Abstract: A binding to retain a boot on a gliding or rolling apparatus, such as a snowboard, ski, or roller skate. The binding includes a linkage that connects first and second flanges. The linkage includes a first band attached to the first flange, and a tightening device attached to the second flange. An abutment of the binding is fixed to the first band toward a free end of the band, so as to be located on the other side of the tightening device with respect to a fastening end of the band, thus preventing a separation of the first band and of the tightening device.

Abstract: A retaining element for retaining the front of a boot sole on a ski. The element includes a jaw carried by a body which itself is mounted on a mounting base. The mounting base has a front zone that supports the body, and a rear zone positioned lower than the front zone. The retaining element can accept ski boots having a thicker sole.

Abstract: A binding to retain a boot on a gliding or rolling apparatus, such as a snowboard, ski, or roller skate. The binding includes a linkage that connects first and second flanges. The linkage includes a first band attached to the first flange, and a tightening device attached to the second flange. An abutment of the binding is fixed to the first band toward a free end of the band, so as to be located on the other side of the tightening device with respect to a fastening end of the band, thus preventing a separation of the first band and of the tightening device.

Abstract: A binding for a snowboard has: abase plate; a boot fixing band including a belt portion and a pad portion, the belt portion being mounted on one side of the base plate with one end thereof; a hardness adjusting plate mounted on the boot fixing band; a buckle connected to the hardness adjusting plate on the other end side of the boot fixing band; and a belt having one end mounted on the other side of the base plate, and the other end engaged with the buckle.

Abstract: A ski binding for cross-country skis and touring skis with a step-in mechanism. The ski binding has two pressure-spring-loaded retention bolts located in the toe region and extending substantially transversely to the running direction and having a rounding at their outer ends. The retention bolts engage in openings of the boot sole or of parts of the latter and can be brought out of the snapped-in position by a releasing mechanism, wherein the rounding of the retention bolt is to lie above that plane which extends through the longitudinal axis of the bolt and in the snapped-in state, parallel to the ski upper side.

Abstract: A ski boot binding for snowboards includes a base (4) to which a back piece (10) is pivotally mounted. The back piece (10) extends upward from the base and supports the user's ankle. The degree to which the back piece flexes affects an amount of support which it provides to the user's ankle. A reinforcement (22) is mounted on a central part of a rear face (19) of the back piece. The reinforcement is adjustably mounted for vertical movement relative to the back piece to adjust the flexibility of the back piece, hence the amount of rearward ankle support.

Abstract: A boot-binding for board sports such as snowboarding is provided that is both automatically closing and compatible with any style of boot or shoe. A molded plastic shell which is fixedly attached to the board's upper surface provides a substantially boot-shaped receiving space and an automatic closing gate clamps down tightly across the boot's upper surface to bind the foot tightly. In operation, the rider simply steps into the binding thereby actuating a release mechanism which allows the gate to swing closed. Gate receptors mounted to the exterior of the plastic shell opposite the hinge accept and latch the gate firmly across boot's upper surface. Several cushioning elements, some of which may be inflatable, may be included and manual adjustments may be made without special tools to adjust the fit and feel of the binding.

Abstract: A binding (10) for securing a snowboarder's boot to a snowboard (12). The binding includes a baseplate (16) in which a plurality of apertures (38) are formed. Each aperture receives the base (50) of an adjustable dampening assembly (37). The dampening assembly (37) is retained in place by a flange (54) projecting from the lower extremity of the perimeter of the base, which is captured between the baseplate and the snowboard upper surface. A dampening pad (52) is threadably inserted into an internally threaded aperture formed in the base. The dampening pad can be twisted, either by contacting the upper surface (60) of the dampening pad with a thumb or with a driver tool. Twisting of the dampening pad selectively adjusts the height of the dampening pad, which has an elastomeric head, above the baseplate to adjust the fit and vibration and shock absorption abilities of the binding.

Abstract: A snow-board binding is described and comprises a base (2) for supporting a footwear, at least one strap fastening (5, 6) connected to the base for restraining the footwear on the base (2), and means for connecting means comprising a first portion (17) of the strap fastening (5, 6) having greater flexibility than any remaining portion of the strap fastening.

Abstract: A system for tool free disengagement of an engagement member from a base while the base is mounted to a substrate, so that the engagement member may be repositioned, tool free, in a new mounting location. The engagement member and the base include complementary locking members, and the engagement member may be constructed so that manipulation of the engagement member releases the complementary locking members allowing relocation of the engagement member in a new mounting location. The system may be incorporated in a binding for securing a foot or a boot and in footwear.

Abstract: A device for retaining a boot on a sports apparatus. The device includes a covering portion, which itself includes a longitudinal reinforcement and a shock-absorbing pad. The hardness of the shock absorbing-pad increases from an inner end toward an outer end of the reinforcement.

Abstract: A base for supporting a boot on a board, the base having a device for angular orientation in relation to the board. The device includes a circular opening provided in the base and a disk, the latter being nested in the opening of the base to retain the base on the board. An abutment limits an axial displacement of the disk away from the upper surface of the base.

Abstract: 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. In the snowboarding position, with the tread element (9) subjected to loading, the calf support (8) can be supported, on binding-mounted supporting parts (20), against pivoting on its pivoting bolt (10) into the step-in position. As a result of the tread element (9) being relieved of loading, in order to eliminate the support, the calf support (8) can be displaced, in particular automatically, in relation to the bolt (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 ski or the like has integrated in it a flat retaining or securing system which bears the boot-retaining units of a binding in an adjustable manner.

Abstract: Shock-absorbing support pad to be positioned between a boot and a snowboard, or between the boot and a snowboard binding, and a snowboard binding incorporating such support pad. The support pad has at least two layers of material having different hardnesses. A first layer has a support surface for contacting the boot and it has a bonding surface opposite to the support surface. A second layer is joined to the bonding surface of the first layer. The hardness of the second layer is less than the hardness of the first layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a snowboard binding including a baseplate and at least one strap formed from at least one strap part articulated relative to one side of the baseplate, capable of interacting with fastening means connected on the other side of the baseplate in order to allow gripping of the user's boot in the binding. This binding is defined in that each strap part has two stable equilibrium positions, namely an open position in which the strap part is released from the front of the binding and a closed position in which the strap part is folded down over the front of the binding in order to interact with the fastening means, the articulation of the strap part relative to the binding being arranged in order that, between these two positions, and without the user's intervention, the strap part is displaced automatically toward one of the two stable positions.

Abstract: A binding for a snowboard includes a baseplate and at least one strap formed of strap parts that are each articulated relative to a side of the baseplate and that interact with one another in order to ensure the gripping of the strap over a 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 device for raising at least one element (5) of a binding used on a board (3) for gliding, including an element (4) which is articulated relative to the board and one end (30) of which comes into contact with the upper face (6) of the board. The element (5) of the binding is mounted on the articulated element (4) and the end (30) of the articulated element (4) is secured to the upper face (6) of the board by attaching member (33) so that the forces exerted vertically at the location of the binding element (5) are partly transmitted to the board (3) at the location of the end (30) of the articulated element (4).

Abstract: Device for adjusting the relative position between a first part, for example a ski binding heel-piece, equipped with a toothed strip (8) and a second part, for example a slide (2), equipped with two opposed sets of teeth (16, 17) collaborating with the sets of teeth (10, 11) of the strip. The sets of teeth of one of the parts are offset by a half-tooth and the teeth of the sets of teeth are truncated. The sets of teeth of the two parts come into mesh alternately on one side and the other, making it possible to have a pitch for adjustment equal to a half-tooth rather than a full tooth. The fineness of the adjustment is thus improved.

Abstract: A boot binding, such as a snowboard boot binding, where an opening through the binding that may allow passage of undesirable substances onto the floor of the binding is covered by a gasket. The gasket may be permanently or removably attached to the binding, and may be rigid or, alternatively, compliant where desired to have the gasket conform to an associated shape of the boot placed in the binding.

Abstract: Device for retaining a boot on a sports apparatus, the device including a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, and at least one strap connected to each of the edges by first and second fasteners. At least one of the fasteners of the device has a guide located on one of the elements that constitute the edge and the strap, a stop located on the other of the elements that constitute the edge and the strap, as well as a mechanism for locking the stop with respect to the guide.

Abstract: A display device for displaying the position of a force-adjusting component for a ski binding, particularly for a toe unit or a heel unit of a ski binding, comprising display elemets that are operatively associated to the force-adjusting component by way of an interconnection element, which is associated to a main body of the toe unit or the heel unit. The interconnection element is activated by an axial shift of the force-adjusting component along the main body of the toe unit or a heel unit of the ski binding.

Abstract: A cleated overshoe and snowshoe with a binding for accepting the overshoe. The overshoe includes a fastener for tightening the overshoe around a shoe. The overshoe also has a sole with one or more claws. The claws have apertures for receiving tabs or similar protrusions. The claws fit into a step-in binding on the snowshoe. The snowshoe has an outer frame, a decking, and a decking strap and the step-in binding is secured to the decking strap. The binding has a connection point for coupling each claw of the overshoe to the binding. In one embodiment, the binding also includes a base plate, a lift mounted to the base plate, a heel plate mounted to the lift, and a latch tab mounted to the heel plate. The latch tab is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the latch tab secures the claws of the overshoe in a position where the claws are coupled to the connection point.

Abstract: A binding comprising a base plate (1) carrying, for holding a boot, front retention (2) and a heelpiece (7) mounted slidably on the base plate, and a traction strap (16) acting on the heelpiece in order to pull it forward. The base plate (1) is equipped with a rack (6), and the heelpiece (7) is equipped with two levers (11, 12), the lower arms of which are connected to the ends of a small arch (15) which hooks into the rack. The upper arms of the levers are connected to the traction strap (16) which is intended to pass diagonally over the instep of the boot. The pressure on the small arch makes it possible to increase the force of the forward thrust and the heel of the boot is pressed against the base plate.

Abstract: A swivel mount for a board binding of the present invention includes a base mountable to an upper surface of a board, and a swivel plate rotatably mounted on the base for relative swivelling rotation of the swivel plate relative to the base between a ride position and forward-walking positions. When the swivel plate is in the ride position the binding is oriented generally perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the board. When the swivel plate is in the forward-walking positions, the binding is oriented to point a user's forward foot in the binding toward a front end of the board so as to generally form an acute angle between the binding and the longitudinal axis of the board. A rotational resistance device cooperates between the swivel plate and the base for increasing rotational resistance above that of free-floating rotation but without locking of the swivel plate in a preset locking position when swivelling the swivel plate through the radial arc of the forward-walking positions.

Abstract: A binding to retain a boot on a gliding or rolling apparatus, such as a snowboard, ski, or roller skate. The binding includes a linkage that connects first and second flanges. The linkage includes a first band attached to the first flange, and a tightening device attached to the second flange. An abutment of the binding is fixed to the first band toward a free end of the band, so as to be located on the other side of the tightening device with respect to a fastening end of the band, thus preventing a separation of the first band and of the tightening device.

Abstract: Highback for a snowboard binding intended to come into contact with the rear part of the user's boot in order to withstand the back thrusts thereof, having a median longitudinal plane of symmetry, which has a stiffer region located asymmetrically with regard to the median longitudinal plane of symmetry of the highback.

Abstract: A device for binding a boot to a sports article. The device includes a base adapted to be fixed onto the sports article, a member for connecting to the boot, the member including an anchoring element on a front zone of the boot, a rocker bar for connecting the connecting member to the base, the rocker bar being journalled on the base, on the one hand, and on the connecting member, on the other hand, the journal axle of the rocker bar on the base being arranged at the rear of the journal axle of the connecting member on the rocker bar.

Abstract: A system for tool free disengagement of an engagement member from a base while the base is mounted to a substrate, so that the engagement member may be repositioned, tool free, in a new mounting location. The engagement member and the base include complementary locking members, and the engagement member may be constructed so that manipulation of the engagement member releases the complementary locking members allowing relocation of the engagement member in a new mounting location. The system may be incorporated in a binding for securing a foot or a boot and in footwear.

Abstract: A binding (2) which retains a boot (11) on a snowboard (1) includes a base member (4). Rear walls (8a, 8b) and a rear arch (9) with a rear portion (21) of the base member support a heel of the boot. A front support piece (18) to which a toe strap (16) is pivotally mounted (24a, 24b), is adjustably mounted to a front part (20) of the base member. The front support piece is longitudinally adjustable and a length of the toe strap is adjustable to enable the binding to receive boots of different length and style.

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 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 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: 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 device for retaining a boot on a sports apparatus. The device includes a covering portion, which itself includes a longitudinal reinforcement and a shock-absorbing pad. The hardness of the shock absorbing-pad increases from an inner end toward an outer end of the reinforcement.

Abstract: A binding (10) for securing a snowboarder's boot to a snowboard (12). The binding includes a baseplate (16) in which a plurality of apertures (38) are formed. Each aperture receives the base (50) of an adjustable dampening assembly (37). The dampening assembly (37) is retained in place by a flange (54) projecting from the lower extremity of the perimeter of the base, which is captured between the baseplate and the snowboard upper surface. A dampening pad (52) is threadably inserted into an internally threaded aperture formed in the base. The dampening pad can be twisted, either by contacting the upper surface (60) of the dampening pad with a thumb or with a driver tool. Twisting of the dampening pad selectively adjusts the height of the dampening pad, which has an elastomeric head, above the baseplate to adjust the fit and vibration and shock absorption abilities of the binding.

Abstract: A buckle for fastening a strap having a mounting location especially arranged relative to a force resolving location of the buckle to control dive of the buckle in a particular direction when the strap is cranked down. A mounting location includes a pair of flanges extending sideways from the buckle housing and away from a floor of the housing.

Abstract: A ski boot binding for snowboards includes a base (4) to which a back piece (10) is pivotally mounted. The back piece (10) extends upward from the base and supports the user's ankle. The degree to which the back piece flexes affects an amount of support which it provides to the user's ankle. A reinforcement (22) is mounted on a central part of a rear face (19) of the back piece. The reinforcement is adjustably mounted for vertical movement relative to the back piece to adjust the flexibility of the back piece, hence the amount of rearward ankle support.

Abstract: A binding having a binding body which has, mounted in it, at least one return spring, adjustable means for prestressing the spring, and means for indicating the prestress of the spring which consist of a cursor linked kinematically with the prestressing means and a graduation in front of which the cursor moves, the gradation and the cursor being covered by a transparent part. The body is at least partially covered with a casing (18) that forms a protective cap and has at least one transparent region in front of the gradation.

Abstract: A base for supporting a boot on a board, the base having a device for angular orientation in relation to the board. The device includes a circular opening provided in the base and a disk, the latter being nested in the opening of the base to retain the base on the board. An abutment limits an axial displacement of the disk away from the upper surface of the base.

Abstract: An assembly for retaining a boot on a sports apparatus. The assembly includes a base, a disk having at least two elongated holes parallel to one another, and at least two screws each extending through an elongated hole. The assembly further includes a plate that is parallel to the disk, the plate sliding along the length of the elongated holes, at least two holes extending through the plate in its thickness, each screw extending through a hole of the plate, and retaining elements retaining the screws on the plate.

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 device for retaining a boot on a board adapted to a sporting activity, and a boot therefor. The device includes a base, a lateral edge, a rear support element, and at least one linkage for holding the boot above the base. The edge and the rear support element each have an inner surface. One or several of the inner surfaces of the device has at least one friction plate that projects at least partially with respect to the inner surface, the fiction plate being provided at least to oppose a movement of the boot in relation to the base.

Abstract: A binding (301) for releasably holding a boot (308), including a latch (330), arranged to pivot between an open position and an engaged position for securing the boot relative to the binding, and a lock mechanism (340) to provide incremental locking of the latch, as the latch pivots toward the engaged position, in order to restrict movement of the latch back toward the open position. The incremental locking allows for ease of entry into the binding and minimal force to manually release the boot. The binding also has an automatic release mechanism (360) to allow the binding to reset in an open position when the binding releases the boot.

Abstract: A device for the angular orientation of a boot to be associated with a gliding or rolling board. The device includes a disk and a plate, the disk having a peripheral toothing. The plate is rotationally guided in relation to the disk. The plate is provided with an arm that has a toothed end. The arm is journalled with respect to tie plate along an axis that is parallel to the thickness of the plate, and an elastic mechanism biases the arm such that the toothed end of the arm is engaged with the peripheral toothing of the disk.

Abstract: Snowboard binding comprising a baseplate (1) on which is mounted a bow (7) that is adjustable in terms of position by means of two pairs of nuts and screws and a highback (8) mounted on the bow so that it is orientable. Each of the screws (25) used to mount the highback (8) on the bow (7) and one of the screws (22, 24) of the pair of screws used to fix the bow to the baseplate are coaxial and share a common nut (17, 19).

Abstract: A binding strap for use in a soft boot snowboard binding is provided, the binding strap including a flexible, unitary binding member having an ankle section connected to a toe section by a midsection. The binding strap may be configured and dimensioned to preferably provide a rider with easy entry and exit from the strap. In addition, the shape and flexible nature of the binding makes it comfortable to use, while also allowing it to perform well by securely engaging the rider's boot to the snowboard. The unitary construction allows the binding strap to move in an integrated manner, while the surface area of the binding strap reduces pressure points by distributing pressure exerted by the binding over a relatively large surface area of the boot, and hence foot, of the rider.