Snowboard boot and binding apparatus

Abstract

A binding assembly for attaching a boot to a snowboard, 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 snowboard. 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 snowboard 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. A spring loaded latch is pivotally mounted outboard and above the notch and includes a lever with a generally outwardly protruding handle on one side of the lever pivot axis, and a bale latching portion on the other side of the pivot. By placing the first bale over the hook and then thrusting the second bale downward against the latching portion and into engagement with the camming structure, the first bale is drawn into engagement with the hook as the second bale is guided by the sloping surface into the notch where it is retained by the latch. In order to release the binding, the user simply rotates the latch upward to free the bales.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A binding assembly for securing a boot to a snow board comprising: 
 a bale means including 
 first bale means for attachment to the sole of said boot and extending laterally from a first side thereof;  
 second bale means for attachment to the sole of said boot and extending laterally from a second side thereof opposite said first side;  
   binding means for engagement said bale means including 
 base means for attachment to said snow board; 
 loop shaped hook means attached to one side of said base means and directed outwardly from said means for captivating engagement of said first bale means;  
 loop shaped camming means attached to an opposite side of said base means and spaced a predetermined distance away from said hook means, having side means including one or more upright sides, each having an outwardly facing camming surface and a bale-receiving notch, said camming surface being engageably by said second bale means and operative to cause said first bale means to be drawn into engagement with said hook means and to guide said second bale means into said bale-receiving notch; and  
 latch means for releasably securing said second bale means in said bale receiving notch.  
   
     
     
         2 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 1    wherein 
 said first bale means includes a first end segment of circular cross section positioned outboard from and substantially parallel to said first side of boot; and  
 said second bale means includes a second end segment of circular cross section positioned outboard from and substantially parallel to said second side of said boot.  
 
     
     
         3 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 1    wherein said bale means further includes a four-sided frame having said first and second end segments interconnected by first and second side segments, and a plate attached to a central portion thereof for facilitating attachment to said boot, the portions of said frame outside said plate forming generally rectangular loops comprising said first and second bale means.  
     
     
         4 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 1    wherein said first and second bale means are formed as an integral unit with means for attachment to said sole of said boot.  
     
     
         5 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 1    wherein said latch means includes a latch element pivotally mounted to rotate about a pivot axis between a latching position and an unlatching position, and having 
 bale engagement means extending away from said pivot axis and having a cam shaped bale-engaging surface including an upper first portion spaced a first distance from said pivot axis and a second lower portion spaced a second distance greater than said first distance from said pivot axis;  
 handle means extending away from said pivot axis for use in rotating said bale engagement means about said pivot axis and into said unlatching position for releasing said second bale means; and  
 spring means for biasing said latch element about said pivot axis and toward said latching position; and  
 pivot support means for pivotally mounting said latch element, said pivot axis located above said bale receiving notches and third distance from the bottom of said notch, said third distances dimensioned so that said first portion and said second portion are positioned such that when said second bale means is lodged in said bale-receiving notch, said latch element is rotatable by said spring means into said latching position said cam shaped bale-engaging surface contacting said second bale means and retaining said second bale means in said notch.  
 
     
     
         6 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 2    wherein said loop shaped hook means includes 
 a first hook member extending upward and laterally outward from said base means;  
 a second hook member spaced from said first hook member and extending upward and laterally outward from said base means; and  
 first cross bar means connecting said first hook member with said second hook member, said first hook member, said second hook member and said first cross bar forming a loop shaped hooked structure adapted to pass through the rectangular loop of said first bale means, whereby ice and snow can pass through said loop shaped hook means.  
 
     
     
         7 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 1    wherein said side means includes 
 a first side extending upwardly from said base means to terminate in a first distal extremity and having a first camming edge beginning at said first distal extremity and sloping downward towards said base means and laterally outward away from said hook means and terminating in a first bale-receiving notch;  
 a second side spaced from said first side and extending upwardly from said base means to terminate in a second distal extremity and having a second camming edge beginning at said second distal extremity and sloping downward towards said base means and laterally outward away from said hook means and terminating in a second bale-receiving notch; and  
 second cross bar means connecting said first distal extremity to said second distal extremity, and said first side, said second side and said second cross bar means being adapted to pass through the rectangular loop of said second bale means; and  
 whereby said loop shaped camming means is configured to allow ice and snow to pass under said second cross bar.  
 
     
     
         8 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 1    wherein said base means includes a base plate having a plurality of holes therein for inserting bolts therethrough for securing said base plate to a snow board.  
     
     
         9 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 8    wherein said holes are arranged on a circumference of a circle so as to allow said base plate to be positioned at various angles relative to said snow board.  
     
     
         10 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 9    wherein said holes are arcuately shaped slots along said circumference of said circle so as to allow a range of continuous adjustment over the length of said slots.  
     
     
         11 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 1    further comprising means extending from said base means and positioned outboard from said loop shaped hook means for guiding said first bale means to a position for engagement with said loop shaped hook means.  
     
     
         12 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 5    wherein said bale engagement means further includes an upwardly facing trough-shaped surface for engagement with said second bale means to guide said second bale means toward said camming surface and to rotate said latch element.  
     
     
         13 . A binding assembly for securing a boot to a snow board comprising: 
 a bale means including 
 first bale means for attachment to the sole of said boot and extending laterally from a first side thereof;  
 second bale means for attachment to the sole of said boot and extending laterally from a second side thereof opposite said first side;  
   binding means for engagement with said bale means including 
 base means for attachment to said snow board;  
 loop shaped hook means attached to one side of said base means and directed outwardly from said base means for captivating engagement of said first bale means;  
 loop shaped camming means attached to an opposite side of said base means and spaced a predetermined distance away from said hook means, having side means including one or more sides, each forming an outwardly facing camming surface, said camming surface being engageable by said second bale means and operative to cause said first bale means to be drawn into engagement with said hook means; and  
 latch means for releasably securing said second bale means.  
   
     
     
         14 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 13    wherein said latch means includes support means extending upward from said base means; 
 hinged member means having first and second member ends pivotably mounted to said support means at said first member end;  
 handle means having first and second handle ends and pivotably mounted to said second member end at a position between said first and second handle ends;  
 captivation block means having an outer surface with a recess therein for engaging said second bale means, and said block means being pivotably mounted at a first pivot point to said support means, and being pivotably mounted at a second pivot point displaced from said first pivot point to said second end of said handle means;  
 said latch means positioned laterally outward from said camming surface so that when said first end of said handle means is rotated upward, said recess is rotated upward above said camming surface allowing the removal of said second bale means, and when said handle means is rotated downward towards said base means to a latched position, said recess is rotated downward, placing and securing said second bale means against said camming surface; and  
 first spring means for urging said first end of said handle means downward towards said latched position.  
 
     
     
         15 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 11    wherein said latch means includes 
 support means extending upward from said base means and positioned laterally outward from said loop shaped camming means;  
 wheel means rotatably mounted to said support means and having an outer diameter with a recess formed therein for receiving said second bale means, and having a plurality of prong receiving notches formed in from said outer diameter;  
 handle means having first and second ends and pivotably mounted to said support means between said first and second ends, and having a prong on said first end, said first end and said prong dimensioned for engaging said prong receiving notches;  
 spring means for urging said handle means to force said prong into one of said notches; and  
 wherein said wheel is rotatable to place said recess above said camming means for receiving said second bale means, and as said second bale means within said recess is thrust downward, said wheel is rotated and said recess moves downward placing and captivating said second bale means against said camming surface and when said handle means is rotated to remove said prong from one of said notches, an upward thrust on said bale means will rotate said wheel so as to move said recess upward and above said camming means for removal of said second bale means.  
 
     
     
         16 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 13    wherein said latch means includes 
 handle means having first and second ends, said second end having a downward facing bale receiving notch;  
 first spring means attached to said base means and to said handle means for resiliently urging and placing said handle means adjacent said camming surface with said second end facing downward and in close proximity to said camming surface, and said handle means positioned by said first spring means so as to form a V shaped space between said camming means and said handle means for guiding said second bale means therebetween, and configured so that as said second bale means is thrust downward in said V shaped space, it moves past said second end, whereupon said first spring means urges said handle means over said second bale means;  
 second spring means for upwardly urging said second bale means into said recess; and  
 wherein when said handle means is moved outward from said upright means, said second bale means can be moved upward out of said binding means.  
 
     
     
         17 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 13    wherein said base means includes a base plate having a plurality of holes therein for inserting bolts therethrough for securing said base plate to a snow board.  
     
     
         18 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 17    wherein said holes are arranged on a circumference of a circle so as to allow said base plate to be positioned at various angles relative to said snow board.  
     
     
         19 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 14    wherein said base means includes a base plate having a plurality of holes therein for inserting bolts therethrough for securing said base plate to a snow board.  
     
     
         20 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 19    wherein said holes are arranged on a circumference of a circle so as to allow said base plate to be positioned at various angles relative to said snow board.  
     
     
         21 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 15    wherein said base means includes a base plate having a plurality of holes therein for inserting bolts therethrough for securing said base plate to a snow board.  
     
     
         22 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 21    wherein said holes are arranged on a circumference of a circle so as to allow said base plate to be positioned at various angles relative to said snow board.  
     
     
         23 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 1    further comprising: 
 frictional layer means positioned between said base means and said snow board for resisting rotational movement of said base means relative to said snow board.  
 
     
     
         24 . A binding assembly for binding a boot with a sole to a snowboard, said assembly comprising: 
 (a) a bale means including 
 (i) first bale means for attachment to the sole of said boot and extending laterally from a first side thereof;  
 (ii) second bale means for attachment to the sole of said boot and extending laterally from a second side thereof opposite said first side;  
   (b) binding means for engagement of said bale means including 
 (i) base means for attachment to said snow board and for providing a narrow bearing surface against which said bale means is secured;  
 (ii) hook shaped means attached to one side of said base means and directed inwardly and having a narrow edge providing a high pressure contact for captivating engagement of said first bale means; and  
 (iii) latch means for releasably securing said second bale means against said narrow bearing surface of said base means.  
   
     
     
         25 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 24    wherein 
 (a) said first bale means includes a first end segment of circular cross section positioned outboard from and substantially parallel to said first side of said boot, said first bale means forming a loop shaped structure with said boot; and  
 (b) said second bale means includes a second end segment of circular cross section positioned outboard from and substantially parallel to said second side of said boot, said second bale means forming a loop shaped structure with said boot.  
 
     
     
         26 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 25    wherein said bale means further includes a four-sided frame having said first and second end segments interconnected by first and second side segments, and said bale means including a plate supporting a central portion thereof for facilitating attachment to said boot, portions of said frame outside said plate forming said loop shaped structures.  
     
     
         27 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 24    wherein said first and second bale means are formed as an integral unit with means for attachmnent to said sole of said boot.  
     
     
         28 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 24    wherein said latch means includes 
 (a) a latch element pivotally mounted to rotate about a pivot axis between a latching position for securing said second bale means and an unlatching position for releasing said second bale means, and having 
 (i) bale engagement means extending away from said pivot axis and having a cam shaped bale-engaging surface including an upper first portion having a maximum first distance from said pivot axis and a second lower portion having a maximum second distance from said pivot axis of magnitude greater than said first distance from said pivot axis, said surface following a predetermined contour;  
 (ii) handle means extending away from said pivot axis for use in rotating said bale engagement means about said pivot axis and into said unlatching position; and  
 
 (b) spring means for biasing said latch element about said pivot axis and toward said latching position; and  
 (c) pivot support means for pivotally mounting said latch element at said pivot axis located so that said first portion and said second portion are positioned relative to said pivot axis such that when said second bale means is positioned against said narrow bearing surface, said latch element is rotatable by said spring means into said latching position, said cam shaped bale-engaging surface contacting said second bale means and retaining said second bale means against said narrow bearing surface.  
 
     
     
         29 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 25    wherein said hook shaped means further includes 
 (a) a first hook member connected to said base means and extending upward and laterally inward; and  
 (b) a second hook member attached to said base means and spaced from said first hook member and extending upward and laterally inward.  
 
     
     
         30 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 29    wherein said hook shaped means further includes first cross bar means connecting said first hook member with said second hook member, said first hook member, said second hook member and said first cross bar forming a loop shaped hooked structure, whereby ice and snow can pass through said loop shaped hooked structure.  
     
     
         31 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 24    wherein said base means includes a base plate hating a plurality of holes therein for inserting bolts therethrough for securing said base plate to a snow board.  
     
     
         32 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 31    wherein said holes are arranged on a circumference of a circle so as to allow said base plate to be positioned at various angles relative to said snow board.  
     
     
         33 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 32    wherein said holes are arcuately shaped slots along said circumference of said circle so as to allow a range of continuous adjustment over the length of said slots.  
     
     
         34 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 24    further comprising: 
 frictional layer means positioned between said base means and said snow board for resisting rotational movement of said base means relative to said snow board.  
 
     
     
         35 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 28    wherein said cam shaped bale-engaging surface upper first portion includes a trough shaped recess providing early captivation of said second bale means as said second bale means is approaching said base means.  
     
     
         36 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 28    wherein said bale engagement means further includes an upwardly facing trough-shaped surface located above said first portion of said bale-engaging surface for engagement with said second bale means to cause said second bale means to cause said latch element to be rotated as said second bale means is lowered towards said base means.  
     
     
         37 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 24    further comprising boot insert means for placement in said boot and configured so as to support a riders ankle relative to said sole of said boot.  
     
     
         38 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 37    wherein said boot insert means includes 
 (a) a body portion having first and second sides, each side for giving support to the sides of a skiers foot, and said first and second sides integrally joined by a back portion configured to enclose a portion of the back of a skiers ankle;  
 (b) a riser portion of trough-shape; and  
 (c) attachment means for adjustably securing said riser portion to said body portion; 
 whereby said riser portion is adjustable relative to said body portion, to cause said boot insert to tilt forward when installed in said boot, causing a skier's ankle to be held in a forward leaning position, and said riser portion is adjustable to cause said boot insert to be positioned to support a skier's ankle in a vertical position.  
 
 
     
     
         39 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 38    further comprising: 
 a plate means rigidly secured to the inside of said boot against said sole for the purpose of giving rigidity to the sole, and working, in combination with said boot insert, for the purpose of transferring pressure to a toe end of said boot when a skier leans forward, and to a heel end of said boot when a skier leans backward.  
 
     
     
         40 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 39    further comprising: 
 interconnection means for securing said plate to said bale means with said sole secured therebetween.  
 
     
     
         41 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 37    wherein said boot insert means has first and second sides joined by a bottom and back portion and having an opening for inserting said skier's foot therein.  
     
     
         42 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 41    further comprising: 
 (a) a plate means positioned on the inside and on said bottom of said boot insert; and  
 (b) interconnecting means for securing said plate means to said bale means with said insert bottom and said sole secured therebetween.  
 
     
     
         43 . A binding assembly for binding a boot with a sole to a snow board, said assembly comprising: 
 (a) a bale means including 
 (i) first bale means for attachment to the sole of a boot and extending laterally from a first side thereof;  
 (ii) second bale means for attachment to the sole of said boot and extending laterally from a second side thereof opposite said first side;  
   (b) binding means for engagement of said bale means including 
 (i) base means for attachment to said snow board;  
 (ii) hook shaped means attached to one side of said base means and directed outwardly from said base means for captivating engagement of said first bale means;  
 (iii) camming means attached to an opposite side of said base means and spaced a predetermined distance away from said hook shaped means, having an outwardly facing camming surface and a bale-receiving notch, said camming surface operative to guide said second bale means to said notch, and said camming surface configured to cause said first bale means to be drawn into engagement with said hook shaped means; and  
 (iv) latch means for releasably securing said second bale means in said bale receiving notch.  
   
     
     
         44 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 43    wherein 
 (a) said first bale means includes a first end segment of circular cross section positioned outboard from and substantially parallel to said first side of said boot and forming a loop shaped structure with said boot; and  
 (b) said second bale means includes a second end segment of circular cross section positioned outboard from and substantially parallel to said second side of said boot and forming a loop shaped structure with said boot.  
 
     
     
         45 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 44    wherein said bale means further includes a four-sided frame having said first and second end segments interconnected by first and second side segments, and said bale means including a plate supporting a central portion thereof for facilitating attachment to said boot, portions of said frame outside said plate forming said loop shaped structures.  
     
     
         46 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 43    wherein said first and second bale means are formed as an integral unit with means for attachment to said sole of said boot.  
     
     
         47 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 43    wherein said latch means includes 
 (a) a latch element pivotally mounted to rotate about a pivot axis between a latching position for securing said second bales means and an unlatching position for releasing said second bale means, and having 
 (i) bale engagement means extending away from said pivot axis and having a cam shaped bale-engaging surface including an upper first portion having a maximum first distance from said pivot axis and a second lower portion having a maximum second distance from said pivot axis of magnitude greater than said first distance from said pivot axis, said surface following a predetermined contour;  
 (ii) handle means extending away from said pivot axis for use in rotating said bale engagement means about said pivot axis and into said unlatching position means; and  
 
 (b) spring means for biasing said latch element about said pivot axis and toward said latching position; and  
 (c) pivot support means for pivotally mounting said latch element at said pivot axis located so that said first portion and said second portion are positioned relative to said pivot axis such that when said second bale means is positioned against said narrow bearing surface, said latch element is rotatable by said spring means into said latching position, said cam shaped bale-engaging surface contacting said second bale means and retaining said second bale means in said bale receiving notch.  
 
     
     
         48 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 47    wherein said cam shaped bale-engaging surface upper first portion includes a trough shaped recess providing early captivation of said second bale means as said second bale means is approaching said bale receiving notch.  
     
     
         49 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 47    wherein said bale engagement means further includes an upwardly facing trough-shaped surface located above said first portion of said bale-engaging surface for engagement with said second bale means to cause said second bale means to cause said latch element to be rotated as said second bale means is lowered towards said camming surface.  
     
     
         50 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 48    wherein said hook shaped means further includes 
 (a) a first hook member connected to said base means and extending upward and laterally outward; and  
 (b) a second hook member attached to said base means and spaced from said first hook member and extending upward and laterally outward.  
 
     
     
         51 . A binding, assembly as recited in    claim 43    wherein said base means includes a base plate having a plurality of holes therein for inserting bolts therethrough for securing said base plate to a snow board.  
     
     
         52 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 51    wherein said holes are arranged on a circumference of a circle so as to allow said base plate to be positioned at various angles relative to said snow board.  
     
     
         53 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 52    wherein said holes are arcuately shaped slots along said circumference of said circle so as to al low a range of continuous adjustment over the length of said slots.  
     
     
         54 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 43    further comprising: 
 frictional layer means positioned between said base means and said snow board for resisting rotational movement of said base means relative to said snow board.  
 
     
     
         55 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 43    further comprising: 
 boot insert means for placement in said boot and configured so as to support a riders ankle relative to said sole of said boot.  
 
     
     
         56 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 55    wherein said boot insert means includes 
 (a) a body portion having first and second sides, each side for giving support to the sides of a skiers foot, and said first and second sides integrally joined by a back portion configured to enclose a portion of the back of a skiers ankle;  
 (b) a riser portion of trough-shape; and  
 (c) attachment means for adjustably securing said riser portion to said body portion; 
 whereby said riser portion is adjustable relative to said body portion, to cause said boot insert to tilt forward when installed in said boot, causing a skier's ankle to be held in a forward leaning position, and said riser portion is adjustable to cause said boot insert to be positioned to support a skier's ankle in a vertical position.  
 
 
     
     
         57 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 56    further comprising: 
 a plate means rigidly secured to the inside of said boot against said sole for the purpose of giving rigidity to the sole, and working in combination with said boot insert, for the purpose of transferring pressure to a toe end of said boot when a skier leans forward, and to a heel end of said boot when a skier leans backward.  
 
     
     
         58 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 56    further comprising: 
 interconnection means for securing said plate to said bale means with said sole secured therebetween.  
 
     
     
         59 . A binding, assembly as recited in    claim 55    wherein said boot insert means has first and second sides joined by a bottom and back portion and having, an opening for inserting said skier's foot therein.  
     
     
         60 . A binding-assembly as recited in    claim 59    further comprising: 
 a plate means positioned on the inside and on said bottom of said boot insert; and  
 interconnecting, means for securing, said plate means to said bale means with said insert bottom and said sole secured therebetween.  
 
     
     
         61 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 24    further comprising: 
 sole reinforcement means integrally connected with said first and second bale means, said reinforcement means configured so as to render said sole substantially rigid.  
 
     
     
         62 . A binding assembly as recited in    claim 24    wherein said latch means includes: 
 support means extending upward from said base means and oppositely disposed on said base means from said hook shaped means;  
 wheel means rotatably mounted to said support means and having an outer diameter with a recess formed therein for receiving said second bale means, and having a plurality of prong receiving notches formed in from said outer diameter;  
 handle means having first and second ends and pivotably mounted to said support means between said first and second ends, and having a prong on said first end, said first end and said prong dimensioned for engaging said prong receiving notches;  
 spring means for urging said handle means to force said prong into one of said notches; and  
 wherein said wheel is rotatable to place said recess in an upward position for receiving said second bale means, and as said second bale means within said recess is thrust downward, said wheel is rotated and said recess moves downward thrusting said second bale means downward and laterally toward said hook shaped member, causing said first bale means to move into said hook shaped member, said prong engaged in said prong receiving notches restraining said wheel means and thereby said bale means, and when said handle means is rotated to remove said prong from one of said notches, an upward thrust on said bale means will rotate said wheel so as to move said recess upward for removal of said bale means.