US2381793A

US2381793A - Ski harness

Info

Publication number: US2381793A
Application number: US442889A
Authority: US
Inventors: David A Wallace
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1942-05-14
Filing date: 1942-05-14
Publication date: 1945-08-07
Anticipated expiration: 1962-08-07

Description

Aug. 7, 1945. D. A. WALLACE SKI HARNESS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 14, 1942 INVENTOR DAV/0 /l., W/ILLHCE Aug. 7, 1945. D. A. WALLACE SKI HARNESS Filed May 14, 1942' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 :2 %E Ww 6 4 1 r V 1 m m A (w \J m m. A n u, n v 2 m r 2 u u u INVENTOR D/iV/Q A. W/lLL/IU Patented Aug. 7, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SKI HARNESS.

Y Da vid'A. Wallace, Detroit, Mich. Application May,14, 1942, Serial No. 442,889

' solaims. (crest-11.35)

This invention relates'to an improved skihar- HESS.

More particularly the invention relates to the provision in a ski harness of improved toe clamping mechanism. I

One of the main objects of theinvention is the provision of improved toe clamping mechanism which is adapted to release the toe of a skishoe when the latter is twisted to a predetermined angle with respectto the length of the ski to which it is attached in .order to guard against excessive twisting of the skiers leg and consequent injury.

A further object of the invention is the provisionin ski harness toe clampingmechanism of means for adjustably predetermining the angle oi movement of a ski shoe with respectto-the ski at which releasing of the shoe occurs.

A further object-of the invention is to provide means for yieldably clamping the toe of a shoe to a ski whichis adjustable in tension without varying the-angle at-whioh release of; the toe clamping action takes place.

A still further object of theinvention is the provision of means for independently predetermining the position of opposed jaws of toe clamp ing mechanism of this character by individual adjustment of the resilient members by which they are urged together.

- An additional-object of the invention is to provide means in ski harness toe clarhpingmechanism by which can be independently predetermined the angles on'respectively opposite sides of the'longitudinal' axis of a ski at which releasing of the shoe will take place in order that the shoe may, if desired, be automatically freed from the ski'when turned to a difierent angle in one directionwith respect to the ski than in an opposite direction; t

Another object of the invention is the provision of a heel holding spring in a skiharness of this kind whichiserves to urge the shoe intoclamping engagementwith the to'eclamp during normal operation and which also functions to automatically eject the shoe from the harness when the toe of the shoe is released from the toe clamp by twisting of the shoe relative to the ski in the plane of the latter.

Illustrative embodiments of the'invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FigQlis a side elevational view of a skiharness embodying the invention showing a ski shoe in placethereon. v

2 is aplan view of the ski harness illustrated in Fig. 1, the 'shoe being removed.

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig; 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing in plan view a ski harness embodyinga modified form of the invention. I

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the ski harness shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a plan View of a ski harness embodying another form of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a transverse vertical sectional View taken online 'I-I of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentaryplan view of a ski harness embodying a still further development of the invention.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs.

1 to 3', inclusive, my improved ski harness comprises a base plate I0 secured by screws II and I2 to theupper surface of a ski l3 which has a transversely extending recess I4 formed in its upper side immediately rearwardly of the rear ed e of the plate I I]. A pair of toe clamp elements I5 are pivotally attached at their forward ends to, the plate I0 by screws I6 which are adapted to beselectively positioned in any of a plurality of apertures I1 formed in the forward portion of the plate III. The rear end portions of vthe elements I5 are provided with hooks I8 for connection with opposite extremities of a tension spring I9 by which the free end portions of the clamp elements I 5 are yieldably, resiliently urged toward each other. I

Formed on the outer edge portion of the elements I5 are upstandingflanges 20 which converge forwardly sufficiently to conform to the taper of the front or toe end portion of a shoe. Mounted on each of the flanges 20 is an inwardly projecting member 2| which is located immediately above the upper side of the shoe sole 22, shown in Fig. 1, and which is adapted to extend intothe Welt portion of the shoe in order to obstructupward displacement of the toe portion of the shoe from the ski harness.

The inwardlyprojecting members 2| are detachably and adjustably mounted on the respec-v tive upstanding flanges 20 by a lug 23 and threaded stem 24 which may be selectively inserted in pairs ofapertures 25 formed in the flanges 20 as shown in Fig. 1. A nut 26 on the threaded stem 24 detachably secures each inwardly projecting member 2 I in place. I

A shoe sole contacting and supporting plate 21 is disposed in superimposed relation above the clamping elements I5 and held, at its forward end, out ofinterferring engagement with these elements by spacers 28 through which screws 29' extend. The screws 29 are adapted to be threaded into selected apertures 30 formed in the base plate iii in order to selectively position the plate 21 and abutment 3| formed in the forward extremity thereof. The abutment 3| comprises an upstanding flange which is adapted to engage and arrest forward movement of the front extremity of the sole portion 22 of the shoe. The rear end portion of the shoe sole contacting plate 21 has a downwardly ofiset marginal part 32 which is detachably secured to the ski |3 by screws 33. A plate 34 mounted on the upper side of the ski at a location rearwardly of the plate 21 serves to bring the heel 35 of the shoe to a desired elevation relative to that portion of the sole of the shoe which is held by the plate 21.

The shoe is urged forwardly against the abutment 3| and maintained in clamped engagement with the flanges 20 of the elements l by resilient means of conventional construction comprising a spring 36 which surrounds and fits into a groove formed in the heel 35. The forward end of this spring may be releasably tensioned by a toggle acting clamp, generally designated by the numeral 31, and which includes a lever 38 pivoted on a bracket 39 on the upper side of the ski l3, a connecting member 40 having a plurality of notches in which the forward end of the spring 36 is selectively engageable, and a link 4| by which the lever and connecting element 40 are operatively connected. Pivotal movement of the lever 38 in a counter-clockwise direction serves to tension the spring 36 for urging the shoe forwardly of the ski. The intermediate portion of the spring 36 may be held out of interferring relation with respect to the shoe and clamping mechanism by tongues 42 struck out of a plate 43, one of which is mounted on each side edge of the ski. This deflection of the spring 36 causes a downwardly directed force to be exerted on the shoe for yieldably urging the latter toward the ski.

In the operation of the ski harness shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the toe end portion of the ski shoe is yieldably held against lateral movement by the pivotal clamping elements l5 while the shoe is urged forwardly and the heel portion thereof urged downwardly by the spring 36, the abutment 3| arresting forward movement of the shoe. In the event the shoe is twisted in either direction in the plane of the upper surface of the ski, one of the clamping elements I5 is rotated outwardly about its pivot while the other element [5 is rotated inwardly about its axis by the spring I9 until arrested by abutment of the flange 20 against the edge portion 44 of the shoesole supporting plate 21 from which it is held in spaced relation by the sole 22 of the shoe while the latter is aligned with the ski. Since the shoe is held against forward movement by the abutment 3| which acts as a fulcrum, further twisting movement of the shoe after pivotal movement of one clamping element |5 has been arrested results in withdrawing of edge portions of the shoe on one side thereof from beneath th inwardly projecting member 2| of that side, thus permitting the shoe to become detached from the ski. The spring l9 thus retains the flanges 20 in clamping engagement with the sole 22 of the shoe while the latter is angularly displaced from alignment with the longitudinal axis of the ski a predetermined amount corresponding to the displacement by the shoe of the said one clamping element |5 from its innermost position plus an amount corresponding to the width of the inwardly projecting member 2| of that clamping element.

The amount the clamping elements are spread by the shoe may be varied for any one shoe by changing the position of the supporting plate 21..

This action takes place when a skier falls, en-

counters an obstruction or is otherwise subjected to possible injury resulting from action which tends to twist his leg or legs. The amount of relative twisting movement of the shoe with respect to the ski required to release the shoe may be predetermined by selectively positioning the shoe sole supporting plate 21 longitudinally of the ski. The maximum force to which a skiers leg is subjected before the shoe is released from the ski may be predetermined by selecting a spring IQ of desired tensional strength. The position of the shoe with respect to the longitudinal axis of the ski may be selectively predetermined to suit the operator by selectively positioning the pivoted ends of the elements l5 at the location of the various apertures With the foregoing ski harness the skier may locate each shoe with respect to each ski in the foregoing manner to comply with his individual requirements and he may also limit the strain to which his legs will be subjected due to unintended twisting by the skier.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 the main portion of the ski harness is substantially identical to that shown in Figs. 1 and 3 and corresponding parts are designated by the same numerals. In this development of the invention the pivoted toe clamping elements |5 have converging edge portions 46 and rear extremities which bear against an adjustable abutment 47. The latter serves to arrest inward movement of the elements |5 due to twisting movement of the sho of the nature above described. This abutment comprises a body portion 48 which is mounted to slide longitudinally I of the ski under the action of a screw 49 having its forward end journaled in an aperture formed in a flange 50 extending upwardly from the portion 48. The screw 49 is threaded in a nut 5| rigidly secured to an upstanding flange 52 of a plate 53 which is mounted on the ski I3 by screws 54. The forward end of the screw 49 is held against withdrawal from the aperture of the flange 50 by a nut 55 which is pinned to the forward end of the screw. By adjusting the position of the abutment 41 longitudinally of the ski the extent to which the shoe may be twisted relative to the ski before its release therefrom may be selectively predetermined, the amount of such twisting movement corresponding to theangular displacement of the elements l5, by insertion of a shoe between the flanges 20, from their innermost positions as established by the setting of the abutment 41 plus an amount corresponding to the width of one of the inwardly projecting members 2|.

The major portions of the ski harness shown in Figs. 6 and 7 are substantially identical to the structure shown in Figs. 1 to 3 andcorresponding portions thereof are designated by the same numerals. In this form of the invention each toe clamp element I5 is provided with a rearwardly extending flange 56 having an aperture. through which extends a threaded stud 51. Each stud 51 is supported at its inner end by a lug 58 extending rearwardly from the center portion of the rear edge of the base plate ID. A spring 59, mounted on each stud 51 bears between a flange 56 and a nut 6|] adjustably threaded onto the outer extremity of the stud. Th'e springs 59 yieldably urge the elements |5 inwardly toward each other with a forcewhich may be selectively predetermined by individual adjustment of the nuts 60. 'Inward movement of the elements I is arrested byengagement of the outer edge portion 6 l thereof against the head of a screw 62 which is threaded into the base plate ID. The limiting inward positions of the elements l5 may beselectively predetermined by selecting a screw 52 having'a head of suitable diameter. The amount of twisting movement of the shoe which may take place before'it is released accordingly corresponds to the angular displacement of the elements [5, by insertion of a shoe between the flanges 20, from their innermost positions as established by the 'size of the head of the screw 62 plus an amount corresponding to thewidth of one of the inwardly projecting members 2 I. The forces with which the respective elements I5 are urged inwardly may be individually predetermined by independent ad- J'ustment of the nuts 60 and the maximum strain upona skiers leg or legs by twisting of the ski in respectively opposite directions may be independently limited to conform to desired values.

The form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 8 is similar to that shown in Figs. 6 and '7 and corresponding parts are designated by identical numerals. In this form of the invention however a nut 63 is threaded on each stud 57 between the lug 58 by which the studs are supported and the respective flanges 56 of the elements IS. The nuts 63 serve as adjustable abutments for selectively and individually variably limiting inward pivotal movement of each toe clamping element l5 respectively. With this form of the inventiofi the amount of relative twisting of the shoe with respect to the ski in opposite directions before detachment of the shoe from the ski occurs may be individually predetermined. The amount of twisting movement of the shoe which can take place before it is released accordingly corresponds to the angular displacement of the elements l5, by insertion of a shoe between the flanges 20, from th'eir innermost positions as established by the positions of the nuts 63 plus an amount corresponding to the width of one of the inwardly propecting members 2|. The force opposing outward pivotal movement of each element may also be individually selectively predetermined.

Although but several embodiments of the invention are shown and described, it will be understood that various changes, including the size, shape and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit of 'th'e invention and it is not my intention to limit the scope thereof other than by the terms of the appended claims.

What I claim is: v

1. A harness for clamping a shoe to a ski and the like comprising an abutment securable to said ski for engagement with the toe extremity of said shoe, a pair of toe clamp elements each pivotally mounted on said ski at a location in advance of the part "thereof which normally support the shoe and adapted to extend along one side of the toe portion of said shoe respectively, said elements having inwardly projecting parts located rearwardly of the pivotal axes of said elements and engageable over forwardly converging opposite edge portions of the sole of said shoe, resilient means disposed rearwardly of said inwardly projecting parts yieldably urging said elements pivotally toward each other, said resilient means being adapted to retain said toe clamp elements in clamping engagement with said shoe throughout a predetermined range of angular movement of said shoe with respect to the longitudinal axis or said ski and the projecting part of one of said elements being disenga'geable from the edge portion of said soleby relative separatory movement when said shoe is twisted while held against forward movement by said abutment substantially in the plane of said ski beyond said predetermined range of angular movement in order to accommodate separation of said ski and shoe prior to twisting of a skiers foot and leg to an injurious position, and means for urging said shoe forwardly into clamped engagement with said toe clamp.

2 A harness for clamping a shoe to a ski and the like comprising an abutment securably to said ski for engagement with the toe extremity of said shoe, a pair of toe clamp elements each pivotally mounted on said ski at a location in advance of the space thereon normally occupied by a shoe and adapted to extend along one side of the toe portion of said shoe respectively, said elements having inwardly projecting parts located rearwardly of the pivotal axes of said elements and engageangular movement,- a stop for limiting pivotal movement of one of said elements during pivotal movement of said shoe beyond said predetermined range in order to accommodate disengagement of said protruding part of the latter element from the edge portion of said sole by relative separatory movement substantially in the plane of said ski and separation of said shoe from said ski when said shoe is twisted beyond said predetermined range of angular movement, and resilient means for urging said shoe into clamped engagement with said toe clamp.

3. A harness for attaching a shoe to a ski comprising a pair of toe clamp elements extending longitudinally of said ski, means for pivotally attaching the forward ends of said elements to said ski in advance of the position thereon normally occupied by said shoe, resilient means operating upon the rear end portions of said elements for yieldably urging the latter together, an inwardly projecting member on each of said elements located rearwardly of the pivotal axis thereof and adapted to engage over the edge portion of the sole of said shoe, a shoe sole support extending over said toe clamp elements having an abutment in advance of said members for arresting forward movement of said shoe relative to said inwardly projecting elements and a stop engageable with each of said elements for limiting inward movement thereof, and mechanism for urging said shoe forwardly against said abutment.

4. A harness for attaching a shoe to a ski comprising a pair of toe clamp element extending longitudinally of said ski, means for pivotally attaching the forward ends of said elements to said ski in advance of the position th'ereon normally occupied by said shoe, resilient means operating upon the rear end portions of said elements for yieldably urging the latter together, an inwardly projecting member on each of said elements located rearwardly of the pivotal axis thereof and adapted to engage oVer the edge portion of the sole of said shoe, a shoe sole support extending over said toe clamp elements having an abutment in advance of said members for arrestingforward movement of said shoe relative to said inwardly projecting elements, an adjustable stop engageable with each of said elements for limiting inward movement th'ereof, means for shifting said stop and retaining the latter in a selected position, and mechanism for urging said shoe forwardly against said abutment.

5. A harness for attaching a shoe to a ski comprising a pair of toe clamp elements extending longitudinally of said ski, means for pivotally attaching the forward ends of said elements to said ski in advance of the position :thereon normally occupied by said shoe, resilient means operating upon the rear end portions of said elements for yieldably urging the latter together, an inwardly projecting member on each of said elements 10- catedrearwardly of the pivotal axis thereof and adapted to engage over the edge portion of the sole of said shoe, a shoe sole support extending over said toe clamp elements having an abutment in advance of said members for arresting forward movement of said shoe relative to said inwardly projecting elements, a stop engageable with at least one of said elements for limiting inward movement thereof, and mechanism for urgin v aid shoe forwardly against said abutment.

6. A harness for attaching a shoe to a ski comprising a pair of toe clamp elements extending longitudinally of said ski, means for pivotally attaching the forward ends of said elements to said ski in advance 'of the position thereon normally occupied by said shoe, resilient means operating upon the rear end portions of said elements for yieldably urging the latter together, an inwardly projecting member on each of said elements located rearwardly of the pivotal axis thereof and adapted to engage over the edge portion of the sole of said shoe, a shoe sole support extending over said toe clamp elements having an abutment in advance of said members for arresting forward movement of said shoe relative to said inwardly projecting elements, a pair of independently adjustable stops one engageable with each of said elements, respectively,-for limiting inward movement thereof, and mechanism for urging said shoe forwardly against said abutment.

, DAVID A. WALLACE.