US20100154254A1 - Boot binding - Google Patents
Boot binding Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20100154254A1 US20100154254A1 US12/451,519 US45151908A US2010154254A1 US 20100154254 A1 US20100154254 A1 US 20100154254A1 US 45151908 A US45151908 A US 45151908A US 2010154254 A1 US2010154254 A1 US 2010154254A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- boot
- base
- anchor
- engagement
- detent portion
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63C—SKATES; SKIS; ROLLER SKATES; DESIGN OR LAYOUT OF COURTS, RINKS OR THE LIKE
- A63C10/00—Snowboard bindings
- A63C10/02—Snowboard bindings characterised by details of the shoe holders
- A63C10/10—Snowboard bindings characterised by details of the shoe holders using parts which are fixed on the shoe, e.g. means to facilitate step-in
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B5/00—Footwear for sporting purposes
- A43B5/04—Ski or like boots
- A43B5/0401—Snowboard boots
- A43B5/0403—Adaptations for soles or accessories with soles for snowboard bindings
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B5/00—Footwear for sporting purposes
- A43B5/04—Ski or like boots
- A43B5/0427—Ski or like boots characterised by type or construction details
- A43B5/0452—Adjustment of the forward inclination of the boot leg
Abstract
A boot including a binding mechanism (60) for attachment to a motive device such as a snowboard (195), the motive device including a body and anchor means such as an array of bolts (50) attached to an upper surface of the body, the anchor means including at least one decent such as a bolt head (53) spaced from the body and having an underside surface (54), the boot including a base (7) having a footbed (4) on which a user's foot may directly or indirectly rest and a sole member (6) spaced from the footbed and lying substantially in a plane. The sole member includes one or more openings (9) to one or more recesses or cavities (8) in the base; the boot is engageable to the anchor means by engagement means (112) on or preferably in the base; and the engagement means includes reciprocating means such as slider (95) operable to toggle between: a non-engaged position whereby there is non-engagement between the anchor means and the engagement means; and an engaged position whereby the base is releasably locked onto the motive device.
Description
- This invention relates to a boot for attachment to a motive device such as a sliding or rolling device. More particularly, this invention relates to a boot for a sliding or rolling device such as a snow hoard.
- The following references to and descriptions of prior proposals or products are not intended to be, and are not to be construed as, statements or admissions of common general knowledge in the art. In particular, the following prior art discussion does not relate to what is commonly or well known by the person skilled in the art, but assists in the understanding of the inventive step of the present invention of which the identification of pertinent prior art proposals is but one part.
- For convenience, this invention will be described primarily with exemplary reference to snowboard binding systems, although the skilled person will readily appreciate that various other, mainly sporting, applications may be made of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
- Descriptions of boot binding systems for snowboards currently available may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,689, U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,170 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,680 (Dodge, et al). These documents disclose a boot binding with a base to the supported on a snowboard. The base includes a circular opening in its centre which receives a disk shaped base plate. The base or hold-down plate may be secured to the hoard in several different positions on the board with the binding base assuming any position by rotation with respect to the hold-down plate. The hold-down plate is secured by screws received in holes in the hoard. This presents a problem in the various situations, sometimes unpredictable, when a user needs to adjust the orientation of the boot binding. This most obviously occurs preparatory to the user mounting a chairlift where the orientation of the boot binding would, if possible, be desirably changed to enable the user to sit comfortably and safely on the chairlift. Shortly before or alter the user alights from the chairlift, the boot binding is then adjusted to the orientation desired for snowboarding. However, this does not happen in practice because of the difficulty involved in such adjustments. The snowboarder must be resigned to travelling on the chairlift in an awkward position because convenient adjustment is not possible.
- Another example where the difficulty of adjustment of the orientation of the boot binding presents itself is where the user desires to skate along. Such situations may arise where the slope is insufficiently steep to enable down-hill snowboarding or a slight incline must be traversed to get to the next downhill slope. Casual users who hire snowboarding gear from a ski hire store are generally required to decide on their feet position before they even get unto the ski slopes. Normally an experienced operator will adjust the boot bindings on the casual user's behalf. If the casual user discovers that a slightly or even radically different orientation would be more comfortable or may even prevent injury, the casual user has little option but to persist with the binding orientations set by the hire store operator. Even if a screwdriver is available on the slopes, ski hire equipment may be difficult to adjust due wear-related burring of the tool-engaging portions of the screws, nuts or bolts used to secure the base plate, not to mention the difficulties associated with the adjustment of ice-encased cold metal parts using cold hands.
- The Applicant has previously described an improvement over curt-Lastly available snowboard binding arrangements in an International Patent Application having Publication No. WO 2005/014126 (Fletcher). This document describes a snowboard binding (3) including a binding base (11) having an aperture (14) therein for receiving a snowboard disc (50) used to secure the binding base to the snowboard (1). The perimeter of the aperture (14) includes a variable gap (22) and a clamp (104) is used to vary the size of the gap to enable movement ape binding base relative to the disk. The advantage of this arrangement over other prior art was the ability to easily adjust the snowboard boot's orientation by simply releasing the clamp and reorienting the binding base on the disc. One disadvantage of this and previous prior art proposals is that the disc arrangement did not allow snow to be cleared from the sole. The snow can tend to collect and compact around the binding disc and it is not easily cleared.
- The prior art descriptions referred to above do not allow a user to conveniently and releasably secure the boot on a sliding or rolling device such as a snowboard without the aforementioned difficulties associated with in situ manipulation.
- An object of the present invention is to ameliorate the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative thereto.
- Accordingly, in one aspect of the invention there is provided a boot for attachment to a motive device, the motive device including a body and anchor means attached to an upper surface of the body, the anchor means including at least one detent spaced from the body and having an underside surface, the base of the boot including a footbed on which a user's foot may directly or indirectly rest
- characterized in that:
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- the base further includes a sole member spaced from the footbed and lying substantially in a plane;
- the sole member includes one or more openings to one or more cavities in the base between the footbed and the sole member, the one or more openings for receiving the anchor means;
- the boot is engageable to the anchor means by engagement means on or in the base; and the engagement means includes reciprocating means operable to toggle between:
- a non-engaged position whereby there is non-engagement between the anchor means and the engagement means; and
- an engaged position whereby the base is releasably locked onto the motive device.
- The motive device may include any suitable device for moving the wearer of the boot along, through or across a stratum, surface or medium. The motive device may be capable of sliding or rolling. The motive device may be a ski, snowboard, rollerboard, grass ski or the like. However, without limiting the foregoing, the invention is most suitably adapted to snowboarding. Accordingly, whilst the body may be plastic molded or metal cast in any of a variety of shapes, most typically the body will be substantially planar with at least one upturned, curved end corresponding to the front of the device. The device may be made of plastic, metal; cellulosic material such as layered wooden panels adhered with resin, fiberglass or any combination of the foregoing, keeping in mind that the temperatures that the device may be subject to in use could be around 0° C. or less for devices used in the snow and around 40° C. or more for devices used on potentially hot surfaces when exposed to intense sunlight, such as bitumen or concrete.
- The anchor means may include any suitable physical recess and/or protrusion, magnetic or other detail or engaging device adapted to engage the engagement means. Preferably, the engagement means includes at least one lateral feature (Or engagement to a complementary lateral or recess feature on or in the boot. The anchor means may include at least one upper overhanging portion having an underside surface. The anchor means may include any physical or magnetic anchoring feature adapted to engage the boot.
- In prior snowboarding devices, there is typically provided two sets of three or four threaded bores centrally located and corresponding to the intended locations of the user's boots. The prior art anchor means may accordingly include one or more correspondingly threaded bolts which are used to secure a board engaging member, typically a disc shaped plate such as that identified by
reference numeral 50 in the Applicant's international application having Publication No. WO 2005/014126 referred to above. - Advantageously, in the present invention the disc may be dispensed with and the anchor means may comprise a set of one or more bolts. However, it will be appreciated by the skilled person that other anchor configurations may, in some circumstances, be desirable. Such configurations may utilize the securing option offered by the threaded bores found in standard and existing gram/boards. The bores may be used to mount an anchor to the device that uses threaded fasteners to secure the anchor to the device.
- Preferably, the anchor means comprises a shaft or base that spaces the upper detent, such as the overhanging portion, from the upper surface of the body. Where the anchor means includes one or more bolts, the bolts may include a shaft optionally threaded and terminating at their respective upper ends with a bolt head. The bolt head may be axially asymmetrical so that the overhanging portion overhangs on only one side of the shaft or anchor base or at least does not completely surround the top end of the shaft. Alternatively, the overhanging portion may be coaxial with the shaft or anchor base and may have a larger footprint than the shalt or anchor base.
- Preferably, the overhanging portion is generally round or elliptical, but may be polygonal in plan view in the manner of a typical bolt head, such as a hexagonal bolt head. The bolt head may be plate-shaped or may be beveled or tapered in some manner. For example, the bolt head may be circular in plait view and conical or frustoconical in general shape. In such arrangements, the anchor means may include key means to enable manipulation by a suitably adapted tool. For example, where the anchor means includes one or more bolts, the or each bolt head may include one or more recesses to co-act with a tool such as a screw driver or Allen key. The key means may require a specialized tool to prevent unauthorized interference or removal. The skilled person will appreciate that other fastening means, such as screws may also be used, provided that they have the necessary overhanging portion.
- The underside surface of the overhanging portion may be flat, curved and/or inclined. The underside surface may include improved friction or gripping surface features, such as ribs, grooves, ridges, or irregular lines, protrusions or dimples, whereby to provide improved friction grip. Preferably, the underside surface is slightly outwardly, upwardly curved to more easily permit a corresponding engaging member to slide around or maims the underside surface until it comes into abutment at a settled and desired position.
- The anchor means may be effective to remove compacted snow, ice and other debris from the opening(s) and cavity or cavities. The anchor means may be advantageously configured to scrape such debris from the opening(s) and cavity or cavities. For example, the overhanging portion may be configured to operate in the manner of a pick. Accordingly, the present invention may provide effective means to remove debris in a manner that prior art arrangements are not equipped to emulate. In a preferred embodiment, the anchor means comprises one or more bolts with bolt heads having peripheral edges well adapted to enable a wearer of the boot to scrape debris from the interior spaces of the boot base.
- The boot is preferably ankle high with sold support around the ankle region typical of ski, snowboarding, rollerboarding or rollerblading boots.
- The footbed may include an insert, but preferably is a panel on which a wearer's foot directly rests and forms part of the structure of the base. The sole member refers to the ground-engaging panel or layer on the underside of the base and preferably includes tread or grip surface features. The sole member may be formed from a rubber, plastic leather, synthetic woven material or metal components and optimally a combination of two or more of these materials. In particular, the portion of the sole member defining the opening is made from a hard and abrasive-resistant material, such as light weight metal such as Aluminum or a light metal alloy, or plastic such as polypropylene or polycarbonate. Alternatively, the periphery of the opening may be defined by a downward wall forming an extension of the lower casing molding and the sole member made of rubber or other soft material may be formed or adhered to the lower casing around the downward depending wall defining the opening.
- The base of the boot may be a unitary structure. The base may be integrally formed during manufacturer, such as by injection molding. The base may be made from suitable materials, such as rubber and/or plastic materials, preferably with good low temperature tolerance and performance such as where the device is to be used in snow or good high temperature tolerance and performance such as where the device is to be used in hot conditions.
- Alternatively, the base may be a modular structure comprising separately formed components contained in a base casing the base casing may include a casing top supporting or forming at least part of the foot bed and the base casing may further include the sole member. The foot bed may be a separate, softer cushioned layer positioned above the casing top. The casing top may be a rigid and/or semi-flexible, substantially planar member. The casing top may extend substantially the full width and length of the base, so that the casing top may have a similar footprint to that of the boot base. The casing top may be made from a suitable plastic material.
- The engagement means may be external to the boot and may directly or indirectly bear against the sole member in the engaged position. For example, the engagement means may include a slidable member or slide that may be located in use under the sole member and in the engaged position may hear against the underside of the sole member so that the base is caused to clamp upwardly against the underside surface or detent of the anchor means.
- The engagement means is preferably mounted and/or contained on or in the boot. The base may also include the engagement means. Preferably, the base includes the slide. The slide may be moveable within a region, zone or plane substantially parallel to the sole member plane. The slide may be moveable between the non-engaged position and the engaged position. In the engaged position, the anchor underside surface or detent may abut the base. The engagement means is preferably located primarily in the base. However, the reciprocating means may be actuable from a position outside the base. For example, the reciprocating means may include actuation means in the form of slide, dial, handle, button or lever means adapted to toggle the reciprocating means between the non-engaged and engaged positions.
- The actuation means may be located on the bridge, ankle area or on the heel of the boot. Preferably, the actuation means is located on the heel of the boot. Preferably, the actuation means includes a lever. The lever may be adapted to rotate about a pivot point, a pair of spaced pivot points, a pair of spaced, coaxial pivot points or may be adapted to slide whereby to activate the reciprocating means. Preferably, the actuating means is a pivotal lever located in and/or on the boot heel. Preferably, the actuating means is released to the non-engaged position by upward movement, so that, for example, the boot may release the snow hoard if the snow hoarder falls and slides feet-first down a slope.
- The slide is preferably interposed between the casing top and the sole member. Movement of the slide through the slide plane is actuated by the actuating means. The movement of the actuating means is operable to cause the slide to travel through its plane or to move from one horizontal plane to another, substantially horizontal, plane. This movement may be achieved by any one of a number of mechanisms which will occur to the skilled person. In one example, the reciprocating means may include a rack and pinion arrangement. Preferably, the slide includes the rack. Still more preferably, the pinion is mounted on or forms part of a rotatable member operable by the user when the engagement means is in the non-engaged or the engaged position. Preferably, the rotatable member is the lever means adapted to rotate the pinion whose teeth co-operate with a rack on the slide. The rack may be integrally molded with the slide.
- The reciprocating means may include cam and/or ramp means to vertically shill the reciprocating means between the engaged and non-engaged positions by moving the slide horizontally through a first plane over ramp or cam means whereby to vertically lift or drop the slide relative to the first plane so that the slide vertically moves and slides into a different plane. The cam may be mounted on a rotatable member and comprise a rotatable eccentric bearing surface. Alternatively, the cam or ramp means may be located on different co-operating components, such as the slide and the sole member or another component of the base whereby to force the slide to ride up or down to toggle between the engaged and non-engaged positions.
- The opening in the sole member is preferably adapted to receive the anchor means, at least to the extent of the overhanging portion or other detent. The engagement means may be in the form of a spring-release mechanism, such as may be found in cycling pedal cleats or nordic ski bindings where a spring loaded detent means traps a boot mounted bar or flange and may be released by deflection of the spring biased detent. Such a spring loaded detent mechanism is preferably adapted to engage the anchor means, such s as one or more bolt heads. Preferably, the opening includes at least one entry/exit track or passage and a locking aperture. The entry/exit track or passage may be used to permit the anchor means to enter the base cavity. The anchor means may then be adapted to move along a direction generally parallel to the plane of the sole member into the locking aperture wherein a base member slides underneath the overhanging portions or other detent means. The slide may then by forced underneath the locking base member to lift the locking base member into engagement with the overhanging portions by forcing the slide member to ride up the ramp or cam means. Preferably, the engagement means is releasable by the actuation, or release from a locked position, of the actuation means mounted on the boot. Preferably, the engagement means is located external to the base.
- In a particularly preferred form of the invention, the boot comprises a highback mechanism to allow a user to vary the inclination of the rear wall ankle support relative to the vertical to suit the user's requirements. The highback mechanism may include a variety of mechanisms including components such as a hinged and/or spring biased pivotable wall. The highback mechanism preferably includes a rear wall against which a rotatable cam or ramped slide operates to bear against an inclinable wall. The highback mechanism is preferably located within the rear ankle wall cavity at the heel of the boot and has an actuation means, such as a lever, dial, button or slide accessible to the user to actuate the highback mechanism.
- Preferred features of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention. In the drawings:
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FIG. 1 is a schematic section view of a boot according to a first embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an actuation means according to the first embodiment shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a high back mechanism according to the first embodiment shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 4 a is a schematic perspective view of a bolt anchor according to a second embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 4 h is a schematic to plan view of the bolt anchor shown inFIG. 4 a; -
FIG. 4 c is a schematic side elevation of the bolt anchor shown inFIG. 4 a; -
FIG. 5 a is a schematic perspective view of a bolt anchor according to a third embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 5 b is a schematic top plan view of the bolt anchor shown inFIG. 5 a; -
FIG. 5 c is a schematic side elevation of the bolt anchor shown inFIG. 5 a; -
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the engagement means and boot base according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the engagement means and boot base according to a filth embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 8 is a side section view of the fourth embodiment shown inFIG. 6 ; -
FIG. 9 is a lop plan elevation of the fourth embodiment inFIG. 8 ; -
FIG. 10 is a side elevation of the fourth embodiment shown inFIG. 8 ; -
FIG. 11 a is an upper perspective view of the fourth embodiment shown inFIG. 8 ; -
FIG. 11 b is a lower perspective view of the fourth embodiment shown inFIG. 8 ; -
FIG. 11 e is an end elevation of the fourth embodiment shown inFIG. 10 from the direction of the heel; -
FIG. 12 is a top plan section view of the fourth embodiment shown inFIG. 9 ; -
FIG. 13 a is a rear view of a boot according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 13 h is a right side view of the boot according to the sixth embodiment shown inFIG. 13 a; -
FIG. 13 c is a front view of the boot according to the sixth embodiment shown inFIG. 13 a; -
FIG. 13 d is a left side view of the boot according to the sixth embodiment shown inFIG. 13 a; -
FIG. 13 c is an underside view of the boot according to the sixth embodiment shown inFIG. 13 a; -
FIG. 14 a is a rear view of a boot according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 14 b is a right side view of the boot according to the seventh embodiment shown inFIG. 14 a; -
FIG. 14 c is a front view of the boot according to the seventh embodiment shown inFIG. 14 a; -
FIG. 14 d is a left side view of the boot according to the seventh embodiment shown inFIG. 14 a; -
FIG. 15 is an underside view of the boot according to the seventh embodiment shown inFIG. 14 a; -
FIG. 16 a is a rear view of a boot according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 16 h is a right side view of the boot according to the eighth embodiment shown inFIG. 16 a; -
FIG. 16 c is a front view of the boot according to the eighth embodiment shown inFIG. 16 a; -
FIG. 16 d is a left side view of the boot according to the eighth embodiment shown inFIG. 16 a; -
FIG. 16 e is an underside view of the boot according to the eighth embodiment shown inFIG. 16 a; -
FIG. 17 a is a left side view of a boot according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 17 b is a rear view of the boot according to the ninth embodiment shown inFIG. 17 a; -
FIG. 17 c is a right side view of the boot according to the ninth embodiment shown inFIG. 17 a; -
FIG. 17 d is an underside view of the boot according to the ninth embodiment shown inFIG. 17 a; -
FIG. 18 a is a front perspective view of a boot according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention shown above a motive device in the form of a snowboard; -
FIG. 18 b is a rear perspective view of the boot according to the tenth embodiment resting on the snowboard; -
FIG. 18 c is a rear perspective view of the boot according to the tenth embodiment slid forward into a mounting position on the snowboard; -
FIG. 18 d is a rear perspective view of the boot according to the tenth embodiment in the mounting position in which the boot may be rotated freely about a vertical axis; -
FIG. 18 c is a rear perspective view of the boot according to the tenth embodiment in the mounting position in which actuation means in the form of a handle is lifted to engage the boot on the snowboard; -
FIG. 18 f is a rear perspective view of the boot according to the tenth embodiment in the engagement position in which the handle is lifted from its lowermost position to its uppermost position; -
FIG. 18 g is a rear perspective view of the boot according to the tenth embodiment in which a clip is flipped upwardly to lock the handle in the engaged position; -
FIG. 18 h is a rear perspective view of the boot according to the tenth embodiment in which the clip is flipped downwardly to unlock the handle, the handle is rotated downwardly to an unengaged position so that the boot may be rotated about the vertical axis for adjustment relative to the snowboard; -
FIG. 18 i is a front and lower perspective view of the boot according to the tenth embodiment; and -
FIG. 18 j is a perspective view of the boot according to the tenth embodiment on the snowboard. - The following description of preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to snowboard boots. However, the skilled person will appreciate that the invention has wider application to other boot binding systems, such as may be found in downhill, Nordic and grass skiing.
- It will be appreciated that each of the items shown in
FIGS. 1 , 2 and 3 are generally bi-symmetrical along a central longitudinal vertical plane of the boot 1 generally corresponding to the section shown in each of the drawings. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , there is shown a boot 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention including aninner boot liner 2 and anouter boot layer 3. Interposed between theinner boot liner 2 andouter boot layer 3 extending from the heel 11 upwards to support the user's Achilles region is an integrated internal high back plate 21 providing reinforcing to the user's ankle. The high back 21 is adjustable to vary the angle of inclination relative to the vertical and includes an outerhigh hack slider 22 having ahigh back pinion 25 cooperable with a high backadjustment ratchet lever 23 that is pivotable to vary the positioning of the internal high hack 21. Thepinion 25 a is cammed or elliptical whereby, on rotation of thelever 23 to apply variable force towards or away from thehighback slider rack 25. Thehigh back slider 22 includes a lug orprotrusion 26 cooperable with a raisedgroove 27 defined byside walls 28 to space the internal face of thehigh hack slider 22 from the outer facing surface of the internal high back 21. To guide the reciprocal movement of the internal high back plate 21, additionallower spacers 29 extend from the high backmechanism exterior casing 24 which casing also journals support for pivot pins (not shown) about which theratchet lever 23 rotates. - The
base 7 of the boot 1 includes a levelingspacer 5 providing a casing top for thebase 7. Thebase 7 contains anengagement mechanism 60 actuated by amechanical lever arm 41 having alever arm lock 42, each supported on aheel cup molding 31 as will be described in greater detail with reference toFIG. 2 . The levelingspacer 5 supports afoot bed 4. Thebase 7 defines a cavity 8 in communication with an opening 9 for receiving anchor means (not shown) mounted to a riding platform such as a snowboard (not shown). Thebase 7 includes abody structure 10 onto which is inlaid a rubberized sole 6. - The
internal mechanism assembly 60 includes theheel cup molding 31 which is mounted for pivoting to aninner boot 2 casing throughapertures 12 in aside wall 13 of theheel cup molding 31. Thelever arm 41 has, at its remote end, a spindle 14 that cooperates with a corresponding aperture 14 a in theside wall 13. - The lever arm/
lock cammed bearing pinion 15 cooperable with a rack 16 formed in the rear wall of theheel cup molding 31. By the action of thelever arm 41, theheel cup molding 31 rotates about the axis of aperture 14 a and spindle 14 to reciprocally translate the curved base 17 substantially through a horizontal plane, for example parallel to the plane in which the levelingspacer 5 lies. The curved base 17 drives anengagement slider 18 mounted onramps 10 a formed in thebody structure 10 to shift the engagement slider between respective substantially parallel and horizontal upper and lower planes to achieve engagement or disengagement with the anchor means. - With reference to
FIG. 3 , the high back mechanism is shown in further detail in which the internal high back 21 includes a sidewall pivot arm 21 a mounted through its aperture 21 b by a pin (not shown) to an aperture 21 c (shown inFIG. 2 ) located in the heelcup side wall 13. Theprotrusion 26 cooperates with thegroove 27 and thegroove walls 28 of the high back 21. The travel of theprotrusion 26 and thegroove walls 28 is limited by aslot 26 a formed within the upper heel section of theouter boot layer 3. - It can therefore be seen that as the
highback slider 22 reciprocates substantially along a vertical path (limited by the upper and lower extent of theslot 26 a) by the operation of the cannedpinion 25 a of thehigh back ratchet 23. This causes the internal high back 21 to vary in its vertical inclination by rotation about aperture 21 b to enable adjustment of the high back 21 by a user. - Referring now to
FIGS. 4 a-5 c, there is shown two alternative forms of anchor means in the form ofbolts - The
bolt 50 shown inFIGS. 4 a-4 c has aconical head 53 requiring a customized tool to engageapertures 51 molded or cast in the upper surface of thebolt head 53. Thebolt 50 has a downwardly dependingshaft 52. - The
bolt head 53 of the conical headedbolt 50 includes a curved underside surface 54 to permit improved sliding cooperation of an engagement slider with that surface 54. The underside surface 54 may have gripping surface features, such as radiating ribs or grooves whereby to grip the upper surface of an engaging member. - With reference to both
bolts FIGS. 4 a-5 c, although not shown, typically the bolt shall 52,52 a will be threaded whereby to cooperate with correspondingly threaded bores in the riding platform (not shown) to which it is mounted. Otherwise, thebolt shafts 52,52 a have lateral surface features whereby to engage with corresponding features in or on the riding platform by friction and/or mechanical means. - The frusto-conical
headed anchor 50 a is an alternative anchor means. The top croppedupper portion 51 a of the bolt head of 50 a provides a recess for a key hole for cooperation with, for example, a standard or Phillips head screw driver, an Allen key or like tool. The underside 54 a and the shall 52 a of thealternative hull head 53 a - The
bolts shafts 52,52 a aligned axially at right angles relative to the plane of the snowboard. The bolt heads 53,53 a are spaced from the upper surface of the snowboard so that there is a gap of between 5 mm and 15 mm between the upper board surface and the bolt underside surfaces 54,54 a. This gap is height adjustable to adapt to different binding arrangements, for example where thebolts respective shafts 52, 52 a. It will be appreciated that, typically, eitherbolt 50 or bolt 50 a (or another anchor means) may be used, although only one type of bolt, eitherbolt bolts bolts bolts bolts bolts bolts - In
FIG. 6 there is shown a binding arrangement 60 a according to a second embodiment of the invention. The binding arrangement 60 a includes a casing made up of atop casing 120 and alower casing 61. Thelower casing 61 is formed from an integrally moulded polymeric/plastics material such as polypropylene, or from a suitable metal alloy which may be cast using metals such as aluminium, titanium, stainless steel, or from a combination of metal and plastic materials. Thelower casing 61 defines an opening oraperture 62 that opens into acavity 63 defined by the walls 66 a of the lower casing. - The
lower casing opening 62 is continuous with a pair of parallel entry/exit tracks 65 defined bywalls 66 that are continuous with the lower casing'souter walls 64, thetracks 65 extending frontwards towards the toe region of thelower casing 61. In use, thelower casing 61 is placed over a set ofbolts first track 65 a and a second pair of theboltheads lower casing 61 forward so that the set of fourbolts aperture 62 so that the bolt heads 53, 53 a are situated in thecavity 63. The bolt head undersurfaces 54,54 a overhang lower casing walls 66 a as described in greater detail below. - The binding arrangement 60 a includes multiple layers of intermediate horse shoe shaped plates and foam dampeners (described in detail below) having a shape corresponding to the
aperture 62 of thelower casing 61 and having side arms that rest directly or indirectly on thefloor 67 of the lower owing 61, the free ends of the side anus in each case being spaced by a gap that corresponds to the positioning of thetracks 65. The intermediate plates also include combinations of ramp and cammed surfaces which combine together to vertically shift a generallyhorizontal riser plate 110 up or down as aslider plate 95 moves forward or hack by the actuation of a rear locking handle 70. - The binding arrangement 60 a may require micro-adjustment to accommodate different bolt gaps (the distance between the underside surface 54,54 a of the
bolt adjustment block 85 with underside ramps 81 corresponding to the lower casing floor's 67 ramps 72. This serves to vary the height of the micro-adjustment slider 80 and, consequently, theslider plate 95 andriser plate 110. Theadjustment block 85 has a keyhole 85 a that cooperates with a corresponding protrusion 86 extending upwardly from a generally rectangular rear extension of the micro-adjustment slider 80. The keyhole 85 a and the protrusion 86 enable attachment of theadjustment block 85 to the micro-adjustment slider 80. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, these components could be formed integrally. Theadjustment block 85 rests in a channel 68 located centrally at the rear of thelower casing 61 and can be moved forward or backward in the channel 68 by adjustment of a threaded screw or lug 69 (obscured) extending through the rear wall 71 of thelower casing 61. It can therefore be seen that the plurality of shallow wedge-shapedramps 81 on the underside surface of the micro-adjustment slider 80 cooperate with the corresponding ramps 72 located on the upper surface of thefloor 67 to adjust the height of theslider plate 95. Alower foam seal 90 is interposed between the micro-adjustment slider 80 and theslider plate 95. Thelower foam 90 performs a dampening function, improves the user's comfort and reduces shock or impact damage to the base components during use. - The
slider plate 95 is integrally formed and includes a pair ofside arms 96 a, 96 b extending forward towards the toe region and a pair of arms-like rack plates 97 a, 97 b extending rearward in the same plane as theside arms 96 a,96 b. Each rack of plates 97 a, 97 b includes a plurality ofridges 97 adapted to cooperate with corresponding circumferentially arranged ridges on pinions 98 a, 98 b mounted onto a lateralrotational shaft 131 of acentral pivot 130 made of sintered metal or an alternative material of sufficient strength. Theshaft 131 rests in half journals 132 formed in the side portions of the extendedrear wall 75 of thelower casing 61. The journals are completed by corresponding top half journals 121 formed in therear side walls 134 of a casing top 121. - The rear locking handle 70 pivots about the longitudinal axis of
central pivot shaft 131 with which it is fixed by its respective arms 73 a, 73 b through square keyed apertures 74 a, 74 b to the correspondingly keyed ends 99 of theshaft 131. Theshaft 131 is journaled for rotation in the journals 121,132 of the joined lower andtop casings handle 70 causes rotation of theshaft 131 whereby the pinions 98 a, 98 b coact with theridges 97 of the nicks 97 a, 97 b to slide theslider plate 95 forward or backward. Theslider plate 95 has on the upper surfaces of itsarms 96 a, 96 b a plurality of cam surfaces 100 that cooperate with corresponding ramps 111 on the underside of theriser plate 110, so that the reciprocal sliding movement of theslider plate 95 causes theriser plate 110 to rise or fall between engagement planes in which the cam surfaces 100 coincide with the underside ramps 111 to raise theriser plate 110 and non-engagement planes in which the cam surfaces 100 do not coincide with the underside ramps 111 whereby to lower theriser plate 110. - The internal peripheral edge of 112 of the
riser plate 110 corresponding to theaperture 62 of thelower casing 61 includes a radially upwardly inclined ring having gripping surface features whereby to frictionally engage with the underside surface 54, 54 a of thebolt handle 70 can therefore be used to move theriser plate 110 into engagement with thebolts - In
FIG. 7 there is shown a simplified binding arrangement 60 b having a casing top 130 a and casing base 61 a, upper and lower foam inserts 115 a, 90 a, a slidingplate 95 a with four cam surfaces 100 a on its upper surface and a lifting plate 110 a having four corresponding ramps 111 a on its underside surface. The fundamental difference between the binding arrangement 60 b ofFIG. 7 and the binding arrangement 60 a shown inFIG. 6 is that the slidingplate 95 a is reciprocally shifted by the action ofpivot arms 131 a rather than the rack andpinion arrangement FIG. 6 . Thepivot arms 131 a rotate about a fixed pivot point, below which a shaft 131 b is connected by thepivot arms 131 a to cause the shaft 131 b to move the slidingplate 95 a by the cooperation of its internal slot 131 c with lugs 133 b on mountingposts 133 a. -
FIGS. 8-12 show the binding arrangement 60 a of the fourth embodiment shown inFIG. 6 with the lower andtop casings 61, 129 together as a combined unit. - Referring to
FIGS. 13 a-13 e, there is shown aboot 140 according to a sixth embodiment in which the actuation means 141 is placed on the outer side of the boot between the bridge and toe sections. The actuation means is a toggle arrangement operably connected to a pivot mechanism similar to that shown inFIG. 7 and the actuation means or button thereof is sealed against interference by snow and ice by a bubble seal 142. The connection mechanism between the actuation means 141 and the riser mechanism in theboot base 143 can be any one or a variety of suitable mechanisms, such as theriser mechanisms 60,60 b,60 c shown in the above described embodiments. Cabling, for example steel cable, can form part of a useful connection mechanism. For example, the actuation means may comprise a windable dial about which a ratchet and cable mechanism operates to tighten the connection between the riser or liftingplate 110,110 a and the bolt heads 53,53 a. However, the use of cable-based linkages are not preferred. This is because of the potential for such cables to exhibit variable tensions depending on, for example, temperatures, or over time, stretching through application of high tensile forces or metal fatigue from repeated use. Accordingly, direct mechanical connections and linkages, as shown in the fourth and filth embodiments ofFIGS. 6 and 7 , are preferred. - In
FIGS. 14 a-15 there is shown aboot 150 according to a seventh embodiment of the invention in which the actuation means operable by a user is provided on the left hand ankle side of the boot in the form of a depressible toggle button 151 having a mechanism similar to that described in relation to actuation means 141 inFIGS. 13 a-13 e. - With reference to both
FIGS. 13 c and 15, it can been seen that the aperture 62 c,d is narrower than the entry aperture 65 c,d, so that the wider entry openings 65 c,d permit entry of the bolt heads 53,53 a into theboots base cavity 63 c,d. This is necessary because the footprint of thebullheads boot FIGS. 13 e and 15, the boot may comprise an alternative location for the actuation means 141 a on heel/sole portion of theboot - Referring to
FIGS. 16 a-16 e, there is shown aboot 160 in which the actuation means 161 is located on the upper Achilles portion of theboot 160. The actuation means is in the form of a lever 162 which is adapted to toggle between a closed position 163 and an open position 164. Referring toFIG. 16 e, an opening aperture 62 e is provided that is continuous with a converging entry/exit track 65 e in which the converging walls 166 of the entry/exit track 65 e assist to guide thebolt shafts 52,52 a so that the bolt heads 53, 53 a enter into the aperture 62 e from a wide entry point or exit at a wide exit point at the outer toe end of the entry/exit track 65 e. - With reference to
FIGS. 17 a-17 d, there is shown aboot 170 according to an ninth embodiment of the invention in which the actuation means 171 is again located on the achilles region of theboot 170. The actuation means 171 is in the form of a combined slide, lever arm and pivotable locking clasp arrangement. The actuation means 171 includes aslide 172 connected to draw lines, strings orcables 173 operatively connected to pivot arms similar to thelever arm 41 shown inFIG. 2 . However, as discussed above, flexible cable connections have limitations due to variations in tension over time or due to failure and mechanical connections using non-flexible components such as levers, cams, racks and pinions are preferred. The actuation means 171 further includes apivot arm 174 adapted to travel in a substantially vertical heel groove 175 and to be lockable in position by swinging therotatable clasp 176 in the direction D around thepivot arm 174 and into locking engagement with arecess 177 on theslide 172 whereby to lock the actuation means 171 in place.FIG. 17 b shows the actuation means 171 in locked position andFIGS. 17 a and 17 c show the actuation means 171 in the non-engaged position.FIG. 17 d shows aperture 62 f baying a shape and configuration similar to the keyhole shape shown with reference to the aperture 65 e inFIG. 16 e. - In
FIGS. 18 a-18 i there is shown aboot 180 according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention over a portion of a motive device in the form of asnowboard 195. - As best shown in
FIG. 18 i, theboot 180 includes a sole member 61 g having an aperture in the form of keyhole opening 62 g with a circular section 63 g and a pair of tracks 65 g adapted to receive theheads 197 of anchor means in the form of bolt heads 197 of fourupstanding bolts 196 best shown inFIG. 18 a. The skilled person will appreciate that the number of bolts may vary whilst retaining utility, provided that the entry track or tracks are configured to admit entry of the bolt heads in the particular array provided and the array ofbolts 196 is sufficient to leokably engage with the circular section 63 g. For example, if 3, 5 or a greater odd number ofbolts 196 are used, the entry track may include the keyhole shaped apertures 62 c-f of the above described embodiments. - As shown in
FIGS. 18 a-18 b, theboot 180 is positioned over thebolts 196 so that thebolts 196 are aligned with the tracks 65 g. As theboot 180 descends, the bolt heads 197 enter the tracks 65 g and the boot's 180 sole 61 g comes to rest on thesnowboard 195 as shown inFIG. 18 c. As shown inFIG. 18 d, theboot 180 is then slid forward relative to thesnowboard 195 so that the bolt heads 197 travel from the tracks 65 g into the circular section 63 g. - The track's walls 66 g are spaced to permit the entry or exit of the bolt heads with vertical to relative movement of the
boot 180 and thesnowboard 195. By contrast, the radius of the circular section 63 g is dimensioned to trap the bolt heads 197 to permit rotation of theboot 180 about a vertical axis. This vertical axis is generally coaxial to the centre point of the circular section 63 g. However, the circular section 63 g dimensions prevent axial movement relative to thebolts 196 by trapping the bolt heads above the lip of the side wall defining the circular section 63 g. Most particularly, the bolt heads are secured in a binding arrangement similar to that of bindingarrangement 60 shown inFIG. 6 . Theboot 180 may be rotated from side to side whereby the wearer can determine the desired fixed position of theboot 180 relative to thesnowboard 195. Once the desired position is determined, theboot 180 may be locked in position by actuation means as described below. - The binding arrangement within the
boot 180 is actuated by actuation means handle 181 shown inFIGS. 18 c-18 h which performs in a manner similar to that of the rear locking handle 70 shown inFIG. 6 . Thehandle 181 includes aclip 182 that pivots from an unlocked position as shown inFIGS. 18 c-18 f to a locked position as shownFIG. 18 g. When theclip 182 is in this position, the handle urges the clamping means in the form of theriser plate 110 to positively clamp the bolt heads 197 so that theboot 180 is practically immovable relative to thesnowboard 195. -
FIG. 18 h shows theclip 182 being flipped downwardly to unlock thehandle 181 so that it can be rotated downwardly to an unengaged position. Theboot 180 may then be rotated about the vertical axis for adjustment relative to thesnowboard 195 or slid backwards so that thebolts 196 sit in the tracks 65 g, whereby the boots can be removed from thesnowboard 195. Referring finally toFIG. 18 j, thesnowboard 195 includes a second set ofbolts 198 for securing a left boot (not shown) of the user. The snowboard further includes a set ofstuds 199, preferably five to seven in number, to provide a non-slip surface and an alternative set of holes for relocating the right hand set ofbolts 196 closer to the leading tell boot. - Throughout the specification the word “comprise” and its derivatives is intended to have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning unless the context require's otherwise.
- Orientational terms used in the specification and claims such as vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, upper and lower are to be interpreted as relational and are based on the premise that the component, item, article, apparatus, device or instrument will usually be considered in a particular orientation, typically with the sole member lower most.
- It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made to the methods of the invention described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
- The invention can be described in terms of provisional claims that can assist the skilled reader in understanding the various aspects and preferments of the invention. However, these provisional claims are not to be construed as defining statements of the invention. It will be appreciated that other forms, aspects and preferred features of the invention and its embodiments described herein may ultimately be included in the claims defining the invention in the specifications of complete, international or national applications (or their subsequent corresponding patent grants) that may claim priority from the provisional application accompanying this specification. In this context, the following non-limiting claims assist to better describe the invention:
-
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No. Description 1 Boot 2 Inner boot liner 2a Inner boot casing 3 Outer boot layer 4 Footbed 5 Leveling spacer 6 Sole 7 Boot base 8 Cavity 9 Opening 10 Body structure 10a Ramps of body structure 11 Heel 12 Apertures in heelcup molding 13 Side wall of heelcup molding 14 Spindle on lever arm 14a Apertures in heelcup molding 15 Cammed bearing pinion 16 Rack in rear wall of heelcup molding 17 Curved base of heel cup molding 18 Engagement slider in body structure 21 Integrated internal high back plate 21a Side wall pivot arm of internal high back plate 21b Aperture in side wall pivot arm 21c Aperture in heel cup molding 22 Outer highback slider 23 Highback adjustment ratchet lever 24 Highback mechanism exterior casing 25 Highback rack 25a Highback pinion 26 Protrusion in outer highback slider 26a Slot in upper heel of outer boot layer 27 Raised groove proud of outer surface of internal highback plate 28 Side walls defining groove 29 Lower spacers 31 Heel cup molding 41 Mechanical lever arm 42 Lever arm lock 50 Anchor bolt 50a Alternative anchor bolt 51 Apertures in conical head 51a Cropped portion in conical head 52 Bolt shaft 52a Shaft of alternative bolt 53 Conical head of bolt 53a Alternative bolt head 54 Curved underside surface of bolt head 54a Underside of alternative bolt head 60 Engagement mechanism of FIGS. 1-3 60a Binding arrangement of FIG. 6 60b Binding arrangement of FIG. 7 61 Lower casing 61a Casing base 61g Sole member 62 Opening of lower casing 62c Aperture of lower casing 62d Aperture of lower casing 62e Aperture of lower casing 62f Aperture of lower casing 62g Keyhole opening 63 Cavity of lower casing 63c Base cavity 63d Base cavity 63g Circular section of keyhole opening 64 Outer walls of lower casing 65 Parallel entry/exit tracks 65a First track 65b Second track 65c Entry aperture 65d Entry aperture 65e Entry/exit track 65g Pair of entry/exit tracks 66 Walls defining tracks 66a Wall defining opening of lower casing 67 Floor 68 Channel 69 Threaded lug 70 Rear locking handle 71 Rear wall of lower casing 72 Ramps of floor of lower casing 73a Left pivot arm of locking handle 73b Right pivot arm of locking handle 74a Left keyed aperture of locking handle 74b Left keyed aperture of locking handle 75 Extended rear wall of lower casing 80 Micro-adjustment slider 81 Underside ramps of slider 85 Adjustment block 85a Keyhole of adjustment block 86 Protrusion 90 Lower foam seal 90a Lower foam insert 95 Slider plate 95a Sliding plate 96a Left side arm of slider plate 96b Right side arm of slider plate 97 Ridges of racks of rack plate arms 97a Left rack plate arm 97b Right rack plate arm 98a Left pinion on lateral rotational shaft 98b Right pinion on lateral rotational shaft 99 Keyed ends of central pivot shaft 100 Cam surfaces on slider plate 100a Four upper cam surfaces on sliding plate 110 Riser plate 110a Lifting plate 111 Underside ramps of riser plate 111a Underside ramps of lifting plate 112 Internal peripheral edge of riser plate 115a Upper foam insert 130 Central pivot 130a Casing top 131 Lateral rotational shaft of central pivot 131a Slotted pivot arms 131b Shaft 131c Slot of pivot arms 132 Journals in rear wall of lower casing 133a Mounting posts 133b Lugs on mounting posts 134 Rear side walls of casing top 140 Boot 141 Actuation means on upper boot 141a Recessed actuation means on heel 142 Bubble seal 143 Boot base 144 Sole member 150 Boot 151 Toggle button 151a Recessed actuation means on heel 154 Sole member 160 Boot 161 Actuation means on upper Achilles portion 162 Actuating lever 163 Open position of actuating lever 164 Closed position of actuating lever 166 Walls defining track 170 Boot 171 Actuation means 172 Slide 173 Draw lines or cables 174 Pivot arm D Direction of closure of rotatable clasp 175 Vertical heel groove 176 Rotatable clasp 177 Recess on slide 180 Boot 195 Snowboard 196 Upstanding bolts 197 Bolt heads
Claims (20)
1. A boot for use in an adjustable boot binding arrangement for attaching said boot directly to fixed anchor means on a motive device, said boot including a base including an underside member and an upper support panel on which a wearer's foot directly or indirectly rests, said upper support panel spaced from said underside member and said anchor means including at least one upper detent portion spaced from the upper surface of said motive device, wherein:
said base includes at least one recess or cavity for receiving said upper detent portion;
said recess or cavity is able to receive said upper detent portion through said underside member;
said boot includes engagement means to releasably secure said detent portion in said recess or cavity;
said engagement means is actuatable to engage or release said detent portion by the wearer of said boot by actuating means located on the outer surface of said boot; and
said detent portion is releasable in said recess or cavity from said engagement means to permit readjustment of the orientation of said boot relative to said motive device.
2. A boot according to claim 1 , wherein said motive device is a snowboard.
3. A boot according to claim 1 , wherein said engagement means includes reciprocating means operable to toggle between a non-engaged position whereby there is non-engagement between said anchor means and said engagement means and an engaged position whereby said anchor means and said engagement means are fixedly engaged.
4. A boot according to claim 3 , wherein said reciprocating means includes a slidable member.
5. A boot according to claim 4 , wherein said slidable member is movable within a region substantially parallel to the plane of said upper support panel between said non-engaged position and said engaged position in which said anchor underside surface abuts said base.
6. A boot according to claim 1 , wherein said anchor means consists of at least one threaded bolt.
7. A boot according to claim 1 , wherein said anchor means comprises at least three bolts having at least three corresponding bolt heads, each bolt head including said detent portion.
8. A boot according to claim 4 , wherein said base is a modular structure including separately formed components contained in a base casing forming a modular unit, said base casing including a casing top providing said upper support panel and said underside member.
9. A boot according to claim 5 , wherein said slidable member is interposed between said casing top and said underside member.
10. A boot according to claim 3 , wherein said reciprocating means includes cam and/or ramp means.
11. A boot according to claim 8 , wherein said slidable member and said base casing include complementary and opposed cam and/or ramp means adapted to cooperate with each other to raise or lower said engagement means.
12. A boot according to claim 11 , wherein said actuation means is operably connected to said slidable member at least partially housed within said base casing to cause, on actuation, said slidable member to slide relative to said base casing to raise said engagement means into said engaged position.
13. A boot according to claim 4 , wherein said reciprocating means includes a rack and pinion arrangement to cause said slidable member to move relative to said base.
14. A boot according to claim 13 , wherein said actuation means includes a rotatable member operable by a user in said non-engaged or said engaged position.
15. A boot according to claim 14 , wherein said actuation means includes a rack and pinion arrangement to cause a slider member to move relative to said boot on actuation of said rotatable member.
16. A boot for use in an adjustable boot binding arrangement for attaching the boot directly to a fixed anchor on a snowboard, the boot comprising a base having an underside member and an upper support panel on which a wearer's foot directly or indirectly rests, the upper support panel spaced from the underside member and the anchor including at least one upper detent portion spaced from the upper surface of the snowboard, wherein:
the base includes at least one recess or cavity for receiving the upper detent portion;
the recess or cavity is able to receive the upper detent portion through the underside member;
the boot includes an engagement member to releasably secure the detent portion in the recess or cavity;
the engagement member is actuatable to engage or release the detent portion by the wearer of the boot by an actuator located on the boot's outer surface; and
the detent portion is releasable in the recess or cavity from the engagement member to permit readjustment of the orientation of the boot relative to the snowboard.
17. The boot of claim 16 , wherein the engagement member includes reciprocating means operable to toggle between a non-engaged position so that there is non-engagement between the anchor and the engagement member and an engaged position so that the anchor and the engagement member are fixedly engaged.
18. The boot of claim 17 , wherein the reciprocating means includes a slidable member movable within a region substantially parallel to the plane of the upper support panel between the non-engaged and engaged positions in which the anchor underside surface abuts the base.
19. The boot of claim 2 , wherein the anchor means consists of at least one threaded bolt.
20. The boot of claim 2 , wherein the anchor means comprises at least three bolts having at least three corresponding bolt heads, each bolt head including the detent portion.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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AU2007902594 | 2007-05-16 | ||
AU2007902594A AU2007902594A0 (en) | 2007-05-16 | Boot Binding | |
PCT/AU2008/000682 WO2008138068A1 (en) | 2007-05-16 | 2008-05-16 | Boot binding |
Publications (1)
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US20100154254A1 true US20100154254A1 (en) | 2010-06-24 |
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ID=40001604
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US12/451,519 Abandoned US20100154254A1 (en) | 2007-05-16 | 2008-05-16 | Boot binding |
Country Status (2)
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US (1) | US20100154254A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2008138068A1 (en) |
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2008
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