Device for receiving a foot or boot on a sports apparatus

Abstract

A device for receiving a foot or a boot on a sports apparatus, such as a snowboard, the device including a support element adapted to be arranged between the sole of the foot or boot and the apparatus. The support element includes a first portion, a second portion, and an arrangement to adjust the position of the first portion with respect to the second portion.

1 . A device for receiving a foot or a boot on a sports apparatus, the device comprising: 
 a support element adapted to be arranged between a sole of the foot or the boot and the apparatus, the support element comprising: 
 a first portion;  
 a second portion;  
 an arrangement for adjusting a position of the first portion relative to the second portion.  
   
     
     
         2 . A receiving device according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the first portion comprises a front piece;    the second portion comprises a rear piece and a bridge.    
     
     
         3 . A receiving device according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the arrangement for adjusting the first portion relative to the second portion comprises: 
 a mechanism for guiding the first portion relative to the second portion; and  
 a mechanism for immobilizing the first portion with respect to the second portion.  
   
     
     
         4 . A receiving device according to  claim 3 , wherein: 
 the guiding mechanism comprises a projection extending from the bridge, as well as a housing provided in the front piece for receiving the projection.    
     
     
         5 . A receiving device according to  claim 3 , wherein: 
 the immobilization mechanism comprises recesses provided in the bridge, as well as pins extending from the front piece.    
     
     
         6 . A receiving device according to  claim 2 , wherein: 
 the rear piece comprises a rear cover and a rear cushion housed within the rear cover;    the front piece comprises a front cover and a front cushion housed with the front cover.    
     
     
         7 . A receiving device according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 a receiving surface of the support element has a substantially smooth surface.    
     
     
         8 . A receiving device according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a mechanism for assembling the support element to a baseplate of the device manually, without using a tool.    
     
     
         9 . A receiving device according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a mechanism for assembling the support element to a baseplate of the device manually, using neither a tool nor a threaded, fastener.    
     
     
         10 . A receiving device according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the support element is a front support element or a rear support element.    
     
     
         11 . A receiving device according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a baseplate;    a lateral flange and a medial flange, said flanges extending upwardly from the baseplate; and    a rear support element for supporting a rear of a user's leg.    
     
     
         12 . A receiving device according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the arrangement for adjusting a position of the first portion relative to the second portion comprises an arrangement for adjusting a longitudinal position of the first portion relative to the second portion.    
     
     
         13 . A receiving device according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the arrangement for adjusting a position of the first portion relative to the second portion of the support element comprises an arrangement for lengthening or shortening a length of the support element by one or more increments equal to the difference between one or more standard shoe sizes.    
     
     
         14 . A snowboard binding comprising: 
 a baseplate;    a longitudinally extending lateral flange extending upwardly from a first side of the baseplate, and a longitudinally extending medial flange extending upwardly from a second side of the baseplate;    a highback adapted to support a rear of a lower leg of a rider, said highback being articulated relative to the baseplate;    a support element positioned over the baseplate, said support element having a receiving surface adapted to support a foot or a boot on the binding;    the support element comprising: 
 a first portion;  
 a second portion;  
 an arrangement for adjusting a longitudinal position of the first portion relative to the second portion to adapt the binding to boots or feet of different lengths.  
   
     
     
         15 . A snowboard binding according to  claim 14 , wherein: 
 the support element has a length sufficient to cover an entirety of a length of the baseplate.    
     
     
         16 . A snowboard binding according to  claim 14 , wherein: 
 the support element and the baseplate comprise complementary structures to connect the support element to the baseplate without using a tool and without using a threaded fastener.    
     
     
         17 . A snowboard binding according to  claim 14 , further comprising: 
 a binding mounting assembly for securing the binding to a snowboard, said binding mounting assembly consisting of a plurality of parts;    wherein the arrangement for adjusting the longitudinal position of the first portion of the support element relative to the second portion of the support element comprises an arrangement for adjusting the longitudinal position of the first portion of the support element relative to the second portion of the support element while the snowboard is mounted on the snowboard without adjusting a position of any of said plurality of parts of said binding mounting assembly.    
     
     
         18 . A snowboard binding according to  claim 17 , wherein: 
 the arrangement for adjusting the longitudinal position of the first portion of the support element relative to the second portion of the support element further comprises an arrangement for manually adjusting the longitudinal position of the first portion of the support element relative to the second portion of the support element without using a tool.    
     
     
         19 . A snowboard binding according to  claim 18 , wherein: 
 the arrangement for manually adjusting the longitudinal position of the first portion of the support element relative to the second portion of the support element without using a tool comprises complementary structures on the support element and baseplate for connecting the support element to the baseplate.    
     
     
         20 . A snowboard binding according to  claim 16 , wherein: 
 the arrangement for adjusting the longitudinal position of the first portion of the support element relative to the second portion of the support element while the snowboard is mounted on the snowboard without adjusting a position of any of said plurality of parts of said binding mounting assembly comprises complementary structures on the support element and baseplate for connecting the support element to the baseplate.    
     
     
         21 . A snowboard binding according to  claim 19 , wherein: 
 said complementary structures comprise a plurality of male elements and a plurality of female elements.    
     
     
         22 . A snowboard binding according to  claim 20 , wherein: 
 said complementary structures comprise a plurality of male elements and a plurality of female elements.    
     
     
         23 . A snowboard binding according to  claim 14 , wherein: 
 the arrangement for adjusting a position of the first portion relative to the second portion of the support element comprises an arrangement for lengthening or shortening a length of the support element by one or more increments equal to or greater than the difference between one or more standard shoe sizes.