Abstract: Systems and methods for an exercise apparatus are provided and include a flexible elongated member, a binding apparatus, and a motor assembly. The binding apparatus is attached to the flexible elongated member and has a clamping mechanism configured to secure a shoe of a user of the exercise apparatus to the flexible elongated member. The motor assembly is disposed between the shoe and the flexible elongated member and is configured to cause the flexible elongated member to oscillate.

Abstract: A method and device are provided that allow a competent skier to train and/or assist a trainee downhill skier with the acquisition of basic downhill skiing techniques. The trainee skier is tethered to an uphill instructing skier by a pair of reins attached to the trainee at the ankles, ski tips, or to the ski tips via ski tip handles. The instructing skier has substantially independent control over each tethering point to assist or train the novice skier to execute turns, control speed, and promote proper balance and stance for the maneuver and terrain at hand. The method and device may also comprise the use of adjustable ski tip couplers that limit divergence, and optionally convergence, of the trainee's ski tips. Handicapped skiers may be assisted and guided in downhill skiing using this method and device.

Abstract: A combination device is featured for both tethering a snowboard to the boot of a user and for carrying a snowboard over the shoulder. The device has a retraction unit that houses a spring-wound strap within. The retractable unit has a flange for attaching the unit to one of the bindings of the snowboard. Screws are used to affix the flange, and hence the retraction unit, to the binding. The combination tether and carrying strap is easily accessible by pulling on the hooking latch, which is attached to the retractable strap.

Abstract: A snowboard binding and braking system and accompanying apparatuses which afford the user enhanced balance, control and snowboard braking ability. The system includes a foot securing member, in conjunction with a braking system. The instant apparatus also includes a brake control actuator and a braking arm to prevent the board from sliding away.

Abstract: A convenience-type tool-less manual quick release binding system is provided for directly mounting accessories and equipment, such as a video kit, thermos, storage container, first aid kit, portable radio or audio device, or other accessory, onto a snowboard via the snowboard binding. When binded, the accessory is secure from unwanted release caused by rigorous use but detachable with ease when desired providing fast on and off action. In one embodiment, ladder straps are attached to the snowboard binding, and the accessories attached to the ladder straps.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for maneuvering a snowboard includes a removable strap that straps around a boot that attaches to a board. The removable strap includes an upper strap portion, a lower strap portion, and a securing strap portion. The securing strap portion is positioned under the boot and is attached to the lower strap portion. The lower strap portion is strapped to the boot and the upper strap portion is strapped above the lower strap portion. Attached to an outward facing section of the upper strap portion is a first handle which has a semi-rigid loop portion. By pulling the loop portion, an end section of the board may be maneuvered. Attached to an inward facing section of the lower strap portion is a second handle for assisting in stabilizing the board and used as leverage in pulling up into a standing position.

Abstract: A snowboard tether device comprising a base and a dome. The base is affixed to a snowboard and comprises two finger grips, a thumb grip and a receiving area with a steel plate. The dome comprises a top part, a bottom part, a shaft, a spool with a cable and a spring, and an underside with one or more magnets. When the shaft is in a locked position, the toothed section of the shaft is engaged with both the tooth receiving area of the spool and the tooth receiving area of the bottom part of the dome. When the shaft is in an unlocked position, the toothed section of the shaft is engaged with the tooth receiving area of the bottom part of the dome but is not engaged with the tooth receiving area of the spool.

Abstract: A binding and boot engagement system for use with a snowboard having a step-in binding system is disclosed. The system has a flexible tether connectable at one end to the snowboard and at the other end to the user. When a user is in an elevated lift and has one boot removed from a binding, the user may apply an upward force to the tether, thereby causing the board to elevate. By positioning the free boot over the binding and applying the upward force, the boot is caused to engage with the binding. Features of the invention include having first and second portions of the tether wherein the first portion is generally non-stretchable and the second portion is resiliently connected to the user. In this configuration, a slight tension is usually present in the system, thereby decreasing the chances for unintentional engagement of the system with undesirable objects such as lift equipment or mountain hazards.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein relatively simple locking devices for sporting items such snowboards and the like. In one form of the locking device, the same includes a member which can be affixed to a binding of a snowboard, and includes a releasable cable which can be wrapped around a fixed or stationary object so as to secure the sporting item thereto for safe storage. In one embodiment, the cable is normally retained in a flanged section of a pad of the locking system, but can be released therefrom for attachment to the fixed or stationery object. In another embodiment, the cable can be retained around a boot binding assembly.

Abstract: A device is provided which secures one's leg and foot to a moving plane such as a skate board or ski board. The device comprises a first strap wrapped around the user's leg beneath the knee and above the calf. A second strap attached to the first strap and removably attached to the moving plane. Means are provided to hold the second strap in tension and to connect the second strap to the board.

Abstract: A leash arrangement attachable to the binding of a snow gliding device or directly to the device and having a leash tube extending up along the user's leg with a strap at the top to hold the leash tube at a position accessible to the user. A shock cord is threaded inside the leash tube. One end of the shock cord is attached to the binding or device and the other end has a handle which may be mounted by a snap to the leg strap. Upon sitting on a lift chair, the user pulls on the handle thereby elongating the shock cord. The handle is then placed under the thigh of the user to provide affirmative hoisting of the snow gliding device during the chair lift ride. If the user is wearing ridged high top boots, the leash tube may be eliminated and a hasp eye mounted on the leg strap as a guide for the shock cord. A folded deployable edge guard may be mounted on the shock cord between the hasp eye and the handle which rests under the shock cord as it engages the edge of the seat on the chair lift.

Abstract: A binding device, for binding a shoe on a sports implement, particularly a snowboard, is constituted by a central body having two bands of different length or arranged on different planes.

Abstract: A device for retaining a ski which has become detached in powder or deep snow. The device comprises a strap that links a ski boot to a winding apparatus mounted on the ski. The winding apparatus comprises two units each of which includes a spring positioned adjacent to a bearing unit. An elongated pin extends between the two units and the strap winds around the pin in the space between the two units. The bearing unit has an aperture extending through it and the pin extends through the aperture. Each end of the pin is attached to one of the springs.

Abstract: A combined tether and support for a snowboard includes an adjustable support strap that is releasably connected at its upper end to a harness worn on the body of the user and releasably connected at its lower end to a snowboard to support the weight of the snowboard when the user is riding a chair lift. A short tether extends between the support strap and a lower leg portion of the user to tether the snowboard to the user when the snowboard is being ridden. Adjustment of the length of the support strap enables the user to ride the snowboard normally when the strap is lengthened, and supports the weight of the snowboard when the strap is shortened and the user is sitting on a chair lift. Quick-connect couplings are provided between the support strap, snowboard and harness.

Abstract: The heel holding device has a non-stretching tension member which is movable in every direction and constructed in the manner of a ribbon. The tension member is fastened at the ski by one end and can be fastened with its other end at a peg at the heel of the boot by means of a clamp. The tension member can be detached voluntarily by means of this clamp and can be pulled off the peg when a tensile force acts substantially in the direction of the boot sole. Two parts of a connecting piece are adjustably fastened to the tension member at a distance relative to one another. The two parts form a connecting piece which is constructed in the manner of a push button. A loop of the tension member remains in the closed state of the connecting piece, which loop leads to a lengthening of the tension member after the connecting piece is loosened when acted upon by increased tensile force, so that the boot heel can be lifted farther from the ski.

Abstract: A ski retrieval apparatus for mounting on a snow ski boot and attaching to the ski or ski binding for locating the ski when the skier falls and the ski is dislodged from the binding. The ski retrieval apparatus includes a housing fitted with a drum which receives a length of line, the free end of which extends from the housing and is attached to the binding or ski when the housing is secured to a ski boot. In one embodiment a winding knob projects from the spool and when the ski is dislodged from the boot, the line extends from the housing by rotation of the spool to link the skier with the lost ski. Retrieval of the ski is effected by manually winding the line back on the spool and pulling the ski to the skier. In another embodiment an automatic winding apparatus includes a spring-loaded ratchet which operates such that line is paid out from the housing against spring tension and may be rewound on the rotating drum or spool by releasing the ratchet mechanism and applying spring bias to the spool.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a surf board leash device and method that prevents the leash (line) between the surfer's ankle to the surf board from getting tangled up with the surfer's feet. This surf board leash device and method uses a clip on device containing "VELCRO" members as part of a belt clip to allow the leash line to break away from the surfer's waist during a fall or "wipe out" from the surfer's ankle, when the surfer starts to fall off the surf board. In addition, the surfer will be able to surf longer with a higher degree of safety because of not worrying about the surf board leash getting caught between their feet. Thus, the surfer's attention and concentration will be directed at making the ride on the surf board last as long as possible. Furthermore, this new surf board leash device will not cause any damage to the surfer's swimsuit as the leash will breakaway from the swimsuit belt clip when the surfer falls.

Abstract: A snowboard release binding consists of a boot holding plate which has vallate indents to engage a nipple in the release unit. As the boot holding plate is placed over the release unit, the nipple is depressed which allows the boot holding plate to be secured to the release unit. When the boot holding plate is twisted, turned or lifted in any of twelve angles of release, wall extensions around the vallate indent force the nipple to retract, thus freeing the rider's first foot from the snowboard. The second foot is similarly and instantaneously released, preventing injury by releasing the feet before damaging stresses can be applied to the legs and structure of a rider. A ski brake is also developed to prevent further travel of the snowboard, and when used in conjunction with a self-containing strap, will prevent injury to the rider and other skiers or snowboarders in the immediate area.

Abstract: A long colored ribbon streamer is bundled preferably in zig-zag fashion in and transversely of the length of an envelope adapted to be releasibly fastened to an upper surface of a ski when skiing in deep powder snow. An end of the streamer is adapted to be fastened to the ski when skiing in the deep powder, while the envelope itself is adapted to be fastened to the skier usually through his or her ski boot. A fall in the snow that releases the ski boot and skier from the ski will cause the streamer to trail the ski at the surface of the snow that covers the ski, thereby revealing the ski's location to the skier.

Abstract: A snowboard has two bindings for two boots (21) with the bindings being arranged at a substantial angle to the longitudinal axis (45). Each binding includes a board plate (17) secured to the board (11) and a boot plate (21) whic=h is fixedly connectable to the boot (31). Both plates (17, 21) are drawn into firm contact with one another by resilient tensioning devices (24, 25, 26, 27) which are substantially centrally arranged in the front and the rear regions. The resilience of the resilient tensioning devices is so dimensioned that with excessive loadings of the legs of the user the boot plate (21) can turn relative to the board plate (17) to the side, to the front and to the rear and also about a vertical axis (33).

Abstract: The safety strap of the invention includes a fastener which is secured to a snowboard, and a length of cable, having a loop at each end thereof. One of the loops is secured to the fastener while the other end has an attachment device secured to it. A leg strap is worn by a snowboard user. The strap is secured about the user's leg and has a connection thereon for receiving the attachment device at the other end of the cable.

Abstract: A ski locator device is provided which comprises a tether having one end attached to the ski and the other attached to a compliant dome member in engagement with a portion of the outer surface of a brightly-colored foam ball. The foam ball is compacted and inserted into a pouch which is attached either to the skier's leg or to his boot. Upon detachment of the ski from the skier's foot, the foam ball is pulled through an elasticized opening in the pouch and can thus be readily seen, thereby assisting in locating the ski.

Abstract: A ski locator device is provided which comprises a tether having one end attached to the ski and the other attached to a brightly-colored foam ball. The foam ball is compacted and inserted into a zippered pouch which is attached either to the skier's leg or to his boot. Upon detachment of the ski from the skier's foot, the foam ball is pulled through the aperture in the pouch and can be readily seen, thereby assisting in locating the ski.

Abstract: A retractable ski leash device for mounting on a ski employing a dual purpose lock wherein the lock comprises a clasp attached to the end of the leash for surrounding the boot of the skier and clamping back on the line and when the ski is not in use, may be used for surrounding a post, rack or the like, and then engaged with the housing of the device for locking the clasp to the housing.

Abstract: A safety ski binding has a connecting member which can releasably engage the ski shoe during chair-lift travel to prevent loss of the ski should the ski binding inadvertently release. The connecting member is U-shaped, has its bight pivotally supported on the ski binding, and has two legs which converge inwardly toward each other. The free ends of the legs are bent inwardly and extend toward each other. A stepping plate is provided below the ski shoe sole and aligned receiving openings are provided on opposite sides of the shoe sole and the stepping plate. The connecting member is pivotal about its bight between an engaged position and a disengaged position in which the free ends of the legs are respectively disposed in the receiving openings in the ski shoe sole and the stepping plate.

Abstract: A structure for securing one end of a safety strap to a ski or to a component fixedly mounted on the ski. The other end of the safety strap is presumed to be secured to the skier by any conventional means. The structure by which the safety strap is secured to the ski structure enables the strap to hold the ski to the skier should the ski become disconnected from the skier while travelling on a chairlift or at slow speeds. However, this same structure will facilitate a release of the strap from engagement with the ski structure should the ski be pulled away from the skier with a sufficient magnitude of force, such as will occur during falls at high speeds. The thereafter released ski will be stopped by, for example, a ski brake mechanism mounted on the ski.

Abstract: A structure for securing one end of a safety strap to a ski or to a component fixedly mounted on the ski. The other end of the safety strap is presumed to be secured to the skier by any conventional means. The structure by which the safety strap is secured to the ski structure enables the strap to hold the ski to the skier should the ski become disconnected from the skier while travelling on a chairlift or at slow speeds. However, this same structure will facilitate a release of the strap from engagement with the ski structure should the ski be pulled away from the skier with a sufficient magnitude of force, such as will occur during falls at high speeds. The thereafter released ski will be stopped by, for example, a ski brake mechanism mounted on the ski.

Abstract: A structure for securing one end of a safety strap to a ski or to a component fixedly mounted on the ski. The other end of the safety strap is presumed to be secured to the skier by any conventional means. The structure by which the safety strap is secured to the ski structure enables the strap to hold the ski to the skier should the ski become disconnected from the skier while travelling on a chairlift or at slow speeds. However, this same structure will facilitate a release of the strap from engagement with the ski structure should the ski be pulled away from the skier with a sufficient magnitude of force, such as will occur during falls at high speeds. The thereafter released ski will be stopped by, for example, a ski brake mechanism mounted on the ski.

Abstract: A structure for securing one end of a safety strap to a ski or a component fixedly mounted on the ski. The other end of the safety strap is presumed to be secured to the skier by any conventional means. The structure by which the safety strap is secured to the ski structure enables the strap to hold the ski to the skier should the ski become disconnected from the skier while travelling on a chairlift or at slow speeds. However, this same structure will facilitate a release of the strap from engagement with the ski structure should the ski be pulled away from the skier with a sufficient magnitude of force, such as will occur during falls at high speeds. The thereafter released ski will be stopped by, for example, a ski brake mechanism mounted on the ski.

Abstract: A combined ski locking device and safety strap assembly that includes a riser strap affixed to the ski, a loop strap that is arranged to be closed about the skier's leg by any conventional fastener means, and a lock that cojoins the riser strap and the loop strap. In assembly, the loop strap is received in close sliding relationship within the lock and contains a pair of stop members that are spaced apart along its length to limit the extent of travel afforded the strap within the lock. A link is also secured to one end of the strap that can be united with the shackle of the lock. In practice, when used as a security device, the loop strap is first pulled to a fully extended position in the lock and the extended strap passed through the ski equipment and around a fixed object. The link is then clasped in the lock to secure the equipment.

Abstract: A safety strap storage construction wherein a base plate is secured to the ski and a support plate is releasably coupled to the base plate. A ski boot is adapted to be mounted onto the support plate and remains in engagement with the ski boot during a release of the ski boot from engagement with the ski. A safety strap is provided in a cavity between the base plate and the support plate and is secured at one end thereof to the base plate and at the other end thereof to the support plate. A safety strap tensioning construction is mounted on the base plate to keep the safety strap taut while stored in the cavity between the base plate and the support plate. The mechanism for maintaining the safety strap in a taut condition can be a shiftable disk resiliently biassed to maintain the safety strap wound therearound in a taut condition or a plurality of clips or the like can be fixedly attached to the base plate with the safety strap being threaded therearound.

Abstract: A cable is connected at one end to the skiing boot and at the other end to the ski. Detent elements are provided to hold the skiing boot in skiing position on the ski. A mounting fixture is secured to the ski approximately in the middle portion thereof and is connected to the cable. A tensioner is connected to the cable and causes the latter to hold the detent elements in engagement with each other. A single detent device is provided, which comprises a one-base or two-base segment of a sphere or ellipsoid and a mating cap. The cable extends at the center of one detent element and through the center of the other detent element. The tensioner always loads the cable, in a manner known per se. Where the detent device comprises a segment of a sphere, said segment has at least one protection and the cap has a mating interior recess.

Abstract: A baseplate is mounted on the upper surface of the ski adjacent to the heel of the skiing boot and extends normally in the longitudinal direction of the ski and is rotatable on a vertical axis against a preferably adjustable resistance. A boot carrier is hinged to the baseplate at the forward end of the latter and holds the skiing boot so that the latter is only arbitrarily detachable. The rear end of the boot carrier is lifted from the baseplate against a preferably adjustable resistance. The boot carrier comprises a frame and extends across the baseplate adjacent to the skiing boot. The forward end member of the frame constitutes a hinge pin, which is rotatably mounted on the baseplate. The rear ends of the baseplate and boot carrier are connected by a spring-loaded tension cable and winder assembly.

Abstract: A ski binding having a boot attachment member connected to a ski mounting means by tensioned cables provides two modes of angular displacement, one mode of vertical displacement, and a safety release mode. The tensioned cables lead from guide means in one member to anchor points angularly spaced around a pivot means, the anchor points and the corresponding guide means being radially spaced from the circumference of the pivot means so that each tensioned cable leads in a straight line from its anchor point to its guide means throughout a predetermined angular displacement sector of the boot attachment member with respect to the ski mounting means. In this initial angular displacement sector, the resisting counter-torque is substantially constant. Subsequently, counter-torque increases with further angular displacement until safety release of the skier's boot from the boot attachment member occurs.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for adjusting the effective length of the cable in a ski binding having a sole plate releasably secured to a ski by means of at least one tensioned cable. The adjustment mechanism comprises a rotatable support mounted on the ski to which an end of the cable is secured. The rotatable support includes a ratchet and pawl arrangement whereby the position of the end of the cable may be manually regulated.

Abstract: A safety ski binding which includes a cable interconnecting a ski boot or plate attached to a ski boot with the ski. A restoring spring is provided which forces the cable toward a position holding the ski boot in an in-use skiing position on the ski, while permitting relative movement of the boot and ski and consequent extension of the cable. To prevent serious injuries in the case of full extension of the cable, the cable is disconnected, thereby fully separating the ski and boot. In preferred embodiments, a ski brake is provided to brake the separated ski.

Abstract: A buckle device for a safety strap for use with skis. The buckle device is comprised of a housing having a cavity therein and a slotlike opening providing communication to the cavity. The upper wall of the cavity is defined by a resilient tab having a push button or the like thereon to facilitate a flexing of the tab downwardly into the cavity. A catch part having generally the thickness corresponding to the width of the slotlike opening in the housing is adapted to be slid through the slotlike opening in the housing so that the free end of the catch part becomes positioned within the cavity in the housing. The catch part has a flexible tab thereon forming a barb or hook which, upon entry into the cavity, will engage a projection in the cavity to prevent a removal of the catch part from the cavity. A depressing of the push button will effect an engagement between the upper wall of the cavity and the barb or hook to locate the barb or hook in alignment with the slotlike opening.

Abstract: A ski binding comprises a sole plate fixable under a boot sole, each end of the sole plate being held on a ski by a flexible cable under the action of a single tensioning device lodged in the sole plate. The cable passes about pulleys of said device, at least one of the pulleys being movable against the action of spring means to allow separation of the sole plate from the ski by withdrawal of cable.

Abstract: In a releasable ski binding of the type wherein a sole-plate is operatively connected to the ski by means of at least one cable tensioned by a return mechanism within the sole-plate, a winding support having two diameters intersects one end of the cable within the sole-plate so that, on release, the section of cable extending from the return mechanism winds on the periphery of the area of the winding support of smaller diameter while the section of cable connected to the ski simultaneously unwinds from the periphery of area of the support having the larger diameter.

Abstract: In a releaseable skin binding of the type wherein a sole-plate is operatively connected to the ski by means of at least one tensioned cable, there is provided a cable anchor mounted to the ski which includes a lost-motion connection.

Abstract: A retractable ski binding for retaining a ski boot in normal skiing relationship on a ski, which yieldably permits separation of the boot and ski responsive to the application of abnormal forces and which has an automatic boot-to-ski return capability. A soleplate arranged for detachably mounting the ski boot is connected to the ski by an elongated, elastic leash that stretches to permit their separation and elastically contracts to draw them back together. Rigid links on the terminal ends of the leash form portions of the force-applying link between the boot and ski and engage cooperating structure on the soleplate in such a manner that the effective retention force between the boot and ski is higher when they are in close proximity to one another than when they have separated.

Abstract: A runaway binding device for a ski utilizing strap means for substantially surrounding the leg of the user. The first and second ends of the strap means secures to latch means, the first end being freed upon exertion of pressure on an ear portion of the latch means. Connecting means holds the strap means and attached latch means to the ski.

Abstract: A pair of claws is held together in retracted position on top of the ski by a detachable spring clip on a safety strap connected to the ski boot. In an uncontrolled fall, the ski bindings release the ski which then exerts a strong pull on the safety strap, detaching the clip from the claws. The claws then swing apart laterally over the edges of the ski and into braking positions underneath the ski to prevent sliding of the release ski on the snow. Upon release of the ski bindings in a mild fall, or accidentally while riding up the ski slope on a chair lift, the released ski exerts a lesser pull on the safety strap which is insufficient to detach the spring clip, causing the ski to remain tethered to the skier's leg.

Abstract: A safety ski binding has a hollow hole plate of uniform thickness removably fixable under a boot sole. The ends of the sole plate are each retained on a ski by a respective flexible cable held under tension by respective spiral-spring winders both housed within the sole plate.

Abstract: A ski binding comprises a sole plate fixable under a boot sole, each end of the sole plate being held on a ski by a flexible cable under the action of a single tensioning device lodged in the sole plate. The cable passes about pulleys of said device, at least one of the pulleys being movable against the action of spring means to allow separation of the sole plate from the ski by withdrawal of cable.

Abstract: A safety binding for ski boots comprising: a first holding element, mobile in relation to a ski about a vertical axis, for retaining one end of the boot; a second holding element, releasable under the action of an abnormally high vertical load, for retaining the other end of the boot; a connecting element for connecting the boot to the ski, comprising a resilient element restoring the boot to its axial position upon the ski. One end of this connecting element is secured to the ski by means of the mobile element. The binding has the special advantage of allowing the binding to release under the action of a lateral load, while keeping the boot permanently connected to the ski.

Abstract: In a safety ski-binding connecting a ski boot to the sole plate of a ski or directly on a ski by means of two cable controls which can each be pulled out to a limited extent against the force of a spring, retaining means are provided in association with each cable control to prevent automatic resetting of the cable control after the latter has been extended during a fall. The retaining means are only deliberately releasable and may comprise a ratchet wheel connected to the cable drum to rotate therewith and a pawl associated with the ratchet for normally preventing the drum from turning back.

Abstract: In a safety ski-binding for connecting a ski boot directly to a ski or over a sole plate of the ski by means of an extensible cable near each of the front and back of the boot, extension of the cable being resiliently opposed by the spring of a cable drum and the cable being only deliberately detachable from the boot or sole plate, the boot or sole plate is held to the ski against vertical as well as horizontal motion by two latching devices each comprising a catch member on the ski or on the boot or sole plate and a latch member movable with respect to the catch member and biased into engagement therewith by the cable.

Abstract: A safety ski binding comprises a sole grip pivoted on an end of a sole-supporting plate elastically connected to the ski by a flexible cable tensioned by a spring winder incorporated in the plate. A device for automatically opening the sole grip, after removal of the sole grip from the ski by withdrawal of the cable but before the cable is fully withdrawn, comprises a projection on the winder which actuates a lever to pull or push a transmission member which either disengages a bolt retaining the heel grip, or directly tips the grip open against the action of a biasing spring.

Abstract: The specification discloses a strap assembly for stabilizing, supporting, and providing greatly improved control and maneuvering for a skier skiing downhill terrain on cross-country skis as well as other skis without bindings which hold a ski boot in a rigid, fixed position on a ski. The assembly includes a nonstretchable strap for connection between the skier's leg and the front area of the ski ahead of the binding. A selectively connectable elastic strap section is included along the length of the nonstretchable strap to allow full, unhindered motion of the skier's leg for traversing level and uphill terrain on cross-country skis.