The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 29, 2000
Filed:
Mar. 13, 1997
Bernard M Frey, Berkeley, CA (US);
Other;
Abstract
An impact release binding assembly for a snowboard which separates into two parts upon a sufficient impact subjected on the binding assembly regardless of the direction of the impact origin. The binding apparatus includes a boot plate coupled to the boot, and a latch assembly movable between a latched position and an unlatched position. In the latched position, the latch assembly releasably mounts the boot plate to the snowboard, while in the unlatched position, the latch assembly releases the boot plate from the snowboard. An inertia block is provided, having a selected mass, and formed to retain the latch assembly in the latched position until a sufficient inertial force dislodges the inertia block from supportive contact with the latch assembly. Upon being dislodged, the latch assembly is caused to move from a support position, supportably retaining the latch assembly in the latched position, to a release position, releasing the latch assembly to the unlatched position in the event of the sufficient inertial force. The latch assembly preferably includes a first latch mechanism and a second latch mechanism. The first latch mechanism is maintained in the latched position until a sufficient first inertial force of at least a predetermined amount and in a direction from about 0.degree. to about 180.degree. relative a plane extending through the latch assembly causes the first latch mechanism to move to the unlatched position. The second latch mechanism, in contrast, is maintained in the latched condition until a sufficient second inertial force of at least a predetermined amount and in a direction from about 180.degree. to about 360.degree. relative the plane extending through the latch assembly causes the second latch mechanism to move to the unlatched condition.