Patent Publication Number: US-7219917-B2

Title: Cartridge radius surface

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to ski binding resistance mechanism cartridges. More particularly, the present invention relates to a ski binding resistance mechanism cartridge radius surface. 
   2. Background and Related Art 
   Telemark skiing refers to a type of skiing in which the ball of a skier&#39;s foot is bound to the ski but the heel is free to pivot. This type of connection system between the skier&#39;s foot and the ski is also used in traditional and skate style cross-country skiing. In addition, certain types of backcountry snowboards, known as splitboards, utilize a similar system in which the boarder&#39;s heel is able to pivot when the board is in its split/ski mode. All of these snow-sport activities require advanced binding systems that connect the skier/boarder to the ski/board but allow the heel to move. If a particular binding does not allow the user&#39;s heel to freely pivot, it will impede their ability to ascend a snow slope. 
   Various characteristics have become increasingly important in the design of ski bindings. These features include the long term durability and the overall performance of a binding. The long term durability refers to the overall life span of a binding. Most bindings include some form of straps or cables which secure a user onto a ski/board. Over time these straps or cables will often wear down and possibly snap causing the binding to fail. If the straps or cables are not easily interchangeable, the binding&#39;s life span will be dictated by the life span of the straps or cables thereby reducing the overall value of the binding. However, if the straps or cables are easily replaceable, the life span of the binding can be significantly extended. Therefore, it is desirable for a binding to include replaceable straps or cables to extend the overall life span of the binding. 
   The overall performance of a binding is a measurement of the binding&#39;s ability to function under a wide variety of circumstance. For example, a telemark bindings ability to maintain tension is a factor in the bindings overall performance. In addition, a telemark binding&#39;s ability to freely pivot about the ball of the foot of a user is also an important factor in a bindings overall performance. Most telemark bindings include some form of resistance mechanism or cartridge to maintain tension in the binding and reliably secure the user&#39;s foot to the ski. The positioning of the resistance mechanism can sometimes impede the horizontal or vertical pivoting allowed by the binding. For example, in many telemark bindings, two resistance mechanisms are disposed in line with the cable attachments system to allow for even tension. For protection and functionality purposes, the resistance mechanisms are often covered with cylindrical tubes/cylinders. In certain circumstances, the tubes/cylinders abut the cables coupling the user&#39;s boot to the ski thereby impeding their ability to pivot their boot with respect to the ski. In order to preserve a user&#39;s ability to freely pivot his or her foot vertically and horizontally, it is desirable to design an attachment mechanism between a resistance mechanism/cartridge and a cable that allows for a full range of movement. 
   Therefore, there is a need for an attachment mechanism that allows for full range of movement without preventing the cables or straps to be replaceable. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a radius surface for use on a ski binding resistance mechanism cartridge. The radius surface of the present invention enables a cable coupled to the resistance mechanism cartridge to bend directly adjacent to the cartridge. Since the cable is able to bend adjacent to the cartridge, the overall functionality of a binding is improved. In addition, the radius surface can be adjusted to specifically dictate the exit bend radius allowed on the cable coupled to the resistance mechanism cartridge. 
   In one embodiment, the radius surface is a connector between a resistance mechanism cartridge and a cable that allows the cable to be bent at a particular range directly adjacent to the resistance mechanism cartridge. The term “radius surface” is used broadly to include a surface with any combination of curved, non-linear, partially curved, discontinuous, flat, grooved, spline, etc surfaces. The connector involves coupling the cable to the resistance mechanism cartridge internally thereby allowing the cable to bend directly upon exiting the resistance mechanism cartridge. Various internal connection systems may be utilized and remain consistent with the present invention. The bending range of the cable is specifically dictated by the curvature of the outermost portion of the resistance mechanism cartridge upon which the cable exits. This outermost portion of the resistance mechanism cartridge is referred to generally as the radius surface. 
   While the methods and processes of the present invention have proven to be particularly useful in the area of ski bindings, those skilled in the art can appreciate that the methods and processes can be used in a variety of different applications and in a variety of different areas of manufacture. 
   These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth or will become more fully apparent in the description that follows and in the appended claims. The features and advantages may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Furthermore, the features and advantages of the invention may be learned by the practice of the invention or will be obvious from the description, as set forth hereinafter. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In order that the manner in which the above recited and other features and advantages of the present invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that the drawings depict only typical embodiments of the present invention and are not, therefore, to be considered as limiting the scope of the invention, the present invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a resistance mechanism cartridge for use with a binding in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the front portion of the resistance mechanism illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; and 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a ski binding incorporating a resistance mechanism cartridge in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a radius surface for use on a ski binding resistance mechanism cartridge. The radius surface of the present invention enables a cable coupled to the resistance mechanism cartridge to bend directly adjacent to the cartridge. Since the cable is able to bend adjacent to the cartridge, the overall functionality of a binding is improved. In addition, the radius surface can be adjusted to specifically dictate the exit bend radius allowed on the cable coupled to the resistance mechanism cartridge. While embodiments of the present invention are directed towards a radius surface for use on a ski binding resistance mechanism cartridge, it will be appreciated that the teachings of the present invention are applicable to other fields. For example, the teachings of the present invention may be applied to various cartridges that do not contain resistance mechanisms. 
   Resistance mechanism cartridges are used on a variety of ski bindings including telemark bindings. The resistance mechanisms are necessary for maintaining tension on the skiers boot while coupled to the ski. The resistance mechanisms are also necessary to allow for even pivoting while in operation. Some telemark bindings include one resistance mechanism while most bindings include two. It is generally necessary to shield the resistance mechanism from damage and debris with a cartridge. The term “resistance mechanism” is used broadly to include but not be limited to a spring, an elastomer member, etc. The term “ski” and “binding” are used in this application in the broadest sense to include all types of skis and bindings. For example, the definition of “ski” includes but is not limited to telemark skis, cross country skis, alpine skis, split board skis, sled ski tracks, etc. Likewise, the definition of “binding” includes but is not limited to telemark bindings, cross country bindings, alpine bindings, snowboard bindings, skateboard bindings, kiteboard bindings, wakeboard bindings, sled ski track attachments, etc. 
   Reference is first made to  FIG. 1 , which illustrates a cross-sectional view of a resistance mechanism cartridge for use with a binding in accordance with the present invention, designated generally at  100 . The resistance mechanism cartridge  100  includes an entrance connector  105 , an outer housing  110 , a resistance mechanism  120 , a flared tube  130 , an exit connector  140 , and a cable  150 . The outer housing is composed of a rigid material including but not limited to metal or plastic and is designed to protect the remainder of the cartridge from impacts and snow. It is desirable to minimize the impact forces on the resistance mechanism  120  and the connectors  105 ,  140  to maintain reliability of the cartridge. The outer housing  110  may also include various identification marks indicating the type of connection system and the strength of the resistance mechanism  120 . 
   The entrance and exit connectors  105 ,  140  are designed to couple two independent cables or wires to the resistance mechanism cartridge  100 . Various types of entrance connectors  105  may be utilized and remain consistent with the present invention. For example, a threaded connector, a wedge connector, a keyed connector, etc. The entrance connector  105  of the present invention utilizes a flared tube  130  with a female threaded end  131  disposed within the entrance connector  105 . The female threaded end  131  includes a recess that must be large enough for the cable  150  to be dropped through or removed. An entrance cable equipped with a male threaded portion (not shown) is coupled to the entrance connector  105  by simply positioning it within the female threaded end  131  and rotating the entire resistance mechanism cartridge  100  to engage the threads. The outer housing  110  is only coupled to the flared tube  130  when the resistance mechanism cartridge  100  is not under load. This disengagement system is incorporated to prevent the entrance connector  105  from inadvertently loosening or releasing. 
   The flared tube  130  includes a female threaded end  131  and a flared end  132 . The flared tube is shaped like an elongated cylinder or tube with a flare at one end. The flared end  132  is coupled to the outer housing  110  and/or the exit connector  140  via some form of releasable coupling including but not limited to a friction or a key coupler. When the cartridge is under load, the flared end  132  compresses against the resistance mechanism  120  and disengages from the outer housing  110  and/or the exit connector  140 . Therefore, when the resistance mechanism cartridge  100  is under load, the entrance connector  105  cannot be loosened or tightened by rotating the outer housing  110 . This system prevents inadvertent adjustment or releasing of the entrance connector  105  during operation. 
   The exit connector  140  is designed to couple a cable and provide a unique radius surface for the cable  150  to bend. The cable  150  includes a wedge  152 , a wire  156 , and a sheath  158 . The cable  150  is dropped through the entrance connector  105  until the wedge  152  is abutted against the exit connector  140  as shown. The cable  150  can also be extended back out the cartridge  100  for replacement. The wedge  152  is a swaged member coupled to the wire  156  that is designed to axially chock within a constriction. The exit connector  140  is shaped to constrict the wedge  152  in the manner shown. In addition to axially chocking between the wedge  152  and the exit connector  140 , the wedge  152  also rotationally chocks within the exit connector  140 . The rotational chocking is accomplished with a system including but not limited to a key or friction type coupling. The rotational chocking between the wedge  152  and the exit connector  140  further prevents the cartridge from inadvertently loosening or releasing the threaded entrance connector  105  during operation. 
   In addition to constricting around the wedge  152 , the exit connector  140  also provides and radius surface bend radius for the cable  150  to bend around. Since the coupling between the cable  150  and the resistance mechanism cartridge  100  is accomplished entirely within the resistance mechanism cartridge  100 , the cable  150  is able to bend directly adjacent to the resistance mechanism cartridge  100  as shown. The amount of bending of the cable  150  at the exit connector  140  can also be dictated by adjusting the curvature of the outermost portion of the exit connector  140 . 
   Reference is next made to  FIG. 2 , which illustrates a perspective view of the front portion of the resistance mechanism cartridge illustrated in  FIG. 1 . This figures further illustrates how the cable  150  is allowed to bend directly adjacent to the resistance mechanism cartridge  100  in the present invention. The figure also illustrates how the curvature of the exit connectors  140  outermost portion directly dictates the maximum angle at which the cable is allowed to bend. 
   Reference is next made to  FIG. 3 , which illustrates a perspective view of a ski binding incorporating a resistance mechanism cartridge in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, designated generally at  200 . The resistance mechanism cartridge is designated at  210  and a cable is designated at  220 . The illustrated embodiment is of a Telemark type ski binding in which the resistance mechanism cartridge  210  is coupled to the ski binding  200  via the cable  220 . The resistance properties of the resistance mechanism cartridge  210  resist a boot coupled to the ski binding  200  from pivoting with respect to the base of the binding. The resistance mechanism cartridge embodiments of the present invention may be incorporated into other binding systems in accordance with the present invention. 
   The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.