Abstract: A snowboard binding for securing a snowboard boot to a snowboard that includes a rigid baseplate, a strap, and an isolation member. The rigid baseplate includes sidewalls and a heel loop extending upwardly therefrom. The baseplate is adapted for attachment to the snowboard and includes a plurality of isolation apertures extending therethrough. A disk aperture is also provided for receiving an attachment disk for fastening the baseplate to the snowboard. The strap is connected to the sidewalls of the baseplate for releasably securing the boot to the binding. The isolation member is formed from a unitary substantially elastic, rubbery material. The isolation member extends beneath the baseplate to substantially isolate the baseplate from the snowboard. The isolation member has a plurality of upward projections extending through the isolation apertures in the baseplate. The upward projections have T-shaped cross sections with head and neck portions.

Abstract: A wakeboard binding which includes a single piece, adjustable, binding overlay elastomeric sheet material, with a pair of spaced apart extended arms, the binding adapted to be secured over the top surface of a heel and toe receptacle which form a boot-like enclosure.

Abstract: A semi-rigid boot and releasable binding system for use on water skis. The semi-rigid boot provides lateral support to the ankle and lower leg of the water skier but allows the required flexibility in the fore/aft directions. The boots are non-releasably attached to the top surface of a plate. The bottom surface of the plate is provided with a hook and loop-type fastener surface. A mating surface of hook and loop-type fastener is attached to the upper surface of the ski. The plate is releasably secured to the water ski using the mating hook and loop-type fasteners on the bottom of the plate and the top of the water ski.

Abstract: A wakeboard binding having a boot or foot enclosure with a heel receptacle, the heel receptacle having an extended, central, pull-on strap secured to the exterior of the heel receptacle material, with the extended strap forming an upper pull-on loop, an intermediate load transfer loop, and a lower anchor loop to be secured to a support plate.

Abstract: A binding system for snow boards, including a pair of parallel strips along each edge of the board including opposing grooves and a frame element adjustably mounted between the strips secured within the grooves such that both the relative angle and the position along the length of the board may be varied. The securement elements for the boot holding straps are adjustable along the side of the frame to accommodate different boot sizes.

Abstract: Equipment for binding a skier to a water ski or skiboard, including two boot assemblies, and a releasable binding assembly mounted onto the ski or skiboard in order to bind these boot assemblies. Each boot assembly includes at least one flexible foot holder which covers all or part of the foot, ankle, and lower end of the leg, a lockable rigid supporting structure (30) covering all or part of the foot holder and having at least one sole with a heel, a metatarsal strap, an instep strap, an upper and portions for engaging the releasable binding assembly each binding assembly including two releasable rear safety abutments and forming a self-contained assembly for each boot assembly.

Abstract: A binding for snowboards constituted by a plate having side walls and a rear cuff. Straps are selectively associated transversely with respect to the side walls of the plate, to adjust the fit of a shoe arranged between the side walls.

Abstract: A binding that attaches a user's foot to a snowboard includes a footplate that is rotatably and continuously fixed to the snowboard and which is attached to the user's foot via straps and a rear support which contact a snowboot. An anchor fixes the footplate to the snowboard with the bottom of the footplate as close to the snowboard as possible whereby the bottom of a snowboarder's foot is as close to the plane of the snow as possible, and is slidably engaged with the footplate to permit that footplate to rotate while remaining attached to the snowboard. Anti-pivot spring pins located outside the outer perimeter of a user's snowboot accurately and repeatable secure the footplate to the snowboard once the footplate is in the selected angular orientation on the snowboard. A top plate includes a plurality of pin-receiving holes defined therein for receiving the spring pins.

Abstract: A reinforced shoe device. A shoe framework includes rigid side rails configured to reside adjacent opposing sides of the user's foot, intercoupled by at least one support rib extending upwardly from said rails so as to reside above the user's foot. An articulating toe brace is pivotally attached to the side rails and extends forwardly therefrom for supporting a front portion of the user's foot thereupon. A flexible sole is secured to the side rails, and flexible shoe walls are disposed upon the shoe framework such that the shoe walls, shoe framework and flexible sole cooperatively define an enclosure configured and dimensioned to receive at least the front portion of the user's foot thereinto. Retractable locking arms are pivotally attached to the side rails and are attachable to recreational devices such as swim fins or skis.

Abstract: A binding assembly for use with a recreation sport board, such as a ski-board, snow-board, or the like, wherein the binding assembly includes a binding having first and second mounting portions and a foot support extending therebetween. The first and second mounting portions being mountable at a first height relative to a top board surface of the board. The foot support has an elevated support plate that is supported by the first and second mounting portions at a second height relative to the top board surface. The second height is greater than the first height to define a tunnel under the elevated support portion. The elevated support portion securely supports the user's foot above the top board surface and moves toward the top board surface when an impact or shock load is exerted on the board, thereby dissipating shock exerted on the user's foot by the binding.

Abstract: A lightweight wake board binding having a thin bottom support plate. A heel receptacle and a top-of-the-foot retainer strap are secured to the top surface of the bottom support plate by a left and a right side plate stiffener member that substantially eliminates the flex in the bottom support plate produced by the person riding the wake board. The plate stiffeners have upstanding flanges adjacent their inner edges having elongated slots therein that receive a fastening strap for tightly securing the binding to the wearer's foot.

Abstract: A water ski having an elongated body of generally uniform thickness from its nose to its aft end, and including a body having a nose portion which inclines gradually upwardly, a forward body portion, and a rear body portion. The forward body portion has a width which is generally uniform and which is like that of a conventional water ski. The rear body portion extends rearwardly from the forward body portion and has side edges which diverge outwardly and rearwardly toward the rear end of the ski, with the width of the ski at its rear end being at least 150% of the width of the forward body portion. The longitudinal length of the rear body portion is from 25 to 75% of the length of the ski.

Abstract: The fastening for foot-loop straps of surfboards has fastening bars (6) placed on the board upper side in the board body at intervals, location holes (36) at equal intervals with an insertion slot (37), an undercut (38), and an upper side positioning nut (39) for the insertion of locking bars (40) each with a swivelling handle (41). The locking bars (40) are positioned so they can turn in fastening plates (42) and have a locking bar nose (44) matching the insertion slot (37) of the bores (36) in the fastening bars (6). By turning the locking bar (40), which is placed in a location hole (36) of the fastening bars (6) corresponding to one of the desired positions chosen for the foot-loop straps, the locking bar (40) interfits with the nose of the locking bar (44) like a bayonet catch with the undercut (38) of the location hole (36). The foot-loop straps can be fastened in the desired position on the surfboard and removed from the surfboard simply and quickly without using tools.

Abstract: A binding that attaches a user's foot to a snowboard includes a footplate that is rotatably and continuously fixed to the snowboard and which is attached to the user's foot via straps and a rear support which contact a snowboot. An anchor fixes the footplate to the snowboard with the bottom of the footplate as close to the snowboard as possible whereby the bottom of a snowboarder's foot is as close to the plane of the snow as possible, and is slidably engaged with the footplate to permit that footplate to rotate while remaining attached to the snowboard. Anti-pivot spring pins located outside the outer perimeter of a user's snowboot accurately and repeatably secure the footplate to the snowboard once the footplate is in the selected angular orientation on the snowboard.

Abstract: A binding assembly for use with a recreation sport board, such as a ski-board, snow-board, or the like, wherein the binding assembly includes a binding having first and second mounting portions and a foot support extending therebetween. The first and second mounting portions being mountable at a first height relative to a top board surface of the board. The foot support has an elevated support plate that is supported by the first and second mounting portions at a second height relative to the top board surface. The second height is greater than the first height to define a tunnel under the elevated support portion. The elevated support portion securely supports the user's foot above the top board surface and moves toward the top board surface when an impact or shock load is exerted on the board, thereby dissipating shock exerted on the user's foot by the binding.

Abstract: Padding for use with snowboard bindings that alleviate or reduce slippage of the boot when the boot is in the bindings. The padding comprises a structure 10 further comprising a first member 20 having a top side 12 and a bottom side 14 and a second member 22 having a top side 12 and a bottom side 14. The top side 12 is smooth or flat. In other preferred embodiments, the top side 12 is contoured. Further, in some preferred embodiments, the top side 12 has a logo or emblem. The bottom side 14 has an adhesive back.

Abstract: A binding for two feet in tandem on one ski that includes a boot for holding the front foot having a detachable toe holder and keeper means secured to the ski between the two feet for holding the forward boot heel. A further engageable member for the rear foot holds the keeper means for the heel of the forward boot when the rear foot is in position on the ski and releases the keeper means to free the forward boot heel should the rear foot be removed from the ski.

Abstract: A water ski has an automatic step-in binding which remains open while a skier is being pulled from the water and closes when the skier steps into the binding after being pulled from the water. The rear closure of the step-in binding pivots around an axis at the heel when the skier enters the binding, and is engaged by a latch which secures the rear closure in a closed position. Alternatively, the rear closure of the step-in binding includes a heelpiece which moves slidably along a track. The heelpiece is moved slidably along the track by a spring which is released when the skier steps into the binding by a trigger assembly and trigger lip.

Abstract: A binding for two feet in tandem on one ski that includes a boot for holding the front foot having a detachable toe holder and keeper member secured to the ski between the two feet for holding the forward boot heel. A further engageable member for the rear foot holds the keeper member for the heel of the forward boot when the rear foot is in position on the ski and releases the keeper member to free the forward boot heel should the rear foot be removed from the ski.

Abstract: The housing 156 has an elongated chamber 158 therein, which extends along a generally horizontal axis and has a port 160 at one end thereof, and another port 188 in the top thereof. A pin 140' is mounted in the chamber at the port 160 to be advanced and released relatively outwardly and inwardly of the housing along the axis when clamping and releasing the shoe. A coiled spring 168 is mounted in the chamber rearwardly of the pin, with a driver 170 interposed therebetween; and a lever 208 is pivotally mounted in the top port 188 of the housing on the chamber adjacent end portion of the pin, for rotation about a fulcrum 216 on the pin transverse the axis. Cam surfaces 178, 170 on the lower end portion 214 of the lever and the driver are cooperatively engaged with one another about the fulcrum to alternately compress and relax the spring, and advance and release the pin relatively outwardly and inwardly of the housing respectively, when the lever is rotated in the opposing angular directions about the fulcrum.

Abstract: A snowboard binding system having a binding plate, the bottom of which is supported on a snowboard. The plate includes a circular opening in its center which receives a disk shaped hold-down plate. The hold-down plate may be secured to the board in several different positions on the board with the binding plate assuming any rotational position with respect to the hold-down plate. Additionally, a highback support attached at the rear of the binding plate may be rotated along an axis generally normal to the binding plate (and therefore the board) and secured in its rotated position, to enable a rider to transmit forces to the snowboard from a variety of stance positions.

Abstract: A water ski with a short and broad ski body and having a forebody, midbody, and tail rocker and a top and bottom surface. Affixed to the top surface is foot binding having a right and left boot. The right and left boot are mounted on the right and left side respectively of the longitudinal centerline of the ski body by means of a binding plate which is adjustable either forward or rearward on the ski body. Just behind the heel clamp of the binding assembly is the transverse center of the stabilizing fin. The fin blade protrudes through a slot in the ski body downward through the ski body. The fin is affixed to the top surface of the ski body by the fin fixing flange. The bottom surface of the ski body has a bevel along the entire perimeter and a concave tunnel that begins at the tail and ends at the forbody. Between the bevel and concave tunnel is a flat rail the is generally parallel to the top surface of the ski body.

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

Abstract: A heel-binding device having an elastic member connected to two anchors which are connected to a sporting board directly, or indirectly via connections to a foot strap which is itself connected to said sporting board.

Abstract: A binding for a snowboard has a base, side members extending upwardly and rearwardly from the sides of the base, towards the back of the base, with an arcuate member joining the rear ends of the side members. Fastening means on one side member and on one side edge of the board at the front provide for attachment of one end of each of two straps. Fastening means on the other side member and on the other side edge serve for attachment of a locking bar which in turn connects the other end of each strap to the side member and base. Attachment means are provided in the base for attachment to a snowboard. A snowboard for use in conjunction with the binding has a forward attachment position which provides for attachment of a binding inclined in either direction as desired, that is forward and to the right or forward and to the left, as desired, at about 45.degree.. A rear attachment position provides for attachment of the binding transverse of the board.

Abstract: An adjustable release arrangement which can be added to existing footstraps on sailboards and the like. The existing footstrap nylon webbing is threaded through the metal tongue of the mechanism which engages a heavy spring latch in the mechanism box. The mechanism box is attached by nylon webbing to the buckle on the other end of the footstrap. The preferred method for adjusting the force required to pop open the footstrap is a thumbscrew which bears directly on the spring latch. The thumbscrew has markings corresponding to the release force and is prevented from inadvertent movement by means of a retaining arm. The entire mechanism is housed within the neoprene padding of the existing footstrap.

Abstract: A device for temporarily gripping the booted foot of a snowboard user to provide the user with steering control of the snowboard. The temporary foot gripping device of the present invention does not replace the traditional bindings on snowboards, rather it supplements the bindings to give the snowboard user a means of temporarily securing the foot yet providing for quick and easy release so the foot may be used to push off against the ground. The device is designed to be securely fastened to a snowboard. The device is most useful to snowboard users when they are traveling over level ground in a "push and glide" sequence of motions, when the snowboard user is queueing for and mounting a ski lift, and riding the ski lift.

Abstract: A binding for two feet in tandem on one ski that includes a boot for holding the forward foot having a detachable toe holder and a movable retainer secured to the ski between the two feet for holding the boot heel. A foot-engaging member for the rearward foot holds the retainer forward when the rearward foot is in position on the ski, and releases the retainer to free the boot should the rearward foot be removed from the ski.

Abstract: A binding for two feet in tandem on one ski that includes a boot for holding the front foot having a detachable toe holder and a movable retainer secured to the ski between the two feet for holding the boot heel. A foot-engageable member for the rear foot holds the retainer forward when the rear foot is in position on the ski, and releases the retainer to free the boot should the rear foot be removed from the ski.

Abstract: A water sports board (10) has a base (11) formed with rows of detent teeth (16) for locking engagement with the peripheral teeth (26) of binder plates (22), so that the binder plate may be angularly or longitudinally adjusted relative to the base. The board also has a pair of boots (21, 23) that are mounted to the binder plates and mounting assemblies for mounting the binder plates to the base.

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

Abstract: A safety device for the foot-holder of a sailboard or the like in which the foot-holder has a strap in the form of a loop fixed at one end on the sailboard. The other end of the strap is secured to a latch which can be engaged in a locking body with a first elasticity in a first predetermined direction and then locked in the locking body with a second elasticity in a second direction perpendicular to the first predetermined direction. The latch and locking body are so arranged that under the action of a pulling stress exerted on the latch in the second direction, the latch is unlocked in a direction to enlarge the loop while remaining engaged in the locking body. But under the action of a shearing stress exerted on the latch in the first direction, the latch is released from the locking body and opens the hoop.

Abstract: A sole plate in a water ski boot has a central upwardly flexible arch member and screw operated arch adjusting mechanisms at both sides which independently upwardly arch a respective side position of the arch member so that the boot can be adjusted for a right or left boot.

Abstract: A water ski binding includes: a flexible rear boot member for the rear part of the foot of the skier; a rear mounting structure for the boot member having wall surface structure which rises generally upwardly with respect to the top surface of the ski; and another rear mounting structure for the boot member, also having wall surface structure which rises generally upwardly with respect to the top surface of the ski, which slides relative to the first mounting structure in order to press the boot member between such wall surface structures and mount the boot member on the ski. The second mounting structure is formed to support the heel of the skier and the flexible boot member is formed to be held in position substantially solely through abutting wall surfaces of the mounting structures and boot member.

Abstract: A water-ski locator device is comprised of a buoyant body fixed in position on the top surface of the water-ski's toe piece by a number of straps. So positioned, the buoyant body does not create water drag while the ski is in use. The device is also particularly adapted to restore the body uppermost over the ski and to visibly project above the water's surface in the event the ski becomes detached, or is purposely left by the skier, and comes to rest in an upside down orientation, i.e., if the ski initially comes to rest, as a water-ski is otherwise often inclined to do, with its bottom surface floating on the water and its shoe piece facing downward.

Abstract: A water ski binding having slideable toe piece which has rearward extensions which are cam locked in place in tunnels in a fixed heel piece.

Abstract: An adjustable water ski binding includes an upper (18) composed of a toepiece (60) and a heelpiece (69) cooperatively defining a binding cavity (22) for receiving and restraining a foot. The lower perimeter portions of the toepiece (60) and heelpiece (69) are secured to a perimeter frame assembly (20). A pair of oppositely disposed straps (86), provided on binding upper (18), extend forwardly and then laterally across and down the sides of the toepiece (60) to define distal end portions (126). The end portions (126) of the straps (86) are fastened to the binding frame assembly (20) at selected locations along the strap end portion to selectively vary the size of the binding cavity (22).

Abstract: A monoski system includes a single ski having a conventional ski binding secured thereto and a boot receiver rearwardly of the ski binding. The boot receiver loosely receives the footwear of the skier and includes a boot supporting platform and a tapered section positioning the skier's rear boot in a forwardly inclined position. In one embodiment, the boot supporting platform is angularly adjustable about an upright axis to position the skier's rear boot at a small acute angle relative to the direction of intended travel. The inclination of the boot is adjustable by changing the tapered section.

Abstract: A slalom ski includes bindings for retaining a skier's feet in an overlapping tandum disposition. A rear foot binding for retaining the skier's rear foot includes a vamp. The front foot binding for retaining a skier's front foot includes a vamp and a heel member. The heel member supports the skier's front foot heel above the rear foot vamp and restrains it from rearward and upward movement. In the preferred embodiment, the position of the bindings fore and aft on the ski is adjustable. Also, the relative position of the vamps and heel pieces are adjustable.

Abstract: A removable stirrup for water skis adapted to be placed upon the top surface of the ski and to be removed therefrom with a minimum of effort. The removable stirrup comprises a rectangularly shaped flat surface base having a non-slip textured upper surface with a pair of padded straps rising up from upper surface, the straps adapted to receive the front portion of a skier's foot. Attached on opposite sides of the elongated rectangular base are downward extending cupped lips adapted to extend below the sides of the ski and inwardly on the bottom of the ski. A pair of compression screws reside in threads formed transversely through the flat base. The removable stirrup is slipped on to the ski from the front up-turned section by sliding the side edges of the ski between the oppositely located cupped lips to a position immediately forward the standard fixed boot attached to the ski.

Abstract: A water ski boot comprising an upper and a sole. The upper includes respective toe and heel portions and the sole extends forwardly on the toe portion to provide a platform like portion extending generally to match the width of the upper. At least one elongated aperture extends laterally of the sole to terminate adjacent the marginal edges thereof. The aperture is such that it provides a sliding-gripping engagement with an elongated abutment on a water ski, whereby the boot may be detachably and operably secured to the water ski.

Abstract: The instep and the heel retaining elastomeric parts of a water ski binder are each shaped with the underside having inwardly and upwardly extending projections. Each shaped part is then secured to a separate plate having recesses to match the projections and to secure the part to the plate. The plates, with mounted parts, are then secured to a base plate; with the plate holding one of the parts longitudinally adjustably with respect to the base plate.

Abstract: An in situ molded base assembly (17) for a water ski binding (40) includes a support pad (28) composed of particles of discontinuous microbeads and a liquid phase encapsulated in an envelope to form a layer of viscous, flowable pressure-compensating material. The support pad (28) is preformed into a shape corresponding to the bottom of a foot by placement of the foot on the support pad. The base assembly also includes a soleplate (24) of thermoforming material which is in situ molded by first heating the soleplate above its thermoforming temperature, placing the soleplate over the formed support pad (28) and then standing on the heated soleplate thereby causing the soleplate to conform to the shape of the underside of the foot and the top contour of the footpad and then removing the foot after the soleplate has cooled to a temperature below its thermoforming temperature.

Abstract: A slideable toe piece has rearward extensions which are cam locked in place in tunnels in the fixed heel piece.

Abstract: An adjustable water ski binding (10) is composed of an upper (18) secured substantially vertically between a laterally supportive, generally U-shaped internal frame (34) and a similarly shaped external frame (50) to form a foot-receiving binding cavity (22). A full length soleplate (24) underlies the internal frame (34) and includes a slot (108), allowing the width of soleplate (24) to be adjusted. A pair of rotation tabs (114) are secured to external frame (50) and include a plurality of adjustment holes (120) that allow tabs (114) to be additionally secured to a mounting plate (12). By selecting the proper pair of adjustment holes (120), the width of binding upper (18) can be increased or decreased. A pair of oppositely disposed strap portions (86), provided on binding upper (18), extend forwardly, overlapping the instep of binding upper (18).

Abstract: A water ski binding is shown which has a base plate mounted on an upper surface of the water ski. The base plate has a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface of the base plate is provided with a pair of tracks which are arranged in spaced-apart locations. A foot-receiving member is formed from a resilient material and has depending runners. The runners are received within and engage the tracks provided in the top surface of the base plate to thereby secure the foot-receiving member on the water ski.

Abstract: An adjustable water ski binding (10) is composed of an upper (18) secured substantially vertically between a laterally supportive, generally U-shaped internal frame (34) and a similarly shaped external frame (50) to form a foot-receiving binding cavity (22). A soleplate (24) underlies the internal frame (34) and includes a slot (108), allowing the width of soleplate (24) to be adjusted. A pair of rotatable tabs (114) are secured to external frame (50) and include a plurality of adjustment holes (120) that allow tabs (114) to be additionally secured to a mounting plate (12). By selecting the proper pair of adjustment holes (120), the width of binding upper (18) can be increased or decreased. A pair of oppositely disposed strap portions (86), provided on binding upper (18), extend forwardly, overlapping the instep of binding upper (18). End portions (126) of straps (86) are adjustably securable between the internal frame (34) and external frame (50) to selectively vary the size of binding cavity (22).

Abstract: A lock for a water ski binding includes upper and lower parts which are mounted on a stud which extends upwardly from the ski through a slot in the heel cup of the binding. The two lock parts have interengaging camming surfaces, and when the top part is rotated about the stud from an unlocked position to a locking position, the bottom part is forced downwardly to clamp the heel cup against the ski.

Abstract: A release arrangement for a sailboard footstrap (10) which has a female member (22) and a male member (74). The female member (22) is composed of two identical components (38,40) which locate together by means of pins (52,152) locating in apertures (154,54). Chamfered apertures (48,148) in resilient arm portions (46,146) of the female member (22) are adapted to receive and retain frusto-conical bosses (94,90) on the male member (74). The bosses (94,90) are located on a portion (82) of the male member (74), the sides (84,86) of which abut pins (52,152) when relative rotation of the members (22,74) about the engaged bosses and apertures (94,48; 90,148) occurs, the abutment serving to lever the bosses (94,90) from the apertures (48,148) at a predetermined magnitude of force exerted to cause rotation. The male (74) and female (22) members may also disengage at other predetermined magnitudes of forces exerted upon the arrangement in other directions.

Abstract: The ski comprises an elongated body member having an upwardly turned tip portion on one end of the body member, a tail portion on the other end of the body member, a lower gliding surface extending between the tip portion and the tail portion and an upper surface coextensive with the lower surface. The upper surface includes a raised portion at a predetermined location between the tip portion and the tail portion with this raised portion being integral with the remainder of the upper surface and being capable of supporting at least one foot of a skier.