초록 ▼

A snowboard binding is provided for releasably connecting a boot to a snowboard. One embodiment of the invention includes inner and outer main bodies to receive a two-piece cleat. A second embodiment includes inner and outer hooks for hooking, and a latch for securing, a one-piece cleat. A third emb

A snowboard binding is provided for releasably connecting a boot to a snowboard. One embodiment of the invention includes inner and outer main bodies to receive a two-piece cleat. A second embodiment includes inner and outer hooks for hooking, and a latch for securing, a one-piece cleat. A third embodiment includes a front main body and a spring-loaded latch in a rear main body for engaging a one-piece cleat. A fourth embodiment engages a one-piece cleat with inwardly beveled, semi-circular inner and outer main bodies. A fifth embodiment engages a one-piece cleat with a front main body and a latch, fixedly mounted upon an axle, within a rear main body. The latch is biased toward the engaged position by a spring. In a sixth embodiment of the invention, a one-piece cleat is engaged with a front main body and two rear spring biased latches. In a seventh embodiment, among other things, the cleat is formed in two pieces.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A snowboard binding mechanism for securing a cleat of a snowboard boot to a snowboard, comprising: an inside main body adapted to be affixed to a top surface of the snowboard and an outside main body adapted to be affixed to a top surface of the snowboard, said inside a

The invention claimed is: 1. A snowboard binding mechanism for securing a cleat of a snowboard boot to a snowboard, comprising: an inside main body adapted to be affixed to a top surface of the snowboard and an outside main body adapted to be affixed to a top surface of the snowboard, said inside and outside main bodies being adapted to secure first and second ends of a cleat, respectively, said inside main body comprising a top surface and an inside first cleat receptor including an inside cleat receiving groove defined on a lower portion thereof facing said outside main body; said outside main body comprising an outside first cleat receptor having a latch recess formed therein facing said inside main body; a latch axis supported by said outside main body; a latch mounted to said latch recess to be pivotable about the latch axis, said latch including an outside cleat receiving groove disposed across from and facing said inside cleat receiving groove; a handle pivotally mounted to said outside main body and interlocked with said latch; said latch being pivoted to a release position in response to pivoting said handle to a first position wherein said outside cleat receiving groove is moved in a direction away from said inside cleat receiving groove, said latch being pivoted to a fasten position in response to pivoting said handle to a second position wherein said outside cleat receiving groove is moved in a direction toward said inside cleat receiving groove thereby securing a cleat placed between said inside and outside cleat receiving grooves; wherein said outside cleat receiving groove is positioned between said latch axis and the snowboard such that said handle in the second position is closer to the snowboard than said handle in the first position, when the outside main body is affixed to the snowboard. 2. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 1, wherein; said inside main body further comprises an inside second cleat receptor including a second inside cleat receiving groove defined on a lower portion thereof and facing said outside main body; said outside main body further comprises an outside second cleat receptor including a second latch recess formed therein and facing said inside main body, a second latch pivotally mounted to said second latch recess, said second latch including a second outside cleat receiving groove disposed across from and facing said second inside cleat receiving groove; wherein said handle is interlocked with said second latch; wherein said second latch is pivoted to a release position in response to pivoting said handle to said first position wherein said second outside cleat receiving groove is moved in a direction away from said second inside cleat receiving groove, and said second latch is pivoted to a fasten position in response to pivoting said handle to said second position wherein said second outside cleat receiving groove is moved in a direction toward said second inside cleat receiving groove thereby securing a second cleat placed between said inside and outside cleat receiving grooves. 3. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 2, wherein said inside first and second cleat receptors further comprise a receptor bevel on a top surface of each of said inside first and second cleat receptors, respectively, said receptor bevels being arranged to guide cleat ends into engagement by said inside first and second cleat receptors. 4. A snowboard mechanism as in claim 2, wherein said inside and outside main bodies secure first and second cleats out of contact with the top surface of the snowboard. 5. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 2, further comprising: a first cleat having a first end adapted to be secured by said inside first cleat receptor and a second end adapted to be secured by said outside first cleat receptor; a second cleat having a first end adapted to be secured by said inside second cleat receptor and a second end adapted to be secured by said outside second cleat receptor. 6. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 5, further comprising a boot including an outsole, said outsole including a bottom surface and a recess formed therein, wherein said first and second cleats are affixed to said boot within said recess such that said cleats are farther from the snowboard than said outsole bottom surface. 7. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 6, wherein said first cleat is affixed to a rear side of said recess, said second cleat is affixed to a forward side of said recess, and wherein said inside and outside main bodies secure said cleats in such a manner that the longitudinal axis of said boot is generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the snowboard. 8. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 7, wherein said boot has a ball width measured at the ball of said boot in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of said boot, wherein said first and second cleats have a cleat width measured transverse to the longitudinal axis of said boot, and wherein said cleat width is less than said ball width. 9. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 8, wherein said boot has a heel width measured at the heel of said boot in a direction transverse to said longitudinal axis of said boot, and wherein said cleat width is less than said heel width. 10. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 1, wherein said inside first cleat receptor further comprises a receptor bevel on a top surface of said inside first cleat receptor, said receptor bevel being arranged to guide a cleat end into engagement by said inside first cleat receptor. 11. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 1, further comprising affixing means for affixing said inside main body and said outside main body to the snowboard, said affixing means including longitudinal adjustment means for adjusting the position of at least one of said inside and outside main bodies in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the snowboard. 12. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 11, wherein said longitudinal adjustment means allows adjustment of the position of both of said inside and outside main bodies in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the snowboard. 13. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 12, wherein said affixing means includes a first affixing plate and said longitudinal adjustment means includes an elongated hole in said first affixing plate adapted to receive a bolt to fasten said first affixing plate to the snowboard. 14. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 1, wherein said inside and outside cleat receiving grooves secure a cleat in a position out of contact with the top surface of the snowboard. 15. A snowboard binding mechanism for securing a cleat of a snowboard boot to a snowboard, comprising: an inside main body adapted to be affixed to a top surface of the snowboard and an outside main body adapted to be affixed to a top surface of the snowboard, said inside and outside main bodies being adapted to secure first and second ends of a cleat, respectively, said inside main body comprising a top surface and an inside first cleat receptor including an inside cleat receiving groove defined on a lower portion thereof facing said outside main body; said outside main body comprising an outside first cleat receptor having a latch recess formed therein facing said inside main body; a latch pivotally mounted to said latch recess, said latch including an outside cleat receiving groove disposed across from and facing said inside cleat receiving groove; a handle pivotally mounted to said outside main body and interlocked with said latch; said latch being pivoted to a release position in response to pivoting said handle to a first position wherein said outside cleat receiving groove is moved in a direction away from said inside cleat receiving groove, said latch being pivoted to a fasten position in response to pivoting said handle to a second position wherein said outside cleat receiving groove is moved in a direction toward said inside cleat receiving groove thereby securing a cleat placed between said inside and outside cleat receiving grooves; a cam mounted on said handle to pivot with said handle, said cam including a cam pin and wherein said latch further comprises a cam groove formed in a side thereof to receive said cam pin, such that pivoting said cam with said handle causes said cam pin to pivot said latch. 16. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 15, wherein: said outside first cleat receptor further includes a first wall and a second wall forming said latch recess and a latch pin extending between said first and second walls, said latch being pivotally supported on said latch pin; said first wall including a cam support which pivotally supports said cam; and said cam having a center of rotation parallel to a longitudinal axis of said latch pin. 17. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 16, wherein a line extending from said center of rotation of said cam to said longitudinal axis of said latch pin is generally normal to a top surface of the snowboard. 18. A snowboard binding mechanism for securing a cleat of a snowboard boot to a snowboard, comprising: an inside main body adapted to be affixed to a top surface of the snowboard and an outside main body adapted to be affixed to a top surface of the snowboard, said inside and outside main bodies being adapted to secure first and second ends of a cleat, respectively, said inside main body comprising a top surface and an inside first cleat receptor including an inside cleat receiving groove defined on a lower portion thereof facing said outside main body; said outside main body comprising an outside first cleat receptor having a latch recess formed therein facing said inside main body; a latch pivotally mounted to said latch recess, said latch including an outside cleat receiving groove disposed across from and facing said inside cleat receiving groove; a handle pivotally mounted to said outside main body and interlocked with said latch; said latch being pivoted to a release position in response to pivoting said handle to a first position wherein said outside cleat receiving groove is moved in a direction away from said inside cleat receiving groove, said latch being pivoted to a fasten position in response to pivoting said handle to a second position wherein said outside cleat receiving groove is moved in a direction toward said inside cleat receiving groove thereby securing a cleat placed between said inside and outside cleat receiving grooves; a hook rotatably mounted on said handle, and a tab mounted on said outside main body, wherein when said handle is in said second position, said hook is capable of being releasably secured to said tab, thereby maintaining said handle in said second position. 19. A snowboard binding as in claim 18, wherein said hook further comprises a groove adapted to engage said tab. 20. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 18, wherein said hook further comprises cord attachment means for affixing a pull cord to said hook operable to release said hook from said tab. 21. A snowboard binding mechanism for securing a cleat of a snowboard boot to a snowboard, comprising: an inside main body adapted to be affixed to a top surface of the snowboard and an outside main body adapted to be affixed to a top surface of the snowboard, said inside and outside main bodies being adapted to secure first and second ends of a cleat, respectively, said inside main body comprising a top surface and an inside first cleat receptor including an inside cleat receiving groove defined on a lower portion thereof facing said outside main body; said outside main body comprising an outside first cleat receptor having a latch recess formed therein facing said inside main body; a latch pivotally mounted to said latch recess, said latch including an outside cleat receiving groove disposed across from and facing said inside cleat receiving groove; a handle pivotally mounted to said outside main body and interlocked with said latch; said latch being pivoted to a release position in response to pivoting said handle to a first position wherein said outside cleat receiving groove is moved in a direction away from said inside cleat receiving groove, said latch being pivoted to a fasten position in response to pivoting said handle to a second position wherein said outside cleat receiving groove is moved in a direction toward said inside cleat receiving groove thereby securing a cleat placed between said inside and outside cleat receiving grooves; wherein said inside main body is shorter than said outside main body in a direction normal to the top surface of the snowboard such that a snowboard rider may rest a snowboard boot on said top surface of said inside main body and slide the boot in a direction parallel to the top surface of the snowboard against said outside main body, thereby positioning the boot in the proper location to secure a cleat mounted therein with said binding mechanism. 22. A snowboard binding mechanism for securing a cleat of a snowboard boot to a snowboard, comprising: an inside main body adapted to be affixed to a top surface of the snowboard and an outside main body adapted to be affixed to a top surface of the snowboard, said inside and outside main bodies being adapted to secure first and second ends of a cleat, respectively, said inside main body comprising a top surface and an inside first cleat receptor including an inside cleat receiving groove defined on a lower portion thereof facing said outside main body; said outside main body comprising an outside first cleat receptor having a latch recess formed therein facing said inside main body; a latch pivotally mounted to said latch recess, said latch including an outside cleat receiving groove disposed across from and facing said inside cleat receiving groove; a handle pivotally mounted to said outside main body and interlocked with said latch; said latch being pivoted to a release position in response to pivoting said handle to a first position wherein said outside cleat receiving groove is moved in a direction away from said inside cleat receiving groove, said latch being pivoted to a fasten position in response to pivoting said handle to a second position wherein said outside cleat receiving groove is moved in a direction toward said inside cleat receiving groove thereby securing a cleat placed between said inside and outside cleat receiving grooves; affixing means including a first affixing plate for affixing at least one of said inside and outside main bodies to the snowboard, said affixing means including longitudinal adjustment means for adjusting the position of both of said inside and outside main bodies in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the snowboard; wherein said longitudinal adjustment means comprises an elongated hole in said first affixing plate adapted to receive a bolt to fasten said first affixing plate to the snowboard; wherein said first affixing plate is arranged to affix said inside main body to the snowboard, and wherein said affixing means further includes a second affixing plate for said outside main body. 23. A snowboard binding mechanism for securing a cleat of a snowboard boot to a snowboard, comprising: an inside main body adapted to be affixed to a top surface of the snowboard and an outside main body adapted to be affixed to a top surface of the snowboard, said inside and outside main bodies being adapted to secure first and second ends of a cleat, respectively, said inside main body comprising a top surface and an inside first cleat receptor including an inside cleat receiving groove defined on a lower portion thereof facing said outside main body; said outside main body comprising an outside first cleat receptor having a latch recess formed therein facing said inside main body; a latch pivotally mounted to said latch recess, said latch including an outside cleat receiving groove disposed across from and facing said inside cleat receiving groove; a handle pivotally mounted to said outside main body and interlocked with said latch; said latch being pivoted to a release position in response to pivoting said handle to a first position wherein said outside cleat receiving groove is moved in a direction away from said inside cleat receiving groove, said latch being pivoted to a fasten position in response to pivoting said handle to a second position wherein said outside cleat receiving groove is moved in a direction toward said inside cleat receiving groove thereby securing a cleat placed between said inside and outside cleat receiving grooves; affixing means for affixing said inside main body and said outside main body to the snowboard, said affixing means including angular adjustment means for adjusting the an angular orientation of at least one of said inside and outside main bodies relative to a longitudinal axis of the snowboard. 24. A snowboard mechanism as in claim 23, wherein said angular adjustment means allows adjustment of the angular orientation of both of said inside and outside main bodies relative to the longitudinal axis of the snowboard. 25. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 24, wherein said affixing means includes an inside affixing plate including a first arcuate engagement portion, said inside main body including an inside arcuate engagement portion to be engaged by said first arcuate engagement portion, and wherein said affixing means further includes an outside affixing plate including a second arcuate engagement portion, said outside main body including an outside arcuate engagement portion to be engaged by said second arcuate engagement portion. 26. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 25, wherein said inside affixing plate further includes an extension portion to extend said inside arcuate engagement portion to increase the range of adjustment of the angular orientation of said inside main body. 27. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 25, wherein said outside affixing plate further includes an extension portion to extend said outside arcuate engagement portion to increase the range of adjustment of the angular orientation of said outside main body. 28. A snowboard binding mechanism for securing a cleat of a snowboard boot to a snowboard, comprising: an inside main body adapted to be affixed to a top surface of the snowboard and having a first inside cleat receiving recess adapted to secure a first inside end area of a cleat; an outside main body adapted to be affixed to a top surface of the snowboard such that the outside main body is spaced from the inside main body in a first direction generally parallel to a longitudinal direction of the snowboard when the inside main body and the outside main body are affixed to the snowboard, the outside main body having a first side wall and a second side wall, the first side wall forming a first cam supporting hole; a first cam supported within the first cam supporting hole; a handle operatively connected to the first cam and movable between a first position and a second position generally parallel to and closer than the first position to the snowboard; and a first pivoting member pivotable about a first axis supported to at least one of the first and second side walls, the first axis extending in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction, the first pivoting member forming a first outside cleat receiving recess positioned below the first axis and adapted to secure a first outside end area of a cleat; a first cam pin provided to one of the first cam and the first pivoting member and a first groove formed on the other one of the first cam and the first pivoting member for receiving the first cam pin whereby a movement of the handle to the second position causes the first pivoting member to move to a fasten position to secure the cleat between the first inside cleat receiving recess and the first outside cleat receiving recess. 29. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 28, wherein each of the first inside cleat receiving recess and the first outside cleat receiving recess has a flat downwardly facing surface adapted to abut a top surface of a cleat when the cleat is mounted to the binding mechanism. 30. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 29, wherein each of the first inside cleat receiving recess and the first outside cleat receiving recess has a vertical surface that can abut corresponding ends of a cleat. 31. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 29, further comprising a cleat having a generally flat bottom surface and at least two flat top surface areas, wherein the at least two flat top surfaces are positioned in the first inside end and first outside end areas thereof and are adapted to abut the horizontal downwardly facing surfaces of the first inside cleat receiving recess and the first outside cleat receiving recess. 32. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 28, wherein the handle has a pivotable hook engageable with a tab adapted to be secured to the top surface of the snowboard for securing the handle against motion away from the second position. 33. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 28, wherein the inside main body further has a second inside cleat receiving recess spaced apart from the first inside cleat receiving recess in the second direction, the second inside cleat receiving recess adapted to secure a second inside end area of a cleat, wherein the outside main body further has a third side wall and a fourth side wall, the third and fourth side walls being spaced apart from the first and second side walls in the second direction, the third side wall forming a second cam supporting hole; and wherein the snowboard binding mechanism further comprises; a second cam supported within the second cam supporting hole and operatively connected to the handle; a second pivoting member pivotable about a second axis supported to at least one of the third and fourth side walls, the second axis extending in the second direction, the second pivoting member forming a second outside cleat receiving recess positioned below the second axis and adapted to secure a second outside end area of a cleat; and a second cam pin provided to one of the second cam and the second pivoting member and a first groove formed on the other of the second cam and the second pivoting member for receiving the second cam pin. 34. A snowboard binding mechanism for securing a cleat of a snowboard boot to a snowboard, comprising: an inside main body adapted to be affixed to a top surface of the snowboard and having: a first inside cleat receiving recess adapted to secure a first inside end area of a cleat and a second inside cleat receiving recess adapted to secure a second inside end area of a cleat, wherein the first inside cleat receiving recess and second inside cleat receiving recess are spaced apart in a first direction generally parallel to a longitudinal direction of the snowboard when the inside main body is affixed to the snowboard; an outside main body adapted to be affixed to a top surface of the snowboard such that the outside main body is spaced from the inside main body in the first direction, the outside main body having a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall and a fourth side wall; a first pivoting member pivotable about a first axis supported to at least one of the first and second side walls, the first axis extending in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction, the first pivoting member forming a first outside cleat receiving recess adapted to secure a first outside end area of a cleat; a second pivoting member spaced apart from the first pivoting member in the second direction and pivotable about a second axis supported to at least one of the third and fourth side walls, the second axis extending in the second direction, the second pivoting member forming a second outside cleat receiving recess adapted to secure a second outside end area of a cleat; and a handle movable between first and second positions and operatively connected to the first and second pivoting members such that a movement of the handle to the second position causes the first and second pivoting members to move to respective fasten positions to secure the cleat between the inside main body and the outside main body. 35. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 34, wherein the second position of the handle is generally parallel to and closer than the first position to the snowboard when the binding mechanism is affixed to the snowboard. 36. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 34, further comprising: a first cam supported within a first cam supporting hole formed in the first side wall; a second cam supported within a second cam supporting hole formed in the third side wall; a first cam pin fixed to one of the first cam and the first pivoting member; a first groove formed in the other one of the first cam and the first pivoting member for receiving the first cam pin; a second cam pin fixed to one of the second cam and the second pivoting member; and a second groove formed in the other one of the second cam and the second pivoting member for receiving the second cam pin. 37. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 36, wherein the first and second grooves are positioned below the first and second axes respectively. 38. A snowboard binding mechanism as in claim 34, wherein the first and second outside cleat receiving recesses are positioned below the first and second axes respectively.