CA2302997A1 - Magnum plate - Google Patents

Abstract

A solid but flexible (plastic or metal) "U" shaped platform for ski binding (mounted in the fashion corresponding to the latest existing binding standards), which is easily attachable, detachable and transferable from one ski to another. The platform, is anchored to the ski through one gliding plate located between the middle of the platform and the front end and a pivoting connection located between the middle of the platform and the rear.
The pivoting connection is achieved by the pin, (functioning as an axle), which is securing it in place. The pin has a direction square to the longitudinal direction of the ski and parallel with the ski surface, (See Picture 3 on Page 12). Through this connection the platform is attached solid and "mechanically correct" to the ski. Through this attachment the platform compensates for the negative forces and momentum from the ski binding (with the ski boot connected to it) and allows the ski to maintain almost unrestricted flex with a smooth arc and gradual pressure distribution between the ski and the snow surface. Flex of this kind is very important now with the introduction of the "shaped skis" (introduced 1999) which are very sensitive to it. The platform itself could consists of one or two pieces which are mechanically joined together to adjust to various binding's shapes and dimensions as well as to various ski boot length. The platform is made of a material with the strength similar or higher than the ski's middle part, where the ski binding is regularly mounted to resist the stress from the loads expected in skiing and ski racing. It has the ability to be pressed, drilled or predrilled for binding screws, to hold safely the binding installed on it (by means of regular binding screws).

Description

Description Field of the invention The invention relates to a ski binding use and installation for the Alpine skiing and the Alpine ski racing Background of the invention The modern Alpine ski is typically mounted in its mid section with the ski binding , holding the ski boot in place with the tight mechanical squeeze to secure the skier or ski racer in a precise contact with the ski. This traditional boot-binding constellation stiffens the mid section of the ski considerably, creating a "flat spot" in the middle of the ski regardless of the effort, an issue which all the ski manufacturers and binding manufacturers are desperately trying to solve.
The "Free Flex" ski bindings have been invented and under-binding plates researched. Non of these have delivered the optimal result, non of these guaranteed a smooth ski flex and non of these eliminated the negative forces and momentum, with which the ski binding is influencing the ski's flex pattern and friction. This issue is even more important in the present time in ski racing, when the short skis (meant for an extremely small and precise carving radius) have been introduced.

Description of the prior art It is known in the prior art of numeral methods to improve the performance of the ski by improving its flex. For example U.S. Pat. No. 5,213,357 by Corza at al.
describes the ski binding with elastic recovery means for free ski flex by implementing the connection between the binding's toe piece and heel piece in order to keep the constant distance between these, when the ski flexes. U. S. Pat. No. 5,332,253 by Couderc at al.
describes the binding including the sensor element and the flexion device to indicate the vertical trust of the boot to correct the ski flex. U.S. Pat. No. 3,797, 844 by Smolka at al.
describes a binding plate, which keeps flexing ski unaffected from the negative binding forces. U. S.
Pat. No. 5,129,668 by Hecht describes a binding plate supported on the ski in front and back, to allow for a better ski's flex, theoretically correct, but never manufactured and never used in ski racing. U. S. Pat. 5,671,939 by Pineau also describes the binding plate as a part on a binding mount assembly for an alpine ski. Also this, theoretically correct plate was never mass produced and never used in ski racing. Its design is quite complicated and probably never practically tested under the racing conditions for its benefits. U.S. Pat. No.
4,141,570 also describes a binding plate as an adjustable connection between ski and ski binding with the ability to keep the ski flat on the snow, regardless of the boot's lateral movement.

Page T
Description of the drawings Picture 1 (Page 8) shows the regular ski boot attached to the regular ski binding, which is permanently installed on the two piece "Magnum Plate", attached on the section of the ski.
Picture 2 (Page 9) shows in the sketch form the shape of the adjustable, "U"
shaped, mechanically connected two piece "Magnum Plate" installed on the section of the ski.
Picture 3 (Page 10) shows in the sketch form the simplicity of the individual components of the "Magnum Brackets" and the "Magnum Pin", which are holding the "Magnum Plate" with the ski boot attached, safely to the ski.

Claims (4)

1. Light binding plate (with the height not exceeding the present FIS rule for the ski binding, which could be used in skiing and ski racing) which serves as a link between the ski binding and the ski and eliminates the negative forces and momentum from the ski binding (with the ski boot attached to it), which are negatively influencing the ski performance.

The mechanically correct attachment of the "DMP" plate to the ski, with a pivoting connection near the rear end and a gliding connection in the longitudinal direction near the front end the "DMP" plate eliminates the "negative forces" of a great variety, (appearing from the ski binding when the ski boot is tightly clamped into it) which are difficult to compensate otherwise, and which are negatively influencing ski's flex, steering ability and friction and therefore its overall performance.

2. Light binding plate, which is easily detachable from one ski and attachable to another ski, with the ski binding permanently installed and adjusted on it.

With more sets of the "Magnum Brackets" installed on different skis, only one set of the ski bindings, installed on the "DMP" plates could be used. The feature of an easy attachment and detachment of the "DMP" plate through only one safety "Magnum Pin"
allows an easier transportation of the skis equipment and maintenance of the ski binding.
Only one pair of ski binding permanently installed on one pair of "DMP" plates could be used for more pairs of skis, which are properly equipped with the significantly lighter and significantly cheaper pair of the "Magnum Brackets". This eliminates the cost of traditional way of assembling of all of the skis with permanently installed ski bindings.
This feature is needed especially in ski racing today, when relatively large number of specialized skis is needed for each ski event.

3. Light binding plate as an element to which other mechanical devices (enhancing the ski performance) could be additionally attached.
The solid "DMP" plate is an ideal link between the ski binding and the ski, which allows for future installation of some other mechanical devices (additional spring leafs and various shock absorbers) needed in the future to enhance ski performance (especially in ski racing, where significant price money and competition is in place).

4. Light binding plate, which with its own flex pattern performs as the performance enhancing mechanical device.
Variable flex characteristics of the "DMP" plate have also an influence on the ski performance. It could be "tuned" to eliminate certain frequencies, unwanted in ski racing. It is expected to develop (during the time of more practical testing), into the segments of various flex patterns with various links to the ski and the ski binding to enhance the ski performance in ski racing, same as some small adjustments are needed in car racing.