FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to snowboards, in particular a mount for a snowboard binding mount that can be readily moved between two positions.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Snowboards are ridden with a rider’s feet nominally positioned transversely across the board in a riding position. Most snowboards include boot bindings that can be fixedly set at a desired angle. Most riders choose an angle between 0 to 30 degrees, nominally 15 degrees. Adjustment of the angle is typically done off slope, requiring some disassembly of the binding mount and the use of tools.

[0003] As well as riding down slopes, snowboarders need to move their snowboards in other situations such as in a ski lift line, riding a ski lift, or traversing flat areas. The snowboarder will usually remove their rear boot from its binding and propel the snowboard like a scooter with the front foot retained in its binding. This is difficult to do with the front foot transversely located across the board. Ideally the front foot should be movable between a transverse riding position and a longitudinal scooting position.

[0004] This problem has been long recognised and many solutions have been proposed, but none have been widely adopted due to various inadequacies. Known attempts are often large and cumbersome with exposed mechanisms; reduce the flexibility of the snowboard due to their size; or raise the binding and thus centre of gravity undesirably. Some solutions incorporate electronics which are not suitable for typical cold and wet snowboard operating conditions.

[0005] The object of this invention is to provide a rotational snowboard boot binding mount to alleviate the above problems, or at least provide the public with a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In a first aspect the invention provides a mount for attaching a snowboard binding to a snowboard, the mount comprising: a base plate fixedly attachable to the snowboard comprising a central hub defining an axis of rotation and a peripherally positioned first locking portion; a setting disc rotatable about the central hub comprising a peripherally positioned second locking portion; a rotating disc assembly sitting atop the setting disc and attachable to the snowboard binding and rotatable about the axis of rotation, the rotating disc assembly including a position lock engageable with the first locking portion and the second locking portion to inhibit rotation of the rotating disc assembly; wherein the setting disc is rotatable about the central hub and can be fixed at a selectable predetermined angle with respect to the base plate.

[0007] Preferably the mount further comprises a setting lock fixedly attachable to the central hub, wherein the setting lock vertically constrains the rotating disc assembly whilst still allowing it to rotate.

[0008] Preferably the base plate further comprises a series of upwardly facing peripheral teeth and the setting disc further comprises a series of downwardly facing peripheral teeth for engaging with the teeth of the base plate, wherein engagement of the base plate teeth with the setting disc teeth constrain the base plate and the setting disc at a selectable predetermined angle with respect to each other and prevent rotational movement of the setting disc with respect to the base plate.

[0009] The position lock preferably comprises a locking pin and the first locking portion comprises a first locking hole for engagement with the locking pin to rotationally position the rotating disc assembly with respect to the snowboard and the second locking portion comprises a second locking hole for engagement with the locking pin to rotationally position the rotating disc assembly with respect to the snowboard.

[0010] The position lock may also comprise inwardly facing teeth, and wherein the first locking portion and second locking portion comprise outwardly facing teeth to engage with the inwardly facing teeth of the position lock to prevent rotational movement of the position lock and the rotating disc assembly with respect to the snowboard.

[0011] Preferably the rotating disc assembly further comprises a lock housing for guiding movement of the position lock, and springs to bias the position lock inwards to engage with the first locking portion or the second locking portion.

[0012] A push plate may be attached to the position lock and pivotally attached to the lock housing, wherein pushing the push plate retracts the position lock to disengage it from the first locking portion or the second locking portion. Alternatively, a pull ring for retracting the position lock to disengage it from the first locking portion or the second locking portion.

[0013] The mount preferably further comprises a soft lock, the soft lock comprising a first face with teeth and a pin for engaging with the teeth and the locking hole of the first locking portion, and a second face with a hole for engaging with the locking pin of the position lock.

[0014] Preferably the rotating disc assembly is attachable to the snowboard binding via a binding attachment attached to the rotating disc assembly, the binding attachment comprising a downwardly facing flange to engage with the snowboard binding. The flange may comprise teeth for engaging with the snowboard binding to prevent relative rotation of the rotating disc assembly with the snowboard binding.

[0015] The invention further provides snowboard binding comprising a base with a mounting hole passing through the base, a peripheral ledge around the mounting hole, and a channel extending from the mounting hole to the side of the base, and further comprising a mount as described above, positioned within the mounting hole with the lock housing passing through the channel.

[0016] It should be noted that any one of the aspects mentioned above may include any of the features of any of the other aspects mentioned above and may include any of the features of any of the embodiments described below as appropriate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows.

[0018] Figure 1 shows a snowboard and binding mounted to a snowboard binding mount according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a riding position.

[0019] Figure 2 shows a snowboard and binding mounted to the snowboard binding mount in a scooting position. [0020] Figure 3 shows the snowboard binding mount in isolation from above with a push pad for unlocking.

[0021] Figure 4A shows the snowboard binging mount from above with a pull ring for unlocking, whilst Figure 4B shows the mount from below.

[0022] Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the snowboard binding mount.

[0023] Figure 5 shows an exploded view of the snowboard binding mount.

[0024] Figure 6 shows a snowboard binding adapted to accept the snowboard binding mount.

[0025] Figure 7A and 7B show a base plate of the snowboard binding mount from above and below.

[0026] Figure 8A and 8B show a setting disc of the snowboard binding mount from above and below.

[0027] Figure 9A and 9B show a rotating disc assembly of the snowboard binding mount from above and below.

[0028] Figure 10A and 10B show a binding attachment of the snowboard binding mount from above and below.

[0029] Figure 11 A and 11 B show a setting lock of the snowboard binding mount from above and below.

[0030] Figures'! 2A to 12F show the sequence of attaching the snowboard binding mount to a snowboard and a snowboard binding.

[0031] Figure 13A to 13D shows the internal mechanism involved in moving the snowboard binding mount from a scooting position to a riding position.

[0032] Figure 14A and 14B show a soft lock of the snowboard binding mount from above and below.

[0033] Figure 15 shows the soft lock fitted to the base plate.

DRAWING COMPONENTS [0034] The drawings include the following integers,

10 snowboard

11 longitudinal axis

12 transverse axis

20 snowboard binding

21 binding axis

22 tilt angle / riding angle

23 base

24 heel locator

25 mounting hole

26 ledge

27 lock channel

30 snowboard binding mount

40 base plate

41 mounting holes

42 locking portion

43 locking teeth

44 locking hole

45 peripheral teeth

46 hub

47 screw holes

48 recess

49 angle setting mark

50 setting disc

52 locking portion

53 locking teeth

54 locking hole

55 peripheral teeth

56 hub hole

59 angle setting scale

60 rotating disc assembly

61 rotating disc

62 lock housing

63 mounting hole 64 angled walls

65 lip

66 screw holes

68 pivot arms

70 binding attachment

71 disc

75 mounting hole

76 screw holes

77 lock void

78 flange

79 teeth

80 setting lock

84 upper frustoconical portion

87 screw holes

88 lower cylindrical portion

90 position lock

92 locking portion

93 locking teeth

94 locking pin

95 springs

100 pull ring

110 push plate

120 soft lock

121 screw hole

123 teeth

124 pin

125 soft locking hole

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. Dimensions of certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration. [0036] The present provides a snowboard binding mount that is movable between a riding position in which the riders foot is transversely positioned on the snowboard to a scooting position in which the riders foot is longitudinally positioned on the snowboard. The mount is of a compact design allowing it to be fitted within the binding, with minimal impact on the height of the binding or the rigidity of the snowboard.

[0037] Figures 1 and 2 show the snowboard binding mount 30, or mount for short, in context with a snowboard 10 and front boot binding 20. As the mount 30 is only for use with a front foot binding the rear foot binding is not shown. The mount 30 is fixedly attached to the snowboard 10 and includes a rotating portion fixed to the binding 20 allowing the binding 20 to rotate relative to the snowboard 10. The mount 30 is fitted within the binding 20 and thus only partially visible in these figures. Further details of the mount itself are seen in subsequent figures. The mount 30 includes a push plate 110 for locking/unlocking its rotational position. The snowboard can be considered as having a longitudinal axis 11 along its length and a transverse axis 12 across its width whilst the binding can be considered as having a binding axis 21 which aligns with the rider’s foot. In Figure 1 the binding 30 is positioned in a riding position in which the binding axis 21 is at a tilt/riding angle 22 to the transverse axis 12 of the snowboard, whilst in Figure 2 the binding 30 is positioned in a scooting position in which the binding axis 21 is coincident with longitudinal axis 11 of the snowboard. In use, the rider pushes on the push plate 110 to unlock the mount 30 to allow for rotation between the riding position and the scooting position.

[0038] Figures 3 to 5 show a snowboard binding mount 30 in isolation allowing identification of major components. Figure 3 shows the mount 30 from above with a push pad 110 for unlocking. Figure 4A shows the mount 30 from above with a pull ring 100 for unlocking, whilst Figure 4B shows the mount 30 from below. Figure 5 provides an exploded view of the mount.

[0039] The mount 30 comprises a mounting plate 40 which is fixedly attached to a snowboard by screws (not shown). The mounting plate 40 includes an outwardly facing locking section 42 which engages with the position lock 90 to hold the mount in a scooting position. The position lock 90 is held within a lock housing 63 which is part of rotating disc assembly 60. The position lock 90 can be unlocked (i.e. disengaged from locking section 42) with the aid of either pull ring 100, or push pad 1 10 which is pivotally mounted to the lock housing 63. Setting disc 50 sits upon base plate 40 at a settable angle and includes a locking section 52 which engages with the position lock 90 to hold the mount in a riding position. When the position lock 90 is unlocked by aid of the pull ring 100 or push pad 110, the rotating disc assembly 60 is free to rotate between the scooting position and the riding position. It is then held in place when the position lock 90 moves to a locking position again, either engaging the locking section 42 of the base plate 40 to stay in the scooting position, or engaging the locking section 52 of the setting disc 50 to stay in the riding position. Binding attachment 70 is fixedly attached to the snowboard binding 20 as well as fixedly attached to the rotating disc assembly 60 so that the snowboard binding 20 moves with the rotating disc assembly. Setting lock 80 is screwed to base plate 40 to hold setting disc 50 in position.

[0040] Figure 6 shows a snowboard binding 20 adapted to accept a snowboard binding mount 30. The binding is simplified for representational convenience, and doesn’t show features not associated with the finding mount such as boot attachments. The binding 20 comprises a planar base 23 with heel locator 24 and central mounting hole 25 with a peripheral ledge 26. Such an arrangement is common to conventional binding mounts which accept a conventional mount which can only be set to one position within the hole 25. In addition, the present binding mount 30 includes a lock channel 27 that allows a locking mechanism to be operated externally to the binding and engage with a binding mount within the mounting hole 30. Ledge 26 engages with a corresponding ledge 76 on the bottom of the binding attachment 70 to secure the binding 20 to the binding mount 30. Some existing mounts can be modified to accept the binding mount 30 of the present invention by adding a lock channel 27.

[0041] Figures 7A & 7B to Figures 11 A & 11 B describe the various components in further detail.

[0042] Figure 7A and 7B show a base plate 40 of the snowboard binding mount 30 from above and below. The base plate 40 includes mounting holes 41 for fixing the base plate to a snowboard using screws. The mounting holes are elongated and scalloped to allow for minor repositioning of the base plate without the need to place further holes in the snowboard. Locking portion 42 includes outwardly facing locking teeth 43 and a locking hole 44 for engaging with the locking teeth 93 and locking pin 94 features of the position lock 90. Peripheral teeth 45 engage with corresponding peripheral teeth 55 of the setting disc 50 to prevent relative motion of the two parts. Central hub 46 is used to align other components and support rotation. Screw holes 47 allow for attachment of setting lock 80 which sits in recess 48. Angle setting mark 49 allows for easy setting of the tilt/riding angle.

[0043] Figure 8A and 8B show a setting disc 50 of the snowboard binding mount 30 from above and below. The setting disc 50 is used to set the tilt angle 22. Hub hole 56 allows the disc 50 to rotate on the hub 46 of the base plate 40 positioning the locking portion 52 is in the desired position relative to the locking portion 42 of the base plate. Once in position, the disc 50 is lowered onto the base plate so that peripheral teeth 55 engage with the peripheral teeth 45 of the base plate to stop further rotation. Locking portion 52 includes outwardly facing locking teeth 53 and a locking hole 54 for engaging with the locking teeth 93 and locking pin 94 features of the position lock 90. Angle setting scale 59 allows for easy setting of the tilt/riding angle in conjunction with the angle setting mark of the base plate.

[0044] Rotating disc assembly 60 of the snowboard binding mount 30 is shown in Figure 9A from above and in Figure 9B from below. The assembly includes two connected section, rotating disc 61 and lock housing 62. As its name suggests, the rotating disc 61 is the part of the mount 30 that rotates when the mount moves between scooting and riding positions. The disc 61 includes mounting hole 63 with angled walls 64 which engage with the setting lock (discussed below). Screw holes 66 allow for attachment of binding attachment 70 so that the binding can rotate in unison. Lip 65 helps locate the binding attachment. Position lock 90 sits within the lock housing 62 and is retracted to an unlocked position by pull ring 100. Springs 95 acts to return the position lock 90 to a locked position in which the locking portion 92 engages with the locking portion 42 of the base plate 40 or locking portion 52 of the setting disc 50. The locking portion includes locking teeth 93 which engage with locking teeth 43 and 53 of the base plate 40 and setting disc 50, and locking pin 94 which engage with locking holes 44 and 54 of the base plate and setting disc. Pivoting arms 68 allow the locking ring 100 to be replaced with a pivotally mounted push plate 110 as seen in Figures 1 to 3.

[0045] The binding attachment 70 seen from above in Figure 10A and below in FigurelOB is used to attach the snowboard binding mount 30 to the snowboard binding 20. The binding attachment comprises a disc 71 with screw holes 76 which allow it to be attached to the rotating disc assembly 60 via screw holes 66. Mounting hole 75 engages with lip 65 of the rotating disc assembly for accurate location. Flange 78 forms the outer periphery of the mount 30 and sits on the ledge 26 of the binding 20 to secure the two together. Teeth 79 on the lower edge of the flange prevent relative rotation of the binding attachment and binding. Variations in the binding attachment are readily envisaged to allow the mount to be fitted to bindings from different manufacturers which have pre-existing mounting holes. The binding attachment may be of a different diameter, have different depth flanges, flanges with different or no teeth, or no flanges at all and be attached to the top surface of the binding. The various attachment methods ensure that the grip between the binding attachment and the binding is greater than the frictional grip between the binding and the snowboard. This ensures that when the binding attachment rotates in unison with the rotating disc assembly that the binding also rotates in unison.

[0046] Finally, the setting lock 80 shown from above and below in Figure 11 A and Figure 11 B holds all of the mount 30 together. Screw holes 87 allow the setting lock 80 to be secured to the base plate 40 with the lower cylindrical portion sat within recess 48 of the base plate. Once in place rotation of the setting disc is no longer possible. Upper frustoconical portion 84 engages with the angled walls 64 of the rotating disc assembly 60 to position it whilst still allowing the disc assembly to rotate when the position lock is disengaged.

[0047] Figures'! 2A to 12F show the sequence of attaching the snowboard binding mount 30 to a snowboard 10 and a snowboard binding 20. The snowboard 10 is not shown, but represented by a longitudinal axis 11 and transverse axis 12. As the various components are fitted at each step, previously fitted components are obscured so the reader may wish to refer back to prior figures as well as the preceding paragraphs for further details of the components referenced.

[0048] In Figure 12A the base plate 40 is attached to the snowboard with screws (not shown) via mounting holes 41 . The base plate is aligned such that the locking portion 42 aligns with the transverse axis 12 of the snowboard. The base plate is nominally centred on the longitudinal 11 axis of the snowboard, but may be located either side depending on rider preference. The holes 41 allow for a small adjustment in position.

[0049] In Figure 12B the setting disc 50 is placed on the base plate 40 at a rotational position to set the binding axis 21 to achieve the desired tilt angle 22. As shown, a tilt angle of 15 degrees has been set with the aid of the angle setting scale 59 on the setting disc and the angle setting mark 49 base plate. The peripheral teeth 45 of the base plate and peripheral teeth 55 of the locking disc (not visible) allow the tilt angle to be adjusted as desired in three-degree increments. The binding axis 21 passes through the centre point of the mount and is perpendicular to a line between the centre point and the middle of the locking portion 52 of the setting disc 50.

[0050] In Figure 12C the rotating disc assembly 60 is placed in position so that the lock housing 62 and push plate 110 align with the transverse axis 12. In this position the position lock 90 can engage with the locking portion 42 of the base plate (both parts obscured).

[0051] In Figure 12D the setting lock 80 is fitted with the aid of screws (not shown) passing through screw holes 87 and into corresponding screw holes 47 in the base plate. Once fitted rotational movement of the setting disc 50 is no longer possible. The upper frustoconical portion 84 of the setting lock engages with the angled walls 64 of the rotating disc assembly 60 serving to both position the rotating disc assembly and prevent it from moving vertically, whilst still allowing it to rotate.

[0052] In Figure 12E the binding 20 is placed over the rotating disc assembly 60. The rotating disc assembly sits within mounting hole 25, with lock housing 62 protruding through lock channel 27 (obscured).

[0053] Finally, in Figure 12F the binding attachment 70 is fitted and held in place with screws (not shown) passing through screw holes 76 into screw holes 66 of the rotating disc assembly. The flange of the binding attachment engages with the ledge of the binding mounting hole to ensure that the binding rotates in unison with the binding attachment and rotating disc assembly.

[0054] The binding 20 is now fixedly attached to the binding mount 30 and will remain in the scooting position as shown in Figure 12F and Figure 2 whilst the position lock 90 is engaged. The position lock 90 can be disengaged with aid of the push plate 110 to allow the binding 20 to rotate to the riding position as shown in Figure 1 . The position lock can then be engaged again (under spring action once the push plate is no longer being pushed) to keep the binding in riding position.

[0055] Figure 13A to 13D shows the internal mechanism involved in moving the snowboard binding mount from a scooting position to a riding position. In the scooting position and riding position the locking portion 92 of the position lock is engaged with the locking portions 42, 52 of the base plate 40 and setting disc 50 respectively. It is not possible to rotate the mount in these positions without some effort to pull out the position lock as both the locking teeth 93 and locking pin 94 of the position lock are engaged with the locking teeth 43, 53 and locking holes 44, 54 of the base plate and setting disc. The locking pin 94 and effectively sets the rotational position by engaging locking holes 44 and 54, but doesn’t hold the position lock securely. Locking teeth 93 in conjunction with locking teeth 44 and 54 ensure that once in position that the position lock is held securely and unable to rotate.

[0056] In Figure 13A the mount is locked in the scooting position with the locking portion 92 of the position lock 90 engaged with the locking portion 42 of the base plate 40.

[0057] In Figure 13B the position lock has been disengaged, allowing it (and the attached binding 20) to rotate to the riding position as shown in Figure 13C.

[0058] In Figure 13D the locking portion 92 of the position lock 90 is engaged with the locking portion 52 of the setting disc 40 to secure the mount in the riding position.

[0059] Figure 14A and 14B show a soft lock 120 of the snowboard binding mount from above and below. The soft lock engages with the locking portion 42 of the base plate 40 to modify its locking behaviour. Without the soft lock, as described in the immediately preceding paragraphs, the position lock 90 needs to be pulled out to release the mount from the scooting position. This is done with either the push plate 110 or pull ring 100 and ensures that the position lock is not inadvertently disengaged. With the soft lock in place, it is possible for the rider to disengage the position lock by applying rotational force with their foot. This simplifies and quickens the process of transitioning from the scooting position to the riding position. Unlocking from the riding position still requires pulling on the position lock 90 to prevent inadvertent disengagement whilst riding. Figure 15 shows the soft lock 120 in context with the base plate 40, setting disc 50 and position lock 90.

[0060] The soft lock 120 comprises teeth 123 for engaging with the teeth 43 of the base plate 40, and pin 124 for engaging with the locking hole 44 of the base plate. The soft lock is held in place with the base plate with the aid of a screw (not shown) through screw hole 121 . Once fitted to the base plate, the soft lock effectively blocks the teeth 43 and locking hole 44 of the base plate and instead provides soft locking hole 125 for “softly” engaging the locking pin 94 of the position lock 90. Whilst the engagement of locking pin 94 and soft locking hole ensure the desired rotational position, the locking pin is not totally secure. The locking pin 94 can be dislodged from the soft locking hole

125 by applying sideways pressure, which a rider can do by rotating their foot. Guide

126 provides a pathway for the locking pin 94 after it has disengaged the soft locking hole.

[0061] The reader will now appreciate the present invention which provides a mount for a snowboard binding that is movable between a scooting position and a settable riding position. The compact design allows the mount to be incorporated into a binding without adding to its height or affecting the rigidity of a snowboard.

[0062] Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus. Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in this field.

[0063] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word "comprising" and its derivatives including "comprises" and "comprise" include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.