Abstract:
A snowboard boot and binding system is disclosed which facilitates the engagement and disengagement of a snowboard boot and binding. The snowboard boot may include a boot engagement member extending from a rear of the boot. The boot engagement member is moved downwardly into a corresponding binding engagement member to provide an arrangement which prevents forward movement of the boot. The boot engagement member also may include one or more serrations to engage with one or more pawls on the binding to prevent upward movement of the boot. A snap-in arrangement may be provided in a boot toe region. The boot has protrusions extending outwardly from each side of the boot to engage with catches on the binding sidewalls. As the boot is pressed downwardly into the binding, the protrusions splay the catches until reaching recesses, at which point the catches rebound to capture the protrusions against upward movement.
Abstract:
There is provided a boot attachment for attaching a boot to a ski. The boot has an ankle portion and a foot portion. The boot attachment has a base having a toe binding and a heel binding, a boot receiver with a lower portion and an upper portion, a pivot connecting the boot receiver to the base, and a pivot lock that selectively locks the pivot. In use the lower portion retains the foot portion of the boot, and the upper portion retains the ankle portion of the boot, and movement of the receiver about the pivot causes the upper portion of the boot receiver to move away from the base.
Abstract:
An exoskeleton (E) for connecting footwear to sporting equipment. The exoskeleton has an underfoot base (7), an ankle cuff (3) connected to a heel portion of the underfoot base, a first restraining brace (2a) having an anterior end connected to the medial side of a forefoot portion of the underfoot base (7), and extending rearwardly and diagonally at least to the lateral side of the ankle cuff, and a second restraining brace (2b) having an anterior end connected to the lateral side of the forefoot portion of the underfoot base (7), and extending rearwardly and diagonally at least to the medial side of the ankle cuff. The first and second restraining braces (2a, 2b) are configured such that when an item of footwear is enclosed by the exoskeleton (E), the restraining braces extend over and support a portion of the item of footwear.
Abstract:
A rear entry snowboard binding (2) comprising a leg support (3) which is pivotably hinged on a binding base plate (5) on the right side and on the left side which can be swivelled between a rear entry position in which a boot to be accommodated in the snowboard binding (2) can be inserted from back to front into the snowboard binding (2), and a front travel position, wherein locking means are provided for blocking the leg support (3) in the travel position, which comprise a locking lever (6) pivotably hinged on the rear side of the leg support (3), wherein at least in the travel position relative to a centre plane (11) of the binding (2) which runs in the longitudinal direction of the binding base plate (5) and stands vertically on the binding base plate (5) centrally between the two lateral hinge points (9) of the leg support (3), the leg support (3) projects further outwards to a first side (12R) than to the opposite second side (12L), and wherein the locking lever (6) hinged pivotably on the rear side of the leg support (3) extends with a free activation region (14) laterally away from the leg support (3).
Abstract:
An attachment that when added to a hard shelled snowboard binding converts the binding to a semi step-in binding. The step-in binding allows the rider to exit the ski lift chair with complete control because the rear boot can be placed and held in the rear binding rather than on the stomp pad which is normal in snowboarding. The rider can lift their heel and step out of the rear binding when reaching the bottom of the incline and use the freed foot to push away from the drop off point. Stepping into and locking the binding down is greatly facilitated when the rider is ready to make a run.
Abstract:
An improved boot for snowboarding. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a generally resilient upper boot portion mounted to a generally rigid lower boot portion. The lower boot portion extends substantially upwardly from the sole, over the foot, and ends proximate to the tarsal bone of the lower ankle. A calf support member is mounted at the heel of the boot and relatively perpendicular thereto. A lip extends from the toe and heel of the boot lower portion. Upon cooperation of the lip with plate bindings on a snowboard, the boot is releasably secured thereto.
Abstract:
An active high back system is provided for automatically adjusting the snowboard boot between a walking position and a riding position. The snowboard boot is provided with an active highback support that is adjustably mounted to a snowboard boot. During walking, the active highback support does not constrain the flexibility of the snowboard boot making it possible for the snowboard rider to walk easily. When the rider steps into the bindings of the snowboard, the active highback support engages a part of the snowboard or binding that causes the snowboard boot to lean forward. In other words, the highback support is positioned to engage the back leg portion of a snowboard boot to provide a rigid surface that holds the boot in a forward leaning position. The active highback support is provided with an adjustment mechanism that allows the rider to adjust the amount of forward lean when the snowboard boot is engaged within the bindings of the snowboard.
Abstract:
The binding features a riser 9 as shown in FIGS. 3, 4A and 4B. A thickness of riser 9 is of a measurement which will elevate base plate 2 above snowboard 4 sufficient to permit snowboard 4 to flex beneath and about base plate 2 without snowboard 4 top surface 6 contacting base plate 2 while a rider is maneuvering snowboard 4. Accordingly, the riser 9 of the binding minimizes, if not eliminates, the flattened apex of the flex arc of a snowboard which occurs with standard bindings, and, therefore, permits a rider to achieve a smoother ride and the more precise carves and turns which occur when the snowboard flexes along its complete and natural flex arc.Bail 53 of the binding as shown in FIG. 7 is a rod which is "U" shaped. The "U" bends 41 at about a forty-five degree angle at a midpoint of each of a stem of the "U", as more clearly shown in side view in FIG. 7. The stems of bail 53 are, preferably, threaded to threadingly engage with threads of threaded hole 66 of lug 51. With such a bail 53 and lug 51 configuration, the stresses incurred during use of a snowboard are absorbed, dampened and withstood by a strong stress point of a lug 51 and bail 53 assembly of the binding.
Abstract:
An improved boot for snowboarding. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a generally resilient upper boot portion mounted to a generally rigid lower boot portion. The lower boot portion extends substantially upwardly from the sole, over the foot, and ends proximate to the tarsal bone of the lower ankle. A calf support member is mounted at the heel of the boot and relatively perpendicular thereto. A lip extends from the toe and heel of the boot lower portion. Upon cooperation of the lip with plate bindings on a snowboard, the boot is releasably secured thereto.
Abstract:
A binding apparatus for a pair of boots of a skier on a snow-sliding board, such as a surf board or a monoski. The apparatus includes a front and rear passive type of binding assemblies, not including individual elastic biasing mechanisms. The binding assemblies are linked to one another via a common energizing mechanism placed between the two assemblies and include, in a central part of the mechanism, an energizing mechanism which is connected, via flexible linking devices, to movable parts of the individual binding assemblies, which include the retention jaws for the skier's boots.