A ski binding release system includes a spring that is releasably maintained in a first state using a pyrotechnic fastener. In the first state, a ski boot is secured in the ski binding. The pyrotechnic fastener is electrically coupled to an activation circuit. The activation circuit includes a battery, a plurality of sensors, a switch, and a controller. When the controller determines that the skier has fallen, the controller generates an output signal that transitions the switch from a disconnected state to a connected state. In the disconnected state, the pyrotechnic fastener is electrically disconnected from the battery. In the connected state, the pyrotechnic fastener is electrically connected to the battery. Electrical energy from the battery causes the pyrotechnical fastener to explode to transition the spring from the first state to a second state to release the ski boot from the ski binding.

Some aspects include a ski binding system using controllable electromagnets, alone or in combination with permanent magnets, as means of attaching or releasing a ski boot to a ski during use. Some aspects include a ski binding system using a controllable solenoid. In some aspects, microprocessor-based control releases binding electronically based on input from sensors located in binding, ski and/or boot, as well as in other equipment or clothing connected to them or to skier, or binding releases when a mechanical threshold is overcome. In some aspects, sensor data are recorded for analysis of system performance and for adjustment and improvement of system parameters based on data analytics.

Some aspects include a ski binding system using controllable electromagnets, alone or in combination with permanent magnets, as means of attaching or releasing a ski boot to a ski during use. Some aspects include a ski binding system using a controllable solenoid. In some aspects, microprocessor-based control releases binding electronically based on input from sensors located in binding, ski and/or boot, as well as in other equipment or clothing connected to them or to skier, or binding releases when a mechanical threshold is overcome. In some aspects, sensor data are recorded for analysis of system performance and for adjustment and improvement of system parameters based on data analytics.

Some aspects include a ski binding system using controllable electromagnets, alone or in combination with permanent magnets, as means of attaching or releasing a ski boot to a ski during use. Some aspects include a ski binding system using a controllable solenoid. In some aspects, microprocessor-based control releases binding electronically based on input from sensors located in binding, ski and/or boot, as well as in other equipment or clothing connected to them or to skier, or binding releases when a mechanical threshold is overcome. In some aspects, sensor data are recorded for analysis of system performance and for adjustment and improvement of system parameters based on data analytics.

In one example, a snowboard binding includes a retention and release assembly configured to be mounted to a snowboard, and including a manually operable retention mechanism. The snowboard binding further includes a boot interface portion configured to releasably engage the retention and release assembly, and the boot interface portion further configured to releasably retain a boot, and when the boot interface portion is fully engaged with the retention and release assembly, the boot interface portion is rotatable relative to the retention and release assembly.

An apparatus for charge-assisted release of a ski binding includes an explosive material, a battery, an electrical circuit, and a processor. The explosive material is mounted on or in a ski, a ski boot, and/or a ski binding. The apparatus also includes The electrical circuit extends from the explosive material to the battery, the electrical circuit including a switch having a connected state in which the battery and the explosive material are electrically connected through the switch and a disconnected state in which the battery and the explosive material are electrically disconnected. The processor is electrically coupled to the switch and configured to generate an output signal that transitions the switch from the disconnected state to the connected state in response to an input signal from one or more sensors.

In one example, a snowboard binding includes a retention and release assembly configured to be mounted to a snowboard, and further includes a retention mechanism operable by a wireless remote control. A boot interface portion of the snowboard binding is configured to releasably engage the retention and release assembly, and the boot interface portion is also configured to releasably retain a boot. In operation, the user can enable release of the boot interface portion from the retention mechanism by activating the wireless remoted control so as to cause the boot interface portion to be unlocked from the retention mechanism.

A snowboard binding with magnetic assistance for aligning a ladder with a buckle is provided, the snowboard binding comprising an ankle guard attached to a first side of the snowboard binding, the ankle guard comprising an ankle strap and an ankle buckle configured to receive an ankle ladder for securing a boot to the snowboard binding, wherein the ankle buckle comprises a binding extension comprising a first magnetic material; and the ankle ladder attached to a second side of the snowboard binding, the ankle ladder comprising a ferromagnetic material, wherein the ferromagnetic material is attracted by the first magnetic material to align the ankle ladder with the ankle buckle.

Coupling assembly between a footwear and a sport equipment comprising at least one housing on the footwear near the sole suitable for receiving a first metallic element, a binding, on the sport equipment, provided with a seat for the insertion of the footwear, the binding being equipped with at least a second metallic element positioned in the seat, the first or the second metal element being an electromagnet, which when activated is magnetically bound to the other element.

Some aspects include a ski binding system using controllable electromagnets, alone or in combination with permanent magnets, as means of attaching or releasing a ski boot to a ski during use. Some aspects include a ski binding system using a controllable solenoid. In some aspects, microprocessor-based control releases binding electronically based on input from sensors located in binding, ski and/or boot, as well as in other equipment or clothing connected to them or to skier, or binding releases when a mechanical threshold is overcome. In some aspects, sensor data are recorded for analysis of system performance and for adjustment and improvement of system parameters based on data analytics.