Slalom Ski Binding

Technical Field

An adjustable, release-type ski binding is disclosed.

Background Art

Monoskis, also often referred to as "slalom skis" or "solo skis," allow a skier to ski on one ski. Various devices for attaching boots to monoskis are well known to those skilled in the art such as, e.g., the device il¬ lustrated in United States patent 4,008,908. However, none of these prior art devices are entirely satisfactory.

It is an object of this invention to provide a monoski with two ski bindings wherein one of such bindings can be mounted aft onto a single standard ski equipped with a standard release binding and, after being so mounted, will afford a skier substantially more control than prior art monoskis while readily allowing the skier to simultane¬ ously release from both of the slalom ski bindings.

It is another object of this invention to provide a ski binding which can readily be mounted onto or detached from a standard ski to afford a skier the flexibility of skiing with either one or two standard skis.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a ski binding which, when mounted upon a ski, af¬ fords a skier the ability to laterally pivot the rear of his boot to a limited extent.

Disclosure of invention

In accordance with this invention, there is pro¬ vided a ski binding comprised of a base plate, a plurality of mounting studs attached to said base plate, a binding base removably and pivotally attached to one of said mount-

ing studs, and means for adjustably and releasably attaching said binding to a boot.

Brief description of the drawings

Applicants' invention will be illustrated by reference to the specification and the following drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, and in which:

Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of one preferred embodiment of applicants* solo ski binding system illustrating one preferred binding mounted upon a ski;

Figure 2 is an exploded view showing the base plate and the mounting studs of the ski binding of Figure 1 and how they cooperate to attach such binding to the ski;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the binding base of the ski binding of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the boot adjust¬ ment bracket of the ski binding of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an exploded view of a preferred means of disengaging the binding base of Figure 3 from the base plate of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is an exploded view of a means for ad¬ justing the boot adjustment bracket of Figure 4 to accom¬ modate different sized boots;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the elastic boot cup and elastic heel strap of the ski binding of Figure 1;

Figure 8 is an exploded view of the top plate of the ski binding of Figure 1 showing its cooperation with a retainer plate of a boot;

Figure 9 is an exploded view of another preferred embodiment of applicants' ski binding; and

Figure 10 is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of applicant's solo ski system illustrating how the binding of Figure 1 and another binding are mounted upon a ski.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

In applicant's preferred solo ski system, two ski bindings are mounted upon a ski. In the first part of this specification, one of the ski bindings so used will be dis¬ cussed. Thereafter, the second ski binding used will be discussed, and an illustration will be given as to how such bindings are mounted on a ski in applicant's preferred system.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of one of the preferred ski bindings used in applicants' solo ski system. Referring to Figure 1, it will be seen (especially by reference to subsequent Figures, such as Figures 3 and 5) that ski binding 10 is releasably mounted to ski 12.

In the preferred embodiment depicted in Figure 1, ski binding 10 is comprised of binding base 14, top plate 16, boot adjustment bracket assemblies 18 and 20, elastic boot cup 22, and elastic heel strap 24. In using ski bind¬ ing 10, a boot (not shown) is inserted between top plate 16 and boot cup 22, and between adjustment bracket assemblies 18 and 20, in the direction of arrow 26. Thereafter, elastic heel strap 24 is stretched over the heel (not shown) of the boot, and adjustment bracket assemblies 18 and 20 are used to adjust the width of such adjustment bracket assem¬ blies. The tension on boot cup 22 may be adjusted by means of clamps 28 and 30, which form part of adjustment bracket assemblies 18 and 20, respectively.

Referring again to Figure 1, it will be seen that top plate 16 is comprised of a boot retention cam 32 which cooperates with a mating cam (not shown in Figure 1, but see Figure 8) in a boot plate (not shown in Figure 1) recessed within the boot sole. This arrangement is more clearly illustrated in Figure 8.

Figure 2 illustrates one preferred means for attaching a base plate 34 to ski 12. Referring to Figure 2,

it will be seen that ski 12 has a multiplicity of orifices 38, 40, 42, and 44 that are drilled into the top surface 46 of ski 12, and fasteners 48, 50, 52, and 54 are inserted through orifices 56, 58, 60, and 62 of the base plate 34 and into orifices 38, 40, 42, and 44.

Referring again to Figure 2, it will be seen that base plate 34 also is comprised of orifices 64 and 66 which are adapted to receive mounting studs 68 and 70. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, when mounting studs 68 and 70 are fully inserted through orifices 64 and 66, shoulders 72 and 74 of such mounting studs will be captured by the underside (not shown) of base plate 34. Thus, such underside of base plate 34, in one embodiment (not shown) has a recess formed in it to accept such shoulder of the mounting stud.

The base plate 34 may be constructed out of any material which will afford it the necessary degree of strength. In one embodiment, base plate 34 consists essen¬ tially of steel, and it is a steel stamping.

In one preferred embodiment, base plate 34 has a thickness of from about 0.08 to about 0.1 inches, a width of at least about 2.5 inches, and a length of from about 5 to about 8 inches.

The mounting studs 68 and 70 also preferably consist essentially of steel. In one preferred embodiment, the shoulders 72 and 74 each have a diameter of from about 0.6 to about 0.8 inches, and the shanks 76 and 78 each have a diameter of from about 0.4 to about 0.6. It is preferred that the diameter of each of shoulders 72 and 74 be at least about 1.05 times as great as the diameter of shank. It is more preferred that the diameter of the shoulder be from about 1.1 to about 1.25 times as great as the diameter of the shank.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of binding base 14. It will be seen that binding base 14 is comprised of orifice

80 and slot 82 through which mounting studs 68 and 70, respectively, may extend. These mounting studs then may be engaged by the engagement plunger depicted in Figure 5.

Referring to both of Figures 3 and 5, it will be seen that engagement plunger 84 also is comprised of an orifice 86 and a slot 88, through which mounting studs 68 and 70, respectively, may extend. Lateral centering engage¬ ment bracket 90 (see Figure 5) is movably disposed within slot 88. Fingers 92 and 94 of bracket 90 are engaged by centering springs 96 and 98.

Springs 96 and 98 are disposed within slot 82 of binding base 14 (see Figure 3), downwardly extending fin¬ gers 92 and 94 are also disposed within slot 82.

The mounting stud 70 extends through an orifice 100 of the lateral centering engagement bracket 90 (see Figure 5). A portion of orifice 100 preferably has a width which is larger than the diameter of the shank 78 of mount¬ ing stud 70 to allow the insertion of such shank and another portion which is narrower than the diameter of the shank 78 to allow retention of the mounting stud into the orifice.

Referring again to Figure 2, it will be seen that each of the mounting studs 68 and 70 is comprised of a groove 69 and 71 which will be engaged by the slotted por¬ tion 87 of orifice 86, and the slotted portion 101 of ori¬ fice 100 (see Figure 5). When the plunger 84 is moved so that the mounting studs 68 and 70 are no longer disposed within portions 87 and 101 of orifices 86 and 100, the mounting plunger 84 and the binding base assembly may be removed from the ski 12.

The lateral centering engagement bracket 90 is free to move within slot 88 in either lateral direction.

Referring again to Figures 3 and 5, the stud 68 extends through orifice 80 of the binding base 14 and through the orifice 86 of the engagement plunger 84. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, because

of this arrangement, the binding base 14 will be free to rotate in the direction of either arrows 102 or 104 (see Figure 3). Thus, a skier using applicant's preferred bind¬ ing has a degree of rotational flexibility (and consequent control of his skis) which is not present with prior art ski binding systems.

Referring again to Figure 5, it will be seen that engagement plunger 84 is comprised of a downwardly extending finger 106 which is disposed within slot 108 of binding base 14 (see Figure 3). Spring 110 (see Figure 5) is also dis¬ posed within slot 108. Thus, when engagement plunger 84 is mounted on binding base 14 within recess slot 112, a force may be exerted in the direction of arrow 114 to move plunger 84 rearwardly against spring 110; and the binding base 14 assembly may then be removed from the ski 12 (not shown)

Referring again to Figure 3, it will be seen that binding base 14 is preferably comprised of a boot engagement ramp section 116 to facilitate engagement of the boot (not shown) into the binding 10. Although, in the preferred embodiment of Figure 3, the ramp section 116 is integrally formed with binding base 14, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the ramp section 116 may be sepa¬ rately formed and independently attached to the ski 12.

Binding base 14 is preferably an integral struc¬ ture which is preferably comprised of, or consists essen¬ tially of, a relatively high-strength material, such as aluminum, steel, or plastic.

In one preferred embodiment, the binding base 14 consists essentially of a plastic material which may be readily injection molded and which possesses good physical properties (such as impact resistance) at low temperatures. Thus, e.g., one may use a polyamide-imide such as "TORLON" (which is sold by Amoco Performance Products), "ZYTEL" ( a polyamide made by the E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company) , "LEXAN" (a polycarbonate manufactured by the General Elec

tric Company) , and the like.

Figure 4 illustrates the preferred boot adjustment bracket assembly 18 used in the binding of Figure 1. Refer¬ ring to Figure 4, it will be seen that bracket assembly 18 is comprised of a clamp and, preferably integrally formed therewith, a bracket 118.

The bracket 118 is preferably slidably disposed within recessed slot 120 (see Figure 3).

After the desired degree of fit between the elas¬ tic boot cup 22 and the boot (not shown) has been obtained, the elastic boot cup 22 may be clamped between jaws 122 and 124 of clamp 28 and, thereafter, the clamp 28 may be tight¬ ened by means of fasteners 126 and 128. The other clamp 30 (not shown) may be fastened in a similar fashion.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the elastic boot cup 22 provides an important advantage to applicants' binding which was not readily afforded by prior art ski bindings: it enables a skier to lift his heel and also exert force upwardly against the cup to unweight the ski so that it can be turned quickly. Furthermore, the elasticity of boot cup 22 is important in that it allows the skier to move the full length of the boot from toe to heel, pivoting forward on the toe, so that his leg from knee downward can be bent forward with ease.

One preferred means for adjusting the distance between clamp 28 and clamp 30 is shown schematically in Figures 3 and 6. Referring to these Figures, it will be seen that retention clips 130, 132, 134, and 136 may be disposed within slots 138, 140, 142, and 144 in the binding base 14 (see Figure 3). Screws 146 and 148 (see Figure 6) may be inserted through orifices 150 and 152 (see Figure 3); screws 154 and 156 (see Figure 6) may be inserted through corresponding orifices (not shown) in the binding base 14. It will be seen that the clips 130, 132, 134, and 136 each engage a groove 131, 133, 135, or 137 and thereby provide a

ground point for the adjustment screws.

Posts 158, 160, 162, and 164 (see Figure 6) are ovably disposed within slots 166, 168, 170, and 172 of binding base 14 (see Figure 3). Screws 146, 148, 150, and 152 engage the internally threaded orifices of the adjust¬ ment posts 158, 160, 162, and 164 and, when such screws are rotated, cause such adjustment posts to move laterally within the slots 166, 168, 170, and 172.

The posts 158, 160, 162, and 164 are each com¬ prised of a reduced diameter section 174, 176, 178, and 180. Each of these reduced diameter sections communicates with a corresponding orifice in the bracket of the boot adjustment bracket assembly. Thus, referring again to Figures 4 and 6, reduced diameter sections 178 and 180 (see Figure 6) commu¬ nicate with orifices 182 and 184 of bracket 118 (see Figure 4). As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, by rotating screws 154 and/or 156, one may cause bracket assem¬ bly 20 to move laterally within recess slot 120.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the elastic boot cup 22 and the elastic heel strap 24 used in the binding 10 of Figure 1. The term elastic, as used in this specifica¬ tion, refers, refers to a substance that resumes its origi¬ nal shape after a force causing distortion is removed.

In one preferred embodiment, the elastic boot cup 22 consists essentially of an elastomeric material, such as natural and/or synthetic rubber.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the ends 186 and 188 of boot cup 22 may be pulled through the jaws of the clamping mechanism (see, e.g., jaws 122 and 124 of Figure 4) to the desired extent prior to clamping such ends.

Referring again to Figure 7, the elastic heel strap 24 (which may also, in one embodiment, consist essen¬ tially of an elastomeric material) may be inserted through clips 190 and 192, and such clips may then be affixed to

lateral adjustment bracket assemblies 18 and 20; as will be seen from Figure 7, the ends of elastic strap 24 have an enlarged, ball-shaped section (see sections 198 and 200) which engage the clips 190 and 192 and are captured by the clips.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the fact that heel strap 24 is flexible affords two distinct advantages. In the first place, heel strap 24 holds the skier's boot in the binding securely so that, when the skier is in rough terrain, his foot is not likely to disengage from the binding; however, if the skier falls, the heel strap 24 stretches and, under this more extreme circum¬ stance, allows the skier's foot to be released from the toe piece.

Although the maximum interior dimension of the clips 190 and 192 is smaller than the maximum dimension of the sections 198 and 200, due to their elastic properties, such sections may be forced through such clips.

Thus, for example, referring to Figures 7 and 4 (and also to Figure 1), clip 192 may be disposed between ears 194 and 196 of clamp 28 prior to the time such clamp is closed by fasteners 128 and 126.

Figure 8 illustrates one preferred means of readi¬ ly attaching one end of the ski binding 10 to a boot 202. Referring to Figure 8, and in the preferred embodiment de¬ picted therein, it will be seen that boot 202 is preferably comprised of a recess 204 (shown in phantom) which is adapt¬ ed to receive retention plate 206. Retention plate 206 is comprised of orifices 208, 210, and 212 which, with the use of suitable fasteners, allow its attachment to the recess 204 within boot 202.

The retention plate 206 is comprised of a mating cam 33 which is adapted to engage cam 32, thereby removably limit¬ ing the motion of boot 202 relative to top plate 16. When

the boot 202 is pressed downwardly onto the top plate 16, then the combination of mating cams 32 and 33 restrain the boot 202 from rearward movement under normal skiing opera¬ tions. However, when the skier wishes to (or needs to) disengage the boot 202 from the top plate 16, he may rotate the boot 202 upwardly around its tip (not shown), thereby stretching elastic members and 24, and permitting disengage¬ ment of mating cams 32 and 33 so that boot 202 may be re¬ leased from its binding 10.

Referring to Figures 8 and 3, top plate 16 may be mounted to binding base 14 by inserting fasteners 214, 216, 218, and 220 though orifices 222, 224, 226, and 228 of top plate 16 (see Figure 8) and into orifices 230, 232, 234, and 236 of binding base 14. The top plate 16 retains all of the mechanism (such as plunger 94, adjustment brackets 28 and 30, and the other springs and adjustment means described hereinabove) within the binding base.

Figure 9 is an exploded view of another preferred embodiment in which similar elements are numbered in the same manner as in Figures 1-8.

The preferred solo ski system of the invention

Figure 10 is a side view of one preferred embodi¬ ment of applicant's solo ski system 260. Referring to Figure 10, it will be seen that solo ski system 260 is comprised of ski 12, ski binding 10, and ski binding 262.

Ski 12 may be any commercially available ski. As is known to those skilled in the art, a ski is a long flat runner of wood, metal, or other material that curves upward in front and may be attached to a boot (or boots) for glid¬ ing or traveling over snow. Such skis are very well known to those skilled in the art and to the general public. By way of illustration and not limitation, reference may be had to United States patents 5,108,125, 5,108,124, 5,104,140, 5,096,217, 5,092,618, 5,088,755, 5,083,810, 5,082,410,

and the like. The entire disclosure of each of these United States patents is hereby incorporated by reference into this specification.

In one preferred embodiment, ski 12 is an alpine or nordic ski with a length of from about 150 to about 180 centimeters and a width of from about 2.5 to about 3.0 inch¬ es. In another preferred embodiment, ski 12 is "fat board" powder ski with a length of from about 150 to about 180 centimeters and a width of from about 5 to about 8 inches.

Referring again to Figure 10, it will be seen that adjustable ski binding 10, which has been described else¬ where in this specification, is preferably mounted on ski 12 aft of adjustable ski binding 262.

Adjustable ski binding 262 is preferably comprised of toe piece 264 and heel piece 266 which, in combination, restrain boot 268.

Any of the releasable ski bindings may be used as adjustable ski binding 262. Thus, by way of illustration and not limitation, adjustable ski binding 262 may be one or more of the ski bindings disclosed in United States patents 5,092,621 (ski safety binding), 5,085,456 (release binding with plate), 5,085,453 (releasable ski binding unit), 5,071,155 (safety ski binding), 5,044,658, 5,040,822, 5,040,820, 5,029,890, 5,026,087, 5,024,457, 5,020,821, 5,020,822, 5,016,902, 5,015,005, 4,989,893, 4,984,816, 4,979,762, 4,971,351, 4,951,961, 4,948,159, and the like. The disclosure of each of these United States patents is hereby incorporated by reference into this specification.

In one preferred embodiment, ski binding 262 is an MRR Titanium Turntable binding made by the Marker Company. In another embodiment, ski binding 262 is an MRR Racing Titanium Turntable Binding made by the Marker Company. In yet another embodiment, the binding 262 is Turntable binding (which may be model number TT09 Racing, TT08 Carbon, or TT07 Composite), which is made by the Look Company. These and

similar adjustable ski bindings may be purchased at ski shops throughout the United States such as, for example. The Ski Company of 1455 East Henrietta Road, Rochester, New York.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 10, becuause the heel piece 266 of binding 262 extends substantially vertically, the binding 10 is close to the heel 270 of boot 268. It is preferred that the distance between heel 270 and binding 10 not exceed about 8 inches and, in a more preferred embodiment, not exceed about 3 inches.

It is to be understood that the aforementioned description is illustrative only and that changes can be made in the apparatus, in the ingredients and their propor¬ tions, and in the sequence of combinations and process steps, as well as in other aspects of the invention dis¬ cussed herein, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.