Abstract: A boot is disclosed for use with a snowboard having binding means for attachment to the boot. The boot includes a base, a highback, and an upper. The base includes a binding receiving plate for attaching the boot to the binding means on the snowboard. The base also has toe and heel ends. The base is formed with a toecap at the toe end and as a heel counter at the heel end. Tread projects from the bottom of the base for traction when the boot is not attached to the snowboard. The highback extends upwardly from the heel counter of the base. The highback provides aft support to the user. The upper is fixedly attached to the base and is arranged and configured to receive the foot and ankle of the user. The upper has a rearward side adjacent the highback. The upper is more flexible than the base and the highback. A base strap is connected to opposing sides of the base and extends across a portion of the upper.

Abstract: A ventilated in-line skate (10) includes a lower frame portion (12) mounting a plurality of wheels (14) and an upper shoe portion (16). The upper shoe portion is secured to a base (24) that defines an upper surface (26) adapted to receive the upper shoe portion (16), and an exterior, lower surface (28) to which the lower frame portion (12) is secured. The base defines multiple ventilation channels (30) that traverse its upper surface (26) from a corresponding plurality of inlet apertures (32, 39) to an outlet aperture (34) defined within the exterior surface of the base. The upper surface of the base receives a last board (54) and insole (58), each of which includes a plurality of vertical apertures that permit airflow from the interior of the upper shoe portion to the ventilation channel. The base draws air and moisture from the interior of the upper shoe portion during use.

Abstract: An in-line roller skate having an interchangeable frame assembly. The boot of the skate includes a base having a heel and a sole. The sole includes a downwardly extending peg and the heel includes a downwardly extending hook. The peg and hook engage and align a sole bracket and a heel bracket, respectively, when they are attached to the boot. The sole bracket and heel bracket include downwardly extending walls having slots that receive fasteners in order to releasably attach two opposing parallel frames. In-line roller wheels are rotatably mounted within the frames. The slots in the heel and sole brackets allow the frames to be longitudinally displaced forward or backward with respect to the boot, thus allowing the user to adjust the performance of the skate. The frames may also be removed from the boot and replaced with frames of differing designs and configurations in order to allow the skater to change the performance of the skate.

Abstract: A braking system is provided for use on an in-line roller skate wherein the braking system minimizes canting of the in-line roller skate to apply the in-line roller brake, and wherein the brake pad is securely held to a substantially rigid brake housing using interlocking grooves and ridges, and a fastening lug, which extends into a corresponding aperture formed within the brake pad. The brake housing includes two plate members, which have an aperture on their forwardmost end for securing and attaching the plate members to an axle assembly of a rearwardmost wheel of the in-line roller skate. An arm is provided to secure the brake housing to an upper portion of the lower frame of the in-line roller skate, and the arm includes a hook for engaging a ridge disposed within the lower frame of the in-line roller skate. The braking system is thus held in place by a three-point fastening system to the rear of the in-line roller skate.

Abstract: A skate (10) having a frame (14) that is adjustable with respect to the base (18) of the skate is disclosed. The base includes first and second rims (36, 38) and first and second base fasteners (44). The first and second rims form first and second transverse slots (32, 34), respectively. The first base fastener is transversely slidable within the first transverse slot. The second base fastener is slidable within the second transverse slot. The frame is coupled to the base and has first and second longitudinal slots (30) and first and second frame fasteners (42). The first and second frame fasteners are slidably engaged within the first and second longitudinal slots, respectively. The first and second frame fasteners engage with the first and second base fasteners, respectively. The first and second transverse slots each include a narrow slot portion (56) and a wide slot (58) portion having a greater width than the narrow slot portion. The narrow slot portion is centered below the wide slot portion.

Abstract: An in-line roller skate including a soft, pliable, and comfortable shoe body having structural foot support components positioned in selected strategic areas such as the ball, heel and ankle areas. The shoe body may be made of a material that allows air circulation for coolness. In one embodiment, the structural components are made of semi-rigid plastic which may be heat moldable to conform to the user's foot. The sole of the shoe may also include heat moldable materials so that it can be anatomically formed to the user's foot. The shoe is mounted on a frame that supports a plurality of in-line roller wheels and includes structure for easily removing and replacing the wheels. The shoe-frame connection may be laterally and longitudinally adjustable. A speed control or brake, which applies a frictional force downwardly onto some or all of the in-line roller wheels, is mounted on the frame. Canting adjustment is provided to allow the ankle support to be canted laterally or longitudinally.