Joseph Clifford Hale

US Patent:

57623589, Jun 9, 1998

Filed:

Jun 24, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/668721

Inventors:

Joseph P. Hale - Denver CO

International Classification:

A63C 500

US Classification:

280607

Abstract:

Disclosed is a swivelable binding plate assembly for a snowboard, including a generally circular base plate having a bottom directly supported on a snowboard, a top surface, an outwardly projecting perimeter edge spaced above the snowboard, and a central opening with a perimeter edge adapted to be engaged by the lower part of the outer edge of a hold-down disk received in the central opening, the disk being securable to the snowboard by threaded bolts to hold the base plate down to the snowboard and against rotation. A binding plate has an upper surface for releasably supporting a boot, a lower surface slidably supported on the base plate top surface, a central bore with smooth sloped edge walls that are slidably engaged by the upper part of the hold-down disk edge to hold down the central part of the binding plate relative to the base plate, and toe and heel portions of the binding plate each has an innwardly projectlng lip that engages the underside of the base plate perimeter edge to hold the opposite ends of the binding plate against vertical movement relative to the base plate. The binding plate is swivelable through about 90. degree. , and a handle-operated locking mechanism on the binding plate can releasably secure the binding plate at a given rotational position with respect to the base plate.

US Patent:

54998379, Mar 19, 1996

Filed:

Jul 31, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/509437

Inventors:

Joseph P. Hale - Denver CO
Robert H. Whyte - Denver CO

International Classification:

A63C 900

US Classification:

280607

Abstract:

A swivelable mount for the boot bindings of a snowboard or the like, including a low profile housing with walls enclosing a cylindrical cavity, the housing bottom having a bore concentric with and smaller in diameter than the cavity, the bore being surrounded by an upward-facing annular surface, the housing top adapted for the mounting of a boot binding. A circular member for rotatably mounting the housing is secured to the snowboard and has a stem journaled in the housing bore and a larger diameter cap fitting in the housing cavity. The cap provides a downward-facing annular flange positioned opposite the upward-facing annular surface of the housing, and prevents upward movement of the housing from the snowboard. A circular locking plate rotatably mounted in the cavity above the top of the housing mount has a top surface characterized by a plurality of radially extending undulations, and the top wall of the housing cavity is provided with a similar undulating surface. The two undulating surfaces are slidably engaged.