Splitboard binding

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to splitboard bindings. The splitboard bindings can be used to change a splitboard between a snowboard for riding downhill in a ride mode and touring skis for climbing up a hill in a tour mode. The bindings can have a first interface and a second interface configured to engage and disengage. The interfaces can be configured such that a binding has large clearances for easy transitions. The first interface can be configured with a locking mechanism. The second interface can be configured to remove large clearances between the first interface and second interface, when the locking mechanism of the first interface is engaged with the second interface, allowing the first interface to attach tightly to the second interface and splitboard to improve the ride of the splitboard.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A splitboard binding, comprising:
 a first interface configured to receive a boot, the first interface comprising a toe side, a heel side, a medial side and a lateral side;   the first interface further comprising a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism having an open position and a locked position;   a second interface configured to attach to a splitboard, the second interface configured to couple to the first interface in a ride mode configuration;   wherein the second interface comprises a first receiving component and a second receiving component, the first receiving component configured to be attached to a first splitboard ski and the second receiving component configured to be attached to a second splitboard ski;   wherein either the first receiving component or the second receiving component is configured to engage the locking mechanism of the first interface in the locked position and contact the locking mechanism in at least two planes;   wherein when the first interface and the second interface are engaged and the locking mechanism is in the locked position, the first interface and second interface are fixed together.   
     
     
         2 . The splitboard binding of  claim 1 , wherein either the first receiving component or the second receiving component is configured to contact the locking mechanism in a plane generally parallel to a top surface of the splitboard and in a plane generally parallel to the medial and lateral sides of the first interface. 
     
     
         3 . The splitboard binding of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the locking mechanism is on the heel side of the first interface. 
     
     
         4 . The splitboard binding of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism is a translational pin. 
     
     
         5 . The splitboard binding of  claim 1 , wherein the second receiving component is configured to engage the locking mechanism. 
     
     
         6 . The splitboard binding of  claim 5 , wherein the second receiving component comprises a generally horizontal surface for constraining the locking mechanism in a generally vertical direction, and a generally vertical surface for constraining the locking mechanism in a direction generally perpendicular to the medial side and lateral side of the first interface. 
     
     
         7 . The splitboard binding of  claim 6 , wherein the second receiving component is configured to contact the locking mechanism in a third plane, the second receiving component further comprising a vertical surface for constraining the locking mechanism in a direction generally perpendicular to the toe side and heel side of the first interface. 
     
     
         8 . The splitboard binding of  claim 6 , wherein the generally vertical surface for constraining the locking mechanism in a direction generally perpendicular to the medial side and lateral side of the first interface further comprises a ramped lead-in for positioning the first interface medially and laterally relative to the second interface. 
     
     
         9 . The splitboard binding of  claim 6 , wherein the generally horizontal surface for constraining the locking mechanism in a generally vertical direction further comprises a ramped lead-in to aid in alignment of the locking mechanism and the second receiving component. 
     
     
         10 . The splitboard binding of  claim 3 , wherein first receiving component of the second interface engages with the toe side of the first interface. 
     
     
         11 . A splitboard binding, comprising:
 a first interface configured to receive a boot, the first interface comprising a toe side, a heel side, a medial side and a lateral side;   a second interface configured to attach to a splitboard, the second interface configured to couple to the first interface in a ride mode configuration, wherein the second interface comprises at least a first receiving component configured to be attached to a first splitboard ski and a second receiving component configured to be attached to a second splitboard ski;   a locking mechanism on either the first interface or the second interface, the locking mechanism having an open position and a locked position;   wherein the locking mechanism constrains movement of the first interface relative to the second interface in a generally vertical direction and in at least one other direction.   
     
     
         12 . The splitboard binding of  claim 11 , wherein the locking mechanism is part of the first interface. 
     
     
         13 . The splitboard binding of  claim 12 , wherein either the first receiving component or the second receiving component contact the locking mechanism in a plane generally parallel to a top surface of the splitboard and in a plane generally parallel to the medial side and lateral side of the first interface. 
     
     
         14 . The splitboard binding of  claim 11 , wherein the locking mechanism is part of the second interface. 
     
     
         15 . The splitboard binding of  claim 11 , wherein the locking mechanism of the splitboard binding is configured to constrain movement of the first interface relative to the second interface in a direction generally perpendicular to the medial side and lateral side of the splitboard binding. 
     
     
         16 . The splitboard binding of  claim 11 , wherein the locking mechanism of the splitboard binding is configured to constrain movement of the first interface relative to the second interface in a direction generally parallel to the medial side and lateral side of the splitboard binding. 
     
     
         17 . The splitboard binding of  claim 15 , wherein the locking mechanism of the splitboard binding is configured to constrain movement of the first interface relative to the second interface in a direction generally parallel to the medial and lateral sides of the splitboard binding. 
     
     
         18 . The splitboard binding of  claim 11 , wherein when the locking mechanism is in the locked position and engaged with the second interface, the locking mechanism creates an interference fit between the first interface and the second interface to pre-load the first interface to the splitboard. 
     
     
         19 . The splitboard binding of  claim 1 , wherein when the locking mechanism is in the locked position and engaged with the second interface, the locking mechanism creates an interference fit between the first interface and the second interface to pre-load the first interface to the splitboard.