Patent Publication Number: US-8534697-B2

Title: Telemark tech system ski binding

Description:
This application claims priority to provisional application US61/366,820, Filed Jul. 22, 2010. The disclosure therein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The field of invention generally relates to ski boot to ski binding interface, and more particularly, to a ski boot to binding interface, where the toe piece is a releasable tech style binding and the heel retention is accomplished using a rear mounted flexible cable style binding. 
     The general activity of skiing comprises many subsets of activities, including, but not limited to alpine touring, telemark, cross-country, and downhill. Each subset generally corresponds to a unique system of specialized equipment. For example, the boot and binding systems used for telemark skiing differ significantly from those used for downhill skiing. A skiing system may include standard types of bindings, boots and skis. Each type of skiing corresponds to unique characteristics of a binding to achieve optimal performance for that type of skiing. In addition, particular terrain, distance traveled and skier preference may require an even more specific set of performance characteristics. Boots and bindings must be compatible with each other in order to interface effectively. 
     Telemark skiing requires that a user be able to articulate their foot, bending the metatarsal phalangeal joint and allowing the user&#39;s heel to rotate away or rise in respect to the top surface of the ski. Most conventional telemark boot binding interface systems utilize an extended sole at the front of the boot called a “duckbill” and metal clamp or bail to couple the boot to the ski. The rotational freedom of the user&#39;s heel is limited by the flexibility of the boot and binding coupling. This system requires that the duckbill and toe region of the boot be sufficiently rigid to prevent undesired torsion of the duckbill and to allow the user to control the trailing ski while executing a telemark turn. The required rigidity necessitates relatively heavy material for both the duckbill and toe portion of the boot. This duckbill boot binding interface creates a toe biased pivot that is difficult to eliminate without over compensating by significantly increasing the rigidity and weight of both the boot and binding. 
     It is highly desirable while ascending steep terrain to freely rotate the user&#39;s foot vertically with a full range of motion. A freely rotating pivot connection near the user&#39;s toe allows the skier to make an efficient, resistance free, stride. A rigid duckbill style boot and conventional telemark bindings resist upward rotating movement of the foot while ascending, significantly increasing the effort required to ascend. Some current telemark bindings accomplish a free range of motion by adding a pivot or hinged plate to the front of the telemark binding. However, this arrangement can increase the binding weight and creates an unpleasant noise when the hinge and associated plate contacts the ski top sheet. Additionally, this arrangement also often has a limited range of motion due to the metal clamp impeding forward travel of the binding. 
     Traditional telemark bindings create a fixed attachment between the boot duckbill and a rigid binding bail. This arrangement does not allow the skier to be separated from the ski unless the user manually releases the bail. If a skier is caught in an avalanche, a fixed ski can act as an anchor, preventing them from rising to the surface of the snow and increasing their chance of a fatal burial. Additionally, an attached ski can generate significant torsional stress on a skier&#39;s lower leg in the event of a violent crash, possibly causing fractures and knee injuries. 
     Tech style bindings, such as the Dynafit® TLT, have been in production since the early 1990&#39;s and have provided an alternative to traditional telemark bindings for backcountry skiing. The tech style front binding toe piece uses two spring loaded pins that fit into corresponding holes or sockets in the sides of the ski boot toe. The pins allow the boot to freely rotate from a planted or relaxed position on the ski, to a position where the sole of the boot is flexed or past perpendicular to the ski. This full rotational movement allows the skier to freely slide the ski when gliding or to lift the ski when ascending a slope. The tech style front binding also provides the increased safety of a “rough” (non-calibrated and non-adjustable release) release in the event of a crash, potentially protecting the user&#39;s leg and knee. Some tech style toe connections compatible with the telemark tech system offer a calibrated, adjustable release. Tech style toe piece bindings are designed to be used in correlation with a rear binding where a user&#39;s heel is locked in a fixed position attached to the ski when descending. This fixed position forces the user to descend using parallel turns, typically associated with downhill skiing, or alpine touring. A signature trait of the telemark turn is the user flexes both knees with the majority of their weight on the downhill ski; the uphill ski drops behind in an offset position, forcing the user&#39;s heel to rise away from the trailing ski. A proper telemark ski turn cannot be executed when using skis equipped with a fixed heel, such as, tech style bindings, as commonly known in the art. 
     Therefore, there is a need in the industry for a boot binding interface system that has a fully rotating front binding, minimizes weight, optimizes telemark skiing performance and is releasable. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a light weight telemark ski boot binding system configured with a tech style, fully rotatable, releasable front binding, coupled to a ski at a point corresponding to the toe of the boot, allowing free rotation of the foot for ascending, with the added safety of ski release during a fall. The tech style front binding is combined with a flexible coupling, cable type, rear binding attached to the top of the ski, under the ball of the foot or the phalangeal metatarsal joints of the user. The cable binding clamps to the heel portion of the user&#39;s boot and is designed to be engaged prior to descending a slope. 
     In a first embodiment of the present invention, the tech style front binding includes two spring loaded cantilevered upright members, each upright member having a lateral pin designed to engage a corresponding socket in the toe portion of the ski boot. When engaged, the user is able to freely rotate the boot from a relaxed position substantially parallel to the ski to a flexed position substantially perpendicular to the ski. This movement allows the user to glide the ski on the snow when striding or ascending a slope. The spring loaded upright members are configured to move away under a torsional load, or sideways acting force, allowing the lateral pins to disengage from the corresponding sockets and safely separating the user from the ski. 
     The rear binding is a flexible cable type with the attachment point of the cable moved rearward from the traditional position near the front binding bail or the user&#39;s boot toe. The rear binding includes a mounting block or blocks, cables or rods, tension springs and a heel lever. The mounting block positions the pivot point of the rear binding under ball of the user&#39;s foot or, more specifically, under the phalangeal metatarsal joints. This location also corresponds with the flexible toe portion, or bellows, of the user&#39;s ski boot. The rear binding is released and may simply rest on the top of the ski, or may be completely removed, while striding or ascending. When engaged, the cables or rods and springs are parallel with the length of the ski boot and the lever is positioned near the middle of the boot heel and pulled into an upright locked position, tensioning the springs. This engagement creates a stiffening effect that provides the user with some additional control for the trailing ski during a telemark turn. With the pivot point of the cable binding moved reward, a greater portion of the user&#39;s boot remains in contact with the ski, this precludes the user from dropping into a “deep” telemark turn and forces the user to execute the telemark turn in a better “high T” form. The increased contact area of the boot on the trailing ski provides substantially improved control and stability over a flexible binding in a traditional arrangement. The location of the cable mounting block or blocks can be moved forward or back to change the contact point with the boot, changing the activeness of the ski. Additionally, the height of the cable mounting blocks can be changed to compensate for a different tech style front binding or to change the ramp angle for the binding assembly or the angle of the boot bottom from toe to the flexible bellows point. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the front tech style binding is equipped for a rough release. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the front tech style binding is equipped with a calibrated release, determined by the weight and skiing performance of the user. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the front tech style binding is equipped with a lock-out feature to prevent release. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the rear binding cable or rods, and springs extend from the mounting point, around opposite sides of the outside of the ski boot, and engage the boot heel with a cam-over lever. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the rear binding cable or rods and springs extend toward the heel underneath the sole of the ski boot or in an underfoot position. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the rear binding cable and springs is a single stranded tensioning assembly positioned underfoot allowing for weight reduction of the overall assembly. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the rear binding engages the boot at a “second heel” located in the arch of the foot region between the toe and the traditional rear heel. The “second heel” is an additional ledge added to the boot sole to allow the rear cables to attach to the middle of the foot. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the rear binding assembly is removable to reduce weight while ascending. 
     One embodiment of the present invention includes a heel pad to allow the user to completely engage the ski in a substantially level boot position. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the heel pad is second height allowing the user to adjust ramp angle of the binding assembly and feel of the ski. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the mounting block or mounting blocks are a first height to correspond with the height of the tech style front binding and heel pad. In another embodiment of the present invention, the mounting block or mounting blocks are a second height to correspond with the height with a different tech style front binding and heel pad. The mounting block height can be used to modify the ramp angle and feel of the binding assembly. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the mounting blocks are in fixed position. In another embodiment of the present invention, the mounting blocks are moveable, allowing the user to facilitate fitting the binding to a different boot size, to readily change rear bind cable tension and to adjust the activeness of the ski. The mounting blocks may also have multiple locations to hold the heel connecting rods, allowing the user to modify the amount of resistance provided by the real heel attachment. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the front tech style binding, the mounting blocks for the cable style rear binding and the heel pad are mounted independently on the top surface of a ski. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the front tech style binding, the mounting blocks for the cable style rear binding and the heel pad are mounted on a plate system, which is attached to the top surface of the ski, allowing for precision mounting tolerances. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the mounted plate system allows the user to adjust the binding size and adjust the position of the binding assembly longitudinally to change skier weight distribution and skiing characteristics. 
     It is contemplated to manufacture the Telemark Tech System Ski Binding of the present invention using conventional materials, such as, steel, aluminum, titanium, plastics or composite material. However, the assembly may be manufactured using any acceptable material or materials currently known or yet to be developed. 
     These and other features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth and will become more fully apparent in the detailed description that follows and in the appended claims. The features and advantages may be realized and obtained by the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Furthermore, the features and advantages of the disclosure may be learned by the practice of the methods or will be obvious from the description, as set forth hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The following description of the embodiments can be understood in light of the Figures, which illustrate specific aspects of the embodiments and are part of the specification. Together with the following description, the Figures demonstrate and explain the principles of the embodiments. In the Figures the physical dimensions of the embodiment may be exaggerated for clarity. The same reference numerals in different drawings represent the same element, and thus their descriptions may be omitted. 
         FIG. 1 , is a telemark tech system ski binding assembly; 
         FIG. 2 , is a telemark tech system ski binding showing the ski boot in a flexed full rotating position; 
         FIG. 3 , is a telemark tech system ski binding fully engaged with a ski boot; 
         FIG. 4A , is an orthogonal view of a cable mounting block; 
         FIG. 4B , is a cable mounting block of a first height, 
         FIG. 4C , is a cable mounting block of a second height, 
         FIG. 4D , is a cable mounting block having multiple cable connection slots, and; 
         FIG. 5 , is one embodiment of a unitized binding mounting plate. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is one embodiment of the present invention, or more specifically, a telemark tech system ski binding  100 , having a tech style front binding assembly  110  and rear binding assembly  120 . Tech style front binding  100  including, two cantilevered upright members  111  biased toward a closed or engaged position with springs  113 , a lateral pin  112  near the top portion of each of the upright members  111  is configured to engage a reciprocal socket or hole (not shown) in the toe of the user&#39;s boot. Upright levers  111  may be positioned horizontally, however they are still spring loaded to engage the boot sockets in the same manner as the vertical levers. The functional components of the tech style front binding  110  are assembled on base  116 . The upright members  111 , with lateral pins  112  are moved into a closed or engaged position with the user&#39;s boot by actuating lever  115 . The rear binding assembly  120  includes, cable mounting blocks or block  121 , cable or flexible rod  120 , internal compression spring adjustment assembly  123 , cable and spring assembly  124  and heel lever  125 . Both binding assemblies  110  and  120  may be independently attached to the top surface  202  of ski  200  or the binding assemblies  110  and  120  can be prepositioned on a unitized mounting plate (not shown) and mounted on ski  200 . The height of cable mounting blocks  121  may vary depending on the model or style of the tech style front binding  110  and the heel pad  130 . 
       FIG. 2  shows one embodiment of the tech system ski binding  100  with ski boot  300  shown in a flexed freely rotating, gliding or climbing position. The toe  301  of ski boot  300  includes sockets or holes (not shown) which correspond with lateral pins  112  of front binding  110 , with the lateral pins  112  engaged with the boot sockets, and the rear binding assembly  120  disengaged, the user&#39;s boot is fully rotatable from a relaxed down position, where the sole  303  of boot  300  is substantially parallel with the top surface  202  of ski  200 , to a fully articulated flexed position, where the sole  303  of boot  300  is perpendicular or slightly past perpendicular with the top surface  202  of ski  200 . Free rotational movement allows the user to efficiently glide or lift the ski when ascending a slope. In one embodiment of the present invention, or the tech system ski binding  100 , the rear binding assembly  120  is configured to allow connection to a “second heel”  305  located on the sole of the ski boot  300  just forward of the mid-sole. 
       FIG. 3  shows one embodiment of the tech system ski binding  100  with the rear binding assembly  120  engaged for a telemark descent. Prior to descent the user will place heel lever  125  over the platform of boot heel  302  and lift the lever  125  into a locked position. This position, tensions internal compression spring assembly  123  providing a stiffening effect to boot  300  and prevents torsional movement of boot  300  in regards to the longitudinal axis of the ski  200 . The tension in springs  123  provides the user an improved level of control for the trailing ski during a telemark turn. Additionally, the cable mounting blocks  121  of the rear binding assembly  120  are mounted further back from the toe than a traditional telemark cable binding. When the rear binding  120  is in an engaged position, the mounting blocks  121  force the pivot point of the user&#39;s boot  300  to a position directly under the ball of the user&#39;s foot or the phalangeal metatarsal joints, which position, also corresponds to the flex point or bellows  330  of boot  300 . Placing the pivot point of the boot  300  further back, inherently creates increased contact pressure, illustrated as force zone F, between the boot sole  303 , front binding  110  and cable mounting block  121 . The increased force F is translated directly to ski  200  providing the user with additional control. 
       FIG. 4A  is an orthogonal view of the cable mounting block  121 , having cable hole  1211  and mounting holes  1212 . It is contemplated that cable mounting block  121  may be used in pairs or used as a larger singular block  121 .  FIG. 4B  is a front view of a cable mounting block  121  of a first height, while  FIG. 4C  is a cable mounting block  121 A of a second height. The height of cable mounting block can be changed to correspond with height of different tech style front bindings  110  and heel plate assemblies  130  or to effect ramp angle of the binding assembly  100 .  FIG. 4D  is a cable mounting block  121 B with multiple cable slots  1213 , allowing the user to adjust the cable  122  loop for user boot  300  size and to change spring  123  tension. Mounting blocks  121  can be mounted forward and aft on the ski  200  and can be mounted at any width to provide the user maximum torsional control of the ski  200  edge. The split mounting block  121  pairs, allow the telemark tech ski binding  100  to accommodate narrow, as well as, modern wide skis  200 . 
       FIG. 5  shows one embodiment of the present invention having a unitized binding mounting plate  1300  allowing the tech system ski binding  100  to be mounted directly to mounting plate  1300  and be moved from one set of skis to another in an assembled and adjusted form. The mounting plate  1300  includes, plate mounting holes  1310 , front binding mounting holes  1320 , rear heel block or binding mounting holes  1330  and a plurality of mounting block holes  1340  allowing the user to adjust the position of mounting block  121 . Holes  1320 ,  1330  and  1340  may be threaded to receive a screw. Mounting holes configuration are by example only, with hole arrangement in mounting plate  1300  variable by binding type and model. 
     It is to be understood that the above mentioned arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present disclosure. Numerous modifications or alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the present disclosure has been shown in the drawings and described above with particularity and detail, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein.