Safety binding for skis

Claim 2

In an improved binding for releasably attaching a ski boot to a ski, said binding having first connecting means secured to the boot, second connecting means secured to the ski, and means for releasably coupling said first and second connecting means together so that under predetermined load conditions the coupling means releases the connection between said connecting means in the forward, backward, lateral, or combination of directions, the improvement wherein said coupling means includes a. a pair of socket means disposed in a zone directly below the arch of the boot, with said socket means being in a fore-andaft releationship generally along the length of the ski, each of said socket means being in one of the connecting means and displaced inwardly from the end of the boot to which it is proximate a distance equal to at least one-third the total length of the boot, and one of said socket means serving as a fulcrum about which the leg may pivot in the lateral direction, b. plunger means in the other connecting means adapted to engage at least one of the socket means, and c. means normally urging said plunger means into engagement with the socket means, thereby coupling said connecting means, and under said predetermined load conditions, disengaging the plunger means from the socket means, thereby uncoupling said connecting means.

Claim 3

The improved binding of claim 1 wherein said socket means are in tandem.

Claim 4

The improved binding of claim 2 where the sockeT means are displaced from each other a distance in the range of from 1 1/2 to 3 inches.

Claim 5

The improved binding of claim 2 where the distance between one socket means and the end of the boot to which said one socket member is proximate about equals the distance between the other socket means and the other end of the boot to which said other socket means is proximate.

Claim 6

The improved binding of claim 1 where the socket means and plunger means are aligned along a line which is directly above and parallel to the longitudinal center line of the ski.

Claim 7

The improved binding of claim 5 where said line parallel to the center line of the ski is displaced a distance of from 1/4 to 1 inch above the upper surface of the ski.

Claim 8

The improved binding of claim 1 including at least two different and interchangeable pairs of socket means, one pair of socket means having characteristic surface contours adapted to uncouple the connecting means under a first set of predetermined load conditions, and the other pair of socket means having characteristic surface contours adapted to uncouple the connecting means under a second set of predetermined load conditions different from said first set.

Claim 9

A binding for releasably attaching a ski boot to a ski, comprising: first connecting means secured to the boot, second connecting means secured to the ski, and means for releasably coupling said first and second connecting means together so that under predetermined load conditions the coupling means releases the connection between said connecting means, said coupling means being adapted to release in the forward, backward, lateral, or combination of directions and including a. first and second spaced and opposed socket means in one of the connecting means and disposed in a zone directly below the arch of the boot, each of said socket means being displaced inwardly from the end of the boot to which it is proximate a distance equal to at least one-third the total length of the boot, with the distance between said socket means being in the range of from 1 1/2 to 3 inches, and b. first and second spaced and opposed plunger means in the other connecting means, said first and second plunger means being respectively aligned with the first and second socket means, c. a gap in said connecting means to accept therein said first connecting means, said gap spanning the width of said second connecting means and allowing direct lateral separation of said first connecting means from said second connecting means, and d. spring means normally urging the plunger means into engagement with the socket means, said spring means being compressed under said predetermined load conditions to disengage the plunger means from the socket means, thereby uncoupling the connecting means, e. said socket means, plunger means, and spring means being aligned along a line which is directly above and parallel to the longitudinal center of the ski.

Claim 10

A binding for releasably attaching a ski boot to a ski, comprising: first connecting means secured to the boot, second connecting means secured to the ski, and means for releasably coupling said first and second connecting means together so that under predetermined load conditions the coupling means releases the connection between said connecting means, said coupling means being adapted to release in the forward, backward, lateral, or combination of directions and including a. first and second spaced and opposed socket means in one of the connecting means and disposed in a zone directly below the arch of the boot, each of said socket means being displaced inwardly from the end of the boot to which it is proximate a distance equal to at least one-third the total length of the boot, with the distance between said socket means being in the range of from 1 1/2 to 3 inches, and b. first and second spaced and opposed plunger means in the other connecting means, said first and second plunger means being respectively aligned with the first and second socket means, c. a gap in said connecting means to accept therein said first connecting means, said gap spanning the width of said second connecting means and allowing direct lateral separation of said first connecting means from said second connecting means, and d. spring means normally urging the plunger means into engagement with the socket means, said spring means being compressed under said predetermined load conditions to disengage the plunger means from the socket means, thereby uncoupling the connecting means, e. said socket means, plunger means, and spring means being aligned along a line which is directly above and parallel to the longitudinal center of the ski.

Claim 11

The binding of claim 8 where the distance between one socket means and the end of the boot to which said one socket member is proximate about equals the distance between the other socket means and the other end of the boot to which said other socket means is proximate.

Claim 12

The binding of claim 8 where the line parallel to the center line of the ski is displaced a distance of from 1/4 to 1 inch above the upper surface of the ski.

Claim 13

The binding of claim 8 including at least two different and interchangeable pairs of socket means, one pair of socket means having characteristic surface contours adapted to uncouple the connecting means under a first set of predetermined load conditions, and the other pair of socket means having characteristic surface contours adapted to uncouple the connecting means under a second set of predetermined load conditions different from said first set.

Claim 14

A binding for releasably attaching a ski boot to a ski, comprising: a ski boot support member, manually releasable means for securely holding the ski boot to the support member so that the sole of the ski boot abuts one side of the support member. first connecting means secured to the side of the support member opposite the boot, and said first connecting means being generally under the arch of the boot, second connecting means secured to the ski for holding the first connecting means in forward, backward, lateral or combined directions in accordance with load conditions, so that said ski boot with attached boot support member separates from the ski and attaching holding means, and a gap in said second connecting means to accept therein said first connecting means, said gap spanning the width of said second connecting means and allowing direct lateral separation of said first connecting means from said second connecting means under predetermined load conditions, each portion of said second connecting means adjacent said gap including fulcrum means about which said first connecting means may pivot in the lateral direction.

Claim 15

A binding for releasably attaching a ski boot to a ski, comprising: a ski boot support member, manually releasable means for securely holding the ski boot to the support member so that the sole of the ski boot abuts one side of the support member. first connecting means secured to the side of the support member opposite the boot, and said first connecting means being generally under the arch of the boot, second connecting means secured to the ski for holding the first connecting means in forward, backward, lateral or combined directions in accordance with load conditions, so that said ski boot with attached boot support member separates from the ski and attaching holding means, and a gap in said second connecting means to accept therein said first connecting means, said gap spanning the width of said second connecting means and allowing direct lateral separation of said first connecting means from said second connecting means under predetermined load conditions, each portion of said second connecting means adjacent said gap including fulcrum means about which said first connecting means may pivot in the lateral direction.

Claim 16

The binding of claim 12 where the ski boot member is substantially coextensive with the sole of the ski boot.

Claim 17

The binding of claim 13 where at least one of the underside of the support member and the tops of the second connecting means is coated with an anti-friction material.

Claim 18

The binding of claim 12 where the releasable means holding the ski boot to the support member includes first and second flexible cable means respectively at the opposed ends of the support member, said first and second cable means respectively gripping the toe and heel of the boot.

Claim 19

The binding of claim 15 where the first cable means has a handle means connected thereto which is movable between locking and unlocking positions, said handle means in the locking position being adjacent the instep of the boot and drawing the first cable means taut about the toe of the boot, and in the unlocking position removing the tension on the first cable means so that the cable means becomes slack and its grip on the boot is released.

Claim 20

The binding of claim 12 where the first connecting means includes socket means disposed in a zone directly below the arch of the boot, and said second connecting means includes plunger means aligned with the socket means with spring means normally urging said plunger means into engagement with the socket means, said spring means being compressed under said predetermined load conditions to disengage the plunger means from the socket means.

Claim 21

The binding of claim 17 including a pair of socket means each of which is disposed inwardly from the end of the boot to which it is proximate a distance equal to at least one-third the total length of the boot.

Claim 22

The binding of claim 18 where the socket means are disposed relative to each other a distance in the range of from 1 1/2 to 3 inches.

Claim 23

The binding of claim 18 where the distance between one socket means and the end of the boot to which said one socket member is proximate about equals the distance between the other socket means and the other end of the boot to which said other socket means is proximate.

Claim 24

The binding of claim 17 where the socket means, plunger means, and spring means are aligned along a line which is directly above and parallel to the longitudinal center line of the ski.

Claim 25

The binding of claim 21 where said line parallel to the center line of the ski is from 1/4 to 1 inch above the upper surface of the ski.

Claim 26

The binding of claim 17 including at least two different and interchangeable pairs of socket means, one pair of socket means having characteristic surface contours adapted to uncouple the connecting means under a first set of predetermined load conditions, and the other pair of socket means having characteristic surface contours adapted to uncouple the connecting means under a second set of predetermined load conditions different from said first set.

Claim 27

In combination a ski, a generally flat ski boot support member substantially coextensive with the sole of the ski boot and having at opposed ends means adapted to grip the toe and heel of a ski boot, a pivot member having a pair of sockets therein and a width about equal to the length of the arch of the boot, said pivot member being secured to the boot support member in an underside position opposite the arch of the ski boot so that both of said socket means are in a zone directly beneath said arch, receiving means for the pivot member secured to the ski, said receiving means including a pair of generally flat spaced connecting members which define between them a gap having a width slightly greater than the width of the pivot member and open sides adapted to receive the pivot member by way of a side entry, said connecting members having a height at least as great as the height of the pivot member so that with the pivot member in the recess of the underside of the support members rests on the top surfaces of said connecting members, and disposed within each of said connecting members, spring means and plunger means adapted to engage the socket means, said spring means normally urging the plunger means into engagement with their respective socket means to connect the pivot member and the receiving means, and under predetermined load conditions, being depressed by the action of the pivot member turning due to said load conditions to disconnect the pivot member from the receiving means.

Claim 28

In combination a ski, a generally flat ski boot support member substantially coextensive with the sole of the ski boot and having at opposed ends means adapted to grip the toe and heel of a ski boot, a pivot member having a pair of sockets therein and a width about equal to the length of the arch of the boot, said pivot member being secured to the boot support member in an underside position opposite the arch of the ski boot so that both of said socket means are in a zone directly beneath said arch, receiving means for the pivot member secured to the ski, said receiving means including a pair of generally flat spaced connecting members which define between them a gap having a width slightly greater than the width of the pivot member and open sides adapted to receive the pivot member by way of a side entry, said connecting members having a height at least as great as the height of the pivot member so that with the pivot member in the recess of the underside of the support members rests on the top surfaces of said connecting members, and disposed within each of said connecting members, spring means and plunger means adapted to engage the socket means, said spring means normally urging the plunger means into engagement with their respective socket means to connect the pivot member and the receiving means, and under predetermined load conditions, being depressed by the action of the pivot member turning due to said load conditions to disconnect the pivot member from the receiving means.

Claim 29

The combination of claim 24 where at least one of the underside of the boot support member and the top surface of the connecting means is coated with an anti-friction material.

Claim 30

The combination of claim 24 where the means gripping the toe of the boot includes a flexible cable and a handle means connected thereto which is movable between locking and unlocking positions, said handle means in the locking position being adjacent the instep of the boot and drawing the cable taut about the toe of the boot, and in the unlocking position removing the tension on the cable so that the cable becomes slack and its grip on the boot is released.

Claim 31

The combination of claim 24 where each socket means is disposed inwardly from the end of the boot to which it is proximate a distance equal to at least one-third the total length of the boot.

Claim 32

The combination of claim 27 where the socket means are disposed relative to each other a distance in the range of from 1 1/2 to 3 inches.

Claim 33

The combination of claim 27 where the distance between one socket means and the end of the boot to which said one socket member is proximate about equals the distance between the other socket means and the other end of the boot to which said other socket means is proximate.

Claim 34

The combination of claim 24 where the socket means, plunger means and spring means are aligned along a line which is directly above and parallel to the longitudinal center line of the ski.

Claim 35

The combination of claim 30 where said line parallel to the center line of the ski is from 1/4 to 1 inch above the upper surface of the ski.

Claim 36

The combination of claim 24 including at least two different and interchangeable pairs of socket means, one pair of socket means having characteristic surface contours adapted to uncouple the connecting means under a first set of predetermined load conditions, and the other pair of socket means having characteristic surface contours adapted to uncouple the connecting means under a second set of predetermined load conditions different from said first set.

Claim 37

A binding for releasably attaching a ski boot to a ski, comprising: a ski boot support member, manually releasable means for securely holding the ski boot to the support member so that the sole of the ski boot abuts one side of the support member, first connecting means secured to the ski, second connecting means secured to the side of the support member opposite the boot for holding the first connecting meanS in forward, backward, lateral or combined directions in accordance with load conditions, so that said ski boot with attached boot support member separates from the ski and attached holding means, and a gap in said second connecting means to accept therein first connecting means, said gap spanning the width of second connecting means and allowing direct lateral separation of said first connecting means from said second connecting means under predetermined load conditions, each portion of said second connecting means adjacent said gap including fulcrum means about which said first connecting means may pivot in the lateral direction.

Claim 38

A binding for releasably attaching a ski boot to a ski, comprising: a ski boot support member, manually releasable means for securely holding the ski boot to the support member so that the sole of the ski boot abuts one side of the support member, first connecting means secured to the ski, second connecting means secured to the side of the support member opposite the boot for holding the first connecting meanS in forward, backward, lateral or combined directions in accordance with load conditions, so that said ski boot with attached boot support member separates from the ski and attached holding means, and a gap in said second connecting means to accept therein first connecting means, said gap spanning the width of second connecting means and allowing direct lateral separation of said first connecting means from said second connecting means under predetermined load conditions, each portion of said second connecting means adjacent said gap including fulcrum means about which said first connecting means may pivot in the lateral direction.

Claim 39

In combination, a ski, a generally flat ski boot support member substantially coextensive with the sole of the ski boot and having an opposite ends means adapted to grip the toe and heel of a ski boot, a pivot member having a pair of sockets therein and a width about equal to the length of the arch of the boot, said pivot member being secured to the ski, receiving means for the pivot member secured to the boot support member in an underside position to hold the pivot member opposite the arch of the ski boot so that both of the socket means are in a zone directly beneath the arch, said receiving means including a pair of generally flat spaced connecting members which define between them a gap having a width slightly greater than the width of the pivot member and open sides adpated to receive the pivot member by way of a side entry, said connecting members having a height at least as great as the height of the pivot member so that with the pivot member in the recess each of the connecting members rests on the top of the ski surface, and disposed within each of said connecting members, spring means and plunger means adapted to engage the socket means, said spring means normally urging the plunger means into engagement with their respective socket means to connect the pivot member and the receiving means, and under predetermined load conditions, being depressed by the action of the pivot member turning due to said load conditions to disconnect the pivot member from the receiving means.

Claim 40

In combination, a ski, a generally flat ski boot support member substantially coextensive with the sole of the ski boot and having an opposite ends means adapted to grip the toe and heel of a ski boot, a pivot member having a pair of sockets therein and a width about equal to the length of the arch of the boot, said pivot member being secured to the ski, receiving means for the pivot member secured to the boot support member in an underside position to hold the pivot member opposite the arch of the ski boot so that both of the socket means are in a zone directly beneath the arch, said receiving means including a pair of generally flat spaced connecting members which define between them a gap having a width slightly greater than the width of the pivot member and open sides adpated to receive the pivot member by way of a side entry, said connecting members having a height at least as great as the height of the pivot member so that with the pivot member in the recess each of the connecting members rests on the top of the ski surface, and disposed within each of said connecting members, spring means and plunger means adapted to engage the socket means, said spring means normally urging the plunger means into engagement with their respective socket means to connect the pivot member and the receiving means, and under predetermined load conditions, being depressed by the action of the pivot member turning due to said load conditions to disconnect the pivot member from the receiving means.

Claim 43

The device of claim 35 where the first and second means are attached to a sole plate member which abuts and is substantially coextensive with the sole of the boot, said sole plate member being adapted to be releasably attached to a ski.

Claim 44

The device of claim 35 where at least one of the first and second means is adjustable to accommodate different sized ski boots.