US3739631A

US3739631A - Ski binding tester adapted for testing heel bindings

Info

Publication number: US3739631A
Application number: US00151687A
Authority: US
Inventors: G Clifford; R Clifford
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-06-10
Filing date: 1971-06-10
Publication date: 1973-06-19
Anticipated expiration: 1990-06-19

Abstract

A ski binding tester for determining the force required to release a ski boot from a ski binding comprising at least one lever mounted for pivotal movement, a force applying member drivingly connected to the lever for applying a force to the ski boot, a flexible tension element connected to the lever for applying a force thereto, and a scale for providing an indication related to the force at which the binding releases.

Description

lited States Patent [1 1 Clifford et al.

[ SKI BINDING TESTER ADAPTED FOR TESTING HEEL BINDINGS '[76] Inventors: Gloria L. Clifford; Richard P.

Clifford, both of 201 Via Orvieto, Newport Beach, Calif. 72660 [22] Filed: June 10, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 151,687

[52] U.S. Cl 73/133 A [58] Field of Search 73/133 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,222,922 12/1965 Isaac 73/133 3,309,919 3/1967 Lipe et al 73/133 1 June 19, 1973 3,228,239 1/1966 De Beausacq 73/133 3,289,472 12/1966 Lipe et a1 73/133 3,621,712 11/1971 Beyl 73/133 2,469,381 5/1949 Galko 73/133 Primary Examiner-Charles A. Ruehl Attorney-Smyth, Roston & Pavitt [57] ABSTRACT A ski binding tester for determining the force required to release a ski boot from a ski binding comprising at least one lever mounted for pivotal movement, a force applying member drivingly connected to the lever for applying a force to the ski boot, a flexible tension element connected to the lever for applying a force thereto, and a scale for providing an indication related to the force at which the binding releases.

14 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures SKI BINDING TESTER ADAPTED FOR TESTING HEEL BINDINGS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Mechanisms utilized to attach a ski boot to a ski are known as ski bindings. A ski binding of the safety type releasably connects the ski boot to the ski with the binding being releasable in response to the application of a predetermined separating force between the boot and the ski. Generally a ski binding of this type incorporates features which permit the skier to vary or select the force at which the binding will release the ski boot.

The load at which release occurs is conventionally selected on the basis of the skiers physical characteristics, expertise, age, etc. Serious skiing accidents can result when a ski binding does not release at the proper load. Accordingly, it behooves the skier to periodically check the release point of the ski binding, and this function is normally performed by a ski binding tester.

One significant problem with prior art ski binding testers is that they are, by their nature, not conductive to frequent periodic use by the skier. This is because the typical prior art ski binding tester is generally heavy, bulky, and cannot be easily transported by the skier. Smaller ski binding testers do not provide mechanical advantage and this makes them difficult to use. Thus, the use of prior art ski binding testers is inhibited by their lack of portability and the lack of mechanical advantage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a small, lightweight, portable ski binding tester which provides substantial mechanical advantage which is greater than unity. It is particularly adapted for providing a vertical force against a ski binding to thereby measure the vertical release load. A ski binding tester constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention is particularly adapted for determining the vertical release load ofa heel binding; however, it can be used for any binding where vertical release load is to be measured. Our copending application Ser. No. 45,982 filed on June 15, 1970, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,662,594 involves the measurement of lateral release load of a ski binding such as for a toe binding.

The ski binding tester includes one or more levers pivotally mounted by a mounting member. Preferably, two levers are used and they are arranged on opposite sides of the ski boot. The levers are useful in providing a vertical force on the boot and in providing mechanical advantage. A force applying member is attached to the levers to apply the testing force.

The levers can be pivoted by a tension element attached to the levers. To obtain mechanical advantage, the levers can advantageously be third class levers in which the force applying member lies intermediate the pivotal axis of the levers and the location at which the tension element applies the testing force to the levers. A scale is drivingly connected to the tension element to provide an indication related to the force applied by the tension element to the levers.

Besides providingsubstantial mechanical advantage, a ski binding tester constructed in accordance with this invention is readily portable to encourage its frequent use. One feature which contributes to the portability of the ski binding tester is that the levers are detachably mounted on mounting member. To further enhance the portability of the unit without sacrificing mechanical advantage, the levers may comprise a plurality of pivotally interconnected links. The links form an elongated rigid lever when extended for use and permit the lever to be folded to a compact size for carrying and storage.

The present invention teaches that the weight and size of the ski binding tester can be reduced by utilizing flexible elements for either or both of the tension element and the force applying member. Because these flexible elements can be distorted into virtually any shape, the flexible elements also contribute to the portability of the ski binding tester.

The mounting member and the f erce applying rnemher are adapted to lie intermediate the boot and the ski. Another advantage of utilizing a flexible element for the force applying member is that a flexible force applying member can conform to boots of varying widths. In addition, the flexible force applying member permits drawing of the two levers snugly against the sides of the boot to thereby result in a stable force applying system with little tendency for the levers to twist or rock off of their fulcrums under load.

The tension element preferably includes at least two flexible elements of equal length. This causes the levers to be at corresponding positions when a load is applied and avoids side loads.

The present invention also avoids the use of a connecting member between the levers near the binding. By so doing, those types of heel bindings which actuate by rocking backwards can be accommodated with no interference from the tester.

The invention can best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING N FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a ski binding tester constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention. The ski binding tester is arranged for testing a heel binding.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the ski binding tester with a fragment of the ski boot being illustrated in dashed lines to show a typical orientation of the tester relative to the ski boot.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the ski binding tester with the ski boot being shown in dashed lines and with a fragment of the ski being illustrated. FIG. 3 also illustrates how the levers can be pivoted to a collapsed position for transit and storage.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken generally along line 5-5 showing a preferred form of scale which can be embodied in the ski binding tester of this invention.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a detail of one end of one of the levers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 illustrates a ski binding tester l1 constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention. In FIG. 1 the ski binding tester 11 is in a typical position of use relative to a ski boot 13 and a ski 15. The ski boot 13 has a sole 17. A toe binding 19 and a heel binding 21 are mounted on the ski 15 and cooperate with the sole 17 to releasably retain the ski boot 13 on the ski. The bindings 19 and 21 are of the safety type which release in response to a force of a predetermined magnitude acting along a predetermined line. Specifically the heel binding 21 releases in response to a predetermined vertical force which extends upwardly from the binding. The ski binding tester 11 is particularly adapted for applying such a force to the heel binding 21.

The ski binding tester 11 includes a mounting member 23 in the form of an axially short metal channel. Although other constructions could be utilized, in the embodiment illustrated, the mounting member 23 includes a web 25 adapted to lie between the sole 17 of the ski boot 13 and the ski and a pair of flanges 27 which project vertically upwardly on opposite sides of the ski boot.

A pair of identical levers 29 are removably attached to the flanges 27, respectively. Each of the levers 29 includes an inner link 31 and an outer link 33 pivotally interconnected by any suitable means such as a rivet 35. The outer end portions of the links 31 are offset as shown in FIG. 2. Each of the links 31 carries a rivet 37 (FIG. 2) adjacent the outer end thereof and each of the outer links 33 has a groove 39 adapted to receive the associated rivet 37. This construction acts as a stop so as to form the

links

31 and 33 into a rigid lever in response to an upward pulling force on the outer end of the outer link.

The outer link 33 can be pivoted clockwise (as viewed in FIG. 3) through an angle greater than 180 so that it lies substantially in confronting relationship with the link 31. This makes the levers 29 much more compact for transport and storage of the ski binding tester 11.

Each of the inner links 31 has a notch 41 (FIG. 6) which opens downwardly at the inner end thereof and is adapted to receive the shank portion of a rivet 43 or other suitable member. To retain the links 31 in interlocking relationship with their respective rivets 43, a slide 45 is mounted on each of the links 31 for movement longitudinally of the associated link by a pair of rivets 47 which cooperate with a pair of slots 49 in the slide. Each of the slides 45 has an arcuate recess 51 at the inner end, and a tab 53 at the outer end to facilitate longitudinal movement of the slide. Each of the slides 45 is movable from a releasing position (FIG. 6) inwardly along the associated link 31 to a locking position in which the rivet 43 is partially received in the arcuate recess 51 as shown in FIG. 3. This removably mounts the levers 29 on the rivet 43 for pivotal movement about a pivotal axis. To detach the links 31, it is only necessary to move the associated slides 45 outwardly to the releasing position shown in FIG. 6 whereupon the levers 29 can be detached from their associated rivets 43. Of course, other suitable means can be used to removably mount the levers 29 for pivotal movement.

A force applying member in the form of a strap 55 is suitably connected as by rivets 57 to the links 31, respectively. The strap 55 extends generally perpendicular to the links 31 and is connected thereto at a location intermediate the pivotal axis of the levers 29 and the outer ends of the levers. The mechanical advantage obtainable with the levers 29 will vary depending upon the location of the strap 55 relative to the pivotal axis and to the outer ends of the levers. In the embodiment illustrated, the strap 55 is closer to the pivotal axis of the levers 29 than to the outer ends of the levers with the result that substantial mechanical advantage is obtained.

A tension element 59 in the form of a strap is interconnected to the outer ends of the levers 29 in any suitable manner such as by rivets 61. The tension element 59 is connected to a fastener 63 at the mid point of the tension element. The tension element 59 forms, in effect, two separate flexible members or elements 67 of equal lengths connected, respectively, to the levers 29. A rivet 69 interconnects the two flexible elements 67 adjacent the mid point of the tension element 59. This retains the fastener 69 substantially at the mid point of the tension element and assures that the flexible elements 67 will be of approximately the same length.

The effective lengths of the two levers 29, i.e., the distances between the pivotal axes and the point of attachment to the tension element 59, are identical, and the pivotal axes of the two levers coincide. In addition, the strap 55 is fastened to corresponding locations on the levers 29.

The fastener 63 my be of any kind which can be utilized to releasably interconnect the tension element 59 to a scale 71. A handle 72 in the form of a strap is joined at its opposite ends to the sides of the scale 71 in any suitable manner. An upward pulling force on the handle 72 is transmitted through the scale 71, the tension element 59, the levers 29 and the force applying member 55 to the boot 13.

Although the scale 71 may take different forms, in the embodiment illustrated it includes a housing 73 and a sleeve 75 coaxially mounted for relative axial movement. The housing 73 in the embodiment illustrated includes a sleeve 77, the upper end of which is substantially closed by an apertured end cap 79. The sleeve 77 has a circumferential flange 81 projecting radially inwardly and supporting a reinforcing washer 83.

The sleeve 75 has a peripheral flange 85 at the upper end thereof and aligned apertures 87 (only one being shown in FIG. 5) for receiving a ring 87a for attaching the fastener 63 to the sleeve 75.

A coil spring 88 acts between the washer 83 and the flange 85 to thereby urge the sleeve 75 and the housing 73 in opposite axial directions. In the position shown in FIG. 5, the sleeve 75 is in its innermost position within the housing 73 as the flange 85 is bottomed out against the inner face of the end cap 79.

An indicator 89 having suitable indicia 91 thereon projects through the apertured end cap 79 into the sleeve 75. The indicator 89 includes a head 93 of sufficient area so that it will not pass through the aperture in the end cap 79 and a shank 95 which has the indicia 91 thereon and which projects into the sleeve 79. The inner end of the shank 95 has a pair of

lands

97 and 99 defining an annular groove 101 therebetween. A friction drive member which may be in the form of a rubber O-ring 103 is mounted within the groove 101 and frictionally engages the inner surface of the sleeve 75. The force of friction between the O-ring 103 and the sleeve 75 should be sufiicient to cause the indicator 89 to move with the sleeve 75 in the upward direction as viewed in FIG. 4.

The handle 72 is attached to the housing 73. In the embodiment illustrated, the ends of the handle 72 are suitably attached to eyes 105 on the sleeve 77 (FIG. 1). I To use the ski binding tester 11, the mounting member 23 is positioned on the upper surface of the ski 15 as shown in FIG. 1. The levers 29 are mounted on the rivet 413, respectively, by positioning the levers so that the rivets are received within the notches 41. The slide 45 is then advanced to the locking position shown in FIG. 3 in which the recess 51 receives a portion of the periphery of the rivets 43 to thereby lock the levers 29 in position for movement about a pivotal axis defined by the rivets 43.

Next, the boot 13 is mounted on the ski by the bindings 19 and 21 with the web 25 and the strap 55 being sandwiched between the boot and the ski. An upward pulling force is applied to the handle 72, and this force is transmitted through the scale 71, the tension element 59, the levers 29, and the strap 55 to the boot 13. The levers 29 function as third class levers to multiply the force applied at the handle 72. Accordingly, the force applied to the boot 13 adjacent the heel thereof by the force applying member is somewhat greater than the force applied to the handle 72. This makes use of the ski binding tester 11 much easier.

Because the strap 55 is flexible, the upward pulling force draws the lever 29 together adjacent the sides of the boot 13. The flexible strap 55 also readily conforms to boots of different widths.

The pulling force on the handle 72 is transmitted to the housing 73 of the scale 71. The housing 73 is urged in one direction and the sleeve 75 is urged in the opposite axial direction thereby compressing the spring 88 between the washer 83 and the flange 85. Because of the force of friction between the O-ring 103 and the sleeve 75, the indicator 89 is urged downwardly with the sleeve 75 (as viewed in FIG. 5); however, such movement is prevented by the head 93 of the indicator 89 which bears against the end cap 79. Accordingly, the indicator 89 reflects a zero reading during the application of pulling or testing force.

The pulling force applied to the handle 72 is progressively increased until the force becomes sufficient to actuate or release the heel binding 21 to cause separation of the heel of the ski boot 13 from the ski 15. At this instant, the pulling force is reduced to zero whereupon the spring 88 expands to return the sleeve 75 to its innermost position within the housing 73 in which the flange 85 abuts against the inner face of the end cap 75. During such return movement of the sleeve 75, the force of friction between the O-ring 103 and the inner surface of the sleeve 75 is sufficient to cause the indicator to move with the sleeve 75 to thereby expose a length of the indicator above the outer surface of the end cap 79 with such length being a function of the amount of spring compression. Of course, the amount of spring compression-is proportional to the pulling force applied through the scale 71. Accordingly, by appropriately locating the indicia 91, the marking appearing at the outer end surface of the cap 79 will represent the maximum force applied by the ski binding tester 1 1 to the ski boot sole l7 and hence the release point of the heel binding 21. The indicia 91 must be marked in accordance with the mechanical advantage obtained by the levers 29. The indicia 91 may indicate the force applied to the ski boot '13 or it may provide a reading which must be interpreted in view of an accompanying table to determine the actual release force of the heel binding. To insure repeatability of results, the strap 55 should be located a predetermined distance from the end of the heel.

The scale 71 is identical to the scale disclosed in our copending application Ser. No. 45,982. The scale '71 is readily detached from the fastener 63 so that it may also be utilized with the ski binding tester disclosed in our copending application.

The ski binding tester 11 can be converted to a very compact package for transportation and storage. For example, the links 33 can be pivoted about their respective rivets 35 as shown in FIG. 3 to thereby significantly reduce the lengths of the levers 29. Secondly, the levers 29 can be detached from the mounting member 23 by moving the slides 45 rearwardly to the releasing position. Because the strap 55 is flexible, the levers 29 can be stored in virtually contiguous relationship, and because the tension element 59 is flexible, it can be stored in a very small volume. Preferably the longitudi nal dimension of the scale 71 is less than the distance between the flanges 27 so that the scale can be stored between the flanges.

Although an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, many changes, modifications and substitutions may be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

We claim:

1. A ski binding tester for determining the force required to release a ski boot from at least one ski binding, said tester comprising:

at least one lever;

means for mounting said lever for pivotal movement at least in one direction about a pivotal axis;

second means for drivingly connecting said lever and the ski boot at least when the lever is pivoted in said one direction;

a flexible member, said flexible member being readily distortable to permit said flexible member to assume a compact configuration for transportation and storage of the ski binding tester;

means for connecting the flexible member to said lever so that by exerting a pulling force on said flexible member the lever can be pivoted in said one direction about said axis to cause said second means to apply a force to the ski boot sufficient to release the binding; and

means drivingly connected to the flexible member for providing an indication related to the force at which the binding releases.

2. A tester as defined in claim 1 wherein said lever includes first and second pivotally interconnected links.

3. A tester as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for mounting said lever releasably mounts said lever whereby said lever can be removed. from said means for mounting.

4. A tester as defined in claim 1 wherein said lever is a first lever, said tester including a second lever, said means for mounting also mounts said second lever for pivotal movement at least in said one direction about a pivotal axis, said means for drivingly connecting being joined to both of said levers and said means for connecting the flexible member connects both of said levers to said flexible member.

5. A tester as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for mounting said lever includes a mounting member, at least a portion of said mounting member being adapted to be received between the ski boot and the ski.

6. A ski binding tester for determining the force required to cause a ski binding to release comprising:

at least one lever;

second means for drivingly connecting said lever and the binding at least when the lever is pivoted in said one direction;

means for connecting the flexible member to said lever so that by exerting a pulling force on said flexible member the lever can be pivoted in said one direction about said axis to cause said second means to apply a force to the binding sufficient to release the binding; and

7. A ski binding tester for determining the force required to release a ski boot from at least one ski binding comprising:

first and second levers;

a mounting member extending between said first and second levers for mounting said levers for pivotal movement about first and second pivotal axes, respectively;

a flexible force applying member connected to and extending between said levers at a location spaced from said pivotal axes;

a tension element connected to the levers for applying a force thereto to pivot the first and second levers about the first and second pivotal axes, respectively;

scale means drivingly connected to said tension element for providing a measurement related to the force applied by the tension element to the levers; and

said flexible force applying member being intermediate the location at which the tension element is attached to the levers and the pivotal axes.

8. A ski binding tester as defined in claim 7 wherein said scale means includes memory means for providing an indication related to the maximum value of the force applied by the tension element to the levers, said memory means retaining said indication after said force has diminished to substantially zero.

9. A ski binding tester as defined in claim 8 wherein said first and second pivotal axes substantially coincide and the lengths of said levers between said pivotal axes and the location at which said tension element is attached thereto are substantially equal, said tension element including a flexible section.

10. A ski binding tester as defined in claim 9 wherein each of said levers is foldable to reduce the length thereof and is removably mounted on said mounting member.

11. A ski binding tester as defined in claim 7 wherein said tension element includes a flexible section and said first and second levers are removably mounted on said mounting member.

12. A ski biding tester as defined in claim 7 wherein said tension element includes first and second flexible elements of substantially equal length attached, respectively, to said first and second levers.

13. A ski binding tester for determining the force re quired to release a ski boot from at least one ski binding comprising:

first and second levers;

scale means drivingly connected to said tension element for providing a measurement related to the .force applied by the tension element to the levers;

and

said mounting member including a web adapted to underlie the ski boot and a pair of flanges projecting upwardly on opposite sides of the ski boot when the web underlies the ski boot, said first and second levers being pivotally connected to said first and second flanges, respectively.

14. A portable ski binding tester for determining the force required to release a ski boot from at least one ski binding comprising:

first and second levers;

a force applying member connected to and extending between said levers at a location spaced from said pivotal axes, said force applying member being adapted to apply a force to at least one of said ski boot and said ski binding;

a flexible tension element connected to the levers for applying a force thereto to pivot the first and second levers about the first and second pivotal axes, respectively;

said flexible tension element being readily distortable to permit the flexible element to assume a compact configuration for transportation and storage of the ski binding tester; and

scale means drivingly connected to said tension element for providing a measurement related to the force applied by the tension element to the levers.

1.! 1U I. I! l

Claims

1. A ski binding tester for determining the force required to release a ski boot from at least one ski binding, said tester comprising: at least one lever; means for mounting said lever for pivotal movement at least in one direction about a pivotal axis; second means for drivingly connecting said lever and the ski boot at least when the lever is pivoted in said one direction; a flexible member, said flexible member being readily distortable to permit said flexible member to assume a compact configuration for transportation and storage of the ski binding tester; means for connecting the flexible Member to said lever so that by exerting a pulling force on said flexible member the lever can be pivoted in said one direction about said axis to cause said second means to apply a force to the ski boot sufficient to release the binding; and means drivingly connected to the flexible member for providing an indication related to the force at which the binding releases.

3. A tester as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for mounting said lever releasably mounts said lever whereby said lever can be removed from said means for mounting.

6. A ski binding tester for determining the force required to cause a ski binding to release comprising: at least one lever; means for mounting said lever for pivotal movement at least in one direction about a pivotal axis; second means for drivingly connecting said lever and the binding at least when the lever is pivoted in said one direction; a flexible member, said flexible member being readily distortable to permit said flexible member to assume a compact configuration for transportation and storage of the ski binding tester; means for connecting the flexible member to said lever so that by exerting a pulling force on said flexible member the lever can be pivoted in said one direction about said axis to cause said second means to apply a force to the binding sufficient to release the binding; and means drivingly connected to the flexible member for providing an indication related to the force at which the binding releases.

7. A ski binding tester for determining the force required to release a ski boot from at least one ski binding comprising: first and second levers; a mounting member extending between said first and second levers for mounting said levers for pivotal movement about first and second pivotal axes, respectively; a flexible force applying member connected to and extending between said levers at a location spaced from said pivotal axes; a tension element connected to the levers for applying a force thereto to pivot the first and second levers about the first and second pivotal axes, respectively; scale means drivingly connected to said tension element for providing a measurement related to the force applied by the tension element to the levers; and said flexible force applying member being intermediate the location at which the tension element is attached to the levers and the pivotal axes.

13. A ski binding tester for determining the force required to release a ski boot from at least one ski binding comprising: first and second levers; a mounting member extending between said first and second levers for mounting said levers for pivotal movement about first and second pivotal axes, respectively; a flexible force applying member connected to and extending between said levers at a location spaced from said pivotal axes; a tension element connected to the levers for applying a force thereto to pivot the first and second levers about the first and second pivotal axes, respectively; scale means drivingly connected to said tension element for providing a measurement related to the force applied by the tension element to the levers; and said mounting member including a web adapted to underlie the ski boot and a pair of flanges projecting upwardly on opposite sides of the ski boot when the web underlies the ski boot, said first and second levers being pivotally connected to said first and second flanges, respectively.

14. A portable ski binding tester for determining the force required to release a ski boot from at least one ski binding comprising: first and second levers; a mounting member extending between said first and second levers for mounting said levers for pivotal movement about first and second pivotal axes, respectively; a force applying member connected to and extending between said levers at a location spaced from said pivotal axes, said force applying member being adapted to apply a force to at least one of said ski boot and said ski binding; a flexible tension element connected to the levers for applying a force thereto to pivot the first and second levers about the first and second pivotal axes, respectively; said flexible tension element being readily distortable to permit the flexible element to assume a compact configuration for transportation and storage of the ski binding tester; and scale means drivingly connected to said tension element for providing a measurement related to the force applied by the tension element to the levers.