Patent ID: 8172252

Claim:
A device for retaining a foot or boot on a sports apparatus, the device comprising: a base plate extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end and widthwise from a first side to a second side; a heel support element and a pivot mechanism mounting the heel support element to pivot with respect to the base plate, the pivot mechanism comprising a first pivot support and a second pivot support; an elongated element extending between the base plate and an attachment location on the heel support element to limit rearward pivot movement of the heel support element relative to the base plate, the cable having a first portion and a second portion, the first and second portions of the cable being connected to the base by a first and a second lower connection, respectively, the first and second lower connections being located in front of the first and second pivot supports and aligned with the first and second pivot supports collectively forming a plane parallel to the base plate; and an adjustment mechanism to enable a modification of a longitudinal position of the heel support element with respect to the base plate; wherein the first attachment location, first pivot support, and first lower connection collectively define a generally triangular shape when viewed from a side of the device when the heel support element is in a closed position around a user's heel.