Lars L Pak

US Patent:

61131148, Sep 5, 2000

Filed:

May 26, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/318899

Inventors:

Hubert R. Zemke - Carson City NV
Lars L. Pak - Seattle WA
Om P. Trehan - Bothell WA
Wenhao Wu - Redmond WA
Steven M. Cartier - Battle Ground WA

Assignee:

Sims Sports, Inc. - Bothell WA

International Classification:

B62B 904

US Classification:

280 1426

Abstract:

An improved snowboard binding (6) has an adjustably positioned toe ramp (44) mounted to the front end (32) of the base (18) with an upwardly curving front portion (62) shaped to conform to the toe (14) of the boot sole (12) to increase the toe-side edge responsiveness. A dampened, energy absorbing heel pad (66) is mounted to the rear end (28) of the base to help absorb impact. Arm channels (84,86) are formed in each of the left and right side flanges (22,24), extend upwardly from the baseplate (20), and are sized to contain the left and right mounting arms (94,96) of a heel support (26). A pair of threaded fasteners (104,108) clamp the mounting arms within the side flanges over a range of upwardly and rearwardly extending portions. Front-and-rear forces on the heel support are resisted by the two fasteners and by engagement of the upper and lower edges (122,124) of the arms with upper and lower channel walls (88,89). Lateral forces exerted by the heel support on the base are effectively resisted by this channeled side flange construction.

US Patent:

59675420, Oct 19, 1999

Filed:

Nov 25, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/977817

Inventors:

Mark L. Williams - Seattle WA
John D. Moore - Seattle WA
Wenhao Wu - Redmond WA
Hubert R. Zemke - Carson City NV
Lars L. Pak - Seattle WA

Assignee:

Sims Sports, Inc. - Mill Creek WA

International Classification:

A63C 900

US Classification:

280618

Abstract:

A snowboard binding mounting disk (24) includes a body (28) through which 3-hole and 4-hole patterns (8, 10) of mounting holes are formed. The centers of a pair of the 3-hole mounting holes are separated by a base distance (Z). The centers of a pair of the 4-hole mounting holes are separated by an end distance (Y). The end and base distances differ by a distance delta. The pair of end holes and the pair of base holes are positioned adjacent to one another so that the end and base holes overlap one another to create a pair of oblong, dual purpose holes (30). A removable and replaceable mounting element positioner (29) is mounted to the oblong holes at one of two stable positions. The position chosen is determined by whether the dual purpose holes are to be used for the 3-hole pattern or for the 4-hole pattern. The central opening (20) in the base is preferably made by stamping a grooved peripheral surface (22) sized to engage a complementary grooved surface (53) on the disk.

US Patent:

59714077, Oct 26, 1999

Filed:

Mar 26, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/824399

Inventors:

Hubert R. Zemke - Carson City NV
Lars L. Pak - Seattle WA
Om P. Trehan - Bothell WA
Wenhao Wu - Redmond WA
Steven M. Cartier - Battle Ground WA

Assignee:

Sims Sports, Inc. - Mill Creek WA

International Classification:

A63C 918

US Classification:

280 142

Abstract:

A snowboard binding (6) has an adjustably positioned toe ramp (44) mounted to the front end (32) of the base (18) with an upwardly curving front portion (62) shaped to conform to the toe (14) of the boot sole (12) to increase the toe-side edge responsiveness. A dampened, energy absorbing heel pad (66) is mounted to the rear end (28) of the base to help absorb impact. Arm channels (84,86) are formed in each of the left and right side flanges (22,24), extend upwardly from the baseplate (20), and are sized to contain the left and right mounting arms (94,96) of a heel support (26). A pair of threaded fasteners (104,108) clamp the mounting arms within the side flanges over a range of upwardly and rearwardly extending portions. Front-and-rear forces on the heel support are resisted by the two fasteners and by engagement of the upper and lower edges (122,124) of the arms with upper and lower channel walls (88,89). Lateral forces exerted by the heel support on the base are effectively resisted by this channeled side flange construction.