Patent ID: 6398246
Filing Date: 2002-06-04
Classification: A43B,A63C

Abstract:
An active highback system for a snowboard boot, comprising:a boot attachment portion adapted to be fixedly coupled to the snowboard boot; a substantially rigid support portion movably coupled to said boot attachment portion to apply a compression force to a leg portion of the boot in a direction extending generally from a heel portion of the boot towards a toe portion of the boot, said support portion including a first U-shaped part formed on an upper end of said support portion to engage the leg portion of the boot and a second U-shaped part formed on a lower end of said support portion to engage the heel portion of the boot; and an adjusting mechanism having a pair of ratchet mechanisms coupled between said boot attachment portion and said second U-shaped part of said support portion at opposing sides of the boot to vary a forward lean angle of said support portion relative to said boot attachment portion, said ratchet mechanisms forming a one-way clutch arranged to automatically adjust said support portion from a first position to a more forward leaning position relative to said boot attachment portion by forward movement of said support portion relative to said boot attachment portion, each of said ratchet mechanisms including a release lever to allow said support portion to move to a less forward leaning position, each of said release levers being pivotally mounted on said support portion that engages teeth formed on said boot attachment portion.