Snowboard impact plate and binding release mechanism

Abstract

A resilient biasing element for a snowboard binding is disclosed. The biasing element provides a means of biasing an ankle or toe strap for a conventional snowboard binding towards an open position when the strap is unsecured, easing the insertion and removal of a boot from the binding. The binding may be used in combination with a conventional snowboard, or a snowboard incorporating impact plates to distribute loads and increase the structural integrity and life of the snowboard.

1 . A strap assembly for a boot binding, comprising: 
 a continuous strap; and    at least one resilient element attached thereto, wherein the at least one resilient element is adapted to induce a change in curvature in at least a portion of a longitudinal extent of the strap.    
   
   
       2 . The strap assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one resilient element is attached to the strap at at least two spaced locations.  
   
   
       3 . The strap assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one resilient element is attached to the strap at a series of spaced locations.  
   
   
       4 . The strap assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one resilient element is substantially continuously attached to the strap along a longitudinal extent.  
   
   
       5 . The strap assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the strap has an inner surface and an outer surface, and wherein at least one resilient element is attached to the outer surface of the strap.  
   
   
       6 . The strap assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one resilient element is maintained in tension.  
   
   
       7 . The strap assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the strap has an inner surface and an outer surface, and wherein at least one resilient element is attached to the inner surface of the strap.  
   
   
       8 . The strap assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one resilient element is maintained in compression.  
   
   
       9 . The strap assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one resilient element comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane.  
   
   
       10 . A boot binding comprising a base plate and at least one strap assembly, the at least one strap assembly comprising: 
 a continuous strap; and    at least one resilient element attached thereto at at least two spaced locations along a longitudinal extent thereof, wherein the strap is moveable between a secured position and an unsecured position, and wherein the at least one resilient element biases the strap towards the unsecured position.    
   
   
       11 . The boot binding of  claim 10 , wherein the strap moves from the secured position substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the base plate to the unsecured position substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base plate.  
   
   
       12 . The boot binding of  claim 11 , wherein the strap assembly is attached thereto by a rotary joint and further comprising a biasing element, wherein the biasing element rotates the strap when unsecured about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the base plate.  
   
   
       13 . The boot binding of  claim 12 , wherein the biasing element is selected from the group consisting of a spring, a resilient element, and a motor.  
   
   
       14 . The boot binding of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one strap assembly comprises a toe strap.  
   
   
       15 . The boot binding of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one strap assembly comprises an ankle strap.