Abstract: A boot incorporating techniques for making the process of tightening and loosening the laces of a boot more convenient for the wearer is disclosed. The boot may be provided with at least two independent lacing zones, the tensions of which are separately adjustable by the wearer. The zones may be secured by pulling on two laces, each of which tightens one of the two independent lacing zones. This arrangement allows the wearer to simultaneously tighten each zone, providing the wearer with the “feel” as though he or she is tightening a conventional single lacing zone boot. The laces may be simultaneously, yet independently secured by a lace lock at the upper and/or forward region of the boot. Slack may be created to facilitate loosening of the boot and easy removal of a foot from the boot by unhooking the lace from the lace guide without a corresponding distance of lace traveling through the lace lock. A release strap, graspable by the wearer, facilitates unhooking the lace.

Abstract: A boot incorporating techniques for making the process of tightening and loosening the laces of a boot more convenient for the wearer is disclosed. The boot may be provided with at least two independent lacing zones, the tensions of which are separately adjustable by the wearer. The zones may be secured by pulling on two laces, each of which tightens one of the two independent lacing zones. This arrangement allows the wearer to simultaneously tighten each zone, providing the wearer with the “feel” as though he or she is tightening a conventional single lacing zone boot. The laces may be simultaneously, yet independently secured by a lace lock at the upper and/or forward region of the boot. Slack may be created to facilitate loosening of the boot and easy removal of a foot from the boot by unhooking the lace from the lace guide without a corresponding distance of lace traveling through the lace lock. A release strap, graspable by the wearer, facilitates unhooking the lace.

Abstract: Ventilated eyewear comprising a lens and a frame having one or more openings incorporating breathable fabric. Air and/or moisture can pass through the fabric in the openings to ventilate the space between the eyewear and the wearer's face.

Abstract: A convertible toe strap for securing a toe area of a snowboarding boot is selectively and repeatedly convertible between different restraining configurations. The convertible toe strap includes a first configuration where one of toe lift or forward movement is resisted and a second configuration where both toe lift and forward movement is resisted.

Abstract: A convertible toe strap for securing a toe area of a snowboarding boot is selectively and repeatedly convertible between different restraining configurations. The convertible toe strap includes a first configuration where one of toe lift or forward movement is resisted and a second configuration where both toe lift and forward movement is resisted.

Abstract: A snowboard binding includes a highback that is pivotally mounted relative to a base and movable between a riding position and a folded position. In the folded position, the highback may be positioned lower than an uppermost portion of a heel hoop. In one embodiment, all portions of the binding when the highback is in a folded position may lie within a maximum distance of 3 inches or less.

Abstract: A binding strap for use in a soft boot snowboard binding is provided, the binding strap including a flexible, unitary binding member having an ankle section connected to a toe section by a midsection. The binding strap may be configured and dimensioned to preferably provide a rider with easy entry and exit from the strap. In addition, the shape and flexible nature of the binding makes it comfortable to use, while also allowing it to perform well by securely engaging the rider's boot to the snowboard. The unitary construction allows the binding strap to move in an integrated manner, while the surface area of the binding strap reduces pressure points by distributing pressure exerted by the binding over a relatively large surface area of the boot, and hence foot, of the rider.

Abstract: A boot incorporating techniques for making the process of tightening and loosening the laces of a boot more convenient for the wearer is disclosed. The boot may be provided with at least two independent lacing zones, the tensions of which are separately adjustable by the wearer. The zones may be secured by pulling on two laces, each of which tightens one of the two independent lacing zones. This arrangement allows the wearer to simultaneously tighten each zone, providing the wearer with the “feel” as though he or she is tightening a conventional single lacing zone boot. The laces may be simultaneously, yet independently secured by a lace lock at the upper and/or forward region of the boot. Slack may be created to facilitate loosening of the boot and easy removal of a foot from the boot by unhooking the lace from the lace guide without a corresponding distance of lace traveling through the lace lock. A release strap, graspable by the wearer, facilitates unhooking the lace.

Abstract: A snowboard binding mechanism for securing a snowboard boot to a snowboard includes at least one moveable engagement member having an open position and at least one closed position. When in the closed position, the engagement member is biased toward the open position. As a result, when a snowboard boot is not disposed in the binding mechanism, the binding mechanism automatically moves to the open position. The engagement member may also function to compensate for snow, ice or debris accumulated beneath the boot. A single handle may be operatively connected to the engagement members to facilitate ease of removal of the snowboard boot from the binding by simply requiring actuation of the single handle to unlock the binding. A separate foot pedal may be operably coupled to the engagement member and is also employed to unlock the binding. The binding mechanism may also include a cocking feature that unlocks the binding mechanism without also causing the engagement members to move to open positions.

Abstract: A boot binding, such as a snowboard boot binding, where an opening through the binding that may allow passage of undesirable substances onto the floor of the binding is covered by a gasket. The gasket may be permanently or removably attached to the binding, and may be rigid or, alternatively, compliant where desired to have the gasket conform to an associated shape of the boot placed in the binding.

Abstract: A sliding device provides a binding-free apparatus suitable for trick and other riding on snow, sand, ice and other surfaces. An elongated deck to support the rider is elevated from and attached to an elongated runner, which provides a surface that slides on the snow, sand, etc. The runner may be made more narrow than the deck to provide leverage for the rider to tilt the device onto an edge of the runner to steer the device. The device may not have any defined front or back portion and thus be adapted for riding in either direction.

Abstract: A snowboard boot binding mechanism includes a base member having a recessed channel. A first plate is slidably attached to the base member. A first pair of engagement rods are fixedly attached to the first plate. Each of the first pair of engagement rods has a head disposed at an axial end of the rod for selectively engaging and locking a first bar attached to a first side of the snowboard boot. A second plate is fixedly attached to the base member. A second pair of engagement rods are fixedly attached to the second plate. Each of the second pair of engagement rods have a head disposed at an axial end of the rod for engaging and locking a second bar attached to a second side of the snowboard boot which is disposed opposite to the first side.

Abstract: A snowboard binding system that incorporates the riding performance of a strap binding with the convenience of a step-in binding. The binding system includes a binding interface that is configured to be coupled to a step-in binding base, while also being configured to secure a snowboard boot in a manner that provides a rider with the riding performance of a strap binding. The binding interface may include one or more straps for securing a boot to a snowboard. The binding system may be configured so that the binding base engages regions of the binding interface to which the straps are attached to provide the feel of a strap binding. The binding base may include at least three engagement members to engage with corresponding mating features on the interface. The binding base may include a pair of engagement members at both the rear or heel end and the front or toe end thereof to engage with corresponding mating features on the interface.

Abstract: A variable length strap including at least one elastic cord, such as a shock or bungee cord, to adjustably secure an article to a wearer is disclosed. At least one cord lock may be provided on the elastic cord to assist with adjustment of strap length by being selectively slidable along or anchored to the cord. The length of the strap may be adjusted by selectively moving the cord lock along the elastic cord either towards or away from one side of the article. At least one end of the elastic cord may be secured to the cord lock. The elastic cord may also have at least one end secured to the article, or the elastic cord may be slidably mounted at a junction on the article. A guide may be provided on the elastic cord, with the elastic cord slidable through the guide. The guide may keep the first and second portions of the elastic cord separate from one another.

Abstract: A method and system for mounting a binding to a gliding board. In one embodiment, a single row of attachment features, e.g., threaded inserts, may be used to mount a foot binding to the gliding board. The attachment features may be equally spaced along the row, e.g., at 25 mm increments. In one embodiment, a binding includes a hold down plate that may be attached to the gliding board using only two fasteners, e.g., each fastener engaging with an attachment feature on the board, or using only fasteners that lie along a longitudinal line on the gliding board.

Abstract: A highback for controlling a gliding board, such as a snowboard, through leg movement of a rider. The highback is comprised of an upright support member including at least two portions that are to be contacted by and to support a rear portion of the rider's leg and that are movable relative to each other for setting a desired forward lean of the highback. The support member may include a lower portion with a pair of mounting locations for mounting the highback to a gliding board component, such as a snowboard binding, and an upper portion movably supported by the lower portion to vary the forward lean of the highback. The lower portion of the support member may be mounted to a snowboard binding baseplate for lateral rotation between a plurality of lateral positions. The highback may include a forward lean adjuster that prevents the upper portion from moving in the heel direction beyond a predetermined forward lean position.

Abstract: A spacer for a sliding device connects a deck to a runner. The spacer may allow relative rotation, pivoting and/or sliding of the deck and the runner. The sliding, pivoting and/or rotating may reduce the stresses experienced at the attachment points of the spacer and the deck or the spacer and the runner. The spacer arrangement may also provide a sliding device with a smoother ride.

Abstract: A snowboard binding mechanism for securing a snowboard boot to a snowboard includes at least one moveable engagement member having an open position and at least one closed position. When in the closed position, the engagement member is biased toward the open position. As a result, when a snowboard boot is not disposed in the binding mechanism, the binding mechanism automatically moves to the open position. The engagement member may also function to compensate for snow, ice or debris accumulated beneath the boot. A single handle may be operatively connected to the engagement members to facilitate ease of removal of the snowboard boot from the binding by simply requiring actuation of the single handle to unlock the binding. A separate foot pedal may be operably coupled to the engagement member and is also employed to unlock the binding. The binding mechanism may also include a cocking feature that unlocks the binding mechanism without also causing the engagement members to move to open positions.