Active engagement system for engaging a snowboard boot to a binding

摘要

One embodiment is directed to a system for mounting a rider to a snowboard. The system comprises a snowboard boot; a snowboard binding; a first engagement member; and a second engagement member; wherein one of the first and second engagement members is mounted to the sole of the snowboard boot forward of the arch area and the other is mounted to the binding. The first engagement is adapted to mate with the second engagement member to releasably engage the snowboard boot to the binding. The first engagement member is an active engagement that is automatically movable, in response to the rider stepping out of the binding, from a closed position to an open position. Another embodiment is directed to a snowboard boot for use with a binding including a pair of spaced apart engagement members. The snowboard boot includes a cleat adapted to be releasably engaged by the pair of spaced apart engagement members. At least one of side of the cleat tapers inwardly from a wider base-end portion to a narrower free-end portion so that the cleat separates the pair of spaced apart engagement members when the snowboard boot steps into the binding. The engagement system can be reversed so that the pair of spaced members are on the boot and the cleat is on the binding.