摘要:
A system for tool free disengagement of an engagement member from a base while the base is mounted to a substrate, so that the engagement member may be repositioned, tool free, in a new mounting location. The engagement member and the base include complementary locking members, and the engagement member may be constructed so that manipulation of the engagement member releases the complementary locking members allowing relocation of the engagement member in a new mounting location. The system may be incorporated in a binding for securing a foot or a boot and in footwear.
摘要:
A bushing system for isolating movement of a rotatable member from a releasable fastener used to secure the member to a support structure. The rotatable member may be a strap and the support structure may include a wall of a boot or a binding. The bushing may include a shaft having, at one end, a network of rotation resistant radially extending teeth or interlocks that cooperates with a complementary network of interlocks provided in the support structure about a mounting hole. The interlocks may have rounded or angled sidewalls that converge at a tip to encourage the bushing and support structure to mesh together. The tip is preferably substantially pointed with a fine edge, a rounded edge or a substantially narrow flat edge. A bore through the shaft is adapted to receive a screw or other fastener for securing the bushing to the support structure at the mounting hole. The bushing extends through an opening in the strap mounting the strap for rotation relative to the support structure. Engagement of the interlocks renders the bushing nonrotatable, isolating the strap from the fastener so that strap rotation does not loosen the fastening connection.
摘要:
An apparatus comprising a snowboard boot and a binding interface including an interface feature that is adapted to releasably engage with a snowboard binding. The binding interface is movably mounted to the boot so that the boot can flex in a side-to-side direction through an angle relative to the binding interface to provide side-to-side flexibility. In one embodiment, the binding interface is mounted to the boot at a pair of laterally spaced attachment points with a pair of strapless fasteners. In another embodiment, the binding interface is mounted to at least one attachment point and a portion of the boot is flexible between the attachment point and a side. In other embodiments, at least a portion of the interface feature does not protrude below the bottom surface of the boot, and the interface feature does not protrude beyond the sides of the boot. In yet other embodiments, the apparatus includes an adjustment member to adjustably restrict the side-to-side flexibility between the boot and the binding interface, and a dampening element that dampens the side-to-side flexibility. The boot may include an arcuate lower surface that extends across the boot with the binding interface mounted to the boot below the arcuate lower surface. A fluid-filled bladder may be provided to control the side-to-side flexibility of the boot. The binding interface may be slidably mounted to the boot using arcuate surfaces, such as convex and concave surfaces, that allow the boot to slide across the binding interface.
摘要:
A snowboard binding system that incorporates the riding performance of a strap binding with the convenience of a step-in binding. The binding system includes a binding interface that is configured to be coupled to a step-in binding base, while also being configured to secure a snowboard boot in a manner that provides a rider with the riding performance of a strap binding. The binding interface may include one or more straps for securing a boot to a snowboard. The binding system may be configured so that the binding base engages regions of the binding interface to which the straps are attached to provide the feel of a strap binding. The binding base may include at least three engagement members to engage with corresponding mating features on the interface. The binding base may include a pair of engagement members at both the rear or heel end and the front or toe end thereof to engage with corresponding mating features on the interface. The engagement members at the heel end of the binding base may be configured to move independently of the engagement members at the toe end of the binding base to facilitate stepping the interface into and out of the binding base. The binding may be provided with a locking arrangement that reduces the likelihood of a false locking condition between the interface and binding by prohibiting at least one of the pairs of engagement members from becoming locked until each of the pair of engagement members assumes its closed position. The binding may be provided with a locking arrangement that maintains each of a pair of engagement members in each of a plurality of closed positions to secure a corresponding pair of mating features. The binding interface may have a lower portion with a X-shape configuration to be mounted below a boot sole.
摘要:
A gliding board, such as a snowboard, is constructed and arranged so that the board is suited for different riding conditions that benefit from different board arrangements and/or for different riding styles that also may benefit from varying board configurations. Nose, tail, overall dimensions, and binding mounting locations may be varied to achieve a balance of desired board performance characteristics.
摘要:
A gliding board, such as a snowboard, has improved lift or float in certain conditions, e.g., when gliding in powdered snow. A nose and/or tail of the gliding board may have a variable bending properly to provide the improved float. In one embodiment, the nose and/or tail may have a tapered thickness or other features so that the nose and/or tail is more flexible toward the tip of the nose or tail. Other variable bending properties in the nose and/or tail may be provided for reasons other than improved float, such as to enhance trick or other maneuver performance.
摘要:
A fastening assembly and method for fastening a strap, such as a snowboard binding strap. A fastener (11) may have guide members to facilitate the introduction of an engagement member (5) with the fastener. The fastener may be attached to a strap to allow physical manipulation of the fastener, e.g., for alignment of the fastener with an engagement member, without requiring substantial movement of the strap.
摘要:
A binding mechanism is used to securely couple board sections of a touring snowboard together. The binding mechanism includes a first interface mounted to at least one of first and second board sections and a second interface mounted to the base. A clamp is mounted to the first or second interface and is movable between a closed configuration, wherein the interfaces are adapted to engage with each other, and an open configuration wherein the interfaces are adapted to release each other. When in the open configuration, an amount of clearance exists between the interfaces. When the clamp is moved to the closed configuration, the amount of clearance is decreased to securely join the board sections together. The clamp may also exert a clamping force in at least two non-parallel directions to draw the board sections together. The clamp may also be employed to mount a snowboard boot binding to the board sections when in a snowboard mode, or to one of the board sections when in ascension mode.