BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION: To many skiers, the most important feature in a ski binding is its safety release mechanisms. Safety bindings for alpine skiing, which comprise a toe piece working in conjunction with a heel piece to hold a ski boot in place, are well known in the art. The safety release mechanisms in such bindings release the ski boot from the binding on impact. This feature is highly desirable as it avoids or lessens the chance of serious injury to the skier in the event of an emergency.

Telemark skiers, however, do not enjoy most of the safety mechanisms available to Alpine skiers. The reason is, in Telemark skiing, the rear portion or heel of the ski boot must be freely liftable, while the front portion or toe of the ski boot is secured to the binding. Without a heel piece to hold the ski boot, many of the safety mechanisms devised for the Alpine ski bindings cannot be implemented. In some early embodiments of the 75mm Nordic Norm equipments, which are still used for Telemarking, safety release mechanisms are not provided at all.

In recent years, manually operated toe clamping bindings have become popular among Telemark skiers. In some of these bindings, a pivoting toe holding device is used in conjunction with a release plate, creating a safety mechanism. In the event of an emergency or an impact, the pivoting toe holding device remains attached to the ski boot but detaches from the ski to protect the skier from serious injuries. The toe holding device, however,

remains attached to the ski boot. Heel tightening cable bindings can also employ a pivoting toe holding device in conjunction with a release plate. In the event of an emergency or an impact, the pivoting toe holding device and cable assembly remain attached to the ski boot and detach from the release plate.

The problem with these two types of prior art bindings is that they require the skier to reattach the toe holding device to the release plate. This is oftentimes a cumbersome task, especially when the skier is facing inclement weather, extreme temperatures or hazardous terrains, where it is difficult or dangerous for the skier to use their hands to effect binding entry.

What is needed is a step-in auto-releasing binding for a 75mm Nordic Norm ski boot which, following actuation of its safety release mechanism and release of the ski boot, returns automatically to a desired position for receiving the boot.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION : A step-in binding for telemark ski having safety release mechanism comprises a mounting plate, a housing, a clamp lever and a step-in lever. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, step-in securing is initiated by applying pressure to a step-in lever, which is coupled to cause a clamp lever to rotate downwardly to hold a front portion of a ski boot. A cam device coupled to the levers enables the clamp lever to hold the ski boot tightly. The tightening effect exerted by the clamp lever is locked in at a desired clamp tension by a latching means. The latching means is disengaged by rotating the housing assembly about a pivot post. With the latching means disengaged, the clamp lever becomes free to release the ski boot. The binding also comprises adjustable means for resisting the housing from rotation and means for resetting the binding to a position ready to receive the ski boot once the latching means is disengaged.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the binding comprises a mounting plate, a housing, a step-in lever, a clamp lever, and a cable cam assembly. The cable cam assembly comprises a cable for pulling the

heel portion of the ski boot firmly to the binding, and a cable cam for generating a tension when the step-in lever is depressed. In a further alternate embodiment of the present invention, the binding does not include a cable.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cable includes a first end which extends around and provides tension against the heel of the ski boot and a second end which is positioned above the clamp lever and is raised and lowered as a key is raised and lowered by the clamp lever.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: Fig. 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention without a cable.

Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention without a cable in an engaged position.

Fig. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention without a cable in a disengaged position.

Fig. 4 illustrates a schematic view of 75mm Nordic norm ski boot mounted on a binding according to the alternate embodiment of the present invention without a cable.

Fig. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a housing according to the alternate embodiment without a cable.

Fig. 6 illustrates a bottom isometric perspective view of a housing according to the alternate embodiment.

Fig. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a key of the present invention.

Fig. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a step-in lever of the present invention.

Fig. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a clamp lever of the present invention.

Fig. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a mounting plate of the present invention.

Fig. 11 illustrates an enlarged perspective view of a pivot post of the present invention.

Fig. 12 illustrates a binding according to the alternate embodiment in a rotated position.

Fig. 13 illustrates a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention with a cable.

Fig. 14 illustrates an exploded view of a cable cam assembly according to the alternate embodiment of the present invention with a cable.

Fig. 15 illustrates a perspective view of a key according to the alternate embodiment of the present invention with a cable.

Fig. 16 illustrates a perspective view of a housing according to the alternate embodiment of the present invention with a cable.

Fig. 17 illustrates a perspective view of a key according to a second alternate embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 18 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the binding of the present invention including a cable.

Fig. 19 illustrates the binding 200 in an open position.

Fig. 20 illustrates the binding-200 in a closed position.

Fig. 21 illustrates the housing 160.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT: Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a binding 10 according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. The binding 10 includes a mounting plate 23 for mounting on a ski (not shown), and a housing 20 for coupling to the mounting plate 23. A step-in lever 24 and a clamp lever 22 are pivotably coupled to the housing 20. The step-in lever 24 comprises a first arm 24a and a second arm 24b which angulate at a fulcrum. When the binding 10 is not in use, the first arm 24a is positioned to be depressed by a ski boot (not shown). When the binding 10 is in use, the first arm 24a recesses flatly with a base plate 30. A cam 62 is coupled to the second arm 24b of the step-in lever for lifting a key 26 when the first arm 24a is depressed. The key 26 is in turn coupled to a clamp lever 22 such that, when the step-in lever 24 is depressed, the clamp lever 22 rotates downwardly towards the base plate 30. Due to the configuration the cam 62 and the key

26, the clamp lever 22 is rotated a larger degree than is the step-in lever 24.

The added angular displacement of the clamp lever 22 causes a tightening effect on the ski boot when mounted on the binding 10. In this embodiment, there is ideally a 17° angular displacement to allow the user to insert the toe of the ski boot when the binding is not engaged but hold the ski boot firmly while engaged.

As shown in Fig. 1, a pivot post 21 is inserted into the housing 20 such that the housing 20 is rotatably mounted to the mounting plate 23. Pistons 28a and 28b are inserted into the housing 20 through piston ports 34 to engage a pivot post 21. The pistons 28a and 28b are forced against the pivot post 21 with compression springs 27a and 27b, and set with tensioning screws 29a and 29b. The springs 27a and 27b force the piston 28a and 28b against piston contact surfaces 80 on the pivot post 21. When the pistons 28a and 28b are pushed against the piston contact surfaces 80, the spring tension secures the housing 20 to the pivot post 21, and resists the housing 20 from rotating. The stiffness of the springs 27a and 27b can be adjusted with the screws 29a and 29b. The stiffer the springs 27a and 27b, the more difficult it is for the housing 20 to rotate.

A catching post 25 mounted on the base plate 23 is positioned to engage a tooth 50 of the key 26 when the tooth 50 is lifted above the catching post 25. The catching post 25 is coupled to a spring loaded hinge 88, which pushes the catching post 25 against the tooth 50. Once the catching post 25 engages the tooth 50, the clamp lever 22 will remain engaged until a release mechanism kicks in to disengage the tooth 50 from the catching post 25. The clamp lever can also be disengaged by manually depressing a release lever 81.

Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the alternate embodiment of Fig. 1 in an engaged position. The numberings of identical components in Figures 2- 16 are the same as those of Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the key 26 locks the clamp lever 22 in an engaged position by latching the tooth 50 to the catching post 25.

Fig. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the alternate embodiment of Fig. 1 in a disengaged position. According to Fig. 3, the tooth 50 is disengaged from

the catching post 25. Without the tooth 50 latching to the catching post 25, the key 26 is lowered, causing the clamp lever 22-to pivot upwardly away from the base plate 30. It should be noted, in this disengaged position, the step-in lever 24 is elevated from the lever channel 32, and is in a position to be depressed by a ski boot.

Fig. 4 illustrates a schematic view of a 75mm Nordic norm ski boot 12 mounted on a binding 10 according to the alternate embodiment of Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 4, a front portion or toe 14 of the sole of the 75mm Nordic norm boot 12 is secured and held down by the clamp lever 22. Fig. 4 also illustrates that the tooth 50 is engaged to the catching post 25. Because the catching post 25 and the tooth 50 are engaged, the clamp lever 22 is locked in a position to firmly hold the toe 14 of the ski boot 12 to the binding 10.

Fig. 5 illustrates the housing 20 according to the alternate embodiment of Fig. 1. Included in this housing is an industry standard, 75mm Nordic 3-pin norm base plate 30. The pins 33, characteristic of 75mm Nordic Norm base plate, are also illustrated in Fig. 5. Lever channels 32 are cut in the plate 30 to allow the step-in lever 24 to recess flatly with the base plate 30 when the step- in lever 24 is depressed. A piston port 34 is provided on each side of the housing 20 for each of the pistons 28a and 28b (Fig. 1) to engage the pivot post 21 inserted from the bottom of the housing 20. A key channel 36 is provided in the housing to facilitate translation of the key 26 (Fig. 1). Lever bearing ports 38a and 38b for the step-in lever 24 (Fig. 1) and the clamp lever 22 (Fig. 1), respectively, are also illustrated in this figure.

Fig. 6 illustrates a bottom isometric perspective view of the housing 20 of the alternate embodiment of Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 6, the housing 20 includes a pivot post port 40 for accepting the pivot post 21 (Fig. 1). The pivot post 21 is inserted into the housing 20 through the pivot post port 40 and is held within the housing 20 by the pistons 28a and 28b (Fig. 1).

Fig. 7 illustrates the key 26 according to the alternate embodiment of Fig.

1. Protruding from a face of the key 26 is a tooth 50 which acts as a latch member when it rises to engage the top surface of the catching post 25 (Fig. 1).

The tooth 50 has a ratcheted lower surface for engaging the catching post 25.

The ratcheted lower surface of the tooth 50 and the catching post 25 are configured to operate as a ratchet-and-pawl such that the key 26 can be raised in small increments. A curved surface 51 at the base of the key 26 optimizes a displacement of the key 26 by the cam 62 (Fig. 6). It will be apparent that other shapes of keys and teeth can be utilized to achieve the function of the invention.

Fig. 8 illustrates a step-in lever 24 where a cam 62 is coupled to the step- in lever 24 at a cam end 64. The cam 62 engages the curved surface 51 (Fig.

7) of the key 26 (Fig. 7) to optimize displacement of the key 26 (Fig. 7). In the preferred embodiment, the cam 62 has an elliptical cross-section. Race holes 66 are made in the step-in lever 24 to match the lever bearing ports 38b (Fig.

3). In the preferred embodiment, an axle (not shown) is inserted through the race holes 66 and the bearing ports 38b of the housing to act as a fulcrum for the step-in lever 24.

The clamp lever 22 is depicted in Fig. 9. As shown in Fig. 9, the clamp lever 22 comprises a toe clamp 72 for securing a ski boot (not shown) to the binding 10 (Fig. 1). Adjustment screws 74 are coupled to the clamp lever 22 for adjusting the distance between the key 26 (Fig. 1) and the clamp lever 22.

When the distance between the key 26 and the clamp lever 22 is adjusted, different boot thicknesses can be accommodated. A clamp lever race 76 is attached to the clamp lever 22. The clamp lever race 76 matches the bearing ports 38a (Fig. 5) such that an axle (not shown) can be inserted through the clamp lever race 76 and the bearing ports 38a (Fig. 3) and that the axle can act as a fulcrum for the clamp lever 22.

Fig. 10 illustrates a mounting plate 23. The pivot post 21 has two substantially flat piston contact surfaces 80 cut into the wall of the pivot post 21. These piston contact surfaces 80 are diametrically opposed to one another on the outer surface of the pivot post 21. When the housing 20 is in a non- rotated position, the pistons 28a and 28b (Fig. 1) engage the piston contact surfaces 80. A removal restricting channel 82 encircles the cylinder wall at a height equal to the flat piston contact surfaces 80 for retaining the pivot post 21 in the housing 20 below a circular ridge 83 surrounding the top of the pivot

post. The mounting plate 23 further comprises ski mounting holes 86 for securing the mounting plate 23 to the ski surface (not shown). The housing 20 is pivoted about the pivot post 21 when rotational forces exerted on the housing 20 or the mounting plate 23 overcome the forces required to compress the springs 27a and 27b. Rotating the mounting plate 23 relative to the housing 20 causes the pistons 28a and 28b to translate from the flat pivot post surfaces 80 to the round pivot post channel surface 82, thus compressing the springs 27a and 27b (Fig. 1). When the rotational forces are no longer exerted on the ski, the springs 27a and 27b will cause the pistons 28a and 28b to rotate to re- engage the flat surfaces 80 and reset the binding 10 to the non-rotated position.

As shown in Fig. 10, the catching post 25 is attached to the mounting plate 23 surface by a catching hinge bearing 88. A release lever 81 is attached to a catching hinge 83, along with the catching post base 85. The release lever 81 is for the user to intentionally release the bindings. When the release lever 81 is depressed, the catching post 25 will disengage the tooth 50 (not shown) to release the ski boot. The catching hinge 83 and the catching post 25 are forced towards the pivot pin 21 (Fig. 2) by a catching hinge spring 87. An adjustment cap 89 raises and lowers as it is rotated around the catching post base 85. By rotating the adjustment cap 89, the height of the catching post 25 can be adjusted.

Fig. 11 illustrates an enlarged view of the pivot post 21 which shows the removal restricting channel 82 clearly. In this embodiment, the removal restricting channel 82 is ideally slightly depressed into the wall of the pivot post 21. When the housing 20 is rotated, the pistons 28a and 28b engage the removal restriction channel 82. Because the removal restriction channel 82 is depressed into the wall of the pivot post 21, the circular ridge 83 will be able to stop the pistons 28a and 28b from moving in a vertical direction relative to the mounting plate 23 even if the pistons 28a and 28b are disengaged from the piston contact surfaces 80.

Fig. 12 illustrates the binding 10 of the alternate embodiment without a cable when the housing 20 is rotated about the pivot post 21. According to Fig. 12, the tooth 50 disengages from the catching post 25, leaving the key 26

(Fig. 1) unsupported. Without the key 26 latched to the catching post 25, the clamp lever 22 will be free to open, which allows the ski boot to freely leave the ski.

Fig. 13,14,15, and 16 illustrate an alternate embodiment of the present invention with a cable. In this embodiment, the binding 110 includes a mounting plate 23 (Fig. 10), a housing 135 (Fig. 16), a step-in lever 24 (Fig. 8), a clamp lever 22 (Fig. 9), and a cable assembly 134 (Fig. 14). The step-in lever 24 and the clamp lever 22 securely hold the toe 14 of a ski boot 12 in exactly the same manner as described above. In this embodiment, the effectiveness of the clamp lever 22 is enhanced by the cable assembly 134 which firmly pulls a heel of the ski boot 12 (not shown) to the binding 10. Tension is created when the step-in lever 24 is depressed and a key 130 (Fig. 15) is raised. A key axle 124 (Fig. 14) is inserted through key axle slots 35 (Fig. 14) and through a key axle hole 52 (Fig. 15). The key axle 124 is raised by the step-in lever 24 together with the key 130. A cable cam 128 (Fig. 14) is attached to the ends of a cam rotation axle 126 and the key axle 124. As the key 130 raises the key axle 124, the cable cams 128 rotate about the cam rotation axle 126. Attached to the cable cams 128 are the ends of the cable assemblies 122. As the cable cams 128 rotate, the cable assembly 122 pulls the heel engaging means 120 towards the front of the binding 10, thus tightening around the boot heel and securing the boot to the binding. When sufficient tension is reached, a tooth 50 of the key 130 engages the variable height catching post 25. This embodiment, however, is not the best mode or the preferred mode of the present invention because the added complexity necessarily increases the manufacturing cost of the binding.

Fig. 17 illustrates a key 140 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. In this alternate embodiment, the key 140 is substituted for the key 26 (Fig. 7). As shown in Fig. 17, the key 140 comprises a tooth 150 which protudes from a surface of the key 140. The tooth 150 is wedge shaped for pushing off the catching post 25 as the tooth 150 is being lifted. Although the tooth 150 does not serve the purpose of ratcheting, in this alternate embodiment the tooth 150 does latch the key 140 to the catching post 25.

The preferred embodiment of the binding of the present invention includes a cable and is illustrated in Figures 18-21. Even though the binding embodiment with the cable is more expensive to manufacture, it is preferred because it provides added turning stability to the user. An exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 18. The binding 200 includes a housing 160, a mounting plate 202 and a cable assembly 161. The housing 160 of the present invention can be modified for use with any ski boot. For illustration purposes, the embodiments shown in the Figures are for use with both the 75 mm Nordic norm Telemark boot and the alpine ski boot profile.

The tensioning cable 161 is inserted through the cable ports 179 (Fig. 21) in the housing 160. The cable spring backings 162 are secured to the tensioning cable 161 to hold the cable springs 163 within the cable ports 179.

The cable ends 183 are fed through the cable ports 179 and connected in a complete loop by the cable connector 180 above the key axle slot 204. The cable connector 180 is positioned above the clamp arm lever 181 and is raised when the clamp lever 164 is rotated down to engage the toe of the ski boot.

The cable connector 180 draws the cable 161 in through the housing 160 when the clamp arm lever 181 acts on it, thereby compressing the cable springs 163.

As will be described below, the cable springs 163 draw the cable 161 from the housing 160 when the force on the clamp arm lever 181 is removed.

The tensioning cable 161 wraps around the heel of the ski boot and serves to draw the boot forward towards the binding housing 160 as the step in lever 169 is depressed. When the step in lever 169 is depressed, the clamp lever 164 simultaneously clamps down firmly on the toe of the boot as the step in lever 169 raises the key 185, thereby lifting the clamp lever 181 and lowering the clamp arm 164 onto the toe of the ski boot.

As the step in lever 169 is depressed, it rotates about the step in fulcrum 184 supported by the fulcrum race 182. The step in lever cam 170 interacts with the lower key cam 167 to then raise the key 185. The raised key 185 interacts with the clamp arm lever 181 through the upper key cam 166. The clamp arm lever 181 rotates on the clamp arm pivot 165, thereby raising the

cable connector 180. The upward movement of the cable connector 180 draws the cable 161 into the housing 160 and around the heel of the boot and compresses the cable springs 163 as the cable spring backings 162 move with the cable 161.

The binding 200 in the closed position is illustrated in Fig. 20. When in this closed position, the potential energy of the compressed cable springs 163 is stored when the tooth 168 of the key 185 is raised above the catching post 174. The catching post 174 is then forced to rotate forward on the catching post fulcrum 186 by the catching post lever spring 176 acting on the catching post lever. This rotation then immediately positions the catching post 174 under the raised tooth 168 which compresses the cable springs 163 and stores potential energy within the compressed cable springs 163.

The mounting plate 202 is attached to the ski using appropriate screws through the mount holes 177. The pivot post 187 is securely attached to the mounting plate 202. The housing 160 fits over the pivot post 187 with the pivot post 187 positioned within the pivot post port 188. The pistons 189 are inserted into the piston port 178 to mate against the substantially flat piston contact surfaces 173 of the pivot post 187. The tensioning spring 172 is forced against the piston 189 by rotation of the tensioning screw 171. The stored energy of the tensioning springs 172 provide an adjustable resistance for the housing 160 to pivot about the pivot post 187.

When the binding 200 is in the clamped down position, as illustrated in Fig. 20, the stored energy of the cable springs 163 is held by the tooth 168 of the key 185 resting on the catching post 174. When the housing 160 is rotated about the pivot post 173, the tooth 168 falls off of the catching post 174 thereby releasing the tension on the clamp arm lever 181 and correspondingly on the cable 161. This also releases the tension on the cable springs 163, thereby releasing the tension on the heel of the boot. When the tooth 168 falls off of the catching post 174, the clamp arm 164 also opens as the tension on the clamp are lever 181 is released and the clamp arm lever 181 is pulled down by the cable connector 180 thereby releasing the toe of the boot.

Rotating the housing 160 about the pivot post 187 causes the fiat contact surfaces 173 of the pivot post 187 to force the pistons 189 to move outward from the center of the housing 160 and compress the tensioning springs 172 against the tensioning screws 171. Instantly after the rotating force is removed, the housing 160 is returned to the central position where the potential energy within the tensioning spring 172 is at a minimum.

The binding 200 in an open position is illustrated in Fig. 19. As shown in Fig. 19, the step in lever 169 is rotated up and away from the housing 160, when the binding 200 is in the open position.

The housing 160 is illustrated in Fig. 21. The housing 160 includes the cable ports 179 through which the cable 161 is held within the housing 160.

The present invention provides for Telemark skiers using 75mm Nordic Norm easily accessible means for effecting boot/binding entry. This object is met by providing a step-in securing mechanism. This mechanism eliminates the need to use ski pole tips or bare or gloved hands in binding entry. Further, the present invention provides a safety mechanism for automatically releasing the ski boot in the event of an emergency. This invention is useful for Telemark racers, whose high speeds warrant a safety binding. Additionally, the present invention is ideal for beginning telemark skiers, who fall with greater frequency than more experienced skiers, and skiers who have previously suffered injury and wish to lessen the chance of further injury while Telemark skiing.

The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of the principles of construction and operation of the invention. Such reference herein to specific embodiments and details thereof is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made in the embodiment chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Specifically, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention could be practiced in many different ways and the apparatus disclosed above is only illustrative of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.