Abstract: A gliding board, such as a snowboard, has improved lift or float in certain conditions, e.g., when gliding in powdered snow. A nose and/or tail of the gliding board may have a variable bending property to provide the improved float. In one embodiment, the nose and/or tail may have a tapered thickness or other features so that the nose and/or tail is more flexible toward the tip of the nose or tail. Other variable bending properties in the nose and/or tail may be provided for reasons other than improved float, such as to enhance trick or other maneuver performance.

Abstract: Reinforcement element made of a composite material constituted of a layer of inextensible textile material and a layer of polymeric material assembled to the layer of textile material during a molding or vulcanizing step. The textile material is a woven or mesh material, and the textile material is a polyester, polyamide, polypropylene or glass fiber based material. The polymeric material can be a thermosetting material, such as rubber or silicone, or an injected thermoplastic, such as polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, or polypropylene. Advantageously, the polymeric material is at least partially transparent. The composite material can be incorporated in a boot or a binding using tightening straps. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such reinforcement element.

Abstract: A spacer for a sliding device connects a deck to a runner. The spacer may allow relative rotation, pivoting and/or sliding of the deck and the runner. The sliding, pivoting and/or rotating may reduce the stresses experienced at the attachment points of the spacer and the deck or the spacer and the runner. The spacer arrangement may also provide a sliding device with a smoother ride.

Abstract: A highback for controlling a gliding board, such as a snowboard, through leg movement of a rider. The highback is provided with stiffness adjustability for accommodating the rider's particular riding preferences. Adjusting the highback stiffness allows the rider to selectively increase or decrease force transmission and board response based on individual riding preferences and/or riding conditions. Adjusting highback stiffness may also allow a rider to reduce pressure points between the highback and the leg, particularly the rider's calf muscle, for increased comfort while maintaining heelside support for board control. The highback includes a back member that may employ one or more sections that can be selectively adjusted to achieve a desired highback stiffness for board response and comfort. The degree of stiffness may be established by adjusting the flexibility of the highback at preselected locations of the back member.

Abstract: A highback for controlling a gliding board, such as a snowboard, through leg movement of a rider. The highback is comprised of at least two distinct materials with different stiffnesses to achieve desired blend of stiffness and flexibility. The highback may employ a material of greater stiffness in one or more regions to provide high force transmission between the rider and the board. The highback may employ a material of lesser stiffness in one or more regions where flexibility is desired for more gradual power transmission, comfort and/or to facilitate highback adjustability. The arrangement of the different materials provides a lightweight highback with a relatively sleek profile having selected regions of stiffness and/or flexibility.

Abstract: A snowboard and rotatable mount securing a binding thereon are provided. The mount includes a base member affixed to the snowboard by fasteners extending through positioning holes. A coupling member is rotatably disposed in the base member and includes openings to fasten the binding to it. A latch operates to lock and unlock the rotation of the coupling member so that the rider may orient the boot with respect to the board's longitudinal axis. When locked, the boot's longitudinal axis is generally transverse to the board's longitudinal axis in a primary boot position. When unlocked, the rider can rotate the boot so that its longitudinal axis is generally parallel to the board's longitudinal axis in a secondary boot position. A snowboard having first and second bindings is provided with the mount's coupling member attached to the second binding. A method for supporting a binding on a snowboard is also provided.

Abstract: A walking snowboard that enables its user to walk over snow cross-country and also to surf down slopes.

Abstract: A boot support includes a disc solidly secured on a ski board and engaged with a bracket for rotatably securing the bracket to the ski board. One or more pawls are disposed between the disc and the ski board and are forced to to engage with the bracket and to secure the bracket to the disc and the ski board. The pawls may be solidly retained between the disc and the ski board and may be solidly forced to engage with the bracket for securing the bracket to the ski board after the bracket has been rotated relative to the ski board to the required suitable angular position.

Abstract: More particularly to an improved binding structure of a ski having a fixing board at the rear part of the binding structure. The fixing board is coupled to a ringed plate on the binding structure, and two binding straps for fastening the ski boot plate disposed at an appropriate position in the middle and in the front section of the ringed plate, and a fixing base is disposed at the bottom of the ringed plate. The binding structure is fixed to the ski by the fixing base, and a positioning latch pillar is disposed at an appropriate position on the external edge of the fixing board. A release spring is fixed on the positioning latch pillar, and the other end of the release spring is fixed to an appropriate position on the ringed plate of the release latch pillar so that the fixing board can automatically resume its position to cover the binding structure. The above arrangement can automatically cover the binding structure on the fixing board of the ski and enhance the safety of the user.

Abstract: A spacer for snowboards which, in the region between the snowboard boot (22) and the snowboard (20), in addition to the snowboard binding (21), provides a non-positive connection between the snowboard boot (22) and the snowboard (20) and contributes to enlarging of the bearing surface(s) (4.1, 4.2).

Abstract: A releasable fastening assembly for attachment of a boot to a snowboard comprises a mounting member which, in use, is fixed to the snowboard, and a support member which is rotatable relative to the mounting member. First and second jaws are mounted on the support member for engagement with co-operating formations on the boot. Means are provided for releasably holding the support member in a selected one of a plurality of possible angular positions relative to the mounting member and for disengaging at least one of the jaws from the cooperating formations on the boot.

Abstract: A method is provided for coupling a shoe worn by a user onto a coupling mount on a wakeboard by a step-in action. A binding comprises a coupler on either the shoe or wakeboard and a corresponding coupling mount on the other of the shoe or wakeboard to receive the coupler.

Abstract: A system for tool free disengagement of an engagement member from a base while the base is mounted to a substrate, so that the engagement member may be repositioned, tool free, in a new mounting location. The engagement member and the base include complementary locking members, and the engagement member may be constructed so that manipulation of the engagement member releases the complementary locking members allowing relocation of the engagement member in a new mounting location. The system may be incorporated in a binding for securing a foot or a boot and in footwear.

Abstract: A structurally reinforced snowboard comprising upper and lower reinforcing components positioned at upper and lower surface regions of the snowboard. The upper and lower reinforcing components have reinforcing strip portions which are vertically aligned with one another. In one preferred configuration, these extend along. end side portions of the board and converge toward an intermediate location. In other configurations, these cross with one another. The arrangement improves torsional stiffness of the board, while permitting the desired flexural stiffness profile to be obtained.

Abstract: An item of winter sport equipment such as a ski including at least one sliding runner whose width or waisting can be at least in part varied. The variation in width and/or waisting of the sliding runner may be effected by the sliding runner having a plurality of individual parts whose relative positions are variable as by inward and outward displacement or pivotal adjustment.

Abstract: A snowboard braking assembly [10] having a support assembly/raiser-plate [140] with one of its sides a hinge member [140a] within. The center of the support [140] has a set of attachment [24] apertures [144] for the brake [10] to a snowboard [20]. Rotating within the hinge [140a] is a portion of a single irregular multiple-bent elongated lever arm member [90] forming four legs/sections. The first [90a], second [90b], and third legs [90c] form a substantial geometric irregular “U” shape. The fourth leg [90d] having a sufficiently upward orientation to the first [90a] and second [90b] legs, forming an irregular geometric “L to V” shape. The first leg [90a] having a lever arm opposite end [100], and the fourth leg [90d] terminating as a braking end [106].

Abstract: A baseplate for binding a foot to a board, particularly suitable for application as a snowboard binding baseplate, maybe tuned to provide a certain level and/or balance of one or more performance properties including, but not limited to power transmission, responsiveness, feel, and comfort. The binding baseplate may include localized regions of varying stiffness to provide a specific performance property. Consequently, the binding baseplate may include a specific stiffness characteristic at a location where the boot engagement members are mounted, providing a desired response of the binding baseplate to forces that may be generated by the rider during turns, landing jumps, and otherwise during riding.

Abstract: A combined skateboard and ski which includes a body board having two bottom riser pads, a ski, and cushions. Lock nuts and two mounting frames are provided on a top side of the ski for securing the ski to the riser pads of the body board. Each of the mounting frames has a support arm and a pivot hole formed in the support arm. Two wheel assemblies are fastened to the riser pads of the body board by cushions and lock nuts to form a skateboard after removal of the mounting frames from the riser pads.

Abstract: A snowboard having a length, a width, and a height, the latter including in particular a lower reinforcement, an upper reinforcement, and at least one core located between the upper reinforcement and the lower reinforcement. The thickness of each core is demarcated by two surfaces of the core parallel to one another, and at least one of the cores has a smaller width than the width of the board in each end zone.

Abstract: A gliding apparatus that includes an upper board and a lower board affixed to one another by two linkages. Each of the linkages of the apparatus includes a lower footing affixed to the lower board, an upper footing affixed to the upper board, and a journal that enables a rotation of the lower footing relative to the upper footing along a substantially transverse axis of the apparatus.

Abstract: A snowboard binding system has a boot and a binding configured to be releasably coupled together. The boot has an upper potion, a sole portion, a front catch and at least one rear catch. The binding includes a base member, a rear binding arrangement and a front binding member. The base member has a front portion and a rear portion. The rear binding arrangement is coupled to the rear portion to selectively engage at least one rear catch. The rear catch has a concave abutment surface. The rear binding arrangement has a movable tooth portion with a convexly shaped latching surface designed to selectively engage the abutment surface to couple the boot to the binding. The abutment surface and the latching surface are configured to reduce flexing of the binding when the boot is deflected relative to the binding.

Abstract: A snowboard binding system is provided that is relatively easy to step-in and step-out of. The snowboard binding has a base member, a front binding member movably coupled the base member between a release position and a latched position, and a pair of rear binding members coupled to lateral sides of the base member. The rear binding members have latch members movable relative to the base member to selectively hold the rear catch portions of a snowboard boot. The latch members are arranged to move laterally apart relative to each other upon application of a force direction substantially towards the base member. The first and second latch members are arranged to selectively hold the catch members in a plurality of engagement positions having different heights above the base member.

Abstract: A snowboard binding that includes lock-retaining elements having sloping or conical surfaces for guiding the sole of a snow boot into a seated position. The boot sole becomes more restricted in the longitudinal and transverse directions, the further the boot is introduced into the binding. Also is disclosed a snowboard binding and a boot combination having interengaging boot-retaining members on the binding and locking parts on the boot sole.

Abstract: A snowboard binding for use with a snowboard and boots. The snowboard binding includes a top plate for affixation to a sole of a boot and a bottom plate for affixation to a snowboard. The top plate has two spaced apart and opposed upturned and inwardly angled end walls, and a locking bar with a hole formed therein. The bottom plate has two opposing end tabs which are inwardly angled by a predetermined angle generally mating to that of the end walls of the top plate. The bottom plate has a locking mechanism with a locking pin adapted to be biased into a hole formed in the locking bar when the top plate is fully engaged with the bottom plate.

Abstract: To provide a structure for mounting snowboard bindings for turning a snowboard in the direction in which a rider intends to go without limiting flex, and for increasing the riding performance of the snowboard, the structure for mounting bindings comprises outer fixing sections having highly rigid supporting bars and highly rigid mounting bars, and inner fixing sections having highly flexible soft mounting parts. Since the outer fixing sections are provided so as to cross the snowboard and almost reach the edges of the snowboard, shifting the direction of the weight of the rider is directly transmitted to the edges, and as a result, high riding performance can be achieved. In addition, because the shapes of the soft mounting parts vary according to the direction of the weight of the rider during riding, the snowboard can be fully bent and can be turned in the direction in which a rider intends to go.

Abstract: The board assembly for sliding on grass slopes comprises a board, a retaining means attached to the board and a locking means for clamping an ice block to the retaining means. The board has, essentially, a rectangular shape with longitudinal and transversal axes of symmetry, upper and lower surfaces, a front and rear end and a pair of lateral ends. The retaining means is attached to the lower surface, has an axis of symmetry coinciding with the longitudinal axis of symmetry and is adaptable to capture an ice block. The locking means actuates on the retaining means for closing it and, thereby, clamping the ice block in place.

Abstract: A gliding board, such as a snowboard, has improved lift or float in certain conditions, e.g., when gliding in powdered snow. A nose and/or tail of the gliding board may have a variable bending property to provide the improved float. In one embodiment, the nose and/or tail may have a tapered thickness or other features so that the nose and/or tail is more flexible toward the tip of the nose or tail. Other variable bending properties in the nose and/or tail may be provided for reasons other than improved float, such as to enhance trick or other maneuver performance.

Abstract: A buckle for fastening a strap having a mounting location especially arranged relative to a force resolving location of the buckle to control dive of the buckle in a particular direction when the strap is cranked down. A mounting location includes a pair of flanges extending sideways from the buckle housing and away from a floor of the housing.

Abstract: A method for forming a sheet material suitable for use in manufacturing gliding board bases includes placing a first group of materials including plastic particles on a surface in a first pattern, and placing a second group of materials including plastic particles on the surface in a second pattern. Heat and pressure are applied to sinter the plastic particles together to form the sheet material having a first area with a first set of characteristics formed mainly of particles from the first group adjacent a second area with a second set of characteristics different from the first set of characteristics formed mainly from particles from the second group. The first and second sets of characteristics may include only one characteristic, such as color, hardness, wear-resistance, etc., or a plurality of different characteristics. A sheet material and gliding board having a base made with such sheet material also include first and second areas having at least one different property.

Abstract: A scooter supporting leg is formed of a fastening mount, a leg, an elastic member, a collar, and a stop pillar. The fastening mount is fastened with the scooter footboard and is provided with a pivoting portion to which the leg is pivoted. The leg is provided with a stop ring. The elastic member is disposed between the fastening mount and the stop ring of the leg for locating the leg at the support side or the folding side of the fastening mount. The collar serves to facilitate the turning of the leg smoothly. The stop pillar is intended to locate the leg.

Abstract: Interface element used in snowboarding and intended to transmit the pressure exerted by the foot of the rider in the direction of the snowboard (1), said element having median longitudinal (5) and transverse (6) planes dividing the pressure zone (3, 4) into four quadrants (11-14), wherein two (11, 13) of the quadrants arranged diagonally have a rigidity greater than the two other quadrants (12, 14) so as to favor transmission of the pressure at the diagonal of the two quadrants of greater rigidity, said diagonal being intended to be oriented substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the board.

Abstract: A connecting organ for coupling a shoe with a sporting device such as a skate or a roller skate, ski or the like, such as to be pivotable around a pivoting point, which is equipped with a first and a second pivoting point which during use are successively active with a progression of a foot's bending. the shoe can be mounted onto a support element which at a first end thereof liftably rests upon the sporting device and at a second end removed from the first end is via the first pivoting point connected with an end of a coupling element whose other end is connected via the second pivoting point with a connecting organ that is mounted on the sporting device.

Abstract: A binding has a heel loop and a highback pivotally connected to the heel loop. A lever mechanism has a first portion pivotally connected to the highback and a second portion which operably engages the heel loop. Rotation of the lever mechanism causes the highback to move between a neutral position and a forward lean position. In certain preferred embodiments, the first portion of the lever mechanism is adjustably pivotally connected to the highback. In certain preferred embodiments, the second portion of the lever mechanism is secured to the heel loop.

Abstract: A sliding device provides a binding-free apparatus suitable for trick and other riding on snow, sand, ice and other surfaces. An elongated deck to support the rider is elevated from and attached to an elongated runner, which provides a surface that slides on the snow, sand, etc. The runner may be made more narrow than the deck to provide leverage for the rider to tilt the device onto an edge of the runner to steer the device. The device may not have any defined front or back portion and thus be adapted for riding in either direction.

Abstract: A modified snowboard includes a multi-position binding system having at least two preset positions, including a first position where the user is able to control the snowboard under conventional use, and a second position where the user is able to rotate the binding systems to extend a guide blade through a slot from a recessed position within the core of the board. The blade when in use projects from the bottom surface to provide guide means to aid the user in controlling the direction of the snowboard during forward movement. A retractable guide blade for snowboards is also disclosed.

Abstract: A support for a snowboard boot binding includes a support member having a first support surface extending on a first side of a support axis, wherein the first support surface is concave relative to the support axis, and wherein the first support surface extends less than 360° around the support axis. A second support surface is disposed on a second side of the support axis. The first and second support surfaces are configured such that they are capable of radially retaining a cleat engagement control shaft.

Abstract: An ice board including a platform for supporting an individual in a standing or crouched position, a pair of single in line ice runners disposed below and fixed to the platform, and a brake member, a first or forward ice runner defines a curved ice engaging surface which curves upwardly toward the front of the platform while the rear ice runner includes a flat ice engaging surface over about 80 percent of its length. The rear ice runner also includes a curved surface at the rear thereof for rotating the front of a platform upwardly and for bringing the brake member into engagement with the ice to slow or stop momentum of the ice board on the ice.

Abstract: A skateboard and ski arrangement is constructed to include a board body having two bottom riser pads, a ski, cushions and lock nuts two mounting frames fixedly provided at a top side of the ski and adapted for securing the ski to the riser pads of the board body by the cushions and the lock nuts, said mounting frames each comprising a support arm, a pivot hole disposed in said support arm and adapted for receiving the threaded pivot of one riser pad of said board body, and two wheel assemblies adapted for fastening to the riser pads of the board body by the cushions and the lock nuts to form with the board body a skateboard after removal of the mounting frames from the riser pads.

Abstract: A snowboard binding is provided for releasably connecting a boot to a snowboard. One embodiment of the invention includes inner and outer main bodies to receive a two-piece cleat. A second embodiment includes inner and outer hooks for hooking, and a latch for securing, a one-piece cleat. A third embodiment includes a front main body and a spring-loaded latch in a rear main body for engaging a one-piece cleat. A fourth embodiment engages a one-piece cleat with inwardly beveled, semi-circular inner and outer main bodies. A fifth embodiment engages a one-piece cleat with a front main body and a latch, fixedly mounted upon an axle, within a rear main body. The latch is biased toward the engaged position by a spring. In a sixth embodiment of the invention, a one-piece cleat is engaged with a front main body and two rear spring biased latches. In a seventh embodiment, among other things, the cleat is formed in two pieces.

Abstract: A sports vehicle which includes a substantially horizontal platform [(1)] capable of supporting the user and having attached to its underside two or more rotatable disks [(2)] arranged to rotate about substantially vertical axes [(3)], the underside of each rotatable disk being substantially convex in form. The platform is resilient and can adopt a convex or concave shape, so as to steer the vehicle. The user places his feet on the platform and steers the vehicle by tilting the platform using his body weight. The vehicle enables its user to travel over grassland and similar terrain in a manner similar to skateboarding and snowboarding.

Abstract: A support apparatus having support members attached to a snowboard. The support members having handles that are adapted to be grasped by a user where the user exerts a vertical force upon the handles and a manner to create a downward force upon a support surface that is attached to the snowboard. The user is not bound to the snowboard.

Abstract: A snowboard boot including at least one recess adapted to mate with a corresponding engagement member on a binding, and an interface for interfacing a snowboard boot to a binding. The interface comprises a body having at least one recess arranged to be disposed along an outer surface of the snowboard boot, the recess being adapted to mate with a corresponding engagement member on the binding. The interface may be molded of a non-metallic material and bonded to a snowboard boot.

Abstract: An elongate snowboard having a body which is characterized by a central region which, in transverse cross section is convex in relation to the way it faces a snow surface, first and second end regions each joining with opposite ends of the elongate central region and each of which, in transverse cross section is concave in relation to the way that it faces a snow surface, with the central and end regions collectively being characterized, as one looks at either broad face of the snowboard, by bilateral symmetry relative to both the central longitudinal axis of the board and to the central transverse axis thereof.

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 binding and boot engagement system for use with a snowboard having a step-in binding system is disclosed. The system has a flexible tether connectable at one end to the snowboard and at the other end to the user. When a user is in an elevated lift and has one boot removed from a binding, the user may apply an upward force to the tether, thereby causing the board to elevate. By positioning the free boot over the binding and applying the upward force, the boot is caused to engage with the binding. Features of the invention include having first and second portions of the tether wherein the first portion is generally non-stretchable and the second portion is resiliently connected to the user. In this configuration, a slight tension is usually present in the system, thereby decreasing the chances for unintentional engagement of the system with undesirable objects such as lift equipment or mountain hazards.

Abstract: An illuminated sports board has a riding platform having a top surface and a bottom surface, a microcontroller mounted on the top surface, a power source operably connected to the microcontroller, an electro-luminescent sheet positioned on the riding platform, an electrical circuit electrically connecting the microcontroller to the electro-luminescent sheet, and a translucent resin layer covering both the riding platform and the electro-luminescent sheet.

Abstract: A device for the angular orientation of a boot to be associated with a gliding or rolling board. The device includes a disk and a plate, the disk having a peripheral toothing. The plate is rotationally guided in relation to the disk. The plate is provided with an arm that has a toothed end. The arm is journalled with respect to tie plate along an axis that is parallel to the thickness of the plate, and an elastic mechanism biases the arm such that the toothed end of the arm is engaged with the peripheral toothing of the disk.

Abstract: A gliding board including a longitudinal beam having a laminated structure that includes a bottom surface layer possibly edged with lateral running edges, reinforcing layers, a decorating layer, and a central core, the board being equipped with a data exchange label. The data exchange label is positioned at a distance greater than or equal to 2 millimeters from any metallic mass of the stack.

Abstract: A two-piece articulated snowboard having a first section held to a second section by a connector. the connector is configured so that it permits some bending so that the longitudinal axis of the board bends at the connector. Preferably, the connector permits very little or no twisting so that the first and second sections stan in the same horizontal plane.

Abstract: The snowboard comprises a slide board and a step board which are joined by a connecting member in a substantially parallel and spaced relationship. Because of the elevated position of the step board, the snowboarder gains a leverage in controlling the edges of the slide board without any substantial effort. Therefore, the snowboarder is enabled to control the snowboard without requiring his or her boots to be fixedly secured to the snowboard. Also, because the snowboarder can move his or her feet on the deck at will, this additionally increases the freedom in the shifting of the weight. Therefore, as opposed to the conventional snowboard which does not provide any such leverage, and fixedly restrains the snowboarder's feet, the snowboarder is allowed to shift his or her weight much more effortlessly, and perform a greater variety of tricks.