Releasable binding mechanism for skis

Claim 2

A releasable binding mechanism for a ski comprising the combination of: a boot support member mounted on the ski; a releasable boot holding means adapted to securely hold the boot on said support member; a resilient mounting means for mounting said boot support member on said ski, said resilient mounting means adapted to permit slight pivotal movement of said boot and support member with respect to the ski about two pivot points, one pivot point located substantially under the heel of the skier''s foot and the other pivot point located substantially under the ball of the skier''s foot; a strain sensing means mounted on the ski and adapted to sense stresses of a predetermined magnitude set up in said resilient mounting means as a result of pivotal movement of said support member with respect to said ski about either of said two pivot points; and a releasing means operatively associated with said strain sensing means and adapted to release said boot holding means when said strain sensing means senses stresses in said mounting means above a predetermined level.

Claim 3

A releasable binding mechanism according to claim 1 in which said releasing means includes an explosive charge adapted when ignited to release said boot holding means.

Claim 4

A releasable binding mechanism according to claim 2 in which said releasing means further includes a slidably mounted piston member adapted for activation by the expanding gases produced by the ignition of said explosive charge.

Claim 5

A releasable binding mechanism according to claim 1 in which said strain sensing means includes a plurality of switches adapted for selective actuation in response to relative movement between said boot supporting member and the ski.

Claim 6

A releasable binding mechanism according to claim 4 in which said strain sensing means includes a test means for adjusting said switches to vary the stress level at which said switches will be actuated, said test means adapted to operatively disconnect said switches from said releasing means and to operatively connect said switch means to an indicator means.

Claim 7

A releasable binding mechanism according to claim 1 in which said releasing means includes a source of electrical energy and a high energy source, said source of electrical energy operatively associated with said strain sensing means, said high energy source adapted for energization by said source of electrical energy to release said boot holding means.

Claim 8

A releasable binding mechanism according to claim 1 in which said strain sensing means is adapted to sense both relative horizontal and vertical movement between said boot support member and said ski.

Claim 9

A releasable binding mechanism according to claim 1 in which said strain sensing means includes an accelerometer means adapted for actuation in response to abrupt chaNges in the speed of the ski.

Claim 10

A releasable binding mechanism for a ski comprising the combination of: a boot support member resiliently mounted on the ski, said resiliently mounted support member adapted for slight pivotal movement with respect to the ski about two pivot points, one pivot point located substantially under the heel of the skier''s foot and the other pivot point located substantially under the ball of the skier''s foot; a releasable boot holding means adapted to securely hold the boot on said support member; a strain sensing means adapted to produce a pulse of electric energy whenever a slight pivotal movement occurs between said boot support member and the ski about either of said two pivot points; and a releasing means adapted for energization by the pulse of electrical energy to release said boot holding means.

Claim 11

A releasable binding mechanism for a ski comprising the combination of: a boot support member resiliently mounted on the ski, said resiliently mounted support member adapted for slight pivotal movement with respect to the ski about two pivot points, one pivot point located substantially under the heel of the skier''s foot and the other pivot point located substantially under the ball of the skier''s foot; a releasable boot holding means adapted to securely hold the boot on said support member; a strain sensing means adapted to produce a pulse of electric energy whenever a slight pivotal movement occurs between said boot support member and the ski about either of said two pivot points; and a releasing means adapted for energization by the pulse of electrical energy to release said boot holding means.

Claim 12

A releasable ski binding mechanism according to claim 9 in which said releasing means includes an explosive charge, said charge adapted when ignited to release said boot holding means.

Claim 13

A releasable ski binding mechanism according to claim 9 in which said strain sensing means includes a plurality of switches, said switches adapted for actuation in response to slight relative movement between said boot support member and said ski.

Claim 14

A releasable binding mechanism for a ski comprising the combination of: a ski boot support platform means mounted on the ski, said platform means including a boot support surface on which the boot is positioned for releasable attachment to the ski, said platform means further including a sealed chamber means in the interior of said platform means; a releasable boot holding means adapted to securely hold the boot on said support surface of said platform means; a resilient mounting means for mounting said boot support platform means on the ski; a strain sensing means including a plurality of strain sensors adapted to sense stresses of a predetermined magnitude set up in said resilient mounting means as a result of forces exerted on said support member by said boot, said strain sensors mounted in said sealed chamber means of said ski support platform means; and a releasing means operatively associated with said strain sensing means and adapted to release said boot holding means when said strain sensing means senses stresses in said mounting means above a predetermined level.

Claim 15

A releasable binding mechanism for a ski comprising the combination of: a ski boot support platform means mounted on the ski, said platform means including a boot support surface on which the boot is positioned for releasable attachment to the ski, said platform means further including a sealed chamber means in the interior of said platform means; a releasable boot holding means adapted to securely hold the boot on said support surface of said platform means; a resilient mounting means for mounting said boot support platform means on the ski; a strain sensing means including a plurality of strain sensors adapted to sense stresses of a predetermined magnitude set up in said resilient mounting means as a result of forces exerted on said support member by said boot, said strain sensors mounted in said sealed chamber means of said ski support platform means; and a releasing means operatively associated with said strain sensing means and adapted to release said boot holding means when said strain sensing means senses stresses in said mounting means above a predetermined level.

Claim 16

A releasable binding mechanism according to claim 12 in which said resilient mounting means is adapted to permit slight pivotal movement of said boot and support platform means with respect to the ski about two pivot points, one pivot point located substantially under the heel of the skier''s foot and the other pivot point located substantially under the ball of the skier''s foot.