Improved strap for the binding of a snowboard or the like and binding provided with such a strap.

The present invention concerns an improved strap for the binding of a snowboard, a kite, a wakeboard, a water ski or the like, and a binding provided with such a strap.

It is known, in order to realise a binding for a snowboard or the like, in other words to make a connection between a user's boot and the snowboard itself, to use straps which can be tightened over the front part of the boot, in particular the instep and the toes. These straps are fixed to a base part which is mounted on the actual snowboard.

In the known embodiments, the above-mentioned straps are often made in the shape of continuous, single straps which are fastened over the boot by means of a buckle or clamping system.

The known straps which can be fixed over a user' s foot are disadvantageous in that large pressure forced are exerted on the central part of the foot, which is often felt as being unpleasant to the user, or which may even lead to injuries, since a number of sensitive bones and blood vessels are situated in said central part.

In order to remedy this problem, a binding is described in

EP 0,969,904 by the same applicant, which binding is provided with rigid elements which engage in a clip-like manner at the instep and with press-on elements which leave

at least the central part of the instep pressure-free when in use.

Such a binding with rigid elements which engage at the instep of the foot in a clip-like manner is disadvantageous, however, in that it has a relatively- complex design, as a result of which its assembly is relatively time-consuming and consequently relatively expensive.

The present invention aims to provide an improved strap for the binding of a snowboard or the like, which has a simple and cheap design and which moreover prevents that the binding is being felt as unpleasant to the user or may even lead to injuries.

To this end, the present invention concerns an improved strap for the binding of a snowboard or the like, which strap is provided with at least one flexible belt which can be fixed over the boot of a user, and whereby the strap is also provided with press-on elements which work in conjunction with the above-mentioned belt, belts respectively and which leave the central part of the foot pressure-free when in use.

According to a preferred characteristic of the invention, the above-mentioned press-on elements can be laterally adjusted in relation to the belt, belts respectively, for example as these press-on elements are provided in a shifting manner over the belt, belts respectively.

This is advantageous in that the place of the press-on elements can be adjusted by the user as a function of the shape and dimensions of the boot, which always results in an optimal feeling of comfort and a minimal risk of injuries.

The present invention also concerns a binding for a snowboard or the like, which binding is provided with an improved strap as described above.

In order to better explain the characteristics of the present invention, the following preferred embodiments of an improved toe strap according to the invention are described as an example only without being limitative in any way, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 schematically represents an improved strap according to the invention for the binding of a snowboard; figure 2 represents a binding for a snowboard which is provided with two improved straps according to figure 1.

Figure 1 schematically represents an improved strap 1 according to the invention which is provided with at least one, in this case two flexible belts 2 and 3 which can be fixed on either side of the central part of the foot over the user's boot.

The strap 1 is also provided with press-on elements 4, 5

respectively, which work in conjunction with the above- mentioned belts 2, 3 respectively, as they are in this case provided with grooves 6, 7 respectively, through which the belts 2, 3 respectively extend.

Thus is made sure that the press-on elements 4 and 5 can be laterally adjusted on the belts 2 and 3, as they can be shifted over these belts 2 and 3 by the user.

According to a preferred characteristic of the invention, the improved strap 1 is also provided with connecting means 8 which in this case consist of a toothing 9 provided on the belt 2 on the one hand, and of a ratchet mechanism 10 on the other hand which is provided on the belt 3 and which can co-operate with the above-mentioned toothing 9 of the belt 2.

In this case, the press-on elements 4 and 5 are made as loose parts, but it is also possible according to the invention to make these press-on elements 4 and 5 in one piece and thus as a whole with the above-mentioned belts 2 and 3.

Finally, the improved strap 1 is further provided with fixing means which in this case comprise openings 11 provided in the respective belts 2 and 3, in particular at the far ends of these belts 2 and 3 which are to be fixed together with the base plate of a binding for a snowboard.

To this end, use can be made for example of securing pins, rivets, screws or the like, which can be provided through

one of the respective openings 11 in each of the belts 2 and 3, in order to connect these belts 2 and 3, either or not directly, in a rigid or moving manner with said base plate of the binding of a snowboard.

Figure 2 represents an example of a binding 12 which is provided with a base plate 13 which is fixed to a snowboard 14 and which is further provided with two improved straps 1 according to the invention, in particular a first strap 1 according to the invention at the user' s instep, and a second strap 1 according to the invention at the toes.

The figure represents the binding 12 when in use, meaning that this binding is in a closed position, whereby the belts 2 and 3 of the respective straps 1 can be fixed over the user's boot 15 represented by means of a dashed line, making use thereby of the above-mentioned connecting means 8.

The press-on elements 4 and 5 can hereby be fixed in the desired place in relation to the belts 2 and 3 by the user and be laterally positioned in relation to the boot 15 by shifting said press-on elements 4, 5 respectively over the belts 2, 3 respectively.

According to the invention, it is also possible to make at least one of the above-mentioned press-on elements 4 and 5 forwardly and backwardly adjustable in relation to the belt, belts 2 and 3 respectively, either or not combined with a lateral adjustment thereof.

By forwardly and backwardly adjustable is meant here that these press-on elements 4 and 5, either or not combined, can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the foot, so as to optimize the position of these press-on elements 4 and/or 5 as a function of the anatomy of the user's foot.

Since, in the position of use of the straps 1 according to the invention, the central part of the instep and/or of the toes can be maintained pressure-free, the comfort of a binding 12 which is provided with an improved strap 1 according to the invention is considerably larger than that of conventional bindings, whereas the binding can nevertheless be made in a simple and cheap manner.

According to a special characteristic of the invention which is not represented in the figures, the above- mentioned press-on elements 4 and 5 are provided with fixing means which make it possible to fix said press-on elements 4 and 5 in relation to the user's boot, which fixing means are made for example in the shape of a bent lip which can mesh around a part of the boot 15.

In this way is made sure that a user can position and fix the press-on elements 4 and 5 in a fixed place in relation to the boot 15.

The embodiment of strap 1 represented in the figures is provided with two belts 2 and 3, but according to a variant of an improved strap 1 according to the invention which is not represented in the drawings, such a strap 1 can also be provided with only one belt over which both press-on

elements 4 and 5 can be shifted.

The possibility to laterally move the press-on elements 4 and 5 in relation to the belt or belts 2 and 3 can also be realised in other ways than by providing these press-on elements 4 and 5 in a shifting manner on the belt or belts 2 and 3, for example by connecting the press-on elements 4 and 5 by means of adjustable connecting elements to the belt, belts 2 and 3 respectively.

According to a special variant of the invention, it is possible for the press-on elements 4 and 5 to be formed of separate elements which are entirely detached from the above-mentioned belt, belts 2 and 3 respectively, and which are pressed against the user' s boot 15 by means of said belt or belts.

In the latter embodiment, the above-mentioned press-on elements 4 and 5 can be mutually connected if need be, so as to form a whole which, when in use, can be pressed against the user' s boot 15 by means of the above-mentioned belt, belts respectively.

In the description of the drawings, reference is always made to a snowboard, but an improved strap 1 according to the invention can also be applied to any other sort of board or slat, such as a kite, a wakeboard, a water ski or the like.

The present invention is by no means restricted to the embodiments given as an example and represented in the

accompanying drawings; on the contrary, such an improved strap 1 according to the invention can be made in all sorts of shapes and dimensions while still remaining within the scope of the invention.