Safety Binding for Alpine Boardsports

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention is a safety binding specifically designed for alpine boardsports such as snowboarding. The core feature is a two-part binding system (one part attached to the snowboard, the other to the boot) with special spherical-cap-shaped sliding surfaces and a dual-phase locking/release mechanism. The binding can reliably lock the boot in place for normal riding, but releases when abnormal forces (from falls or accidents) are detected, thus reducing the risk of injury. After such a release, the binding features a mechanism ensuring that it automatically returns to its normal, locked position, providing both safety and optimal performance.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Snowboards and splitboards used in recreational, competitive, or professional contexts
• Ski/board rental shops looking to enhance customer safety
• Adaptive or youth snowboarding equipment to minimize injury risk
• Innovative boardsports devices where safety demands are high (e.g., terrain parks, backcountry)
• Potential adaptation to related boardsports with similar injury profiles

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Significantly reduces risk of foot and ankle injuries by releasing the binding during abnormal movements or forces commonly associated with snowboarding accidents.
• Ensures strong and efficient power transmission during normal use for optimal board control.
• Dual-phase return mechanism allows the binding to self-reset, enhancing convenience and minimizing downtime after a release event.
• Customizable trigger thresholds enable each rider to set the binding to their preferred level of sensitivity and protection.
• The design supports a low-profile, flat construction, making it compatible with existing snowboards and comfortable for riders.
• Provides tactile and/or audible feedback when the binding resets, increasing rider confidence and awareness.
• Maintains sufficient control even immediately after release, helping riders avoid potential hazards after a fall.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a safety binding (1) for alpine boardsports, in particular a safety binding (1) to be mounted in a pair on a snowboard, consisting of a lower binding part (2) to be fixed on the sports device, and an upper binding part (3) to be fixed on the shoe, wherein the binding parts (2, 3) have spherical-cap-shaped bearing surfaces sliding on each other. The safety binding (1) comprises at least one locking and releasing mechanism (4), which locks the position of the upper binding part (3) relative to the lower binding part (2) in a normal setting. It consists of two complementary lock partners (4.1, 4.2), wherein one of the lock partners (4.1, 4.2) is designed as a receiving element and the other as a spring-loaded movable lock partner (4,1, 4.2). During a displacement of the binding parts (2, 3) relative to each other, the lock partners (4.1, 4.2) are also displaced relative to each other, this taking place counter to the action of the spring force of the spring-loaded lock partner (4.1, 4.2). The safety binding (1) also comprises an elastic connection element (5), which is operatively connected to the two binding parts (2, 3). The two binding parts (2, 3) comprise abutments, which limit the range of movement of the two binding parts (2, 3) relative to each other when the locking and releasing mechanism (4) is released. A characterizing feature of the invention is that the elastic connection element (5) is operatively connected to the two binding parts (2, 3) in such a way that a physiologically acceptable restoring force is generated only when a displacement of the two binding parts (2, 3), and therefore of the complementary lock partners (4.1, 4.2), relative to each other has taken place as far as the level of the contact area (6). After the locking and releasing mechanism (4) has been released, the first restoring force generated by the elastic connection element (5) leads to a displacement of the two binding parts (2, 3) as far as the level of the contact area (6) of the mutually complementary lock partners (4.1, 4.2). The second restoring force generated by the locking and releasing mechanism (4) then leads to a further displacement of the two binding parts (2, 3) until the normal setting is recovered and, subsequently, the locking and releasing mechanism (4) is locked.