Abstract: A foot binding assembly particularly adapted for use as a snowboard binding and including a base portion which is adapted to be secured to the snowboard, a heel support portion adapted to be carried by the base portion and an ankle/toe securement assembly which is pivotally mounted with respect to the base portion and movable between an open and closed position. In the open position a boot can be readily inserted into and removed from the binding and in the closed position the securement assembly bears against portions of a boot inserted into the binding and cooperates with the base and heel support portions to encase the boot within the binding. A releasable locking mechanism is employed for maintaining the securement assembly in the closed position upon the assembly being pivoted to the closed position, thereby securing and supporting the boot within the binding.

Abstract: A porcelain knob construction comprising a metal mounting member which is adhered to a porcelain knob (101) comprising a body with a shaft (105) protruding therefrom. The shaft is hollow and has a blind hole (104) formed in the free end thereof. The mounting member includes an annular recess (108) to receive the free end of the shaft (105). The mounting member and shaft (105) are adhered only adjacent the shaft free end whereby the interior of the blind hole (104) is substantially free of adhesive.

Abstract: A device adapted to be mounted on a supporting wall for holding a snowboard in a substantially vertical disposition with an end of the board resting on the floor or ground. The device includes a base member and a clip member. The clip member defines a pair of snowboard gripping arms and is pivotally mounted on the base member for movement about a horizontal axis whereby the gripping arms can be moved between a snowboard holding position wherein they project outwardly from the base member and a folding position wherein the arms are disposed parallel to and adjacent the base member. In the extended holding position, the clip member can be pivoted about a vertical axis such that upon inserting a transverse portion of the snowboard between the gripping arms, the arms and the snowboard can be moved between perpendicular and parallel orientations with respect to the supporting wall to facilitate access to the snowboard and create an efficient storage means for snowboards.

Abstract: A shoulder pad for use with a shoulder strap for improving the distribution of the weight on a user's shoulder of an object carried by the strap thereby reducing the discomfort to the user and the tendency of the strap to slide off the user's shoulder. The shoulder pad comprises an arcuate shoulder strap support surface and one or more inclined wedges transversing the support surface between the inner and outer edges thereof. The wedges are inclined upwardly toward the outer edge of the support strap. A strap securement clip is removably secured about a centrally disposed wedge, pinching portions of the shoulder strap about the wedge and causing the strap to turn outwardly from the wedge and securing the pad to the strap.