Abstract: A snow slider with a dimensional base includes a body, with top and base surfaces. The base surface is formed with more than two dimensions, and variations of the base surface include forming it with double, triple and quadruple edges. The edges of the base surface may be symmetrical or asymmetrical. The base surface may also be formed with plural facets that have angles and protrude from the base. The facets may also be formed with angles that are indented in the base. The base may also be formed with plural grooves.

Abstract: A lever action snowboard includes a snowboard body, and lever substructure coupled to a central region of the body. The lever substructure is constructed with a lever that can be actuated by a rider of the snowboard while riding the snowboard, and it may include a handle that can be grasped by the user. The snowboard also includes dual foot pads, each coupled to opposing ends of the snowboard body and constructed to locate the feet of the rider while riding the snowboard.

Abstract: A sliding device for riding in snow includes dual sliding boards, each with bodies that have horizontal and vertical axes. A flexible hinge is located between the boards and along vertical axes of the boards.

Abstract: A snow gliding device includes a flexible bottom layer formed as a bellows, and plural chassis, each being coupled to the body, wherein the interaction of the chassis and the bottom layer facilitates steering of the device by a rider. The bottom layer is formed with an arc shape.

Abstract: Stiff cambered, profiled, flat plates are bonded to a snow adhering surface of a ski base. The plates are coupled to the ski base via straps, snaps or other securing devices to eliminate the need for glue.

Abstract: A pivoting ski binding for binding a ski boot to a ski for use by a skier includes rod structure coupled to the ski boot, and step-in structure constructed to allow the boot and rod structure to couple to the ski when the skier steps down onto the ski. Several versions are described including ones wherein the rod structure is intergral with the ski boot, and others wherein the rod structure is attachable or couplable to the ski boot.

Abstract: An article of footwear, such as a cleated shoe, includes a sole portion with cleats which taper transversely, protruding less at the sole edges and more towards the middle of the sole. The footwear may take the form of a substantially flat sole to which the cleats are anchored and a shock-absorbing outsole portion that the cleats protrude through. The footwear also includes mini cleats arranged along the sole, and the sole includes plural thickness demarcators. The footwear also includes integral ankle protectors, a hinged cuff, and an inner boot.

Abstract: A sole unit for footwear having, comprising: a medial side, a lateral side, a top surface, and a bottom surface; the sole unit having at least one collapsible profile on a portion of its bottom surface, the collapsible profile being capable of selectively, resiliently canting a side of a user's foot upwardly on the side opposite an applied lateral force during use, the collapsible profile having a canting means for facilitating the selective canting of the user's foot. The invention is also directed to methods of constructing footwear in accordance with the foregoing.

Abstract: A snowboard suspension system which comprises a mounting plate (27) which is connected to a binding plate (29) via one or more hinges (26). One or more dampers (30) situated between the binding plate (29) and the mounting plate (27) serve to dampen any compressive forces. A connection plate (31) may be added to produce a compound system.

Abstract: A suspension system for skiis which incorporates a plurality of linkage mechanisms that control absorption dynamics. The linkage mechanisms couple a plurality of plates between the ski binding and the ski. A plurality of resilient elements are located between these plates to dampen impact forces and resiliently maintain spacing between the ski bindings and the ski. The linkage mechanisms may include unitarily constructed panels having flexural couplings or formed rod linkages. These linkage mechanisms constrain the lateral rotational motion of the plates relative to the ski, thus providing edge control concurrent with vertical movement. This allows for precise edge control and significant absorption of impacts and vibration. This device may be integral with the ski, or mounted on top of the ski. In either case, it is a mounting platform for the bindings.

Abstract: A sole unit for footwear having, comprising: a medial side, a lateral side, a top surface, and a bottom surface; the sole unit having at least one collapsible profile on a portion of its bottom surface, the collapsible profile being capable of selectively, resiliently canting a side of a user's foot upwardly on the side opposite an applied lateral force during use, the collapsible profile having a canting means for facilitating the selective canting of the user's foot. The invention is also directed to methods of constructing footwear in accordance with the foregoing.

Abstract: A suspension system for skiis which incorporates a plurality of linkage mechanisms that control absorption dynamics. The linkage mechanisms couple a plurality of plates between the ski binding and the ski. A plurality of resilient elements are located between these plates to dampen impact forces and resiliently maintain spacing between the ski bindings and the ski. The linkage mechanisms may include unitarily constructed panels having flexural couplings or formed rod linkages. These linkage mechanisms constrain the lateral rotational motion of the plates relative to the ski, thus providing edge control concurrent with vertical movement. This allows for precise edge control and significant absorption of impacts and vibration. This device may be integral with the ski, or mounted on top of the ski. In either case, it is a mounting platform for the bindings.

Abstract: A snowboard suspension system which comprises a mounting plate (27) which is connected to a binding plate (29) via one or more hinges (26). One or more dampers (30) situated between the binding plate (29) and the mounting plate (27) serve to dampen any compressive forces. A connection plate (31) may be added to produce a compound system.

Abstract: A snowboard suspension system which comprises a mounting plate (27) which is connected to a binding plate (29) via one or more hinges (26). One or more dampers (30) situated between the binding plate (29) and the mounting plate (27) serve to dampen any compressive forces. A connection plate (31) may be added to produce a compound system.

Abstract: An athletic shoe with an articulating heel which incorporates a plurality of linkage mechanisms that control heel dynamics. The linkage mechanisms couple a lower heel plate to a spaced apart upper heel plate. A resilient element is located between the upper heel plate and lower heel plate to dampen impact forces and resiliently maintain spacing between the upper and lower heel plates. The linkage mechanisms may be suitably configured alloy bars coupled to the upper and lower plates that constrain the upper and lower plates against motion along a heel transverse axis. Other embodiments of the linkage mechanisms include unitarily constructed panels having flexure joints. During running, the lower heel plate, or an outsole attached to the lower heel plate, will contact and frictionally engage the ground surface while the upper heel plate and footwear will continue forward as the heel articulates about the linkage mechanisms.

Abstract: A compact potted plant protector comprised of a flexible band forming a plurality of coils (18) wound around a central axis to create a spiral (20). This spiral (20) is wrapped around a plant to create a barrier for cats. The spiral (20) may also be circular, trapezoidal, square, or any form of polygon.

Abstract: A Foldable Dryer which includes a stem that defines a vertical axis, a plurality of hangers which radiate outwardly from the stem, and a one-piece dilator ring with plural holes for receiving each hanger. A central hinge is located towards the base of the stem and connects the hangers to the stem. The holes in the dilator ring are generally frusto-conical and arranged in a circular pattern around a central hole that receives the stem. The dilator ring is slideable with respect to the stem and hangers. This allows the top portions of the hangers to unfold outwardly from the stem, while being compact and limiting the amount of necessary pieces, moving or stationary. When the hangers are unfolded and the dilator ring is in its low position, the hangers approximate the shape of an inverted cone. The dryer may be supplied with a base and/or be hung from it's uppermost end. It may also be attached to a vertical surface with suction cups or other fasteners.

Abstract: A tangle limiting pet collar of the type comprising a band of material forming a collar (12) which encircles the neck of a pet, a means of leash attachment (10), and a diameter adjustment means (14). A focus of weight which serves to counterbalance the weight at the leash attachment (10) site is set so that it's roughly 180 degrees from the leash attachment (10). This ensures that the leash attachment is maintained in a position on top of the pet's neck, as opposed to drifting down towards the pet's legs, where it has a greater chance of becoming entangled. Such a weight may take a variety of forms, or even simply be the diameter adjuster itself (14). The focus of weight should be equal to or greater than the weight bearing on the collar at the leash attachment (10). The weight can be integral with the collar, or added to conventional collars and choke chains/collars. Either the leash attachment (10), or the diameter adjuster (14) must be adjustable around the perimeter of the collar.