Tool-Free Adjustable Binding For Sports Board

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A binding for coupling a boot to a sport board, comprising:
 a base plate adapted to be secured to a sports boot, wherein the base plate can be secured to a sports board via a retaining disc positioned on a sports board;   a first coupler element and a second couple element to movably couple to the base plate, wherein the first and second coupler elements transition between an engaged state wherein the coupler elements provide an interfering engagement between the base plate and retaining disc to prevent the binding from being decoupled from the retaining disc and snowboard, and a disengaged state wherein the coupler elements are free from the retaining disc such that the binding can be moved independently of the retaining disc and snowboard; and   a locking member coupled to at least one of the first and second coupler elements, wherein the locking member transitions between a locked state wherein the first and second coupler elements are locked in the engaged state, and an unlocked state wherein the first and second coupler elements can freely move between the engaged and disengaged states.   
     
     
         2 . A binding as in  claim 1 , wherein the engaged state includes:
 (a) a fully engaged state wherein the first and second coupler elements provide an interfering engagement between the base plate and retaining disc in a manner that completely prohibits relative movement between the base plate and the retaining disc;   (b) a partially engaged state wherein the first and second coupler elements provide an interfering engagement between the base plate and retaining disc in a manner that prohibits the base plate from being removed from the retaining disc but still permits at least some movement between the base plate and the retaining disc.   
     
     
         3 . A binding as in  claim 2 , wherein the disengaged state of the first and second coupler elements allows the base plate to be removed from the retaining disc. 
     
     
         4 . A binding as in  claim 2 , wherein the binding can rotate relative to the retaining disc when the first and second coupler elements are in the partially-engaged state. 
     
     
         5 . A binding as in  claim 1 , further comprising a secondary lock coupled to the locking member, wherein the secondary lock transitions between (1) a first state that locks the locking member in the locked state, and (2) a second state that permits the locking member to move between the locked and unlocked state. 
     
     
         6 . A binding as in  claim 5 , wherein the secondary lock connects the locking member to the coupler element wherein the secondary lock comprises a rotating element positioned in such a way that an engagement surface between the secondary lock and either the locking member or the coupler element is created when the locking member is in the locked position. 
     
     
         7 . A binding as in  claim 1 , wherein the locking member prohibits a sports board boot from fully entering the binding when the locking member is in the unlocked state. 
     
     
         8 . A binding as in  claim 1 , wherein the locking member provides an indicator that deters a user from attempting to secure a boot to the binding when the locking member is in the unlocked state. 
     
     
         9 . A binding as in  claim 1 , wherein the locking member cannot be moved from the locked state to the unlocked state when a sports boot is secured to the base plate. 
     
     
         10 . A binding as in  claim 1 , wherein movement of the locking member causes movement of at least one of the first couple element and the second coupler element between the engaged and disengaged states. 
     
     
         11 . A binding as in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second coupler elements move in a sliding motion as it transitions between the engaged and disengaged states. 
     
     
         12 . A binding as in  claim 1 , wherein the first or second coupler element is a pad slidably disposed on the base plate. 
     
     
         13 . A binding for coupling a boot to a sport board, comprising:
 a base plate adapted to be secured to a sports boot, wherein the base plate can be secured to a sports board via a retaining disc positioned on a sports board; and   an orifice at least partially defined by the base plate, the orifice adapted to receive the retaining disc, wherein the size of the orifice can be adjusted so as to decrease the size of the orifice to a size that achieves a locked engagement between the base plate and the retaining disc; and   a locking member coupled to the base plate, wherein the locking member can transition to a state that locks the size of the orifice so that the retaining disc is secured to the base plate.   
     
     
         14 . A binding as in  claim 13 , further comprising a sliding plate or flange that adjusts the size of the orifice. 
     
     
         15 . A binding as in  claim 13 , wherein the base plate comprises a first base plate portion and a second base plate portion that are slidably coupled to one another for adjusting the size of the orifice. 
     
     
         16 . A binding as in  claim 15 , wherein the first base plate portion and the second base plate portion are telescopically attached. 
     
     
         17 . A binding as in  claim 15 , wherein the size of the orifice can be adjusted between at least:
 (a) a first size wherein the base plate is completely immobilized relative to the retaining disc;   (b) a second size wherein the base plate cannot be removed from the retaining disc but the base plate can rotate relative to the retaining disc.   
     
     
         18 . A binding as in  claim 13 , wherein the base plate comprises a bottom plate and a pad positioned atop the bottom plate wherein the pad provides a support surface for a boot. 
     
     
         19 . A binding as in  claim 13 , wherein the retaining disc has an annular slot and both the base plate and the coupler element each have a lip, which engages the annular slot in the fully engaged state and in the partially engaged state, whereas the lips are free from the slot in the disengaged state. 
     
     
         20 . A binding as in  claim 13 , wherein the retaining disc comprises teeth arranged above the slot and the base plate and the coupler element have corresponding teeth around the orifice, said teeth of the retaining disc being in contact with the teeth of the base plate and the teeth of the coupler element in said fully engaged state and being out of contact in the partially engaged state and in the disengaged state.