IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0900653
(2007-09-11)
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등록번호 |
US-8336903
(2012-12-25)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Furr, Douglas K.
- Fox, Brady S.
- Miller, Matthew E.
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출원인 / 주소 |
- Miller Sport International, LLC
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대리인 / 주소 |
Thorpe North & Western LLP
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
2 인용 특허 :
34 |
초록
▼
A multi-function binding system configured for use on a sliding board, such as a snowboard or wakeboard, comprising a base assembly rotatably secured to the deck of a sliding board, with a binding system operable with the base assembly to releasably secure a user to the sliding board. The base assem
A multi-function binding system configured for use on a sliding board, such as a snowboard or wakeboard, comprising a base assembly rotatably secured to the deck of a sliding board, with a binding system operable with the base assembly to releasably secure a user to the sliding board. The base assembly comprises various components, namely an adjustment mechanism and a release mechanism, supported within a bonnet that is rotatable about a support disc designed to be secured to the sliding board via the mounting configuration of the sliding board. The binding system provides a unique and advantageous release function otherwise not available in prior related binding systems.
대표청구항
▼
1. A binding system operable to releasably support a user about a sliding board to facilitate use of said sliding board, said binding system comprising: a binding operable with a boot assembly to releasably secure a foot of a user;a base assembly configured to be rotatably and removably secured to a
1. A binding system operable to releasably support a user about a sliding board to facilitate use of said sliding board, said binding system comprising: a binding operable with a boot assembly to releasably secure a foot of a user;a base assembly configured to be rotatably and removably secured to a deck of a sliding board and to releasably couple said binding and said boot assembly about said sliding board, said base assembly comprising: a first component configured to be removably coupled to said deck of said sliding board; anda second component rotatable with respect to and operative with said first component and said sliding board,said second component comprising an adjustment mechanism configured to facilitate rotational adjustment of said second component about said first component and said sliding board to achieve a plurality of stance orientations of said user relative to said sliding board, and a release mechanism configured to receive and engage said binding, and comprising a plunger and a plunger lever operatively coupled to said plunger,wherein said binding system facilitates both tension release and selective release of said binding from said base assembly and said sliding board,wherein said tension release is caused by a force acting between said binding and said base assembly that overcomes a preset release tension setting, andwherein said selective release operates to cause said plunger lever to displace said plunger without overcoming the preset release tension setting. 2. The binding system of claim 1, further comprising a deck pad situated between said base assembly and said deck of said sliding board, said deck pad being configured to facilitate enhanced interaction between said base assembly and said sliding board, to facilitate a proper fit between said base assembly and said sliding board, to promote even distribution of any loads or pressures acting between said base assembly and said sliding board, and to help control resistance between said base assembly and said sliding board. 3. The binding system of claim 1, wherein said first component comprises a support disc and said second component comprises, at least in part, a bonnet, and wherein said support disc and said adjustment mechanism operatively engage one another at select orientations of said base assembly. 4. The binding system of claim 3, wherein said adjustment mechanism comprises a biased locking lever pivotally supported by said base assembly and about said support disc. 5. The binding system of claim 1, wherein said release mechanism is selectively manually operated to release said binding from said base assembly, said release mechanism comprising: a graspable release lever having a cam portion formed therein, and which is pivotally supported in said second component;said plunger lever and said plunger, wherein said plunger lever comprises a first biased plunger lever, and wherein said plunger comprises a toe plunger, said first biased plunger lever being operatively coupled to and biasing said toe plunger and supported about a front portion of said second component and operable with said release mechanism, said toe plunger being configured to releasably engage said binding; anda second biased plunger lever operatively coupled to and biasing a heel plunger and supported about a rear portion of said second component, said second plunger lever being optionally operable with said release mechanism, said heel plunger being operable to releasably engage said binding,a release cam, operable with said release lever, to displace said first plunger lever to effectuate retraction of said toe plunger from said binding upon manual actuation of said release lever, and without being required to overcome a pre-set tension acting on said first plunger lever. 6. The binding system of claim 5, wherein said cam portion of said release lever functions to toggle said first plunger lever from an opposite end upon manually actuating said release lever. 7. The binding system of claim 5, wherein said first and second plunger levers are double acting and operate to provide compounded motion. 8. The binding system of claim 5, wherein said first plunger lever is operably supported at one end by a release cam, and is biased by a spring at another end, said first plunger lever comprising a radius along said biased end commensurate with an inside radius formed along an inside of said base assembly to create a pivot point for said first plunger lever. 9. The binding system of claim 5, wherein said toe and heel plungers each comprise a plurality of pressure surfaces formed therein and operative to receive a force thereon as applied by said binding, said pressure surfaces being formed at respective pressure angles to facilitate an optimal tension release of said binding from said base assembly at least one of an infinite number of release angles. 10. The binding system of claim 9, wherein said pressure surfaces are formed at a pressure angle between 35° and 40° to delay a cam action of a release of said binding, and to facilitate a build-up to said release by reducing caming prior to said release, such that no movement or distortion about said pressure surfaces occurs until a release tension matches a pre-set tension setting of said binding system. 11. The binding system of claim 5, wherein said release lever comprises means for securing said release lever in place while in a retracted or non-actuated position, said means comprising a detent formed in said release lever that facilitates releasable engagement of said release lever with a post supported within said base assembly. 12. The binding system of claim 11, wherein said detent further comprises a cam portion that facilitates snapping of said release lever into place. 13. The binding system of claim 11, wherein said release lever further comprises an arc relief notch proximate said detent to facilitate limited distortion and flexing of said detent upon said release lever engaging and disengaging said post. 14. The binding system of claim 1, wherein said base assembly, and therefore said binding system, is interchangeable and configured for use on different types of sliding boards, and wherein said binding is interchangeable and configured for use with different base assemblies. 15. The binding system of claim 2, wherein the deck pad further comprises at least one raised surface operatively configured to facilitate proper operation of said binding system about a nonplanar surface of said sliding board. 16. The binding system of claim 2, wherein said deck pad is integrally formed with said base assembly. 17. The binding system of claim 1, further comprising a binding assembly comprising: said binding; anda boot assembly operatively coupled to said binding, and configured to secure a foot of said user to said binding,said binding comprising a primary support plate having an upper surface for supporting said user and one or more lower surfaces that mate with and engages one or more upper surfaces of said base assembly,said binding corresponding to said base assembly. 18. The binding system of claim 17, wherein said binding further comprises at least one foot plate operable therewith to increase a surface area provided by said binding for supporting said foot of said user. 19. The binding system of claim 17, wherein said boot assembly comprises: a heel cup releasably secured to said binding;a leg support pivotally coupled to said heel cup to engage a leg of said user; anda strap retention system operable with the heel cup to adjustably secure said foot of said user within said boot assembly. 20. The binding system of claim 17, wherein said boot assembly further comprises a stabilizer that extends upward from said binding and behind and around a leg of said user. 21. The binding system of claim 19, wherein said strap retention system comprises: a front strap system; anda rear strap system,at least one of said front and rear strap systems comprising at least one strap having an aperture configured to receive and engage a shaft oriented transverse to said strap, said shaft comprising a length greater than a thickness of said strap so as to protrude from said strap,said binding comprising a slot that receives said strap,said slot comprising an orifice formed therein that receives and engages said shaft to releasably and pivotally couple said strap to said binding and to prevent said strap from sliding through said slot. 22. A binding assembly operable with a base assembly within a binding system to releasably support a user about a sliding board, comprising: a binding comprising: a primary support plate having an upper surface for receiving and supporting a foot of said user, and a lower surface designed to be adjacent an upper surface of a bonnet and an upper plate of a support disc of said base assembly when said binding is releasably coupled to said base assembly;a toe piece located at a front portion of and extending from said primary support plate, and further comprising a receiver formed in an inner surface that releasably engages a toe plunger of said base assembly;a heel piece located at a rear portion of and extending from said primary support plate, and further comprising a receiver formed in an inner surface that releasably engages a heel plunger of said base assembly;front and rear foot plates supported about said upper surface of said primary support plate, wherein at least one of said front and rear foot plates is slidably coupled to said primary support plate; anda boot assembly comprising a heel cup releasably mounted to said binding, and further comprising front and rear strap retention systems operable to secure said binding to said foot of said user, wherein at least one of said front and rear strap retention systems comprises a slot formed in said primary support plate and having an orifice configured to releasably receive and engage a shaft operable with a strap, wherein the strap is releasably secured to the binding. 23. A sliding board system comprising: a sliding board;a binding system operable to releasably support a user about said sliding board to facilitate use of said sliding board, said binding system comprising: a binding operable with a boot assembly to releasably secure a foot of a user;a base assembly configured to be rotatably and removably secured to a deck of a sliding board and to operatively and releasably couple said binding about said sliding board, said base assembly comprising: a first component configured to be removably coupled to said deck of said sliding board;a second component rotatable with respect to and operative with said first component to facilitate a plurality of stance orientations of the user relative to said sliding board;a release mechanism comprising a plunger and a plunger lever operatively coupled to said plunger, said release mechanism operative with said second component to receive and engage said binding, and to facilitate both tension release and selective release of said binding from said base assembly and said sliding board, wherein said tension release is caused by a force acting between said binding and said base assembly that overcomes a preset release tension setting, and wherein said selective release operates to cause said plunger lever to displace said plunger without overcoming the preset release tension setting;a boot assembly operatively coupled to said binding, and configured to secure a foot of said user to said binding. 24. The sliding board system of claim 23, wherein said sliding board system comprises a second sliding board of a different type, said binding system being interchangeable between and operable with both said sliding board and said second sliding board. 25. A method for operating a sliding board comprising: obtaining a sliding board having a binding system operable therewith, said binding system having a first component configured to be removably coupled to a deck of said sliding board, and a second component rotatable with respect to and operative with said first component;releasably coupling a binding to a user;releasably coupling said binding to said second component, said binding system operatively facilitating both tension release and selective release of said binding from said second component and said sliding board, wherein said tension release is caused by a force acting between said binding and said base assembly that overcomes a preset release tension setting, and wherein said selective release operates to cause a plunger lever to displace a plunger without overcoming the preset release tension setting; andactuating an on demand adjustment mechanism to dial in one of a plurality of stance orientations of said user relative to said sliding board as facilitated by said binding system.
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