Abstract: A skate wheel (10) for use on in-line skates, conventional skates, skateboards, and the like. The wheel includes a centrally located hub (12). The skate wheel (10) also includes an annular interlock flange (14) integrally formed around the perimeter of the hub. Extended around a radial perimeter of the interlock flange is a tubular, radial reinforcement, such as a coil spring (18). The ends of the coil spring are joined to form a tubular ring concentric with the annular interlock flange. An elastomeric tire (20) envelops the coil spring.

Abstract: A snowboard binding for securing a snowboard boot to a snowboard that includes a rigid baseplate, a strap, and an isolation member. The rigid baseplate includes sidewalls and a heel loop extending upwardly therefrom. The baseplate is adapted for attachment to the snowboard and includes a plurality of isolation apertures extending therethrough. A disk aperture is also provided for receiving an attachment disk for fastening the baseplate to the snowboard. The strap is connected to the sidewalls of the baseplate for releasably securing the boot to the binding. The isolation member is formed from a unitary substantially elastic, rubbery material. The isolation member extends beneath the baseplate to substantially isolate the baseplate from the snowboard. The isolation member has a plurality of upward projections extending through the isolation apertures in the baseplate. The upward projections have T-shaped cross sections with head and neck portions.

Abstract: A method of constructing a ski, snowboard, or the like having a base, a core, and a top is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing an insert plate, placing the insert plate between the base and the top, substantially surrounding the insert plate with the core, and joining the base and the top to the core. Bindings may be secured to the insert plate by fastening them to the insert plate. The insert plate includes a substantially flat portion and a plurality of threaded inserts extending upwardly to the insert plate. The inserts are integrally formed with the flat portion by being stamped from a metal plate that forms the flat portion. Apertures are also formed in the metal plate such that frame arms extend between the individual inserts to support the inserts and hold them with respect to one another. The insert plate is placed between the base and the top in a position relative to the base and the top for optimum securing bindings to the insert plate.