Abstract: A binding for a water ski or a wake board (20) for use on a wake board (21). The binding for a water ski or a wake board (20) securely attaches the rider's foot to the wake board (21). The binding for a water ski or a wake board (20) includes a holster (22) made of a semi-rigid material and that extends on opposite sides of the foot of the rider so as to close over the foot. A liner sock (24) extends over the foot of the rider and underneath the holster (22) and upward so as to receive the ankle and heel of the rider. A stretchable strap (26) extends from the bottom of the binding for a water ski or a wake board (20) and includes an annular cuff (24) that is fastenable about the ankle of the rider. The stretchable strap (26) permits a solid connection of the rider's ankle to the wake board (20), but stretches to release the rider's ankle and foot upon a fall. A buckle (66) extends over the holster (22) and includes a stretchable strap (68).

Abstract: A skiboard system comprising a skiboard having a channel extending along a portion of the length thereof and two bindings secured, via the channel, to the skiboard. The bindings are design to be rotated between a locked starting position, where the long axes of the bindings extend parallel to the long axis of the skiboard, and a locked skiing position, where the long axes of the bindings extend transversely to the long axis of the skiboard. After the bindings have been rotated to a selected position, the bindings are secured in place via a locking mechanism that is operated by movement of a pivotally mounted handle. In addition, the bindings include a resilient front strap assembly and a resilient heel support for securing the user's feet to the binding while at the same time permitting a user to quickly and easily remove his or her feet from the bindings in the event of a fall.

Abstract: A core for a water skimming device, such as a water ski, is formed by lining a mold with flexible top and bottom films of acrylic sheet material, followed by injecting structural foam into the mold between the films. The structural foam sets in contact with the films and is encapsulated in and bonded to them. The encapsulated core is wrapped in fibrous reinforcing material, which then is impregnated with thermosetting adhesive. The assembly of core, reinforcing material, adhesive and an outer layer is compression molded to cure the adhesive, which readily bonds the encapsulated core to the outer shell.

Abstract: A skiboard system comprising a skiboard having a channel extending along a portion of the length thereof and two bindings secured, via the channel, to the skiboard. The bindings are design to be rotated between a locked starting position, where the long axes of the bindings extend parallel to the long axis of the skiboard, and a locked skiing position, where the long axes of the bindings extend transversely to the long axis of the skiboard. After the bindings have been rotated to a selected position, the bindings are secured in place via a locking mechanism that is operated by movement of a pivotally mounted handle. In addition, the bindings include a resilient front strap assembly and a resilient heel support for securing the user's feet to the binding while at the same time permitting a user to quickly and easily remove his or her feet from the bindings in the event of a fall.

Abstract: A water sports device including an elongated baseboard having the approximate outline shape of a kneeboard, one or more foot-restraining members releasably attachable to the board for configuring it to be used as a skiboard, and a kneepad and associated thigh strap releasably attachable to the board for configuring it for use as a kneeboard.

Abstract: An adjustable water ski binding includes an upper (18) composed of a toepiece (60) and a heelpiece (69) cooperatively defining a binding cavity (22) for receiving and restraining a foot. The lower perimeter portions of the toepiece (60) and heelpiece (69) are secured to a perimeter frame assembly (20). A pair of oppositely disposed straps (86), provided on binding upper (18), extend forwardly and then laterally across and down the sides of the toepiece (60) to define distal end portions (126). The end portions (126) of the straps (86) are fastened to the binding frame assembly (20) at selected locations along the strap end portion to selectively vary the size of the binding cavity (22).

Abstract: An in situ molded base assembly (17) for a water ski binding (40) includes a support pad (28) composed of particles of discontinuous microbeads and a liquid phase encapsulated in an envelope to form a layer of viscous, flowable pressure-compensating material. The support pad (28) is preformed into a shape corresponding to the bottom of a foot by placement of the foot on the support pad. The base assembly also includes a soleplate (24) of thermoforming material which is in situ molded by first heating the soleplate above its thermoforming temperature, placing the soleplate over the formed support pad (28) and then standing on the heated soleplate thereby causing the soleplate to conform to the shape of the underside of the foot and the top contour of the footpad and then removing the foot after the soleplate has cooled to a temperature below its thermoforming temperature.

Abstract: An adjustable water ski binding (10) is composed of an upper (18) secured substantially vertically between a laterally supportive, generally U-shaped internal frame (34) and a similarly shaped external frame (50) to form a foot-receiving binding cavity (22). A full length soleplate (24) underlies the internal frame (34) and includes a slot (108), allowing the width of soleplate (24) to be adjusted. A pair of rotation tabs (114) are secured to external frame (50) and include a plurality of adjustment holes (120) that allow tabs (114) to be additionally secured to a mounting plate (12). By selecting the proper pair of adjustment holes (120), the width of binding upper (18) can be increased or decreased. A pair of oppositely disposed strap portions (86), provided on binding upper (18), extend forwardly, overlapping the instep of binding upper (18).

Abstract: An adjustable water ski binding (10) is composed of an upper (18) secured substantially vertically between a laterally supportive, generally U-shaped internal frame (34) and a similarly shaped external frame (50) to form a foot-receiving binding cavity (22). A soleplate (24) underlies the internal frame (34) and includes a slot (108), allowing the width of soleplate (24) to be adjusted. A pair of rotatable tabs (114) are secured to external frame (50) and include a plurality of adjustment holes (120) that allow tabs (114) to be additionally secured to a mounting plate (12). By selecting the proper pair of adjustment holes (120), the width of binding upper (18) can be increased or decreased. A pair of oppositely disposed strap portions (86), provided on binding upper (18), extend forwardly, overlapping the instep of binding upper (18). End portions (126) of straps (86) are adjustably securable between the internal frame (34) and external frame (50) to selectively vary the size of binding cavity (22).