Provided herein are various embodiments for a boot for releasable engagement with a binding having a downwardly facing ledge and a toe strap. The boot preferably contains a sole, a toe portion, and a heel portion. The boot preferably also contains a heel retaining device extending rearwardly from the heel portion of the boot and having an upwardly facing engagement surface at the top of the device which engages with the downwardly facing ledge of the binding to prevent vertical movement of the boot relative to the binding while allowing forward horizontal movement of the boot relative to the binding.

Disclosed is a novel ankle strap and a toe strap that secures snowboard or splitboard rider's boots to corresponding boot bindings. The straps are generally made from a one-piece molding that includes indented portions on the outside surface of the molding that creates corresponding outdented portions on the boot-facing surface for cushioning. The indented portions are bound by ribs, the ribs forming a continuous interconnected rib structure. As the outdented portions flex, the continuous interconnected rib structure helps the strap maintain its shape and structure.

Disclosed is a novel ankle strap and a toe strap that secures snowboard or splitboard rider's boots to corresponding boot bindings. The straps are generally made from a one-piece molding that includes indented portions on the outside surface of the molding that creates corresponding outdented portions on the boot-facing surface for cushioning. The indented portions are bound by ribs, the ribs forming a continuous interconnected rib structure. As the outdented portions flex, the continuous interconnected rib structure helps the strap maintain its shape and structure.

A toe strap of a snowboard binding is constituted of one belt to fasten an upper portion of a tiptoe of a boot and another belt to fasten a tip of the tiptoe of the boot, and it is a problem to have a configuration to guide the toe strap so as to be fastened to an appropriate position with respect to a shape of the tiptoe portion of the boot when the boot is mounted. At least any one belt of the one belt and the other belt of the toe strap includes an extending portion that extends at least any direction of front and rear on a center position in a lateral direction, and the extending portion of the belt is configured to abut on the boot prior to a non-extending portion of the belt on an adjacent position when the boot is mounted.

A toe strap of a snowboard binding is constituted of one belt to fasten an upper portion of a tiptoe of a boot and another belt to fasten a tip of the tiptoe of the boot, and it is a problem to have a configuration to guide the toe strap so as to be fastened to an appropriate position with respect to a shape of the tiptoe portion of the boot when the boot is mounted. At least any one belt of the one belt and the other belt of the toe strap includes an extending portion that extends at least any direction of front and rear on a center position in a lateral direction, and the extending portion of the belt is configured to abut on the boot prior to a non-extending portion of the belt on an adjacent position when the boot is mounted.

The present invention relates to such a system, apparatus, and a method for allowing freedom and range of motion, movement, and spatial position on at least a snowboard or other board device. In one embodiment of the present invention, a mechanism of non-injury or MONI is used to allow a rider of a snowboard (or other device) the ability to move in multiple dimensions (in multiple angles and in multiple planes); the MONI embodiment allows a snowboard or other device to be inverted and offers an adjustable safety release mechanism as akin to skis. In another embodiment of the present invention, electro-magnetism is used to secure a rider to a snowboard (or other device) instead of a boot-binding, finally allowing a rider to maneuver like a skateboarder or surfer, with the ability to move anywhere on the board at will.

The present invention relates to such a system, apparatus, and a method for allowing freedom and range of motion, movement, and spatial position on at least a snowboard or other board device. In one embodiment of the present invention, a mechanism of non-injury or MONI is used to allow a rider of a snowboard (or other device) the ability to move in multiple dimensions (in multiple angles and in multiple planes); the MONI embodiment allows a snowboard or other device to be inverted and offers an adjustable safety release mechanism as akin to skis. In another embodiment of the present invention, electro-magnetism is used to secure a rider to a snowboard (or other device) instead of a boot-binding, finally allowing a rider to maneuver like a skateboarder or surfer, with the ability to move anywhere on the board at will.

An apparatus for automatically adjusting tension on retention member to hold multiple objects together. Examples include using retention apparatus to obtain optimal fit and use of a human wearable item such as article of footwear. Sensors may be used to sense changes in movement of the article of footwear, of the person wearing it, or of a third object such as a vehicle carrying the person. A retention member may surround at least a portion of the objects, and an actuator may be included that automatically rotates a rotating member such as a gear or pulley that may be coupled to the retention member. The rotating member may be configured to automatically adjust tension on the retention member many times per second based on control signals from control logic responsive to the sensors.

An apparatus for automatically adjusting tension on retention member to hold multiple objects together. Examples include using retention apparatus to obtain optimal fit and use of a human wearable item such as article of footwear. Sensors may be used to sense changes in movement of the article of footwear, of the person wearing it, or of a third object such as a vehicle carrying the person. A retention member may surround at least a portion of the objects, and an actuator may be included that automatically rotates a rotating member such as a gear or pulley that may be coupled to the retention member. The rotating member may be configured to automatically adjust tension on the retention member many times per second based on control signals from control logic responsive to the sensors.

A lacing system configured to selectively adjust the size of an opening on an object and allow for the incremental release of the lace within the lacing system. The lacing system can have a reel comprising a housing, a spool supported by the housing, and a knob supported by the housing. The reel can be configured so that cable is gathered in the channel formed in the spool when the spool is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and so that cable can be incrementally released from the spool when the spool is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing. In some embodiments, the reel can include a rotation limiter which can be configured to prevent over-tightening of the lacing system and/or to prevent rotation past the substantially fully loosened state.