GB2349829A - Ski binding - Google Patents

Abstract

In a combination ski binding which clamps the heel of the front boot and the toe of the rear boot on a mono-ski, both these clamps are provided on a base member 1 attached to the upper surface of the ski (not shown) and are arranged to pivot or swivel together as a single unit, with a minimum of spacing between the boots. A central pillar 2 has a horizontal bar 4 acting as a pivot point for the combination binding 5 allowing insertion of one boot after the other for clamping; the top section 3 of the pillar can rotate on pin 10 against the action of a torsion spring to allow for release of the boots in the event of a twisting fall. Even a forwards or rearwards fall can be translated into a turning force for the combination binding to rotate and release the boots, the torsion sewing being adjustable to determine the threshold for this action.

Description

2349829 Ski Binding This invention relates to ski bindings and in

particular to a binding for a single ski.

There are presently two types of ski, namely, conventional skis wherein one ski is attached to each boot, and mono-skis wherein both boots are attached to a single ski.

Conventional skis are used in pairs. To the upper surface of each ski is attached a pair of bindings positioned in identical corresponding positions on each ski. The front binding of the pair is usually referred to as the toe binding and ensures that the boot on the ski cannot slip forward of its required position. In addition, the rear binding of the pair, usually referred to as the heel binding, ensures that the boot attached to the ski cannot slip backwards of the required position. The two bindings in conjunction are also positioned apart at such a distance that the boot is held in place, under normal levels of stress so that the foot cannot slip off to either side of the ski. A safety binding allows lateral rotation of the binding under variable levels of stress so that the foot can twist out of the binding when the levels of stress reach a given high level; this reduces the risk of knee ligament damage to the skier. The rear binding is designed in such a way that it can open under variable levels of stress to reduce knee ligament damage in forward falls.

The mono-ski is a single ski on which are located two sets of toe and rear bindings, positioned adjacent to each other so that each boot is bound to the ski. Both sets of bindings point in the same direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mono-ski.

Hitherto it has not been practicable to attach both boots to a single ski so that both boots are substantially in alignment. This is because both boots can only be attached using two pairs of bindings sets, one behind the other. Due to the length of the toe and heel bindings and the necessary space that would be required to be left between the two set of bindings for mechanical adjustments, there would be a minimum possible distance between the two boots of at least 15 cm. It is highly desirable for 2 both boots to be as close together as possible so as to improve balance and turning ability of the skier.

According to the present invention, a ski binding combination is provided for a single ski which comprises a base member for attaching to the upper surface of a ski, and located on the base member, a heel clamp for releasably securing the heel of the front boot of the skier and a toe clamp for releasable securing the toe of the rear boot of the skier.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, a set of ski bindings is provided which comprises a toe binding, a heel binding and a combination ski binding as herein before described.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a single ski is provided having secured to the upper surface thereof a set of ski bindings as hereinbefore described, the bindings being substantially in alignment.

The combination ski binding of the invention is manufactured from materials known in the ski binding art. Suitable materials include aluminium alloys, carbon composites, titanium and various plastics for the bindings casings. The combination ski binding is secured to the upper surface of the ski by any methods known on the art. Suitable means include a combination of glue and short screws.

The combination ski binding of the invention may comprise separate heel and toe clamps. Preferably the heel and toe clamps are interconnected so that clamping pressure on the heel induces clamping pressure on the heel. Suitably the heel and toe clamps are pivotally connected.

In a preferred embodiment, the combination ski binding pivots about a bar which runs through the top section of a central pillar located on the base member. The bar is at an angle essentially normal to the longitudinal axis of the ski. The top section of the pillar is connected to the base section of the pillar by means of an internal pin. This 3 pin allows the top section of the pillar to rotate. In addition, because the pin and its housing are co-operatively threaded, any sufficient upwards force on the pivoting combination binding will be translated to a twisting force. This will cause the top section of the pillar to rotate which will twist the pivoting combination binding and release the boots from the binding.

The invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying figures of which Figure 1 shows the combination binding in section along the line I-II of Figure 5 in an open position. This is the position that the binding would be in before the front boot was bound. Figure 2 shows a side view of the same binding in the closed position. This is the position that the binding would be in when the front boot was bound. Figure 3 shows a plan view of the combination ski binding. Figure 4 is a plan view of the same binding and illustrates how the top section of the pillar and therefore the pivoting combination binding will twist if the binding is subject to an upwards or turning force. Figure 5 shows a plan view of a single parabolic ski including a standard toe and heel binding and a combination binding.

Referring to the drawings, the ski binding combination comprises a base plate(l) which is secured to the upper surface of a single ski. From the centre of the base plate in a continuous moulding there is provided a central pillar. The central pillar comprises a base section(2) and a top section(3) whose two sections are split along the line(7) and are connected by an internal threaded pin(l 0). Through the top section of the central pillar is a horizontal bar(4) which runs though at an angle normal to the longitudinal axis of the ski. The pivoting combination binding(5) will pivot about the horizontal bar(4).

The pin(I0) which links the base section and the top section of the central pillar allows the pivoting combination binding to twist in either a clockwise or anticlockwise direction as shown in Figure 4. The pin is embedded in either the top section or the base section of the pillar and in the other section it is held in place by an 4 elastic medium, preferably a spring which can be tightened or loosened by a tortion setting(9) which is provided in the top of the central pillar. The tortion setting can vary the amount of force required to twist the pivoting combination binding and may be adjusted to suit the needs of a varying standard of skiers. In this way both boots are released from the binding in the event of a twisting fall. In addition an upwards force on the pivoting combination binding will be translated into a turning force so that both boots will be released in the event of either a forwards or backwards fall.

The ski binding combination works in a two stage process. A skier would first place the toe of his front boot into the conventional toe binding(I 1) and then push the heel of that boot down on the heel plate(6). This would have the effect of rotating the pivoting combination binding forwards in the direction of the arrow(8). When the pivoting combination binding has rotated forwards there is revealed a toe binding into which can be pushed the toe of the rear boot. The heel of the rear boot can then be pushed into the conventional heel binding(12).

Claims (7)

Claims

1 A combination ski binding for a single ski which comprises a base member for attaching to the upper surface a single ski, and located on the base member, a heel clamp for releasably securing the heel of the front boot of the skier and a toe clamp for releasably securing the toe of the rear boot of the skier.

2. A combination ski binding as claimed in Claim 1 in which the heel and the toe clamps are adapted to provide some rotation so as to provide the release of the toe and heel in the event of twisting of the boot.

3. A combination ski binding as claimed in either Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the heel and toe clamps are adapted to provide the release of the boots in the event of a forward fall of the skier.

4. A combination ski binding as claimed in either Claim 2 or Claim 3 in which the setting for the release is adjustable.

5. A combination ski binding as claimed in any one of Claim 1 to 4 in which the heel and toe clamps are formed in a single unit.

6. A combination ski binding as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5 in which the heel and toe clamps are mounted on a pillar located on the base member.

7. A combination ski binding as claimed in Claim 6 in which the heel and toe clamps are pivotally located on the pillar.

8. A combination ski binding substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.

P 9. A set of ski bindings is provided which comprises a toe binding, a heel binding and a combination single ski binding as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

10. A single ski having secured to the upper surface a combination ski binding as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8.

7. A single ski having secured to the upper surface a combination ski binding as claimed C> 0 in any one of Claims 1 to 6.

7 Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows A combination ski binding for a single ski which comprises a base member for attaching to the upper surface of a single ski, and located on the base member, a heel clamp for releasably securing the heel of the front boot of the skier and a toe clamp for releasably securing the toe of the rear boot of the skier in which the bee] and toe clamps are formed in a single unit.

2 A combination ski binding as claimed in Claim 1 in which the heel and the toe clamps are pivotally located on the top section of a pillar which is able to twist relative to the base section of the pillar which is located on the base member to provide some rotation so as to provide the release of the toe and heel in the event of twisting of the boot.

3. A combination ski binding as claimed in either Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the heel and toe clamps are adapted to provide the i-elease of the boots in the event of a fall of the skier.

4. A combination ski binding as claimed in either Claim 2 or Claim 3 in which the setting for the release is adjustable.

5. A combination ski substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.

6. A set of ski bindings is provided which comprises a toe binding, a heel binding and a 0 0 combination single ski binding as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.