Patent ID: 6409204
Filing Date: 2002-06-25
Classification: A43B,A63C

Abstract:
A boot and binding assembly for an elongate ski, the assembly comprising:a boot having a sole, the sole being elongated and adapted to flex along its length and having a toe portion, a heel portion and an elongated interconnect member fixedly attached to said toe portion, said interconnect member extending rearwardly from said toe portion and having a rearmost portion located between the toe and heel portions of the boot; a binding having a toe piece mountable to said ski for receiving the toe portion of the boot; and, a latch assembly mountable to said ski behind the toe piece and under the sole of the boot for releasably holding said rearmost portion of said interconnect member; wherein, when the toe portion is received in the toe piece and the rearward portion of the interconnect member is held by the latch assembly, the interconnect member is secured to the ski in a position extending substantially parallel to an upper surface of the ski and the heel portion of the boot can be lifted away from the ski and at least a portion of said sole can be lifted away from at least said rearmost portion of said interconnect member by flexing said sole while the ski boot remains releasably mated to the ski by means of said interconnect member.