Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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1
Two Position Mount for a Snowboard Binding
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to snowboards, in particular
a mount for a
snowboard binding mount that can be readily moved between two positions.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] Snowboards are ridden with a rider's feet nominally
positioned transversely
across the board in a riding position. Most snowboards include boot bindings
that can
be fixedly set at a desired angle. Most riders choose an angle between 0 to 30
degrees, nominally 15 degrees. Adjustment of the angle is typically done off
slope,
requiring some disassembly of the binding mount and the use of tools.
[0003] As well as riding down slopes, snowboarders need to move
their snowboards
in other situations such as in a ski lift line, riding a ski lift, or
traversing flat areas. The
snowboarder will usually remove their rear boot from its binding and propel
the
snowboard like a scooter with the front foot retained in its binding. This is
difficult to do
with the front foot transversely located across the board. Ideally the front
foot should be
movable between a transverse riding position and a longitudinal scooting
position.
[0004] This problem has been long recognised and many solutions
have been
proposed, but none have been widely adopted due to various inadequacies. Known
attempts are often large and cumbersome with exposed mechanisms; reduce the
flexibility of the snowboard due to their size; or raise the binding and thus
centre of
gravity undesirably. Some solutions incorporate electronics which are not
suitable for
typical cold and wet snowboard operating conditions.
[0005] The object of this invention is to provide a rotational
snowboard boot binding
mount to alleviate the above problems, or at least provide the public with a
useful
alternative.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In a first aspect the invention provides a mount for
attaching a snowboard
binding to a snowboard, the mount comprising: a base plate fixedly attachable
to the
snowboard comprising a central hub defining an axis of rotation and a
peripherally
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positioned first locking portion; a setting disc rotatable about the central
hub comprising
a peripherally positioned second locking portion; a rotating disc assembly
sitting atop
the setting disc and attachable to the snowboard binding and rotatable about
the axis of
rotation, the rotating disc assembly including a position lock engageable with
the first
locking portion and the second locking portion to inhibit rotation of the
rotating disc
assembly; wherein the setting disc is rotatable about the central hub and can
be fixed at
a selectable predetermined angle with respect to the base plate.
[0007] Preferably the mount further comprises a setting lock
fixedly attachable to the
central hub, wherein the setting lock vertically constrains the rotating disc
assembly
whilst still allowing it to rotate.
[0008] Preferably the base plate further comprises a series of
upwardly facing
peripheral teeth and the setting disc further comprises a series of downwardly
facing
peripheral teeth for engaging with the teeth of the base plate, wherein
engagement of
the base plate teeth with the setting disc teeth constrain the base plate and
the setting
disc at a selectable predetermined angle with respect to each other and
prevent
rotational movement of the setting disc with respect to the base plate.
[0009] The position lock preferably comprises a locking pin and
the first locking
portion comprises a first locking hole for engagement with the locking pin to
rotationally
position the rotating disc assembly with respect to the snowboard and the
second
locking portion comprises a second locking hole for engagement with the
locking pin to
rotationally position the rotating disc assembly with respect to the
snowboard.
[0010] The position lock may also comprise inwardly facing
teeth, and wherein the
first locking portion and second locking portion comprise outwardly facing
teeth to
engage with the inwardly facing teeth of the position lock to prevent
rotational
movement of the position lock and the rotating disc assembly with respect to
the
snowboard.
[0011] Preferably the rotating disc assembly further comprises a
lock housing for
guiding movement of the position lock, and springs to bias the position lock
inwards to
engage with the first locking portion or the second locking portion.
[0012] A push plate may be attached to the position lock and
pivotally attached to
the lock housing, wherein pushing the push plate retracts the position lock to
disengage
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it from the first locking portion or the second locking portion.
Alternatively, a pull ring for
retracting the position lock to disengage it from the first locking portion or
the second
locking portion.
[0013] The mount preferably further comprises a soft lock, the
soft lock comprising a
first face with teeth and a pin for engaging with the teeth and the locking
hole of the first
locking portion, and a second face with a hole for engaging with the locking
pin of the
position lock.
[0014] Preferably the rotating disc assembly is attachable to the
snowboard binding
via a binding attachment attached to the rotating disc assembly, the binding
attachment
comprising a downwardly facing flange to engage with the snowboard binding.
The
flange may comprise teeth for engaging with the snowboard binding to prevent
relative
rotation of the rotating disc assembly with the snowboard binding.
[0015] The invention further provides snowboard binding
comprising a base with a
mounting hole passing through the base, a peripheral ledge around the mounting
hole,
and a channel extending from the mounting hole to the side of the base, and
further
comprising a mount as described above, positioned within the mounting hole
with the
lock housing passing through the channel.
[0016] It should be noted that any one of the aspects mentioned
above may include
any of the features of any of the other aspects mentioned above and may
include any of
the features of any of the embodiments described below as appropriate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the
invention may be
discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient
information
for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed
Description is not to be
regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in
any way.
The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as
follows.
[0018] Figure 1 shows a snowboard and binding mounted to a
snowboard binding
mount according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a riding
position.
[0019] Figure 2 shows a snowboard and binding mounted to the
snowboard binding
mount in a scooting position.
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[0020] Figure 3 shows the snowboard binding mount in isolation
from above with a
push pad for unlocking.
[0021] Figure 4A shows the snowboard binging mount from above
with a pull ring
for unlocking, whilst Figure 4B shows the mount from below.
[0022] Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the snowboard binding
mount.
[0023] Figure 5 shows an exploded view of the snowboard binding
mount.
[0024] Figure 6 shows a snowboard binding adapted to accept the
snowboard
binding mount.
[0025] Figure 7A and 7B show a base plate of the snowboard
binding mount from
above and below.
[0026] Figure 8A and 8B show a setting disc of the snowboard
binding mount from
above and below.
[0027] Figure 9A and 9B show a rotating disc assembly of the
snowboard binding
mount from above and below.
[0028] Figure 10A and 10B show a binding attachment of the
snowboard binding
mount from above and below.
[0029] Figure 11A and 11B show a setting lock of the snowboard
binding mount
from above and below.
[0030] Figures12A to 12F show the sequence of attaching the
snowboard binding
mount to a snowboard and a snowboard binding.
[0031] Figure 13A to 13D shows the internal mechanism involved in
moving the
snowboard binding mount from a scooting position to a riding position.
[0032] Figure 14A and 14B show a soft lock of the snowboard
binding mount from
above and below.
[0033] Figure 15 shows the soft lock fitted to the base plate.
DRAWING COMPONENTS
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[0034] The drawings include the following integers.
snowboard
11 longitudinal axis
12 transverse axis
snowboard binding
21 binding axis
22 tilt angle / riding angle
23 base
24 heel locator
mounting hole
26 ledge
27 lock channel
snowboard binding mount
base plate
41 mounting holes
42 locking portion
43 locking teeth
44 locking hole
peripheral teeth
46 hub
47 screw holes
48 recess
49 angle setting mark
setting disc
52 locking portion
53 locking teeth
54 locking hole
peripheral teeth
56 hub hole
59 angle setting scale
rotating disc assembly
61 rotating disc
62 lock housing
63 mounting hole
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64 angled walls
65 lip
66 screw holes
68 pivot arms
70 binding attachment
71 disc
75 mounting hole
76 screw holes
77 lock void
78 flange
79 teeth
80 setting lock
84 upper frustoconical portion
87 screw holes
88 lower cylindrical portion
90 position lock
92 locking portion
93 locking teeth
94 locking pin
95 springs
100 pull ring
110 push plate
120 soft lock
121 screw hole
123 teeth
124 pin
125 soft locking hole
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0035] The following detailed description of the invention refers
to the accompanying
drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used
throughout the
drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts.
Dimensions
of certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or
exaggerated for
the purposes of clarity or illustration.
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[0036] The present provides a snowboard binding mount that is
movable between a
riding position in which the riders foot is transversely positioned on the
snowboard to a
scooting position in which the riders foot is longitudinally positioned on the
snowboard.
The mount is of a compact design allowing it to be fitted within the binding,
with minimal
impact on the height of the binding or the rigidity of the snowboard.
[0037] Figures 1 and 2 show the snowboard binding mount 30, or
mount for short, in
context with a snowboard 10 and front boot binding 20. As the mount 30 is only
for use
with a front foot binding the rear foot binding is not shown. The mount 30 is
fixedly
attached to the snowboard 10 and includes a rotating portion fixed to the
binding 20
allowing the binding 20 to rotate relative to the snowboard 10. The mount 30
is fitted
within the binding 20 and thus only partially visible in these figures.
Further details of
the mount itself are seen in subsequent figures. The mount 30 includes a push
plate
110 for locking/unlocking its rotational position. The snowboard can be
considered as
having a longitudinal axis 11 along its length and a transverse axis 12 across
its width
whilst the binding can be considered as having a binding axis 21 which aligns
with the
rider's foot. In Figure 1 the binding 30 is positioned in a riding position in
which the
binding axis 21 is at a tilt/riding angle 22 to the transverse axis 12 of the
snowboard,
whilst in Figure 2 the binding 30 is positioned in a scooting position in
which the binding
axis 21 is coincident with longitudinal axis 11 of the snowboard. In use, the
rider
pushes on the push plate 110 to unlock the mount 30 to allow for rotation
between the
riding position and the scooting position.
[0038] Figures 3 to 5 show a snowboard binding mount 30 in
isolation allowing
identification of major components. Figure 3 shows the mount 30 from above
with a
push pad 110 for unlocking. Figure 4A shows the mount 30 from above with a
pull ring
100 for unlocking, whilst Figure 4B shows the mount 30 from below. Figure 5
provides
an exploded view of the mount.
[0039] The mount 30 comprises a mounting plate 40 which is
fixedly attached to a
snowboard by screws (not shown). The mounting plate 40 includes an outwardly
facing
locking section 42 which engages with the position lock 90 to hold the mount
in a
scooting position. The position lock 90 is held within a lock housing 63 which
is part of
rotating disc assembly 60. The position lock 90 can be unlocked (i.e.
disengaged from
locking section 42) with the aid of either pull ring 100, or push pad 110
which is pivotally
mounted to the lock housing 63. Setting disc 50 sits upon base plate 40 at a
settable
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angle and includes a locking section 52 which engages with the position lock
90 to hold
the mount in a riding position. When the position lock 90 is unlocked by aid
of the pull
ring 100 or push pad 110, the rotating disc assembly 60 is free to rotate
between the
scooting position and the riding position. It is then held in place when the
position lock
90 moves to a locking position again, either engaging the locking section 42
of the base
plate 40 to stay in the scooting position, or engaging the locking section 52
of the
setting disc 50 to stay in the riding position. Binding attachment 70 is
fixedly attached
to the snowboard binding 20 as well as fixedly attached to the rotating disc
assembly 60
so that the snowboard binding 20 moves with the rotating disc assembly.
Setting lock
80 is screwed to base plate 40 to hold setting disc 50 in position.
[0040] Figure 6 shows a snowboard binding 20 adapted to accept a
snowboard
binding mount 30. The binding is simplified for representational convenience,
and
doesn't show features not associated with the finding mount such as boot
attachments.
The binding 20 comprises a planar base 23 with heel locator 24 and central
mounting
hole 25 with a peripheral ledge 26. Such an arrangement is common to
conventional
binding mounts which accept a conventional mount which can only be set to one
position within the hole 25. In addition, the present binding mount 30
includes a lock
channel 27 that allows a locking mechanism to be operated externally to the
binding
and engage with a binding mount within the mounting hole 30. Ledge 26 engages
with
a corresponding ledge 76 on the bottom of the binding attachment 70 to secure
the
binding 20 to the binding mount 30. Some existing mounts can be modified to
accept
the binding mount 30 of the present invention by adding a lock channel 27.
[0041] Figures 7A & 7B to Figures 11A & 11 B describe the
various components in
further detail.
[0042] Figure 7A and 7B show a base plate 40 of the snowboard
binding mount 30
from above and below. The base plate 40 includes mounting holes 41 for fixing
the
base plate to a snowboard using screws. The mounting holes are elongated and
scalloped to allow for minor repositioning of the base plate without the need
to place
further holes in the snowboard. Locking portion 42 includes outwardly facing
locking
teeth 43 and a locking hole 44 for engaging with the locking teeth 93 and
locking pin 94
features of the position lock 90. Peripheral teeth 45 engage with
corresponding
peripheral teeth 55 of the setting disc 50 to prevent relative motion of the
two parts.
Central hub 46 is used to align other components and support rotation. Screw
holes 47
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allow for attachment of setting lock 80 which sits in recess 48. Angle setting
mark 49
allows for easy setting of the tilt/riding angle.
[0043] Figure 8A and 8B show a setting disc 50 of the snowboard
binding mount 30
from above and below. The setting disc 50 is used to set the tilt angle 22.
Hub hole 56
allows the disc 50 to rotate on the hub 46 of the base plate 40 positioning
the locking
portion 52 is in the desired position relative to the locking portion 42 of
the base plate.
Once in position, the disc 50 is lowered onto the base plate so that
peripheral teeth 55
engage with the peripheral teeth 45 of the base plate to stop further
rotation. Locking
portion 52 includes outwardly facing locking teeth 53 and a locking hole 54
for engaging
with the locking teeth 93 and locking pin 94 features of the position lock 90.
Angle
setting scale 59 allows for easy setting of the tilt/riding angle in
conjunction with the
angle setting mark of the base plate.
[0044] Rotating disc assembly 60 of the snowboard binding mount
30 is shown in
Figure 9A from above and in Figure 9B from below. The assembly includes two
connected section, rotating disc 61 and lock housing 62. As its name suggests,
the
rotating disc 61 is the part of the mount 30 that rotates when the mount moves
between
scooting and riding positions. The disc 61 includes mounting hole 63 with
angled walls
64 which engage with the setting lock (discussed below). Screw holes 66 allow
for
attachment of binding attachment 70 so that the binding can rotate in unison.
Lip 65
helps locate the binding attachment. Position lock 90 sits within the lock
housing 62
and is retracted to an unlocked position by pull ring 100. Springs 95 acts to
return the
position lock 90 to a locked position in which the locking portion 92 engages
with the
locking portion 42 of the base plate 40 or locking portion 52 of the setting
disc 50. The
locking portion includes locking teeth 93 which engage with locking teeth 43
and 53 of
the base plate 40 and setting disc 50, and locking pin 94 which engage with
locking
holes 44 and 54 of the base plate and setting disc. Pivoting arms 68 allow the
locking
ring 100 to be replaced with a pivotally mounted push plate 110 as seen in
Figures 1 to
3.
[0045] The binding attachment 70 seen from above in Figure 10A
and below in
Figure1OB is used to attach the snowboard binding mount 30 to the snowboard
binding
20. The binding attachment comprises a disc 71 with screw holes 76 which allow
it to
be attached to the rotating disc assembly 60 via screw holes 66. Mounting hole
75
engages with lip 65 of the rotating disc assembly for accurate location.
Flange 78 forms
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the outer periphery of the mount 30 and sits on the ledge 26 of the binding 20
to secure
the two together. Teeth 79 on the lower edge of the flange prevent relative
rotation of
the binding attachment and binding. Variations in the binding attachment are
readily
envisaged to allow the mount to be fitted to bindings from different
manufacturers
which have pre-existing mounting holes. The binding attachment may be of a
different
diameter, have different depth flanges, flanges with different or no teeth, or
no flanges
at all and be attached to the top surface of the binding. The various
attachment
methods ensure that the grip between the binding attachment and the binding is
greater
than the frictional grip between the binding and the snowboard. This ensures
that when
the binding attachment rotates in unison with the rotating disc assembly that
the binding
also rotates in unison.
[0046] Finally, the setting lock 80 shown from above and below in
Figure 11A and
Figure 11B holds all of the mount 30 together. Screw holes 87 allow the
setting lock 80
to be secured to the base plate 40 with the lower cylindrical portion sat
within recess 48
of the base plate. Once in place rotation of the setting disc is no longer
possible. Upper
frustoconical portion 84 engages with the angled walls 64 of the rotating disc
assembly
60 to position it whilst still allowing the disc assembly to rotate when the
position lock is
disengaged.
[0047] Figures12A to 12F show the sequence of attaching the
snowboard binding
mount 30 to a snowboard 10 and a snowboard binding 20. The snowboard 10 is not
shown, but represented by a longitudinal axis 11 and transverse axis 12. As
the various
components are fitted at each step, previously fitted components are obscured
so the
reader may wish to refer back to prior figures as well as the preceding
paragraphs for
further details of the components referenced.
[0048] In Figure 12A the base plate 40 is attached to the
snowboard with screws
(not shown) via mounting holes 41. The base plate is aligned such that the
locking
portion 42 aligns with the transverse axis 12 of the snowboard. The base plate
is
nominally centred on the longitudinal 11 axis of the snowboard, but may be
located
either side depending on rider preference. The holes 41 allow for a small
adjustment in
position.
[0049] In Figure 12B the setting disc 50 is placed on the base
plate 40 at a
rotational position to set the binding axis 21 to achieve the desired tilt
angle 22. As
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shown, a tilt angle of 15 degrees has been set with the aid of the angle
setting scale 59
on the setting disc and the angle setting mark 49 base plate. The peripheral
teeth 45 of
the base plate and peripheral teeth 55 of the locking disc (not visible) allow
the tilt angle
to be adjusted as desired in three-degree increments. The binding axis 21
passes
through the centre point of the mount and is perpendicular to a line between
the centre
point and the middle of the locking portion 52 of the setting disc 50.
[0050] In Figure 12C the rotating disc assembly 60 is placed in
position so that the
lock housing 62 and push plate 110 align with the transverse axis 12. In this
position
the position lock 90 can engage with the locking portion 42 of the base plate
(both parts
obscured).
[0051] In Figure 12D the setting lock 80 is fitted with the aid
of screws (not shown)
passing through screw holes 87 and into corresponding screw holes 47 in the
base
plate. Once fitted rotational movement of the setting disc 50 is no longer
possible. The
upper frustoconical portion 84 of the setting lock engages with the angled
walls 64 of
the rotating disc assembly 60 serving to both position the rotating disc
assembly and
prevent it from moving vertically, whilst still allowing it to rotate.
[0052] In Figure 12E the binding 20 is placed over the rotating
disc assembly 60.
The rotating disc assembly sits within mounting hole 25, with lock housing 62
protruding
through lock channel 27 (obscured).
[0053] Finally, in Figure 12F the binding attachment 70 is
fitted and held in place
with screws (not shown) passing through screw holes 76 into screw holes 66 of
the
rotating disc assembly. The flange of the binding attachment engages with the
ledge of
the binding mounting hole to ensure that the binding rotates in unison with
the binding
attachment and rotating disc assembly.
[0054] The binding 20 is now fixedly attached to the binding
mount 30 and will
remain in the scooting position as shown in Figure 12F and Figure 2 whilst the
position
lock 90 is engaged. The position lock 90 can be disengaged with aid of the
push plate
110 to allow the binding 20 to rotate to the riding position as shown in
Figure 1. The
position lock can then be engaged again (under spring action once the push
plate is no
longer being pushed) to keep the binding in riding position.
[0055] Figure 13A to 13D shows the internal mechanism involved
in moving the
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snowboard binding mount from a scooting position to a riding position. In the
scooting
position and riding position the locking portion 92 of the position lock is
engaged with
the locking portions 42, 52 of the base plate 40 and setting disc 50
respectively. It is
not possible to rotate the mount in these positions without some effort to
pull out the
position lock as both the locking teeth 93 and locking pin 94 of the position
lock are
engaged with the locking teeth 43, 53 and locking holes 44, 54 of the base
plate and
setting disc. The locking pin 94 and effectively sets the rotational position
by engaging
locking holes 44 and 54, but doesn't hold the position lock securely. Locking
teeth 93 in
conjunction with locking teeth 44 and 54 ensure that once in position that the
position
lock is held securely and unable to rotate.
[0056] In Figure 13A the mount is locked in the scooting
position with the locking
portion 92 of the position lock 90 engaged with the locking portion 42 of the
base plate
40.
[0057] In Figure 13B the position lock has been disengaged,
allowing it (and the
attached binding 20) to rotate to the riding position as shown in Figure 13C.
[0058] In Figure 13D the locking portion 92 of the position lock
90 is engaged with
the locking portion 52 of the setting disc 40 to secure the mount in the
riding position.
[0059] Figure 14A and 14B show a soft lock 120 of the snowboard
binding mount
from above and below. The soft lock engages with the locking portion 42 of the
base
plate 40 to modify its locking behaviour. Without the soft lock, as described
in the
immediately preceding paragraphs, the position lock 90 needs to be pulled out
to
release the mount from the scooting position. This is done with either the
push plate
110 or pull ring 100 and ensures that the position lock is not inadvertently
disengaged.
With the soft lock in place, it is possible for the rider to disengage the
position lock by
applying rotational force with their foot. This simplifies and quickens the
process of
transitioning from the scooting position to the riding position. Unlocking
from the riding
position still requires pulling on the position lock 90 to prevent inadvertent
disengagement whilst riding. Figure 15 shows the soft lock 120 in context with
the base
plate 40, setting disc 50 and position lock 90.
[0060] The soft lock 120 comprises teeth 123 for engaging with
the teeth 43 of the
base plate 40, and pin 124 for engaging with the locking hole 44 of the base
plate. The
soft lock is held in place with the base plate with the aid of a screw (not
shown) through
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screw hole 121. Once fitted to the base plate, the soft lock effectively
blocks the teeth
43 and locking hole 44 of the base plate and instead provides soft locking
hole 125 for
"softly" engaging the locking pin 94 of the position lock 90. Whilst the
engagement of
locking pin 94 and soft locking hole ensure the desired rotational position,
the locking
pin is not totally secure. The locking pin 94 can be dislodged from the soft
locking hole
125 by applying sideways pressure, which a rider can do by rotating their
foot. Guide
126 provides a pathway for the locking pin 94 after it has disengaged the soft
locking
hole.
[0061] The reader will now appreciate the present invention which
provides a mount
for a snowboard binding that is movable between a scooting position and a
settable
riding position. The compact design allows the mount to be incorporated into a
binding
without adding to its height or affecting the rigidity of a snowboard.
[0062] Further advantages and improvements may very well be made
to the present
invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been
shown and
described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred
embodiment, it is
recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the
invention,
which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be
accorded the full
scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and
apparatus.
Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way
be
considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part
of the
common general knowledge in this field.
[0063] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word
"comprising" and its
derivatives including "comprises'' and "comprise" include each of the stated
integers but
does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.
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