Patent ID: 7246812

Claim:
In a ski binding adapted to maintain the toe of a ski boot in association with a ski while permitting the heel of the ski boot to elevate with respect to a top surface of the ski, the improvement comprising: a linkage assembly disposed in association between: a toe piece arranged to hold a toe portion of a ski boot; and a heel retainer configured and arranged for engagement with structure associated with a heel portion of said ski boot; wherein: said linkage assembly is adapted to bias said heel retainer effective, when said ski boot is installed in said binding, to urge said toe portion of said ski boot toward contact with structure associated with said toe piece; and said linkage assembly comprises a pre-loaded spring assembly, wherein said spring assembly comprises: a core adapted for attachment to structure of said linkage assembly; and a first compression spring mounted substantially coaxially with, and external to, said core and disposed in a state of compression prior to installation of said ski boot into said binding.