Abstract: In one example, an apparatus includes a baseplate, a footplate connected to the baseplate, a heel support connected to the footplate, an instep securing device connected to the heel support or footplate, a calf attachment member configured to releasably attach to a leg of a user, and a first cord movably connected to the baseplate, the first cord terminating at its first end in a handle, and a second end of the first cord is configured to attach to the calf attachment member.

Abstract: In one example, an apparatus includes a baseplate, a footplate connected to the baseplate, a heel support connected to the footplate, an instep securing device connected to the heel support or footplate, a calf attachment member configured to releasably attach to a leg of a user, and a first cord movably connected to the baseplate, the first cord terminating at its first end in a handle, and a second end of the first cord is configured to attach to the calf attachment member.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is related to a harness system including a waist member and a leg loop member. The two leg loop members are configured to encircle the legs of the user and are coupled to the waist member. The leg loop members each comprise a net-leg region, a waist coupling region, and two net-waist transition regions. The net-leg region comprises a load bearing net structure having a plurality of independent recesses defined by an intercoupled mesh material. The waist member may also include a similar net-waist region, leg coupling region, and two net-leg transition regions. The net-leg and net-waist regions may include at least one of edge tape, shape mesh, proximal fabric, and distal fabric. The net-waist transition regions and the net-leg transition regions may comprise either a non-stitch transition or a stitch coupling to the waist and leg coupling regions respectively.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is related to a harness system including a waist member and a leg loop member. The two leg loop members are configured to encircle the legs of the user and are coupled to the waist member. The leg loop members each comprise a net-leg region, a waist coupling region, and two net-waist transition regions. The net-leg region comprises a load bearing net structure having a plurality of independent recesses defined by an intercoupled mesh material. The waist member may also include a similar net-waist region, leg coupling region, and two net-leg transition regions. The net-leg and net-waist regions may include at least one of edge tape, shape mesh, proximal fabric, and distal fabric. The net-waist transition regions and the net-leg transition regions may comprise either a non-stitch transition or a stitch coupling to the waist and leg coupling regions respectively.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is related to a harness system including a waist member and a leg loop member. The waist member is configured to encircle the naval region of the user and form a continuous loop. The leg loop member is configured to encircle the legs of the user. The leg loop member nay also be coupled to the waist member via a third loop. The leg loop member includes a continuous cord with at least two unbraided regions and at least one splice coupling. The unbraided regions are disposed between braided regions and are disposed on the leg loop member to correspond to the user's legs. The unbraided regions further comprise a plurality of separated strands oriented substantially parallel and equidistant to one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates a carabiner system including a frame and a gate. The frame includes an opening between a pivot region and a keyed region. The keyed region of the frame may be hookless. The gate is pivotably coupled to the frame across the opening to form a continuously enclosed inner region in the closed configuration. The gate is also pivotably coupled about the pivot region of the frame forming a gap between the gate and frame in an open configuration. The gate further includes a key-lock region, a gate region, and an attachment region which are integrally formed together without any type of coupling between regions. The gate region includes a plurality of elongated members between the key-lock region and attachment region. The plurality of elongated members may include non-circular cross sections and varying thicknesses and tolerances designed to optimize functionality, weight, and appearance.

Abstract: A pole system comprising a continuous elongated frame forming both structural and functional geometries relating to the handle and shaft portions. The continuous elongated frame may include an internal cavity and a variable wall thickness along the lengthwise dimension. The handle portion of the continuous elongated frame includes a cap region, grip region, and a retention region. The independent regions of the handle portion may include substantially different cross sectional shapes to facilitate the corresponding functional characteristics. For example, the grip region may include an ergonomic tapered oval cross sectional shape to facilitate optimal engagement with a user's hand. The shaft portion of the continuous elongated frame is disposed between the handle portion and the bottom end of the continuous elongated frame. The tip is either integrated as a portion of the continuous elongated frame or translatably coupled via a lower pole member.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is related to a harness system including a waist member and a leg loop member. The waist member is configured to encircle the naval region of the user and form a continuous loop. The leg loop member is configured to encircle the legs of the user. The leg loop member nay also be coupled to the waist member via a third loop. The leg loop member includes a continuous cord with at least two unbraided regions and at least one splice coupling. The unbraided regions are disposed between braided regions and are disposed on the leg loop member to correspond to the user's legs. The unbraided regions further comprise a plurality of separated strands oriented substantially parallel and equidistant to one another.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a ski boot system including an upper shell, lower shell, and an articulation system. The upper and lower shell function to enable a user to move their encased foot in various dimensions/orientations corresponding to anatomical supination, pronation, dorsiflexion, and plantarflexion. The articulation system selectively affects the articulation freedom between the upper and lower shells in locked and unlocked configurations. The articulation system includes a lower shell coupler and an upper shell coupler coupled to the lower and upper shells, respectively. The locked configuration of the articulation system includes engaging the upper and lower shell couplers to restrict freedom between the upper and lower shell. The lower shell coupler is coupled within a recess in the lower shell that substantially restricts movement to a single orientation corresponding to coronal rotation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a via ferrata safety system that improves user safety by increasing the reliable activation of the energy absorption system. The via ferrata system includes a harness coupling member, two fixed cable coupling members, and an energy absorption system. The energy absorption system is coupled to both the harness coupling member and the two fixed cable coupling members. The two fixed cable coupling members are independently coupled to the energy absorption system and to one another. The coupling between the two fixed cable coupling members is proportionally weaker than the independent coupling between the two fixed cable coupling members and the energy absorption system. This proportional weakness of the coupling between the fixed cable coupling members allows each of the fixed cable coupling members to act independently in the event that one of the cable coupling members is coupled to a point between the user and the energy absorption system.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a selectable boot articulation and support system. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a boot system including an intercoupled upper and lower shell configured to encase a user's foot and lower leg. The boot system further includes an articulation system effecting the articulation between the upper and lower shell. The articulation system includes an instep member coupled and positioned with respect to the upper shell in a manner that facilitates selection between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. The unlocked configuration provides increased articulation and decreased stiffness between the upper and lower shell with respect to the locked configuration. The instep member may include a releasable dorsal coupling between portions of the upper shell. The instep member may also include one or more moveable lateral couplings with the upper shell.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to an automatically locking carabiner system including a frame, a gate, a gate biasing system, and a gate locking system. The frame and gate form a continuously enclosed inner region in a closed configuration with respect to the frame. When in an engaged state, the gate locking system is configured to automatically lock the gate in the closed configuration with respect to the frame. The gate locking system may include a trigger coupled to the frame such that the position of the trigger corresponds to the state of the gate locking system. The trigger may be positioned on an opposite side of the frame from the gate with respect to the inner region. The force required to disengage the gate locking system may be substantially opposite that which is required to transition the gate to the open configuration with respect to the frame.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a selectable boot articulation and support system. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a boot system including an intercoupled upper and lower shell configured to encase a user's foot and lower leg. The boot system further includes an articulation system effecting the articulation between the upper and lower shell. The articulation system includes an instep member coupled and positioned with respect to the upper shell in a manner that facilitates selection between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. The unlocked configuration provides increased articulation and decreased stiffness between the upper and lower shell with respect to the locked configuration. The instep member may include a releasable dorsal coupling between portions of the upper shell. The instep member may also include one or more moveable lateral couplings with the upper shell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a via ferrata safety system that improves user safety by increasing the reliable activation of the energy absorption system. The via ferrata system includes a harness coupling member, two fixed cable coupling members, and an energy absorption system. The energy absorption system is coupled to both the harness coupling member and the two fixed cable coupling members. The two fixed cable coupling members are independently coupled to the energy absorption system and to one another. The coupling between the two fixed cable coupling members is proportionally weaker than the independent coupling between the two fixed cable coupling members and the energy absorption system. This proportional weakness of the coupling between the fixed cable coupling members allows each of the fixed cable coupling members to act independently in the event that one of the cable coupling members is coupled to a point between the user and the energy absorption system.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a ski boot system including an upper shell, lower shell, and an articulation system. The upper and lower shell function to enable a user to move their encased foot in various dimensions/orientations corresponding to anatomical supination, pronation, dorsiflexion, and plantarflexion. The articulation system selectively affects the articulation freedom between the upper and lower shells in locked and unlocked configurations. The articulation system includes a lower shell coupler and an upper shell coupler coupled to the lower and upper shells, respectively. The locked configuration of the articulation system includes engaging the upper and lower shell couplers to restrict freedom between the upper and lower shell. The lower shell coupler is coupled within a recess in the lower shell that substantially restricts movement to a single orientation corresponding to coronal rotation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ski binding that retains a boot to a ski in at least two independent operational states. One embodiment of a ski binding includes a toe receiving member and a releasable system. The toe receiving member is configured to engage the toe portion of the boot. The releasable system is configured to couple the toe receiving member to the ski in at least two independent operational states. A first state corresponds to a state in which the toe receiving member is allowed to freely rotate with respect to the ski. The first state is particularly useful in minimizing the necessary energy output for uphill travel. A second state corresponds to a state in which the toe receiving member is locked with respect to the ski. The second state is particularly useful in high performance downhill travel. The releasable system further includes an engagement mechanism and a switching mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ski binding that retains a boot to a ski in at least two independent operational states. One embodiment of a ski binding includes a toe receiving member and a releasable system. The toe receiving member is configured to engage the toe portion of the boot. The releasable system is configured to couple the toe receiving member to the ski in at least two independent operational states. A first state corresponds to a state in which the toe receiving member is allowed to freely rotate with respect to the ski. The first state is particularly useful in minimizing the necessary energy output for uphill travel. A second state corresponds to a state in which the toe receiving member is locked with respect to the ski. The second state is particularly useful in high performance downhill travel. The releasable system further includes an engagement mechanism and a switching mechanism.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to an automatically locking carabiner system including a frame, a gate, a gate biasing system, and a gate locking system. The frame and gate form a continuously enclosed inner region in a closed configuration with respect to the frame. When in an engaged state, the gate locking system is configured to automatically lock the gate in the closed configuration with respect to the frame. The gate locking system may include a trigger coupled to the frame such that the position of the trigger corresponds to the state of the gate locking system. The trigger may be positioned on an opposite side of the frame from the gate with respect to the inner region. The force required to disengage the gate locking system may be substantially opposite that which is required to transition the gate to the open configuration with respect to the frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ski binding that retains a boot to a ski in at least two independent operational states. One embodiment of a ski binding includes a toe receiving member and a releasable system. The toe receiving member is configured to engage the toe portion of the boot. The releasable system is configured to couple the toe receiving member to the ski in at least two independent operational states. A first state corresponds to a state in which the toe receiving member is allowed to freely rotate with respect to the ski. The first state is particularly useful in minimizing the necessary energy output for uphill travel. A second state corresponds to a state in which the toe receiving member is locked with respect to the ski. The second state is particularly useful in high performance downhill travel. The releasable system further includes an engagement mechanism and a switching mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ski binding that retains a boot to a ski in at least two independent operational states. One embodiment of a ski binding includes a toe receiving member and a releasable system. The toe receiving member is configured to engage the toe portion of the boot. The releasable system is configured to couple the toe receiving member to the ski in at least two independent operational states. A first state corresponds to a state in which the toe receiving member is allowed to freely rotate with respect to the ski. The first state is particularly useful in minimizing the necessary energy output for uphill travel. A second state corresponds to a state in which the toe receiving member is locked with respect to the ski. The second state is particularly useful in high performance downhill travel. The releasable system further includes an engagement mechanism and a switching mechanism.