Element for retaining the front portion of a boot on a ski

Details Element for retaining the front portion of a boot on a ski Element for retaining the front portion of a boot on a ski

2001-04-27

2003-07-01

Johnson, Brian L. (Department: 3618)

Land vehicles

Skates

Shoe attaching means

C280S625000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06585283

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an element for retaining the front portion of a boot on a ski, i.e., a front ski binding.
More specifically, the invention relates to a retaining element with asymmetrical release, i.e., whose parameters for releasing the boot are different depending on the direction in which the boot biases the retaining jaw.
2. Description of Background and Relevant Information
In a known fashion, a front retaining element includes a retaining jaw that is maintained in a centered position on the ski by an elastic return device. In response to the forces exerted by the boot, the jaw is capable of moving laterally from either side of this aligned position until enabling the release of the boot.
It is also known that a skier's knee can withstand a higher torsional force of the leg if the foot is driven outward; conversely, the knee is more fragile if the foot is driven toward the other foot. These torsional forces translate into a lateral force exerted by the front potion of the boot on the jaw.
To take this into account, constructions of a front retaining element with asymmetrical release have been proposed. Such constructions have been disclosed in particular in the patent documents FR 1 503 847, FR 1 503 848, FR 1 503 849, EP 785 002, EP 785 003, and EP 807 454.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide a new mode of construction of an element for retaining the front portion of a boot which has an asymmetrical lateral release mode of operation.
This new mode applies to a construction of a front retaining element which has a fixed body and independent wings. A retaining element of this general type is disclosed in patent document FR 2 624 387 and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,040,821, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference thereto in their entireties. In general, this element includes a body provided to be immobilized on the ski, in the longitudinal direction which it defines, and two independent wings journalled to the body about a substantially vertical axle. Each of the wings is engaged on a tie rod or a movable piston that acts on a return spring.
An object of the invention is to propose a simple modification of this construction which renders its functioning mode asymmetrical.
The retaining element according to the invention includes a base provided to be affixedly connected to the ski, overlaid by a body, a jaw having two independent retaining wings journalled to the body about a vertical axle, the wings having, beyond their journal axle, a tip exerting an action by pressure on the head of a movable tie rod biased by a spring.
The element includes a rocker, journalled relative to the base, inserted between the tips and the head of the tie rod, the tips being in support against an arm of the rocker, and the rocker being mounted asymmetrically with respect to the base or the tips.
A general feature of the invention is the insertion of a journalled element between the tips and the tie rod and to play with the lever arms with which this journalled element transmits to the tie rod the forces which it receives from either one of the tips.


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U.S. patent application No. 09/842,781 (Merino et al.), filed on Apr. 27, 2001.

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