US3101201A

US3101201A - Ski binding

Info

Publication number: US3101201A
Application number: US152304A
Authority: US
Inventors: Raymond L Hall
Original assignee: SKI DEK CORP
Current assignee: SKI DEK CORP
Priority date: 1961-11-14
Filing date: 1961-11-14
Publication date: 1963-08-20
Anticipated expiration: 1980-08-20

Description

Aug. 20, 1963 R. L.. HALL SKI BINDING 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 14. 1961 INVENTOR.

302% Wwy Aug.2o,1963 RL. HA|.| 3,101,201

l SKI BINDING l Filed Nov. 14, 21961 l 1 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 '25755, I l I, y,

INVENTOR. ,P4/M2 64a United States Patent The present invention relates to a ski binding tor attaching a ski to the boot of a skier, and more particularly to an improved binding which Ifacilitates quick adjustment to boots of different sizes.

While the ski binding of the present invention may be used in place of conventional bindings, it is particularly adapted tor use on rental skis. Skis are rented to transients at many winter resorts, and it has in city buildings which simulate skiing on natural ski slopes. Conventional ski bindings are quite complicated and not adapted for adjustment to lit shoes of 'a diierent size each time the skis are used as they require extensive manipulation, trial and readjustment to suit the individual skier. Furthermore, if the binding is too loose the ski is apt to fall 0E land if too tight it will not release in an emergency. l "V One ot the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved ski binding which may be manually adjusted to boots' of different sizes by an unskilled person in a minimum period of time.

Another object is to provide a ski binding of the type indicated which facilitates adjustment for shoes of different sizes and retains its 'clamping engagement when once adjusted.

Another object is to provide a manually adjustable ski binding which is of relatively simple and compact construction, economical to manufacture and one which is reliable in operation.

These and other objects will become more apparent trom the Ifollowing description and drawings in which like characters denote like parts throughout the several views. the drawings are :for the purpose of illustration only and are not a deiinition ott the limits of the invention, reference being had for this purpose to the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is a side elevational view of a ski incorporating the novel binding of the present invention and shown clamped to the ski boot of a wearer;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged plan view of the ski binding illustrated in FIGURE l and showing the fior-ward toe clamp, rearward heel clamp and manually operable knob `for adjusting the heel clamp; n Y

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the binding illustrated in FIGURE 2 and showing the pivotally mounted heel lclamp and the Acable for adjusting the binding and rocking the heel clamp into binding engagement with Ilthe boot; Y

FIGURE 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 4-'4 ot FIGURE 2. to show the heel .clamp slidab-ly mounted on a ski plate;

FIGURE 5 isran enlanged view oi the heel clamp to show its pivotal mounting and the cable for adjusting the heel clamp longitudinally as well as vertically with respect to the ski plate;

FIGURE 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIGURE 3 to shown the winch for reeling the cable to adjust the heel clamp relative to the toe clamp;

FIGURE 7 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 7-7 orf FIGURE 6 to show the drum of the winch for reeling the cable in end elevation; and

FIGURE 8 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on 3,101,201 Patented Aug. 2o, 1963 ICC 2 line 8-8 of FIGURE 2. to show the worm and wheell for operating the .cable winch.

IReferring now to the drawings, FIGURE l illustrates the ski binding 10` of the present invention applied to a 5 ski 11. The ski binding 10 comprises a front abutment been proposed to rent skis to skiers for use on artificial ski slopes provided It is to be expressly understood, however, thiat j 12 for clamping engagement with the toe of a ski boot 13 anda movable heel clamp 14 for engagement with the heel of a boot. 'Ihe movable heel clamp 14'is slid forwardly toward the abutment 12 and into clamping engagement with the heel of the boot and downwardly toward thejski 11 by a manually operable member illustrated in the form of a knob 15.

As shown more in detail in FIGURES 2 to 5, the binding 10 includes a ski plate 16 having longitudinally eX- tending ribs 17 and 18- arranged in laterally spaced relation and engaging the top of lthe ski. As will be observed in FIGURE 4, the plate 16 has ianges 19 and 20'A projecting laterally from and a bridge 21 extending between the depressed ribs 17 and 1S and the flanges and the bridge are spaced from the top of the ski, see FIGURE 4. Plate "16 is attached to the ski 11 by means of spaced screws 22 extending through the depressed ribs 17 and 18 and into the ski. In the illustrated embodirneutvas viewed in FIG- URE 4, the outer edges of the ilangesl 19" and 20 `are turned back on themselves at Vthemedl'gesto strengthen the anges and provide a bearing surface.

Front abutment 12 is in the form of a hollow casting seated on the ski 11 at the forward end of the Vvplate 16 and attached to the ski by suitable means, such as screws 25.- The abutment 12 has a clamping shoulder 216 projecting rearwardly therefrom for clamping engagement with the toe of boot 13. Asshown in FIGURE 2,y the toe clarnp'z is of a shape to conform to the curvature of the toe of a boot and is positioned at a height above the ski plate 16 to engage the upper edge of the sole of a ski' boot. As will be observed in FIGURE 3, the rearward edge 'of 'the abutment 12 Iforming the toe clamp- 26 projects rearwardly from an upwardly and rearwardly projecting side ofthe casting to cam the sole of the boot downwardly toward the top of the ski 11.

` The heel clamp 114 comprises a base plate 30, of sheet metal `or the like, mounted to slide on the ski plate 16. To this end, the base plate 30 of the heel clamp 14 overlie's the ski plate 16 with its sides folded downwardly and inwardly to yform grooves 31 and 32 overlying the side edges of the

ilanges

19 and 20 with a sliding lit. Thus, the base plate 30 of heel clamp 14 is adapted to slide along the ski plate 16 longitudinally of the ski. Heel clamp 14 lalso includes a jaw member 33 extending upwardly and then forwardly from sliding base plate 30 and having hinged bearings 34 and 35 at oneend and a clamping shoulder 36 at its opposite end.v A hinge pin 37, see FIGURE 3, `entends through the bearings 34 and on the pivoted clamping jaw 33, see vFIGURE 2, and through a bearing38 Ion the base plate 30, see IFIGURE 5, to hingedly mount the jaw 33 for rocking movement. The end `of the jaw 33 on which clamping shoulder 36 is formedhas the -material rolled back on itself to Ireinforce the shoulder and is formed toprovide a rounded` contour corresponding to the heel of the boot to be clamped. Shoulder 36 of jaw 33 is adapted to clamp a boot between its heel and upper, `orengage afrounded groove 36a sometimes provided in the heel of ski boots, as shown diagrammatically in FIGURE 3.

As shown in FIGURES 3 and 5, the jaw 33 of heel clamp 14 is rocked clockwise on its pivot pin 37 by a spring 40 and this clockwise rocking is limited by the tailpiece 33a engaging the base plate 30'. Spring 40 acts between an abutment 41 von the base plate 30 and a stud 4Z projecting through the upwardly inclined portion of the heel clamp. I aw 33 of heel clamp 14 is moved downwardly against the action of the spring by a cable 43.

As shown most clearly in FIGURE 5, the end of the cable 43 is attached to the clamping jaw 33 of the heel clamp 14 -by a washer 44 `and nut 45 screwed onto a threaded projecting end of stud 42. Cable 43I then extends forwardly over the top of the jaw 33 and then downwardly through an opening 46 therein and the cable is guided through the opening by a depressed tongue 47 on the jaw. The cable 43 extends downwardly under a pulley or guide roller 48 mounted to rotate in bearings 49 and 50l on the base plate 30, see FIGURE 4. Cable 43 then extends forwardly under the ski plate 16 in the space between the bridge 21 and the top of the ski .'11, as shown in FIGURES 2, 4 land 5.

Heel clamp 14 is slid longitudinally 'of the ski plate 16 toward the toe clamp 26 by means of a winch 55 to clamp a booth therebetween, see FIGURES 6` to 8. Winch 55 .comprises a drum 56 mounted on a shaft 57 journaled in the sides of the hollow abutment 12. Drum 56 has a recess 58 at one end to accommodate a screw 59` for clamping the end of the cable 43 thereto. The peripheral edge of the drum 56 opposite recess 58 is formed to provide spur gear teeth 60. As shown in FIGURE 8, a vertical shat 61 is journaled in the hollow labu-tment 12 and has a Worm 62 at one end in meshing engagement with the gear teeth 60. The opposite end of the `shaft 61 projects upwardly from the abutment housing 12 and has knob 15 tixedly mounted thereon. One form `of the invention having now been described in detail, Ithe mode of operation is explained as follows:

When a ski 11 is to be applied to a boot 13, the knob 15 of the binding is turned in one direction to unreel the cable 43 and the heel clamp 114 is pulled rearwardly away from the toe clamp 12. The boot is then placed on the ski with the toe adjacent the toe clamp 26 of the abutment 12 and the heel of the boot forwardly of the heel clamp 14. Knob y15 then is turned in the opposite direction to reel in th-e cable 43 and tighten the clamp. Rotation of 4the knob 15, see FIGURE 8, is transmitted through the shaft 61 and worm 62 mounted thereon to turn :the drum 56 of the winch 55 to reel the cable 43 thereon. As the cable 43 is drawn forwardly it pulls the heel clamp 14 forwardly as la unit, with the base plate 30y sliding on the ski plate 16, until fthe clamping shoulder 36 engages the heel of the boot 13. Continued rotation of the knob 15 then tightly clamps the boot between the toe and

heel clamps

26 and 36 and pulls the pivoted jaw 33 downwardly against the action of the spring 40 into tight engagement with, for example, the recessed edge 36a of the heel of the boot to tightly clamp the boot between the heel clamp jaw and ski plate 16. When the knob 1S i-s released the Worm and

wheel

62 and 60 interlock to prevent loosening of the cable so that the boot will remain rmly clamped in position on the ski.

When it is desired to remove a ski, the knob 15 is turned to releasing position which unwinds the cable 43 from winch 55 and releases the heel clamp 14 which may be slid manually from engagement with the heel 4of the boot 13. Due to the simplicity of the adjustment, the

.ski binding of the present invention is adapted to be easily and quickly adjusted to boots of diiferent sizes merely by turning the knob manually. Thus, the binding of the present invention facilitates fthe attachment of a ski to a ,boot by unskilled persons having different sized feet.

'It will now be observed that the present invention provides a ski binding which may be manually adjusted and clamped to boots of different sizes by Lan unskilled person in a minimum period of time. It will further be observed that the present invention provides a ski binding which may be easily and quickly adjusted by manually turning a knob and which will not be released except intentionally when once adjusted. llt will still funther be observed that the present invention provides a `ski binding which is of relatively simple `and compact construction that may be economically manufactured, and one which is reliable in operation.

While a single embodiment of the invention is herein illustrated and described, it will be understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, without limitation in this respect, the invention is defined by the following claims:

1. A Ski binding for attaching a ski to the boot of a skier comprising a front abutment on the ski having `a rearward projection for clamping engagement with the toe of the boot, a ski plate having depending ribs contacting the ski and fastened thereto -to provide a central bridge and side Han-ges spaced from the ski, a heel clamp having a base plate mounted to slide on said ski plate and having `grooves at its edges cooperating with the side flanges of the ski plate, a clamping jaw having one end pivotally connected to the sliding member and yan' abutment at its -free end shaped to conform to the contour of the heel of the boot, a pulley mounted to rotate on the member below the clamping jaw, a spring `acting between the member and pivoted jaw for rockin-g the jaw upwardly with respect to the plate, la cable connected to the jaw intermediate its ends and extending around the pulley and forwardly under the plate to a position forwardly of the toe clamp, and manually operable means for pulling the cable forwardly whereby to move the slide forwardly until the free end -of the clamping jaw engages the heel of the boot to clamp the boot between the jaw and toe clamp and between the jaw and ski plate.

2. A ski binding in' accordance with claim 1 in which the manually operable means is a winch having a winding drnrn to which the cable is attached and axially extending gear teeth on its periphery, a shaft having a worm in meshing engagement with the gear teeth on the drum, and a knob on the shaft for turning the worm.

3. A ski binding in accordance with |claim 1 in which the clamping jaw extends upwardly and forwardly, the end of the cable being attached to the jaw adjacent its pivot and extending upwardly and forwardly over the jaw and then downwardly through and 4forwardly under the ski plate to the winc References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,610,861 Campbell Sept. 16, 1952 2,758,846 Swensen Aug. 14, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 86,038 Switzerland Au-g. 2, 1920 270,453 Switzerland Dec. 1, 1950 295,705 Switzerland Mar.` 16, 1954 932,887 France Dec. 1, 1947 1,076,254 France Apr. 21, 1 954

Claims

1. A SKI BINDING FOR ATTACHING A SKI TO THE BOOT OF A SKIER COMPRISING A FRONT ABUTMENT ON THE SKI HAVING A REARWARD PROJECTION FOR CLAMPING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE TOE OF THE BOOT, A SKI PLATE HAVING DEPENDING RIBS CONTACTING THE SKI AND FASTENED THERETO TO PROVIDE A CENTRAL BRIDGE AND SIDE FLANGES SPACED FROM THE SKI, A HEEL CLAMP HAVING A BASE PLATE MOUNTED TO SLIDE ON SAID SKI PLATE AND HAVING GROOVES AT ITS EDGES COOPERATING WITH THE SIDE FLANGES OF THE SKI PLATE, A CLAMPING JAW HAVING ONE END PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE SLIDING MEMBER AND AN ABUTMENT AT ITS FREE END SHAPED TO CONFORM TO THE CONTOUR OF THE HEEL OF THE BOOT, A PULLEY MOUNTED TO ROTATE ON THE MEMBER BELOW THE CLAMPING JAW, A SPRING ACTING BETWEEN THE MEMBER AND PIVOTED JAW FOR ROCKING THE JAW UPWARDLY WITH RESPECT TO THE PLATE, A CABLE CONNECTED TO THE JAW INTERMEDIATE ITS END AND EXTENDS AROUND THE PULLEY AND FORWARDLY UNDER THE PLATE TO A POSITION FORWARDLY OF THE TOE CLAMP, AND MANUALLY OPERABLE MEANS FOR PULLING THE CABLE FORWARDLY WHEREBY TO MOVE THE SLIDE FORWARDLY UNTIL THE FREE END OF THE CLAMPING JAW ENGAGES THE HEEL OF THE BOOT TO CLAMP THE BOOT BETWEEN THE JAW AND TOE CLAMP AND BETWEEN THE JAW AND SKI PLATE.