Abstract: A raising platform (6) is intended for mounting on the upper surface (3) of a board (1) for gliding over snow in order to receive and to raise the bindings securing a user's boot to a board (1) for gliding over snow. The raising platform (6) is divided into two longitudinal parts (9, 10) that are each placed directly on the upper surface (3) of the board (1) for gliding over snow and that are connected together by at least one bridge (11).

Abstract: The invention relates to a binding unit (1) for sports devices, in particular for a snowboard. For the purpose of fixing it to the sports device, this binding unit (1) is provided with a retaining disc (12), which is substantially circular as seen in plan view, for a base plate (11) of relatively large surface area. Mounted on this base plate (11), either directly or indirectly, are coupling parts to provide a connection to a sports shoe, in particular a snowboard shoe. Teeth (49, 51) are also provided between the base plate (11) and the retaining disc (12) inserted therein through a central orifice (15) or corresponding recess. The teeth (49, 51) are provided as a means of securely fixing selectively adjustable and fixable angular positions between the retaining disc (12) and the base plate (11).

Abstract: More particularly to an improved binding structure of a ski having a fixing board at the rear part of the binding structure. The fixing board is coupled to a ringed plate on the binding structure, and two binding straps for fastening the ski boot plate disposed at an appropriate position in the middle and in the front section of the ringed plate, and a fixing base is disposed at the bottom of the ringed plate. The binding structure is fixed to the ski by the fixing base, and a positioning latch pillar is disposed at an appropriate position on the external edge of the fixing board. A release spring is fixed on the positioning latch pillar, and the other end of the release spring is fixed to an appropriate position on the ringed plate of the release latch pillar so that the fixing board can automatically resume its position to cover the binding structure. The above arrangement can automatically cover the binding structure on the fixing board of the ski and enhance the safety of the user.

Abstract: An attachment that when added to a hard shelled snowboard binding converts the binding to a semi step-in binding. The step-in binding allows the rider to exit the ski lift chair with complete control because the rear boot can be placed and held in the rear binding rather than on the stomp pad which is normal in snowboarding.

Abstract: A snowboard binding that includes lock-retaining elements having sloping or conical surfaces for guiding the sole of a snow boot into a seated position. The boot sole becomes more restricted in the longitudinal and transverse directions, the further the boot is introduced into the binding. Also is disclosed a snowboard binding and a boot combination having interengaging boot-retaining members on the binding and locking parts on the boot sole.

Abstract: A ski binding includes a stop (3) and a heel piece (5). An elastic means opposes the release of the stop and the heel piece. The elastic means includes a blade (6) working in buckling mode between two slides (2, 4) which correspond to the stop and the heel piece, respectively. Conventional springs for releasing the stop and the heel piece are therefore replaced by this longitudinally arranged blade.

Abstract: A raised platform (1) for a ski binding, intended to be mounted on a ski by a longitudinal guide and vertical retention means in its front and rear zones (3, 4) and/or by binding to the ski in its central part. The platform is made in a single piece which is essentially rigid and narrowed in its central zone (5) so as to be flexible in this zone. A raised platform of this type makes it possible to obtain virtually complete unclamping of the ski in its central part.

Abstract: A platform (1) for raising the binding intended for fitting on a board for gliding (4), one free end (6) of which has the ability to slide longitudinally relative to the board, which also comprises:

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 device for a quick binding of a boot on a moving apparatus, which occurs by means of a front transverse connection member of the boot adapted to cooperate with corresponding retaining mechanism affixed to a support plate of the apparatus, and by a mechanism for retaining the heel affixed to a slide that is mounted freely in a rectilinear guide of the plate so that they can be adjusted into a position relative to the front of the boot. The retention mechanisms for the front and the rear of the boot on the plate provide positive locking with automatic snap engagement, which can be actuated against an elastic return force, without manual intervention, by the mere pressure of the boot on the front and then on the rear in substantially vertical downward movements, and consequently in a substantially horizontal position of the boot.

Abstract: The invention relates to a binding, in particular a step-in binding, for retaining a soft boot on a sliding device, in particular a snowboard, having retaining elements for the boot and having a calf support (8) which can be pivoted into snowboarding and step-in positions and, via a tread element (9) which is connected to it and is within reach of the boot, can be moved into the snowboarding position, in which the calf support (8) is secured against accidentally pivoting out of the snowboarding position.

Abstract: A conventional (strap) binding assembly for use with a snowboard. The binding assembly comprises a frame (120) having a base portion (122) that receives a snowboard boot. A pair of side walls (124) extend upwardly from either side of the base, and a high back portion (24) extends upwardly from the rearward end of the base. An ankle strap assembly (130) having a first ankle strap (131) attached to one side wall and a second ankle strap (135) attached to the other side wall, is provided, including a clasp (140) for adjustably securing the first ankle strap to the second ankle strap. The first ankle strap is attached to the side wall with a biased hinge assembly (150), biasing the distal end (131b) of the strap away from the frame. In a preferred embodiment, a toe strap assembly (160), functionally similar to the ankle strap assembly is also provided, disposed forwardly of the ankle strap assembly.

Abstract: A traction device for a downhill ski is disclosed. In one embodiment the traction device includes a traction member which is movably interconnected with the downhill ski. At least one biasing member actively biases this traction member toward a position where at least a portion of the traction member will extend beyond the entire lower surface of the downhill ski or an “active” position. However, the traction member can be retained in a non-traction or “inactive” position by a latch. Appropriate movement of the latch allows the biasing member(s) to move the traction member into the desired traction position. The end of a ski pole can be used to activate the latch and initiate movement of the traction member. In one embodiment this traction device is integrated with the structure of the binding.

Abstract: A step-in binding system (20) for securing a boot (24) to a snowboard (22). The boot includes a sole defining a toe end, a heel end, and a binding attachment surfaces (46 and 50). The boot also has an elongate, substantially U-shaped highback (28) mounted to the exterior of the boot in the calf area thereof and extending from the ankle area to the top of the boot. The step-in binding system includes a toe and heel binding (62 and 64) attached to the snowboard for receiving and securing the boot to the snowboard. The step-in binding system also includes a lever arm (66) attached to the heel binding for selectively releasing the boot from the binding. A lean support member (68) is fastened near the rearward end of the binding for engagement with a stopper block (29) secured to the highback to define a minimum forward lean angle of the boot and to limit the aft flexure of the ankle support portion of the boot when the boot is received within the binding.

Abstract: A binding comprising a first part (1) integral with a shoe which is fastened to a second part (2) integral with the slideboard. The second part comprises, at the front, a tilting jaw (5) coming to bear on the vertical bearing surfaces (4) and against a front bearing surface (3) of the first part and, at the rear, a stirrup (20) mounted pivotably about a vertical axis by means of a second stirrup (18) and tilting about a horizontal axis. The arms of this stirrup are in the form of a hook (33) coming to bear on a pair of lateral pegs (6) of the shoe. The jaw and the stirrup bear on slides (12, 26), between which compression springs are mounted. This binding preserves the independence of the torsion and forward-fall release assembly, and it is virtually insensitive to the changes to the exposed parts of the shoe during travel without a binding.

Abstract: A set of three wedge-shaped shims per ski carefully designed to integrate the fit of free heel Nordic Norm, Three Pin, or 75 Millimeter ski boots to their bindings and skis. The front wedge-shaped shim allows the binding toepiece to slope upward to meet the boot's rocker shaped toe. The middle wedge-shaped shim supports the binding mid-foot plate (if so fitted) or the ball-of-the-foot boot sole. The rear wedge-shaped shim allows the binding heel plate to slope upward to meet the boot's heel. These three wedge-shaped shims are mounted between the (1) toepiece, (2) mid-foot plate (if so fitted) or ball-of-the-foot boot sole, (3) heel plate and the ski top respectively. The binding components are therefore fitted to the ski boot's rocker shaped sole and ski top. This allows the ski boots a perfect fit when clipped into the binding/wedge-shaped shim/ski system.

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: Snowboarding boot comprising

Abstract: A binding, comprises a pair of jaws (7,8) which can be moved apart from one another laterally while pushing back a cam (13) acted on by springs (19) and additional holding means, such as a jaw (21) located in front of or behind the lateral jaws and capable of tilting, preferably about a swivel, s against the action of the springs. The binding is intended to receive a part (2) integrated with the sole of the boot. The binding further comprises a lever for intentional boot release (24).

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for fixing a shoe to a sports gear using a fixing device fixed on the sports gear and comprising stop means (60) cooperating with the shoe front end and elastic catching means (50) cooperating with the sole associated catching means (17) arranged behind the sole front end and exerting on said sole a tension pressure towards said stop means. The invention is characterized in that said elastic catching means (50) are anchored on the fixing device, at the rear of the stop means (60). The elastic catching means anchoring means (40, 53) are longitudinally mobile countering the elastic means (38).

Abstract: An alpine ski includes a board for gliding which has a zone for attaching a ski boot binding assembly on its upper face, which assembly includes a toe stop and a heel binding. A thickness of the board at a front portion of the zone is greater than a thickness of the board at a rear portion of the zone so that the front portion is elevated with respect to the rear portion. A rigid plate, located on the board in the zone, has a front part for attaching the toe stop and a rear part for attaching the heel binding. The front part of the rigid plate is rigidly secured to the front portion of the zone. The rear part of the rigid plate overlies the rear portion of the zone and is separated from the upper face of the rear portion by a gap for permitting relative movement between the board and the rear part of the rigid plate.

Abstract: A device for fixing a boot onto a sporting article, such as a snowboard. The device includes a base, front and rear boot retaining assemblies having abutment surfaces, front and rear guides, and mechanisms for releasing the boot, as well as a structural arrangement to attach the device onto the sporting apparatus. The device also includes the boot with its sole capable of being supported on the base, the boot having front and rear catching members. The front and rear catching members are applied respectively to the front abutment surfaces and the rear guides when the boot is first put on, then the rear catching members follow a trajectory that modifies the distance which separates them from the front catching members to come to rest on the rear abutment surfaces when the boot is completely on.

Abstract: A snowboard binding includes a binding base having two side walls and having one or more front channels. A toe strap and an instep strap and a heel member are secured to the binding base. A toe member has one or more bottom ribs slidably engaging with the channels of the binding base for guiding the toe member to move relative to the binding base. The toe member has two side panels slidably engaged with the walls and adjustably secured to the toe member for adjusting the snowboard binding to different lengths and for attaching the boots of various sizes to the snowboard with the adjustable snowboard binding.

Abstract: A boot binding system is shown for use especially on skiboards, having a binding plate, boot supports, bails, a lever, a resilient material, and a size adjustment locking mechanism. Boot supports and binding plate are complimentary shaped for slideable affixation to each, without requiring additional fasteners. A simple fastener locks the relative position of the boot support on the binding plate while also immobilizing any boot support motion. In the locked position, the fastener mates with counterbores in the binding plate's surface. The binding plate is rectangular in top view and its longitudinal edges have a chamfer, which complements a chamfer on the boot supports. The binding plate has mounting holes in its central region, which are used to affix the binding to a skiboard. Resilient material exists between the binding plate and the skiboard, thereby allowing the skiboard to flex more freely. The boot supports have slots to retain the bails. The lever also has a slot to accept a bail.

Abstract: A plate-like support element (1) for coupling elements (5), in particular a heel piece (7) and a toe piece (8) of a ski binding (6), which is arranged between the coupling elements (5) and a surface (2) of the ski (3) and is designed in several parts in ski longitudinal direction. The support element (1) is formed by a support profile (9, 12) supporting the heel piece (7) and the toe piece (8) spaced apart from the surface (2) of the ski (3) by plate-like damping inserts, which support profiles are secured spaced apart on the surface (2) of the ski in ski longitudinal direction by a spacing element (17) connected between the support profiles (9, 12) and to the latter by means of elastically designed hinge arrangements (20, 21).

Abstract: A snowboard binding that includes lock-retaining elements having sloping or conical surfaces for guiding the sole of a snow boot into a seated position. The boot sole becomes more restricted in the longitudinal and transverse directions, the further the boot is introduced into the binding. Also is disclosed a snowboard binding and a boot combination having interengaging boot-retaining members on the binding and locking parts on the boot sole.

Abstract: A step-in binding for a telemark ski has a safety release mechanism. The binding comprises a mounting plate, a housing, a clamp lever and a step-in lever. Step-in securing is initiated by applying pressure to a step-in lever, which in turn causes a clamp lever to rotate downwardly to hold a ski boot in place. A latching means comprising a tooth and a catching post locks the clamp lever in an engaged position to securely hold the ski boot. A safety release mechanism is activated by rotating the housing assembly about a pivot post such that the tooth falls off the catching post, thus allowing the key to be lowered and opening the toe clamp to release the ski boot. The binding is automatically reset to a position for receiving the ski boot after the safety release mechanism is activated. Preferably, a cable is included within the binding, the cable having a first end which extends around and tightens against the heel of the ski boot and a second end which is raised and lowered as the key is raised and lowered.

Abstract: A foot binding assembly particularly adapted for use as a snowboard binding and including a base portion which is adapted to be secured to the snowboard, a heel support portion adapted to be carried by the base portion and an ankle/toe securement assembly which is pivotally mounted with respect to the base portion and movable between an open and closed position. In the open position a boot can be readily inserted into and removed from the binding and in the closed position the securement assembly bears against portions of a boot inserted into the binding and cooperates with the base and heel support portions to encase the boot within the binding. A releasable locking mechanism is employed for maintaining the securement assembly in the closed position upon the assembly being pivoted to the closed position, thereby securing and supporting the boot within the binding.

Abstract: An interface device adapted to be positioned between a ski and an assembly for retaining a boot on the ski, the device including front and rear platforms that are raised with respect to the surface defined by the upper surface of the ski. The platforms are supported by a cradle having a reduced length with respect to the volume of the platforms, each of the platforms being connected to the cradle by a bearing journal, and both platforms being connected to each other by a non-extensible connection located above the journals. The invention also relates to the combination of a retention assembly and a ski.

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 snowboard binding for securing a snowboard boot to a snowboard. According to one aspect of the invention, the binding comprises a base, a first engagement member that is movably mounted to the base and is adapted to engage a first lateral side of the boot, and a second engagement member that is movably mounted to the base and is adapted to engage a second lateral side of the boot opposite the first lateral side of the boot. According to another aspect of the invention, the snowboard binding includes a high-back leg support mounted to the base.

Abstract: A device for fixing a boot onto a sporting article, such as a snowboard. The device includes a base, front and rear boot retaining assemblies having abutment surfaces, front and rear guides, and mechanisms for releasing the boot, as well as a structural arrangement to attach the device onto the sporting apparatus. The device also includes the boot with its sole capable of being supported on the base, the boot having front and rear catching members. The front and rear catching members are applied respectively to the front abutment surfaces and the rear guides when the boot is first put on, then the rear catching members follow a trajectory that modifies the distance which separates them from the front catching members to come to rest on the rear abutment surfaces when the boot is completely on.

Abstract: A gliding board has a raised platform which is intended to accommodate the toe piece and the heel piece of a safety binding on its upper part and which rests on the board via its central part. The platform has its front and rear ends overhanging relative to the upper surface of the board and not resting on the board. The platform has a torsional stiffness such that the maximum angular deformation of a free end under the effect of a twisting moment of four newton-meters exerted at four hundred and sixty millimeters from an engagement zone is less than one and a half degrees.

Abstract: A device for fixing a boot onto a sporting apparatus. The device includes a base, front and rear boot retaining assemblies having abutment surfaces, front and rear guides, and mechanisms for releasing the boot, as well as a structural arrangement to attach the device onto the sporting apparatus. The device also includes the boot with its sole capable of being supported on the base, the boot having front and rear catching members. The front and rear catching members are applied respectively to the front abutment surfaces and the rear guides when the boot is first put on, then the rear catching members follow a trajectory that modifies the distance which separates them from the front catching members to come to rest on the rear abutment surfaces when the boot is completely on.

Abstract: A device for retaining a boot on a gliding board having a base with an upper surface and a lower surface, at least one cavity being provided in the thickness of the base between the upper surface and the lower surface to house a pad. The pad projects at least partially with respect to the upper surface when it is housed in the cavity. The device has an arrangement allowing a removable fastening of the pad in the cavity.

Abstract: A snowboard binding that includes lock-retaining elements having sloping or conical surfaces for guiding the sole of a snow boot into a seated position. The boot sole becomes more restricted in the longitudinal and transverse directions, the further the boot is introduced into the binding, and a snowboard and a boot combination further having interengaging boot-retaining members on the binding and locking parts on the boot sole.

Abstract: A boot binding apparatus for a snowboard where the snowboard boot includes a first securement in the form of a front hook member and a second securement in the form of a rear hook member which are imbedded within the sole of the snowboard boot. The snowboard boot is flexible in order to bend in the same manner as a conventional soft boot. The boot binding apparatus includes a front latching mechanism and a rear latching mechanism with the front latching mechanism including a latching hook member with this latching hook member facing toward the toe edge of the snowboard. The rear latching mechanism is movable between a latching position and an unlatching position with the rear latching mechanism being continuously biased toward the latching position. The latching hook member of the front latching mechanism may also be movable and continuously biased in a direction toward the toe edge of the snowboard.

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: An adjusting device for adjusting the angle between a ski boot and a sliding surface of an associated ski. The adjusting device operates as a function of parameters correlated with turning of the associated ski by a skier causing parameter-dependent pivoting of the ski boot relative to the sliding surface of the ski. During a turn, the sliding surface of the ski is inclined to an angle greater than the boot giving the skier better ski edge penetration.

Abstract: A snow ski of the type having separately constructed and joined together upper and lower elongate ski sections wherein the two sections are joined together by an elongate slide rail which slidingly interconnects the opposed faces of the upper and lower ski sections together. A connector arrangement is provided for captively holding the two sections together along the slide rail to thereby permit relative sliding movement between the upper and lower ski sections when the snow ski is flexed longitudinally. The lower ski section preferably is relatively thin and of uniform thickness between its ski tip and ski tail and is also uncambered. A camber is imparted to the lower ski section when it is slidingly interconnected to the upper ski section which itself on its lower surface is longitudinally curved. The upper ski section also preferably functions as a torsion tube and is more resistant to longitudinal flex and lateral twist than the lower section to which it is attached.

Abstract: A snowboard binding for securing a snowboard boot to a snowboard. According to one aspect of the invention, the binding comprises a base, a first engagement member that is movably mounted to the base and is adapted to engage a first lateral side of the boot, and a second engagement member that is movably mounted to the base and is adapted to engage a second lateral side of the boot opposite the first lateral side of the boot. According to another aspect of the invention, the snowboard binding includes a high-back leg support mounted to the base.

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. The assembly further including a mechanism operatively associated with at least one binding element and the binding plate to maintain at least one binding element in a closed position after engagement of the binding tabs with the binding elements unless manually released by the user. 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: An interface is provided for connecting a sports boot with a gliding board. The boot has a tall, soft upper, a flexible sole with at least one longitudinal groove of trapezoidal cross section and four attachment points. The interface has (1) on the boot side, an outer profile of trapezoidal overall shape similar to that of the groove in the boot and which is intended to engage in the groove of the boot and (2) means of automatically attaching and locking the four attachment points of the boot. At the rear of the interface, an arm rises up approximately vertically and is equipped with means of connection to the back of the upper of the boot. The lower part of the interface has attachment means adapted to the particular type of gliding board.

Abstract: A step-in binding for telemark ski having safety release mechanism. The binding comprises a mounting plate, a housing, a clamp lever and a step-in lever. Step-in securing is initiated by applying pressure to an step-in lever, which in turn causes a clamp lever to rotate downwardly towards to hold a ski boot in place. A latching means comprising a tooth and a catching post locks the clamp lever in an engaged position to securely hold the ski boot. A safety release mechanism is activated by rotating the housing assembly about an pivot post such that the tooth falls off the catching post, thus allowing the key to be lowered and opening the toe clamp to release the ski boot. The binding is automatically reset to a position for receiving the ski boot after the safety release mechanism is activated.

Abstract: A boot for use with a snowboard includes a binding for attachment to the boot. The boot includes a rigid lower and a flexible or rigid upper. The lower includes binding-receiving projections on the sides and heel. The lower includes notches at the sides that allow natural articulations of the foot while walking. The upper is fixedly attached to the lower. The binding includes a frame for attachment to the snowboard, a plurality of side engagement members to secure the front portion of the boot, and a heel engagement member for securing the rear portion of the boot. Hooks serve as side engagement members that receive the boot side projections. A bail and lever engage the boot at the heel projection.

Abstract: A snowboard binding for securing a snowboard boot to a snowboard. According to one aspect of the invention, the binding comprises a base, a first engagement member that is movably mounted to the base and is adapted to engage a first lateral side of the boot, and a second engagement member that is movably mounted to the base and is adapted to engage a second lateral side of the boot opposite the first lateral side of the boot. According to another aspect of the invention, the snowboard binding includes a high-back leg support mounted to the base.

Abstract: Ski binding comprising a toe piece and a heel piece slideably mounted on a slide (1) and respectively supporting two connecting arms (2, 3) providing a rack (19, 20) engaging respectively two gears (6, 7); an auxiliary gear means (8, 9) and a gear (7) displaceable, for example, vertically in a manner to be able to occupy two different levels in which it engages with two different gears, the binding elements being displaceable either symmetrically in opposite directions in a manner to enable the adjustment of the binding to the length of the boot without changing the central position of the boot relative to the ski, or in the same direction in a manner to be able to change the central position of the boot relative to the ski.

Abstract: A snowboard binding for fastening a snowboard boot to a snowboard includes a baseplate adapted to be mounted on the snowboard and side walls projecting vertically upward. An instep element is mounted over the baseplate and adapted to reach over the instep of the snowboard boot. A tread element is coupled to the instep element and movable downward a displacement distance for moving the instep element into a closed position. Flexible tensile elements couple the tread element to the instep element and the flexible tensile elements are mounted on respective sides of the instep element. Deflection elements engage each of the tensile elements. Each of the deflection elements are positioned above the baseplate a distance at least as great as the displacement distance.

Abstract: A boot binding apparatus for a snowboard where the snowboard boot includes a first securement in the form of a front hook member and a second securement in the form of a rear hook member which are imbedded within the sole of the snowboard boot. The snowboard boot is flexible in order to bend in the same manner as a conventional soft boot. The boot binding apparatus includes a front latching mechanism and a rear latching mechanism with the front latching mechanism including a latching hook member with this latching hook member facing toward the toe edge of the snowboard. The rear latching mechanism is movable between a latching position and an unlatching position with the rear latching mechanism being continuously biased toward the latching position. The latching hook member of the front latching mechanism may also be movable and continuously biased in a direction toward the toe edge of the snowboard.

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.