Temporary snowboard fastener

Abstract

A fastening system that quickly and temporarily fastens a boot to the side of a binding of a snowboard, comprising a first fastening element on an outer side surface of a binding of a snowboard, and a second fastening element on an outer side surface of a snowboarding boot configured for use with the binding, the fastening elements arranged so that the second fastening element makes a fastening contact with the first fastening element when the boot is placed on the snowboard adjacent to but not in the binding. A method of using the fastening system is also described.

1 . A fastening apparatus for temporarily securing a boot to a binding of a snowboard, comprising:
 a binding of a snowboard having a first fastening element on an outer surface of the binding; and   a snowboarding boot configured for use with the binding, the boot having a second fastening element on an outer surface of the boot and arranged so that the second fastening element removably fastens to the first fastening element when the boot is placed on the snowboard adjacent to but not in the binding, the second fastening element for quickly and temporarily attaching to the first fastening element.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the binding at which the first fastening element is located is on the side of the binding facing the front of the snowboard when the binding is secured to the snowboard; and
 wherein the outer surface of the boot at which the second fastening element is located is on the side of the boot and positioned so that the second fastening element faces the first fastening element when the boot is placed on the snowboard adjacent to the binding.   
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first fastening element comprises one of a hook and loop fastener, and the second fastening element comprises the other of a hook and loop fastener. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first fastening element and the second fastening element comprises a magnet, and the other of the first fastening element and the second fastening element comprises a metallic material magnetically attractable to the magnet or another magnet arranged so that a pole of one magnet faces the opposite pole of the other magnet when the boot is placed on the snowboard adjacent to the binding. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein one of the first fastening element and the second fastening element comprises a suction cup, and the other of the first fastening element and the second fastening element comprises a flat substantially non-porous surface to which the suction cup attaches. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first fastening element and the second fastening element comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), and the other of the first fastening element and the second fastening element comprises a surface which is receptive to adherence of a PSA. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first fastening elements is permanently affixed to the binding and the second fastening element is permanently affixed to the boot. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first fastening element is incorporated into the binding during its manufacture; and the second fastening element is incorporated into the boot during its manufacture. 
   
   
       9 . A fastening apparatus for temporarily securing a boot to a binding of a snowboard, comprising:
 a strap of durable material including an outward facing first fastening element adapted to removeably engage a second fastening element, the strap configured to be affixed to one of a snowboarding boot and a binding of a snowboard so that the outward facing first fastening element is disposed on a side of the boot or binding; and   the other of the snowboarding boot and the binding of a snowboard including the second fastening element disposed on a side of the boot or binding and adapted to engage the first fastening element when the boot is placed on the snowboard adjacent to but not in the binding.   
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first fastening element and the second fastening element comprises a magnet, and the other of the first fastening element and the second fastening element comprises a metallic material magnetically attractable to the magnet or another magnet arranged so that a pole of one magnet faces the opposite pole of the other magnet when the boot is placed on the snowboard adjacent to the binding. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein each fastening elements each comprises a plurality of rare earth magnets adhesively attached to the strap. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the rare earth magnets are an alloy of neodymium, iron, and boron. 
   
   
       13 . A method of quickly temporarily fastening a binding of a snowboard to a boot configured for use with the binding, comprising:
 affixing to an outer side surface of the binding a first fastening element;   affixing to an outer side surface of the boot a second fastening element adapted to engage the first fastening element, the second fastening element arranged so that when the boot is placed on the snowboard adjacent to but not in the binding the first fastening element temporarily fastens to the second fastening element; and   placing the boot on the snowboard adjacent to but not in the binding so that the first fastening element fastens to the second fastening element.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein at least one of the first and second fastening elements are affixed to the binding and the boot, respectively, using one or more adhesives, bolts, buckles, buttons, cement, clamps, clips, elastic bands or sleeves, glue, hook and loop fasteners, knots, nails, rivets, screws, snaps, stitches, staples, tacks, tape, ties, or zippers. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein at least one of the first and second fastening elements is permanently affixed to the binding or the boot, respectively. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein at least one of the first and second fastening elements is incorporated during manufacturing into the binding or the boot, respectively. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the boot is placed on the snowboard adjacent to but not in the binding when a wearer of the boot and the binding disembarks from a ski lift, thereby fastening the boot to the binding and enhancing the wearer's control of the snowboard.