Interface for engaging a snowboard boot to a snowboard binding

Abstract

A snowboard binding system that incorporates the riding performance of a strap binding with the convenience of a step-in binding. The binding system includes a binding interface that is configured to be coupled to a step-in binding base, while also being configured to secure a snowboard boot in a manner that provides a rider with the riding performance of a strap binding. The binding interface may include one or more straps for securing a boot to a snowboard. The binding system may be configured so that the binding base engages regions of the binding interface to which the straps are attached to provide the feel of a strap binding. The binding base may include at least three engagement members to engage with corresponding mating features on the interface. The binding base may include a pair of engagement members at both the rear or heel end and the front or toe end thereof to engage with corresponding mating features on the interface. The engagement members at the heel end of the binding base may be configured to move independently of the engagement members at the toe end of the binding base to facilitate stepping the interface into and out of the binding base. The binding may be provided with a locking arrangement that reduces the likelihood of a false locking condition between the interface and binding by prohibiting at least one of the pairs of engagement members from becoming locked until each of the pair of engagement members assumes its closed position. The binding may be provided with a locking arrangement that maintains each of a pair of engagement members in each of a plurality of closed positions to secure a corresponding pair of mating features. The binding interface may have a lower portion with a X-shape configuration to be mounted below a boot sole.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An interface for coupling a snowboard boot to a snowboard binding base, the snowboard boot including a sole, the snowboard binding base including at least one pair of engagement members, the interface comprising: 
 an interface body including a lower portion that is to be mounted below at least a portion of the sole of the snowboard boot, the lower portion having an X-shaped configuration;    at least one pair of mating features supported by the interface body, the at least one pair of mating features to be engaged by the at least one pair of engagement members; and    at least one strap supported by the interface body to secure the binding interface to the snowboard boot.    
     
     
         2 . The interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one strap includes first and second straps supported by the interface body.  
     
     
         3 . The interface according to  claim 2 , wherein the first strap includes an ankle strap supported at a heel end of the interface body, the ankle strap being adapted to extend across an ankle portion of the snowboard boot.  
     
     
         4 . The interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the binding interface includes a pair of sidewalls on medial and lateral sides of the interface body, each of the sidewalls extending from a toe end to a heel end of the interface body.  
     
     
         5 . The interface according to  claim 4 , wherein the sidewalls are integrally formed with the interface body.  
     
     
         6 . The interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the lower portion includes medial and lateral sides and front and rear edges extending between the medial and lateral sides, each of the front and rear edges having a U-shaped configuration.