Adjustable And Dual-Suspension Boot Levers

Abstract

Adjustable and/or dual-suspension boot levers for hardshell boots, having upper parts and lower parts that rotate relative to one another, are disclosed, Adjustable boot levers disclosed herein are adjustable along a continuum or at one of a plurality of preset positions on a lever to provide a forward-lean angle customizable to a user's preferences. Dual-suspension boot levers provide fore-aft dampening and are also customizable by selection of appropriate elastic materials and properties for use in the forward-lean and backward-lean suspension devices. In some embodiments, adjustability and dual-suspension are combined in a boot lever design.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dual-suspension mechanism, comprising:
 a bracket having a receiving slot;   a rod having a flattened first end that inserts into the receiving slot of the bracket, thereby preventing rotation of the rod relative to a longitudinal axis of the receiving slot;   a first compressible material and a second compressible material each partially surrounding the rod; and   a housing at least partially surrounding the rod and the first compressible material, wherein axial movement of the rod relative to the housing exerts opposite compressive forces on the first and second compressive materials.   
     
     
         2 . The dual-suspension mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the bracket comprises a pair of holes having axes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the receiving slot. 
     
     
         3 . The dual-suspension mechanism of  claim 2 , wherein the housing is hingedly mounted to the bracket via an axle extending through the pair of holes. 
     
     
         4 . The dual-suspension mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the second compressible material is disposed outside the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The dual-suspension mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the second compressible material is disposed inside the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The dual-suspension mechanism of  claim 5 , wherein the second compressible material is separated from the first compressible material by a plate. 
     
     
         7 . The dual-suspension mechanism of  claim 6 , wherein a position of the plate along a length of the rod is adjustable. 
     
     
         8 . The dual-suspension mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein a connector head is attached to a second end of the rod. 
     
     
         9 . The dual-suspension mechanism of  claim 8 , wherein the connector head is translatable along a length of the rod. 
     
     
         10 . The dual-suspension mechanism of  claim 9 , wherein the connector head releasably mates with an interface device. 
     
     
         11 . The dual-suspension mechanism of  claim 8 , wherein the connector head releasably mates with an interface device. 
     
     
         12 . The dual-suspension mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the first compressible material and/or the second compressible material is/are selected from the group consisting of a spring, a bumper of elastic material, an air shock, a hydraulic shock, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . A dual-suspension mechanism, comprising:
 a rod in slidable engagement with a housing, the housing including a first compressible material surrounding the rod and a plate adjustably positioned within the housing for applying a compressive force against the first compressible material; and   a second compressible material surrounding the rod,   wherein axial movement of the housing relative to the rod exerts opposite forces on the first and second compressive materials.   
     
     
         14 . The dual-suspension mechanism of  claim 13 , wherein the second compressible material is disposed outside the housing. 
     
     
         15 . The dual-suspension mechanism of  claim 13 , wherein the second compressible material is disposed inside the housing. 
     
     
         16 . The dual-suspension mechanism of  claim 15 , wherein the second compressible material is separated from the first compressible material by the plate. 
     
     
         17 . The dual-suspension mechanism of  claim 13 , further comprising a connector head that is translatable along a length of the rod. 
     
     
         18 . The dual-suspension mechanism of  claim 13 , wherein the first compressible material and/or the second compressible material is/are selected from the group consisting of a spring, a bumper of elastic material, an air shock, a hydraulic shock, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The dual-suspension mechanism of  claim 13 , further comprising a bracket hingedly mounted to the housing. 
     
     
         20 . The dual-suspension mechanism of  claim 19 , wherein the bracket comprises a slot for receiving an end of the rod.