Abstract: This invention concerns a basic arrangement of a ski binding having a front part or a toe end and a rear part or a heel end for securing the ski boot, and also having a front supporting part, longitudinally displaceable on a first base part fixed on the ski, for supporting the front boot holding part, and a rear supporting part, longitudinally displaceable on another base part fixed on the ski, for supporting the rear boot holding part. The invention further includes an adjusting device designed as a rack-and-pinion gear for simultaneous adjustment of both supporting parts; this adjusting device has two toothed racks, each connected to a supporting part, and a manually operable, lockable gearwheel which meshes with both toothed racks between the two supporting parts. In one embodiment, the gearwheel is arranged on a middle base part in an essentially stationary mount on the ski, and is separate from the front and rear base parts, and is held indirectly on the ski by the front and rear base parts.

Abstract: An element forming an inclined wedge, intended to be integrated with the front or rear end of the base plate of a snowboard binding, or directly with the upper face (5) of a snowboard, is disclosed. The element includes an upper face (9) intended to receive the bearing forces of the front or rear end of the sole of a boot, and having a mechanism for adjusting the angle of inclination, measured in a longitudinal plane, between the upper face of the element and the base plate of the binding or the upper face of the snowboard. The element may also provide a mechanism (30, 31) for adjusting the longitudinal position of the element in relation to the binding or snowboard.

Abstract: A ski binding or a snowboard binding having boot holder components on the front end or the toe end and on the rear end or the heel end. The invention includes a holding device which is arranged between the boot holder components and this holding device connects said boot holder components by means of connection elements. These connection elements have an adjusting device having an adjusting input which can be operated by a motor-driven tool, and the connection elements are adjustable against a self-locking effect, that is, adjustable to provide some resistance to further toe-to-heel movement of the connection elements once adjusted. The connection elements can be part of a threaded spindle. The boot holder components and holding device are secured displaceably on the ski or the snowboard in a fixed manner in the vertical direction with a form-fitting connection on a guide rail extending in the longitudinal direction of the ski or snowboard.

Abstract: The arrangement comprises a bottom part (1), which is mounted on the ski (3), and a top part (2), which can be fitted on the bottom part. The boot (4) can be connected to the top side (21) of the top part (2). The bottom part (1) comprises a base (13) which can be fastened on the body of the ski (3) and can be introduced into a correspondingly shaped central section (23) of the top part (2). In this central section (23), the base (13) is retained by means of a connecting devices (35). The central section of a flexible member (60) is retained between the base plate (10) and the body of the ski (3). This member (60) and the way it is secured on the ski are such that it acts as an automatically triggering brake.

Abstract: Downhill ski bindings are mounted with the toe and/or heel piece mounted to a moveable track. For a quick release even backward, a ski pole handle button is depressed. A signal reaches a receiver on the ski. The receiver activates an actuator which pulls the track, thereby enlarging a mounting distance for the boot. The boot is released since the binding system is instantly sized too big for the boot. Gas and spring release mechanisms are disclosed.

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 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 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 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: A highback includes a wing-shaped leg support adjustably extending therefrom that cooperates with a rider's leg to transmit forces from the rider's leg to the highback. The support is movable between a plurality of positions relative to the highback so that the position of the support may be selectively adjustable by the rider to accommodate the rider's particular riding preferences. The adjustable support facilitates the selection of desired force transmission to the board and may enhance board control.

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 universal snow boot and binding for use in connection with either snow skiing or snow boarding which is easy to use and provides quick, easy and positive interconnection of the snow boot with the upper surface of the ski or snowboard. The snow boot or foot enclosure component of the invention carries a permanent magnet that engages a metal plate provided on the snowboard. The mechanical locking mechanism that is operated by the user is also strategically mounted on the snowboard. The mechanical locking component includes a toe locking mechanism and a cooperating heel locking mechanism that is easily operable to enable the snow boot to be readily disconnected from the upper surface of the snowboard or snow ski.

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: The invention relates to an element for retaining a boot on a ski including a body and a retaining jaw that are generally symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal and vertical median plane, the jaw being biased by a return spring housed in the body, the return spring being connected to the jaw by an anchor having two lateral arms, a central strap and a central fork having two teeth, the spring elastically maintaining the arms of the anchor in support against two retaining pins affixed to the body, the jaw having a median pin engaged between the two teeth of the fork. At least one of the elements of the anchor, which are the arms, the strap and the fork, is asymmetrical with respect to the longitudinal and vertical median plane defined by the body and the jaw.

Abstract: An element for retaining a boot on a skid, the retention element including a base provided to be affixedly connected to the ski, overlaid by a body, a jaw having two independent retaining wings journalled to the body about a vertical axle, the wings having, beyond their journal axle, a tip exerting an action by pressure on the head of a movable tie rod biased by a spring. A rocker, journalled with respect to the base, is inserted between the tips and the head of the tie rod, the tips being in support against an arm of the rocker, and the rocker being mounted asymmetrically with respect to the base or the tips.

Abstract: A Snowboard binding includes a baseplate intended to be mounted on a snowboard. A rear bow, is mounted on the baseplate (2) at two attachment points and a highback is mounted so that it can pivot with respect to the rear bow. Further included are means for independently modifying the vertical position of each point of attachment of the bow (3) to the baseplate (2).

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: Step-in snowboard binding designed to hold a boot by its sides. The binding includes at least one jaw (2) secured to a driving arm (9) intended to be driven by the boot. The jaw has a cam-shaped part (9) collaborating with a locking element (12) which can move in a guide (13) in such a way that the jaw is locked for various positions of the jaw. The jaw (2) is equipped with a return spring which tends to keep it in the open position, and the jaw and the locking element cooperate to keep the locking element away from its locking position when the jaw is raised. In this way, the jaw cannot be closed inadvertently and the locking element does not hamper the closure movement. The binding is equipped with an indicator (76) which indicates whether the jaw is in the locked position.

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 binding mounting system for rapidly mounting a slidable front jaw and a slidable heel jaw of a ski binding onto a ski having a top face, comprises a plate-shaped base element having a bearing surface and mounted on the top face of the ski, front rear longitudinal guide mechanisms on the base element, the guide mechanisms preventing vertical and transverse displacements of the front jaw and the rear jaw to be mounted on the base element relative to the bearing surface thereof, and a positioning and locking device immobile relative to the base element and mounted thereon between the front and rear longitudinal guide mechanisms at a distance therefrom. The positioning and locking device has a top face remote from the base element and at least one rigid raised portion with steep flanks on the top face.

Abstract: An element for retaining a boot on a ski provided to releasably retain one of the ends of a boot by means of a jaw movable laterally on either side of a centered position aligned with a longitudinal and vertical median plane of the retaining element, and a compensating mechanism acting on the jaw or its return mechanism so as to further facilitate its opening, where the compensating mechanism includes two active elements, either of which are biased as a function of the side where the jaw moves with respect to the vertical and longitudinal median plane. The two active elements are asymmetrical with respect to the longitudinal and vertical median plane, such that the compensating mechanism is more or less active depending on the active element biased as a function of the side on which the jaw moves.

Abstract: A system is provided for automatically activating a boot-mountable highback between a walk mode and a ride position. In the walk mode, the highback is unrestrained, permitting the boot to flex freely, and consequently allowing the rider to walk comfortably. In the ride position, the highback is tilted toward the toe portion of a boot and prevented from movement in the heel direction beyond a preselected forward lean position, so that leg movement in the heel direction is transmitted through the highback into a gliding board. The highback is adjusted between the walk mode and the ride position simply by stepping into or out of a binding attached to a snowboard. Activation and deactivation of the highback may be achieved through direct or indirect interaction with a board-mounted actuator that may be attached to the binding. A forward lean adjuster may be provided that allows a rider to preselect the amount of forward lean attained when the highback is activated into the ride position.

Abstract: A binding for a boot on a gliding board, such as a ski. The binding includes a jaw connected to the ski via a first journalled connection with two curved side arms which are themselves journalled with respect to the ski about a journal axis. The first journal axis is located at the end of the upper arm portion of the curved side arms, such that the jaw is suspended downwardly with respect to the axis of the first journalled connection and the elastic mechanism is arranged beneath the such axis.

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: Cross-country ski binding for a boot equipped with two bars (61, 62), comprising a latch (2) that can be actuated by a lever (5) to hold the front bar (61) and a link rod (3) equipped with a hook (4) for catching on the rear bar (62) of the boot. The link rod (3) is urged by a tension spring (6) and is articulated to a point (26) located between the two bars of the boot, preferably on a spindle (26) secured to the latch. This construction is particularly compact and allows the boot a great deal of movement.

Abstract: Binding apparatus for use with an item of sports equipment such as a skate board, the binding apparatus including a first part adapted for attachment to an article of footwear and a second part adapted for attachment to the item of sports equipment. One of the first and second parts includes a protuberance and the other of the first and second parts includes a recess adapted to receive the protuberance therein. The first and second parts also have complementary securing parts for releasably securing the protuberance in the recess. The securing parts are adapted to secure the protuberance in the recess upon the protuberance reaching therein a predetermined engagement. The release of the first part from the second part is allowed exclusively upon application of an upwardly directed breakaway force.

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 release binding (20) is shown for releasably attaching a ski boot to a telemark or cross-country ski (22). A load spool (50) having a circumferential groove (56) is attached perpendicular to the bottom of a standard toe plate (24) used to secure the toe of the boot. A release plate (40) having a planar load spring (44) inside is attached to the ski. The load spring has two sides (62, 64) attached together at both ends forming an elongated aperture. To assemble the boot on the ski, the skier orients the load spool through a hole (48) in the top of the release plate into the elongated aperture of the spring and pushes down. A pilot surface (60) on the load spool pushes the two sides of the spring apart until the groove is reached whereupon the two spring sides snap into the groove retaining the toe plate on the ski.

Abstract: The invention relates to an element for retaining a boot on a ski including a body and a retaining jaw that are generally symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal and vertical median plane, the jaw being biased by a return spring housed in the body, the return spring being connected to the jaw by an anchor having two lateral arms, a central strap and a central fork having two teeth, the spring elastically maintaining the arms of the anchor in support against two retaining pins affixed to the body, the jaw having a median pin engaged between the two teeth of the fork. At least one of the elements of the anchor, which are the arms, the strap and the fork, is asymmetrical with respect to the longitudinal and vertical median plane defined by the body and the jaw.

Abstract: An element for retaining a boot on a skid, the retention element including a base provided to be affixedly connected to the ski, overlaid by a body, a jaw having two independent retaining wings journalled to the body about a vertical axle, the wings having, beyond their journal axle, a tip exerting an action by pressure on the head of a movable tie rod biased by a spring A rocker, journalled with respect to the base, is inserted between the tips and the head of the tie rod, the tips being in support against an arm of the rocker, and the rocker being mounted asymmetrically with respect to the base or the tips.

Abstract: A snowboard binding system comprising at least one movable engaging member that, when engaged, secures a snowboarder's boot from vertical or horizontal movement. In one embodiment, a binding system has two active sides, allowing a snowboarder to engage the binding by stepping downwardly onto the binding mechanism, thus reversibly forcing tensioned engaging members between an extended and a retracted position and back to an extended position, thereby securing the snowboarder's boot to the upper surface of a snowboard. A preferred embodiment utilizes positioning keys that properly orientate a snowboarder's boot into binding engagement. Other embodiments include snowboard boots having active binding mechanisms positioned on the boot itself, such mechanisms engageable with static members secured to the surface of a snowboard.

Abstract: The heel piece of a safety binding for holding a boot on a ski, comprises a tubular binding body which is open at its two ends, is rigidly linked to a sole grip (1a) and is articulated about a transverse cam forming part of a stirrup piece (3) which is articulated onto a pivoting plate (4) joined to the ski, this body containing at least one spring which works in compression between a piston bearing on the cam, and a stop secured to a setting screw. The setting screw bears axially, by its head, against a bearing zone of the binding body, and the stop consists of a nut mounted on the setting screw, the screw, with its stop, the spring and the piston being mounted in the body through the end corresponding to the sole grip.

Abstract: An elastic return device for a safety ski binding comprising a coil spring (10) and having a stiffness which varies as a function of the stress rate. A deformable plastic (11) is interposed between the turns of the spring, so that the stiffness of the spring increases with the rate at which it is compressed. This elastic element makes it possible to avoid premature release of 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 shoe/binding assembly for a gliding board allowing the user's foot to be secured temporarily to said board at a plurality of contact points which, on the binding, consist of attachment means intended to interact with complementary attachment means which are located on the shoe at the front and rear of the sole, wherein at least one of the contact points has a plurality of positions for locking of the attachment means of the shoe by those of the binding, intended to prohibit any movement of the shoe upward and to make it possible to change automatically from one locking position to the next in the downward direction of the shoe, under the effect of the user's weight.

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: Holding device comprising a body (1) mounted so as to slide in a rail (4) on which it is maintained in position by means of a lock (9) that is articulated to the body (1) and is provided with an unlocking lever (20). This unlocking lever is provided with two lateral flanges (21, 22) extending toward the rail, on each side of the central region of the latter. The flanges (21, 22) are preferably divergent and their rear edge (23) is inclined. This form of unlocking lever secures the lock against accidental unlocking in the event of impact.

Abstract: A snowboard boot and an assembly of a snowboard boot and a retention apparatus for securing the boot to a snowboard. The boot includes a sole, an upper affixed to and extending upwardly from the sole, and an attachment member attached to the sole. The attachment member has a portion extending substantially longitudinally and spaced from a portion of the sole for facilitating engagement with a latch of the retention apparatus. The retention apparatus of the assembly includes an attachment mechanism for attaching in a vertical direction and along a horizontal plane, which cooperates with a complementary attachment mechanism of the boot, arranged in a central portion of the sole of the boot. The boot includes a skeleton that is constituted by a minimal force-transmission circuit which provides for the support necessary for practicing the gliding sport and the force-transmission circuit passes through the attachment mechanism of the boot.

Abstract: An assembly for retaining a ski boot on a ski, snowboard, monoski, or the like includes a rear binding portion (1), such as a step-in rear binding. The rear binding portion (1) is supported on a body (2) having wings (10a, 10b) which are slidably received in a slide channel (7). The slide channel has slide surfaces (8a, 8b) which permit the binding body to slide longitudinally and overhanging edges (9a, 9b) which prevent the binding body from being lifted out of the channel. A rear piece (14) is removably mounted at the rear end of the channel such that a stop or abutment (11) limits rearward movement of the binding body (2). To facilitate cleaning and storage, a projection (17) on a resilient tongue (18) of the rear end piece (14) is depressed to disengage the rear end piece from an intermediate piece (13) to which the slide channel is mounted. Disengaging the rear end piece (14) permits it to be removed, which, in turn, permits the binding portion to be slid out of the end of the channel and removed.

Abstract: A snowboard binding system comprising at least one movable engaging member that, when engaged, secures a snowboarder's boot from vertical or horizontal movement. In one embodiment, the binding system has two active sides, allowing a snowboarder to engage the binding by stepping downwardly onto the binding mechanism, thus reversibly forcing tensioned engaging members between an extended and a retracted position and back to an extended position, thereby securing the snowboarder's boot to the upper surface of a snowboard. A preferred embodiment utilizes positioning keys that properly orientate a snowboarder's boot into binding engagement. Other embodiments include snowboard boots having active binding mechanisms positioned on the boot itself, such mechanisms engageable with static members secured to the surface of a snowboard. One snowboard boot has a calf support member and a reversibly mounted high-back element, as well as a canting system for adjusting angular orientation of a snowboarder's foot position.

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: A release binding (20) is shown for releasably attaching a ski boot to a telemark or cross-country ski (22). A load spool (50) having a circumferential groove (56) is attached perpendicular to the bottom of a standard toe plate (24) used to secure the toe of the boot. A release plate (40) having a planar load spring (44) inside is attached to the ski. The load spring has two sides (62, 64) attached together at both ends forming an elongated aperture. To assemble the boot on the ski, the skier orients the load spool through a hole (48) in the top of the release plate into the elongated aperture of the spring and pushes down. A pilot surface (60) on the load spool pushes the two sides of the spring apart until the groove is reached whereupon the two spring sides snap into the groove retaining the toe plate on the ski.

Abstract: A device for connecting a sports boot intended to be attached to a glide board for snowboarding by at least one strap that includes a padding directed towards the boot, located in the instep zone. The padding of the strap includes an arrangement that distributes the tightening pressure exerted thereby on the instep, so as to obtain a central pressure corresponding to the zone of the big toe levator tendon, that is less than the lateral pressures exerted on either side thereof.

Abstract: An alpine binding element equipped with a detachable ski brake (22) comprising a base (23) removably assembled with the binding element. The latter comprises a latch/spring assembly mounted in the base (3) of the binding element or in the rail carrying the body of the binding element, and the brake base (23) having a part (35, 36) interlocking with the latch/spring assembly in such a way that it is retained by the latch, which is itself held in the locked position by the spring.

Abstract: A carrying apparatus for supporting a ski binding toe piece and heel piece on a ski, the carrying apparatus having a length-adjustable coupling member arranged between a front support member and a rear support member. The carrying apparatus is easily mountable to the ski and is adaptable to accommodate numerous ski boot sizes.

Abstract: Jaw-type binding consisting of two arms (5, 6) which are mounted in order to pivot independently and forming a lever acting on the end of a rod (12), the other end of which is connected to a stop (14) which is secured to the rod and is retained by a spring (16) whose preload can be adjusted by moving the stop, on which there is an index (15) cooperating with a graduation (22) on a plate (20). The front end of this plate bears elastically (24, 25) against the body (3) of the binding, so as to follow movement of the rod when the boot is engaged, in such a way that the display of the preload of the spring is not modified by the engagement of the boot.

Abstract: A snowboard binding for securing a snowboard boot to a snowboard, including a base adapted to receive the snowboard boot; a movable engagement member that is mounted to the base for movement between an open position and a closed position in which the engagement member is adapted to secure the boot in the binding; a handle mechanically coupled to the engagement member and adapted to move the engagement member from the closed position to the open position, the handle being movable between a first position corresponding to the engagement member being in the closed position and a second position corresponding to the engagement member being in the open position; and a visual indicator that is adapted to provide a visual indication that the engagement member is in the closed position.

Abstract: A mounting for a ski binding including a runner (1) attached to the ski and a plate (2) slidably mounted on the runner and provided with a latch (3) that may be released by means of a lever (6) pivotably mounted under the plate (2) and extending through an aperture (10) therein. The lever and/or the plate are provided with an aperture sealing means for at least approximately sealing said aperture at least when the binding is in its operative position. The sealing means consists of, e.g., a rigid portion (11) and a flexible portion (13) of the lever.