Boot binding for a snowboard

Abstract

A snowboard binding system provides a step-in binding that can be used with a soft boot having a sole that is flexible over its entire length without the boot becoming uncoupled due to its flexing. This is accomplished by having one element of the binding constantly urging the associated binding member which is attached to the boot away from the other binding element. This binding element is also displaceable which allows both binding elements to be engaged simultaneously. The rear binding element has a jaw which is normally biased to an open position where it receives the associated binding member which is attached to the boot. As the boot is pushed downwardly the jaw is moved to a latched position where it engages the binding member on the boot. When the jaw is fully in its latched position it is engaged by a locking mechanism which locks it in this position. A release mechanism allows the locking mechanism to be disengaged when it is desired to release the binding.

1 . A system for attaching a snowboard boot having a bendably resilient sole to a snowboard, comprising: 
 (a) a front coupling including a front securement member which is adapted for attachment to a toe end of a snowboard boot having a bendably resilient sole containing a front cavity which completely receives said front securement member, and a front latching member which is attached to the snowboard and releasably engages said front securement member;    (b) a rear coupling including a rear securement member which is adapted for attachment to a heel end of a snowboard boot having a bendably resistant sole containing a rear cavity which completely receives said rear securement member, and a rear latching member which is attached to the snowboard and releasably engages said rear securement member;    (c) said front and rear couplings being separated from one another along an axis defined on said snowboard, wherein    (d) the latching member of one of said coupling members holds the associated securement member immovable along said axis; and    (e) the latching member of the other of said coupling members urges the associated securement member away from said one of said coupling members to prevent the flexing of said sole from causing said securement member to be released from said latching member.    
     
     
         2 . A system for attaching a snowboard boot to a snowboard, comprising: 
 (a) a snowboard boot having a sole which is bendably resilient, said sole having a toe end and a heel end;    (b) a front coupling including a front securement member which is fixably attached to said sole proximate the toe end completely within a recess defined in said sole, and a front latching member which is attached to the snowboard and releasably engages said front securement member;    (c) a rear coupling member including a rear securement member which is fixably attached to said sole proximate the heel end completely within a recess defined in said sole, and a rear latching member which is attached to the snowboard and releasably engages said rear securement member;    (d) said front and rear couplings being separated from one another along an axis defined on said snowboard; wherein    (e) the latching member of one of said coupling members holds the associated securement member immovable along said axis; and    (f) the latching member of the other of said coupling members urges the associated securement member away from said one of said coupling members to prevent the flexing of said sole from causing said securement member from being released from said latching member.    
     
     
         3 . A system for attaching a snowboard boot to a snowboard having a planar upper surface, comprising: 
 (a) a front coupling including a front securement member which is adapted for attachment to a toe end of a snowboard boot having a bendably resilient sole containing a front cavity which completely receives said front securement member, and a front latching member which is attached to the snowboard and releasably engages said front securement member;    (b) a rear coupling including a rear securement member which is adapted for attachment to a heel end of a snowboard boot having a bendably resilient sole containing a rear cavity which completely receives said rear securement member, and a rear latching member which is attached to the snowboard and releasably engages said rear securement member;    (c) said rear securement and latching members being configured such that said rear securement member becomes engaged by said rear latching member when said rear securement member is inserted into said rear latching member in a direction which is substantially normal to the plane of said snowboard; and    (d) said front latching member includes a catch which is displaceable toward said rear coupling, and said front securement member is configured to displace said catch when said front securement member is inserted into said front latching member substantially normal to the plane of said snowboard and to release said catch when said front securement member is fully inserted into said front latching member to cause engagement there between.    
     
     
         4 . The system of    claim 1    wherein said rear latching member comprises: 
 (a) a jaw which is movable between a latched position where it engages said rear securement member and an open position where said rear securement member is released, said jaw being normally biased to its open position;  
 (b) said jaw and rear securement members being configured so that when said rear securement member is inserted into said rear latching member said jaw is moved to its latched position;  
 (c) a locking mechanism which engages said jaw and prevents its movement when said jaw has been moved to its latched position; and  
 (d) a release mechanism which permits said locking mechanism to be disengaged from said jaw to permit said jaw to move back to its open position.  
 
     
     
         5 . The system of    claim 4    wherein said rear latching mechanism includes a trough which cooperates with said jaw to cause said rear securement member to move said jaw to its latched position and to cause said jaw to engage said rear securement member.  
     
     
         6 . The system of    claim 4    wherein said locking mechanism is normally urged to a locked position where it prevents movement of said jaw out of its latched position.  
     
     
         7 . The system of    claim 6    wherein said locking mechanism is a moveable pin.  
     
     
         8 . The system of    claim 7    wherein said release mechanism is a cable which is attached to said pin, and a release handle which is connected to said cable.  
     
     
         9 . A step-in binding for joining a snowboard boot, having a sole which is tortionally resilient along its entire length so as to be readily bendable, to a snowboard, said binding comprising a toe piece, mountable on a planer upper surface of a snowboard, which is deflectable rearwardly when a matching securement element mountable on a snowboard boot is urged against said toe piece by being moved toward the snowboard along a line which is substantially normal to the plane of the snowboard, and then is released to engage said securement member.  
     
     
         10 . A step-in binding for joining a snowboard boot to a snowboard comprising: 
 (a) a rear securement member which is adapted to be mounted in a recess in a snowboard boot;    (b) a rear latching member which releasable engages said rear securement member, including: 
 (i) a jaw which is moveable between a latched position where it engages said rear securement member and an open position where said rear securement member is released, said jaw being normally biased to its open position;  
 (ii) said jaw and rear securement members being configured so that when said rear securement member is inserted into said jaw said rear latching member is moved to its latched position;  
 (iii) a locking mechanism which engages said jaw and prevents its movement when said jaw has been moved to its latched position; and  
 (iv) a release mechanism which permits said locking mechanism to be disengaged from said jaw to permit said jaw to move back to its open position.  
   
     
     
         11 . The binding of    claim 10    wherein said rear latching mechanism includes a trough which cooperates with said jaw to cause said rear securement member to move said jaw to its latched position and to cause said jaw to engage said rear securement member.  
     
     
         12 . The binding of    claim 10    wherein said locking mechanism is normally urged to a locked position where it prevents movement of said jaw out of its latched position.  
     
     
         13 . The binding of    claim 12    wherein said latching mechanism is a moveable pin.  
     
     
         14 . The binding of    claim 13    wherein said release mechanism is a cable which is attached to said pin and a release handle which is connected to said cable.  
     
     
         15 . A step-in binding for joining a snowboard boot to a snowboard, comprising a snowboard boot having a sole that is tortionally resilient along its entire length so as to be readily bendable, said sole having a first securement and a second securement, said first securement being spaced from said second securement and said securements being mounted within a recessed portion in said sole.  
     
     
         16 . A step-in binding for joining a snowboard boot to a snowboard, comprising a snowboard boot having a toe end, a heel end, a sole, and front and rear longitudinally spaced securement members fixedly attached to the sole proximate the toe and heel ends, respectively, and depending therefrom, each of said front and rear securement members being located within a recessed portion formed in said sole, said sole being tortionally resilient along its entire length so as to be readily bendable.