Virtual forward lean snowboard binding

Abstract

A snowboard binding (100) is disclosed having a base plate (102) with a pair of oppositely disposed sidewalls (104), a heel loop (112) attached to the base plate, and a highback (120). The highback is attached to the heel loop such that the highback is pivotable about a virtual axis that is disposed away from the base plate and away from the highback. The virtual axis is preferably coaxial with the ankle's rotational axis for dorsiflexion. In an embodiment of the invention the highback includes arcuate slots (126) through which a bolt (132) and curved nut plate (130) attach the highback to the heel loop. The arcuate slot is preferably a circular arc centered on the desired virtual axis. In an embodiment of the invention, the heel loop intermediate portion (116) is curved about a transverse axis, and the heel portion (124) of the highback is similarly curved to generally nest with the heel loop.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention is directed to bindings for gliding sports and, in particular, to bindings having a pivotable highback support. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Gliding boards, such as snowboards, snow skis, water skis, and the like, are well known in the art and in the sporting world. Generally, a rider is securely held to the gliding board with a binding that connects to the gliding board and generally to the rider's feet or boots. Various types of bindings have been developed to allow the user to engage the gliding board. The present disclosure is described with reference to the currently preferred snowboard binding embodiments, although the present invention may readily be adapted for other gliding board applications. [0003] Typical prior art snowboard binding systems are generally categorized as either strap (or conventional) bindings that typically include a rigid highback piece against which the heel of the boot is placed and one or more ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a binding for gliding boards that includes a base plate, a heel loop, and a highback. The highback pivots about a virtual axis that is approximately located to correspond with the natural axis of the rider's ankle for rotation in dorsiflexion / plantar flexion. The highback attaches to the heel loop through a pair of elongate curved slots having a radius of curvature that is on the desired virtual axis. The binding also includes an adjustable toe strap and an adjustable instep strap. The heel plate and highback are formed substantially from a rigid polymeric material, and the heel loop is steel. The technical effects of the invention include improved support and flexibility for the rider, as well as the ability to adjust various straps for a better fit and comfort."

Problems solved by technology

However, because the dorsiflexion ankle joint is located higher than the other joints in the ankle, snowboard binding designers have had to compromise in order not to interfere with the other ankle joints and the highback portion of prior art bindings is generally constructed to pivot about an axis that is well below the dorsiflexion ankle joint.

The result is that the highback is not optimally positioned with respect to the rider's ankle over the design range of settings for the maximum forward lean position.

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