Abstract: A snowboard binding system includes a boot and a binding configured to be releasable coupled together. The boot has a mid sole constructed of a first material and an outer sole constructed of a second material. The first material has a lower coefficient of friction than the second material. First and second rear catches are formed on first and second lateral sides of the mid sole to engage a rear binding arrangement of the binding. A front catch of the boot selectively engaes a front binding member of the binding. The outer sole partially covers the mid sole such that the mid sole is exposed in an area adjacent at least one of the first and second lateral sides. The binding includes a base member with rear guide member has an upper boot support surface arranged to contact the exposed area of the mid sole.

Abstract: A snowboard binding system includes a binding and a boot configured to be releasably coupled together. The snowboard binding includes a base member, a rear binding arrangement, and a front binding arrangement. The snowboard boot includes an upper portion, a sole portion, at least one rear catch and a front catch. The sole portion has a toe section, a mid section and a heel section. The rear catch is located at the heel section of the sole portion. The front catch is coupled to the toe section and has a pair of leg portions extending downwardly from the toe section of the sole portion, and a tongue portion extending laterally between the leg portions. The toe section has a pair of front catch guide surfaces located forwardly and laterally of the front catch to guide the front catch toward the front binding arrangement.

Abstract: A snowboard binding is provided for releasably connecting a boot to a snowboard. One embodiment of the invention includes inner and outer main bodies to receive a two-piece cleat. A second embodiment includes inner and outer hooks for hooking, and a latch for securing, a one-piece cleat. A third embodiment includes a front main body and a spring-loaded latch in a rear main body for engaging a one-piece cleat. A fourth embodiment engages a one-piece cleat with inwardly beveled, semi-circular inner and outer main bodies. A fifth embodiment engages a one-piece cleat with a front main body and a latch, fixedly mounted upon an axle, within a rear main body. The latch is biased toward the engaged position by a spring. In a sixth embodiment of the invention, a one-piece cleat is engaged with a front main body and two rear spring biased latches. In a seventh embodiment, among other things, the cleat is formed in two pieces.

Abstract: A snowboard binding is provided for releasably connecting a boot to a snowboard. One embodiment of the invention includes inner and outer main bodies to receive a two-piece cleat. A second embodiment includes inner and outer hooks for hooking, and a latch for securing, a one-piece cleat. A third embodiment includes a front main body and a spring-loaded latch in a rear main body for engaging a one-piece cleat. A fourth embodiment engages a one-piece cleat with inwardly beveled, semi-circular inner and outer main bodies. A fifth embodiment engages a one-piece cleat with a front main body and a latch, fixedly mounted upon an axle, within a rear main body. The latch is biased toward the engaged position by a spring. In a sixth embodiment of the invention, a one-piece cleat is engaged with a front main body and two rear spring biased latches. In a seventh embodiment, among other things, the cleat is formed in two pieces.

Abstract: A bicycle rim is provided with a wear indicator. The bicycle rim has an outer annular portion, an annular spoke attachment portion and a pair of oppositely facing annular braking surfaces. The outer annular portion is adapted to receive a tire and the annular spoke attachment portion is coupled to the outer annular portion. The annular spoke attachment portion is adapted to be coupled to a plurality of spokes. At least one of the annular braking surfaces has a wear indicator.

Abstract: An active high back system is provided for automatically adjusting the snowboard boot between a walking position and a riding position. The snowboard boot is provided with an active highback support that is adjustably mounted to a snowboard boot. During walking, the active highback support does not constrain the flexibility of the snowboard boot making it possible for the snowboard rider to walk easily. When the rider steps into the bindings of the snowboard, the active highback support engages a part of the snowboard or binding that causes the snowboard boot to lean forward. In other words, the highback support is positioned to engage the back leg portion of a snowboard boot to provide a rigid surface that holds the boot in a forward leaning position. The active highback support is provided with an adjustment mechanism that allows the rider to adjust the amount of forward lean when the snowboard boot is engaged within the bindings of the snow board.

Abstract: A bicycle rim is provided with a wear indicator. The bicycle rim has an outer annular portion, an annular spoke attachment portion and a pair of oppositely facing annular braking surfaces. The outer annular portion is adapted to receive a tire and the annular spoke attachment portion is coupled to the outer annular portion. The annular spoke attachment portion is adapted to be coupled to a plurality of spokes. At least one of the annular braking surfaces has a wear indicator.

Abstract: A bicycle rim is provided with a wear indicator. The bicycle rim has an outer annular portion, an annular spoke attachment portion and a pair of oppositely facing annular braking surfaces. The outer annular portion is adapted to receive a tire and the annular spoke attachment portion is coupled to the outer annular portion. The annular spoke attachment portion is adapted to be coupled to a plurality of spokes. At least one of the annular braking surfaces has a wear indicator.

Abstract: An active high back system is provided for automatically adjusting the snowboard boot between a walking position and a riding position. The snowboard boot is provided with an active highback support that is adjustably mounted to a snowboard boot. During walking, the active highback support does not constrain the flexibility of the snowboard boot making it possible for the snowboard rider to walk easily. When the rider steps into the bindings of the snowboard, the active highback support engages a part of the snowboard or binding that causes the snowboard boot to lean forward. In other words, the highback support is positioned to engage the back leg portion of a snowboard boot to provide a rigid surface that holds the boot in a forward leaning position. The active highback support is provided with an adjustment mechanism that allows the rider to adjust the amount of forward lean when the snowboard boot is engaged within the bindings of the snow board.

Abstract: An active high back system is provided for automatically adjusting the snowboard boot between a walking position and a riding position. The snowboard boot is provided with an active highback support that is adjustably mounted to a snowboard boot. During walking, the active highback support does not constrain the flexibility of the snowboard boot making it possible for the snowboard rider to walk easily. When the rider steps into the bindings of the snowboard, the active highback support engages a part of the snowboard or binding that causes the snowboard boot to lean forward. In other words, the highback support is positioned to engage the back leg portion of a snowboard boot to provide a rigid surface that holds the boot in a forward leaning position. The active highback support is provided with an adjustment mechanism that allows the rider to adjust the amount of forward lean when the snowboard boot is engaged within the bindings of the snowboard.

Abstract: A bicycle wheel basically has a hub, a plurality of spokes extending outwardly from the hub and an annular rim coupled to the outer ends of the spokes for supporting a tire. The annular rim has a spoke attachment portion with a plurality of openings for receiving the outer ends of the spokes therein. The openings of the annular rim have reinforcement members or washers located between the spokes and annular rim. The outer ends of the spokes have bent sections located within the spoke holes of the reinforcement members or washers and head section that engage the inner surface of the reinforcement members or washers. The rim is provided with a reinforcing rib or bend above each of the spoke holes. The reinforcing rib or bend can be continuous or discontinuous. The spoke attachment portions of the rim are divided into an outer circumferential section, a middle circumferential section with the spoke openings formed therein and an inner circumferential section.

Abstract: An active high back system is provided for automatically adjusting the snowboard boot between a walking position and a riding position. The snowboard boot is provided with an active highback support that is adjustably mounted to a snowboard boot. During walking, the active highback support does not constrain the flexibility of the snowboard boot making it possible for the snowboard rider to walk easily. When the rider steps into the bindings of the snowboard, the active highback support engages a part of the snowboard or binding that causes the snowboard boot to lean forward. In other words, the highback support is positioned to engage the back leg portion of a snowboard boot to provide a rigid surface that holds the boot in a forward leaning position. The active highback support is provided with an adjustment mechanism that allows the rider to adjust the amount of forward lean when the snowboard boot is engaged within the bindings of the snow board.

Abstract: A bicycle wheel basically has a hub, a plurality of spokes extending outwardly from the hub and an annular rim coupled to the outer ends of the spokes for supporting a tire. The annular rim has a spoke attachment portion with a plurality of openings for receiving the outer ends of the spokes therein. The outer ends of the spokes are bent such that first sections of the spokes are offset from sections of the spokes. These bends are positioned in the openings of the rims to retain the outer ends of the spokes in the openings of the rim. Optionally, an adhesive may be used to more securely retain the outer ends of the spokes in the openings of the rim. In certain embodiments, the spoke attachment portion of the rim can be constructed of individually spaced elements which can be either fastened to the rim or unitary part of the rim.

Abstract: A bicycle wheel basically has a hub, a plurality of spokes extending outwardly from the hub and an annular rim coupled to the outer ends of the spokes for supporting a tire. The annular rim has a spoke attachment portion with a plurality of openings for receiving the outer ends of the spokes therein. The openings of the annular rim have reinforcement members or washers located between the spokes and annular rim. The outer ends of the spokes have bent sections located within the spoke holes of the reinforcement members or washers and head section that engage the inner surface of the reinforcement members or washers. The rim is provided with a reinforcing rib or bend above each of the spoke holes. The reinforcing rib or bend can be continuous or discontinuous. The spoke attachment portions of the rim are divided into an outer circumferential section, a middle circumferential section with the spoke openings formed therein and an inner circumferential section.

Abstract: A snowboard binding is provided for releasably connecting a boot to a snowboard. One embodiment of the invention includes inner and outer main bodies to receive a two-piece cleat. A second embodiment includes inner and outer hooks for hooking, and a latch for securing, a one-piece cleat. A third embodiment includes a front main body and a spring-loaded latch in a rear main body for engaging a one-piece cleat. A fourth embodiment engages a one-piece cleat with inwardly beveled, semi-circular inner and outer main bodies. A fifth embodiment engages a one-piece cleat with a front main body and a latch, fixedly mounted upon an axle, within a rear main body. The latch is biased toward the engaged position by a spring. In a sixth embodiment of the invention, a one-piece cleat is engaged with a front main body and two rear spring biased latches. In a seventh embodiment, among other things, the cleat is formed in two pieces.

Abstract: A bicycle wheel basically has a hub, a plurality of spokes extending outwardly from the hub and an annular rim coupled to the outer ends of the spokes for supporting a tire. The annular rim has a spoke attachment portion with a plurality of openings for receiving the outer ends of the spokes therein. The outer ends of the spokes are bent such that first sections of the spokes are offset from sections of the spokes. These bends are positioned in the openings of the rims to retain the outer ends of the spokes in the openings of the rim. In selected embodiments, a fastener or an adhesive may be used to more securely retain the outer ends of the spokes in the openings of the rim. In certain other embodiments, the spoke attachment portion of the rim can be constructed of individually spaced elements which can be either fastened to the rim or unitary part of the rim.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a highback support which is pivotally mounted to a support member. A lever mechanism fixed to a backside of the highback support includes a lever which selectively engages a portion of the support member and provides mechanical advantage for setting and releasing the highback support between a support position and a release position. In the support position, the highback support is positioned to engage the back of a snowboard boot to provide a rigid surface against which a snowboard rider can lean for steering. In the release position, the highback support is free to pivot making it possible for the snowboard rider to walk easily.

Abstract: A bicycle wheel basically has a hub, a plurality of spokes extending outwardly from the hub and an annular rim coupled to the outer ends of the spokes for supporting a tire. The annular rim has a spoke attachment portion with a plurality of openings for receiving the outer ends of the spokes therein. The openings of the annular rim have reinforcement members or washers located between the spokes and annular rim. The outer ends of the spokes have bent sections located within the spoke holes of the reinforcement members or washers and head section that engage the inner surface of the reinforcement members or washers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe lacing configuration where short straps attached to sides of an article of footwear are formed with loops. A secondary lacing strap includes loops through which a lace extends. The lace extends through lacing means formed on opposite sides of a boot and further extends through the loops in the secondary lacing strap. The secondary lacing strap has the effect of doubling the force applied to the lace on the opposite sides of the boot in a manner similar to that of a block and tackle thus improving the lace tightening characteristics of the article of footwear.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe lacing configuration for an article of footware such as a boot, where the boot is provided with two rings, one ring supported on either side of the boot proximate an ankle supporting portion of the boot. A long strap is looped through the two rings such that the long strap defines an elongated C-like shape. Each end of the long strap is formed with eyelets. A lace extends through eyelets formed in the boot in a traditional criss-cross manner, and the lace further extends through the eyelets formed in the long strap. The long strap has the effect of doubling the force applied to the lace in a manner similar to that of a block and tackle thus improving the lace tightening characteristics of the boot.