Abstract: A snowboard ratchet-type buckling arrangement includes a housing and a strap slidably received within the housing. The strap has a rack of teeth on its upper surface. A tab is pivotally mounted to the housing about a first axis and is spring-biased into engagement with the rack of teeth on the strap. The tab allows the strap to move in a first direction and prevents movement of the strap in a second direction. A lever arm is pivotally mounted about the housing about the first axis and a second axis which is spaced from the first axis. When the lever arm is pivoted about the second axis, saw teeth engage the rack of teeth on the strap to incrementally ratchet the strap through the housing in the first direction.

Abstract: A snowboard binding system is disclosed which uses a pair of cables extending from spaced points on a first forward boot plate to corresponding spaced points on a second rearward boot plate, with each cable passing through independent tensioning means for preventing movement of the boot plates under normal loads occurring as a snowboarder is maneuvering. When an abnormal load is encountered by one boot plate, the retaining force applied by the tensioning means is overcome and both boot plates are conditionally releasable, but not separated from the snowboard. The cable binding system also allows automatic return of the plates to the snowboard where they are held against movement when the abnormal load is reduced to a normal level.