US20160082343A1

US20160082343A1 - Universal snowboard binding

Info

Publication number: US20160082343A1
Application number: US14/492,794
Authority: US
Inventors: Timothy Hughes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-09-22
Filing date: 2014-09-22
Publication date: 2016-03-24

Abstract

The invention is concerned with a snowboard binding that uniquely addresses two long-standing issues with snowboard bindings: (1) fast hands free entry, and (2) high level of mobility when the user's back foot is unstrapped from the binding. Generally, this application relates to snowboard bindings that enable hands-free entry and a higher level of mobility than is currently available when the user's back foot is unstrapped from the binding. The binding uses three distinct positions to address these issues: (1) the closed position, (2) the skate position, and (3) the open position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH

None.

SEQUENCE LISTING

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention is concerned with a snowboard binding that uniquely addresses two long-standing issues with snowboard bindings: (1) fast hands free entry, and (2) high level of mobility when the user's back foot is unstrapped from the binding.
It is known that other bindings use a similar subassembly, but with fewer parts and less functionality. It is also known that the various existing bindings on the market have limited individual aspects of functionality, which are all found in this new binding. Many bindings use a highback and a highback support to provide adjustable support to the boot, which forces the user's ankle to flex at an angle determined by the user. Some bindings allow for the highback to rotate downward so that the boot may be inserted into the binding without undoing the straps. Some use a highback that moves the ankle straps upward as it rotates downward.
However, it has not been possible heretofore to have one set of bindings with the above collective industry features and the new features depicted below that enable hands-free entry and increased mobility. Previously there has not been a mechanism by which the user can secure his boot in the binding without using his hands, but instead by stepping into the binding and pressing down with his boot to tighten the components of the binding about his boot—all without allowing snow to enter the space between the footbed and the baseplate. Bindings have not been available with a footbed as a separate moving part or with a rotation control disc or with separate clamping discs for the front and rear bindings, which made it impossible for the front binding to rotate as desired by the user about the front clamping disc to increase the user's mobility when his rear boot is unstrapped. Additionally, with current market bindings, it has not been possible to lock or unlock the bindings without the use of levers or ratchets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally, this application relates to snowboard bindings that enable hands free entry and a higher level of mobility than is currently available when the user's back foot is unstrapped from the binding. The binding uses three distinct positions to address these issues: (1) the closed position, (2) the skate position, and (3) the open position.
The closed position is the position of the binding while the user is snowboarding downhill. The spring-loaded locking pins extend from the footbed housing to the baseplate housing, preventing the parts of the binding from moving and keeping the user's boot securely locked in place. To unlock the binding to either the skate or open positions, other bindings require a ratchet or the user to switch a lever. This invention allows the user to pull a release cord that attaches to the locking pins while simultaneously lifting his boot up against the ankle cover.
The skate position is the position of the front binding while the user is pushing with his unstrapped rear foot. To transition to the skate position from the closed position, the user pulls the release cord and lifts his boot up against the ankle cover. He then rotates the binding forward up to 100-degrees and presses down on the major footbed to engage the locking pins with the skate housing so that he may face forward while he pushes with his rear foot. If the user wishes to return the front binding to the closed position from the skate position, he may re-rotate the front binding to its original orientation and press down on the major footbed to re-engage the locking pins with the baseplate housing. If instead he wishes to fully unlock the binding to the open position from the skate position, he need only lift his boot up against the ankle cover; it is not necessary for the user to again pull the release cord.
The open position is the position of the binding while the user's boot is unstrapped from the binding. From the closed position, the user pulls the release cord and lifts up with his boot against the ankle cover to open the binding and remove his boot from the binding. From the skate position, the user need only lift his boot up against the ankle cover to open the binding and remove his boot from the binding. To secure his boot in the binding, the user steps into the binding while it is in the open position, placing his toe against the front toe strap, and presses down on the major footbed until the locking pins engage with the appropriate housings for either the closed or skate positions.
The sum of these advantages unify with the novel article of the new snowboard binding, resulting in an invention that is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art support, either alone or in any combination thereof.
These, together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty characterizing the invention, are described with particularity in the claims herewith. A more comprehensive understanding of the features, operation and uses of the invention may be gleaned from reference to the enclosed drawings and descriptive matter further illustrating the preferred embodiments of the invention.
The embodiments described herein are illustrative of the invention, and it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description and drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. It should be further understood that the phraseology and terminology applied herein merely serve the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIGS. 1A-D depict the highback, footbed, base and tower of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding in context.

FIGS. 2A-C depict the highback support lock housing, highback support lock, and highback lever of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding in context and exploded views.

FIGS. 3A-E depict the major footbed release cord housing and locking pin footbed housing of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding in context.

FIGS. 4A-G depict the back, front, side, top, front and rear isometric views of the locking pins, as well as the locking pins in context, of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding.

FIGS. 5A-C depict the baseplate housing, teeth, locking pin housing, and strap/tower housing of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding in context.

FIGS. 6A-C depict the open housing, skate housing, and the rear cutouts of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding in context.

FIGS. 7A-D depict the top, side, bottom and in-context views of the front clamping disc of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding.

FIGS. 8A-D depict the top, side, bottom and in-context views of the rear clamping disc of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding.

FIGS. 9A-D depict the top, side, bottom and in-context views of the rotation control disc (front binding only) of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding.

FIGS. 10A-E depict the top, side, front, isometric and in-context views of the top toe strap of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding.

FIGS. 11A-D depict the toe and tower bolts being unlocked in the front setup position, the rotation control disc, the toe and tower bolts being unlocked in the rear setup position, and the rear clamping disc, respectively, of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding in context.

FIGS. 12A-B collectively depict the “closed” position of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding in context and mounted on a snowboard.

FIGS. 12C-D collectively depict the “skate” position of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding in context and mounted on a snowboard.

FIGS. 12E-F collectively depict the “open” position of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding in context and mounted on a snowboard.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In accordance with this invention, it is now possible for snowboard users to enter and lock into binding more quickly and hands free while still wearing a standard boot produced by any manufacturer. The use of a release cord, instead of lever and ratchets, also allows for a quicker and more convenient way to unlock the user's boot from the binding. Further, the new system enables the user to have a higher level of mobility than previously available when the user's back foot is unstrapped from the binding. The following is submitted to illustrate but not to limit this invention.
FIGS. 1A-D collectively illustrate the major components of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding. FIG. 1A highlights the major footbed 101 and minor footbed 102 segments of the new binding, FIG. 1B highlights the major footbed 101 and tower 104 segments of the new binding, FIG. 1C highlights the highback 100 segment of the new binding, and FIG. 1D highlights the base 103 segment, the features of each being further depicted and described herein.
In general use, the footbed subassembly 101 mates with the highback subassembly 100 and the base subassembly 103. The major footbed 101 and the minor footbed 102 rest flush against the tower 104, which prevents snow from entering the space enclosed by the major footbed 101, minor footbed 102, tower 104, and baseplate 103. Additionally, the edge of the interior sidewall of the tower 104 is sharp so as to scrape any accumulated snow off the sidewall of the major footbed 101 as the binding closes. In the closed position, the tower 104 does not rise above the footbed 101 so the sharp edge of the interior sidewall of the tower 104 is not exposed. The release cord (depicted below) follows a path through the major footbed 101 to connect to the spring-loaded locking pins 105. When the binding is in the closed position, the user pulls on the release cord to slide the locking pins 105 from their positions in the baseplate 103 housing into their positions in the footbed 101 housing, allowing the binding to open when the user lifts his boot up against the ankle cover 107.
Most bindings use an ankle strap in combination with an ankle cover to secure the user's boot in the binding. In the universal snowboard binding, the ankle strap 106 mates with the highback 100. As the highback 100 rotates downward from the open position to the closed position, the ankle strap 106 is raised upward, which increases the amount of space between the ankle cover 107 and the major footbed 101 when the binding is in the open position compared to when the binding is in the closed and skate positions. The ankle strap 106 is prevented from rotating downward while the user's boot is unstrapped by the strap corner 108, which rests against the highback 100. As the user steps into the binding and presses down on the major footbed 101, the highback 100 rotates upward and the ankle strap 106 is lowered, which secures the user's boot between the highback 100 and the ankle cover 107.
FIGS. 2A-C collectively illustrate the key features of the highback component of one embodiment of the new binding. Many bindings allow the angle at which the highback forces the ankle to flex to be adjustable. Some bindings allow the highback to rotate downward so that the boot may be inserted into the binding without undoing the straps. Some bindings use a highback that moves the straps upward as it rotates downward. The highback in this embodiment of the universal snowboard binding does all of these.
FIG. 2A depicts the highback 200, the highback support 201, the highback support lock 202, and the highback lever 203. FIG. 2B depicts the highback support lock housing 204 within the highback 200. FIG. 2C depicts the highback support 201 and attached highback support lock 202.
Many bindings use a highback and a highback support to adjust the angle at which the high back forces the user's ankle to bend. Some bindings combine the highback and highback support into a single part, and some bindings combine the highback support and baseplate into a single part. Here, the highback support is a separate moving part from both the highback and the baseplate. In use, the highback support lock 202 mates with the highback support lock housing 204 to hold the highback 200 flush to the highback support 201. These features are designed such that if the user exerts enough force on the highback 200, the support lock 202 will distort from its normal shape and position to release the highback 200 and allow the highback 200 to rotate forward. This is useful for compacting the binding for storage or travel.
A separate highback lever is not often used in other bindings as part of the highback subassembly. Here, the highback support 201 mates with the highback levers 203 so that the user may adjust the angle at which the highback support 201 holds the highback 200 by tightening the highback levers 203 against the highback support 201, which is the angle at which the user's ankle will be held while the user's boot is inserted in the binding.
FIGS. 3A-E collectively illustrate the footbed of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding. Most other bindings do not employ a footbed as a separate moving part or subassembly. Here, the purpose of the footbed subassembly is to provide a mechanism by which the user can step into the binding and press down with his boot, which rotates the highback upward and lowers the ankle strap in order to secure the boot in the binding, without allowing snow to enter the space between the footbed subassembly and the baseplate.
FIG. 3A depicts the front view 300 of the major component of the footbed 301. FIG. 3B depicts the back view 302 of the major component of the footbed 301. FIG. 3C depicts the footbed 301 housings in context, highlighting the side view of the spring-loaded locking pin housing 303. FIG. 3D depicts the top view 304 of an outline and internal features of the major component of the footbed 301, highlighting the top view of the spring-loaded locking pin housing 305 and the release cord housing 306. FIG. 3E depicts the side view 307 of an outline and internal features of the major component of the footbed 301, highlighting the spring-loaded locking pin housing 308. Other bindings use levers or ratchets to lock/unlock the binding. Here, the user pulls the release cord that runs through the release cord housing 306 and is attached to the spring-loaded locking pins 308 to retract the pins into the footbed housing 301. Further depicted is the orientation control feature 309, which is described in context in FIG. 9.
FIGS. 4A-G collectively illustrate the locking pin mechanism of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding. FIG. 4A depicts the front view 400 of the locking pins of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding. FIG. 4B depicts the side view 402 of the locking pins of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding. FIG. 4C depicts the back view 403 of the locking pins of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding. FIG. 4D depicts the back, side, top view 404 of the locking pins of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding. FIG. 4E depicts the top view 405 of an outline and internal features of the locking pins 401 of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding. FIG. 4F depicts the top, side, front view 406 of the locking pins of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding. FIG. 4G depicts the locking pins 407 of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding in context, as positioned, in part, in the universal snowboard binding 408.
FIGS. 5A-C collectively illustrate the base of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding. FIG. 5A depicts the top view 500 of the baseplate 501. FIG. 5B depicts the back-side-top view 502 of the baseplate 501, featuring the strap/tower housing 503, the baseplate teeth 504 and the locking pin housing 505. FIG. 5C depicts the side view 506 of the baseplate 501, featuring the strap/tower housing 503 and the locking pin housing 505. Most other bindings fail to include a strap/tower housing as part of the baseplate. Here, the top toe strap (depicted below) and the tower (depicted below) mate with each other inside the strap/tower housing 503. In the open position, the footbed subassembly (major footbed and minor footbed) forces the tower to slide forward into the housing 503, which in turn forces the top toe strap upward within the housing, which loosens the top toe strap around the toe of the user's boot. In the closed position, the footbed subassembly forces the tower to slide backward, which forces the top toe strap downward, which tightens the top toe strap around the toe of the user's boot.
Further, most other bindings use a baseplate with teeth in combination with a clamping disc with teeth to secure the binding to the snowboard, and most employ teeth that angle upward rather than inward. Here, in the universal snowboard binding, the teeth 504 of the baseplate 501 angle inward and mate with the teeth of the rear clamping disc (depicted below) to prevent the rear binding from rotating. The teeth 504 of the baseplate 501 do not mate with the front clamping disc (depicted below), which allows the front binding to rotate about the front clamping disc when the front binding is in the “open” or “skate” position.
Most other bindings do not include a locking pin housing as part of the baseplate. Here, when the binding is in the closed position, the spring-loaded locking pins (depicted above) extend from footbed housing (depicted above), through the rear cutouts of the tower (depicted below), into the locking pin housing 505. There is also a bolt (depicted below) that extends from the tower into the locking pin housing 505, and slides forward and backward within the housing as the binding opens and closes. This bolt holds the rear of the tower securely against the baseplate 501.
FIGS. 6A-C collectively illustrate the tower of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding. FIG. 6A depicts the side view 600 of the tower 601, featuring the skate housing 602, the open housing 603 and the rear cutout 604. FIG. 6B depicts a perspective view 605 of the tower 601, featuring the bolt housing 602, the open housing 603 and the skate housing and rear cutout 604. FIG. 6C depicts the tower 601, in context, as positioned, in part, in one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding 606. Most other bindings do not use spring-loaded locking pins and housings to keep the binding in one or more positions. The locking pins 607 fit with different housings within the sidewall of the tower 601 to keep the binding in the closed, open, and skate positions. In the closed position, the locking pins 607 extend through the rear cutouts 604 of the tower 601 sidewalls into the baseplate housing (depicted above), which locks the binding in position. In the skate position, the dome of the locking pins 607 extends into the skate housing 602 within the sidewall of the tower 601, allowing the user to open the binding if he pulls up with his boot against the ankle cover with a force greater than the spring force of the locking pin. In the open position, the dome of the locking pins 607 extends into the open housing 603 within the sidewall of the tower, allowing the user to close the binding if he pushes down with his boot with a force greater than the spring force of the locking pin.
FIGS. 7A-D collectively illustrate the front clamping disc of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding. FIG. 7A depicts the bottom view 700 of the front clamping disc 701 of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding. FIG. 7B depicts the side view 702 of the front clamping disc 701 of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding. FIG. 7C depicts the top view 703 of the front clamping disc 701 of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding. FIG. 7D depicts the front clamping disc 701 of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding, in context, as positioned, in part, in the universal snowboard binding 704. Most other bindings include a clamping disc as part of the base subassembly to attach the binding to the snowboard. Other bindings do not use two different clamping discs, one which is unique to the front binding and one which is unique to the back binding. Here, the front clamping disc mates with the baseplate 705, and the rotation control disc 706. The clamping disc for the front binding is designed differently than the clamping disc for the rear binding. Unlike the rear clamping disc (depicted below), the front disc 701 does not include teeth on the underside of the clamping platform 707 to mate with the baseplate 705. This allows the front binding 704 to rotate about the clamping disc 701 when in the front binding is in the open position and skate position. The front clamping disc 701 does, however, include teeth on the top side of the clamping platform 707 to mate with the rotation control disc 706, which prevents the rotation control disc from rotating relative to the clamping disc.
FIGS. 8A-D collectively illustrate the rear clamping disc of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding. FIG. 8A depicts the bottom view 800 of the rear clamping disc 801. FIG. 8B depicts the side view 802 of the rear clamping disc 801. FIG. 8C depicts the top view 805 of the rear clamping disc 801. FIG. 8D depicts the rear clamping disc 801, in context, as positioned, in part, in the universal snowboard binding 806. Most other bindings include a single clamping disc as part of the base subassembly to attach the binding to the snowboard. The universal snowboard binding uses two different clamping discs, one unique to the front binding and one unique to the rear binding. The rear clamping disc mates with the baseplate 807. Unlike the front clamping disc, the rear disc 801 includes teeth 803 on the underside of the clamping platform 804 to mate with the baseplate 807. This prevents the rear binding 806 from rotating about the center of the clamping disc 801 in all positions (open, closed, skate).
Unlike the front clamping disc, the rear clamping disc does not include teeth on the top side of the clamping platform to mate with the rotation control disc, because the rear binding does not include a rotation control disc. The front clamping disc and rear clamping disc may be swapped from the left binding to the right binding so that the user may determine which of the left and right bindings will be the front and rear bindings, as further described herein.
FIGS. 9A-D collectively illustrate the rotation control disc of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding. FIG. 9A depicts the bottom view 900 of the rotation control disc 901. FIG. 9B depicts the side view 902 of the rotation control disc 901. FIG. 9C depicts the top view 903 of the rotation control disc 901. FIG. 9D depicts the rotation control disc 901, in context, as positioned, in part, in the front universal snowboard binding 904.
Most other bindings fail to include a rotation control disc because other bindings do not rotate relative to the snowboard. In the universal snowboard binding, the rotation control disc 901 is used only in the front binding 904. The rotation control disc 901 mates with the front clamping disc (depicted above), located just below the rotation control disc and the major footbed (depicted above) and flush against the baseplate 905. The teeth 908 of the rotation control disc 901 mate with the teeth on the topside of the clamping platform of the front clamping disc (depicted above) to prevent the rotation control disc from rotating relative to the clamping disc. When the binding 904 is in the closed position, the orientation control feature 906 of the rotation control disc fits with the orientation control feature of the major footbed (depicted below), which prevents the front binding from rotating about the front clamping disc. When the binding is in the skate position, the orientation control feature of the major footbed rests against the skate platform 907 feature of the rotation control disc 901, which allows the binding to rotate about the front clamping disc. When the binding is in the open position, the orientation control feature of the major footbed does not contact the rotation control disc 901, which allows the binding to rotate freely about the center of the front clamping disc.
FIGS. 10A-E collectively illustrate the top toe strap of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding. FIG. 10A depicts the top view 1000 of the top toe strap 1001. FIG. 10B depicts the back view 1002 of the top toe strap 1001. FIG. 10C depicts the side view 1003 of the top toe strap 1001. FIG. 10D depicts a perspective view 1004 of the top toe strap 1001. FIG. 10E depicts the front toe strap 1008 in context, as positioned, in part, in the universal snowboard binding 1005.
Other bindings do not use a separate front toe strap and top toe strap but rather combine the two straps into one, usually as a top toe strap or a toe cup. In the universal snowboard binding 1005, the top toe strap 1001 mates with the baseplate 1006 and the tower 1007. The top toe strap 1001 slides upward within the strap/tower housing (depicted above) of the baseplate 1006 as the binding 1005 opens, providing more space for the user to insert his boot. The top toe strap 1001 slides downward within the strap/tower housing of the baseplate 1006 as the binding 1005 closes, tightening the top toe strap around the user's boot.
FIGS. 11A-D collectively illustrate the components of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding that may be swapped to change which binding, the left versus right, is to be the front or the rear. FIG. 11A depicts the rotation control disc 1100 and front clamping disc 1101 positioned below the major footbed 1102 in the front universal snowboard binding 1103. FIG. 11B depicts the perspective view 1104 of the rotation control disc 1100 and front clamping disc 1101 as unassembled but in functional orientation to one another, along with a screw 1105, which serves to attach the control disc 1100 and front clamping disc 1101 to each other. The rotation control disc 1100 and front clamping disc 1101 allow the front binding 1103 to rotate when in the skate and open positions but lock in place in the closed position. FIG. 11C depicts the rear clamping disc 1106 positioned below the major footbed 1102 in the rear universal snowboard binding 1107. FIG. 11D depicts the perspective view 1108 of the rear clamping disc 1106. The rear clamping disc 1106 ensures that the rear binding 1107 will never rotate, irrespective of whether the user's boot is strapped into the rear binding or the user's boot is unstrapped from the rear binding.
The front 1103 and rear bindings 1107 function distinctly in that the orientation of the front binding 1103 on the snowboard is dynamic such that the binding can rotate up to 100-degrees between the skate orientation and the normal (open or closed) orientation, whereas the rear binding 1107 is static and held in place. The user can choose which of the left and right bindings will be the front and rear bindings by swapping out the rear clamping disc 1106, the front clamping disc 1101, and the rotation control disc 1100. To swap out the discs on each binding, the user must partially disassemble the binding by unscrewing the toe bolt 1109 and the tower bolts 1110, and then he is able to lift up the front of the major footbed 1102 and swap out the discs.
FIGS. 12A-F collectively illustrate the “closed”, “skate” and “open” positions of one embodiment of the universal snowboard binding with corresponding orientation of the front binding as positioned on a snowboard. This snowboard binding uniquely addresses two long-standing issues with snowboard bindings: (1) fast hands-free entry, and (2) high level of mobility when the user's back foot is unstrapped from the binding. The binding uses three distinct positions to address these issues: (1) the closed position, (2) the skate position, and (3) the open position.
FIG. 12A depicts the closed position 1200 of the universal snowboard binding 1201, and FIG. 12B depicts the top view of the front universal snowboard binding 1201 and the rear universal snowboard binding 1203, each in the closed position, as mounted on a snowboard 1202. The closed 1200 position is the position of the binding 1201 while the user is snowboarding downhill. The spring-loaded locking pins (depicted above) extend from the footbed housing (depicted above) to the baseplate housing (depicted above), preventing the parts of the binding 1201 from moving and keeping the user's boot securely locked in place.
FIG. 12C depicts the “skate” position 1204 of the front universal snowboard binding 1201, and FIG. 12D depicts the top view of the front universal snowboard binding 1201 in skate position and the rear universal snowboard binding 1203 in open position as mounted on a snowboard 1202. The skate 1204 position is the position of the front binding while the user is pushing with his unstrapped rear foot. From the closed 1200 position, the user pulls the release cord and lifts his boot up against the ankle cover. He then rotates the binding 1201 forward up to 100-degrees so that he may face forward while he pushes with his rear foot. If the user wishes to return the front binding to the closed 1200 position, he may re-rotate the front binding 1201 to its original orientation and press down on the major footbed (depicted above) to re-engage the locking pins (depicted above).
FIG. 12E depicts the open position 1205 of the universal snowboard binding 1201, and FIG. 12F depicts the top view of the front universal snowboard binding 1201 and the rear universal snowboard binding 1203, each in the open position, as mounted on a snowboard 1202. The open 1205 position is the position of the binding 1201 while the user's boot is unstrapped from the binding. From the closed 1200 position, the user pulls the release cord and lifts up with his boot against the ankle cover to open the binding 1201 and remove his boot from the binding. From the skate 1204 position, the user need only lift his boot up against the ankle cover to open the binding 1201 and remove his boot from the binding. To secure his boot in the binding 1201, the user steps into the binding while it is in the open 1205 position, placing his toe against the front toe strap (depicted above), and presses down on the major footbed (depicted above) until the locking pins (depicted above) engage with the appropriate housings (depicted above) for either the closed 1200 or skate 1204 positions.
To unlock the binding 1201 from closed 1200 position to either the skate 1204 or open 1205 position, the user pulls the release cord that attaches to the locking pins (depicted above) while simultaneously lifting his boot up against the ankle cover. If the user wishes to fully unlock the binding from the skate 1204 to the open 1205 position, he need only lift his boot up against the ankle cover; it is not necessary for the user to again pull the release cord.
As to further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of this invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention, the use of which results in a universal snowboard binding that:

- enables convenient hands-free entry;
- enables greater mobility; and
- results in less time spent idling and more time spent snowboarding

Although the description presented heretofore contains specificities for the benefit of illustration, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but rather as illustrative examples of some of the several embodiments. Thus, the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents rather than by the examples provided.

Claims

1. An adjustable, adaptable sports binding system comprising:

a highback subassembly comprising an ankle support means, a highback having a highback support lock, a highback support having a highback support lock housing and a plurality of highback levers, said highback mating with the highback support via interconnection of the highback support lock with the highback support lock housing, the angle of said mating of the highback and highback support being determined and made adjustable by a user adjusting the highback levers, which are substantially oblong with a first end and a second end and attach via a lever attachment means at the first end to the highback and at the second end to the highback support;

a footbed subassembly comprising a plurality of locking pins, a minor footbed and a major footbed having a release cord housing and a release cord means having an external portion and a plurality of internal attachment points, said release cord running through a release cord housing, said external portion positioned outside the release cord housing and said internal attachment points attached via attachment means to a plurality of spring-loaded locking pin, which are positioned within locking pin housings located on the sides of the footbed subassembly, said footbed subassembly connecting to the highback at a fixed angle via a connection means;

a base subassembly comprising a baseplate having baseplate teeth, a baseplate housing and a strap/tower housing, a tower that mates with the highback and has a bolt housing, an open housing, a skate housing with rear cutouts, a rear clamping disc with teeth that rotatably interlace with the teeth of a rotation control disc which is positioned between the baseplate and the rear clamping disc and held in place with respect to the baseplate and rear clamping disc by a securing means, a top toe strap which mates with the baseplate and the tower, and a bolting means that serves to secure the tower against the baseplate, said base subassembly connecting to the footbed subassembly via a base connection means.

2. The adjustable, adaptable sports binding system of claim 1 further comprising: a front clamping disc that mates with the baseplate and with a rotation control disc having a bottom side with teeth, said front clamping disc having a top side with teeth which enable the front clamping disc to interact with the teeth of the rotation control disc thereby preventing the rotation control disc from rotating relative to the front clamping disc depending on the user's desired orientation.

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. The adjustable, adaptable sports binding system of claim 2, the binding having a skate position for rotating a user's boot to the skate orientation and a closed position for securing a boot in the closed orientation, wherein the binding is adapted to be shifted from the closed position to the skate position by the user simultaneously lifting the boot upward against the ankle cover and pulling the release means, thereby causing the spring-loaded locking pins to retract from the baseplate housing, and then rotating the user's boot to a desired angle.

8. The adjustable, adaptable sports binding system of claim 7, wherein the binding is adapted to be shifted from the skate position to the closed position by the user rotating the boot from the skate orientation to the closed orientation and pressing down on the major footbed until the locking pins reengage with the baseplate housing.

9. The adjustable, adaptable sports binding system of claim 1, the binding having an open position for accepting or releasing a boot and a closed position for securing a boot, wherein the binding is adapted to be shifted from the closed position to the open position by the user simultaneously lifting the user's boot up against the ankle cover and pulling the release means, thereby causing the spring-loaded locking pins to retract from the baseplate housing.

10. The adjustable, adaptable sports binding system of claim 9, wherein the binding is adapted to be shifted from the open position to the closed position by the user stepping his boot into the binding, placing the boot against the front toe strap and pressing down on the major footbed until the locking pins reengage with the baseplate housing.

11. The adjustable, adaptable sports binding system of claim 2, the binding having an open position for accepting or releasing a boot and a closed position for securing a boot, wherein the binding is adapted to be shifted from the closed position to the open position by the user simultaneously lifting the user's boot up against the ankle cover and pulling the release means, thereby causing the spring-loaded locking pins to retract from the baseplate housing.

12. The adjustable, adaptable sports binding system of claim 11, wherein the binding is adapted to be shifted from the open position to the closed position by the user stepping his boot into the binding, placing the boot against the front toe strap and pressing down on the major footbed until the locking pins reengage with the baseplate housing.