Rotational interface for snowboard bindings

Abstract

A snowboard binding interface and methods of making the same are disclosed herein. The snowboard binding interface can be used to provide a quick and simple way of changing the orientation of a snowboarder's feet relative to the snowboard. In one embodiment, an interface includes a single rotational unit in a front binding interface and a non-rotational unit in a back binding interface that matches the height of the rotational unit. The rotational unit can move 360° so that a snowboarder can change position of one foot relative to the snowboard. The binding interface reduces boot heel and toe drag during edging on snow because the binding is elevated above the surface of the board, and the force to the edges of the snowboard is increased due to the leverage generated by the additional distance between the snowboard and the binding.

1 . A binding interface assembly for use with a SNOWBOARD and a binding assembly, comprising:
 an interface shell that mounts atop the snowboard, the interface shell having a base and a rim, the base having a plurality of apertures therein that receive fasteners for attaching to the snowboard, the apertures in the base having a selected pattern wherein at least a portion of the apertures align with mounting apertures in the snowboard, the rim defining an interior area within the shell above the base, the rim having a sidewall, a bottom portion connected to the interface shell, and a top portion extending radially inward from the sidewall;   a binding disc rotatably disposed in the interior area of the interface shell, the binding disc having a bottom surface adjacent to the base of the interface shell, a perimeter portion adjacent to the sidewall of the rim, and a top surface facing away from the base, at least a portion of the top surface being intermediate the top portion of the rim and the base, wherein the top portion of the rim blocks the binding disc from moving out of the interior area, the top surface of the binding disc connects to the binding, the binding disc having a plurality of connection portions the engage connectors of the binding to retain the binding on binding disc, wherein the binding disc and the binding are rotatable as a unit relative to the interface shell, the binding disc having a plurality of lock engagement portions in spaced apart relationship on the perimeter portion; and   a lock device connected to the interface shell and engageable with the lock engagement portions, the lock device being moveable between an unlocked position and a locked position, in the unlocked position the lock device is out of locking engagement with the lock engagement portions of the binding disc and the binding disc is free to rotate relative to the interface shell, and in the locked position the lock device engages the lock engagement portions of the binding disc and the binding disc is prevented from to rotating relative to the interface shell and the snowboard.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the interface shell is unitary structure. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the interface shell includes a cushioning material that directly engages a top surface of the snowboard. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein peripheral portion of the binding disc has a radially inwardly sloped surface that corresponds to a mating shape defined by the sidewall and top portion of the rim of the base. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the lock engagement portions of the binding disc are positioned to allow the binding disc to be locked in any one of a plurality of selected positions relative to the interface shell. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the lock device is biased toward the locked position. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the lock engagement portions of the binding disc are at least one of an indent, slot, hole and depression. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the lock device is a spring loaded pin device with a first end that engages the binding plate and a second end that is engaged by a user to move the lock device between the locked and unlocked position. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the binding disc and interface shell are positioned to allow the binding disc to rotate at least 360 degrees relative to the interface shell when the lock device is in the unlocked position. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising the binding removeably mounted to the top surface of the binding disc.