Snowboard binding Number:7,073,814 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) owispatent

Title: Snowboard binding

Abstract: A snowboard binding is provided for releasably connecting a boot to a snowboard. One embodiment of the invention includes inner and outer main bodies to receive a two-piece cleat. A second embodiment includes inner and outer hooks for hooking, and a latch for securing, a one-piece cleat. A third embodiment includes a front main body and a spring-loaded latch in a rear main body for engaging a one-piece cleat. A fourth embodiment engages a one-piece cleat with inwardly beveled, semi-circular inner and outer main bodies. A fifth embodiment engages a one-piece cleat with a front main body and a latch, fixedly mounted upon an axle, within a rear main body. The latch is biased toward the engaged position by a spring. In a sixth embodiment of the invention, a one-piece cleat is engaged with a front main body and two rear spring biased latches. In a seventh embodiment, among other things, the cleat is formed in two pieces.

Patent Number: 7,073,814 Issued on 07/11/2006 to Okajima,   et al.

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Inventors:	Okajima; Shinpei (Izumi, JP); Ueda; Yutaka (Tondabayashi, JP)
Assignee:	Shimano, Inc. (Sekai, JP)
Appl. No.:	969757
Filed:	October 19, 2004

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Related U.S. Patent Documents

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	Application Number	Filing Date	Patent Number	Issue Date
	10001700	Nov., 2001	6824159
	08761606	Dec., 1996	6357783
	08348844	Nov., 1994	5971420
	08254889	Jun., 1994

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Current U.S. Class:	280/627 ; 280/625
Current International Class:	A63C 9/16 (20060101)
Field of Search:	280/613,617,618,623,624,625,627,629,632,634,14.21,14.22 36/115,131

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References Cited [Referenced By]

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	682133		Jul., 1993		CH
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	7-303728		Nov., 1995		JP
	WO 91/11232		Aug., 1991		WO

Primary Examiner: Vanaman; Frank
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Deland; James A.

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Parent Case Text

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CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/001,700, filed Nov. 21, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,824,159 which is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/761,606, filed Dec. 6, 1996 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,783, which is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/348,844, filed Nov. 28, 1994 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,420, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/254,889, filed Jun. 6, 1994 now abandoned, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

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Claims

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The invention claimed is:

1. A snowboard binding mechanism for securing a cleat of a snowboard boot to a snowboard, comprising: an inside main body adapted to be affixed to a top surface of the snowboard and an outside main body adapted to be affixed to a top surface of the snowboard, said inside and outside main bodies being adapted to secure first and second ends of a cleat, respectively, said inside main body comprising a top surface and an inside first cleat receptor including an inside cleat receiving groove defined on a lower portion thereof facing said outside main body; said outside main body comprising an outside first cleat receptor having a latch recess formed therein facing said inside main body; a latch axis supported by said outside main body; a latch mounted to said latch recess to be pivotable about the latch axis, said latch including an outside cleat receiving groove disposed across from and facing said inside cleat receiving groove; a handle pivotally mounted to said outside main body and interlocked with said latch; said latch being pivoted to a release position in response to pivoting said handle to a first position wherein said outside cleat receiving groove is moved in a direction away from said inside cleat receiving groove, said latch being pivoted to a fasten position in response to pivoting said handle to a second position wherein said outside cleat receiving groove is moved in a direction toward said inside cleat receiving groove thereby securing a cleat placed between said inside and outside cleat receiving grooves; wherein said outside cleat receiving groove is positioned between said latch axis and the snowboard such that said handle in the second position is closer to the snowboard than said handle in the first position, when the outside main body is affixed to the snowboard.

2. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 1, wherein; said inside main body further comprises an inside second cleat receptor including a second inside cleat receiving groove defined on a lower portion thereof and facing said outside main body; said outside main body further comprises an outside second cleat receptor including a second latch recess formed therein and facing said inside main body, a second latch pivotally mounted to said second latch recess, said second latch including a second outside cleat receiving groove disposed across from and facing said second inside cleat receiving groove; wherein said handle is interlocked with said second latch; wherein said second latch is pivoted to a release position in response to pivoting said handle to said first position wherein said second outside cleat receiving groove is moved in a direction away from said second inside cleat receiving groove, and said second latch is pivoted to a fasten position in response to pivoting said handle to said second position wherein said second outside cleat receiving groove is moved in a direction toward said second inside cleat receiving groove thereby securing a second cleat placed between said inside and outside cleat receiving grooves.

3. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 2, wherein said inside first and second cleat receptors further comprise a receptor bevel on a top surface of each of said inside first and second cleat receptors, respectively, said receptor bevels being arranged to guide cleat ends into engagement by said inside first and second cleat receptors.

4. A snowboard mechanism as in claim 2, wherein said inside and outside main bodies secure first and second cleats out of contact with the top surface of the snowboard.

5. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 2, further comprising: a first cleat having a first end adapted to be secured by said inside first cleat receptor and a second end adapted to be secured by said outside first cleat receptor; a second cleat having a first end adapted to be secured by said inside second cleat receptor and a second end adapted to be secured by said outside second cleat receptor.

6. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 5, further comprising a boot including an outsole, said outsole including a bottom surface and a recess formed therein, wherein said first and second cleats are affixed to said boot within said recess such that said cleats are farther from the snowboard than said outsole bottom surface.

7. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 6, wherein said first cleat is affixed to a rear side of said recess, said second cleat is affixed to a forward side of said recess, and wherein said inside and outside main bodies secure said cleats in such a manner that the longitudinal axis of said boot is generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the snowboard.

8. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 7, wherein said boot has a ball width measured at the ball of said boot in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of said boot, wherein said first and second cleats have a cleat width measured transverse to the longitudinal axis of said boot, and wherein said cleat width is less than said ball width.

9. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 8, wherein said boot has a heel width measured at the heel of said boot in a direction transverse to said longitudinal axis of said boot, and wherein said cleat width is less than said heel width.

10. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 1, wherein said inside first cleat receptor further comprises a receptor bevel on a top surface of said inside first cleat receptor, said receptor bevel being arranged to guide a cleat end into engagement by said inside first cleat receptor.

11. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 1, further comprising affixing means for affixing said inside main body and said outside main body to the snowboard, said affixing means including longitudinal adjustment means for adjusting the position of at least one of said inside and outside main bodies in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the snowboard.

12. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 11, wherein said longitudinal adjustment means allows adjustment of the position of both of said inside and outside main bodies in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the snowboard.

13. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 12, wherein said affixing means includes a first affixing plate and said longitudinal adjustment means includes an elongated hole in said first affixing plate adapted to receive a bolt to fasten said first affixing plate to the snowboard.

14. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 1, wherein said inside and outside cleat receiving grooves secure a cleat in a position out of contact with the top surface of the snowboard.

15. A snowboard binding mechanism for securing a cleat of a snowboard boot to a snowboard, comprising: an inside main body adapted to be affixed to a top surface of the snowboard and an outside main body adapted to be affixed to a top surface of the snowboard, said inside and outside main bodies being adapted to secure first and second ends of a cleat, respectively, said inside main body comprising a top surface and an inside first cleat receptor including an inside cleat receiving groove defined on a lower portion thereof facing said outside main body; said outside main body comprising an outside first cleat receptor having a latch recess formed therein facing said inside main body; a latch pivotally mounted to said latch recess, said latch including an outside cleat receiving groove disposed across from and facing said inside cleat receiving groove; a handle pivotally mounted to said outside main body and interlocked with said latch; said latch being pivoted to a release position in response to pivoting said handle to a first position wherein said outside cleat receiving groove is moved in a direction away from said inside cleat receiving groove, said latch being pivoted to a fasten position in response to pivoting said handle to a second position wherein said outside cleat receiving groove is moved in a direction toward said inside cleat receiving groove thereby securing a cleat placed between said inside and outside cleat receiving grooves; a cam mounted on said handle to pivot with said handle, said cam including a cam pin and wherein said latch further comprises a cam groove formed in a side thereof to receive said cam pin, such that pivoting said cam with said handle causes said cam pin to pivot said latch.

16. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 15, wherein: said outside first cleat receptor further includes a first wall and a second wall forming said latch recess and a latch pin extending between said first and second walls, said latch being pivotally supported on said latch pin; said first wall including a cam support which pivotally supports said cam; and said cam having a center of rotation parallel to a longitudinal axis of said latch pin.

17. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 16, wherein a line extending from said center of rotation of said cam to said longitudinal axis of said latch pin is generally normal to a top surface of the snowboard.

18. A snowboard binding mechanism for securing a cleat of a snowboard boot to a snowboard, comprising: an inside main body adapted to be affixed to a top surface of the snowboard and an outside main body adapted to be affixed to a top surface of the snowboard, said inside and outside main bodies being adapted to secure first and second ends of a cleat, respectively, said inside main body comprising a top surface and an inside first cleat receptor including an inside cleat receiving groove defined on a lower portion thereof facing said outside main body; said outside main body comprising an outside first cleat receptor having a latch recess formed therein facing said inside main body; a latch pivotally mounted to said latch recess, said latch including an outside cleat receiving groove disposed across from and facing said inside cleat receiving groove; a handle pivotally mounted to said outside main body and interlocked with said latch; said latch being pivoted to a release position in response to pivoting said handle to a first position wherein said outside cleat receiving groove is moved in a direction away from said inside cleat receiving groove, said latch being pivoted to a fasten position in response to pivoting said handle to a second position wherein said outside cleat receiving groove is moved in a direction toward said inside cleat receiving groove thereby securing a cleat placed between said inside and outside cleat receiving grooves; a hook rotatably mounted on said handle, and a tab mounted on said outside main body, wherein when said handle is in said second position, said hook is capable of being releasably secured to said tab, thereby maintaining said handle in said second position.

19. A snowboard binding as in claim 18, wherein said hook further comprises a groove adapted to engage said tab.

20. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 18, wherein said hook further comprises cord attachment means for affixing a pull cord to said hook operable to release said hook from said tab.

21. A snowboard binding mechanism for securing a cleat of a snowboard boot to a snowboard, comprising: an inside main body adapted to be affixed to a top surface of the snowboard and an outside main body adapted to be affixed to a top surface of the snowboard, said inside and outside main bodies being adapted to secure first and second ends of a cleat, respectively, said inside main body comprising a top surface and an inside first cleat receptor including an inside cleat receiving groove defined on a lower portion thereof facing said outside main body; said outside main body comprising an outside first cleat receptor having a latch recess formed therein facing said inside main body; a latch pivotally mounted to said latch recess, said latch including an outside cleat receiving groove disposed across from and facing said inside cleat receiving groove; a handle pivotally mounted to said outside main body and interlocked with said latch; said latch being pivoted to a release position in response to pivoting said handle to a first position wherein said outside cleat receiving groove is moved in a direction away from said inside cleat receiving groove, said latch being pivoted to a fasten position in response to pivoting said handle to a second position wherein said outside cleat receiving groove is moved in a direction toward said inside cleat receiving groove thereby securing a cleat placed between said inside and outside cleat receiving grooves; wherein said inside main body is shorter than said outside main body in a direction normal to the top surface of the snowboard such that a snowboard rider may rest a snowboard boot on said top surface of said inside main body and slide the boot in a direction parallel to the top surface of the snowboard against said outside main body, thereby positioning the boot in the proper location to secure a cleat mounted therein with said binding mechanism.

22. A snowboard binding mechanism for securing a cleat of a snowboard boot to a snowboard, comprising: an inside main body adapted to be affixed to a top surface of the snowboard and an outside main body adapted to be affixed to a top surface of the snowboard, said inside and outside main bodies being adapted to secure first and second ends of a cleat, respectively, said inside main body comprising a top surface and an inside first cleat receptor including an inside cleat receiving groove defined on a lower portion thereof facing said outside main body; said outside main body comprising an outside first cleat receptor having a latch recess formed therein facing said inside main body; a latch pivotally mounted to said latch recess, said latch including an outside cleat receiving groove disposed across from and facing said inside cleat receiving groove; a handle pivotally mounted to said outside main body and interlocked with said latch; said latch being pivoted to a release position in response to pivoting said handle to a first position wherein said outside cleat receiving groove is moved in a direction away from said inside cleat receiving groove, said latch being pivoted to a fasten position in response to pivoting said handle to a second position wherein said outside cleat receiving groove is moved in a direction toward said inside cleat receiving groove thereby securing a cleat placed between said inside and outside cleat receiving grooves; affixing means including a first affixing plate for affixing at least one of said inside and outside main bodies to the snowboard, said affixing means including longitudinal adjustment means for adjusting the position of both of said inside and outside main bodies in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the snowboard; wherein said longitudinal adjustment means comprises an elongated hole in said first affixing plate adapted to receive a bolt to fasten said first affixing plate to the snowboard; wherein said first affixing plate is arranged to affix said inside main body to the snowboard, and wherein said affixing means further includes a second affixing plate for said outside main body.

23. A snowboard binding mechanism for securing a cleat of a snowboard boot to a snowboard, comprising: an inside main body adapted to be affixed to a top surface of the snowboard and an outside main body adapted to be affixed to a top surface of the snowboard, said inside and outside main bodies being adapted to secure first and second ends of a cleat, respectively, said inside main body comprising a top surface and an inside first cleat receptor including an inside cleat receiving groove defined on a lower portion thereof facing said outside main body; said outside main body comprising an outside first cleat receptor having a latch recess formed therein facing said inside main body; a latch pivotally mounted to said latch recess, said latch including an outside cleat receiving groove disposed across from and facing said inside cleat receiving groove; a handle pivotally mounted to said outside main body and interlocked with said latch; said latch being pivoted to a release position in response to pivoting said handle to a first position wherein said outside cleat receiving groove is moved in a direction away from said inside cleat receiving groove, said latch being pivoted to a fasten position in response to pivoting said handle to a second position wherein said outside cleat receiving groove is moved in a direction toward said inside cleat receiving groove thereby securing a cleat placed between said inside and outside cleat receiving grooves; affixing means for affixing said inside main body and said outside main body to the snowboard, said affixing means including angular adjustment means for adjusting the an angular orientation of at least one of said inside and outside main bodies relative to a longitudinal axis of the snowboard.

24. A snowboard mechanism as in claim 23, wherein said angular adjustment means allows adjustment of the angular orientation of both of said inside and outside main bodies relative to the longitudinal axis of the snowboard.

25. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 24, wherein said affixing means includes an inside affixing plate including a first arcuate engagement portion, said inside main body including an inside arcuate engagement portion to be engaged by said first arcuate engagement portion, and wherein said affixing means further includes an outside affixing plate including a second arcuate engagement portion, said outside main body including an outside arcuate engagement portion to be engaged by said second arcuate engagement portion.

26. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 25, wherein said inside affixing plate further includes an extension portion to extend said inside arcuate engagement portion to increase the range of adjustment of the angular orientation of said inside main body.

27. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 25, wherein said outside affixing plate further includes an extension portion to extend said outside arcuate engagement portion to increase the range of adjustment of the angular orientation of said outside main body.

28. A snowboard binding mechanism for securing a cleat of a snowboard boot to a snowboard, comprising: an inside main body adapted to be affixed to a top surface of the snowboard and having a first inside cleat receiving recess adapted to secure a first inside end area of a cleat; an outside main body adapted to be affixed to a top surface of the snowboard such that the outside main body is spaced from the inside main body in a first direction generally parallel to a longitudinal direction of the snowboard when the inside main body and the outside main body are affixed to the snowboard, the outside main body having a first side wall and a second side wall, the first side wall forming a first cam supporting hole; a first cam supported within the first cam supporting hole; a handle operatively connected to the first cam and movable between a first position and a second position generally parallel to and closer than the first position to the snowboard; and a first pivoting member pivotable about a first axis supported to at least one of the first and second side walls, the first axis extending in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction, the first pivoting member forming a first outside cleat receiving recess positioned below the first axis and adapted to secure a first outside end area of a cleat; a first cam pin provided to one of the first cam and the first pivoting member and a first groove formed on the other one of the first cam and the first pivoting member for receiving the first cam pin whereby a movement of the handle to the second position causes the first pivoting member to move to a fasten position to secure the cleat between the first inside cleat receiving recess and the first outside cleat receiving recess.

29. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 28, wherein each of the first inside cleat receiving recess and the first outside cleat receiving recess has a flat downwardly facing surface adapted to abut a top surface of a cleat when the cleat is mounted to the binding mechanism.

30. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 29, wherein each of the first inside cleat receiving recess and the first outside cleat receiving recess has a vertical surface that can abut corresponding ends of a cleat.

31. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 29, further comprising a cleat having a generally flat bottom surface and at least two flat top surface areas, wherein the at least two flat top surfaces are positioned in the first inside end and first outside end areas thereof and are adapted to abut the horizontal downwardly facing surfaces of the first inside cleat receiving recess and the first outside cleat receiving recess.

32. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 28, wherein the handle has a pivotable hook engageable with a tab adapted to be secured to the top surface of the snowboard for securing the handle against motion away from the second position.

33. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 28, wherein the inside main body further has a second inside cleat receiving recess spaced apart from the first inside cleat receiving recess in the second direction, the second inside cleat receiving recess adapted to secure a second inside end area of a cleat, wherein the outside main body further has a third side wall and a fourth side wall, the third and fourth side walls being spaced apart from the first and second side walls in the second direction, the third side wall forming a second cam supporting hole; and wherein the snowboard binding mechanism further comprises; a second cam supported within the second cam supporting hole and operatively connected to the handle; a second pivoting member pivotable about a second axis supported to at least one of the third and fourth side walls, the second axis extending in the second direction, the second pivoting member forming a second outside cleat receiving recess positioned below the second axis and adapted to secure a second outside end area of a cleat; and a second cam pin provided to one of the second cam and the second pivoting member and a first groove formed on the other of the second cam and the second pivoting member for receiving the second cam pin.

34. A snowboard binding mechanism for securing a cleat of a snowboard boot to a snowboard, comprising: an inside main body adapted to be affixed to a top surface of the snowboard and having: a first inside cleat receiving recess adapted to secure a first inside end area of a cleat and a second inside cleat receiving recess adapted to secure a second inside end area of a cleat, wherein the first inside cleat receiving recess and second inside cleat receiving recess are spaced apart in a first direction generally parallel to a longitudinal direction of the snowboard when the inside main body is affixed to the snowboard; an outside main body adapted to be affixed to a top surface of the snowboard such that the outside main body is spaced from the inside main body in the first direction, the outside main body having a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall and a fourth side wall; a first pivoting member pivotable about a first axis supported to at least one of the first and second side walls, the first axis extending in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction, the first pivoting member forming a first outside cleat receiving recess adapted to secure a first outside end area of a cleat; a second pivoting member spaced apart from the first pivoting member in the second direction and pivotable about a second axis supported to at least one of the third and fourth side walls, the second axis extending in the second direction, the second pivoting member forming a second outside cleat receiving recess adapted to secure a second outside end area of a cleat; and a handle movable between first and second positions and operatively connected to the first and second pivoting members such that a movement of the handle to the second position causes the first and second pivoting members to move to respective fasten positions to secure the cleat between the inside main body and the outside main body.

35. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 34, wherein the second position of the handle is generally parallel to and closer than the first position to the snowboard when the binding mechanism is affixed to the snowboard.

36. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 34, further comprising: a first cam supported within a first cam supporting hole formed in the first side wall; a second cam supported within a second cam supporting hole formed in the third side wall; a first cam pin fixed to one of the first cam and the first pivoting member; a first groove formed in the other one of the first cam and the first pivoting member for receiving the first cam pin; a second cam pin fixed to one of the second cam and the second pivoting member; and a second groove formed in the other one of the second cam and the second pivoting member for receiving the second cam pin.

37. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 36, wherein the first and second grooves are positioned below the first and second axes respectively.

38. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 34, wherein the first and second outside cleat receiving recesses are positioned below the first and second axes respectively.

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Description

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a snowboard binding. More specifically, the present invention relates to a binding mechanism affixed to a snowboard and a cleat affixed to a boot with the cleat being releasably engaged by the binding mechanism.

In the sport of snowboarding, a rider rides the snowboard down a snow covered hill. The snowboard is shaped generally like a small surfboard or a large skateboard without wheels. The rider stands with his feet generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the snowboard. It is necessary to provide means to secure the rider's boots to the snowboard.

It is desirable to have a manual release for the snowboard binding that is easy for the rider to operate. This is advantageous when the rider wishes to dismount from the board and walk on the terrain, or when he wishes to release one foot and push himself a short distance on snow while the other foot is bound to the snowboard, or when the rider wants to disengage the binding to get on or off a lift. Therefore, it is desirable to have a snowboard binding which securely holds the boots to the snowboard, does not release when the rider falls, but is easy to manually release.

When the rider does walk in the snow, it is common for snow to be caked to the'sole of the rider's snowboard boots. This interferes with remounting the boot onto the snowboard because snow becomes trapped between the sole of the boot and the top surface of the snowboard and in the binding mechanism itself, making it difficult to close and latch the mechanism. It is therefore desirable to have a boot and cleat design which is not prone to having snow stick to it. It is also desirable to have a cleat and binding design which operates despite the presence of snow on the cleat, the sole of the boot, or the top surface of the snowboard.

Since a rider may find himself on uneven terrain when he needs to engage his boots into the binding, it is also desirable to have a binding mechanism which operates with an easy step-in motion. Such a binding mechanism should make it easy to place the boot in the proper location relative to the binding and to engage the cleat with the binding by the step-in motion.

To provide secure engagement of the boot against the snowboard, it is desirable that the attachment points of the cleat be far apart from one another. This will securely hold the boot in place during riding and help prevent lift up of the heel during maneuvering. However, a large cleat makes it cumbersome to walk as it is prone to knocking against the rider's legs as he walks and also increases the stiffness of the sole of the boot making it more difficult to walk. There is therefore a need for a binding and cleat design which provides adequate binding strength, yet still allows the snowboard rider to walk easily when the boot is disengaged from the binding.

As a rider is using the snowboard, he may traverse rough terrain. If the cleat is mounted directly on the top surface of the snowboard, this increases the transmission of vibration through the snowboard into the rider's foot making riding uncomfortable. It is therefore desirable to have a cleat and binding design which absorbs vibration from the terrain which is transmitted through the snowboard.

A snowboard binding generally orients the rider's boots a fixed distance apart and transverse to the longitudinal axis of the snowboard. This can be uncomfortable for some riders. It is therefore desirable to have a binding mechanism and cleat design which allows for easy adjustment of the angular orientation of the boots relative to the longitudinal axis of the snowboard and also allows for adjustment of the spacing of the boots relative to one another.

Snowboard binding mechanisms are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,299,823 (Glaser), U.S. Pat. No. 5,236,216 (Ratzek), U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,202 (Miller), U.S. Pat. No. 4,973,073 (Raines), U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,116 (Hill), U.S. Pat. No. 3,900,204 (Weber), and U.S. Reissue Pat. No. Re.33,544. U.S. Pat. No. 4,571,858 (Faulin) discloses a shoe sole for a ski binding.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes all of the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a strong, compact, lightweight binding mechanism, cleat and boot design which provides secure engagement of the boot against the top surface of the snowboard and is easy to operate as described in the several embodiments set forth herein.

In one aspect of the invention, the snowboard boots each have a cleat in the form of two cleat pieces separated in the fore and aft direction to allow flexibility of the boot while walking, the cleat pieces extending beyond the sides of the boot to provide stability when engaged with the binding mechanism.

In another aspect of the invention, the binding mechanism has an inner main body and an outer main body, and the outer main body has a handle which is manually operated to easily release or engage and lock the cleats.

In another aspect of the invention, the handle may be locked in place to prevent unintended release of the cleat by the binding mechanism.

In another aspect of the invention, the inner main body of the binding mechanism has a flat top surface and is shorter than the outer main body of the binding mechanism, allowing the rider to place his boot on the inner main binding and slide it outwards until it engages the outer main binding, thereby properly locating the cleat for a step-in engagement of the cleat pieces with the binding mechanism.

In another aspect of the invention, the inner and outer main bodies of the binding mechanism are affixed to the snowboard by a pair of adjusting plates which allow angular and spacing adjustment of the position of the inner and outer binding bodies.

In another aspect of the invention, a one-piece main body of the binding mechanism has a pair of inner hooks and a pair of outer hooks which engage a one-piece cleat, and a latch to secure the cleat from unintentional release.

In another aspect of the invention, the pair of outer hooks is higher than the pair of inner hooks allowing the cleat to slide outward against the outer hooks after it has been placed on the top surface of the main body to allow an easy step-in engagement.

In another aspect of the invention, the one-piece cleat has a pair of bevel surfaces angled away from the boot to engage the top of the binding main body to provide proper location of the boot in the fore and aft direction relative to the binding to allow easy engagement of the binding with the cleat.

In another aspect of the invention, the cleat is maintained above the bottom surface of the boot to help prevent snow from sticking to the cleat and to help keep entrapped snow from preventing engagement of the binding.

In another aspect of the invention, the one-piece main body of the binding is held to the snowboard by a circular mounting plate which fits in a recess in the main body, such that the angular position of the main body can adjusted a full 360 degrees.

In another aspect of the invention, a one-piece cleat is engaged with the binding mechanism by stepping the boot in toward the toe to be engaged by a front main body and then lowering the heel to be engaged by a spring-loaded latch mounted in a rear main body.

In another aspect of the invention, the one-piece cleat extends approximately 140 mm in the fore and aft direction of the boot to reduce toe and heel lift.

In another aspect of the invention, the one-piece cleat is fixed under the mid-sole of the boot and is curved to fit the contour of the mid-sole.

In another aspect of the invention, inside and outside main bodies are provided to engage the cleat at the sides of the boot, with the inside main body having a top surface with a shallower bevel angle to the snowboard than the outer binding top surface bevel, providing better guidance during step-in engagement when the feet are placed far apart, causing the rider's leg to be at an angle from the normal to the snowboard.

In another aspect of the invention, the cleat may be disengaged from the snowboard by rotating the boot parallel to the top surface of the snowboard to provide easy disengagement.

In another aspect of the invention, a front and rear main body are provided to engage the cleat at fore and aft positions of the boot, wherein a one-piece cleat with rearwardly and forwardly extending tabs engages with the binding mechanism first by angling the front tab into the front main body and lowering the rear tab into the rear main body, engagement of the rear tab being accomplished by the rotation of an axle, parallel to the longitudinal direction of the snowboard, to which is affixed a latch that rotates into an engaged position over the rear tab.

In another aspect of the invention, the engaging portion of the rear main body is higher than the engaging portion of the front main body to allow for easy engagement of a one-piece cleat having a front section lower than its rear section.

In another aspect of the invention, rubber pads are affixed to the underside of both the front and rear sections of the one-piece cleat to eliminate contact of the boot outsole against the binding.

In another aspect of the invention, the one-piece cleat is strapped to the snowboard boot by the use of buckles located on the distal ends of the cleat front and rear sections, the buckles receiving the straps.

In another aspect of the invention, a front main body is provided for engagement with the front tab of a one-piece cleat, the cleat including two rearwardly disposed tabs to be engaged with two rear main bodies, the engagement of the rear tabs being accomplished by lowering handles which are mounted on bases and rotatably affixed to latches, the lowering of the handles causing the latches to rotate to such an extent that the rear tabs of the cleat are retained within cleat receiving grooves. The latches remain in this position without further force to the handles due to biasing springs on the axles upon which the latches are rotatably mounted.

In another aspect of the invention, the rider can lower the heel of the boot such that the rear tabs engage the latches in their engaged positions, with further downward pressure causing the latches to rotate into their released positions until the rear tabs become engaged with the cleat receiving grooves, wherein the latches bias back into their engaged positions.

The above and other aspects, structures and functions of the invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the invention which is provided in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a first embodiment of a snowboard binding constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2(a) is a cross-sectional view of the snowboard binding of FIG. 1 taken along line II--II with the latch removed for clarity;

FIG. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line II--II of FIG. 1 showing the binding in its release position;

FIG. 2(c) is a view like FIG. 2(b) showing the binding in its engaged position;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view in direction III of FIG. 1 of an outer main body of the binding of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view taken in direction IV of FIG. 1 of an inner main body of the binding of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top view of an alternate embodiment of a mounting plate used with the snowboard binding of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view showing the cleat of FIG. 1 mounted on a snowboard boot;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the cleat and boot of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of an alternate embodiment of the cleat and boot of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of another alternate embodiment of the cleat and boot of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a snowboard binding constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cleat to be used with the binding of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the cleat of FIG. 8 engaged with the binding of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII--XIII of FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV--XIV of FIG. 10 showing how the mounting plate secures the main body to the snowboard;

FIG. 15 is an elevational view showing the cleat of FIG. 11 mounted on a snowboard boot;

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the cleat and boot of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a bottom view of an alternate embodiment of the cleat and boot of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a snowboard binding constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a cleat to be engaged by the binding of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a rear view of the binding of FIG. 18 showing the sliding shaft of the binding in its locked position;

FIG. 21 is a view like FIG. 20 showing the sliding shaft in its release position;

FIG. 22 is an elevational view of the cleat of FIG. 19 mounted on a snowboard boot;

FIG. 23 is a bottom view of the cleat and boot of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a top view of a fourth embodiment of a snowboard binding constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 25 is an elevational view in direction XXV of FIG. 24 of an inner main body of the binding of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is an elevational view in direction XXVI of an outer main body of the binding of FIG. 24;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a cleat to be used with the binding of FIG. 24;

FIG. 28 is an elevational view taken in direction XXVIII of FIG. 24 of the outer main body of the binding of FIG. 24;

FIG. 29 is an elevational view of the cleat of FIG. 27 mounted on a snowboard boot;

FIG. 30 is a bottom view of the cleat and boot of FIG. 29;

FIG. 31 is a bottom view of an alternate embodiment of the cleat and boot of FIG. 30;

FIG. 32(a) is a top view of a fifth embodiment of a snowboard binding constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 32(b) is a back view of the binding of FIG. 32(a);

FIG. 32(c) is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line XXXII(c)--XXXII(c) of FIG. 32(a) showing the latch and body plate, and also a cleat;

FIG. 32(d) is a side view of the release arm and hook of FIG. 32(a);

FIG. 33(a) is a side view of the front main body of FIG. 32(a);

FIG. 33(b) is a view of the front main body of FIG. 32(a) in direction XXXIII(b) of FIG. 32(a);

FIG. 33(c) is a bottom view of the front main body of FIG. 33(a);

FIG. 34(a) is a back view of the rear main body of FIG. 32(a);

FIG. 34(b) is a top view of the rear main body of FIG. 34(a);

FIG. 34(c) is a side view of the rear main body of FIG. 34(a);

FIG. 34(d) is a bottom view