Extensible Patents (Class 280/142)
  • Patent number: 5692765
    Abstract: A snowboard binding includes a base plate, a high back member, a toe strap and an in-step strap. The high back member, toe strap and in-step strap are pivotally connected to the base plate so that the high back, toe strap and in-step strap each move between a first open position and a second closed position with respect to the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Inventor: James Laughlin
  • Patent number: 5690351
    Abstract: A snowboard binding system comprising at least one moveable engaging member that, when engaged, secures a snowboarder's boot from vertical or horizontal movement. In one embodiment, a binding system has two active sides allowing a snowboarder to engage the binding by stepping downwardly onto the binding mechanism, thus reversibly forcing tensioned engaging members between an extended and a retracted position and back to an extended position, thereby securing the snowboarder's boot to the upper surface of a snowboard. Other embodiments include snowboard boots having active binding mechanisms positioned on the boot itself, such mechanisms engageable with static members secured to the surface of a snowboard. A further embodiment includes a snowboard boot having a pivotable calf support member and a pivotable, reversibly mounted high-back element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Inventor: Chris Karol
  • Patent number: 5690350
    Abstract: A boot for use with a snowboard having a binding for attachment to the boot. The boot includes a base, a highback, and an upper. The base includes a binding-receiving plate for attaching the boot to the binding on the snowboard. The base also has toe and heel ends. The base is formed with a toecap at the toe end and has a heel counter at the heel end. Tread projects from the bottom of the base for traction when the boot is not attached to the snowboard. The highback extends upwardly from the heel counter of the base. The highback provides aft support to the user. The upper is fixedly attached to the base and is arranged and configured to receive the foot and ankle of the user. The upper has a rearward side adjacent the highback. The upper is more flexible than the base and the highback. A base strap is connected to opposing sides of the base and extends across a portion of the upper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: K-2 Corporation
    Inventors: Brent H. Turner, John E. Svensson
  • Patent number: 5690352
    Abstract: The invention relates to a snowboard binding having two retaining brackets (6, 106) which are pivotably mounted on a base plate (2) or on parts (5, 105) displaceable longitudinally on the base plate (2), and which, when the binding is performing a retaining function, engage over the front and the rear sole borders of a boot (102), the binding being closed automatically when the boot (102) is inserted. The aim of the invention is to keep the friction between the boot (102) and the binding, and therefore the boot-insertion force to be applied, relatively low and, by means of an advantageous configuration of a locking system (10), to ensure a high securing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: HTM Sport- und Freizeitgeraete Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Henry Freisinger, Johann Zotter
  • Patent number: 5673927
    Abstract: Embodiments of a composite insert are shown and described, each embodiment being for attachment of bindings or other equipment onto a recreational board, such as a snowboard. Each insert is imbedded into the board in a counter-sunk hole drilled in the board. Each composite insert includes an internally-threaded core for receiving a binding bolt, and a sleeve that is secured to the core and that has a preferably non-circular base edge for anchoring the insert in the resin/cement in the snowboard hole. The core of the composite insert is preferably made of metal to supply a durable and reusable threaded bore for receiving the binding bolt. The sleeve is preferably made of plastic that is injection-molded around at least a flange or other projection from the core surface to secure the sleeve to the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Inventor: James H. Vermillion
  • Patent number: 5669630
    Abstract: A snowboard binding that can readily attach and release a boot from a snowboard. The binding includes a binding housing that is mounted to the snowboard. The housing has a pair of pin holes that receive locating pins which extend from the sole of a boot. When the snowboarder inserts the pins into the holes, a pair of locking pins extend through apertures in the locating pins to secure the boot to the board. The locking pins are coupled to a lever which can be rotated by the user. Rotation of the lever moves the locking pins out of the locating pin apertures so that the boot can be detached from the board. The binding housing includes a base plate that is mounted to the snowboard and a cover plate which contains the locking pins and release mechanism. The cover plate is coupled to the base plate by a tie down bolt which can be unscrewed to allow rotation of the cover plate relative to the board. Rotating the cover plate also rotates the pin holes and the corresponding foot position of the snowboarder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Crush Snowboard Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Perkins, Bradley L. Read
  • Patent number: 5667237
    Abstract: A system is provided for allowing rotation of a snowboard binding relative to the snowboard without removal of the binding from the foot, by means of a releasable latch, integral with the binding, to disengage a rotational locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Inventor: Jonathan L. Lauer
  • Patent number: 5660410
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a step-in, strapless snowboard binding. The snowboard binding is particularly useful for soft-shelled boots. The snowboard binding includes a receiving member and a locking member which rotate relative to one another to lock or unlock the boot relative to the binding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Device Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Richard P. Alden
  • Patent number: 5660416
    Abstract: The clamping device for connecting a snowboard formed from two skis and a center part has a connection member which is supported on the center part so as to be swivelable around a swivel pin, this connection part having hooks formed at its ends which define corresponding receiving openings. Hardware fittings are arranged on the skis, wherein a movable hardware part is supported on a hardware part that is held on the ski in a stationary manner. Each movable hardware part has an eccentric with which hooks cooperate so as to effect a clamping after the rotation of the movable hardware parts and the compulsory rotation of the eccentrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: silvretta-sherpas Sportartikel GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Schiele, Norbert Eugler
  • Patent number: 5655786
    Abstract: A snowboard assembly is disclosed which comprises unions or connectors comprising male and female fasteners and a retaining coil interposed between the two to prevent inadvertent loosening or separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Inventor: Michael J. Raftogianis
  • Patent number: 5649722
    Abstract: A snowboard convertible into a pair of cross-country skis. The snowboard is characterized by joining a pair of cross-country skis together to form a snowboard and a removably mounted binding system positioned on the snowboard that is moveable between a snowboard position and a ski position. The binding system is operable in a cross-country skiing mode and a snowboarding mode when the skis are joined to form a snowboard. In an alternative embodiment of the snowboard, climbing attachments are removably attached to each ski to allow a skier to ski uphill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Inventor: Jon F. Champlin
  • Patent number: 5647148
    Abstract: An improved boot for snowboarding. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a generally resilient upper boot portion mounted to a generally rigid lower boot portion. The lower boot portion extends substantially upwardly from the sole, over the foot, and ends proximate to the tarsal bone of the lower ankle. A calf support member is mounted at the heel of the boot and relatively perpendicular thereto. A lip extends from the toe and heel of the boot lower portion. Upon cooperation of the lip with plate bindings on a snowboard, the boot is releasably secured thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Inventor: Jamie Meiselman
  • Patent number: 5636455
    Abstract: An improved boot for snowboarding. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a generally resilient upper boot portion mounted to a generally rigid lower boot portion. The lower boot portion extends substantially upwardly from the sole, over the foot, and ends proximate to the tarsal bone of the lower ankle. A calf support member is mounted at the heel of the boot and relatively perpendicular thereto. A lip extends from the toe and heel of the boot lower portion. Upon cooperation of the lip with plate bindings on a snowboard, the boot is releasably secured thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Inventor: Jamie Meiselman
  • Patent number: 5618051
    Abstract: An articulated two-section snowboard includes separate front and rear sections joined together for articulation and oscillation, each section having a binding for one foot. In a preferred embodiment, the joint between the two sections is achieved by one or more flexible straps. The front end of the strap being attached to the rear end of the front section and the rear end of the strap being attached to the front of the rear section, the strap preferably passes through openings formed for the purpose in the front of the rear section. A spacer may be provided to keep the rear section from riding up over the front section, and a quick-connect and disconnect latch may be provided to separate the sections for purposes of storage or replacement of a section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Inventors: Mark J. Kobylenski, David M. Dupill
  • Patent number: 5613695
    Abstract: A ski board device includes a beam having two hubs disposed on the two ends. A pair of ski boards each includes a shaft extended upward and engaged upward through the hubs so as to allow free rotation in the hubs. A pair of foot supports secured on top of the shafts and rotated in concert with the shafts such that the foot suports are freely rotatable for changing the moving direction of the ski board device. Each of the foot supports includes an upwardly arched toe stirrup and a rearwardly arched heel stop for engagement with a foot of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Inventor: Fu-Pin Yu
  • Patent number: 5609347
    Abstract: A snowboard has a pair of bindings for a person's footwear. Each binding includes a laterally spaced apart independently moveable pair of binding straps and latches that can be engaged in latched positions over the vamp of the footwear for binding the footwear to the snowboard. On each binding, a release strap is connected between the two latches, so that by pulling on the release strap in a direction away from the snowboard's upper surface, forces are applied to actuation members of both latches so as to release both binding straps from their latched positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Inventor: Donald Dressel
  • Patent number: 5609351
    Abstract: Embodiments of an insert are shown and described, each insert being for use with recreational boards, such as snow boards, to attach bindings or other equipment onto the board. Each insert is imbedded into the board, by being inserted and cemented into a two-diameter hole drilled in the board from the bottom. Each insert includes a generally cylindrical shaft extending up through the narrow portion of the hole to the top surface of the board, for receiving screws or bolts into the threaded interior space of the insert. Each insert embodiment includes a non-round base having an outer perimeter edge that is not a circle in shape. The preferable hexagonal base and the preferably U-shaped channels on the exterior surface of the shaft prevent the insert from breaking loose from the cement and rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Inventor: James H. Vermillion
  • Patent number: 5590908
    Abstract: A sports board (e.g., a snowboard, ski, or surfboard) has a sensor panel comprising a plurality of individual sensors on a surface thereof such that deflection or vibration of surface of the sports board due to contact with a surface of the medium being ridden (e.g. snow or water) causes the individual sensors of the sensor panel to detect such contact. Each sensor on the sensor panel may be a simple switch, piezoelectric sensor, strain gauge, or a variable resistance type sensor. The sensors are monitored so as to detect the points of contact of the lower surface of the sports board with the snow or water. Detailed information related to the contact between the sports board and the snow or water is processed so as to provide auditory, visual or training information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Inventor: Donald W. Carr
  • Patent number: 5586779
    Abstract: A snowboard boot binding device comprising a binding mount plate for fixedly mounting a snowboard binding thereto, said binding mount plate having a cavity centrally defined therein, a ring fixedly attached to said binding mount plate having a bore centrally defined therethrough, a hub for mounting said boot binding device to a snowboard, said hub being centrally disposed in said cavity and extending through said bore, wherein said binding mount plate is free to rotate about said hub, thereby allowing for adjustment of an angular position of said binding mount plate, and locking means for arresting and releasing rotation of said binding mount plate, thereby allowing the angular position of said binding mount plate to be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Inventors: Paul J. Dawes, Thomas A. Krulevitch, Peter A. Krulevitch
  • Patent number: 5584492
    Abstract: An adjustable snowboard binding assembly which can be rotatably controlled without the use of external tools. A snowboard boot mounting platform has a plurality of inwardly facing radial teeth along the circumference of a centralized circular cutout. A circumferential lip along the cutout is used to rotatably mount the platform via overlapping lipped quadrant segments which mount to the snowboard. A pair of radially sliding segments with teeth at their outer ends are slidably held by said quadrant segments. A slidable band is mounted via actuating/locking levers along the longitudinal length of the snowboard, with said band having upwardly extending posts which interface with angled slots formed in each sliding segment. In operation, the actuating levers are unlocked and the band slides forwards and backwards to effectuate radial movement of the sliding segments. This in turn effectuates locking engagement and disengagement between the radial circumferential teeth and the sliding segment teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Fardie
  • Patent number: 5580077
    Abstract: A rider supporting assembly for use with a snowboard prevents convex bending of the snowboard between the rider's feet. As the rider bends the snowboard, a mounting plate having a controlled resilience restricts longitudinal bending of the snowboard in response to the rider so that the rider may easily impart a force to curve the snowboard following a convex bend (with respect to the rider) yet discourages any concave bending of the snowboard, especially along the snowboard located between the rider's feet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: The Burton Corporation
    Inventor: David J. Dodge
  • Patent number: 5580078
    Abstract: A double-edged snowboard (10) is disclosed. The snowboard includes a middle portion with a core, a tail (14) at the rear end of the middle portion, a shovel (12) at the front end of the middle portion, and a base (18) along the bottom of the middle, tail, and shovel portions of the snowboard. The base includes a central running surface (24), two outer running surfaces (26 and 28), first and second outer edges (34 and 36), and first and second inner edges (30 and 32). The central running surface is lower than the outer running surfaces. The first and second outer edges surround a portion of the perimeter of the first and second outer running surfaces, respectively. The first and second inner edges are disposed between the central running surface and the first and second outer running surfaces, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Inventor: Mark D. Vance
  • Patent number: 5577755
    Abstract: A rotatable binding for a snowboard comprises a base plate on the snowboard and a binding plate rotatably mounted on top of the base plate and including a foot binding and a locking assembly for selectively locking, at a desired angle of rotation, the binding plate to the base plate. In a preferred embodiment, the top of the base plate includes an indexing platform including a multiplicity of bores arranged in a circular arc about a central axis and the bottom of the base plate includes a pedestal, having a width about the width of a human foot, traversing the snowboard and supporting the indexing platform above top surface of the snowboard. The locking assembly includes a pin selectively moveable from a raised position, not restricting rotation of the binding plate relative to the base plate to a lowered position engaging an indexing bore such that the binding plate may not rotate relative to the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Kuusport Manufacturing Limited
    Inventors: Fritz Metzger, Ted F. Metzger, Michael E. Metzger
  • Patent number: 5573264
    Abstract: The invention concerns a gliding board, especially a snowboard, which is intended to support both boots of a skier. The board includes a base structure of which at least the front end is turned up to form the shovel. It further has a central zone with two mounting zones for the binding elements, a front zone, and a rear zone. The board has, at least in one of the front or rear zones, a long reinforcement shaped according to the length and width of the zone. The reinforcement extends from the vicinity of the end of the front or rear zone to at least the vicinity of the mounting zone located near the zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventors: Dominique Deville, Vincent Forest, Maurice Legrand
  • Patent number: 5564719
    Abstract: A snowboard having a pair of bindings for ski boots, with the bindings being arranged on the snowboard one behind the other. A release mechanism is provided for releasing a ski boot from the rearward binding wherein the mechanism is activated at a location near the forward binding and at approximately knee height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Inventor: Claus Kisselmann
  • Patent number: 5558355
    Abstract: A binding, which is particularly suitable for snowboarding, provides an easy to use kick-in boot engagement feature and a number of convenient ways to disengage the boot in a relatively small, light weight and economical structure. The binding has a pair of movable arms pivotally connected to a base. The base is securable to, for example, the top surface of a snowboard. The arms cooperate with a portion of the base to form pin receptacles adapted to receive pin ends extending from the user's boot. The arms are pivotal to selectively open and close the pin receptacles. A boot according to an embodiment of the invention includes a hollow hinge, with a hollow opening of sufficient diameter to accept the protrusions of the ankle bones. This larger hinge area distributes the stress in the boot material around the hinge. A device for selectively restricting the amount of allowed ankle movement is provided on the boot in the form of a telescoping cylinder damping structure mounted to the front of the boot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Inventor: Howarth P. Henry
  • Patent number: 5556123
    Abstract: A snowboard boot binding comprising a base adapted to receive a boot, an in-step pad adapted to cover the top of the boot, a rear support adapted to cover a heel and the back of the boot, the rear support being pivotedly mounted at the base. The in-step pad is attached to the base via tension cables passing through the sides of the base, coming out under the base below a pivot point and being attached to the rear support and progressing longitudinally along the rear support. The rear support is maintained in a vertical position by a spring loaded lever, which when pulled back, provides space to insert the boot and most importantly releases the tension in the cables, and which allows the easy insertion of the boot. Bringing the rear support back to its original position reestablishes the tension in the cables. The boot is thus firmly held in place by the combined effects of the pressure provided by the in-step pad and the rear support. For storage the rear support can be folded over the base, to save space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Inventor: Louis Fournier
  • Patent number: 5553883
    Abstract: A binding that attaches a user's foot to a snowboard includes a footplate that is rotatably and continuously fixed to the snowboard and which is attached to the user's foot via straps and a rear support which contact a snowboot. An anchor fixes the footplate to the snowboard with the bottom of the footplate as close to the snowboard as possible whereby the bottom of a snowboarder's foot is as close to the plane of the snow as possible, and is slidably engaged with the footplate to permit that footplate to rotate while remaining attached to the snowboard. Anti-pivot spring pins located outside the outer perimeter of a user's snowboot accurately and repeatably secure the footplate to the snowboard once the footplate is in the selected angular orientation on the snowboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Inventor: George A. Erb
  • Patent number: 5551728
    Abstract: A gliding board, in particular a snowboard, which is formed by two skis and a central part connected by fittings, has a clamping device in the central region. The skis can be clamped against one another by the clamping device accompanied by deformation in the transverse direction so that the gliding board can be adjusted to a desired sidecut radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: silvretta-sherpas Sportartikel GmbH
    Inventors: Fritz Barthel, Josef Dummer
  • Patent number: 5547204
    Abstract: A device for traveling a standing, sitting or prone person along a surface has a foot engaging component which facilitates control of the device and retention of the device at the user's feet while also enabling quick unimpeded entry and withdrawal of the feet by lateral movement of the feet. The device may be configured for any of diverse activities such as skateboarding, skiing, snowboarding and surfboarding among others. The device may have interchangeable surface contacting components which enable quick restructuring of the device for use in different activities of these kinds. In one form, the foot engaging component has side-by-side boot shaped foot chambers which extend in the direction of travel and which are open at their outer sides. In another form, the foot engaging component has a single open sided foot chamber and pairs are used for activities, such as skiing or roller skating for example, where independent movement of devices attached to the person's feet is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Inventor: Israel Gamzo
  • Patent number: 5544909
    Abstract: A base includes a first bail that is pivotally connected to the base. A second bail is pivotally connected to the base. An operating arm is connected to the second bail and pivotally connected to the base. A trigger mechanism is connected to the second bail to move the second bail from a first unlocked position to a second locked position. The operating arm is pivoted in a first direction to cause the second bail to move from the second locked position to the first unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: The Burton Corporation
    Inventors: James Laughlin, David J. Dodge
  • Patent number: 5538272
    Abstract: A tunable snowboard having a base with perimetric edge tunability so that the controlling edge can be formed to meet the specific needs of the end user. The tunability is provided by a sheet of tunable material that covers some or all of the base. The amount of the base that is covered with tunable material in any one part of the snowboard is selected based on how much adjustment is to be provided in that part. A method for making a snowboard is also disclosed, including providing tunable material in the approximate shape of a snowboard. The tunable material is shaped to cover preferably from 10-percent to 100-percent of the base of the finished snowboard and a deck of structural material is bonded to the tunable material. In addition, the method can include cutting a hole in the tunable material adjacent an end of the snowboard and then extruding a portion of the deck material through the hole, and molding indentations, a step plate pattern and binding mounting plate patterns into the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Inventor: Stephen Peart
  • Patent number: 5520406
    Abstract: A binding assembly for attaching a boot to a snow board, designed in a manner to avoid cavities that can accumulate ice and snow and defeat its operation. The system includes first and second boot mounted bales in the form of rigid loops that extend from each side of the boot soles, and a pair of bindings attached to the snow board. Each binding has a base including elongated, slotted holes located on the circumference of a circle through which bolts are placed to secure the base to the snow board with a friction washer therebetween. The elongated holes allow for rotational adjustment of the binding. A hook-shaped structure extends from one side of the base with the hook facing outward. On the opposite side of the base is a camming structure with a downward and outwardly sloping surface ending in a bale-receiving notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Switch Manufacturing
    Inventors: Erik Anderson, Jeff Sand
  • Patent number: 5520405
    Abstract: A snowboard binding including of a binding plate mounted to the snowboard. A binding having a rubber insulator is secured to the binding plate. The binding has an insert aperture, an insert position, a locked position, and a pair of stopping means therebetween. The insert position corresponds with the insert aperture. The locked position is rotatably perpendicular to the insert position. The stopping means serves to prevent the locked position from rotating beyond perpendicular. A boot has a walking peg secured to the heel and to the toe. The boot has a boot binding theresecured. The boot binding corresponds with the insert aperture and the insert position of the binding. The boot binding is capable of rotating the binding from the insert position to the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Inventor: Lyle J. Bourke
  • Patent number: 5514018
    Abstract: A support frame which provides controlled stability of a snowboard while allowing the user a greater amount of foot control. The support frame is embedded within the body of the snowboard. The support frame is essentially a figure-eight shaped structure. Generally at the center of the support frame, the cross members are secured to one another. The present invention provides a substantial advantage over the prior art in dampening vibrations which occur during use of the snowboard in conventional snowboarding conditions. The support frame may also be used in a wide variety of other sporting equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Inventor: Yutaka Hara
  • Patent number: 5505477
    Abstract: A boot for use with a snowboard includes a binding for attachment to the boot. The boot includes a base, a highback, and an upper. The base includes a binding-receiving plate for attaching the boot to the binding on the snowboard. The base also has toe and heel ends. The base is formed with a toecap at the toe end and has a heel counter at the heel end. Tread projects from the bottom of the base for traction when the boot is not attached to the-snowboard. The highback extends upwardly from the heel counter of the base. The highback provides aft support to the user. The upper is fixedly attached to the base and is arranged and configured to receive the foot and ankle of the user. The upper has a rearward side adjacent the highback. The upper is more flexible than the base and the highback. A base strap is connected to opposing sides of the base and extends across a portion of the upper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: K-2 Corporation
    Inventors: Brent H. Turner, John E. Svensson
  • Patent number: 5505478
    Abstract: A releasable mounting for a snowboard binding which includes a base member which is adapted for attaching to a selected surface of a snowboard. The base member includes a channel-like profile and has a plurality of lug members attached to a top edge of its sidewalls. The lug members are spaced at predetermined intervals. This mounting also includes a foot engaging member which is adapted for attaching to a binding. This foot engaging member is shaped for minimizing the collection of snow thereon. The foot engaging member include a plurality of fee which engage the lug members. A locking means carried by said base member may be selectively placed in a open condition or locked condition when the foot engaging member is engaged in the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Inventor: Michael Napoliello
  • Patent number: 5503900
    Abstract: Padding for use with snowboard bindings that alleviate or reduce slippage of the boot when the boot is in the bindings. The padding comprises a structure 10 further comprising a first member 20 having a top side 12 and a bottom side 14 and a second member 22 having a top side 12 and a bottom side 14. The top side 12 is smooth or flat. In other preferred embodiments, the top side 12 is contoured. Further, in some preferred embodiments, the top side 12 has a logo or emblem. The bottom side 14 has an adhesive back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Herbert E. Fletcher
    Inventor: Herbert E. Fletcher
  • Patent number: 5503414
    Abstract: A binding for two feet in tandem on one ski that includes a boot for holding the front foot having a detachable toe holder and keeper means secured to the ski between the two feet for holding the forward boot heel. A further engageable member for the rear foot holds the keeper means for the heel of the forward boot when the rear foot is in position on the ski and releases the keeper means to free the forward boot heel should the rear foot be removed from the ski.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: STL International, Incorporated
    Inventors: Roger C. Teeter, Lawrence C. Smith
  • Patent number: 5499837
    Abstract: A swivelable mount for the boot bindings of a snowboard or the like, including a low profile housing with walls enclosing a cylindrical cavity, the housing bottom having a bore concentric with and smaller in diameter than the cavity, the bore being surrounded by an upward-facing annular surface, the housing top adapted for the mounting of a boot binding. A circular member for rotatably mounting the housing is secured to the snowboard and has a stem journaled in the housing bore and a larger diameter cap fitting in the housing cavity. The cap provides a downward-facing annular flange positioned opposite the upward-facing annular surface of the housing, and prevents upward movement of the housing from the snowboard. A circular locking plate rotatably mounted in the cavity above the top of the housing mount has a top surface characterized by a plurality of radially extending undulations, and the top wall of the housing cavity is provided with a similar undulating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Inventors: Joseph P. Hale, Robert H. Whyte
  • Patent number: 5480176
    Abstract: A snowboard binding system comprises a toe strap, an ankle strap, a heel loop and two pods. The pods, mounted to the surface of a snowboard, are located at the outside footprint of the rider's boot. The pods allow the snowboard rider to rotate the binding to various angles, to adjust the width of the binding to accommodate his foot and to modify the distance between the two bindings to accommodate the rider's stance. In addition, the rider's center of gravity is lowered, thereby increasing the rider's sensitivity to the board and enabling the rider to hold a better edge while turning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Inventor: Thomas P. Sims
  • Patent number: 5462304
    Abstract: An improved snowboard having a pair of dual-acting, interchangeable edges. Each dual-acting edge incorporates one inside, inward-facing edge and one elevated outside edge. The inside, inward-facing edges provide stable control of the snowboard while riding it flat on the snow. One of the elevated outside edges is brought into contact with the snow when the snowboard is tilted off its bottom surface and up onto the outside edge for increased carving and turning power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Inventor: Bengt E. Nyman
  • Patent number: 5460558
    Abstract: A foot saddle is provided for a surf board having a deck, a nose end, and a tail end. The foot saddle consists of a structure adjustable to fit any size foot, for maintaining one foot of a surfer in a stationary position upon the deck near the tail end of the surfboard, and help prevent the surfer's foot from inadvertently sliding off the surfboard. The other foot of the surfer is free to move upon the deck to ride the nose and the fin of the surfboard on the crests of waves with a better balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Inventor: John F. Woodstock
  • Patent number: 5458370
    Abstract: Ski apparatus two outer skis coupled to a third ski, located between the two outer skis, by four cranks, connected as a front pair and a rear pair. Each crank has a gear on one end and a free end. The free end of a crank is attached to a journal box on an outer ski to permit the crank to rotate freely. The gear of the crank from one outer ski meshes with the gear of a crank attached to the other outer ski, coupling the cranks in pairs and causing the cranks to rotate in opposite directions. The gears from each pair are contained in a gearbox attached to the third or middle ski. The cranks can be stiff or resilient and, if resilient, includes an elbow joint which is spring biased to force the middle ski below the outer skis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Daniel J. Melcher
    Inventor: Daniel J. Melcher
  • Patent number: 5435080
    Abstract: An improved boot for snowboarding. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a generally resilient upper boot portion mounted to a generally rigid lower boot portion. The lower boot portion extends substantially upwardly from the sole, over the foot, and ends proximate to the tarsal bone of the lower ankle. A calf support member is mounted at the heel of the boot and relatively perpendicular thereto. A lip extends from the toe and heel of the boot lower portion. Upon cooperation of the lip with plate bindings on a snowboard, the boot is releasably secured thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Inventor: Jamie Meiselman
  • Patent number: 5428532
    Abstract: An apparatus controls the steering angle of a pair of front or rear wheels and the braking forces to be applied to left and right wheels of at least one of the wheel pairs. The apparatus includes a control unit for calculating a target value for a dynamic parameter related to a motion of the vehicle based upon sensed vehicle operating conditions. The control unit calculates a target value for the steering angle of the one wheel pair and controls the steering angle to the calculated target value so as to bring the dynamic parameter to its target dynamic parameter value. An absolute value of the target or actual steering angle is calculated for comparison with a predetermined value. The control unit controls the second control unit to provide a difference between the braking forces applied to the left and right wheels of the one wheel pair so as to bring the dynamic parameter to the target dynamic parameter value only when the calculated absolute value exceeds the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiki Yasuno
  • Patent number: 5417443
    Abstract: A snowboard binding may be mounted to a pair of mounting holes provided in a snowboard in a position and at an angle preferred by the rider. The binding is attached to the snowboard at a pair of base parts that are not interposed between the rider's foot and the snowboard. The base parts each include an opening therethrough and a pair of securable posts, with one post being fixed to either side of the opening. A pair of locking plates, slidably securable to the base parts, are adjustably mountable. Each locking plate includes a pair of collinear slots slidably engagable on the posts of the base parts and a third slot located between and substantially perpendicular to the collinear slots and situated such that, when the locking plates are slidably secured to the base, each locking plate may be removably fastened to the snowboard by passing a fastener through the third slot and through the opening into one of the mounting holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Inventors: Jacob A. Blattner, David R. Hubatch
  • Patent number: 5413372
    Abstract: A ski binding for removably attaching a boot to a ski. The ski binding contains a base plate, a first mounting stud attached to the base plate, a second mounting stud attached to the base plate, a binding base removably and pivotally attached to the first mounting stud. The ski binding is adjustably and releasably attached to the boot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Evans Slalom Ski Binding Company
    Inventors: Robert M. Evans, Franklin G. Miller
  • Patent number: 5411282
    Abstract: A system for guiding an apparatus including a forward and rear runner over a surface includes an elongate beam connecting the two runners and forward and rear strut assemblies for causing a deviation from a horizontal plane at the same time that a deviation from a longitudinal axis is introduced to the apparatus. The system allows the user to guide the device while at the same time providing the necessary tilting or weight shift needed to enhance the turning of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Inventor: Walter Shannon
  • Patent number: 5409244
    Abstract: A plateless snowboard binding device is designed to eliminate use of base plates in connection with snowboard bindings and allows the snowboarder to exercise maximum control over the speed and direction of the board. The plateless binding device is lightweight and does not promote snow and ice buildup around the boot area. The device includes a flexible strap designed to stay upright for ready fastening and a hinged high-back support for easy transporting and stowing of the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Young