Patent Publication Number: US-7216890-B2

Title: Ski binding

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to ski bindings. More particularly, the present invention relates to a dual front cable binding. 
   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, cables, or plates which secure a user onto a ski/board. Over time these straps, cables, or plates will often wear down and possibly break 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 binding&#39;s ability to maintain tension is a factor in the bindings overall performance. The performance of a binding is also affected by the ability of a binding to reliably secure a user&#39;s foot in a wide variety of circumstances. For example, if a binding fails (releases a user&#39;s foot from a ski/board) in an undesirable situation, it is thought to be unreliable. Therefore, it is also desirable for a binding to maximize its overall performance. 
   There is a need in the industry for a binding that is capable of maximizing performance and life span by enabling the cables or straps to be replaceable. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to an improved telemark ski binding. More particularly, the present invention relates to a dual front cable under-foot telemark binding. The two front cables attach to a linkage point within the toe-receiving portion. The front cables are also designed to be easily replaceable by a consumer thereby extending the overall lifespan of the binding. In addition, the coupling between the two front cables and the resistance mechanism cartridges includes a unique rotational and lateral chocking mechanism that prevents inadvertent adjustment. 
   In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a unique telemark ski binding that allows for replaceable dual front cables on an under-foot binding. Under-foot bindings provide significant performance advantages over other types of telemark bindings but have traditionally suffered from reliability and misalignment problems. The under-foot binding of the present invention maintains the advantages of an under-foot binding while eliminating the problems suffered by other under-foot bindings. The dual front cables are inserted through a resistance mechanism cartridge and then releasably coupled to the front of the binding. The rear end of the cable is chocked both axially and rotationally within the cartridge. The unique rotational chocking further prevents the resistance mechanism cartridge from inadvertently loosening or releasing during use. The dual front cable design also prevents the binding from becoming misaligned and inadvertently releasing as a result. 
   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 an exploded view of the front portion of one embodiment of a binding in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of an assembled binding in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a bottom view of the binding illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a detailed view of the front bottom portion of the binding illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a cartridge for use with a binding in accordance with the present invention; and 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a detailed cross-sectional view of the front portion of the cartridge illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to an improved telemark ski binding. More particularly, the present invention relates to a dual front cable under-foot telemark binding. The two front cables are releasably secured to a linkage point within the toe-receiving portion. The front cables are also designed to be easily replaceable by a consumer thereby extending the overall lifespan of the binding. In addition, the coupling between the two front cables and the resistance mechanism cartridges includes a unique rotational and lateral chocking mechanism that prevents inadvertent adjustment while allowing for the convenient replacement of the cables. While embodiments of the present invention are directed to ski binding technology, it will be appreciated that the teaching of the present invention are also applicable to other areas. 
   Reference is initially made to  FIG. 1 , which illustrates an exploded view of the front portion of a ski binding in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The exploded front portion includes a toe-receiving portion  160 , a linkage  162 , a first and second cartridge  140 ,  180 , and a first and second cable  150 ,  170 . The toe-receiving portion  160  is designed to conform to the general shape of the front portion of a ski boot. The illustrated embodiment of a toe-receiving portion includes a bottom surface  166 , two side surfaces  165 , and a top retaining surface  164 . The various surfaces  166 ,  165 ,  164  are designed to receive the toe portion of a ski boot and constrain its movement. The entire toe-receiving portion  160  is attached to a ski below the bottom surface  166 . The term “ski” is used broadly to include any snow travel device including but not limited to a telemark ski, a cross-country ski, an alpine ski, a splitboard, a sled ski track, etc. Various other surface configurations may be used on the toe-receiving portion  160  and remain consistent with the present invention. 
   The linkage  162  is a cable end retaining device that is disposed at the front portion of the toe-receiving portion  160  as illustrated. The linkage  162  is fitted below the bottom surface  166  such that the two cables  150 ,  170  can be routed below the bottom surface  166  and coupled to the linkage  162  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Other under-foot telemark bindings use a single cable that is simply wrapped around the front of the toe receiving portion. The linkage  162  includes two substantially hollow recesses that allow the cables to be axially chocked within the linkage  162 . Once chocked within the linkage  162 , the cable ends are prevented from axially moving away from the linkage  162 . The linkage  162  is fixably secured to the toe-receiving portion  160 . The illustrated dual-cable and linkage system overcomes problems with prior art under-foot bindings and prevents the cables from slipping out of alignment. 
   The cartridges  140 ,  180  include resistance mechanisms and cable attachment mechanisms which are described in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The cartridges  140 ,  180  are designed to allow the cables  150 ,  170  to extend through one end and be retained or chocked internally near the other end. This drop-in style attachment system allows the cables  150 ,  170  to be easily replaceable while minimizing the size of the connection between the cartridges  140 ,  180  and the cables  150 ,  170 . The cables  150 ,  170  include a linkage end  154 ,  174  and a cartridge end  152 ,  172 . The linkage ends  154 ,  174  are extended through the cartridges  140 ,  180 , below the bottom surface  166  of the toe receiving portion  160 , and coupled to the linkage  162  in the manner described above. The cartridge ends  152 ,  172  are rotationally and axially chocked within the cartridge as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
   Reference is next made to  FIG. 2 , which illustrates a perspective view of an assembled binding in accordance with the present invention, designated generally at  200 . The cartridges  140 ,  180  are also coupled to a rear cable or wire  260  in order to secure the cartridges to the heel attachment mechanism. The heel attachment mechanism includes a heel throw  250 , a first rigid connector  220 , and a second rigid connector  230 . The first and second rigid connector  220 ,  230  are coupled to the rear cable or wire  260  via a connection member  210 . The heel connection system  250 ,  220 ,  230  is designed to snap over a horizontal protrusion on the rear portion of a ski boot while allowing the cables  150 ,  170  and the cartridges  140 ,  180  to remain below the ski boot. The heel throw  250  creates a mechanical lever arm allowing a user to extend the resistance mechanisms within the cartridges and snap the heel connection system  250 ,  220 ,  230  around the ski boot. 
   The illustrated binding  200  also includes a heel plate  270  fixably secured to the ski. The heel plate is not attached to the heel connection system  250 ,  220 ,  230  enabling a user&#39;s heel to pivot freely when coupled to the binding. The heel plate  270  prevents a user&#39;s heel from dropping below the level of the user&#39;s toe. In the illustrated embodiment, the heel plate  270  is approximately the height of the lower surface  166  of the toe retaining portion  160 . The heel plate  270  may also include one or more risers  240 . The risers  240  can be raised during climbing to minimize the effort required to climb a particular hill. 
   Reference is next made to  FIG. 3 , which illustrates a bottom view of the binding illustrated in  FIG. 2 . This view illustrates the routing of the cables  150 ,  170  between the linkage  162  and the cartridges  140 ,  180 . The cables  150 ,  170  are coupled to the linkage  162  in a chocking configuration and then routed below a substantial portion of the toe receiving portion  160 , as shown. The cables  150 ,  170  are routed through individual recesses in the toe receiving portion and then coupled to the cartridges  140 ,  180 , as shown. The connection mechanism between the cables  150 ,  170  and the cartridges  140 ,  180  is a rotational and axial chocking system which will be described in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The cartridges  140 ,  180  are also coupled to a rear cable or wire  260 . The rear cable or wire  260  is fitted through a connection member  210  which is coupled to the heel connection system  250 ,  220 ,  230  described above. The toe plate  270  and riser  240  are not connected to the remainder of the binding  200  in any manner. 
   Reference is next made to  FIG. 4 , which illustrates a detailed view of the front bottom portion of the binding illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The illustrated embodiment of the chocking connection system between the linkage ends  154 ,  174  of the cables  150 ,  170  and the linkage  162  is shown. The linkage ends  154 ,  174  are slotted into the linkage and coupled via an axial wedge, as shown. Alternative connection systems between the cables  150 ,  170  and the linkage  162  could also be implemented and remain consistent with the present invention. 
   Reference is next made to  FIG. 5 , which illustrates a cross-sectional view of a cartridge for use with a binding in accordance with the present invention. The cartridge  140  includes an entrance connector  330 , an outer housing  340 , an internal flared tube  350 , a resistance mechanism  320 , and an exit connector  310 . The entrance connector  330  provides a mechanism for attaching the cartridge  140  to a cable or wire. The most common form of entrance connector  330  is a female threaded receiver that is capable of connecting to a male threaded connector disposed on the cable or wire. Other types of entrance connectors  330  may be utilized and remain consistent with the present invention. The entrance connector  330 , in the present invention, must provide a channel through which the cable  150  can be dropped through. Therefore, the channel must be large enough to allow both the linkage end (not shown) and the cartridge end  152  of the cable  150  to pass through. The illustrated embodiment of the entrance connector  330  includes a female threaded receiver disposed within receiving end  351  of the flared tube  350 . 
   The outer housing  340  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 impact forces on the resistance mechanism  320  and the connectors  330 ,  310  to maintain reliability of the cartridge  140 . The term “resistance mechanism” is used broadly to include but not be limited to a spring, an elastomer member, etc. The outer housing  340  may include various identification marks indicating the type of connection system and the strength of the resistance mechanism  320 . 
   The flared tube  350  is shaped like an elongated cylinder or tube with a receiving end  351  and a flared end  352 . The receiving end  351  is disposed within the entrance connector  330  and the flared end  352  is disposed such that it abuts against the exit connector  310 , as shown. The resistance mechanism  320  biases the flared end  352  of the flared tube  350  against the exit connector  310 . The flared end  352  also includes some form of releasable connection with the outer housing  340  and/or the exit connector  310 . The releasable connector includes but is not limited to a friction connector, a key connector, etc. The receiving end  351  is configured to be coupled to a cable or wire via a threaded connection system. Therefore, when the cartridge is under load, the resistance mechanism  320  is compressed by the flared end  352  of the flared tube  350  thereby disengaging the connection between the flared end  352  and the outer housing  340  and/or the exit connector  310 . If the entrance connector  330  utilizes a threaded connector, it is necessary to disengage the ability to release the entrance connector  330  when the cartridge is under load to prevent inadvertent adjustment or release during use. 
   The exit connector  310  includes a unique tapering and connection system for coupling the cartridge end  152  of the cable  150  to the cartridge  140 . After the cable  150  is dropped through the cartridge, the cartridge end  152  is chocked axially within the taper of the exit connector  310 , as shown. In addition to axially chocking the cartridge end  152  of the cable  150  within the exit connector, the exit connector also rotationally chocks the cartridge end  152  of the cable  150  thereby preventing it from rotating within the cartridge. The system for creating rotational chocking of the cable  150  includes but is not limited to frictional chocking, key-socket chocking, etc. If the entrance connector  330  is a threaded connector, the rotational chocking of the cable  150  at the exit connector  310 , further prevents the entrance pulley from inadvertently loosening or releasing. 
   Reference is next made to  FIG. 6 , which illustrates a detailed cross-sectional view of the front portion of the cartridge illustrated in  FIG. 5 . This figure more clearly illustrates the axial chocking of the cartridge end  152  of the cable  150  within the exit connector  310 . In addition to the cartridge end  152 , the cable  150  further includes a wire core  156 , and an exterior coating  158 . 
   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.