WO2009047253A1

WO2009047253A1 - An improved snowboard binding

Info

Publication number: WO2009047253A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/063407
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roberto Gorza; Gianni Piva
Original assignee: Northwave S.R.L.
Priority date: 2007-10-08
Filing date: 2008-10-07
Publication date: 2009-04-16
Also published as: ITTV20070169A1

Abstract

A snowboard binding (1) comprised a resting base (11) and a fixing assembly (2) comprising a first fixing plate (21), designed to engage with said base (11), and a second fixing plate (22), set on top of said first plate. The first and second plates comprise, respectively, first and second openings (216, 226), positioned on top of one another to define at least one fixing cavity passing through the thickness of said first and second plates (21, 22). Said fixing cavity is designed to receive fixing means for connecting said first and second plates fixedly to said snowboard in just two connection points (101, 102).

Description

"AN IMPROVED SNOWBOARD BINDING" DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to the field of snowboard bindings. In particular, the present invention relates to a snowboard binding having improved characteristics in terms of ease and versatility o f use .

A snowboard system typically comprises a snowboard and a pair of bindings, aimed constraining the feet of the user to the snowboard, during the sports activity.

Each binding is operatively connected to the board by means of an appropriate fixing plate, generally circular in shape. The plate is housed in a seat made in a position corresponding to the base of the binding, so that a toothed edge thereof engages a corresponding toothed edge of the seat of the binding base.

The fixing plate comprises a plurality of through openings (for example, slots or holes) designed to receive appropriate fixing elements (for example, screws or bolts) that engage with corresponding fixing seats on the top surface of the board. The aforesaid fixing elements connect the snowboard and the fixing plate fixedly to one another, once the latter has appropriately engaged the base portion of the binding. In this way, the fixing elements exert a force of retention to constrain the base of the binding to the snowboard. Typically, to enable an adequate adjustment of the position of the binding according to the needs of the user (above all in terms of positioning of his/her feet), each snowboard comprises a plurality of fixing seats that are arranged according to different geometries and set at different intermediate distances apart from one another.

In the snowboard binding described in the patent application No. EP0396133, the fixing plate is operatively connected to the board of the snowboard in a position corresponding to six connection points, distributed along a circle concentric with respect to the plate and inscribed within the plate. Each of said connection points is defined by a through hole designed to receive a fixing screw.

In the snowboard binding described in the patent application No. DE9108513, the fixing plate is operatively connected to the board in a position corresponding to four through openings that define four connection points arranged at the vertices of a square concentric with respect to the plate and inscribed within the plate. Said openings consist in slots that extend in a same direction and are arranged parallel to one another.

Patent No. EP0624112 describes a fixing device that comprises a plate provided with three through openings that define three connection points arranged at the vertices of an equilateral triangle, which is concentric with respect to the plate and inscribed within the plate. Snowboard bindings of a known type present certain drawbacks.

For example, they require a relatively large number of connection points (greater than or equal to three) to join the binding to the board in a reliable and safe way. In such traditional binding structures, in fact, the use of a smaller number of connection points could cause the detachment of the binding from the board or deterioration of the fixing plate, with considerable risks for the user during the sporting activity.

Obviously, a relatively large number of connection points makes the assembly of the binding relatively laborious and inconvenient.

To overcome said drawbacks, and hence use a smaller number of connection points, stronger fixing elements and boards with wider and deeper fixing seats could be provided. This would involve, however, an increase in the overall dimensions of the binding and a structural weakening of the board.

Traditional snowboard bindings moreover present a relatively low flexibility of use. For example, a certain snowboard binding is unlikely to be connectable to snowboards having a different arrangement of the fixing seats. This involves the need to provide numerous and different binding lines, each dedicated to a certain type of snowboard.

The main aim of the present invention is to provide a snowboard binding that will enable the drawbacks of the known art, described above, to be overcome.

In the framework of the above aim, a purpose of the present invention is to provide a snowboard binding that presents a considerable ease and versatility of use.

A further purpose of the present invention is to provide a snowboard binding that is easy to assemble and reliable and safe to use.

Not the least important purpose of the present invention is to provide a snowboard binding that presents a simple and strong structure that is characterized by small overall size and is suited for being produced industrially at relatively contained costs.

The above task and purposes, as well as other purposes that will appear more clearly from the ensuing description and the attached drawings, are achieved, according to the invention, by a snowboard binding according to the following claim 1.

The snowboard binding, according to the invention, comprises a fixing assembly including a pair of fixing plates set on top of one another, which enable the binding to the board to be constrained in a position corresponding to two and only two connection points.

The fixing plates are assembled so as to enable a convenient, reliable, and safe connection of the binding to the board, without increasing the overall dimensions of the binding or weakening the board structurally. The use of just two connection points enables a convenient use of the binding also with boards that are different from one another from the structural standpoint, above all as regards the arrangement of the fixing seats.

Notwithstanding the presence of a number of fixing plates, the binding presents a particularly simple structure, which is particularly suitable for industrial production thereof at relatively contained costs and presents considerable advantages in terms of ease and flexibility of use. Further characteristics and advantages of the snowboard binding according to the present invention may be perceived more clearly with reference to the description given in what follows and to the attached drawings, which are provided purely by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a snowboard system comprising a pair of snowboard bindings, according to the present invention, operatively connected to a snowboard; and

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of an exploded view of the snowboard binding according to the present invention; and

Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C are schematic illustrations of a view from above, a perspective view, and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of a fixing assembly in the snowboard binding according to the present invention; and

Figures 4A and 4B are schematic illustrations of two different exploded views of a fixing assembly in the snowboard binding according to the present invention; and

Figures 5 and 6 are schematic illustrations of some modes of connection to a snowboard as regards the snowboard binding according to the present invention.

With reference to the figures referred to above, the present invention regards a snowboard binding 1 comprising a resting base 11 , at which the binding 1 is operatively associated to the snowboard 3 of a snowboard system 100.

The snowboard 3 extends longitudinally according to a main axis 31 and comprises a bottom sliding surface 32 and a top surface 33, on which the binding 1 is operatively associated thereto. The base 11 of the binding 3 comprises a seat 112 that advantageously consists in an opening passing through the thickness of the base 11 and preferably comprises a toothed edge 113. According to the invention, the binding 1 comprises a fixing assembly 2 that is constituted by a first and second fixing plates 21-22 and fixing means 24, which connect fixedly the plates 21-22 to the snowboard 3.

According to the invention, the fixing assembly 2 is connected with the snowboard 3 at two and only two connection points 101 and 102. The first fixing plate 21, which is preferably circular in shape, is designed to engage at least one portion of the base 11. For this purpose, it is provided with at least one bottom surface 211, at which there is defined a toothed edge 213, designed to be operatively associated to the toothed edge 113 of the seat 112 of the base 11. The plate 21 advantageously also comprises a top surface 212, on which an edge 214 defines a seat 215 (figure 4A).

The first plate 21 comprises at least a first opening 216 passing through the thickness of it.

Preferably, the plate 21 comprises a pair of first openings 216 that are constituted by slots that extend in a main direction 311 substantially parallel to the top surface 33 of the snowboard 3. The slots 216 are preferably oriented parallel or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 31 of the board 3. Preferably, they are also aligned with one another, according to their main direction

311, as illustrated in the figures referred to above.

Also the second plate 22 comprises at least a second opening 226 passing through the thickness of said plate 22. Preferably, the plate 22 comprises a pair of second openings 226. The openings 226 are preferably constituted by second slots that develop principally like the slots 216 of the plate 21 and are aligned with one another in the direction of orientation 311.

The plate 22 is operatively associated to the plate 21 so that the second openings 226 are superimposed on the first openings 216 and are vertically aligned therewith to define at least a fixing cavity 23 passing through the entire thickness of the plates 21 and 22. Preferably, the second openings 226 are vertically aligned to the corresponding first openings

216 to define a pair of fixing cavities 23 that pass through the entire thickness of the plates 21 and 22.

In the operative positioning of the binding 1, the fixing cavities 23 are aligned vertically with corresponding fixing seats 6, made in the snowboard 3 on the top surface 33. The fixing seats 6 can comprise, for example, threaded cavities designed to receive the fixing means 24 that preferably include a fixing element 24, for example, a screw or a bolt.

Each fixing element 24, once inserted in the corresponding fixing cavity 23 and operatively fixed to the board 3 in a position corresponding to a fixing seat 6 (for example, by means of bolting or screwing), is able to fixedly connect the plates 21 and 22 and the board 3 to one another. In the operative positioning of the binding 1, the plate 21 is housed in the seat 112 of the base 11 of the binding 1 and is engaged, in a position corresponding to its own toothed edge 214, with the toothed edge 113 of the seat 112 of the base 11.

Finally, the plate 22 is housed in the seat 215, on the top surface 212 of the first plate 21.

The fixing assembly 2, once operatively connected to the board 3, thus exerts a force of retention on the base 11 of the binding 1, constraining it to the board 3.

Even the fixing assembly 2 is connected to the snowboard at two and only two connection points

101 and 102, the plate 22 distributes said force of retention over the entire area of the longitudinal section (parallel to the surface 33 of the board 3) of the plates 21 and 22. There is thus prevented the onset of excessive stresses in areas corresponding to the fixing elements 24 alone, during sports activities, and it is ensures a good level of retention.

The at least partial nesting of the plate 22 in the seat 215 on the top surface 212 of the plate 21 provides also an overall reduction of the total volume occupied by the fixing assembly 2.

Preferably, the openings 226 of the plate 22 have a top edge 228 that is flared with respect to the top surface 222 of the plate 22 to ensure a greater grip of the fixing element 24, once it is inserted in the corresponding fixing cavity 23.

The openings 226 of the plate 22 comprise also a bottom edge 229, projecting with respect to the bottom surface 223 of the plate 22. Said bottom edge 229 is shaped so as to be complementary with respect to a top edge 217 of the openings 216 of the plate 21, said edge 217 being flared with respect to the top surface 212 of the first plate 21.

Each first opening 211 is thus able to receive, at least partially, the bottom edge 229 of the corresponding second opening 221, set on top of it.

In this way, positioning of the plate 22 in the housing 215 is greatly favoured, and a stronger and more stable fixing of both of the plates 21-22 is ensured by means of the fixing elements 24. With reference to Figure 5, it may be noted how the binding 1 may be mounted on boards that have fixing seats 6 positioned at relatively large intermediate distances "D" from one another, which are much greater than the ones commonly used, for example greater than or equal to 45 mm.

Figure 6 illustrates, instead, how the binding 1 may be easily connected also to commonly used boards 3 that have fixing seats 6 that are aligned and relatively close to one another, typically at an intermediate distance significantly smaller than 45 mm, as occurs in boards for commercially available snowboards.

In any case, the binding 1 can be connected using, for example, a pair of seats 60, aligned with respect to the longitudinal axis 31 of the board 3, or else pairs of seats 61-62, arranged transversely. This enables regulation with continuity of the angle of positioning of the binding 1 with respect to the axis 31.

From Figures 5-6, it moreover appears evident how the ellipsoidal shape of the openings 216 and

226 will enable appropriate regulation of the position of the fixing cavities 23 as a function of the distance between the seats 6. The binding 1 can thus be easily mounted on snowboards in which the seats 6 are arranged according to geometries that are different from the ones illustrated.

The snowboard binding 1 according to the present invention can assume numerous variant embodiments (not illustrated), all falling within the scope of the present invention. For example, the plate 21 and/or the plate 22 can each comprise just one through opening 211-

212 to define a single fixing cavity 23, designed to house the fixing means 24, e.g. a pair of fixing elements or else just one fixing element 24, which is properly shaped (e.g. as a bridge) so as to define in any case a pair of connection points 101-102 with the board 3.

Further alternative variant embodiments are possible. For example, the first plate 21 could comprise a series of additional openings (not illustrated) for enabling the use thereof as a traditional fixing plate in bindings of a known type and consequently reducing the costs of production thereof, thanks to the higher economies of scale that can thus be obtained.

The plate 21 could be constrained to the base 11 also with other modalities of a known type, different from the ones illustrated.

The fixing seats 6 could moreover be constituted by appropriate retention seats, exiting from each of which is a stud-bolt fixing element 24.

Also the openings 216 and 226 could be aligned with one another or with respect to the longitudinal axis 31 in a way different from the one illustrated in the figures referred to above. It has been noted in practice how the snowboard binding 1 according to the present invention enables the pre-set aim and purposes to be achieved.

The binding 1 can be fixed to the board 3 in a position corresponding to just two connection points. It is hence characterized by a considerable versatility of use that renders it suitable for assembly on an extremely wide range of types of snowboards. On the other hand, the use of two fixing plates 21-22 set on top of one another and assembled to one another enables a reliable and safe connection of the binding 1, notwithstanding the relatively small number of connection points.

The at least partial nesting of the plate 22 in a position corresponding to the top surface 212 of the plate 21 enables use of a pair of fixing plates, without increasing the overall dimensions, bestowing, at the same time, a greater strength on the connection of the binding 1 to the board 3.

The binding 1 has a very simple structure and can be easily mounted on the board 3 also by an inexpert user.

The simple structure itself renders it particularly suitable for industrial production at competitive costs.

Claims

1. A snowboard binding (1) comprising a resting base (11), at which said snowboard binding is operatively associated to a snowboard (3), characterized in that it comprises a fixing assembly (2) including a first fixing plate (21), which engages with at least one portion of said base, a second fixing plate (22), which engages with at least one portion of said first fixing plate, and fixing means (24), which connect fixedly said first plate and said second plate to said snowboard, said fixing assembly being connected with said snowboard at two and only two connection points (101, 102).

2. A snowboard binding, according to claim 1, characterised in that said first plate comprises at least one first opening (216) passing through the thickness of said first plate and said second plate and at least one second opening (226) passing through the thickness of said second plate, said first and second openings being vertically aligned to define at least one fixing cavity (23) passing through the thickness of said first and second plates, said fixing cavity receiving at least one fixing element (24) for connecting fixedly said first plate and said second plate to said snowboard.

3. A snowboard binding, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said first plate comprises at least one bottom surface (211), at which said first plate is operatively associated to the base of said snowboard binding, and a top surface (212), at which said second plate is operatively associated to said first plate, on said top surface (212) a seat (215) being defined for at least partially housing said second plate.

4. A snowboard binding, according to claim 3, characterized in that said second opening has a top edge (228) that is flared with respect to a top surface (222) of said second plate, and a bottom edge (229) that projects with respect to a bottom surface (223) of said second plate, said first opening having a top edge (217) that is flared with respect to the top surface (212) of said first plate, the top edge of said first opening being shaped so as to be complementary with respect to the bottom edge (229) of said second opening.

5. A snowboard binding, according to one or more of the claims from 2 to 4, characterized in that said first plate and said second plate comprise, respectively, a pair of first openings and a pair of second openings, said first and second openings being vertically aligned to define a pair of fixing cavities, each of which receives at least one fixing element.

6. A snowboard binding, according to claim 5, characterized in that said first openings comprise a pair of first slots (216), which mainly extend according to a main direction substantially parallel to the top surface of said snowboard.

7. A snowboard binding, according to claim 6, characterized in that said first slots are longitudinally aligned with one another, according to said main direction.

8. A snowboard binding, according to one or more of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that said second openings comprise a pair of second slots (226) that mainly extend along said main direction.

9. A snowboard binding, according to claim 8, characterized in that said second slots are aligned with one another along said main direction.

10. A snowboard binding, according to one or more of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that said fixing cavities extend substantially perpendicular to a top surface (33) of said snowboard, said fixing cavities being vertically aligned with corresponding fixing seats (6, 60, 61, 62).

11. A snowboard binding, according to claim 10, characterized in that said fixing seats are positioned at an intermediate distance (D) greater than or equal to 45 mm.

12. A snowboards system, characterized in that it comprises at least a snowboard binding according to one or more of the previous claims.