A release mechanism is provided for releasably connecting a strap to sports equipment. The strap is secured at a first end to the sports equipment and at a second end to the release mechanism. The release mechanism has a fastening part releasably connected to an engagement element. The engagement element interacts with a fastening part bail element that is pivotable about a pivot axle between a release position and an engaged position with the engagement element. The bail element can be secured in the engaged position by a securing element. The securing element and bail element are secured to the fastening part such that the distance between the pivot axle of the bail element and the securing element changes when a tensile load is applied to the bail element. The securing element releases the bail element when a defined release tensile force is exerted on the bail element.

A release mechanism is provided for releasably connecting a strap to sports equipment. The strap is secured at a first end to the sports equipment and at a second end to the release mechanism. The release mechanism has a fastening part releasably connected to an engagement element. The engagement element interacts with a fastening part bail element that is pivotable about a pivot axle between a release position and an engaged position with the engagement element. The bail element can be secured in the engaged position by a securing element. The securing element and bail element are secured to the fastening part such that the distance between the pivot axle of the bail element and the securing element changes when a tensile load is applied to the bail element. The securing element releases the bail element when a defined release tensile force is exerted on the bail element.

A self-aligning snowshoe binding is provided that simplifies the process of strapping in to a snowboard. The binding includes a self-aligning buckle that includes two mating clips, and each clip contains a pair of offset magnets. One clip is rigidly attached to a snowboard binding and the other, mating, clip is connected to an ankle or toe strap via a tensioning mechanism. The opposite side of the ankle/toe strap is secured to the binding with an adjustable mechanism. When the two clips are brought proximate each other, the magnets engage to create a loose buckling. When tension is applied to the engaged clips, the clips interlock such that they will remain together as long as tension in the strap is maintained.

A self-aligning snowshoe binding is provided that simplifies the process of strapping in to a snowboard. The binding includes a self-aligning buckle that includes two mating clips, and each clip contains a pair of offset magnets. One clip is rigidly attached to a snowboard binding and the other, mating, clip is connected to an ankle or toe strap via a tensioning mechanism. The opposite side of the ankle/toe strap is secured to the binding with an adjustable mechanism. When the two clips are brought proximate each other, the magnets engage to create a loose buckling. When tension is applied to the engaged clips, the clips interlock such that they will remain together as long as tension in the strap is maintained.

An improved supplemental binding attachment scheme involving an extended strap and customizing tool enables customizing of a strapped article of leisure wear. The customizing tool may take the form of a stud, or any number of personalized shapes, including characters, strings, logos, icons and anything that attaches to show that any article belongs to a user. Kits, straps, and software-based instructions are likewise included in the present disclosure.

An improved supplemental binding attachment scheme involving an extended strap and customizing tool enables customizing of a strapped article of leisure wear. The customizing tool may take the form of a stud, or any number of personalized shapes, including characters, strings, logos, icons and anything that attaches to show that any article belongs to a user. Kits, straps, and software-based instructions are likewise included in the present disclosure.

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.

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.

A binding for snowboard includes a base structure and a heel support pivotally mounted to the base structure for movement between an open position for allowing a user to insert or remove their boot from the binding and a closed position for securing the users boot in the binding. An adjustable foot strap is attached to the base structure and a tensioning system is attached to the heel support and the adjustable foot strap for applying a tensioning force to the adjustable strap when the heel support is moved to the closed position and for releasing the tensioning force from the adjustable foot strap when the seal support is moved to the open position.

A binding for snowboard includes a base structure and a heel support pivotally mounted to the base structure for movement between an open position for allowing a user to insert or remove their boot from the binding and a closed position for securing the users boot in the binding. An adjustable foot strap is attached to the base structure and a tensioning system is attached to the heel support and the adjustable foot strap for applying a tensioning force to the adjustable strap when the heel support is moved to the closed position and for releasing the tensioning force from the adjustable foot strap when the seal support is moved to the open position.