US3010125A - Adjustable ski harness - Google Patents

Description

Nov 28, 1961 H. w. HEDLUND 3,010,125

ADJUSTABLE SKI HARNESS Filed April 4, 1958 FT 7 Z.

3,010,125 ADJUSTABLE SKI HARNESS Henry W. Hedlund, Nokomis, 111., assignor to Hedluntl Manufacturing Company, Nokomis, Ill, a corporation of Illinois Filed Apr. 4, 1958, Ser. No. 726,574 15 Claims. (Cl. 9-310) This invention relates to a foot binding or harness for skis, and more particularly to a binding or harness for water skis which is readily adjustable to fit the foot of the skier.

In order that water skis may be used by skiers having different foot sizes it is desirable that water skis be equipped with a binder or harness which can be easily adjustable to accommodate any foot size.

Generally, the water ski harness of the this invention includes a forward vamp member fixed to the water ski for receiving a portion of the forward part of the skiers foot, and a movable counter member for receiving a portion of the heel part of the skiers foot. The movable counter member can be adjusted longitudinally of the ski, and suitable locking or securing means, in the form of wedge means, which is pivotable between released and locked positions, relative to associated reaction means, is provided to secure the counter member, after ad ustment, to the ski.

One object of this invention is to provide a relatively simple and inexpensive adjustable water ski harness.

Another object of this invention is to provide an adjustable ski harness which has means for providing a securing force in a direction substantially normal to the .direction of adjustment being made to the harness.

Another object of this invention is to provide a Water ski harness which can be adjusted longitudinally of the water ski to compensate for the slightest variance and to enable the most accurate of adjustments.

Another object of this invention is to provide an adjustable water ski harness which because of the slightest variance of adjustments can be made to comfortably tit the foot size of any skier yet is strong and durable and will not loosen.

Another object of this invention is to provide a water ski harness in which the adjustable counter member is securely held to the ski by longitudinally extending transversely spaced guides, a longitudinally extending slot and longitudinally spaced posts which assure a rugged movable connection between the counter member and the ski and which prevent undesirable sidewisetwisting of the counter member during any adjustable longitudinal movement thereof to a desired position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a water ski harness which allows fluid to flow through the harness as the ski passes through the water thereby alleviating the building up of any undesirable water pressure within the counter member and. foot portion.

The following detailed description together with the accompanying drawing present a typical and illustrative "embodiment of this invention.

' f In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is aplan viewlshowinga fragment of ,a

'water ski on which is mounted a water ski harness illus- Ttrating this invention; 1 i

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-'-2 in FIGURE 1; a T

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIGURE 1; -1 v FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the wedge plate of the locking means; and

FIGURE 5 is a perspectiveview of a modificationof 5 the wedge plate shown in FIGURE 4.

I substantially ,counterplatetfil, note FIGURE 1.

3,010,125 Patented Nov. 28, 1961 ice Attention is now directed to the drawing wherein a water ski harness 10, of this invention, is shown as being mounted on a water ski 12, only a portion of which is illustrated, and it is to be understood that the ski harness 10 may be mounted on all types of skis, if desired.

The forward portion of the ski harness 10 includes a vamp member 14 mounted on the upper surface of the ski 12.

The vamp member 14 is formed of any suitable flex ible, rubber-like material having elastic properties, and is shaped to conform to the front portion of a skiers foot. The generally longitudinally extending transversely spaced, side edge portions of the vamp member 14 are each secured to the ski 12 by clamping means, such as clamp plates 16-16, which are secured to the ski 12 by securing means, such as screws 18, or the like, which extend through holes in the clamp plates 16-16, through the respective side edge portions of the vamp 14, which are disposed intermediate the clamp plates 1616 and the ski 12, and then into the ski 12.

tance from the surface of the ski 12 to accommodate entry of the skiers foot. Also, if desired, the transversely extending forward portion 21 of the vamp member 14 likewise is spaced a suitable distance from the surface of the ski 12 and forms an opening or passage through which water may pass and flow between the skiers foot and the inside of the vamp member 14.

The rearward portion of the ski harness 10 includes a heel or counter member 30 which, like the vamp member 14, is formed of any suitable flexible, rubber-like material having elastic properties and is shaped to conform to a portion of a skiers heel. r

The counter member 30 is secured to Y-shaped longitudinally adjustably movable mounting means, such as a counter plate 32, by clamping means, such as a U-shaped clamp plate 34, which overlies the side and rear edge portions of the counter member 30, and securing means, such as rivets 36, or the like, which pass through openings in the clamp plate 34, the side and rear edge portions of the counter member 30 and the counter plate 32.

The counter plate 32 has a longitudinally rearwardly extending tail portion 38 and a longitudinally forwardly extending yoke portion 40 to which the counter member 30 and clamp plate 34 are secured by the rivets 36, as illustrated in FIGURE 1. The skiers heel will rest directly on the surface of the ski 12 or on a padding,

edge portionsof the counter plate 32 there is positioned 44441-or :the like,

guide means, such as a guide-track which are secured to the ski 12 by securingfmeans, such as screws 46 or the like, so that the guide-tracks 44-44 extend generally longitudinally along the ski 12 and parallel to. the side edge portions of the Each of theJ-guide tracks 44%44 comprises 'an upper strip- 48 overlying a lower strip, 50. The :transversely inner generally longitudinally extending edgeportiojn of the upper strip 43 isbent upwardly away from the rea transverselyjnwardly facing longitudinally extending slot 52 which receivesa respective guide lug 42 of the guide lug .42 resting on the member 42 or the like, 'which have seen in FIGURE 3, to define" lower strip 50 and freely slidable longitudinally therealong within the respective slot 52. The longitudinal sliding movement of the guide lugs 42, relative to the ski 12, is limited by stop means 54 defined by the unbent end portions of the upper strips 48 adjacent the screws 46.

It is to be noted that the guide lugs '42 rest on the lower strip and that the counter plate 32, which is coplanar with the guide lugs 42, is substantially open and generally vertically upwardly spaced, as designated by 56, from the underlying surface of the ski, note FIG- URES 2 and 3. The space 56 permits fluid, such as .water, which may enter the ski harness at the forward portion 21 of the vamp member 14 or at the open sides of the ski harness 10 which are between the vamp member 14 and the counter member 30 to fiow rapidly out at the rear of the ski harness, around the skiers heel and under the counter plate 32.

The tail portion 38 of the counter plate 32 is provided with a generally longitudinally extending slot 53 which .is disposed substantially parallel to and intermediate of the guide-tracks 44-44 and longitudinally rearwardly spaced therefrom.

Support and lower reaction means, such as a reaction bar 60, is positioned generally vertically below the slot 58 and extends generally longitudinally and substantially parallel to the slot 58 and is secured to the ski 12 in such position by securing means, such as screws 62 or the like. The tail portion 38 is slidably supported by the reaction bar 60 for longitudinal sliding movement thereacross and the tail portion 38 is upwardly vertically spaced from the surface of the ski 12 a distance substantially equal to the upward vertical spacing of the lugs 42 so that the lower strips 50 of the guide-tracks .44-44 and the reaction bar 60 also act as spacer means to support the counter plate 32 in spaced relation to the surface of the ski 12 to further define the space 56 through which the water may readily flow, as previously described.

In order to lock and secure the longitudinally movable counter plate 38 in any desired adjusted position and to retain the counter member 30 positioned relative to the vamp member 14, there is provided locking and, secur- Ling means, such as wedge latch means 64, which includes, as illustrated in the modficaton of FIGURE 4, a relatively large, substantially fiat first portion or member 66, which may be of disc-type configuration, as illustrated, suitable handle means 68 extending generally radially therefrom, wedge means, such as ramps 70, disposed on opposed sides of an arcuate slot 72 and an opening 74 for a pivot post 76.

The wedge means or ramps 70 extend inwardly from the peripheral edge of the disc portion 66 and terminate at the inner extremity of the slot 72. Further, it is to be noted, in the modification of FIGURE 4, that the wedge means or ramps 70 are substantially axially flush and merge with the periphery of the disc portion .66 adjacent 1 the open end of the slot 72 and extend axially upwardly and generally radially inwardly therefrom so that the wedge means or ramps 70 are axially spaced upwardly from the disc portion 66 adjacent the inner extremity :of the slot 72K p The wedge latch means 64 pivots about a generally a vertical axis, such as the pivot post 7,6,which as illustrated, may be a rivet-like element secured to the reac-' tion bar 60. The pivot post 76 extends upwardly through an opening in the reaction bar 60, through the ,slot 58 e in the tail portion 38 and through the opening 74 in the wedge latch means 64. Su'itablehead portions retain -the pivot post 76 to the reaction bar 60 and the wedge latch means 64 on the pivot post 76. There isfurtherprovided upper wedge reaction means, such as .a reaction post 78 having a washer-like element 80 thereon,

which is located longitudinally rearwardly of the pivot post 76, which, as illustrated, comprises a slotted head machine screw with relatively fine threads which is secured into a tapped hole in the reaction bar 60 or, if desired, may be in the form of a rivet-like element similar to the pivot post 76 and secured in a recessed portion of the reaction bar 60.

The advantage of having the reaction post 78 in the form of a slotted head machine screw, as compared to a rivot-like element, is that there is the possibility that after long and extended use, wear may cause a decrease of frictional force between the washer-like element and the wedge means or ramps 70 and by using the slotted head machine screw adjustments may be made to compensate for such wear. The reaction post 78 extends upwardly through an opening in the reaction bar 60 and through the slot 58 in tail portion 38. The washer-like element 80 is freely axially longitudinally movably disposed and carried on the upper end portion of the reaction post 78 and a suitable head portion 79 retains the washer-like element 80 on the reaction post 78.

The pivot post 76 and the reaction post 78 are substantially longitudinally aligned and spaced from each other. Further, the reaction post 78 is of slightly less diameter than the width of the arcuate slot 72 in the wedge latch means 64 and the washer-like element 80 freely rides upon and in sliding engagement with the upper surface portions of the wedge means of ramps 70.

As the wedge latch means 64 is pivoted about the pivot post 76, clockwise as seen in FIGURE 1, by the handle means 68, the arcuate slot 72 receives the reaction post 78, and the wedge means or ramps 70 bear upwardly against the washer-like element 80 which has restricted upward movement because of the upper head portion 79 of the reaction post 78. The wedge latch means 64 consequently is urged downwardly to firmly clamp the latch means 64 is pivoted counterclockwise until the wedge means or ramps 70 relieve the clamping force on the tail. portion 38. The counterclockwise pivotal movement of the handle means '68 to the unlocked position,

,as illustrated in dot-dash lines in FIGURE 1, is limited by stop means, such as a stop ring 82 or the like, preferably .formedof a resilient material and fastened to the ski, 12 ,bysecuring means, such as a screw 84 or the like. Further, the stop means'82 also facilitates in retaining the wedge latch means 64 in the proper position relative to the reaction post 76.

.Attention is now directed to a modification of the wedge latch means, as illustrated in FIGURE 5, wherein like elements have been designated by corresponding reference numerals of the series. The wedge latch means 164 includes a relatively large first portion or member 166 which may be'o f. disc-like configuration, handle means 168, wedge means or ramps 170 disposed on opposed sides of an arcuate slot 172 having spaced 'closed ends1182-182' which act as stop means to facilitate the positioning of the we'dgelatch means 164 relative'to the reaction post 78. The wedge means or ramps 170 extend froma substantially axially flush relationship with the disc' 166 adjacent one closed end 182 of the slot 172 to a substantially axially upwardly spaced relationship to the disc 166 adjacent the other closed end 182' of the slot-172. I

By this convenient adjustable harness device even a slight increment of adjustmentcan be made since it is possible to set the counter member 30 at exactly the desired position relative to the vamp member 14 and then pivot the wedge latch means 64 or 164 to the clamping position without disturbing the adjusted position of the counter member 30 since the primary wedging or securing force is in a direction which is substantially normal to the longitudinally adjustable movement of the counter plate 32 and counter member 30.

This harness device affords a rugged structure that will prevent sidewise twisting or sliding of the counter member 30 which may be subject to severe jolts and jars when in use. The guide lugs 42, pivot post 76 and reaction post 78 cooperate to provide a four point support which virtually eliminates any possibility of the counter plate 32 and the counter member 30 shifting sidewise or transversely relative to the ski 12.

The relatively large friction surface on the under side of the disc- like portions 66 and 166 of the wedge latch means 64 and 164, respectively offer suflicient frictional contact with the top surface of the tail portion 38 of the counter plate 32, together with the frictional contact between the lower surface of the tail portion 38 and upper surface of the reaction bar 60, to prevent the counter member 30 and counter plate 38 from shifting longitudinally when the wedge latch means 64 or 164 are in the clamping position.

As illustrated, the slots 72 and 172, and the wedge means or ramps 70 are disposed along an arc, the center of which is substantially common to the center of the pivot pin 76 with the primary wedging action being substantially normal to the longitudinal movement of the counter member 30. However, if desirable, in order. to have additional secondary wedging action, the arc of the slots 72 and 172 may have a center which is radially offset from the center of the pivot pin 76 which will give an additional secondary wedging action in a direction common to the longitudinally adjustable movement of the counter member 30 to supplement the desired primary wedging action.

The space 56, which is provided between the surface of the ski 12 and the counter plate 32 by the spacer means, i.e. the track-guides 44-44 and support bar 60, will enable fluid to freely flow through the harness. Such a provision for the free passage of fluid through the harness alleviates the building up of fluid pressure in the 2 heel section of the harness and prevents any fluid pres-' sure from (1) flexing the counter member 30 rearwardly so that the skiers heel might slip from the counter member, (2) forcing the counter 30, counter plate 32 and guide lugs 42 rearwardly or, (3) creating a strain on the wedge latch means 64.

Having thus described and disclosed my invention in its preferred form, it is to be understood that obvious modifications, other than those illustrated in the drawing, may be resorted to andstill be within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with a water ski, a vamp member secured to the ski, a counter member, mounting means comprising a counter plate having "the counter member mounted thereon, support means for supporting the counter plate in spaced relationship to the ski to enable longitudinal movement of the counter plate relative to the vamp member between a plurality of adjusted positions, said support means comprising transversely spaced generally longitudinally extending guide-track means secured to the ski adjacent the longitudinal edge portions thereof, said guide-track means having transversely inwardly opening grooves therein, a support bar longitudinally spaced from and disposed intermediate the guidetrack means, said counter plate having generally transversely extending lug portions received Within the grooves and slideably supported therein by the guide-track means and a tail portion having a slot therein extending gen-' erally longitudinally therefrom and slideably supported by said support bar, and locking means for securing said counter member in a desired adjusted position relative to the vamp member, said locking means including a first portion having a slot therein, wedge means disposed adjacent the slot, pivot means pivotally mounting the first portion to the ski, and a reaction post carried by the support bar, said reaction post extending through the slot in the tail portion of the counter plate and the slot in the first portion of the locking means for engagement with the wedge means on pivotal movement of the first portion, whereby the tail portion of the counter plate is locked between the first portion of the locking means and the support bar by a force exerted thereby which is substantially normal to the movement of the counter plate.

2. A water ski harness having members adapted to support portions of a users foot, support means for movably mounting one of said members for movement relative to another one of the members between a plurality of adjustable desired positions, securing means for securing said one member in a selected one of the desired positions, said securing means including a pivotally mounted member having an arcuate slot and an inclined portion defining wedge means disposed thereon adjacent to the arcuate slot therein, and upstanding elongated reaction means secured to the support means, said reaction means passing through the arcuate slot in the pivotally mounted member and engageable with the wedge means on pivotal movement of the pivotally-mounted member to enable a securing force to be exerted against the one member to secure the one member in a selected desired position. w

3. In a water ski harness having a foot-engaging member and support means for adjustably movably supporting the foot-engaging member for movement between a plurality of desiredpositions, the improvement comprising, in combination with the support means, securing means for securing said foot-engaging member in a desired adjusted position, said securing means including a pivotally mounted member having an elongated opening and wedge means disposed thereon adjacent to the elongated opening therein, and reaction means secured to the support means, said reaction means passing through the elongated opening in the pivotally mounted member and engageable with the wedge means on pivotal movement of the pivotally mounted member to effectively exert a pressure-force against the support means. Y

4. A water ski harness having members adapted to engage portions of a users foot, mounting means for movably mounting one of said members for movement relative to another one of the members between a plurality of adjustable desired positions, said mounting means having an opening therein, supporting means for supporting the mounting means, securing means for, se-

means and the supporting means.

5. The water ski harness as set forth in claim 4 wherein a said mounting means includes a plate having the onev member carried thereby with the portion of the mounting means being an outwardly extending portion of the plate.

6. The water ski harness as set forth in claim 5, wherein said supporting means includes spacer means comprising a plurality of spacer member's adapted to be interposed between the plate and a ski to which the harness may be attached to space the plate upwardly therefrom.

7. The water ski harness as set forthin claim 6', wherein certain of said spacer members define guide-track means for slideably guiding the plate to facilitate the positioning of the said one member in the selected desired position.

8. A securing device for positioning a binder of a water ski harness in a selected desired position, said device including mounting means for movably mounting such binder for movement between a plurality of adjustable desired positions, said mounting means comprising a plate having a slot therein, supporting means slideably supporting the mounting means, and securing means for securing the plate in a selected one of the desired positions, said securing means including pivotally mounted means having an arcuate slot and wedge means disposed thereon adjacent to the arcuate slot therein, and reaction means for said wedge means, said reaction means being secured to the supporting means and passing through the slot in the plate and the arcuate slot in the pivotally mounted means and effective on pivotal movement of the pivotally mounted means to enable a portion of the plate to be clamped between the pivotally mounted means of the securing means and the supporting means.

9. The securing device as set forth in claim 8, together with means for adjusting said wedge means to compensate for wear.

10. The securing device as set forth in claim 8, together with stop means for engaging the pivotally mounted, means to limit the pivotal movement thereof and position the pivotally mounted means relative to the reaction means.

11. The structure as set forth in claim 8, wherein said pivotally mounted means is substantially disc-shaped in configuration with the arcuate slot therein having one end thereof open at the periphery of the disc andthe wedge means tapers from an axially upwardly raised portion adjacent the other end of the arcuate slot smoothly downwardly and terminates adjacent the open end thereof in a substantially axially flush relationship with the disc.

12. The structure as set forth in. claim 8, wherein said pivotally mounted means is substantially disc-shaped in configuration and said wedge means is axially spacedv upwardly therefrom adjacent one end of the arcuate slot therein and tapers smoothly downwardly to a substantially axially flat relationship thereto adjacent the other end of the arcuate slot with the end portions of the arcuate slot being closed to define stop means for positioning the pivotally-mounted means relative to the reaction means.

13. A securing mechanism forsecuring a foot-engaging movable member of a water ski harness in selected desired adjusted positions, said securing mechanism including movably supported mounting means for supporting such foot-engaging member for movement between a plurality of such desired positions, locking means for locking the mounting means in a selected desired adjustedposition, said locking means including a pivotally mounted member having an elongated opening therein and wedge means thereon disposed adjacent to the elongated opening therein, means having a part thereof passing through said elongated opening in the pivotally mounted member, said means also defining upper and lower wedge reaction means, said wedge reaction means being disposed to effectively wedge the mounting means in the selected desired adjusted position on pivotal movement of the pivotally mounted member to a position wherein the wedge means thereon is interposed between the upper and lower reaction means.

14. A securing mechanism for securing a foot-engaging adju-stably movable member of a water ski harness in a selected desired adjusted position, said securing mechanism including movably supported mounting means adapted to support such member, pivotally mounted means carried by said movably supported mounting means, said pivotally mounted means having an elon gated opening therein and wedge means thereon disposed adjacent to the elongated opening, and reaction means passing through the elongated opening in the pivotally mounted means for engaging the wedge means on pivotal movement of the pivotally mounted means to enable the movably supported mounting means to be secured in the selected desired adjusted position.

15. In combination with a water ski, a Water ski harness having spaced apart members adapted to engage portions of a users foot, mounting means for movably mounting one ofsaid members for movement relative to .the other member between a plurality ofadjustable desired positions, said mounting means including a plate having the one member secured thereto, supporting means for supporting said mounting means, said supporting means including spacer means interposed between the plate and the ski to dispose said plate in upwardly spaced substantially open relationship to the ski, said spacer means including transversely spaced apart generally longitudinally extending guide-tracl means and a support bar separate and independent'of said guide-track means and longitudinally spaced from and disposed intermediate the guide-track means in spaced relationship relative thereto, said guide-track means having transversely inwardly opening grooves therein and said support bar having a surface thereon, said plate having generally transversely projecting lug portions received within the grooves and slideably supported therein by the guide-track means and a generally longitudinally extending portion slideably supported on the surface of the'support bar, said longitudinally extending portion of the plate having an elongated generally longitudinally extending opening therein, and means passing through the opening in the longitudinally extending portion of the plate forengaging the plate at longitudinally spaced locations thereon to restrain the plate against lateral movement during the movernent of the one member between the desired positions.

References Cited in the file of this patent

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