Abstract:
A ski binding arrangement for cross-country or telemark binding, and a ski boot adapted thereto with a boot sole, such that the arrangement includes a first engagement element on the binding side and a second engagement element on the boot side in the region of the front end of the boot sole, which in the position for use are engaged with one another and keep the ski boot in linear or areal contact with a ski or a binding plate attached to the ski, wherein the underside of the boot sole in the front region is conversely curved in the long direction and the first and second engagement elements are adapted to one another such that, when the back end of the boot is raised or lowered, the boot sole makes a rolling motion associated with a longitudinal shift of the contact line or area on the ski or binding plate and, by a lowering or raising of the front end of the boot, e.g. movement in the direction opposite to that of the back end.

Description:
This application is a national phase entry in the United States of the international application PCT/IB01/00994 and claims the benefit of the German application Number 100 28 359.4 filed Jun. 8, 2000. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to an arrangement comprising a ski binding and a ski boot adapted thereto, according to the precharacterizing clause of claim  1 . 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
   Ski bindings of this kind are known in diverse designs. Their common feature is that a binding-side first engagement element, which is attached to the ski, can be brought into engagement with a second engagement element provided on the sole of a ski boot, so that the front end of the boot is fixed to the ski during cross-country skiing or downhill skiing in telemark style, whereas the back end (heel) of the boot can be raised substantially freely. Thus the first and the second engagement element together constitute a hinge joint that is basically rigid, in as much as it cannot be displaced in the long direction of the ski, and has an axis of rotation oriented substantially horizontally and perpendicular to the ski&#39;s long axis. The hinge joint or axle in question can be disposed either at the front end of the boot or somewhat further back, in the region of the toes or the ball of the foot. As an example in this regard, reference is made to the arrangement according to the patent FR 2 741 543. This construction, having a fixedly positioned hinge joint, is inconsistent with an anatomically optimal movement sequence, i.e. an anatomically optimal execution of the rolling motion made by a foot during locomotion on a flat substrate. 
   The same applies to a ski binding or arrangement such as is described, for example, in the applicant&#39;s patent WO 96/23558. In this design are provided, in addition to the above-mentioned first and second engagement elements in the region of the front end of the boot, a third and a fourth engagement element in the middle region, in particular at the back end of the front part of the boot sole; these serve to fix the boot additionally in this region and apply to it a pretensioning force directed toward the ski, which acts as a restoring force when the heel of the boot is raised. 
   This binding and similar designs likewise fail to achieve an anatomically optimal movement sequence as the ski boot (and the skier&#39;s foot) is rotated substantially as a unit about an axis of rotation near the tips of the toes, when the heel of the boot (and of the skier) is raised. Here, again, the hinge joint is rigid, i.e. cannot be displaced in the long direction of the ski. Such a rigid hinge joint is opposed to the natural movement when the foot is rolled on a substrate, and accordingly does not enable force to be optimally applied to the ski when pushing off. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The objective of the invention is thus to disclose an arrangement of this generic kind that is improved with respect to an anatomically and physiologically optimized movement sequence during skiing, and thus has better service ability properties. 
   This objective is achieved by an arrangement with the characteristics given in claim  1 . 
   The invention includes the idea that the shapes of ski boot and binding are matched to one another in such a way that when the heel of the skier is raised (specifically for pushing off during cross-country skiing), the ball and toe region of the foot, or the region between toes and ball, makes an anatomically and physiologically correct rolling motion on the ski. It further includes the idea of constructing either the underside of the boot sole in the front region, and/or the surface of the ski or a binding plate that supports the front sole region, with a convex curvature in the long direction of ski or boot. This contour promotes a physiologically correct rolling motion when the heel of the boot, and hence of the skier, is raised. It is also within the scope of the invention that the fixation between binding and ski boot in the region of the front end of the boot is made movable in such a way as to enable a degree of movement of the front end of the boot in the direction opposite to the heel movement, e.g. to move down when the heel is raised and up when the heel is lowered. This is achieved by a special configuration of the first and second engagement elements (which are known per se) on the binding or boot in combination with third and fourth engagement elements in the region of the ball of the foot or base of the toes, the engagement elements being adapted to one another in such a way that the ski boot, specifically the front part of its sole, makes a kind of rocking movement on the ski or binding plate when the boot heel is raised and lowered, that is, the hinge joint between boot and binding is not rigidly fixed. The actual axis of rotation between the boot sole and the ski or binding can shift along the ski while the boot heel is raised or lowered. The result is an anatomically optimal movement sequence that corresponds to the externally unrestricted rolling of the foot during locomotion on a solid substrate. 
   With regard to structural details and embodiments reference is made to the subordinate claims. 
   In a first embodiment, in order to achieve the above-mentioned movement sequence while keeping the boot firmly fixed to the binding, on the first and/or second engagement element a first spring member is provided, which tends to force the front end of the boot sole toward the ski or the binding plate mounted thereon. This spring member is then associated with the first engagement element in the region of the slideway. 
   Preferably there is also associated with a third and/or fourth engagement element, which may be additionally provided, a (second) spring member which tends to force the sole of the boot toward the ski or binding plate. This is in particular constructed as a longitudinally elastic band or cable, which extends beneath the boot sole or runs along its side and provides an elastic connection between the fourth engagement element (and hence also the third engagement element, situated in the boot sole) to a fixation point on the ski or the ski binding. In another embodiment the band or cable is inelastic in itself and is endowed with resilience in the longitudinal direction by an additional spring element in the ski binding, in particular one that acts horizontally. 
   The engagement elements in the boot sole, i.e. the second and the third engagement element, in an advantageous embodiment that regarding the second engagement element is known per se, are each constructed as an axle that extends transverse to the median plane of the boot, and hence to the long axis of the ski, and in particular are made of steel. This axle is enclosed by the associated first or fourth engagement element, respectively, which extends around the axle like a hook. 
   To produce a restoring force that tends to drive the boot sole back into the “normal” position, i.e. with the heel of the boot resting on the ski or binding plate, in a manner that is advantageous with respect to movement dynamics, behind the first engagement element on the ski side, or behind the second engagement element on the boot side, an elastically compressible counterpressure element (flexor) is provided. This is disposed in particular between the engagement regions at the front end and in the middle region of the boot sole, and in a simple, economical and durable embodiment is constructed as an elastomer block. So that its function will not be impaired by accumulated snow, it is preferably provided with a ridged or cleated profile. Preferably the part of the boot sole that is in the corresponding position has a corresponding negative profile, which simultaneously achieves a degree of additional guidance between boot sole and ski binding. 
   As mentioned, in a preferred embodiment of the invention there are also provided a third engagement element, disposed in a middle region of the boot, in particular in the ball or toe-base region of the sole, and a fourth engagement element disposed in a corresponding position on the ski binding. Engagement of these with one another achieves a fixation of the ski boot that inhibits displacement backward on the ski, even if the first and second engagement elements, at the front end of the boot, are so configured that they, would allow such displacement. 
   In a first preferred embodiment of the first engagement element, it comprises two contact-surface sections, a front one positioned ahead of the second engagement element and an upper one positioned above the second engagement element. These contact-surface sections prevent or limit displacement of the ski boot in the forward and upward directions, respectively. The front contact-surface section in a special design is constructed as a slideway, along which the second engagment element slides downward or upward when the back end of the boot sole is raised or lowered, respectively. In another design the first engagement element is constructed as a hook element with a supplementary, lower contact-surface section that fixes the second engagement element additionally from below. In this latter design the ski binding comprises in its front part a slideway within which the first engagement element as a whole can slide downward and upward. 
   An especially advantageous embodiment is distinguished by the fact that the first engagement element comprises a catch hook that can be rotated about an axle extending approximately parallel to the upper surface of the ski, and hence to the boot sole, and transverse to the long direction of ski or boot, into which the second engagement element, i.e. the front one on the sole side, can be inserted from behind. This embodiment can in the extreme case be so constructed that the first engagement element is attached to the sole-side second engagement element in such a way that the boot is held to the ski or binding exclusively by these two engagement elements; as a result, the forward rolling motion of the foot described above is made possible, accompanied by corresponding movement of the first and second engagement elements. In this case, of course, measures must be taken to allow the engagement element on the ski or binding side to be released, when necessary, from the second engagement element, on the sole side. 
   Preferably the first engagement element, constructed as a catch hook, or its axle can be moved forward against the action of an elastic element, in particular a compression spring. Hence the rolling motion of the boot sole on the ski or binding or binding plate can be still more closely matched to the anatomical foot-rolling motion. 
   In case the first and second engagement elements stabilize the boot only in the forward and upward directions, third and fourth engagement elements must be provided to keep the boot from moving backward and upward; the latter engagement elements preferably act in the region of the ball of the foot or the base of the toes. In a preferred embodiment the fourth engagement element comprises a stopping hook that can rotate about an axle extending approximately parallel to the upper ski surface or boot sole and transverse to the long direction of ski or boot. This stopping hook can be used to pull the third engagement element, on the sole side, forward after it has been displaced backward, so that the boot is kept in position on the binding by the combined action of the two pairs of elements: the first and second engagement elements cooperate to limit the forward movement of the boot, and the third and fourth engagement elements cooperate to limit its backward movement. The engagement elements are of course adapted to one another so that in the region of the front part of the sole, the boot can make the rocking motion described above while resting on the ski, binding or binding case. 
   Preferably an elastic counterpressure element is provided, which acts in the region in front of the third engagement element so as to apply an upward force to the part of the sole positioned ahead of the third engagement element. This counterpressure element corresponds to the flexor in the first exemplary embodiment described above. 
   Regarding additional advantages and technical details of the second embodiment, reference is made to claims  20  ff. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the following, preferred embodiments of the arrangement in accordance with the invention are explained in greater detail with reference the attached drawings, wherein 
       FIG. 1  is a sketch to explain the principles of the invention, showing the front section of a ski boot in two movement positions; 
       FIGS. 2 to 5  are diagrams (representing partially sectioned side views) of an arrangement according to a first embodiment of the invention in various positions occupied during use; 
       FIGS. 6 to 8  are diagrams (representing partially sectioned side views) of an arrangement according to a second embodiment of the invention in various positions occupied during use; 
       FIGS. 9 to 11  are diagrams (representing side views or partially sectioned side views) of an arrangement according to a third embodiment of the invention, with the boot in two positions; and 
       FIGS. 12 to 16  are diagrams (representing side views at various scales as well as a plan view) of an arrangement according to a fourth embodiment of the invention in two positions of the boot, wherein the plan view shows only the binding-side part of the arrangement. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  shows the front section of a ski boot  1  with a boot sole  3  in two of the positions into which it can move on the surface of a ski  5 . A first movement position, in which the heel region (not shown) of the boot  1  has been raised far above the surface of the ski  5 , is drawn with a continuous line, whereas a second movement position, in which the heel region of the boot is in contact with the ski, is drawn with a dashed line. In the sole  3  of the boot a front and a back engagement element  7  and  9 , respectively, are shown; each of these interacts with an engagement element (not shown here) on the binding side so as to fix the boot in position on the ski. It can be seen that the boot sole  3  in the front region, shown here, is smoothly curved in the long direction. 
   Comparison of the two movement positions makes clear that during the transition from the first, heel-raised position to the second, heel-lowered position, the front end of the sole and hence the front engagement element  7  is raised from a height h 1  to a height h 2 . At the same time, the area of contact between ski boot and ski is shifted backward, from a first contact area C 1  to a second contact area C 2 . It will be evident that the transition from the second to the first movement position is, correspondingly, combined with a lowering of the front end of the sole and a forward shift of the contact area. This movement sequence corresponds quite closely to an anatomically correct rolling motion of the foot along the ball-toe region. 
     FIGS. 2 to 5  show—schematically in each case—a binding/boot arrangement  100  comprising a ski boot  101  with sole  103  and a ski binding  104 . 
   Here, again, there are disposed in the boot sole  103  a front and a back engagement element  107 ,  109 , each of which has the form of a steel axle oriented transverse to the midplane of the boot and the long axis of the ski. (In the description that follows, and in the claims, these engagement elements on the boot side are also called the second and the third engagement element.) 
   The ski binding  104  comprises a binding plate  111 , a binding-side front (first) engagement element  113 , a back (fourth) engagement element  115 , an elastomer block  117  that serves as counterpressure element, and fixation/actuation/connection elements associated with the front and back binding-side engagement elements  113 ,  115 . The last of these comprise in particular a sleeve-type slideway  119  for the first engagement element  113 , with a helical-spring element  121  that is mounted on the binding plate  111  by way of a first swivelling axle  123 , and an actuator lever  129  that is connected both to the slideway  119 , by way of an articulated-lever mechanism  125 , and to the binding plate  111 , by way or a second swivelling axle  127 . The fourth engagement element  115 , in the form of a hook that encloses the circumference of the third engagement element  109  over ca. 180°, is part of a tensioning band  131  that is constructed or mounted so as to be resilient in its long direction and is attached within the binding plate  111 . 
   Whereas in  FIG. 2  the arrangement  100  is shown in the position for use, in which everything is locked together and the boot is positioned horizontally, in full contact with the ski,  FIG. 3  shows the position after the boot has been set onto the ski but before the front locking mechanism has been closed, and  FIGS. 4 and 5  show two further movement states in which the boot is raised to different degrees. 
   It is evident in the figures that the front (first) engagement element  113  on the binding side is constructed as a U-shaped hook, which encloses the front engagement element on the boot side, namely the steel axle  107 , by way of an upper, a front and a lower contact-surface section and thus provides fixation with respect to the upward, forward and downward directions. A backward movement of the boot  101  is limited by the interaction of the back engagement elements on the binding side (hook  115 ) and boot side (axle  109 ). Furthermore, it can be seen that the above-mentioned vertical movement of the front end of the boot sole  103 , and hence of the axle  107  disposed there to serve as second engagement element, is made possible by the sleeve-type slideway  119  and the action of the spring force exerted by the helical-spring element  121 , which maintain the engagement of the axle  107  with the hook  113 , which serves as first engagement element. A permanent engagement between the back axle  109  and the associated hook  115  is achieved by making the tensioning band  131  longitudinally elastic, or by making it flexible and mounting it so that it can be displaced longitudinally in a resilient manner; as a result of this flexibility and elasticity, when the back axle  109  on the boot sole  103  moves vertically as the heel of the boot is raised, this movement is followed without breaking the engagement. Finally, the drawings also illustrate the elastic deformation of the elastomer block  117  while the heel is being raised and the front end of the sole correspondingly moved in the opposite direction, which causes an elastic restoring force to be imposed against this movement. 
   In  FIGS. 6 to 8  is shown a binding/boot arrangement  200  that is modified in comparison to the first embodiment. Because most of the components are identical or at least for the most part function correspondingly, the reference numerals here correspond to those shown for the first embodiment, and in the following only the differences from the first embodiment are described. The two embodiments are exactly the same with respect to the construction of the ski boot  201  and the elastomer block  217 . 
   A first modification consists in the altered construction of the front binding-side engagement element (hook)  213  and the associated connection to the binding plate  211 . The hook  213  is connected to the binding plate  211  directly by way of a swivelling axle  223 , i.e. with no slideway or spring element. Here the force pressing it against the front axle  207  on the boot sole  203  is exerted by way of the actuator lever  229  and the articulated-lever mechanism  225  and originates from the torsion spring (not shown separately) associated with the swivelling axle  227  of the actuator element  229 . The back edge or surface  213   a  of the hook, which faces the axle  207 , forms a slideway for the axle  207 , along which the axle slides when the heel of the ski boot  201  is moved downward or upward (cf.  FIG. 6  with  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 ). 
   The second substantial difference from the arrangement  100  according to  FIGS. 2 to 5  resides in the provision of a sleeve-type slideway  233  with internal helical-spring element  235  in the region where the tensioning band  231  is fixed to the binding plate  211 . Because this measure creates the longitudinal elasticity needed for the connection between binding plate and back hook  215 , in this embodiment the tensioning band  231  is not itself made longitudinally elastic, although it is flexible. 
     FIGS. 9 to 11  show, as a third embodiment, a binding/boot arrangement  300  which in turn is largely the same as the arrangement  100  according to  FIGS. 2 to 5 , so that again in the drawings corresponding reference numerals have been chosen and in the following description the explanation of corresponding parts is not repeated. Here the construction of the ski boot  301  and of the binding-side engagement elements, including the associated fixation, connection and actuation means, are all just the same as in the first embodiment. 
   The substantial difference consists in the construction of the binding plate  311  in the region of the counterpressure element  317 , and also in the construction of the latter. The binding plate  311  has a binding-plate profile structure  311   a,  which is designed to engage with recesses  303   a,  which have a corresponding negative profile, in the boot sole  303  (for instance, in its edge region). In contrast, the counterpressure element  317 , which here again has the form of an elastomer block, is unprofiled and fits into an elongated recess in the middle region of the front end of the boot sole  303 . (This recess is in principle also present in the other embodiments and is not specially identified in  FIGS. 9 to 11 .) Comparison of  FIGS. 10 and 11  makes clear how the elastomer block  317 , in contact with the curved underside of the boot sole  303  (in the recess), becomes deformed as the heel is raised and lowered. With respect to function, the result is substantially the same effect as is obtained with the profiled embodiment of the counterpressure element shown in  FIGS. 2 to 5 . 
   In  FIGS. 12 to 16  is shown a binding/boot arrangement  400  still further modified in comparison to the embodiments previously described. Because most of the components are identical or at least for the most part function correspondingly, the reference numerals here correspond to those shown for the preceding embodiments, and only the differences from the first embodiment are described here. The functionally corresponding parts are all identified by reference numerals, the first digit of which is a 4 instead of 1, 2 or 3. 
   Accordingly, the arrangement  400  shown in  FIGS. 12 to 16  is distinguished by the fact that the first engagement element  413  comprises a catch hook  433  that can be swivelled about an axle  432  that extends approximately parallel to the upper surface of the ski and to the boot sole  403 , and transverse to the long direction of ski and boot. The front engagement element on the sole side, namely the second engagement element  407 , can be inserted into the hook from the back. The catch hook  433  thus limits the forward movement of the ski boot  401 . The second engagement element is constructed as a transverse axle made of stainless steel or the like and integrated into the sole; in this specific case, it is lamellar in shape. 
   The catch hook  433  along with its swivelling axle  432 , as is especially clearly visible in  FIG. 13 , can be moved forward (in the direction of the arrow  434 ) against the action of an elastic element, in this case a compression-spring element  421 . Thus the catch hook  433  is free to move along with the second engagement element  407  when the front part of the sole is rolled along the ski or a binding plate  411 . For this purpose, the axle  432  is mounted within a slot-like recess  440  in the binding case or binding plate  411  so that it can be shifted longitudinally, against the action or the compression-spring element  421 . 
   Because the ski boot is free to make a rolling motion along the binding plate  411 , the second engagement element  407  must necessarily move both in the long direction of the ski and also perpendicular to the upper surface of the ski. These movement components should not be impaired by the catch hook  433 . 
   The fourth engagement element  415  likewise comprises a stopping hook  436  that can swivel about an axle  435  oriented approximately parallel to the upper surface of the ski, and hence to the boot sole  403 , and transverse to the long direction of ski and boot. The forward pull exerted by this hook counteracts backward displacement of the third engagement element  409 , so that the boot  401  is kept in position on the binding  404  by the cooperative action of the various engagement elements, namely the first and second engagement elements, which limit the forward movement of the boot  401 , and also the third and fourth engagement elements, which limit movement of the boot  401  in the backward direction. 
   In the region ahead or the third engagement element  409  an elastic counterpressure element  437  acts to apply an upward force to the part of the sole situated in front of the third engagement element  409 . In this specific case the elastic counterpressure element  437  is associated with the fourth engagement element  415  and is constructed as a compression spring. Instead of a compression spring, an elastomer block can also be provided. As shown in  FIG. 16 , the fourth engagement element is a U-shaped part, the two limbs of which are so disposed that they can rotate about the axle  435 . The two limbs extend forward beyond said axle  435 , so that each component of the counterpressure element  437  acts between the limb extensions on one hand and the upper surface of the ski or the binding case on the other. The stopping hook  436  is disposed on the cross-piece of the U-shaped fourth engagement element, in a central position opposite the catch hook  433  associated with the second engagement element (see  FIG. 16 ). 
   The fourth engagement element  415 , and hence the stopping hook  436  associated therewith, can be displaced in the long direction of the ski, from a boot-release position into a boot-retaining position, as shown in  FIGS. 12 to 15 , and back again. This longitudinal displacement of the fourth engagement element  415  is brought about by an actuation mechanism associated with the fourth engagement element that comprises an actuator lever  438 , which occupies a stable top-dead-center position when the fourth engagement element is in the boot-retaining position. Because this is a mechanism Known per se, no more detailed drawing or description is needed here. 
   The longitudinal guidance of the boot  401  on the ski  5  or the binding plate  411  is brought about by longitudinal ribs  440  that correspond to one another and longitudinal grooves on the tread aide of the boot sole  403  and/or the sole-supporting surface  439  of the ski or the binding plate  411 . 
   In the embodiment shown here, the third engagement element  409  is positioned in the front ball region or back toe-base region, whereas the second engagement element  407  is situated at the front end of the sole, but on its underside. Theoretically the second engagement element could also be positioned ahead of the front end of the sole. 
   The catch and stopping hooks  433  and  436 , respectively, thus move freely along with the rolling motion of the boot sole when the heel is raised, while simultaneously fixing the boot  401  in position with respect to both the forward and backward directions and, of course, also the upward direction. Thus the ski boot can make a rolling motion on the binding plate  411  with substantially no restraint, as can clearly be seen by comparing  FIGS. 12 and 13  with  FIGS. 14 and 15 . The drawings in  FIGS. 12 and 13  show the boot heel lowered so as to rest on the ski. In the drawings according to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the boot heel is maximally raised. 
   In the embodiment shown here the longitudinal guide ribs are formed on the upper surface or sole-supporting surface  439  of the binding plate  411 . On the lower surface or tread side of the boot sole  403 , corresponding longitudinal grooves are provided. 
   Furthermore, the sole-supporting surface  439  has a convex curvature in the long direction of the ski or boot where it is associated with the front part of the boot sole. This configuration is useful when the front sole region has a substantially flat shape. In the embodiments previously described such a convexly curved sole-supporting surface  439  is not required, because in these embodiments the front region of the boot sole is itself convexly curved in the long direction of ski or boot. Both embodiments permit the boot to make a rolling motion on the substrate, accompanied by longitudinal shifting of the contact line between boot and ski or binding plate, when the heel of the boot is raised or lowered. 
   In principle it is also conceivable to fix the boot to the ski or binding only by means of the third and fourth engagement elements, in which case of course care must be taken to ensure that the fourth engagement element encloses the third engagement element completely, so that the boot is fixed in position with respect to both forward and backward movement. The mechanical measures that would be required for this purpose can be avoided by a solution such as is described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 16 . 
   The implementation of the invention is not restricted to the examples described above but is also possible in a large number of modifications that are within the competency of those skilled in the art. 
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
             
               List of reference numerals 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
               1; 101; 201; 301; 401 
               Ski boot 
             
             
               3; 103; 203; 303; 403 
               Boot sole 
             
             
               5 
               Ski 
             
             
               7; 107; 207; 307; 407 
               Front (second) engagement element (axle) 
             
             
               9; 109; 209; 309; 409 
               Back (third) engagement element (axle) 
             
             
               100; 200; 300; 400 
               Ski binding/boot arrangement 
             
             
               104; 204: 304; 404 
               Ski binding 
             
             
               111; 211; 311; 411 
               Binding plate 
             
             
               113; 213; 313; 413 
               Front (first) engagement element (hook) 
             
             
               115; 215; 315; 415 
               Back (fourth) engagement element (hook) 
             
             
               117; 217; 317 
               Counterpressure element (elastomer 
             
             
                 
               block) 
             
             
               119; 219; 319 
               Sleeve-type slideway 
             
             
               121; 235; 321 
               Helical-spring element 
             
             
               123; 127; 233; 227 
               Swivelling axle 
             
             
               125; 225; 325 
               Articulated-lever mechanism 
             
             
               129; 229; 329 
               Actuator lever 
             
             
               131; 231; 331 
               Tensioning band 
             
             
               213a 
               Back edge or surface 
             
             
               303a 
               Recesses 
             
             
               311a 
               Binding-plate profile 
             
             
               C1, C2 
               Contact area between boot and ski 
             
             
               h1, h2 
               Height of the front sole end above the 
             
             
                 
               ski 
             
             
               432 
               Swivelling axle 
             
             
               433 
               Catch hook 
             
             
               434 
               Arrow 
             
             
               435 
               Swivelling axle 
             
             
               436 
               Stopping hook 
             
             
               437 
               Counterpressure element 
             
             
               438 
               Actuator lever 
             
             
               439 
               Sole-supporting surface 
             
             
               440 
               Guide rib