Abstract: An adapter assembly for pivotable mounting of a binding to a snowboard is provided. The adapter assembly includes a first part which is adapted to be one of mounted to a snowboard and connected to a binding. A second part is rotatably connected to the first part for rotation about an axis. The second part is adapted to be the other of mounted to the snowboard and connected to the binding. The first part includes an index member having a plurality of index stops spaced at least partially around the axis. A locating member is connected to the second part which is movable from a first position, where the locating member is engaged in an index stop of the index member such that the second part is held in a rotatably fixed position relative to the first part, to a second position, where the locating member is disengaged from the index stops of the index member such that the second part is rotatable relative to the first part.

Abstract: An improved snowboard binding system allows the snowboarder to maintain full control of the snowboard while also allowing the snowboarder to rotate the feet during the operation of the snowboard without the requirement of manual adjustment. A binding base (22) is attached to the snowboard and contains a circular, downward-facing surface (23) having several discontinuities. A boot catch structure (26) is attached to the user's boot and has a corresponding number of upward facing planar surfaces (27) that fit into the base surface discontinuities. Engagement of the binding is accomplished by the insertion of the boot catch into the binding base and relative rotation of the two parts. The binding system is equipped with a locking plate (24) that guards against accidental release of the binding system.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining a boot on a glide plate especially adapted for snowboarding, the boot including an upper affixed to a sole adapted to cooperate with the board. The apparatus includes a longitudinal positioning and retention device for the boot thereupon, such device being obtained in a complementary manner in a front lateral zone and a rear lateral zone and in the corresponding zones of the sole. Also, the transverse axes of the front and rear retention devices are spaced apart by a distance that is common to at least two boot sizes, enabling the length of the boot to be released and allowing the front and rear ends of the boot to be freed of all retention elements with respect to the board, such elements extending exclusively in a lateral direction with respect to the sole.

Abstract: Apparatus for use with a gliding board that includes a shoe having an upper and a sole. A binding for mounting the shoe upon the board having an upwardly raised rear piece and attaching pieces securable to similar pieces on the binding. The upper further includes a frame having a stirrup that encircles the upper and securing mechanism for closing the frame about the shoe.

Abstract: A device for retaining a boot on a gliding board, the device including a base for receiving the boot, at least one tightening arrangement to bias the base toward the board. The device according to the invention includes at least one mechanism for positioning the base with respect to the board both translationally in any direction substantially parallel to the board, and rotationally along any angle with respect to an axis substantially perpendicular to the board.

Abstract: A step-in snowboard binding 100 provides a base assembly 200 which is adjustably attached to the snowboard at an angle that is selected by the user. A front assembly 300 and a back assembly 400 are pivotally carried by the base assembly and are pivotally connected to each other. The front and back assemblies pivot between a closed and locked boot-restraining position, and an open step-in/out position. In a preferred embodiment, the front assembly carries an adjustable toe strap 350 and an adjustable foot strap 360. A fastening assembly 500 releasably locks the front and back assemblies together in the closed boot-restraining position. With both boots locked in the boot restraining position, the user is able to operate the snowboard. The fastening assembly is easily released, allowing the front and back assemblies to pivot to the step-in/out position. In this position, the user is able to step into or out of each binding.

Abstract: A skeg device and system and the like, for mounting on snowboards or skis to improve performance, maneuverability, tracking and balance. Skegs are designed to easily mount on snowboards, and has blades for controlling the snowboard path in a variety of snow conditions from powder, to hard snow, to ice. Each skeg is comprised of a mounting plate for easily installing the skegs on a snowboard and a blade rotably mounted on a shaft that is spring loaded. The spring loaded rotatable shaft allows the blades to deflect when engaging a hard surface to constantly self-adjust to snow conditions. Depth adjustment is provided by a thumbscrew that adjusts the rotational position of the shaft and thus, the depth that the blade extends below the surface of the snowboard. By rotating the thumbscrew, a rider can dial in the tracking of the blade on each skeg individually.

Abstract: The snowboard binding with a pivoting heel element and a movable instep element has, in the area stepped on by the sole of the snowboard boot, a movable tread element that is coupled both to the instep element and to the heel element such that, when the tread element is pressed down in the direction of the snowboard surface, the instep element and the heel element are simultaneously and synchronously forcibly moved into their closed position.

Abstract: A skiboard system is provided, which includes a divisible skiboard having left and right skiboard halves and left and right loose heel binding. When the skiboard halves are joined, the skiboard has a central, waist portion and an upward curving front shovel area. The left and right loose heel bindings may be secured on the left and right skiboard halves when the skiboard halves are divided, oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axes or the skiboard halves. When the skiboard halves are joined, the left and right loose heel bindings are mounted on opposite sides of the skiboard waist at an acute angle less than 35 degrees from the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A device for connecting a piece of sports equipment, fixedly attached to the equipment, to securely hold a user's foot to the sports equipment having an instep element and a pivotable heel element, which are connected to one another in a manner that they each execute an opposed movement. The instep element is linked to a baseplate attached to the piece of sports equipment with the interconnection of a clamping lever by a connecting link coupled to the clamping lever and further connecting the clamping lever to the heel element forming the toggle joint of a tilting lever that is acted upon by a spring, which secures the instep element and heel element in their respective boundary position and counteract a change in position until the extended position of the tilting lever is reached in order to achieve rapid and simple closing and release of the connection between the foot and the piece of sports equipment while avoiding unintentional release during sports activity.

Abstract: The invention concerns a gliding board, especially a snowboard, which is intended to support both boots of a skier. The board includes a base structure of which at least the front end is turned up to form the shovel. It further has a central zone with two mounting zones for the binding elements, a front zone, and a rear zone. The board has, at least in one of the front or rear zones, a long reinforcement shaped according to the length and width of the zone. The reinforcement extends from the vicinity of the end of the front or rear zone to at least the vicinity of the mounting zone located near the zone.

Abstract: An adjustable snowboard boot binding comprising a base disc, a main body, a top disc and one or more levers. The base disc is mounted to the top of a snowboard. The main body is sandwiched between the top disc and the base disc. The lever is hand-manipulable, allowing the snowboarder to adjust the angle of the boot binding with respect to the longitudinal axis of the snowboard without the need for tools. With the lever in the open position, the main body of the boot binding is free to rotate about an axis normal to the snowboard. With the lever in the closed position, the main body is rigid, allowing the snowboarder to maneuver the snowboard when riding.

Abstract: A snowboard includes one or more stiffening plates mounted to the top surface of the snowboard. The plates serve to stiffen localized areas on the snowboard in order to change the flexion and torsion characteristics of the snowboard in that localized area. The location of the stiffening plates can be adjusted to accommodate a wide range of riding stances and orientations. The stiffening plates can be utilized on a symmetrical snowboard to provide asymmetrical flexion and torsion characteristics in order to accommodate the asymmetrical stance of the rider. The stiffening plates can also be adjusted to enable a ski or snowboard to perform well in both soft snow conditions and hard packed snow conditions.

Abstract: A snowboard is disclosed which is comprised of two separable ski members, each having at least one non-linear longitudinal edge, and being adapted for conjoining together to selectively form the snowboard. The snowboard further comprises ski bindings associated with each ski member and a snowboard binding assembly which is comprised of elements associated with each ski member. Thus, boot bindings can be readily positioned between a skiing mode and a snowboarding mode. The ski bindings of the present invention are adapted for both fixed-heel and free-heel binding to accommodate conventional alpine and telemarking skiing. The snowboard bindings may, in one embodiment, be adjustable to position the feet at any desired angle to the board, and even allow the user to select which foot is oriented to the front of the board.

Abstract: A calf rest arranged tiltably about a transverse axis on a heel stirrup or heel part of a snowboard binding or of a snowboard boot has, to limit the tiltability, an adjustable stop arrangement which interacts with the heel stirrup or heel part. This stop arrangement is arranged on the calf-side inner side of the calf rest, so that the stability of the mounting of the stop arrangement on the calf rest is increased by pressure of the calf against the calf rest.

Abstract: A snowboard binding includes a base plate for supporting a universal boot plate. A pair of locking slots are arranged on the sides of the universal boot plate. A fixed locking latch is attached to the base plate on one edge thereof for engaging one of the locking slots. A latch assembly is attached to the base plate on an opposite edge thereof. A slidable locking latch in the latch assembly is operable for engaging the other locking slot on the universal boot plate. The slidable locking latch is actuated by a cam member with an arcuate cam slot having a center eccentric to an axle of the cam member. The slidable locking latch is connected to the cam slot by a pin. When the cam member is rotated by a lever attached to the axle, the cam slot affects linear motion in the slidable locking latch, which is caused to extend or retract for respectively locking or releasing the universal boot plate.

Abstract: A quick adjustment boot securement device for a snowboard is provided including a base coupled to the top of the snowboard. A boot binding housing is included with a bore that is adapted to rotatably receive the base therein. Next provided is a boot binding assembly including a floating clamp having a U-shaped configuration. The boot binding assembly further includes a clamping mechanism for engaging the clamp with the base thereby precluding rotation of the boot binding housing with respect to the snowboard.

Abstract: A snowboard binding (6) has an adjustably positioned toe ramp (44) mounted to the front end (32) of the base (18) with an upwardly curving front portion (62) shaped to conform to the toe (14) of the boot sole (12) to increase the toe-side edge responsiveness. A dampened, energy absorbing heel pad (66) is mounted to the rear end (28) of the base to help absorb impact. Arm channels (84,86) are formed in each of the left and right side flanges (22,24), extend upwardly from the baseplate (20), and are sized to contain the left and right mounting arms (94,96) of a heel support (26). A pair of threaded fasteners (104,108) clamp the mounting arms within the side flanges over a range of upwardly and rearwardly extending portions. Front-and-rear forces on the heel support are resisted by the two fasteners and by engagement of the upper and lower edges (122,124) of the arms with upper and lower channel walls (88,89).

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 rotational boot binding for mounting on a free style snowboard. The binding allows the user of the snowboard to wear hard shell boots and while boarding rotate both feet in a vertical plane for shifting his or her weight to the toe or the heel of the board. The binding includes a base plate having a plurality of holes therein for attaching and adjusting the base plate at an angle from 30 to 120 degrees to an axis along a length of the snowboard and centered thereon. The base plate is attached to a foot plate by a horizontal pivot pin. The pivot pin allows the foot plate to rotate on the base plate in a vertical plane thereby allowing a shift of weight to the toe or to the heel of the snow board and thus control the movement of the snowboard. The binding includes a toe base plate, a toe foot plate, a heel base plate and a heel foot plate. By having separate toe plates and heel plates, the binding can be adjusted on the snowboard for a wide range of different lengths of boot.

Abstract: A binding assembly for attaching a boot to a snowboard, designed in a manner to avoid cavities that can accumulate ice and snow and defeat its operation. The system includes first and second boot mounted bales in the form of rigid loops that extend from each side of the boot soles, and a pair of bindings attached to the snowboard. Each binding has a base including elongated, slotted holes located on the circumference of a circle through which bolts are placed to secure the base to the snowboard with a friction washer therebetween. The elongated holes allow for rotational adjustment of the binding. A hook-shaped structure extends from one side of the base with the hook facing outward. On the opposite side of the base is a camming structure with a downward and outwardly sloping surface ending in a bale-receiving notch.

Abstract: A binding for snowboards and also to a boot with such a binding. To facilitates stepping in and out, the binding has a binding plate (5) which is provided with lateral holding (retaining) members on both sides of the boot sole in its central longitudinal zone and which is connected to a base plate (6) or the surface of the snowboard, characterised in that the retaining members are formed by side walls (3) diverging from one another conically upwards preferably in the upper portion, and disposed on the binding is a pivotable sprung clamp (1), whose ends or elements connected to the ends extend inwards through substantially horizontal holes (4) in the side walls (3), while a boot can be locked to the binding via the ends (2) of the sprung clamp (1) or elements connected thereto and can be again unlocked by the pivoting of the sprung clamp (1). The interface (12) which extends laterally upwards from the central zone of the boot sole (14) is preferably made of a harder material than the boot body (11).

Abstract: A snowboard binding mounting disk (24) includes a body (28) through which 3-hole and 4-hole patterns (8, 10) of mounting holes are formed. The centers of a pair of the 3-hole mounting holes are separated by a base distance (Z). The centers of a pair of the 4-hole mounting holes are separated by an end distance (Y). The end and base distances differ by a distance delta. The pair of end holes and the pair of base holes are positioned adjacent to one another so that the end and base holes overlap one another to create a pair of oblong, dual purpose holes (30). A removable and replaceable mounting element positioner (29) is mounted to the oblong holes at one of two stable positions. The position chosen is determined by whether the dual purpose holes are to be used for the 3-hole pattern or for the 4-hole pattern. The central opening (20) in the base is preferably made by stamping a grooved peripheral surface (22) sized to engage a complementary grooved surface (53) on the disk.

Abstract: A snowboard binding for securing a boot to a board, comprising a base, a first engagement member that is supported by the base and adapted to engage a first lateral side of the boot, and a second engagement member, pivotally mounted to the base, that is adapted to engage a second lateral side of the boot opposite the first lateral side of the boot.

Abstract: A binding assembly includes a boot having a plate, and a binding plate secured to a snowboard. The boot plate includes at least one set of opposing, horizontally-projecting, binding tabs positioned along the sides of the boot. The binding plate includes at least one set of binding elements that correspond, respectively, to the binding tabs. In operation, the binding tabs on the boot are maneuvered to engage the binding elements on the binding plate to mount the boot to the snowboard.

Abstract: A universal snow boot and binding for use in connection with either snow skiing of snow-boarding which is easy to use and provides quick, easy and positive interconnection of the snow boot with the upper surface of the ski or snow-board. Uniquely only magnetic forces are used to affix the snow boot to the ski or snow-board.

Abstract: A snowboard that facilitates turn carving has an elongated body with first and second elevated bases mounted thereto, and an area of increased stiffness extending radially from the first and second bases toward the central axis of the body of the snowboard. V-shaped, diamond shaped or T-shaped drive members are mounted to the body or formed integrally therewith to increase the stiffness of the body in the area between the bases. The combination of the elevated bases and area of increased stiffness increases the flex area and the positive running edge of the snowboard. Additional stiffener fingers can be included to extend outwardly from the bases toward the nose and tail ends to provide shock absorption and vibration dampening.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining a snowboard shoe on a board which includes a first anchoring device for the sole of the shoe; a second anchoring device affixed to the sole; a base affixed to the board and on which are mounted an arrangement for rotationally guiding and vertically retaining the first anchoring device and a mechanism for latching the second anchoring device, the mechanism including a jaw member having a housing for receiving the second anchoring device, and a latch journalled on the jaw member. The latching mechanism includes an elastic return device biased during the displacement of one portion at least of the latching mechanism which is driven by the thrust exerted by the second anchoring device moving vertically, substantially along an arc whose radius is equivalent to the distance separating the two anchoring devices during the tilting of the shoe about the axis of rotation of the first anchoring device.

Abstract: An angular adjustment device, particularly for a snowboard binding to which a disk is rigidly coupled and comprises a supporting base for a shoe. The device is constituted by first engagement elements, associated with the base, which selectively interact, through second release elements which can be operated by the user, with third coupling elements which are rigidly coupled to the disk.

Abstract: A snowboard boot binding mechanism includes a base member having a recessed channel. A first plate is slidably attached to the base member. A first pair of engagement rods are fixedly attached to the first plate. Each of the first pair of engagement rods has a head disposed at an axial end of the rod for selectively engaging and locking a first bar attached to a first side of the snowboard boot. A second plate is fixedly attached to the base member. A second pair of engagement rods are fixedly attached to the second plate. Each of the second pair of engagement rods have a head disposed at an axial end of the rod for engaging and locking a second bar attached to a second side of the snowboard boot which is disposed opposite to the first side.

Abstract: A sports boot adapted to be associated to a glide board for snowboarding, via a detachable binding device that includes a rear support spoiler that is relatively rigid. The boot includes an external sole overhung with a shell base that extends towards the lower part of the user's leg via a relatively flexible upper that is capable of cooperating with the rear support spoiler which is relatively rigid, and affixed to the board, during a rear edge setting, wherein the upper includes an arrangement for distributing the pressure exerted on the lower part of the user's leg when the upper takes support on the spoiler, such arrangement including a relatively rigid plate attached to a more flexible rear zone of upper and insulated from all the rigid parts of the boot in order to maintain the flexibility of the upper.

Abstract: A simple and lightweight, quick action snowboard binding securing device allows continuous rotational adjustment of the orientation of the binding with respect to the snowboard without the need for the removal of the rider's boot and without requiring the use of any tools. A clamping mechanism stiffens the binding and allows the rider's boot to rest directly on the binding for optimum performance. The device can be used with all bindings which have a central aperture to receive a securing disk or hold down plate.

Abstract: An improved wind-propelled ski apparatus which comprises a ski, risers and deck. The risers comprise upper and lower platforms and connecting positioned members between the platforms. The risers are attached to the ski and provide an elevated surface for the installation of a deck, where the rider's feet are positioned. The elevation of the rider's feet provides greater control of the ski and protection for the rider's feet. The ski is an elongated, planar member having a series of openings along its length for the attachment of a sail mount and the risers. The openings can accommodate the risers and the sail mount in various positions on the ski to adapt to the needs of the rider.

Abstract: A binding used for securing a snowboarder's snowboots on top of a snowboard. Two pair of the bindings are used for mounting on the snowboard and received around a portion of the instep and around a portion of the toe of each snowboot. Broadly, each binding includes a flexible strap having a first end attached to a ratchet assembly mounted on the snowboard and adjacent one side of the snowboot. A second end of the strap is attached to a quick release assembly mounted on the snowboard and adjacent an opposite side of the snowboot. The ratchet assembly is used for tightening the flexible strap on the snowboot. The ratchet assembly includes a spool with spool gear. The first end of the strap is attached to the spool. A spool release lever is attached to a side of the spool gear. A spool advancing lever is pivotly mounted to the spool release lever. One end of the spool advancing lever is received between gear teeth of the spool gear.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shock absorption device comprising at least one elongated element for transmitting flexional forces, oriented longitudinally with respect to the ski and having a free end adapted to be displaced longitudinally during bias in flexion. The device comprises likewise: a housing rigidly connected to the ski, provided with an opening for the passage of the free end of the elongated element and an internal seat allowing for the free back and forth movement of the said free end in translation; at least one shock absorption plate guided in translation in the said seat, comprising at least one layer made out of flexible and/or viscoelastic material in direct contact with the free end; and an indexing means making it possible to select the number of small plates in the translationally latched position in this said seat, and whose layer of flexible and/or viscoelastic material is biased in shear during displacement of the free end in the seat.

Abstract: A recreational board which adapted to be ridden by a user has a thermoplastic upper portion with an outer surface and an inner surface, a thermoplastic lower portion including a plurality of flanges, is bonded together by joining the plurality of flanges to the inner surface of the upper portion.

Abstract: A snow board comprising a flexible core element enveloped by a covering of resin impregnated fiberglass wherein the core includes a plurality of parallel grooves running the longitudinal direction of the board such that in conjunction with resin impregnated fiberglass form a series of parallel integral hollow beam members increasing the strength of the board while simultaneously reducing the overall weight

Abstract: A snowboard binding having a heel element that is pivotable in its open position sufficiently far that a snowboard boot can be inserted into the binding with the instep element held in place. The heel element is also pivotable into a closure position and held there by means of actuation devices. In this closure position, the heel element supports the heel of the snowboard boot in a predefined position and simultaneously presses the boot against the instep element.

Abstract: A cant/lift having an adjustable cant/lift angle. The cant/lift includes two components that form the adjustable cant/lift angle, and a hub for attaching the components to a snowboard and a binding. The cant/lift enables the rotational orientation of the cant/lift relative to the longitudinal axis of the snowboard to be adjusted.

Abstract: A base includes a first bail that is pivotally connected to the base. A second bail is pivotally connected to the base. An operating arm is connected to the second bail and pivotally connected to the base. A trigger mechanism is connected to the second bail to move the second bail from a first unlocked position to a second locked position. The operating arm is pivoted in a first direction to cause the second bail to move from the second locked position to the first unlocked position.

Abstract: A boot for use with a snowboard having a binding 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 on the snowboard. The base also has toe and heel ends. The base is formed with a toecap at the toe end and has 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 binding includes an upper attachment connected to a boot, a lower attachment connected to a board, a coupler attached to one of the upper and lower attachments, and a coupling mount attached to the other of the upper and lower attachments. The coupling mount and the coupler are configured to automatically engage with each other to lock the upper attachment to the lower attachment when a user wearing the boot steps onto the lower attachment and to permit rotation of the upper attachment relative to the lower attachment when the upper attachment is locked to the lower attachment. A release actuator is actuated to disengage the coupler and the coupling mount. A lock locks the boot in a selected rotary position relative to the board. The coupler includes a collar and a sleeve positioned within the collar. The collar is rotatable relative to the sleeve.

Abstract: A pattern of holes is provided for a retaining part for securing bindings on snowboards and the like, for receiving fastening screws and for enabling a two-dimensional adjustment of the retaining part and of the binding, relative to fastening points on the snowboard or the like.

Abstract: A binding for snowboards has a back plate 2 at the rear of a base plate 1, and the back plate 2 is moved back and forth to vertically move side plates 3 which are provided with an ankle strap 32 and a toe strap 33.

Abstract: A binding system is configured to removably mount a footwear member to a sporting or recreational device. In a preferred embodiment, the binding system includes a binding member having at least one rail attached thereto. The rail preferably has an elongated, arcuate shape. A corresponding slot on the footwear member is configured to slidingly receive the rail. The cross-sectional shape of the slot conforms to the cross-sectional shape of the rail. The footwear member is mounted to the binding member by aligning the rail and slot and slidingly inserting the rail into the slot using a rotational motion.

Abstract: A snowboard boot that is provided with a downwardly projecting ratchet bar (30) at its rear. A boot binding (18) on a snowboard (10) includes a toe strap (50) for receiving the toe region of the boot (28). The snowboard rider steps into the boot holder (18) by inserting the toe region of his/her boot (28) through the toe strap (50) when it is a loosened condition. Then the rider steps down to move the ratchet bar (30) into and through a receptor (38) that is secured to a heel region member (24) of the boot holder (18). Downward movement of the ratchet bar (30) moves ratchet teeth (22) relatively past a tooth engaging portion of a catch (36). When the boot has bottomed out, the tooth engaging portion of the catch (36) engages a tooth (32) of the ratchet bar (30) and secures the heel region of the boot (28) to the snowboard (10). Then, the rider reaches down and tightens the toe strap (50).

Abstract: A snowboard rider wears boots that fit into manually releasable bindings which are attached to the top surface of the snowboard, analogous to bindings on alpine skis. Generally, the snowboard bindings are aligned at approximately right angles to the longitudinal axis of the board, with one foot nearer to the front of the board, and the other foot nearer to the tail of the board. In a typical binding design, each boot is rigidly held in a fixed position with respect to the snowboard with no movement of the foot being possible absent corresponding movement of the snowboard. The snowboard binding described herein permits the rider to enjoy the flexibility of toe-to-heel movement, while providing for a simple method of restraining that method for terrains in which flexibility would be detrimental. Each binding consists of a footplate onto which the boot is strapped, a fulcrum attached to the bottom of the footplate, and a fulcrum receptacle mounted on top of the snowboard.

Abstract: A snowboard binding having a pivot plate located in the bottom sole of the binding. The pivot plate is held in place at the desired angle by a locking pin that engages receptacles radially positioned about a central axis of the pivot plate in which the locking pin can be inserted. The locking mechanism also has a spring loaded indicator shaft to show if the binding is in a fully locked position.

Abstract: The binding features a riser 9 as shown in FIGS. 3, 4A and 4B. A thickness of riser 9 is of a measurement which will elevate base plate 2 above snowboard 4 sufficient to permit snowboard 4 to flex beneath and about base plate 2 without snowboard 4 top surface 6 contacting base plate 2 while a rider is maneuvering snowboard 4. Accordingly, the riser 9 of the binding minimizes, if not eliminates, the flattened apex of the flex arc of a snowboard which occurs with standard bindings, and, therefore, permits a rider to achieve a smoother ride and the more precise carves and turns which occur when the snowboard flexes along its complete and natural flex arc.Bail 53 of the binding as shown in FIG. 7 is a rod which is "U" shaped. The "U" bends 41 at about a forty-five degree angle at a midpoint of each of a stem of the "U", as more clearly shown in side view in FIG. 7. The stems of bail 53 are, preferably, threaded to threadingly engage with threads of threaded hole 66 of lug 51.

Abstract: A binding assembly for attaching a boot to a snow board, designed in a manner to avoid cavities that can accumulate ice and snow and defeat its operation. The system includes first and second boot mounted bales in the form of rigid loops that extend from each side of the boot soles, an adjustable boot insert and a pair of bindings attached to the snow board. Each binding has a base including elongated, slotted holes located on the circumference of a circle through which bolts secure the base to the snow board with a friction washer therebetween, allowing for rotational adjustment of the binding. A hook-shaped structure extends from one side of the base with the hook facing outward. On the opposite side of the base is a camming structure with a downward and outwardly sloping surface ending in a bale-receiving notch.