Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for coupling a user to a recreational device. The apparatus includes a base plate, a heel cup, an ankle retention member, a toe retention member, a cable, at least one cable anchor, and a tensioning device. The base plate receives a user's foot. The heel cup is coupled to a heel end of the base plate. The ankle retention member extends over an ankle of the user and the toe retention member extends over a toe area of the user's foot. The cable anchor(s) are coupled to at least one of the base plate and the heel cup. The cable is receivable within the cable retention anchor. The tensioning device is coupled to the cable and reduces a length of free cable to increase a pressure applied to the ankle retention member and the toe retention member.

Abstract: A tricycle may be operable between a first mode of operation steerable by a tricycle rider, and a second mode of operation steerable by an individual pushing the tricycle. In both such first and second modes, the frame of the tricycle is configured to rotatably support the rear wheels and configured to support the head tube at a distance from the rear wheels such that a distance between the head tube and rear wheels need not necessarily be changed even when the front wheel axis location is changed from one mode to another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spring cartridge for a ski binding, wherein the ski binding has a rotatable front binding part for attachment of a ski boot, and is in particular a telemark ski binding. In the binding the spring cartridge provides tension to a biasing cable which biases the rotatable front binding part, so as to rotate the front binding part so that an attached ski boot would be brought into contact with the ski to which the ski binding is attached. The spring cartridge comprises an extended hollow housing open at both ends, a compression spring held within the extended hollow housing and a pressure stub held partly within the compression spring. The pressure stub is structured with an extended portion having a cross dimension smaller than the interior size of the compression spring and a head having a larger size than the interior size of the compression spring.

Abstract: Snowboard binding (1), comprising a base (2) on which a foot-gripping strap (10) is mounted, and in which strap (10) is capable of moving around a transversal axis (8) to enable strap (10) to be folded towards base (2), and in which at least part of strap (10) is capable of pivoting relative to the base to enable the said section of strap (10) to move outwards when shoes are put on, characterized in that the said section of the strap is connected to the base via a mechanism (20) which is hinged relative to the base around an axis (7) which is more or less parallel to the longitudinal middle plane of the binding, such that it enables this section of strap (10) to move outwards, said mechanism (20) also comprising a pivot hinge (8) with the said section of the strap to enable this section of the strap to pivot in a folding movement towards base (2).

Abstract: An apparatus for tensioning the cable or bail of a ski-touring binding, a tensioning lever for such apparatus, and a replacement component for the lever are provided. The apparatus provides different tension for walking and for skiing. The lever includes a handle and a pivot for rotational engagement of the lever on the cable or bail. The pivot is located between the handle and a plurality of boot heel holders. The holders are configured such that at least one holder will contact the ski boot heel at a different distance relative to the pivot than another of the holders. The replacement component is removably fixed to the lever and is configured to provide a heel holder surface and to retain a bail or cable in rotational engagement with the lever.

Abstract: A snowboard binding (100) is disclosed having a base plate (102) with a highback (120) pivotally attached. A locking lever (130) is disposed on the back of the highback for locking the highback in a generally upright position with a desired maximum forward lean. A flexible member such as a strap (140) or a panel (202), cord guide (204), and cord (206) attached to the highback and to the locking lever to facilitate moving the lever between an open position and a locked position. In an embodiment of the invention, the base plate includes a pair of oppositely-disposed, pivotable sidewalls (104) and the highback is attached to the base plate with a heel loop (112) that pivotably engages the sidewalls, such that straps (108, 110) mounted to the sidewalls move to engage the boot (90) when the highback is moved to an upright position.

Abstract: A ski binding of the cross-country type in which a ski boot's heel may be elevated with respect to the ski's top surface while in the act of skiing. The binding includes a toe piece associated with a heel retainer through a spring-biased linkage. A linkage typically includes a pre-loaded compression spring mounted external to a core element. A preferred linkage includes a plurality of rigid link elements defining plurality of intermediate pivot axes between an anchor and the heel retainer. Certain preferred linkage systems permit unfettered boot flexion, but transversely maintain the heel retainer in a zone over the ski to facilitate step-in engagement. Desirably, the core is adjustable along the linkage, to change a spacing between the toe piece and heel retainer independent of spring pre-load. Preferred embodiments of the binding a rear frame adapted to permit step-in engagement of a ski boot. Certain frames may carry a televator.

Abstract: A binding for a sports boot on a gliding board, comprising a base intended to be fixed on a gliding board, means for binding the boot and a rear stop or spoiler, wherein, on each lateral part of the base (1), the spoiler (3) is on the one hand mounted so as to move about a pin (4) mounted so as to move relative to the base (1) and on the other hand connected to the base (1) by a second means for guiding its movement relative to the base (1).

Abstract: The heel bail assembly incorporates tension members, such as rods, and compression springs, the springs being enclosed in casings. Each of two side tension members extend from the toe assembly of a ski harness into a casing. A U-shaped tension member extends from one casing around the ski boot heel to the other casing. Threaded connections of the side tension members to the casings enable adjustment of the length of the bail assembly.

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

Abstract: A cross-country ski binding, especially a hiking ski binding which includes a toe iron adapted for mounting on a ski top and having cheeks and sole catches for the front part of a ski boot sole. A heel unit has a cable with end tension springs. Corresponding side cable units connect the tension springs to the toe unit. Each cable unit includes a side cable with a forward end releasaby connected to the toe iron unit. A close wound coil spring is slidable on the side cable between the forward end and a rear stop member. A threaded connecting member has an internal thread and is threaded on the coil spring. The connecting member has an external threaded into the forward end of the tension spring. The threaded position on the sliding closely wounds coil spring with its movement on the cable.

Abstract: A footpiece for locating a skier's foot on a ski, particularly a water ski, comprises a foot locating member made up of two foot locating portions. In use, one foot locating portion is fixed to the ski, whereas the other portion is slidingly located relative to the ski, the positional adjustment between the foot locating portions by the sliding displacement of the slidingly located foot locating portion permitting different sized feet of skiers to be snugly received by the foot locating member. A flexible strap engaged with the slidingly located foot locating portion permits displacement of said portion by applying tension to the strap, suitable manipulation of the strap also permitting operation of a locking means for releasably locking the slidingly located foot locating portion in desired positions.

Abstract: A binding assembly for a structure which is designed to facilitate rapid movement along the surface of the earth such as a ski board for water wherein the binding assembly includes an elastic cord which when stretched permits tightening of the binding assembly to thereby securely clamp the user's foot to the structure. Once the binding assembly has been adjusted to the desired amount of securement, release of the elastic cord results in the binding assembly remaining in that established level of securement.

Abstract: Apparatus for releasing a binding which fastens a ski boot to a ski, produces one or more electrical signals corresponding to the force between the ski and the ski boot and the torque between the ski and the ski boot, and actuates a ski boot release mechanism when the force or torque or a combination of both exceed predetermined values.

Abstract: A ski binding is provided with a front metal fitting which comprises a base plate secured to the ski, a block and a spring seat slidably mounted on the base plate, a compression spring interposed between the block and the spring seat, a lever pivotally mounted on the base plate and connected to the spring seat and a locking mechanism interposed between the block and the lever so that the lever is released when an excessive force is applied to the block from the heel piece in the rearward direction, thus safeguarding the skier.