Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd. Inc.

Derek Gordon Gustafson

Jacob Randy Hall

David Narajowski

Thomas Laakso

David Mellon

Brendan Perkins

Christopher B Best

Mark Santurbane

Paul Terry

Jeremy Allen Saxton

Chad John Whittaker

Loren Mills

Evan Anton Bouchier

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a ski boot system including an upper shell, lower shell, and an articulation system. The upper and lower shell function to enable a user to move their encased foot in various dimensions/orientations corresponding to anatomical supination, pronation, dorsiflexion, and plantarflexion. The articulation system selectively affects the articulation freedom between the upper and lower shells in locked and unlocked configurations. The articulation system includes a lower shell coupler and an upper shell coupler coupled to the lower and upper shells, respectively. The locked configuration of the articulation system includes engaging the upper and lower shell couplers to restrict freedom between the upper and lower shell. The lower shell coupler is coupled within a recess in the lower shell that substantially restricts movement to a single orientation corresponding to coronal rotation.

Selectable boot articulation system

The invention generally relates to a selectable boot articulation and support system. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a boot system including an intercoupled upper and lower shell configured to encase a user's foot and lower leg. The boot system further includes an articulation system effecting the articulation between the upper and lower shell. The articulation system includes an instep member coupled and positioned with respect to the upper shell in a manner that facilitates selection between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. The unlocked configuration provides increased articulation and decreased stiffness between the upper and lower shell with respect to the locked configuration. The instep member may include a releasable dorsal coupling between portions of the upper shell. The instep member may also include one or more moveable lateral couplings with the upper shell.

Selectable boot support and articulation system

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a ski boot system with a modular binding interface. The system includes a shell encasing a user's foot and lower leg. A first and second block are interchangeably coupled to the shell below the base to effectuate alternative binding interfaces. The first and second blocks include a binding interface surface and a sole surface. The positioning and shape of the blocks with respect to the shell results in the binding interface surface extending distally from the toe region of the shell and the sole surface being the lowest surface on the boot system. The binding interface surfaces for each block are positioned at different sagittal heights with respect to the shell to facilitate the interconnection with alternative binding coupling systems. The sole surfaces for each block are positioned at substantially identical sagittal heights with respect to the shell to maintain optimum and consistent performance characteristics among different bindings.

Modular boot sole system

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Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America

Derek Gordon Gustafson