Abstract: A snowboard binding system has a boot and a binding configured to be releasably coupled together. The boot has an upper potion, a sole portion, a front catch and at least one rear catch. The binding includes a base member, a rear binding arrangement and a front binding member. The base member has a front portion and a rear portion. The rear binding arrangement is coupled to the rear portion to selectively engage the rear catch. The front binding member includes a front claw and a release lever. The front claw is movably coupled to the front portion of the base member. The release lever is coupled to the front claw to move therewith between a release position and a latched position. An indexing mechanism is arranged to selectively retain the front claw and the release lever in the release position and the latched position.

Abstract: A snowboard binding system has a boot and a binding configured to be releasably coupled together. The boot has an upper potion, a sole portion, a front catch and at least one rear catch. The binding includes a base member, a rear binding arrangement and a front binding member. The base member has a front portion and a rear portion. The rear binding arrangement is coupled to the rear portion to selectively engage at least one rear catch. The rear catch has a concave abutment surface. The rear binding arrangement has a movable tooth portion with a convexly shaped latching surface designed to selectively engage the abutment surface to couple the boot to the binding. The abutment surface and the latching surface are configured to reduce flexing of the binding when the boot is deflected relative to the binding.

Abstract: A snowboard binding system that incorporates the riding performance of a strap binding with the convenience of a step-in binding. The binding system includes a binding interface that is configured to be coupled to a step-in binding base, while also being configured to secure a snowboard boot in a manner that provides a rider with the riding performance of a strap binding. The binding interface may include one or more straps for securing a boot to a snowboard. The binding system may be configured so that the binding base engages regions of the binding interface to which the straps are attached to provide the feel of a strap binding. The binding base may include at least three engagement members to engage with corresponding mating features on the interface. The binding base may include a pair of engagement members at both the rear or heel end and the front or toe end thereof to engage with corresponding mating features on the interface.

Abstract: A snowboard binding system that incorporates the riding performance of a strap binding with the convenience of a step-in binding. The binding system includes a binding interface that is configured to be coupled to a step-in binding base, while also being configured to secure a snowboard boot in a manner that provides a rider with the riding performance of a strap binding. The binding interface may include one or more straps for securing a boot to a snowboard. The binding system may be configured so that the binding base engages regions of the binding interface to which the straps are attached to provide the feel of a strap binding. The binding base may include at least three engagement members to engage with corresponding mating features on the interface. The binding base may include a pair of engagement members at both the rear or heel end and the front or toe end thereof to engage with corresponding mating features on the interface.

Abstract: A snowboard binding system that incorporates the riding performance of a strap binding with the convenience of a step-in binding. The binding system includes a binding interface that is configured to be coupled to a step-in binding base, while also being configured to secure a snowboard boot in a manner that provides a rider with the riding performance of a strap binding. The binding interface may include one or more straps for securing a boot to a snowboard. The binding system may be configured so that the binding base engages regions of the binding interface to which the straps are attached to provide the feel of a strap binding. The binding base may include at least three engagement members to engage with corresponding mating features on the interface. The binding base may include a pair of engagement members at both the rear or heel end and the front or toe end thereof to engage with corresponding mating features on the interface.

Abstract: Interface plate (1) intended to be inserted between a snowboard binding and the upper face of a snowboard, and which comprises: an essentially circular central zone (2) through which the screws (38) for attaching the binding to the board can pass; two outer zones (3, 4) of a width smaller than the diameter of the central zone (2), arranged symmetrically with respect to the central zone (2), and of which the ends furthest from the central zone (2) act as supports for diametrically opposed zones of the binding so as to transmit the forces exerted from the binding to the board only at said outer zones (34) which are advantageously located near to the edges (9, 10).

Abstract: A device for coupling an item of footwear on an item of sports equipment in order to use the equipment enables the equipment to be detached when not in use.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing apparatus disposed between a binding and a board has a bottom plate for coupling to the board, a top plate or binding platform to receive the binding, and bearing-biasing assemblies coupled between the bottom plate and the top plate. Each bearing-biasing assembly includes a bearing assembly and a biasing assembly where the bearing assembly is disposed coaxially with the biasing assembly. The bearing-biasing assembly is responsive to mechanical energy encountered by the binding platform or the board during use by enabling the binding platform to swivel or pivot from or move along an axis intersecting a top surface of the board.

Abstract: A ski binding assembly plate which can be fixed or can be adjusted in forward inclination and height wherein the pressure on the front guide part of the ski is increased. Because the ski binding assembly plate is fastened on the ski with a two-point support and arrest system, the ski obtains a free bending moment, by which means the ski is dynamic and runs very smoothly. A wedge function and a force transmission system prevent the ski from being propelled back by the counter pressure in the region of the ski binding. With a damping system, vibrations and knocks are absorbed. The plate may be equipped with any brand of ski binding. It fits each type or brand of ski. The individual adjusting possibility of this plate permits the adaptation, which suits each ski, each skiing style and each technical level of the skier.

Abstract: A snowboard binding system has a boot and a binding configured to be releasably coupled together. The boot has an upper potion, a sole portion, a front catch and at least one rear catch. The binding includes a base member, a rear binding arrangement and a front binding arrangement. The rear binding arrangement selectively engages at least one rear catch of the heel of the boot. The front binding arrangement selectively engages the front catch that extends downwardly from of the sole portion of the boot. The front binding arrangement and the front catch are arranged to limit forward and rearward movement of the boot relative to the binding and prevent premature release of the front catch from the front binding arrangement.

Abstract: The combination of a binding and boot is provided. The binding has a pair of pistons (7, 8) extending under the boot. Each piston is stressed by a spring (14, 15). The arms of a sole clamp (2, 3) act on these pistons. The pistons are connected together by a linking device (20). The combination magnetically controls the linking device which is capable of occupying a first position, in which the pistons arc secured by the linking device, and a second position in which one of the pistons is able to move on its own, at least over a certain travel common to the two pistons. The combination thus provides asymmetrical release resistance.

Abstract: A ski binding for cross-country ski fixes the front section of a boot such that the heel of the boot can be freely lifted off. The boot is fixed to the binding by an interlocking engagement of its sole, and by holding down the front end of the sole. Elements are also provided that laterally guide and stabilize the sole and, hence, the boot.

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 release binding is shown for releasably attaching a ski boot to a telemark or cross-country ski having a load spool with a circumferential groove and a substantially elliptical holding portion attached perpendicular to the bottom of a toe plate. A release plate having a load spring with two sides is attached to the ski. To assemble the boot on the ski, a lever is moved to an unlocked position placing the minor axis of the ellipse of the load spool perpendicular to the two sides of the spring. After the boot is assembled to the ski, the lever is moved to a locked position which moves the major axis of the ellipse of the spool until it is perpendicular to the sides of the spring.

Abstract: A self-clearing mounting system adapted for coupling two objects, the mounting system consisting of base member and binding means of a second member, and wherein the base member comprises a substantially planar base plate with guiding means, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the base member, for aligning the base member with the binding means of the second object and engagement means, in parallel alignment with the guiding means, for slidably engaging the binding means of the second object. The binding means of the second object has complementary guiding means for slidably receiving and engaging the guiding means of the first object. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the base member further has means for locking the binding means of the second member to the base member.

Abstract: Adjustable base for a ski binding, comprising a rail (2) for mounting on a ski, a row of teeth (5) extending parallel to the axis of the rail, a plate (3), for carrying a ski-binding element, mounted slidably on the rail and carrying a toothed latch (11), that can be displaced transversely to the rail, for engaging in the teeth of the row of teeth in order to immobilize the plate on the rail through the action of a knuckle-joint mechanism. The teeth (5) of the row of teeth extend transversely to the rail, occupying approximately half the width of the rail, and the latch (11) includes a number of teeth that is greater than two and advantageously of a length substantially equal to the width of the row of teeth (5), and it is displaceable from one side of the rail to the other.

Abstract: A snowboard binding system has a snowboard boot configured to be releasable coupled to a snowboard binding. The snowboard boot has a sole portion with a front catch and a pair of rear catches located at the lateral sides of the sole portion. The snowboard binding includes a base member, a pair of rear binding members and a front binding member. The front binding member includes a front pawl movably coupled to the front portion of the base member between a release position and a latched position and a front stop member fixedly coupled to the front portion of the base member adjacent the front pawl. The front stop member has a stop surface spaced from a latching surface of the front pawl to form a front cleat receiving area therebetween.

Abstract: A device for retaining a boot on a sports apparatus, the device having a lateral flange, a medial flange, and at least one strap that connects the lateral flange to the medial flange. At least one of the flanges is flexible or semi-rigid.

Abstract: A safety binding for a ski boot having a sole clamp divided into two sole clamps (3, 4) each mounted pivoting about a particular more or less vertical axis. The sole clamps (3, 4) form two levers of a first type with two diverging arms designed to retain the boot laterally and two substantially converging arms perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Each sole clamp is provided with a descending arm (9, 10) which bears against two adjacent points on the end of a piston (13). The piston is axially mounted in the body (1) of the binding and extends beneath the boot. A spring is biased against the piston. The descending arms (9, 10) simultaneously control the elastic tilting of the sole clamp in a vertical plane.

Abstract: A snowboard rotatable binding conversion apparatus that is inserted between and attaches to a snowboard and a boot binding to render the boot binding rotatable in relation to the snowboard. The snowboard rotatable binding conversion apparatus includes a base, an engaging plate which sandwiches the base between he engaging plate and a snowboard, a top plate which sandwiches the engaging plate between the top plate and the base, an engaging element which engages an engaging slot in an engaging plate, an engaging bar which movably secures the engaging element to the base, a tension bar that provides tension to the engaging element, a tether attachable to the engaging element, and a plurality of screws and screw-receiving holes to attach the engaging bar to the base, the engaging plate to the snowboard, and the top plate to the base.

Abstract: A snowboard binding for use with a snowboard and boots. The snowboard binding includes a top plate for affixation to a sole of a boot and a bottom plate for affixation to a snowboard. The top plate has two spaced apart and opposed upturned and inwardly angled end walls, and a locking bar with a hole formed therein. The bottom plate has two opposing end tabs which are inwardly angled by a predetermined angle generally mating to that of the end walls of the top plate. The bottom plate has a locking mechanism with a locking pin adapted to be biased into a hole formed in the locking bar when the top plate is fully engaged with the bottom plate.

Abstract: A retaining device is disclosed for retaining the front end of an associated boot (50) on an associated ski (3). A movable jaw (4) pivots on a base (6) around a vertical axis (7) against the action of an elastic return means (8). The elastic return means (8) includes two actuating arms (10a, 10b), acted upon by an elastic system (11). Each of the actuating arms (10a, 10b) pivots independent of the jaw (4) around a pivot axis (15a, 16b). The jaw (4) cooperates with the actuating arms (10a, 10b) via a driving element (9). The elastic return means (8) is arranged below the front end of the associated boot (50) in back of the transverse plane (T) which passes through the pivot axis (7) of the jaw (4).

Abstract: A snowboard binding system has a boot and a binding configured to be releasably coupled together. The boot has an upper portion, a sole portion, a front catch located, and a rear catch. The binding includes a base member, a rear binding arrangement, and a front binding member. The front binding member includes a front claw pivotally coupled to the base member to move between a release position and a latched position. The front claw has a generally V-shaped free end surface. A catch engaging surface is located between the mounting portion of the front catch and the apex of the V-shaped free end surface. A guide surface is located between the apex and a free edge of the V-shaped free end surface. The catch engaging surface faces generally towards the base member and the guide surface faces generally away the base member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device that comprises a lower part (1) mounted on the ski (3) and an upper part (2) that can be mounted on said lower part. The shoe (4) may be linked with the upper face (21) of the upper part (2). The lower part (1) includes a base (13) mounted on the ski body (3) and being insertable into a correspondingly shaped middle section (23) of the upper part (2). The base (13) is held in said middle section (23) by means of a connection appliances (35). Between the base plate (10) and the ski body (3), the middle section of a flexible member (60) is held. Said member (60) and its support on the ski are adapted to have the effect of a brake that engages automatically.

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 engages 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 a rear guide member and has an upper boot support surface arranged to contact the exposed area of the mid sole.

Abstract: A boot and binding assembly is arranged for use with a ski. The boot has a toe portion, a flexible sole and a heel portion. A rigid interconnect member is mounted to the toe portion underneath the sole of the boot. The binding includes a toe piece, a latch assembly, raised portions and a release mechanism. During use, the toe portion mates with the toe piece on the ski while one end of the interconnect member releasably mates with a latch assembly on the ski. When the interconnect member is secured to the ski by the latch, a skier can lift the heel portion away from the ski by flexing the sole. This enables a skier to execute cross-country and telemark style skiing maneuvers. The latch assembly may include a pivoting member which holds the rearward end of the interconnect member. The toe portion preferably has lateral edges for facilitating securement beneath the toe piece. Preferably, a cord and handle assembly is provided as the release mechanism to facilitate disengagement of the boot from the binding.

Abstract: A method is provided for coupling a shoe worn by a user onto a coupling mount on a wakeboard by a step-in action. A binding comprises a coupler on either the shoe or wakeboard and a corresponding coupling mount on the other of the shoe or wakeboard to receive the coupler.

Abstract: A snowboard binding system is provided that is relatively easy to step-in and step-out of. The snowboard binding has a base member, a front binding member movably coupled the base member between a release position and a latched position, and a pair of rear binding members coupled to lateral sides of the base member. The rear binding members have latch members movable relative to the base member to selectively hold the rear catch portions of a snowboard boot. The latch members are arranged to move laterally apart relative to each other upon application of a force direction substantially towards the base member. The first and second latch members are arranged to selectively hold the catch members in a plurality of engagement positions having different heights above the base member.

Abstract: A snowboard boot has a sole portion and an upper portion. The sole portion includes a mid sole having a base portion with a front catch coupled to a toe section of the base portion. The first and second rear catches are located at first and second lateral sides of a heel section of the base portion, and first and second strap attachment members extending from the heel section of the base portion. The upper portion includes a foot section fixedly coupled to the sole portion and a leg section extending upwardly from the foot section. The first and second strap attachment members are integrally formed with the base portion of said mid sole as a one-piece, unitary member.

Abstract: A snowboard binding system has a boot and a binding configured to be releasably coupled together. The boot has an upper potion, a sole portion, a front catch and at least one rear catch. The binding includes a base member, a rear binding arrangement and a front binding member. The base member has a front portion and a rear portion. The rear binding arrangement is coupled to the rear portion to selectively engage the rear catch. The front binding member includes a front claw and a release lever. The front claw is movably coupled to the front portion of the base member. The release lever is coupled to the front claw to move therewith between a release position and a latched position. An indexing mechanism is arranged to selectively retain the front claw and the release lever in the release position and the latched position.

Abstract: A snowboard binding system includes a boot and a binding 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 forward to rearward longitudinal axis extending between a toe 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. The front catch has a pair of leg portions extending downwardly from the toe section and a tongue portion extending laterally between the leg portions. The tongue portion has a forward to rearward dimension that is larger than forward to rearward dimensions of the leg portions to longitudinally secure the boot relative to the binding.

Abstract: A snowboard binding system has a snowboard boot configured to be releasable coupled to a snowboard binding. The snowboard boot has a sole portion with a front catch and a pair of rear catches located at the lateral sides of the sole portion. The snowboard binding includes a base member, a pair of rear binding members and a front binding member. The front binding member includes a front pawl movably coupled to the front portion of the base member between a release position and a latched position and a front stop member fixedly coupled to the front portion of the base member adjacent the front pawl. The front stop member has a stop surface spaced from a latching surface of the front pawl to form a front cleat receiving area therebetween.

Abstract: A snowboard binding system has a boot and a binding configured to be releasably coupled together. The boot has an upper portion, a sole portion, a front catch located, and a rear catch. The binding includes a base member, a rear binding arrangement, and a front binding member. The front binding member includes a front claw pivotally coupled to the base member to move between a release position and a latched position. The front claw has a generally V-shaped free end surface. A catch engaging surface is located between the mounting portion of the front catch and the apex of the V-shaped free end surface. A guide surface is located between the apex and a free edge of the V-shaped free end surface. The catch engaging surface faces generally towards the base member and the guide surface faces generally away the base member.

Abstract: A snowboard binding is provided that is relatively easy to step-in and step-out of. The snowboard binding preferably has a highback that provides a tight fit between a soft boot and the highback. The snowboard binding has a base plate, a first binding member and a second binding member. The first binding member is coupled to one of the front and rear portions of the base plate. The second binding member is coupled to the other of the front and rear portions of the base plate. The second binding member is coupled to the base plate at a location that is longitudinally spaced from the first binding member. The second binding member includes a catch member movably relative to the base plate and a latch member movable movably relative to the base plate. The latch member is arranged to selectively hold the catch member in a plurality of engagement positions having different heights above the base plate.

Abstract: A snowboard binding for use with a snowboard and boots. The snowboard binding includes a top plate for affixation to a sole of a boot and a bottom plate for affixation to a snowboard. The top plate has two spaced apart and opposed upturned and inwardly angled end walls, and a locking bar with a hole formed therein. The bottom plate has two opposing end tabs which are inwardly angled by a predetermined angle generally mating to that of the end walls of the top plate. The bottom plate has a locking mechanism with a locking pin adapted to be biased into a hole formed in the locking bar when the top plate is fully engaged with the bottom plate.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a snowboard boot for use in a system for mounting a rider to a snowboard, the system comprising a snowboard binding to be mounted to the snowboard and an interface having at least one mating feature adapted to be releasably engaged by the snowboard binding, the interface including at least one strap adapted to releasably mount the interface to the snowboard boot. The snowboard boot comprises a boot upper and a sole including a recess, disposed rearwardly of the arch area, that is adapted to receive the interface so that the interface does not protrude below the sole when the interface is mounted to the snowboard boot. In another embodiment, the interface includes a base adapted to pass under the sole of the boot and having a non-planar contoured upper surface, and the boot recess periphery includes at least one bottom-facing non-planar contoured surface that is adapted to mate with the non-planar contoured upper surface of the interface.

Abstract: A system for binding a shoe to a sports gear, such as a cross-country ski, using a fixing device fixed on the sports gear and including a stop cooperating with the shoe front end and an elastic catch cooperating with the sole associated catch arranged behind the sole front end and exerting on the sole a tension pressure towards the stop. The elastic catch is anchored on the fixing device, at the rear of the stop. The elastic catch and anchoring mechanism are longitudinally mobile countering the elastic mechanism.

Abstract: A ski binding consisting of a front toe section (1) for fixed mounting on the ski (4), and for secure retention of the front part of the ski boot (6), and a rear section (3) for fixed mounting on the ski (4), characterized in that the binding comprises a pivotal rigid plate (20) connected to the front toe section (1) by a movable joint with the aid of a flexible hinge (18), an adjustable heel attachment block (21) having a rear fastener (22) to secure the ski boot (6) to the pivotal plate (20), a rear section (3) fixedly mounted on the ski and having grooves (27) formed therein adapted to the posterior portion of the pivotal plate (20), and means (25) for locking the posterior edge of the plate (20) securely to the ski, and a support bar (26) capable of rotating upward into position below the plate (20).

Abstract: Interface plate (1) intended to be secured to the upper face of a ski and capable of accommodating the toe piece and the heel piece of a safety binding, characterized in that it has a longitudinal recess forming a slideway capable of holding projecting parts situated under the toe piece and under the heel piece, while allowing the toe piece and the heel piece to slide inside the slideway with a view to adjusting the binding to the length of the boot, and in which the profiles (10, 11; 12, 13) of the zones of the slideway respectively holding the toe piece and the heel piece are geometrically identical.

Abstract: A safety binding for a snowboard comprising a first part secured to the snowboard and a second part connected to the ski boot or snowboard boot. Both parts are joined to each other by a locking mechanism which can be released using force. The locking mechanism consists of at least two pressure springs which are arranged substantially parallel to each other and substantially parallel to the snowboard. Each spring has a bolt which engages with a locking member.

Abstract: An interface adjustment mechanism 100 is provided that includes a frame member 102 and fore and aft adjustable spacer holding members 104, 106, and is disposed within the outsole of the snowboard boot 10. The interface adjustment mechanism 100 also includes a plurality of interface adjustment assemblies 160. Each interface adjustment assembly 160 includes a base member 170 having a threaded aperture and an adjustment member or spacer 172 having a threaded portion threadably engageable with the threaded aperture of the base member so that the spacer 172 can be adjustable relative to the base member 170. When incorporated into the snowboard boot 10, the interface adjustment mechanism 100 provides the rider with an adjustable spacer/dampening system that can eliminate slop and provide dampening and shock absorption between the snowboard boot 10 and the snowboard binding 30. Eliminating slop and providing dampening and shock absorption provides the rider with improved control, force transmission, and feel.

Abstract: A snowboard boot includes an upper and a binding interface that is adapted to engage with a snowboard binding. The interface is supported from the boot upper so that even when the interface is rigidly engaged by the binding, the boot upper can advantageously roll or flex side-to-side relative to the interface, and consequently the snowboard, to provide a rider with a desirable feel of foot roll. The boot may be configured so that a segment of the boot upper rearward of its toe portion can flex in the side-to-side direction relative to the binding interface, while the forward toe portion of the boot upper remains fixed against side-to-side flexibility. A flexible connection may be employed to couple the binding interface to the snowboard boot upper to allow the segment of the lower portion thereof to flex relative to the binding interface. The flexible connection may extend along a substantial length of at least one of the heel portion, the in-step portion and the toe portion of the upper.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a snowboard boot and a strap to hold down a rider's foot in the snowboard boot. The strap includes a tightening element attached to the snowboard boot, a strap body supported by the tightening element, and a closure device including a spool about which the tightening element is wrapped to tighten the strap down onto the snowboard boot. In one aspect, the closure device includes a body and an actuator that is rotatably mounted to the body and is coupled to the tightening element so that rotation of the actuator causes the tightening element to be drawn into the closure device body to tighten the strap.

Abstract: The assembly consists of a boot whose sole (42) is fitted with a transverse bar (38) which engages between a bearing piece (11) and a self-locking cam (29). The bearing piece (11) is secured to a sliding piece (10) and the cam (29) is mounted on a piece (19) which preferably slides. These two pieces are mounted in a rail (2, 3) while being drawn toward one another by springs (16). The bar (38) can be disengaged by means of a lever (32). This binding releases both in the event of falling forward or backward and in response to twisting.

Abstract: A boot and binding assembly is arranged for use with a ski. The boot has a toe portion, a flexible sole and a heel portion. A rigid interconnect member is mounted to the toe portion underneath the sole of the boot. The binding includes a toe piece, a latch assembly, raised portions and a release mechanism. During use, the toe portion mates with the toe piece on the ski while one end of the interconnect member releasably mates with a latch assembly on the ski. When the interconnect member is secured to the ski by the latch, a skier can lift the heel portion away from the ski by flexing the sole. This enables a skier to execute cross-country and telemark style skiing manoeuvres. The latch assembly may include a pivoting member which holds the rearward end of the interconnect member. The toe portion preferably has lateral edges for facilitating securement beneath the toe piece. Preferably, a cord and handle assembly is provided as the release mechanism to facilitate disengagement of the boot from the binding.

Abstract: A binding has a heel loop and a highback pivotally connected to the heel loop. A lever mechanism has a first portion pivotally connected to the highback and a second portion which operably engages the heel loop. Rotation of the lever mechanism causes the highback to move between a neutral position and a forward lean position. In certain preferred embodiments, the first portion of the lever mechanism is adjustably pivotally connected to the highback. In certain preferred embodiments, the second portion of the lever mechanism is secured to the heel loop.

Abstract: A ski boot consisting of a flexible upper (1) in the form of a shoe fixed to a rigid intermediate sole (4) on which smooth bearing surfaces (6a, 7a) are formed, the intermediate sole being covered by a walking sole (11) leaving free the bearing surfaces which are preferably set back from the walking surface. These bearing surfaces are intended to bear on and slide over the corresponding surfaces of a safety binding.

Abstract: A combination of a ski binding (10), particularly cross-country, touring or telemark binding, and of a boot (11) adapted thereto are shown, the front end of which is held by a resiliently biased clamp member (12; 48) in the binding (10) in such a way that the heel (13) of the boot (11) can be freely raised during ski touring or cross-country skiing. The clamp member (12; 48) engages on the forward sole (15) of the boot (11) particularly between the ball area and the rear end of the same, and preferably on the underside of the boot forward sole (15).

Abstract: A support for a snowboard boot binding includes a support member having a first support surface extending on a first side of a support axis, wherein the first support surface is concave relative to the support axis, and wherein the first support surface extends less than 360° around the support axis. A second support surface is disposed on a second side of the support axis. The first and second support surfaces are configured such that they are capable of radially retaining a cleat engagement control shaft.

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.