[0001] The present application relates to a binding for snowboard decks.
[0002] Nowadays the use is known of decks for snowboarding, with which a binding is associated
that is necessary in order to couple the deck to a shoe worn by the user.
[0003] Conventional bindings make it possible to orient the shoe at a desired angle with
respect to the longitudinal axis of the deck so as to allow the user to orient the
body in order to assume the desired position during the snowboard run.
[0004] In
US patent no. 5,028,068 a device is disclosed which is adapted to position, selectively and so that it can
pivot, a ski binding on a snowboard deck.
[0005] Such known solution discloses a first plate, which supports a boot, which is arranged
above a second, circular plate that is provided, perimetrically, with a groove.
[0006] The second, circular plate is rotatably associated with a third plate that is integrally
coupled to the snowboard deck.
[0007] The second, circular plate has, at the aforementioned groove, a cord, which is wound
therein and can be tensioned by way of a lever the actuation of which enables the
engagement and/or the disengagement of the cord with the second, circular plate: this
enables the user to vary the angular position of the binding with respect to the longitudinal
axis of the deck.
[0008] Such solution is not however devoid of drawbacks, such as the presence of the lever
for tensioning the cord which is far away from and uncoupled from the binding, with
consequent possible disengagement of the lever owing to accidental impacts with stones
or other objects or with snow or ice.
[0009] A part of the cord is furthermore exposed to possible accidental impacts, and may
be torn or become weakened thus compromising use of the binding.
[0010] Also
US patent no. 5,044,654 is known in which a binding is disclosed which can be subjected to a rotation about
its vertical axis; and provided thereon are six holes, conveniently spaced apart,
for accommodating six screws that are adapted to enable the fixing thereof to the
snowboard deck in a desired angular position selected in advance by the user.
[0011] The angular position can be modified by unscrewing the screws and repositioning them
so that the binding is rotated by the desired angle.
[0012] This solution too is not devoid of drawbacks, however: in order to vary the angular
position of the binding with respect to the snowboard deck, in fact, the user has
to remove the foot from the binding and, by way of an adapted tool, unscrew the fixing
screws, reposition the binding in the desired position, and couple it to the deck
again.
[0013] Such operations thus necessitate a large amount of time to be carried out, while
also requiring the user to always be equipped with at least one tool.
[0014] The possibility also arises that, owing to the scant attention the user pays to such
operations due to his or her haste to get onto the pistes, an imprecise fixing of
the screws to the deck results, with consequent dangers of separation or of scant
control of the deck during sporting practice.
[0015] The aim of the present application is therefore to eliminate the above-mentioned
drawbacks in conventional types by devising an invention that makes it possible to
easily, quickly and safely perform the angular adjustment of the binding with respect
to the longitudinal axis of the deck.
[0016] Within this aim, an object is to devise an invention that makes it possible to achieve
such angular adjustment even with the shoe associated with the binding.
[0017] Another object is to provide an invention that is structurally simple and low-cost
and can be made with the usual conventional plants.
[0018] This aim and these and other objects which will become more apparent hereinafter
are achieved by a binding for snowboard decks, comprising a plate, for resting the
sole of a shoe, which is provided with a central hole which is provided perimetrically
with first teeth which cooperate selectively with second teeth of a gearwheel which
can be associated with said deck,
characterized in that a lever is articulated laterally to said plate and cooperates with a kinematic mechanism
that is adapted to force the opening and closing in the manner of an optical diaphragm
of a pair of jaws which are pivoted to said plate, at a T-shaped protrusion that protrudes
axially to and above said gearwheel.
[0019] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent
from the detailed description of a particular, but not exclusive, embodiment, illustrated
by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is an exploded view of the invention;
Figure 2 is a three-quarters side view of the invention associated with a deck of
a snowboard;
Figure 3 is a view from above of the invention in the open condition;
Figure 4 is a sectional view along the line IV-IV in Figure 3 in which the plate is
decoupled from the disk;
Figure 5 is a view similar to the previous one with the binding assembled;
Figure 6 is a view from above of the invention in the closed condition;
Figure 7 is a sectional view along the line VII-VII in Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a view from below of the invention in the closed condition.
[0020] In the embodiments illustrated, individual characteristics shown in relation to specific
examples may in reality be interchanged with other, different characteristics, existing
in other embodiments.
[0021] Moreover, it should be noted that anything found to be already known during the patenting
process is understood not to be claimed and to be the subject of a disclaimer.
[0022] With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a binding
for snowboard decks 2, comprising a plate 3 that is substantially rectangular in plan
and acts as a support for resting the sole of a shoe (not shown), which is provided
with a central hole 4 at which, on the upper surface 5 and lower surface 6 of the
plate 3, a first seat 7 and a second seat 8 having a circular plan shape are coaxially
provided.
[0023] First teeth 9 are provided perimetrically at the second seat 8 and cooperate selectively
with second teeth 10 of a gearwheel 11 which can be accommodated within the second
seat 8.
[0024] The gearwheel 11 has a plurality of first holes 12 for the fixing thereof, by way
of adapted screws, to the deck 2.
[0025] Adapted walls 12a and 12b protrude along the longitudinal perimetric sides of the
plate 3 and are adapted to define a resting zone for the shoe.
[0026] A flat lever 13 is articulated laterally to the plate 3 and is Y-shaped in plan,
the leg 14 of the Y protruding beyond the longitudinal perimetric edge 15 of the plate
3 and the wings 16a and 16b of the Y being able to be inserted into an opening 17
that is provided on the longitudinal perimetric edge 15 and is connected to said first
seat 7.
[0027] The rounded ends of the wings 16a and 16b are pivoted, through first pivots 18a and
18b, respectively to the plate 3 and to a first end of a linkage 19 that can be accommodated,
in the condition in which the binding is fastened, within the opening 17.
[0028] The second end of the linkage 19, which operates constantly within the opening 17,
is pivoted, through a second pivot 20, to a tab 21 that protrudes radially from a
first jaw 22 and is accommodated at the base 7a of the first seat 7 and is shaped
like a half annulus with an arc-like portion 23 that is adjacent to the central hole
4.
[0029] One end of the first jaw 22 is free, whereas the other end, designated with the numeral
25, is pivoted, through a third pivot 24, to a first end of an overlying first lamina
26 which is curved with a radius that is such as to operate in a region that surrounds
the central hole 4.
[0030] The second end 27 of the first lamina 26 is in turn pivoted, through a fourth pivot
28, to a first end of an underlying second jaw 29, which is substantially similar,
in terms of shape and size, to the first jaw 22.
[0031] One end of the second jaw 29 is free to move within the first seat 7, whereas the
other end, designated with the numeral 30, is pivoted, through a fifth pivot 31, to
a first end of an overlying second lamina 32, which is substantially similar, in terms
of shape and size, to the first lamina 26.
[0032] The fourth pivot 28 and the fifth pivot 31 are mutually adjacent, a first retention
element 33 being present between them and protruding from the underlying base 7a of
the first seat 7 through the second jaw 29, being arranged in a region that is adjacent
to, and directed towards, the central hole 4, and interacting with the lateral surfaces
of the first lamina 26 and the second lamina 32.
[0033] The second jaw 29 is thus pivoted to one end of the plate 3.
[0034] The second lamina 32 has a second end 34 which is pivoted, through a sixth pivot
35 that is adjacent to the third pivot 24, to the underlying first jaw 22.
[0035] The third pivot 24 and the sixth pivot 35 are mutually adjacent, a second retention
element 36 being present between them and protruding from the underlying base 7a of
the first seat 7 through the first jaw 22, being arranged in a region that is adjacent
to, and directed towards, the central hole 4, and interacting with the lateral surfaces
of the first lamina 26 and the second lamina 32.
[0036] The first jaw 22 is thus also pivoted to one end of the plate 3.
[0037] The depth of the first seat 7 is such as to accommodate, with the possibility of
movement, the first jaw 22 and the second jaw 29 and the first lamina 26 and the second
lamina 32.
[0038] The depth of the opening 17 is such as to accommodate, with the possibility of movement,
the wings 16a and 16b and the linkage 19.
[0039] The lever 14 is thus connected to a kinematic mechanism that is defined by the linkage
19 and by the first jaw 22 and the second jaw 29 and by the first lamina 26 and the
second lamina 32 and makes it possible to achieve the vise-like fastening, more specifically
the rotation and mutual approach of the jaws 22 and 29, in the manner of an optical
diaphragm, in order to clamp the first jaw 22 and the second jaw 29 about a T-shaped
protrusion 37 that protrudes axially to and above the gearwheel 11.
[0040] The protrusion 37 protrudes from the gearwheel 11 by the height that is required
in order to be arranged, through the central hole 4, on the plane of arrangement of
the first jaw 22 and of the second jaw 29; moreover the protrusion 37 has an annular
groove 38 the height of which is at least equal to the thickness of the first jaw
22 and of the second jaw 29 which thus can engage it removably, mutually locking the
plate 3 and the gearwheel 11.
[0041] A cover 39 is present to temporarily cover the kinetic mechanisms that are adapted
to force the opening and closing, in the manner of an optical diaphragm, of the first
jaw 22 and the second jaw 29, that is flat and can be arranged over the plate 3 and
be locked thereto by way of an abutment 40 shaped like a tooth which protrudes below
one end of the plate 3 and interacts with a perimetric edge of one end of the lower
surface 6 of the plate 3, and a screw 41 which can be inserted in a slot 42 that is
formed longitudinally in the cover 39 and can be tightened in a complementary threaded
seat 43 that is provided in said plate 3.
[0042] In practice it has been found that the invention has fully achieved the intended
aim and objects, a binding for snowboard decks having been obtained which makes it
possible to perform, easily and quickly thanks to the presence of the lever, and safely
due to the locking, in the manner of an optical diaphragm, on the protrusion 37 protruding
from the gearwheel 11, the angular adjustment of the binding with respect to the longitudinal
axis of the deck.
[0043] Moreover the binding can be angularly adjusted even with the shoe associated with
the binding.
[0044] Naturally the materials used as well as the dimensions of the individual components
of the invention may be more pertinent to specific requirements.
[0045] The various means of achieving certain different functions certainly need not coexist
only in the embodiment shown, but may be present in many embodiments, even if they
are not shown.
[0046] The characteristics indicated above as advantageous, convenient or similar, may also
be missing or be substituted by equivalent characteristics.
[0047] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No.
TV2011 A000179 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.
[0048] Where the technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference numerals
and/or signs, those reference numerals and/or signs have been included for the sole
purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference
numerals and/or signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each
element identified by way of example by such reference numerals and/or signs.
1. A binding (1) for snowboard decks (2), comprising a plate (3), for resting the sole
of a shoe, which is provided with a central hole which is provided perimetrically
with first teeth (9) which cooperate selectively with second teeth (10) of a gearwheel
(11) which can be associated with said deck (2), characterized in that a lever (13) is articulated laterally to said plate (3) and cooperates with a kinematic
mechanism that is adapted to force the opening and closing, in the manner of an optical
diaphragm, of a pair of jaws (22, 29) which are pivoted to said plate (3), at a T-shaped
protrusion (37) that protrudes axially to and above said gearwheel (11).
2. The binding according to claim 1, characterized in that a first seat (7) and a second seat (8) having a circular plan shape are provided
coaxially at said central hole (4) on the upper surface (5) and lower surface (6)
of said plate (3), first teeth (9) being provided perimetrically at said second seat
(8) and cooperating selectively with second teeth (10) of a gearwheel (11) which can
be accommodated within said second seat (8).
3. The binding according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a flat lever (13) is articulated laterally to said plate (3) and is Y-shaped in plan,
the leg (14) of the Y protruding beyond the longitudinal perimetric edge (15) of said
plate (3) and the wings (16a, 16b) of the Y being able to be inserted into an opening
(17) that is provided in said longitudinal perimetric edge (15) and is connected to
said first seat (7), the rounded ends of said wings (16a, 16b) being pivoted, through
first pivots (18a, 18b), respectively to said plate (3) and to a first end of a linkage
(19) that can be accommodated, in the condition in which the binding is fastened,
within said opening (17).
4. The binding according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second end of said linkage (19), which operates constantly within said opening
(17), is pivoted, through a second pivot (20), to a tab (21) that protrudes radially
from a first jaw (22) which is shaped like a half annulus and is accommodated at the
base (7a) of said first seat (7) and has an arc-like portion (23) that is adjacent
to said central hole (4), one end of said first jaw (22) being free, whereas the other
end (25) is pivoted, through a third pivot (24), to a first end of an overlying first
lamina (26), which is curved with a radius that is such as to operate in a region
that surrounds said central hole (4).
5. The binding according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second end (27) of said first lamina (26) is in turn pivoted, through a fourth
pivot (28), to a first end of an underlying second jaw (29), which is substantially
similar, in terms of shape and size, to said first jaw (22), one end of said second
jaw (29) being free to move within said first seat (7), whereas the other end (30)
is pivoted, through a fifth pivot (31), to a first end of an overlying second lamina
(32), which is substantially similar, in terms of shape and size, to said first lamina
(26).
6. The binding according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said fourth pivot (28) and said fifth pivot (31) are mutually adjacent, a first retention
element (33) being present between them and protruding from said underlying base (7a)
of said first seat (7) through said second jaw (29), being arranged in a region that
is adjacent to, and directed towards, said central hole (4), and interacting with
the lateral surfaces of said first lamina (26) and said second lamina (32).
7. The binding according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second lamina (32) has a second end (34) which is pivoted, through a sixth pivot
(35) that is adjacent to said third pivot (24), to said underlying first jaw (22),
said third pivot (24) and said sixth pivot (35) being mutually adjacent, a second
retainer (36) being present between them and protruding from said underlying base
(7a) of said first seat (7) through said first jaw (22), being arranged in a region
that is adjacent to, and directed towards, said central hole (4), and interacting
with the lateral surfaces of said first lamina (26) and said second lamina (32).
8. The binding according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first jaw (22) and said second jaw (29) are pivoted at one end to said plate
(2).
9. The binding according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the depth of said first seat (7) is such as to accommodate, with the possibility
of movement, said first jaw (22) and said second jaw (29) and said first lamina (26)
and said second lamina (32), the depth of said opening (17) being such as to accommodate,
with the possibility of movement, said wings (16a, 16b) and said linkage (19).
10. The binding according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said kinematic system is formed by said linkage (19), said first jaw (22) and said
second jaw (29) and said first lamina (26) and said second lamina (32), which make
it possible to achieve the clamping in the manner of an optical diaphragm of said
first jaw (22) and said second jaw (29) at said protrusion (37), said protrusion (37)
protruding from said gearwheel (11) by the height that is required in order to be
arranged, through said central hole (4), on the plane of arrangement of said first
jaw (22) and said second jaw (29), said protrusion (37) having an annular groove (38)
the height of which is at least equal to the thickness of said first jaw (22) and
said second jaw (29) which can engage therein removably, mutually locking said plate
(2) and said gear (11).