US3753571A

US3753571A - Safety ski binding

Info

Publication number: US3753571A
Application number: US00087404A
Authority: US
Inventors: E Gertsch; U Gertsch
Original assignee: Gertsch AG
Current assignee: Gertsch AG
Priority date: 1969-11-10
Filing date: 1970-11-06
Publication date: 1973-08-21
Anticipated expiration: 1990-08-21
Also published as: DE2049450C2; DE2542380A1; FR2286666B3; FR2286666A1; FR2069191A5; US4021053A; DE2049450A1; CH505630A; AT310054B; CH521766A; CH586560A5

Abstract

A safety ski binding incorporates a release plate detachably connected with the associated ski and secured to the ski boot. A reinforcement element for the ski boot is arranged at the release plate. The reinforcement element is pivotably supported at its lower region to the release plate and the heel of the ski boot for movement about a transversely extending axis. Furthermore, the upper region of the reinforcement element at the area of the shoe upper is provided with at least one stiff side portion nesting against the ski boot and by means of which the upper of the ski boot is afforded lateral support.

Description

United States Ptent 1191 Gertsch et a1.

[ Aug. 21, 1973 1 SAFETY SKI BINDING [75] lnventorsi Ernst Gertsch, Wengen, Bern; Ulrich Gertsch, Matten, lnterlaken, Bern, both of Switzerland 22 Filed: Nov.6, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 87,404

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data 3,489,424 l/1970 Gertsch et a1 280/1135 K 2,094,667 10/1937 Parish 280/1135 K FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS 1,100,543 l/l968 Great Britain 280/1135 F 457,235 7/1968 Switzerland 5 K 919,975 12/1946 France 280/1135 R Primary Examiner-Leo Friaglia Assistant Examiner-Milton L. Smith AttorneyWaters, Roditi, Schwartz & Nissen 57] ABSTRACT A safety ski binding incorporates a release plate detachably connected with the associated ski and secured to the ski boot. A reinforcement element for the ski boot is arranged at the release plate. The reinforcement element is pivotably supported at its lower region to the release plate and the heel of the ski boot for movement about a transversely extending axis. Furthermore, the upper region of the reinforcement element at the area of the shoe upper is provided with at least one stiff side portion nesting against the ski boot and by means of which the upper of the ski boot is afforded lateral support.

16 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Patented Aug. 21, 1973 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Aug. 21, 1973 3,753,571

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 3 Sheets-Sheet S 1 SAFETY SKI BINDING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention broadly relates to safety bindings for skis and, more specifically to a new and improved safety ski binding of the type incorporating a release plate detachably retained at the ski and connected with the ski boot, a reinforcement element for the ski boot being arranged at the release plate.

Such type broad classification of ski binding has already been known in the art, possessing a construction wherein at both sides of the release plate there are arranged flap members which are pivotable about lengthwise extending axes. In the pivoted position of these flap members they bear laterally against the lower portion of the ski boot. Since the upper of the boot does not receive any support through the action of these flap members it is accordingly necessary for the shoe upper to be constructed to be sufficiently sturdy, thereby affording sufficient lateral support for the leg of the skier above the region of the ankle bone. Yet, these flap members have the tendency of impairing or retarding movement of the leg in the direction of the lengthwise or longitudinal axis of the ski, causing difficulties in providing the desirable dampening or shock absorbing action at the ankle joint.

There has also been proposed a ski boot consisting of an inner boot and an outer boot where a reinforcement plate is provided at the back of the outer boot. However, ski boot constructions consisting of an inner boot and outer boot are impractical, complicated and expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, there is a real need existing in the art for a safety ski binding which not only affords proper ski-release action for the skier but additionally provides a good hold for the foot of the skier at the boot. Hence, a primary object of this invention is to provide a safety ski binding which effectively and reliably fulfills this need.

Still another and more specific object of the present invention relates to an improved safety ski binding which is relatively simple in construction, economical to manufacture, reliable in operation, and serves to provide lateral support for the foot of the skier in the boot.

Yet a further significant object of the present invention relates to a safety ski binding of the type incorporating a release plate detachably mounted on the ski and a reinforcement element associated in operable relationship with the release plate, the reinforcement element serving to laterally brace the foot of the skier within the boot.

Another noteworthy objective of the present invention relates to an improved safety ski binding possessing a construction serving to laterally support the foot of the skier within the boot without impairing the release operation required of the ski binding when the skier transmits sufficient force to the binding to require release from the ski.

One additional object of the present invention relates to an improved safety ski binding which provides both lateral support to the foot of the user and good safety release action, while still being comfortable to wear and easy to use.

Now, in order to implement these and still further objects of the present invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, and in contrast to the aforenoted prior art ski binding construction, the safety ski binding of the present invention is of the type comprising a reinforcement element which is supported at its lower region for pivotal movement on the release plate and heel of the ski boot about a transversely extending axis or shaft, this reinforcement element being provided at its upper end at the region of the shoe upper with at least one stiff side element or portion which bears against the ski boot and thereby exerts a certain lateral support for the upper of the ski boot. By virtue of this arrangement, the ankle joint enjoys an exceptional lateral support while at the same time there is possible a shock absorbing action at the ankle joint in the direction of the lengthwise axis of the ski. Hence, in conjunction with this type of safety binding, it is possible for the skier to use a lighter, more comfortable and cheaper ski boot.

The invention also contemplates advantageously equipping the stiff side element with attachment means engaging about the upper of the ski boot. The reinforcement element can be connected via adjustable traction elements with the release plate or directly hingedly attached to the release plate.

One particular embodiment of the invention contemplates that the reinforcement element is provided at its upper end in the region of the shoe upper with two oppositely situated, stiff side elements between which is retained the upper of the ski boot. Both of these stiff side elements can then be adjustably mounted on a central support plate of the reinforcement element.

However, it is also possible for the reinforcement element to be equipped only at the inside region of the boot at the upper area of the shoe upper with a stiff side element and the upper of the ski boot can then be pressed against such side element by means of an enclosing band which is wrapped around the boot.

The slight damping or shock absorbing action of the ankle joint in the direction of the lengthwise axis of the ski, afforded with this safety ski binding owing to the pivotal supporting of the reinforcement element for pivotal movement about a transverse axis, brings about, during a forward fall of the skier, that the calf is initially markedly forwardly inclined, and then, in this extreme inclined position, the calf must still exert an upward tractional force upon the reinforcement element until the release plate is upwardly released. During this last phase of the fall, the ankle joint is considerably stressed and dangerous bone fractures or tearing of the Achilles tendons could occur. In order to prevent such overstressing, the release action already should occur at an earlier. time during the fall of the skier, mainly when the calf has assumed the extreme inclined position and not only then when an additional tensional force acts upwardly.

Therefore, in order to achieve this earlier release action, a further particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention contemplates providing, at the lower end of the reinforcement element pivotably mounted for movement about a transverse axis on .the release plate or the heel of the ski boot, a component or portion, which then during pivoting of the reinforcement element about such transverse axis in a forward direction serves to raise the release plate to a preparatory release position and to release such plate when reaching a certain pivotal movement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes references to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of a safety ski binding equipped with a reinforcement element according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the safety ski binding illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a second embodiment of a safety ski binding equipped with a reinforcement element according to the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a side view of a third embodiment of a safety ski binding equipped with a reinforcement element according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the embodiment of the safety ski binding depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, upon the ski 1 there is secured a sleeve member 2 of a toe locking mechanism. Within the sleeve member 2 there is arranged a locking bolt member 3, which is mounted so, as to be universally pivotable in all directions from the illustrated central position. A non-illustrated compression spring within the sleeve member 2 acts upon bolt member 3 and tends to return the bolt member 3 to its central position after it has been pivoted out of such position and to retain it in the central or neutral position. Locking bolt member 3 cooperates with a stepped portion 4a provided at the upwardly extending forward edge 4 of a release plate 5. The edge 4 carries a sole retaining means or tongue 6, engaging over the forward end of the sole 7 of the ski boot 8 and retaining such ski boot against the release plate 5.

It will be observed that the rear end of the release plate possesses a bevelled or inclined portion 9 cooperating with an appropriately bevelled or inclined recess provided in a plate member 10 attached in any suitable fashion to the body of the ski 1. Accordingly, the release plate 5 is therefore detachably connected with the ski 1 through the action of the locking bolt 3 and the inclined portion 9. Furthermore, at the rear end of the release plate 5 there are provided a succession holes or bores 11, as shown. In one of these bores 11 there is threadably attached, at both ends of such bore, the respective leg of a respective right-angled bent or L-shaped bolt or rod member 12. At the other leg of each such bolt or rod member 12 there is threadably attached an adjustment sleeve 13 into which there is threaded the one leg of a still further associated rightangled bent or L-shaped bolt member or rod 14. The other leg of each such rod member 14 is threaded into a support plate 15 defining a reinforcement element for the ski binding.

Now, it will be recognized that this support plate 15 is thus hingedly connected with the release plate 5 through the action of the bolt members 14, adjustment sleeves 13, and bolt members 12 arranged at both sides of the support plate 15 and defining adjustable tractional or tension connection elements between the reinforcement plate and release plate. Furthermore, at

the release or support plate 15 there is arranged a hold down means in the form of a roller element 16 serving to bear against the upper region of the heel of the ski boot 8, thereby bracing the support plate 15 against the heel of the boot. An adjustment screw 17 threaded into the support plate 15 nests against the ski boot 8 and determines the inclined position of the support plate 15.

Furthermore, two side plates 18 are adjustably arranged at the upper end of the support plate 15, each side plate 18 carrying two pins or

journals

19, 20 which are guided in appropriate holes of the support plate 15, as best shown by referring to FIG. 2. Each of the pins 20 is provided with a threaded portion onto which there is threaded a threaded nut member 21. Each nut member 21 is arranged at a recess or opening 15a of the support plate 15 so that it is accessible to the user, and by appropriately rotating the nut members 21, the corresponding side plate 18 can be laterally adjusted. One end of a belt or strap 22 engages with one of the side plates 18, strap 22 being covered by a suitable cushion 23, the opposite end of the strap 22 being secured in detachablefashion by any suitable fastening device, such as abuckle or snap fastener, with the. other side plate 18. To afford adequate comfort for the user it is desirable to provide at the inside of the side plates 18 and the support plate 15 suitable cushioningelements or equivalent devices, as are conventionally used in the skiing art.

The side plates 18 serve to impart a lateral or side supporting action to the shin bone above the region of the ankle joint. This in effect means that even with a less robust construction of the ski boot there is still attained good guiding of the skis. Furthermore, since the reinforcing or support plate 15 is pivotably supported at the release plate 5 and at the heel of the boot there is simultaneously rendered possible a dampening or shock absorbing action forwardly and rearwardly of the ankle joint.

The extent of pivotal motion of the support or reinforcement plate 15 about the transverse axis in the forward direction can be limited, for instance, by providing an impact or limit stop pin means 24 on thesupport or reinforcement plate 15 and with which cooperate the adjustment sleeve members 13, whereas limiting of the rocking or pivotal motion towards the rear, can for instance be effected by the provision of an adjustable tension element 25 connected at one end to the side plate 18, and at its other end to the upstanding edge 4 of the release plate 5. By limiting this rocking or pivotal motion of the reinforcement element 15 it is insured that when the skier falls and has reached the limits of the allowable pivotal movement the forces exerted by the skiers legs will be transmitted directly to the release plate 5, resulting in a rapid and positive release action of the binding, contributing to effective prevention of skiing injuries.

Instead of using two side plates 18 it is equally possible to provide only a single side plate at the inside of the ski boot, and to have the soft strap member 22 guided about the shoe upper in such a way that it presses the shin bone against this single side plate and thus laterally supports the foot of the user in this way. Conceptually, one need only imagine that the arrangement of FIGS. 1 and 2 has just a single side plate 18 and the strap 22 is wrapped around the foot of the user such as to urge same against this single side plate.

In the exemplary embodiment of ski binding depicted in FIG. 3, a release plate 26 is detachably connected to the ski 31 at its forward upwardly protruding edge 27 and at its rearwardly upwardly protruding edge 28 by means of a respective locking bolt member 30 mounted in an associated sleeve member 29 so as to be pivotable against the action of spring means in all directions, as previously explained with respect to FIG. 1. The sole of the ski boot 32 is retained at its forward region against the release plate 26 due to the action of the sole retaining means or tongue member 33 mounted at the release plate-edge portion 27, as shown. On the other hand, at the rearwardly upstanding edge 28 of the release plate 26 there is pivotably connected to the transverse extending pivot shaft or bolt 35 a substantially dishshaped reinforcement element 34 formed, for example of metal or plastic. This reinforcement element 34 carries a hold down roller element 36, which, similar to the arrangement of FIGS. 1 and 2, bears against the upward region of the heel portion of the ski boot and thus serves to retain such ski boot against the release plate 26.

Here also, the reinforcement element 34 possesses at its upper region 2 stiff side elements 37 between which there is retained the upper of the associated ski boot 32. One end of a belt 38 is connected with one of the side elements 37, belt 38 similarly being provided or covered with a cushion 39, the other end of this belt 38 being detachably connected by means of a non-visible fastener, such as a buckle or snap closure element with the other side member or element 37. Just as in the case of the initially described embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the stiff side elements 37 also afford a lateral support to the shin bone above the ankle joint, thereby providing good guiding of the skis and still rendering possible a dampening or shock absorbing action forwardly and rearwardly at the ankle joint.

In the embodiment of safety ski binding depicted in FIG. 4, the release plate 40 is similarly detachably connected to the ski 45 at its forward upwardly extending edge 41 and at its rearward upwardly extending edge 42 by means of a respective locking bolt member 44 mounted for universal pivotal movement in an associated sleeve member 43 against the action of spring means as previously explained. Here also a sole retaining mechanism 46 mounted to the forward edge 41 of the release plate 40 serves to retain the sole at the tip region of the ski boot 47 against the release plate 40. At the rear edge 42 of the release plate 40 there is pivotably mounted on the transverse pin or pivot shaft 48 a substantially dish-shaped reinforcement element 49. Reinforcement element 49,just as in the case of the reinforcement element 34 of the arrangement of FIG. 3, is formed as a single piece from a suitable metal or plastic material. Furthermore, the reinforcement element 49 pivots about the transverse axis defined by the pivot shaft 48 and carries a hold down roller element 50 bearing against the top of the heel of the ski boot 47 and pressing and fixedly retaining the rear portion of such ski boot against the release plate 40.

The reinforcement element 49 possesses at its upper region two stiff side elements 51 between which there is retained the upper of the associated ski boot 47. Once again, one end of a belt member 52 or equivalent strap or similar expedient engages one of the side elements 51, strap 52 again being similarly covered with a cushion 53, the other end of such strap being attached by means of a non-visible releasable fastening closure or buckle with the other side element 51. The provision of the stiff or rigid side elements 51 impart to the Shinbone above the region of the ankle joint a lateral support in order to afford good guiding for the skis and therefore rendering possible a dampening action at the ankle joint forwardly and rearwardly. In this embodiment the reinforcement element 49 advantageously possesses at its lower end a shoulder 54 having a curve or domed bottom edge 55 which bears against a metallic plate member 56 secured to the associated ski 45. When the reinforcement element 49 is rocked forwardly, then, due to the cooperation between the domed lower edge 55 of the shoulder 54 with the metallic plate member 56 the release plate 40 is raised at its rear region from the ski into a preparatory release position and when reaching a certain maximum permissable pivotal movement or rocking the release plate is then completely released from the ski. The releasing action under consideration can be undertaken at that time when there is present a pronounced inclined position of the calf of the skiers leg.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

Accordingly, what is claimed is:

l. A safety ski binding for a ski, comprising a release plate having a lengthwise axis and connectable with the ski boot of the skier, means for releasably fixing said release plate to the ski, a reinforcement element having an upper end portion and a lower end portion, means mounting said lower end portion of said reinforcement element on said release plate for pivotal movement about an axis extending transversely with respect to the lengthwise axis of said release plate, at least onerelatively rigid side portion at said upper end portion of said reinforcement element in the region of the upper of the ski boot above the ankle receiving portion of the boot, said side portion bearing against the ski boot when the latter isinserted in the ski binding and imparting lateral support to the upper of the ski boot in a region above the ankle receiving portion of the boot, said reinforcing element extending upwardly a substantial distance from the release plate above the heel of the boot to transmit forces applied to the skiers leg in the lengthwise direction of the ski to said release plate. 2. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 1, further including attachment means for said at least one side portion, said attachment means being engageable about the upper of said ski boot.

3. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 1, wherein said mounting means comprises adjustable tensioning means having one end pivotably connected with said release plate.

4.-A safety ski binding as defined in claim 1, wherein said mounting means directly pivotably connects said reinforcement element to said release plate.

5. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 1, further including limit stop means for delimiting the pivotal movement of said reinforcement element about said transverse axis.

6. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 1, further including roller means for bracing said reinforcement element against the upper end portion of the heel of the ski boot.

7. A safety ski binding as claimed in claim 1, further including hold down means for retaining the heel portion of the ski boot against said release plate, said hold down means being located intermediate said upper end portion and lower end portion of said reinforcement element, said reinforcement element acting upon said hold down means during bending of the skiers leg in the direction of the lengthwise axis of the release plate to provide a rigid interconnection between said reinforcement element and said release plate for transmitting forces directly from the skiers leg to said release plate without any excessive loading of the ankle joint.

8. A safety ski binding for a ski, comprising a release plate having a lengthwise axis and connectable with the ski boot of the skier, means for releasably fixing said release plate to the ski, a reinforcement element having an upper end portion and a lower end portion, means for mounting said lower end portion of said reinforcement element to said release plate for pivotal movement about an axis extending transversely with respect to the lengthwise axis of said release plate, a pair of oppositely situated relatively rigid side portions mounted at said upper end portion of said reinforcement element and between which the upper of the ski boot is retained, said side portions bearing against the ski boot when the latter is inserted in the ski binding and imparting lateral support to the upper of the ski boot, and means for adjustably positioning both of said side portions at said reinforcement element, said reinforcement element being constituted by a centrally disposed support plate.

9. A safety ski binding for a ski, comprising a release plate having a lengthwise axis and connectable with the ski boot of the skier, means for releasably fixing said release plate to the ski, a reinforcement element having an upper end portion and a lower end portion, means for mounting said lower end portion of said reinforcement element on said release plate for pivotal movement about an axis extending transversely with respect to the lengthwise axis of said release plate, a single relatively rigid side portion mounted at said upper end por tion of said reinforcement element in the region of the upper of the ski boot at the inside thereof, said side portion bearing against the ski boot when the latter is inserted in the ski binding and imparting lateral support to the upper of the ski boot, and relatively soft band means coupled to said rigid side portion for being wrapped about the ski boot to press the upper of said ski boot against said single side portion.

10. A safety ski binding for a ski, comprising a release plate having a lengthwise axis and connectable with the ski boot of the skier, means for releasably fixing said release plate to the ski, a reinforcement element having an upper end portion and a lower end portion, means for mounting said lower end portion of said reinforcement element on said release plate for pivotal movement about an axis extending transversely with respect to the lengthwise axis of said release plate, at least one relatively rigid side portion at said upper end portion of said reinforcement element in the region of the upper of the ski boot, said side portion bearing against the ski boot when the latter is inserted in the ski binding and imparting lateral support to the upper of the ski boot, said lower end portion of said reinforcement element including means cooperating with the ski so that during forward pivotal movement of said reinforcement element about said transverse axis said release plate is raised and, when reaching a predetermined degree of pivotal movement, said release plate is released from the ski.

11. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 10, further including a plate member carried by said ski in the region of said reinforcement element, said cooperating means of said reinforcement element comprising shoulder means having an arched lower edge arranged at said lower end portion of said reinforcement element and supported on said plate member.

12. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 10, wherein said cooperating means of said lower end portion of said reinforcement element incorporates a surface having a lower edge of predetermined shape adapted to ride upon the surface of the ski during movement of the skiers leg in the lengthwise direction of the ski so as to urge the release plate in a direction away from the surface of the ski into the preparatory release position so as to facilitate final release of the release plate from the ski.

13. A safety ski binding for a ski, comprising a release plate having a lengthwise axis, means for connecting the release plate with the ski boot of the skier, means for releasably fixing the release plate to the ski, an element having an upper end portion and a lower end portion, means mounting said lower end portion of said element on said release plate for pivotal movement about an axis extending substantially transversely with respect to the lengthwise axis of said release plate, hold down means disposed intermediate said upper end portion and lower end portion of said element, said element acting upon said hold down means for urging the heel portion of the ski boot against said release plate, said element having a portion intermediate said lower and upper end portions extending substantially coextensive with the major portion of the length of the upper of the ski boot, said element transmitting forces applied to the skiers leg in the lengthwise direction of the ski to said release plate, and at least one relatively rigid side portion at said upper end portion of said elements in the region of the upper of the ski boot, said side portion bearing against the ski boot when the latter is inserted in the ski binding and imparting lateral support to the upper of the ski boot and the skiers leg.

14. A safety ski binding for a ski, comprising a release plate having a lengthwise axis, means for connecting the release plate with the ski boot of the skier, means for releasably fixing said release plate to the ski, an element having an upper end portion and a lower end portion, said element being positioned so as to be responsive to movement of the skiers leg in the lengthwise direction of the ski, means mounting said element on said release plate for pivotal movement about an axis extending substantially transversely with respect to the lengthwise axis of said release plate, said lower end portion of said element including means cooperating with the upper surface of the ski such that during pivotal movement of said element about said transverse axis and in the lengthwise direction of the ski said cooperating means bears against said upper surface of the ski to raise said release plate into a preparatory release position and, upon reaching a predetermined said release movement, sairelease plate is released from the ski.

15. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 14 comprising hold down means disposed intermediate said upper end portion and lower end portion of said element, said element acting upon said hold down means for urging the heel portion of the ski boot against said release plate, said element possessing a length such that said element extends along the upper of the ski boot to a point at least above the ankle joint of the skiers leg, and means for placing the element in contact with the skiers leg for movement therewith.

16. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 14 comprising hold down means disposed intermediate said upper end portion and lower end portion of said element, said element acting upon said hold down means for urging the heel portion of the ski boot against said release plate, said element having a portion intermediate said upper and lower end portions extending substantially coextensive with the major portion of the length of the upper of the ski boot, said element transmitting forces applied to the skiers leg in the lengthwise direction of the ski to said release plate, and means for connecting the element with the skiers leg to partake in movements thereof in the lengthwise direction of the ski.

Claims

1. A safety ski binding for a ski, comprising a release plate having a lengthwise axis and connectable with the ski boot of the skier, means for releasably fixing said release plate to the ski, a reinforcement element having an upper end portion and a lower end portion, means mounting said lower end portion of said reinforcement element on said release plate for pivotal movement about an axis extending transversely with respect to the lengthwise axis of said release plate, at least one relatively rigid side portion at said upper end portion of said reinforcement element in the region of the upper of the ski boot above the ankle receiving portion of the boot, said side portion bearing against the ski boot when the latter is inserted in the ski binding and imparting lateral support to the upper of the ski boot in a region above the ankle receiving portion of the boot, said reinforcing element extending upwardly a substantial distance from the release plate above the heel of the boot to transmit forces applied to the skier''s leg in the lengthwise direction of the ski to said release plate.

2. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 1, further including attachment means for said at least one side portion, said attachment means being engageable about the upper of said ski boot.

4. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 1, wherein said mounting means directly pivotably connects said reinforcement element to said release plate.

7. A safety ski binding as claimed in claim 1, further including hold down means for retaining the heel portion of the ski boot against said release plate, said hold down means being located intermediate said upper end portion and lower end portion of said reinforcement element, said reinforcement element acting upon said hold down means during bending of the skier''s leg in the direction of the lengthwise axis of the release plate to provide a rigid interconnection between said reinforcement element and said release plate for transmitting forces directly from the skier''s leg to said release plate without any excessive loading of the ankle joint.

9. A safety ski binding for a ski, comprising a release plate having a lengthwise axis and connectable with the ski boot of the skier, means for releasably fixing said release plate to the ski, a reinforcement element having an upper end portion and a lower end portion, means for mounting said lower end portion of said reinforcement element on said release plate for pivotal movement about an axis extending transversely with respect to the lengthwise axis of said release plate, a single relatively rigid side portion mounted at said uppeR end portion of said reinforcement element in the region of the upper of the ski boot at the inside thereof, said side portion bearing against the ski boot when the latter is inserted in the ski binding and imparting lateral support to the upper of the ski boot, and relatively soft band means coupled to said rigid side portion for being wrapped about the ski boot to press the upper of said ski boot against said single side portion.

12. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 10, wherein said cooperating means of said lower end portion of said reinforcement element incorporates a surface having a lower edge of predetermined shape adapted to ride upon the surface of the ski during movement of the skier''s leg in the lengthwise direction of the ski so as to urge the release plate in a direction away from the surface of the ski into the preparatory release position so as to facilitate final release of the release plate from the ski.

13. A safety ski binding for a ski, comprising a release plate having a lengthwise axis, means for connecting the release plate with the ski boot of the skier, means for releasably fixing the release plate to the ski, an element having an upper end portion and a lower end portion, means mounting said lower end portion of said element on said release plate for pivotal movement about an axis extending substantially transversely with respect to the lengthwise axis of said release plate, hold down means disposed intermediate said upper end portion and lower end portion of said element, said element acting upon said hold down means for urging the heel portion of the ski boot against said release plate, said element having a portion intermediate said lower and upper end portions extending substantially coextensive with the major portion of the length of the upper of the ski boot, said element transmitting forces applied to the skier''s leg in the lengthwise direction of the ski to said release plate, and at least one relatively rigid side portion at said upper end portion of said elements in the region of the upper of the ski boot, said side portion bearing against the ski boot when the latter is inserted in the ski binding and imparting lateral support to the upper of the ski boot and the skier''s leg.

14. A safety ski binding for a ski, comprising a release plate having a lengthwise axis, means for connecting the release plate with the ski boot of the skier, means for releasably fixing said release plate to the ski, an element having an upper end portion and a lower end portion, said element being positioneD so as to be responsive to movement of the skier''s leg in the lengthwise direction of the ski, means mounting said element on said release plate for pivotal movement about an axis extending substantially transversely with respect to the lengthwise axis of said release plate, said lower end portion of said element including means cooperating with the upper surface of the ski such that during pivotal movement of said element about said transverse axis and in the lengthwise direction of the ski said cooperating means bears against said upper surface of the ski to raise said release plate into a preparatory release position and, upon reaching a predetermined said release movement, sairelease plate is released from the ski.

15. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 14 comprising hold down means disposed intermediate said upper end portion and lower end portion of said element, said element acting upon said hold down means for urging the heel portion of the ski boot against said release plate, said element possessing a length such that said element extends along the upper of the ski boot to a point at least above the ankle joint of the skier''s leg, and means for placing the element in contact with the skier''s leg for movement therewith.

16. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 14 comprising hold down means disposed intermediate said upper end portion and lower end portion of said element, said element acting upon said hold down means for urging the heel portion of the ski boot against said release plate, said element having a portion intermediate said upper and lower end portions extending substantially coextensive with the major portion of the length of the upper of the ski boot, said element transmitting forces applied to the skier''s leg in the lengthwise direction of the ski to said release plate, and means for connecting the element with the skier''s leg to partake in movements thereof in the lengthwise direction of the ski.