Electromechanically actuatable binding for a recreational board

Abstract

An electromechanically actuatable binding comprising: a bale comprising first and second bale portions adapted for attachment to a boot's sole and extending laterally from a first side and an opposite second side; a base adapted for engagement with the bale, comprising a base portion for attachment to the recreational board, hook and well portions attached adjacent side areas of the base portion, the hook portion adapted for partially captivating engagement of the first bale portion, and the well portion facing substantially upwardly relative to the base portion and adapted for partial engagement of the second bale portion; a solenoid; and a latch loaded with a spring for movement to a blocking position to block disengagement of the second bale portion of the bale from the well portion of the base and adapted for counter movement to a release position upon electromechanically overcoming of the spring with the solenoid.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the priority and benefit of US Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63 / 781,331, filed 31 Mar. 2025.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a binding for secure foot placement, for control, safety, and performance. The present disclosure further relates to a binding on a surface such as a recreational board, such as a snowboard, a wake board, a ski, a surfboard, a kite board, or a skateboard, and more particularly to such a binding that uses an electromechanically actuatable release preferably for use with a bale, also known as a bail, and seat-type, also known as base-type, binding interface.BACKGROUND

[0003] Bindings, and in particular snowboard bindings, are known and have been implemented manually, with mechanical motor components, and with electromechanical components. Electromechanical components, such as with motors or solenoids, are remotely operable with an electronic fob, a smart phone, or a smart watch, and even provide automated release under some conditions, for example in the case of initiation of a fall when skiing with snow skis. However, there has not be provided in the prior art a binding for a single recreational board that automatically releases the rider when they have fallen coming to rest at a degree of rotation from upright vertical, or even upside down, in a tree well (i.e., in a precarious situation), or when the rider has been immobilized in an avalanche field (another precarious situation), or face down in the water when wakeboarding, as examples. And since these emergency conditions have entailed surprisingly common means of injury, or even death, among riders during snowboarding / skiing / wakeboarding, for example the falling into such a tree well, being trapped in an avalanche snowfield, or while boarding on a body of water behind a boat, wherein the rider has not been able to extricate themself, the lack of ability of prior art devices to semi-automatically or automatically release under such conditions has been problematic.

[0004] Further, there is needed a means of facilitating easy release from a low-profile binding of a boot on a board, and for managing the logistics of releasing one foot, the other foot, or both feet, from the board for various purposes, for example to repetitively throughout the day get on a lift, to repetitively throughout the day push like a snowboard or skateboard, or to initiate release when in a precarious immobilized position, e.g., facedown, in the water, stuck in a tree well, or in an avalanche field. And still further, it would be desirable to simplify the mounting process of one's boot, and as integrated into such a semi-automatic (e.g., electronic push-button release), or automatic, release, to and from a snowboard, a wakeboard, a ski, a surfboard, or a skateboard, enabling the user to simply just step-in to such a binding system, but where the system is combined with semi-automatic, and / or automatic, release under certain desired conditions, such as if stuck in a tree well, if immobilized in an avalanche flow, or if face-down in the water after a fall (e.g., precarious immobilized situations), not to mention release of one or the other foot for convenience sake if getting on a ski lift, if releasing to push to skate, or if putting one's wakeboard on before getting into the water.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,730, for Snowboard Boot and Binding Apparatus, to Anderson et al., and assigned to Switch Manufacturing, has taught a mechanical binding assembly for attaching a boot to a snowboard, specifically engineered to avoid cavities that could collect ice and snow, which might impede its functionality. The reference has taught boot mounted bales in the form of rigid loops, that extend from each side of the boot soles, and binding base members comprising hooks and notched seats as part of the base member, the binding further having comprised a spring-loaded latch and camming structure for holding the boot mounted bales to the board until the latch has been manually released by lever-action force applied by the user's hand. This reference has been cited for its mechanical interface, as it has not taught any electrical interface or automated release mechanism-nor has it taught any advantageous aspect of the binding to facilitate release in an upside-down, trapped, or other precarious immobilized condition of the user.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,406, for Snowboard Binding, to Anderson et al. assigned to Switch Manufacturing, has taught a binding assembly designed for attaching a boot to a snowboard, specifically engineered to avoid cavities that could collect ice and snow, which might impede its functionality. The reference has taught first and second boot-mounted bales in the form of rigid loops extending from each side of the boot soles, and a pair of binding base members, comprising hooks and notched seats, attached to the snowboard. This reference has been cited for its mechanical interface, as it has not taught any electrical interface or automated release mechanism-nor has it taught any advantageous aspect of the binding to facilitate release in an upside-down, trapped, or other precariously immobilized condition of the user.

[0007] U.S. Design Pat. No. D380,289 and D382,320, for Outsole for Snowboard Boot, to Sand, assigned to Switch Manufacturing, has taught boot and bale member designs to facilitate attachment to a snowboard with the utility devices of the U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,520,406 and 5,890,730 references discussed above. These references do not teach regarding automated release during an upside down, or otherwise precariously immobilized condition.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,087, for Snowboard Binding Release Apparatus, to Agid, has taught a binding release apparatus designed for use with snowboards, and has featured both manual and electromechanical (remote) release of straps used for securing footwear to the snowboard. There has been no automated release feature, and straps-not a bale and base interface-have been required to retain the rider's boots on the board.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 9,526,971, for Remote Release Ski Binding, to Barden et al., assigned to Rossland Binding Company, has taught an accelerometer for automated release from a ski binding, and a manual release for a tree well situation. This reference does not teach automated release from the binding in a precariously immobilized situation. A simple accelerometer, as referenced in Barden et al., cannot do a 3D-space based acceleration detection based upon earth's gravity, and it can only detect position based on starting in a known position and calculating movement to a new position-such does not detect orientation relative to earth's gravity.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 10,729,968, for Remote Release Snowboard Binding, to Barden et al., assigned to Rossland Binding Company, has taught a snowboard binding, featuring a boot interface portion designed to engage with a manually-operable retention and release assembly to hold a boot on a snowboard, which has been operable via a wireless remote control, but which has also required the user to manually rotate the boot to a detent / release position and to then slide the boot horizontally out of the binding in a specific direction after remote manual release, which would have been cumbersome to operate to get on a ski lift, to go into the lodge, and let alone for someone trying to release their binding while immobilized, perhaps inverted, in a tree well or trapped in an avalanche snowfield. Though this reference teaches the use of an accelerometer to enable release of the boot from the board, it does not teach any automated release feature.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 11,266,899, for Coupling Assembly Between a Footwear and a Sport Equipment Such as a Ski or a Snowboard, to Pellegrinetti, has taught a coupling assembly designed to connect footwear to sports equipment, which has comprised a housing near the sole of the footwear suitable for inserting a metallic element and a binding on the sports equipment having a seat for the footwear, which, together with a second metallic element, one of the metallic elements having comprised an electromagnet which, when activated by a remote control “bracelet”, has magnetically bound to the other element, which has securely attached the footwear to the sports equipment. There has been no automated release feature that has been taught in this reference, and while the boot, per this reference, hasn't needed to be slid side way in order to release, it being the case that the binding has allowed for the boot to come straight out of the binding, it nevertheless accomplishes this by direct electromagnetic attachment means (as opposed to an electromagnet implemented in a solenoid or motor-herein referred to as an electronically actuatable device, or an electromechanical actuator), and there is not any teaching in this reference about automated release in event of being precariously trapped or situated, perhaps even upside down, in a tree well, being trapped in an avalanche snowfield, or being face down in the water.

[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,086, for Electric Ski Binding System, to Hopkins, has taught an electric ski binding system featuring magnetic interfaces and a microprocessor to enable releasable engagement of a ski boot to ski bindings. The system has incorporated permanent magnets in the ski bindings and corresponding opposite polarity magnets in the ski boot to create magnetic interfaces at the front and rear of each binding. Electromagnets placed near these interfaces have opposed the boot's permanent magnets' polarity. When engaged, the electromagnets have been in an off state, having allowed the permanent magnets to maintain connection. For disengagement, the electromagnets have activated, which has overpowered the permanent magnets to have released the boot. Sensors on the bindings have been taught to detect pressure and stress, sending signals to the microprocessor, which has thereby determined if a release is necessary, for example because of an electronically determined fall, based upon pre-established thresholds, thereby controlling the electromagnets to facilitate boot release in critical active fall-type situations.

[0013] While the Hopkins reference has taught the use of a microprocessor with a sensor array that has determined signals that indicate certain pressures and a method for triggering an automatic release of the bindings, and hence the user, under certain sensor conditions indicating an active fall-type situation in progress, it has not specifically addressed, and is not capable of addressing after the fact, the precariously immobilized, or even inverted, condition inherent in being stuck in a tree well, or the immobilized condition inherent in being stuck in an avalanche snowfield, or the precariously immobilized condition of a wakeboarder being face down in the water after a fall.

[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,719, for Ski Boot Release System For Snowboards, to Kisselmann, has taught a snowboard equipped with a pair of bindings arranged one behind the other for ski boots. It comprised a release mechanism for the rear binding that allowed a ski boot to be released, and has been activated from a location near the forward binding, positioned at approximately knee height, and while this reference has addressed the need for simultaneous release of both bindings for snowboard riders, and it has addressed the need for a release mechanism that has been reachable from a constrained or awkward position, it has not presented an electromechanical solution for automated release, using a bale and base type binding system, in the event of a trapped condition in a tree well, an avalanche snow field, or effectively under water (i.e., face down after a wakeboard or surfing accident).

[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 10,569,155, for Processor-Controlled Snow Sport Boot Binding, to Pantazelos et al., assigned to Stop River Development LLC, teaches the use of an accelerometer for automated release from a ski binding, wherein the accelerometer detects movement of one part of a rider's body, such as a knee, relative to another part of the body, such as hips, or ankle, so as to be able to detect a falling condition of the skier in order to effectuate automated release when the user's legs are detected to be contorted in such a way as to induce injury. And while this may be a precarious situation of the active, mid-fall type, it is not suited for a precariously immobilized situation, but rather more of an actively falling condition.

[0016] It is also well known that ski bindings are quite different than snowboard-type bindings, or wakeboard-type bindings, in the sense that ski bindings have operated very differently mechanically than snowboard, wakeboard, surfboard, or skate bindings. With ski bindings it has been important to release the binding in the event of an imminent fall, to avoid twisting the user's knee, for example, since skis have traditionally employed separate boards, one for each foot of the user, opening the possibility of an accidental twisting of a leg or knee. But with snowboards and wakeboards, for example, the release protocol has been, and continues to be, much different, since both of the user's feet have been releasably fixed to a single board, thereby minimizing the type of knee-twisting injury common to skiing. And thus, as a result, snowboards have not sought automated release in the event of an imminent fall condition, but instead have rather locked the user's feet to the board until the user has intentionally sought release. Accordingly, the situation for a snowboard, or wakeboard, binding system for release is quite different than, and under somewhat different conditions, than a ski binding system for release. Hence, this form of automation found in the Hopkins reference is not considered to be highly relevant to release of a snowboarder, a wakeboarder, a surfer, or a skateboarder in the event of finding oneself precariously immobilized, for example trapped in a tree well or immobilized in an avalanche snowfield.

[0017] Therefore there has been needed an easily releasable, yet sturdy mechanical connection, binding system for binding a boot to a recreational board, such as a snowboard, a wakeboard, a mono-ski, a surfboard, a skateboard, or the like, which enables automated release during appropriate detection of an emergency situation, such as may be encountered for example while being precariously immobilized, for example even being upside down, in a tree well, or such as may be encountered while trapped in an immobilized condition in a snow field as the result of an avalanche, or some other situation uniquely calling for release of the board as opposed to a pair of skis.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0018] In accordance with an aspect and embodiment of the disclosure, an electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding, also referred to as a “system” when there are a plurality of bindings, is adapted for releasably securing a rider's boot to a recreational board and enabling direct unencumbered release while the rider's lower leg is normal to the recreational board (i.e., at 90 degrees normal to the surface of the board without any need for a twist or a tip of the rider's leg or foot, especially if the rider is in a precariously immobilized condition as in being inverted—or otherwise substantially immobilized in a tree well—immobilized in an avalanche snow field, or immobilized face-down in the water with a wakeboard attached—it being the case that such a system also minimizes the amount of motion necessary to be made by the rider during step in and normal release such as at the end of a day of riding, or to release one boot to facilitate getting onto a chairlift, for example). The system comprises the plurality of bindings, each of the bindings comprising a bale, a base, a latch, and a solenoid. The bale comprises a first bale portion and a second bale portion. The first bale portion is adapted for attachment to a sole of the boot and extends laterally from a first side thereof. The second bale portion is adapted for attachment to the sole of the boot and extends laterally from a second side thereof opposite the first side. The base is adapted for engagement with the bale. The base comprises a base portion, a hook portion, and a well portion. The base portion is adapted for attachment to the recreational board. The hook portion is attached adjacent a side area of the base portion and is adapted for partially captivating engagement of the first bale portion. The well portion is attached adjacent another side area of the base portion, faces substantially upwardly relative to the base portion (i.e., normal thereto), and is adapted for partial engagement of the second bale portion. The latch has an angled surface and is linearly actuatable. The latch is preferably loaded with a spring, and the latch is adapted for movement by extension of the spring to a blocking position after the spring has been temporarily overcome during step-in to temporarily remove the latch from the blocking position of the well portion. The latch blocks the disengagement of the second bale portion of the bale from the well portion of the base. During the blocking position of the latch, both the first bale portion and the second bale portion of the bale are completely captivated. Further, the latch is adapted for counter movement to a release position upon electromechanically overcoming of the spring with the solenoid for allowing disengagement of the second bale portion of the bale from the well portion of the base to enable release of the first bale portion of the bale from the hook portion of the base.

[0019] In accordance with an embodiment of this aspect of the disclosure, the base of each binding may further comprise a slotted portion, and the latch of the binding may further comprise at least one pin attached to the latch. The at least one pin movably engages the slotted portion of the base. The slotted portion partially limits movement of the at least one pin and the latch.

[0020] Preferably, in accordance with this aspect and embodiment, each binding of the system further comprises a lever attached to the latch. The lever is configured to allow the rider to manually overcome the spring to move the latch into the release position.

[0021] Further, in accordance with this embodiment, each binding of the system may additionally comprise a controller configured to control the solenoid.

[0022] In accordance with an embodiment of this aspect of the disclosure, the base may further comprise a protruding portion for supporting the solenoid and a housing for the solenoid.

[0023] In accordance with an embodiment of this aspect of the disclosure, the base may further comprise a positional disc portion configured to fit within the base portion and receive attachment means to mount the binding to the recreational board at the rider's preferred position.

[0024] In such embodiment, the protruding portion may further comprise attachment portions, and the housing for the solenoid may be an electronics box or housing. The electronics housing may comprise a lid, a power button, at least one attachment member for insertion into the attachment portions of the protruding portion, and a lever. The lever may be attached to the solenoid and may be configured to allow the rider to manually overcome the spring to move the latch into the release position.

[0025] In an embodiment, the latch may further comprise a slot and the electronics housing may further comprise a stabilizing seat and a stabilizing bar on a side adjacent the latch. The stabilizing bar may be shaped to fit through the slot of the latch to stabilize the latch, and the stabilizing bar may be shaped to support a bottom of the latch when the latch is in the release position for stabilization.

[0026] In an embodiment the binding may further comprise a shield to shield the latch and the electronics housing from debris and precipitation such as snow or ice.

[0027] Preferably, the system comprises a plurality of bindings (each of the bales, the bases, the latches, the solenoids, and the controllers), to accommodate both boots of the rider on the recreational board. The recreational board is configured for one or more of water sport, snow sport, land sport, action sport, extreme sport, Olympic sport, and air sport, or any other sport known in the art that requires a board for an individual rider to ride on.

[0028] In accordance with this embodiment, each binding of the system may comprise a sensor. The sensor detects gravity to help determine a precarious immobilization of the rider to signal the solenoid via the controller to automatically move the latch to the release position upon detection of the precarious immobilization of the rider.

[0029] Further, the plurality of controllers for the plurality of solenoids are configured to communicate with one another and enable control of release of just one of the plurality of bales from the plurality of bases or release of both of the plurality of bales from the plurality of bases. Each controller of the plurality of controllers may be coupled to a button for release.

[0030] In accordance with an embodiment of this aspect of the disclosure, an electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding, or a system when there are a plurality of bindings, adapted for releasably securing a rider's boot to a recreational board and enabling release substantially normal to the board comprises a bale, a base, a rotatable latch, and a motor. The bale comprises a first bale portion adapted for attachment to a sole of the boot and extending laterally from a first side of the boot, and a second bale portion adapted for attachment to the sole of the boot and extending laterally from a second side of the boot opposite the first side of the boot. The base is adapted for engagement with the bale, and comprises a base portion adapted for attachment to the recreational board, a hook portion attached adjacent a side area of the base portion and adapted for partially captivating engagement of the first bale portion, and a well portion attached adjacent another side area of the base portion as the hook portion and facing substantially upwardly relative to the base portion (i.e., normal thereto), adapted for partial engagement of the second bale portion. The rotatable latch has an upper catch and is loaded with a spring. The rotatable latch is adapted for rotational movement by force of the spring to a blocking position after step-in movement of the rotatable latch by engaging the second bale on the upper catch of the rotatable latch to push the rotatable latch temporarily out of a blocking position of the well portion while temporarily overcoming the spring. The rotatable latch blocks disengagement of the second bale portion of the bale from the well portion of the base. During the blocking position of the rotatable latch, both the first bale portion and the second bale portion of the bale are completely captivated. Further, the rotatable latch is adapted for rotational counter movement to a release position for allowing disengagement of the second bale portion of the bale from the well portion of the base to enable release of the first bale portion of the bale from the hook portion of the base. The motor alternates rotating movement of the rotatable latch from the blocking position to the release position upon overcoming the spring.

[0031] Preferably, each binding further comprises a lever attached to the rotatable latch. The lever is configured to allow the rider to manually overcome the spring to move the rotatable latch into the release position.

[0032] In an embodiment, each binding also further comprises a pivot portion for the rotatable latch to pivot in, and a lever attached to the rotatable latch configured to allow the rider to manually overcome the spring to move the rotatable latch into the release position.

[0033] Further, in an embodiment, the system may comprise a controller configured to control the motor.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, each binding of the system may further comprise a sensor that detects gravity to help determine a precarious immobilization of the rider to signal the motor to automatically move the rotatable latch to the release position upon detection of the precarious immobilization of the rider. Further each of the plurality of controllers for each of the plurality of motors are configured to communicate with one another and enable control of release of just one of the plurality of bales from the plurality of bases or release of both of the plurality of bales from the plurality of bases. Each controller of the plurality of controllers may be coupled to a button for release.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the system comprises a plurality of each of the bales, the bases, the rotatable latches, the motors, and the controllers.

[0036] Preferably, the system is attached to a recreational board. The recreational board is configured for one or more of water sport, snow sport, land sport, action sport, extreme sport, Olympic sport, and air sport, or any other sport known in the art that utilizes a board of some type for an individual rider.

[0037] Preferably, in accordance with an embodiment of one or more aspects of the disclosure, an electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding, or the system when there is a plurality of bindings, is adapted for releasably securing a rider's boot to a recreational board and enabling release substantially normal to the board. The binding of the system comprises a bale, a base, a latch, and a linear actuator. The bale comprises a first bale portion adapted for attachment to a sole of the boot and extending laterally from a first side thereof, and a second bale portion adapted for attachment to the sole of the boot and extending laterally from a second side thereof opposite the first side. The base is adapted for engagement with the bale. The base comprises a base portion adapted for attachment to the recreational board, a hook portion attached adjacent a side area of the base portion and adapted for partially captivating engagement of the first bale portion, a well portion attached adjacent another side area of the base portion and facing substantially upwardly relative to the base portion. The well portion is adapted for partial engagement of the second bale portion. The latch is adapted for movement to a blocking position for blocking disengagement of the second bale portion of the bale from the well portion of the base. During the blocking position of the latch, both the first bale portion and the second bale portion of the bale are completely captivated. The latch is further adapted for counter movement to a release position for allowing disengagement of the second bale portion of the bale from the well portion of the base to enable release of the first bale portion of the bale from the hook portion of the base. The linear actuator is for alternating movement of the latch between the blocking position and the release position.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the base portion of the base may further comprise a slotted portion, and the latch may further comprise a latch body, a lever, and at least one pin. The latch body covers the second bale portion of the bale partially engaged in the well portion of the base to block disengagement of the second bale portion of the bale from the well portion of the base when the latch is in the blocking position. The latch body uncovers the second bale portion of the bale partially engaged in the well portion of the base to allow disengagement of the second bale portion of the bale from the well portion of the base when the latch is in the release position. The lever is one of attached to the latch body and adjacent the hook portion in the event that part of the hook portion is formed by a cam which blocks release of the first bale portion of the bale in a closed position and is configured to allow the rider to manually move the latch to the release position. The at least one pin is attached to the latch body. The at least one pin movably engages the slotted portion of the base. The slotted portion of the base partially constrains movement of the at least one pin and the latch body. Further, in such embodiment, the linear actuator is attached to the latch body of the latch.

[0039] In an embodiment, the linear actuator is attached to the latch body of the latch via a shaft loaded with a spring, wherein the linear actuator is also capable of becoming disengaged. Additionally, the linear actuator uses a force of the spring to return to the blocking position from the release position while the linear actuator is disengaged.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the system further comprises a controller configured to control the linear actuator.

[0041] Further, in a preferred embodiment, the system comprises a plurality of the bales, the bases, the latches, the linear actuators, and the controllers.

[0042] In another preferred embodiment, each binding of the system may further comprise a sensor that detects gravity to help determine a precarious immobilization of the rider to signal the linear actuator via the controller to automatically move the latch to the release position upon detection of the precarious immobilization of the rider. Further, the plurality of controllers for the plurality of linear actuators are configured to communicate with one another and enable control of release of just one of the plurality bales from the plurality of bases or release the plurality of bales from the plurality of bases. Each controller of the plurality of controllers may be coupled to a button to enable movement of either the latch, or the plurality of latches, to the release position.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the system is attached to a recreational board. The recreational board is configured for one or more of water sport, snow sport, land sport, and air sport, or any other sport known in the art that uses a board adapted for an individual rider.

[0044] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that there are various possible combinations of the above-described elements and sub-elements for various embodiments of the disclosure, whether such elements and sub-elements be combined in whole or in part, which may be employed without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.

[0045] The subject matter of the present disclosure is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. However, both the organization and method of operation, together with further advantages and objects thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following descriptions taken in connection with accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like elements.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a prior art binding apparatus for snowboard boots similar to those shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,890,730 and 5,520,406;

[0047] FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the bale and the binding base member embodiments of the prior art binding shown in FIG. 1A;

[0048] FIG. 1C is various positional views of the latch and camming structure from a side sectional view of the bale and the binding base member of the prior art binding apparatus shown in FIG. 1A-1B;

[0049] FIG. 2A is a top view of a recreational board with an embodiment of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding, showing a pair of such in a system attached to the recreational board;

[0050] FIG. 2B is a side view of the recreational board with the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding system shown in FIG. 2A;

[0051] FIG. 2C is a top view of one of the bales, the bases, the latches, and the solenoids of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding system shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, showing the angle of the first and second bale portions θ1;

[0052] FIG. 3 is an angled perspective view of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding of the system shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, showing a bale, a base, a latch, and a solenoid;

[0053] FIG. 4 is an angled perspective view of the solenoid and the latch of the binding shown in FIG. 3, showing how the solenoid attaches to the latch, and a lever is attached to the latch for manual release;

[0054] FIG. 5A is a front view of a solenoid, batteries, and a control board within a housing for the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding system shown collectively in FIGS. 2A-4;

[0055] FIG. 5B is an angled perspective view of the solenoid, batteries, and the control board represented as being within a housing in FIG. 5A, with a top portion, a rear portion, and a side portion of the housing removed;

[0056] FIG. 6A is a side view of an embodiment of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding portion showing a motor (solenoid) with a lever attached for manual release, and a rotatable latch with an upper catch loaded with a spring in a release position but with a bale portion engaging a step-in-enabling portion of the rotatable latch;

[0057] FIG. 6B is a side view of the embodiment of the binding portion shown in FIG. 6A, with the rotatable latch in a blocking position;

[0058] FIG. 7A is an angled perspective view of an embodiment of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding portion with a different embodiment of the rotatable latch in a portion of the base, showing a motor (a solenoid with a latch), a controller, a battery, and the rotatable latch in the release position, and with a bale portion positioned over a step-in-enabling portion of the rotatable latch;

[0059] FIG. 7B is a side view of the binding portion shown in FIG. 7A in a first step of its operation sequence, with the rotatable latch in the release position with a downward force applied on a portion of the bale as the rider steps into the binding portion;

[0060] FIG. 7C is a second step of the operation sequence of the binding portion shown in FIGS. 7A-7B, with the rotatable latch in rotation as continued downward force is applied on the first portion of the bale as the user steps into the binding portion;

[0061] FIG. 7D is a third step of the operation sequence of the binding portion shown in FIGS. 7A-7C, with the rotatable latch fully rotated and the latch of the solenoid blocking the upper catch of the rotatable latch from reverse rotation;

[0062] FIG. 7E is a fourth step of the operation sequence of the binding portion shown in FIGS. 7A-7D, with the solenoid electronically activated to withdraw the solenoid latch and allow the rotatable latch to reverse rotate;

[0063] FIG. 7F is a fifth step of the operation sequence of the binding portion shown in FIGS. 7A-7E, with the rotatable latch fully reverse rotated to be in release position to allow the portion of the bale to exit, and with the rotatable latch now ready for the next step-in;

[0064] FIG. 7G is a side perspective of the system shown in FIGS. 7A-7F, further showing a portion of the base;

[0065] FIG. 8A is an angled perspective view of another embodiment of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding, having a combination of a rotatable latch for securing the first bale portion of the bale and a linear actuator (a solenoid) attached to an angled-surface, linearly-actuatable latch for securing the second bale portion of the bale, with the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch in the blocking position;

[0066] FIG. 8B is an angled perspective view of the binding shown in FIG. 8A, showing the angled-surface linearly-actuatable rotatable latch in the release position;

[0067] FIG. 8C is a side, partially cut-out view of the binding shown in FIGS. 8A-8B, showing the angled-surface linearly-actuatable rotatable latch in the blocking position;

[0068] FIG. 8D is a side, partially cut-out view of the binding shown in FIGS. 8A-8C, showing the angled-surface linearly-actuatable rotatable latch in the release position;

[0069] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding, having a rotatable latch attached to a gear system and a motor, the gear system having magnets that interact with sensors (only one shown) to limit rotation of the motor and the gear system, and therefore the rotation of the rotatable latch;

[0070] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding, having a linear actuator with a screw drive at one end and attached to a latch via a shaft in opposite end, with the latch in the blocking position;

[0071] FIG. 11A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a rotatable latch of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding, having a recessed portion adapted to be stepped on and a screw motor that rotates the rotatable latch, showing the rotatable latch in the release position;

[0072] FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the rotatable latch of FIG. 11A, showing the rotatable latch in the blocking position;

[0073] FIG. 12A is a cut-out side view of an embodiment of an actuator portion of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding, having a lock-type solenoid and a latch, showing how a second portion of a bale may be inserted into a well portion of a base portion while the solenoid is not powered;

[0074] FIG. 12B is a cut-out side view of the actuator portion shown in FIG. 12A, showing how, when inserted, the insertion force of the second portion of the bale causes the latch to retract to allow the bale to enter into the well portion of the base;

[0075] FIG. 12C is a cut-out side view of the actuator portion shown in FIGS. 12A-12B, showing the latch back in its position after the insertion of the second portion of the bale;

[0076] FIG. 12D is a cut-out side view of the actuator portion shown in FIGS. 12A-12C, showing how the powered-up solenoid would retract the latch to allow exertion of the second portion of the bale;

[0077] FIG. 13A is a cut-out side view of an embodiment of the actuator portion of an electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding similar to the binding shown in FIGS. 12A-12D, but having a lever for manually releasing the latch;

[0078] FIG. 13B is a cut-out side view of the actuator portion shown in FIG. 13A, showing how pulling of the lever allows retraction of the latch and release of the second portion of the bale from the well portion of the base;

[0079] FIG. 14A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a latch and linear actuator portion of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding, showing that the linear actuator may be a screw motor, and having the latch being in a blocking position;

[0080] FIG. 14B is a perspective view of the embodiment of the latch and the linear actuator portion of FIG. 14A, showing the latch in a release position;

[0081] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an embodiment of another linear actuator portion of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding, having a linear actuator having a shaft that is an actuatable plunger by operation of the linear actuator, the linear actuator also being positioned on a slide that moves the linear actuator and the plunger linearly;

[0082] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a bale of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding, having one or more magnets in the bale plate portion for sensing proximity of the bale, and therefore a rider's boot, to a base portion of the binding to be available as feedback to a control system for semi-automatic or automatic release of the rider's boot, or boots, from the binding;

[0083] FIG. 17 is an example of a rider on a recreational board in a precarious immobilization having fallen into a tree well;

[0084] FIG. 18 is an example of a rider on a recreational board in a precarious immobilization having been trapped in an avalanche snowfield;

[0085] FIG. 19 is an example of a rider on a recreational board in a precarious immobilization having fallen wakeboarding and being face down (perhaps unconscious) in the water;

[0086] FIG. 20 is a side angled perspective view of the bale of an embodiment of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding system, showing how the bale can attach to the rider's boot;

[0087] FIG. 21 is a close-up view of a cutout portion of an embodiment of the hook portion of the base of an embodiment of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding, showing a gravity slide having a gravity slide angle θ2, and an edge opposite the gravity slide having an angle θ3;

[0088] FIG. 22 is an exploded angled perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding, showing a bale, a positional disc portion, a base, and an electronics housing with a latch and a solenoid within the electronics housing;

[0089] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a bale of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIG. 22, having a magnet for sensing proximity of the bale, and therefore a rider's boot, to the base portion of the binding to be available as feedback to a control system for semi-automatic or automatic release of the rider's boot, or boots, from the binding;

[0090] FIG. 24A is a perspective top view of an embodiment of the positional disc portion shown in FIG. 22;

[0091] FIG. 24B is a perspective bottom view of an embodiment of the positional disc portion as shown in FIG. 22 and FIG. 24A, showing teethed portion of the positional disc portion;

[0092] FIG. 25A is an angled perspective view of the base of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIG. 22, showing a base portion with teeth-shaped indentations, a hook portion with a gravity slide and a free boot bale hook on a side area, a well portion on another side area, and a protruding portion with attachment portions adapted for receiving an electronics housing;

[0093] FIG. 25B is a top view of the base of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIGS. 22 and 25A, showing the base portion with teeth-shaped indentations, the hook portion and the free boot bale hook on the side area, the well portion on the another side area, and the protruding portion with the attachment portions;

[0094] FIG. 25C is a close-up top view of a portion of the base of FIG. 25B, showing the side area, with the obscured parts of the hook portion and the free boot bale hook shown in dotted lines;

[0095] FIG. 25D is a close-up side view of the hook portion of the base of FIG. 25C, showing the side area with the hook portion with the gravity slide and the free boot bale hook;

[0096] FIG. 26A is an angled perspective view of the electronics housing of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIG. 22, showing a lid, a shield, a power button, a charging port, a tether receptacle, an attachment member, and a manual release (also referred to as a pull) that is configured to control the solenoid within the electronics housing for manual release;

[0097] FIG. 26B is a top view of the electronics housing of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIGS. 22 and 26A, showing the lid, the shield, the power button, the charging port, the tether receptacle, sensors, a latch, and the manual release;

[0098] FIG. 26C is an angled perspective view of the electronics housing of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIG. 22, and 26A-26B, shown from an opposite angle from the perspective of FIG. 26B, showing the lid, the shield, the attachment member, a stabilizing bar through a slot on the latch, and one of the sensors;

[0099] FIG. 27A is a side view of the electronics housing of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIG. 22, and 26A-26C showing the lid, the tether receptable, the charging port, the power button, the manual release, the attachment member, the stabilizing bar, a stabilizing seat, the sensors, and the latch in a blocking position over a broken-off portion of the second bale portion of the bale. The shield is not shown on the electronics housing for clarity of illustration;

[0100] FIG. 27B is a side view of the electronics housing of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIG. 22, and 26A-27A showing the lid, the tether receptable, the charging port, the power button, the manual release, the attachment member, the stabilizing bar, the stabilizing seat, the sensors, and the latch in a release position over the broken-off portion of the second bale portion of the bale. The shield is not shown on the electronics housing for clarity of illustration;

[0101] FIG. 28 is an angled perspective view of the solenoid, the latch, and the manual release of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIG. 22, and 26A-26C without the electronics housing, showing how the manual release is configured to attach to a shaft of the solenoid, and how the latch has the slot and a spring. When the spring is compressed, the latch is in a release position, and when the spring is not compressed, the latch is in a blocking position;

[0102] FIG. 29A is an angled perspective view of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIGS. 22-28 without the bale, showing how the positional disc portion, the base, and the electronics housing with the latch and the solenoid within the electronics housing are assembled;

[0103] FIG. 29B is an angled perspective view of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIGS. 22-28, showing how the bale, the positional disc portion, the base, and the electronics housing with the latch and the solenoid within the electronics housing are assembled;

[0104] FIG. 30A is an embodiment of a controller of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding system, shown as a fob with flexible casing that allows the rider to push down on one of the U-shaped indicators to activate or deactivate, that is control, the binding;

[0105] FIG. 30B is an alternate embodiment of the fob shown in FIG. 30A, shown with buttons;

[0106] FIG. 30C is another alternate embodiment of the fob shown in FIGS. 30A-30B, shown with a slidable casing that houses the buttons inside to prevent accidental depressing of the button to prevent accidental operation of the binding;

[0107] FIG. 31A is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the electronics housing as shown in FIGS. 22, 26A-26C, and 29A-29B, showing that the components within the electronics housing can be a power, a battery, a circuit board, a sensor, a solenoid, and a charging port;

[0108] FIG. 31B is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the electronics housing as shown in FIGS. 32A-32B, 34A-36 showing that the components within the electronics housing can be a power, a battery, a circuit board, a sensor, a solenoid, and a charging port;

[0109] FIG. 32A is an angled perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIGS. 22-31, showing the bale, the positional disc portion, another embodiment of the base, and another embodiment of the electronics housing with the latch and the solenoid within the electronics housing assembled together;

[0110] FIG. 32B is an angled perspective view of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIG. 32B without the bale, showing how the positional disc portion, the base, and the electronics housing with the latch and the solenoid within the electronics housing are assembled;

[0111] FIG. 33A is an angled perspective view of the base of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIGS. 32A-32B, showing a base portion with teeth-shaped indentations, a hook portion with a gravity slide and a free boot bale hook on a side area, a well portion on another side area, and a protruding portion with attachment portions;

[0112] FIG. 33B is a top view of the base of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIGS. 32A-33A, showing the base portion with teeth-shaped indentations, the hook portion and the free boot bale hook on the side area, the well portion on the another side area, and the protruding portion with the attachment portions;

[0113] FIG. 33C is a close-up top view of a portion of the base of FIGS. 32A-33B, showing the side area, with the obscured parts of the hook portion and the free boot bale hook shown in dotted lines;

[0114] FIG. 33D is a close-up side view of the portion of the base of FIG. 33C, showing the side area with the hook portion with the gravity slide and the free boot bale hook;

[0115] FIG. 34A is an angled perspective view of the electronics housing of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIGS. 32A-32B, showing a lid, a shield, a power button, a charging port, a tether receptacle, a sensor, and the manual release (also referred to as the lever or the pull) that is configured to control the solenoid within the electronics housing for manual release;

[0116] FIG. 34B is a top view of the electronics housing of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIGS. 32A-32B and 34A, showing the lid, the shield, the power button, the charging port, the tether receptacle, the sensor, the latch, and the manual release;

[0117] FIG. 34C is an angled perspective view of the electronics housing of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIGS. 32A-32B, and 34A-34B, shown from an opposite angle from the perspective of FIG. 34B, showing the lid, the shield, a portion of the attachment member, the latch, and the sensor;

[0118] FIG. 35A is a side view of the electronics housing of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIGS. 32A-32B, and 34A-34C showing the lid, the tether receptable, the charging port, the power button, the manual release, the attachment member, the sensors, and the latch in a blocking position over the broken-off portion of the second bale portion of the bale. The shield is not shown on the electronics housing for the clarity of illustration;

[0119] FIG. 35B is a side view of the electronics housing of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIGS. 32A-32B, and 34A-35A showing the lid, the tether receptable, the charging port, the power button, the manual release, the attachment member, the sensor, and the latch in a release position over a broken-off portion of the second bale portion of the bale. The shield is not shown on the electronics housing for the clarity of illustration;

[0120] FIG. 36 is an angled perspective bottom view of the electronics housing of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIGS. 32A-32B, 34A-34C, and 35, showing the lid, the manual release, a portion of the latch, the power button, the charging port, the tether receptacle, and the attachment member components;

[0121] FIG. 37 is the same angled perspective view of the electronics housing of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIG. 34A, further showing a tether with a ball-and-claw type attachment member on the tether receptacle.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0122] Referring to FIGS. 1A-1C, an embodiment of a prior art binding apparatus for snowboard boots similar to that shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,890,730 and 5,520,406 is shown. FIG. 1A shows the prior art binding apparatus on a snowboard with boots in place. FIG. 1B shows an exploded perspective view of the bale and the binding base member embodiments of the prior art binding apparatus. FIG. 1C shows various positional views of the latch and camming structure from a side sectional view of the bale and the binding base member of the prior art binding apparatus. The prior art binding apparatus teaches manual release but fails to teach automated release during an upside down, or otherwise precariously immobilized condition. Thus, a binding system that facilitates easy release from a low-profile binding of a boot on a board, and for managing the logistics of releasing one foot, the other foot, or both feet, from the board for various purposes, is needed.

[0123] Referring generally to FIGS. 2A-16, and 20-37 there are shown various embodiments of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding 100, 100′, 200, 300, 400, 400′ and / or portions thereof. The binding 100, 200, 300, 400, 400′ is adapted for releasably securing a boot 900 (see FIG. 20) of a rider to a recreational board 800 and enabling release substantially normal, i.e., at 90 degrees normal to the surface of the board 800, since there is a gravity slide 128, 328, 428, 428′ (see FIGS. 15, 21, 25A, 25D, 29A, 32B, 33A, 33D) as further described below, which enables the rider's boot 900 to be lifted off of the board 800 without requiring of deflection of the rider's knee. Thus, if a rider is mostly inverted or otherwise in precarious immobilization, the bale 110, 110′, 210, 310, 410 slides on the gravity slide 128, 328, 428, 528 and comes off at 90 degrees normal to the surface of the board 800 without the rider's knee or let having to be deflected. That is, such release is at 90 degrees normal to the surface of the board 800 without any need for a twist or a tip of the rider's leg or foot, especially if the rider is in a precariously immobilized condition as in being inverted—or otherwise substantially immobilized in a tree well—immobilized in an avalanche snow field, or immobilized face-down in the water with a wakeboard attached—it being the case that such a system also minimizes the amount of motion necessary to be made by the rider during step in and normal release such as at the end of a day of riding, or to release one boot to facilitate getting onto a chairlift, for example.

[0124] The binding 100, 100′, 200, 300, 400, 400′ generally comprises the bale 110, 110′, 210, 310, 410, the base 120, 220, 320, 420, 420′, an embodiment of the latch 130, 230, 330, 430 and an embodiment of an actuator 140, 240, 340, 440.

[0125] The bale 110, 110′, 210, 310, 410 generally comprises a central portion 115, 115′, 215, 315, 415 that is either somewhat polygon shaped with smooth curves at certain locations as shown in FIG. 3 for example, or that is irregular shaped with generally smooth curves as shown in FIG. 16 for example. The shape of the central portion 115, 115′, 215, 315, 415 of the bale 110, 110′, 210, 310, 410 isn't so important, as long as it presents a central structure for extension and attachment of generally laterally extending bale portions 111, 111′, 211, 311, 411, 113, 113′, 213, 313, 413 as further described below, and as is generally known in the prior art.

[0126] A first bale portion 111, 111′, 211, 311, 411 extends from a position adjacent the central portion 115, 115′, 215, 315, 415, respectively. A second bale portion 113, 113′, 213, 313, 413 extends from a generally opposing, though not necessarily 180 degrees diametrically from the central portion 115, 115′, 215, 315, 415, at an angle formed by attachment areas of the central portion 115, 115′, 215, 315, 415 generally in the same plane and superimposed over the central portion 115, 115′, 215, 315, 415. This angle, also referred to as a bale angle θ1 (see FIG. 2C), is about 10 degrees. The first bale portion 111, 111′, 211, 311, 411 is adapted for attachment to a sole of the boot 900 via the central portion 115, 115′, 215, 315, 415 and extends laterally from a first side attachment area (also referred to as a first side area) 112, 112′, 212, 312, 412 of the central portion 115, 115′, 215, 315, 415. The second bale portion 113, 113′, 213, 313, 413 is adapted for attachment to the sole of the boot 900 via the central portion 115, 115′, 215, 315, 415 and extends laterally from another side attachment area (also referred to as another side area) 114, 114′, 214, 314, 414 of the bale 110, 110′, 210, 310, 410 such that the bale portions 111, 111′, 211, 311, 411, 113, 113′, 213, 313, 413 are generally opposing one another, or at least in angular opposition as described above, from the first side attachment area 112, 112′, 212, 312, 412.

[0127] The base 120, 220, 320, 420, 420′ is adapted for engagement with the bale 110, 110′, 210, 310, 410 and comprises a base portion 121, 221, 321, 421, 421′, a hook portion 122, 222, 322, 422, 422′, and a well portion 124, 224, 324, 424, 424′. The base portion 121, 221, 321, 421, 421′ is adapted for attachment generally as with a set of screws in a conventional manner as known in the prior art, for example with standard M6 bolts to affix the binding to the board 800, or otherwise, to the recreational board 800. The hook portion 122, 222, 322, 422, 422′ is attached adjacent a side area 123, 223, 323, 423, 423′ of the base portion 121, 221, 321, 421, 421′. The hook portion 122, 222, 322, 422, 422′ is further adapted for partially captivating engagement of the first bale portion 111, 111′, 211, 311, 411, 411′. As its name implies, the hook portion 122, 222, 322, 422, 422′ forms a generally rounded hook tip, or lip tip, having a gravity slide 128, 328, 428, 528 (see FIGS. 15, 21, 25A, 25D, 29A, 32B, 33A, 33D), preferably generally, of a gravity slide angle θ2 (see FIG. 21) between 20-25 degrees. While this gravity slide angle θ2 may prevent exactly normal removal of the first bale portion 111, 111′, 211, 311, 411 under normal circumstances, for example at the end of the day releasing both boots 900 from the board 800, under an inverted precariously immobilized position, or otherwise precariously partially immobilized position, such gravity slide angle θ2 allows the rider to simply fall out of the binding 100, 100′, 200, 300, 400, 400′, or to otherwise lift their boot 900 from the binding 100, 100′, 200, 300, 400, 400′ normal to the board 800, without having to deflect at the knee or twist the foot in order for the boot 900 to be released.

[0128] Therefore, the hook tip, or lip tip, and the gravity slide angle θ2 of the gravity slide 128, 328, 428, 428′ are such that lifting of the boot 900 from the binding 100, 100′, 200, 300, 400, 400′ upon release requires only minimal deflection of the rider's leg or knee to release when upright, but no deflection or twisting of the leg or knee is required for release if the rider is inverted, or partially inverted, because gravity causes the weight of the rider's body to simply slide out of the binding 100, 100′, 200, 300, 400, 400′ for the short distance, for example typically between . 5 to 1.1 centimeters, of slide. Thus, for example, if the rider is in a precarious immobilized position having fallen inverted, or partially inverted, into a tree well, the boot 900 will generally release even with the rider's leg being positioned perpendicular to the board 800 and with minimal wiggling or tilt when the latch 130, 230, 330, 430 is actuated.

[0129] The well portion 124, 224, 324, 424, 424′ is attached adjacent another side area 125, 225, 325, 425, 425′ of the base portion 121, 221, 321, 421, 421′. There is typically a lateral, planar, angular relationship between the attachment of the well portion 124, 224, 324, 424, 424′ and the hook portion 122, 222, 322, 422, 422′ on either side of the base portion 121, 221, 321, 421, 421′ that generally matches the angular relationship (i.e., angle θ1) described previously with the bale 110, 110′, 210, 310, 410. The well portion 124, 224, 324, 424, 424′ faces substantially upwardly normal relative to the base portion 121, 221, 321, 421, 421′ and is adapted for partial engagement of the second bale portion 113, 113′, 213, 313, 413.

[0130] There are multiple embodiments of the latch 130, 230, 330, 430. The latch 130, 230, 330, 430 generally has a blocking position 132, 232, 332, 432 and a release position 133, 233, 333, 433 though mechanisms to achieve the two positions differ depending on the embodiment of the latch 130, 230, 330, 430. The latch 130, 230, 330, 430 may also be comprised of a cam body or a cam as further described below. Furthermore, the binding 100, 100′, 200, 300, 400, 400′, or the system, is fully functional as a manually actuatable binding system even if batteries or other power source for the actuator of the latch 130, 230, 330, 430 is dead.

[0131] Latch 130, 430 in binding 100, 400, 400′ is generally an angled-surface linearly actuatable latch 130, 430. The angled-surface linearly actuatable latch 130, 430 is loaded with a spring 131, 431. The angled-surface linearly actuatable latch 130, 430 is adapted for movement by extension of the spring 131, 431 to a blocking position 132, 432 after the spring 131, 431 has been temporarily overcome during step-in to temporarily remove the angled-surface linearly actuatable latch 130, 430 from the blocking position 132, 432 of the well portion 124, 424, 424′ of the base 120, 420, 420′. The angled-surface linearly actuatable latch 130, 430 blocks disengagement of the second bale portion 113, 113′, 413 of the bale 110, 110′, 410 from the well portion 124, 424, 424′ of the base 120, 420, 420′. During the blocking position 132, 432 of the angled-surface linearly actuatable latch 130, 430, both the first bale portion 111, 111′, 411 and the second bale portion 113, 113′, 413 of the bale 110, 110′, 410 are completely captivated.

[0132] Latch 230 in binding 200 is generally a rotatable latch 230. The rotatable latch 230 has an upper catch 236 and is loaded with a spring 231. The rotatable latch 230 is adapted for rotational movement by force of the spring 231 to the blocking position 232 after step-in movement of the rotatable latch 230, by engaging the second bale portion 213 on the upper catch 236 of the rotatable latch 230 to push the rotatable latch 230 temporarily out of the blocking position 232 of the well portion 224 of the base 220 while temporarily overcoming the spring 231. The rotatable latch 230 blocks disengagement of the second bale portion 213 of the bale 210 from the well portion 224 of the base 220. During the blocking position 232 of the rotatable latch 230, both the first bale portion 211 and the second bale portion 213 of the bale 210 are completely captivated. Further, the rotatable latch 230 is adapted for rotational counter movement to the release position 233 for allowing disengagement of the second bale portion 214 of the bale 210 from the well portion 224 of the base 220 to enable release of the first bale portion 211 of the bale 210 from the hook portion 222 of the base 220.

[0133] Latch 330 of binding 300 is adapted for movement to a blocking position 332 for blocking disengagement of the second bale portion 313 of the bale 310 from the well portion 324 of the base 320. During the blocking position 332 of the latch 330, both the first bale portion 311 and the second bale portion 313 of the bale 310 are completely captivated. Further, the latch 330 is adapted for counter movement to the release position 333 for allowing disengagement of the second bale portion 313 of the bale 310 from the well portion 324 of the base 320 to enable release of the first bale portion 311 of the bale 310 from the hook portion 322 of the base 320.

[0134] There are multiple embodiments of the actuator 140, 240, 340, 440. The actuator 140, 440 of the binding 100, 400, 400′ is a solenoid 140, 440. To allow disengagement of the second bale portion 113, 113′, 413 of the bale 110, 110′, 410 from the well portion 124, 424, 424′ of the base 120, 420, 420′ to enable release of the first bale portion 111, 111′, 411 of the bale 110, 110′, 410 from the hook portion 122, 422, 422′ of the base 120, 420, 420′, the solenoid 140, 440 electromechanically overcomes the spring 131, 431 of the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130, 430 which is adapted for counter movement to the release position 133, 433.

[0135] The actuator 240 of the binding 200 is a motor 240, which may also be generally referenced as a solenoid 240 in some embodiments (see FIGS. 6A-7F). The motor 240 alternates rotating movement of the rotatable latch 230 from the blocking position 232 to the release position 233 upon overcoming the spring 231 of the rotatable latch 230.

[0136] The actuator 340 of the binding 300 is the linear actuator 340. The linear actuator 340 alternates movement of the latch 330 between the blocking position 332 and the release position 333.

[0137] Referring to FIGS. 2A-2B, there is shown how the binding 100 may be attached to the recreational board 800. As shown, a binding system comprises a plurality of bindings 100 comprising a plurality of the bales 110, the bases 120, the latches 130, the solenoids 140, and the controllers 150 (see FIGS. 3-5B). FIG. 2A shows two of each of the components of the binding 100, one for each boot of the rider, to form a system. The bindings 200, 300, 400, and 400′ may also comprise a plurality of each of the bales 210, 310, 410, the bases 220, 320, 420, 420′, the latches 230, 330, 430, the actuators 240, 340, 440, and the controllers 250, 350, 580, 580′, 580″ (see FIGS. 6A-15, 30A-30C) and attach to the recreational board 800 similarly.

[0138] The base 120 may be attached to the recreational board 800 using any means known in the art, including, but not limited to, bolts, such as M6 bolts, and screws. The recreational board 800 is configured for one or more of water sport, snow sport, land sport, action sport, extreme sport, and air sport, or may be configured for use in other sports and means known in the art. FIG. 2B demonstrates that the binding 100 is capable of low-profile binding of the boot 900 (see FIG. 20) on the recreational board 800.

[0139] Referring to FIG. 2C, an embodiment of the binding 100 is shown from a top view to show the bale angle θ1, which is the angle at which the first bale portion 111 is attached to, or extending from, the central portion 115, as well as the angle at which the second bale portion 113 is attached to the central portion 115. The bale angle θ1 is about 10 degrees. Other embodiments of the bales 210, 310, 410 may have similar or same bale angles θ1.

[0140] Referring to FIG. 3, an embodiment of the binding 100 is shown with the bale 110, the base 120, the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130, and the solenoid 140. The bale 110 has the first bale portion 111 on the first side 112 and the second bale portion 113 on the second side 114 generally opposite the first side 111, both attached at the bale angle θ1 (see FIG. 2C) away from the central portion 115, at about 10 degrees. The base 120 has the base portion 121 in the center, the hook portion 122 in the side area 123, and the well portion 124 in another side area 125. The first bale portion 111 of the bale 110 is held in place within the hook portion 122 of the base 120. The second bale portion 113 is held within the well portion 124 of the base 120 and is shown as held in the blocking position 132 by the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130 with the spring 131. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the base 120 also further comprises a slotted portion 126 and the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130 further comprises at least one pin 134 for movably engaging the slotted portion 126 of the base 120. The slotted portion 126 partially limits movement of the at least one pin 134 and the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130. Thus, the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130 slides in a direction over the second bale portion 113 of the bale 130 in the blocking position 132 and slides in opposite direction to uncover the second bale portion 113 of the bale 110 in the release position 133. Additionally, the lever 135 is attached to the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130, configured to allow the rider to manually overcome the spring 132 to move the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130 into the release position 133, if needed. The solenoid 140 may be held in place by the housing 141 and the base 120 may further comprise the protruding portion 127 to support the housing 141 and the solenoid 140.

[0141] Referring now to FIG. 4, a close-up of the solenoid 140 attached to the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130 is shown. The at least one pin 134 of the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130 is two pins 134 on the opposite sides of the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130. The lever 135 is attached to the body of the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130 and is adapted for enabling a rider to manually overcome the spring to release the binding with their hand. The spring 131 loops around the connecting point (a shaft) between the solenoid 140 and the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130. Once the rider accomplishes step-in, the shaft and thereby the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130 attached to the shaft, is momentarily pulled back and the spring 131 becomes compressed, momentarily entering the release position 133 to allow the rider's boot to enter into the bale 110 before the force of the spring 131 returns the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130 into the blocking position 132. When the solenoid 140 is activated, the shaft, and thereby the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130 attached to the shaft, is pulled back, compressing the spring 131, causes the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130 to enter the release position 133, allowing the rider to remove their boot from the bale 110 of the binding 100.

[0142] Referring to FIGS. 5A-5B, FIG. 5A is a front view of the solenoid 140 of binding portion 100 with the spring 131 on the shaft without the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130, and is shown without the front panel. And though a completely enclosed housing 141would be good from the perspective of keeping electronics therein dry, of course there needs to be a hole in the front of the housing through which the solenoid plunger, or shaft would protrude to engage the bale 110 in this embodiment. FIG. 5B is a perspective angled side view of the solenoid 140 of binding 100 without the spring 131 on the shaft and also without the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130. The housing 141 for solenoid 140 in this embodiment is a box, and is shown without the top, rear, or side panels shown in FIG. 5A and without the front, the top, and one of the side panels in FIG. 5B to show the solenoid 140, batteries 700, and the controller 150 housed inside. The housing 141 for the solenoid 140 may be of any shape or form and is not limited to the housing shown in FIGS. 5A-5B or metal supports as shown in FIG. 3. The material for the housing 141 may be of any material known in the art that is durable, and preferably water resistant and weather resistant. The internal compartment of the housing 141 may be accessible for replacing batteries 700. The batteries 700 are not limited to what is shown and may be any number of batteries and batteries of any type or shape that may power the solenoid 140. The solenoid 140 may also be of any shape or form known in the art and does not need to be cuboid as shown.

[0143] The controller 150, or the circuit board of the controller 150, is shown within the housing 141. The controller 150 is configured to control the solenoid 140. Any wiring that is needed to connect the solenoid 140 to the controller 150 is not shown. In some embodiments, the controller 150 may operate the solenoid 140 wirelessly and does not need to be housed together with the solenoid 140. The controller 150 may be of any size and shape that is sufficient for operating the solenoid 140. In a preferred embodiment, there may be a plurality of controllers 150, and each controller 150 of the plurality of controllers 150 may be coupled to a button (see 351 on FIGS. 14A-14B) for release. In some embodiments the controller 150 may be remote, such as in a fob or an application in a device, such as a phone, and which may be used to control the solenoid 140.

[0144] In a preferred embodiment, the binding 100 further comprises a sensor (not shown) on the controller board known for its ability to detect gravity to help determine a precarious immobilization of the rider to signal the solenoid 140 via the controller 150 to automatically move the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130 to the release position 133 upon detection of the precarious immobilization of the rider.

[0145] As shown in FIG. 9, there are shown sensing elements 261 (magnets) and sensors 260 (Hall-Effect sensor or optical sensor) adapted for determining position of the gear mechanism 242 relative to the limit switch 260 adapted for detecting a full extent of movement of the motor 240 in a direction to be able to cause the controller 250 to stop movement of the motor 240 / gear 242 in order to prevent damage to the motor 240.

[0146] FIGS. 6A-6B show side views of another embodiment of the binding portion 200 to illustrate how the latch mechanism works, showing only a portion of the base 220, the second bale portion 213 of the bale 210, the rotatable latch 230, and the motor / solenoid 240. In the embodiment shown, the rotatable latch 230 comprises the upper catch 236 and the spring 231, which is a torsion spring 231. In a preferred embodiment, there is a notch or a slot on the rotatable latch 230 for the spring 231. The rotatable latch 230 may have a ledge that is shaped to fit around the second portion 213 of the bale 210. The motor 240 is preferably a latching solenoid 240 with a lever 235 for manual release. In another embodiment, the lever 235 may be attached to the rotatable latch 230 itself. The lever 235 is configured to allow the rider to manually overcome the spring 231 to move the rotatable latch 230 into the release position 233. Further, in a preferred embodiment, the binding 200 has the pivot portion 270 for the rotatable latch 230 to pivot in.

[0147] In the release position 233 as shown in FIG. 6A, the latch solenoid 240 is not engaged with the upper catch 236 of the rotatable latch 230, such that the rotatable latch 230 does not block the second bale portion 213 of the bale 210 from entering or exiting around the ledge of the rotatable latch 230. When the rider steps into the binding 200, the rider's boot will exert downward force on the second portion 213 of the bale 210, which in turn will cause the rotating latch 230 to rotate, compressing the spring 231. The rotation of the rotating latch 230 will cause the upper latch 236 to move up and past the latching solenoid 240 latch, and then spring back into position over the latching solenoid 240 latch, thus entering the blocking position 232 as shown in FIG. 6B, locking in the second bale portion 213 of the bale 210.

[0148] In a preferred embodiment, a controller 250 (not shown in FIGS. 6A-6B, see FIG. 9) is configured to control the latching solenoid 240 (or any other motor 240). The controller 250 may have a software algorithm that may be used to control the latching solenoid 240 if an emergency status (e.g., immobilized position of the rider) is detected, energizing the latching solenoid 240 and retracting its latch to allow the rotating latch 230 to rotate to the release position 233 as seen in FIG. 6A to allow for the release of the second portion 213 of the bale 210. There may be, in a system, a plurality of controllers 250 and a plurality of motors 240 in an embodiment with the plurality of bales 210, bases 220, and rotatable latches 230 (see 100 in FIGS. 2A-2B). In such embodiment, the plurality of controllers 250 for the plurality of motors 240 are configured to communicate with one another and enable control of release of just one of the plurality of bales 210 from the plurality of bases 220 or release of the plurality of bales 210 from the plurality of bases 220. Each controller 250 of the plurality of controllers 250 may be coupled to a button (see 351 on FIGS. 14A-14B) for release.

[0149] Referring to FIGS. 7A-7G, an embodiment of the binding portion 200 is shown. FIGS. 7A-7G only illustrate a portion of the base 220 with the well portion 224 and a roller portion that is fixed and the second bale portion 213 of the bale 210 to focus more on the rotating latch 230 mechanism. The binding portion 200 shown in FIGS. 7A-7G has the motor / solenoid 240, which is the latching solenoid 240 and may be fully or partially inside the housing, the controller 250 or the circuit board for the controller 250, and the battery 700. The rotatable latch 230 has a wedge or a slot that fits around the shape of the second portion 213 of the bale 210 to catch, move along with, and block the second portion 213 of the bale 210 throughout the operation. The pivoting portion 270 (see FIGS. 7B-7G) is removed in FIG. 7A to show the spring 231 that coils around the pivoting portion 270. The pivoting portion 270 is stationary and the rotatable latch 230 rotates around the pivoting portion 270. The spring force of the spring 231 contributes to the rotating movement of the rotatable latch 230. FIG. 7A shows the rotating latch 230 in the release position 233.

[0150] FIGS. 7B-7E demonstrates how an embodiment of the rotatable latch 230 of binding portion 200 operates. FIG. 7B is the first step wherein the rotatable latch 230 is in the release position 233 and the rider begins to step-in. The step-in operation applies downward force with the second portion 213 of the bale 210, which in turn applies downward force on the rotatable latch 230, beginning to rotate the rotatable latch 230, and to begin compressing the spring 231. The upper catch 236 is not engaged with the latching solenoid 240 at this point of the operation, as the shape of the body of the rotatable latch 230 prevents the latch of the latching solenoid 240 from protruding outwardly (retracted).

[0151] FIG. 7C is the second step of the operation, where the continued downward force from the step-in operation on the second portion 213 of the bale 210 causes further rotation of the rotatable latch 230. The spring 231 as illustrated has compressed further.

[0152] FIG. 7D is the third step of the operation, where the second portion 213 of the bale 210 has reached the bottom of the well portion 224 of the base 220 the rotation of the rotatable latch 230 and may no longer move down farther. The upper catch 236 of the rotatable latch 230 has now rotated up past the top of the latch of the latching solenoid 240, and the shape of the rotatable latch 230 allows the latch of the latching solenoid 240 to extend outwardly. In a preferred embodiment, the latching solenoid 240 has an internal spring that causes its latch to snap or pop out. The extended latch of the latching solenoid 240 catches the upper catch 236 of the rotatable latch 230 and prevents counter rotation of the rotatable latch. The rotatable latch 230 is now in the blocking position 232. The rotatable latch 230 is shaped to prevent the disengagement of the second bale portion 213 of the bale 210 from the well portion 224 of the base 220 in the blocking position 232. During the blocking position 232, both the first bale portion 211 (not shown, see 111 of FIG. 3) and the second bale portion 213 of the bale 210 are completely captivated.

[0153] FIG. 7E is the fourth step of the operation, where the latching solenoid 240 is electronically activated, either by the rider or by sensing of the rider in an emergency situation, such as being immobilized in a precarious position. The electronic activation of the latching solenoid 240 causes its latch to move inward, releasing the upper catch 236 of the rotatable latch 230. The compression force of the spring 231 then causes the rotating latch 230 to begin counter rotating (counterclockwise in this embodiment) to begin unblocking the second portion 213 of the bale 210.

[0154] FIG. 7F is the fifth and final step of the operation, where the counter rotation of the rotating latch 230 by the force of the compressed spring 231 has caused the rotating latch 230 to reach its original position as was illustrated in FIG. 7B, entering the release position 233 to allow the second portion 213 of the bale 210 to be released from the well portion 224 of the base 220. The latching solenoid 240 is no longer activated, and the tension of the inner spring of the latching solenoid 240 is returned, ready for the next operation. The shape of the rotating latch 230 prevents the latch of the latching solenoid 240 from extending until the next step-in.

[0155] FIG. 7G illustrates an embodiment of the base 220 of the binding portion 200, showing the base portion 221 and encasing the rotatable latch 230 and the latching solenoid 240 (not shown in FIG. 7G) in a side area of the base 220. The pivoting portion 270, may be a pin 270 as shown, but may be any other means that allows rotation of the rotating latch 230. The rotating latch 230 is in the blocking position 232, and the second portion 213 of the bale 210 is held within the well portion 224 of the base 220.

[0156] Referring to FIGS. 8A-8D, there is shown an embodiment of the binding 300 in combination with some components of binding 200. The embodiment of the binding 300 shown comprises the latch 330, the linear actuator 340, the bale 310 having the first bale portion 311 on the first side 312 and the second bale portion 313 on the second side 314 generally opposite the first side 312, both the first bale portion 311 and the second bale portion 313 at angles about 10 degrees away from the central portion 315 (see bale angle θ1 in FIG. 1C), the base 320 having the base portion 321, the side area 323, the well portion 324, and another side area 325 forming a base for the linear actuator 340. In this embodiment, instead of the hook portion 322 (see FIG. 10) for partially captivating engagement of the first bale portion 311, the side area 323 of the base 320 is shaped more in the shape of a well to allow for the rotatable latch 230 to hold the first bale portion 311 in place when the latch 230 is closed. The rotatable latch 230 is shown in the closed position 233 in FIGS. 8A-8B. The side area 325 supports the latch 330 and the linear actuator 340, which may be the solenoid 340 as shown. The solenoid 340 attaches to the latch 330 by the shaft 341 loaded with the spring 341 (see FIGS. 8C-8D). In an embodiment, the linear actuator (solenoid) 340 is capable of becoming disengaged, and the linear actuator 340 uses the force of the spring 341 to return to the blocking position 332 from the release position 333 while the linear actuator 340 is disengaged. The linear actuator 340 may be of any linear actuator known in the art and is not limited to the solenoid 340.

[0157] In an embodiment, the latch 330 further comprises the latch body 336. The latch body 336 covers the second bale portion 313 of the bale 310 while it is in the well portion 324 of the base 320 to block disengagement of the second bale portion of the bale from the well portion of the base when the latch 330 is in the blocking position, and uncovers the second bale portion of the bale to allow disengagement of the second bale portion 313 of the bale 310 from the well portion when the latch 330 is in the release position. The latch 330 is in the closed position 333 in FIG. 8A and in the release position 332 in FIG. 8B. The latch 320 further comprises the lever 335 attached to the latch body 336. The lever 335 is configured as shown in FIG. 8A to allow the rider to manually move the latch 320 to the release position 333.

[0158] FIGS. 8C-8D are side cut-out view of the binding 300 shown in FIGS. 8A-8B to demonstrate how the latch 330 operates. A cut-out side view of a portion of the second side 314 of the bale 310 with the second bale portion 313 is shown as engaged in FIG. 8C (latch 330 closed) and free to release in FIG. 8D (latch 330 opened). A cut-out side view of a portion of the base portion 321 of the base 320 with the well portion 324 for engaging the second bale portion 313 and side area 325 for supporting the latch 330 and the solenoid 340 is shown. In FIGS. 8C-8D, the latch 330 comprises a hinged ear assembly that allows pivoting (hinging) of the latch 330 by the movement of the hinge 380 to cover or uncover the second bale portion 313 of the bale 310 as the shaft 341 moves in and out of the solenoid 340. The solenoid 340 has a hole, or a tunnel, to allow for the shaft 341 to engage in and out of the solenoid 340. In FIG. 8C, the latch body 336 of the latch 330 is in the blocking position 332 and the hinge 380 is tilted as the shaft 341 has popped out, or extended outwardly, from hole within the solenoid 340. When the solenoid 340 is energized by the rider or by sensing of emergency situation, such as immobilization of the rider in precarious position, the shaft 341 fully retracts back into the hole in the solenoid 340, as shown in FIG. 8D. In FIG. 8D, the latch body 336 of the latch 330 is in the release position 333 and the hinge 380 is vertical as the shaft 341 is fully retracted into the hole within the solenoid 340.

[0159] Referring now to FIG. 9, another embodiment of the binding portion 200 is shown without the bale 210. Such embodiment of the binding 200 has the base 220 having the base portion 221, the hook portion 222 adjacent the side area 223 of the base portion 221 for partially captivating engagement of the first bale portion 221 (not shown) of the bale 210 (not shown), and the well portion 224, located at another side area 225 and adapted to receive the second bale portion 213. The binding portion 200 is shown with some of the panels of the housing 241 removed to show that the other side area 225 supports the controller 250 (or circuit board for the controller), the batteries 700, and the motor 240, which controls the turning of the wheels attached to the pivoting portion 270, or a bar or a shaft, for rotatably engaging the rotatable latch 230 to rotate the rotatable latch. The latch 230 comprises the lever 235 for manually controlling the latch 230 and the upper catch 236 loaded with the spring 231.

[0160] In an embodiment, the binding portion 200 as shown in FIG. 9 further comprises sensing elements 261 (magnets), 260 (Hall-Effect sensor or optical sensor), adapted for determining position of the gear mechanisms 242 relative to a limit switch 260 adapted for reporting the detecting of a full extent of movement of the motor 240 in a direction to be able to cause the controller 250 to stop movement of the motor 240 / gear 242 in order to prevent damage to the motor 240.

[0161] Referring to FIG. 10, another embodiment of the binding 300 is shown with the bale 310 having the first bale portion 311 on the first side 312 and the second bale portion 313 on the second side 314, the first bale portion 311 and the second bale portion 313 attached at angles of about 10 degrees (see bale angle θ1 in FIG. 2C) to the central portion 315, the base 320 with the base portion 321, the hook portion 322 adjacent the side area 323, the well portion 324 adjacent the another side area 325, the slotted portion 326, the latch 330 having the latch body 336, and the linear actuator 340 attached to the latch body via the shaft 341 loaded with the spring 342 (not shown). The linear actuator 340 shown may be driven with a screw-type, or worm gear-type driver for linear actuation.

[0162] In such embodiment, the latch 330 further comprises at least one pin 334 attached to the latch body 336. The at least one pin 334 movably engages the slotted portion 326 of the base. The slotted portion 326 partially constrains the movement of the at least one pin 334 and the latch body 336. Further, the latch body 336 is attached to the lever 335 for manual release. The latch body 336 of the latch 330 is shown in the blocking position 332 in FIG. 10.

[0163] In a preferred embodiment of binding 300, the binding 300 further comprises a controller (not shown in FIG. 10—see 250 in FIG. 9) configured to control the linear actuator 340. The controller may be a plurality of controllers. In embodiments of a binding system with the plurality of the bales, bases, latches, linear actuators, and controllers, the plurality of controllers for the plurality of linear actuators may be configured to communicate with one another and enable control of release of just one of the plurality of bales from the plurality of bases or release the plurality of bales from the plurality of bases. The controller (e.g., such as a controller as shown in on of FIGS. 5, 7, or 9), for each binding enables movement of either latch or all the plurality of latches, to the release position. The controller may be physically wired to the actuator 340 or wirelessly coupled to the actuator for remote control.

[0164] In a preferred embodiment of binding 300, the binding 300 may further comprise a sensor (such as a magnetometer, a device that measures a magnetic field, to enable detection of change of position relative to a magnetic field). Such a sensing device may be found, for example, in a 9-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU), sometimes comprising three sensors, including an accelerometer, which measures motion by detecting changes in velocity, a gyroscope which measures rotational movement, and the magnetometer—all of which signal a microcomputer, which interprets these outputs of the IMU to determine the need for activation of the actuator to release or close a latch, an example such 9-axis IMU being a found in a ST Microelectronics LSM9DS1) to help determine a precarious immobilization of the rider to signal the linear actuator via the controller to automatically move the latch to, for example, a release position upon detection of the precarious immobilization of the rider. Further, the linear actuator 340 of FIG. 10 requires sensors and at least one limit switch to limit rotation of the linear actuator motor, and therefore the actuation of the latch body 336 of latch 300.

[0165] Referring to FIGS. 11A-11B, there is shown an embodiment of a rotatable latch 230 attached to a motor 240 of an embodiment of a binding portion 200. The rotatable latch 230 comprises the upper lever 235 loaded with the spring 231 to control the rotation of the rotatable latch 230 on the pivot portion 270. In this embodiment, the motor 240 is a screw motor 240, with the controller 250 within the motor housing 240. The rotatable latch 230 further comprises a recessed portion 238, adapted to be stepped in by the second bale portion 213 (not shown, see 213 in FIGS. 7A-7G) to enable step-in closure of the latch as is desirable for convenience of stepping in to the binding. FIG. 11A shows the rotatable latch 230 in the release position 233, and FIG. 11B shows the rotatable latch 230 in the blocking position 232. The screw motor 240 has at least one limit switch incorporated therein (not shown), which prevents the motor from turning too far and so as to stop when the latch 230 reaches an appropriate degree of travel in a closing direction and in an opening direction. In this way burnout of the motor 240 is prevented.

[0166] Referring to FIG. 11B, in operation, a second bale portion 213 steps down on the recessed portion 238 to temporarily overcome the spring 231 until the second bale portion 213 seats in a well portion 224 (see e.g., FIG. 9), at which point the spring 231 causes the latch 230 to revert back to a closed position, ready for opening either by a user pulling on lever 235, or by activating the motor 240 to overcome the spring 231 to cause the latch 230 to open to allow release of the bale, and hence the rider's boot.

[0167] Referring to FIGS. 12A-12D, a partial cutout view of an embodiment of the binding 300 is shown to illustrate the operation of a lock-style solenoid 340 as the linear actuator 340. In this embodiment, the latch 330 is integrated into the lock-style solenoid 340, and the latch body 336 of the latch 330 is configured to move in and out of the lock-style solenoid 340 body. The base 320 is directly attached to the lock-style solenoid 340 and has the well portion 324 in line with the latch 330. A portion of the second bale portion 313 of the bale 310 is shown.

[0168] FIG. 12A illustrates the first step in the operation, wherein the second bale portion 313 of the bale 310 is in the process of being inserted into the well portion 324. The lock-style solenoid 340 is not powered, and the latch 330 is in the blocking position 332 (see FIG. 12C) at rest. The latch 330 operates similarly to a door latch and the force of the step-in operation on the second bale portion 313 of the bale 310 pushing the second bale portion 313 past the latch 330, as illustrated in FIG. 12B, where the latch 330 is shown retracting as the second bale portion 313 of the bale 310 pushes against the latch 330. FIG. 12C illustrates the third step in the operation, showing that the latch 330 snaps back to the blocking position 332 shown in FIG. 12A once the second bale portion 313 of the bale 310 reaches the end of the well portion 324. When the user powers the lock-style solenoid 340 or the IMU sensor senses that there is an emergency situation (such as a precarious immobilized position), the lock-style solenoid 340 is powered on and the latch 330 retracts to the release position 333, allowing the second bale portion 313 of the bale 310 to leave the well portion 324 of the base 320 to disengage the rider's boot, and hence the rider, from the board. For such embodiment, minimal energy is needed since the release pulse is short in duration and the latch mechanism is simple.

[0169] Referring to FIGS. 13A-13B, there is shown the same lock-style solenoid 340 of FIGS. 12A-12D, with the lever 335 added. In FIG. 13A, the lock-style solenoid 340 is not powered and the latch 330 or the lock 330 is in the blocking position 332. In FIG. 13B, the lever 335 for manual release has been pulled, which powers the lock-style solenoid 340 and retracts the latch 330 for the release position 333, allowing the second bale portion 313 of the bale 310 to disengage from the well portion 324 of the base 320.

[0170] Referring to FIGS. 14A-14B, an embodiment of the latch 330 and an embodiment of the linear actuator 340 of a binding portion 300 is shown on a side area 325 of a portion of the base 320. In this embodiment, the linear actuator 340 is a screw motor 340 coupled to the controller 350 for controlling the screw motor 340. The latch 330 comprises the latch body 336 with protruding portions 339, or arms 339, for blocking, two pins 334, or rods 334, attached to the latch body 336 and that each engage one of the two slotted portions 326 of the base 320. The latch 330 is attached to the screw motor 340 via the shaft 341 loaded with the spring 342. FIG. 14A shows the latch 330 in the blocking position 332 (as it is fully extended) and FIG. 14B shows the latch 330 in the release position 333 (as it is retracted).

[0171] FIG. 15 shows another embodiment of the binding 300 showing only the second bale portion 313 of the bale 310, showing the base 320 having the base portion, or central base portion, 321, the hook portion 322 adjacent the side area 323, the well portion 324 and the slotted portion 326 in the other side area 325, the latch 330 having the latch body 336, the at least one pin 334, the lever 335, and the linear actuator 340 with the shaft 341. The hook portion 322 has a gravity slide 328 and an edge opposite the gravity slide 329. In the embodiment shown, the spring 342 is two springs 342 looped around two spring mount posts 335 connected to two post insert portions 327. The linear actuator 340 is on a slide 390 that moves the linear actuator 340 forward or backward and the shaft 341 is a plunger 341. When the latch 330 is in the blocking position 332, the linear actuator 340 and the slide 390 are not activated, and the plunger 341 and the springs 342 are extended. When the linear actuator 340 and the slide 390 are activated, from a position where the slide 390 is completely forward towards the base portion 321 of the base 320, activation moves the plunger 341 away from the base portion 321, thus compressing the springs 342 and moving the linear actuator 340 away on the slide 390, to achieve a release position (where the latch is no longer covering second bale portion 313). And after release, when the linear actuator 340 is disengaged, the force of the springs 342 will cause the plunger 341, the slide 390, and the linear actuator 340 on the slide 390 to return to the blocking position 332.

[0172] Referring to FIG. 16, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the bale 110′, with the first side 114′ adjacent the bar for the first bale portion 111′, and with the second side 112′ adjacent the bar of the second bale portion 113′. The bale 110′ having a magnetic body (or central portion) 115′, or one or more magnets 161′ within the body (or central portion) 115′ of the bale 110′ for one or more sensors (such as a Hall Effect sensor) to calculate and determine when a rider's boot is in the binding 300 (or similarly 100 or 200), to thus help in determining logical control, as with software or firmware, necessary when controlling release of one or more boots from the binding via its actuator.

[0173] Referring to FIGS. 17-19, there are shown examples of precarious immobilizations of the rider 920. FIG. 17 shows the precarious immobilization of the rider 920 in a tree well while using the recreational board 800 with the system of bindings 100 (or 200 or 300) in snow. FIG. 18 shows the precarious immobilization of the rider 920 in an avalanche while using the recreational board 800 with the system of bindings 100 (or 200 or 300) in snow. FIG. 19 shows the precarious immobilization of the rider 920 in a body of water while using the recreational board 800 with the system of bindings 100 (or 200 or 300) in water.

[0174] Referring to FIG. 20, there is shown how a boot 900 can attach to the bale 110 of an embodiment of the a binding 100. The bottom of the boot 900 is placed on top of the central portion 115 of the bale 110. The first bale portion 111 is preferably attached at an angle about 10 degrees (see bale angle θ1 in FIG. 3C) away from the central portion 115 on the first side 112 of the bale 110, and the second bale portion 113 is preferably attached at an angle about 10 degrees (see bale angle θ1 in FIG. 3C) away from the central portion 115 on the second side 114 of the bale 110. Other embodiments of the bale 110′, 210, 310 would attach similarly to the boot 900 of the rider.

[0175] Referring to FIG. 21, there is shown a close-up view of a cutout portion of an embodiment of the hook portion 122 of the base 120 of the binding 100, clearly showing the gravity slide 128. The gravity slide 128 is at the gravity slide angle θ2, which is preferably between 20-25 degrees, The gravity slide angle θ2 enables the rider's boot 900 to be lifted off of the board 800 without requiring of deflection of the rider's knee, while allowing the first bale portion 111 (not shown—see FIG. 3) to slide on the gravity slide 128 to come off from the hook portion 122 when the rider is inverted, or partially inverted in an otherwise precarious immobilization. An edge 129 opposite the gravity slide 128 has an edge angle θ3, which is about 2 degrees, that assists in keeping the first bale portion 111 (not shown—see FIG. 3) in place and to prevent the first bale portion 111 from coming off when the rider is upright and the latch 130 (not shown—see FIG. 3) is in the blocking position 132. Other embodiments of the hook portion 222, 322, 422, 422′ has same or similar gravity slide angles θ2 and edge angles θ3.

[0176] Referring generally to FIGS. 22-37, two different embodiments of the binding 400, 400′ with similar components are shown and will be discussed together below. The first embodiment of the binding 400, referred to as the binding 400, is shown in FIGS. 22-31 and the second embodiment of the binding 400′, referred to as the binding 400′, is shown in FIGS. 32-37. As shown in FIGS. 22, 29A-29B, and 32A-32B, the bindings 400, 400′ have the bale 410, the positional disc portion 470, the solenoid 440 (see FIG. 28) and the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 430 (see FIG. 28). The bindings 400, 400′ differ in the shapes and designs of the base 420, 420′, the electronics housing 441, 441′, and how the electronics housing 441, 441′ attach to the protruding portion 427, 427′ of the base 420, 420′.

[0177] Referring to FIG. 22, and 29A-29B, a partially assembled or fully assembled binding 400 is shown. FIG. 22 shows an exploded view of the fully assembled binding 400 with the bale 410, the positional disc portion 470, the base 420, the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 430 (not visible, also referred to as the latch), and the solenoid 440 (not visible) inside the electronics housing 441. FIG. 29B shows the fully assembled binding 400. FIG. 29A shows the binding 400 assembled partially without the bale 410 to better show how the positional disc portion 470 fits in the base portion 421 of the base 420. The details of these components will be discussed below.

[0178] Referring to FIGS. 32A-32B, a partially assembled or fully assembled binding 400′ is shown. FIG. 32A shows a perspective view of the fully assembled binding 400′ with the bale 410, the positional disc portion 470 (not visible, see FIG. 32B), the base 420′, the latch 430 (not visible), and the solenoid 440 (not visible) inside the electronics housing 441′. FIG. 32B shows the binding 400′ assembled partially without the bale 410 to better show how the positional disc portion 470 fits in the base portion 421′ of the base 420′. The details of these components will be discussed below.

[0179] Referring to FIG. 23, the bale 410 has the first bale portion 411 on the first side 412 and the second bale portion 413 on the second side 414 generally opposite the first side 411, both attached at the bale angle θ1 (see FIG. 2C) away from the central portion 415, at about 10 degrees. The bale 410 further comprises at least one magnet 461 on the side 412 facing the well portion 424, 424′ (see FIGS. 25A-25B for the binding 400 and see FIGS. 33A-33B for the binding 400′) for at least one sensor 460, 460′ of the electrical housing 441, 441′ (see FIGS. 26B-27B for the binding 400, and see FIGS. 34A-35B for the binding 400′) to detect the engagement of the bale 410.

[0180] Referring to FIGS. 24A-24B, the positional disc portion 470, also referred to as the positional disk, positional disc, or angular disc portion 470 is shown. As shown in FIG. 24A, the positional disc portion 470 has degree marks, or indicia, on its top surface, which can be used by the rider to position their feet at preferred angles on the board 800. The preferred angles may vary from rider to rider. For example, in snowboarding, a typical position is to have a rider's backfoot at 0 degrees, pointing perpendicular to the board 800, and the front foot at 15 degrees, slightly facing forward. The binding 400, 400′ orientation / angle can be changed by changing the angle as marked on the positional disc portion 470 before mounting the binding 400, 400′ to the board 800.

[0181] As shown in FIG. 24B, the positional disc portion 470 has evenly-spaced teethed portion 471 around the outer edge of the bottom the bottom surface of the positional disc portion 470 that correspond to teeth-shaped indentations 473, 473′ in the base portion 421, 421′ of the base 420, 420′ (see FIGS. 22, 25A-25B for binding 400, and see FIGS. 33A-33B for binding 400′). Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 22, 29A, and 32B, the positional disc portion 470 sits or inserts into the base portion 421, 421′ of the base 420, 420′ on the binding 400, 400′ and is utilized both to secure the binding 400, 400′ to the board 800 and to position the binding 400, 400′ in the preferred orientation for the rider's preference.

[0182] Referring to FIGS. 25A-25D for the base 420 of the binding 400 and FIGS. 33A-33E for the base 420′ of the binding 400′, the base 420, 420′ is shown with the base portion 421, 421′ with teeth-shaped indentations 473, 473′ in the center for receiving the positional disc portion 470. On the side area 423423′, the base 420, 420′ has the hook portion 422, 422′ with the gravity slide 428, 428′ at the top portion of the hook and the edge opposite the gravity slide 429, 429′ on the bottom portion of the hook. During use, the first bale portion 411 of the bale 410 would be placed in the hook portion 422, 422′.

[0183] In these embodiments of the base 420, 420′, the base 420, 420′ further has the free boot bale hook 480, 480′ on the back side of the hook portion 422, 422′ on the same side area 423, 423′. The free boot bale hook 480, 480′ is a slot or a hook for the rider to secure their free or unbound boot 900 into when in a glide while skating between slopes or to the lift.

[0184] On another side area 425, 425′, the base 420, 420′ has the well portion 424, 424′. During use, the second bale portion 413 of the bale 410 is held within the well portion 424, 424′ and the latch 430 would hold the second bale portion 413 of the bale 410 within the well portion 424, 424′ in blocking position 432 or release it in the release position 433 (see FIGS. 27A-27B and 35A-35B). The side area 425, 425′ further has the protruding portion 427, 427′ with at least one attachment portion for attaching the electronics housing 441, 441′ (see FIGS. 22, 29A-29B and FIGS. 32A-32B). Thus, the electronics housing 441, 441′ may be removed to prevent theft while the board 800 is unattended, or for convenience of charging the power source or maintaining its parts.

[0185] Referring to FIG. 28, an embodiment of the solenoid 440 and the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 430 for use with the electronics housing 441, 441′ is shown. The spring 431 of the latch 430 loops around the connecting point (a first shaft) between the solenoid 440 and the latch 430. Once the rider accomplishes step-in, the first shaft and thereby the latch 430 attached to the first shaft, is momentarily pulled back and the spring 431 becomes compressed, momentarily entering the release position 433 (see FIGS. 27B and 35B) to allow the rider's boot 900 to enter into the bale 410 before the force of the spring 431 returns the latch 430 into the blocking position 432 (see FIGS. 27A and 35A). When the solenoid 440 is activated, the first shaft, and thereby the latch 430 attached to the first shaft, is pulled back, compressing the spring 431, causing the latch 430 to enter the release position 433, allowing the rider to remove their boot 900 from the bale 410 of the binding 400, 400′. with the manual release 442 (also referred to as the lever 442 or the pull 442) attached to the solenoid 440 by a shaft is shown. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, in an embodiment, the lower surface of the latch 430 could be curved to facilitate contact with the bale 410, to facilitate positioning and tolerance of movement, thus also preventing the bale 410 from sliding or lifting while the latch is in the blocking position 432.

[0186] In the embodiment shown, the solenoid 440 further has a second shaft that is connected to the manual release 442, also referred to as a pull or a lever 442. The manual release 442 is adapted for enabling the rider to manually overcome the spring 431 to release the binding 400, 400′ with their hand. In this embodiment, the manual release 442 is shaped like a ball to allow the rider to comfortably grasp it while wearing bulky gloves, to manually pull the latch 430 back for the rider to step out of the binding 400, 400′. The manual release 442 is attached to the solenoid 440 shaft with a solid rod or a shaft as the second shaft. When the manual release 442 is pulled back, because the solenoid 440 is free to pull back when de-energized, the solenoid 440 in turn retracts the latch 430, allowing the rider to step out. Then when the manual release 440 is released, the spring 431 returns the latch 430 to the default position making it ready for the next “step-in” motion by the rider. The solenoid 440 may have a housing or other components. As shown in FIG. 28, the latch 430 may have a slot 436.

[0187] Referring to FIGS. 26A-26C, and FIG. 31A for the electronics housing 441 of the binding 400 and referring to FIGS. 31B, 34A-34C, 36, and 37 for the electronics housing 441′ of the binding 400′, the electronics housing 441, 441′ has at least one power source and its components (shown as the power button 444, 444′), which may be a battery 700. However, even when the power source is unavailable, the binding 400, 400′ is fully functional using the manual release 442. The electronics housing 441, 441′ further has at least one circuit board 451, 451′, at least one sensor 460, 460′, and at least one charging port 445, 445′. The sensor 460, 460′ in this embodiment is a Hall effect sensor 460, 460′ for detecting the magnet 461 of the bale 410. However, any other types of sensors known in the art may be used. The electronics housing 441 of binding 400 is shown as having two sensors 460 while the electronics housing 441′ of binding 400′ is shown as having one sensor 460 for illustration purposes and may have any number of sensors 460, 460′.

[0188] Within its body, the electronics housing 441, 441′ contains the solenoid 440 and shafts connected to it, and the spring 431 that controls the latch 430. A slot or an opening is provided for the portion of the latch 430 attached to the solenoid 440 (the shaft) to move in and out of the electronics housing 441, 441′. The electronics housing 441, 441′ has a collar 450, 450′ for retaining the second shaft connected to the manual release 442 and the solenoid 440. The electronics housing 441, 441′ has the lid 443, 443′ that is detachable for maintenance and protection of the components within. The electronics housing 441, 441′ further has the shield 426, 426′ that at least partially shields the latch 430 and electronics housing 441, 441′ components from debris, such as snow, ice, dust, rain, and sand. While the shield 426, 426′ is attached to the electronics housing 441, 441′ in this embodiment, it may be part of another component of the binding 400, 400′, such as the base 420, 420′.

[0189] The attachment member 447, 447′ of the electronics housing 441, 441′ attach to the attachment portion of the protruding portion 427, 427′ of the base 420, 420′. As shown in FIGS. 22, 29A-29B, in an embodiment, the attachment portion of the protruding portion 427 of the base 420 and the attachment member 447 of the electronics housing 441 may be shaped to interlock or dovetail.

[0190] As shown in FIGS. 32A-32B, 33A, 36, in an embodiment, the attachment portion of the protruding portion 427′ of the base 420′ and the attachment member 447′ of the electronics housing 441′ may be shaped to allow the attachment member 447′ to snap in and out of the attachment portion of the protruding portion 427′ of the base 420′. As shown in FIG. 36, this snap in and out mechanism that comprises the attachment member 447′, may include multiple attachment member components 447′a-c. Tabs 447′b on the latch 430 side of the electronics housing 441′ inserted into hook portions of the attachment portion of the protruding portion 427′ of the base 420′. Further, there is a rod 447′a on the underside of the electronics housing 441′. The rod 447′a may be 3 mm. A rotating shaft 447′c with torsion springs allow the rod 447′a to rotate both directions, and the rotating shaft 447′c has a cam, or a key, on it that, when the electronics housing 441′ is pressed into place at the attachment portion of the protruding portion 427′ of the base 420′, the cam of the rotating shaft 447′c is forced down until the rod 447′a on the electronics housing 441′ clears, allowing the cam of the rotating shaft 447′c to spring back up and over the rod 447′a, thereby securing the electronics housing 441′ in place. When it is desired to remove the electronics housing 441′, a knob of the rotating shaft 447′c will be turned counter-clockwise to allow the electronics housing 441′ to release and be taken out. Once the knob of the rotating shaft 447′c is released, the cam of the rotating shaft 447′c springs back into position readying it for the next time the electronics housing 441′ is inserted. The tabs 447′b securing the electronics housing 441′ into place and holding it as long as the manual release 442 side of the electronics housing 441′ is held in place by the cam of the rotating shaft 447′c. Thus, the electronics housing 441, 441′ is securely attached, but removable if desired, for maintenance and safekeeping. The rotating shaft 447′c as shown is usually not removable from the base 420′. However, in other embodiments, a pin can be used instead of the rotating shaft 447′c and rod 447′a to keep the electronics housing 441′ in place.

[0191] Referring to FIG. 37, the electronics housing 441, 441′ further has a tether receptacle 446, 446′, for attachment of a tether strap 600. Since the electronics housing 441, 441′ is attached to the protruding portion 427, 427′ of the base 420, 420′, the tether strap 600 thus attached can be used by the rider to secure the board 800 to their foot to ensure the board 800 does not “run away” if the binding 400, 400′ becomes disengaged from a fall, or other reasons. Furthermore, the tether strap 600 may have a break-away attachment member 610, which securely keeps the tether strap 600 bound to the rider and the board 800 in normal usage, but releases when enough force is applied by a rider in a precarious immobilization, such as if hanging from one's board upside down in a tree well, allowing the rider to safely disengage from the board 800. Other embodiments of the break-away attachment member 610 may be Velcro, safety buckle, or other known means in the art.

[0192] Referring to FIGS. 26B-27B for the embodiment of the binding 400, the electronics housing 441 further has the stabilizing bar 448 and the stabilizing seat 449, which protrude from the electronics housing 441 on the side adjacent to the latch 430. The stabilizing bar 448 and the stabilizing seat 449 keep latch 430 in contact with the bale 410 and allows the latch 430 to track straight when entering the release position 433, and helps proper functioning of latch 430 by keeping the latch 430 stable and closed when in the blocking position 432. The slot 436 of the latch 430 is shaped to receive the stabilizing bar 448 and allow the latch 430 to move horizontally along the stabilizing bar 448 through the slot 436 when the latch 430 changes positions from the blocking position 432 to the releasing position 433 and vice versa. The stabilizing seat 449 is located right below the latch 430 allow the latch 430 to move horizontally along the top surface of the stabilizing seat 449 when the latch 430 changes positions from the blocking position 432 to the releasing position 433 and vice versa. Both the stabilizing bar 448 and the stabilizing seat 449 afford vertical stability and lateral stability to the latch 430, offering the rider a secure state when the latch 430 is in the blocking position 432 with minimal, if any, noticeable movement. The stabilizing bar 448 and the stabilizing seat 449 also increase strength against vertical and lateral forces implied by riding activities. FIGS. 34B-34C, and FIGS. 35A-35B for the binding 400′ shows no such stabilizing seat and bar in the embodiment of binding 400′.

[0193] FIGS. 27A-27B and 35A-35B show side views of the electronics housing 441, 441′, showing how the manual release 442 and the latch 430, and therefore the solenoid 440 (not visible) within the electronics housing 441, 441′ moves to the blocking position 432 and to the release position 433. A cut-out portion of the second bale portion 413 of the bale 410 is shown accordingly, either blocked or released. Some portions of the attachment member 447′ of the electronics housing 441′ are not shown for clarity of illustration.

[0194] Referring to FIGS. 30A-30C, embodiments of the controller 580, 580′, 580″ for the binding 400, 400′ are shown as the fob 580, 580′, 580″. The fob 580, 580′, 580″ are configured to be worn inside the rider's glove or pocket and has at least two buttons 581′, 581″ (581 not shown) to control remote actuation of the left and right bindings 400, 400′ in the system of bindings 400, 400′ having two bindings 400, 400′. In the embodiment of the fob 580 shown in FIG. 30A, the buttons are on the circuit board inside and are not visible. The u-shaped portions or markers are shown to represent flexible push areas directly over the buttons, and when the u-shaped portions are depressed, they actuate the buttons underneath. In the embodiment of the fob 580′ shown in FIG. 30B, the buttons 581′ are shown on the fob 580′ surface. In the embodiment of the fob 580″ shown in FIG. 30C, the fob 580″ has a slidable casing that mechanically covers the buttons 581″ to avoid accidental actuation of the buttons 581″.

[0195] In the preceding description, numerous details were set forth. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details. Additionally, one skilled in the art will recognize the inventive principles disclosed are not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, and that various aspects of the disclosed embodiments may be combined to achieve yet additional embodiments.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0122]Referring to FIGS. 1A-1C, an embodiment of a prior art binding apparatus for snowboard boots similar to that shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,890,730 and 5,520,406 is shown. FIG. 1A shows the prior art binding apparatus on a snowboard with boots in place. FIG. 1B shows an exploded perspective view of the bale and the binding base member embodiments of the prior art binding apparatus. FIG. 1C shows various positional views of the latch and camming structure from a side sectional view of the bale and the binding base member of the prior art binding apparatus. The prior art binding apparatus teaches manual release but fails to teach automated release during an upside down, or otherwise precariously immobilized condition. Thus, a binding system that facilitates easy release from a low-profile binding of a boot on a board, and for managing the logistics of releasing one foot, the other foot, or both feet, from the board for various purposes, is needed.

[0123]Referring general...

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the priority and benefit of US Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63 / 781,331, filed 31 Mar. 2025.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a binding for secure foot placement, for control, safety, and performance. The present disclosure further relates to a binding on a surface such as a recreational board, such as a snowboard, a wake board, a ski, a surfboard, a kite board, or a skateboard, and more particularly to such a binding that uses an electromechanically actuatable release preferably for use with a bale, also known as a bail, and seat-type, also known as base-type, binding interface.BACKGROUND

[0003] Bindings, and in particular snowboard bindings, are known and have been implemented manually, with mechanical motor components, and with electromechanical components. Electromechanical components, such as with motors or solenoids, are remotely operable with an electronic fob, a smart phone, or a smart watch, and even provide automated release under some conditions, for example in the case of initiation of a fall when skiing with snow skis. However, there has not be provided in the prior art a binding for a single recreational board that automatically releases the rider when they have fallen coming to rest at a degree of rotation from upright vertical, or even upside down, in a tree well (i.e., in a precarious situation), or when the rider has been immobilized in an avalanche field (another precarious situation), or face down in the water when wakeboarding, as examples. And since these emergency conditions have entailed surprisingly common means of injury, or even death, among riders during snowboarding / skiing / wakeboarding, for example the falling into such a tree well, being trapped in an avalanche snowfield, or while boarding on a body of water behind a boat, wherein the rider has not been able to extricate themself, the lack of ability of prior art devices to semi-automatically or automatically release under such conditions has been problematic.

[0004] Further, there is needed a means of facilitating easy release from a low-profile binding of a boot on a board, and for managing the logistics of releasing one foot, the other foot, or both feet, from the board for various purposes, for example to repetitively throughout the day get on a lift, to repetitively throughout the day push like a snowboard or skateboard, or to initiate release when in a precarious immobilized position, e.g., facedown, in the water, stuck in a tree well, or in an avalanche field. And still further, it would be desirable to simplify the mounting process of one's boot, and as integrated into such a semi-automatic (e.g., electronic push-button release), or automatic, release, to and from a snowboard, a wakeboard, a ski, a surfboard, or a skateboard, enabling the user to simply just step-in to such a binding system, but where the system is combined with semi-automatic, and / or automatic, release under certain desired conditions, such as if stuck in a tree well, if immobilized in an avalanche flow, or if face-down in the water after a fall (e.g., precarious immobilized situations), not to mention release of one or the other foot for convenience sake if getting on a ski lift, if releasing to push to skate, or if putting one's wakeboard on before getting into the water.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,730, for Snowboard Boot and Binding Apparatus, to Anderson et al., and assigned to Switch Manufacturing, has taught a mechanical binding assembly for attaching a boot to a snowboard, specifically engineered to avoid cavities that could collect ice and snow, which might impede its functionality. The reference has taught boot mounted bales in the form of rigid loops, that extend from each side of the boot soles, and binding base members comprising hooks and notched seats as part of the base member, the binding further having comprised a spring-loaded latch and camming structure for holding the boot mounted bales to the board until the latch has been manually released by lever-action force applied by the user's hand. This reference has been cited for its mechanical interface, as it has not taught any electrical interface or automated release mechanism-nor has it taught any advantageous aspect of the binding to facilitate release in an upside-down, trapped, or other precarious immobilized condition of the user.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,406, for Snowboard Binding, to Anderson et al. assigned to Switch Manufacturing, has taught a binding assembly designed for attaching a boot to a snowboard, specifically engineered to avoid cavities that could collect ice and snow, which might impede its functionality. The reference has taught first and second boot-mounted bales in the form of rigid loops extending from each side of the boot soles, and a pair of binding base members, comprising hooks and notched seats, attached to the snowboard. This reference has been cited for its mechanical interface, as it has not taught any electrical interface or automated release mechanism-nor has it taught any advantageous aspect of the binding to facilitate release in an upside-down, trapped, or other precariously immobilized condition of the user.

[0007] U.S. Design Pat. No. D380,289 and D382,320, for Outsole for Snowboard Boot, to Sand, assigned to Switch Manufacturing, has taught boot and bale member designs to facilitate attachment to a snowboard with the utility devices of the U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,520,406 and 5,890,730 references discussed above. These references do not teach regarding automated release during an upside down, or otherwise precariously immobilized condition.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,087, for Snowboard Binding Release Apparatus, to Agid, has taught a binding release apparatus designed for use with snowboards, and has featured both manual and electromechanical (remote) release of straps used for securing footwear to the snowboard. There has been no automated release feature, and straps-not a bale and base interface-have been required to retain the rider's boots on the board.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 9,526,971, for Remote Release Ski Binding, to Barden et al., assigned to Rossland Binding Company, has taught an accelerometer for automated release from a ski binding, and a manual release for a tree well situation. This reference does not teach automated release from the binding in a precariously immobilized situation. A simple accelerometer, as referenced in Barden et al., cannot do a 3D-space based acceleration detection based upon earth's gravity, and it can only detect position based on starting in a known position and calculating movement to a new position-such does not detect orientation relative to earth's gravity.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 10,729,968, for Remote Release Snowboard Binding, to Barden et al., assigned to Rossland Binding Company, has taught a snowboard binding, featuring a boot interface portion designed to engage with a manually-operable retention and release assembly to hold a boot on a snowboard, which has been operable via a wireless remote control, but which has also required the user to manually rotate the boot to a detent / release position and to then slide the boot horizontally out of the binding in a specific direction after remote manual release, which would have been cumbersome to operate to get on a ski lift, to go into the lodge, and let alone for someone trying to release their binding while immobilized, perhaps inverted, in a tree well or trapped in an avalanche snowfield. Though this reference teaches the use of an accelerometer to enable release of the boot from the board, it does not teach any automated release feature.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 11,266,899, for Coupling Assembly Between a Footwear and a Sport Equipment Such as a Ski or a Snowboard, to Pellegrinetti, has taught a coupling assembly designed to connect footwear to sports equipment, which has comprised a housing near the sole of the footwear suitable for inserting a metallic element and a binding on the sports equipment having a seat for the footwear, which, together with a second metallic element, one of the metallic elements having comprised an electromagnet which, when activated by a remote control “bracelet”, has magnetically bound to the other element, which has securely attached the footwear to the sports equipment. There has been no automated release feature that has been taught in this reference, and while the boot, per this reference, hasn't needed to be slid side way in order to release, it being the case that the binding has allowed for the boot to come straight out of the binding, it nevertheless accomplishes this by direct electromagnetic attachment means (as opposed to an electromagnet implemented in a solenoid or motor-herein referred to as an electronically actuatable device, or an electromechanical actuator), and there is not any teaching in this reference about automated release in event of being precariously trapped or situated, perhaps even upside down, in a tree well, being trapped in an avalanche snowfield, or being face down in the water.

[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,086, for Electric Ski Binding System, to Hopkins, has taught an electric ski binding system featuring magnetic interfaces and a microprocessor to enable releasable engagement of a ski boot to ski bindings. The system has incorporated permanent magnets in the ski bindings and corresponding opposite polarity magnets in the ski boot to create magnetic interfaces at the front and rear of each binding. Electromagnets placed near these interfaces have opposed the boot's permanent magnets' polarity. When engaged, the electromagnets have been in an off state, having allowed the permanent magnets to maintain connection. For disengagement, the electromagnets have activated, which has overpowered the permanent magnets to have released the boot. Sensors on the bindings have been taught to detect pressure and stress, sending signals to the microprocessor, which has thereby determined if a release is necessary, for example because of an electronically determined fall, based upon pre-established thresholds, thereby controlling the electromagnets to facilitate boot release in critical active fall-type situations.

[0013] While the Hopkins reference has taught the use of a microprocessor with a sensor array that has determined signals that indicate certain pressures and a method for triggering an automatic release of the bindings, and hence the user, under certain sensor conditions indicating an active fall-type situation in progress, it has not specifically addressed, and is not capable of addressing after the fact, the precariously immobilized, or even inverted, condition inherent in being stuck in a tree well, or the immobilized condition inherent in being stuck in an avalanche snowfield, or the precariously immobilized condition of a wakeboarder being face down in the water after a fall.

[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,719, for Ski Boot Release System For Snowboards, to Kisselmann, has taught a snowboard equipped with a pair of bindings arranged one behind the other for ski boots. It comprised a release mechanism for the rear binding that allowed a ski boot to be released, and has been activated from a location near the forward binding, positioned at approximately knee height, and while this reference has addressed the need for simultaneous release of both bindings for snowboard riders, and it has addressed the need for a release mechanism that has been reachable from a constrained or awkward position, it has not presented an electromechanical solution for automated release, using a bale and base type binding system, in the event of a trapped condition in a tree well, an avalanche snow field, or effectively under water (i.e., face down after a wakeboard or surfing accident).

[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 10,569,155, for Processor-Controlled Snow Sport Boot Binding, to Pantazelos et al., assigned to Stop River Development LLC, teaches the use of an accelerometer for automated release from a ski binding, wherein the accelerometer detects movement of one part of a rider's body, such as a knee, relative to another part of the body, such as hips, or ankle, so as to be able to detect a falling condition of the skier in order to effectuate automated release when the user's legs are detected to be contorted in such a way as to induce injury. And while this may be a precarious situation of the active, mid-fall type, it is not suited for a precariously immobilized situation, but rather more of an actively falling condition.

[0016] It is also well known that ski bindings are quite different than snowboard-type bindings, or wakeboard-type bindings, in the sense that ski bindings have operated very differently mechanically than snowboard, wakeboard, surfboard, or skate bindings. With ski bindings it has been important to release the binding in the event of an imminent fall, to avoid twisting the user's knee, for example, since skis have traditionally employed separate boards, one for each foot of the user, opening the possibility of an accidental twisting of a leg or knee. But with snowboards and wakeboards, for example, the release protocol has been, and continues to be, much different, since both of the user's feet have been releasably fixed to a single board, thereby minimizing the type of knee-twisting injury common to skiing. And thus, as a result, snowboards have not sought automated release in the event of an imminent fall condition, but instead have rather locked the user's feet to the board until the user has intentionally sought release. Accordingly, the situation for a snowboard, or wakeboard, binding system for release is quite different than, and under somewhat different conditions, than a ski binding system for release. Hence, this form of automation found in the Hopkins reference is not considered to be highly relevant to release of a snowboarder, a wakeboarder, a surfer, or a skateboarder in the event of finding oneself precariously immobilized, for example trapped in a tree well or immobilized in an avalanche snowfield.

[0017] Therefore there has been needed an easily releasable, yet sturdy mechanical connection, binding system for binding a boot to a recreational board, such as a snowboard, a wakeboard, a mono-ski, a surfboard, a skateboard, or the like, which enables automated release during appropriate detection of an emergency situation, such as may be encountered for example while being precariously immobilized, for example even being upside down, in a tree well, or such as may be encountered while trapped in an immobilized condition in a snow field as the result of an avalanche, or some other situation uniquely calling for release of the board as opposed to a pair of skis.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0018] In accordance with an aspect and embodiment of the disclosure, an electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding, also referred to as a “system” when there are a plurality of bindings, is adapted for releasably securing a rider's boot to a recreational board and enabling direct unencumbered release while the rider's lower leg is normal to the recreational board (i.e., at 90 degrees normal to the surface of the board without any need for a twist or a tip of the rider's leg or foot, especially if the rider is in a precariously immobilized condition as in being inverted—or otherwise substantially immobilized in a tree well—immobilized in an avalanche snow field, or immobilized face-down in the water with a wakeboard attached—it being the case that such a system also minimizes the amount of motion necessary to be made by the rider during step in and normal release such as at the end of a day of riding, or to release one boot to facilitate getting onto a chairlift, for example). The system comprises the plurality of bindings, each of the bindings comprising a bale, a base, a latch, and a solenoid. The bale comprises a first bale portion and a second bale portion. The first bale portion is adapted for attachment to a sole of the boot and extends laterally from a first side thereof. The second bale portion is adapted for attachment to the sole of the boot and extends laterally from a second side thereof opposite the first side. The base is adapted for engagement with the bale. The base comprises a base portion, a hook portion, and a well portion. The base portion is adapted for attachment to the recreational board. The hook portion is attached adjacent a side area of the base portion and is adapted for partially captivating engagement of the first bale portion. The well portion is attached adjacent another side area of the base portion, faces substantially upwardly relative to the base portion (i.e., normal thereto), and is adapted for partial engagement of the second bale portion. The latch has an angled surface and is linearly actuatable. The latch is preferably loaded with a spring, and the latch is adapted for movement by extension of the spring to a blocking position after the spring has been temporarily overcome during step-in to temporarily remove the latch from the blocking position of the well portion. The latch blocks the disengagement of the second bale portion of the bale from the well portion of the base. During the blocking position of the latch, both the first bale portion and the second bale portion of the bale are completely captivated. Further, the latch is adapted for counter movement to a release position upon electromechanically overcoming of the spring with the solenoid for allowing disengagement of the second bale portion of the bale from the well portion of the base to enable release of the first bale portion of the bale from the hook portion of the base.

[0019] In accordance with an embodiment of this aspect of the disclosure, the base of each binding may further comprise a slotted portion, and the latch of the binding may further comprise at least one pin attached to the latch. The at least one pin movably engages the slotted portion of the base. The slotted portion partially limits movement of the at least one pin and the latch.

[0020] Preferably, in accordance with this aspect and embodiment, each binding of the system further comprises a lever attached to the latch. The lever is configured to allow the rider to manually overcome the spring to move the latch into the release position.

[0021] Further, in accordance with this embodiment, each binding of the system may additionally comprise a controller configured to control the solenoid.

[0022] In accordance with an embodiment of this aspect of the disclosure, the base may further comprise a protruding portion for supporting the solenoid and a housing for the solenoid.

[0023] In accordance with an embodiment of this aspect of the disclosure, the base may further comprise a positional disc portion configured to fit within the base portion and receive attachment means to mount the binding to the recreational board at the rider's preferred position.

[0024] In such embodiment, the protruding portion may further comprise attachment portions, and the housing for the solenoid may be an electronics box or housing. The electronics housing may comprise a lid, a power button, at least one attachment member for insertion into the attachment portions of the protruding portion, and a lever. The lever may be attached to the solenoid and may be configured to allow the rider to manually overcome the spring to move the latch into the release position.

[0025] In an embodiment, the latch may further comprise a slot and the electronics housing may further comprise a stabilizing seat and a stabilizing bar on a side adjacent the latch. The stabilizing bar may be shaped to fit through the slot of the latch to stabilize the latch, and the stabilizing bar may be shaped to support a bottom of the latch when the latch is in the release position for stabilization.

[0026] In an embodiment the binding may further comprise a shield to shield the latch and the electronics housing from debris and precipitation such as snow or ice.

[0027] Preferably, the system comprises a plurality of bindings (each of the bales, the bases, the latches, the solenoids, and the controllers), to accommodate both boots of the rider on the recreational board. The recreational board is configured for one or more of water sport, snow sport, land sport, action sport, extreme sport, Olympic sport, and air sport, or any other sport known in the art that requires a board for an individual rider to ride on.

[0028] In accordance with this embodiment, each binding of the system may comprise a sensor. The sensor detects gravity to help determine a precarious immobilization of the rider to signal the solenoid via the controller to automatically move the latch to the release position upon detection of the precarious immobilization of the rider.

[0029] Further, the plurality of controllers for the plurality of solenoids are configured to communicate with one another and enable control of release of just one of the plurality of bales from the plurality of bases or release of both of the plurality of bales from the plurality of bases. Each controller of the plurality of controllers may be coupled to a button for release.

[0030] In accordance with an embodiment of this aspect of the disclosure, an electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding, or a system when there are a plurality of bindings, adapted for releasably securing a rider's boot to a recreational board and enabling release substantially normal to the board comprises a bale, a base, a rotatable latch, and a motor. The bale comprises a first bale portion adapted for attachment to a sole of the boot and extending laterally from a first side of the boot, and a second bale portion adapted for attachment to the sole of the boot and extending laterally from a second side of the boot opposite the first side of the boot. The base is adapted for engagement with the bale, and comprises a base portion adapted for attachment to the recreational board, a hook portion attached adjacent a side area of the base portion and adapted for partially captivating engagement of the first bale portion, and a well portion attached adjacent another side area of the base portion as the hook portion and facing substantially upwardly relative to the base portion (i.e., normal thereto), adapted for partial engagement of the second bale portion. The rotatable latch has an upper catch and is loaded with a spring. The rotatable latch is adapted for rotational movement by force of the spring to a blocking position after step-in movement of the rotatable latch by engaging the second bale on the upper catch of the rotatable latch to push the rotatable latch temporarily out of a blocking position of the well portion while temporarily overcoming the spring. The rotatable latch blocks disengagement of the second bale portion of the bale from the well portion of the base. During the blocking position of the rotatable latch, both the first bale portion and the second bale portion of the bale are completely captivated. Further, the rotatable latch is adapted for rotational counter movement to a release position for allowing disengagement of the second bale portion of the bale from the well portion of the base to enable release of the first bale portion of the bale from the hook portion of the base. The motor alternates rotating movement of the rotatable latch from the blocking position to the release position upon overcoming the spring.

[0031] Preferably, each binding further comprises a lever attached to the rotatable latch. The lever is configured to allow the rider to manually overcome the spring to move the rotatable latch into the release position.

[0032] In an embodiment, each binding also further comprises a pivot portion for the rotatable latch to pivot in, and a lever attached to the rotatable latch configured to allow the rider to manually overcome the spring to move the rotatable latch into the release position.

[0033] Further, in an embodiment, the system may comprise a controller configured to control the motor.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, each binding of the system may further comprise a sensor that detects gravity to help determine a precarious immobilization of the rider to signal the motor to automatically move the rotatable latch to the release position upon detection of the precarious immobilization of the rider. Further each of the plurality of controllers for each of the plurality of motors are configured to communicate with one another and enable control of release of just one of the plurality of bales from the plurality of bases or release of both of the plurality of bales from the plurality of bases. Each controller of the plurality of controllers may be coupled to a button for release.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the system comprises a plurality of each of the bales, the bases, the rotatable latches, the motors, and the controllers.

[0036] Preferably, the system is attached to a recreational board. The recreational board is configured for one or more of water sport, snow sport, land sport, action sport, extreme sport, Olympic sport, and air sport, or any other sport known in the art that utilizes a board of some type for an individual rider.

[0037] Preferably, in accordance with an embodiment of one or more aspects of the disclosure, an electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding, or the system when there is a plurality of bindings, is adapted for releasably securing a rider's boot to a recreational board and enabling release substantially normal to the board. The binding of the system comprises a bale, a base, a latch, and a linear actuator. The bale comprises a first bale portion adapted for attachment to a sole of the boot and extending laterally from a first side thereof, and a second bale portion adapted for attachment to the sole of the boot and extending laterally from a second side thereof opposite the first side. The base is adapted for engagement with the bale. The base comprises a base portion adapted for attachment to the recreational board, a hook portion attached adjacent a side area of the base portion and adapted for partially captivating engagement of the first bale portion, a well portion attached adjacent another side area of the base portion and facing substantially upwardly relative to the base portion. The well portion is adapted for partial engagement of the second bale portion. The latch is adapted for movement to a blocking position for blocking disengagement of the second bale portion of the bale from the well portion of the base. During the blocking position of the latch, both the first bale portion and the second bale portion of the bale are completely captivated. The latch is further adapted for counter movement to a release position for allowing disengagement of the second bale portion of the bale from the well portion of the base to enable release of the first bale portion of the bale from the hook portion of the base. The linear actuator is for alternating movement of the latch between the blocking position and the release position.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the base portion of the base may further comprise a slotted portion, and the latch may further comprise a latch body, a lever, and at least one pin. The latch body covers the second bale portion of the bale partially engaged in the well portion of the base to block disengagement of the second bale portion of the bale from the well portion of the base when the latch is in the blocking position. The latch body uncovers the second bale portion of the bale partially engaged in the well portion of the base to allow disengagement of the second bale portion of the bale from the well portion of the base when the latch is in the release position. The lever is one of attached to the latch body and adjacent the hook portion in the event that part of the hook portion is formed by a cam which blocks release of the first bale portion of the bale in a closed position and is configured to allow the rider to manually move the latch to the release position. The at least one pin is attached to the latch body. The at least one pin movably engages the slotted portion of the base. The slotted portion of the base partially constrains movement of the at least one pin and the latch body. Further, in such embodiment, the linear actuator is attached to the latch body of the latch.

[0039] In an embodiment, the linear actuator is attached to the latch body of the latch via a shaft loaded with a spring, wherein the linear actuator is also capable of becoming disengaged. Additionally, the linear actuator uses a force of the spring to return to the blocking position from the release position while the linear actuator is disengaged.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the system further comprises a controller configured to control the linear actuator.

[0041] Further, in a preferred embodiment, the system comprises a plurality of the bales, the bases, the latches, the linear actuators, and the controllers.

[0042] In another preferred embodiment, each binding of the system may further comprise a sensor that detects gravity to help determine a precarious immobilization of the rider to signal the linear actuator via the controller to automatically move the latch to the release position upon detection of the precarious immobilization of the rider. Further, the plurality of controllers for the plurality of linear actuators are configured to communicate with one another and enable control of release of just one of the plurality bales from the plurality of bases or release the plurality of bales from the plurality of bases. Each controller of the plurality of controllers may be coupled to a button to enable movement of either the latch, or the plurality of latches, to the release position.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the system is attached to a recreational board. The recreational board is configured for one or more of water sport, snow sport, land sport, and air sport, or any other sport known in the art that uses a board adapted for an individual rider.

[0044] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that there are various possible combinations of the above-described elements and sub-elements for various embodiments of the disclosure, whether such elements and sub-elements be combined in whole or in part, which may be employed without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.

[0045] The subject matter of the present disclosure is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. However, both the organization and method of operation, together with further advantages and objects thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following descriptions taken in connection with accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like elements.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a prior art binding apparatus for snowboard boots similar to those shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,890,730 and 5,520,406;

[0047] FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the bale and the binding base member embodiments of the prior art binding shown in FIG. 1A;

[0048] FIG. 1C is various positional views of the latch and camming structure from a side sectional view of the bale and the binding base member of the prior art binding apparatus shown in FIG. 1A-1B;

[0049] FIG. 2A is a top view of a recreational board with an embodiment of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding, showing a pair of such in a system attached to the recreational board;

[0050] FIG. 2B is a side view of the recreational board with the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding system shown in FIG. 2A;

[0051] FIG. 2C is a top view of one of the bales, the bases, the latches, and the solenoids of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding system shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, showing the angle of the first and second bale portions θ1;

[0052] FIG. 3 is an angled perspective view of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding of the system shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, showing a bale, a base, a latch, and a solenoid;

[0053] FIG. 4 is an angled perspective view of the solenoid and the latch of the binding shown in FIG. 3, showing how the solenoid attaches to the latch, and a lever is attached to the latch for manual release;

[0054] FIG. 5A is a front view of a solenoid, batteries, and a control board within a housing for the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding system shown collectively in FIGS. 2A-4;

[0055] FIG. 5B is an angled perspective view of the solenoid, batteries, and the control board represented as being within a housing in FIG. 5A, with a top portion, a rear portion, and a side portion of the housing removed;

[0056] FIG. 6A is a side view of an embodiment of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding portion showing a motor (solenoid) with a lever attached for manual release, and a rotatable latch with an upper catch loaded with a spring in a release position but with a bale portion engaging a step-in-enabling portion of the rotatable latch;

[0057] FIG. 6B is a side view of the embodiment of the binding portion shown in FIG. 6A, with the rotatable latch in a blocking position;

[0058] FIG. 7A is an angled perspective view of an embodiment of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding portion with a different embodiment of the rotatable latch in a portion of the base, showing a motor (a solenoid with a latch), a controller, a battery, and the rotatable latch in the release position, and with a bale portion positioned over a step-in-enabling portion of the rotatable latch;

[0059] FIG. 7B is a side view of the binding portion shown in FIG. 7A in a first step of its operation sequence, with the rotatable latch in the release position with a downward force applied on a portion of the bale as the rider steps into the binding portion;

[0060] FIG. 7C is a second step of the operation sequence of the binding portion shown in FIGS. 7A-7B, with the rotatable latch in rotation as continued downward force is applied on the first portion of the bale as the user steps into the binding portion;

[0061] FIG. 7D is a third step of the operation sequence of the binding portion shown in FIGS. 7A-7C, with the rotatable latch fully rotated and the latch of the solenoid blocking the upper catch of the rotatable latch from reverse rotation;

[0062] FIG. 7E is a fourth step of the operation sequence of the binding portion shown in FIGS. 7A-7D, with the solenoid electronically activated to withdraw the solenoid latch and allow the rotatable latch to reverse rotate;

[0063] FIG. 7F is a fifth step of the operation sequence of the binding portion shown in FIGS. 7A-7E, with the rotatable latch fully reverse rotated to be in release position to allow the portion of the bale to exit, and with the rotatable latch now ready for the next step-in;

[0064] FIG. 7G is a side perspective of the system shown in FIGS. 7A-7F, further showing a portion of the base;

[0065] FIG. 8A is an angled perspective view of another embodiment of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding, having a combination of a rotatable latch for securing the first bale portion of the bale and a linear actuator (a solenoid) attached to an angled-surface, linearly-actuatable latch for securing the second bale portion of the bale, with the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch in the blocking position;

[0066] FIG. 8B is an angled perspective view of the binding shown in FIG. 8A, showing the angled-surface linearly-actuatable rotatable latch in the release position;

[0067] FIG. 8C is a side, partially cut-out view of the binding shown in FIGS. 8A-8B, showing the angled-surface linearly-actuatable rotatable latch in the blocking position;

[0068] FIG. 8D is a side, partially cut-out view of the binding shown in FIGS. 8A-8C, showing the angled-surface linearly-actuatable rotatable latch in the release position;

[0069] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding, having a rotatable latch attached to a gear system and a motor, the gear system having magnets that interact with sensors (only one shown) to limit rotation of the motor and the gear system, and therefore the rotation of the rotatable latch;

[0070] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding, having a linear actuator with a screw drive at one end and attached to a latch via a shaft in opposite end, with the latch in the blocking position;

[0071] FIG. 11A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a rotatable latch of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding, having a recessed portion adapted to be stepped on and a screw motor that rotates the rotatable latch, showing the rotatable latch in the release position;

[0072] FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the rotatable latch of FIG. 11A, showing the rotatable latch in the blocking position;

[0073] FIG. 12A is a cut-out side view of an embodiment of an actuator portion of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding, having a lock-type solenoid and a latch, showing how a second portion of a bale may be inserted into a well portion of a base portion while the solenoid is not powered;

[0074] FIG. 12B is a cut-out side view of the actuator portion shown in FIG. 12A, showing how, when inserted, the insertion force of the second portion of the bale causes the latch to retract to allow the bale to enter into the well portion of the base;

[0075] FIG. 12C is a cut-out side view of the actuator portion shown in FIGS. 12A-12B, showing the latch back in its position after the insertion of the second portion of the bale;

[0076] FIG. 12D is a cut-out side view of the actuator portion shown in FIGS. 12A-12C, showing how the powered-up solenoid would retract the latch to allow exertion of the second portion of the bale;

[0077] FIG. 13A is a cut-out side view of an embodiment of the actuator portion of an electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding similar to the binding shown in FIGS. 12A-12D, but having a lever for manually releasing the latch;

[0078] FIG. 13B is a cut-out side view of the actuator portion shown in FIG. 13A, showing how pulling of the lever allows retraction of the latch and release of the second portion of the bale from the well portion of the base;

[0079] FIG. 14A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a latch and linear actuator portion of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding, showing that the linear actuator may be a screw motor, and having the latch being in a blocking position;

[0080] FIG. 14B is a perspective view of the embodiment of the latch and the linear actuator portion of FIG. 14A, showing the latch in a release position;

[0081] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an embodiment of another linear actuator portion of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding, having a linear actuator having a shaft that is an actuatable plunger by operation of the linear actuator, the linear actuator also being positioned on a slide that moves the linear actuator and the plunger linearly;

[0082] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a bale of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding, having one or more magnets in the bale plate portion for sensing proximity of the bale, and therefore a rider's boot, to a base portion of the binding to be available as feedback to a control system for semi-automatic or automatic release of the rider's boot, or boots, from the binding;

[0083] FIG. 17 is an example of a rider on a recreational board in a precarious immobilization having fallen into a tree well;

[0084] FIG. 18 is an example of a rider on a recreational board in a precarious immobilization having been trapped in an avalanche snowfield;

[0085] FIG. 19 is an example of a rider on a recreational board in a precarious immobilization having fallen wakeboarding and being face down (perhaps unconscious) in the water;

[0086] FIG. 20 is a side angled perspective view of the bale of an embodiment of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding system, showing how the bale can attach to the rider's boot;

[0087] FIG. 21 is a close-up view of a cutout portion of an embodiment of the hook portion of the base of an embodiment of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding, showing a gravity slide having a gravity slide angle θ2, and an edge opposite the gravity slide having an angle θ3;

[0088] FIG. 22 is an exploded angled perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding, showing a bale, a positional disc portion, a base, and an electronics housing with a latch and a solenoid within the electronics housing;

[0089] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a bale of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIG. 22, having a magnet for sensing proximity of the bale, and therefore a rider's boot, to the base portion of the binding to be available as feedback to a control system for semi-automatic or automatic release of the rider's boot, or boots, from the binding;

[0090] FIG. 24A is a perspective top view of an embodiment of the positional disc portion shown in FIG. 22;

[0091] FIG. 24B is a perspective bottom view of an embodiment of the positional disc portion as shown in FIG. 22 and FIG. 24A, showing teethed portion of the positional disc portion;

[0092] FIG. 25A is an angled perspective view of the base of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIG. 22, showing a base portion with teeth-shaped indentations, a hook portion with a gravity slide and a free boot bale hook on a side area, a well portion on another side area, and a protruding portion with attachment portions adapted for receiving an electronics housing;

[0093] FIG. 25B is a top view of the base of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIGS. 22 and 25A, showing the base portion with teeth-shaped indentations, the hook portion and the free boot bale hook on the side area, the well portion on the another side area, and the protruding portion with the attachment portions;

[0094] FIG. 25C is a close-up top view of a portion of the base of FIG. 25B, showing the side area, with the obscured parts of the hook portion and the free boot bale hook shown in dotted lines;

[0095] FIG. 25D is a close-up side view of the hook portion of the base of FIG. 25C, showing the side area with the hook portion with the gravity slide and the free boot bale hook;

[0096] FIG. 26A is an angled perspective view of the electronics housing of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIG. 22, showing a lid, a shield, a power button, a charging port, a tether receptacle, an attachment member, and a manual release (also referred to as a pull) that is configured to control the solenoid within the electronics housing for manual release;

[0097] FIG. 26B is a top view of the electronics housing of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIGS. 22 and 26A, showing the lid, the shield, the power button, the charging port, the tether receptacle, sensors, a latch, and the manual release;

[0098] FIG. 26C is an angled perspective view of the electronics housing of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIG. 22, and 26A-26B, shown from an opposite angle from the perspective of FIG. 26B, showing the lid, the shield, the attachment member, a stabilizing bar through a slot on the latch, and one of the sensors;

[0099] FIG. 27A is a side view of the electronics housing of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIG. 22, and 26A-26C showing the lid, the tether receptable, the charging port, the power button, the manual release, the attachment member, the stabilizing bar, a stabilizing seat, the sensors, and the latch in a blocking position over a broken-off portion of the second bale portion of the bale. The shield is not shown on the electronics housing for clarity of illustration;

[0100] FIG. 27B is a side view of the electronics housing of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIG. 22, and 26A-27A showing the lid, the tether receptable, the charging port, the power button, the manual release, the attachment member, the stabilizing bar, the stabilizing seat, the sensors, and the latch in a release position over the broken-off portion of the second bale portion of the bale. The shield is not shown on the electronics housing for clarity of illustration;

[0101] FIG. 28 is an angled perspective view of the solenoid, the latch, and the manual release of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIG. 22, and 26A-26C without the electronics housing, showing how the manual release is configured to attach to a shaft of the solenoid, and how the latch has the slot and a spring. When the spring is compressed, the latch is in a release position, and when the spring is not compressed, the latch is in a blocking position;

[0102] FIG. 29A is an angled perspective view of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIGS. 22-28 without the bale, showing how the positional disc portion, the base, and the electronics housing with the latch and the solenoid within the electronics housing are assembled;

[0103] FIG. 29B is an angled perspective view of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIGS. 22-28, showing how the bale, the positional disc portion, the base, and the electronics housing with the latch and the solenoid within the electronics housing are assembled;

[0104] FIG. 30A is an embodiment of a controller of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding system, shown as a fob with flexible casing that allows the rider to push down on one of the U-shaped indicators to activate or deactivate, that is control, the binding;

[0105] FIG. 30B is an alternate embodiment of the fob shown in FIG. 30A, shown with buttons;

[0106] FIG. 30C is another alternate embodiment of the fob shown in FIGS. 30A-30B, shown with a slidable casing that houses the buttons inside to prevent accidental depressing of the button to prevent accidental operation of the binding;

[0107] FIG. 31A is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the electronics housing as shown in FIGS. 22, 26A-26C, and 29A-29B, showing that the components within the electronics housing can be a power, a battery, a circuit board, a sensor, a solenoid, and a charging port;

[0108] FIG. 31B is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the electronics housing as shown in FIGS. 32A-32B, 34A-36 showing that the components within the electronics housing can be a power, a battery, a circuit board, a sensor, a solenoid, and a charging port;

[0109] FIG. 32A is an angled perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIGS. 22-31, showing the bale, the positional disc portion, another embodiment of the base, and another embodiment of the electronics housing with the latch and the solenoid within the electronics housing assembled together;

[0110] FIG. 32B is an angled perspective view of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIG. 32B without the bale, showing how the positional disc portion, the base, and the electronics housing with the latch and the solenoid within the electronics housing are assembled;

[0111] FIG. 33A is an angled perspective view of the base of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIGS. 32A-32B, showing a base portion with teeth-shaped indentations, a hook portion with a gravity slide and a free boot bale hook on a side area, a well portion on another side area, and a protruding portion with attachment portions;

[0112] FIG. 33B is a top view of the base of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIGS. 32A-33A, showing the base portion with teeth-shaped indentations, the hook portion and the free boot bale hook on the side area, the well portion on the another side area, and the protruding portion with the attachment portions;

[0113] FIG. 33C is a close-up top view of a portion of the base of FIGS. 32A-33B, showing the side area, with the obscured parts of the hook portion and the free boot bale hook shown in dotted lines;

[0114] FIG. 33D is a close-up side view of the portion of the base of FIG. 33C, showing the side area with the hook portion with the gravity slide and the free boot bale hook;

[0115] FIG. 34A is an angled perspective view of the electronics housing of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIGS. 32A-32B, showing a lid, a shield, a power button, a charging port, a tether receptacle, a sensor, and the manual release (also referred to as the lever or the pull) that is configured to control the solenoid within the electronics housing for manual release;

[0116] FIG. 34B is a top view of the electronics housing of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIGS. 32A-32B and 34A, showing the lid, the shield, the power button, the charging port, the tether receptacle, the sensor, the latch, and the manual release;

[0117] FIG. 34C is an angled perspective view of the electronics housing of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIGS. 32A-32B, and 34A-34B, shown from an opposite angle from the perspective of FIG. 34B, showing the lid, the shield, a portion of the attachment member, the latch, and the sensor;

[0118] FIG. 35A is a side view of the electronics housing of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIGS. 32A-32B, and 34A-34C showing the lid, the tether receptable, the charging port, the power button, the manual release, the attachment member, the sensors, and the latch in a blocking position over the broken-off portion of the second bale portion of the bale. The shield is not shown on the electronics housing for the clarity of illustration;

[0119] FIG. 35B is a side view of the electronics housing of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIGS. 32A-32B, and 34A-35A showing the lid, the tether receptable, the charging port, the power button, the manual release, the attachment member, the sensor, and the latch in a release position over a broken-off portion of the second bale portion of the bale. The shield is not shown on the electronics housing for the clarity of illustration;

[0120] FIG. 36 is an angled perspective bottom view of the electronics housing of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIGS. 32A-32B, 34A-34C, and 35, showing the lid, the manual release, a portion of the latch, the power button, the charging port, the tether receptacle, and the attachment member components;

[0121] FIG. 37 is the same angled perspective view of the electronics housing of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding shown in FIG. 34A, further showing a tether with a ball-and-claw type attachment member on the tether receptacle.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0122] Referring to FIGS. 1A-1C, an embodiment of a prior art binding apparatus for snowboard boots similar to that shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,890,730 and 5,520,406 is shown. FIG. 1A shows the prior art binding apparatus on a snowboard with boots in place. FIG. 1B shows an exploded perspective view of the bale and the binding base member embodiments of the prior art binding apparatus. FIG. 1C shows various positional views of the latch and camming structure from a side sectional view of the bale and the binding base member of the prior art binding apparatus. The prior art binding apparatus teaches manual release but fails to teach automated release during an upside down, or otherwise precariously immobilized condition. Thus, a binding system that facilitates easy release from a low-profile binding of a boot on a board, and for managing the logistics of releasing one foot, the other foot, or both feet, from the board for various purposes, is needed.

[0123] Referring generally to FIGS. 2A-16, and 20-37 there are shown various embodiments of the electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding 100, 100′, 200, 300, 400, 400′ and / or portions thereof. The binding 100, 200, 300, 400, 400′ is adapted for releasably securing a boot 900 (see FIG. 20) of a rider to a recreational board 800 and enabling release substantially normal, i.e., at 90 degrees normal to the surface of the board 800, since there is a gravity slide 128, 328, 428, 428′ (see FIGS. 15, 21, 25A, 25D, 29A, 32B, 33A, 33D) as further described below, which enables the rider's boot 900 to be lifted off of the board 800 without requiring of deflection of the rider's knee. Thus, if a rider is mostly inverted or otherwise in precarious immobilization, the bale 110, 110′, 210, 310, 410 slides on the gravity slide 128, 328, 428, 528 and comes off at 90 degrees normal to the surface of the board 800 without the rider's knee or let having to be deflected. That is, such release is at 90 degrees normal to the surface of the board 800 without any need for a twist or a tip of the rider's leg or foot, especially if the rider is in a precariously immobilized condition as in being inverted—or otherwise substantially immobilized in a tree well—immobilized in an avalanche snow field, or immobilized face-down in the water with a wakeboard attached—it being the case that such a system also minimizes the amount of motion necessary to be made by the rider during step in and normal release such as at the end of a day of riding, or to release one boot to facilitate getting onto a chairlift, for example.

[0124] The binding 100, 100′, 200, 300, 400, 400′ generally comprises the bale 110, 110′, 210, 310, 410, the base 120, 220, 320, 420, 420′, an embodiment of the latch 130, 230, 330, 430 and an embodiment of an actuator 140, 240, 340, 440.

[0125] The bale 110, 110′, 210, 310, 410 generally comprises a central portion 115, 115′, 215, 315, 415 that is either somewhat polygon shaped with smooth curves at certain locations as shown in FIG. 3 for example, or that is irregular shaped with generally smooth curves as shown in FIG. 16 for example. The shape of the central portion 115, 115′, 215, 315, 415 of the bale 110, 110′, 210, 310, 410 isn't so important, as long as it presents a central structure for extension and attachment of generally laterally extending bale portions 111, 111′, 211, 311, 411, 113, 113′, 213, 313, 413 as further described below, and as is generally known in the prior art.

[0126] A first bale portion 111, 111′, 211, 311, 411 extends from a position adjacent the central portion 115, 115′, 215, 315, 415, respectively. A second bale portion 113, 113′, 213, 313, 413 extends from a generally opposing, though not necessarily 180 degrees diametrically from the central portion 115, 115′, 215, 315, 415, at an angle formed by attachment areas of the central portion 115, 115′, 215, 315, 415 generally in the same plane and superimposed over the central portion 115, 115′, 215, 315, 415. This angle, also referred to as a bale angle θ1 (see FIG. 2C), is about 10 degrees. The first bale portion 111, 111′, 211, 311, 411 is adapted for attachment to a sole of the boot 900 via the central portion 115, 115′, 215, 315, 415 and extends laterally from a first side attachment area (also referred to as a first side area) 112, 112′, 212, 312, 412 of the central portion 115, 115′, 215, 315, 415. The second bale portion 113, 113′, 213, 313, 413 is adapted for attachment to the sole of the boot 900 via the central portion 115, 115′, 215, 315, 415 and extends laterally from another side attachment area (also referred to as another side area) 114, 114′, 214, 314, 414 of the bale 110, 110′, 210, 310, 410 such that the bale portions 111, 111′, 211, 311, 411, 113, 113′, 213, 313, 413 are generally opposing one another, or at least in angular opposition as described above, from the first side attachment area 112, 112′, 212, 312, 412.

[0127] The base 120, 220, 320, 420, 420′ is adapted for engagement with the bale 110, 110′, 210, 310, 410 and comprises a base portion 121, 221, 321, 421, 421′, a hook portion 122, 222, 322, 422, 422′, and a well portion 124, 224, 324, 424, 424′. The base portion 121, 221, 321, 421, 421′ is adapted for attachment generally as with a set of screws in a conventional manner as known in the prior art, for example with standard M6 bolts to affix the binding to the board 800, or otherwise, to the recreational board 800. The hook portion 122, 222, 322, 422, 422′ is attached adjacent a side area 123, 223, 323, 423, 423′ of the base portion 121, 221, 321, 421, 421′. The hook portion 122, 222, 322, 422, 422′ is further adapted for partially captivating engagement of the first bale portion 111, 111′, 211, 311, 411, 411′. As its name implies, the hook portion 122, 222, 322, 422, 422′ forms a generally rounded hook tip, or lip tip, having a gravity slide 128, 328, 428, 528 (see FIGS. 15, 21, 25A, 25D, 29A, 32B, 33A, 33D), preferably generally, of a gravity slide angle θ2 (see FIG. 21) between 20-25 degrees. While this gravity slide angle θ2 may prevent exactly normal removal of the first bale portion 111, 111′, 211, 311, 411 under normal circumstances, for example at the end of the day releasing both boots 900 from the board 800, under an inverted precariously immobilized position, or otherwise precariously partially immobilized position, such gravity slide angle θ2 allows the rider to simply fall out of the binding 100, 100′, 200, 300, 400, 400′, or to otherwise lift their boot 900 from the binding 100, 100′, 200, 300, 400, 400′ normal to the board 800, without having to deflect at the knee or twist the foot in order for the boot 900 to be released.

[0128] Therefore, the hook tip, or lip tip, and the gravity slide angle θ2 of the gravity slide 128, 328, 428, 428′ are such that lifting of the boot 900 from the binding 100, 100′, 200, 300, 400, 400′ upon release requires only minimal deflection of the rider's leg or knee to release when upright, but no deflection or twisting of the leg or knee is required for release if the rider is inverted, or partially inverted, because gravity causes the weight of the rider's body to simply slide out of the binding 100, 100′, 200, 300, 400, 400′ for the short distance, for example typically between . 5 to 1.1 centimeters, of slide. Thus, for example, if the rider is in a precarious immobilized position having fallen inverted, or partially inverted, into a tree well, the boot 900 will generally release even with the rider's leg being positioned perpendicular to the board 800 and with minimal wiggling or tilt when the latch 130, 230, 330, 430 is actuated.

[0129] The well portion 124, 224, 324, 424, 424′ is attached adjacent another side area 125, 225, 325, 425, 425′ of the base portion 121, 221, 321, 421, 421′. There is typically a lateral, planar, angular relationship between the attachment of the well portion 124, 224, 324, 424, 424′ and the hook portion 122, 222, 322, 422, 422′ on either side of the base portion 121, 221, 321, 421, 421′ that generally matches the angular relationship (i.e., angle θ1) described previously with the bale 110, 110′, 210, 310, 410. The well portion 124, 224, 324, 424, 424′ faces substantially upwardly normal relative to the base portion 121, 221, 321, 421, 421′ and is adapted for partial engagement of the second bale portion 113, 113′, 213, 313, 413.

[0130] There are multiple embodiments of the latch 130, 230, 330, 430. The latch 130, 230, 330, 430 generally has a blocking position 132, 232, 332, 432 and a release position 133, 233, 333, 433 though mechanisms to achieve the two positions differ depending on the embodiment of the latch 130, 230, 330, 430. The latch 130, 230, 330, 430 may also be comprised of a cam body or a cam as further described below. Furthermore, the binding 100, 100′, 200, 300, 400, 400′, or the system, is fully functional as a manually actuatable binding system even if batteries or other power source for the actuator of the latch 130, 230, 330, 430 is dead.

[0131] Latch 130, 430 in binding 100, 400, 400′ is generally an angled-surface linearly actuatable latch 130, 430. The angled-surface linearly actuatable latch 130, 430 is loaded with a spring 131, 431. The angled-surface linearly actuatable latch 130, 430 is adapted for movement by extension of the spring 131, 431 to a blocking position 132, 432 after the spring 131, 431 has been temporarily overcome during step-in to temporarily remove the angled-surface linearly actuatable latch 130, 430 from the blocking position 132, 432 of the well portion 124, 424, 424′ of the base 120, 420, 420′. The angled-surface linearly actuatable latch 130, 430 blocks disengagement of the second bale portion 113, 113′, 413 of the bale 110, 110′, 410 from the well portion 124, 424, 424′ of the base 120, 420, 420′. During the blocking position 132, 432 of the angled-surface linearly actuatable latch 130, 430, both the first bale portion 111, 111′, 411 and the second bale portion 113, 113′, 413 of the bale 110, 110′, 410 are completely captivated.

[0132] Latch 230 in binding 200 is generally a rotatable latch 230. The rotatable latch 230 has an upper catch 236 and is loaded with a spring 231. The rotatable latch 230 is adapted for rotational movement by force of the spring 231 to the blocking position 232 after step-in movement of the rotatable latch 230, by engaging the second bale portion 213 on the upper catch 236 of the rotatable latch 230 to push the rotatable latch 230 temporarily out of the blocking position 232 of the well portion 224 of the base 220 while temporarily overcoming the spring 231. The rotatable latch 230 blocks disengagement of the second bale portion 213 of the bale 210 from the well portion 224 of the base 220. During the blocking position 232 of the rotatable latch 230, both the first bale portion 211 and the second bale portion 213 of the bale 210 are completely captivated. Further, the rotatable latch 230 is adapted for rotational counter movement to the release position 233 for allowing disengagement of the second bale portion 214 of the bale 210 from the well portion 224 of the base 220 to enable release of the first bale portion 211 of the bale 210 from the hook portion 222 of the base 220.

[0133] Latch 330 of binding 300 is adapted for movement to a blocking position 332 for blocking disengagement of the second bale portion 313 of the bale 310 from the well portion 324 of the base 320. During the blocking position 332 of the latch 330, both the first bale portion 311 and the second bale portion 313 of the bale 310 are completely captivated. Further, the latch 330 is adapted for counter movement to the release position 333 for allowing disengagement of the second bale portion 313 of the bale 310 from the well portion 324 of the base 320 to enable release of the first bale portion 311 of the bale 310 from the hook portion 322 of the base 320.

[0134] There are multiple embodiments of the actuator 140, 240, 340, 440. The actuator 140, 440 of the binding 100, 400, 400′ is a solenoid 140, 440. To allow disengagement of the second bale portion 113, 113′, 413 of the bale 110, 110′, 410 from the well portion 124, 424, 424′ of the base 120, 420, 420′ to enable release of the first bale portion 111, 111′, 411 of the bale 110, 110′, 410 from the hook portion 122, 422, 422′ of the base 120, 420, 420′, the solenoid 140, 440 electromechanically overcomes the spring 131, 431 of the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130, 430 which is adapted for counter movement to the release position 133, 433.

[0135] The actuator 240 of the binding 200 is a motor 240, which may also be generally referenced as a solenoid 240 in some embodiments (see FIGS. 6A-7F). The motor 240 alternates rotating movement of the rotatable latch 230 from the blocking position 232 to the release position 233 upon overcoming the spring 231 of the rotatable latch 230.

[0136] The actuator 340 of the binding 300 is the linear actuator 340. The linear actuator 340 alternates movement of the latch 330 between the blocking position 332 and the release position 333.

[0137] Referring to FIGS. 2A-2B, there is shown how the binding 100 may be attached to the recreational board 800. As shown, a binding system comprises a plurality of bindings 100 comprising a plurality of the bales 110, the bases 120, the latches 130, the solenoids 140, and the controllers 150 (see FIGS. 3-5B). FIG. 2A shows two of each of the components of the binding 100, one for each boot of the rider, to form a system. The bindings 200, 300, 400, and 400′ may also comprise a plurality of each of the bales 210, 310, 410, the bases 220, 320, 420, 420′, the latches 230, 330, 430, the actuators 240, 340, 440, and the controllers 250, 350, 580, 580′, 580″ (see FIGS. 6A-15, 30A-30C) and attach to the recreational board 800 similarly.

[0138] The base 120 may be attached to the recreational board 800 using any means known in the art, including, but not limited to, bolts, such as M6 bolts, and screws. The recreational board 800 is configured for one or more of water sport, snow sport, land sport, action sport, extreme sport, and air sport, or may be configured for use in other sports and means known in the art. FIG. 2B demonstrates that the binding 100 is capable of low-profile binding of the boot 900 (see FIG. 20) on the recreational board 800.

[0139] Referring to FIG. 2C, an embodiment of the binding 100 is shown from a top view to show the bale angle θ1, which is the angle at which the first bale portion 111 is attached to, or extending from, the central portion 115, as well as the angle at which the second bale portion 113 is attached to the central portion 115. The bale angle θ1 is about 10 degrees. Other embodiments of the bales 210, 310, 410 may have similar or same bale angles θ1.

[0140] Referring to FIG. 3, an embodiment of the binding 100 is shown with the bale 110, the base 120, the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130, and the solenoid 140. The bale 110 has the first bale portion 111 on the first side 112 and the second bale portion 113 on the second side 114 generally opposite the first side 111, both attached at the bale angle θ1 (see FIG. 2C) away from the central portion 115, at about 10 degrees. The base 120 has the base portion 121 in the center, the hook portion 122 in the side area 123, and the well portion 124 in another side area 125. The first bale portion 111 of the bale 110 is held in place within the hook portion 122 of the base 120. The second bale portion 113 is held within the well portion 124 of the base 120 and is shown as held in the blocking position 132 by the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130 with the spring 131. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the base 120 also further comprises a slotted portion 126 and the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130 further comprises at least one pin 134 for movably engaging the slotted portion 126 of the base 120. The slotted portion 126 partially limits movement of the at least one pin 134 and the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130. Thus, the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130 slides in a direction over the second bale portion 113 of the bale 130 in the blocking position 132 and slides in opposite direction to uncover the second bale portion 113 of the bale 110 in the release position 133. Additionally, the lever 135 is attached to the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130, configured to allow the rider to manually overcome the spring 132 to move the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130 into the release position 133, if needed. The solenoid 140 may be held in place by the housing 141 and the base 120 may further comprise the protruding portion 127 to support the housing 141 and the solenoid 140.

[0141] Referring now to FIG. 4, a close-up of the solenoid 140 attached to the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130 is shown. The at least one pin 134 of the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130 is two pins 134 on the opposite sides of the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130. The lever 135 is attached to the body of the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130 and is adapted for enabling a rider to manually overcome the spring to release the binding with their hand. The spring 131 loops around the connecting point (a shaft) between the solenoid 140 and the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130. Once the rider accomplishes step-in, the shaft and thereby the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130 attached to the shaft, is momentarily pulled back and the spring 131 becomes compressed, momentarily entering the release position 133 to allow the rider's boot to enter into the bale 110 before the force of the spring 131 returns the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130 into the blocking position 132. When the solenoid 140 is activated, the shaft, and thereby the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130 attached to the shaft, is pulled back, compressing the spring 131, causes the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130 to enter the release position 133, allowing the rider to remove their boot from the bale 110 of the binding 100.

[0142] Referring to FIGS. 5A-5B, FIG. 5A is a front view of the solenoid 140 of binding portion 100 with the spring 131 on the shaft without the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130, and is shown without the front panel. And though a completely enclosed housing 141would be good from the perspective of keeping electronics therein dry, of course there needs to be a hole in the front of the housing through which the solenoid plunger, or shaft would protrude to engage the bale 110 in this embodiment. FIG. 5B is a perspective angled side view of the solenoid 140 of binding 100 without the spring 131 on the shaft and also without the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130. The housing 141 for solenoid 140 in this embodiment is a box, and is shown without the top, rear, or side panels shown in FIG. 5A and without the front, the top, and one of the side panels in FIG. 5B to show the solenoid 140, batteries 700, and the controller 150 housed inside. The housing 141 for the solenoid 140 may be of any shape or form and is not limited to the housing shown in FIGS. 5A-5B or metal supports as shown in FIG. 3. The material for the housing 141 may be of any material known in the art that is durable, and preferably water resistant and weather resistant. The internal compartment of the housing 141 may be accessible for replacing batteries 700. The batteries 700 are not limited to what is shown and may be any number of batteries and batteries of any type or shape that may power the solenoid 140. The solenoid 140 may also be of any shape or form known in the art and does not need to be cuboid as shown.

[0143] The controller 150, or the circuit board of the controller 150, is shown within the housing 141. The controller 150 is configured to control the solenoid 140. Any wiring that is needed to connect the solenoid 140 to the controller 150 is not shown. In some embodiments, the controller 150 may operate the solenoid 140 wirelessly and does not need to be housed together with the solenoid 140. The controller 150 may be of any size and shape that is sufficient for operating the solenoid 140. In a preferred embodiment, there may be a plurality of controllers 150, and each controller 150 of the plurality of controllers 150 may be coupled to a button (see 351 on FIGS. 14A-14B) for release. In some embodiments the controller 150 may be remote, such as in a fob or an application in a device, such as a phone, and which may be used to control the solenoid 140.

[0144] In a preferred embodiment, the binding 100 further comprises a sensor (not shown) on the controller board known for its ability to detect gravity to help determine a precarious immobilization of the rider to signal the solenoid 140 via the controller 150 to automatically move the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 130 to the release position 133 upon detection of the precarious immobilization of the rider.

[0145] As shown in FIG. 9, there are shown sensing elements 261 (magnets) and sensors 260 (Hall-Effect sensor or optical sensor) adapted for determining position of the gear mechanism 242 relative to the limit switch 260 adapted for detecting a full extent of movement of the motor 240 in a direction to be able to cause the controller 250 to stop movement of the motor 240 / gear 242 in order to prevent damage to the motor 240.

[0146] FIGS. 6A-6B show side views of another embodiment of the binding portion 200 to illustrate how the latch mechanism works, showing only a portion of the base 220, the second bale portion 213 of the bale 210, the rotatable latch 230, and the motor / solenoid 240. In the embodiment shown, the rotatable latch 230 comprises the upper catch 236 and the spring 231, which is a torsion spring 231. In a preferred embodiment, there is a notch or a slot on the rotatable latch 230 for the spring 231. The rotatable latch 230 may have a ledge that is shaped to fit around the second portion 213 of the bale 210. The motor 240 is preferably a latching solenoid 240 with a lever 235 for manual release. In another embodiment, the lever 235 may be attached to the rotatable latch 230 itself. The lever 235 is configured to allow the rider to manually overcome the spring 231 to move the rotatable latch 230 into the release position 233. Further, in a preferred embodiment, the binding 200 has the pivot portion 270 for the rotatable latch 230 to pivot in.

[0147] In the release position 233 as shown in FIG. 6A, the latch solenoid 240 is not engaged with the upper catch 236 of the rotatable latch 230, such that the rotatable latch 230 does not block the second bale portion 213 of the bale 210 from entering or exiting around the ledge of the rotatable latch 230. When the rider steps into the binding 200, the rider's boot will exert downward force on the second portion 213 of the bale 210, which in turn will cause the rotating latch 230 to rotate, compressing the spring 231. The rotation of the rotating latch 230 will cause the upper latch 236 to move up and past the latching solenoid 240 latch, and then spring back into position over the latching solenoid 240 latch, thus entering the blocking position 232 as shown in FIG. 6B, locking in the second bale portion 213 of the bale 210.

[0148] In a preferred embodiment, a controller 250 (not shown in FIGS. 6A-6B, see FIG. 9) is configured to control the latching solenoid 240 (or any other motor 240). The controller 250 may have a software algorithm that may be used to control the latching solenoid 240 if an emergency status (e.g., immobilized position of the rider) is detected, energizing the latching solenoid 240 and retracting its latch to allow the rotating latch 230 to rotate to the release position 233 as seen in FIG. 6A to allow for the release of the second portion 213 of the bale 210. There may be, in a system, a plurality of controllers 250 and a plurality of motors 240 in an embodiment with the plurality of bales 210, bases 220, and rotatable latches 230 (see 100 in FIGS. 2A-2B). In such embodiment, the plurality of controllers 250 for the plurality of motors 240 are configured to communicate with one another and enable control of release of just one of the plurality of bales 210 from the plurality of bases 220 or release of the plurality of bales 210 from the plurality of bases 220. Each controller 250 of the plurality of controllers 250 may be coupled to a button (see 351 on FIGS. 14A-14B) for release.

[0149] Referring to FIGS. 7A-7G, an embodiment of the binding portion 200 is shown. FIGS. 7A-7G only illustrate a portion of the base 220 with the well portion 224 and a roller portion that is fixed and the second bale portion 213 of the bale 210 to focus more on the rotating latch 230 mechanism. The binding portion 200 shown in FIGS. 7A-7G has the motor / solenoid 240, which is the latching solenoid 240 and may be fully or partially inside the housing, the controller 250 or the circuit board for the controller 250, and the battery 700. The rotatable latch 230 has a wedge or a slot that fits around the shape of the second portion 213 of the bale 210 to catch, move along with, and block the second portion 213 of the bale 210 throughout the operation. The pivoting portion 270 (see FIGS. 7B-7G) is removed in FIG. 7A to show the spring 231 that coils around the pivoting portion 270. The pivoting portion 270 is stationary and the rotatable latch 230 rotates around the pivoting portion 270. The spring force of the spring 231 contributes to the rotating movement of the rotatable latch 230. FIG. 7A shows the rotating latch 230 in the release position 233.

[0150] FIGS. 7B-7E demonstrates how an embodiment of the rotatable latch 230 of binding portion 200 operates. FIG. 7B is the first step wherein the rotatable latch 230 is in the release position 233 and the rider begins to step-in. The step-in operation applies downward force with the second portion 213 of the bale 210, which in turn applies downward force on the rotatable latch 230, beginning to rotate the rotatable latch 230, and to begin compressing the spring 231. The upper catch 236 is not engaged with the latching solenoid 240 at this point of the operation, as the shape of the body of the rotatable latch 230 prevents the latch of the latching solenoid 240 from protruding outwardly (retracted).

[0151] FIG. 7C is the second step of the operation, where the continued downward force from the step-in operation on the second portion 213 of the bale 210 causes further rotation of the rotatable latch 230. The spring 231 as illustrated has compressed further.

[0152] FIG. 7D is the third step of the operation, where the second portion 213 of the bale 210 has reached the bottom of the well portion 224 of the base 220 the rotation of the rotatable latch 230 and may no longer move down farther. The upper catch 236 of the rotatable latch 230 has now rotated up past the top of the latch of the latching solenoid 240, and the shape of the rotatable latch 230 allows the latch of the latching solenoid 240 to extend outwardly. In a preferred embodiment, the latching solenoid 240 has an internal spring that causes its latch to snap or pop out. The extended latch of the latching solenoid 240 catches the upper catch 236 of the rotatable latch 230 and prevents counter rotation of the rotatable latch. The rotatable latch 230 is now in the blocking position 232. The rotatable latch 230 is shaped to prevent the disengagement of the second bale portion 213 of the bale 210 from the well portion 224 of the base 220 in the blocking position 232. During the blocking position 232, both the first bale portion 211 (not shown, see 111 of FIG. 3) and the second bale portion 213 of the bale 210 are completely captivated.

[0153] FIG. 7E is the fourth step of the operation, where the latching solenoid 240 is electronically activated, either by the rider or by sensing of the rider in an emergency situation, such as being immobilized in a precarious position. The electronic activation of the latching solenoid 240 causes its latch to move inward, releasing the upper catch 236 of the rotatable latch 230. The compression force of the spring 231 then causes the rotating latch 230 to begin counter rotating (counterclockwise in this embodiment) to begin unblocking the second portion 213 of the bale 210.

[0154] FIG. 7F is the fifth and final step of the operation, where the counter rotation of the rotating latch 230 by the force of the compressed spring 231 has caused the rotating latch 230 to reach its original position as was illustrated in FIG. 7B, entering the release position 233 to allow the second portion 213 of the bale 210 to be released from the well portion 224 of the base 220. The latching solenoid 240 is no longer activated, and the tension of the inner spring of the latching solenoid 240 is returned, ready for the next operation. The shape of the rotating latch 230 prevents the latch of the latching solenoid 240 from extending until the next step-in.

[0155] FIG. 7G illustrates an embodiment of the base 220 of the binding portion 200, showing the base portion 221 and encasing the rotatable latch 230 and the latching solenoid 240 (not shown in FIG. 7G) in a side area of the base 220. The pivoting portion 270, may be a pin 270 as shown, but may be any other means that allows rotation of the rotating latch 230. The rotating latch 230 is in the blocking position 232, and the second portion 213 of the bale 210 is held within the well portion 224 of the base 220.

[0156] Referring to FIGS. 8A-8D, there is shown an embodiment of the binding 300 in combination with some components of binding 200. The embodiment of the binding 300 shown comprises the latch 330, the linear actuator 340, the bale 310 having the first bale portion 311 on the first side 312 and the second bale portion 313 on the second side 314 generally opposite the first side 312, both the first bale portion 311 and the second bale portion 313 at angles about 10 degrees away from the central portion 315 (see bale angle θ1 in FIG. 1C), the base 320 having the base portion 321, the side area 323, the well portion 324, and another side area 325 forming a base for the linear actuator 340. In this embodiment, instead of the hook portion 322 (see FIG. 10) for partially captivating engagement of the first bale portion 311, the side area 323 of the base 320 is shaped more in the shape of a well to allow for the rotatable latch 230 to hold the first bale portion 311 in place when the latch 230 is closed. The rotatable latch 230 is shown in the closed position 233 in FIGS. 8A-8B. The side area 325 supports the latch 330 and the linear actuator 340, which may be the solenoid 340 as shown. The solenoid 340 attaches to the latch 330 by the shaft 341 loaded with the spring 341 (see FIGS. 8C-8D). In an embodiment, the linear actuator (solenoid) 340 is capable of becoming disengaged, and the linear actuator 340 uses the force of the spring 341 to return to the blocking position 332 from the release position 333 while the linear actuator 340 is disengaged. The linear actuator 340 may be of any linear actuator known in the art and is not limited to the solenoid 340.

[0157] In an embodiment, the latch 330 further comprises the latch body 336. The latch body 336 covers the second bale portion 313 of the bale 310 while it is in the well portion 324 of the base 320 to block disengagement of the second bale portion of the bale from the well portion of the base when the latch 330 is in the blocking position, and uncovers the second bale portion of the bale to allow disengagement of the second bale portion 313 of the bale 310 from the well portion when the latch 330 is in the release position. The latch 330 is in the closed position 333 in FIG. 8A and in the release position 332 in FIG. 8B. The latch 320 further comprises the lever 335 attached to the latch body 336. The lever 335 is configured as shown in FIG. 8A to allow the rider to manually move the latch 320 to the release position 333.

[0158] FIGS. 8C-8D are side cut-out view of the binding 300 shown in FIGS. 8A-8B to demonstrate how the latch 330 operates. A cut-out side view of a portion of the second side 314 of the bale 310 with the second bale portion 313 is shown as engaged in FIG. 8C (latch 330 closed) and free to release in FIG. 8D (latch 330 opened). A cut-out side view of a portion of the base portion 321 of the base 320 with the well portion 324 for engaging the second bale portion 313 and side area 325 for supporting the latch 330 and the solenoid 340 is shown. In FIGS. 8C-8D, the latch 330 comprises a hinged ear assembly that allows pivoting (hinging) of the latch 330 by the movement of the hinge 380 to cover or uncover the second bale portion 313 of the bale 310 as the shaft 341 moves in and out of the solenoid 340. The solenoid 340 has a hole, or a tunnel, to allow for the shaft 341 to engage in and out of the solenoid 340. In FIG. 8C, the latch body 336 of the latch 330 is in the blocking position 332 and the hinge 380 is tilted as the shaft 341 has popped out, or extended outwardly, from hole within the solenoid 340. When the solenoid 340 is energized by the rider or by sensing of emergency situation, such as immobilization of the rider in precarious position, the shaft 341 fully retracts back into the hole in the solenoid 340, as shown in FIG. 8D. In FIG. 8D, the latch body 336 of the latch 330 is in the release position 333 and the hinge 380 is vertical as the shaft 341 is fully retracted into the hole within the solenoid 340.

[0159] Referring now to FIG. 9, another embodiment of the binding portion 200 is shown without the bale 210. Such embodiment of the binding 200 has the base 220 having the base portion 221, the hook portion 222 adjacent the side area 223 of the base portion 221 for partially captivating engagement of the first bale portion 221 (not shown) of the bale 210 (not shown), and the well portion 224, located at another side area 225 and adapted to receive the second bale portion 213. The binding portion 200 is shown with some of the panels of the housing 241 removed to show that the other side area 225 supports the controller 250 (or circuit board for the controller), the batteries 700, and the motor 240, which controls the turning of the wheels attached to the pivoting portion 270, or a bar or a shaft, for rotatably engaging the rotatable latch 230 to rotate the rotatable latch. The latch 230 comprises the lever 235 for manually controlling the latch 230 and the upper catch 236 loaded with the spring 231.

[0160] In an embodiment, the binding portion 200 as shown in FIG. 9 further comprises sensing elements 261 (magnets), 260 (Hall-Effect sensor or optical sensor), adapted for determining position of the gear mechanisms 242 relative to a limit switch 260 adapted for reporting the detecting of a full extent of movement of the motor 240 in a direction to be able to cause the controller 250 to stop movement of the motor 240 / gear 242 in order to prevent damage to the motor 240.

[0161] Referring to FIG. 10, another embodiment of the binding 300 is shown with the bale 310 having the first bale portion 311 on the first side 312 and the second bale portion 313 on the second side 314, the first bale portion 311 and the second bale portion 313 attached at angles of about 10 degrees (see bale angle θ1 in FIG. 2C) to the central portion 315, the base 320 with the base portion 321, the hook portion 322 adjacent the side area 323, the well portion 324 adjacent the another side area 325, the slotted portion 326, the latch 330 having the latch body 336, and the linear actuator 340 attached to the latch body via the shaft 341 loaded with the spring 342 (not shown). The linear actuator 340 shown may be driven with a screw-type, or worm gear-type driver for linear actuation.

[0162] In such embodiment, the latch 330 further comprises at least one pin 334 attached to the latch body 336. The at least one pin 334 movably engages the slotted portion 326 of the base. The slotted portion 326 partially constrains the movement of the at least one pin 334 and the latch body 336. Further, the latch body 336 is attached to the lever 335 for manual release. The latch body 336 of the latch 330 is shown in the blocking position 332 in FIG. 10.

[0163] In a preferred embodiment of binding 300, the binding 300 further comprises a controller (not shown in FIG. 10—see 250 in FIG. 9) configured to control the linear actuator 340. The controller may be a plurality of controllers. In embodiments of a binding system with the plurality of the bales, bases, latches, linear actuators, and controllers, the plurality of controllers for the plurality of linear actuators may be configured to communicate with one another and enable control of release of just one of the plurality of bales from the plurality of bases or release the plurality of bales from the plurality of bases. The controller (e.g., such as a controller as shown in on of FIGS. 5, 7, or 9), for each binding enables movement of either latch or all the plurality of latches, to the release position. The controller may be physically wired to the actuator 340 or wirelessly coupled to the actuator for remote control.

[0164] In a preferred embodiment of binding 300, the binding 300 may further comprise a sensor (such as a magnetometer, a device that measures a magnetic field, to enable detection of change of position relative to a magnetic field). Such a sensing device may be found, for example, in a 9-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU), sometimes comprising three sensors, including an accelerometer, which measures motion by detecting changes in velocity, a gyroscope which measures rotational movement, and the magnetometer—all of which signal a microcomputer, which interprets these outputs of the IMU to determine the need for activation of the actuator to release or close a latch, an example such 9-axis IMU being a found in a ST Microelectronics LSM9DS1) to help determine a precarious immobilization of the rider to signal the linear actuator via the controller to automatically move the latch to, for example, a release position upon detection of the precarious immobilization of the rider. Further, the linear actuator 340 of FIG. 10 requires sensors and at least one limit switch to limit rotation of the linear actuator motor, and therefore the actuation of the latch body 336 of latch 300.

[0165] Referring to FIGS. 11A-11B, there is shown an embodiment of a rotatable latch 230 attached to a motor 240 of an embodiment of a binding portion 200. The rotatable latch 230 comprises the upper lever 235 loaded with the spring 231 to control the rotation of the rotatable latch 230 on the pivot portion 270. In this embodiment, the motor 240 is a screw motor 240, with the controller 250 within the motor housing 240. The rotatable latch 230 further comprises a recessed portion 238, adapted to be stepped in by the second bale portion 213 (not shown, see 213 in FIGS. 7A-7G) to enable step-in closure of the latch as is desirable for convenience of stepping in to the binding. FIG. 11A shows the rotatable latch 230 in the release position 233, and FIG. 11B shows the rotatable latch 230 in the blocking position 232. The screw motor 240 has at least one limit switch incorporated therein (not shown), which prevents the motor from turning too far and so as to stop when the latch 230 reaches an appropriate degree of travel in a closing direction and in an opening direction. In this way burnout of the motor 240 is prevented.

[0166] Referring to FIG. 11B, in operation, a second bale portion 213 steps down on the recessed portion 238 to temporarily overcome the spring 231 until the second bale portion 213 seats in a well portion 224 (see e.g., FIG. 9), at which point the spring 231 causes the latch 230 to revert back to a closed position, ready for opening either by a user pulling on lever 235, or by activating the motor 240 to overcome the spring 231 to cause the latch 230 to open to allow release of the bale, and hence the rider's boot.

[0167] Referring to FIGS. 12A-12D, a partial cutout view of an embodiment of the binding 300 is shown to illustrate the operation of a lock-style solenoid 340 as the linear actuator 340. In this embodiment, the latch 330 is integrated into the lock-style solenoid 340, and the latch body 336 of the latch 330 is configured to move in and out of the lock-style solenoid 340 body. The base 320 is directly attached to the lock-style solenoid 340 and has the well portion 324 in line with the latch 330. A portion of the second bale portion 313 of the bale 310 is shown.

[0168] FIG. 12A illustrates the first step in the operation, wherein the second bale portion 313 of the bale 310 is in the process of being inserted into the well portion 324. The lock-style solenoid 340 is not powered, and the latch 330 is in the blocking position 332 (see FIG. 12C) at rest. The latch 330 operates similarly to a door latch and the force of the step-in operation on the second bale portion 313 of the bale 310 pushing the second bale portion 313 past the latch 330, as illustrated in FIG. 12B, where the latch 330 is shown retracting as the second bale portion 313 of the bale 310 pushes against the latch 330. FIG. 12C illustrates the third step in the operation, showing that the latch 330 snaps back to the blocking position 332 shown in FIG. 12A once the second bale portion 313 of the bale 310 reaches the end of the well portion 324. When the user powers the lock-style solenoid 340 or the IMU sensor senses that there is an emergency situation (such as a precarious immobilized position), the lock-style solenoid 340 is powered on and the latch 330 retracts to the release position 333, allowing the second bale portion 313 of the bale 310 to leave the well portion 324 of the base 320 to disengage the rider's boot, and hence the rider, from the board. For such embodiment, minimal energy is needed since the release pulse is short in duration and the latch mechanism is simple.

[0169] Referring to FIGS. 13A-13B, there is shown the same lock-style solenoid 340 of FIGS. 12A-12D, with the lever 335 added. In FIG. 13A, the lock-style solenoid 340 is not powered and the latch 330 or the lock 330 is in the blocking position 332. In FIG. 13B, the lever 335 for manual release has been pulled, which powers the lock-style solenoid 340 and retracts the latch 330 for the release position 333, allowing the second bale portion 313 of the bale 310 to disengage from the well portion 324 of the base 320.

[0170] Referring to FIGS. 14A-14B, an embodiment of the latch 330 and an embodiment of the linear actuator 340 of a binding portion 300 is shown on a side area 325 of a portion of the base 320. In this embodiment, the linear actuator 340 is a screw motor 340 coupled to the controller 350 for controlling the screw motor 340. The latch 330 comprises the latch body 336 with protruding portions 339, or arms 339, for blocking, two pins 334, or rods 334, attached to the latch body 336 and that each engage one of the two slotted portions 326 of the base 320. The latch 330 is attached to the screw motor 340 via the shaft 341 loaded with the spring 342. FIG. 14A shows the latch 330 in the blocking position 332 (as it is fully extended) and FIG. 14B shows the latch 330 in the release position 333 (as it is retracted).

[0171] FIG. 15 shows another embodiment of the binding 300 showing only the second bale portion 313 of the bale 310, showing the base 320 having the base portion, or central base portion, 321, the hook portion 322 adjacent the side area 323, the well portion 324 and the slotted portion 326 in the other side area 325, the latch 330 having the latch body 336, the at least one pin 334, the lever 335, and the linear actuator 340 with the shaft 341. The hook portion 322 has a gravity slide 328 and an edge opposite the gravity slide 329. In the embodiment shown, the spring 342 is two springs 342 looped around two spring mount posts 335 connected to two post insert portions 327. The linear actuator 340 is on a slide 390 that moves the linear actuator 340 forward or backward and the shaft 341 is a plunger 341. When the latch 330 is in the blocking position 332, the linear actuator 340 and the slide 390 are not activated, and the plunger 341 and the springs 342 are extended. When the linear actuator 340 and the slide 390 are activated, from a position where the slide 390 is completely forward towards the base portion 321 of the base 320, activation moves the plunger 341 away from the base portion 321, thus compressing the springs 342 and moving the linear actuator 340 away on the slide 390, to achieve a release position (where the latch is no longer covering second bale portion 313). And after release, when the linear actuator 340 is disengaged, the force of the springs 342 will cause the plunger 341, the slide 390, and the linear actuator 340 on the slide 390 to return to the blocking position 332.

[0172] Referring to FIG. 16, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the bale 110′, with the first side 114′ adjacent the bar for the first bale portion 111′, and with the second side 112′ adjacent the bar of the second bale portion 113′. The bale 110′ having a magnetic body (or central portion) 115′, or one or more magnets 161′ within the body (or central portion) 115′ of the bale 110′ for one or more sensors (such as a Hall Effect sensor) to calculate and determine when a rider's boot is in the binding 300 (or similarly 100 or 200), to thus help in determining logical control, as with software or firmware, necessary when controlling release of one or more boots from the binding via its actuator.

[0173] Referring to FIGS. 17-19, there are shown examples of precarious immobilizations of the rider 920. FIG. 17 shows the precarious immobilization of the rider 920 in a tree well while using the recreational board 800 with the system of bindings 100 (or 200 or 300) in snow. FIG. 18 shows the precarious immobilization of the rider 920 in an avalanche while using the recreational board 800 with the system of bindings 100 (or 200 or 300) in snow. FIG. 19 shows the precarious immobilization of the rider 920 in a body of water while using the recreational board 800 with the system of bindings 100 (or 200 or 300) in water.

[0174] Referring to FIG. 20, there is shown how a boot 900 can attach to the bale 110 of an embodiment of the a binding 100. The bottom of the boot 900 is placed on top of the central portion 115 of the bale 110. The first bale portion 111 is preferably attached at an angle about 10 degrees (see bale angle θ1 in FIG. 3C) away from the central portion 115 on the first side 112 of the bale 110, and the second bale portion 113 is preferably attached at an angle about 10 degrees (see bale angle θ1 in FIG. 3C) away from the central portion 115 on the second side 114 of the bale 110. Other embodiments of the bale 110′, 210, 310 would attach similarly to the boot 900 of the rider.

[0175] Referring to FIG. 21, there is shown a close-up view of a cutout portion of an embodiment of the hook portion 122 of the base 120 of the binding 100, clearly showing the gravity slide 128. The gravity slide 128 is at the gravity slide angle θ2, which is preferably between 20-25 degrees, The gravity slide angle θ2 enables the rider's boot 900 to be lifted off of the board 800 without requiring of deflection of the rider's knee, while allowing the first bale portion 111 (not shown—see FIG. 3) to slide on the gravity slide 128 to come off from the hook portion 122 when the rider is inverted, or partially inverted in an otherwise precarious immobilization. An edge 129 opposite the gravity slide 128 has an edge angle θ3, which is about 2 degrees, that assists in keeping the first bale portion 111 (not shown—see FIG. 3) in place and to prevent the first bale portion 111 from coming off when the rider is upright and the latch 130 (not shown—see FIG. 3) is in the blocking position 132. Other embodiments of the hook portion 222, 322, 422, 422′ has same or similar gravity slide angles θ2 and edge angles θ3.

[0176] Referring generally to FIGS. 22-37, two different embodiments of the binding 400, 400′ with similar components are shown and will be discussed together below. The first embodiment of the binding 400, referred to as the binding 400, is shown in FIGS. 22-31 and the second embodiment of the binding 400′, referred to as the binding 400′, is shown in FIGS. 32-37. As shown in FIGS. 22, 29A-29B, and 32A-32B, the bindings 400, 400′ have the bale 410, the positional disc portion 470, the solenoid 440 (see FIG. 28) and the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 430 (see FIG. 28). The bindings 400, 400′ differ in the shapes and designs of the base 420, 420′, the electronics housing 441, 441′, and how the electronics housing 441, 441′ attach to the protruding portion 427, 427′ of the base 420, 420′.

[0177] Referring to FIG. 22, and 29A-29B, a partially assembled or fully assembled binding 400 is shown. FIG. 22 shows an exploded view of the fully assembled binding 400 with the bale 410, the positional disc portion 470, the base 420, the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 430 (not visible, also referred to as the latch), and the solenoid 440 (not visible) inside the electronics housing 441. FIG. 29B shows the fully assembled binding 400. FIG. 29A shows the binding 400 assembled partially without the bale 410 to better show how the positional disc portion 470 fits in the base portion 421 of the base 420. The details of these components will be discussed below.

[0178] Referring to FIGS. 32A-32B, a partially assembled or fully assembled binding 400′ is shown. FIG. 32A shows a perspective view of the fully assembled binding 400′ with the bale 410, the positional disc portion 470 (not visible, see FIG. 32B), the base 420′, the latch 430 (not visible), and the solenoid 440 (not visible) inside the electronics housing 441′. FIG. 32B shows the binding 400′ assembled partially without the bale 410 to better show how the positional disc portion 470 fits in the base portion 421′ of the base 420′. The details of these components will be discussed below.

[0179] Referring to FIG. 23, the bale 410 has the first bale portion 411 on the first side 412 and the second bale portion 413 on the second side 414 generally opposite the first side 411, both attached at the bale angle θ1 (see FIG. 2C) away from the central portion 415, at about 10 degrees. The bale 410 further comprises at least one magnet 461 on the side 412 facing the well portion 424, 424′ (see FIGS. 25A-25B for the binding 400 and see FIGS. 33A-33B for the binding 400′) for at least one sensor 460, 460′ of the electrical housing 441, 441′ (see FIGS. 26B-27B for the binding 400, and see FIGS. 34A-35B for the binding 400′) to detect the engagement of the bale 410.

[0180] Referring to FIGS. 24A-24B, the positional disc portion 470, also referred to as the positional disk, positional disc, or angular disc portion 470 is shown. As shown in FIG. 24A, the positional disc portion 470 has degree marks, or indicia, on its top surface, which can be used by the rider to position their feet at preferred angles on the board 800. The preferred angles may vary from rider to rider. For example, in snowboarding, a typical position is to have a rider's backfoot at 0 degrees, pointing perpendicular to the board 800, and the front foot at 15 degrees, slightly facing forward. The binding 400, 400′ orientation / angle can be changed by changing the angle as marked on the positional disc portion 470 before mounting the binding 400, 400′ to the board 800.

[0181] As shown in FIG. 24B, the positional disc portion 470 has evenly-spaced teethed portion 471 around the outer edge of the bottom the bottom surface of the positional disc portion 470 that correspond to teeth-shaped indentations 473, 473′ in the base portion 421, 421′ of the base 420, 420′ (see FIGS. 22, 25A-25B for binding 400, and see FIGS. 33A-33B for binding 400′). Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 22, 29A, and 32B, the positional disc portion 470 sits or inserts into the base portion 421, 421′ of the base 420, 420′ on the binding 400, 400′ and is utilized both to secure the binding 400, 400′ to the board 800 and to position the binding 400, 400′ in the preferred orientation for the rider's preference.

[0182] Referring to FIGS. 25A-25D for the base 420 of the binding 400 and FIGS. 33A-33E for the base 420′ of the binding 400′, the base 420, 420′ is shown with the base portion 421, 421′ with teeth-shaped indentations 473, 473′ in the center for receiving the positional disc portion 470. On the side area 423423′, the base 420, 420′ has the hook portion 422, 422′ with the gravity slide 428, 428′ at the top portion of the hook and the edge opposite the gravity slide 429, 429′ on the bottom portion of the hook. During use, the first bale portion 411 of the bale 410 would be placed in the hook portion 422, 422′.

[0183] In these embodiments of the base 420, 420′, the base 420, 420′ further has the free boot bale hook 480, 480′ on the back side of the hook portion 422, 422′ on the same side area 423, 423′. The free boot bale hook 480, 480′ is a slot or a hook for the rider to secure their free or unbound boot 900 into when in a glide while skating between slopes or to the lift.

[0184] On another side area 425, 425′, the base 420, 420′ has the well portion 424, 424′. During use, the second bale portion 413 of the bale 410 is held within the well portion 424, 424′ and the latch 430 would hold the second bale portion 413 of the bale 410 within the well portion 424, 424′ in blocking position 432 or release it in the release position 433 (see FIGS. 27A-27B and 35A-35B). The side area 425, 425′ further has the protruding portion 427, 427′ with at least one attachment portion for attaching the electronics housing 441, 441′ (see FIGS. 22, 29A-29B and FIGS. 32A-32B). Thus, the electronics housing 441, 441′ may be removed to prevent theft while the board 800 is unattended, or for convenience of charging the power source or maintaining its parts.

[0185] Referring to FIG. 28, an embodiment of the solenoid 440 and the angled-surface linearly-actuatable latch 430 for use with the electronics housing 441, 441′ is shown. The spring 431 of the latch 430 loops around the connecting point (a first shaft) between the solenoid 440 and the latch 430. Once the rider accomplishes step-in, the first shaft and thereby the latch 430 attached to the first shaft, is momentarily pulled back and the spring 431 becomes compressed, momentarily entering the release position 433 (see FIGS. 27B and 35B) to allow the rider's boot 900 to enter into the bale 410 before the force of the spring 431 returns the latch 430 into the blocking position 432 (see FIGS. 27A and 35A). When the solenoid 440 is activated, the first shaft, and thereby the latch 430 attached to the first shaft, is pulled back, compressing the spring 431, causing the latch 430 to enter the release position 433, allowing the rider to remove their boot 900 from the bale 410 of the binding 400, 400′. with the manual release 442 (also referred to as the lever 442 or the pull 442) attached to the solenoid 440 by a shaft is shown. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, in an embodiment, the lower surface of the latch 430 could be curved to facilitate contact with the bale 410, to facilitate positioning and tolerance of movement, thus also preventing the bale 410 from sliding or lifting while the latch is in the blocking position 432.

[0186] In the embodiment shown, the solenoid 440 further has a second shaft that is connected to the manual release 442, also referred to as a pull or a lever 442. The manual release 442 is adapted for enabling the rider to manually overcome the spring 431 to release the binding 400, 400′ with their hand. In this embodiment, the manual release 442 is shaped like a ball to allow the rider to comfortably grasp it while wearing bulky gloves, to manually pull the latch 430 back for the rider to step out of the binding 400, 400′. The manual release 442 is attached to the solenoid 440 shaft with a solid rod or a shaft as the second shaft. When the manual release 442 is pulled back, because the solenoid 440 is free to pull back when de-energized, the solenoid 440 in turn retracts the latch 430, allowing the rider to step out. Then when the manual release 440 is released, the spring 431 returns the latch 430 to the default position making it ready for the next “step-in” motion by the rider. The solenoid 440 may have a housing or other components. As shown in FIG. 28, the latch 430 may have a slot 436.

[0187] Referring to FIGS. 26A-26C, and FIG. 31A for the electronics housing 441 of the binding 400 and referring to FIGS. 31B, 34A-34C, 36, and 37 for the electronics housing 441′ of the binding 400′, the electronics housing 441, 441′ has at least one power source and its components (shown as the power button 444, 444′), which may be a battery 700. However, even when the power source is unavailable, the binding 400, 400′ is fully functional using the manual release 442. The electronics housing 441, 441′ further has at least one circuit board 451, 451′, at least one sensor 460, 460′, and at least one charging port 445, 445′. The sensor 460, 460′ in this embodiment is a Hall effect sensor 460, 460′ for detecting the magnet 461 of the bale 410. However, any other types of sensors known in the art may be used. The electronics housing 441 of binding 400 is shown as having two sensors 460 while the electronics housing 441′ of binding 400′ is shown as having one sensor 460 for illustration purposes and may have any number of sensors 460, 460′.

[0188] Within its body, the electronics housing 441, 441′ contains the solenoid 440 and shafts connected to it, and the spring 431 that controls the latch 430. A slot or an opening is provided for the portion of the latch 430 attached to the solenoid 440 (the shaft) to move in and out of the electronics housing 441, 441′. The electronics housing 441, 441′ has a collar 450, 450′ for retaining the second shaft connected to the manual release 442 and the solenoid 440. The electronics housing 441, 441′ has the lid 443, 443′ that is detachable for maintenance and protection of the components within. The electronics housing 441, 441′ further has the shield 426, 426′ that at least partially shields the latch 430 and electronics housing 441, 441′ components from debris, such as snow, ice, dust, rain, and sand. While the shield 426, 426′ is attached to the electronics housing 441, 441′ in this embodiment, it may be part of another component of the binding 400, 400′, such as the base 420, 420′.

[0189] The attachment member 447, 447′ of the electronics housing 441, 441′ attach to the attachment portion of the protruding portion 427, 427′ of the base 420, 420′. As shown in FIGS. 22, 29A-29B, in an embodiment, the attachment portion of the protruding portion 427 of the base 420 and the attachment member 447 of the electronics housing 441 may be shaped to interlock or dovetail.

[0190] As shown in FIGS. 32A-32B, 33A, 36, in an embodiment, the attachment portion of the protruding portion 427′ of the base 420′ and the attachment member 447′ of the electronics housing 441′ may be shaped to allow the attachment member 447′ to snap in and out of the attachment portion of the protruding portion 427′ of the base 420′. As shown in FIG. 36, this snap in and out mechanism that comprises the attachment member 447′, may include multiple attachment member components 447′a-c. Tabs 447′b on the latch 430 side of the electronics housing 441′ inserted into hook portions of the attachment portion of the protruding portion 427′ of the base 420′. Further, there is a rod 447′a on the underside of the electronics housing 441′. The rod 447′a may be 3 mm. A rotating shaft 447′c with torsion springs allow the rod 447′a to rotate both directions, and the rotating shaft 447′c has a cam, or a key, on it that, when the electronics housing 441′ is pressed into place at the attachment portion of the protruding portion 427′ of the base 420′, the cam of the rotating shaft 447′c is forced down until the rod 447′a on the electronics housing 441′ clears, allowing the cam of the rotating shaft 447′c to spring back up and over the rod 447′a, thereby securing the electronics housing 441′ in place. When it is desired to remove the electronics housing 441′, a knob of the rotating shaft 447′c will be turned counter-clockwise to allow the electronics housing 441′ to release and be taken out. Once the knob of the rotating shaft 447′c is released, the cam of the rotating shaft 447′c springs back into position readying it for the next time the electronics housing 441′ is inserted. The tabs 447′b securing the electronics housing 441′ into place and holding it as long as the manual release 442 side of the electronics housing 441′ is held in place by the cam of the rotating shaft 447′c. Thus, the electronics housing 441, 441′ is securely attached, but removable if desired, for maintenance and safekeeping. The rotating shaft 447′c as shown is usually not removable from the base 420′. However, in other embodiments, a pin can be used instead of the rotating shaft 447′c and rod 447′a to keep the electronics housing 441′ in place.

[0191] Referring to FIG. 37, the electronics housing 441, 441′ further has a tether receptacle 446, 446′, for attachment of a tether strap 600. Since the electronics housing 441, 441′ is attached to the protruding portion 427, 427′ of the base 420, 420′, the tether strap 600 thus attached can be used by the rider to secure the board 800 to their foot to ensure the board 800 does not “run away” if the binding 400, 400′ becomes disengaged from a fall, or other reasons. Furthermore, the tether strap 600 may have a break-away attachment member 610, which securely keeps the tether strap 600 bound to the rider and the board 800 in normal usage, but releases when enough force is applied by a rider in a precarious immobilization, such as if hanging from one's board upside down in a tree well, allowing the rider to safely disengage from the board 800. Other embodiments of the break-away attachment member 610 may be Velcro, safety buckle, or other known means in the art.

[0192] Referring to FIGS. 26B-27B for the embodiment of the binding 400, the electronics housing 441 further has the stabilizing bar 448 and the stabilizing seat 449, which protrude from the electronics housing 441 on the side adjacent to the latch 430. The stabilizing bar 448 and the stabilizing seat 449 keep latch 430 in contact with the bale 410 and allows the latch 430 to track straight when entering the release position 433, and helps proper functioning of latch 430 by keeping the latch 430 stable and closed when in the blocking position 432. The slot 436 of the latch 430 is shaped to receive the stabilizing bar 448 and allow the latch 430 to move horizontally along the stabilizing bar 448 through the slot 436 when the latch 430 changes positions from the blocking position 432 to the releasing position 433 and vice versa. The stabilizing seat 449 is located right below the latch 430 allow the latch 430 to move horizontally along the top surface of the stabilizing seat 449 when the latch 430 changes positions from the blocking position 432 to the releasing position 433 and vice versa. Both the stabilizing bar 448 and the stabilizing seat 449 afford vertical stability and lateral stability to the latch 430, offering the rider a secure state when the latch 430 is in the blocking position 432 with minimal, if any, noticeable movement. The stabilizing bar 448 and the stabilizing seat 449 also increase strength against vertical and lateral forces implied by riding activities. FIGS. 34B-34C, and FIGS. 35A-35B for the binding 400′ shows no such stabilizing seat and bar in the embodiment of binding 400′.

[0193] FIGS. 27A-27B and 35A-35B show side views of the electronics housing 441, 441′, showing how the manual release 442 and the latch 430, and therefore the solenoid 440 (not visible) within the electronics housing 441, 441′ moves to the blocking position 432 and to the release position 433. A cut-out portion of the second bale portion 413 of the bale 410 is shown accordingly, either blocked or released. Some portions of the attachment member 447′ of the electronics housing 441′ are not shown for clarity of illustration.

[0194] Referring to FIGS. 30A-30C, embodiments of the controller 580, 580′, 580″ for the binding 400, 400′ are shown as the fob 580, 580′, 580″. The fob 580, 580′, 580″ are configured to be worn inside the rider's glove or pocket and has at least two buttons 581′, 581″ (581 not shown) to control remote actuation of the left and right bindings 400, 400′ in the system of bindings 400, 400′ having two bindings 400, 400′. In the embodiment of the fob 580 shown in FIG. 30A, the buttons are on the circuit board inside and are not visible. The u-shaped portions or markers are shown to represent flexible push areas directly over the buttons, and when the u-shaped portions are depressed, they actuate the buttons underneath. In the embodiment of the fob 580′ shown in FIG. 30B, the buttons 581′ are shown on the fob 580′ surface. In the embodiment of the fob 580″ shown in FIG. 30C, the fob 580″ has a slidable casing that mechanically covers the buttons 581″ to avoid accidental actuation of the buttons 581″.

[0195] In the preceding description, numerous details were set forth. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details. Additionally, one skilled in the art will recognize the inventive principles disclosed are not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, and that various aspects of the disclosed embodiments may be combined to achieve yet additional embodiments.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0122]Referring to FIGS. 1A-1C, an embodiment of a prior art binding apparatus for snowboard boots similar to that shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,890,730 and 5,520,406 is shown. FIG. 1A shows the prior art binding apparatus on a snowboard with boots in place. FIG. 1B shows an exploded perspective view of the bale and the binding base member embodiments of the prior art binding apparatus. FIG. 1C shows various positional views of the latch and camming structure from a side sectional view of the bale and the binding base member of the prior art binding apparatus. The prior art binding apparatus teaches manual release but fails to teach automated release during an upside down, or otherwise precariously immobilized condition. Thus, a binding system that facilitates easy release from a low-profile binding of a boot on a board, and for managing the logistics of releasing one foot, the other foot, or both feet, from the board for various purposes, is needed.

[0123]Referring general...

Claims

1. An electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding adapted for releasably securing a boot of a rider to a recreational board and enabling release substantially normal to the recreational board, comprising:a bale comprising:a first bale portion adapted for attachment to a sole of the boot and extending laterally from a first side of said bale;a second bale portion adapted for attachment to the sole of the boot and extending laterally from a second side of said bale opposite the first side of said bale;a base adapted for engagement with said bale, comprising:a base portion adapted for attachment to the recreational board;a hook portion attached adjacent a side area of the base portion and adapted for partially captivating engagement of the first bale portion;a well portion attached adjacent another side area of the base portion and facing substantially upwardly relative to the base portion, adapted for partial engagement of the second bale portion;an angled-surface, linearly-actuatable, latch that is loaded with a spring, wherein said latch is adapted for movement by extension of the spring to ablocking position after the spring has been temporarily overcome during step-in to temporarily remove said latch from the blocking position of the well portion, wherein said latch blocks disengagement of the second bale portion of said bale from the well portion of said base, and wherein during the blocking position of said latch both the first bale portion and the second bale portion of said bale are completely captivated; anda solenoid, wherein said latch is further adapted for counter movement to a release position upon electromechanically overcoming of the spring with said solenoid for allowing disengagement of the second bale portion of said bale from the well portion of said base to enable release of the first bale portion of the bale from the hook portion of said base.

2. The electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding of claim 1, wherein said base further comprises a slotted portion, and wherein said latch further comprises at least one pin attached to said latch and for movably engaging the slotted portion of said base, wherein said slotted portion partially limits movement of said at least one pin and said latch.

3. The electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding of claim 2, further comprising a lever attached to the latch configured to allow the rider to manually overcome the spring to move said latch into the release position.

4. The electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding of claim 3, further comprising a controller configured to control said solenoid.

5. The electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding of claim 4, further comprising a system comprising a plurality of each of said bales, said bases, said latches, said solenoids, and said controllers.

6. The electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding of claim 5, wherein the system is attached to the recreational board, wherein the recreational board is configured for one or more of water sport, snow sport, land sport, action sport, extreme sport, and air sport.

7. The electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding of claim 4, further comprising a sensor that detects gravity to help determine a precarious immobilization of the rider to signal said solenoid via said controller to automatically move said latch to the release position upon detection of the precarious immobilization of the rider.

8. The electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding system of claim 5, wherein said plurality of controllers for said plurality of solenoids are configured to communicate with one another and enable control of release of just one of said plurality of bales from said plurality of bases or release of both of said plurality of bales from said plurality of bases.

9. The electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding system of claim 5, wherein each controller of said plurality of controllers is coupled to a button for release.

10. The electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding of claim 1, wherein said base further comprises a protruding portion for supporting said solenoid and a housing for said solenoid.

11. The electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding of claim 10, wherein said base further comprises a positional disc portion configured to fit within the base portion and receive attachment means to mount said binding to the recreational board at the rider's preferred position.

12. The electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding of claim 10, wherein the protruding portion comprises attachment portions and the housing for said solenoid is an electronics housing comprising a lid, a power button, at least one attachment member for insertion into the attachment portions of the protruding portion, and a lever, wherein the lever is attached to said solenoid and is configured to allow the rider to manually overcome the spring to move said latch into the release position.

13. The electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding of claim 12, wherein said latch further comprises a slot and the electronics housing further comprises a stabilizing seat and a stabilizing bar on a side adjacent said latch, wherein the stabilizing bar is shaped to fit through the slot of said latch to stabilize said latch, and the stabilizing bar is shaped to support a bottom of said latch when said latch is in the release position for stabilization.

14. The electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding of claim 12, further comprising a controller configured to control at least one of said electronics housing and said solenoid.

15. The electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding of claim 14, further comprising a shield to shield said latch and said electronics housing from debris or precipitation.

16. The electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding of claim 15, wherein the electronics housing further comprises a sensor that detects gravity to help determine a precarious immobilization of the rider to signal said solenoid via said controller to automatically move said latch to the release position upon detection of the precarious immobilization of the rider.

17. The electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding of claim 16, further comprising a system comprising a plurality of each of said bales, said bases, said latches, said solenoids, and said controllers.

18. The electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding of claim 17, wherein the system is attached to the recreational board, wherein the recreational board is configured for one or more of water sport, snow sport, land sport, action sport, extreme sport, and air sport.

19. An electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding adapted for releasably securing a boot of a rider to a recreational board and enabling release substantially normal to the recreational board, comprising:a bale comprising:a first bale portion adapted for attachment to a sole of the boot and extending laterally from a first side of the boot;a second bale portion adapted for attachment to the sole of the boot and extending laterally from a second side of the boot opposite the first side of the boot;a base adapted for engagement with said bale, comprising;a base portion adapted for attachment to the recreational board;a hook portion attached adjacent a side area of the base portion and adapted for partially captivating engagement of the first bale portion;a well portion attached adjacent another side area of the base portion as said hook portion and facing substantially upwardly relative to the base portion, adapted for partial engagement of the second bale portion;a rotatable latch with an upper catch and that is loaded with a spring, wherein said rotatable latch is adapted for rotational movement by force of the spring to a blocking position after step-in movement of said rotatable latch by engaging the second bale on the upper catch of said rotatable latch to push said latch temporarily out of the blocking position of the well portion while temporarily overcoming the spring, wherein said rotatable latch blocks disengagement of the second bale portion of said bale fromthe well portion of said base, wherein during the blocking position of said rotatable latch, both the first bale portion and the second bale portion of said bale are completely captivated, and wherein said rotatable latch further is adapted for rotational counter movement to a release position for allowing disengagement of the second bale portion of said bale from the well portion of said base to enable release of the first bale portion of the bale from the hook portion of said base; anda motor for alternating rotating movement of said latch from the blocking position to the release position upon overcoming the spring.

20. The electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding of claim 19, further comprising a pivot portion for said rotatable latch to pivot in, and further comprising a lever attached to the rotatable latch configured to allow the rider to manually overcome the spring to move said rotatable latch into the release position.

21. The electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding of claim 19, further comprising a controller configured to control said motor.

22. The electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding of claim 19, further comprising a sensor that detects gravity to help determine a precarious immobilization of the rider to signal said motor to automatically move said rotatable latch to the release position upon detection of the precarious immobilization of the rider.

23. The electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding of claim 21, further comprising a system of a plurality of said bales, said bases, said rotatable latches, said motors, and said controllers.

24. The electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding system of claim 23, wherein the system is attached to the recreational board, wherein the recreational board is configured for one or more of water sport, snow sport, land sport, and air sport.

25. The electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding system of claim 21, wherein said plurality of controllers for said plurality of motors are configured to communicate with one another and enable control of release of just one of said plurality of bales from said plurality of bases or release of said plurality of bales from said plurality of bases.

26. The electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding system of claim 23, wherein each controller of said plurality of controllers is coupled to a button for release.

27. An electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding adapted for releasably securing a boot of a rider to a recreational board and enabling release substantially normal to the recreational board, comprising:a bale comprising:a first bale portion adapted for attachment to a sole of the boot and extending laterally from a first side of said bale;a second bale portion adapted for attachment to the sole of the boot and extending laterally from a second side of said bale opposite the first side of said bale;a base adapted for engagement with said bale, comprising;a base portion adapted for attachment to the recreational board;a hook portion attached adjacent a side area of the base portion and adapted for partially captivating engagement of the first bale portion;a well portion attached adjacent another side area of the base portion and facing substantially upwardly relative to the base portion, adapted for partial engagement of the second bale portion;a latch adapted for movement to a blocking position for blocking disengagement of the second bale portion of said bale from the well portion of said base, wherein during the blocking position of said latch, both the first bale portion and the second bale portion of said bale are completely captivated, said latch further being adapted for counter movement to a release position for allowing disengagement of the second bale portion of said bale from the well portion of said base to enable release of the first bale portion of the bale from the hook portion of said base; anda linear actuator for alternating movement of said latch between the blocking position and the release position.

28. The electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding of claim 27, wherein the base portion of said base further comprises a slotted portion, wherein said latch further comprises:a latch body that covers the second bale portion of said bale partially engaged in the well portion of said base to block disengagement of the second bale portion of said bale from the well portion of said base when said latch is in the blocking position, and uncovers the second bale portion of said bale partially engaged in the well portion of said base to allow disengagement of the second bale portion of said bale from the well portion of said base when said latch is in the release position;a lever attached to the latch body configured to allow the rider to manually move said latch to the release position; andat least one pin attached to the latch body for movably engaging the slotted portion of said base, wherein said slotted portion of said base partially constrains movement of said at least one pin and said latch body; andwherein said linear actuator is attached to the latch body of said latch.

29. The electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding of claim 27, wherein said linear actuator is attached to the latch body of said latch via a shaft loaded with a spring, said linear actuator is capable of becoming disengaged, and said linear actuator uses a force of the spring to return to the blocking position from the release position while said linear actuator is disengaged.

30. The electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding of claim 27, further comprising a controller configured to control said linear actuator.

31. The electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding of claim 30, further comprising a system of a plurality of said bales, said bases, said latches, said linear actuators, and said controllers.

32. The electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding of claim 30, further comprising a sensor that detects gravity to help determine a precarious immobilization of the rider to signal said linear actuator via said controller to automatically move said latch to the release position upon detection of the precarious immobilization of the rider.

33. The electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding system of claim 31, wherein the system is attached to the recreational board, wherein the recreational board is configured for one or more of water sport, snow sport, land sport, and air sport.

34. The electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding system of claim 31, wherein said plurality of controllers for said plurality of linear actuators are configured to communicate with one another and enable control of release of just one of said plurality bales from said plurality of bases or release said plurality of bales from said plurality of bases.

35. The electromechanically actuatable bale and base-type step-in binding system of claim 34, wherein each controller of said plurality of controllers is coupled to a button to enable movement of either at least one of said plurality of latches to the release position.

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