Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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UNIVERSAL SKI AND SNOWBOARD BINDING
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to ski bindings and, more specifically, the
present invention relates to a universal ski binding that can be adapted for
multiple
purposes such as alpine skis, snowboards, water skis, wakeboards and the like.
Snowboarding, skiing, and other sliding, boarding, and rolling sports are
increasing in popularity as a sport and recreational activity. Snowboarding is
nearly
as popular as skiing. Unfortunately, the safety aspects of snowboarding
equipment
lag behind that developed for skiing, particularly with respect to the binding
mechanisms provided to hold the snowboard to the feet of the rider. The form
of
snowboard binding which is currently most broadly used includes two foot
plates
fastened to the snowboard, each foot plate having a plurality of straps
adapted to
fasten around a respective boot of the rider. In use, the rider places his or
her boot
clad feet on the foot plates and tightens the straps around the boots to
secure the board
to the rider's legs. In order to remove the board the rider must manually and
individually unfasten each of the straps to release the snowboard bindings
from the
rider's boots. Other types of fasteners and bindings are also available, which
include
plate bindings and step-in bindings.
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission has released
statistics concerning snowboard safety, which indicates that the majority of
snowboarding fatalities have resulted from suffocation in deep snow. With the
snowboard unreleasably attached to the rider's feet, the length of the
snowboard can
act as an anchor in the event of a snow slide or avalanche, and once covered
in snow
the rider may not be able to reach the binding straps in order to remove the
board. It
may therefore be desirable for a snowboard binding to enable the rider's legs
to be
released from attachment to the board in the event of abnormal forces being
applied,
such as may occur in the case of a severe fall or an avalanche.
Ski bindings are traditionally designed to release the ski from the ski boot
if
abnormal forces are applied between the ski boot and ski binding, so that
those forces
are not transmitted to the skier's leg where they may cause injury. It would
be
advantageous,.therefore, for snowboard bindings to have a similar safety
feature, such
that the likelihood of injury is decreased in the event of a severe fall,
particularly one
in which the body or legs of the snowboarder twist relative to the board. In
the case
of a snowboard binding release, preferably both feet should be released from
the
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board during the fall, even if only one binding initially
senses abnormal forces, since with only one leg secured to
the snowboard the potential for injury to that leg is
greatly increased.
Another difficulty associated with snowboard
bindings occurs where the rider wishes to use a conventional
ski lift or tow to return to the top of a mountain slope.
In order to negotiate queues of people and the like the
rider must generally free one foot from the board to
maneuver into position to mount the ski lift. After
alighting from the ski lift the free boot must then be
re-fastened to the snowboard. The constant cycle of
unfastening and re-fastening the conventional binding straps
is both physically exhausting and time consuming, and it
would therefore be desirable for an improved snowboard
binding to enable easier fixing and release of at least one
boot from the board when desired.
Not only is there a great safety concern with
respect to the ski bindings used with snowboards, but often
most skiers tend to ski not only with a snowboard but also
with alpine skis. It becomes very expensive to maintain a
set of skis with bindings that are distinct from one another
that do not allow any universal interchange. For example,
an individual may want to ski in the morning using alpine
skis but later ski in the afternoon on a snowboard. In
order to do so, the individual would have to change the
bindings and ski boots being worn in order to use the alpine
skis or the snowboard. Accordingly, it would be a great
benefit to provide a universal binding that would be as
efficient and applicable for alpine skis as it is for
snowboards. Further, this universal binding should also be
adaptable to other ski activities, including, but not
limited to water skiing and other snow ski activities.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is
provided a universal binding apparatus configured to
operatively and detachably secure a footwear-type article to
multiple different articles comprising a sport riding
surface, the universal binding apparatus comprising: a
first plate assembly configured to be attached to a first
article, the first plate assembly including: a toe
retaining latch, disposed at a front portion of the first
plate assembly; a heel retaining latch, disposed at a rear
portion of the first plate assembly; a first release,
disposed between the toe retaining latch and the heel
retaining latch, to disengage at least one of the toe
retaining latch and the heel retaining latch; a second plate
assembly configured to be attached to the footwear-type
article, the second plate assembly including: a toe
support, disposed at a front portion of the second plate
assembly; a heel support, disposed at a rear portion of the
second plate assembly, wherein the second plate assembly is
configured to be detachably secured within the first plate
assembly with the toe support engaged within the toe
retaining latch and the heel support engaged within the heel
retaining latch, and wherein the first release is configured
to movably disengage at least one of the toe retaining latch
and the heel retaining latch from the second plate assembly,
the second plate assembly also being configured to
interchangeably and detachably secure to a third plate
assembly of a second article of a different type than the
first article, the third plate assembly being configured
similar to the first plate assembly to secure the second
plate assembly.
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In an alternative embodiment, the base plate also
includes a second release, disposed between the toe latch
and the heel latch on a side opposite the first release,
that operates to release either the toe latch or the heel
latch that is not operated by the first release.
The universal binding apparatus is designed for
use with such ski apparatus as snowboards, straight skis,
water skis, wakeboards, and any other type of water or snow
sport. Further, the invention can be utilized on roller
skis where quick release and universal binding features are
desired.
Both the toe latch and the heel latch may be
independently adjusted to provide optional release pressures
suitable to the user of the article. Several springs are
utilized to provide the release force necessary to make sure
that the binding binds the footwear to the article, but also
release in an emergency situation or when the user desires
to be released.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 illustrates a partially exploded
perspective view of the universal binding apparatus
according to the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the
inside mechanism utilized in the universal binding system
where the toe and heel plates are in an open or released
position.
Figure 3 illustrates the same perspective view as
Figure 2, but represents the toe and heel kick plates to be
in a secured position.
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Figure 4 is a side plan view of the universal
binding apparatus according to claim 1 but illustrates the
first release in a full release position.
Figure 5 illustrates the same side plan view of
Figure 4, but the first release is in a latched position.
Figure 6 illustrates a side view of the top plate
of Figure 1 as secured and integrated within a footwear,
such as a ski boot.
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Figure 7 illustrates the universal binding apparatus as implemented on a snow
or wake board.
Figure 8 illustrates the universal binding apparatus as incorporated in a
water
ski design.
Figure 9 illustrates a first embodiment of an exoskeleton support in
accordance with the present invention.
Figure 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exoskeleton support in
accordance with the present invention.
Figure 11 illustrates a perspective view of the base plate according to the
present invention.
Figure 12 illustrates an -alternative embodiment of the binding system in
accordance with the present invention.
Figure 13 illustrates how the top plate can release from the bottom plate of
the
binding system depicted in Figure 12.
Figure 14 illustrates the universal binding apparatus as incorporated in a
roller
board apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
A universal ski binding apparatus is illustrated in Figures 1-5. The universal
binding apparatus 10 is illustrated for use with a flat or alpine ski 12,
which has
attached to it a releasable base binding or plate 14 that secures a boot or
footwear 16
to ski 12 via a second securing or top plate 18.
The universal slci binding 10 makes both snowboard and ski bindings
releasable. It serves as an interface that fits between a snowboard and a
snowboard
binding or a ski and a ski binding, respectively, to allow them to release the
rider from
the board at a preset pressure on impact. Further, the rider can perfonn a
quick
release via a quick release lever that has been heretofore lacking in the
prior art. This
enables a reduction in injuries and an increased safety level and performance
in both
snowboarding and skiing. Further, it provides vertical lift for added carving
leverage
and lessened toe and hill drag in the snow and fatigue to the rider commonly
associated with prior binding systems. The release mechanism is also able to
release
at all required angles via the novel design interaction of the release
surfaces of the
mounting plate and the securing top plate. Importantly, the universal
snowboard and
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ski binding provides multiple angles of release, which offers greater safety
than the
limited angles of release on current ski and snowboard bindings.
Base plate 14 further includes a toe kick latch 20 and a heel kick latch 22
that
both slide forward or backward relative to the orientation of ski 12 in order
to secure
5 top plate 18 within base plate 14. A first release lever 24 serves to
disengage toe kick
latch 20 while a second release lever 26 serves to disengage heel kick latch
22. Top
plate 18 engages the base plate 14 via a first or toe support 28 and a second
or heel
support 30, respectively. Both toe kick latch 20 and heel kick latch 22 are
spring
loaded so that when a sufficient force is applied to top plate 18, such as
when a skier
falls, the toe kick latch 20 or heel kick latch 22 will travel a sufficient
enough distance
to release its respective toe support 28 or heel support 30. This releases the
top plate
and frees the skier from possible bodily injury or property damage.
Additionally, with the platform provided by the binding system 10,
snowboarders and skiers can eliminate the need for risers or "gas pedals"
normally
used to reduce toe and heel drag. For example, in skiing, traditional bindings
place
the ski boot right on the surface of the ski, which can lead to drag as the
skier cuts
sharply for a turn. Risers have been used to elevate the ski boot above the
top surface
of the ski, thereby reducing or eliminating drag. These risers are no longer
necessary
when the binding apparatus 10 is utilized instead.
The tension for the springs that control the force on toe latch 20 and heel
latch
22 is adjustable via an adjusting screw 32 and 34, respectively. Each screw 32
and 34
may be turned with either an Allen wrench or a screwdriver, such as a flat
head or a
Phillips, so that proper tension desired by the user can be quickly achieved.
To
protect the spring and latching mechanism, a cover plate 36 is firmly secured
atop the
base plate 14 and is supported by cover support tabs 37. Cover support tabs 37
are
integrated within base plate 14.
Figures 2 and 3 illustrate first a release position (Figure 2) and then a
secure
position (Figure 3). It is noted that the kick latches 20 and 22 move in
opposite
directions along the same line of engagement in order to secure top plate 18.
Each kick latch 20 and 22, as previously stated, is held within a fixed
position
by release levers 24 and 26, respectively. First release lever 24 causes toe
kick latch
20 to release and disengage the top plate 18 when lifted upwardly. Second
release
lever 26 operates in the same manner for releasing heel kick latch 22. Release
levers
24 and 26 allow the rider conveniently to release him self while in deep
powder or in
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any other situation. A lanyard or cord can be attached to either release lever
24 or 26
so that the rider can pull on the cord from a distance in order to release the
rider from
the board.
Once one of the kick plates has been released either in a fall or by one of
the
release lever 24 or 26, the rider can then reengage the kick latch 20 or 22 by
simply
kicking them in the retaining position towards the main body of the bottom
plate 14.
This feature allows the rider to reengage the bindings without needing to bend
over or
sit down in the snow, which then allows the rider to step back into the
binding
apparatus without difficulty. Kick latches 20 and 22 slide back so that
release levers
24 and 26 are held in place via release notches 25 and 27, respectively, as
shown in
Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 illustrates the position of toe kick latch 20 in the
released
position while Figure 5 illustrates the kick latches 20 and 22 engaging the
top plate
18.
Each kick latch 20 and 22 further includes a recess 21, which is utilized to
retain or hold toe support 28 or heel support 30 in place when kick latches 20
and 22
are moved to their latch position.
Toe kick latch 20 is actually part of a kick plate 38 as shown in Figures 2
and
3. Kick plate 38 is held in place within base plate 14 via a pair of set
screws 44,
which allow kick plate 38 to slide between a first and second position.
Likewise, heel
kick latch 22 is part of a kick plate 39, which can slide freely, but is held
in place via
set screws 46. Set screws 46 are identical to set screws 44. Each kick plate
38 and 39
is designed to be identical in configuration, which simplifies production,
assembly
and replacement or repair work.
The base plate 14 further includes several sets of springs, which are used to
provide tension and force for holding the latches 20 and 22 in position and
enable
them to release under desired conditions. A first set of springs includes
springs 40
and 42. Springs 40 and 42 serve to bias the kick plates 20 and 22,
respectively,
opposite one another. The large set of springs 40 and 42 control the release
tension as
well. The next set of springs 45 and 47 are placed within spring retainers 49
and 51,
respectively. Springs 45 and 47 serve to control the lateral pressure on the
release
levers 24 and 26. The last set of springs 50 ride in shallow cavities etched
into the
under surface of cover 36. Springs 50 support the base plate cover 36 and urge
the
release lever 24 and 26 in place, below notches 25 and 27, respectively, once
the
latches 20 and 22 are moved into their retention orientation.
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Each main spring 40 and 42 is held in position by a binding release tension
shaft 43, which allows the spring to be compressed for a given tension as well
as
secures the release lever 24 and 26 in combination with the kick latches 20
and 22,
respectively. A cam 48 is also moveably secured on binding release tension
shaft 43
and operates with the release plate to adjust the release tension of either
kick plate 38
or kick plate 39 when they are engaged with the release levers 24 or 26. As
the
tension adjustment screw 32 or 34 is turned, the cam 48 is retained within
notches
formed in part of the release levers 24 and 26 such that the spring force is
increased or
decreased, depending on how the screws are turned. Binding release tension
shaft 43
can have either right handed or left handed threads. Retention tabs 53 are
formed
under each of kick latch 20 and 22 and which engage plate 14 while engaging
the top
plate 18. Retention tabs 53 engage notches 72, shown in Figure 11.
Cover plate 36 has a useful shape that allows it to rest against the top plate
surfaces to eliminate problems with release consistency that are typically
caused by
floating or "relative," tension between the heel and toe releases. Cover plate
36 is
prevented from traveling against top plate 18; otherwise, the top plate would
float on
the cover. Cover plate 36, therefore, serves as a cover retention and release
surface.
The universal binding system 10 is designed to work well with very narrow
skis and the release plates are modified to be utilized with a conventional
ski. A rider
can then use the same universal binding system on any other board that they
may use
which allows them to use the same boots with either the skis or the snowboard.
The
system is also able to work with most soft bindings and boots as a firm
exoskeleton,
shown in Figure 10, can be adapted to include a top plate 18 for binding with
bottom
plate 14.
The top plate 18 can be integrated with a footwear article such as a boot 16
shown in Figure 6. Further, plate 18 may be secured to the bottom of boot 16
via a
plurality of set screws or other attachment means such as glue or bonding.
Further,
retention supports 28 and 30 may be removable for replacement should they
either
wear out or stronger supports are necessary for more advanced skiing
techniques.
Figure 7 illustrates the use of and placenient of base plates 14 on a
snowboard
110. The orientation of each base plate 14 may be adjusted about a given
circle,
which is described more fully with reference to Figure 11 below. The base
plate 14
may also be attached to a water ski 120 as illustrated in Figure 8. A wake
board,
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which as a similar configuration as that as the snowboard 110, can also
incorporate
the binding apparatus 10 of the present invention.
Figure 9 illustrates an embodiment of a detachable exoskeleton 150 that fits
on
the outside of boot 16. Boot 16 includes top plate 18 mounted to its sole. The
exoskeleton provides added rigidity and support to the skier's boot, if it is
a soft boot,
so that substantial torque can be generated for the binding system to work. A
strap, or
other binding device such as latches or clips or laces, is utilized to secure
the
exoskeleton to the boot. Figure 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment to
that of
Figure 9 wherein the exoskeleton has the top plate 18 attached to its sole,
instead of to
the user's boot. In this embodiment the exoskeleton 150 has a rigid sole for
mounting
on plate 18. Alternatively, plate 18 can be integrated with exoskeleton 150
for a
stronger support and stiffer boot.
Additional features can include a board break or a leash used to secure the
ski
or board to the skier should the board or ski becomes detached from the skier.
A
cable that connects to one of the wings and is within easy reach of the rider
can be
pulled for quick release of the release lever 28 or 30, or both, and top plate
18. The
cable can extend either within the boot or exoskeleton or on the outside
thereof.
Figure 11 illustrates a top plan view of base plate 14 without any of the kick
plate release assemblies, springs, retention rods, and the rest. A circle of
apertures 70
serve as mounting locations. Most snowboards, skiboards, and skis have
standardized
placement holes and the circle of apertures 70 allows the base plate 14 to be
mounted
in any radius or orientation with respect to the standard holding apertures on
the
snowboard. It should be noted that the base plate 14 can also include
apertures for
securing the base plate to a skiboard or water ski board in standard apertures
typically
found on the skiboards themselves. Notches 72 are formed on the bottom inside
edges of base plate 14 and serve to receive retention tabs 53 of Figures 1 and
2.
Figure 12 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the binding release system
in accordance with the present invention. The binding system 200 includes a
first or
top plate 202 and a second or bottom plate 204. Bottom plate 204 mounts to the
sports equipment much in the same manner as does bottom plate 12. Bottom plate
204 includes bullet catch recesses 206, which engage and retain top plate 202
in place
upon insertion. Top plate 202 includes a pair of spring loaded bullet catches
208,
which fit in recesses 206. A spring 210 provides outward biasing so that a
selected
force is required to remove top plate 202 from bottom plate 204. A tension
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adjustment nut 212 fits on one end of the bullet catch 208 and can be turned
so as to
increase or decrease the tension placed on spring 210.
Figure 13 illustrates how top plate 202 can twist in a plane horizontal to
bottom plate 204 for release. Top plate 202 can also pull upwardly, providing
a full
range of release motion. Like the binding assembly 10 described earlier,
binding
system 200 is also universal in that it can be used on skis, snowboards, water
skis, and
other related sports equipment.
Figure 14 illustrates a roller board type apparatus 130 that has wheels or
rollers 132 and a base plate 14, like that of Figure 1. Roller board 130 can
be a turf
board, mountain board, skateboard, or roller skis, or any other roller board
type
apparatus.
In one embodiment, the universal binding system incorporates an integrated
boot, binding, and ski system, such as a snow ski or snowboard system. The
skis can
also includes Z Ski line (trademark) of skis and boards and well as Z
sculptured or
standard skis, Z twintip skis, Z water skis, Z wake boards, which are all
offered by
Miller Sports International, of Utah, and other boards modified with an insert
pattern
that matches the base plate to allow easy switching between sports and boards
using
the same binding or boots.
Not only can the binding system be utilized on snow skis, water skis, or
snowboards, but it may also be utilized on boards that either have wheels for
rolling,
riding, or other types of sliding boards. For example, year round ski training
often
utilize roller skis, which can incorporate the bindings. Skateboards can also
incorporate the bindings in certain applications. Other systems may include
kite
boards or sailboards.
It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only
illustrative of the application for the principles of the present invention.
Nuinerous
modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in
the art
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and the
appended
claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while
the
present invention has been shown in the drawings and fully described above
with
particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the
most
practical and preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, it will be apparent to
those of
ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not
limited to,
variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation,
assembly
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and use may be made, without departing from the principles and concepts of the
invention as set forth in the claims.
