With Resiliently Mounted Foot Supports Patents (Class 280/11.14)
  • Patent number: 11484770
    Abstract: A skate including a shoe/boot part and a skate iron/blade part, wherein the skate iron/blade part includes a skate iron/blade and a rear and forward intermediate mounting element connecting the skate iron/blade to the shoe/boot part, wherein at least a part of the forward mounting element may be compressed in the vertical direction, said forward mounting element being equipped with a resilient device that may be compressed through vertically loading the skate and that mainly returns to its original form when the vertical load of the skate diminishes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Inventors: Stian Selvik, Joachim Selvik
  • Patent number: 11013980
    Abstract: Device and methods for a ski assembly system and snowboard assembly system having a ski or snowboard with a centerline axis, a perpendicular axis, and a ski suspension system. The ski or snowboard suspension system has a suspension platform with two or more struts rotatably coupled with the suspension platform and at least one of a front mount assembly and a rear mount assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Inventors: Kenneth Nichols, Nicholas W Foster, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10112104
    Abstract: A snowshoe (1500) is formed from multi-density foam materials. The snowshoe (1500) generally includes a deck 1502 and binding 1504 mounted on the deck 1502. The deck 1502 is formed from layers of flexible multi-density foam materials and has a continuously curved bottom surface to promote forward rocking motion. Consequently, it is not necessary to provide a pivot plate with crampons or to provide an opening in the deck 1502. The deck 1502 further includes a traction plate 1510. The traction plate 1510 is formed from a material that is harder than the lower layer of the deck 1502. The traction plate 1510 includes a number of cleats 1512 distributed from side-to-side and front-to-back across the traction plate 1510. Each of the cleats 1512 includes a number of spikes 1514 for penetrating snow or ice to provide enhanced traction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Cresent Moon Snowshoes, Inc.
    Inventors: Tamara Laug, Jake Thamm, Dan Laska
  • Patent number: 9908029
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sports item (1), comprising a carrier (3) for a coupling device (25) for accommodating a user and including at least one distributing device (2) for the loads and/or forces to be transmitted to the sports item (1), which at least one distributing device (2) connects the carrier (3) to the sports item (1) via a joint arrangement, the latter having at least one pivoting arm (4, 5; 6, 7), which is pivotably connected, in each case via a joint (8, 9; 10, 11), to the sports item (1) at one arm end of the pivoting arm and to the carrier (3) at the other arm end of the pivoting arm, wherein the carrier (3) is movable from a starting position, counter to the restoring force of at least one elastic restoring element, to a balancing position in which the carrier is brought closer to the sports item (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventor: Horst Linzmeier
  • Patent number: 9902600
    Abstract: A wall block lifting apparatus can include a support member, first and second adjustment members, first and second posts, and first and second gripper elements. The adjustment members can be adjustably coupled to the support member such that the adjustment members are movable between a lifting position and a release position. The first post can be coupled to and extend from the first adjustment member, and the second post can be coupled to and extend from the second adjustment member. The first and second gripper elements can be respectively coupled to and extend from the first and second posts, and the first and second gripper members can be configured to securely engage a wall block when the first and second adjustment members are in the lifting position and to release the wall block when the first and second adjustment members are in the release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Hammer, Max Griffin
  • Patent number: 9004501
    Abstract: An ice skate blade assembly for attachment to a footwear comprising a flexible sole includes; an elongated blade comprising an ice engaging edge; the elongated blade and the ice engaging edge comprising a flexible region; the elongated blade and the ice engaging edge flexible to flex in the flexible region; and the elongated blade comprising an upper portion extending opposite the ice engaging edge, the upper portion for attachment of the elongated blade to the flexible sole of the footwear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Douglas Pokupec
  • Patent number: 8985596
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a transportation device comprising one riding wheel, a U-shaped frame, and a stepping assembly. The riding wheel is mounted between the two ends of the U-shaped frame and the stepping assembly is mounted on the axle of the riding wheel. The stepping assembly contains a foot pedal and one or two supporting legs with an optional stepping wheel beneath the foot pedal. This device can conveniently convert between a riding mode and a walking mode to allow rider skate, walk, and stand in various ground surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: Katherine Wang Wu
  • Publication number: 20140291946
    Abstract: A skate boot appliance for absorbing impact force of landing skating maneuvers by disposing a plunger or displacement member in a receptacle in response to an impact force, such that the receptacle is attached to a skate boot bottom and has a counterforce mechanism for resisting displacement below a threshold force, and resiliently deforming in response an impact force greater than the threshold force. The impact force is transferred from a skate blade through the plunger in response to a figure skating maneuver The disclosed plunger has a post and a horizontal displacement portion adapted to be disposed through the receptacle and engage the counterforce mechanism, such as the resilient planer member, in response to the threshold impact force, in which the horizontal displacement portion includes a convex ridge or protrusion for engaging the resilient planar member along an annular surface defined by the convex ridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Christopher A. Brown, Karin E. Greene, Devon L. Rehm
  • Patent number: 8770595
    Abstract: A customizable hockey skate includes a removable runner-blade assembly such that a runner-blade assembly having a first stiffness may be readily replaced with a runner-blade assembly having a second stiffness. The runner-blade assembly may be removably attached to first and second cups that are optionally removably attached to the sole of a skate boot. The first and second cups optionally are removably attachable at multiple lateral locations on the sole. Mounting plates to which the first and second cups are mounted may be included to provide damping interfaces between the first and second cups and the boot sole. The first and second cups may be separately removable from the sole such that the first cup may be replaced with a third cup (for example, a cup having a different stiffness than the first cup) without removal of the second cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Easton Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Cruikshank, Edward L. Altshuler
  • Patent number: 8770614
    Abstract: The invention relates to a snow glide board, in particular a ski, having a glide board body and guide and mounting elements located in a binding area of the glide board body for interlocking mounting of a binding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Marker Volkl (International) GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Heil, Andreas Ametsbichler
  • Publication number: 20130285338
    Abstract: A skate includes a boot and a housing having a top portion coupled with a sole of the boot. A ground engagement apparatus is displaceably coupled with a bottom portion of the housing. A suspension assembly is coupled between the ground engagement apparatus and the housing. The suspension assembly includes an aperture extending down from the top portion of the housing. The suspension assembly also includes a spring disposed within the aperture, such that a lower portion of the spring engages the ground engagement apparatus. A retention member spans over the aperture and couples with the top portion of the housing, whereby an upper portion of the spring engages the retention member for retaining the spring within the aperture and biasing the ground engagement apparatus downward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventor: David A. Blois
  • Patent number: 8246070
    Abstract: A snow glider comprises a longitudinally-extending runner for supporting a rider on ridden snow and having a generally central, longitudinally-extending slot. The glider further comprises an elevated rider-supporting deck and chatter-absorbing means straddling the slot for supporting the deck above the runner. Preferably, the bottom surface of the runner is preferably generally convex across its width, with curved outer edges that provide directional control to the rider when turning, and at least one longitudinally-extending, generally straight longitudinally-extending inner edge adjacent the periphery of the slot for greater directional control when the rider is going straight. To enhance controllability, the deck of the preferred embodiment is preferably coupled to the runner near the runner's outer periphery so that the force exerted by the rider is transmitted from his/her feet directly to the outer edges of the runner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventor: An Hao Adams Lin
  • Patent number: 7946608
    Abstract: The invention relates to a ski (2) or a snowboard in the form of a board-type gliding device (1), comprising a multi-layered gliding board body. A force-transmitting element (13) is supported on the top face (7) of the gliding board body, the top face of which is provided as a means of supporting a binding mechanism (3) for a connection to a sports shoe which can be released as and when necessary. The force-transmitting element (13) is of a plate-type design and extends across more than 50% of the length of the gliding board body. Within its longitudinal extension, the plate-type force-transmitting element (14) is supported in at least part-portions on the top face (7) of the gliding board body so as to transmit load and is connected to the gliding board body by means of a plurality of connecting zones (30) disposed in the longitudinal direction of the plate-type force-transmitting element (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: ATOMIC Austria GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Riepler, Rupert Huber, Helmut Holzer
  • Patent number: 7905501
    Abstract: A blade insert assembly and frame therefor for a blading boot are securable on a base of the frame to a sole of the blading boot for ice-skating. The blade insert assembly accommodates two blade elements in tandem, each blade element being secured via an insert adjustment mechanism and a mounting pin to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Inventor: Sylvain Landry
  • Publication number: 20100194076
    Abstract: Snowboards are provided that consolidate and redirect a portion of the weight and forces of the rider to the optimal locations (near the edges and near the longitudinal center of the board), providing excellent turning and control and providing impact absorption when landing from a jump. In some implementations, an adjustable spring suspension system allows custom optimization of both the turning and ride characteristics of the snowboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Anton F. Wilson
  • Patent number: 7708302
    Abstract: Snowboards are provided that consolidate and redirect a portion of the weight and forces of the rider to the optimal locations (near the edges and near the longitudinal center of the board), providing excellent turning and control and providing impact absorption when landing from a jump. In some implementations, an adjustable spring suspension system allows custom optimization of both the turning and ride characteristics of the snowboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Anton F. Wilson
  • Patent number: 7661682
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a recreational and sporting device (10) comprising a foot support (12) that is mounted on a first wheel (26) such that the foot support is located below the axis of rotation of a first wheel (26). The foot cradle (12) is hingedly attached to a leg support (18) which is adapted to be attached to a user's leg. The device (10) may further include a second wheel (56) used for stabilization and to assist in steering. The device (10) provides a recreational and sporting apparatus that is more manoeuvrable and can be used on uneven terrain where conventional skates, such as in-line skates, cannot be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Wheelskates Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Eric Jenkins
  • Publication number: 20090206562
    Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the invention include a skate blade made from a single piece of unitary material. The unitary blade advantageously facilitates the blade manufacturing process and avoids possible weakness introduced by multiple pieces. Certain embodiments of the skate blade may be formed to attach to a skate boot without heating or twisting of the blade. For example, the skate blade may include at least one tab or flange that may be bent to secure the blade to the boot. Certain embodiments of the skate blade preferably comprise a titanium material, such as ASTM-F136 titanium. In certain embodiments, a blade fixation assembly includes locking screws having a threaded body to engage the bottom of a boot and a threaded head to engage grooved portions of the blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventor: Anatol Podolsky
  • Patent number: 7513509
    Abstract: A device (1) for mounting the components of a safety binding on a ski (2), comprising: a rigid platform (3) that extends over the entire length of the area in which the binding is mounted and comprises lateral slides (12); an elastomer element (4) that extends under the rigid platform (3) and is intended to come into contact with the upper surface of the ski (2); two limit stops (6) and (5), front and back respectively, that cooperate with the rigid platform (3) in order to restrict its longitudinal displacement; a rear plate (7) capable of accommodating the heel piece of the binding, said rear plate (7) being mechanically linked to the rigid platform (3) and secured on the board through retention elements (42, 44) that are directly fixed on the ski either side of the rigid platform (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Skis Dynaster
    Inventors: Philippe Guyot, Bernard Bayle, Olivier Perrin, Christophe Gerossier
  • Patent number: 7494134
    Abstract: A springloaded snowblade unit with complimentary binding complexes consisting of a snowblade with a skiboot support plate affixed thereto with spring components affixed to the snowblade and support plate with a clearance therebetween and with the binding complexes both anterior and posterior being made up of square u-bolts and binding plates with means for tightening the u-bolts and binding plates together fast to the toe and heel portions of a skiboot with the u-bolts being held by clips located between the snowblade and support plate when the clips are held by screws inserted through holes in the support plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Inventor: James H. Mann
  • Patent number: 7431310
    Abstract: A device (1) for mounting the components of a safety binding on a ski, comprising: a longitudinal strip (2) that has, on either side, a guide (10) with a break in its middle; two units (5, 6) each intended to accommodate one of the components of the safety binding, each unit being mounted on said strip (2) with the possibility of adjusting its longitudinal position by sliding in said guides (10); a plurality of points (20-23) for mounting the longitudinal strip (2) on the upper surface of the ski, some of these points (20, 23) allowing longitudinal displacement, relative to the upper surface of the ski, of the area of the longitudinal strip in which they are located; a base (4, 7) intended to come into contact with the upper surface of the ski and on which said longitudinal strip (2) rests, said base extending over a width in excess of that of said longitudinal strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Skis Rossignol
    Inventors: Denis Redor, Michel Mercier, Pierre Gignoux, Christian Allary, Michel Echevin
  • Patent number: 7374209
    Abstract: An ice skate comprises a horizontal platform and a pair of opposing side brackets perpendicularly secured to an underside of the platform. A pair of opposing extension arms is pivotally engaged with each end portion of the side brackets, and an extender bracket is engaged with a center portion of the side brackets. Each extension arm has a torsion spring confined and arranged to enable the extension arm to pivot about the center axle within a certain range in tandem with the other of the pair of extension arms. A distal end of each extension arm has an axle non-rotatably engaged with a follower rotatably engaged in a vertical plane. Each follower is engaged with a horizontally elongated hole at front and rear end portions of the skating blade, and the extender bracket provides an additional follower engaged with a vertically elongated hole on a centerline of the skating blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Inventor: Volker von Detten
  • Patent number: 7360782
    Abstract: A crosscountry ski (1), the lower face (3) of which is curved to form a wax zone (2) positioned substantially in the region lying below the user's boot, wherein its upper face (11) has at least one recess (10), and wherein each recess (10) holds a rigid longitudinal bar (12, 13) extending from the rear of the wax zone (2) to the front of said zone, with one of the ends (17) of each bar (12, 13) abutting (4) on an element (16) which is fixed relative to the ski, while complementary means (20) interacting with the other end (18) of each bar (12, 13) are provided in order to adjustably compress said bar (12, 13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Skis Rossignol S.A.
    Inventor: Pierre Gignoux
  • Patent number: 7314227
    Abstract: A gliding board such as a snowboard (100) having a core (130), a lower structural layer (132), an upper structural layer (134), a base element (138) attached under the lower structural layer, and a metal edge piece (136). A vibration-absorbing panel (120) is attached to the outer surface of the upper structural layer and a protective layer (140) is disposed over the vibration-absorbing panel and the upper structural layer. The vibration-absorbing panel is disposed in the binding attachment region (110) of the snowboard and is an integral and nonremovable part of the snowboard. The upper structural layer may include a recessed portion (235) that is sized to receive the vibration-absorbing panel, whereby the top surface of the snowboard does not have any protrusions. The snowboard includes an array of threaded inserts (152) for selective positioning and attachment of the binding base plate (150) to the snowboard over the vibration-absorbing panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: K-2 Corporation
    Inventor: Doug Sanders
  • Patent number: 7296818
    Abstract: A combination of a ski and a ski binding wherein a long part extends in the longitudinal direction of a ski, the long part being fixed at one end and movable at the other end in response to movement of the ski, with a damping device having a fixed part fixed to the ski and a movable piston movable in response to bending of the ski, and an easily removable adapter device for changing the piston. The fixed part of the long part can be changed in length. Guiding structure can also be provided for guiding movement of the long part on the ski.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Marker Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Krumbeck, Michael Mangold
  • Patent number: 7055846
    Abstract: A snow sliding board (1) such as a ski, a snow board or a surf board has a vertical plane of general symmetry (P). A principal portion, called body or base, includes at least in the area of the sole a complementary, longitudinal element intended to receive the binding for retention of the user's boot The base (2) has the shape of an elongated beam, comprising a sliding sole, whose front extremity is raised in order to form a spatula, with the complementary longitudinal element having the shape of an elongated plate, limited laterally by a lateral left rim and a lateral right rim. The complementary element additionally includes a front portion connected to a rear portion by means of a middle portion. At least one of the lateral rims of the complementary element acts as lateral support, via at least its middle portion, on a lateral shock absorbing stop of deformable elastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Skis Rossignol SA
    Inventor: Eric Restani
  • Patent number: 6991240
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Vans, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Grella, Martin Dalgaard
  • Patent number: 6896284
    Abstract: Device for raising the elements (12, 44) of a ski binding consisting of two platforms (1, 4) articulated together in a median zone of the device. One of the platforms (4) has an extension (5) extending beyond the axis of articulation (7) of the platforms, via which extension a part of the force exerted by the skier on the binding may be applied to the ski in the median zone of the binding so as to improve grip and behavior of the ski during a turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Skis Rossignol S.A.
    Inventor: André Jean Kruajitch
  • Patent number: 6883823
    Abstract: A runner device (1), in particular a ski (2), snowboard, runner or similar, with a stiffening and/or damping element (50) joined to at least one part of the runner device (1), e.g. a layer or an inlaid element, the stiffening and/or damping element (50) being formed by a casing element (46) forming a housing compartment (45) filled with packers (44), which can be adjusted in terms of its hardness or its deformation resistance as necessary by reducing an internal pressure to a pressure below atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Atomic Austria GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Riepler, Helmut Holzer, Rupert Huber
  • Publication number: 20040135327
    Abstract: A ski sport apparatus having a ski with a middle section and two outer sections. An interface device connected to the ski, with a binding region for accommodating a ski binding is arranged in the middle section. The ski sport apparatus has at least two force introduction regions distanced to one another in the longitudinal direction, for introducing forces from the interface device into the ski. The ski in the longitudinal direction has several regions of lower or higher flexibility alternating in the longitudinal direction. The middle section of the ski has a region with a higher flexibility. A frontmost and/or a rearmost force introduction region is allocated to a region with a lower flexibility of the ski and in the longitudinal direction is arranged further to the front or further to the rear than the binding region. The ski has good curve dynamics, has a good ski guiding and excels with an incomparable running smoothness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventor: Roland Bunter
  • Patent number: 6736412
    Abstract: A klop skate with pushing and pulling capabilities. In one alternate, the skate includes a glide member (110) for traversing a surface. The skate includes a shoe portion (112) for receiving a skater's foot. The skate has a base secured to the shoe portion (112) and underlying the received foot. The skate has a base lever (114) secured to the shoe portion base. The base lever (114) has a forward end portion and a forward base attachment structure (124) defined by the forward end portion. The base lever (114) has a longitudinal base lever axis aligned with a longitudinal axis of the received foot. The skate also includes an elongate frame (116) for mounting the glide member (110). The frame has a longitudinal axis, a forward end portion, and a forward frame attachment structure (136). The skate has a canted hinge (126) for connecting the forward end portion of the base lever (114) to the forward end portion of the frame (116).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: K2 Corporation
    Inventor: Drew Krah
  • Patent number: 6715773
    Abstract: A binding (10) for securing a snowboarder's boot to a snowboard (12). The binding includes a baseplate (16) in which a plurality of apertures (38) are formed. Each aperture receives the base (50) of an adjustable dampening assembly (37). The dampening assembly (37) is retained in place by a flange (54) projecting from the lower extremity of the perimeter of the base, which is captured between the baseplate and the snowboard upper surface. A dampening pad (52) is threadably inserted into an internally threaded aperture formed in the base. The dampening pad can be twisted, either by contacting the upper surface (60) of the dampening pad with a thumb or with a driver tool. Twisting of the dampening pad selectively adjusts the height of the dampening pad, which has an elastomeric head, above the baseplate to adjust the fit and vibration and shock absorption abilities of the binding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: K-2 Corporation
    Inventor: Andy J. Aiken
  • Patent number: 6715782
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed that allows a user to individually or simultaneously customize the pitch, roll, height, yaw, linear placement and lateral placement of his/her boots on his/her skis. This system allows the user to stand in a position while skiing that is closer to his/her natural position and to have the parameters of such a stance measured and quantified, thereby improving comfort, performance, and safety. As opposed to the limited variation in only some parameters described by current art, this invention allows significant variation in all individual parameters and simultaneous customization of all parameters. This simultaneity is important because of its increased ease to the skier and because altering any one parameter can change the center of pressure, thus creating the need for additional changes until the perfect combination of adjustments is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Inventors: Clifford Sosin, Howard B. Sosin
  • Patent number: 6659493
    Abstract: A connector plate for ski bindings of snow skis and snowboards consists of two connecting segments (1), constructed from an elastic layer (2) made of an elastic material, for example rubber or silicon, within which located along its lateral axis which lies perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the ski (4) or snowboard, is at least one solid supporting element (3), which divides the elastic layer (2) into two regions, one region is compressed and the other expands during the flexing of the ski (4) or snowboard, in addition the construction allows for longitudinal movement in the elastic layer (2) of the connecting segments (1), all of which takes place while both connecting segments are interconnected via their upper surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventor: Milan Trnka
  • Patent number: 6499758
    Abstract: A sportsboard having an ergonomic upper surface. The upper surface of the sportsboard includes at least one upwardly angled portion with respect to a center of the sportsboard adapted to contact the extremities of a rider, e.g., the feet, boots and/or bindings. Preferably, the angle is between about 1° and 20°, more preferably between about 4° and 14°, and most preferably between 5° and 12°. The angle preferably accounts for an amount of flex in the sportsboard when ridden, and thus may be, e.g., more preferably in a range of between about 4° and 7° in a flexible sportsboard. The extremity contacting sections may be laterally arcuate, may be laterally rotated, and/or may be tilted about a lengthwise axis of the sportsboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventor: Louis Fournier
  • Publication number: 20020121750
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a shoe for walking and skating having a shoe, a locating plate, two locating members, two rollers and a brake. The shoe has a sole provided with a front and a rear holding grooves. The bottom of the locating plate includes a front and a rear locating frames respectively corresponding to the front and rear holding grooves. The locating members are respectively fixed in the front and the rear locating frames. Each of the locating members has a button at either side thereof for pushing a pivoting element to control the axial movement of a locating pin while a cap is used to fix the button, the pivoting element and the locating pin. Besides, a compression spring is interposed between the cap and the locating pin. Moreover, a mounting bar with an elongated groove is movable ups and downs and mounted on either side of the locating members. The rollers are mounted on the elongated grooves of the mounting bars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventor: Wei-Yen Chu
  • Patent number: 6422048
    Abstract: There is disclosed herein relatively simple locking devices for sporting items such snowboards and the like. In one form of the locking device, the same includes a member which can be affixed to a binding of a snowboard, and includes a releasable cable which can be wrapped around a fixed or stationary object so as to secure the sporting item thereto for safe storage. In one embodiment, the cable is normally retained in a flanged section of a pad of the locking system, but can be released therefrom for attachment to the fixed or stationery object. In another embodiment, the cable can be retained around a boot binding assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Spoonfish, Inc.
    Inventors: Ross M. Fontes, Rex O. Bare, Jeffrey C. Smith
  • Patent number: 6419241
    Abstract: An ice skate assembly with a provision for the replacement of ice skate runners. The ice skate assembly includes a molded runner holder having a pair of side walls, the side walls extending downwards and forming a groove therebetween where a runner is received, a recess and a bore suitable for receiving a fastener. The ice skate runner is fastened to the runner holder by a runner projection suitable to be engaged with the recess on the molded runner holder and a fastener passing transversely through the runner and through the bore of the molded runner holder. The fastener is adapted to exert a force on the ice skate runner such that the hooked portion is engaged on the recess and the runner is secured to the runner holder. The force exerted on the ice skate runner comprises a generally longitudinal component, a generally upward component and a generally transversal component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Bauer Nike Hockey Inc.
    Inventor: François Chenevert
  • Publication number: 20020089129
    Abstract: A binding (10) for securing a snowboarder's boot to a snowboard (12). The binding includes a baseplate (16) in which a plurality of apertures (38) are formed. Each aperture receives the base (50) of an adjustable dampening assembly (37). The dampening assembly (37) is retained in place by a flange (54) projecting from the lower extremity of the perimeter of the base, which is captured between the baseplate and the snowboard upper surface. A dampening pad (52) is threadably inserted into an internally threaded aperture formed in the base. The dampening pad can be twisted, either by contacting the upper surface (60) of the dampening pad with a thumb or with a driver tool. Twisting of the dampening pad selectively adjusts the height of the dampening pad, which has an elastomeric head, above the baseplate to adjust the fit and vibration and shock absorption abilities of the binding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Applicant: K-2 Corporation
    Inventor: Andy J. Aiken
  • Publication number: 20020008365
    Abstract: A glide board, especially a ski or snowboard, is provided with a profile rail system on the top of the board at least in the area of the binding consisting of at least one profile rail extending in the longitudinal direction of the glide board and serving to fasten functional elements, for example a binding or elements thereof or a binding plate, by pressing it onto the rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: Andreas Allmann, Franz Scherubl
  • Publication number: 20010019199
    Abstract: A snowboard binding system comprising at least one movable engaging member that, when engaged, secures a snowboarder's boot from vertical or horizontal movement is disclosed. In one embodiment, a binding system having two active sides is disclosed, allowing a snowboarder to engage the binding by stepping downwardly onto the binding mechanism, thus reversibly forcing tensioned engaging members between an extended and a retracted position and back to an extended position, thereby securing the snowboarder's boot to the upper surface of a snowboard. A preferred embodiment utilizes positioning keys that properly orientate a snowboarder's boot into binding engagement. Other embodiments include snowboard boots having active binding mechanisms positioned on the boot itself, such mechanisms engageable with static members secured to the surface of a snowboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Inventor: Chris Karol
  • Publication number: 20010010420
    Abstract: A ski equipped with an interface device having a plate that is kept raised above the upper surface of the ski with a front portion, a rear portion, and a non-extensible linkage. The ski has in its middle sliding skid zone a zone where its two lateral side edges are substantially parallel, each of the portions of the plate being connected to the ski via two lower wings that extend beneath the plate, both wings being pressed against the lateral side edges of the ski, and each wing being fixed to the ski via a single binding journal element. The invention also is directed to an interface device and a ski considered separately.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Applicant: SALOMON S.A.
    Inventors: Joel Arduin, Christian Huyghe, Axel Phelipon, Pierre Szafranski