Land vehicles – Skates – Shoe attaching means
Reexamination Certificate
1997-11-17
2001-09-18
Swann, J. J. (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Skates
Shoe attaching means
C280S629000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06290251
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to bindings for winter sports equipment. It finds particular application in conjunction with ski bindings and will be described with particular reference thereto.
Typically, the boot of a skier is disengagably retained on the ski. Commonly, the front end of the boot is mounted in a front fixation or stop. The rear end of the boot is releasably retained in a rear fixation or trailing end.
In the event of a significant force which places the leg or joints of the skier at risk, the ski boot releases at either the front end or the rear end of the boot, or at both ends simultaneously. To this end, the front stop may comprise a jaw which pivots around a vertical axis and the trailing end a jaw pivoting in an upward direction around a horizontal axis. The front and trailing edge jaws are each acted upon by a disengagement spring whose compression is adjustable to adjust the force at which the ski boot releases.
Support devices have, heretofore, been positioned beneath the front of the boot in order to limit the friction of the bottom surface of the front end of the sole on the ski. Such support devices are fixed or connected to the ski adjacent the front of the boot between the boot sole and the upper surface of the ski. In this manner, the front portion of the sole does not rest directly on the ski, but on the support device. The support device, for example, may be a small plate of a low friction coefficient material such as polytetrafluoroethylene (TEFLON™). The plate may be a fixed element or a movable element which laterally tracks the end of the boot at the moment of its lateral displacement. See, for example, published French Patent Application No. 2,652,508. Such devices provide improved skier safety. One drawback of such devices is that the displacement of a movable plate may be counteracted in an uneven or uncontrolled manner.
The present application overcomes the above-referenced drawbacks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a support device for supporting a ski boot on a ski includes a movable support element which is movable relative to a stationary support. The movable support is movable at least in a transverse direction. At least one anti-friction element lies between the movable and stationary supports.
In accordance with a more limited aspect of the present invention, the anti-friction element is made of a material with a lower coefficient of friction than the material of which the movable and stationary supports are made.
In accordance with a yet more limited aspect of the present invention, the low coefficient material is one of polytetrafluoroethylene or high-density polyethylene; the stationary support is made of polypropylene or polyamide and the movable support element is made of a plastic material such as acetyl resin or a metal compound.
In accordance with a more limited aspect of the present invention, the anti-friction element has a lower horizontal anti-friction plate and at least one front anti-friction plate. Optionally, a rear anti-friction plate can be provided as well.
In accordance with one of the specific embodiments, the front and/or rear anti-friction plates are integral with the lower anti-friction plate. In another specific embodiment, one or both of the front and rear anti-friction plates is independent of the lower anti-friction plate.
In accordance with a yet more limited embodiment of the present invention, the movable support element moves transversely in a curved groove.
One advantage of the present invention is that it provides improved lateral displacement of the movable support element.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides constant frictional resistance to movement of the movable support element.
Another advantage of the present invention resides in the reliable disengagement of the binding regardless of the force applied by the boot. It releases in response to force towards the front or toward the rear.
Still further advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 4911464 (1990-03-01), Gallet et al.
patent: 4928990 (1990-05-01), Rullier
patent: 5114174 (1992-05-01), Bogner
patent: 5921573 (1999-07-01), Challande et al.
patent: 477 890 (1969-10-01), None
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patent: 729 771 (1996-09-01), None
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Chatillon Christophe
Lucas Christian
Thevenet Michel
Dunn David R.
Fay Sharpe Fagan Minnich & McKee LLP
Look Fixations SA
Swann J. J.
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