US3545783A

US3545783A - Self-compensating toe binding

Info

Publication number: US3545783A
Application number: US770350A
Authority: US
Inventors: Hjalmar Hvam
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1968-10-24
Filing date: 1968-10-24
Publication date: 1970-12-08
Anticipated expiration: 1987-12-08

Description

I United States Patent [1113,545,783

[72] Inventor llialmarlivam 3,198,536 8/1965 Rossellat ..280/ll.35(HA) Rte 1,Box404,Beaverton,0regon97005 3,207,525 9/1965 Hvam 280/! l.35(l-lA 211 ApplLNo. 770,350 3,265,400 8/1966 Hvam....l a o/1135mm [22] Filed [45] Patented Oct. 24, 1968 Dec. 8, 1970 [54] SELF-COMPENSATING TOE BINDING ll.35(H), 11.35(AA), ll.3S(AB), l 1.35(A), 11.35

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,994,543 8/1961 Hvam ..i 280/] l.35(HA) Primary Examiner- Banjamin Hersh Assistant Examiner-Milton L. Smith Attorney-Buckhorn, Blore, Klarquist and Sparkman ABSTRACT: A sole-engaging cup pivotal on a base has gripping ribs for engaging the end of the sole of a ski boot and having upper, wedging portions which wedge the toe end of the sole downwardly against the ski. The wedging portions are adapted to press soles of a wide range of thicknesses against the ski merely by pushing the boot forwardly into tight engagement with the cup.

,PATENTED DEC 8 I970 FIG. I

HJALMAR HVAM INVENTOR BUG/(HORN, BLORE, KLAROU/ST a SPAR/(MAN ATTORNEYS SELF-COMPENSATING 'ros nrnnmo DESCRIPTION This invention relates to-a selfcompensating toe binding, and more particularly to a toe binding adapted without adjustment to securely hold ski boots of a wide range of sole thicknesses.

The thicknesses of the soles of ski boots vary over a wide range. It is desirable to secure the boots to skis with the sole toes against the skis. This has, in the past, necessitated adjustable lip or swivel members which increases the cost and complicates the construction, as well as requiring considerable skilled effort to obtain the optimum adjustment.

An object of the invention is to provide a self-compensating toe binding.

Another object of the invention is to provide a toe binding adapted to securely hold ski boots over a wide range of thicknesses.

A further object of the invention is to provide a ski binding adapted without adjustment to securely hold ski boots of a wide range of thicknesses.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ski binding having a toe-receiving cup'provided with a wedging lip portion adapted to press the toe of a sole of a ski boot against a ski regardless of the thickness of the sole.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ski binding having a safety releasable swivel member adapted to nonslippingly engage the toe end of the sole of a ski boot and also having wedging lip means adapted to force the toe portion of the ski boot downwardly when theski boot is moved forwardly along the ski- The invention provides a self-compensating toe binding including a releasable swivel member having wedging means adapted to press the toe end portionof the sole of a ski boot downwardly against the ski when the ski boot is moved forwardly along the ski and to positively hold the sole downwardly against the ski. The swivel member preferably is of the cup type and preferably has vertical ribs adapted to engage the end of the sole to prevent side slipping, and, in a selfcompensating toe binding forming a specific embodiment of the invention, the wedging means comprises inclined upper extensions of the ribs adapted to overhang the toe portion of the sole of the ski boot.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a self-compensating toe binding forming one embodiment of the invention;

FIG.- 2 is an enlarged, partially. sectional, top plan view of g the binding of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged rear elevation view of the binding of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, side I elevation view of the binding of FIG. 1; and

FIGS is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, there is shown therein a self-compensating'toe binding mounted on a ski l2 and serving, with a heel binding 14, to securely hold a ski boot 16 on the ski until the maximum safe force on the boot is reached and then release the boot sidewise. The toe binding includes a base 18 fastened to the ski and a swivel 20 rotatable on a vertical, headed post 22 fixed against any movement relative to the base and urged upwardly on the post by a compression spring 24. Rounded detents 26 on the swivel project into recesses 28 in the head of the post when the swivel is in its normal position in which it extends directly rearwardly along the ski. When the maximum safe lateral force on the ski boot is approached, the force on the swivel swings it sideways to release the boot. Before the swivel can swing sidewise, the detents cam the swivel downwardly.

The swivel 20 includes a generally arcuate or cupped portion 30 of slightly greater width than that of the toe end of a sole 32 of the ski boot and having arcuate jaws or wings 33.

The jaws have rounded or blunt edged, longitudinally tapered,

ribs

34 and 36, which blend into wedge portions 38, which abut a strengthening, overhanging lip at their upper ends and which have rounded or blunt edges 42 which are inclined substantially to the vertical, the inclination to the vertical preferably being at least 25 to the vertical at their lower por tions and increasing proceeding upwardly.

When the boot is pushed forwardly along the ski by a known heel binding 14 as the heel binding is actuated to its latched or holding position, the wedge portions 38 wedge the toe end portion downwardly against the thin, platelike rear portion of the base. The wedge portions press somewhat into the upper forward corner of the toe end portion of the sole and the

ribs

34 and 36 press somewhat into the toe end portion of the sole. This keys the sole to the swivel and prevents the boot from slipping sidewise relative to the swivel. However, when the sidewise thrust on the ski boot approaches the maximum safe force, the detents 26 earn the swivel downwardly and the swivel is swung sidewise by the boot to release the boot from the ski, the ribs and wedge portions easily releasing the boot as the swivel is swung from its holding position. The wedge portions and the ribs have rounded edges so that they do not cut grooves into the sole while they do sink into the sole sufficiently to excellently key the sole to the swivel. The wedge portions and the ribs are generally wedge shaped in transverse cross section. The heel binding 14 has an arm 50 which is pressed forwardly and downwardly to its latched of holding position by a spring arm 52 when an actuating lever is swung downwardly. The heel binding is adapted to release the boot when the forward end of the arm 50 is swung above the pivot point of the arm. A carriage 54 is adjustable along a base 56 to adjust the binding for different size of boots and for different forward holding forces.

The cupped portion 30 is shaped to receive and securely hold ski boots of any toe end shape from squarish to roundish and the

ribs

34 and 36 and the wedge portions 38 thereof are spaced so as to engage, hold and wedge down such ski boots over the entire range of sole toe end configurations.

The wedge portions 38 enable the toe binding to securely hold boots over the entire, rather wide, range of sole thicknesses in which ski boots are constructed. The wedge portions overhang the sole sufficiently to positively prevent the sole from moving upwardly and press to the toe end portion of the sole, whether thick or thin, firmly downwardly against the base. The wedge portions do this whether or not the toe end portion of the sole is curled upwardly.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are simply illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Numerous other arrangements may be readily devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.

I claim:

1. In a self-compensating toe binding:

a base;

and swivel means mounted pivotally on the base and including holding means comprising a plurality of generally vertical ribs for engaging a toe end of a sole of a ski boot to normally hold the sole against sidewise movement relative to a ski on which the base is mounted;

the ribs tapering from smaller at the lower end thereof to larger at the upper ends thereof; and

the swivel means also having wedge means adapted to move the toe end portion of the sole downwardly toward the ski when the ski boot is moved forwardly into pressing engagement with the swivel means.

2. In a self-compensating toe binding:

a base;

and swivel means mounted pivotally on the base and including holding means comprising a plurality of generally vertical ribs for engaging a toe end of a sole of a ski boot to normally hold the sole against sidewise movement relative to a ski on which the base is mounted; and

the swivel means also having wedge means comprising a plurality of rib like members forming continuations of and blending into the upper ends of the ribs and adapted to move the toe end.portion of the sole downwardly toward the ski when the ski boot is moved forwardly into pressing engagement with the swivel means.

3. In a self-compensating toe binding:

a base;

swivel means comprising an arm pivotal about a generally vertical axis at its forward end and having a cupped rear end portion and mounted pivotally on the base andineluding holding means for engaging a toe end of a sole of a ski boot to normally hold the sole against sidewise movement relative to'a ski on which the base is mounted;

the cupped rearend portion having inclined, overhanging, wedge means under and against which the toe end portion of the sole is adapted to be moved and adapted to move the toe end'portion of thesole downwardly toward the ski when the ski boot is .moved forwardly into pressing engagement with the swivel means; and

theholding means comprising a plurality of generally vertical ribs tapering from smaller at the lower ends thereof to larger at the upper ends thereof and positioned at op posite sides of the center line of the rear end portion.

4. In a self-compensating toe binding:

a base;

anda rigid swivel arm mounted pivotally on the base and having a wide, cupped rear end portion for engaging a toe end of a sole of a ski boot to normally hold the sole against sidewise movement relative to a ski on which the base is mounted;

the cupped rear end portion being sufficiently wide to substantially span the width of the toe end portion of the sole of a ski boot to be used therewith; and a the swivel arm also having vertically tapered rib like wedge means'adapted to move the toe end-portion of the sole downwardly toward the ski whenwthe ski boot is moved forwardly into pressing engagement with the swivel means.

5. The self compensating toe binding of claim 4 wherein the wedge means comprises vertical ribs tapered from larger'at the tops to smaller at the bottoms, the ribs being inclined relative to the vertical and the horizontal for pressing the toe end portion of the sole downwardly.

' '6. The self-compensating toe binding of claim 5 wherein the 1 ribs engage the outer portions of the forward end of the sole of the innermost ribs.