Support wedge device for a snowboard binding, and a snowboard binding assembly having such device

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a support wedge device for a snowboard binding.

[0004] 2. Description of Background and Relevant Information

[0005] It is known that the flexible boots (FIG. 1A) for snowboarding generally do not have a completely flat sole. The front and rear of the soles of the boots are raised and rounded to facilitate walking.

[0006] To practice “freestyle or freedride,” the relatively flexible boots are maintained in a binding with straps or belts, or in a so-called “step-in” binding.

[0007] Currently, the bases of the aforementioned bindings, on which the soles of the user's boots rest, are flat. Consequently, the ends of the boots overhang above the bases, which causes a loss of sensations during the practice of snowboarding. Indeed, the toes, which transmit the sensations, are not in direct contact with the base.

[0008] Stationary support wedges (FIG. 1C), provided for certain bindings, are known. But these wedges are stationary, therefore non-adjustable, which makes it difficult to adjust them to the various curvatures of the boots.

[0009] The objects of the invention are to provide a support wedge device for a snowboard binding that does not have the disadvantages of the known wedge devices. This device can be arranged at the front and/or rear of the base of the binding, the boots being raised at the tip and at the heel.

[0010] More particularly, the support wedge device for a snowboard binding according to the invention includes a base, a wedge having a generally planar lower portion adapted to come in contact with or in front of the upper portion of the base, the wedge further having a generally curved upper portion adapted to come in contact with the tip or the heel of the sole of the user's boot, wherein the wedge includes lateral lugs at one end to journal the device to the base and, in a thickened portion of the wedge, a connection is provided to maintain the wedge on the base.

[0011] The invention is also directed to a snowboard binding assembly which includes at least the base as well as the support wedge device.

[0012] The invention will be better understood and its advantages will become more apparent upon reading the description of the embodiments, provided by way of example, with reference to the drawings in which:

[0013] FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C schematically show a boot and a device according to the prior art;

[0014] FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C show an embodiment in various adaptations provided for different types of boots;

[0015] FIGS. 3A and 3B show another embodiment;

[0016] FIGS. 4A and 4B show an embodiment with flexible material.

[0017] As is seen in FIG. 1A, a flexible snowboard boot has a support surface L and two rounded portions, a front portion and a rear portion defined by the angles F and G. FIG. 1B schematically shows the boot 3 arranged on a base 1 of a binding positioned on the upper portion of a snowboard 2. FIG. 1C schematically shows a known solution, which consists of positioning a wedge 4 that is fixed on the base 1. The wedge 4 can be movable from front to rear so as to be capable of adapting to the length of the boot, but not to the angles of its ends.

[0018] FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C schematically show the solution provided by the invention in various adaptations. For simplification, the snowboard is not shown. The embodiment of the device according to the invention that is shown comprises a wedge-shaped element 4 journaled on the base 1 by lugs 6 maintained on the sides of the base 1 by screws 7 extending through openings in the lugs. The thick portion 5 of the wedge-shaped element 4 is fixed on the base 1 by a screw 8 screwed into a nut 10 arranged in the base 1. Alternatively, in place of screws 7, the lateral lugs 6 are journaled on the base 1 by means of pegs 7′ extending from the lugs into recesses in the sides of the base.

[0019] FIG. 2B shows an adaptation of the device of the invention shown in FIG. 2A by adding a wedge 9 that makes it possible to better adapt the device to the angles of the boot. FIG. 2C is identical to FIG. 2B, but wedges 9 and 11 have been added to adapt it to the angle of the tip and of the heel of the boot. Furthermore, the wedges 9 and 11 can be envisioned to be made of a shock-absorbing flexible material so as to filter the vibrations.

[0020] FIGS. 3A and 3B show another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the device is still fixed in a journaled manner on the base 1 by lugs 6 held in place by screws 7. However, the adaptation of the element 5 to the angles of the boot occurs by means of a screw 12 that is embedded in the thick portion 5 of the element 4, but is free in rotation. The screw 12 is screwed into a nut 10 arranged in the base 1, and the adaptation to the angle of the boot occurs by screwing or unscrewing the screw 12. FIG. 3B shows that the element 4 has been spaced apart from the base 1 in a manner so as to leave a space 13 between the base 1 and the element 4.

[0021] In FIGS. 4A and 4B, the element 4 is made of a flexible material, which makes it possible to vary its radius of curvature by means of a set of set of movable wedges 14; one actuates the screw 8, with respect to the nut 10, to adapt the shape of the upper surface of the element 4 at best to that of the boot. In order for the element 4 to be easily removable, it is held in place on the base 1 by introducing pegs 16 into recesses 15 provided for this purpose.

[0022] In summary, by means of the invention, the thinner end of the wedge-shaped element 4 is connected to the base 1, either by means of a journal connection, embodied by screws 7 or pegs 7′, or by means of a non-journalled connection, such as embodied by pegs 16, and the thicker end of the wedge-shaped element 4 is re-positionable by means of an adjustment mechanism, so as to adapt the wedge-shaped element closer to the contour of the tip or heel of the boot. In the embodiments of FIGS. 2A-2C and 3A-3C the inclination of the wedge-shaped element 4 is adjusted about the journal connection, embodied by screws 7 or pegs 7′, to adapt the element 4 closer to the inclination angles of the tip or heel of the boot. In the embodiment of FIGS. 4A-4C, the wedge-shaped element 4 is made of a flexible material so that, by positioning a wedge 14 beneath the element 4, the screw 8 presses down on the element 4 to adapt the contour of the upper surface of the element 4 closer to the curvature of the tip or heel of the boot.

[0023] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described hereinabove by way of example, but rather comprises all of the alternative embodiments which one with ordinary skill in the art could adapt thereto with respect to systems of adjustment in rotation.