Patent GB-1433162-A (GB)
Title: Skibinding
IPC: A63C9/084
Filed: 1973-09-10
Abstract: 1433162 Ski bindings H MARKER 10 Sept 1973 [13 Sept 1972 6 June 1973] 42398/73 Heading A6D A method of automatically releasing a ski boot from a ski upon which it is mounted by means of an automatically releasable binding in the event of a dangerously excessive and/or prolonged force on the foot of the skier, which comprises continuously monitoring the force and sensing both its magnitude and duration, combining the sensed magnitude and the sensed duration into a total sensed value, comparing said total sensed value with a predetermined total sensed value threshold and offsetting the automatic release of the binding when the total sensed value equals or exceeds the threshold. The device shown in the embodiment of Figs. 1-4 consists of a sole plate 1 having a toe piece 3 and a step in heel holder 4 pivoted at 6. The heel holder can be held in position by a swivel bolt 7. There is a pressure monitoring system 50. Plate 1 is connected to a base plate 11 via spring arms 13, resilient buffers 14 and lugs 15. This means that torsional forces on a skiers foot are detectable by slight rotation of plate 1 relative to plate 11 and transverse forces are converted into angular displacement of the plates with a lug 15 acting as a fulcrum. Base plate 11 engages under a rearwardly projecting raised lip or bracket 16. At its rear end it is secured by an automatically releasable locking device 20. The locking device has a toggle mechanism consisting of arms 21, 22 and a knuckle joint 23. Arm 21 is hinged to plate 11 whilst arm 22 is hinged to bell crank lever 24, the short arm of which has a detent extension 25. The free end of the extension engages in a notch in a catch member 26 which is held in a locking position by a compression spring 27. Engagement of detent extension 25 with catch lever 26 holds the rear end of plate 11 to the ski. Spring 28 biasses the toggle to its extended position. Release of the locking device 20 is effected by monitoring system 50. Movement of the knuckle to the left causes tipping of bell crank lever 24 and disengagement of detent extension 25 from catch member 26. The rear end of plate 11 is free and simultaneous disengagement of the front end of the bracket 16 completes disengagement of base plate 11 from the ski. The ski would be secured by a safety strap to prevent the ski running away. After release knuckle 26 is returned to its start position. Reengagement is caused by engaging plate 11 under bracket 16 and then stepping down so that detent extension 25 displaces catch member 26 slightly to the night. The notch on the catch member then reengages the detent extension. Mounted horizontally on plate 11 is a pressure sensor 51' which detects angular movement of plate 1 with respect to plate 11, see Fig. 2. A vertical pressure sensor 51" is fixed to plate 11 and detects vertical movement of plate 1 with respect to plate 11. Signals from the sensors are processed in the electronic monitoring and control system 50. Each sensor may have its own circuit although certain parts may be provided in common, for example, a threshold value switch may be common to both circuits and operable to send a controlling signal to operate the solenoid plunger 30 in response to signals from either of the two sensors exceeding a threshold value. In a modification the ski boot is held rigidly to the ski surface. However, some resiliency of the boot relative to the ski is achieved, Figs. 12, 13 (not shown), by the catch member 26 being connected to a leaf spring (31) rather than directly to the ski. The leaf spring allows limited vertical and horizontal movement before sensors 51' and 51" are activated. In an alternative embodiment Figs. 7, 8, 10 and 11 sole plate 101 is releasably attachable to a ski foot. A forward lip 101a engages under bracket 101b. There is a toe abutment member (not shown) and a step-in type heel binding A. A post 100 attached to the ski provides a pivot axis for plate 101 in a plane parallel to the ski surface. A resilient bearing 102 absorbs compressive forces and permits the rotational movement of plate 101 about post 100. The step-in heel binding has a heel piece 103 which is vertically adjustable. It is mounted on a carrier 104 which is pivotally mounted on pin 69 which extends between side walls 105, 106 which extend rearwardly and upwardly from plate 101. A further pin 107 also extends between the walls on which is mounted a two piece locking mechanism for carrier 104. This mechanism consists of an unlocking handle 109 pivotally connected by a pin and slot connection to looking piece 109a which is pivotally mounted on pin 107. Pressure by a ski stick in recess 110 unlocks carrier 104 for a clockwise movement about pivot 67. Pedal 108 forms part of carrier 104 and when a ski boot is reentered into the binding causes the carrier and heel piece to snap into the position shown. A detent member 61 is pivotally mounted on pin 62. Locking pin 64 threadedly engages sleeve 66 rigidly fixed to carrier bracket 68 which is pivotally mounted on a pin 69. Bracket 68 carries a pin 71 to which one arm 74 of a toggle linkage which forms a catch mechanism which locks bracket 68 against pivotal movement. The other arm 73 is connected to arm 74 by knuckle pin 72 and is pivotally mounted on pin 70 which extends between walls 105, 106. A catch 75 is pivotally mounted on pin 69 and keeps the toggle linkage as shown. The catch is U-shaped, has a notch that fits over pin 72 and a web 88 which acts as a trip lever. When tripped the catch frees pin 72 and allows the toggle linkage to fold. This frees bracket 68 for pivotal movement about pin 69 and locking pin 65 is disengaged from member 61. Thus the entire sole plate assembly and ski boot is detached from the ski. Spring 76 restores the linkage to the position shown to allow reengagement of the sole plate and boot with the ski. Pin 64 is resilient. Thus forces on the pin flex it. Flexing of the pin is translated into pivotal movement of an actuating lever 80 by means of collar 65, ring 66, arm 78 and pins 79. Lever 80 has pivotally mounted thereon a member 83 which is biassed by a spring 84 to rotate anticlockwise but is stopped from doing so in the position shown in Fig. 10 by stop 85. Pivot point 82 is at the centre of inertia of member 83. When pin 64, flexes sufficiently so that lever 80 pivots sufficiently for member 83 to clear stop 85, the spring can pivot the member to release the trip lever on web 88. However, a force on pin 64 may not be sufficicient duration to allow member 83 to rotate a suitable amount. As the force is reduced the lever 80 and member 83 are returned to a start position.