Abstract: A ladder strap (150) is made by joining—for example, by co-molding—a first, relatively supple material, defining a lower strap portion (155) with a second, relatively hard material defining an upper strap portion (165). The teeth (167) of the ladder strap are comprises substantially of the harder, second material. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second materials are thermoplastic urethanes, and the co-molding is done using an injection molding process. The co-molding process may be accomplished with co-injection, wherein the two materials are injected at about the same time, or the first material may be injected into a first mold cavity and allowed to partially set, after which the cavity is modified to accommodate the second material.

Abstract: A cord lock apparatus (100) is disclosed comprising a base (120) having a converging channel (128), and an elastically flexible locking insert (140) that is retained by the base. The locking insert defines a loop including left and right legs (146) that are generally parallel to the sidewalls (124) of the channel, and receive a cord (102) therebetween. When the locking insert is undeformed, the cord is clampingly engaged between the insert legs and the base sidewalls. The user pulls upwardly on the loop to elastically deform the insert such that the legs rotate inwardly, releasing the cord. The insert may also slide longitudinally to a limited extent in the channel. Teeth (123, 143) may be provided on the locking insert and/or the base to more securely engage the cord.

Abstract: A boot (100), such as a sports boot, having a removable liner (160) that is adapted to be inserted into an outer shell (110). The liner includes a vamp gap (170) with a plurality of cable keepers (168) disposed on either side of the gap, and a cable (166) that slidably engages the cable keepers, for tightening the liner about the user's foot. A tightening mechanism (190) having a knob (192) is attached to the liner and engages the cable, whereby the user can releasably tension the cable. An aperture (126) including a grommet portion (130) in the outer shell is adapted to receive the knob whereby the user can tighten the liner without removing the boot outer shell.

Abstract: A skate frame (20) for an in-line skate (18) having a shoe portion (22) and a plurality of longitudinally aligned wheels (24) capable of traversing a surface. The skate frame including an elongate carrier frame (70) having first and second sidewalls (52a and 52b) held in space parallel disposition by a first upper wall. The carrier frame having an open lower end spaced to receive the wheels therebetween. The skate frame also including an elongate outer shell (66) having first and second sidewalls and an open lower end. The sidewalls of the outer shell are spaced to receive the carrier frame therein, such that the sidewalls of the outer shell overlap at least a portion of the sidewalls of the carrier frame. A shear layer (68) is disposed between the carrier frame and the outer shell to absorb at least a portion of the vibrational energy transmitted from the surface to the shoe portion when the skate traverses the surface.

Abstract: A snowboard (10) includes a central section (12) and tip and tail sections (14, 16). The snowboard includes a core (30) bordered within the central section along longitudinal edges by sidewall members (24). The snowboard includes upper and lower reinforcement layers (32, 34) covered by a top sheet (36) and a base (38). The outer surfaces (44) of the sidewall members (24) are exposed between the top sheet and the base within the central section of the board. In the tip and tail section of the board, the sidewall members are absent, with a cap formed by the top sheet and upper reinforcement layer extending to cover the perimeter edge of the core and join to the base. The board thus has a fully exposed sidewall construction in the central section and a capped construction in the tip and tail sections.

Abstract: A skate frame (20) for an in-line skate (18) having a shoe portion (22) and a plurality of wheels (24) capable of traversing a surface. The skate frame includes an elongate structural member comprised of a structural material having a first average density. The structural member having first and second sidewalls (62, 68). The structural member also includes a shoe mounting portion (50) spanning between at least a portion of the upper ends of the sidewalls. The skate frame also includes core material (64) disposed within at least one of the first and second sidewalls or within the shoe mounting portion. In an embodiment of the invention a threaded insert (602) is embedded in the core material of one sidewall, and an aligned tubular insert is installed in the opposite sidewall, such that the wheel axle (612) can be inserted through the tubular insert to engage the embedded threaded insert. In another embodiment, a protective cap (770) protects and/or enhances the appearance of the skate frame.

Abstract: A cord lock apparatus (100) is disclosed comprising a base (120) having a converging channel (128), and an elastically flexible locking insert (140) that is retained by the base. The locking insert defines a loop including left and right legs (146) that are generally parallel to the sidewalls (124) of the channel, and receive a cord (102) therebetween. When the locking insert is undeformed, the cord is clampingly engaged between the insert legs and the base sidewalls. The user pulls upwardly on the loop to elastically deform the insert such that the legs rotate inwardly, releasing the cord. The insert may also slide longitudinally to a limited extent in the channel. Teeth (123, 143) may be provided on the locking insert and/or the base to more securely engage the cord.

Abstract: A flexible boot liner (100) having a flexible upper (101) and a semi-rigid sole (140) that provides durability, walkability, and a dimensionally stable fit within a boot (90). The sole includes a lasting board (160) that is fixedly attached to the upper and a nonskid outsole (142). Secondary cushioning devices such as an air cell (144) may also be incorporated into the sole. The upper is of hybrid construction including a relatively flexible bottom portion (120) thermoformed from an ethylene vinyl acetate foam that covers the foot and the malleoli of the user, and a semi-rigid upper portion (110) that wraps about the lower leg of the user. A strap assembly (150) is provided to secure the liner about the foot of the user.

Abstract: A binding insert suspension includes an insert assembly affixed within the core of a snowboard, and a compressible layer disposed between the binding and the snowboard. The insert assembly comprises an outer insert member and an inner insert member slidably seated with the outer insert member. The inner insert member is adapted to receive a threaded fastener of a binding in threaded engagement. The binding insert suspension provides a selected amount of dampened vertical travel between the snowboard and the binding for absorbing vibration when riding hard-packed surfaces, and for providing shock absorption when riding over jumps, half pipes, and other terrain.

Abstract: An adjustable binding system includes a frame and a highback pivotally coupled thereto. The highback includes a wing adjustably connected to a heel loop. The frame is adjustable via at least one length adjuster to provide adjustment of the toe to heel length of the frame so that the binding system can better accommodate varying sizes of boots. Additionally, the binding system is adjustable at the connection interface of the heel loop and the frame via forward lean adjusters to provide an adjustment of an angle of forward inclination between the highback and the frame. The binding system is further adjustable between the connection of the wing and the heel loop via a wing position adjuster to provide an adjustment of the height and medial to lateral positioning of the wing with respect to the heel loop. Each adjustment mechanism may be hand operated without the use of tools.

Abstract: A ratchet-type buckle (100) is disclosed for use with a ladder strap (80), wherein the buckle includes a toothed, barrel-shaped strap engagement member (140) that is rotatably mounted between oppositely disposed sidewalls (130) that are pivotally coupled to a base (110). The engagement member is positioned to drivably engage and hold the strap. A holding pawl (160) allows forward rotation and hinders backward rotation of the engagement member. A driving pawl (180) is incorporated into a lever assembly (170), which is pivotally coupled to the sidewalls, the driving pawl positioned to engage and rotate the engagement member teeth when the lever assembly is pivoted in a forward direction. The pivotal coupling of the sidewalls to the base permit the engagement member to be lifted away from the base, to release the strap. The sidewalls are preferably biased towards the base.

Abstract: In-line roller skate including a soft, pliable, and comfortable shoe body having structural foot support components positioned in selected strategic areas such as the ball, heel, and ankle. In one embodiment, the structural components are made of semirigid plastic that may be heat-moldable to conform to the user's foot. The shoe sole may also include heat-moldable materials so it can be anatomically formed to the foot. The shoe is mounted on a frame that supports a plurality of in-line wheels. At least a portion of the flexible shoe portion that is adjacent the sole is exposed, and free from blockage by the support structure, thereby promoting the circulation of air through the breathable shoe portion.

Abstract: A backpack having a storage compartment (134) and a shoulder strap assembly (129a) attached at a first end to the storage compartment at a first location (140) and coupled at a second end to the storage compartment at a second location spaced from the first location. The backpack further includes a buckle (116) attached to the shoulder strap assembly and a lift strap (118) having a first end (120) attached to the upper portion (136) of the storage compartment and spanning above the shoulder strap assembly from its location of attachment to the storage compartment to engagement with the buckle. The buckle is operable to selectively adjust the length of the lift strap to vary the proportion of the weight of the backpack supported by the shoulder strap assembly when engaged by the shoulders of a user wearing the backpack.

Abstract: A boot (100), such as a sports boot, having a removable liner (160) that is adapted to be inserted into an outer shell (110). The liner includes a vamp gap (170) with a plurality of cable keepers (168) disposed on either side of the gap, and a cable (166) that slidably engages the cable keepers, for tightening the liner about the user's foot. A tightening mechanism (190) having a knob (192) is attached to the liner and engages the cable, whereby the user can releasably tension the cable. An aperture (126) including a grommet portion (130) in the outer shell is adapted to receive the knob whereby the user can tighten the liner without removing the boot outer shell.

Abstract: A skate upper (120) of the type having an elongate vamp (122) with lace keepers (123) and a tongue (130) disposed generally in the vamp is provided with an attached lace locker. The lace locker (150) fixedly attached near the top of the upper, preferably to an upper portion of the tongue. A lace (124) is retained by the lace keepers and releasably engaged by the lace locker. A strap assembly (126) is provided below the lace locker. A lace guide (140) is attached to the tongue, below the lace locker and below the strap assembly. The invention positions the lace locker more conveniently above the strap assembly, and permits the user to tighten and loosen the lace with one hand.

Abstract: A flexing base skate (100) includes an upper shoe portion (12) mounted on a base (14). The base includes a forefoot region (20) secured to a forward frame segment (26) carrying forward wheels (18a, 18b). A heel region of the base is secured to a rearward frame segment (28) that carries rearward wheels (18c, 18d). A second embodiment (100) provides a rigid full length frame (112) and a base (104) mounted at the forefoot region (106) to the frame. The base flexes at a metatarsal portion (108), and forms an integral spring biasing the base against the frame. The base includes a guide (118) for lateral alignment of the heel region with the frame. Another embodiment (210) provides a forward frame segment (226) carrying forward wheels (218) and a rearward frame segment (228) carrying rearward wheel (218).

Abstract: A ladder strap (150) is made by joining—for example, by co-molding—a first, relatively supple material, defining a lower strap portion (155) with a second, relatively hard material defining an upper strap portion (165). The teeth (167) of the ladder strap are comprises substantially of the harder, second material. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second materials are thermoplastic urethanes, and the co-molding is done using an injection molding process. The co-molding process may be accomplished with co-injection, wherein the two materials are injected at about the same time, or the first material may be injected into a first mold cavity and allowed to partially set, after which the cavity is modified to accommodate the second material.

Abstract: A skate frame (20) for an in-line skate (18) having a shoe portion (22) and a plurality of wheels (24) capable of traversing a surface. The skate frame includes an elongate structural member comprised of a structural material having a first average density. The structural member having first and second sidewalls (62 and 68), each having an upper end and a lower end. The structural member also includes a shoe mounting portion (50) spanning between at least a portion of the upper ends of the sidewalls. The first and second sidewalls having a wheel load introduction portion (58), wherein loads associated with the wheels are transferred to the structural member. The shoe mounting portion having a shoe load introduction portion, wherein loads associated with the shoe portion are transferred to the structural member.

Abstract: In-line roller skate including a soft, pliable, and comfortable shoe body having structural foot support components positioned in selected strategic areas such as the ball, heel, and ankle. In one embodiment, the structural components are made of semirigid plastic that may be heat-moldable to conform to the user's foot. The shoe sole may also include heat-moldable materials so it can be anatomically formed to the foot. The shoe is mounted on a frame that supports a plurality of in-line roller wheels and includes structure for easily removing and replacing the wheels. The shoe-frame connection may be laterally and longitudinally adjustable. A speed control or brake, which applies a frictional force downwardly onto some or all of the in-line roller wheels, is mounted on the frame. Canting adjustment is provided to allow the ankle support to be canted laterally or longitudinally.

Abstract: A ratchet-type buckle (100) is disclosed for use with a ladder strap (80), wherein the buckle includes a toothed, barrel-shaped strap engagement member (140) that is rotatably mounted between oppositely disposed sidewalls (130) that are pivotally coupled to a base (110). The engagement member is positioned to drivably engage and hold the strap. A holding pawl (160) allows forward rotation and hinders backward rotation of the engagement member. A driving pawl (180) is incorporated into a lever assembly (170), which is pivotally coupled to the sidewalls, the driving pawl positioned to engage and rotate the engagement member teeth when the lever assembly is pivoted in a forward direction. The pivotal coupling of the sidewalls to the base permit the engagement member to be lifted away from the base, to release the strap. The sidewalls are preferably biased towards the base.