Adjustable foot strap

Abstract

The present invention provides a foot strap binding system for board sports such as water sports that allows the user to easily tension foot strap over the top of his or her foot. The foot strap adjustment device includes a strap hold-down member, a guided cable, and a reel to adjust the cable length. The hold-down member has a first side and a second side. The cable is secured to the first side and the second side of the hold-down member with guide members. The reel is secured to the tension member and to one of the sides of the hold-down member. Rotational movement of the reel selectively tightens or loosens the cable between the first and second sides of the hold-down member. Quick release of the tension on the cable is accomplished with a disengagement of the reel from a ratchet.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM [0001] Applicant claims priority from pending provisional application Ser. Nos. 60 / 515,305 and 60 / 552,218.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates generally to foot securement straps for sports boards and, more specifically, to adjustment mechanisms for water-sports board bindings. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] A typical foot strap binding for a kiteboard or windsurf board is constructed of a webbing strap or a molded strap with a soft EVA pad or cushion to hold a person's foot securely without digging in or otherwise causing pain or discomfort. The strap can be size-adjusted by removing the strap mounting screws, readjusting the overall length and position of the strap and re-attaching the strap to the board using different board insert positions. This process must be done on land with hand tools. Quick adjustments or fine tuning are not possible. Even if the rider simply wants to adjust the binding enclosure size to accommodate the use of water boot...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] The present invention provides a foot strap system for board sports such as water sports that allows the user to easily tension foot strap over the top of his or her foot. The foot strap adjustment device includes a hold-down member, a tension member, and an adjustment coupler. The hold-down member has a first side and a second side. The tension member is secured to the first side and the second side of the hold-down member. The adjustment coupler is secured to the tension member. Movement of the adjustment coupler selectively tightens or loosens the tension member between the first and second sides of the hold-down member.

[0011] In one preferred embodiment, the hold-down member is securable to the sports board with the adjustment coupler being secured to the sports board. In this embodiment, the foot hold-down member preferably comprises a first foot hold-down member for securing the first foot of the user. The foot strap further includes a second hold-down member for securing a second foot of the user. The tension member is coupled to the second foot hold-down member as well as the first. The adjustment coupler selectively tightens or loosens the tension on both the first and second foot hold-down members.

[0012] Another preferred embodiment of the invention includes a foot binding for a water sports board including a medial strap, a lateral strap, a tension member, and a rotatable adjustment member. The medial strap is securable to the sports board. The lateral strap is securable to the sports board opposite the medial strap. The tension member is secured to the medial strap and to the lateral strap. The rotatable adjustment member engages the tension member. Rotation of the adjustment member selectively shortens or lengthens the tension member between the first and second straps.

[0013] In a preferred aspect of this embodiment of the invention, the medial and lateral straps include a top side and an underside. The foot binding further includes at least one pad secured to the underside of the medial and lateral straps. A cover is positioned over at least over a portion of the top side of the medial and lateral straps and over at least a portion of the tension member. The rotatable adjustment member is secured to one of the medial and lateral straps, preferably the lateral strap. The medial guide is secured to the medial strap and a lateral guide to the lateral strap. The medial and lateral guides are coupled to the tension member and channel the tension member into a loop to and from the adjustment member. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, an adjustment device is provided for a foot strap securable to a sports board. The foot strap has first and second portions with outer ends securable to the board and inner ends opposite the outer ends. The adjustment device includes a first attachment member, a second attachment member, a tension member, and an adjuster. The first attachment member is securable to the inner and of the first portion. The second attachment member is securable to the inner and of the second portion. The tension member is secured between the first and second attachment members. The adjuster is secured to the tension member for shortening or lengthening the length of the tension member between the first and second attachment members.

Problems solved by technology

Quick adjustments or fine tuning are not possible.

Even if the rider simply wants to adjust the binding enclosure size to accommodate the use of water boots rather than bare feet, adjustments are difficult.

However, the rider must still be on land to properly adjust the straps.

Furthermore, Velcro tends to decrease in effectiveness when used in a dirty environment such as may be found on a beach or shore.

Small adjustments while riding would be difficult since the Velcro strap must be completely disengaged to readjust and may loose an effective hold over time.

Adjustment on the strap binding is difficult to do or impractical when the board is in use.

A typical problem occurs when a user changes their foot volume by adding a water boot or shoe.

The most common problem of a typical foot strap is the need to keep the binding loose somewhat to get the foot in and out of the binding easily.

The user is not able to quickly tighten beyond what is typical for entry / exit for good performance hold, but still quickly and easily release when needed.

Attempts to solve these problems do not achieve the ease of use or the effective tightening for de4sired performance.

However, all these attempts do not achieve the ease of use or the effective tightening for desired performance.

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