Systems, Methods, and Devices for Snowboard Binding Assemblies

Abstract

A snowboard binding with magnetic assistance for aligning a ladder with a buckle is provided, the snowboard binding comprising an ankle guard attached to a first side of the snowboard binding, the ankle guard comprising an ankle strap and an ankle buckle configured to receive an ankle ladder for securing a boot to the snowboard binding, wherein the ankle buckle comprises a binding extension comprising a first magnetic material; and the ankle ladder attached to a second side of the snowboard binding, the ankle ladder comprising a ferromagnetic material, wherein the ferromagnetic material is attracted by the first magnetic material to align the ankle ladder with the ankle buckle.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 62/752,218, filed on Oct. 29, 2018, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to snowboards and more specifically to systems and methods for snowboard binding assembly.

BACKGROUND

Many snowboard users currently face difficulties in aligning ankle and toe ladders (may be referred to collectively as “ladder” or “ladders”) with ankle and toe buckles (may be referred to collectively as “buckle” or “buckles”), respectively. Many conventional snowboard bindings use a strap-in binding that require a loose and often excessively long ladder to go through a tightly-fitting buckle. Compounded with frequent movement when snowboarding and the need to repeatedly cinch down bindings, this often results in a problem of inconvenience and slow binding when attaching ladders to buckles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The various embodiments of the present snowboard binding assembly contain several features, no single one of which is solely responsible for their desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of the present embodiments, their more prominent features will now be discussed below. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled “Detailed Description,” one will understand how the features of the present embodiments provide the advantages described here.

One aspect of the present embodiments includes the realization that in current snowboard bindings other than the present embodiments, alignment of a ladder in a buckle is often difficult. The present embodiments solve this problem by allowing for quick binding using an extension assembly comprising magnetic material near buckles and a ladder comprising ferromagnetic material. For example, an extension assembly having magnetic material may be attached to a buckle and ferromagnetic material may be placed on a ladder such that the buckle and the ladder may be guided using the magnetic attraction between the extension assembly and the ladder, as further described below. In other embodiments, the extension assembly may comprise the ferromagnetic material, and the ladder may comprise of the magnetic material. The present embodiments thus advantageously enable easy and convenient alignment of ladders with buckles for strapping of bindings on a snowboard. The present embodiments provide these advantages and enhancements, as described below.

In a first aspect, a snowboard binding with magnetic assistance for aligning a ladder with a buckle is provided, the snowboard binding comprising an ankle guard attached to a first side of the snowboard binding, the ankle guard comprising an ankle strap and an ankle buckle configured to receive an ankle ladder for securing a boot to the snowboard binding, wherein the ankle buckle comprises a binding extension comprising a first magnetic material; and the ankle ladder attached to a second side of the snowboard binding, the ankle ladder comprising a ferromagnetic material, wherein the ferromagnetic material is attracted by the first magnetic material to align the ankle ladder with the ankle buckle.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the first magnetic material extends beyond the ankle buckle to expose the first magnetic material to apply a force that pulls on the ferromagnetic material of the ankle ladder prior to inserting the ankle ladder into the ankle buckle.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the ankle ladder further comprises at least one ridge to secure the ankle ladder with the ankle guard after inserting the ankle ladder into the ankle buckle.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the snowboard binding further comprises a toe guard attached to the first side of the snowboard binding, the toe guard comprising a toe strap and a toe buckle configured to receive a toe ladder for securing the boot to the snowboard binding, wherein the toe buckle comprises a binding extension comprising another first magnetic material.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the snowboard binding further comprises the toe ladder attached to the second side of the snowboard binding, the toe ladder comprising a ferromagnetic material, wherein the ferromagnetic material is attracted by the another first magnetic material to align the toe ladder with the toe buckle.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the first magnetic material comprises a magnet that produces a magnetic field.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the first magnetic material produces a magnetic field and the ferromagnetic material is pulled by the magnetic field produced by the first magnetic material.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the ferromagnetic material comprises at least one of iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), gadolinium (Gd), terbium (Tb), or Dysprosium (Dy).

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the ankle ladder further comprises a pivot slot for attaching the ankle ladder to the first side of the snowboard binding.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the ankle guard is configured to attach to a strap ladder for attaching the ankle guard to the second side of the snowboard binding.

In a second aspect, a snowboard binding assembly is provided, the snowboard binding assembly comprising a buckle frame extension configured to attached to a buckle of a snowboard binding, the buckle frame extension comprising a first magnetic material that produces a magnetic field and a ferromagnetic ladder comprising at least one ridge and a ferromagnetic material, wherein the ferromagnetic material is pulled by the magnetic field of the first magnetic material to align the ferromagnetic ladder with the buckle prior to inserting the ferromagnetic ladder into the buckle and wherein the at least one ridge secures the ferromagnetic ladder with the buckle after inserting the ferromagnetic ladder into the buckle

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the buckle frame extension further comprises a first plate that extends beyond the buckle to position the first magnetic material beyond the buckle for aligning the ferromagnetic ladder with the buckle.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the first plate comprises a magnetic slot for receiving the first magnetic material.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the first plate further comprises a first plate fastener slot for fastening the first plate to the snowboard binding.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the first plate further comprises a first hook slot for receiving a hook located on the buckle for attaching the first plate to the buckle.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the buckle frame extension further comprises a second plate comprising a second plate fastener slot for fastening the second plate to the snowboard binding.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the buckle frame extension further comprises a second plate comprising a second hook slot for receiving a hook located on the buckle for attaching the second plate to the first plate and the buckle.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the first magnetic material comprises a magnet that produces a magnetic field.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the first magnetic material produces a magnetic field and the ferromagnetic material is pulled by the magnetic field produced by the first magnetic material.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the ferromagnetic material comprises at least one of iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), gadolinium (Gd), terbium (Tb), or Dysprosium (Dy).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a top perspective view of a snowboard in accordance with the prior art.

FIG. 1B is a right perspective view of a left snowboard binding when buckled in accordance with the prior art.

FIG. 1C is a left perspective view of a left snowboard binding when buckled in accordance with the prior art.

FIG. 1D is a left perspective view of a left snowboard boarding when unbuckled in accordance with the prior art.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a top perspective view of an extension assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 3A-B are schematic diagrams showing a top perspective exploded view and a bottom perspective exploded view of the extension assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a view of a ferromagnetic ladder in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 5A-C are diagrams illustrating attachment of an extension assembly and a ladder in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 6A-B are illustrations of a female piece and a male piece of a mounting point magnet binding in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a method of assembling a mounting point magnet binding.

FIGS. 8A-B are perspective views of a ladder for receiving a ferromagnetic attachment in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 9A-B are perspective views of a ferromagnetic attachment in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an extension assembly including a buckle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description describes the present embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, reference numbers label elements of the present embodiments. These reference numbers are reproduced below in connection with the discussion of the corresponding drawing features.

The embodiments of the present snowboarding binding assembly are described below with reference to the figures. These figures, and their written descriptions, indicate that certain components of the apparatus are formed integrally, and certain other components are formed as separate pieces. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that components shown and described herein as being formed integrally may in alternative embodiments be formed as separate pieces. Those of ordinary skill in the art will further appreciate that components shown and described herein as being formed as separate pieces may in alternative embodiments be formed integrally.

Turning now to the drawings, devices and methods for snowboard binding assembly in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In many embodiments, a snowboard binding assembly may have an ankle portion and a toe portion. The ankle portion of the snowboard binding assembly may include an ankle ladder, and the toe portion of the snowboard binding assembly may include a toe ladder. The ankle ladder and the toe ladder may comprise of a ferromagnetic material that attaches to a magnetic material in an ankle guard or a toe guard, respectively. In many embodiments, the ankle guard includes an ankle strap and an ankle buckle, and the toe guard includes a toe strap and a toe buckle. When discussed below in reference to a particular configuration (e.g., an ankle or toe configuration), any discussion to an ankle configuration (e.g., ankle ladder, ankle strap, ankle buckle, etc.) is equally applicable for a toe configuration (e.g., toe ladder, toe strap, toe buckle, etc.), and vice versa. When discussed below without specific reference to a particular configuration (e.g., an ankle or toe configuration), such discussion is equally applicable to either the ankle configuration, toe configuration, or both configurations. Similarly, any discussion below reference to a right configuration (e.g., right foot) is equally applicable to a left configuration (e.g., left foot), and vice versa, as the right and left configurations may be similar or the same as to their respective functionalities. Thus, any discussion to either ankle, toe, right, and/or left, is for convenience and clarity only and is not meant to limit the disclosure to that particular configuration. A prior art snowboard, in accordance with embodiments of the invention, is further discussed below.

Prior Art Snowboards

A snowboard in accordance with embodiments of the prior art is depicted in FIGS. 1A-D. Snowboards typically include a left binding and a right binding configured to receive a left boot and a right boot, respectively. For example, a user may wear a left boot on his or her left foot and a right boot on his or her right foot. By securing the left boot into the left binding and the right boot into the right binding, the user may securely attach to the snowboard. Often, a binding may include a strap having a buckle that receives a ladder for securing a boot with the binding. In some cases, the binding may have one or more such strap and ladder combinations (e.g., a toe strap and ladder combination and an ankle strap and ladder combination).

A top perspective view of a snowboard in accordance with the prior art is illustrated in FIG. 1A. A snowboard 100 may include a left binding 104 and a right binding 106, both of which may be mounted onto a board 102. In various embodiments, the left binding 104 may receive a left boot (not shown) and the right binding 106 may receive a right boot (not shown) of a user. The configuration, structure, and/or proportion of the right binding 106 may be similar to that of the left binding 104 flipped over an axis parallel to that of the ground surface and perpendicular to that of the board 102 (e.g., the right binding 106 may be a mirror image of the left binding 104).

A right perspective view of a left snowboard binding when buckled in accordance with an embodiment of the prior art is shown in FIG. 1B. A left binding 104 may include a high-back 122, an ankle strap 130, a toe strap 126, an ankle ladder 128, and a toe ladder 124. The high-back 122 may provide support for a user once a left boot (not shown) is received and secured to the binding 104.

Typically, the ankle strap 130 and the toe strap 126 may differ in dimension but be of similar configuration, structure, and/or proportion. In other examples, the ankle strap 130 and the toe strap 126 may have the same dimensions. Similarly, the ankle ladder 128 and the toe ladder 124 may differ in dimension but be of similar configuration, structure, and/or proportion. In other examples, the ankle ladder 128 and the toe ladder 124 may have the same dimensions.

A left perspective view of a left snowboard binding when buckled in accordance with an embodiment of the prior art is shown in FIG. 1C. The left binding 104 may also include an ankle buckle 148, a toe buckle 144, and a baseplate toe ramp 150. The baseplate toe ramp 150 may provide support for a user once a left boot (not shown) is received. The toe buckle 144 and the ankle buckle 148 may differ in dimension but be of similar configuration, structure, and/or proportion. In other examples, the toe buckle 144 and the ankle buckle 148 may have the same dimensions.

A left perspective view of a left snowboard binding when unbuckled in accordance with an embodiment of the prior art is shown in FIG. 1D. A left binding may include the high-back 122, the ankle strap 130, the toe strap 126, the ankle ladder 128, the toe ladder 124, the ankle buckle 148, the toe buckle 144, an ankle guard 172, and a toe guard 166. The ankle ladder 128 may be attached to an ankle ladder pivot 168 using a fastener to secure the ankle ladder 128, while the toe ladder 124 may be attached to a toe ladder pivot 162 using a fastener to secure the toe ladder 124. Furthermore, the ankle guard 172 may include the ankle strap 130 and the ankle buckle 148, while the toe guard 166 may include the toe strap 126 and the toe buckle 144. As described herein, a buckle side may refer to the portion of the binding that is on the same side as the buckle (e.g., straps 130, 126, buckles 148, 144, guards 172, 166) and the ladder side may refer to the portion of the binding that is on the same side as the ladder (e.g., ladders 128, 124).

As described above, alignment of a ladder to a buckle may often be difficult. The present embodiments solve this problem by using magnetic attraction to align buckle(s) and ladder(s), as further described below. Extension assemblies for providing magnetic material to the buckle side of a snowboard binding assembly are discussed further below.

Extension Assemblies for Magnetizing of the Buckle Side

In many embodiments, a snowboard binding assembly may include an extension (may also be referred to as “buckle frame extension” and/or “extension assembly”) and a ferromagnetic ladder. Buckle frame extension (e.g., an ankle buckle frame extension and/or a toe buckle frame extension) (may collectively be referred to as “extension assemblies”) may be utilized to magnetize a buckle side (e.g., ankle buckle and/or toe buckle) of a snowboard binding. In many embodiments, extension assemblies may provide a magnetic link that allows for quick binding by attracting and guiding a ferromagnetic portion (and/or a second magnetic material portion) of an ankle and/or toe ladder with the ankle and/or toe buckle, respectively.

An extension assembly in accordance with embodiments of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 2. An extension 202 may attach to a buckle frame 204. In some embodiments, the buckle frame 204 may be part of an existing buckle of a snowboard. In such embodiments, the existing buckle may be dissembled to expose the buckle frame 204 for attachment with the extension 202, as further described below. In other embodiments, the buckle frame 204 may be a replacement piece that is not part of the original buckle. In such embodiments, the buckle frame 204 (and replacement buckle parts) may replace a buckle frame (and original buckle parts) of the original buckle. As further described below, the extension 202 may include a magnetic slot 214 for receiving a magnet (not shown) thereby magnetizing the buckle side of the binding.

Schematic diagrams showing a top perspective exploded view and a bottom perspective exploded view of an extension assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention are depicted in FIGS. 3A-B. As illustrated, the extension assembly may include a buckle frame 308 and an extension having a first plate 300 and a second plate 320. In various embodiments, the buckle frame 308 may include a hook 304 and a buckle frame fastener slot 312. The hook 304 may latch through a hook slot 306 located on the first plate 300 onto a second hook slot 322 of the second plate 320. In some embodiments, the hook 304 of the buckle frame 308 may lay over the hook slot 306 of the first plate 300 while the first plate 300 lays over the second plate 320. In many embodiments, a buckle frame fastener slot 312 may align with a first plate fastener slot 310 and a second plate fastener slot 316. In several embodiments, a fastener (not shown) may be used to secure the first and second plates 300, 320 of the extension to the buckle frame 308 via the buckle frame, fastener slot 312, first place fastener slot 310, and the second plate fastener slot 316. In other embodiments, other attachments may be utilized such as, but not limited to, a screw.

In further reference to FIGS. 3A-B, a first magnetic material 302 may be inserted into a magnetic slot 314 of the first plate 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. For example, the magnetic slot 314 may receive a first magnetic material 302 (may also be referred to as a “magnet”) for attracting a ferromagnetic portion and/or an second magnetic material of a ladder, as further described below. In various embodiments, the magnetic slot 314 may be a variety of shapes to receive a first magnetic material 302 of a variety of shapes so long as the corresponding shape of the magnetic slot 314 allows for receiving the first magnetic material 302. In some embodiments, the magnetic slot 314 may have a depth in relationship to a surface of the first plate 300 such that when the first magnetic material 302 is placed inside the magnetic slot 314, the first magnetic material 302 may fit flush such that the first magnetic material 302 does not extend beyond the surface of the first plate 300. In some embodiments, the first magnetic material 302 may fit in the magnetic slot 314 such that the first magnetic material 302 does extend beyond the surface of the first plate 300. In other embodiments, the first magnetic material 302 may fit in the magnetic slot 314 such that the first magnetic material 302 may be entirely below the surface of the first plate 300. In other embodiments, the first magnetic material 302 may be a unitary piece of the first plate 300. One of ordinary skill will recognize that the first magnetic material 302 may comprise a variety of materials that produces a magnetic field that is responsible for a force that attracts (e.g., by pulling) various ferromagnetic materials (e.g., iron) and/or attracts other magnets (e.g., second magnetic material).

Although specific configurations of the extension assemblies are discussed above with respect to FIG. 2 and FIGS. 3A-B, any of a variety of configurations as appropriate to the requirements of a specific application can be used in accordance with embodiments of the invention. For example, the first plate 300, the second plate 320, and/or the buckle frame may be a single unitary piece. Moreover, in some embodiments, the second plate 320 may be excluded in its entirety. Ferromagnetic ladders for assisted binding in accordance with embodiments of the invention, are discussed further below.

Ferromagnetic Ladders

Ferromagnetic material and/or a second magnetic material may be utilized with ladder(s) (e.g., toe ladders and/or ankle ladders) to magnetically align and connect with extension assemblies attached to the buckle side of a binding, as described above. For example, ferromagnetic material may include various materials such as, but not limited to, iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), gadolinium (Gd), terbium (Tb), Dysprosium (Dy), etc. Further, as used herein, ferromagnetic material may also comprise compounds that exhibit ferromagnetic properties such as, but not limited to, actinide compounds, etc. In addition, as used herein, ferromagnetic material may also include ferromagnetic material (those that exhibit ferrimagnetism effects) such as, but not limited to, yttrium iron garnet, cubic ferrites composed of iron oxides and other elements such as aluminum (Al), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), etc. Moreover, ferromagnetic material may also comprise any combination of materials that exhibit ferromagnetic properties.

A ferromagnetic ladder in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 4. In many embodiments, a ferromagnetic ladder 400 may include a ferromagnetic material 402 located on the ferromagnetic ladder 400. For example, in some embodiments, the ferromagnetic material 402 may be positioned on an opposite end of a pivot slot 404. The pivot slot 404 may be used to fasten the ladder 400 onto a pivot on a binding such as, but not limited to, an ankle pivot or a toe pivot depending on the implementation. In some embodiments, the ferromagnetic ladder 400 may replace an existing ladder of a binding. In other embodiments, the ferromagnetic material 402 may be placed onto an existing ladder. For example, the ferromagnetic material 402 may be glued, stapled, sprayed onto, or otherwise affixed to an end of the ladder opposite of the pivot slot that attaches the ladder to the binding. In many embodiments, the ferromagnetic ladder 400 may also include ridges 406 for ratcheting within a buckle of a respective strap, as described above.

In further reference to FIG. 4, the ferromagnetic ladder 400, and in particular, the ferromagnetic material 402, may align and connect with the first magnetic material (e.g., magnet 302) of an extension assembly using magnetic attraction. In many embodiments, the magnetic attraction between the ferromagnetic material 402 and the magnet 302 allows for quick alignment of buckle and ladder for strapping a boot into a binding. Once, the ferromagnetic ladder 400 and the extension assembly attached to a buckle are aligned, the ridges 406 may be ratcheted to adjust the length of the ladder 400 to provide an appropriate fit for a user.

Although specific configurations of a ferromagnetic ladder are discussed with respect to FIG. 4, any of a variety of configurations as appropriate to the requirements of a specific application can be used in accordance with embodiments of the invention. For example, in some embodiments, the ferromagnetic material may be placed on the extension assembly and the first magnetic material may be placed on the ladder so long as a magnetic attraction occurs between the buckle side and the ladder for alignment. Likewise, magnetic material may be used in both the extension assembly and the ladder so long as a magnetic attraction occurs between the buckle side and ladder for alignment. Attachment of an extension assembly and a ferromagnetic ladder are discussed further below.

Attachment of an Extension Assembly and a Ferromagnetic Ladder

As discussed above, the attachment of an extension assembly (attached to a buckle frame) and a ferromagnetic ladder may allow for quick alignment and closure of a binding. For example, by having a first magnetic material of an extension assembly align and connect to a ferromagnetic material (and/or a second magnetic material) of a ladder via magnetic attraction, the ladder and the buckle may be readily aligned. For example, the first magnetic material may produce a magnetic field that pulls the ferromagnetic material towards the first magnetic material. Further, the first magnetic material and the second magnetic material may mutually attract each other thereby allowing a buckle and a ladder to align.

Attachment of an extension assembly and a ferromagnetic ladder in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 5A-C. A buckle 506 and an extension 504 may initially be unattached as illustrated in FIG. 5A. To form an extension assembly 500, the buckle 506 (and in particular the buckle frame) may connect to the extension 504, as described above. When the buckle 506 and the extension 504 are attached, a first magnetic material 508 may be located such that it is positioned on a side of the buckle 506 where a ladder would enter the buckle 506, as shown in an embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 5B. As described above, the extension 504 may be exposed or hidden from view depending on the implementation. For example, the first magnetic material 508 may be covered so long as the magnetic properties would still attract the ferromagnetic material located on the ladder 502.

In reference to FIG. 5C, the first magnetic portion 508 of the extension assembly 500 and the ferromagnetic portion 510 (and/or a second magnetic portion) of the ladder 502 would be aligned via their magnetic attraction. Thus, the ladder 502 may be guided to the extension assembly 500 by magnetic attraction and the ferromagnetic ladder 502 may be inserted into the buckle 506 more readily.

Although specific configurations for attachment of an extension assembly are discussed with respect to FIGS. 5A-C, any of a variety of configurations as appropriate to the requirements of a specific application can be used in accordance with embodiments of the invention. For example, various other types of assemblies may be configured using magnetic attraction between the buckle side and a ladder so long as a first magnetic material is placed on one side (e.g., buckle side) and a ferromagnetic material and/or a second magnetic material is placed on the other sided (e.g., ladder side). Methods for assembling a snowboard binding assembly in accordance with embodiments of the invention are discussed further below.

Mounting Point Magnet Binding Assemblies

A mounting point magnet binding assembly may be used for readily attaching a ladder and/or strap to a frame of the binding. For example, a ladder (e.g., the ferromagnetic ladder 400) may be attached to a frame of the binding along an opposite end of the ladder from a ferromagnetic material. Likewise, a buckle, that is attached to a strap, may be attached to its own ladder (may be referred to as “a strap ladder”). The strap ladder may be attached to the frame of the binding. Mounting point magnet binding assemblies may facilitate the quick release and/or attachment of ladder(s) (e.g., strap ladders and ferromagnetic ladders) to the frame of the binding. In some embodiments, mounting point magnet binding assemblies may allow for the release and/or attachment of ladder(s) (e.g., strap ladders and/or ferromagnetic ladders) to the frame of the binding without the use of additional tools.

In many embodiments, a mounting point magnet binding assembly may include a first mount that attaches to a frame of a binding and a second mount that attaches to a ladder (e.g., ferromagnetic ladder and/or strap ladder). A first mount and a second mount of a mounting point magnet binding assembly is shown in FIGS. 6A-B, respectively. In reference to FIG. 6A, a first mount 602 may include a first magnetic slot 608 for receiving a first magnetic material (may also be referred to as “first magnet”) (not shown). In various embodiments, the first magnet may be permanently fixed to the first magnetic slot 608 using glue, tape, or any other suitable method. In some embodiments, the first magnet may be directly poured into the magnetic slot 608 so that it may be a singular unit with the first mount 602. Further, the first mount 602 may also include a female mounting point 604 and a locking point 606 for mating with a second mount 610, as further described below.

In reference to FIG. 6B, a second mount 610 may include a second magnetic slot 616 for receiving a magnetic material (may also be referred to as “second magnet”) (not shown). In many embodiments, the first magnet and the second magnet may display magnetic attracting thereby aligning the first mount 602 and the second mount 610, as further described below. Further, the second mount 610 may also include a male mounting point 612 and a locking insert 614 for mating the second mount 610 with the first mount 602, as further described below. In various embodiments, the first mount 602 may be made using the first magnetic material and/or the second mount 6210 may be made using the second magnetic material and/or a ferromagnetic material. In many embodiments, the first magnetic material and the second magnetic material may attract one another.

A method for attaching the mounting point magnet binding assembly is illustrated in FIG. 7. A first mount 702 may be attached to a first pivot 718 by fastening at a female mounting point 704 to secure the first mount 702 to the first pivot 718. In various embodiments, the second mount 710 may be attached to a strap ladder 720 at a second pivot slot 715 by fastening at a male mounting point 712 to secure the second mount 710 to the ladder 720. In many embodiments, the first mount 702 may connect to the second mount 710 by having a first magnet 708 of the first mount 702 attach to a second magnet 716 of the second mount 710. Further, the first mount 702 and the second mount 710 may lock by inserting the locking insert 714 of the second mount 710 into the locking point 706 of the first mount 702. As described above, for easy and quick alignment, the first magnet 708 may connect to the second magnet 716 using magnetic attraction, while the locking point 706 may latch onto the locking insert 714. Thus, the ladder 720 may be readily attached (and detached) from the frame of the binding. In various embodiments, the second mount 710 may instead be attached to the first pivot 718 while the first mount 702 may be attached to the ladder 720 at the second slot 715, and vice versa.

Although specific methods for mounting point magnet binding in accordance with embodiments of the invention are discussed with respect to FIGS. 6A-B and FIG. 7, any of a variety of methods as appropriate to the requirements of a specific application can be used in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Various other embodiments of the various are discussed further below

Various Other Embodiments

Although specific embodiments are described above, various other embodiments for ferromagnetic ladders and extension assemblies may be utilized without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, an illustration of another embodiment of a ferromagnetic ladder and extension assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 8A-9B and FIG. 10, respectively.

In many embodiments, a ladder and the ferromagnetic material may be two separate parts that combine to form a ferromagnetic ladder. A front side perspective view of a ladder for receiving a ferromagnetic attachment in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 8A. The ladder 800 may include a pivot slot 802 and ridges 804, as described above. Further, the ladder 800 may also include an opposite end 806 of the pivot slot 802 for receiving a ferromagnetic attachment, as further described below. A back side perspective view of the ladder 800 for receiving a ferromagnetic attachment in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 8B. The back side of the ladder 800 may include a flat face 852 and a ferromagnetic slot 854 for receiving an insert of the ferromagnetic attachment, as further described below.

A back side perspective view of a ferromagnetic attachment in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 9A. The ferromagnetic attachment 900 may include ferromagnetic material 902, as described above. In many embodiments, the ferromagnetic attachment 900 may also include an insert 904 configured to mate with the ferromagnetic slot 854 of the ladder 800. In many embodiments, the shape and size of the insert 904 and the shape and size of the ferromagnetic slot 854 may be complementary to allow for mating between the ladder 800 and the ferromagnetic attachment 900. For example, the ferromagnetic slot 854 may include ridges (e.g., a first ridge and/or a second ridge) that run parallel for receiving complementary ridges on the insert 904 such that the insert 904 and the ferromagnetic slot 854 lock the ferromagnetic attachment 900 with the ladder 800. In other embodiments, the mating of the insert 904 and the ferromagnetic slot 854 may be accomplished using additional components such as, but not limited, glue and/or magnet(s). A top down perspective view of the ferromagnetic attachment 900 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 9B. In many embodiments, the shape and size of the ferromagnetic material 902 and the insert 904 may be different. For example, the insert 904 may be thinner and longer than the ferromagnetic material 902. In some embodiments, the ferromagnetic material 902 may include a step 952 that assists in the mating of the ferromagnetic attachment 900 with the ladder 800. For example, the insert 904 may be inserted and slid along the insert 854 and the mating may be complete when the step 952 contacts an edge of the opposite end 806 of the pivot slot 802 of the ladder 800.

A perspective view of an extension assembly including a buckle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 10. The extension assembly 1000 may include a buckle 1002, as described above. In many embodiments, the extension assembly 1000 may also include a magnetic slot 1004 for receiving a magnet, as described above. In various embodiments, the extension assembly 1000 may be a singular entity or may be two parts that come together, as described above. For example, the magnetic slot 1004 and the buckle 1002 may be manufactured as a singular entity with the magnetic slot 1004 comprising a base portion of the buckle 1002. In other embodiments, the magnetic slot 1004 may be attached to the buckle 1002, as described above. In addition, as described above, the magnetic, that is placed in the magnetic slot 1004, may attract the ferromagnetic material 902 (and/or a second magnetic material), thereby aligning the ladder 800 with the buckle 1002. Further, in some embodiments, the entire extension assembly 1000 may be made using the first magnetic material.

Although specific ladders, ferromagnetic attachments, and extension assemblies in accordance with embodiments of the invention are discussed with respect to FIGS. 8A-10, any of a variety of ladders, ferromagnetic attachments, and extension assemblies as appropriate to the requirements of a specific application can be used in accordance with embodiments of the invention. For example, the ferromagnetic material of the ferromagnetic attachment may be a second magnetic material that is attracted to any first magnetic material, as described above. While the above description contains many specific embodiments of the invention, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an example of one embodiment thereof. It is therefore to be understood that the present invention may be practiced otherwise than specifically described, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Thus, embodiments of the present invention should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

1. A snowboard binding with magnetic assistance for aligning a ladder with a buckle, the snowboard binding comprising:

an ankle guard attached to a first side of the snowboard binding, the ankle guard comprising an ankle strap and an ankle buckle configured to receive an ankle ladder for securing a boot to the snowboard binding, wherein the ankle buckle comprises a binding extension comprising a first magnetic material; and

the ankle ladder attached to a second side of the snowboard binding, the ankle ladder comprising a ferromagnetic material, wherein the ferromagnetic material is attracted by the first magnetic material to align the ankle ladder with the ankle buckle.

2. The snowboard binding of claim 1, wherein the first magnetic material extends beyond the ankle buckle to expose the first magnetic material to apply a force that pulls on the ferromagnetic material of the ankle ladder prior to inserting the ankle ladder into the ankle buckle.

3. The snowboard binding of claim 1, wherein the ankle ladder further comprises at least one ridge to secure the ankle ladder with the ankle guard after inserting the ankle ladder into the ankle buckle.

4. The snowboard binding of claim 1, further comprising a toe guard attached to the first side of the snowboard binding, the toe guard comprising a toe strap and a toe buckle configured to receive a toe ladder for securing the boot to the snowboard binding, wherein the toe buckle comprises a binding extension comprising another first magnetic material.

5. The snowboard binding of claim 4, further comprising the toe ladder attached to the second side of the snowboard binding, the toe ladder comprising a ferromagnetic material, wherein the ferromagnetic material is attracted by the another first magnetic material to align the toe ladder with the toe buckle.

6. The snowboard binding of claim 1, wherein the first magnetic material comprises a magnet that produces a magnetic field.

7. The snowboard binding of claim 1, wherein the first magnetic material produces a magnetic field and the ferromagnetic material is pulled by the magnetic field produced by the first magnetic material.

8. The snowboard binding of claim 1, wherein the ferromagnetic material comprises at least one of iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), gadolinium (Gd), terbium (Tb), or Dysprosium (Dy).

9. The snowboard binding of claim 1, wherein the ankle ladder further comprises a pivot slot for attaching the ankle ladder to the first side of the snowboard binding.

10. The snowboard binding of claim 1, wherein the ankle guard is configured to attach to a strap ladder for attaching the ankle guard to the second side of the snowboard binding.

11. A snowboard binding assembly comprising:

a buckle frame extension configured to attached to a buckle of a snowboard binding, the buckle frame extension comprising a first magnetic material that produces a magnetic field; and

a ferromagnetic ladder comprising at least one ridge and a ferromagnetic material, wherein the ferromagnetic material is pulled by the magnetic field of the first magnetic material to align the ferromagnetic ladder with the buckle prior to inserting the ferromagnetic ladder into the buckle and wherein the at least one ridge secures the ferromagnetic ladder with the buckle after inserting the ferromagnetic ladder into the buckle.

12. The snowboard binding assembly of claim 11, wherein the buckle frame extension further comprises a first plate that extends beyond the buckle to position the first magnetic material beyond the buckle for aligning the ferromagnetic ladder with the buckle.

13. The snowboard binding assembly of claim 12, wherein the first plate comprises a magnetic slot for receiving the first magnetic material.

14. The snowboard binding of claim 12, wherein the first plate further comprises a first plate fastener slot for fastening the first plate to the snowboard binding.

15. The snowboard binding assembly of claim 12, wherein the first plate further comprises a first hook slot for receiving a hook located on the buckle for attaching the first plate to the buckle.

16. The snowboard binding assembly of claim 14, wherein the buckle frame extension further comprises a second plate comprising a second plate fastener slot for fastening the second plate to the snowboard binding.

17. The snowboard binding assembly of claim 15, wherein the buckle frame extension further comprises a second plate comprising a second hook slot for receiving a hook located on the buckle for attaching the second plate to the first plate and the buckle.

18. The snowboard binding assembly of claim 11, wherein the first magnetic material comprises a magnet that produces a magnetic field.

19. The snowboard binding assembly of claim 11, wherein the first magnetic material produces a magnetic field and the ferromagnetic material is pulled by the magnetic field produced by the first magnetic material.

20. The snowboard binding assembly of claim 11, wherein the ferromagnetic material comprises at least one of iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), gadolinium (Gd), terbium (Tb), or Dysprosium (Dy).