WO1998037934A1

WO1998037934A1 - Selectively rotatable snowboard boot binding

Info

Publication number: WO1998037934A1
Application number: PCT/US1998/003969
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gardner Williams Mein, Jr.
Original assignee: Mein Gardner Williams Jr
Priority date: 1997-02-28
Filing date: 1998-03-02
Publication date: 1998-09-03

Abstract

A binding for snowboards (32) is provided with a rotatable boot support mechanism (40). The boot support mechanism (40) includes a base member (12) having a central aperture (34) and a laterally extending channel (68) communicating with the aperture (34). Attachment devices are provided for releasably securing a boot to the boot support mechanism (40). A mounting member (44) is adapted for fixed attachment to the surface (30) of a snowboard (32) at the central aperture (34) and includes a device for retaining the boot support mechanism (40) against the surface (30) of a snowboard (32) for rotation about an axis normal to the mounting member (44), and a fixed coupling member (46) disposed within the central aperture (34).

Description

SELECTIVELY ROTATABLE SNOWBOARD BOOT BINDING

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates generally to binding devices used to fasten the shoe of a user to a snow vehicle and, more particularly, it relates to a snowboard binding that is selectively rotatable for angular adjustment relative to the longitudinal axis of the snowboard. More specifically, the present invention relates to a snowboard binding that may be readily selectively rotated to variable positions without requiring removal of the boot of the user from the binding.

2. BACKGROUND ART A recently popular sport, snowboarding presents operating conditions and physical demands not found in traditional snow skiing. In snowboarding, the operator, or "shredder," stands with both feet on a single snowboard vehicle, somewhat similar to a surfboard. In snowboarding, the mode of force is provided by gravity as the rider travels down an incline, such as a hill or mountain. In so doing, the rider often must assume body positions not often found in other sports. Specifically, the angle between the midline of the foot and the midline of the snowboard is often greatly altered for different snowboarding styles, such as freestyle acrobatics, freecarving, racing or simple traveling, and for different athletes. A typical snowboard has two boot bindings, fore and aft, that secure both feet at a selected fixed angle with respect to the axial center line or midline of the snowboard. This cross orientation of the binding to the snowboard allows the rider to assume a side-forward stance, which is the necessary anatomical position for optimal control of the snowboard. While the side-forward positioning is optimal for in-use control on a ski run, it can result in problems for the snowboarder during certain non-downhill periods of use, such as when the snowboarder is maneuvering on flat terrain or onto and off of a chair lift. Thus, it is a common and necessary practice for a snowboarder under such circumstances to disengage one boot, usually the aft boot, from its binding which allows the user to ride in what is called a skateboard style by propelling himself with his free foot. This may cause problems, because as a snowboarder uses a skateboard technique he or she tries to assume a body forward position during this time and is compelled to hold his or her body in an unnatural and twisted position relative to the foot that remains attached to the snowboard. Besides being uncomfortable, this position and activity exerts stress and strain on the knee joint which can damage the knee or aggravate already existing knee problems. In addition, because a body forward position is prevented, the ability to have optimum visibility to both sides of the path of travel is also greatly limited. In addition, during a ride on a chair lift a snowboarder can experience excessive stress and strain on the leg and knee while holding the snowboard in a manner that does not interfere with his or her chair lift companions, with one foot still attached to one binding. One apparent solution to the problem is to provide a mechanism which will allow at least one if not both of the bindings to be rotated from a normal transverse angular position to a toe forward position relative to the snowboard during non-snowboarding use of the snowboard. Examples of mechanisms for quickly adjusting the radial orientation of a snowboard binding includes the European patent to Napflin (EP285-558A) which appears to disclose a snowboard binding with a geared outer ring that receives a center disc. The inner edge of the outer ring includes a plurality of teeth. The center disc is retained on the snowboard by a cover flange that is mounted to the outer ring. The center disc includes a support bracket that receives the boot of a user, and a slider with a toothed portion. The slider is spring-biased to cause the toothed portion to mate with the teeth on the inner edge of the outer ring. By pushing the slider away from the outer ring, the toothed segments are disengaged, and the radial orientation of the center disc may be adjusted to virtually any position with respect to the snowboard. However, it appears that the adjustment cannot be made while the user is wearing the binding. The French patent to Duret (FR 2627-097- A) appears to disclose a snowboard binding that includes an outer plate and a center disc. The outer ϋlate is retained on a snowboard bv the center disc which is mounted to the snowboard. The outer plate defines an inner recess, the perimeter of which includes a plurality of teeth. The center disc includes a slidable portion with teeth for engaging the teeth on the outer plate. The slidable portion is engaged and disengaged by lowering and raising a latch handle. Other rotatable latching devices are shown in Figures 5-7. Figure 7 appears to be show an outer plate that defines a channel into which a slidable member is received. The slidable member includes a plurality of teeth that engage a geared center disc and lock the binding in a particular radial orientation with respect to the snowboard. However, it appears that the adjustment cannot be made while the user is wearing the binding. The Gillis U.S. Patent 5,277,635 discloses a skiboard that includes an outer plate and a center disc. The center disc is mounted to the skiboard and is received by the outer plate. The binding further includes a wire or band that is attached to the outer plate and extends between the center disc and the outer plate. A cam surface is attached to an end of the wire and can be pivoted to cause the wire to engage the center disc, thus securing the outer plate to the snowboard in a fixed radial orientation. The Donovan U.S. Patent 5,028,068 discloses an adjustable snowboard binding that includes an adapter plate, a swivel plate and a support. A snowboard binding is mounted to the support which is mounted to a swivel plate. The swivel plate is rotatably mounted to the adapter plate which is connected to the snowboard. The edge of the swivel plate includes a groove into which a flexible cable is received. The ends of the cable are connected to a clasp. By engaging the clasp, the cable is pulled to hold the swivel plate in a particular radial orientation. The Hale, et al. U.S. Patent 5,499,837 discloses a swivelable mount for a snowboard or wakeboard. As shown in Figure 2, the mount includes a main body that defines a circular recess into which a center disc is received. The center disc is mounted to the snowboard and is configured to retain the main body on the snowboard. As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the mount includes surfaces which include opposed radially extending undulations and a cover plate. A cam lever is positioned adjacent the main body and is attached to a linking arm that extends throueh the main bodv and into a surface, as shown in Fieure 6. By rotating the cam lever, the linking arm causes the surface to rotate between locked and unlocked positions. In the locked position, the surfaces are positioned so that their undulations are directly opposed, thus putting pressure on the cover plate. This pressure locks the main body in a fixed radial orientation with respect to the snowboard. In the unlocked position, the surfaces are rotated until their undulations mate, thereby relieving the pressure on the cover plate, and allowing the main body to be rotated about the center disc. The U.S. Patents to Hill (4,728,116), Ott (5,021,017) and Vetter et al. (5,354,088) also disclose other versions of adjustable snowboard bindings. Thus, it is clear that numerous versions of snowboard bindings are presently available which may be rotated to adjust the angular position of the binding relative to the center line of the snowboard. However, there remains a need for a snowboard binding which is readily rotatable relative to the center line of the snowboard without requiring the removal of the boot of a snowboarder from the binding so that a snowboarder may adjust the angular position of his or her bindings relative to the snowboard while still remaining on the snowboard.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is one object of the present invention to provide an improved adjustable binding for use in securing the boot of a user to a snow vehicle. Another object of the present invention is to provide bindings for snowboards which are readily rotatable when mounted on the snowboard without requiring removal of the boot of the snowboarder from the binding. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a rotatable mount and locking mechanism for a snowboard binding which provides selective rotational positioning and adjustment of the binding relative to the axial center line of the snowboard without requiring removal of the boot of the user from the binding. To accomplish the above and other objects and advantages of the present invention, a bindins for snowboards is Drovided with a selectivelv rotatable boot support mechanism. The boot support mechanism includes a base member having a central aperture and a laterally extending channel communicating with the aperture. Attachment devices are provided for releasably securing a boot to the boot support mechanism. A mounting member is adapted for fixed attachment to the surface of a snowboard at the central aperture and includes a device for retaining the boot support mechanism against the surface of a snowboard for rotation about an axis normal to the mounting member, and a fixed coupling member disposed within the central aperture. A connector element is disposed for movement within the channel and is adapted for selective engagement with and disengagement from the coupling member to prevent rotation of the boot support mechanism about the mounting member axis to selectively fix the rotatable position of the boot support mechanism relative to the longitudinal axis of a snowboard to which it is attached. Finally, a control member is operatively engaged with the connector element to selectively control the movement of the connector element into and out of engagement with the coupling member to selective inhibit or permit rotation of the boot support mechanism. The control member is disposed laterally outwardly from the boot support mechanism to permit access thereto and operation thereof with a boot positioned within the boot support mechanism. These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, showing the contemplated novel construction, combination, and elements as herein described, and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiments to the herein disclosed invention are meant to be included as coming within the scope of the claims, except insofar as they may be precluded by the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: The accompanying drawings illustrate complete preferred embodiments of the present invention according to the best modes presently devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which: FIG. 1 is a front top perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the snowboard bindine mounted on a snowboard accordine to the Dresent invention. with a boot shown in the binding in phantom; FIG. 2 is a front top perspective view similar to that of FIG. 1 but illustrating the components of the binding in exploded view; FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the base of the binding of FIG. 1, partially in phantom, illustrating the locking mechanism, and therefore the base member of the binding, in a locked, fixed position; FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3, partially in phantom, but illustrating the locking mechanism, and therefore the base member of the binding, in a disengaged position to permit rotation of the binding; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along lines 5-5 of FIG. 1, and illustrating how a preferred form of mounting disc secures the binding elements to a snow board; FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5, but illustrating how an alternate embodiment of a mounting disc secures the binding elements to a snow board; FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the control member and cam mechanism of the present invention; and FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a snowboard having a pair of bindings constructed in accordance with the present invention mounted on a snowboard.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY Referring now especially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a selectively rotatable snowboard binding mechanism 10, according to the present invention, is shown. Snowboard binding mechanism 10 includes a base member 12 which is adapted to receive the bottom surface of a boot 14, illustrated in phantom. The base member 12 further includes an open ended front portion 16 which is adapted to engage the toe of boot 14, and a heel cup 18 disposed at the rear end portion of the base member 12. In this preferred embodiment, the sides of the base member 12 include side brackets 20 and 22 which help provide side support for boot 14 as well as providing a base for other attachment mechanisms which are discussed below. While any manner of known mechanism mav be utilized to hold the boot 14 into the bindins 10. a Dair of standard adjustable boot straps 24 and 26 are illustrated and are shown connected directly to the side brackets 20 and 22, although boot straps 24 and 26 may be connected to other portions of base 12. Further details of straps 24, 26 and heel cup 18 will not be provided inasmuch as these elements of the binding 10 of the present invention are well known in the art, and other binding straps and heel cups may be used with out departing from the teaching of the present invention. Referring now to FIGS. 2-5 base member 12 includes a bottom surface 28 which is adapted for direct contact with the upper surface 30 of a snowboard 32. Base member 12 includes a central aperture 34 which is surrounded by an annular shoulder 36.* In the preferred form shown in FIG. 5, base member 12 is comprised of a base plate 38 and a subplate 40 located between base plate 38 and snowboard 32. Subplate 40 includes a second central aperture 42. Base plate 38 is concentric with subplate 40 in a manner such that central aperture 34 in base plate 38 is aligned coaxially with second central aperture 42 in subplate 40. The diameter of central aperture 42 of subplate 40 is less than the diameter of central aperture 34 of base plate 38, thereby forming annular shoulder 36 along subplate 40 beneath central aperture 34. A mounting disc 44 having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the central aperture 34 of base plate 38 is also provided. In the preferred embodiment shown, mounting disc 44 is positioned within aperture 34 rotatably resting upon annular shoulder 36 to permit relative rotary movement between mounting disc 44 and annular shoulder 36. Disposed below mounting disc 44 is a circular coupling member 46. Coupling member 46 has a diameter and circumference sized to permit it to fit within central aperture 42 of subplate 40 concentrically to mounting disc 44. In this form of the invention coupling member 46 and mounting disc 44 are two separate elements. In a more practical preferred embodiment, base plate 38, subplates 40, and connecting bracket 92, discussed in greater detail below, may be provided as a single piece, for example by plastic injection molding. Mounting discs 44 and coupling member 46 may be provided as a single piece as well in the same manner. In the preferred embodiment shown, apertures 56 are provided in disc 44 as well as apertures 58 in coupling member 46 which are aligned with apertures 56. Likewise, apertures 60 are provided in the snowboard 32. Bv aliεnins aϋertures 56. 58 and 60. fastening members 49 mav be utilized to firmly mount and hold disc 44 and annular member 46 to the snowboard 32 in a firm and non-rotatable manner. Fastening members 49 are most conveniently in the form of bolts, although other fastening elements such as screws, rivets and the like may be used. While a triangular arrangement of three sets of apertures are shown, other arrangements with more or less apertures may be used. In addition, overlapping apertures (not shown) can be used to allow minor lateral and axial positioning adjustments of the elements on the snowboard. Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6, the above construction provides a lip 62 on the bottom side of disc 44 which overlaps coupling member 46. Coupling member 46 is discussed in greater detail below. Thus, lip 62 engages annular shoulder 36 so as to provide a mechanism for retaining base member 12 and binding 10 onto the surface 30 of the snowboard 32. However, inasmuch as the engagement between lip 62 and shoulder 36 is not rotationally fixed, base member 12 is capable of freely rotating about disc 44 and coupling member 46 defined by an axis 64 normal to disc 44. In order to control that rotation and to selectively position the binding at substantially any desired angular position relative to the longitudinal axis of the snow board 32 the mechanism described below is used to engage and disengage base member 12 to control both its rotation and fix its position. In the preferred form of the present invention, circular coupling member 46 is in the form of a toothed element, such as a gear element including a plurality of gear-type teeth 66 disposed about the circumference of coupling member 46. It should be understood, however, that other types of engagement mechanisms such as a plurality of holes, not shown, or the like may be positioned along the periphery of coupling member 46 in order to permit it to function in the same manner and means as discussed below. A channel 68 is defined within base member 12. Channel 68 is preferably in the form of a groove or slot in or through subplate 40. Channel 68 extends through subplate 40 to central apertures 42 and 34. Ear 70 carries an aperture 71 within channel 68. In the preferred form shown, ear 70 extends transversely outwardly from the side of subplate 40 immediately beneath side bracket 22, projecting laterally from the side of base member 12. Channel 68 likewise extends throueh ear 70 so as to make it accessible outside of side bracket 22. and therefore outside of the portion of binding 10 on which bottom 14 will rest. A connecting element, preferably in the form of a pawl 72, is slidably positioned within channel 68. Pawl 72, has a plurality of engaging members 74 at one end portion thereof. In the preferred form shown, engaging members 74 are projections in the form of gear teeth which are designed and adapted to inter-engage with teeth 66 on coupling member 46 under certain conditions, as described below. Pawl 72 is sized and shaped for sliding longitudinal movement within channel 68 so that teeth 74 may be engaged with teeth 66 or disengaged from teeth 66 on coupling member 46, depending upon the position of pawl 72 within channel 68. The end of pawl 72 opposed to teeth 74 includes an offset opening 76 which is aligned with aperture 71 in ear 70. A control member in the form of a lever arm 80 is provided, and includes a pivot end 82 for interaction with the pawl 72. In the preferred form, as best shown in FIG. 7, pivot end 82 includes a cam 84 disposed on the bottom surface thereof which is sized, designed and adapted to be positioning within offset opening 76 of pawl 72. The pivot end 82 of cam 84 has an aperture 86 which is aligned with aperture 71 in ear 70. The distal end of lever 80 opposite pivot end 82 includes a toggle member 88 which can be grasped by a snowboarder to rotate lever 80 about cam 84 and pivot pin 90. The pivot pin 90 passes through aperture 71, opening 76 and aperture 86 to align ear 70, pawl 72 and lever 80. In the preferred form shown, a connecting bracket 92 is provided and includes an aperture 94 for receiving the pivot pin 90. Two or more apertures 96 are provided for bolts 98 to secure connecting bracket 92 to side bracket 22 utilizing nuts 100. Thus, connecting bracket 92 covers the pivot end 82 of lever 80 and secures alignment with the remaining members by pivot pin 90, which in turn is secured by nut and lock washer combination 102, although other securing mechanisms may be used. In operation, cam 84 is sized and shaped relative to opening 76 so that lever 80 is aligned substantially along the longitudinal axis of base member 12 with toggle 88 held in close proximity to side bracket 22 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 8. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 in particular, when lever 80 is in close proximity to side bracket 22 cam 84 has moved pawl 72 laterally inwardly toward the axis 64 so as to inter-engage pawl teeth 74 with coupling member teeth 66, as illustrated in FIG. 3. When Dawl 72 is in this Dosition. the inter-eneaeement between Dawl 72 and coupling member 46 prevents rotation of base member 12 relative to mounting disc 44 and therefore prevents rotation relative to snowboard 32. Again, it should be noted that the pawl teeth 74 and the coupling member 66 may be other types of inter-engaging members, such as a pin or pins carried on pawl 72 which can engage a plurality of holes around the circumference of coupling member 46, and the like. If a snowboarder desires to change the angular rotational position of the binding 10 relative to the central axis of snowboard 32, lever 80 is moved by pushing toggle 88 outwardly and rotating lever 80 along pivot pin 90 as illustrated by arrow 104 in FIG. 3. When lever 80 is so moved, cam 86 pushes against pawl 72 through opening 76 so as to move pawl 72 laterally outwardly away from coupling member 46 as indicated by the arrow 106 in FIG. 4. Pawl 72 does not need to be moved a great deal in order to disengage teeth 74 from teeth 66 of coupling member 46. When the lever 80 has moved the specified amount, which in this particular illustrated embodiment is approximately 90 ° , the teeth 74 on the pawl 72 become entirely disengaged from teeth 66 on coupling member 46. This disengagement of pawl teeth 74 from coupling member teeth 66, then permits base member 12 to be freely rotated about axis 64 to substantially any desired position relative to the center axis of the snowboard 32. When a newly desired rotational position for binding 10 is achieved, lever 80 is then moved back toward side bracket 22 to once again engage pawl teeth 74 with coupling member teeth 66 to thereby fix the new position of base member 12 relative to mounting disc 44 and the longitudinal axis of snowboard 32. Thus, the mounting disc 44, the coupling member 46 and the snowboard 32 are one fixed unit around which the base member 12, binding straps 24 and 26 and other hardware associated therewith may be rotated and secured in substantially any position, as desired. Referring now to FIG. 6, an alternate embodiment of the mounting disc 44 is illustrated. In this embodiment mounting disc 44 ' has a beveled outer edge. As a result outer lip 62 ' is beveled as opposed to being planar. Likewise, in order to accommodate the beveled outer edge of mounting disc 44 ' , shoulder 36 ' is beveled and has a surface which is complementary to beveled surface 62' in order to provide a function similar to that previously discussed with respect to mounting disc 44. It should also be noted, that mounting disc 44 and annular coupling member 46 may be separate units as illustrated above or may be one integral unit made from metal or molded plastic. Preferred materials include aluminum and nylon 66. It should also be noted that while the throw of lever 80 is illustrated as being 90 ° in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, cam 86 and offset opening 76 may be sized and shaped to require less throw, or in the alternative to permit a full 180 ° throw between the first position wherein pawl teeth 74 are fully engaged with coupling member teeth 66 and a second free rotating position wherein pawl teeth 74 are completely withdrawn from coupling member teeth 66. It is thus seen that using the mechanism of the present invention that binding 10 is rotatable so that the position of the foot of the user may be adjusted to substantially any position desired for particular snow conditions, i.e., powder, packed snow, or groomed ice, or the like and the skill level of the snowboarder, or for maneuvering on flat terrain or onto and off of a chair lift. It is quickly adjustable and releasable so that the user may adjust the angular position of the binding as conditions change during the day, or to suit particular slopes or runs. Furthermore, it is released easily so that the binding may be turned from the sideways-facing normal position shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, to a forward-facing position. This is useful when the user needs to skate across flat land or uphill, or ride on a chair lift. The forward-facing position improves the comfort to the user, and reduces the strain on the knee and ankle caused by the twisted position of most fixed snowboard bindings. As can be seen from the above, the present invention provides a new and unique binding system for snowboards which permits the user to change the angular orientation of the binding on the snowboard relative to the center line of the snowboard at will. The unique mounting and locking mechanism of the present invention permits the snowboarder to change the angular orientation and rotate the bindings to whatever angle is desired without having to step out of the bindings. Moreover, the tools frequently required in prior binding mechanisms to change angular orientation are entirely unnecessary inasmuch as the rotational capability of the binding of the present invention may be implemented by the movement of a simple mechanism such as lever. The true advantage of the present invention is that the movement of the lever mav take ϋlace while the snowboarder is still fullv mounted to the snowboard. This will significantly reduce awkward positions creating stress on the knees and back when a snowboarder is on a flat surface or in a chair lift situation. Moreover, a snowboarder may readily change angular positions depending upon the skiing conditions the snowboarder is experiencing at any given time. The binding construction of the present inventions provides a unique freedom, flexibility and safety that existing binding systems do not. The foregoing exemplary descriptions and the illustrative preferred embodiments of the present invention have been explained in the drawings and described in detail, with varying modifications and alternative embodiments being taught. While the invention has been so shown, described and illustrated, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, and that the scope of the present invention is to be limited only to the claims except as precluded by the prior art. Moreover, the invention as disclosed herein, may be practiced in the absence of the specific elements which are disclosed herein.

Claims

I claim:

1. Selectively rotatable snowboard boot binding systems for snowboards for use by a snowboarder wearing a boot, said boot binding systems including a mechanism for releasably securing a boot, and wherein said boot binding systems is intended for use on a snowboard having an upper surface having a center line, the binding systems being readily selectively rotatable relative to the center line of the snowboard without requiring the removal of the boot of a snowboarder from the binding mechanism, comprising: boot support means adapted to be selectively rotatable on the upper surface of a snowboard relative to the center line of such a snowboard, said boot support means including a base member having an outside circumference and a central aperture, said boot support means further including a channel extending through said base member between said outside circumference and said central aperture; a coupling member disposed within said central aperture, said circular coupling member adapted to be fixedly secured relative to the center line on the upper surface of a snowboard; mounting means having a central axis and adapted for fixed attachment to the upper surface of a snowboard through said coupling member disposed within said central aperture of said boot support means, and to thereby also rotatably secure said support means around said coupling member; connector means disposed for movement within said channel of said boot support means, said connector means adapted for selective engagement with said coupling member to prevent rotation of said boot support means about said coupling member and said mounting means, and further adapted for selective disengagement from said coupling member to allow rotation of said coupling member and said boot support means about said central axis of said mounting means to selectively fix the rotatable position of said boot support means relative to a snowboard to which it is attached; and control means operatively engaged with the said connector means to selectivelv control the movement of said connector means into eneaeement with and disengagement from said coupling member to selectively prevent or permit rotation of said boot support means, said control means being disposed outwardly from said boot support means to permit access to and operation of said control means with a boot in position within said boot support means so that said binding systems may be readily selectively rotated relative to the center line of the snowboard without requiring the removal of the boot of a snowboarder from the binding mechanism.

2. The binding mechanisms as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mounting means comprises an annular shoulder disposed about said central aperture, and wherein further said mounting member is a disk having a lip portion sized and shaped for engagement with said annular shoulder.

3. The binding as claimed in claim 1, wherein said coupling member comprises a circular element having teeth disposed about the circumference thereof, and wherein said connector means includes connector teeth for selective engagement with said teeth of said circular element.

4. The binding as claimed in claim 3, wherein said connector means comprises a pawl having a first end carrying said connector teeth, and a second end opposed to said connector teeth, projecting outwardly from said central aperture of said mounting means, said pawl being adapted for longitudinal sliding movement within said channel of said mounting means.

5. The binding as claimed in claim 4, wherein said boot support means further includes a ledge projecting outwardly from said base member, said channel and said pawl extending into said ledge for operative engagement with said control means.

6. The binding as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control means comprises a lever arm pivotally connected to said connector means and adapted for movement along the longitudinal axis of said base member.

7. Rotational boot binding systems for snowboards having a longitudinal axis for providing selective rotational positioning of the binding systems relative to such longitudinal axis while occupied with a boot, the binding systems comprising: a rotatable support assembly including a base member having top and bottom surfaces, said top surface adapted to receive the bottom of a boot and said bottom surface adapted for contact with the surface of a snowboard, said base member defining a central opening therein and a channel communicating with said opening and extending laterally to one side of said base member; a mounting disk adapted for fixed attachment through said central opening of said base member to the surface of a snowboard and including means for rotation about said disk; a coupling member disposed within said central opening of said base member; a pawl positioned in said channel of said rotatable support assembly for longitudinal sliding movement therewithin and having oppositely disposed first and second end portions, said first end portion having means for selective engagement with and disengagement from said coupling member within said central opening of said base member to selectively prevent or permit rotation of said boot support means about said disk to selectively fix the position of said support assembly relative to the longitudinal axis of a snowboard, and said second end position of said pawl projecting outwardly through said channel of said base member; and lever means operatively engaged with said pawl second end portion for moving said pawl within said channel into and out of engagement with said coupling member, said lever means being disposed laterally outwardly from the side of said base member to provided selective engagement and disengagement of said pawl with said coupling member without necessitating the removal of a boot from the binding.

8. The binding as claimed in claim 7, wherein said coupling member comprises a circular element having teeth disposed about the circumference thereof, and wherein said connector means includes connector teeth, and wherein said engagement means disposed at the first end portion of said pawl comprises a plurality of teeth sized and shaped to engage the teeth disposed about the circumference of said circular element.

9. The binding as claimed in claim 7, wherein said base member retaining means comprises an annular shoulder disposed about said central opening, and wherein further there is a lip disposed on said mounting disc sized and shaped for rotatable engagement with said annular shoulder.

10. The binding as claimed in claim 9, wherein said annular lip and said annular shoulder comprise complementary beveled surfaces.

11. The binding as claimed in claim 7, wherein said base member includes a ledge extending outwardly therefrom, said channel and said pawl extending into said ledge for accessibility laterally outwardly of said rotatable support assembly.

12. The binding as claimed in claim 7, wherein said lever means comprises a lever arm having one end portion operatively connected to said second end portion of said pawl with the opposite end of said lever arm being adapted for pivotal movement in the direction of the axis of said base member, said lever arm being accessible and operable with a boot positioned within said rotatable support assembly.

13. The binding as claimed in claim 12, wherein said lever arm and said pawl are pivotally connected utilizing a cam connection.

14. The binding as claimed in claim 13, wherein the second end portion of said pawl includes a laterally offset opening, and wherein the one end of said lever arm includes a cam member engagable with the sides of said offset opening in a manner to move said pawl longitudinally along said channel as said lever arm is pivotally moved along said base member.

15. The bindine as claimed in claim 7. wherein said base member comDrises a base plate adapted for engagement with a boot, and a subplate attached immediately below said base plate, said channel being defined in said subplate and covered by said base plate.

16. The binding as claimed in claim 15, wherein said central opening in said base plate has a diameter greater than said central opening in said subplate to there together provide a shoulder defined along the central opening in said subplate, which shoulder is adapted for rotatable engagement with said mounting disc to form said base member retaining means.

17. The binding as claimed in claim 15, wherein said subplate includes a ledge extending outwardly therefrom beyond said baseplate, said channel and said pawl extending into said ledge outwardly beyond said base plate for operative engagement with said lever means.

18. The binding as claimed in claim 7, wherein said mounting disc comprises an annular retaining disc and said coupling member, the diameter of said annular retaining disc being greater than said coupling member, said base member retaining means comprising the lip formed between said annular retaining disc and said coupling member.

19. A rotatable mount and locking mechanism for a snowboard binding which provides selective rotational positioning and adjustment of the binding about an axis normal to the snowboard without requiring removal of a boot from the binding, the binding including a base plate adapted for receiving the bottom of a boot, a rear end portion having a boot heel cup, a front end portion for the toe of a boot, a pair of side portions, means for releasably securing a boot to the base plate, a central aperture disposed in said base plate, and a mounting member for engagement with said aperture to mount said base plate to the surface of a snowboard, said mechanism comprising; means for securing said mounting member for fixed attachment to the surface of a snowboard at the central aperture of the base plate and for retainins the base ╧ïlate of said bindine aeainst the surface of a snowboard for rotation about an axis normal to said mounting member; a fixed coupling member secured to said mounting member and disposed within said central aperture of said base plate; means for defining a channel in said base plate communicating with said central aperture and extending laterally outwardly to one side portion of said base plate; connector means disposed for movement along said channel and adapted for selective engagement with and disengagement from said coupling member to prevent or allow rotation of said base plate and binding about said mounting member axis to selectively fix the rotatable position of said base plate and binding relative to a snowboard to which it is attached; and means operatively engaged with said connector means to selective control the movement of said connector means into and out of engagement with said annular coupling member to selective inhibit or permit rotation of said base plate and binding, said control means being disposed laterally outwardly from one side portion of said base plate to permit access thereto and operation thereof with a boot in position within said binding.

20. The mount and locking mechanism as claimed in claim 19, wherein said base plate includes a ledge projecting laterally outwardly along one side portion thereof, said ledge being adapted to carry said channel and said connector means, wherein further said annular coupling member comprises a circular element having teeth disposed about the periphery thereof, and wherein said connector means includes connector teeth disposed at one end thereof for selective engagement with said circular element teeth, wherein further said connector means comprises a pawl having a first end carrying said connector teeth and a second oppositely disposed end projecting laterally outwardly from one side portion of said base plate, said pawl being adapted for longitudinal sliding movement within said channel, wherein said control means comprises a lever arm pivotally connected to said connector means at said ledge and adapted for pivotal movement, and wherein further said pawl second end portion includes a laterally offset opening and wherein said lever arm includes a cam member eneaeable with the sides of said offset ODenine to move said pawl longitudinally along said channel as said lever arm is pivoted.