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 cant/lift having an adjustable cant/lift angle. The cant/lift includes two components that form the adjustable cant/lift angle, and a hub for attaching the components to a snowboard and a binding. The cant/lift enables the rotational orientation of the cant/lift relative to the longitudinal axis of the snowboard to be adjusted.

Abstract: A base includes a first bail that is pivotally connected to the base. A second bail is pivotally connected to the base. An operating arm is connected to the second bail and pivotally connected to the base. A trigger mechanism is connected to the second bail to move the second bail from a first unlocked position to a second locked position. The operating arm is pivoted in a first direction to cause the second bail to move from the second locked position to the first unlocked position.

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 ratchet buckle for incrementally tightening and quickly releasing a strap, such as a snowboard binding strap and the like. A housing supports a pawl, a release actuator and a drive actuator. The housing slidably receives a serrated strap, which is engaged by the pawl to prevent an inadvertent release from the buckle. The drive actuator allows a user to selectively tighten the strap relative to the buckle. The release actuator is arranged to both disengage the pawl from the strap and separate the buckle from the strap using one continuous motion. The pawl, release actuator and drive actuator may be pivotally mounted to the housing about separate axes, and the drive actuator may be pivotally attached to the release actuator.

Abstract: A snowboard binding for securing a boot to a board, comprising a base, a first engagement member that is supported by the base and adapted to engage a first lateral side of the boot, and a second engagement member, pivotally mounted to the base, that is adapted to engage a second lateral side of the boot opposite the first lateral side of the boot.

Abstract: A rider supporting assembly for use with a snowboard prevents convex bending of the snowboard between the rider's feet. As the rider bends the snowboard, a mounting plate having a controlled resilience restricts longitudinal bending of the snowboard in response to the rider so that the rider may easily impart a force to curve the snowboard following a convex bend (with respect to the rider) yet discourages any concave bending of the snowboard, especially along the snowboard located between the rider's feet.

Abstract: A base includes a first bail that is pivotally connected to the base. A second bail is pivotally connected to the base. An operating arm is connected to the second bail and pivotally connected to the base. A trigger mechanism is connected to the second bail to move the second bail from a first unlocked position to a second locked position. The operating arm is pivoted in a first direction to cause the second bail to move from the second locked position to the first unlocked position.

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.

Abstract: Boot consisting of a shell (1) and of a shaft (2) articulated on the shell. The shell is provided, at least on one side, with a rigid stop (9) which engages in an indentation (8) of the shaft (2). This stop can occupy different positions to which different flexibilities of the boot correspond.

Abstract: A ski boot has a lower part and an upper articulated on the lower part at two opposite points which coincide with the joint of the foot. The rear part of the upper has a rounded cutaway portion which permits ample backward tilting. This cutaway portion is preferably covered by an articulated stirrup-shaped shroud connected to the upper by a rigid linking member.

Abstract: This shell-type ski-boot comprising a lower portion molded integrally with the sole and an upper made of a front quarter and a rear quarter pivotally interconnected and fulcrumed on the lower portion, is proveded with a telescopic traction device adapted to close the upper tightly and automatically when the front quarter is bent forwards. The telescopic traction device comprises a male member and a female member the relative axial sliding movement of which causes the rear quarter of the upper to move toward the front quarter. For this purpose, a pair of cables anchored to the rear face of the rear quarter are guided around the boot sides and inside a pulley-block comprising two sets of pulleys, one set being fixed and the other movable for varying the cable length and therefore the degree of tightening of the boot on the skier's ankle.