Abstract: Connecting device between a lower shell and a cuff of a ski boot, the ski boot comprising a lower shell, a cuff and a connecting device between the lower shell and the cuff, the connecting device comprising: a connecting ring configured to guide the cuff in rotation relative to the lower shell, a locking element that is movable between a first position and a second position, the locking element being able to prevent the connecting ring from rotating relative to the locking element when it is in its first position, a retaining element configured to retain the locking element in its first position.

Abstract: A ski boot including a substantially rigid foot-case adapted to accommodate a user's foot, a substantially rigid cuff adapted to surround a lower part of the user's leg and being pivotally joined to the foot-case so as to be able to rotate about a reference axis substantially perpendicular to a midplane of the ski boot and a closing mechanism adapted to selectively close/tighten the on the user's foot. The closing mechanism may include a locking band, which extends transversally to the midplane of the ski boot having a first end firmly fixed to a first lateral side of the foot-case and a manually-operated coupling assembly adapted to connect a the second end of the locking band selectively and alternatively to the foot-case or to the cuff, at a second lateral side of the foot-case opposite to the first lateral side.

Abstract: A ski boot, including an outer boot (200) and an inner boot (100); the outer boot (100) comprise a sole (110) and a vamp (120), the sole (110) being integral; the vamp (120) includes a right side portion (122) of the vamp and a left side portion (123) of the vamp, the right side portion (122) of the vamp and the left side portion (123) of the vamp being hinged on the sole (110) such that the same may rotate relative to the sole (110) between an open state and a closed state; the outer boot (100) further includes a locking device (130) and a locking wire (140); the locking wire (140) surrounds the vamp (120) at a plurality of locations on the vamp (120), may be buried in the locking device (130) so as to keep the right side portion (122) of the vamp and the left side portion (123) of the vamp in the closed state, and may be released from the locking device (130) to allow the right side portion of the vamp (122) and the left side portion of the vamp (123) rotate to the open state.

Abstract: An active suspension orthotic support system is disclosed. The suspension orthotic support system comprises at least one variable resistance beam extending from a heel section to a mid-arch section of the footwear, wherein rotation of the variable resistance beam from a first position to a second position causes a resistance provided by the variable resistance beam to vary between a minimum resistance to a maximum resistance.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a tensioning mechanism operable to move the upper between a tightened state and a loosened state and including a tensioning cable having a first end disposed on one of a lateral side and a medial side of the upper. The tensioning cable is movable in a tightening direction to move the tightening mechanism into a tightened state and movable in a loosening direction to move the tightening mechanism into a loosened state. The article of footwear also includes a locking device disposed on the one of the lateral side and the medial side of the upper. The locking device is operable between a locked state restricting movement of the tensioning cable in the loosening direction and an unlocked state permitting movement of the tensioning cable in both the loosening direction and the tightening direction.

Abstract: An example sport boot includes at least one terminator provided in a cavity formed in a base of the sport boot. A first cable having a first end terminating in a first receptacle of the at least one terminator extends out of a first side of the base of the sport boot, around a foot portion of the sport boot and into a second side of the base of the sport boot. A second end of the first cable terminates in a second receptacle of the at least one terminator. A second cable having a first end terminating in a third receptacle of the at least one terminator extends out of a rear side of the base of the sport boot and is attached to a handle mounted on the rear (cuff) portion of the sport boot.

Abstract: A boot that includes a shell base and a collar, an articulation provided between the collar and the shell base, such that the collar can pivot with respect to the shell base about an articulation axis, which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and further including a device for blocking the rearward rotation of the collar with respect to the shell base, the devices for blocking the rearward rotation including the following: a rocker mounted so as to rotate with respect to either the collar or the shell base, around a first pivot, the pivot being oriented along a first axis and the rocker having an elongated shape between an upper end and a lower end, and the first pivot being positioned in the vicinity of one of the two ends; a support base, positioned in the vicinity of the other of the ends, including a first support surface, which is capable of coming in contact with either the shell base or the collar; and a lever mounted so as to rotate with respect to the rocker around a second pivo

Abstract: Gliding board equipment systems and individual components are disclosed herein. A gliding board equipment system of one embodiment includes a boot having an upper cuff and a lower boot. The upper cuff of the boot defines opposed slots, and a respective pin passes through each slot to couple the upper cuff to the lower boot and allow the upper cuff to move laterally relative to the lower boot. Means are included for selectively covering at least one portion of each slot to restrict movement of the upper cuff relative to the lower boot.

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 is disclosed. In one embodiment, a binding system having two active sides is disclosed, 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: A cross-country ski boot having a collar that is pivotally mounted by journals on an upper, and a device for retaining the collar that is active from a angular position and only in the front-to-rear direction by means of a fixed abutment located on the upper. The retaining device, located in the rear portion of the boot, includes a support mechanism that can be adjusted between two different positions with respect to the fixed abutment, one of the positions placing the support mechanism in cooperation with the latter and the other retracting it from the latter. The invention makes it possible to adapt a single type of cross-country ski boot for two different techniques such as the alternating step and the skating step.

Abstract: A rear support device having a rear support element, an abutment, and a mechanism for immobilizing the abutment with respect to the rear support element. The device includes a first wedge connected to the rear support element, and a second wedge connected to the abutment, at least one of the two wedges being movable to occupy at least two stable positions with respect to the piece to which it is connected, such that various portions of a wedge can be in contact with the other wedge.

Abstract: A tool-free system includes a tool-free forward-lean adjuster that securely positions a leg support member in a desired forward-lean position and a latch coupled to the forward-lean adjuster that secures the leg support member to the binding to prevent toe-edge travel. Quick and convenient adjustment of the forward-lean of the leg support member may be performed without the use of a separate tool. The latch may be latched and unlatched without disturbing the selected forward-lean adjustment because actuation of the latch occurs independently of actuation of the forward-lean adjuster.

Abstract: A three point step-in snowboard binding includes medial and lateral binding pin engagers that interact with corresponding pins in a boot. The binding latches the boot after the snowboarder steps into the binding, and remains latched until a release control is actuated.