Ski binding with automatic boot-to-ski return

Claim 2

A ski binding for releasably holding a ski boot on top of and in alignment with a ski in normal skiing position, comprising: first and second elements mountable respectively on the boot and the ski and disposed in a predetermined sKiing relationship when the boot is on the ski in such skiing position; an elongated, flexible leash extending between and secured to said elements, said leash being extendible and retractable; and actuating means carried by one of said elements and coupled to said leash and exerting in a skiing phase a preselected approximate force on said leash yieldably holding said elements in said skiing relationship while permitting shock-absorbing relative movement, and operable in response to a force on said leash exceeding said preselected force to shift to a release phase and reduce the force on said leash and permit said elements to move away from one another beyond the range of said shock-absorbing movement, said actuating means being operable after such separation to draw said elements back toward one another and to restore said preselected force when said elements are proximate one another, thereby returning said actuating means to its skiing phase said actuating means including a rotatably mounted drum that receives said leash for extension and retraction thereof and first and second springs acting on said drum to rotate it in a direction to retract said leash, said first spring being operable during said release phase to retract said leash toward its retracted condition, and said second spring exerting a force substantially greater than that asserted by said first spring and being operable during said skiing phase to yieldably resist extension of said leash and being disabled during said release phase.

Claim 3

A ski binding as in claim 1, wherein said actuating means further includes adjustment means for varying the forces exerted by said first and second springs.

Claim 4

A ski binding for releasably holding a ski boot on top of and in alignment with a ski in normal skiing position, including: a heel binding unit having cooperating first and second guide means mountable respectively on the boot and ski adjacent the heel end of the boot, and a toe binding unit having cooperating first and second guide means mountable respectively on the boot and ski adjacent the toe end of the boot, said first and second guide means of each of said units being engageable in a predetermined skiing relationship when the boot is on the ski in such normal skiing position; each of said units comprising: an elongated, flexible leash for coupling the boot and the ski and operating in cooperative association with said first and second guide means, said leash being substantially longer than the spacing between the first and second guide means when the latter are in said predetermined skiing relationship, and being extensible to an extended condition to permit said first and second guide means to disengage and move a substantial distance away from one another to free the boot and ski for relative movement to non-aligned relative positions and retractable to a retracted condition in which said guide means are so engaged, and actuating means acting on said leash and including means for applying a force to said leash for yieldably resisting extension thereof and urging said leash toward said retracted condition and means for controlling the resultant retraction force on said leash as a function of the extent of leash extension, the resultant retraction force being relatively high when said leash is substantially in said retracted condition and lower in said extended condition, said actuating means being responsive to the application to said leash of an extending force in excess of a preselected approximate force to permit such extension of said leash and being further responsive, after extension of said leash means from said retracted condition, to reduction of the extending force to below the then existing resultant force on said leash to initiate retraction of said leash; whereby said first and second guide means of each of said units are maintained yieldably in said skiing relationship and permitted to move out of such relationship under the influence of extEnding forces, and return automatically to such skiing relationship when such extending forces abate.

Claim 5

A ski binding for releasably holding a ski boot on top of and in alignment with a ski in normal skiing position, including: a heel binding unit having cooperating first and second guide means mountable respectively on the boot and ski adjacent the heel end of the boot, and a toe binding unit having cooperating first and second guide means mountable respectively on the boot and ski adjacent the toe end of the boot, said first and second guide means of each of said units being engageable in a predetermined skiing relationship when the boot is on the ski in such normal skiing position; each of said units comprising: an elongated, flexible leash for coupling the boot and the ski and operating in cooperative association with said first and second guide means, said leash being substantially longer than the spacing between the first and second guide means when the latter are in said predetermined skiing relationship, and being extensible to an extended condition to permit said first and second guide means to disengage and move a substantial distance away from one another to free the boot and ski for relative movement to non-aligned relative positions and retractable to a retracted condition in which said guide means are so engaged, and actuating means acting on said leash and including means for applying a force to said leash for yieldably resisting extension thereof and urging said leash toward said retracted condition and means for controlling the resultant retraction force on said leash as a function of the extent of leash extension, the resultant retraction force being relatively high when said leash is substantially in said retracted condition and lower in said extended condition, said actuating means being responsive to the application to said leash of an extending force in excess of a preselected approximate force to permit such extension of said leash and being further responsive, after extension of said leash means from said retracted condition, to reduction of the extending force to below the then existing resultant force on said leash to initiate retraction of said leash; whereby said first and second guide means of each of said units are maintained yieldably in said skiing relationship and permitted to move out of such relationship under the influence of extEnding forces, and return automatically to such skiing relationship when such extending forces abate.

Claim 6

A ski binding for releasably holding a ski boot on top of and in alignment with a ski, in a normal skiing condition, comprising: first and second elements mountable respectively on the boot and the ski and disposed in a predetermined skiing relationship when the boot is on the ski in said normal skiing condition; leash means extending between and connected to said first and second elements and being extensible in response to separating forces on said elements to an extended condition, to permit relative movement of said elements to a substantially separated condition, and being retractable to a retracted condition when the elements are in said predetermined skiing relationship; and actuating means acting on said leash means and including means for applying a force to said leash means for yieldably resisting extension thereof and urging said leash means toward said retracted condition, and means for controlling the resultant force on said leash means as a function of the extent of leash extension, from a relatively high resultant force when said leash means is substantially in said retracted condition to a lower resultant force in said extended condition; said actuating means being responsive to separating forces in excess of said relatively high resultant force to permit initial extension of said leash means, and being further responsive, after extension of said leash means from said retracted condition, to reduction of the separating force to below the then existing resultant force on said leash means, to initiate retraction of said leash means.

Claim 7

A ski binding for releasably holding a ski boot on top of and in alignment with a ski, in a normal skiing condition, comprising: first and second elements mountable respectively on the boot and the ski and disposed in a predetermined skiing relationship when the boot is on the ski in said normal skiing condition; leash means extending between and connected to said first and second elements and being extensible in response to separating forces on said elements to an extended condition, to permit relative movement of said elements to a substantially separated condition, and being retractable to a retracted condition when the elements are in said predetermined skiing relationship; and actuating means acting on said leash means and including means for applying a force to said leash means for yieldably resisting extension thereof and urging said leash means toward said retracted condition, and means for controlling the resultant force on said leash means as a function of the extent of leash extension, from a relatively high resultant force when said leash means is substantially in said retracted condition to a lower resultant force in said extended condition; said actuating means being responsive to separating forces in excess of said relatively high resultant force to permit initial extension of said leash means, and being further responsive, after extension of said leash means from said retracted condition, to reduction of the separating force to below the then existing resultant force on said leash means, to initiate retraction of said leash means.

Claim 8

A ski binding as in claim 4, wherein said actuating means further includes adjustment means for adjustably establishing the magnitude of the resultant force on said leash means when said leash means is in its retracted condition.

Claim 9

A ski binding as in claim 4, wherein the resultant force on said leash means controlled by said controlling means is maximum when said leash means is substantially in said retracted condition, progressively reduces during initial extension of a relatively small extent and, thereafter, remains substantially constant over at least the major portion of further extension of relatively large extent in said extended condition.

Claim 10

A ski binding as in claim 4, wherein said actuating means is operable automatically after extension of said leash means from said retracted condition to reduction of said separating force to below the then existing resultant force on said leash means, to initiate retraction of said leash means and continue such retraction so long as the separating force is below the resultant retraction force being then applied to said leash means, to return said leash means to its retracted condition.

Claim 11

A ski binding as in claim 4, wherein said elements include cooperating means engageable to reduce the magnitude of force required to cause extension of said leash means when applied to said leash means through said elements in a lateral direction with respect to the ski as compared to that required to cause such extension when applied in a direction normal to the ski.

Claim 12

A ski binding as in claim 4, wherein: said leash means includes an elongated, flexible leash; said means for applying a force to said leash means includes a rotatable drum on which said leash is at least partially wound and spring means urging said drum to rotate in a direction to retract said leash; and said means for controlling the resultant force on said leash means varies said resultant force as a function of the radial distance between the point of separation of said leash from said drum, during leash extension, and the axis of rotation of said drum and as a function of the effective force exerted on said drum by said spring means.

Claim 13

A ski binding as in claim 9, wherein the distance between the point of separation of said leash from said drum and sAid axis of rotation remains substantially constant and the effective force exerted on said drum by said spring means progressively reduces during at least an initial portion of leash extension.

Claim 14

A ski binding for releasably holding a ski boot on top of and in alignment with a ski in normal skiing position, comprising: first and second elements mountable respectively on the boot and the ski and disposed in a predetermined skiing relationship when the boot is on the ski in such skiing position; an elongated, flexible leash extending between and connected to said elements and comprising the primary force-applying link between said elements, said leash being substantially longer than the spacing between said elements when the latter are in said predetermined skiing relationship; leash-receiving means for retracting said leash to a retracted condition in which said elements are in said predetermined skiing relationship and permitting extension of said leash to an extended condition to enable said elements to move in leashed relationship a substantial distance away from one another; means acting on said leash-receiving means to resist extension of said leash; and control means for varying the resultant resistive force on said leash resulting from said means acting on said leash-receiving means, and producing a resultant force that is at a relatively high maximum when said elements are substantially in said skiing relationship and remaining relatively high at least until said elements have moved a predetermined distance away from each other that is a minor portion of such substantial distance and, thereafter, continually producing a resultant force no greater than said maximum during movement of said elements such substantial distance away from each other.

Claim 15

A ski binding for releasably holding a ski boot on top of and in alignment with a ski in normal skiing position, comprising: first and second elements mountable respectively on the boot and the ski and disposed in a predetermined skiing relationship when the boot is on the ski in such skiing position; an elongated, flexible leash extending between and connected to said elements and comprising the primary force-applying link between said elements, said leash being substantially longer than the spacing between said elements when the latter are in said predetermined skiing relationship; leash-receiving means for retracting said leash to a retracted condition in which said elements are in said predetermined skiing relationship and permitting extension of said leash to an extended condition to enable said elements to move in leashed relationship a substantial distance away from one another; means acting on said leash-receiving means to resist extension of said leash; and control means for varying the resultant resistive force on said leash resulting from said means acting on said leash-receiving means, and producing a resultant force that is at a relatively high maximum when said elements are substantially in said skiing relationship and remaining relatively high at least until said elements have moved a predetermined distance away from each other that is a minor portion of such substantial distance and, thereafter, continually producing a resultant force no greater than said maximum during movement of said elements such substantial distance away from each other.

Claim 16

A ski binding as in claim 11, wherein the resultant resistive force on said leash after said elements have moved more than said predetermined distance away from each other is substantially lower than the resultant force when said elements are in said skiing relationship.

Claim 17

A ski binding as in claim 11, wherein the resultant resistive force produced by said control means progressively decreases as said elements move said predetermined distance away from each other and, thereafter, remains at a reduced level for over at least the major portion of the movement of such elements such substantial distance away from each other, so as to free the boot and ski for movement to non-aligned relative positions.

Claim 18

A ski binding as in claim 11, wherein said means acting on said leash-receiving means comprises a spring which acts directly on said leash-receiving means; and wherein said control means includes adjustment means for adjustably establishing the effective force exerted by said spring on said leash-receiving means, at least when said leash is in said retracted condition, thereby adjustably establishing the magnitude of said relatively high, maximum resultant force.

Claim 19

A ski binding for releasably holding a ski boot on top of and in alignment with a ski in normal skiing position, comprising: first and second elements mountable respectively on the boot and the ski and disposed in a predetermined skiing relationship when the boot is on the ski in such skiing position; an elongated, flexible leash extending between and connected to said elements, said leash being substantially longer than the spacing between said elements when the latter are in said predetermined skiing relationship; a rotatable leash-receiving member which rotates in one direction to retract said leash and in the opposite direction to permit extension thereof; spring means acting on said leash-receiving member for urging it to rotate in said one direction and yieldably resisting rotation in the opposite direction; control means for varying the effective force applied to said leash, by reason of said spring means acting on said leash-receiving means, as a function of leash extension, saId control means being responsive to the application to said leash of a force in excess of a preselected approximate force to permit initial extension of said leash and, thereafter, being responsive to further extension of said leash to decrease the effective force to less than said preselected approximate force.

Claim 20

A ski binding for releasably holding a ski boot on top of and in alignment with a ski in normal skiing position, comprising: first and second elements mountable respectively on the boot and the ski and disposed in a predetermined skiing relationship when the boot is on the ski in such skiing position; an elongated, flexible leash extending between and connected to said elements, said leash being substantially longer than the spacing between said elements when the latter are in said predetermined skiing relationship; a rotatable leash-receiving member which rotates in one direction to retract said leash and in the opposite direction to permit extension thereof; spring means acting on said leash-receiving member for urging it to rotate in said one direction and yieldably resisting rotation in the opposite direction; control means for varying the effective force applied to said leash, by reason of said spring means acting on said leash-receiving means, as a function of leash extension, saId control means being responsive to the application to said leash of a force in excess of a preselected approximate force to permit initial extension of said leash and, thereafter, being responsive to further extension of said leash to decrease the effective force to less than said preselected approximate force.

Claim 21

A ski binding as in claim 15, including a soleplate adapted for detachable engagement with the boot, and a housing mounting said leash-receiving member, said spring means and said control means, said housing being secured to one of said soleplate and said second element which is mountable on said ski.

Claim 22

A ski binding as in claim 15, wherein said control means includes a cam surface on said leash-receiving member, which is effective during rotation of said member corresponding to initial extension of said leash, for varying the moment arm with which the spring force is applied through said member to said leash.

Claim 23

A ski binding as in claim 15, further including cooperating first and second guides mountable respectively on the boot and ski which engage to guide said elements into said predetermined skiing relationship during such retraction of said leash.

Claim 24

A ski binding for releasably holding a ski boot on top of and in alignment with a ski, in a normal skiing condition, said binding comprising: first and second elements mountable respectively on the boot and the ski and disposed in a predetermined skiing relationship when the boot is on the ski in said normal skiing condition; leash means extending between said connected to said first and second elements and being extensible in response to separating forces on said elements to an extended condition, to permit relative movement of said elements to a substantially separated, non-skiing condition in which the boot and ski are free for relative movement to non-aligned relative positions, and being retractable to a retracted condition in which said elements are in said predetermined skiing relationship; and actuating means acting on said leash means and including means for continually applying a retraction force to said leash means for yieldably resisting extension thereof and for urging the leash means toward said retracted condition, and means for varying the effectiveness with which said retraction force is applied to said leash means, as a function of lash extension to control; the resultant retraction force on said leash means throughout the extension of said leash means and to establish it at a predetermined level when said leash means is substantially in its retracted condition, said actuating means being responsive to separating forces on said leash means in excess of said predetermined level to permit extension of said leash means to its extended condition and, thereafter, being responsive to reduction of the separating force on said leash means of a magnitude below the resultant retraction force being then applied to said leash means to initiate retraction of said leash means toward its retracted condition and to continue such retraction so long as the separating force is below the retraction force being then applied to said leash means, until said leash means is in its retracted condition and said retraction force is restored to said predetermined level.

Claim 25

A ski binding for releasably holding a ski boot on top of and in alignment with a ski, in a normal skiing condition, said binding comprising: first and second elements mountable respectively on the boot and the ski and disposed in a predetermined skiing relationship when the boot is on the ski in said normal skiing condition; leash means extending between said connected to said first and second elements and being extensible in response to separating forces on said elements to an extended condition, to permit relative movement of said elements to a substantially separated, non-skiing condition in which the boot and ski are free for relative movement to non-aligned relative positions, and being retractable to a retracted condition in which said elements are in said predetermined skiing relationship; and actuating means acting on said leash means and including means for continually applying a retraction force to said leash means for yieldably resisting extension thereof and for urging the leash means toward said retracted condition, and means for varying the effectiveness with which said retraction force is applied to said leash means, as a function of lash extension to control; the resultant retraction force on said leash means throughout the extension of said leash means and to establish it at a predetermined level when said leash means is substantially in its retracted condition, said actuating means being responsive to separating forces on said leash means in excess of said predetermined level to permit extension of said leash means to its extended condition and, thereafter, being responsive to reduction of the separating force on said leash means of a magnitude below the resultant retraction force being then applied to said leash means to initiate retraction of said leash means toward its retracted condition and to continue such retraction so long as the separating force is below the retraction force being then applied to said leash means, until said leash means is in its retracted condition and said retraction force is restored to said predetermined level.

Claim 26

A ski binding as in claim 11, wherein: said leash means includes an elongated, flexible leash; said force-applying means includes a rotatably supported drum about which said leash is wound in said retracted condition, and a spring urging said drum in a direction to retract said leash to its retracted condition and applying a force yieldably resisting rotation of said drum in a direction to permit extension of said leash; and said means for controlling the resultant force is incorporated on said drum to vary a moment arm with which the spring force is applied through said drum to said leash.

Claim 27

A ski binding as in claim 20, wherein said means for controlling the resultant fOrce comprises a cam surface on said drum for progressively increasing the moment arm through which separating forces on said leash act through said drum on said spring, as the extent of separation of said elements increases during at least a portion of the rotation of said drum.

Claim 28

A ski binding as in claim 21, wherein said cam surface is carried by said drum, and curves progressively away from the axis of rotation thereof to increase said moment arm in response to rotation of said drum in a direction to extend said leash.

Claim 29

A ski binding as in claim 19, wherein said first and second elements include cooperating guide means for guiding said elements into said skiing relationship as said leash means is retracted from its extended condition to its retracted condition.

Claim 30

A ski binding as in claim 19, including a soleplate adapted for detachable mounting on the boot, said soleplate carrying said first element.

Claim 31

A ski binding as in claim 19, including two substantially similar binding units, one of said binding units associated with and for controlling the toe end of the boot and the other associated with and for controlling the heel end, each of said units having said first and second elements, said leash means and said resistive means and said units being operable substantially independently of one another.

Claim 32

A ski binding for releasably holding a ski boot on top of and in alignment with a ski in normal skiing position, comprising: first and second elements mountable respectively on the boot and the ski and disposed in a predetermined skiing relationship when the boot is on the ski in such skiing position; connecting means extending between and secured to said elements; and actuating means acting on said connecting means in a skiing phase in which said elements are in said skiing relationship and permitted a relatively small extent of shock-absorbing relative movement, and in a release phase in which said elements are permitted movement of a relatively large extent to a substantially separated, non-skiing condition in which the boot and ski are free for relative movement to non-aligned positions, said actuating means including means for applying a force to said connecting means for yieldably resisting extension thereof, and means for controlling the resultant force on said connecting means as a function of the extent of leash extension from a preselected, relatively high level when said actuating means is in said skiing phase, to a reduced level during said release phase to permit said elements to move to said substantially separated non-skiing condition.

Claim 33

A ski binding for releasably holding a ski boot on top of and in alignment with a ski in normal skiing position, comprising: first and second elements mountable respectively on the boot and the ski and disposed in a predetermined skiing relationship when the boot is on the ski in such skiing position; connecting means extending between and secured to said elements; and actuating means acting on said connecting means in a skiing phase in which said elements are in said skiing relationship and permitted a relatively small extent of shock-absorbing relative movement, and in a release phase in which said elements are permitted movement of a relatively large extent to a substantially separated, non-skiing condition in which the boot and ski are free for relative movement to non-aligned positions, said actuating means including means for applying a force to said connecting means for yieldably resisting extension thereof, and means for controlling the resultant force on said connecting means as a function of the extent of leash extension from a preselected, relatively high level when said actuating means is in said skiing phase, to a reduced level during said release phase to permit said elements to move to said substantially separated non-skiing condition.

Claim 34

A ski binding as in claim 26 wherein said connecting means comprises an elongated, flexible leash that serves as the sole force-applying connection between said first and second elements, said leash being extendible and retractable and being in a retracted condition during said skiing phase to hold the boot in such skiing position and in an extended condition during said release phase to permit the boot and ski to move to such non-aligned positions while retaining the ski in leashed relationship with the boot.