Abstract:
A rear binding ( 6 ) releasably clamps a heel ( 5 ) of a boot ( 1 ) to a ski ( 2 ). A front binding ( 4 ) which engages a toe ( 3 ) of the boot releases under lateral force towards the left or right side of the ski. A support assembly ( 8 ) engages a sole ( 7 ) of the ski boot to reduce frictional forces between the ski boot and ski which might impair the release of the front binding. The support device includes a stationary support ( 9 ) which is mounted to the ski and which defines a lateral groove ( 13 ) having a generally inverted T-shaped cross section. A movable element ( 10 ) which is slidably received in the groove has an upper surface that supports the boot sole. A friction reducing element ( 20 ), such as a layer of low coefficient of friction plastic is disposed between the movable element and the stationary support such that the movable element and the toe of the boot can move laterally with minimum frictional resistance.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to bindings for winter sports equipment. It finds particular application in conjunction with ski bindings and will be described with particular reference thereto. 
     Typically, the boot of a skier is disengagably retained on the ski. Commonly, the front end of the boot is mounted in a front fixation or stop. The rear end of the boot is releasably retained in a rear fixation or trailing end. 
     In the event of a significant force which places the leg or joints of the skier at risk, the ski boot releases at either the front end or the rear end of the boot, or at both ends simultaneously. To this end, the front stop may comprise a jaw which pivots around a vertical axis and the trailing end a jaw pivoting in an upward direction around a horizontal axis. The front and trailing edge jaws are each acted upon by a disengagement spring whose compression is adjustable to adjust the force at which the ski boot releases. 
     Support devices have, heretofore, been positioned beneath the front of the boot in order to limit the friction of the bottom surface of the front end of the sole on the ski. Such support devices are fixed or connected to the ski adjacent the front of the boot between the boot sole and the upper surface of the ski. In this manner, the front portion of the sole does not rest directly on the ski, but on the support device. The support device, for example, may be a small plate of a low friction coefficient material such as polytetrafluoroethylene (TEFLON™). The plate may be a fixed element or a movable element which laterally tracks the end of the boot at the moment of its lateral displacement. See, for example, published French Patent Application No. 2,652,508. Such devices provide improved skier safety. One drawback of such devices is that the displacement of a movable plate may be counteracted in an uneven or uncontrolled manner. 
     The present application overcomes the above-referenced drawbacks. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a support device for supporting a ski boot on a ski includes a movable support element which is movable relative to a stationary support. The movable support is movable at least in a transverse direction. At least one anti-friction element lies between the movable and stationary supports. 
     In accordance with a more limited aspect of the present invention, the anti-friction element is made of a material with a lower coefficient of friction than the material of which the movable and stationary supports are made. 
     In accordance with a yet more limited aspect of the present invention, the low coefficient material is one of polytetrafluoroethylene or high-density polyethylene; the stationary support is made of polypropylene or polyamide and the movable support element is made of a plastic material such as acetyl resin or a metal compound. 
     In accordance with a more limited aspect of the present invention, the anti-friction element has a lower horizontal anti-friction plate and at least one front anti-friction plate. Optionally, a rear anti-friction plate can be provided as well. 
     In accordance with one of the specific embodiments, the front and/or rear anti-friction plates are integral with the lower anti-friction plate. In another specific embodiment, one or both of the front and rear anti-friction plates is independent of the lower anti-friction plate. 
     In accordance with a yet more limited embodiment of the present invention, the movable support element moves transversely in a curved groove. 
     One advantage of the present invention is that it provides improved lateral displacement of the movable support element. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides constant frictional resistance to movement of the movable support element. 
     Another advantage of the present invention resides in the reliable disengagement of the binding regardless of the force applied by the boot. It releases in response to force towards the front or toward the rear. 
     Still further advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention may take form in various components and arrangements of components, and in various steps and arrangements of steps. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a ski, ski boot, and binding in accordance with the present inventions: 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of the ski and binding of FIG. 1 with the boot removed; 
     FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b  are top views similar to FIG. 2 depicting, respectively, displacement of the movable support element to the right and to the left; 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded, perspective view of a first embodiment of a support device in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a top view of the assembled device of FIG. 4 with the movable element illustrated in phantom in two laterally displaced positions; 
     FIG. 6 a  is a sectional view through Section A—A of FIG.  5  and FIGS. 6 b  and  6   c  represent enlargements of the interaction point between the movable and stationary support elements; 
     FIG. 6 d  is a cross-sectional view though Section B—B of FIG.  5  and FIGS. 6 e  and  6   f  represent enlargements of the interaction point between the movable and stationary support elements; 
     FIG. 6 g  is a cross-sectional view though Section C—C of FIG.  5  and FIGS. 6 h  and  6   i  represent enlargements of the interaction point between the movable and stationary support elements; 
     FIG. 7 is an exterior side view of the stationary support without the mobile element and spring; 
     FIG. 8 is a top view of the stationary support element of FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 9 is a top view of a mobile element for receipt in the stationary element of FIGS. 7 and 8; 
     FIG. 10 is a sectional view through Section D—D of FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 11 is an expanded view of an alternate embodiment in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 11 a  is a longitudinal sectional view through the assembled device of FIG.  11  and FIGS. 11 b  and  11   c  are detailed views illustrating interaction points between the movable and stationary support elements; 
     FIG. 12 is an exploded view of another alternate embodiment in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 a  is a longitudinal sectional view through the assembled device of FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 13 is an exploded view of another alternate embodiment in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 13 a  is a longitudinal sectional view through the assembled device of FIG. 13; 
     FIG. 14 is a sectional view of yet another alternate embodiment in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 15 is an exploded view of yet another alternate embodiment in accordance with the present invention in which the anti-friction element also assures upward restriction relative to the movable support element; 
     FIG. 15 a  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the assembled device of FIG. 15; 
     FIG. 16 is an exploded view of yet another alternate embodiment in accordance with the present invention; and, 
     FIG. 17 is an exploded of yet another alternate embodiment. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a skier&#39;s boot  1  is retained on a ski  2  in a disengageable or releasable fashion at a front end by a front safety binding assembly or stop  4 . The boot is disengageably retained at its heel  5  by a safety rear or heel binding  6 . A lower surface  7  of the boot front end  3  rests on and is supported by a support device  8 . 
     The support device  8  includes a stationary support  9  which is mounted to the ski and a movable support element  10  which is movably received in the stationary element  9 . The movable support element  10  protrudes from an upper surface of the stationary support to provide an upper or bearing surface  100  on which the boot rests. The bearing surface  100  projects above an upper surface  90  of the stationary support sufficiently that the front end of the boot clears the stationary support. 
     The stationary support  9  has a width L 9  which is approximately equal but slightly less than a width L 2  of the ski  2 . 
     With continuing reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 and further reference to FIGS. 3-10, the stationary support  9  includes a base to which an upper element or cover  12  is attached. The base and upper element are made, preferably, of a tough, highly abrasion-resistant plastic material such as an acetal type resin, polypropylene, or polyamide. The base is attached, for example, to the ski by gluing, screws or other mechanical fasteners, by connection to the front binding assembly  4 , such as with a base plate  40 , or the like. 
     The movable support element  10  is preferably made of metal, or other materials such as acetyl resin. The movable element  10  extends the entire width of the stationary support element, in the preferred embodiment. The movable element is movably received in relation to the stationary support element for movement at least transversely to the right DR (FIG. 3 a ) and to the left GA (FIG. 3 b ) relative to a longitudinal axis or plane XX′ of symmetry of the ski. More specifically, displacement of the mobile element  10  occurs along a circular trajectory T with a radius R centered at a point O located on the plane of symmetry XX′ under the heel of the boot. The radius R may, for example, be about 230 mm, but will typically range between 150 and 300 mm, depending on the size of the boot. 
     The movable support element  10  has a profile which is curved with a similar radius such that it glides in a correspondingly shaped groove  13  in the stationary support  9 . In the rest position, the movable element is centered and maintained centered by a biasing device which permits sliding in the groove to the right DR and to the left GA against the biasing force of a compression spring  14  or other resilient or compressible biasing device. 
     The groove  13  extends over the entire width of the stationary support and has a cross-section in the general shape of an inverted T. The groove includes an open central portion  130  from which a front groove  131   a  and a rear groove  131   r  extend forming a front projection  132   a  and a rear projection  132   r  which engage a top surface of the mobile support element  10 , note, in particular, FIG.  7 . 
     The movable support element  10  has a transverse profile whose cross-section corresponds to the cross-section of the groove  13 . The movable support element  10  extends, preferably, over the entire width of the stationary support and is also in the shape of an inverted T. The movable support element includes a transverse body  101  whose lower portion extends to the front to form a front rim  102   a  and to the rear to form a rear rim  102   r  (FIG.  10 ). The lower front and rear rims  102   a,    102   r  are received in the front and rear grooves  131   a,    131   r,  respectively. 
     The spring  14  biases the movable support element  10  to a centered position. Lateral displacements of the movable support element compress the spring which then urges the movable element to return to the centered position. The spring is lodged with its lower half in a lower spring housing  15  in the stationary support, more specifically in an upper surface  133  of the groove  13 . The upper surface  133  of the groove  13  is defined in the base  11  in the preferred embodiment. Further, the spring  14  is lodged in an upper spring receiving housing or pocket  16  defined in a lower surface  103  of the movable support element  10 . The upper spring chambers or housing  16  has the same length as the lower spring chamber or housing  15  and is preferably slightly shorter than the length of the uncompressed spring  14 . In this manner, the spring is inserted into the upper and lower spring housings under slight compression in order to be prestressed when the movable support element is in its centered position. Under lateral displacement of the movable support element  10 , the movable support element compresses the spring either to one side or to the other side of the lower spring housing in order to bias the movable element back toward its centered position. 
     A series of stops limit side-to-side displacement of the movable support element  10 . More specifically, the base  11  defines a right stop  17   a  which limits displacement of the movable support element to the right, and a left stop  17   r  which limits displacement toward the left. The two base stops  17   a,    17   r  cooperate with corresponding stops  18   a,    18   r  defined on the movable support element  10 . In the preferred embodiment, the stops  18   a,    18   r  are defined cut-outs or clearances  19   a,    19   r  in the flanges  102   a,    102   r.    
     At least one anti-friction sliding element  20  which has a low coefficient of friction is disposed between the movable support element  10  and the stationary support  9  to promote and control the lateral displacement of the movable support element relative to the stationary support. The sliding element is made of a low coefficient of friction material such as polytetrafluoroethylene (TEFE), high-density polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene loaded with bronze balls, or other appropriate low friction materials. The anti-friction sliding element is constructed of a material which. has a lower coefficient of friction than does the material of which the base support  9 , particularly the portions of the base support which define the sliding groove  13 . The anti-friction element  20  is preferably made of a material having a lower coefficient of friction than the material from which the movable support element  10  is made. 
     The anti-friction element  20  includes at least one small lower horizontal anti-friction plate  200  disposed between a lower surface  103  of the movable support element and an upper surface  133  of the lateral groove  13 . Further, the anti-friction device includes a small anti-friction plate  201   a  and a small rear anti-friction plate  201   r.  The small front anti-friction plate  201   a  is arranged between the rear surface  133   a  of the front groove  131   a  and the front surface  104   a  of the front edge  102   a  of the movable support element  10 . The small rear anti-friction plate  201   r  is disposed between the front surface  133   r  of the rear groove  131   r  and the rear surface  104   r  of the movable support element  10 . The small front anti-friction plate  201   a  is disposed between the movable support element  10  and the stationary support element  9  toward the front AV in such a manner that under forward force, it engages a forward edge of the movable support element to define a forward bearing or friction surface therebetween. Analogously, the rear anti-friction plate  201   r  is disposed between a rear edge of the movable support element and a rear edge  133   r  toward the rear and serves as a bearing or stop surface between the movable and stationary support elements under a rearward force. 
     The front anti-friction plate  201   a  and the rear anti-friction plate  201   r  are, preferably, extensions of the lower anti-friction plate  200  and are integrally formed therewith. The anti-friction plate assembly is fixedly mounted in the groove  13  and is bonded to the stationary support by welding, gluing, encasing, or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the anti-friction element is retained in the groove by two lateral projections  110   a,    110   r  in a central projection  110   c.    
     Of course, the front and rear anti-friction plates can be constructed as separate elements from the lower anti-friction plate  200  as illustrated in FIG.  11  and FIGS. 11 a - 11   c.  In the illustrated embodiment, the front plate  201   a  and the rear plate  201   r  are engaged in a corresponding transverse groove  111   a,    111   r  defined in the base  11 . 
     With reference to FIGS. 12 and 12 a,  it is also contemplated that the lower anti-friction plate  200  is accompanied by only a front plate  201   a.  Alternately, as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 13 a,  it is also contemplated that the lower anti-friction plate  200  is accompanied by only the rear plate  201   r.    
     With reference to FIG. 14, it is to be appreciated that the front anti-friction plate  201   a  and the rear anti-friction plate  201   r  can also be positioned between the front projection  132   a  and the rear projection  132   r  and the front lateral surface  101   a  and the rear lateral surface  101   r  (FIG. 10) of the transverse body  101 . The anti-friction element is approximately equal to the width of the sliding groove and the width of the mobile support element. Thus, the anti-friction element is totally secured in the sliding groove and is protected against dirt and scratches. 
     In the embodiments in which the front and rear anti-friction elements are located beneath the vertical holding projections  132   a,    132   r,  additional protection is provided. 
     With reference to FIGS. 15 and 15 a,  the anti-friction element restrains the movable support element  10  against movement in an upward direction. A front anti-friction element  20   a,  and a rear anti-friction element  20   r  each have a transverse U-shaped profile. The U-shaped profile of the anti-friction elements define a bottom support surface  200   a,    200   r,  a front support surface  200   a,  and a rear support surface  200   r,  as well as an upper front support surface  202   a,  and an upper rear support surface  202   r.    
     With reference to FIG. 16, the anti-friction element  20  includes a front anti-friction support element  20   a  and a rear anti-friction support element  20   r.  The two anti-friction support elements are independent and not joined to each other. 
     With reference to FIG. 17, the base  11  is itself fabricated from the anti-friction material with the low coefficient of friction. 
     The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.