US3709509A

US3709509A - Releasable ski binding

Info

Publication number: US3709509A
Application number: US00078348A
Authority: US
Inventors: K Hildebrand
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-10-06
Filing date: 1970-10-06
Publication date: 1973-01-09
Anticipated expiration: 1990-01-09

Abstract

A safety ski binding for the toe and/or heel of the boot with a housing mounted on the ski and a movable unit consisting of a generally horizontal holding jaw with a generally vertical portion that reacts against an elastic element within the housing. The binding has means for adjustably compressing the elastic element, whereby to vary the releasing characteristics of the binding. The elastic element is preferably composed of a prism-shaped block of elastic material such as rubber or soft plastic, such element extending across the width of the ski.

Description

United States Patent 1 1 Hildebrand [54] RELEASABLE SKI BINDING [76] Inventor: Kurt Hildebrand, Koetschachtal 33,

Badgastein, Austria [22] Filed: Oct. 6, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 78,348

[52] U.S. Cl. ..280/1l.35 T [51] Int. Cl ..A63c 9/00 [58] Field of Search ..280/l1.35 T

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,458,211 7/1969 Marker ..280/1 1.35 T

3,563,561 2/1971 Mottet ..280/l 1135 T 2,991,086 7/1961 Woodward .280/1135 T 3,149,854 9/1964 Marker ..280/35 T [11] 3,709,509 1 Jan. 9, 1973 Primary Examiner-Benjamin Hersh Assistant ExaminerRobert R. Song Attorney-Alfred W. Vibber [57] ABSTRACT 11 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures L 1111M I L, I m

PATENTEDJAN 9 ma SHEET 1 OF 2 Fig.1

F. 2 INVENTOR.

9'- Kurt HILDEBRAND W/MM ATTORNEY PATENTEUJAM 9197a SHEET 2 BF 2 N m w m ZN m P I A. Hm

Q: n m

,0 H 2 m w m INVENTOR. Kurt HILDEBRAND ATTORNEY RELEASABLE SKI BINDING The invention relates to a safety ski binding for the toe and/or heel of a ski boot, with a housing that is mounted on the ski and a movable heel and/or toe gripping unit that reacts against an elastic body. Each movable gripping unit contains a generally horizontal holding jaw with a generally vertical portion.

Prior ski bindings of the type using an elastic material such as rubber have the disadvantage that the force required to release the binding is determined by the elasticity of the elastic element, with little or no adjustment possible. The true function of a safety ski binding is fulfilled only when the release force can be adjusted to the weight and requirements of each individual skier. An adjustment to cover the full range of various skiers weights is necessary to fulfill the purpose of the ski safety binding.

The invention provides a ski safety binding which does not have the above limitations. In a simple and reliable way such binding provides exact release adjustment over a wide range. This is done by an adjustment system in the housing and/or holding jaw which puts the elastic element under pressure. The binding of the present invention includes at least one adjustment screw in the housing, by means of which the elastic element can be pressed against the holding jaw.

The elastic element may be a prism-shaped block of an elastic material such as rubber, with a generally triangular or trapezoidal cross-section. Such block can be pressed against the holding jaw by means of a pressure plate that is approximately vertical and runs across the width of the ski. The pressure plate can be made to pivot at its upper edge, and is actuated by an adjustment screw forcing the elastic element against the holding jaw. The lower edge of the pressure plate is bent forward so that the elastic element is held securely between the lower portion of the pressure plate and an upper portion of the holding jaw.

The elasticity of the elastic element depends mainly upon the type of material used, and upon its shape. l-loles, notches, or bulges can also be used to vary the elasticity of such element. In place of rubbery or elastomeric material, coil or leaf springs may also be used.

In order to make the release adjustment visible, there is a slit in the housing with scale markings. It is therefore possible to see the position of the pressure plate at all settings. To allow adapting the binding to all shoe sole thicknesses, the holding jaw can be fitted with a screw providing for vertical adjustment. At least one binding can be provided with a means for sliding it longitudinally to fit various boot sizes.

The holding jaw is contoured to fit the boot and rests on the sole. An advantageous feature of the invention, which centers the shoe precisely on the ski and allows the boot to return to its original position when absorbing shocks not strong enough to cause release, is the V- shaped notch in the middle of the holding jaw facing the boot, which is engaged by a triangular projection in the middle of the toe and/or heel of the boot. The projection may consist of a screw with a triangular head.

Another advantageous feature of the invention is the projection on the vertical side of the housing facing the shoe which may be fitted with an adjusting screw and serves to prevent the shoe from moving forward or backward under stress, which would affect the release setting.

Other advantages of the binding of the invention are evident in its simple and inexpensive construction, and its reliable function. It is easy to adjust and can quickly be fitted to boots of all sizes and shapes. It will release universally without changing the boot sole or adding metal plates. An important advantage is that it is not sensitive to icing since it has no open coil springs; due to the small area of contact during release, friction is low with a minimal difference between wet or dry snow conditions. Its form lends itself readily to its being molded of strong, tough plastic for inexpensive mass production.

Further details and advantages will be apparent upon consideration of the following description of a preferred embodiment, shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of the illustrative embodiment of the ski binding of the invention holding a shoe to a ski, central longitudinal portions of the shoe and ski being omitted for economy of illustration;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a view in longitudinal vertical cross-section of the assembly shown in FIG. 1, certain of the parts being shown in elevation.

In the drawings there is shown a ski binding in accordance with the invention attached to a ski l with the binding 2a holding the'toe of a ski boot 22 and a binding 2b holding the heel of the boot 22. Parts which are similar in the toe binding 2a and the heel binding 2b are designated by the same reference characters.

The toe binding 2a consists of a housing 3 which is mounted on ski 1 by means of flange 4 and screws 5. Housing 3 contains a prism-shaped elastic body 6 with a generally trapezoidal longitudinal vertical cross-section which can be pressed against the vertical part 10a of a horizontal jaw 10 by means of an adjusting screw 7 threaded in housing 3 and acting on a pressure plate 9 which is pivotally connected to housing 3 at its upper end, in FIG. 1 the plate 9 is visible only in slit 8. In order to adjust the height of holding'jaw 10b in each of

assemblies

2a and 2b to fit various sole and heel thicknesses, respectively, there is in housing 3 and sliding within vertical portion 10a of horizontal jaw 10, a flat adjusting plate 11 with the lower portion 11a bent upwards to hook under front face 3a of housing 3 to keep it from pulling out. The horizontal jaw 10 is constantly urged counterclockwise (FIG. 3), about the bearing formed of

parts

3a and 11a, by the compressed elastomeric member or element 6. The upper part of adjusting plate 11 has a portion 1 lb which is bent into a closed rectangular formation the upper and lower walls of which are threaded to contain screw 12 that in turn fits through a hole in the top of horizontal jaw 10. Screw 12 is held in place against substantial vertical movement with respect to jaw 10b by flat retaining clip 12a. By turning screw 12, holding jaw 10b can be adjusted vertically.

The elastic body 6 is thicker at its base or lower end than its upper end. The lower end of body 6 is shaped to interfit with the lower end of pressure plate 9 and the ledge 9a bent at generally right angles with respect to main portion of plate to provide supporting ledge for body 6. The remainder of body 6, spaced from plate 9 and ledge 9a is generally triangular in vertical section longitudinally of the length of the ski binding, that is, longitudinally of the length of the ski. Such triangle is disposed at an acute angle with respect to the main portion of pressure plate 9 and to the vertical portion 10a of the jaw, the narrow angled apex of the body 6 engaging portion 10a midway of the height of the latter.

To make the front binding easier to open, horizontal jaw 10 is extended to form lever 13 and contains depression 14 for the tip of the ski pole. Projection 15 on the front side 3a of housing 3 is threaded to contain an adjustable positioning screw 16 which serves as a stop to define the forward position of the boot 22 relative to holding jaw 10b.

The binding for the heel of the shoe 22 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and designated 2b is also shown in FIG. 3 in cross-section and consists mainly of the same parts as toe binding 2a. As above-noted, corresponding parts thus have the same designations. In order to adapt the binding to many shoe sizes, rear binding 2b is movable longitudinally along the ski length. This is accomplished simply by means of slots 17 in flanges 4 or housing 3 through which mounting screws fasten it to the ski 1. Assembly 2b is provided with an adjustable stop screw 16; the forward and rear stop screws 16 are adjusted to receive the ski boot 22 between them, as shown. The heel binding 2b provides a loop 18 for safety straps 19. The jaw of assembly 2b is constantly urged clockwise (FIG. 3) against the heel of a ski boot by compressed element 6, which tends to turn the jaw about the bearing 30, Ila.

An easy method of stepping into the binding is achieved by the provision of the concave sloping upper portion of holding jaw 10b facing the boot heel. The boot is placed in the binding as follows: The toe of the boot is first put into place, and the heel is placed against the concave sloping face of holding jaw 10b and pressed downward, causing a wedging action which forces horizontal jaw 10 back until holding jaw 10b rests on the heel of the boot. The binding can be opened by pressing downward on the lever 13 of the toe binding 2a.

An especially advantageous feature of the invention, which is important to its exact release, is the V-shaped notch 21. Such notch is shown in FIG. 2 in the middle of holding jaw 10b, which is engaged by projection 23 that is fastened to the upper edge of the shoe sole. This projection 23 can be in the form of a screw with a triangular head.

The releasing force of the safety binding of the invention can be varied over a wide range by turning adjustment screw 7, thereby causing pressure plate 9 to pivot, compressing or releasing elastic element 6 depending upon the direction of turning of screw 7. Should the normally available adjustment range be inadequate, as for instance in making a safety binding for adults suitable for children, then the elastic element can easily be changed to provide one with different elastic proper ties, so that a different release range will be achieved.

Forces acting on the bindings may cause the horizontal jaw 10 to yield briefly, but due to the function of the notch 21 together with triangular projection 23, the boot will not be released until the predetermined setting is exceeded.

The main parts of the safety binding of the invention, such as housing 3 and horizontal jaw 10, can be made out of a hard, strong, and tough plastic, thus simplifying production and reducing the cost of the binding.

A further advantage of the safety binding of the invention is its unusually simple construction that enables it to be quickly adapted to all requirements. The use of an easily changeable elastic element made of readily available rubber or other elastic material allows a wide range of release settings to be attained. Contrary to known bindings that require metal plates on the toe and heel of the boot in order to achieve release in all directions, these plates are not necessary with this invention.

Although the invention is illustrated and described with reference to one preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be expressly understood that it is in no way limited to the disclosure of such a preferred embodiment, but is capable of numerous modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1'. A safety ski binding for the toe and/or heel of a ski boot, comprising a housing adapted to be mounted on a ski, and a movable unit consisting of a generally horizontal boot-holding jaw with a generally vertical portion, means pivotally connecting the jaw to the housing, an elastic element acting between the vertical portion of the jaw and an abutment mounted on the housing and urging the jaw in a boot-gripping direction, means pivotally connecting the vertical portion of the jaw adjacent its lower end to the housing, the elastic element being placed in compression between the vertical portion of the jaw and the abutment, the abutment being adjustable, whereby the elastic element can be variably pressed against the holding jaw, the abutment being a pressure plate having a main portion that is generally vertical and extends in the direction of the width of the ski, and comprising means pivotally connecting the pressure plate adjacent one end thereof to the housing.

2. A safety ski binding as in claim 1, wherein the elastic element is composed of a prism-shaped block of elastomeric material.

3. A safety ski binding as in claim 1, wherein the pressure plate is disposed generally vertically and is pivoted at its upper edge, and comprising an adjustment screw for pivoting the pressure plate to vary the compression of the elastic element.

4. A safety ski binding as in claim 3, wherein the pressure plate has its lower edge bent to lie generally horizontal to furnish a supporting ledge for the elastic element.

5. A safety ski binding as in claim 4, wherein the plastic element is a block of elastomeric material which is generally triangular in vertical section longitudinally of the ski, the thicker end of the elastic element engaging and being supported by the lower end of the main vertical portion of the pressure plate and the supporting ledge thereon, and the thinner end of the elastic element engaging the vertical portion of the jaw at a location spaced from its lower end.

6. A safety ski binding as in claim 3, wherein the elastic element is disposed at an acute angle with respect to the main portion of the pressure plate and to the vertical portion of the jaw.

7. A safety ski binding as in claim 1, wherein the elastic element has a generally trapezoidal cross-section.

8. A safety ski binding as in claim 1, wherein the housing has a slit with scale markings to show the adjusted position of the pressure plate.

9. A safety ski binding as in claim 1, wherein the side of the holding jaw facing the boot has a notch in the middle which is adapted to receive a projection on the boot.

10. A safety ski binding as in claim 9, wherein the projection consists of a head of a screw attached to the boot.

11. A safety ski binding for the toe and/or heel of a ski boot, comprising a housing adapted to be mounted on a ski, and a movable unit consisting of a generally horizontal boot-holding jaw with a generally vertical portion, means pivotally connecting the jaw to the housing, an elastic element acting between the vertical portion of the jaw and an abutment mounted on the housing and urging the jaw in a boot-gripping direction, and a screw aligned with the length of the boot adjustably threaded into the end of the housing, and a boot-engaging and positioning abutment disposed outwardly of the housing on the end of the screw facing the boot.

Claims

1. A safety ski binding for the toe and/or heel of a ski boot, comprising a housing adapted to be mounted on a ski, and a movable unit consisting of a generally horizontal boot-holding jaw with a generally vertical portion, means pivotally connecting the jaw to the housing, an elastic element acting between the vertical portion of the jaw and an abutment mounted on the housing and urging the jaw in a boot-gripping direction, means pivotally connecting the vertical portion of the jaw adjacent its lower end to the housing, the elastic element being placed in compression between the vertical portion of the jaw and the abutment, the abutment being adjustable, whereby the elastic element can be variably pressed against the holding jaw, the abutment being a pressure plate having a main portion that is generally vertical and extends in the direction of the width of the ski, and comprising means pivotally connecting the pressure plate adjacent one end thereof to the housing.