Plate Is Movable Or Releasable From Ski Patents (Class 280/618)
  • Patent number: 10682564
    Abstract: A front jaw for a touring ski binding, includes a base and at least one recess or transit opening in the base. Lateral sole retainers lie opposite each other in relation to a longitudinal axis of the front jaw each include a boot retainer pin and, in a pivoted-in state, co-operate with bearings formed on a ski boot, defining a pivoting axis for the boot extending substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the front jaw, and are adjustable between the pivoted-in state, where the bearings of the boot engage the boot retainer pins, and a pivoted-away state where the bearings of the boot are not engaged with the boot retainer pins; spring elements for tensioning the lateral sole retainers; a tensioning lever for moving the sole retainers from the pivoted-in state to the pivoted-away state to release the ski boot from a downhill skiing position or a walking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: MARKER Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Brandl, Markus Krumbeck
  • Patent number: 10638671
    Abstract: A membrane for covering the cut end of a tree trunk to prevent the tree from creating a seal after it has been cut. The membrane is attachable to the cut end surface of the tree trunk and includes a hydrating layer comprising a hydrogel. The hydrogel, made up primarily of water, adheres to the cut end surface of the tree trunk to continue hydrating the tree, and prevents air from reaching the tree's exposed transport tissue. In some embodiments, the membrane includes a backing layer and a release layer on opposite sides of the hydrating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: FRESH CUT TECH LLC
    Inventor: James Scott Edwards
  • Patent number: 10159890
    Abstract: A heel unit for a touring ski-binding, comprising, a heel member, wherein the heel member comprises a reception bowl for receiving the heel part of a ski boot and a biasing device for biasing the heel unit against a ski boot, and wherein the heel unit is switchable between a starting position for receiving or releasing the ski boot and a snap-in position for holding the ski boot, wherein the heel unit comprises a blocking means by means of which the heel unit can be blocked in the starting position, wherein the blocking means is switchable between a blocking position and a non-blocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Inventor: Markus Steinke
  • Patent number: 10139814
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system for manufacturing a board body (10), such as a skateboard, from a blank (20) having an indefinite shape. The blank (20) with the indefinite shape is collected by a handling robot (50). The shape of the blank (20) is scanned in three dimensions by means of a vision system (47) and a virtual image of said blank (20) is stored in a memory and used to calculate a three dimensional cutting path for milling the blank (20) into said board body (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Performance SK8 Holding Inc.
    Inventor: Becket Colon
  • Patent number: 10105586
    Abstract: A snowboard binding mounting system. The system includes a base plate and a main gear disposed on the base plate, the base plate engageable with a snowboard binding, the base plate having a plurality of screw openings each extending through the base plate and disposed around a circumference defined by the main gear; a plurality of pinion gears disposed on the base plate and meshed with the main gear, each pinion gear having a shaft opening aligned with a corresponding one of the screw openings; and a plurality of screws, each screw defining a shaft that extends through one of the pinion gear shaft openings and the corresponding screw opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Inventor: Tristan Olsen-Lund
  • Patent number: 10039971
    Abstract: A ski boot frame that is attachable to a soft shell snow boot, for example a snowboard boot, for downhill skiing. The ski boot frame is constructed of multiple rigid materials to provide a user with proper support for downhill skiing. The ski boot frame further includes adjustable toe clip and heel clips for attachment to a standard downhill ski binding. The toe and heel clips are preferably adjustable to fit the frame to a plurality of sizes of ski bindings. The ski boot frame further includes a calf support that provides for a progressive forward resistance critical for downhill skiing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: ENVY SNOW SPORTS LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Schroeder, Michael Schroeder
  • Patent number: 9404655
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process of fabricating a fuel nozzle assembly. The process includes providing a fuel nozzle end cover, positioning a fuel nozzle ring having a stepped geometry within a cavity of the fuel nozzle end cover, and securing the fuel nozzle ring to the fuel nozzle end cover by welding or brazing to form features corresponding to one or more of the fuel nozzle end cover and a fuel nozzle insert. The process further includes securing the fuel nozzle insert to the fuel nozzle cover by direct contact with the fuel nozzle ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Amit Monga, Nitin Subramanya Sarja, Bhaskara Rao Atchuta, John Greg Obeirne
  • Patent number: 9233296
    Abstract: Various binding systems for sliding boards and skis are presented. In one example, among others, a binding system includes a boot plate assembly affixed to a boot and a mounting plate assembly. The mounting plate assembly can be affixed to a sliding board or a ski. The boot plate assembly includes a socket and a wedge attached to opposite sides of a boot plate. The mounting plate assembly includes a spring mechanism configured to engage the socket and a wedge block configured to receive the wedge. When engaged, pressure from the spring mechanism holds the boot plate assembly to the sliding board or ski. When sufficient force is applied through the boot, the boot plate assembly is released from the mounting plate assembly, which frees the rider from the sliding board or ski.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: OB4 Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Allenspach, Marianne Allenspach-Boller, Tommy Michael Mosley
  • Patent number: 9220969
    Abstract: A toe-piece for binding a boot to a gliding board, the toe-piece including a first front boot-retaining device and a second front boot-retaining device. The first front boot-retaining device is designed for ascending a slope and includes boot-fastening mechanisms defining a hinge axis about which the boot pivots when the toe-piece is in an ascent configuration. The second front boot-retaining device is designed for descending a slope and includes two wings each supporting a lateral interface surface designed to come into contact with a front portion of the boot when the toe-piece is in a descent configuration. The toe-piece also includes a longitudinal stop surface movable between an active position in which it is designed to cooperate with the front portion of the boot, and an inactive position in which it is arranged so that it is no longer capable of cooperating with the front portion of the boot. The longitudinal stop surface is movable in relation to the wings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: SALOMON S.A.S.
    Inventors: Daniel Soldan, Nicolas Legrand, Alain Berthet
  • Patent number: 9022412
    Abstract: Splitboard boot bindings for backcountry splitboarding. Each of a pair of soft-boot bindings is provided with an integral boot binding lower that conjoins the two halves of a splitboard without the additional weight or height of an adaptor mounting plate, upper binding baseplate or “tray”, and extra fasteners of the prior art. The boot binding lower is formed as a box girder and provides improved torsional stiffness for splitboard riding. When subjected to a torque applied by the rider, the bottom mediolateral edges of the box girders are configured to contactingly engage the top face of the splitboard, thereby dynamically coupling the rider's boot sole and the board via a single rigid structure. In a preferred embodiment, the web or “spacer” members of the box girder are characterized by an aspect ratio or contour height that is varied from heel to toe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Inventor: William J Ritter
  • Patent number: 9016714
    Abstract: A binding system for a recreational board is mounted atop a rider-support surface of the board. The binding system comprises: a pair of rails locatable on opposing sides of a generally flattened foot-receiving surface for the rider's foot, each rail comprising a central portion mountable to the recreational board, a toe-side leg which extends from the central portion toward a toe-side of the recreational board and a heel-side leg which extends from the central portion toward a heel-side of the recreational board. Each rail comprises at least one deformation-enhancing feature for enhancing an ability of the rail to deform elastically relative to the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: JF Pelchat Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Francois Pelchat
  • Patent number: 9004503
    Abstract: A binding system for snowboards that minimizes leg pain while snowboard users are approaching or are riding on a chairlift. The rotatable binding system enables one of two boot bindings attached to a snowboard to rotate up to 90 degrees placing a user's boot in parallel with the long sides, and sliding direction, of the snowboard. The binding system includes a base plate, which is fixed to the snowboard, and a top plate that is rotatably attached to the base plate by a center screw, and a boot binding harness mounted to the top plate. A hinge plate can connect the base plate to a mid static disk, which can in turn rotatably attach to the top plate. The binding system can include a latch lever that acts as a hands-free locking system that is mounted through an outer ridge of the base plate and connected to a retractable plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Snowboard Sport Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Kurt Bryce Sorenson
  • Publication number: 20150061262
    Abstract: A ski binding device having a plate adapted to engage the ski binding, in which the plate has a heel end and a toe end, and a heel absorption mechanism is adapted to absorb excessive lateral pivoting force from the heel of a ski boot. A restrictor biases the heel into engagement with a heel receptacle. A dual pivot engages the toe end of the plate for permitting both downward movement of the heel end and lateral movement of the heel end out of alignment with the ski. The lateral pivoting force corresponds to release of potentially harmful forces. The restrictor is responsive to upward force from the toe end, as results from disproportionate backweighting of a skier. The restrictor disengages the heel end from the heel receptacle based on a predetermined release force, and permit lateral outward displacement of the heel end upon disengagement of the heel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher A. Brown, John M. Madura
  • Patent number: 8960710
    Abstract: A rear hoop (3) for a snowboard boot binding, having an overall shape in the form of a U and comprising a central connecting part (12) arranged between two arms (11) suitable for forming a movable connection with a snowboard boot binding, the hoop (3) comprising at least one zone where it consists of an extruded hollow body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Skis Rossignol
    Inventor: Jean-Marc Pascal
  • Publication number: 20150028566
    Abstract: The invention is an accessory boardsport foot-binding mounting plate. The invention provides a means for the rapid adjustment of foot-binding mounting angles without the use of tools. The invention is comprised of two concentric discs, which, in isolation from each other, have no moving parts. The invention is to be mounted between a foot-binding and a board. When mounted, the upper disc can be manually rotated over the lower disc, clockwise and counterclockwise, to effect a rotational lock and unlock of the foot-binding. When unlocked, the foot-binding drops approximately 1/10th of an inch, disengages from its retaining plate, and can be freely rotated to any desired angle in 360 degrees on the plane of the board. The foot-binding angle can be changed with or without the users foot actively strapped into the foot-binding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: Robin James Regan
  • Patent number: 8910968
    Abstract: Binding systems for recreational boards are provided. A binding system is mounted atop a rider-support surface of the board. Portions of the binding system are pivotal with the rider's foot and with respect to the board. This pivotal motion may allow the rider to have greater control over the application of weight to the heel and/or toe edges of the board. In particular embodiments, the binding system comprises: a base rigidly mounted atop rider-support surface of the board; and a foot-retainer pivotally mounted to the base via pivot couplings for pivotal motion of the foot-retainer relative to the base and the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: JF Pelchat Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Francois Pelchat
  • Patent number: 8910967
    Abstract: A binding (1, 100) for a ski, in particular a ski binding for a cross-country or touring ski is described, in which a portion is adapted to interact with the ski, or a mounting plate (2, 110) attached to the ski, for attaching the binding to the ski in a displaceable manner, such that the binding can be positioned in a plurality of locations on the ski. A toothed interaction device (120), which is arranged so as to interact with matching indents or notches (112) on the ski or on the mounting plate (110), is provided, wherein the interaction of the teeth of the toothed interaction device with the matching indents or notches on the ski, or mounting plate, one or more than one of: determines, changes and/or fixes the position of the binding with respect to the ski.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Madshus AS
    Inventors: Gunner Bjertnaes, Thomas Alsgaard
  • Patent number: 8894075
    Abstract: A binding for board sports has at least a portion of a first layer of a surface. At least a portion of a second layer is configured to dock with the first layer. A locking mechanism is configured to prevent the second layer from undocking with the first layer in response to the second layer moving in a first direction when the first layer is docked with the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Inventor: Brendan Walker
  • Patent number: 8870212
    Abstract: An apparatus for facilitation selective rotation of a sportboard binding relative to a sportboard interposed between the binding and the sportboard. An electro-magnetically actuated locking mechanism controls the rotation of a retaining ring assembly relative to a bottom capture plate and a top plate assembly. The bottom capture plate is attached to the sportboard. The retaining ring assembly is attached to the binding by teeth on an outer perimeter thereof. One or more pairs of diametrically opposed ferromagnetic inserts placed in the retaining ring assembly define specific angular positions at which the binding may be locked. An external power source (e.g., a battery) is connected to the electro-magnetically actuated locking mechanism via a switch adapted to be operated by a rider of the sportboard such that the rider can selectively control the locking and unlocking of the mechanism to allow rotation of the binding as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Noyes Britt Bouche, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris M. Noyes, Amanda Story
  • Publication number: 20140291965
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a binding apparatus for use on a splitboard. The binding apparatus may be used to change the splitboard between a snowboard for riding downhill in a ride mode and touring skis for climbing up a hill in a tour mode. The binding apparatus can include at least one board joining device. The binding apparatus can also include a binding interface configured to receive a boot and selectively attach to a ride mode interface in a snowboard configuration and to a tour mode interface in a ski configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Bryce M. Kloster, Tyler G. Kloster
  • Patent number: 8801025
    Abstract: A binding for a vehicle, such as a skate for skating on ice or a ski. The binding has an upper chassis section and a lower chassis section, which are interconnected by means of coupling means. The upper chassis section and the lower chassis section are arranged to be rollable relative to each other in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The binding includes a first and a second contact surface at least one of the first and the second contact surface being curved. Thereby a stepless rolling motion between the upper chassis and the lower chassis is provided for, allowing the chassis to rock both backwards and forwards in relation to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Marsblade AB
    Inventor: Per Mårs
  • Patent number: 8714578
    Abstract: Safety binding for the practice of ski touring, including a baseplate having a rear end and a front end, the baseplate being adapted to be pivotally mounted relative to a ski; a rear base adapted to be fixed to the ski; a heel lift capable of taking at least a support position in which the heel lift limits the rotation of the baseplate, and a storage position in which the heel lift does not limit the rotation of the baseplate; and a mechanism enabling the baseplate to be alternatively fixed to and released from the rear base. The mechanism includes a locking device capable of switching from a first closed position to a second open position. The binding also includes a release member having an actuation surface adapted to be manipulated by the user, the bias of the actuation surface thereof driving the locking device toward the second open position; and a return member biases the locking device toward their first closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.S.
    Inventors: Laurent Marechal, Jean-François Merino
  • Patent number: 8714579
    Abstract: A binding is adapted for coupling footwear, such as a boot, to a sports board. The binding permits easy adjustment of the binding's position on the board, while also allowing for removal of the binding from the board for improved utility of storage or transport. Adjustment, engagement between binding and board, and removal functions may be accomplished without the use of tools or ancillary components. The binding includes a movable coupler element or elements that removably couple to a retaining disc to secure the binding to the retaining disc and the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Flow Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Neiley, Lucien Vink
  • Publication number: 20140091557
    Abstract: A splitboard binding was developed specifically for boots that have toe and heel landings for full auto binding bails. The binding is also designed to interface with splitboard and solid snowboard bolt patterns. The basic components of the design can be broken up into two pieces, the parts that stay with the splitboard at all times, and the parts that are removable, only to be used when the splitboard is being ridden as a snowboard. The basic design of the mechanism is a twist lock motion with two tabs that secure the binding in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventor: John William Keffler
  • Patent number: 8662524
    Abstract: An assembly including a gliding board and a device for retaining an article of footwear on the board, the device extending longitudinally from a rear end to a front end, the board having a receiving zone provided to receive the retaining device longitudinally in relation to the board. The assembly includes a wedge device which inclines the retaining device longitudinally in relation to the board, so that the retaining device is angled downwardly from the front end to the rear end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.S.
    Inventors: François Girard, Eddy Yelovina, Rémy Saillet
  • Patent number: 8596668
    Abstract: An adapter enables a rider to adjust an angular orientation of a binding relative to a sport board without removing a foot, comprising a base plate, a top plate, and a locking mechanism supported by the top plate having a pair of insertion members configured to selectively engage a plurality of recesses formed in the base plate. The top plate and base plate can each have a center opening and a fastener supported by the center opening of each of the top plate and base plate to axially couple the top plate to the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Van Bregmann Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter R. Van Bregmann, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130277947
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a binding apparatus for use on a splitboard. The binding apparatus may be used to change the splitboard between a snowboard for riding downhill in a ride mode and touring skis for climbing up a hill in a tour mode. The binding apparatus can include at least one board joining device. The binding apparatus can also include a binding interface configured to receive a boot and selectively attach to a ride mode interface in a snowboard configuration and to a tour mode interface in a ski configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Bryce M. Kloster, Tyler G. Kloster
  • Publication number: 20130234417
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for binding an article of footwear, or boot, on a gliding apparatus, such as a ski, the device including a front retaining element or binding, or toe-piece, and a rear retaining element or binding, or heel-piece. The device includes a structure to indicate a reference point determined by a predefined ratio between the distance between a front frame of reference, or reference plane, associated with the toe-piece and the reference plane, on the one hand, and the distance between the reference point and a rear frame of reference, or reference plane, associated with the heel-piece, on the other hand. The present invention also relates to a gliding apparatus that includes the footwear binding device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: SALOMON S.A.S.
    Inventor: Joël LAVOREL
  • Publication number: 20130200594
    Abstract: Mounting system for attaching splitboard bindings or slide-mount bindings to non-splitboards or snowboards as to use multiple boards with one set of bindings, or interchange bindings quickly. Accomplished by using an assembly comprised of two congruent parts, namely a receiver plate and receiver plate retainer, that affix to a snowboard to allow the above mentioned bindings to slide on and off of any snowboard mounted with said assembly. A receiver plate retainer rests in and atop a notched and patterned receiver plate that, when fastened, creates a solid but angularly adjustable mounting system for said bindings to be securely fastened to a standard snowboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventor: Ryan Marshall Watson
  • Patent number: 8398110
    Abstract: A slope compensation mechanism for automatically adapting an angle between a ski boot and a ski to a slope, including a tower mechanism having a tower base assembly mounted to the ski and a tower pivot mechanism rotatably and slidably mounted to the tower base assembly. A resilient pivot mechanism allows the tower pivot mechanism to rotate and to axially move with respect to the tower base assembly and a boot mounting beam engages with elevation angle catches corresponding to ranges of angles of a slope. A slope angle adaptation mechanism acting between the tower base assembly and the tower pivot mechanism determines a slope index angle corresponding to a slope being traversed and maintains the tower pivot mechanism at the slope index angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventor: Jeannot Morin
  • Patent number: 8376390
    Abstract: A binding is adapted for coupling footwear, such as a boot, to a sports board. The binding permits easy adjustment of the binding's position on the board, while also allowing for removal of the binding from the board for improved utility of storage or transport. Adjustment, engagement between binding and board, and removal functions may be accomplished without the use of tools or ancillary components. The binding includes a movable coupler element or elements that removably couple to a retaining disc to secure the binding to the retaining disc and the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Flow Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Neiley, Lucien Vink
  • Patent number: 8366138
    Abstract: Binding for fastening a boot (10) into in exercise appliance, such as into a ski (1), which binding comprises at least a support part (4), a tip part (7) installed in the support part, and a heel loop (8), of which the position of at least one or other in the support part (4) can be changed for adjusting the binding to boots of different sizes, and which heel loop (8) is installed in the support part (4) in a manner that allows turning in relation to it. The invention is implemented so that the support part (4) is hinged at its front end so that the support part is hinged around a horizontal axis, such as a hinge pin (5), which is essentially at a right angle in relation to the ski (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Kuusamon Uistin Oy
    Inventor: Kimmo Korpua
  • Patent number: 8336903
    Abstract: A multi-function binding system configured for use on a sliding board, such as a snowboard or wakeboard, comprising a base assembly rotatably secured to the deck of a sliding board, with a binding system operable with the base assembly to releasably secure a user to the sliding board. The base assembly comprises various components, namely an adjustment mechanism and a release mechanism, supported within a bonnet that is rotatable about a support disc designed to be secured to the sliding board via the mounting configuration of the sliding board. The binding system provides a unique and advantageous release function otherwise not available in prior related binding systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Miller Sport International, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas K. Furr, Brady S. Fox, Matthew E. Miller
  • Patent number: 8328225
    Abstract: AT ski binding adaptor for alpine ski touring and downhill, including a floating heel lock assembly and multifunctional rotatable locking arms. Ski bindings are mounted on an adaptor mounting plate, channel or beam assembly that pivots at the toe. The heel lock mechanism “floats” on a rail or rails to accommodate ski flex, and includes a multi-position climbing bar or heel riser. The floating heelblock and locking mechanism are interconvertible for different ski modes: in fixed heel-mode—the locking arms act to firmly secure the heel to the ski for aggressive downhill conditions or riding style, and in free heel mode—the locking arms may be configured to support touring and climbing configurations. The ski binding adaptor with floating heel lock mechanism is optionally compatible with a range of alpine ski touring and downhill bindings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventors: Jason M Prigge, William J Ritter, John Parker, Dylan Bourke
  • Patent number: 8317218
    Abstract: A multi-function binding system configured for use on a sliding board comprising: (a) a binding operable with a boot assembly, the binding comprising a support surface and toe and heel pieces extending therefrom; (b) a base assembly configured to be rotatably and removably secured to a deck of a sliding board and to releasably couple the binding during use of the sliding board, the base assembly comprising: (i) a support disc configured to be removably coupled to the deck of the sliding board and to secure the base assembly to the sliding board; (ii) a deck plate rotatable about the support disc and configured to be positioned adjacent the deck; (iii) a bonnet also rotatable about the support disc and configured to receive and engage the binding, the bonnet operable with the deck plate to support one or more components of the base assembly; (iv) adjustment means for facilitating the rotational adjustment of the bonnet and the deck plate about the support disc and with respect to the sliding board, thereby fac
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Miller Sports International, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas K. Furr, Brady S. Fox, Matthew E. Miller
  • Patent number: 8276921
    Abstract: A snowboard binding comprises two assemblies that are capable of being mated or docked with each other and locked together while the snowboard is in use. One of the assemblies may be affixed to the deck of the snowboard. In an embodiment of the invention, the other assembly may be secured, e.g., to the user's boot, and in an embodiment of the invention, the features of the other assembly that support docking and locking of the assemblies may be incorporated into a boot. Either or both assemblies may comprise one or more permanent magnets configured to assist docking by attracting the assemblies to one another in a manner that encourages them to dock in a proper configuration. In embodiments of the invention, locking the docked assemblies together may be achieved without use of the hands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventor: Brendan Walker
  • Patent number: 8246070
    Abstract: A snow glider comprises a longitudinally-extending runner for supporting a rider on ridden snow and having a generally central, longitudinally-extending slot. The glider further comprises an elevated rider-supporting deck and chatter-absorbing means straddling the slot for supporting the deck above the runner. Preferably, the bottom surface of the runner is preferably generally convex across its width, with curved outer edges that provide directional control to the rider when turning, and at least one longitudinally-extending, generally straight longitudinally-extending inner edge adjacent the periphery of the slot for greater directional control when the rider is going straight. To enhance controllability, the deck of the preferred embodiment is preferably coupled to the runner near the runner's outer periphery so that the force exerted by the rider is transmitted from his/her feet directly to the outer edges of the runner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventor: An Hao Adams Lin
  • Patent number: 8226109
    Abstract: Splitboard boot bindings for backcountry splitboarding. Each of a pair of soft-boot bindings is provided with an integral boot binding lower that conjoins the two halves of a splitboard without the additional weight or height of an adaptor mounting plate, upper binding baseplate or “tray”, and extra fasteners of the prior art. The boot binding lower is formed as a modified sandwich box girder or modified monolithic box girder and provides improved torsional stiffness for splitboard riding. When subjected to a torque applied by the rider, the bottom mediolateral flanges of the box girders are configured to contactingly engage the top face of the splitboard, thereby dynamically coupling the rider's boot sole and the board via a single rigid structure. In a preferred embodiment, the web or “spacer” members are characterized by an aspect ratio or contour height that is varied from heel to toe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Inventor: William J Ritter
  • Patent number: 8226108
    Abstract: A snowboard binding (100) having a baseplate (110), a highback (118) attached to the baseplate, and a strap assembly (120) including an instep strap subassembly (124) pivotably attached to the baseplate on one side, and releasably attachable to a mounting strap (132) on the other side. The baseplate includes a lateral toe wall (116). The strap assembly includes a forefoot strap (140) having an upper leg (142) that engages the instep strap, optionally a medial leg (144) that attaches to the medial side of the baseplate, and a front leg (146) that engages a front end of the baseplate. The toe portion of the user's boot (90) is engaged by the forefoot strap. The user secures a boot to the binding with a single engagement mechanism, such as a ratchet buckle (130), which secures both the instep portion and the forefoot strap portions of the strap assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: K-2 Corporation
    Inventors: Peter M. Pontano, Treu Hahnenberger
  • Patent number: 8210561
    Abstract: Ski boots of different sizes, adapted for being used with skis provided with mounted bindings having front and rear jaws. The ski boots are embodied in at least two types (1, 1?, 1?) which differ from each other by sole length (a, b, c). Each of the ski boot types comprises at least two ski boot (outer shell) sizes having the same sole length. Each ski boot size is suitable for receiving inner boots in at least one inner boot size (foot size), and advantageously inner boots (3a to 3d, 3?a to 3?d, 3?a to 3?d) in at least two boot sizes (2a-2b, 2?a-2?-b, 2?a-2?b). Skis (6, 6?, 6?) may be provided with fixed jaws (7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b) mounted in such a way that they correspond to the sole lengths (a, b, c) of the different types of boots (1, 1?, 1?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Tyrolia Technology GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Brandt
  • Patent number: 8201845
    Abstract: An assembly including a plate, a base, and a device for removably attaching the plate to the base. The plate is adapted to be associated with a device for removably retaining a boot, the base is adapted to be associated with a gliding board, such as a ski, the device for removably attaching the plate to the base including an arrangement for longitudinally guiding the plate with respect to the base. An immobilization mechanism is manually actuated to immobilize the plate with respect to the base along the longitudinal guiding direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.S.
    Inventors: François Girard, Eddy Yelovina
  • Patent number: 8191917
    Abstract: The present invention provides a snowboard binding, including a mount, rear plate, top plate assembly base, rotary top pressboard, trigger support and coupling plate. The coupling plate, the mating frame of the rotary top pressboard, the mating ends of the trigger support and the top plate assembly base are coupled together to form a four-bar mechanism. The pressing state of the rotary top pressboard can be positioned directly by the perpendicular trigger support, and the rotary top pressboard can realize an expanded opening state over 90°. Thus, the snowboard boot can be slipped directly into the snowboard binding, enabling more convenient locating and release of the snowboard binding with better efficiency and applicability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Charlton Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-Tsang Wang, Fan-Yi Wang
  • Patent number: 8191918
    Abstract: A mechanism for attaching a boot to a ski with the heel end of the boot being height adjustable. The toe end portion of the boot is pivotly attaching to the ski. A pair of members engaged to the heel end portion and the ski respectively engage each other in a manner to provide height adjustability of the heel end of the boot. A track on either of the boot or the ski is slidably engaged by the respective member. One of the members has an inclined serrated surface which engages a serrated surface of the other member for adjusting height. Alternatively, one of the members has an inclined surface, and height adjustment is achieved by a threaded rotatable member on one of the members which threadedly engages longitudinally spaced indents or other formations in the other member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventor: Michael M. Pupko
  • Patent number: 8181985
    Abstract: A ski binding for downhill skiing and cross-country skiing has a plate which can be pivoted upwards in the front region about an axis located transversely to the longitudinal direction of the ski. A front ski binding and a rear heel holder for a ski boot or cross-country ski boot are fastened on the plate. At least one catch element which is arranged in front of, or in the region of, the rear sole holder can be used to secure the plate, in its rear region, on the abutment fitted on the ski. In addition, at least one catch element is arranged in the front region of the plate. The plate is fixed on the ski, and reinforced, in the manner of a conventional downhill ski binding by the further catch element in the front region of the ski binding and, in the locked state, is anchored at the front end and at the rear end, and at a number of locations therebetween, on parts of the ski or parts which have been fixed to the ski.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Marker Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Mangold, Thomas Tchorsch, Markus Krumbeck
  • Patent number: 8128117
    Abstract: A binding is adapted for coupling footwear, such as a boot, to a sports board. The binding permits easy adjustment of the binding's position on the board, while also allowing for removal of the binding from the board for improved utility of storage or transport. Adjustment, engagement between binding and board, and removal functions may be accomplished without the use of tools or ancillary components. The binding includes a movable coupler element or elements that removably couple to a retaining disc to secure the binding to the retaining disc and the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Flow Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Neiley, Lucien Vink
  • Publication number: 20120042542
    Abstract: The invention provides a coupling element (16) for a ski boot (10), comprising fastening means (18l, 18r, 20) for fastening the coupling element (16) to a heel region of a ski boot (10) and two contact portions (30l, 30r) arranged either side of a vertical boot center plane (E) extending in the longitudinal direction of the boot, against which contact portions pins (31l, 31r) projecting forwards from an automatic heel mechanism of a ski binding bear in a downhill position of the ski binding and out of which the pins (31l, 31r) slide in the event of fall release of the ski binding (10) once a release force acting on the ski boot has been overcome, the fastening means (18l, 18r, 20) comprising a central fastening point (20), which is arranged between the two contact portions (30l, 30r), the fastening means (18l, 18r) further comprising two outer fastening points (18l, 18r), which are arranged laterally outside the contact portions (30l, 30r) with regard to the boot center plane (E), and the coupling element (16
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: SALEWA SPORT AG
    Inventor: Edwin LEHNER
  • Patent number: 8104786
    Abstract: A binding for fixing a shoe to a snowboard and the like comprising a base body that can be fixed to a snowboard and the like by an angular positioning disk with engagement of contact elements defined by the base body on the snowboard, elements for fastening a shoe being associable with the base body and elastic shock-absorbing elements being also associable and interposable between the snowboard and the like and the base body, the shock-absorbing elements at least partially surrounding the external lateral profiles of the rear region of the base body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Core S.R.L.
    Inventor: Martino Fumagalli
  • Publication number: 20110204597
    Abstract: The invention relates to a safety binding (1) for a snowboard, particularly a safety binding to be attached in pairs to a snowboard. The invention solves the problem of reducing force peaks on the lower extremities of the athlete, which, for example, in the event of a fall exceed a force value which can be set, and in this event also enabling a three-dimensional rotation of the lower extremities. This is achieved in that a lower binding part (2), which can be fixed to the snowboard, and an upper binding part (3), which can be fixed to the shoe, are disposed on mutually facing support surfaces in a sliding manner, wherein the support surfaces are designed as the surface elements of two spherical caps, the common center of curvature of which is located above the lower binding part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: OTTO-VON-GUERICKE-UNIVERSITAET MAGDEBURG
    Inventors: Andreas Krueger, Juergen Edelmann-Nusser, Sven Krinowsky, Klaus Zander, Matthias Trott, Benjamin Fuchs, Florian Wagner, Till Kolja Oppel
  • Patent number: 7988180
    Abstract: The invention describes a ski binding with guide elements for a front and a rear binding piece body oriented in the binding longitudinal direction, which binding piece bodies are designed to retain the front and rear end portion of a sports shoe. This ski binding comprises a first coupling element connected to the front binding piece body and a second coupling element connected to the rear binding piece body. A positioning and fixing mechanism is disposed between the binding piece bodies in order to adjust and retain the binding piece bodies by reference to the binding longitudinal direction. The first and second coupling element can be selectively rigidly coupled with one another and uncoupled from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Atomic Austria GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Holzer, Erich Rieger
  • Patent number: 7980583
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a gliding board binding, such as a snowboard binding. The binding may include an adjustment indicator that allows for determination of a longitudinal position of the base relative to a gliding board, heel-to-toe position of the base relative to a gliding board and/or an angular position of the base relative to a gliding board when the base is secured to the gliding board. The adjustment indicator may be included with a footbed that is removable from a binding base, e.g., that includes a foot engagement member to secure a rider's foot to the binding and board. A removable footbed may include a toe portion that is adjustable in position relative to a heel portion of the footbed. A gliding board may include a channel for mounting a binding that is arranged in the board core so that no portion of the board core is located on top or bottom sides of the channel, and instead so the top and bottom reinforcement layers are located above and below the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: The Burton Corporation
    Inventors: Kahlil Zaloom, Christopher C. Cunningham, Florian Lang, Matt Windt, Christopher M. Doyle, Richard William Wagner, Jr., Ryan Larson, Gregory Aaron Dean, Greg Reagan