Abstract: Snowboard binding comprising a baseplate (1) on which is mounted a bow (7) that is adjustable in terms of position by means of two pairs of nuts and screws and a highback (8) mounted on the bow so that it is orientable. Each of the screws (25) used to mount the highback (8) on the bow (7) and one of the screws (22, 24) of the pair of screws used to fix the bow to the baseplate are coaxial and share a common nut (17, 19).

Abstract: The invention pertains to a new type of elevating plate for the binding or a binding element of a glide board, especially of a snowboard.

Abstract: Automatic snowboard binding holding the boot via its sides and comprising automatic locking means (11, 14), retention means (6), and a boot-release lever (16) whose operation results in unlocking of the retention means. The boot-release lever is kinematically independent of the locking means (11, 14) in such a manner that it remains stationary when the boot is clipped into the binding.

Abstract: A binding strap for use in a soft boot snowboard binding is provided, the binding strap including a flexible, unitary binding member having an ankle section connected to a toe section by a midsection. The binding strap may be configured and dimensioned to preferably provide a rider with easy entry and exit from the strap. In addition, the shape and flexible nature of the binding makes it comfortable to use, while also allowing it to perform well by securely engaging the rider's boot to the snowboard. The unitary construction allows the binding strap to move in an integrated manner, while the surface area of the binding strap reduces pressure points by distributing pressure exerted by the binding over a relatively large surface area of the boot, and hence foot, of the rider.

Abstract: A snowboard binding includes a binding base having two side walls and having one or more front channels. A toe strap and an instep strap and a heel member are secured to the binding base. A toe member has one or more bottom ribs slidably engaging with the channels of the binding base for guiding the toe member to move relative to the binding base. The toe member has two side panels slidably engaged with the walls and adjustably secured to the toe member for adjusting the snowboard binding to different lengths and for attaching the boots of various sizes to the snowboard with the adjustable snowboard binding.

Abstract: A snowboard with a single lateral edge modified and/or a device for modifying a single lateral edge of a snowboard for the purpose of making the snowboard easier to control while learning to traverse snow covered slopes on the snowboard. A single edge of the snowboard is modified such that at least a portion of the edge is provided with a structure having a rounded profile of substantially larger radius of curvature than would result from merely rounding the sharp corners of the edge of the snowboard. The structure is positioned so that an arcuate surface is directed outwardly and downwardly from the edge. The structure of substantially larger radius of curvature can be provided in the form of permanent integrally formed swellings of portions of the snowboard edge, or could be provided by one or more removable members attached to the snowboard edge. The removable members are provided with a clearance which engages the edge, and fasteners to mount the member to the edge.

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 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: A snow-gliding apparatus is provided. The snow-gliding apparatus includes an elongate member having an intermediate portion positioned between a pair of upturned end portions, and a bottom surface with a substantially planar bottom region configured to slide over snow. The apparatus further includes a traction member positioned above the elongate member, and a channel extending at least partially along the bottom surface of the elongate member. The channel is configured to guide the elongate member over the snow. The traction member typically is a pliant foam layer. A plurality of channels may be formed in the bottom surface of the elongate member.

Abstract: A gliding apparatus for use in snow is provided. The apparatus typically includes an elongate member including an intermediate portion positioned between a pair of longitudinally opposed upturned end portions. The elongate member includes a bottom surface configured to glide over snow and a laterally upwardly curved surface. The apparatus further includes a traction layer positioned above the elongate member. The traction layer is typically a pliant foam layer. The apparatus may also include a translucent layer through which indicia is viewable, beveled edges, stringers, and/or an elongate member with layers of varying stiffness.

Abstract: A system for preventing toe-edge travel of a hi-back is provided. The system includes a latch, supportable by the hi-back, for engaging a snowboard binding base plate. The system can include a forward lean adjuster. When engaged, the latch prevents travel of the hi-back relative to the snowboard binding base plate, thereby increasing the responsiveness of the snowboard to rider movements. The latch may be engaged in a lateral rotational position of the hi-back.

Abstract: A sports boot adapted to be associated to a glide board for snowboarding, via a detachable binding device that includes a rear support spoiler that is relatively rigid. The boot includes an external sole overhung with a shell base that extends towards the lower part of the user's leg via a relatively flexible upper that is capable of cooperating with the rear support spoiler which is relatively rigid, and affixed to the board, during a rear edge setting, wherein the upper includes an arrangement for distributing the pressure exerted on the lower part of the user's leg when the upper takes support on the spoiler, such arrangement including a relatively rigid plate attached to a more flexible rear zone of upper and insulated from all the rigid parts of the boot in order to maintain the flexibility of the upper.

Abstract: Highback for a snowboard binding intended to come into contact with the rear part of the user's boot in order to withstand the back thrusts thereof, having a median longitudinal plane of symmetry, which has a stiffer region located asymmetrically with regard to the median longitudinal plane of symmetry of the highback.

Abstract: Snowboard binding comprising a base (1) intended to be fixed to a snowboard and having side walls (2, 3) connected at the rear by a bow shaped structure (4), a curved support plate (5) articulated relative to the base between the side walls at two opposed points. This support plate (5) is articulated to an auxiliary support (6) secured to the base (1) either by being fixed directly to the base or by being fixed to the base via an intermediate component. The auxiliary support is preferably between the side walls (2, 3). Greater versatility in the mounting of the support plate on the base is achieved, and the mounting enables the fore-aft adjustments to be dissociated from the other adjustments.

Abstract: A step-in binding system (20) for securing a boot (24) to a snowboard (22). The boot includes a sole defining a toe end, a heel end, and a binding attachment surfaces (46 and 50). The boot also has an elongate, substantially U-shaped highback (28) mounted to the exterior of the boot in the calf area thereof and extending from the ankle area to the top of the boot. The step-in binding system includes a toe and heel binding (62 and 64) attached to the snowboard for receiving and securing the boot to the snowboard. The step-in binding system also includes a lever arm (66) attached to the heel binding for selectively releasing the boot from the binding. A lean support member (68) is fastened near the rearward end of the binding for engagement with a stopper block (29) secured to the highback to define a minimum forward lean angle of the boot and to limit the aft flexure of the ankle support portion of the boot when the boot is received within the binding.

Abstract: A snowboard having a front section connected to a back section by a bendable connector. A rider places one foot on the front section and the other foot on the back section. The bottom of both sections have a series of curved longitudinal ridges positioned so that the bottom of each section curves in a convex manner both front to back and side to side. The rider's feet may be restrained from horizontal movement along the top surface by a recess in the top surface or by protrusions in the top surface.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a snowboard boot and a strap to hold down a rider's foot in the snowboard boot. The strap includes a tightening element attached to the snowboard boot, a strap body supported by the tightening element, and a closure device including a spool about which the tightening element is wrapped to tighten the strap down onto the snowboard boot. In one aspect, the closure device includes a body and an actuator that is rotatably mounted to the body and is coupled to the tightening element so that rotation of the actuator causes the tightening element to be drawn into the closure device body to tighten the strap.

Abstract: A snowboard instructional attachment is described including a slider plate that is formed to include a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface is configured to be secured to a base surface of a snowboard and the bottom surface is configured to engage and slide across snow to prevent the side edge of the snowboard from digging into the snow. The slider plate further includes a leading edge joining the bottom surface. It extends upwardly from the bottom surface and is configured to extend above the top deck surface of a snowboard when mounted thereto. A clamp is preferably mounted to the slider plate and is configured to releasably secure the slider plate to a snowboard with the top surface engaging the base surface of the snowboard.

Abstract: An adjustable strap that limits separation of the strap portions from each other. The strap provides for quick and easy one hand operation by allowing a user to fully loosen and tighten the strap without the need for rejoining the strap portions to each other. The strap may also maintain the overlapping sections of the strap portions in close proximity and generally parallel to each other, such as when bending and/or adjusting the strap across a curved surface, to substantially reduce the likelihood of a loose strap end. The adjustable strap may include an engagement strap with a fastening device, such as a ratchet buckle, mounted to one end thereof, and a ratchet strap that passes through the ratchet buckle to be adjusted relative to the engagement strap for a desired tightness. The engagement strap may include a stop that coacts with the ratchet strap to limit relative movement between the engagement and ratchet straps.

Abstract: An improved individual snowboard for each foot is described. The invention provides a series of features improving the stability and performance of the snowboards. Each of the individual snowboards includes a turned up nose and tail, a top, a bottom, a resilient core located between the top and bottom, first and second sides and a surrounding right-angle edge. The core is capable of supporting the mounting of a snowboarding boot binding. A variant of the invention includes specially shaped sidecuts on each of the first and second sides. The sidecuts allow improved turning and stoping capability. The edge may also be segmented to increase flexibility of the snowboard for improved turning. In another variant, the upward curve of the nose and tail have specially designed dimensions. A further variant of the invention includes special low-friction base material attached to the bottom of the snowboard inside of the edge perimeter.

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 snowboard that facilitates turn carving by distributing the load applied by the rider over a much greater portion of the edge of the board preferably comprises a spider mount drive system operably mounted on the board. The drive system includes a drive base that is operably coupled to a boot binding and is adapted to distribute a load applied by a rider to multiple locations along the edge of the snowboard. The drive base preferably includes a central cross member and first and second elongated leg members extending outwardly from its heel and toe locations and is preferably pivotally mounted to the board. The drive base may be formed integrally with the binding or, alternatively, be formed as a separate insertable member.

Abstract: A highback for controlling a gliding board, such as a snowboard, through leg movement of a rider. The highback is provided with shape adjustability for accommodating a rider's particular riding preferences. Shape adjustability may allow the rider to reduce pressure points between the highback and the leg, particularly the calf muscle, for increased comfort while maintaining proper heelside support for board control. Shape adjustability may also allow the rider to selectively increase or decrease force transmission and board response based on individual riding preferences and/or riding conditions. The highback may employ one or more sections that may be selectively arranged to achieve a desirable highback shape for board response and rider comfort. The highback may be rigidly fixed in the selected shape to maintain comfort while delivering desired power transmission to the board.

Abstract: The novel tunnelboard snowboard is designed to offer unique and superior tracking characteristics, dampening and spring characteristics as well as providing improved turning characteristics. This new snowboard invention utilizes a new flow-through tunnel design with sharpened orthogonal protrusions imbedded therein.

Abstract: A snowboard binding comprising a flat base which is provided with elements for fixing to a shoe and is centrally provided with a circular opening which is shaped complementarily to a plate for fixing to the snowboard so that the base can be rotated adjustably about the plate. The base has, around the opening, notches for engaging the plate in preset angular positions, the base further comprising, adjacent to at least one of its lateral edges, two arms which protrude from the base and converge in a region where the arms are mutually opposite and rigidly coupled to elements for adjusting the mutual distance between the arms.

Abstract: A binding includes an upper attachment connected to a boot, a lower attachment connected to a board, a coupler attached to one of the upper and lower attachments, and a coupling mount attached to the other of the upper and lower attachments. The coupling mount and the coupler are configured to automatically engage with each other to lock the upper attachment to the lower attachment when a user wearing the boot steps onto the lower attachment and to permit rotation of the upper attachment relative to the lower attachment when the upper attachment is locked to the lower attachment. A release actuator is actuated to disengage the coupler and the coupling mount. A lock locks the boot in a selected rotary position relative to the board. The coupler includes a collar and a sleeve positioned within the collar. The collar is rotatable relative to the sleeve.