Snowboard boot and binding system

Abstract

The invention is a two-component snowboard binding system that can be used with any type of snowboard boot, such as a stiff boot for carving or a flexible boot for freestyle snowboarding. The first component comprises the binding, which is coupled to the snowboard and collectively includes: a base, a toe strap, a high back, a pawl, securing straps, and buckles. The second component is the gaiter, which collectively includes: a boot back, a plurality of teeth, at least one ankle strap, a securing strap, and buckles. The gaiter is coupled to the snowboard boot. Then the boot / gaiter combination is coupled to the binding / snowboard, completing the snowboard binding system.

Description

PCT APPLICATION Debney 302PCTSNOWBOARD BOOT BINDING SYSTEMCross Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims priority to the copending U.S. Application, Serial No. 63713442, filed on October 29, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.Background

[0002] The present invention relates to boots and binding systems for snowboards. Conceptually, the snowboard may be considered a flat, planar object that floats on top of a layer of snow. It is most effective on an inclined plane with a low friction coefficient (e.g., a snow- covered mountain). Snowboard riders summit a preferably steep incline, whether by chairlift, hiking, helicopter, or other known means for scaling a mountain. The slope creates potential energy based on the rider's mass (and gear and snowboard) and the vertical elevation traversed to the mountain's summit. The physics of this is well understood, and the joy of riding a snowboard comes from converting potential energy into kinetic energy as the board slides down the slope (inclined plane). The board moves quickly down the hill because, in snowboarding, carving through the snow rather than sliding is desirable. Carving requires a boot-and-binding system to transfer the rider's foot movements directly to the board.

[0003] A traditional snowboard binding system comprises three components. First, a snowboard. Second, a binding affixed to the snowboard. Third, a snowboard boot (or boot) that releasably couples with the binding (hereinafter, collectively, binding system). There exist many types of binding systems adapted for different styles of snowboarding, and this topic is thoroughly discussed in U.S. Pat. 9,873,033, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

[0004] Nonetheless, there still exists a need for a convenient binding system that allows the snowboarder to universally adapt a snowboard boot or any boot to the binding. In one nonlimiting example, a snowboarder may select a rigid boot for precise edge control. In another nonlimiting example, a snowboarder may choose a more flexible boot for freestyle snowboarding orPCT APPLICATION Debney 302PCT all-around snowboarding. Thus, there is a need for a binding system that will adapt to a variety of boots.

[0005] The invention meets the need for an adaptive binding system by being a two- component binding system. The invention is a non-unitary or two-component binding system. That is, the binding system has two subsystems. The first subsystem — the binding — is coupled to the snowboard. The second subsystem — the gaiter — is fitted to the snowboard boot. The fitted boot and the gaiter are releasably coupled to the binding, forming the two-component binding system.Summary

[0006] A snowboard boot and binding system comprises a binding coupled to the snowboard and collectively including: a base, a toe strap, a high back, a pawl, securing straps, and buckles. The gaiter collectively includes: a boot back, a plurality of teeth, at least one ankle strap, a securing strap, and buckles. The gaiter is coupled to the snowboard boot. Then the boot / gaiter combination is coupled to the binding / snowboard, completing the snowboard binding system.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the first binding that is affixed to the snowboard (snowboard not shown).

[0008] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the binding, including a high back rear support element.

[0009] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the gaiter that attaches to the snowboard boot.

[0010] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the gaiter attached to a snowboard boot.

[0011] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the binding showing alternate embodiments of the boot back and ankle strap.

[0012] Fig. 6 is a cutaway view of the second embodiment of the binding, showing the base with a hinge and means for affixing the base to the snowboard.PCT APPLICATION Debney 302PCTDetailed Description

[0013] The disclosed binding systems will be better understood by reviewing the following detailed description and figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description.

[0014] Throughout the following detailed description, a variety of binding system examples are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example.Definitions

[0015] The following definitions apply herein unless otherwise indicated.

[0016] "Substantially" means to be more-or-less conforming to the particular dimension, range, shape, concept, or other aspect modified by the term, such that a feature or component need not conform exactly. For example, a "substantially cylindrical" object means that the object resembles a cylinder, but may have one or more deviations from a true cylinder.PCT APPLICATION Debney 302PCT

[0017] "Comprising," "including," and "having" (and conjugations thereof) are used interchangeably to mean including but not necessarily limited to, and are open-ended terms not intended to exclude additional elements or method steps not expressly recited.

[0018] Terms such as "first," "second," and "third" are used to distinguish or identify various members of a group or the like and are not intended to denote a serial, chronological, or numerical limitation.

[0019] "Coupled" means connected, either permanently or releasably, directly or indirectly through intervening components.

[0020] The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense, as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non- obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions, and / or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite "a" element, "a first" element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.Snowboard Boot Binding System

[0021] With reference to Figures 1-6, a novel SNOWBOARD BOOT BINDING SYSTEM will now be described. Figure 1 shows the binding, 100. The binding 100 is coupled to the snowboard (snowboard not shown). The binding 100 comprises a base, floor, or gas pedal 103 that is affixed to the snowboard using current fastener referred to in the art as the “Puck” or any or fastening method, with non-limiting examples including screws, nuts and bolts, rivets, or aPCT APPLICATION Debney 302PCT bayonet-and-lug system. It further comprises a toe strap, 104, for fastening across the toe of the boot.

[0022] Additionally, it comprises a high back 102 and a pawl 101. The pawl, 101 couples to the teeth, 301 , on the gaiter 202 (Figure 2). Figure 2 shows another example of the binding 100, including a boot back 201 and the gaiter 202. Figure 3 shows the gaiter that couples to the snowboard boot. It comprises the teeth 301 that couple to the pawl 101 and the ankle strap 303. Figure 4 shows the gaiter coupled to a boot, comprising a gaiter strap 401 and a boot back strap 402. The binding system may employ a plurality of securing straps 203 for securing the gaiter to or the binding to the boot. Securing straps can be adapted to any bucking system; non-limiting examples include a ratchet buckle (see Fig. 5), a pin-and-tongue buckle, a roller buckle, a plate buckle, a cam buckle, a military or slide-release buckle, and a side-release buckle.

[0023] Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of binding with another embodiment of the boot back 201 and ankle strap 303. In the second embodiment of the binding 500, the base 501 has a hinge 502 that allows the user to flip the base 501 up to access the attachment means, 602 and 603, to couple the binding 500 to the snowboard. In the second embodiment 500, the securing strap 203 is coupled to or includes a ratchet 601 to adjust the angle of the toe strap 104.

[0024] The securing straps, boot back, and toe strap can be of varying levels of stiffness, e.g., rigid, semi-rigid, semi-flexible, flexible, or pliable. Additionally, the securing straps have varying degrees of elasticity, e.g., inelastic, semi-elastic, and elastic. A semi-flexible toe strap with a semi-elastic securing is preferred. The heel straps and shin straps are optional.

[0025] The invention may be made from any material used to make sporting equipment such a thermoplastics, with non-limiting examples including: ABS, acrylic, high density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polystyrene, PVC, polystyrene, acetyl resins, PBT, PBT I PET, PET, polycarbonate, PEEK, PEI, PES / PSU, PPE, Nylon, PPS, TPE, TPU, Teflon® ( or PTFE), TPR, COC, COP, LCP, Delrin® (or POM). The formerPCT APPLICATION Debney 302PCT thermoplastics can be filled, unfilled, non-reinforced, or reinforced versions of each example. Further examples include composite materials with non-limiting examples such as fiberglass, e.g., SMC, and carbon fiber composites, e.g., CFSMC. The invention can be made from or include metals, such as steel, stainless steel, galvanized steel, aluminum, magnesium, or titanium. The former examples of metals can be coated or uncoated. The construction may include high- performance textiles made from natural or synthetic fibers, or a combination of both, with nonlimiting examples such as wool, merino wool, polyolefin, polyester, polyurethane, and nylon. Construction materials can include rubber, elastomers, and thermoplastic elastomers.

[0026] Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and / or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a different invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventions described herein.

Claims

PCT APPLICATION Debney 302PCTHaving set forth the invention herein, I claim:

1. A snowboard boot and binding system, comprising: a binding that includes; a base, a toe strap, a high back, and a pawl; at least one securing strap; a buckling means; where, providing a snowboard, the bottom of the base is coupled to the snowboard, the toe strap is coupled to the front of the base; the high back is coupled to the rear of the base, the pawl is coupled to the high back, and one securing strap is coupled to high back, and one securing strap is coupled to the toe strap; and the buckling means coupled to one end of the securing strap. a gaiter that includes: a boot back, a plurality of teeth, and at least one ankle strap, and at least one securing strap; a buckling means; where the boot back is coupled to the interior curve of the gaiter; the teeth are coupled to the exterior curve of the gaiter, the ankle strap is coupled to the gaiter, one securing strap is coupled to the boot back, and one securing strap is coupled to the ankle strap and the buckling means is coupled to one end of the securing strap.

2. The toe strap and the coupled securing strap of claim 1 are rigid, semi-rigid, semiflexible, flexible, or pliable; and the securing strap is inelastic, semi-elastic, or elastic.

3. The high back and the securing strap of claim 1 are rigid, semi-rigid, semi-flexible, flexible, or pliable, and the securing strap is inelastic, semi-elastic, or elastic.

4. The base of claim 1 , where the base has a hinge that flips upwards from the snowboard to allow access to the upper surface of the snowboard.

5. The securing strap coupled to the toe strap of claim 1 further comprises a ratchet attached to one end of the securing strap that allows adjustment of the toe strap angle.

6. The buckling means of claim 1 can be selected from any one of the following: ratchet buckle, pin-and-tongue buckle, roller buckle, plate buckle, cam buckle, slide-release buckle, or side-release buckle.PCT APPLICATION Debney 302PCT7. Where the high back of claim 1 further includes a shin strap.

8. Where the gaiter of claim 1 further includes a heel strap.

9. A snowboard boot and binding system, comprising: a binding that includes; a base, a toe strap, a high back, and a pawl; at least one securing strap; a buckling means; where, providing a snowboard, the bottom of the base is coupled to the snowboard, the toe strap is coupled to the front of the base; the high back is coupled to the rear of the base, the pawl is coupled to the high back, and one securing strap is coupled to high back, and one securing strap is coupled to the toe strap; and the buckling means coupled to one end of the securing strap. a gaiter that includes: a boot back, a plurality of teeth, and at least one ankle strap, and at least one securing strap; a buckling means; where the boot back is coupled to the interior curve of the gaiter; the teeth is coupled to the exterior curve of the gaiter, the ankle strap is coupled to the gaiter, one securing strap is coupled to the boot back, and one securing strap is coupled to the ankle strap, and the buckling means is coupled to one end of the securing strap; where the toe strap is semi-rigid, the coupled securing strap is semi-rigid and semi-elastic; where the high back is semi-rigid and the coupled securing strap is semi-rigid and semielastic; where he securing strap, coupled to the toe strap, further comprises a ratchet attached to one end of the securing strap that allows for the adjustment of the toe strap angle.

10. The base of claim 9, where the base has a hinge that flips upwards from the snowboard to allow access to the upper surface of the snowboard.

11. The buckling means of claim 9 can be selected from any one of the following: ratchet buckle, pin and tongue buckle, roller buckle, plate buckle, cam buckle, slide release buckle, or a side release buckle.PCT APPLICATION Debney 302PCT12. Where the high back of claim 9 further includes a shin strap.

13. Where the gaiter of claim 9 further includes a heel strap.

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