Abstract: A ratchet buckle and strap assembly is provided. The ratchet buckle has a passageway configured to slidably receive the strap, a pawl arranged to engage the strap and prevent movement of the strap in a direction from the rear portion toward the front portion, while allowing movement of the strap in a direction from the front portion toward the rear portion of the passageway, and a drive actuator arranged to engage the strap and feed the strap through the passageway from the front portion toward the rear portion of the passageway. The strap may have a plurality of first teeth, and a plurality of separate second teeth. The first teeth may be on a first side of the strap and the second teeth may be on a second side of the strap. The ratchet buckle may be configured such that the pawl is configured to engage a first side of the strap and the drive actuator may be configured to engage a second side of the strap opposite the first side.

Abstract: A ratchet buckle and strap assembly is provided. The ratchet buckle has a passageway configured to slidably receive the strap, a pawl arranged to engage the strap and prevent movement of the strap in a direction from the rear portion toward the front portion, while allowing movement of the strap in a direction from the front portion toward the rear portion of the passageway, and a drive actuator arranged to engage the strap and feed the strap through the passageway from the front portion toward the rear portion of the passageway. The strap may have a plurality of first teeth, and a plurality of separate second teeth. The first teeth may be on a first side of the strap and the second teeth may be on a second side of the strap. The ratchet buckle may be configured such that the pawl is configured to engage a first side of the strap and the drive actuator may be configured to engage a second side of the strap opposite the first side.

Abstract: An interface system (1) comprising one or more linkage member(s) (30, 48, 49, 51, 52, 61) that have the purpose of retaining an individual's foot/ankle (either bare or covered) on a sports article. The system (1) comprises a rigid base structure (4) a having lateral edge (7) and medial edge (10), and heel loop portion (73); one or more pliable linkage members (30, 48, 49, 51, 52, 61) that wrap around the user's foot/ankle or boot and are tensionably adjustable and disconnectable.