Abstract: A method, system and device for enhancing muscle training and performance by accelerating blood flow to the muscles and enhancing flow in the lymphatic system, incorporating mechanical stimulation and in some cases electrical stimulation of the muscle. A muscle recovery apparatus includes: an active compression device and an electrical stimulation device, where the active compression device is configured to be disposed about a user's muscle and to mechanically compress the user's muscle to facilitate muscle recovery, and where the electrical stimulation device is coupled to an inner surface of the active compression device, such that the electrical stimulation device can be placed in contact with the user to electrically stimulate the user's muscle.

Abstract: Example systems, devices, and methods related to an automated target system are provided. In this regard, a target pod device, that may be installed in a target base is provided. The target pod device may include a hinge, a target paddle, a rotary actuator, a sensor, and a processor. The target paddle may be operably coupled to the hinge and the rotary actuator may be operably coupled to the target paddle. The rotary actuator may be configured to rotate the target paddle to a deployed position or a retracted position. The sensor may detect that the target paddle has been moved toward the retracted position. The processor may be configured to transmit a signal to the rotary actuator to cause the rotary actuator to rotate the target paddle, and determine whether the target paddle has been moved toward the retracted position by a projectile.

Abstract: Example systems, devices, and methods related to an automated target system are provided. In this regard, a target pod device, that may be installed in a target base is provided. The target pod device may include a hinge, a target paddle, a rotary actuator, a sensor, and a processor. The target paddle may be operably coupled to the hinge and the rotary actuator may be operably coupled to the target paddle. The rotary actuator may be configured to rotate the target paddle to a deployed position or a retracted position. The sensor may detect that the target paddle has been moved toward the retracted position. The processor may be configured to transmit a signal to the rotary actuator to cause the rotary actuator to rotate the target paddle, and determine whether the target paddle has been moved toward the retracted position by a projectile.

Abstract: A method, system and device for enhancing muscle training and performance by accelerating blood flow to the muscles and enhancing flow in the lymphatic system, incorporating mechanical stimulation and in some cases electrical stimulation of the muscle. A muscle recovery apparatus includes: an active compression device and an electrical stimulation device, where the active compression device is configured to be disposed about a user's muscle and to mechanically compress the user's muscle to facilitate muscle recovery, and where the electrical stimulation device is coupled to an inner surface of the active compression device, such that the electrical stimulation device can be placed in contact with the user to electrically stimulate the user's muscle.

Abstract: A wheeled vehicle, such as a tricycle includes a wheel and a disc mounted on the same axle so that the disc is free to rotate separately from the wheel. The disc includes a plurality of lighting elements substantially along a line formed by a radius of the disc. Each of the lighting elements is lit or unlit as the disc rotates according to the rotational position of the disc. In this manner the illusion of a pattern or picture is made when the disc is rotated at a sufficient speed. A drive mechanism, such as a traction wheel driven by the wheel connected by a belt to the hub of the disc, causes the disc to rotate at a rate that is a multiple greater than the rotation rate of the wheel.

Abstract: A tightening shoe is provided with a sole, an upper and crisscrossing laces. The lace ends project into the shoe structure where they are received by a tightening mechanism. The tightening mechanism includes a winding gear for winding the lace ends about its perimeter to withdraw the laces into the tightening mechanism's interior chamber. In addition, the tightening mechanism includes a drive gear which is rotated by a pre-wound tightening cable which is positioned immediately adjacent to the winding gear. Preferably, the winding gear and drive gear are positioned within the shoe's sole so as to rotate about a vertical axis relative to the shoe's structure.

Abstract: A scooter includes a platform with a front end, a rear end, a bottom, and a longitudinal axis parallel to the ground and extending through the front end and the rear end of the platform. The front end of the platform includes a front foot portion and the rear end includes a rear foot portion. A post is connected to the front end of the platform and extends generally upward from the front end of the platform. A front wheel is connected to the post such that at least a portion of the front wheel extends below the bottom of the platform. An inclined caster is connected to the rear end of the platform with at least a portion of the inclined caster extending below the bottom of the platform. The inclined caster configured so that the scooter is capable of being propelled forward generally along the longitudinal axis by the application of a force to the rear foot portion, the force being applied substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Variable tension footwear lacing systems and methods permit and facilitate adjustment of selected zones by a user. In an embodiment, stop devices are used with a footwear lacing system to prevent opposing closure edges of a footwear article from advancing towards each other. The stop device includes a stop guide configured for fastening to a portion of the footwear article, and a stop element. In an implementation, the stop element includes a stop head and a releasable affixing member. The stop head is configured to be manipulated by a user to releasably secure the affixing member to a selected position across the length of the stop guide. The stop head is operable to contact a first closure edge of the footwear article. In an embodiment, during use first and second stop devices contact first and second opposing closure edges of the footwear article and prevent them from advancing towards each other.

Abstract: A toe ramp system for use with a snowboard binding. The system includes a toe ramp for adjustable attachment to a front portion of a base plate of the snowboard binding and including a toe ramp interlocking structure associated with a toe ramp rear wall. Also included is a first spacer having a first interlocking structure associated with a first wall for removable attachment to the toe ramp interlocking structure and having a second interlocking structure associated with a second wall for removable attachment to a base plate wall. In an implementation, the system also includes at least a second spacer having a third interlocking structure associated with a front wall for removable attachment to the second interlocking structure of the first spacer, and having a fourth interlocking structure associated with a rear wall for removable attachment to the base plate wall.

Abstract: Variable tension footwear lacing systems and methods permit and facilitate adjustment of selected zones by a user. In an embodiment, stop devices are used with a footwear lacing system to prevent opposing closure edges of a footwear article from advancing towards each other. The stop device includes a stop guide configured for fastening to a portion of the footwear article, and a stop element. In an implementation, the stop element includes a stop head and a releasable affixing member. The stop head is configured to be manipulated by a user to releasably secure the affixing member to a selected position across the length of the stop guide. The stop head is operable to contact a first closure edge of the footwear article. In an embodiment, during use first and second stop devices contact first and second opposing closure edges of the footwear article and prevent them from advancing towards each other.

Abstract: An adjustable strap assembly for securing a boot to a binding. The assembly includes a lateral strap, an instep pad, a medial strap and an adjustable retention assembly. In an implementation, the lateral strap has a first end for connection to a lateral side of the binding and a second end, and the instep pad includes a connection device positioned on a first distal end for adjustable connection to the second end of the lateral strap. The instep pad also includes an engagement device positioned on a raised ramp area adjacent a second distal end. The medial strap has a first end for connection to a medial side of the binding, and includes an elongated slot along its length that is positioned a predetermined distance from its second end. The adjustable retention assembly is associated with the elongated slot, and functions to releasably secure the medial strap to the instep pad which permits the length of the strap assembly to be selectively adjustable by a user.

Abstract: Variable tension footwear lacing systems and methods permit and facilitate adjustment of selected zones by a user. In an embodiment, stop devices are used with a footwear lacing system to prevent opposing closure edges of a footwear article from advancing towards each other. The stop device includes a stop guide configured for fastening to a portion of the footwear article, and a stop element. In an implementation, the stop element includes a stop head and a releasable affixing member. The stop head is configured to be manipulated by a user to releasably secure the affixing member to a selected position across the length of the stop guide. The stop head is operable to contact a first closure edge of the footwear article. In an embodiment, during use first and second stop devices contact first and second opposing closure edges of the footwear article and prevent them from advancing towards each other.

Abstract: A toe ramp system for use with a snowboard binding. The system includes a toe ramp for adjustable attachment to a front portion of a base plate of the snowboard binding and including a toe ramp interlocking structure associated with a toe ramp rear wall. Also included is a first spacer having a first interlocking structure associated with a first wall for removable attachment to the toe ramp interlocking structure and having a second interlocking structure associated with a second wall for removable attachment to a base plate wall. In an implementation, the system also includes at least a second spacer having a third interlocking structure associated with a front wall for removable attachment to the second interlocking structure of the first spacer, and having a fourth interlocking structure associated with a rear wall for removable attachment to the base plate wall.

Abstract: An adjustable strap assembly for securing a boot to a binding. The assembly includes a lateral strap, an instep pad, a medial strap and an adjustable retention assembly. In an implementation, the lateral strap has a first end for connection to a lateral side of the binding and a second end, and the instep pad includes a connection device positioned on a first distal end for adjustable connection to the second end of the lateral strap. The instep pad also includes an engagement device positioned on a raised ramp area adjacent a second distal end. The medial strap has a first end for connection to a medial side of the binding, and includes an elongated slot along its length that is positioned a predetermined distance from its second end. The adjustable retention assembly is associated with the elongated slot, and functions to releasably secure the medial strap to the instep pad which permits the length of the strap assembly to be selectively adjustable by a user.