Ski binding

A step-in binding for receiving a ski boot and preferably for telemark skiing. The binding includes a base constructed and arranged to be secured to the ski and a pair of boot support members pivotally supported from a front side of the base, and disposed laterally on either side of the base. The lateral side members may be tapered inwardly toward the front so as to receive and guide the ski boot as it is to be engaged. The pair of boot support members are biased to a boot receiving position and further having a locked position that is assumed once the boot is received, engages the pair of boot support members, and is cantilevered downwardly into the locked position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to ski bindings, and pertains, more particularly, to ski bindings that are preferably used with a Telemark ski.

One traditional Telemark ski binding employs a front latch for securing the boot in the binding. This is typically referred to as a three pin 75 mm Nordic Norm binding. These types of bindings have traditionally required the skier to bend down and manually press down upon a latch mechanism at the front of the toe of the ski boot to attach the ski boot to the binding. This is a rather cumbersome arrangement, and it is time consuming in engaging the ski boot with the binding.

Another traditional Telemark binding employs a heel cable to secure the boot to the binding. This also is a cumbersome arrangement requiring time consuming positioning and adjustment for proper securing of the ski boot to the binding. Also, the cable may affect the overall flexibility and use of the ski by the skier.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved ski binding, preferably for use with a Telemark ski and in which the binding is a step-in binding.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a ski binding that is of the step-in type and that comprises a toe piece that the boot can readily engage and means for simple and ready disengagement.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a ski binding with an integral ski brake, particularly a step-in type binding for telemark skiing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a step-in binding for receiving a ski boot, comprising: a base constructed and arranged to be secured to the ski; and a pair of boot support members pivotally supported from a front side of the base, and disposed laterally on either side of the base. The pair of boot support members is biased to a boot receiving or open position and further has a locked or closed position that is assumed once the boot is received, engages the pair of boot support members, and is cantilevered downwardly into the locked position. A release lever is arranged at the front of the base, readily accessible to the skier and includes a member that releases the pair of boot support members from the locked position to the boot receiving or boot released position upon activation of the release lever.

In accordance with other features of the present invention there are the following aspects. A base has a pressure plate on a front top surface that firmly engages an underside of the boot. The pressure plate is slightly elevated above the rest of the top surface of the base and includes securing pins engageable in holes in the boot for retaining the boot in place. A cross bar is disposed between the pair of boot support members for engaging the front top of the boot and a pair of stop posts are associated respectively with the pair of support members. The member that releases the pair of support members includes a latch pin that extends through the base retained at its front end at the release lever and has a back end that engages and locks the pair of support members. A cross piece preferably extends between the lateral support members for engagement with the back end of the latch pin, the latch pin being tapered at its back end so as to displace when the lateral support members move downwardly yet lock with the cross piece when filly engaged. A spring is for biasing the latch pin toward a backward position, the base having a front to back passage for receiving the latch pin. The base comprises an outer metal shell and an inner plastic core that has the passage therein. The release lever may be supported from the base by means of a pivot pin, the release lever held by the pivot pin and supported at the front end of the latch pin. Preferably a ski brake is integrated into the base and has wings that extend through the pair of lateral support members. At least one spring is disposed in the base for biasing the brake and for urging the later support members away from the locked position.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a step-in binding for receiving a ski boot for telemark skiing, comprising: a base constructed and arranged to be secured to the ski; and a pair of boot support members pivotally supported from a front side of the base, and disposed laterally on either side of the base. The lateral side members are preferably tapered inwardly toward the front so as to receive and guide the ski boot as it is to be engaged. The pair of boot support members is biased to a boot receiving position and further has a locked position that is assumed once the boot is received, engages the pair of boot support members, and is cantilevered downwardly into the locked position. A release lever is arranged at the front of the base, readily accessible to the skier and including a member that releases the pair of boot support members from the locked position to the boot receiving position upon activation of the release lever. A ski brake is integrated into the base, releasable should the boot become disengaged, and constructed and arranged to urge the lateral support members from the locked position to the released position.

In accordance with other features of the present invention there are the following aspects. The base has a pressure plate on a front top surface that firmly engages an underside of the boot, and the pressure plate is slightly elevated above the rest of the top surface of the base and includes securing pins engageable in holes in the boot for retaining the boot in place. The member that releases the pair of support members includes a latch pin that extends through the base retained at its front end at the release lever and having a back end that engages and locks the pair of support members. A cross piece preferably extending between the lateral support members for engagement with the back end of the latch pin, the latch pin being tapered at its back end so as to displace when the lateral support members move downwardly, yet lock with the cross piece when fully engaged, a spring for biasing the latch pin toward a backward position, the base having a front to back passage for receiving the latch pin, and wherein the base comprises an outer metal shell and an inner plastic core that has the passage therein. A cross bar may be disposed between the pair of boot support members for engaging the front top of the boot and a pair of stop posts associated respectively with the pair of support members.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention there is provided a step-in binding for receiving a ski boot comprising: a base constructed and arranged to be secured to the ski, and a pair of boot support members mounted from a front side of the base, and disposed laterally on either side of the base. The lateral side members are adapted to receive and guide the ski boot as it is received. The pair of boot support members are biased to a boot released position and further have a locked position that is assumed once the boot is received, engages the pair of boot support members, and is cantilevered downwardly into the locked position. A release lever is mounted at the front of the base, readily accessible to the skier and includes a release member that releases the pair of boot support members from the locked position to the boot released position upon activation of the release lever.

In accordance with other features of the present invention there are the following aspects. A ski brake is integrated into the base, and constructed and arranged to urge the lateral support members from the locked position to the released position. The lateral side members are preferably tapered inwardly toward the front so as to receive and guide the ski boot as it is to be engaged. The member that releases the pair of support members includes a latch pin that extends through the base retained at its front end at the release lever and having a back end that engages and locks the pair of support members.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention there is provided a step-in binding for receiving a ski boot comprising a base constructed and arranged to be secured to the ski; and a boot support member supported from a front side of said base; The boot support member is biased to a boot receiving position and further has a locked position that is assumed once the boot is received, engages the boot support member, and is cantilevered downwardly into the locked position. A release lever is arranged at the front of the base, readily accessible to the skier and includes a member that releases the boot support member from the locked position to the boot receiving position upon activation of the release lever. A ski brake is integrated into the base, and constructed and arranged to urge the support member from the locked position to the released position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The step-in binding of the present invention is primarily anticipated as for use for Telemark skiing. A preferred embodiment of the binding is illustrated inFIGS. 1-8. An alternate ski brake construction is illustrated in FIG.9. The binding6has a cantilever hinge or pivot arrangement that securely fastens the toe of the ski boot to the ski8. The binding of the present invention is constructed in a very simple manner with an effective mechanism for securing a Telemark boot to the ski, in a step-in manner. With the arrangement of the present invention a skier, in a standing position, inserts the toe of the ski boot under a cross-bar and steps down on the binding mechanism thus attaching the boot to the binding in a step-in fashion. The boot is released from the binding by pressing a release lever or toggle in the front of the binding using, for example, a ski pole. The binding has a simple and yet sturdy and effective design. A ski brake is integrated into the binding thus alleviating the need for ski runaway straps.

Now, with reference to the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIGS. 1-8, the ski binding6is comprised of a center base or block10and a pair of boot support members12A and12B. The pair of boot support members is disposed laterally on either side of the base10. These support members12A and12B are pivotally supported from the base at a front of the base by means of the pivot pin14. A ski brake16is integrated into the base10. The ski brake16not only functions as a brake for a runaway ski, but also springs18associated therewith provide a biasing force for assisting and urging the binding from its locked position to its released position. The release of the binding is facilitated by the use of the release lever20. The release lever20operates the latch pin22which is biased by means of the latch pin spring24.

The base10is comprised of a main channel member30having a passage for receiving the plastic block32. The channel member30at its base wall has pairs of front and rear holes for receiving securing screws35, such as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2and for the purpose of securing the binding to the ski. The passage in the channel member30is dimensioned so as to snugly receive the plastic block32. Means may be provided for holding the block32within the passage in the channel member30. Such means may include screws37which also secure the pressure plate36to the channel member30as illustrated in FIG.7. Other means may include an adhesive, or one can rely simply upon the close fit between the block and the channel member.

A pressure plate36is secured to the top surface at the front of the channel member30. The pressure plate36supports three boot alignment pins38.FIG. 2illustrates these alignment pins38in the corresponding holes39in the sole of the ski boot. It is noted that the pressure plate36is elevated above the top surface33of the channel member30. This assures that there is a good pressured fit of the boot to the pressure plate36.

The base10supports the ski brake16as well as the binding release mechanism. The center loop16A of the ski brake16is adapted for support within a lower slot in the plastic block32. In the assembly of the mechanism, the ski brake16is engaged with the block through the channel member passage41, as illustrated in FIG.8. Opposite sides of the ski brake16also extend through respective holes42in the support members12A and12B. This inter-engagement between the ski brake16and the lateral support members12A and12B is instrumental in providing the releasing force for release of the binding from its locked position to its released position as illustrated in, for example, FIG.1. Springs18disposed within the block32urge the ski brake16to the position illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, in other words its downward position. When the binding is moved to its locked position then the ski brake16rotates upwardly such as to the position illustrated inFIG. 4with the brake urging against the springs18. Note inFIG. 4the more compressed state of the springs18.

Also supported through the block32is the latch pin22. Block32has a front to back passage23for receiving the latch pin22. The rear end of the latch pin22is tapered as illustrated at44. A pin46is used, passing though the latch pin22at passage47so as to secure in position one end of the spring24. The very front end of the latch pin22is secured on the front side of the release lever20by means of a further pin48also passing through a hole at the front end of latch pin22.

As indicated previously, the lateral support members12A and12B are pivotally supported from the base10by means of the pivot pin14. The rear face of the release lever20is urged against pin14. The pin14also functions as a spacer between the support members12A and12B, and assures that there is correct spacing between the support members and the pin14. The pin14provides the main pivot for the lateral support members12A and12B and is attached to them by means of screws50, as depicted in FIG.8.

The lateral support members12A and12B each have tapered sidewalls52that are adapted to guide the boot as it is inserted, such as the boot55illustrated in FIG.2. Also refer toFIG. 5showing the convergence of the sidewalls52. The boot is also engaged under the crossbar54. The crossbar54preferably has a slight forward curvature so as to properly match the curved front of the ski boot.FIG. 2illustrates the sole56of the ski boot being engaged under the crossbar54. The crossbar54may be supported by screws58, as illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 8. At the rear of the support members there is also provided another set of screws59that supports a spacer bar60extending between the support members. The spacers14,54and60control the distance between the lateral support members, particularly as it relates to the side-to-side dimensions of the aluminum channel member30.FIGS. 5 and 6illustrate this corresponding spacing which is relatively close and yet provides free rotation therebetween. The lateral support members also support at their respective front sides, each a stop pin64. The combination of these stop pins and the laterally directed walls52properly position the ski boot so that when the boot is moved to its locked position the boot is in proper alignment with the pins38.

FIGS. 1 and 2illustrate the ski binding of the present invention in its released position. In that position the lateral support members12A and12B are pivoted to their most upward position and the ski brake16is in its most downward position. As indicated previously, the springs18bias the spring brake to this downward position. In this position the release lever is also shown in its rest position. InFIG. 2the boot has been inserted under the crossbar54and the skier is in readiness for engagement with the step-in binding.

The cross-sectional view ofFIG. 3illustrates the ski boot being almost fully engaged by cantilevering the lateral support members toward their downward position by means of a downward pressure on the ski boot by the skier. In this view it is noted that the ski brake16has now moved to a more upward position against the bias of springs18. The spacer bar60is now being urged against the tapered end44of the latch pin22. However, inFIG. 3the binding is not yet in its fully latched position as the spacer bar60is still riding upon the tapered surface44. The ramping effect of the bar60against the tapered end44of the latch pin22causes the latch pin22to move in the direction of arrow67. It is also noted inFIG. 3that the release lever20has been moved toward a more downward position. Alternatively, when the boot is to be released from engagement with the binding, pushing down on the lever20with a ski pole or other means, causes a downward movement of the lever, which, in turn, causes the latch pin to move in the direction of arrow67.

FIG. 4illustrates the binding now having been moved to its fully latched position. It is noted that in this position the spacer bar60has now moved under the latch pin22. This action secures the binding in this closed or locked position. In this position it is also noted inFIG. 4that the spring brake is in its full upward position and that the release lever has assumed its original position because the latch pin has now moved in the opposite direction indicated by arrow69. The pin22is urged in this direction by means of the spring24.

Reference is now made toFIG. 9for an alternate embodiment of the invention. This embodiment of the invention also employs a step-in binding. The binding itself90is substantially identical to the binding6illustrated inFIGS. 1-8with the exception that the binding illustrated inFIG. 9does not include the ski brake integrated into the binding. Instead, there is a separate ski brake92illustrated in FIG.9. To accommodate this separate ski brake92, there is provided a connection of the ski brake at tubular member94. This ski brake92, like the ski brake16shown inFIGS. 1-8, biases the binding to a released position such as illustrated in FIG.9. When the skier engages the binding and moves the lateral support members downwardly to a locked position, the ski brake center loop92A may also move downwardly against the bias of a spring means associated with the ski brake92rotating the ski brake92upwards.

It can be readily seen from the foregoing description, that the step-in binding of this invention is a relatively simple construction and, in the preferred embodiment, incorporates the ski brake into the binding. The ski brake actually functions both as a brake and as a means for assisting in releasing the binding by means of the bias of associated ski brake springs.

Another feature of the present invention is the relative flatness of the entire mechanism, particularly at the top surface33and at the surfaces that the boot rest upon on the lateral support members. By making these surfaces flat, there is far less of a likelihood of snow and ice buildup between the ski boot and the binding surfaces.

Another feature of the present invention is the use of a separate pressure plate elevated slightly above the surface33that enables a firm pressure contact with the boot, between the pressure plate36and the crossbar54.

Still another feature of the present invention is the preferred front positioning of the release lever. Many times release levers are disposed on the back of the binding and this makes it quite difficult to have access thereto. In accordance with the present invention the release lever is readily accessible at the front of the binding and preferably has an indentation therein to receive, for example, the end of a ski pole.

Another feature of the present invention relates to the simplified construction, such as the use of three crossbars that are used to unify the lateral support members. The front bar forms the hinge mechanism, the bar across the top of the boot holds the boot in place, and the rear bar locks the lateral member down. This locking down occurs between the spacer60and the pin22. Also, it is noted that the cross bars (spacers) abut to the inner surface of the lateral members thus maintaining the width necessary to receive the center block. These pins that support the bars or spacers are held in place with a screw through the lateral members and threaded into them.

Having now described a limited number of embodiments of the present invention, it should be now apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous embodiments, modifications and equivalents are contemplated as following within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, the lateral boot support members and crossbar over the toe of the boot may be constructed as a single molded part that covers the whole front of the boot sole.