Abstract: A pair of snowshoes, or skis, are utilized by the user to go up the slope of a hill. A binding bracket is carried separately to the top of the slope when the user then mounts the binding bracket to the back ends of each snowshoe and thus provides a singular snowboard for the user to slide down the slope.

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 double-edged snowboard (10) is disclosed. The snowboard includes a middle portion with a core, a tail (14) at the rear end of the middle portion, a shovel (12) at the front end of the middle portion, and a base (18) along the bottom of the middle, tail, and shovel portions of the snowboard. The base includes a central running surface (24), two outer running surfaces (26 and 28), first and second outer edges (34 and 36), and first and second inner edges (30 and 32). The central running surface is lower than the outer running surfaces. The first and second outer edges surround a portion of the perimeter of the first and second outer running surfaces, respectively. The first and second inner edges are disposed between the central running surface and the first and second outer running surfaces, respectively.

Abstract: A binding having a manually actuable locking member for preventing a sole-retainer from returning to an open or "release" position once the sole-retaining means has advanced towards a fully closed or "clamped-in" position by a predetermnined amount. The position of the sole-retainer is automatically readjusted as soon as any layer of snow, ice or the like on the underside of the boot sole melts.

Abstract: An adjustable snowboard binding assembly which can be rotatably controlled without the use of external tools. A snowboard boot mounting platform has a plurality of inwardly facing radial teeth along the circumference of a centralized circular cutout. A circumferential lip along the cutout is used to rotatably mount the platform via overlapping lipped quadrant segments which mount to the snowboard. A pair of radially sliding segments with teeth at their outer ends are slidably held by said quadrant segments. A slidable band is mounted via actuating/locking levers along the longitudinal length of the snowboard, with said band having upwardly extending posts which interface with angled slots formed in each sliding segment. In operation, the actuating levers are unlocked and the band slides forwards and backwards to effectuate radial movement of the sliding segments. This in turn effectuates locking engagement and disengagement between the radial circumferential teeth and the sliding segment teeth.

Abstract: Sporting device with an oblong, plate-like foundation (10), the underside of which is basically smooth in the front region (13) and in the rear region (14), and is provided with a runner system in the middle region (15), which includes two curved outside runners (16) with an inner side face which is convex, extending basically longitudinally on the foundation (10), which in each case project adjacent to the long edge of the underside of the foundation (10), two curved inside runners (17) with a convex inner side face and a concave outer side face, extending basically longitudinally along the foundation (10), which are arranged between the outside runners (16) and in each case project from the underside of the foundation (10) longitudinally at a distance to the corresponding outside runner (16), and a stabilizing runner (18), which extends along the middle longitudinal line of the foundation (10) between the inner runners (17), and projects from the underside of the foundation (10), whereby the outside runners

Abstract: An articulated two-section snowboard has a first and second section joined together for twisting and oscillation. Each section has an upper surface, a lower surface and an outer portion and an inner portion. A flexible connector joins the inner portions of the first and second sections and a pair of bindings for securing the feet of a user to the upper surface of the first and second sections.

Abstract: A method of constructing a ski, snowboard, or the like having a base, a core, and a top is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing an insert plate, placing the insert plate between the base and the top, substantially surrounding the insert plate with the core, and joining the base and the top to the core. Bindings may be secured to the insert plate by fastening them to the insert plate. The insert plate includes a substantially flat portion and a plurality of threaded inserts extending upwardly to the insert plate. The inserts are integrally formed with the flat portion by being stamped from a metal plate that forms the flat portion. Apertures are also formed in the metal plate such that frame arms extend between the individual inserts to support the inserts and hold them with respect to one another. The insert plate is placed between the base and the top in a position relative to the base and the top for optimum securing bindings to the insert plate.

Abstract: A snowboard binding system for a generic soft boot which provides a quick-release snowboard binding that retains a desired strap tension setting, and provides an unobstructed path for the rider's boot into and out of the binding when the binding is in a disengaged position. The snowboard binding has a base plate secured to the snowboard for accommodating a boot. First ends of a pair of adjustable straps are mounted to the base plate and the strap second ends are attached to opposed ends of a connecting rod. A rotating latch for engaging a bar is mounted to the connecting rod. The bar is attached to the side of the base plate opposite the straps. The binding is secured by engaging the bar with the latch, and rotating the latch in one motion into a secured position. The binding is disengaged by rotating the latch in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A storage compartment for mounting to a snowboard having a plurality of pre-existing threaded mounting holes includes a base member, a lid member hinged to the base member, and an insert fitted within the base member for receiving loose objects such as a wrench, wax, a locking cable and/or personal items. An anchoring post is secured to the base member. A closed loop end of a locking cable is passed around the anchoring post and the other end of the locking cable extends through an aperture formed in an end wall of the lid or base member where it is secured to a fixed object. A lock is provided to lock the lid member to the base member to prevent removal of the locking cable and theft of the snowboard when the snowboard is secured to the fixed object.

Abstract: The new snowboard bindings allow the snowboard rider to change the angle of the boot attachment for the purpose of accomplishing more "tricks". Each binding has a board anchor plate (15), a boot anchor (26), a biasing unit (21), and a locking unit (22). The board anchor plate (15) can include an angle set plate (16) to enable the rider to change the binding alignment on the snowboard. The usual straps (59and 60) are attached to the boot anchor (26) and a heel holder (29) are used to lock the boot in place. A biasing unit (21) (50A) utilizes one or more hinges (32 and 33) (50)(67) and a biasing mechanism. The biasing mechanism can be a coiled spring(s) (23)(68), an elastomeric wedge (40), a leaf spring (47), and/or a torsion bar (51), etc. The biasing mechanism forces the board anchor plate (15) and the boot anchor (26) into parallel alignment. This alignment can be changed by the user by releasing the board anchor plate (15) and the boot anchor (26) from parallel alignment by retracting the locking pin (24).

Abstract: A snowboard having a forward end with a shovel and rearward end with a heel. The forward shovel and rearward heel include forward and rearward contact areas on both the right and left sides. The snowboard includes a base sheet, a core, a top sheet, forward and rearward binding fastening regions, and a first reinforcement member. The core is disposed above the base sheet. The top sheet is disposed above the core. The forward and rearward binding fastening regions are disposed between the shovel and heel. The first reinforcement member is disposed between the core and the top sheet and extends from adjacent one of the forward and rearward binding fastening regions to adjacent both contact areas on one end of the snowboard. The first reinforcement member includes a right leaf spring member and a left leaf spring member. The right leaf spring member extends generally from the binding fastening region toward the right contact area.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a step-in, strapless snowboard binding. The snowboard binding is particularly useful for soft-shelled boots. The snowboard binding includes a receiving member and a locking member which move relative to one another to lock or unlock the boot relative to the binding. The receiving member has a motion control surface corresponding to each of a plurality of boot binding positions. The locking member engages a selected one of the control surfaces to lock the heel of the boot near a surface of the snowboard if snow is between the bottom of the heel and the surface. The locking member engages a different one of the control surfaces to lock the heel on the surface if there is no snow between the bottom and the surface.

Abstract: A system for anchoring a binding to a ski by incorporating a backing plate within the laminated structure of the ski. The backing plate has holes formed therein to receive internally threaded inserts therethrough and each of such holes is countersunk in a configuration to rotationally lock the insert in position. The binding is attached by engaging the appropriate inserts with threaded fasteners.

Abstract: A snowboard binding with step-in function holds a boot by means of front and heel brackets. The heel bracket is preferably coupled to a driving element that moves the heel bracket in the direction toward the other bracket and simultaneously downward, namely in the direction toward the snowboard surface, during the movement from the open position to the closed position. A spring piston locks the driving element directly or indirectly in the closed position. This locking effect is realized in such a way that the closing force of the binding does not depend on the force of the spring of the spring piston.

Abstract: Swivelable bindings assembly for a snowboard, for selective rotational adjustment of the bindings about an axis normal to the upper surface of the snowboard, the assembly including a rotatably adjustable bindings plate having a bottom surface, an upper portion adapted for releasably supporting a user's boot, and a relatively large diameter circular opening in the central portion of the plate. The assembly includes a holds-down disk that is received in the plate opening and is adapted to slidably engage edge portions of the plate opening to restrain the plate against upward separation from the disk and to hold the plate with its bottom surface slidably engaged with, and vertically supported by, the low-friction planar surface of a sheet of material secured to the top of the snowboard, the disk also serving to mount the plate for rotation about an axis through the center of the disk.

Abstract: A snowboard is disclosed having two cambers centered, respectively, below each of the two boot mounting zones.

Abstract: A step-in binding system for retrofitting to snowboard boot binder comprising an adaptor for coupling to a boot binder, and a rotatable, step-in, binding for receiving and engaging to the adaptor. The adaptor incorporates a manual quick-release mechanism for releasing from the step-in binding. An electro-mechanical quick-release mechanism operable through and RF transmitter-receiver combination, is coupled to the step-in binding and serves as a secondary quick-release mechanism. The adaptor is presented in two different embodiments, both of which can be readily retro-fitted to snowboard boot binders in popular use.

Abstract: A snow board binding with an attached base, which comes between the rider's foot and the snow board, that may be mounted to a snow board. The binding base features a pivoting mechanism comprised of a spinning disk, a locking lever, a tension wire, and two static bolts, i.e., a first static bolt and a second static bolt. The spinning disk, located in the center of the binding base, contains four holes by which the binding is fastened to the snow board. The outer edge of the disk contains a groove large enough to accept the tension wire. The lever is located at the outer edge of the binding, held fast by the first static bolt. The tension wire, extended from the fastened edge of the lever, arcs around the spinning disk, terminating at and fastened to the second static bolt. When engaged, the lever pulls on the wire, tightening tension. This creates a heightened friction between the wire and disk, thereby preventing the disk from spinning.

Abstract: A binding device, for binding a shoe on a sports implement, particularly a snowboard, is constituted by a central body having two bands of different length or arranged on different planes.

Abstract: A stopper for a snow board operates to stop sliding of the snow board when a boot is removed from a binding, and to allow sliding of the snow board when the boot is mounted on the binding. The stopper is formed of a stopping device including a base member attached to the snow board or binding, a cylindrical member attached to the base member, and a rod slidably situated in the cylindrical member; a spring attached to the base member for urging the rod in the cylindrical member downwardly; and an operating device having an operating portion linked to the rod for operating the rod in the cylindrical member. When the operation portion is moved to a lower position by an outer force, e.g. boot, the rod is moved to a retracted position, and when the operating portion is in an upper position by the spring, the rod is held in a projecting position to allow the rod to operate as a stopper.

Abstract: A skiboard system is provided. The system includes a skiboard and left and right loose heel binding secured to the skiboard. The skiboard has a longitudinal axis, a central portion and an upward curving front shovel area. The central portion includes side edges and a central waist. The side edges have concave curvatures of radius and extend between front and rear ends of the central portion so that the concave curvatures of the side edges form the central waist. The central portion further includes a longitudinal camber, which elevates the waist. The upward curving front shovel area has a front tip and is formed by the front end of the central portion. The left and right loose heel bindings are secured to the central portion substantially parallel to each other on opposite sides of the waist at an acute angle less than 35 degrees from the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An integral sand ski for carrying a towed user skiing on sand for exerting a forward force vector from a tow rope held by the user through and in general alignment with skeletal bones of the user comprising a ski board having an elongate central generally flat surface for resting on and sliding on sand and a deck support above the board at an angle from the board from rear to front of about two degrees or greater.

Abstract: A snowboard binding is disclosed having a mounting frame for rigid attachment to a snowboard. The frame has upstanding opposite end portions between which a rocker plate is mounted on a shaft for rocking movement about a rocker axis generally parallel to the top surface of a snowboard and the longitudinal axis of a boot mounted in the binding. The rocker plate carries a bail for securing a boot to the binding. Elastomeric blocks on opposite sides of the mounting frame engage the underside of the rocker plate on opposite sides of the rocker axis to control and limit the extent of rocking movement permitted about the rocker axis. Two such bindings mount each boot, one at the toe and the other at the heel, to a snowboard, with the rocker axes of the two bindings coincident.

Abstract: A binding assembly for use on a sport board. The binding assembly includes a binding plate which may be attached to the boot of a rider and a mounting plate which is attached to the board. First and second hinge assemblies pivotally attach the mounting plate to the binding plate. The first hinge assembly includes two hinge arms, each being pivotally mounted at a first end to the mounting plate about a first axis of rotation and pivotally mounted at a second end to the binding plate about a second axis of rotation. The second hinge assembly also includes two hinge arms, each being pivotally mounted at a first end to the binding plate about the first axis of rotation and pivotally mounted at a second end to the mounting plate about a second axis of rotation. Thus, the binding mechanism permits the binding plate to pivot about the first axis of rotation between a home position and a first rotated position and pivot about the second axis of rotation between the home position and a second rotated position.

Abstract: A sole-retaining or boot-retaining system for ski bindings, snowboard bindings and the like. A cable release arrangement is provided to ergonomically move a sole-retaining or boot-retaining member between a closed or "clamped-in" position, wherein the sole or boot is secured to the binding and an open or "release" position, wherein the sole or boot is releasable from the binding.

Abstract: A binding system for snow boards, including a pair of parallel strips along each edge of the board including opposing grooves and a frame element adjustably mounted between the strips secured within the grooves such that both the relative angle and the position along the length of the board may be varied. The securement elements for the boot holding straps are adjustable along the side of the frame to accommodate different boot sizes.

Abstract: A step-in, strapless snowboard binding. The snowboard binding is particularly useful for soft-shelled boots. The snowboard binding includes a receiving member and a locking member which rotate relative to one another to lock or unlock the boot relative to the binding.

Abstract: A snowboard (10) is provided with front and rear foot mounts (12, 14). The front foot mount (12) is mounted for rotation or pivotable movement about an axis (22). It is lockable into a number of rider selected azimuthal positions on the snowboard (10). Foot rotation can be used to move it between some positions. In other positions, the front foot mount (12) is locked in position and cannot be moved to a new position without the rider first pulling on a pull line (112), to unlock the front foot mount (12) from the snowboard (10). The rear foot mount (14) is a step-in step-out mount. The rider can step in at a number of different azimuthal positions, selected by the rider. In each position, the rear foot mount (14) is moved by rotation into a position where it is locked to the snowboard (10). A pull line (160) is used to unlock the rear mount (114) front of the board, so that the rider can rotate his/her rear foot into a step-out position.

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 two-piece apparatus for sliding over a surface. The device includes forward and rear runners connected by a linkage which allows a user to increase deviation of the runners from a horizontal plane at the same time that a deviation from the longitudinal axis of the apparatus occurs. Thus, the user can tilt or edge the runners at the same time that a turn is being implemented. The board provides a narrower waist section than the leading or trailing sections on each of the forward and rear runners. In addition, at maximum articulation of the runners, a substantially smooth arc is formed along the inner edge of the runners so that optimal cornering and shorter radii may be achieved. Preferably, each of the runners includes a set of fins along a rearward edge so that the device may bite into the surface more aggressively.

Abstract: An adjustable, rotatable boot-binding mount (20) includes a swivel plate (40) having threaded mounting holes (24) therein to which a conventional boot binding (60) or boot may be mounted. The swivel plate (40) is rotatably retained within a base plate (30) which is securely fastened to the top surface of a snowboard (10) or other recreational board. During normal use, the swivel plate (40) is automatically and continuously locked against rotation within the base plate (30), thereby securely maintaining the boot binding in a desired angular position relative to the snowboard. At other times, e.g., while standing in lift lines or riding a lift, a quick release mechanism (27, 48) allows the swivel plate to be temporarily unlocked so that a different angular position of the swivel plate (and hence a different angular position of the boot binding or boot) relative to the snowboard may be quickly and easily realized.

Abstract: An adjustable snowboard binding assembly which can be rotatably controlled without the use of external tools. A snowboard boot mounting platform has a plurality of inwardly facing radial teeth along the circumference of a centralized circular cutout. A circumferential lip along the cutout is used to rotatably mount the platform via overlapping lipped quadrant segments which mount to the snowboard. A pair of radially sliding segments with teeth at their outer ends are slidably held-by said quadrant segments. A slidable band is mounted via actuating/locking levers along the longitudinal length of the snowboard, with said band having upwardly extending posts which interface with angled slots formed in each sliding segment. In operation, the actuating levers are unlocked and the band slides forwards and backwards to effectuate radial movement of the sliding segments. This in turn effectuates locking engagement and disengagement between the radial circumferential teeth and the sliding segment teeth.

Abstract: A snowboard having torsional reinforcement elements along portions of the board is provided. The snowboard includes a core, an upper structural layer disposed above the core, a top layer, two groups of binding fasteners, and torsional reinforcement elements in the forward and rearward portions of the board. The top layer is disposed above the upper structural layer. The fasteners are secured through the upper structural layer within the core. The fasteners are adapted for securing a binding to the snowboard generally along the longitudinal axis of the snowboard. The fasteners include forward fasteners for securing a forward binding and rearward fasteners for securing a rearward binding. A first torsional reinforcement element extends around the rearward fasteners along the longitudinal center axis of the snowboard above the core. The rearward reinforcement element includes a right leg extending from the rearward end of the fasteners toward the right heel contact point of the snowboard.

Abstract: An apparatus for gliding on snow with improved stability and better edge-setting in turns includes a single board having a raised tip at the front and a heel at the rear, and a safety binding assembly for securely joining boots to the board. The safety binding assembly includes first and second bindings positioned on the board to prevent movement and rotation in translation, and to form an angle between 0 and 20 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the board. The bindings are longitudinally displaced so that the longitudinal distance between them is at most equal to 100 millimeters. The sides of the board include center portions which are concave in shape between the tip and heel of the board, and rectilinear portions located where the center portions of the sides intersect with the tip and heel of the board.

Abstract: A composite torsion box core for a snowboard comprises a center core member of lightweight wood or foam enveloped within a composite of a seamless, large diameter tubular sock. By expanding or compressing the length of the large diameter tubular sock during fabrication, the alignment of fibers within the sock is adjusted for programming a desired longitudinal and torsional rigidity relationship for the snowboard. Furthermore, side members, comprising separate composite torsion box cores having smaller diameter tubular socks, are disposed on opposite sides of the center core member and provide increased side strength for the overall torsion box core for enhancing the snowboard's edging strength without compromising torsional flexibility. Plural side members of various materials, sizes and spacing relative to each other are employed to provide snowboards having differing ride characteristics.

Abstract: A binding for snowboards constituted by a plate having side walls and a rear cuff. Straps are selectively associated transversely with respect to the side walls of the plate, to adjust the fit of a shoe arranged between the side walls.

Abstract: A binding that attaches a user's foot to a snowboard includes a footplate that is rotatably and continuously fixed to the snowboard and which is attached to the user's foot via straps and a rear support which contact a snowboot. An anchor fixes the footplate to the snowboard with the bottom of the footplate as close to the snowboard as possible whereby the bottom of a snowboarder's foot is as close to the plane of the snow as possible, and is slidably engaged with the footplate to permit that footplate to rotate while remaining attached to the snowboard. Anti-pivot spring pins located outside the outer perimeter of a user's snowboot accurately and repeatable secure the footplate to the snowboard once the footplate is in the selected angular orientation on the snowboard. A top plate includes a plurality of pin-receiving holes defined therein for receiving the spring pins.

Abstract: A binding mounting system for releasably mounting bindings on a ski apparatus comprises a binding plate having a front end and rear end, a first mounting structure positioned adjacent to the front end of the binding plate, a second mounting structure positioned adjacent to the rear end of the binding plate. The first mounting structure is positioned coextensive with a front mounting location of the ski apparatus, and the second mounting structure is positioned coextensive with a rear mounting location of the ski apparatus. The first mounting structure is releasably attachable to the front mounting location, and the second mounting structure is releasably attachable to the rear mounting location. Several varieties of mounting structures are used to encompass the ski apparatus mounting techniques.

Abstract: A safety binding for snowboards has a base plate (1) on which the snowboarder's boot is fastened. This base plate (1) is fixed in its turning position by a spring plunger (8) and a stop pin (7), but can be turned out of this position when the torque acting on it exceeds a value preset by the initial tension of the spring (10) of the spring plunger (8). The base plate (1) is rigidly connected with the snowboard by means of a turning plate (2) and is not detached from the snowboard even in the case of a "turning release".

Abstract: A snowboard binding straps and locking bar assembly is disclosed which can be used with a variety of snowboard baseplates. Two adjustable straps attach to one side of a baseplate. The opposite ends of the adjustable straps attach to a locking bar. A pivot connector is attached to a front side of the baseplate and a locking means attaches to a back side of the baseplate, behind the pivot connector. The locking bar has a curved front end to lockingly engage the pivot connector, and a tongue having a latching notch is attached to the back end of the locking bar. In operation, the locking bar is lockingly engaged with the pivot connector and the latching notch of the tongue is inserted into the locking means until the tongue is locked into place. A handle on the locking bar is lifted to release the assembly, providing a quick step-in and release snowboard binding which can be used to retrofit existing snowboard baseplates.

Abstract: Ski apparatus with two outer skis and a third ski, located between the two outer skis, coupled to the outer skis by four cranks, connected as a front pair and a rear pair. Each crank has a gear on one end and a free end. The free end of a crank is attached to a journal box on an outer ski to permit the crank to rotate freely. The gear of the crank from one outer ski meshes with the gear of a crank attached to the other outer ski, coupling the cranks in pairs and causing the cranks to rotate in opposite directions. The gears from each pair are contained in a gearbox attached to the third or middle ski. In one embodiment, the journal box may be slidably attached to the ski, to permit the ski to move forward and backward relative to the journal box, thereby permitting the user to alternately advance and retreat the skis relative to each other.

Abstract: The binding, which is suitable for touring skis as well as snowboards, is constructed in two parts and includes a base part which is shorter than the conventional touring binding and is mounted on a narrow snowboard by means of a fastening part without projecting over the lateral edges of the snowboard. As a result of the decreased length, the clamped in boot projects beyond the base part. A fastening part formed by a bearing part and a lengthening piece is arranged in a stationary manner with respect to the ski so that this base part can also be used as a touring binding. The lengthening piece is supported at the bearing part in a swivelable manner. This lengthening piece can be inserted into and secured within an insert enclosure constructed at the base part.

Abstract: A method and a device for positioning boot bindings to be fitted depending on an axial deviation of a body of a snow board player in which a pair of fore and back loading disks (21) and (21') are arranged rotatably on a base (11) and each of the loading disks (21) and (21') can be fixed to a turning direction at an arbitrary angle. A player stands with his boots on the fore and back loading disks (21) and (21'). One of the loading disk (21) or (21') is temporarily fixed at a predetermined position to detect the axial deviation of the body by twisting an ankle right and left, while the axial deviation of the body on the other loading disk (21) or (21') is detected by a similar operation, thereby fixing fore and back boots on the snow board so as to provide an angular difference corresponding to an angular deviation ratio of both angles thus determined.

Abstract: A snowboard binding assembly with an adjustable backplate that can be quickly and easily positioned at a desired angle of inclination while on the slopes and without any tools. The binding assembly has a baseplate attachable to the snowboard with a forward end, a rearward end, and a heel brace toward the rearward end shaped to conform to a heel of a rider's boot. A backplate is pivotally mounted to the baseplate to adjust the desired angle of inclination between the backplate and baseplate. A plurality of teeth are positioned on the rear face to form a rack of teeth arranged on the rear face along a longitudinal axis of the backplate, and a movable block is attached to the rear face of the backplate along at least a portion of the rack of teeth so that the block can move along the longitudinal axis of backplate.

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: An easy to use snow board binding automatically locks a rider's boot in place on the snow board. By inserting an end of the boot plate into the binding's socket and pivoting the other end down, the boot plate rotates an actuator arm, that pivots a spring loaded latch mechanism, which moves into a latched position. That action also moves a keeper arm to block removal of the boot plate, thereby locking the boot plate in place. The binding is unlatched manually by forcing the spring loaded latch mechanism back to the unlatched position. Any mechanical moment produced by forcing the boot plate against the keeper arm, however, is insufficient to unlatch the binding.

Abstract: A snowboard binding system employs a frame system which substantially encloses the boot and includes at least two attachment points for engagement by a corresponding binding portion mounted to the snowboard. Mounts engage the corresponding binding cables on the board. The binding system includes anchor straps for adjusting snugness of the boot to the binding frame and adjustable toe contact cable which in conjunction with a forward-lean slide and adjustment member enables variable pivot point selection at the front of the binding system. An adjustable highback pivotally mounts to the binding frame. The adjustment straps enable control of tension for medial and lateral leaning to further provide a variation of the binding system control as desired by the rider. Further, the boot sole remains flexible, since no rigid plate or the like is employed.

Abstract: The snowboard binding having a sole part integrated in the snowboard boot and a first binding element cooperating with it and continuously connected to the snowboard. The sole part has two spring-loaded pins projecting laterally out of the sole part and capable of engaging with an opening of the first binding element. The pins can be retracted with a device attached to the snowboard boot and thus the binding can be opened.

Abstract: A step-in snowboard binding having a base plate for mounting on the top surface of a snowboard, a clamping plate for holding the base plate in a fixed rotational position on the board and a boot plate adapted to be fixed to the bottom of the boot and engagable with the base plate by step-in motion. The boot plate includes fixed pins on one side of the boot which are received in a fixed retention block on the base plate. Openings on the opposite side of the boot plate are adapted to be engaged by spring biased locking pins mounted on a second retention block on the base plate. The locking plungers may be released by a release lever which withdraws the plungers and allows the boot to be removed.