Tension adjustable releasable ski binding and method

Claim 2

A releasable ski binding for retaining a boot to a ski during normal skiing and releasing the boot from the ski under abnormal conditions of a type including a forward ski mount normally in engagement with a forward boot mount and exerting a rearwardly directed biasing force at least during release, the combination comprising rear ski mount means, rear boot mount means for normal engagement with the rear ski mount means; said rear ski and boot mount means respectively comprising first surfaces in engagement and at least retained against disengagement by the rearwardly directed biasing force of the forward ski mount to prevent lateral shear release of the rear boot mount means, biasing means at the rear ski mount means, said first surfaces being complementary, extending substantially vertical relative to the ski, oriented generally transversely thereof and angularly related to a midline of the rear ski mount means, and said rear ski and boot mount means comprising respectively second surfaces in predetermined abutting relation and at least retained against disengagement by the biasing means of the rear ski mount means to prevent other modes of rear boot mount means release.

Claim 3

A releasable ski binding for retaining a boot to a ski during normal skiing and releasing the boot from the ski under abnormal conditions of a type including a forward ski mount normally in engagement with a forward boot mount and exerting a rearwardly directed biasing force at least during release, the combination comprising rear ski mount means, rear boot mount means for normal engagement with the rear ski mount means; said rear ski and boot mount means respectively comprising first surfaces in engagement and at least retained against disengagement by the rearwardly directed biasing force of the forward ski mount to prevent lateral shear release of the rear boot mount means, biasing means at the rear ski mount means, said first surfaces being complementary, extending substantially vertical relative to the ski, oriented generally transversely thereof and angularly related to a midline of the rear ski mount means, and said rear ski and boot mount means comprising respectively second surfaces in predetermined abutting relation and at least retained against disengagement by the biasing means of the rear ski mount means to prevent other modes of rear boot mount means release.

Claim 4

A releasable ski binding for retaining a boot to a ski during normal skiing and releasing the boot from the ski under abnormal conditions of a type including a forward ski mount normally in engagement with a forward boot mount and exerting a rearwardly directed biasing force at least during release, the combination comprising rear ski mount means, rear boot mount means for normal engagement with the rear ski mount means; said rear ski and boot mount means respectively comprising first surfaces in engagement and at least retained against disengagement by the rearwardly directed biasing force of the forward ski mount to prevent lateral shear release of the rear boot mount means, biasing means at the rear ski mount means, said first surfaces being complementary, extending substantially vertical relative to the ski, oriented generally transversely thereof and angularly related to a midline of the rear ski mount means, and said rear ski and boot mount means comprising respectively second surfaces in predetermined abutting relation and at least retained against disengagement by the biasing means of the rear ski mount means to prevent other modes of rear boot mount means release.

Claim 5

The ski binding of claim 1 wherein the second surfaces are oriented generally parallel to the ski and comprise substantially horizontal surfaces, including an overlap region.

Claim 6

A releasable ski binding for retaining a boot to a ski during normal skiing and releasing the boot from the ski under abnormal conditions of a type including a forward ski mount normally in engagement with a forward boot mount and exerting a rearwardly directed biasing force at least during release, the combination comprising rear ski mount means, rear boot mount means for normal engagement with the rear ski mount means; said rear ski and boot mount means respectively comprising first surfaces in engagement and at least retained against disengagement by the rearwardly directed biasing force of the forward ski mount to prevent lateral shear release of the rear boot mount means, biasing means at the rear ski mount means, said rear ski and boot mount means comprising respectively second surfaces in predetermined abutting relation and at least retained against disengagement by the biasing means of the rear ski mount means to prevent other modes of rear boot mount means release, toggle means incorporating the respective second surface of the rear ski mount means, and said toggle means being adapted to be moved during modes of rear boot mount means release other than lateral shear release.

Claim 7

A releasable ski binding for retaining a boot to a ski during normal skiing and releasing the boot from the ski under abnormal conditions of a type including a forward ski mount normally in engagement with a forward boot mount and exerting a rearwardly directed biasing force at least during release, the combination comprising rear ski mount means, rear boot mount means for normal engagement with the rear ski mount means; said rear ski and boot mount means respectively comprising first surfaces in engagement and at least retained against disengagement by the rearwardly directed biasing force of the forward ski mount to prevent lateral shear release of the rear boot mount means, biasing means at the rear ski mount means, said rear ski and boot mount means comprising respectively second surfaces in predetermined abutting relation and at least retained against disengagement by the biasing means of the rear ski mount means to prevent other modes of rear boot mount means release, toggle means incorporating the respective second surface of the rear ski mount means, and said toggle means being adapted to be moved during modes of rear boot mount means release other than lateral shear release.

Claim 8

A releasable ski binding for retaining a boot to a ski during normal skiing and releasing the boot from the ski under abnormal conditions of a type including a forward ski mount normally in engagement with a forward boot mount and exerting a rearwardly directed biasing force at least during release, the combination comprising rear ski mount means, rear boot mount means for normal engagement with the rear ski mount means; said rear ski and boot mount means respectively comprising first surfaces in engagement and at least retained against disengagement by the rearwardly directed biasing force of the forward ski mount to prevent lateral shear release of the rear boot mount means, biasing means at the rear ski mount means, said rear ski and boot mount means comprising respectively second surfaces in predetermined abutting relation and at least retained against disengagement by the biasing means of the rear ski mount means to prevent other modes of rear boot mount means release, said rear ski mount means comprising a second surface actually comprises a toggle member pivotally connected to the rear ski mount means for arc-like movement relative to the ski, and said toggle member further comprising a guideway generally directed at a forward slope toward the ski to guide the rear boot mount means into the ski binding.

Claim 9

A releasable ski binding for retaining a boot to a ski during normal skiing and releasing the boot from the ski under abnormal conditions of a type including a forward ski mount normally in engagement with a forward boot mount and exerting a rearwardly directed biasing force at least during release, the combination comprising rear ski mount means, rear boot mount means for normal engagement with the rear ski mount means; said rear ski and boot mount means respectively comprising first surfaces in engagement and at least retained against disengagement by the rearwardly directed biasing force of the forward ski mount to prevent lateral shear release of the rear boot mount means, biasing means at the rear ski mount means, said rear ski and boot mount means comprising respectively second surfaces in predetermined abutting relation and at least retained against disengagement by the biasing means of the rear ski mount means to prevent other modes of rear boot mount means release, said rear ski mount means comprising a second surface actually comprises a toggle member pivotally connected to the rear ski mount means for arc-like movement relative to the ski, and said toggle member further comprising a guideway generally directed at a forward slope toward the ski to guide the rear boot mount means into the ski binding.

Claim 10

A releasable ski binding for retaining a boot to a ski during normal skiing and releasing the boot from the ski under abnormal conditions of a type including a forward ski mount normally in engagement with a forward boot mount and exerting a rearwardly directed biasing force at least during release, the combination comprising rear ski mount means, rear boot mount means for normal engagement with the rear ski mount means; said rear ski and boot mount means respectively comprising first surfaces in engagement and at least retained against disengagement by the rearwardly directed biasing force of the forward ski mount to prevent lateral shear release of the rear boot mount means, biasing means at the rear ski mount means, said rear ski and boot mount means comprising respectively second surfaces in predetermined abutting relation and at least retained against disengagement by the biasing means of the rear ski mount means to prevent other modes of rear boot mount means release, a toggle incorporating the second surface of said rear ski mount means, said biasing means of the rear ski mount means opposing pivotal movement of the toggle in at least one direction; and further comprising camming means effective to relieve a portion of the biasing means force to permit freer movement of the toggle in said one direction to facilitate entry into the ski binding.

Claim 11

A releasable ski binding for retaining a boot to a ski during normal skiing and releasing the boot from the ski under abnormal conditions of a type including a forward ski mount normally in engagement with a forward boot mount and exerting a rearwardly directed biasing force at least during release, the combination comprising rear ski mount means, rear boot mount means for normal engagement with the rear ski mount means; said rear ski and boot mount means respectively comprising first surfaces in engagement and at least retained against disengagement by the rearwardly directed biasing force of the forward ski mount to prevent lateral shear release of the rear boot mount means, biasing means at the rear ski mount means, said rear ski and boot mount means comprising respectively second surfaces in predetermined abutting relation and at least retained against disengagement by the biasing means of the rear ski mount means to prevent other modes of rear boot mount means release, a toggle incorporating the second surface of said rear ski mount means, said biasing means of the rear ski mount means opposing pivotal movement of the toggle in at least one direction; and further comprising camming means effective to relieve a portion of the biasing means force to permit freer movement of the toggle in said one direction to facilitate entry into the ski binding.

Claim 12

A releasable ski binding for retaining a boot to a ski during normal skiing and releasing the boot from the ski under abnormal conditions of the type including a forward ski mount normally exerting a rearwardly directed biasing force against a forward boot mount, the combination comprising rear ski mount means, rear boot mount means for normal engagement with the rear ski mount means; said rear ski and boot mount means respectively comprising first complementary surfaces biased into engagement, at least during release, by the rearwardly directed biasing force of the forward ski mount normally to prevent rear boot mount means forward disengagement and/or lateral shear release; biasing means at the rear ski mount means; said rear ski and boot mount means comprising respectively second surfaces normally maintained in engagement by the biasing means of the rear ski mount means to prevent other modes of release of the rear boot mount means; and said rear ski mount means comprising toggle means incorporating the second surface of the rear ski mount means adapted to be raised against the force of thE biasing means of the rear ski mount means during said other modes of release.

Claim 13

A releasable ski binding for retaining a boot to a ski during normal skiing and releasing the boot from the ski under abnormal conditions of the type including a forward ski mount normally exerting a rearwardly directed biasing force against a forward boot mount, the combination comprising rear ski mount means, rear boot mount means for normal engagement with the rear ski mount means; said rear ski and boot mount means respectively comprising first complementary surfaces biased into engagement, at least during release, by the rearwardly directed biasing force of the forward ski mount normally to prevent rear boot mount means forward disengagement and/or lateral shear release; biasing means at the rear ski mount means; said rear ski and boot mount means comprising respectively second surfaces normally maintained in engagement by the biasing means of the rear ski mount means to prevent other modes of release of the rear boot mount means; and said rear ski mount means comprising toggle means incorporating the second surface of the rear ski mount means adapted to be raised against the force of thE biasing means of the rear ski mount means during said other modes of release.

Claim 14

The binding of claim 6 wherein said forward ski mount comprises ball means biased rearwardly of the ski and ball supporting means; said forward boot mount comprises an extension for gripping the ball means at least along a portion of its top surface; and said ball supporting means being open to receive said extension in a telescoping manner when the forward boot mount is thrust forwardly.

Claim 15

A releasable ski binding for releasing a skier''s boot from a ski at a predetermined release pressure, comprising in combination spaced apart forward and rear ski mounts, forward and rear boot mounts cooperating with the forward and rear ski mounts in retaining the boot to the ski and in releasing the boot from the ski, said rear boot mount and said rear ski mount comprising releasably engageable means, said rear ski mount including movable biasing means comprising spring means and toggle means for normally preventing both singly, and in combination, vertical or roll out disengagement of said engageable means, said forward boot mount comprising coacting means, said forward ski mount comprising means for engaging said coacting means, said forward ski mount comprising biasing means for biasing said means for engaging into contact with said coacting means, one of said coacting means and means for engaging having extending means for engagement with the other thereof to locate the boot toe and forward boot mount out of contact with the ski and out of further contact with the forward ski mount; and said forward ski mount biasing means maintaining the normal engagement of said releasably engageable means whereby lateral or forward disengagement of the rear boot mount from the rear ski mount is attained by overcoming the biasing force of said forward ski mount biasing means.

Claim 16

A releasable ski binding for releasing a skier''s boot from a ski at a predetermined release pressure, comprising in combination spaced apart forward and rear ski mounts, forward and rear boot mounts cooperating with the forward and rear ski mounts in retaining the boot to the ski and in releasing the boot from the ski, said rear boot mount and said rear ski mount comprising releasably engageable means, said rear ski mount including movable biasing means comprising spring means and toggle means for normally preventing both singly, and in combination, vertical or roll out disengagement of said engageable means, said forward boot mount comprising coacting means, said forward ski mount comprising means for engaging said coacting means, said forward ski mount comprising biasing means for biasing said means for engaging into contact with said coacting means, one of said coacting means and means for engaging having extending means for engagement with the other thereof to locate the boot toe and forward boot mount out of contact with the ski and out of further contact with the forward ski mount; and said forward ski mount biasing means maintaining the normal engagement of said releasably engageable means whereby lateral or forward disengagement of the rear boot mount from the rear ski mount is attained by overcoming the biasing force of said forward ski mount biasing means.

Claim 17

A releasable ski binding for releasing a skier''s boot from a ski at a predetermined release pressure, comprising in combination spaced apart forward and rear ski mounts, forward and rear boot mounts cooperating with the forward and rear ski mounts in retaining the boot to the ski and in releasing the boot from the ski, said rear boot mount and said rear ski mount respectively including cooperating releasably engageable shaped mating surfaces extending generally vertically of the ski, and including portions on opposite sides of the midline of the rear ski mount that extend generally laterally outwards and forwardly thereof, said rear ski mount further including movable latching means for engaging said rear boot mount and biased to normally prevent both singly and in combination, vertical or roll out disengagement of said mating surfaces, said forward boot mount comprising coacting means, said forward ski mount comprising means for engaging said coacting means, said forward ski mount comprising biasing means for biasing said means for engaging into contact with said coacting means, one of said coacting means and means for engaging having extending means for engagement with the other thereof to locate the boot toe and forward boot mount out of contact with the ski and out of further contact with the forward ski mount, said forward ski mount biasing means maintaining the normal engagement of said releasably engageable means whereby lateral or forward disengagement of the rear boot mount from the rear ski mount is attained by overcoming the biasing force of said forward ski mount biasing means, said coacting means having extending means for engagement with said means for engaging to locate the boot toe and forward boot mount out of contact with the ski and out of further contact with said forward ski mount, said forward ski mount biasing means maintaining the normal engagement of said mating surfaces whereby lateral or forward disengagement of the rear boot mount from the rear ski mount is attained by overcoming the biasing force of said forward ski mount biasing means, said forward ski mount including a housing movably accommodating said mEans for engaging and said housing having a recess accommodating at least partial entry of said extending means when said means for engaging are retracted in the direction of the forward ski mount means against the force of the biasing means of the forward ski mount during rear boot mount releases not requiring movement of said movable biasing means.

Claim 18

A releasable ski binding for releasing a skier''s boot from a ski at a predetermined release pressure, comprising in combination spaced apart forward and rear ski mounts, forward and rear boot mounts cooperating with the forward and rear ski mounts in retaining the boot to the ski and in releasing the boot from the ski, said rear boot mount and said rear ski mount respectively including cooperating releasably engageable shaped mating surfaces extending generally vertically of the ski, and including portions on opposite sides of the midline of the rear ski mount that extend generally laterally outwards and forwardly thereof, said rear ski mount further including movable latching means for engaging said rear boot mount and biased to normally prevent both singly and in combination, vertical or roll out disengagement of said mating surfaces, said forward boot mount comprising coacting means, said forward ski mount comprising means for engaging said coacting means, said forward ski mount comprising biasing means for biasing said means for engaging into contact with said coacting means, one of said coacting means and means for engaging having extending means for engagement with the other thereof to locate the boot toe and forward boot mount out of contact with the ski and out of further contact with the forward ski mount, said forward ski mount biasing means maintaining the normal engagement of said releasably engageable means whereby lateral or forward disengagement of the rear boot mount from the rear ski mount is attained by overcoming the biasing force of said forward ski mount biasing means, said coacting means having extending means for engagement with said means for engaging to locate the boot toe and forward boot mount out of contact with the ski and out of further contact with said forward ski mount, said forward ski mount biasing means maintaining the normal engagement of said mating surfaces whereby lateral or forward disengagement of the rear boot mount from the rear ski mount is attained by overcoming the biasing force of said forward ski mount biasing means, said forward ski mount including a housing movably accommodating said mEans for engaging and said housing having a recess accommodating at least partial entry of said extending means when said means for engaging are retracted in the direction of the forward ski mount means against the force of the biasing means of the forward ski mount during rear boot mount releases not requiring movement of said movable biasing means.

Claim 19

A releasable ski binding for releasing a skier''s boot from a ski at a predetermined release pressure, comprising in combination spaced apart forward and rear ski mounts, forward and rear boot mounts, cooperating with the forward and rear ski mounts in retaining the boot to the ski and in releasing the boot from the ski, said rear boot mount comprising a shaped heel plate member including a base portion for attachment to the undersurface of the heel of a boot and an upstanding rear wall-forming extension including rearwardly facing converging vertical outer wall surfaces meeting at a vertical apex surface at the longitudinal midline of the base, at least the rearmost portions of said extension having horizontal upper surfaces, said rear ski mount including a housing including a top wall, opposite depending side wall portions, a depending rear wall portion and a partial vertical front wall portion extending upwardly from and between the lower portions of said side wall portions and terminating in an upper edge so as to delimit a front opening in the housing beneath said top wall, said partial vertical front wall portion having forwardly facing diverging outer wall surfaces to mate with said converging outer wall surfaces of said rear wall forming extension of said heel plate member, said top wall having an open ended slot therein extending rearwardly from the front of said housing, said depending rear wall portion having an opening therein, a shaped rear boot mount latching member, horizontally disposed pivot means for supporting said member, said pivot means being disposed between said side wall forming rearwardly of said partial front wall portion of said housing and below said upper edge thereof, said latching member having a rear thrust rod accommodating surface and a forwardly extending upper nose portion, said nose portion protruding through said front opening of said housing, said nose portion having a flat under surface adapted in ski binding condition to overlap said horizontal upper surfaces of said upstanding rear wall-forming extension of said heel plate member, a thrust rod disposed through the opening in the rear wall portion of said housing and rotatably engaging said rear thrust rod accommodating surface of said latching member, said thrust rod having an externally threaded portion thereon, a thrust nut adjustably engaged on said externally threaded portion, key means carried by said thrust nut and disposed in said slot in said top wall of said housing to constrain said thrust nut for axial movement along said thrust rod responsive to turning thereof, spring means biased between said thrust nut and said rear wall portion of said housing to urge said thrust member and thus said latching member forwardly into heel plate extension engaging relation to normally prevent both singly and in combination, vertical or roll out disengagement of said converging and diverging mating vertical wall surfaces, means for turning said thrust rod to adjustably position said thrust receiving nut therealong to vary the biasing force of said spring, means cooperably related with said thrust rod for retracting the same against the action of said spring means to swing said latch member rearwardly to disengage said heel plate extension, the upper surface of said nose portion of said latching member having a downward and forwardly extending guideway therein to permit step-in entry of a ski boot with said rearward extension of said heel plate engaging said guideway to pivot the same rearwardly to move the under surface of said nose portion upwardly to permit said rearward extension of said heel plate to fit therebeneath, said forward boot mOunt including a shaped toe plate having a base and an upstanding front wall portion, said front wall portion having a projection extending forwardly thereof, said projection including a rearward thrust-applying member accommodating surface and an upper nose portion extending forwardly of said thrust-applying member accommodating surface, said upper nose portion having a shaped under surface to receive a component of thrust exerted rearwardly and upwardly by such a thrust-applying member, said forward ski mount comprising a housing means including a top wall having a slot therein in at least a portion intermediate the longitudinal extent thereof, said top wall also having a recess at the rear end thereof accommodating at least partial entry of said upper nose portion of said projection of said front wall portion of said toe plate, a thrust-applying member movably disposed in said housing, means at the rear end of said housing permitting said thrust-applying member to project therefrom but omitting the rearward movement thereof, a turnable rod within said housing extending longitudinally rearwardly therein and having an externally threaded portion, a thrust receiving nut threaded on said rod, key means on said nut and engaged in said slot in said top wall of said forward ski mount housing to constrain said thrust receiving nut for axial movement along said rod responsive to turning thereof, means for turning said rod to adjustably position said thrust receiving nut therealong, a head on said rod for engaging said thrust-applying member, an abutment means at the forward end of said housing, a spring means biased between said abutment means and said thrust nut for normally urging said rod and head rearwardly to urge said thrust-applying member rearwardly of said housing into engaging relation with said thrust-applying member accommodating surface of said projection of said toe plate as well as engagement with said under surface of said nose portion of said projection to normally maintain a boot toe and said toe plate out of contact with the ski and out of further contact with said forward ski mount, said spring means in said forward ski mount housing maintaining normal engagement of said respective converging and diverging mating vertical wall surfaces of said heel plate and rear ski mount respectively whereby lateral or forward disengagement of the rear boot mount from the rear ski mount is attained by overcoming the biasing force of said spring means in said forward ski mount housing, and said recess at the rear end of the top wall of said forward ski mount housing accommodating at least partial entry of said upper nose portion of said forward projection of said front wall portion of said toe plate when said thrust-applying member is retracted in the forward direction of the ski against the biasing force of said last mentioned spring means in rear mount releases not requiring movement of said latching member of said rear ski mount.

Claim 20

A releasable ski binding for releasing a skier''s boot from a ski at a predetermined release pressure, comprising in combination spaced apart forward and rear ski mounts, forward and rear boot mounts, cooperating with the forward and rear ski mounts in retaining the boot to the ski and in releasing the boot from the ski, said rear boot mount comprising a shaped heel plate member including a base portion for attachment to the undersurface of the heel of a boot and an upstanding rear wall-forming extension including rearwardly facing converging vertical outer wall surfaces meeting at a vertical apex surface at the longitudinal midline of the base, at least the rearmost portions of said extension having horizontal upper surfaces, said rear ski mount including a housing including a top wall, opposite depending side wall portions, a depending rear wall portion and a partial vertical front wall portion extending upwardly from and between the lower portions of said side wall portions and terminating in an upper edge so as to delimit a front opening in the housing beneath said top wall, said partial vertical front wall portion having forwardly facing diverging outer wall surfaces to mate with said converging outer wall surfaces of said rear wall forming extension of said heel plate member, said top wall having an open ended slot therein extending rearwardly from the front of said housing, said depending rear wall portion having an opening therein, a shaped rear boot mount latching member, horizontally disposed pivot means for supporting said member, said pivot means being disposed between said side wall forming rearwardly of said partial front wall portion of said housing and below said upper edge thereof, said latching member having a rear thrust rod accommodating surface and a forwardly extending upper nose portion, said nose portion protruding through said front opening of said housing, said nose portion having a flat under surface adapted in ski binding condition to overlap said horizontal upper surfaces of said upstanding rear wall-forming extension of said heel plate member, a thrust rod disposed through the opening in the rear wall portion of said housing and rotatably engaging said rear thrust rod accommodating surface of said latching member, said thrust rod having an externally threaded portion thereon, a thrust nut adjustably engaged on said externally threaded portion, key means carried by said thrust nut and disposed in said slot in said top wall of said housing to constrain said thrust nut for axial movement along said thrust rod responsive to turning thereof, spring means biased between said thrust nut and said rear wall portion of said housing to urge said thrust member and thus said latching member forwardly into heel plate extension engaging relation to normally prevent both singly and in combination, vertical or roll out disengagement of said converging and diverging mating vertical wall surfaces, means for turning said thrust rod to adjustably position said thrust receiving nut therealong to vary the biasing force of said spring, means cooperably related with said thrust rod for retracting the same against the action of said spring means to swing said latch member rearwardly to disengage said heel plate extension, the upper surface of said nose portion of said latching member having a downward and forwardly extending guideway therein to permit step-in entry of a ski boot with said rearward extension of said heel plate engaging said guideway to pivot the same rearwardly to move the under surface of said nose portion upwardly to permit said rearward extension of said heel plate to fit therebeneath, said forward boot mOunt including a shaped toe plate having a base and an upstanding front wall portion, said front wall portion having a projection extending forwardly thereof, said projection including a rearward thrust-applying member accommodating surface and an upper nose portion extending forwardly of said thrust-applying member accommodating surface, said upper nose portion having a shaped under surface to receive a component of thrust exerted rearwardly and upwardly by such a thrust-applying member, said forward ski mount comprising a housing means including a top wall having a slot therein in at least a portion intermediate the longitudinal extent thereof, said top wall also having a recess at the rear end thereof accommodating at least partial entry of said upper nose portion of said projection of said front wall portion of said toe plate, a thrust-applying member movably disposed in said housing, means at the rear end of said housing permitting said thrust-applying member to project therefrom but omitting the rearward movement thereof, a turnable rod within said housing extending longitudinally rearwardly therein and having an externally threaded portion, a thrust receiving nut threaded on said rod, key means on said nut and engaged in said slot in said top wall of said forward ski mount housing to constrain said thrust receiving nut for axial movement along said rod responsive to turning thereof, means for turning said rod to adjustably position said thrust receiving nut therealong, a head on said rod for engaging said thrust-applying member, an abutment means at the forward end of said housing, a spring means biased between said abutment means and said thrust nut for normally urging said rod and head rearwardly to urge said thrust-applying member rearwardly of said housing into engaging relation with said thrust-applying member accommodating surface of said projection of said toe plate as well as engagement with said under surface of said nose portion of said projection to normally maintain a boot toe and said toe plate out of contact with the ski and out of further contact with said forward ski mount, said spring means in said forward ski mount housing maintaining normal engagement of said respective converging and diverging mating vertical wall surfaces of said heel plate and rear ski mount respectively whereby lateral or forward disengagement of the rear boot mount from the rear ski mount is attained by overcoming the biasing force of said spring means in said forward ski mount housing, and said recess at the rear end of the top wall of said forward ski mount housing accommodating at least partial entry of said upper nose portion of said forward projection of said front wall portion of said toe plate when said thrust-applying member is retracted in the forward direction of the ski against the biasing force of said last mentioned spring means in rear mount releases not requiring movement of said latching member of said rear ski mount.

Claim 21

A releasable ski binding for releasing a skier''s boot from a ski at a predetermined release pressure, comprising in combination spaced apart forward and rear ski mounts, forward and rear boot mounts cooperating with the forward and rear ski mounts in retaining the boot to the ski and in releasing the boot from the ski, said rear boot mount and said rear ski mount respectively including cooperating releasably engagable shaped mating surfaces extending generally vertically of the ski, and including portions on opposite sides of the midline of the rear ski mount that extend generally laterally outwards and forwardly thereof, said rear ski mount further including movable latching means for engaging said rear boot mount and biased to normally prevent both singly and in combination, vertical or roll out disengagement of said mating surfaces, said rear boot mount having upper surfaces oriented generally parallel to the ski, said latching means of said rear ski mount comprising a shaped body member pivotally supported for swinging movement about an axis Extending transverse of the ski and located below said upper surfaces of said rear boot mount when the boot is engaged in said rear ski mount, said body member having a surface above and extending forwardly of said axis in ski binding position for overlying said upper surfaces of said rear boot mount, spring means cooperably related and normally urging said body member toward said rear boot mount to engage said surface thereof over said upper surfaces of said rear boot mount, said body member including an upper guideway inclined downwardly and forwardly of the longitudinal axis of the ski and located above the axis about which said body member pivots to permit step-in entry of the ski boot into said rear ski boot mounting, said forward boot mount comprising coacting means, said forward ski mount comprising means for engaging said coacting means, said forward ski mount comprising biasing means for biasing said means for engaging into contact with said coacting means, one of said coacting means and means for engaging having extending means for engagement with the other thereof to locate the boot toe and forward boot mount out of contact with the ski and out of further contact with the forward ski mount; and said forward ski mount biasing means maintaining the normal engagement of said releasably engageable means whereby lateral or forward disengagement of the rear boot mount from the rear ski mount is attained by overcoming the biasing force of said forward ski mount biasing means.

Claim 22

A releasable ski binding for releasing a skier''s boot from a ski at a predetermined release pressure, comprising in combination spaced apart forward and rear ski mounts, forward and rear boot mounts cooperating with the forward and rear ski mounts in retaining the boot to the ski and in releasing the boot from the ski, said rear boot mount and said rear ski mount respectively including cooperating releasably engagable shaped mating surfaces extending generally vertically of the ski, and including portions on opposite sides of the midline of the rear ski mount that extend generally laterally outwards and forwardly thereof, said rear ski mount further including movable latching means for engaging said rear boot mount and biased to normally prevent both singly and in combination, vertical or roll out disengagement of said mating surfaces, said rear boot mount having upper surfaces oriented generally parallel to the ski, said latching means of said rear ski mount comprising a shaped body member pivotally supported for swinging movement about an axis Extending transverse of the ski and located below said upper surfaces of said rear boot mount when the boot is engaged in said rear ski mount, said body member having a surface above and extending forwardly of said axis in ski binding position for overlying said upper surfaces of said rear boot mount, spring means cooperably related and normally urging said body member toward said rear boot mount to engage said surface thereof over said upper surfaces of said rear boot mount, said body member including an upper guideway inclined downwardly and forwardly of the longitudinal axis of the ski and located above the axis about which said body member pivots to permit step-in entry of the ski boot into said rear ski boot mounting, said forward boot mount comprising coacting means, said forward ski mount comprising means for engaging said coacting means, said forward ski mount comprising biasing means for biasing said means for engaging into contact with said coacting means, one of said coacting means and means for engaging having extending means for engagement with the other thereof to locate the boot toe and forward boot mount out of contact with the ski and out of further contact with the forward ski mount; and said forward ski mount biasing means maintaining the normal engagement of said releasably engageable means whereby lateral or forward disengagement of the rear boot mount from the rear ski mount is attained by overcoming the biasing force of said forward ski mount biasing means.