Pivoting footwear systems and configurable traction system

Abstract

A device is disclosed that traverses terrain. The device includes a removable axle where the device is configured to traverse terrain, a groove connected with a boot for receiving the axle, the groove is configured to enable the boot to pivot about the axle and securely couple the boot with the axle. The groove may be formed in a boot and configured to receive the axle, or the groove may be formed in a mounting plate removably attachable with the boot and configured to receive the axle.

1 . An apparatus for coupling footwear with a device, the apparatus: comprising:
 a device having a removable axle, the device configured to traverse terrain;   a groove connected with a boot for receiving the axle; and   wherein the groove is configured to enable the boot to pivot about the axle and securely couple the boot to the device with the axle.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the groove is formed in at least one of the boot and a mounting plate removably attachable with the boot. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the groove is configured to at least one of receive an axle slidably inserted into the groove and snap onto the axle. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the groove comprises an open portion for receiving and securing the axle within the groove by stepping on the axle. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the groove is formed in a removable portion coupled with the boot. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the device is at least one of a ski, a snowshoe, a snowboard, a hybrid snowshoe ski, and an approach ski. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of grooves connected with a boot. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a plurality of pivot slots for receiving the axle and the plurality of slots are configured to support the boot. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a quick-release toe crampon having traction cleats, the quick-release toe crampon configured to couple to the boot. 
   
   
       10 . An apparatus for coupling footwear with a device, the apparatus comprising:
 a device having a removable axle, the device configured to traverse terrain;   a groove formed in a boot and configured to receive the axle; and   wherein the groove is configured to enable the boot to pivot about the axle and securely couple the boot to the device with the axle.   
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the groove is configured to at least one of receive an axle slidably inserted into the groove and snap onto the axle. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the groove comprises an open portion for receiving and securing the axle within the groove by stepping on the axle. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the device is at least one of a ski, a snowshoe, a snowboard, a hybrid snowshoe ski, and an approach ski. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of grooves connected with a boot. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the device comprises a plurality of pivot slots for receiving the axle and the plurality of pivot slots are configured to support the boot. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a quick-release toe crampon having traction cleats, the quick-release toe crampon configured to couple to the boot. 
   
   
       17 . An apparatus for coupling footwear with a device, the apparatus comprising:
 a device having a removable axle, the device configured to traverse terrain;   a groove formed in a mounting plate removably attachable with a boot and configured to receive the axle; and   wherein the groove is configured to enable the boot to pivot about the axle and securely couple the boot to the device with the axle.   
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the groove is configured to at least one of receive an axle slidably inserted into the groove and snap onto the axle. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the groove comprises an open portion for receiving and securing the axle within the groove by stepping on the axle. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the groove is formed in a removable portion coupled with the boot. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the device is at least one of a ski, a snowshoe, a snowboard, a hybrid snowshoe ski, and an approach ski. 
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising a plurality of grooves connected with a boot. 
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the device comprises a plurality of pivot slots for receiving the axle and the plurality of slots are configured to support the boot. 
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising a quick-release toe crampon having traction cleats, the quick-release toe crampon configured to couple to the boot.