US3489424A - Safety ski binding - Google Patents

Description

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 \l i... .11 y

war v E. GERTSCH ET AL SAFETY SKI BINDING Jan. 13,

Filed Oct. 12, 1967 INVENTOR I SiwkGsbJv i Lk ck GaisL Jan. 13, 1970 E. GERTSCH 'ETAL SAFETY SKI- BINDING Filed 001;. 12, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS 58 st gmewz 5-1 L E. GERTSCH ET AL Jan. 13, 1970 SAFETY SKI BINDING 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

Filed Oct. 12, 196'? INVENTOR, 6 m! 5: 4120A @N mm mm m .8 Km 1m & mm

United States Patent SAFETY SKI BINDING Ernst Gertsch, Sporthaus Central, and Ulrich Gertsch, Chalet Lauberhorn, both of Wengen, Switzerland Filed Oct. 12, 1967, Ser. No. 674,966 Claims priority, application Switzerland, Oct. 20, 1966, 15,168/66; May 18, 1967, 6,986/67 Int. Cl. A63c 9/086, 9/00 US. Cl. 28011.35 17 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A safety ski binding which comprises a release plate capable of being attached to the ski boot, and at least one locking mechanism which cooperates with the release plate at the region of the tip of the ski boot. The locking mechanism incorporates a locking element which includes a pin member engaging with the release plate as well as a substantially ring-shaped shoulder portion which engages behind a substantially ring-shaped internal flange of a sleeve member. A pressure spring is accommodated in the sleeve member and has one end acting upon the locking element. The other end of such pressure spring bears against an adjusting element mounted at the sleeve member and in such a manner that the pin member of the locking element which protrudes past the sleeve member and engages with the release plate can be pivoted to all sides out of its central position against the action of the adjustable spring force in order to release the ski binding.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improved safety binding for skis.

The safety ski bindings which are presently known, and 0f the type wherein their locking mechanisms either engage directly at the ski boot or at metal fittings of the ski boot, do not provide sufficient safety against accidents for the reason that the release of the locking mechanism is dependent upon different, variable factors. Thus, the coeificient of friction between the'sole of the boot and the supportwhich is of importance during lateral or sideward releaseis dependent upon the material and the profile of the boot, also upon the wetness conditions, the conditions of snow, ice, dirt as well as upon the pressure which is exerted by the skier. Furthermore, the form of the boot can change appreciably owing to the action of cold, heat and dampness, whereby, for instance, the soles of the boots can flex upwards, twist or shorten. Moreover, the ski boots can be changed due to mechanical influences. All of these factors which incluence the release of the safety ski binding should be taken into consideration during the adjustment or setting of the binding. However, as a practical matter this is not possible. Therefore, it is impossible to prevent that under certain conditions the binding is either adjusted too hard or too soft. A setting of the binding which is too hard can result in accidents when falling on the skis. On the other hand, a too soft setting, that is one which opens too easily, can result in a premature release of the binding, and therefore, can cause unnecessary falls. Furthermore, it ise desirable that the binding only need be re-set as little as possible, and most desirably only one time.

Now, in order to prevent the aforementioned variable factors, safety ski bindings have become known to the art which are of the type having a release plate which is capable of being attached to the boot and at least one locking mechanism at the region of the boot tip which cooperates with such release plate. However, the known ski bindings incorporating release plates are relatively complicated. Furthermore, they possess the additional drawback that they are not able to cope with all of the forces which occur during falling on the skis, which forces have different points of attack and are quite different in their direction. Thus, for instance, the known ski bindings do not release in the presence of a force which, with a twisted, stuck ski, strives to laterally tilt the ski boot with respect to the ski. Furthermore, during a fall in the forward direction, with the previously known ski bindings a pressure was exerted upon the lateral locking mechanism so that with a combined falling motion towards the front and torsionally the binding no longer operated reliably. Since with most falls there occur combined tilting movements towards the front and sides or towards the rear and sides, as well as torsional movements, the binding should be able to respond to forces which act in random direction. Additionally, with the known safety ski bindings the point of rotation of the boot during a lateral release is located either at the region of the heel or the tip of the boot, in other words, is fixed so that during a fall the applied force is divided and the component of the force acting upon the locking mechanism is, under certain situations, not sufficient to release the binding.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved safety ski binding which effectively overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art structures previously considered.

Still, further significant object of the present invention relates to an improved ski binding which is relatively simple in construction, extremely reliable in operation, easy to use and to set to a desired release action, and capable of coping with varying climatic and other conditions which the skier encounters without adversely affecting the release setting.

Another significant object of this invention relates to an improved ski binding which is capable of quickly opening when falling on the skis and during application of a desired release force, in order to effectively prevent injury to the skier.

A further important object of this invention relates to an improved ski binding which can open irrespective of the point of application and the direction of the applied release force.

Yet a further effective object of the present invention is the provision of an improved safety ski binding which is easy to adjust to a desired release force, retains its adjustment throughout varying conditions encountered by the skier, and particularly wherein the release operation is not appreciably influenced by variations in the external conditions such as changes in weather, snow, dampness, and so forth.

Now, in order to implement these and still further objects of the invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the inventive safety ski binding comprises a release plate capable of being fixedly secured or retained at the ski boot and at least one locking mechanism cooperating with the release plate at the region at the tip of the boot. This locking mechanism incorporates a locking element including a pin member which engages with the release plate and a substantially ring-shaped or annular shoulder which engages behind a substantially ring-shaped internal flange of a sleeve member. A pressure spring is housed in the sleeve member and has one end acting upon the locking element. The other end of the pressure spring bears against an adjustment element mounted at the sleeve member and in such a manner that the pin member of the locking element which projects past the sleeve member and engages with the release plate can be pivoted to all sides out of its central position against the adjustable spring force in order to release the binding. Consequently, the binding can be released by forces which act upon it in random direction. Furthermore, this ski binding is of simple construction and is not dependent upon variable factors.

The release plate can only extend past the forward portion of the sole of the ski boot and can only cooperate at its front portion with a locking mechanism, whereas such release plate at its rear engages by means of an inclined or beveled surface in a corresponding recess of a plate member which is secured to the ski.

Furthermore, the release plate can also extend over the entire length of the boot and can cooperate at the front and rear with a respective locking mechanism. Due to this type of arrangement the point of rotation of the boot is not fixed during lateral or sidewards release, rather can be disposed at any location between both of the locking mechanisms, depending upon the position of the body during a fall, so that in this case the forces which occur during a fall act completely upon the locking mechanism. In so doing, it is advantageous if the rear locking mechanism is constructed identical to the front locking mechanism.

It should be understood that the release plate can be formed of metal and can be provided at its undersurface with a plastic coating or covering, for instance formed of Teflon in order to reduce friction.

The release plate can be formed completely of plastic and can be fitted to the shape and size of the ski boot. Additionally, such release plate can be provided with a side wall along its periphery and bearing against the marginal edge of the sole of the ski boot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood, and objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent, when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein generally the same reference numerals or characters have usually been employed to denote the same or analogous elements, and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of inventive ski binding;

FIGURE 2 is a side view of the ski binding and ski shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the locking mechanism depicted in FIGURE 1 and showing the locking element in its central position;

FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal sectional view, similar to that of FIGURE 3, but depicting the locking element in a pivoted position;

FIGURES 5, 6 and 7 are views similar to FIG. 3; respectively illustrating modification of the mounting or supporting of the locking element in the associated sleeve member;

FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of inventive ski binding;

FIGURE 9 is a side view of the ski binding and ski shown in FIGURE 8;

FIGURE is a top plan view of a third embodiment of inventive ski binding;

FIGURE 11 is a vertical section-a1 view through the pivot bearing of the ski binding shown in FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 12 is a top plan view of' a fourth embodiment of inventive ski binding;

FIGURE 13 is a side view of the ski binding and ski shown in FIGURE 12;

FIGURE 14 is a cross sectional view through the ski of FIGURE 12, showing the boot plate as viewed from the front;

FIGURE is a bottom view of a plate member which can be adjustably mounted to the ski;

FIGURE 16 is a modified form of the plate member shown in FIGURE 15; and

4 FIGURE 17 is a side view of an embodiment of release plate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Directing attention now to the drawings, in the embodi ment of safety ski binding depicted in FIGURES 1 and 2, a locking mechanism 2 is secured to the front of the ski 1 and at the rear thereof there is attached a holding plate member 3. A release plate 4 is latched or otherwise engaged, as will be explained further hereinafter between the locking mechanism 2 and the plate member 3. This release plate 4 extends throughout approximately threequarters of the length of the boot. In the exemplary embodiment this release plate 4 is formed of metal and can be provided at its underside, for the purpose of reducing the friction between the release plate 4 and the ski 1, with a coating or covering formed of plastic, preferably Teflon. Continuing, it will be recognized that this release plate 4 is provided at its front region with an upwardly projecng edge 5 having at the top thereof flap members 6 at each side which are inwardly flexed. These inwardly flexed flap members 6 serve to engage over the sole of the ski boot and to fixedly hold or retain such at front or tip. Further, it will be recognized that small holding or retaining plates 7 are secured to the flap members 6 by means of a respective screw 8 or equivalent fastening expedient. The small retaining plates 7 possess a slot 9, as best shown in FIGURE 2, by means of which they can be slipped onto the flap members 6. As will be best recognized by inspecting FIGURE 2, the aforementioned slot 9 is displaced or oifset somewhat with respect to the center, or so that both of the small holding plates 7 can be mounted at the associated flap member 6 exchangeably and in a reversed manner. Consequently, there are provided two different height adjustments for the boot sole which is to be fixedly retained. A third height adjustment is provided by the flap members 6 themselves after removing the small plates 7. In this manner it is possible to fixedly retain different thickness of boot soles for instance thicknesses of-18, 21 and 24 millimeters.

At the upper surface of the release plate 4 there is additionally secured a retaining or holding bracket 10 by means of the screws 11 or the like. The side portions 12 of this holding bracket are located at an inclination to the lengthwise direction of the associated ski 1 and they serve to impart to the ski boot at the front an additional lateral support. A standard heel grip or clamp unit 13 is suspended in apertures or holes 14a of the side portions of a holding bracket 14. This holding bracket 14 is located in a recessed portion 15 at the underside of the release plate 4, and it is attached by means of screws 16 or the like to this release plate 4. The screws 16 piercingly extend through elongate holes 17 at the release plate 4, so that the holding bracket 14 can be selectively displaced in longitudinal direction, depending upon the size of the boot, after releasing the screws 16. Since, furthermore, the elongate holes 17 are displaced or offset somewhat to the center, it is possible to change to a certain degree the lateral position of the side portions of this holding bracket 14 by reversing the latter, so that it is ossible to change the centering of the heel of the boot somewhat with respect to the longitudinal center of the associated ski. Additional- 3', it will be recognized that at the side portions of the holding bracket 14 there are provided eyelets 18 through which there can be threaded, if desired, a standard longor instep leather strap or the like, as is known with the use of skis. Further, it is to be understood that a pin member or plug 19 of the locking mechanism 2 cooperates with the release plate 4, and the details of which are more fully disclosed in FIGURES 3 and 4.

Referring now to FIGURES 3 and 4, it will be seen that the pin member 19 forms one end of a locking element 19, 20, 21. ThlS pm member 19 is formed at one end of an arched central portion 20 Which, in turn, merges with a substantially circular or annular-shaped shoulder portion 21 and a spherical segment 22. The shoulder portion 21 engages behind a substantially ring-shaped internal flange 23 which is located at one end of a sleeve member 24 in which there is displaceably guided a piston member 25. At the center of this piston member 25 there is provided a depression or recess 26 capable of receiving a central, spherical-shaped cam or projection 27 provided at the apex of the spherical segment 22. A pressure spring member 29 is mounted between the piston member 25 and an adjusting screw 28 or the like. This adjusting screw or element 28 possesses external threading and is threaded into an internal threaded portion of the sleeve member 24, as best seen by referring to FIGURE 3. A spacer ring 30 is mounted between the adjusting screw 28 and the sleeve member 24, in order to fix or determine the adjusting screw 28 in its threaded position. So that the adjusting screw 28 can be fixed in different adjustment positions, there are employed different colored rings 30 formed of plastic, for instance, for example a narrow red ring, a wide blue ring, and so forth. Additionally, an attachment flange 31 is located at the sleeve member 24 and the upper surface of this attachment flange 31 is serrated and is secured at each side to the associated ski 1 by means of two small support plates which are serrated at the underside and further by means of the screws 33.

Now, FIGURES 5, 6 and 7 depict three modifications of the support of mounting of the locking element 19, 20 21 in the associated sleeve member 24. In these various modifications the pin member 19, the middle or central portion 20, and the ring-shaped shoulder portion 21 are constructed identical to the corresponding portions shown in the embodiment of FIGURE 3. As seen by referring to FIGURE 5, the locking element 19, 20, 21 possesses a cone portion 34 with a rounded apex or tip 35 in lieu of the spherical section 22. This cone portion 34 with the rounded tip 35 cooperates with the flat end face of piston member 25 which is displaceable in the sleeve member 24.

In FIGURE 6 the locking element 19, 20, 21 possesses a cone portion 36 which is equipped with a sphercial cam or projection 37 at its apex or tip, and this cam 37 enters into a recess or depression 38 at the center of the piston 25. So that in this instance the locking element 19, 20, 21 can pivot to any side, it must initially inwardly displace the piston member 25 against the action of the spring 29. Accordingly, the locking element 19, 20, 21 is thus blocked in its central or middle position, until a larger force comes into play. Then, when the cam 37 moves out of the recess 38, the locking element 19, 20, 21 pivots relatively easy until the surface of the cone portion 36 comes to bear flatly against the front end of the piston member 25. A larger force is then necessary for the further outward rocking of the locking element 19, 20, 21 until it releases.

In the further embodiment according to FIGURE 7, the locking element 19, 20, 21 is provided at its inner end with a flat end portion 39, and the piston member 25 possesses a cone surface 40 having a rounded tip or apex 41 which cooperates with the planar end surface 39.

A recess 55 with a stepped raised portion 56 is provided at the front of the release plate 4 at a flap member or bracket 54. This recess 55 together with its stepped raised portion 56 cooperates wtih the pin member 19 of the locking element 19, 20, 21. The rear end of the release plate 4 is provided with a bevelled or slanted portion 58 (FIGURE 2) which engages in a corresponding recess 3a provided at the plate member 3 which is secured to the ski 1 by means of the screws 59 or the like.

The manner of operation of the examplary embodiment of ski binding depicted in FIGURES l-7 is as follows:

The release plate 4 is normally fixedly retained at the ski 1 through the action of the locking pin member 19 of the front locking mechanism 2 and the engagement of the downwardly inclined bevelled surface 58 in the correspondingly shaped recess 3a of the rear plate 3. In order to ski each boot of the skier is connected with the associated release plate 4, in that the boot sole is introduced or inserted beneath the flap members 6 or the small retaining plates 7, and thereafter the heel clamp unit 13 is fixedly tightened about the heel of the boot. During skiing the locking element 19, 20, 21 can pivot somewhat against the action of the pressure spring member 29, whereby the adjustment screw 28 must be adjusted in such a manner that during normal skiing this locking element 19, 20, 21 does not rock or pivot to such an extent that the release plate 4 is released. Consequently, during skiing there exists an elastic pivotal range or zone for the locking element 19, 20, 21 which provides the marked advantage that forces or impacts which occur within this range during skiing do not bring about release of the binding.

Only upon the occurrence of a pronounced torsion or a pronounced traction or tension towards the top, which appears during a fall on the skis, is the aforementioned pivotal range exceeded and the binding released. Since the spring member 29 of the locking mechanism 2 is relatively long and quite strong, there is hardly any change in its characteristics during use of the binding. Consequently, it contributes a factor for providing constant release conditions. Due to the resilient support of the release plate 4 the ski is not stiffened by such release plate. During a fall the force exerted upon the locking pin member 19 is considerably increased, and indeed, these forces are applied to such pin member 19 in different ways and in dif ferent directions, depending upon the type of fall. Thus, for instance, with a fall towards the rear, the locking pin member 19 is pushed upwards. On the other hand, if the body of the skier is twisted during falling, then the pin member 19 is rocked to the relevant side. In all of these situations and with too great an application of load to the binding the locking pin member 19 is rocked to such an extent that it moves out of the associated recess 56 of the release plate 4 and the latter then is released from the ski 1.

Owing to the bevelled surface 58 at the rear end of the release plate 4 which engages with the recess 3a of the plate member 3, there is additionally rendered possible, at this location, a release of the release plate 4 towards the top and towards the side. During such release the release plate 4 is pushed towards the front and compresses the spring member 29 of the forward locking mechanism 2. In so doing, the release hardness is determined by the steepness of the bevelled or inclined surface 58 as well as the pressure of the spring member 29. The latching or engagement of the release plate 4 takes place in the manner that the release plate 4 which is raised at the rear is displaced towards the front until the pin member 19 of the locking mechanism 2 enters into the recess 55 and lies over the stepped raised portion 56. During the subsequent downward movement of the rear portion of the release plate 4 such is displaced forwardly to such an extent that the inclined or bevelled surface 58 comes to lie directly in front of the recess 3a of the plate member 3. Hence, during rearward displacement of the release plate 4 the bevelled surface 58 enters into the recess 3a and the pin member 19 slides off of the raised portion 56, so that the release plate 4 assumes the depicted latched or engaged position.

Since with this ski binding there is only required a locking mechanism 2 with a pressure spring 28 and locking pin member 19, and since the release plate 4 is shorter than the boot, this ski binding is relatively simple, inexpensive and of light construction. Also, the tightness or hardness adjustment of the binding is simple because only one adjustment element is provided. Furthermore, the inventive ski binding can release both forwardly as well as rearwardly and for the lateral release it possesses a respective point of rotation both at the heel as well as at the tip of the boot.

In the embodiment of ski binding depicted in FIGURES 8 and 9 the rear locking mechanism 2 as well as the front locking mechanism 2 are secured to the ski 1 by means of screws 33 or the like. As can be seen, and as should be clearly understood, in this embodiment both of the locking mechanisms 2 are of similar construction. The release plate 48 consists completely of plastic and is exactly fitted to the shape and size of the sole of the ski boot. This release plate 48 is provided with a side wall means 49 along the entire periphery and which bears against the marginal edge of the sole of the boot and serves to stiffen the release plate 48. This lateral or side wall means 48 is formed with holes or openings 50 through which the snow can depart or be removed. Further, at the rear portion of the side wall means 49 which engages over the heel of the boot there extends inwardly from its upper end a retaining or holding portion 51 which engages over the heel and fixedly holds the latter. At the forward portion of the release plate 48 there is mounted a strap or band unit 52 which can be closed by means of a buckle member 53. Because of the provision of the holding portion 51 and the strap or band member 52 with the buckle 53 it is possible to fixedly connect the ski boot with the release plate 48. The ski boot is initially introduced into the release plate 48 from the front towards the rear in such a manner that the holding portion 51 engages over the heel, and then the boot tip is lowered onto the release plate 48 and the strap or band unit 52 is fixedly clamped about the boot tip by means of the buckle 53. It is contemplated to obtain the accommodation or fitting of the release plate 48 at the boot sole in such a manner that it is delivered along with the ski boot. Since, in this case, the release plate 48 must not be adjusted in length, width, and height, it can be constructed to be simpler and lighter in weight. A further reduction of the weight of the release plate 48 can be brought about by virtue of the stiffening effect attributable to the side wall means 49.

The rear of the release plate 48 is equipped with an upstanding flap member 46 which cooperates with the pin member 19 of the rear locking mechanism 2. This upstanding flap member 46 possesses a recess 45 and a rearwardly extending support surface 47. At the front of the binding, on the other hand, there is provided a recess 55 in an upwardly directed flap member 54. The base of this recess 55 is stepped and possesses a raised portion 56 which serves for latching the release plate 48 between the pin members 19. This latching action occurs in this case in such a manner that the release plate 48 which bears at its front on the ski 1 and is raised at its rear, is displaced forwardly in such a manner that the pin member 19 engages in the recess 55. In so doing, the outer portion of the pin member 19 is located over the stepped, raised portion 56 of the base of the recess 55. Then, when the rear end of the release plate 48 is pressed down, the pin member 19 will be pivoted somewhat towards the top by the component 56 and extends over this component or portion 56 completely into the recess 55. The entire release plate 48 is then, in this manner, displaced to such an extent towards the front, with respect to the position depicted in FIGURES 8 and 9, that due to a lateral displacement of the rear end of the release plate 48 the extended support surface 47 can be pushed from the side heneath the pin member 19 of the rear locking mechanism 2, and until such pin member 19 comes to lie exactly behind the recess 45. Now, if the release plate 48 is pushed towards the rear, then the pin member 19 of the rear locking mechanism 2 enters into the recess 45 and the pin member 19 of the front locking mechanism 2 slides off of the stepped, raised portion 56 and is located in the recess 55 in the manner shown in FIGURE 9, which represents the latched position of the release plate 48.

The mode of operation of the embodiment of ski binding depicted in FIGURES 8 and 9 is as follows:

The release plate 48 is normally fixedly retained at the ski 1 by the pin members 19 of the forward and rear locking mechanisms 2. During skiing, the respective locking elements 19, 20, 21 of each locking mechanism 2 can pivot somewhat against the action of the associated spring member 29. In so doing, the adjusting screws 28 must be regulated in such a manner that during normal skiing the release plate 48 is not released. By virtue of the elastic pivotal range the ski binding is not released by impacts or forces which occur within this range. Only when there appears a pronounced torsion which occurs during falling on the skis, or upon the occurence of a pronounced traction towards the top, or at an inclination towards the top, is the pivotal range exceeded and the binding released. In so doing, the forces are applied to the pin members 19 in different ways and in different directions, depending on the type of fall. Thus, for instance, with a fall towards the front or rear or towards the side, the rear or front or both pin members 19 are pushed towards the top. On the other hand, if during falling the body of the skier is turned, then one of both pin members 19 is rocked to the relevant side. In all of these situations, the pin member 19 will be strongly pivoted in the presence of a too great load and in such a manner that it moves out of the associated recess of the release plate 48 so that the latter will be released from the ski 1. Since when skiing normally while leaning towards the front, a stronger traction is excerted on the binding, it is necessary that the binding releases less easy when falling towards the front. As will be apparent by inspecting FIG- URES 8 and 9, in this case the locking pin member 19 of the rear locking mechanism 2 is initially pivoted in such a manner that it is positioned at an inclination towards the top. Whereas this pin member 19 with a similarly pronounced rocking towards the side will move out of the recess 45 and release the binding, after a pivoting towards the top, it will initially bear against the rearwardly extended support surface 47. Only when there is a fall and a further increase of the action of the force, will the release plate 48 be pushed towards the front owing to the action of the inclined positioned pin member 19 at the edge of the support surface 47. When this happens, the spring member 29 of the front locking mechanism 2 is compressed until the pin member 19 slides over the support surface 47 and releases the release plate 48. In this manner, the release of the rear locking element towards the top (fall towards the front) is approximately twice as hard as towards the side (torsional fall), whereas the release of the rear locking element towards the side is of the same hardness as that of the front locking element towards the side. The described construction of the locking mechanism has the further advantage that the pin member 19 which is rocked towards the top during a pronounced leaning forward of the skier, already partially moves out of the recess 45, and thereby, with an additional rotation or turning the release towards the side becomes weaker, that is to say, occurs quicker than without the leaning forward position of the skier. Since a pronounced leaning forward-skiing position only can occur during a fall, and since it has been proven that most of the torsional falls are associated with a forward falling motion, the weaker release towards the side during leaning forward brings about an additional security against injuries resulting from twisting falls. In contradistinction thereto, with most of the known ski bindings and with a pronounced forward leaning, the lateral release is rendered more difiicult or blocked, so that the danger of injuries during torsional falls is increased.

If, with the described ski binding, the latter is released during a fall owing to disengagement of a locking pin member, then the release plate 48 is separated from the ski 1 and remains at the ski boot. This has the advantage that changes in the ski boot or its bindings do not have any influence upon the release action, that is to say the release action remains constant.

In the embodiment of ski binding depicted in FIG- URES l0 and 11, a circular disk or plate 62 is secured to the ski 60 by means of. screws 61 or the like. This circular disk or plate 62 serves as a pivot bearing for a release plate 63 which has a circular hole 63a having a stepped edge and over which engages the plate or disk member 62. At the forward end of the release plate 63 there is provided a sole holder unit 64 with height adjustment to accommodate different sole thicknesses. As readily seen by inspecting FIGURE 10, with this front end of the release plate 63 there cooperates a locking element 65 of a locking mechanism 66 which is of exactly the same construction as the locking mechanism and associated parts considered with respect to the embodiment of FIGURES 1 to 7 and previously discussed. If, during a lateral release action the locking element 65 releases the release plate 63, then the latter can pivot about the disk member 62 and assume the phantom position shown in FIG- URE 10. A conventional automatic heel step-in mechanism 67 is secured to the rear of the release plate 63 and is constructed to provide a forward release action. This automatic heel step-in mechanism 67 can be of anyone of the known constructions which are available on the market, and it operates in such a manner, that when the boot is placed upon the release plate 63 the heel mechanism 67 automatically engages over the heel and fixedly holds the boot at the rear, and in the presence of a fall automatically releases towards the front.

The embodiment of ski binding depicted in FIGURES 12-15 inclusive is similar to the embodiment shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. Here, the release plate 70 is provided at its front portion with an upwardly standing or projecting edge 71 having a shoulder or projection 72. This shoulder or projection 72 is provided with an external, upwardly open recess 73 having a stepped, raised inner portion 74 for receiving the pin member 19 of the locking element 19, 20, 21. The locking element 19, 20, 21, apart from the pin member 19, further possesses an arched central portion 20, a substantially ring-shaped shoulder portion 21, and a flat end portion 39 which cooperates with a fiat end portion of the piston member 25.

The locking mechanism 2 depicted in FIGURES 12 and 13 further differs from the locking mechanism shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 in that in place of a single spacer ring 30, here there is provided a number of thin rings 30' between the sleeve member 24 and the adjusting screw 28. By mounting a larger or smaller number of these ring members 30 it is possible to fix the adjusting screw 28 in different adjusted positions.

As will be further recognized, the attachment flange 31' is secured non-displaceably by means of screws 32' or the like at the ski 1. At the inside of the upstanding edge 71 of the release plates 70 the sole holder 75 is secured so as to be elevationally displaceable by means of the screw means 76. Four continuous or endless threaded bores 77 are provided at the rear end of the release plate 70 at a thickened or enlarged location thereof. In one of these threaded bores 77 and from both sides thereof there is threaded a leg 78a of a respective threaded bolt 78 which is bent at right angles as shown in FIG- URE 12. At the other leg 78b of each threaded bolt 78 there is threaded a threaded sleeve 79, to which there is attached the one end of a traction spring 80. The respective leg 82a of a further threaded bolt member 82 which is bent at right angles is rotatably mounted in a sleeve member 81 which is secured to the other end of the traction spring 80, as again shown in FIGURE 12. The other leg 82b of the bolt member 82 possesses external threading and is threaded into a sleeve member 83 provided with internal threading. A clamping lever unit 84, 85 is seated upon this sleeve member 83. The one arm 84 (FIGURE 12) of this clamping lever unit 84, 85 serves to engage via the heel portion 86 a ski boot 87 which is shown in phantom lines in FIGURE 13, and the other arm 85 thereof is constructed as an actuating arm and carries at its end an attachable knob 88. Now, when the clamping lever unit 84, 85 is rotated further in clockwise direction out of the position shown in FIGURE 13 and in the direction of the arrow thereof, then the traction springs are tensioned and the clamping lever unit 84, moves past its dead-center position and can no longer release by itself. By selective threading of the threaded bolts 78 in one of the threaded bores 77 and through a stronger or weaker threading of the threaded sleeves 79 upon the threaded bolts 78 it is possible to regulate the spacing of the clamping lever unit 84, 85 from the sole holder 75 and the binding can thereby be accommodated to the length of the ski boot 87. Furthermore, through a stronger or weaker threading-in of the bolts 78, 82 in the bores 77 and the sleeve member 83 respectively, it is possible to accommodate the binding to the width of the shoe at the region of the heel.

Also in this embodiment and similar to the embodiment of FIGURES 1 and 2, the rear end of the release plate 70 also exhibits an inclined or beveled surface 89 which cooperates with a corresponding recess 90a provided at the plate member 90. This plate member 90 must be attached at the ski 1 so as to be displaceable in longitudinal direction in order to be able to regulate it with respect to the front locking mechanism 2, which is secured non-displaceably at the ski 1. As will be seen by inspecting FIGURE 15, two slide elements 91 are arranged to be longitudinally displaceable in corresponding recesses and can be displaced by adjustment screws 92. Each slide element 91 is provided with an aperture 93 for receiving an attachment screw 94 (FIGURE 12). By appropriately rotating the screws 92 it is possible to displace the holes or apertures 93 with respect to the plate member 90 and this plate member 90 can thus be adjusted.

FIGURE 16 depicts a modified embodiment of the previously considered plate member 90 which is here designated as plate member 95. This plate member 95 possesses at its underside a cylindrical recess 95a in which there is rotatably mounted a disk or plate 96 having a plurality of substantially spirally-shaped arranged holes or apertures 97. By rotating the disk member 96 it is possible to align any one of the holes 97 with a central elongate slot 96 and through which hole 97 it is then possible to insert an attachment screw or the like.

In order to prevent the ski from running away after a fall and upon release of the safety ski binding, there are employed the standard security straps, bands or the like, which detachably connect the ski boot or the release plate with the ski. One such security strap 99 is depicted in the embodiment according to FIGURES 12 to 15. It will be recognized that this security strap 99 is secured at one end to the clamping lever unit 84, 85 and at the other end to the plate member 90 or to the ski, through the agency of a snap hook 100 and an intermediate member 101. By means of this strap 99 the ski is detachably connected with the ski boot during a fall and such ski, during the fall, can be thrown around in all directions and cause dangerous injuries by virtue of blows to the body. In order to prevent this danger, it is possible to provide in addition to the rear security strap 99 a further security element 102, which has been shown in FIGURES 12 and 13 and consists of an endless traction element which is guided through recesses of the connecting flange means 31', and during skiing is placed over the front end of the release plate 70 as shown in FIGURE 13. During a fall or during release of the release plate 70 the latter, and therefore the boot at both the rear and front, is connected with the ski, so that the ski can no longer be tossed about very much and therefore it is much more difiicult for the ski to cause an injury. Instead of this additional security element 102, it would be also possible to connect the security strap 99 with the clamping lever unit 84, 85 in such a manner that during release of the release plate 70 in the presence of a fall and owing to the impact which is exerted upon the security strap 99, the clamping lever unit 84, 85 is opened, and consequently the ski together with the release plate 70 is completely freed from the boot. The release plate 70 then remains loosely connected with the ski by means of the safety 1 1 strap 99 and thus comes to rest laterally next to the ski and therefore acts as a brake and stops the ski. However, the release plate 70 would not provide a sufficient braking action if it came to rest at its lower flat surface. In this case it is proposed to provide the release plate 70 with a special braking flap.

More precisely, FIGURE 17 shows, for example, such a braking flap 103 which is pivotably mounted to the release plate 70. This braking flap 103 is subjected to spring action and upon release of the release" plate 70 it pivots toward the bottom out of the plane of such release plate.

Finally, it is mentioned that in the embodiment according to FIGURES 1 and 2 it would be possible to employ instead of the bracket 14 a bracket having conventional cable-side hooks which are secured to the release plate. In these side hooks it is possible to insert a standard spring traction or tension cable which extends forwardly to the other bracket and is secured there at both sides and at the rear possesses a heel clamp unit 13. Thus, when the cable is disengaged from the side hooks then the heel of the boot can be raised during climbing, which, as is known, makes cross country skiing much easier.

What is claimed is:

1. A safety ski binding comprising, in combination:

(a) a release plate capable of being fixedly retained to the ski boot;

(b) at least one locking mechanism cooperating with said release plate at the region of the tip of the ski boot; said locking mechanism incorporating:

(1) a cylindrical sleeve member having a substantially ring-shaped internal flange at the end thereof adjacent such release plate,

(2) a locking element which includes a pin member engageable with said release plate and a substantially ring-shaped shoulder portion within said cylindrical sleeve member and engaging behind said ring-shaped internal flange of said cylindrical sleeve member for pivotally supporting said locking element,

(3) a pressure spring means disposed within said cylindrical sleeve member,

(4) adjustment means for adjusting the pressure of said spring means,

(5) said pressure spring means having one end acting upon said locking element and the other end of which bears against said adjustment means in such a manner that said pin member of said locking element which projects beyond the end of said cylindrical sleeve member and engages with said release plate can be pivoted to all sides out of its central position against the action of the adjustable spring force in order to release the ski binding.

2. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 1, said release plate being provided at its rear portion with a downwardly inclined surface, a holding plate member secured to the ski and having a release plate receiving recess defined at least in part by an undercut surface complementary to and engaging said inclined surface, said release plate extending only past the forward portion of the sole of the ski boot and only cooperating at its front region with said locking mechanism.

3. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 1, wherein said release plate extends over the entire length of the ski boot, and wherein there is provided a pair of said locking mechanisms, one of which coacts with the front region of said release plate and the other of which coacts with the rear region of said release plate.

4. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 3, wherein both of said locking mechanisms are of identical construction.

5. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 4, wherein said release plate is provided with means defining a front recess means for receiving the associated pin member of the associated locking element, said front recess means being horizontally stepped at its base region in order to render possible the insertion of said release plate.

6. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 1, wherein a piston member is slidably guided in said cylindrical sleeve member, said locking element of said locking mech anism bearing against one face of said piston member and said pressure spring means bearing against the other face of said piston member.

7. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 1, wherein said cylindrical member include's an internally threaded portion, said adjustment means including a head and an externally threaded portion in threaded engagement with said internally threaded portion of said cylindrical sleeve member, a color marked-adjustment ring surrounding said externally threaded portion and mounted between said head of said adjustment means and the adjacent end of said cylindrical sleeve member, said adjustment ring being capable of being replaced by other adjustment rings of different thicknesses and colors, in order to fix said adjustment means in diiferent adjusted positions. I

8. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 1, wherein said cylindrical sleeve member includes an internally threaded portion, 'said adjustment means including a head and an externally threaded portion in threaded engagement with said internally threaded portion of said cylindrical sleeve member, a plurality of similar adjustment rings surrounding said externally threaded portion and mounted between said head of said adjustment means an the adjacent end of said cylindrical sleeve member, and wherein the number of said adjustment rings can be varied in order to fix said adjustment means in diiferent adjusted positions.

9. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 1, wherein there is provided a pair of said locking mechanisms each having a locking element including a pin member, one of said locking mechanisms coacting with the front region of the release plate and the other of said locking mechanisms coacting with the rear region of said release plate, the rear region of said release plate being provided with means defining a rear recess means for receiving the associated locking pin member of the rear locking mechanism, said rear recess means including laterally spaced vertically disposed flat support surfaces and a lower horizontal flat support surface for said associated locking pin member, said lower horizontal flat support surface having a greater extent towards the rear than the rearward extent of said vertically disposed flat support surfaces for said locking pin member.

10. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 1, wherein said release plate is formed of metal and is provided at its underside with a plastic coating.

11. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 1, wherein said release plate is formed of plastic and is accommodated to the shape and size of the ski boot, said release plate including side wall means extending around its periphery and which bear againt the adjacent peripheral edge of the sole of the ski boot.

12. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 11, wherein said side wall means is provided at its rear with a holding portion extending from its upper edge inwardly and lengaging over the upper surface of the sole of the ski oot.

13. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 1, wherein said release plate extends over the entire length of the boot, means carried at the toe end of said release plate for securing the toe end of the boot to said release plate, said release plate cooperating at its front region with said locking mechanism, said release plate being mounted for lateral pivotal movement relative to the association ski and being equipped at its rear p0rtion with an automatic heel step-in mechanism possessing a frontal release operation.

.14. A safety ski binding comprising, in combination:

(a) a release plate capable of being fixedly retained to a ski boot, said release plate including:

(1) an upstanding forward edge portion having inwardly directed sole-engaging corner flaps,

(2) small holding plate means inesertable over said corner flaps and having slits therein which are offset with respect to the center of the associated small holding plate means, so that by exchanging and reversing said small holding plate means, it is possible to provide two different sole adjustment heights, and by removing said small holding plate means it is possible to provide a third sole adjustment height, in order to be able to selectively fixedly retain boot soles of different thicknesses;

(b) at least one locking mechanism cooperating with said release plate at the region of the tip of the ski boot; said locking mechanism incorporating:

(1) a cylindrical sleeve member having a substantially ring-shaped internal flange at the end thereof adjacent such release plate,

(2) a locking element which includes a pin member engageable with said release plate and a substantially ring-shaped shoulder portion within said cylindrical sleeve member and engaging behind said ring-shaped internal flange of said cylindrical sleeve member for pivotally supporting said locking element,

(3) a pressure spring means disposed within said cylindrical sleeve member;

(4) adjustment means for adjusting the pressure of said spring means,

(5) said pressure spring means having one end acting upon said locking element and the other end of which bears against said adjustment means in such a manner that said pin member of said locking element which projects beyond the end of said cylindrical sleeve member and engages with said release plate can be pivoted to all sides out of its central position against the action of the adjustable spring force in order to release the ski binding.

5. A safety ski binding comprising, in combination:

(a) a release plate capable of being fixedly retained to the ski boot;

(b) at least one locking mechanism cooperating with said release plate at the region of the tip of the ski boot; said locking mechanism incorporating:

(1) a cylindrical sleeve member having a sub stantially ring-shaped internal flange at the end thereof adjacent such release plate,

(2) a locking element which includes a pin member engageable with said release plate and a substantially ring-shaped shoulder portion Within said cylindrical sleeve member and engaging behind said ring-shaped internal flange of said cylindrical sleeve member for pivotally supporting said locking member,

(3) a pressure spring means disposed within said cylindrical sleeve member,

(4) adjustment means for adjusting the pressure of said spring means,

(5) said pressure spring means having one end acting upon said locking element and the other end of which bears against said adjustment means in such a manner that said pin member of said locking element which projects beyond the end of said cylindrical sleeve member and engages with said release plate can be pivoted to all sides out of its central position against the action of the adjustable spring force in order to 7 release the ski binding,

(c) said release plate being provided at its rear portion with a downwardly inclined bevelled surface,

(d) a holding plate member secured to the ski and having a release plate receiving recess defined at least in part by an undercut surface complementary to the receiving said downwardly inclined surface,

(e) said release plate extending only past the forward portion of the sole of the ski boot and only cooperating at its front region with said locking mechanism,

(f) at the rear portion of said release plate a clamping lever means adjustably engageable over the boot heel,

(g) two lateral tension spring means and cooperating threaded bolt means operably related between said clamping lever means and said release plate, and

(h) said release plate having a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse bores into which said threaded bolt means can be selectively threadedly engaged so as to effect longitudinal adjustment of said clamping lever means and an accommodation of the binding to the width of the ski boot.

16. A safety ski binding comprising, in combination:

(a) a release plate capable of being fixedly retained to the ski boot;

(b) at least one locking mechanism cooperating with said release plate at the region of the tip of the ski boot; said locking mechanism incorporating:

(1) a cylindrical sleeve member having a substantially ring-shaped internal flange at the end thereof adjacent such release plate,

(2) a locking element which includes a pin member engageable with said release plate and a substantially ring-shaped shoulder portion within said cylindrical sleeve member and engaging behind said ring-shaped internal flange of said cylindrical sleeve member for pivotally supporting said locking element,

(3) a pressure spring means disposed Within said cylindrical sleeve member,

(4) adjustment means for adjusting the pressure of said spring means,

(5) said pressure spring means having one end acting upon said locking element and the other end of which bears against said adjustment means in such a manner that said pin member of said locking element which projects beyond the end of said cylindrical sleeve member and engages with said release plate can be pivoted to all sides out of its central position against the action of the adjustable spring force in order to release the ski binding,

(c) said release plate bing provided at its rear portion with a downwardly inclined bevelled surface,

(d) a holding plate member having a release plate receiving recess defined at least in part by an undercut surface complementary to and receiving said downwardly inclined surface,

(e) said holding plate member also having a pair of recesses on its underside,

(f) a pair of slide elements mounted to be longitudinally displaceable in said last-mentioned recesses,

(g) adjustment screw means cooperably related with said slide elements for selectively displacing the same relative to said last-mentioned recesses, and

(h) each slide element having an aperture therein for receiving an associated attachment screw member whereby said holding plate member can be longitudinally adjustably secured to the ski.

17. A safety ski binding comprising, in combination:

(a) a release plate capable of being fixedly retained to the ski boot;

(b) at least one locking mechanism cooperating with said release plate at the region of the tip of the ski boot; said locking mechanism incorporating:

'(1) a cylindrical sleeve member having a substantially ring-shaped internal flange at the end thereof adjacent such release plate,

(2) a locking element which includes a pin member engageable with said release plate and a substantially ring-shaped shoulder portion within said cylindrical sleeve member and engaging 15 behind said ring-shaped internal flange of said cylindrical sleeve member for pivotally supporting said locking element,

(3) a pressure spring means disposed within said cylindrical sleeve member,

(4) adjustment means for adjusting the pressure of said spring means,

(5) said pressure spring means having one end acting upon said locking element and the other end of which bears against said adjustment means in such a manner that said pin member of said locking element which projects beyond the end of said cylindrical sleeve member and engages with said release plate can be pivoted to all sides out of its central position against the action of the adjustable spring force in order to release the ski binding,

(0) said release plate being provided at its rear portion with a downwardly inclined beveled surface, (d) a holding plate member having a release plate receiving recess defined at least in part by an undercut surface complementary to and receiving said downwardly inclined surface,

(e) said holding plate member having a substantially cylindrical recess in its underside,

(f) said holding plate member also having an elongated longitudinally extending slot therein communicating with said cylindrical recess,

(g) a disc member rotatably mounted in said cylindrical recess and having a plurality of apertures therethrough arranged in a substantially spiral-shaped configuration for selectively receiving an attachment screw member whereby said holding plate member can be longitudinally adjustably secured to the ski upon rotation of said disc member to align a selected aperture with said elongated slot.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,891,509 12/1932 Svorstol. 2,573,955 11/ 1951 Cubberley. 2,614,858 10/1952 Pierce. 2,616,714 11/1952 Cubberley. 2,667,359 1/1054 Goodman 28011.35 2,846,232 8/ 1958 Schnell. 3,199,884 8/1965 Voster et al. 3,219,359 11/ 1965 Schneider. 3,241,849 3/1966 Bodycomb. 3,25 8,274 6/ 1966 Beecher. 3,279,809 10/ 1966 Marker.

FOREIGN PATENTS 215,870 6/1961 Austria. 1,190,118 3/1959 France. 1,337,872 8/1963 France.

LEO FRIAGIA, Primary Examiner MILTON L. SMITH, Assistant Examiner

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