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 and radially extending recesses for receiving the outer end portions of the spokes therein. The outer end portions of the spokes are at least partially recessed within the radially extending recesses to provide an aerodynamic design. The outer end portions of the spokes are preferably 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, the offset section between the first and second sections is either thicker or corrugated.

Abstract: A snowboard boot includes a foot portion, an ankle portion formed of a flexible material disposed above the foot portion and extending forwardly for covering an anklebone, and a leg portion disposed above the ankle portion. The ankle portion includes a first stitch line extending from a rear of the ankle portion forwardly and a second stitch line extending from the rear of the ankle portion forwardly so that the flexible material forms a flexible material space extending from between the first stitch line and the second stitch line for covering the anklebone. The flexible material space has no stitch line extending from the rear of the ankle portion therein to comfortably accommodate the anklebone.

Abstract: A cap is provided for fitting to a bicycle control cable of the type having an inner cable slidingly disposed within an outer casing where the outer casing terminates for exposing a portion of the inner cable. The cap has a first section defining a first section opening for fitting the outer casing therein. A protective cover extends along the exposed portion of the inner cable and has a first end disposed over the cap.

Abstract: A back support structure for a snowboard boot includes a back support member for supporting a back surface of an ankle and a linking mechanism coupled to the back support member for coupling the back support member to a leg member of the snowboard boot. The linking mechanism includes a first pivot coupling and a second pivot coupling so that the back support member may pivot relative to the leg member around multiple axes to accommodate complex sideways inclinations of the leg.

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 boot includes a sole region, an upper outer layer extending from the sole region to an instep region, and a foot support disposed inside the upper outer layer. The foot support includes a right foot support and a left foot support. The right foot support is disposed inside the upper outer layer of the boot on a right side thereof and extends from the sole region toward the instep region. The right foot support includes a right foot tightening structure disposed in close proximity to the instep region. The left foot support is disposed inside the upper outer layer of the boot on a left side thereof and extends from the sole region toward the instep region. The left foot support includes a left foot tightening structure disposed in close proximity to the instep region. If desired, an insulating layer may be disposed between the upper outer layer and the right and left foot supports.

Abstract: A snowboard boot is formed with an ankle and heel support. The boot includes a sole portion and an upper portion fixed to the sole portion. The ankle and heel support includes a strap member that is formed with first and second lacing loops and an ankle strap portion which extends between the first and second lacing loops. A first support leg extends downward from the first lacing loop and a second support leg extending downward from the second lacing loop. The first and second support legs are fixed to a lower inside portion of the upper portion proximate the sole portion. The ankle strap portion is configured to wrap around the back side of an ankle portion of a foot above a heel portion of the foot and with the first and second lacing loops laced, the ankle and heel support provides firm engagement between the foot and boot.

Abstract: The braking device of the present invention is equipped with a resistance element which acts so that, when the brake device is operated by pulling a brake lever to a set operating position where the wheel braking force produced by brake shoes reaches a certain set value, a discretely increased force resists operation of the brake lever so that further operation of said brake lever is inhibited until a pulling force which is greater than the resistance force is thereafter applied to the brake lever.

Abstract: A snowboard boot includes a toe portion, a heel portion and a leg portion. The heel portion and the leg portion are coupled so that the leg portion is capable of inclination in a longitudinal direction relative to the heel portion, and/or the heel portion and the leg portion are coupled so that the leg portion is capable of inclination in a lateral direction relative to the heel portion. In a more specific embodiment, a rigid heel overlap member is coupled to the heel portion, and a rigid leg overlap member is coupled to the leg portion. The heel overlap member and the leg overlap member overlap in a longitudinal direction. The heel overlap member and the leg overlap member are capable of relative movement in a vertical direction and/or rotation around a longitudinal axis. If desired, the heel overlap member and the leg overlap may interface through an arcuate or approximately spherical surface to facilitate relative movement in the desired directions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe lacing configuration where short straps attached to sides of an article of footwear are formed with loops. At least one long strap extends through the loops in the one pair of the short straps, the long strap extending from side to side of the article of footwear. The long strap is further formed with loops at either end thereof. A lace extends through the loops in the long strap. The long strap has the effect of doubling the force applied to the lace on the short straps in a manner similar to that of a block and tackle thus improving the lace tightening characteristics of the article of footwear.

Abstract: A sole core formed in the shape of a strip is disposed longitudinally along a central portion of the sole and functions as an axis of rotation with torsional flexibility. More specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, a sole for a snowboard boot includes a middle sole core member extending with the sole along a longitudinal center core line (T), wherein a left edge the middle sole core member is spaced apart from a left lateral edge of the sole, and wherein a right edge of the middle sole core member is spaced apart from a right lateral edge of the sole. If desired, the center core line (T) may be inclined relative to the longitudinal centerline of the boot. Separate or connected left and right sole core members may be formed on the left and right sides of the middle sole core member, respectively.

Abstract: A back support for a snowboard boot includes a heel portion and an upper portion. The heel portion includes a left heel side portion, a right heel side portion, and a heel curved portion that curves as it connects the left heel side portion and the right heel side portion. The upper portion is coupled to the heel portion above the heel portion, and a rear portion of an upper end of the upper portion is formed as a flexible portion. The rear portion of the upper end of the upper portion may be rendered flexible by its shape and/or combination of materials.

Abstract: A cap is provided for fitting to a bicycle control cable of the type having an inner cable sliding disposed within an outer casing, where the outer casing terminates for exposing a portion of the inner cable. The cap has a first section defining a first section opening for fitting the outer casing therein. A protective cover extends along the exposed portion of the inner cable and has a first end disposed over the cap.

Abstract: A snowboard binding 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 counter mounting within a snowboard boot having a sole and an upper having a rear side, an inner side and an outer side attached to the sole. The counter includes a lower counter portion for fixing to the boot in close proximity to the sole and an upper counter portion for fixing to the lower counter portion. The upper counter portion includes an inner side upper counter portion for extending along the inner side of the upper and an outer side upper counter portion for extending along the outer side of the upper. A length of the outer side upper counter portion which extends along the outer side of the upper is greater than a length of the inner side upper counter portion which extends along the inner side of the upper.

Abstract: A fastener for a snowboard boot includes first, second and third loops with corresponding first, second and third connectors. The first connector is connected to a first side of the boot, and the second connector is attached to a second side of the boot. A strap is connected to the third connector. The strap extends from the third connector to the first loop and passes through the first loop. The strap then extends toward the second loop and passes through the second loop. Thereafter, the strap extends toward the third loop, passes through the third loop and extends toward the second loop. The strap may include a hook and loop or other type fastener for securing the free end of the strap in place.

Abstract: A sole for a snowboard boot includes a depression defined in the sole for attachment of a fastener and a recessed groove for providing a space which opens to the front of the boot for creating a through-passage between the space and the depression. The open space allows the boot to be easily attached to the snowboard while preventing direct contact between the fastener and the ground. A portion of the sole which includes the toe and recessed groove is more resilient than a remaining portion of the boot to further facilitate walking by allowing the sole to flex during walking.

Abstract: A cycling shoe having a bottom sole. The bottom sole includes a plate member having a cleat-attaching portion and a cover member for covering at least a cleat-attaching area including the cleat-attaching portion and its periphery of the plate member. A portion of the cover member overlapping the cleat-attaching area is rendered removable.

Abstract: The present invention provides a light and strong cycling shoe sole. A shoe according to the present invention includes a core, fibrous layers surrounding the core to reinforce the core, and a resin for integrating the fibrous layers and core.