US2669459A

US2669459A - Safety ski binding

Info

Publication number: US2669459A
Application number: US182997A
Authority: US
Inventors: Myron T Fleming
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1950-09-02
Filing date: 1950-09-02
Publication date: 1954-02-16
Anticipated expiration: 1971-02-16

Description

Feb. 16, 19 54 M FL 2,669,459

SAFETY SKI BINDING Filed Sept. 2, 1950 INVENTOR J0 46 MYRON r. FLEMING 41 aquxzbda ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 16, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SAFETY SKI BINDING Myron T. Fleming, Wyncote, Pa.

Application September 2, 1950, Serial No. 182,997

8 Claims.

This invention relates to ski bindings and, more particularly, to ski bindings designed to lessen the danger of injuries to the skier.

In skiing, it is important that the boot of the skier be firmly bound to the ski so that it will not come loose during normal skiing conditions, and yet be sufficiently free at the heel to permit a slight amount of vertical movement for ease in touring or executing turns or figures. The

conventional ski is equipped with a binding de-- vice, such as a toe strap or a spring cable, which holds the skiers boot securely in place at the toe while permitting slight freedom at the heel, and is adapted to be released only by hand. This secure binding of the boot to the ski, however, results in frequent leg and foot injuries, because, when a fall occurs, the skier is usually catapulted over the front of the ski, and his legs, ankles, or feet are subjected to severe twisting action when the toe of the ski runner digs into the snow.

One form of device intended to remedy this condition is disclosed in Patent No. 2,491,485, and consists of a plate to which the ski boot is secured and which, in turn, is operably secured at its forward end to the ski by a releasable hinge clamp that will automatically release the ski runner from the boot plate when a predetermined amount of abnormal twisting strain is encountered. It will be noted, however, that this device, and others of a type now known, depend on the force applied as a result of a fall to free the boot. Frequently, however, that force first acts against the limb of the skier and injures him before it becomes sufiiciently strong to actuate the mechanism and release the boot. The difdcult problem in all of these prior automatic release devices is adjusting the spring tension so that it gives proper control in normal skiing while at the same time is loose enough to come free before severe injury occurs.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide a ski binding that will effectively secure the ski boot to the ski so that it will not come free under the most rigorous conditions of skiing, but which is automatically and easily releasable to prevent injury in the event of a fall.

More specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide a novel and improved ski binding in which the binding is automatically released by means of a trigger mechanism that is tripped by the change in the angle formed by the skiers leg and the surface of the ski.

Other objects will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a ski equipped with the ski binding mechanism embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the construction illustrated in Fig. l

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail side elevation showing the construction of the trigger release clamp shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail side elevation showing the trigger release clamp in released position;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail side elevation showing a modification of the trigger release clamp of Fig. l with a portion broken away;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a modification of the present invention in which the trigger release clamp is behind the ski boot or on the rear portion of the ski; and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail cross-section of the trigger release clamp shown in Fig. 6.

The preferred embodiment of this invention, illustrated in Figs. 1-4, comprises a ski It, a toe plate ll mounted conventionally thereon and having a recessed portion I 2 adapted to receive the toe of a ski boot I3, a trigger release clamp l4 mounted on ski ID in front of toe plate H, a spring cable I5 adapted to fit around the-heel of boot I3 with its ends attached to trigger release clamp l4, and a release cable I 6 also attached to trigger release clamp M.

The trigger release clamp of this preferred embodiment not only serves to lock the ski tightly to the skiers boot, but is provided with means for its automatic release when the angle formed between the front of the skiers leg and the front of the ski is increased slightly.

As best shown in Fig. 3, the trigger release clamp comprises a locking lever H which is pivotally attached at It to a supporting base [9 on ski It, and a trigger member 20 which is pivoted at its center to lever I! at El. Trigger member 20 has a lower portion 22 for locking engagement under a catch 23 on base i9 and an upper portion 24 to which release cable it is attached. Spring cable I5 is attached to lever I! at 21 so that when lever ll is pushed forward and downward the leg 22 has engaged catch 23 to lock the ski on the boot, the point of attachment 2! is above pivot I8 and the pull exerted by spring cable l5 holds the parts in locked position.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, spring cable 15 is preferably provided with an enlarged spring portion 29 designed to fit snugly around the heel of ski boot l3. A portion of spring cable i5 is preferably held below the top surface of ski H3 in any convenient way as by lugs 28 projecting outwardly from each side of the ski. This exerts an extra tension on the spring cable and thus limits longitudinal and vertical movement of the heel of the boot with respect to the ski. Where desired, these lugs may also project slightly above the surface of ski it: to prevent lateral movement of the boot toe.

The free end of release cable i6 is attached around the skiers ankle in any suitable manner, as by the aid of a loop 3%. Where desired, however, loop 39 may be dispensed with, and cable l6 may extend around the skiers ankle and the free end may be clipped to itself in front of the V ankle.

Release cable I6 is adjustable and may be of any suitable material, but should preferably be slightly resilient to permit normal movement of the skiers leg. It may be made of leather, rope, or a fabric tube encasing a tightly coiled spring.

Loop 3? is also adjustable and may likewise be of any suitable material, such as leather or rope, and should preferably be of flat cross-section so as to rest comfortably around the skiers ankle.

While trigger member 20 has been shown in Figs. 1, 3, and 4 as a somewhat Z-shaped member, it will be obvious that it may be conveniently made of a straight member having a dog or lug at the bottom end to engage catch 23, as shown in Fig. 5.

To use a ski equipped with the safety binding of this preferred embodiment of the invention,

the toe of a skiers boot i3 is inserted into recess l2 of toe plate H with lever i'l' in its up, or released, position (as shownin Fig. 4.). Spring cable 45 is placed around the heel of boot it, enlarged spring portion 29 being placed immediately adjacent the heel (as best shown in Fig. 2), and lever i! is pressed forwardly and downwardly until lower portion 22 of trigger member 29 engages catch 22. By proper adjustment, spring cable is made just long enough to firmly hold the toe of boot [3 in recess l2 when lever l! is in its down or forward position and trigger it! is engaged with catch 23. The pull exerted by spring cable I5 keeps trigger 2G in firm engagement with catch 23.

' This firm binding permits sufficient vertical movement of the heel of boot it so that the ski has proper maneuverability, but at the same time holds the toe firmly in place so the ski will not come loose even under the most rigorous skiing conditions.

As previously mentioned, when a fall occurs, the skier is usually catapulted over the front of the skis. As the skier is thrown forward in the air, the normal 96 angle formed by the front of the skiers leg and the surface of the front of the ski is enlarged and this pulls release cable iii which, in turn, actuates trigger member 2i! and disengages its lower portion '22 from catch 23. Since lever ii is thus released, spring cable it pulls it upwardly releasing the pressure which holds the toe of boot 53 in toe plate I i and leaves the ski free to drop off. All of this action takes place before there is any strain or abnormal force on the skiers ankle, leg, or knee; hence, as the skier falls, injuries of this type are eliminated.

It will be obvious that release cable 55 may be attached totrigger 20 in any convenient wa as by a pin-in-slot device (not shown) which will, after release of trigger 20 from catch 23; disengage itself so that the skier is thereafter completely free of the ski. Another method of achieving this desirable object is shown in Fig. 5 in which trigger release clamp i4 comprises lever ll which has a depressed portion 3| at one end which is placed under a pivot bar 32 on base IS, the aforementioned pull of spring cable l5 against the restraint of catch 23 holding the depressed portion 3| in contact with bar 32 and thus effectively holding the parts in locked position. Release of catch 23' as previously described, permits spring cabl l5 to pull lever ll upward and backward, and depressed portion 3| disengages itself from pivot bar 32.

In the modification of the invention shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the trigger release clamp is mounted at the rear of the boot and comprises a ski in, a toe plate ll having a recessed portion l2 to receive the toe of a ski boot it, as in the preferred embodiment. A side plate so is mounted on each side of ski IE! just behind recessed portion l2 and extends sufficiently above the surface of the ski to firmly hold the toe of boot i3 against lateral movement. Longitudinal movement of the boot is normally prevented by a U-shaped heel holder ll controlled by a trigger reiease clamp 22, and a release bar 43.

As in the preferred embodiment, the trigger release clamp serves to lock the ski tightly to the skiers boot and also has means for its automatic release when the angle formed between the rear of the skiers leg and the rear of the ski is decreased.

As best shown in Fig. 7, trigger release clamp d2 comprises an L-shaped rocker arm id pivoted at 55 on a base 8 mounted on ski Iii behind boot IS, a spring-tensioned connecting link 47 whose ends are pivoted, respectively, at 48 to the end of rocker arm i4 nearest the heel and to heel holder ii, and a trigger member 59 pivoted to release bar 43 and adapted to rest under the other end 5| of rocker arm 44 when in locked position.

Release bar 43 is pivoted to a lug 52 on ski Iii and its opposite end is adapted to rest against the back of a skiers leg and be movable thereby. The upper end of release bar 43 is preferably tipped with a head or ballor bar G9 to prevent injury.

Trigger member to is housed in a supporting bracket 53 on ski IE! between base 46 and lug 52, and is preferably a sleeve-like structure containing a tension spring be which holds a detent or trigger 55 in extended position underlying end SI of rocker arm M when in locked position.

The connecting link il comprises a sleeve 55 and a plunger 5'! which are held in operative engagement by a spring 58 housed in, the sleeve and operating against a plug til and the end of plunger El. The forward end of plug 6% is threaded to permit adjustment of sleeve 55 to increase or decrease the tension under which heel clamp 41 holds boot !3 in position.

An alternative method (not shown) of adjusting the tension under which connecting link 4'! holds heel clamp 4! against boot i3 is one in which base 46, supporting rocker arm 5-4, is adjustable forwardly and rearwardly on ski Hi. It is also obvious that base 46, supporting bracket 53, and lug 52 may be mounted on a unit base (not shown), and that unit base attached to the rear surface of the ski in any desired manner.

The pivotal connection of link A! to both heel holder 41 and rocker arm 44 permits sufficient vertical movement of the heel of boot I3 to make the ski completely maneuverable.

To use a ski equipped with this modification, the toe of boot i3 is inserted into recess l2 of toe plate H with rocker arm 44 in its released.

a the boot when the normal 90 position. Heel holder 4| is placed around the heel of boot I3 and the pivoted end of rocker arm 44 is pushed downwardly and forwardly, raising end 5| and pushing boot 13 into firm engagement in recess 12', until end 5| of rocker arm 44 slides upwardly past detent 55. The upper portion of end 5! and the lower portion of detent 55 are preferably curved for easy slide engagement in order that the upward movement of end 5! may force detent 55 backward against the pressure of spring 54 until end 5| has cleared the end of detent 55. When pressure on detent 55 is released, it snaps into position below end 5! and locks the entire assembly.

When a fall occurs, the increase of the angle formed by the front of the skiers leg and the front of the ski results in a corresponding decrease of the angle formed by the back of the leg and the rear of the ski. As this occurs, the back of the leg pushes release bar 43 backward, withdrawing detent 55 from under end 5! of rocker arm 44, and permitting rocker arm 44 to rotate rearwardly on pivot 45. This pulls connecting link 47 and heel holder 4! backward and away from the heel of boot l3, permitting instant and complete release of boot [3' from the ski l0.

As in the case of the preferred embodiment, this action occurs before any strains or abnormal forces act against the skiers leg and thus removes any danger of injury in this respect.

Trigger release clamps l4 and 42 should be made of steel or other suitable metal and be corrosion resistant because of the wet conditions to which they will be subjected.

The devices of this invention may be secured to wooden or metal skis in any conventional way and may be mounted on any style of ski.

It will thus be seen that the present invention provides an improved safety ski binding which holds the ski boot firmly to the ski until a fall occurs. In such case, the slightest pull is sufficient to trip the trigger mechanism. There is no powerful tension force to overcome prior to the release of the boot as is the case in other known ski bindings. This minimizes, almost completely, the danger of injury to a skiers limbs. The release cable of the preferred embodiment may be adjusted to trip the trigger and release angle formed by the front of the skiers leg and the front of the ski is increased to 100. Likewise, the release bar mechanism of the alternative embodiment may be set to release the boot when that correspondin angle is decreased to 80.

It is apparent that many widely different embodiments of this invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof; and, therefore, it is not intended to be limited except as indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A safety ski binding comprising a ski, a toe plate mounted thereon and having a recessed portion to receive the toe of a ski boot, a trigger release clamp mounted on the surface of the ski outside the area normally covered by a ski boot, a spring-tensioned holding device extending from one end of the said trigger release clamp around the heel of the boot, and means connected to said trigger release clamp and extending in the vicinity of the skiers ankle for transmitting motion from the skiers ankle to the trigger release clamp when the angle formed between the skiers leg and the front surface of the ski is increased thus actuating the trigger to release the ski, said means being mounted entirely above the surface of the ski and outside the area thereof normally covered by a ski boot.

2. The safety ski binding of claim 1 in which the trigger release clamp is mounted on the front portion of the ski and the means for transmitting motion is a cable connected to the trigger release at one end and to the skiers ankle at the opposite end.

3. The safety ski binding of claim 2 in which the trigger release clamp comprises a forwardly extending lever, a trigger member pivotally connected theerto, and a stationary catch to receive and hold the trigger member until a pull is exerted against it.

4. The safety ski binding of claim 1 in which the trigger release clamp is mounted on the rear portion of the ski and the means for transmitting motion is a bar mounted behind the ski boot.

5. The safety ski binding of claim 4 in which the bar mounted behind the ski boot is pivotally attached at one end to said ski and extends upwardly and forwardly from the ski to the back of the skiers leg, said bar being intermediately attached to the trigger release clamp.

6. The safety ski binding of claim 5 in which the trigger release clamp comprises a rocker arm mounted on the ski, a heel holder, a springtensioned connecting link pivotally attached to said rocker arm and said heel holder, and a trigger member mounted between the rocker arm and release bar and positioned so as to hold the free end of said rocker arm in raised position until a pull is exerted against said trigger member.

7. The safety ski binding of claim 6 in which the heel holder is a U-shaped member adapted to fit around the heel of a ski boot.

8. A safety ski binding comprising a ski, a toe plate mounted thereon and having a recessed portion to receive the toe of a ski boot, a trigger release clamp mounted on the front portion of ski and comprising a forwardly extending lever, a trigger member pivotally connected thereto, and a stationary catch to receive and hold the trigger member until a pull is exerted against it, a spring cable adapted to extend from the trigger release clamp around the heel of a ski boot and attached at its forward end to the lever of said trigger release clamp so that a force exerted by the spring cable will always be above the base of the lever, and a release cable for attachment between the trigger member of the trigger release clamp and a skiers ankle.

MYRON T. FLEMIING.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,176,226 Reed, Jr. Oct. 17, 1939 2,396,373 Henrichsen Mar. 12, 1946 2,491,485 Durham Dec. 29, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 206,751 Switzerland Dec. 1, 1939