Heel locking binding system

Abstract

The disclosure herein provides methods, systems, and devices for hands-free binding that offer enhanced convenience, style, and performance. In an embodiment, the systems and devices disclosed herein comprise a binding system having an opening. In an embodiment, the binding system can be configured to change the size of the opening to allow for an item to be inserted, secured, released, and/or removed. In an embodiment, the binding system can be configured to be able to change its profile.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A binding system comprising:
 a base plate, a highback, and a heel strap;   wherein the base plate and highback are able to move relative to one another;   wherein an opening is formed between the base plate, highback, and heel strap; and   wherein relative movement between the base plate and highback changes the size of the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The binding system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a heel plate;   wherein the base plate, highback, and heel plate are able to move relative to one another.   
     
     
         3 . The binding system of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a locked system state in which the base plate and the highback are unable to move relative to one another.   
     
     
         4 . The binding system of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a locking bar;   wherein the base plate and locking bar are able to move relative to one another; and   wherein the heel plate and locking bar are configured to form a latch that can be engaged to trigger the locked system state or disengaged to trigger an unlocked system state in which the base plate and the highback are able to move relative to one another.   
     
     
         5 . A binding system comprising:
 a base plate, a highback, and a heel strap;   wherein the base plate and heel strap are able to move relative to one another;   wherein an opening is formed between the base plate, highback, and heel strap; and   wherein relative movement between the base plate and heel strap changes the size of the opening.   
     
     
         6 . The binding system of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a heel plate;   wherein the base plate, heel strap, and heel plate are able to move relative to one another.   
     
     
         7 . The binding system of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a semi-locked system state in which the base plate and the heel strap are unable to move relative to one another other than one degree of rotation.   
     
     
         8 . The binding system of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a locking bar;   wherein the base plate and locking bar are able to move relative to one another; and   wherein the heel plate and locking bar are configured to form a latch that can be engaged to trigger the semi-locked system state or disengaged to trigger an unlocked system state in which the base plate and the heel strap are able to move relative to one another in addition to one degree of rotation.   
     
     
         9 . The binding system of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a locked system state in which the base plate and the heel strap are unable to move relative to one another.   
     
     
         10 . The binding system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a locking bar;   wherein the base plate and locking bar are able to move relative to one another; and   wherein the heel plate and locking bar are configured to form a latch that can be engaged to trigger the locked system state or disengaged to trigger an unlocked system state in which the base plate and the heel strap are able to move relative to one another.   
     
     
         11 . A binding system comprising:
 a base plate, a highback, and a heel strap;   wherein the base plate, highback, and heel strap are able to move relative to one another;   wherein an opening is formed between the base plate, highback, and heel strap; and   wherein relative movement between the base plate, highback, and heel strap changes the size of the opening.   
     
     
         12 . The binding system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a heel plate;   wherein the base plate, highback, heel strap, and heel plate are able to move relative to one another.   
     
     
         13 . The binding system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a locked system state in which the base plate and the highback are unable to move relative to one another.   
     
     
         14 . The binding system of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a locking bar;   wherein the base plate and locking bar are able to move relative to one another; and   wherein the heel plate and locking bar are configured to form a latch that can be engaged to trigger the locked system state or disengaged to trigger an unlocked system state in which the base plate and the highback are able to move relative to one another.   
     
     
         15 . A binding system comprising:
 a base plate, a highback first portion, and a highback second portion;   wherein the highback first portion and the highback second portion are able to move relative to one another.   
     
     
         16 . The binding system of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a locked highback state in which the highback first portion and highback second portion are unable to move relative to one another.   
     
     
         17 . The binding system of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a fastener that can be engaged to trigger the locked highback state or disengaged to trigger an unlocked highback state in which the first portion and second portion are able to move relative to one another.