US4561673A — Safety ski binding

Claim 1

Independent Claim 233 words

A safety ski binding for holding a boot on a ski and for permitting lateral release of a boot with respect to a ski, wherein said binding comprises: (a) a jaw, adapted to hold one end of said boot and adapted to laterally release said boot; (b) an elastic locking mechanism adapted to bias said jaw against lateral release of said boot; and (c) compensation means for compensating for bias against lateral release of said boot arising from friction between said boot and said ski created during a forward fall, wherein said compensation means comprises a sensor producing a force on said jaw in response to downward movement of the front of said boot during a forward fall, wherein said force reduces said bias of said jaw against lateral release of said boot, wherein said sensor comprises: (i) a pedal, adapted to pivot around an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of said ski in response to downward movement of said front of said boot on said pedal; and (ii) a reversing lever, comprising first and second arms each of which is adapted to pivot around an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of said ski, wherein said first and second arms pivot in the opposite direction from said pedal in response to pivoting of said pedal, wherein said second arm contacts said jaw when pivoting and said first arm contacts said pedal.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 233 words

A safety ski binding for holding a boot on a ski and for permitting lateral release of a boot with respect to a ski, wherein said binding comprises: (a) a jaw, adapted to hold one end of said boot and adapted to laterally release said boot; (b) an elastic locking mechanism adapted to bias said jaw against lateral release of said boot; and (c) compensation means for compensating for bias against lateral release of said boot arising from friction between said boot and said ski created during a forward fall, wherein said compensation means comprises a sensor producing a force on said jaw in response to downward movement of the front of said boot during a forward fall, wherein said force reduces said bias of said jaw against lateral release of said boot, wherein said sensor comprises: (i) a pedal, adapted to pivot around an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of said ski in response to downward movement of said front of said boot on said pedal; and (ii) a reversing lever, comprising first and second arms each of which is adapted to pivot around an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of said ski, wherein said first and second arms pivot in the opposite direction from said pedal in response to pivoting of said pedal, wherein said second arm contacts said jaw when pivoting and said first arm contacts said pedal.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 22 words

The binding as defined by claim 1 wherein said sensor is in contact with said front of said boot and said jaw.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 30 words

The binding as defined by claim 2, wherein said compensation means comprises means for maintaining substantially constant resistance of said jaw against lateral release before and during a forward fall.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 38 words

The binding as defined by claim 1 wherein said second arm produces a force on said jaw when said second arm pivots and said force produced by said second arm on said jaw is oriented substantially longitudinally rearward.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 51 words

The binding as defined by claim 4 wherein said axis around which said first arm pivots is the same axis as the axis around which said second arm pivots, and wherein said binding further comprises a journal pin through which said axis around which said first and second arms pivot passes.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 41 words

The binding as defined by claim 5 wherein said jaw comprises a substantially vertical face and said second arm acts on said substantially vertical face when said second arm pivots in response to downward movement of said boot on said pedal.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 93 words

The binding as defined by claim 6 wherein said axis around which said pedal pivots is located under said boot when said boot is placed on said pedal and wherein said pedal comprises a portion adapted to permit said boot to rest thereon when said boot is held by said jaw, and wherein said pedal extends upwardly, away from said axis around which said pedal pivots, and forwardly toward said jaw, and wherein said pedal comprises an anterior section adapted to act on said first arm in response to pivoting of said pedal.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 71 words

The safety ski binding as defined by claim 7 wherein said sensor is in a rest position when said boot is not held by said binding and wherein said first arm of said reversing lever extends upwardly and rearwardly when said sensor is in said rest position, and wherein said second arm comprises an end section extending upward and comprising an upper end wherein said upper end bears against said jaw.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 48 words

The safety ski binding as defined by claim 8 wherein said second arm of said reversing lever comprises first and second sections bent at substantially right angles to each other, wherein said first section is a substantially horizontal intermediate section and said second section is an end section.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 43 words

The safety ski binding as defined by claim 9 wherein said end section has an upper end and said jaw has a projection extending below said jaw, and wherein said upper end of said end section extends upwardly, and bears against said projection.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 21 words

The safety ski binding as defined by claim 10 wherein said projection comprises a vertical cylindrical rod engaged in said jaw.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 34 words

The safety ski binding as defined by claim 11 wherein said binding further comprises a front support for said boot and wherein said rod comprises a means for locking said front support against movement.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 42 words

The safety ski binding as defined by claim 12 wherein said jaw has a lower portion and wherein said binding further comprises a central projection extending downwardly from said lower portion of said jaw at the same vertical level as said rod.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 26 words

The safety ski binding defined by claim 13 wherein said central projection comprises a means for protecting said reversing lever from snow and ice and mud.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 20 words

The safety ski binding as defined by claim 1 further comprising a first base comprising means for holding said pedal.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 75 words

The safety ski binding as defined by claim 15 wherein said first base further comprises means for ensuring said pedal contacts said first arm of said reversing lever when said boot is not held by said binding and wherein second arm is so disposed between said first arm and said jaw that said first base further comprises means for ensuring said second arm contacts said jaw when said boot is not held by said binding.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 61 words

The safety ski binding as defined by claim 16 wherein said binding further comprises: (d) a support element comprising: (i) said jaw; (ii) a second base, adapted to be attached to said ski, wherein said first base is adapted to be attached to said second base, so that said first base comprises means for attaching said pedal to said second base.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 45 words

The safety ski binding as defined by claim 17 wherein said first base further comprises means for elastically returning said pedal to said rest position after said pedal has been pressed downward by said boot during a forward fall and said boot has been released.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 16 words

The safety ski binding as defined by claim 18 wherein said base is composed of foil.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 34 words

The safety ski binding as defined by claim 18 wherein said first base comprises a base plate and said base plate is adapted to be partially engaged under said second base of said support.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 102 words

The safety ski binding as defined by claim 20 wherein said second base comprises at least one opening and said base plate comprises at least one opening, wherein said at least one openings are adapted to receive a screw and wherein, when said base plate is partially engaged under said second base said at least one opening in said base plate is aligned with said at least one opening in said second base so that said openings are adapted to receive said screw, wherein said screw firmly attaches said base plate to said second base and maintains said binding on said ski.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 17 words

The safety binding as defined by claim 21 wherein said base plate has a substantially rectangular shape.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 17 words

The safety binding as defined by claim 21 wherein said base plate has a U-shaped right cross-section.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 45 words

The safety binding as defined by claim 23 wherein said second base has at least one notch therein and said base plate further comprises at least one tab adapted to engage said at least one notch to attach said base plate with said second base.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 77 words

The safety binding as defined by claim 24 wherein said second base comprises two notches and said base plate has two opposite sides and wherein said base plate further comprises two rectilinear tabs, each disposed on a different opposite side of base plate, wherein each tab extends toward said other tab and each tab is adapted to engage one of said notches, wherein the transverse right cross-section of said base plate taken through said tabs is C-shaped.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 39 words

The safety ski binding as defined by claim 25 wherein said second base comprises two lateral branches extending rearwardly, wherein each branch includes one of said notches, and wherein said reversing lever is disposed between said two lateral branches.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 116 words

The safety ski binding defined by claim 15 wherein said pedal has a posterior portion with an upper surface, and said first base comprises a base plate having a posterior portion with a posterior edge, wherein said posterior edge is bent forwardly over said posterior portion so as to form a tongue adapted to contact said upper surface of said posterior portion of said pedal, wherein said base plate and said tongue together form a channel having a U-shaped right cross-section, and wherein said tongue is elastic and wherein said tongue extends in the direction of said base plate when said tongue is not deformed, and wherein said tongue comprises a return spring for said pedal.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 43 words

The safety ski binding defined by claim 27 wherein said return spring comprises a means for returning said pedal to said rest position after said pedal has been pressed downward by said boot during a forward fall and said boot has been released.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 24 words

The safety ski binding as defined by claim 28 wherein said binding further comprising means for preventing said pedal from undergoing substantial forward displacement.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 38 words

The safety ski binding as defined by claim 29 wherein said base plate and said pedal together comprise said means for preventing said pedal from undergoing substantial forward displacement when said pedal is mounted in said base plate.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 49 words

The safety ski binding as defined by claim 30 wherein said means for preventing said pedal from undergoing substantial forward displacement comprises: a longitudinal tab on said base plate and extending upwardly and rearwardly; and an opening in said pedal, wherein said tab is adapted to engage said opening.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 20 words

The safety ski binding as defined by claim 31 wherein said tab is formed by cutting of said base plate.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 50 words

The safety ski binding as defined by claim 30 wherein said pedal has a lower face and said means for preventing said pedal from undergoing substantial forward displacement comprises: a projection on said lower face of said pedal; and an opening on said base plate, adapted to receive said projection.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 17 words

The safety ski binding as defined by claim 16 wherein said pedal comprises a friction plate thereon.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 64 words

The safety ski binding as defined by claim 34 wherein said pedal further comprises: a posterior section having an upper surface and having a transverse width substantially equal to said first base and wherein said friction plate is disposed on said upper surface of said posterior section; and an anterior section having a transverse width less than the transverse width of said posterior section.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 18 words

The safety ski binding as defined by claim 35 wherein said posterior section of said pedal bulges upward.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 40 words

The safety ski binding as defined by claim 36 wherein said anterior section comprises a lower face having a cavity thereon, wherein said cavity is adapted to receive at least a portion of said first arm of said reversing lever.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 46 words

The safety ski binding as defined by claim 37 wherein said first base comprises a base plate and wherein, when said pedal is applied flat against said base plate, at least a portion of said first arm is substantially completely engaged and retracted inside said cavity.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 42 words

The safety ski binding as defined by claim 1 wherein said first arm is a posterior arm and said second arm is an anterior arm and wherein said arms comprise at least one laterally and vertically extending flange comprising a stiffening element.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 19 words

The safety ski binding as defined by claim 39 wherein said arms comprise two laterally and vertically extending flanges.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 53 words

The safety ski binding as defined by claim 1 wherein said first arm is a posterior arm and said second arm is an anterior arm and wherein said binding further comprises a journal pin disposed between said anterior and posterior arms and around which said anterior and posterior arms are adapted to pivot.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 70 words

The safety ski binding defined by claim 41 wherein said reversing lever has an upper surface and wherein said binding further comprises a covering element for covering at least a portion of said upper surface of said reversing lever and having an opening therein adapted to receive said journal pin in such a manner that said journal pin comprises a means for connecting said reversing lever and said covering element.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 85 words

The safety ski binding defined by claim 42 wherein said reversing lever further comprises: an intermediate section on said anterior arm; a junction zone between said intermediate section and said posterior arm; and two spaced apart bridges in said junction zone and defining an opening therebetween, wherein said covering element further comprises a lower portion having a projection extending therefrom, wherein said opening in said covering element is in said projection, and said projection is adapted to engage said opening between said spaced apart bridges.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 40 words

The safety ski binding as defined by claim 43 wherein said bridges extend downward from said junction zone and form an obtuse angle with said junction zone, and wherein said bridges are formed by longitudinal cuts in said junction zone.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 105 words

The safety ski binding as defined by claim 44 wherein said reversing lever further comprises two flanges extending laterally and vertically from said arms, wherein said flanges comprise stiffening means, and wherein each flange comprises a cut-out portion in the shape of an arc having a circumference of more than a half-circle, wherein said cut-out portion is adapted to receive an end of said journal pin, when said journal pin is inserted into said opening in said projection and said projection is received in said opening between said bridges, and wherein said cut-out portions comprise a means for retaining the end of said journal pin.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 61 words

The safety ski binding as defined by claim 44 wherein said intermediate section of said anterior arm comprises a cut-out portion in the shape of an arc having a circumference of greater length than a half-circle, wherein each cut-out portion is adapted to receive an end of said journal pin to insure retention of the end portions of said journal pin.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 132 words

The safety ski binding as defined by claim 43 wherein said reversing lever and said covering element form an assembly when said projection engages said opening between said bridges and wherein said binding further comprises: (d) a support element, comprising: (i) said jaw; (ii) a base, adapted to be attached to said ski, and including a lower face having two notches therein, each notch adapted to receive one end of said journal pin, wherein said assembly has two ends and said journal pin is of such a length that each end of said journal pin projects from one of said ends of said assembly when said journal pin is engaged in said opening in said projection, so that each end of said journal pin can be received in one of said notches.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 18 words

The safety ski binding as defined by claim 43 wherein said covering element has a trapezoidal right cross-section.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 99 words

The safety ski binding as defined by claim 48 wherein said covering element comprises: (i) a central substantially horizontal section; (ii) two faces, extending upwardly and outwardly from opposite ends of said central section; (iii) two lips, each of which extends substantially horizontally outward from one of said two faces; (iv) a longitudinally extending face, extending longitudinally rearward and upward from said central section and connected to said two faces in such a way as to define a partial frustum of a pyramid; (v) a posterior edge; and (vi) a downwardly extending lip, extending downwardly from said posterior edge.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 97 words

The safety ski binding as defined by claim 43 wherein said binding further comprises a first base comprising a base plate adapted to hold said pedal and having an opening therein adapted to receive said projection, wherein said binding further comprises a support element comprising: said jaw; and a second base, adapted to be attached to said ski and on which said reversing lever is adapted to be mounted, wherein said projection engages said opening in said base plate under a prestress when said reversing lever is mounted on said second base and on said first base.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 39 words

The compensation means as defined by claim 1 wherein said second arm produces a force on said jaw when said second arm pivots and said force produced by said second arm on said jaw is oriented substantially longitudinally rearward.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 52 words

The compensation means as define by claim 51 wherein said axis around which said first arm pivots is the same axis as the axis around which said second arm pivots, and wherein said binding further comprises a journal pin through which said axis around which said first and second arms pivot passes.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 42 words

The compensation means as defined by claim 52 wherein said jaw comprises a substantially vertical face and said second arm acts on said substantially vertical face when said second arm pivots in response to downward movement of said boot on said pedal.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 93 words

The compensation means as defined by claim 53 wherein said axis around which said pedal pivots is located under said boot when said boot rests on said pedal and wherein said pedal comprises a portion adapted to permit said boot to rest thereon when said boot is held by said binding, and wherein said pedal extends upwardly, away from said axis around which said pedal pivots, and forwardly toward said jaw, and wherein said pedal comprises an anterior section adapted to act on said first arm in response to pivoting of said pedal.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 66 words

The compensation means as defined by claim 54 wherein said sensor is in a rest position when said boot is not held by said binding, and wherein said first arm extends upwardly and rearwardly when said sensor is in said rest position, and wherein said second arm comprises an end section extending upward and comprising an upper end wherein said upper end bears against said jaw.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 43 words

The compensation means as defined by claim 55 wherein said second arm comprises first and second sections bent substantially at right angles to each other, wherein said first section is a substantially horizontal intermediate section and said second section is an end section.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 42 words

The compensation means as defined by claim 56 wherein said end section has an upper end and said jaw has a projection extending below said jaw, and wherein said upper end of said end section extends upwardly, and bears against said projection.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 19 words

The compensation means as defined by claim 54 further comprising a first base comprising means for holding said pedal.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 57 words

The compensation means as defined by claim 58 wherein said first base further comprises means for ensuring said pedal contacts said first arm when said boot is not held by said binding, and wherein said first base also comprises means for ensuring said second arm contacts said jaw when said boot is not held by said binding.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 48 words

The compensation means as defined by claim 59 wherein said binding further comprises a second base, attached to said ski, wherein said first base is adapted to be attached to said second base so that said first base comprises means for attaching said pedal to said second base.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 44 words

The compensation means as defined by claim 60 wherein said first base further comprises means for elastically returning said pedal to a rest position after said pedal has been pressed downward by said boot during a forward fall and said boot has been released.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 123 words

The compensation means as defined by claim 61 wherein said reversing lever has an upper surface and two spaced apart bridges having an opening therebetween and said binding further comprises a covering element for covering at least a portion of said upper surface of said reversing lever, and having a projection thereon with an opening therein adapted to receive said journal pin, wherein said projection is adapted to be received in said opening between said bridges, and wherein said binding further comprises a second base having two spaced apart notches, each adapted to receive one end of said journal pin when said pin is inserted into said opening in said projection and when said projection is inserted into said opening between said bridges.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 193 words

A compensation means for a ski binding having a jaw adapted to hold a boot on a ski and an elastic means for biasing the jaw against lateral release, for compensating for friction between the boot and the ski, comprising: (a) means for sensing downward motion of said boot; and (b) transformation means for transforming said downward motion of said boot into a force on said jaw opposing said bias of said elastic means, wherein said transformation means is activated by said sensing means during a forward fall wherein said sensing means comprises a pedal adapted to pivot around an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of said ski in response to downward movement of said front of said boot on said pedal, wherein said transformation means comprises a reversing lever, comprising first and second arms each of which is adapted to pivot around an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of said ski, wherein said first arm of said reversing lever is adapted to contact said pedal, wherein said first and second arms pivot in the opposite direction from said pedal in response to pivoting of said pedal against said first arm.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 193 words

A compensation means for a ski binding having a jaw adapted to hold a boot on a ski and an elastic means for biasing the jaw against lateral release, for compensating for friction between the boot and the ski, comprising: (a) means for sensing downward motion of said boot; and (b) transformation means for transforming said downward motion of said boot into a force on said jaw opposing said bias of said elastic means, wherein said transformation means is activated by said sensing means during a forward fall wherein said sensing means comprises a pedal adapted to pivot around an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of said ski in response to downward movement of said front of said boot on said pedal, wherein said transformation means comprises a reversing lever, comprising first and second arms each of which is adapted to pivot around an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of said ski, wherein said first arm of said reversing lever is adapted to contact said pedal, wherein said first and second arms pivot in the opposite direction from said pedal in response to pivoting of said pedal against said first arm.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 25 words

The compensation means as defined by claim 63 wherein said compensation means comprises means for maintaining substantially constant resistance of said jaw against lateral pivoting.

Claim 67

Independent Claim 177 words

A method of compensating for friction between a boot held in a binding on a ski, and the ski during a forward fall, wherein the binding comprises a jaw for holding the boot and an elastic system for biasing the jaw against lateral release of the boot, wherein the method comprises: (a) sensing downward movement of said boot during a forward fall by displacement of a sensor; and (b) transforming said displacement of said sensor into pressure on said jaw opposing said bias from said elastic system, wherein step (a) comprises: pivoting of a pedal around an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of said ski in response to downward movement of the front of said boot during a forward fall; and wherein step (b) comprises: pivoting of a reversing lever in the opposite direction from said pedal in response to pivoting of said pedal wherein said pedal contacts a posterior arm of said reversing lever as said pedal pivots; and applying an anterior arm of said reversing lever against said jaw as said reversing lever pivots.

Claim 68

Independent Claim 177 words

A method of compensating for friction between a boot held in a binding on a ski, and the ski during a forward fall, wherein the binding comprises a jaw for holding the boot and an elastic system for biasing the jaw against lateral release of the boot, wherein the method comprises: (a) sensing downward movement of said boot during a forward fall by displacement of a sensor; and (b) transforming said displacement of said sensor into pressure on said jaw opposing said bias from said elastic system, wherein step (a) comprises: pivoting of a pedal around an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of said ski in response to downward movement of the front of said boot during a forward fall; and wherein step (b) comprises: pivoting of a reversing lever in the opposite direction from said pedal in response to pivoting of said pedal wherein said pedal contacts a posterior arm of said reversing lever as said pedal pivots; and applying an anterior arm of said reversing lever against said jaw as said reversing lever pivots.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method as defined by claim 65 wherein said method further comprises: (c) maintaining substantially constant resistance of said jaw against lateral release before and during a forward fall.

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 35 words

The method as defined by claim 65 wherein said anterior arm of said reversing lever has an upper end and wherein said method further comprises: displacing of said upper end longitudinally rearward against said jaw.

Claim 71

Dependent Claim 39 words

The method as defined by claim 67 wherein said jaw comprises a projection having a vertical face extending downwardly from said jaw and wherein said method further comprises displacing said upper end against said vertical face of said projection.

Claim 72

Dependent Claim 37 words

The method as defined by claim 68 wherein said method further comprises protecting said reversing lever from snow and ice and mud by providing a central projection extending downwardly from said jaw and over said reversing lever.

Claim 73

Dependent Claim 69 words

The method as defined by claim 68 wherein said method further comprises: maintaining contact between an anterior arm of said pedal and a posterior end of a posterior arm of said reversing lever when said boot is not held by said jaw; and maintaining contact between said upper end of said anterior arm and said vertical face of said projection when said boot is not held by said jaw.

Claim 74

Dependent Claim 69 words

The method as defined by claim 70 wherein said method further comprises holding said posterior portion of said pedal with a tongue of a base plate wherein said tongue comprises means for maintaining contact between said anterior arm of said pedal and said posterior end of said reversing lever, and means for maintaining contact between said upper end of said anterior arm and said vertical face of said projection.

Claim 75

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method as defined by claim 71 wherein said method further comprises preventing substantial forward displacement of said pedal.

Claim 76

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method as defined by claim 72 wherein said method further comprises holding said base plate in a second base of a support element.

Claim 77

Dependent Claim 64 words

The method as defined by claim 73 wherein said anterior section of said pedal comprises a cavity in the lower face thereof for receiving a posterior portion of said posterior arm, wherein said method further comprises receiving said posterior portion of said posterior arm into said cavity; and completely retracting said posterior portion of said posterior arm into said cavity during a foward fall.

Claim 78

Dependent Claim 46 words

The method as defined by claim 74 wherein said method further comprises: covering at least a portion of the upper surface of said reversing lever with a covering element; and pivoting said reversing lever around a journal pin passing through an opening in said covering element.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1988-12-30	1989-07-01	1989-12-31	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1992-12-30	1993-07-01	1993-12-31	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1996-12-30	1997-07-01	1997-12-31	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Safety ski binding

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag