Binding, particularly for snow-boards

Abstract

A binding, particularly for snow boards, includes a main body and at least one plate for protecting and/or masking a respective area defined on the main body. The plate can be snap-coupled releasably with the main body in order to protect and/or mask the area.

1 . A binding, particularly for snow-boards, comprising a main body ( 2 ) and at least one plate ( 15 ) for protecting and/or masking a respective area ( 12 ) defined on the main body ( 2 ), characterized in that the plate ( 15 ) can be snap-coupled releasably with the main body ( 2 ) in order to protect and/or mask the at least one area ( 12 ).  
     
     
         2 . A binding according to  claim 1  in which the at least one area ( 12 ) is defined in a first wall ( 7 ) of the main body ( 2 ), the plate ( 15 ) being capable of being inserted removably in a space ( 9 ) defined between the first wall ( 7 ) and a second wall ( 8 ) of the main body ( 2 ), the second wall ( 8 ) having a hole ( 13 ) in the region of the at least one area ( 12 ), for affording access to the area ( 12 ) when the plate ( 15 ) is removed from the main body ( 2 ).  
     
     
         3 . A binding according to  claim 2  in which, when the plate ( 15 ) is coupled with the main body ( 2 ), it is at least partially engaged with a form fit in the hole ( 13 ) in the second wall ( 8 ) and resilient means ( 14 ) are provided for holding the plate ( 15 ) in engagement in the hole ( 13 ).  
     
     
         4 . A binding according to  claim 3  in which an inclined lead-in plane ( 17 ) is formed in a portion of the rim of the hole ( 13 ) facing in the opposite direction to the direction of insertion of the plate ( 15 ) in the hole ( 13 ), for facilitating the release of the plate ( 15 ) from the hole ( 13 ).  
     
     
         5 . A binding according to one or more of the preceding claims in which a plurality of areas ( 12 ) are defined on the main body ( 2 ) and all of the respective plates ( 15 ) are arranged on a single masking element ( 14 ).  
     
     
         6 . A binding according to  claim 5  in which the masking element ( 14 ) is made of resilient material and is shaped so as to hold the plates ( 15 ) resiliently in engagement in the respective holes ( 13 ).  
     
     
         7 . A binding according to  claim 6  in which the areas ( 12 ) are defined in opposed side walls ( 4 ) of the main body ( 2 ), the masking element ( 14 ) is C-shaped, and the plates ( 15 ) are arranged at the opposite ends of the masking element ( 14 ).  
     
     
         8 . A binding according to  claim 7  in which the side walls ( 4 ) are connected to one another by a bridge element ( 5 ) of the main body ( 2 ), the masking element ( 14 ) bearing on the bridge element ( 5 ) when the plates ( 15 ) are engaged in the respective holes ( 13 ).  
     
     
         9 . A binding according to  claim 8  in which the bridge element ( 5 ) comprises a lip ( 8   a ) extending from and connecting the second walls ( 8 ), and the masking element ( 14 ) is held bearing against the bridge element ( 5 ) by the lip ( 8   a ).  
     
     
         10 . A binding according to one or more of the preceding claims in which the main body ( 2 ) is formed in one piece.  
     
     
         11 . A binding according to one or more of the preceding claims in which the areas ( 12 ) comprise holes ( 11 ) and/or screw means for the fixing of a fastening of the binding to the main body ( 2 ).