EP1464366A2

EP1464366A2 - An adjustable soft binding for a snowboard

Info

Publication number: EP1464366A2
Application number: EP03029977A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Fulvio Tosco
Original assignee: PHIOKKA ITALIA Srl
Current assignee: PHIOKKA ITALIA Srl
Priority date: 2003-01-09
Filing date: 2003-12-30
Publication date: 2004-10-06
Also published as: ITTO20030002A1; EP1464366A3

Abstract

A soft binding for a snowboard is described, operable to secure a soft boot to a board for snowboard, including:

an angularly adjustable base plate (14), for coupling to a graduated disc (12) secured to the board whereby it can be fixed thereon at a predetermined angle to the longitudinal axis of the board, and

a variable-configuration seat (16) for engagement of a boot, for coupling to the top of the plate (14) and including a front portion (18a) and a rear portion (18b) each slidable longitudinally with respect to the base plate (14) so as to vary the length of the aforesaid seat (16) so as to accommodate boots of different sizes, the said portions (18a, 18b) being fixable to the plate (14) at a plurality of predetermined relative positions.

Description

The present invention relates to a snowboard binding and, more specifically, to a soft type of adjustable snowboard binding.
The snowboard, a board on which it is possible to descend down snow or ice covered slopes and perform turns and acrobatics, is an item of sports equipment provided in various models, while snowboarding is no longer simply a leisure activity but offers several competitive specialities.
It is usual to distinguish between downhill events, for example races between poles, or slaloms, and free-style turns and acrobatics such as jumping, so the accessory that binds the boot to the board is produced in two fundamentally different types.
In the first case, the bindings must be able to engage the boot in a rigid and semi-rigid structure similar to that of a ski binding and to hold it in position on the board and are known as 'hard' bindings. These are constituted by a plate which can be fixed to the board by a graduated disc which enables it to be positioned at a precise angle to the axis of the board, and on which are fixed a rear heel engagement element, which acts as a fulcrum, and a front element with a quick-release lever close locking system for securing the boot perfectly to the plate.
This type of binding does not allow the ankle to move but enables commands to be communicated to the plate with great speed and accuracy, making it possible to perform the precise manoeuvres needed on compact snow and during mountain-competitions.
In the second case, in order to be able to move freely on any type of snow with the greatest possible agility, the athlete wears soft, après-ski type boots and the bindings intended for use are referred to as "soft".
Soft bindings, also known as 'shell' bindings, are constituted by a foot enclosing element in rigid plastic, shaped to fit a soft boot and also fixable to the board by means of a graduated disc by means of which it can be positioned at a precise angular position with respect to the axis of the board. At the toe and central portion of the foot, the foot element has two curved straps of adjustable length, for wrapping around boot and securing it to the binding. This type of binding allows the foot to perform a wide range of movements, as required in more acrobatic performances.
This type of binding is based on a foot element formed in one piece and usually supplied in three sizes (S/M, M/L, L/XL) with the adjustable straps being used to adjust the binding to different sizes of boot.
This configuration has the disadvantage of being adjustable only within the range of the foot element size (one of three sizes), with the whole binding having to be changed if it does not fit. A retailer or equipment hire shop therefore needs to have a considerable number of bindings of each size in order to satisfy the requirements of a wide range of customers. In addition, it is complicated, or even impossible, to lend a board to a friend if he uses bindings of a different size, since simply acting on the adjusting straps will not be sufficient to fit its boots to the current bindings, but it would require complicated dismantling and reassembly of parts.
The object of the present invention is to provide a universal soft binding arrangement, adjustable to any boot size, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.
This object is achieved according to the present invention by providing a binding having the characteristics claimed in Claim 1.
Particular embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent Claims.
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be described more fully in the following detailed description of one embodiment thereof, provided purely by way of non-limitative example, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a snowboard binding according to the invention;
Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the binding of Figure 1; and
Figure 3 is a side view of the binding of Figure 1.
A snowboard binding according to the invention is generally indicated 10. It is shown in an exploded view and in an assembled condition when fitted to a graduated disc 12, of a type known per se, for positioning at a precise angle to the longitudinal axis of the board.
The binding includes a base plate 14 with through holes, an adjustable foot piece or body 16 for engaging the boot, composed of a slidable front carrier 18a and a slidable rear carrier 18b, and a spoiler 20.
Two pairs of parallel longitudinal apertures 22a, 22b are formed in a front portion and in a rear portion of the plate 14, respectively. The upper surface of the plate, that is the one facing towards the foot piece 16, has two pairs of fixed grub screws 24a, 24b arranged transversely to the outward side of the aperture 22a, 22b.
The base plate 14 can be fixed to the graduated disc 12 by means of a plurality of retaining screws, of which only the central screw 26 passing through a corresponding central hole 28 through the plate is shown.
An arcuate window 30, extending through only a short circumferential section, is formed in the middle area of the plate at a predetermined radial distance from the central hole 28, in such a way that it is aligned with a portion of the graduated scale (not shown) carried by the disc 12, so that this is visible in the assembled condition.
Both the front and rear carriers 18a, 18b of the structure 16 are made in the form of a stirrup and each has a base 32a, 32b respectively and raised sides 34a, 34b respectively, thereby forming a seat for engaging the boot. The rear carrier is narrower than the front carrier so that the two carriers can be arranged and can slide in a partially superimposed configuration.
A pair of fixing members 36 is aligned transversely on the base 32a, 32b of each carrier for securing it to the plate, these members could be steel fixing screws for example. These members are spaced by a distance equal to the transverse distance between the apertures 22a, 22b of the base plate 14.
Alongside the seat for each fixing member 36, two rows of blind holes 38 are formed in the surface facing the base plate 14, aligned longitudinally and in positions corresponding to the positions of the grub screws 24a, 24b of the base plate.
Respective attachment members 40a, 40b are arranged along each side 34a, 34b of the carriers for the fastening straps (not shown) which will wrap the boot and secure it to the binding.
The sides 34a of the front carrier each have a tail portion 42a extending rearwardly and having an elongate elliptical aperture 44 formed through it.
The sides 34b of the rear carrier each have a tail portion 42b, extending forwardly and partially superimposed on the tail portion 42a of the front carrier.
The tail portions 42a, 42b are coupled in a guided slidable configuration whereby they can be moved closer together or further apart and locked in the desired position. According to the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, they are coupled by means of a pin 46 secured to the side 34b and projecting perpendicularly outwardly from the tail portion 42b, which is guided so as to be slidable longitudinally within the aperture 44. A nut 48 screwed onto the end of the pin projecting through the aperture 44 acts as a locking and protection member.
In a variant of this embodiment, a pin 46 slidable in a groove can achieve a similar coupling.
A spoiler 20 is hinged to the sides of the rear carrier by a pivotal connection 50.
The spoiler has a system for adjusting and limiting travel, comprising a pair of screw adjustment members 52 arranged at the sides of the structure 16. A pair of support brackets 54 is fixed to the spoiler 20 near the pivotal connections 50 and each bracket has an axially free adjustment screw 56 passing through it. A nut 58 is screwed onto the shank of each screw beneath the bracket 54 and a coil spring 60 is arranged on the opposite side, between the head 62 of the screw and the bracket itself. The free end of the screw has a tip 64 facing an abutment surface 66 of a boss 68 secured to the side of the rear carrier. The abutment surface is shaped so that the distance from the bracket along the axis of the screw becomes shorter as the rearward inclination of the spoiler increases.
The binding is adjusted to the size of a boot by sliding the carriers 18a, 18b on the base plate 14, moving them closer together or further apart by regular steps equivalent to the spacing between the holes 38 engaging the grub screws 24a, 24b.
Once the size has been adjusted, the binding is locked mechanically in the achieved configuration by acting on the members 36 which, if constituted by screws through the holes 22a, 22b, are locked by respective counteracting nuts. One advantage provided by the adjustment system described is that it is no longer necessary to provide bindings of different sizes, since one universal binding can be adapted to every size of boot.
The adjustment of the travel of the spoiler 20 in its rearward inclination is achieved by acting on the screw 58 so as to vary at will the extension of the screw 56 between the support bracket 54 and the abutment surface 66: the greater the extension of the screw, the shorter the travel of the spoiler. The inclination movement of the spoiler stops when the tip 64 of the adjustment screw comes into contact with the abutment surface, at its end-of-travel position.
Advantageously, it is possible to provide the system for adjusting the travel of the spoiler with a pair of decelerators, known per se (not shown) and positioned between the brackets 54 and the sides 34b as an alternative to the screw adjustment means 52, in order to stop the inclination movement of the spoiler in a controlled manner.
The position of the binding on the board is infinitely adjustable, varying not only the angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the board but also its inclination to the board, by using lifters and packings (not shown in the drawings) which can be arranged on the base of the carriers and fixed in position by means of the same screws 36, thereby providing a raised or inclined plane of support for the boot.
The parts of the binding can be equally well made of aluminium, moulded plastics material or another strong and light material, or in a combination of such materials.
Naturally, it will be clear to an expert in the art that the coupling between the front and rear carriers could be achieved equally well by changing the guide means of the terminal portions of the carriers 18a and 18b, and making the front carrier narrower than the rear carrier so as to be slidable within it.
It is also possible to provide a binding configuration in which the carriers are not coupled together, but only to the base plate.
Alternatively, each carrier could be fixed to the base plate 14 by a single fixing member operable to engage a corresponding axial aperture in the plate, instead of the two described and illustrated.
Instead of the grub screws 24a,b, the discrete step adjustment of the carriers on the base plate could be achieved by using a constant pitch toothed rack in an equivalent manner.
Naturally, the principle of the invention remaining unchanged, embodiments and manufacturing details can vary widely from those described and illustrated purely by way of non-limitative example, without departing thereby from the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

A soft binding for a snowboard, operable to secure a soft boot to a board, characterised in that it includes:

an angularly adjustable base plate (14) for coupling with a graduated disc (12) secured to the said board, so as to be fixed on it at a predetermined angle to the longitudinal axis of the board, and

a variable-configuration seat (16) for engagement of the boot, which can be coupled to the top of the plate (14) and includes a front portion (18a) and a rear portion (18b) slidable longitudinally with respect to the base plate (14) so as to vary the length of the seat (16) in order to accommodate boots of different sizes, the said portions (18a, 18b) being fixable to the plate (14) in any one of a plurality of predetermined relative positions.
A binding according to Claim 1, characterised in that the said variable-configuration seat (16) includes a slide front portion (18a) and a slide rear portion (18b), arranged in a partially superimposed configuration and connected to each other by guide means (44, 46) which enable them to slide relative to one another.
A binding according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterised in that the said slidable portions (18a, 18b) and the said base portion (14) include respective facing coupling surfaces, each having means for coupling to one another (24a, 24b, 38) which enable the positioning of the said slidable portions (18a, 18b) on the plate (14) by discrete steps.
A binding according to Claim 3, characterised in that the said coupling means include a pair of projections (24a; 24b) protruding from one of the said coupling surfaces and provided for selectively engaging one of a plurality of pairs of corresponding hollows (38) formed in the opposite surface.
A binding according to Claim 3, characterised in that each slidable portion (18a; 18b) can be secured to the base plate (14) by means of at least one screw connection member (36).
A binding according to Claim 5, characterised in that the said base plate (14) has longitudinal elongate apertures (22a, 22b) in a front and in a rear area respectively, for engaging the said screw connection members (36) in any one of the positions of the slidable portions (18a, 18b) on the base plate (14).
A binding according to any Claim from 2 to 6, characterised in that the said slidable portions (18a, 18b) each include a base (32a, 32b) and a pair of upstanding sides (34a, 34b).
A binding according to Claim 7, characterised in that the said guide means include a pair of pins (46) secured to the sides (34b) of a first slidable portion (18b) and projecting orthogonally therefrom, for sliding longitudinally in corresponding elongate apertures (44) formed along the sides (34a) of the second slidable portion (18a).
A binding according to Claim 7, characterised in that the sides (34a, 34b) of the said slidable portions (18a, 18b) have attachment means (40a, 40b) for binding straps for wrapping the boots.
A binding according to Claim 7, characterised in that it includes a spoiler (20) hinged to the sides (34b) of the rear slidable portion (18b).
A binding according to Claim 10, characterised in that the said spoiler (20) includes a pair of side support brackets (54) each carrying screw members (52) for adjusting the travel of the spoiler (20).
A binding according to Claim 11, characterised in that the said members include an axially free adjustment screw (56) passing through the bracket (54), the free lower end of which has a tip (64) for cooperating, in an end-of-travel position, with an abutment surface (66) orthogonal to the side (34b) of the rear slidable portion (18b) and secured thereto.
A binding according to Claim 10, characterised in that the said spoiler (20) includes a pair of side support brackets (54) each bearing a slowing device for stopping the travel of the spoiler (20).
A binding according to Claim 5, characterised in that it includes spacer elements which can be superimposed on the bases (32a, 32b) of the said slidable portions (18a, 18b) and fixable in position by the screw connection members (36) so as to form a raised or inclined support base for the boot.
All substantially as described and illustrated, and for the purposes specified.