Patent ID: 7694994

Claim:
An apparatus, comprising: a snowboard binding; a first binding strap constructed and arranged to engage a snowboard boot and at least partially secure the boot to the binding, the first binding strap comprising an engagement strap configured as a serrated strap; a first tightening element coupled to the first binding strap; and a first tightening element path configured to provide a mechanical advantage in tightening the first binding strap about the boot when the first tightening element is pulled, whereby a first applied force applied on the first tightening element results in a first resultant force on the first binding strap that is greater than the first applied force; wherein the first binding strap comprises a boot-engaging strap, and after the boot-engaging strap is tightened about the boot, the boot-engaging strap and the engagement strap are constructed and arranged to hold any tension in the first binding strap, thereby allowing release of tension in the first tightening element.