Abstract: A snowboard binding that includes a strap (10) for gripping the front part of a foot, the strap being capable of pivoting relative to an axis (11) substantially perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane of the binding. The snowboard binding includes a stop for limiting the rearward pivoting of the strap (10) relative to the axis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for determining a custom fit stance for the user of a board-type conveyance such as a snowboard, wake board, or the like.

Abstract: A downhill ski binding (2) that operates to allow the skier to select a number of skates or a time interval, after which a lock means (30) locks the rearward end (28) of a ski boot plate (4) to a ski plate/lift (14) and/or a ski (22) until reset. Until the pre-selected number of skates or time interval is reached, the rearward end of the ski boot plate is freely moveable with respect to the ski plate/lift and/or ski, thereby allowing the skier to freely skate. A variety of configurations and mechanical, electromechanical and electromagnetic dynamic locking means are described, several with remote input means (104) and a logic unit (102).

Abstract: A universal binding apparatus for detachably securing footwear to an article is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base plate and a foot plate. The base plate attaches to the article while the foot plate attaches to the footwear. The base plate includes a toe latch, a heel latch, and a first release. The toe latch is disposed at a front portion of the base plate while the heel latch is disposed at a rear portion of the base plate such that the first release is also disposed between the toe latch and the heel latch. The first release enables either the toe latch or the heel latch to be disengaged from the foot plate. The foot plate includes a toe support and a heel support. The toe support is disposed at a front portion of the shoe plate similar to the front portion of the base plate and while the heel support is disposed at a rear portion of the shoe plate. The shoe plate removably attaches to the base plate with the toe support engaged with the toe latch and the heel support engaged with the heel latch.

Abstract: An all-terrain ski upon which various cross-country skiing techniques can be used by having a sliding member (2) slide over a base member (1) to simulate gliding on snow. The sliding member is held down by medium washers (6) and uses wheel and bearing assemblies (5) to glide. There is a return mechanism (3) that is connected to sliding member (2) and base member (1) which provides resistance and returns the sliding member (2) and base member (1) to their original position before the sliding member was slid.

Abstract: A binding includes a suspension heel loop formed by an upper member pivotally connected to the base of the binding frame. The heel loop flexes or moves in a controlled manner with respect to the binding base at the heel end of the binding. A binding having the suspension heel loop provides greater maneuvering and board control, and thus improves rider performance, while providing shock and vibration absorption capabilities for increasing the overall comfort of the binding during use.

Abstract: A snowboard binding (1) that includes a part (10) that can move relative to a fixed part (2) and a manually actuated mechanism (20) for adjusting the position of and immobilizing the moveable part (10) relative to the fixed part (2), wherein said mechanism includes an operating lever (30), that is integral with the fixed part (2), and a retractable locking piece (25) that is capable of moving through the effect of the movement of the lever (30), between a position in which it is caught in a housing (15) chosen from a plurality of housings produced in the moveable part (10), and a position in which it is retracted, thus allowing the moveable part (10) to move relative to the fixed part (2).

Abstract: Disengageable ski binding having a carrying plate which is provided as a standing surface for a ski boot and is arranged on a ski-mounted base part such that it can be rotated about a vertical axis of the base part counter to an adjustable resistance of a first latching device, and having disengageable front and rear sole holders which are arranged on the carrying plate, it being the case that the rear sole holders can be disengaged counter to an adjustable resistance of a second latching arrangement, which is separate from the first latching device, and/or the front sole holders are locked within a predetermined angle-of-rotation region of the carrying plate, without affecting the resistance of the first latching device, and are unlocked outside the region of rotation.

Abstract: A ski binding, in particular for cross-country skiing, having a sliding element displaceable in the running direction, as well as at least two spring-loaded latching pins movable transversely to the running direction for latching engagement in corresponding fittings in the tip region of the ski boot. Each of the two latching pins is carried by a spring-loaded molded part, the molded parts being oppositely arranged relative to one another and guided in links of the sliding element.

Abstract: A snowboard binding comprises base plate with an extension in the peripheral regions on either side of its longitudinal axis, and a U-shaped support element, each extension retaining a respective leg of the support element, which supports a back support pivotably disposed in the region of the support element base and/or which is a stop restriction for a back support mounted on the extensions of the base plate. A pivot bearing mounts the support element so as to be pivotable in a limited pivot path about a pivot axis extending transversely to the longitudinal axis and parallel to the base plate. The binding comprises an adjusting and locking mechanism for fixing the support element in a desired angular position relative to the base plate, and/or an elastically resilient damping mechanism for rebounding the support element into a pre-defined angular position relative to the base plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety ski binding (1) with a toe and a heel binding (4, 5) and an electronic circuit arrangement (6). This circuit arrangement (6) comprises a computer unit and a memory system as well as a sensor system (8) for detecting at least one set safety release value of the safety ski binding (1). The circuit arrangement (6) has at least one electronic evaluation device (13, 14) with a software-driven, programmable micro-controller (39, 40), the micro-controller (39, 40) having a non-volatile memory system (41, 42) or being connected to a non-volatile memory system (41, 42). This micro-controller (39, 40) is programmed to store manually altered settings of the safety release value and/or changing states of the safety ski binding (1) detected by the sensor system (8) in the memory system (41, 42).

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.

Abstract: A safety ski binding (1) with a toe and a heel binding (4,5) and an electronic circuit (6) incorporating an electronic display device (7) and sensor system (8) for displaying at lest one set safety release value of the safety ski binding (1). An evaluation device (13,14) is provided in both the toe binding (4) and the heel binding (5), each of which has at least one sensor (15,16) for detecting at least the set safety release values. Each of the evaluation devices (13,14) respectively has a separate power supply system (21,22) and transmitter between them, only a single display device (7) being provided on the toe binding or on the heel binding (4,5), in particular a display (25) with graphic capability, in order to display the respective values or states of the toe and heel binding (4,5).

Abstract: The invention relates to a snowboard binding including a baseplate and at least one strap formed from at least one strap part articulated relative to one side of the baseplate, capable of interacting with fastening mechanisin connected on the other side of the baseplate in order to allow gripping of the user's boot in the binding. This binding is defined in that each strap part has two stable equilibrium positions, namely an open position in which the strap part is released from the front of the binding and a closed position in which the strap part is folded down over the front of the binding in order to interact with the fastening mechanism, the articulation of the strap part relative to the binding being arranged in order that, between these two positions, the strap part is displaced automatically toward one of the two stable positions.

Abstract: A binding for a snowboard includes a baseplate and at least one strap formed of strap parts that are each articulated relative to a side of the baseplate and that interact with one another in order to ensure the gripping of the strap over a boot. The strap parts are formed by curved rigid parts, the ends of which come from opposite directions toward one another, and one of the strap parts is equipped with an articulated lever allowing the displacement of a hooked zone capable of interacting with a notched zone formed on the upper face of the opposite strap part.

Abstract: A sports boot, in particular a ski boot, which is capable of being connected to a sports tool, e.g. a ski, movable along the ground, wherein the center of the pad axis is located between the longitudinal axis of the sports ski and the inner edge of the ski. The axis of symmetry (S1) of the shell is rotated by an angle (?) relative to the axis of symmetry (S2) of the sole plate (2) so that the center of the heel is located between the axis of symmetry (SX) of the ski and the inner edge (Ki) of the ski.

Abstract: A ski construction such as a ski, monoski, or snow board includes a principal base support (2) which has a sliding sole (6) that is raised to form a tip (8) at its front end. An upper surface of the ski defines a housing or pocket (20) with a central contracted region defined by lateral projections (18a, 18b). One of a family of elongated complementary elements (3) with hollow profiles (12a, 12b) is frictionally received in the pocket. The complementary elements can have different lengths, thicknesses, stiffness, constructions, or material properties. By selecting among the family of complementary elements, a common principal support base can be configured to have a variety of skiing characteristics which complement the skiing abilities of a variety of skiers, skiing conditions, and the like.

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: A binding system for and on skis or snowboards having slider elements that are insertable into a guiderail arrangement and may be secured for front and rear sole holder units by multi-section retaining element. The retaining element is arranged on the skis or on the guiderail arrangement longitudinally between the slider elements.

Abstract: A raising platform is intended for mounting on the upper surface (3) of a board (1) for gliding over snow in order to receive and to raise the bindings securing a user's boot to a board (1) for gliding over snow. The raising platform is divided into two longitudinal parts (9, 11).

Abstract: Step-in snowboard binding designed to hold a boot by its sides. The binding comprises at least one jaw secured to a driving arm intended to be driven by the boot. The jaw has a cam-shaped part collaborating with a locking element which can move in a guide in such a way that the jaw is locked for various positions of the jaw. The jaw is equipped with a return spring which tends to keep it in the open position, and the jaw and the locking element cooperate to keep the locking element away from its locking position when the jaw is raised. In this way, the jaw cannot be closed inadvertently and the locking element does not hamper the closure movement.

Abstract: A snowboard binding comprises a base, a front binding arrangement and a rear binding arrangement. One of the front and rear binding arrangements is a binding member and the other is a binding mechanism, which includes a catch, a latch and a stationary guide. The catch moves between release and latched positions. The latch selectively holds the catch in at least one latched position. The stationary guide is fixed to the base to form a cleat insertion opening between the catch and the stationary guide. Preferably, the binding member is a front binding member and the binding mechanism is a rear binding mechanism. The catch preferably pivots about a pivot axis that is spaced rearwardly on the base from a pivot axis of the latch. In an alternate embodiment, the front and rear binding arrangements are reversed on the base.

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.

Abstract: A snowboard binding includes a base member, a front binding member, a rear binding member, a front abutment section and a rear abutment section. The front binding member is coupled to the front portion of the base member. The rear binding member is coupled to the rear portion of the base member. The front and rear binding members are arranged and configured to selectively engage a front and rear cleats of a snowboard boot. The front abutment section extends upwardly from the front portion of the base member to laterally support the front binding member. The rear abutment section extends upwardly from the rear portion of the base member to laterally support the rear binding member.

Abstract: Adjustable base for a ski binding, comprising a rail (2) for mounting on a ski, a row of teeth (5) extending parallel to the axis of the rail, a plate (3), for carrying a ski-binding element, mounted slidably on the rail and carrying a toothed latch (11), that can be displaced transversely to the rail, for engaging in the teeth of the row of teeth in order to immobilize the plate on the rail through the action of a knuckle-joint mechanism. The teeth (5) of the row of teeth extend transversely to the rail, occupying approximately half the width of the rail, and the latch (11) includes a number of teeth that is greater than two and advantageously of a length substantially equal to the width of the row of teeth (5), and it is displaceable from one side of the rail to the other.

Abstract: A device for the interconnection of a ski binding to a ski, comprising a first plate and second plate for interconnecting to a ski respectively a toe unit and a separate heel unit of the ski binding. The first plate and the second plate are movably associated at the bottom respectively to a third plate and a fourth plate that are associated longitudinally to said ski. Additionally, temporary means are provided which are arranged respectively between the first plate and the third plate and between the second plate and the fourth plate.

Abstract: A binding for coupling a shoe to a snowboard and the like, comprising a base plate that can be fixed to a snowboard and the like and supports a front band, a rear band and a rear spoiler, fastenable onto a shoe, an interconnection being provided for connecting the spoiler and the front and rear bands for positioning in an open position, in which the bands are raised, with the rear spoiler in a lowered position for insertion of the shoe, and for positioning in a closed position, in which the bands are fastened onto the shoe, with the rear spoiler in the raised position.

Abstract: This invention concerns a basic arrangement of a ski binding having a front part or a toe end and a rear part or a heel end for securing the ski boot, and also having a front supporting part, longitudinally displaceable on a first base part fixed on the ski, for supporting the front boot holding part, and a rear supporting part, longitudinally displaceable on another base part fixed on the ski, for supporting the rear boot holding part. The invention further includes an adjusting device designed as a rack-and-pinion gear for simultaneous adjustment of both supporting parts; this adjusting device has two toothed racks, each connected to a supporting part, and a manually operable, lockable gearwheel which meshes with both toothed racks between the two supporting parts. In one embodiment, the gearwheel is arranged on a middle base part in an essentially stationary mount on the ski, and is separate from the front and rear base parts, and is held indirectly on the ski by the front and rear base parts.

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 snowboard binding having a base element that can be fastened to the top of a snowboard. At least one instep element extends over part of a snowboard boot fastened to the base element. The instep element is movable along at least one arc-like path to improve mobility of the boot in the binding.

Abstract: Interface plate (1) intended to be secured to the upper face of a ski and capable of accommodating the toe piece and the heel piece of a safety binding, characterized in that it has a longitudinal recess forming a slideway capable of holding projecting parts situated under the toe piece and under the heel piece, while allowing the toe piece and the heel piece to slide inside the slideway with a view to adjusting the binding to the length of the boot, and in which the profiles (10, 11; 12, 13) of the zones of the slideway respectively holding the toe piece and the heel piece are geometrically identical.

Abstract: A binding for a snow board includes a spacer which is provided integrally or together with a base plate and has a plurality of recesses. Fitting members which have larger hardness than the spacer are mounted in the recesses. The fitting members may be different in hardness from one another.

Abstract: A raising platform for a binding for a board for gliding over snow, including a planar central zone capable of receiving the front stop and the heel piece of the binding, and two lateral portions of which the lower edge is intended for interacting with the board for gliding, wherein the lower edge of the lateral portions has, in a longitudinal plane, a certain gradient relative to the plane of the central zone.

Abstract: Disengageable ski binding having a carrying plate which is provided as a standing surface for a ski boot and is arranged on a ski-mounted base part such that it can be rotated about a vertical axis of the base part counter to an adjustable resistance of a first latching device, and having disengageable front and rear sole holders which are arranged on the carrying plate, it being the case that the rear sole holders can be disengaged counter to an adjustable resistance of a second latching arrangement, which is separate from the first latching device, and/or the front sole holders are locked within a predetermined angle-of-rotation region of the carrying plate, without affecting the resistance of the first latching device, and are unlocked outside the region of rotation.

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.

Abstract: A snowboard binding has a support structure with a base plate and side plates that project from the base plate. Tension cables, which hold a single instep element, are attached to the side plates. The instep element extends from a toe region of the boot up to at least its instep region. A single tensioning device for the tension cables is independent of a pivoting position of a heel element.

Abstract: A snowboard binding system includes a boot and a binding configured to be releasably coupled together. The snowboard binding includes a base member, a rear binding arrangement, and a front binding arrangement. The snowboard boot includes an upper portion, a sole portion, at least one rear catch and a front catch. The sole portion has a forward to rearward longitudinal axis extending between a toe section and a heel section. The rear catch is located at the heel section of the sole portion. The front catch is coupled to the toe section. The front catch has a pair of leg portions extending downwardly from the toe section and a tongue portion extending laterally between the leg portions. The tongue portion has a forward to rearward dimension that is larger than forward to rearward dimensions of the leg portions to longitudinally secure the boot relative to the binding.

Abstract: A headset for use in the frame body of a bicycle or tricycle is constructed to include a ball bearing, an annular cap covered on the ball bearing, and an annular tightening member mounted in between the cap and the ball bearing. The tightening member has a top coupling flange forced into engagement with an inside mounting groove of the cap and a bottom hooked retaining portion hooked on a bottom edge of the ball bearing, keeping the ball bearing and the cap and the tightening member secured together for easy installation.

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 that incorporates the riding performance of a strap binding with the convenience of a step-in binding. The binding system includes a binding interface that is configured to be coupled to a step-in binding base, while also being configured to secure a snowboard boot in a manner that provides a rider with the riding performance of a strap binding. The binding interface may include one or more straps for securing a boot to a snowboard. The binding system may be configured so that the binding base engages regions of the binding interface to which the straps are attached to provide the feel of a strap binding. The binding base may include at least three engagement members to engage with corresponding mating features on the interface. The binding base may include a pair of engagement members at both the rear or heel end and the front or toe end thereof to engage with corresponding mating features on the interface.

Abstract: A binding unit support comprises a support body of a length approximately that of the binding unit and having a longitudinal axis, distal end regions of the support body receiving jaw bodies of the binding unit, a bottom face of the support body having at least part regions designed to sit on a top face of a board-type runner, and a middle region of the support body being of a lesser structural stiffness than the end regions. A fixing device mounts the support body on the top face of the board-type runner, the fixing device comprising longitudinally spaced brackets extending transversely over at least one of the end regions across the support body and guiding the support body for freely sliding in the longitudinal direction relative to the top face of the board-type runner.

Abstract: A platform (1) for raising the binding intended for fitting on a board for gliding (4), one free end (6) of which has the ability to slide longitudinally relative to the board, which also comprises: a stud (20) intended for securing to the board (4) in order to form a fixed point; a movable member (40) capable of being displaced within the free end (6) of the platform and through the action of the user, said movable member being able to adopt two positions, namely: a “blocked” position in which it has a portion (43) abutting against the fixed stud (20), so as to prevent the movement of the end (6) of the platform relative to the stud (20); a “free” position in which it can slide freely relative to the stud (20) and thus allow the longitudinal sliding of the platform (4) relative to the stud (20).

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 arrangement. The rear binding arrangement selectively engages at least one rear catch of the heel of the boot. The front binding arrangement selectively engages the front catch that extends downwardly from of the sole portion of the boot. The front binding arrangement and the front catch are arranged to limit forward and rearward movement of the boot relative to the binding and prevent premature release of the front catch from the front binding arrangement.

Abstract: An interface element (10) used on a gliding board, said element being inserted between the sole (20) of the user's boot and the top side of the board (8) so as to take the thrust exerted toward the board by the user at least at the front end of the sole, and which comprises at least one zone (11, 12, 15) made of a thermoformable material capable, after exposure to heat, of matching the imprint of at least the front end (21) of the sole (20) of the boot so as to fill the volume between the top side (8) of the board and the sole of the boot (20).

Abstract: An alpine including a longitudinal beam having front and rear ends and a central zone, the beam being formed by a main core covering a running surface, a stack of gliding and reinforcing layers with two lateral running edges, the core itself being covered by a stack of reinforcing, and possibly decorating layers. In the central zone, a secondary core is superposed on the main core so as to form, in this central zone, a projecting rib having a reduced width. An interface with a plate for supporting the retaining elements is provided to be assembled to the ski by journals.

Abstract: A snowboard binding system that incorporates the riding performance of a strap binding with the convenience of a step-in binding. The binding system includes a binding interface that is configured to be coupled to a step-in binding base, while also being configured to secure a snowboard boot in a manner that provides a rider with the riding performance of a strap binding. The binding interface may include one or more straps for securing a boot to a snowboard. The binding system may be configured so that the binding base engages regions of the binding interface to which the straps are attached to provide the feel of a strap binding. The binding base may include at least three engagement members to engage with corresponding mating features on the interface. The binding base may include a pair of engagement members at both the rear or heel end and the front or toe end thereof to engage with corresponding mating features on the interface.

Abstract: A universal snow boot and binding for use in connection with either snow skiing or snow boarding which is easy to use and provides quick, easy and positive interconnection of the snow boot with the upper surface of the ski or snowboard. The snow boot or foot enclosure component of the invention carries a permanent magnet that engages a metal plate provided on the snowboard. The mechanical locking mechanism that is operated by the user is also strategically mounted on the snowboard. The mechanical locking component includes a toe locking mechanism and a cooperating heel locking mechanism that is easily operable to enable the snow boot to be readily disconnected from the upper surface of the snowboard or snow ski.

Abstract: A snowboard binding system has a snowboard boot configured to be releasable coupled to a snowboard binding. The snowboard boot has a sole portion with a front catch and a pair of rear catches located at the lateral sides of the sole portion. The snowboard binding includes a base member, a pair of rear binding members and a front binding member. The front binding member includes a front pawl movably coupled to the front portion of the base member between a release position and a latched position and a front stop member fixedly coupled to the front portion of the base member adjacent the front pawl. The front stop member has a stop surface spaced from a latching surface of the front pawl to form a front cleat receiving area therebetween.

Abstract: Board binding (1) comprising a baseplate (2) which has an underside (4) intended to be secured to the board, a highback (3) intended to take the back of the user's boot, the said highback having a mid-plane (10), wherein the board binding is adapted to allow inclination of the mid-plane (10) of the highback (3) with respect to the underside (4) of the baseplate (2).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting a position of a pad on a binding base. A pad can be adjusted to any one of an infinite number of positions relative to a binding base and/or without the use of tools. Adjustment can be provided by a drive mechanism, or by a locking device mounted to the pad that engages with the base.