Land vehicles – Skates – Shoe attaching means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-12
2001-10-09
Rice, Kenneth R. (Department: 2167)
Land vehicles
Skates
Shoe attaching means
C280S632000, C280S617000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06299193
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the ski binding art and specifically to ski bindings intended for use in Telemark skiing. More specifically, the invention relates to a 75 mm Nordic Norm Telemark ski binding utilizing a step-in securing mechanism and a variable resistance safety release mechanism which automatically resets the step-in mechanism after the safety release mechanism is activated.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
To many skiers, the most important feature in a ski binding is its safety release mechanisms. Safety bindings for alpine skiing, which comprise a toe piece working in conjunction with a heel piece to hold a ski boot in place, are well known in the art. The safety release mechanisms in such bindings release the ski boot from the binding on impact. This feature is highly desirable as it avoids or lessens the chance of serious injury to the skier in the event of an emergency.
Telemark skiers, however, do not enjoy most of the safety mechanisms available to Alpine skiers. The reason is, in Telemark skiing, the rear portion or heel of the ski boot must be freely liftable, while the front portion or toe of the ski boot is secured to the binding. Without a heel piece to hold the ski boot, many of the safety mechanisms devised for the Alpine ski bindings cannot be implemented. In some early embodiments of the 75 mm Nordic Norm equipments, which are still used for Telemarking, safety release mechanisms are not provided at all.
In recent years, manually operated toe clamping bindings have become popular among Telemark skiers. In some of these bindings, a pivoting toe holding device is used in conjunction with a release plate, creating a safety mechanism. In the event of an emergency or an impact, the pivoting toe holding device remains attached to the ski boot but detaches from the ski to protect the skier from serious injuries. The toe holding device, however, remains attached to the ski boot. Heel tightening cable bindings can also employ a pivoting toe holding device in conjunction with a release plate. In the event of an emergency or an impact, the pivoting toe holding device and cable assembly remain attached to the ski boot and detach from the release plate. The problem with these two types of prior art bindings is that they require the skier to reattach the toe holding device to the release plate. This is oftentimes a cumbersome task, especially when the skier is facing inclement weather, extreme temperatures or hazardous terrains, where it is difficult or dangerous for the skier to use their hands to effect binding entry.
What is needed is a step-in auto-releasing binding for a 75 mm Nordic Norm ski boot which, following actuation of its safety release mechanism and release of the ski boot, returns automatically to a desired position for receiving the boot.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
A step-in binding for telemark ski having safety release mechanism comprises a mounting plate, a housing, a clamp lever and a step-in lever. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, step-in securing is initiated by applying pressure to a step-in lever, which is coupled to cause a clamp lever to rotate downwardly to hold a front portion of a ski boot. A cam device coupled to the levers enables the clamp lever to hold the ski boot tightly. The tightening effect exerted by the clamp lever is locked in at a desired clamp tension by a latching means. The latching means is disengaged by rotating the housing assembly about a pivot post. With the latching means disengaged, the clamp lever becomes free to release the ski boot. The binding also comprises adjustable means for resisting the housing from rotation and means for resetting the binding to a position ready to receive the ski boot once the latching means is disengaged.
In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the binding comprises a mounting plate, a housing, a step-in lever, a clamp lever, and a cable cam assembly. The cable cam assembly comprises a cable for pulling the heel portion of the ski boot firmly to the binding, and a cable cam for generating a tension when the step-in lever is depressed. In a further alternate embodiment of the present invention, the binding does not include a cable.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cable includes a first end which extends around and provides tension against the heel of the ski boot and a second end which is positioned above the clamp lever and is raised and lowered as a key is raised and lowered by the clamp lever.
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Jensen Robert W.
Levy Lance B.
Parris James E.
Haverstock & Owens LLP
Jasmin Lynda
Rice Kenneth R.
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