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 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 binding including a tool-free system for adjusting the lateral rotation and forward-lean of a leg support member. The binding includes a baseplate, a leg support member mounted for lateral rotation to the baseplate and a tool-free system coupling the support member and the baseplate. The binding may also include a tool-free forward-lean adjuster for setting the angle of the leg support member relative to the baseplate. Thus, the lateral rotation and forward lean of the leg support member may be quickly adjusted without the use of separate tools.

Abstract: A snowboard binding for securing a snowboard boot to a snowboard. According to one aspect of the invention, the binding comprises a base, a first engagement member that is movably mounted to the base and is adapted to engage a first lateral side of the boot, and a second engagement member that is movably mounted to the base and is adapted to engage a second lateral side of the boot opposite the first lateral side of the boot. According to another aspect of the invention, the snowboard binding includes a high-back leg support mounted to the base.

Abstract: A snowboard boot binding mechanism includes a base member having a recessed channel. The first plate is slidably attached to the base member. A first pair of engagement rods are fixedly attached to the first plate. Each of the first pair of engagement rods has a head disposed at an axial end of the rod for selectively engaging and locking a fist bar attached to a first side of the snowboard boot. A second plate is fixedly attached to the base member. A second pair of engagement rods are fixedly attached to the second plate. Each of the second pair of engagement rods have a head disposed at an axial end of the rod for engaging and locking a second bar attached to a second side of the snowboard boot which is disposed opposite of the first side.

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 boot for use with a snowboard boot strap that is attachable thereto. In one aspect, the boot comprises a foot-shaped outer surface; and a strap mounting member that includes an attachment feature adapted to mount a portion of the strap to the snowboard boot the strap mounting member including a raised portion that protrudes beyond the foot-shaped outer surface of the boot, the raised portion including the attachment feature. In another aspect, the snowboard boot includes a boot upper having an outer surface, a sole, and an adjustable strap that is mounted to the outer surface of the boot upper, the strap being adjustable so that the strap can be selectively tightened and loosened over the outer surface of the boot upper. The outer surface of the boot upper is formed from at least first and second materials, the first material having a lower coefficient of friction than the second material, the first material being disposed to underlie a portion of the strap that is movable to tighten the strap.

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: 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: 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 for securing a boot to a board, comprising a base, a first engagement member that is supported by the base and adapted to engage a first lateral side of the boot, and a second engagement member, pivotally mounted to the base, that is adapted to engage a second lateral side of the boot opposite the first lateral side of the boot.

Abstract: A rack designed to hold and/or display gliding boards, such as snowboards, without requiring adjustment of the rack and without causing damage to the board. The rack includes a base which mounts to a support structure, and further includes at least one pair of engagement members, with each engagement member including a side surface and a rear surface that grips the heel edge, toe edge, and top or bottom surface of the board to hold the board in place. The side surfaces may be cut at an acute angle such that the engagement member wraps slightly around the upper surface of the board to grip the board. The engagement members may be made of resilient, flexible material which facilitates gripping of the board, without damaging the board. The rack may also be configured to hold snowboards of various sizes.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a snowboard boot and a binding interface including an interface feature that is adapted to releasably engage with a snowboard binding. The binding interface is movably mounted to the boot so that the boot can flex in a side-to-side direction through an angle relative to the binding interface to provide side-to-side flexibility. In one embodiment, the binding interface is mounted to the boot at a pair of laterally spaced attachment points with a pair of strapless fasteners. In another embodiment, the binding interface is mounted to at least one attachment point and a portion of the boot is flexible between the attachment point and a side. In other embodiments, at least a portion of the interface feature does not protrude below the bottom surface of the boot, and the interface feature does not protrude beyond the sides of the boot.

Abstract: A system is provided for mounting a boot to an article for gliding, for example a snowboard. The system includes a boot having a binding engagement assembly with at least one aperture, and a locking component supported by a binding. The aperture and the locking component are disposed at an angle relative to each other, with the angle being variable so as to adjust the size of the aperture relative to the locking component. In a first, non-secured position, the angle between the locking component and the aperture is such that the size of the aperture relative to the locking component is sufficient to allow the locking component to be slidably received within the aperture. In a second, engaged position the angle between the locking component and the aperture is such that the size of the aperture relative to the locking component produces a fit therebetween sufficient to secure the locking component to the binding engagement assembly.

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: A core for incorporation into a gliding board, such as a snowboard. The core includes anisotropic structures that are oriented so that a principal axis is non-parallel to the orthogonal axes of the board. The core may be tuned to provide anisotropic structures with the load carrying ability specific to a localized region of the board.

Abstract: A boot is provided for engagement with a binding mounted to an article for gliding on snow. The boot includes a boot body having a toe portion, a heel portion and a lower region, and has a length extending in a toe-to-heel direction. A first member is supported by the boot body and is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position, the first member includes a contact portion extending beyond the boot body for releasably engaging a portion of the binding. The length of the boot with the first member in the extended position is greater than the length of the boot with the first member in the retracted position. The first member may extend beyond the toe portion of the boot body in the extended position, or may extend beyond the heel portion. In the extended position, the first member may be engageable with a bail portion of the binding.

Abstract: A snowboard binding for securing a snowboard boot to a snowboard. According to one aspect of the invention, the binding comprises a base, a first engagement member that is movably mounted to the base and is adapted to engage a first lateral side of the boot, and a second engagement member that is movably mounted to the base and is adapted to engage a second lateral side of the boot opposite the first lateral side of the boot. According to another aspect of the invention, the snowboard binding includes a high-back leg support mounted to the base.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a snowboard binding including a base having a toe end and a heel end, and a guide that is adapted to guide a snowboard boot back toward the heel end of the base when the snowboard boot is stepped into the binding. Another embodiment is directed to a snowboard binding including a baseplate and a heel hoop hinged for rotation relative to the baseplate. A further embodiment is directed a snowboard binding to mount a snowboard boot to a snowboard, the snowboard boot including at least one pin extending from medial and lateral sides thereof. The snowboard binding comprises a base having medial and lateral sides; a pair of engagement cams each mounted to one of the medial and lateral sides for rotation between open and closed positions; at least one lever to move the pair of engagement cams from the closed position to the open position; and a cocking mechanism that is adapted to maintain the pair of engagement cams in the open position upon release of the at least one lever.

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.