Safety ski binding

Claim 2

A ski binding comprising a base adapted to be fixed to a runner; a boot-engaging clamp; support means mounting said clamp on said base with freedom of upward swinging about a horizontal axis and lateral motion transversely to the runner to release an engaged boot; biasing means on said base resisting said upward swinging; and abutment means on said base independent of said biasing means for restraining said lateral motion, said clamp being mounted for disengagement from said abutment means upon upward swinging against the force of said biasing means.

Claim 3

A ski binding as defined in claim 1 wherein said support means comprises a member pivotally secured to said base for rotation about a first vertical axis relatively remote from a boot-engaging portion of said clamp, said clamp being mounted on said member for rotation relative thereto about a second vertical axis relatively close to said boot-engaging portion; further comprising detent means yieldably indexing said member in an operative position aligned with the boot on said base, said abutment means substantially restraining rotation of said clamp about said second vertical axis only.

Claim 4

A ski binding as defined in claim 2 wherein said base is provided with an upstanding post centered on said first vertical axis and forming a fulcrum for said member, said detent means including a spring-loaded element on said member engaging a coacting formation on said post.

Claim 5

A ski binding as defined in claim 3 wherein said post is hollow and upwardly open, said clamp having an extension overhanging said post, said biasing means including a spring-loaded element in said post bearing from below upon said extension.

Claim 6

A ski binding as defined in claim 2 wherein said clamp has an extension coupled therewith for joint swinging about said horizontal axis, said biasing means including a mobile element resiliently bearing upon said extension at a point substantially coinciding with one of said vertical axis

Claim 7

A ski binding as defined in claim 2 wherein said abutment means comprises a downwardly projecting formation coupled with said clamp for joint rotation about said second vertical axis, said formation normally bearing upon a transverse edge of said base.

Claim 8

A ski binding as defined in claim 1 wherein said support means comprises a first member pivotally secured to said base for rotation about a first axis and a second member articulated to said first member and to said clamp for relative rotation about a second a axis, respectively, one of said axes being said horizontal axis, the other two axes being vertical, one of said vertical axes being relatively remote from a boot-engaging portion of said clamp, the other of said vertical axes being relatively close to said boot-engaging portion; further comprising detent means yieldably indexing said members in an operative position aligned with the boot on said base; said abutment means substantially restraining rotation of said clamp about said relatively close vertical axis only.

Claim 9

A ski binding as deFined in claim 7 wherein said first member is vertically swingable on said base, said second member being provided with a pair of vertical pins spaced in longitudinal direction of the runner and pivotally linking said second member with said first member and said clamp, respectively.

Claim 10

A ski binding comprising a base adapted to be fixed to a runner; a boot-engaging clamp; support means mounting said clamp on said base, said support means including a hinge joint on said base with a horizontal axis transverse to said runner and a linkage articulated to said hinge joint and said clamp with relative horizontal mobility for allowing the clamp to swing upwardly about said axis together with said linkage and to move horizontally with reference to said base in a direction substantially parallel to said axis; biasing means on said base resisting upward swinging of said linkage and clamp; and abutment means on said base independent of said biasing means for restraining transverse horizontal motion of said clamp.

Claim 11

A ski binding comprising a base adapted to be fixed to a runner; a boot-engaging clamp; support means mounting said clamp on said base, said support means including a hinge joint on said base with a horizontal axis transverse to said runner and a linkage articulated to said hinge joint and said clamp with relative horizontal mobility for allowing the clamp to swing upwardly about said axis together with said linkage and to move horizontally with reference to said base in a direction substantially parallel to said axis; biasing means on said base resisting upward swinging of said linkage and clamp; and abutment means on said base independent of said biasing means for restraining transverse horizontal motion of said clamp.

Claim 12

A ski binding as defined in claim 9 wherein said clamp is mounted for disengagement from said abutment means upon upward swinging against the force of said biasing means.

Claim 13

A ski binding as defined in claim 10 wherein said support comprises a stud centered on said horizontal axis and rotatably carried on said base, said stud forming with said clamp a generally parallelogrammatic linkage enabling movement of said clamp generally parallel to said horizontal axis, said linkage including a first arm articulated to one end of said stud and a second arm articulated to the other end of said stud, said biasing means including a first spring-loaded element engaging a coacting first formation on one of said arms, said abutment means including a second spring-loaded element engaging a coacting second formation on said stud.

Claim 14

A ski binding as defined in claim 11 wherein said first and second spring-loaded elements are respective extremities of a transverse bar generally parallel to said stud and provided with a loading spring engaging said bar substantially midway between said extremities.

Claim 15

A ski binding as defined in claim 12 wherein said bar and said loading spring are provided with adjustable joint means for transversely shifting their point of engagement.

Claim 16

A ski binding as defined in claim 9 wherein said hinge joint comprises a transverse stud horizontally journaled on said base, said linkage including a pair of generally parallel arms articulated to opposite ends of said stud.

Claim 17

A ski binding as defined in claim 14 wherein said biasing means includes a first spring-loaded element engaging a coacting first formation on one of said arms, said abutment means including a second spring-loaded element engaging a coacting second formation on said stud.