanism controlled by the rider. In one embodiment, the tension device 218 may take the form of a string, fabric or a cable. The tension device 218 extends from the detent pin assembly 212 up the rider's leg and at least to a waist or chest region of the rider such that the rider may easily pull on the tension device 218 without having to bend or kneel.

During operation, the rider steps onto the board member 204 and their foot is permitted to swivel or rotate relative to the snowboard while the detent pin 212 is urged against a surface 220 of the binding member 202. When the rider desires to move into a riding position, the rider orients their foot such that the detent pin 212 is received in the opening of the board member 202. To move back into a free rotational position or a release position, the rider generates tension on the cable 218, and this in turn pulls the detent pin 212 away from engagement with the board member 202.

FIG. 5 shows yet another snowboard mounting system 300 for coupling a binding to a snowboard according to an embodiment of the invention. One purpose of the system 300 is to provide a quick engaging and releasing system for a rider's foot. The system 300 includes a binding member 302 and a board member 304. The binding member 302 includes a body 306 coupled to a front engagement member 308 and a rear engagement member 310. In the illustrated embodiment, the body 306 may take the form of a plate; the front engagement member 308 may the form of a hook-shaped member; and the rear engagement member 310 may take the form of a detent pin having a neck portion and a head portion.

The board member 304 includes a body 312 coupled to or integrally formed with a rod 314 positioned near a fore portion of the body 312. The board member 314 further includes a locking assembly 316 that takes the form of a C-shaped channel 318 with a spring-loaded plate assembly 320 located within the channel 318.

FIG. 6 shows the board member 304 with the rod 314 secured in the body 312. The spring-loaded plate assembly 320 includes a first member 322 symmetrically arranged with a second plate member 324 with a spaced apart relationship or gap 326. The plates are urged into a closed position by spring members 328, 330 positioned between the first and second members 322, 324 and respective walls 332, 334 of the body 312.

In operation, the rider places the front engagement member 308 under the rod 314 and uses leverage to urge the rear engagement member 310 into the locking assembly 316. The shape of the rear engagement member 310, the head portion in particular, urges the first and second members 322, 324 apart against the biasing force supplied by the spring members 328, 330. The first and second members 322, 324 are then urged onto the neck portion of the rear engagement member 310 to secure the binding member 302 to the board member 304.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A snowboard mounting system comprising:

a first engagement member fixed to a snowboard, the first engagement member having a channel with a receiving portion; and

a second engagement member attachable to a snowboard binding, the second engagement member having a body with a toe portion and a heal portion that are each releasably engageable with the channel of the first engagement member,

wherein a riding position of the snowboard includes the second engagement member vertically fixed and rotationally free with respect to the first engagement member.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiving portion is complementarily shaped to receive the toe portion of the second engagement member.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the toe portion and the heal portion extend from the body of the second engagement member.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein a disengaged position of the snowboard includes the toe portion sufficiently aligned with the receiving portion to permit vertical separation of the second engagement member from the first engagement member.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the toe portion and the heal portion are substantially the same thickness.

6. A snowboard mounting system comprising:

a first engagement member fixed to a snowboard, the first engagement member having a receiving portion; and

a second engagement member attachable to a snowboard binding, the second engagement member having an insertable portion that is selectively and releasably engageable with the receiving portion of the first engagement member,

wherein an engaged position includes the second engagement member fixedly coupled to the first engagement member, and

wherein a disengaged position includes the second engagement member being at least rotatable with respect to the first engagement member.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising:

an actuation mechanism for moving the insertable portion into the engaged position.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the actuation mechanism is a biasing member.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the receiving portion includes a channel formed in the first engagement member.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein the insertable portion includes a detent pin in communication with a biasing member.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

a cable coupled to the detent pin for placing the snowboard mounting system into the disengaged position.

12. A snowboard mounting system comprising:

a first engagement plate attachable to a snowboard, the first engagement plate having a lip portion arranged with a body portion to form a channel, the lip portion having a slot;

a snowboard binding configured to receive a footwear item; and

a second engagement plate attachable to the snowboard binding, the second engagement plate having first and second protruding portions, the first protruding portion configured to be received in the slot of the first engagement plate and the second protruding portion configured with a thickness to be received in the channel beneath the lip portion of the first engagement plate, the first and second protruding portions securable within the channel after the first protruding portion is rotated out of alignment with the slot.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the lip portion and the body portion cooperate to form a C-shaped channel.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the first protruding portion and the slot are complementarily shaped.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein the first and second protruding portions are substantially the same thickness.

16. The system of claim 12 wherein the first engagement plate is fastened to the snowboard.

17. The system of claim 12 wherein the second engagement plate is fastened to the snowboard binding.