Ski binding

Claim 2

A ski binding for removably attaching a skier''s boot to a ski, comprising an interengaging mechanism (FIGS. 1, 13, 16) between the boot (250) and the ski (10), said mechanism having substantially planar engaging portions (12/14, 12''/14'', 120/140, 220/240) forward of the heel portion of the boot and rearward of the toe portion of the boot, operatively associated with the boot and the ski, respectively, detent means (60/73, 60/73'', 60/176, 60/276, 150/158, 162) forming part of said engaging portions for positive indexing therebetween in the respective planes of said engaging portions as well as in angular directions with respect to the longitudinal axes of the boot and the ski, said engaging portions being adapted to react by relative rotational movement, movement out of said planes of the engaging portions, and a combination of said movements, upon occurrence of a force of predetermined magnitude and duration, thereby allowing release of said engaging portions from each other and of the boot from the ski when the skier encounters a major obstacle which results in said force, further comprising means (20, 22, 30; 76, 176, 276; 120'', 122'') for adjusting the force by which said engaging portions are allowed to release from each other, wherein said engaging portions are respectively secured to coextensive but opposing portions (10, 16; 32, 32'') of said interengaging mechanism, further comprising at least one fulcrum means (26, 28; 26'', 28''; 126'', 128'') slidably secured to one of said mechanism portions, in a location selectively spaced apart from said engaging portions in forward and rearward directions along the extension of the ski, said fulcrum means allowing pivotal movement of the boot with respect to the ski to provide at least one couple with respect to one of said engaging portions, and wherein said force adjusting means includes means (20, 22, 30, 120'', 122'') for adjusting the relative position of said at least one couple with respect to the other of said mechanism portions.

Claim 3

A ski binding for removably attaching a skier''s boot to a ski, comprising an interengaging mechanism (FIGS. 1, 13, 16) between the boot (250) and the ski (10), said mechanism having substantially planar engaging portions (12/14, 12''/14'', 120/140, 220/240) forward of the heel portion of the boot and rearward of the toe portion of the boot, operatively associated with the boot and the ski, respectively, detent means (60/73, 60//73'', 60/176, 60/276, 150/158, 162) forming part of said engaging portions for positive indexing therebetween in the respective planes of said engaging portions as well as in angular directions with respect to the longitudinal axes of the boot and the ski, said engaging portions being adapted to react by relative rotational movement, movement out of said planes of the engaging portions, and a combination of said movements, upon occurrence of a force of predetermined magnitude and duration, thereby allowing release of said engaging portions from each other and of the boot from the ski when the skier encounters a major obstacle which results in said force, wherein said engaging portions include a socket member (14, 14'', 140, 240) and a plug member (12, 12'', 120, 220), said members being adapted to be resiliently, detachably interconnected, and resilient means (66, 144) for maintaining said members in connected relation, further comprising means (32'', 314, 316, 300, 302, 330, 334 to 346) for attaching one (14'') of said socket and said plug members at least indirectly to the boot, including an elongated plate (32'') having forward (314) and rearward (316) extensions, said plate being arranged to be oriented generally lengthwise of the ski, said one member being attached to said plate at an intermediate portion thereof, first and second slidable sheaths (300, 302) adapted for respective engagement with said extensions, a toe bracket (346) on said first sheath for holding the toe portion of the boot, and cable means (330, 334 to 342) for detachably fastening the heel portion of the boot to said second sheath, said cable means including a cable connection (330) to said first sheath and to a pivotal bracket (344) on said second sheath, said bracket being adapted to be pivoted so as to fasten said cable means in a secured tight position about the heel portion of the boot.

Claim 4

A ski binding for removably attaching a skier''s boot to a ski, comprising an interengaging mechanism (FIGS. 1, 13, 16) between the boot (250) and the ski (10), said mechanism having substantially planar engaging portions (12/14, 12''/14'', 120/140, 220/240) forward of the heel portion of the boot and rearward of the toe portion of the boot, operatively associated with the boot and the ski, respectively, detent means (60/73, 60//73'', 60/176, 60/276, 150/158, 162) forming part of said engaging portions for positive indexing therebetween in the respective planes of said engaging portions as well as in angular directions with respect to the longitudinal axes of the boot and the ski, said engaging portions being adapted to react by relative rotational movement, movement out of said planes of the engaging portions, and a combination of said movements, upon occurrence of a force of predetermined magnitude and duration, thereby allowing release of said engaging portions from each other and of the boot from the ski when the skier encounters a major obstacle which results in said force, wherein said engaging portions include a socket member (14, 14'', 140, 240) and a plug member (12, 12'', 120, 220), said members being adapted to be resiliently, detachably interconnected, and resilient means (66, 144) for maintaining said members in connected relation, further comprising means (32'', 314, 316, 300, 302, 330, 334 to 346) for attaching one (14'') of said socket and said plug members at least indirectly to the boot, including an elongated plate (32'') having forward (314) and rearward (316) extensions, said plate being arranged to be oriented generally lengthwise of the ski, said one member being attached to said plate at an intermediate portion thereof, first and second slidable sheaths (300, 302) adapted for respective engagement with said extensions, a toe bracket (346) on said first sheath for holding the toe portion of the boot, and cable means (330, 334 to 342) for detachably fastening the heel portion of the boot to said second sheath, said cable means including a cable connection (330) to said first sheath and to a pivotal bracket (344) on said second sheath, said bracket being adapted to be pivoted so as to fasten said cable means in a secured tight position about the heel portion of the boot.

Claim 5

The ski binding as defined in claim 2, wherein one of said socket and said plug members (12, 14, . . . ) is attached to said elongated plate (32 '') while the other of said members is attached to the ski (10).

Claim 6

A ski binding for removably attaching a skier''s boot to a ski, comprising an interengaging mechanism (FIGS. 1, 13, 16) between the boot (250) and the ski (10), said mechanism having substantially planar engaging portions (12/14, 12''/14'', 120/140, 220/240) forward of the heel portion of the boot and rearward of the toe portion of the boot, operatively associated with the boot and the ski, respectively, detent means (60/73, 60/73'', 60/176, 60/276, 150/158, 162) forming part of said engaging portions for positive indexing therebetween in the respective planes of said engaging portions as well as in angular directions with respect to the longitudinal axes of the boot and the ski, said engaging portions being adapted to react by relative rotational movement, movement out of said planes of the engaging portions, and a combination of said movements, upon occurrence of a force of predetermined magnitude and duration, thereby allowing release of said engaging portions from each other and of the boot from the ski when the skier encounters a major obstacle which results in said force, wherein said engaging portions include a socket member (14, 14'', 140, 240) and a plug member (12, 12'', 120, 220), said members being adapted to be resiliently, detachably connected, and resilient means (66, 144) for maintaining said members in connected relation, further comprising at least one rest (26, 28; 26'', 28''; 126'', 128'') secured at a distance from said engaging portions, in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the ski, to provide at least one couple for the boot and the ski, respectively, with respect to said engaging portions.

Claim 7

A ski binding for removably attaching a skier''s boot to a ski, comprising an interengaging mechanism (FIGS. 1, 13, 16) between the boot (250) and the ski (10), said mechanism having substantially planar engaging portions (12/14, 12''/14'', 120/140, 220/240) forward of the heel portion of the boot and rearward of the toe portion of the boot, operatively associated with the boot and the ski, respectively, detent means (60/73, 60/73'', 60/176, 60/276, 150/158, 162) forming part of said engaging portions for positive indexing therebetween in the respective planes of said engaging portions as well as in angular directions with respect to the longitudinal axes of the boot and the ski, said engaging portions being adapted to react by relative rotational movement, movement out of said planes of the engaging portions, and a combination of said movements, upon occurrence of a force of predetermined magnitude and duration, thereby allowing release of said engaging portions from each other and of the boot from the ski when the skier encounters a major obstacle which results in said force, wherein said engaging portions include a socket member (14, 14'', 140, 240) and a plug member (12, 12'', 120, 220), said members being adapted to be resiliently, detachably connected, and resilient means (66, 144) for maintaining said members in connected relation, further comprising at least one rest (26, 28; 26'', 28''; 126'', 128'') secured at a distance from said engaging portions, in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the ski, to provide at least one couple for the boot and the ski, respectively, with respect to said engaging portions.

Claim 8

A ski binding for removably attaching a skier''s boot to a ski, comprising an interengaging mechanism (FIGS. 1, 13, 16) between the boot (250) and the ski (10), said mechanism having substantially planar engaging portions (12/14, 12''/14'', 120//140, 220/240) forward of the heel portion of the boot and rearward of the toe portion of the boot, operatively associated with the boot and the ski, respectively, detent means (60/73, 60/73'', 60/176, 60/276, 150/158, 162) forming part of said engaging portions for positive indexing therebetween in the respective planes of said engaging portions as well as in angular directions with respect to the longitudinal axes of the boot and the ski, said engaging portions being adapted to react by relative rotational movement, movement out of said planes of the engaging portions, and a combination of said movements, upon occurrence of a force of predetermined magnitude and duration, thereby allowing release of said engaging portions from each other and of the boot from the ski when the skier encounters a major obstacle which results in said force, wherein said engaging portions include a socket member (14, 14'', 140, 240) and a plug member (12, 12'', 120, 220), said members being adapted to be resiliently, detachably interconnected, and resilient means (66, 144) for maintaining said members in connected relation, further comprising at least one rest (26, 28; 26'', 28''; 126'', 128'') secured at a distance from one of said plug and said socket members, in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the ski, to provide at least one fulcrum for the boot and the ski, respectively, with respect to said one member.

Claim 9

A ski binding for removably attaching a skier''s boot to a ski, comprising an interengaging mechanism (FIGS. 1, 13, 16) between the boot (250) and the ski (10), said mechanism having substantially planar engaging portions (12/14, 12''/14'', 120//140, 220/240) forward of the heel portion of the boot and rearward of the toe portion of the boot, operatively associated with the boot and the ski, respectively, detent means (60/73, 60/73'', 60/176, 60/276, 150/158, 162) forming part of said engaging portions for positive indexing therebetween in the respective planes of said engaging portions as well as in angular directions with respect to the longitudinal axes of the boot and the ski, said engaging portions being adapted to react by relative rotational movement, movement out of said planes of the engaging portions, and a combination of said movements, upon occurrence of a force of predetermined magnitude and duration, thereby allowing release of said engaging portions from each other and of the boot from the ski when the skier encounters a major obstacle which results in said force, wherein said engaging portions include a socket member (14, 14'', 140, 240) and a plug member (12, 12'', 120, 220), said members being adapted to be resiliently, detachably interconnected, and resilient means (66, 144) for maintaining said members in connected relation, further comprising at least one rest (26, 28; 26'', 28''; 126'', 128'') secured at a distance from one of said plug and said socket members, in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the ski, to provide at least one fulcrum for the boot and the ski, respectively, with respect to said one member.

Claim 10

The ski binding as defined in claim 5, the ski (10) having a geometric center substantially in the middle thereof, further comprising a base plate (16, 298) extending lengthwise of the ski, one of said engaging portions (12, 14, . . . ) being attached to said base plate, and means (20 - 24, 25) for adjusting the relative position of said base plate with respect to the ski, and thus the position of a floating point constituted by the interaction of respective engaging portions on the boot and the ski, thereby allowing the skier''s boot (250) to be selectively positioned relative to a flexure center of the ski, said geometric center being optionally non-coincident with said flexure center.

Claim 11

The ski binding as defined in claim 5, wherein said detent means (60/73, . . . ) each include at least two detent elements (60/73, 60/73'', 60/176, 60/276, 150/158, 162//176) adapted to be matingly interengaged when the boot (250) is operatively connected to the ski (10), further comprising means (66/144) for preloading a detent element in one of said engaging portions (12, 14, . . . ) with respect to a complementary detent element in the other of said engaging portions, said preloading means including said resilient means (66, 144), and wherein said force adjusting means includes at least one member (76, 176, 276) for selectively presetting the force of said preloading means.

Claim 12

The ski binding as defined in claim 5, wherein said socket member (14'') is integrally formed with the boot (250) while said plug member (12, 12'', . . . ) is attached to the ski (10).

Claim 13

The ski binding as defined in claim 5, further comprising at least three spaced-apart detent elements (60, 150) on one of said socket and said plug members (12, 14, . . . ), and a corresponding number of symmetrically disposed recesses (73, 73'', 158) on the other of said members, for receiving said elements in the detented position of said members.

Claim 14

The ski binding as defined in claim 9, wherein the spacing between adjoining ones of said detent elements (60, 150) and of said recesses (73, 73'', 158) is unequal.

Claim 15

The ski binding as defined in claim 5, further comprising an intermediate plate (32, 32'') extending lengthwise of the boot (250), said one member (14, 14'') being attached to said intermediate plate, and means (34, 44) for removably attaching the boot to said intermediate plate.

Claim 16

The ski binding as defined in claim 39, wherein said at least one rest (126'', 128'') is provided on said intermediate plate (32) in close proximity wIth the ski (10) to act as a fulcrum therefor with respect to the boot.

Claim 17

The ski binding as defined in claim 5, wherein said at least one rest (26, 28; 26'', 28'') is provided on the ski (10) in close proximity with the skier''s boot (250) to act as a fulcrum therefor with respect to the ski.

Claim 18

The ski binding as defined in claim 5, wherein said socket member (140) is of generally annular form, having at least two inwardly directed passages (142), an adjustable spring element (144) and a detent element (150) in each passage, said detent elements being lodged more inwardly than said spring elements, and means (148) for restraining said detent elements in said passages to limited movement in a direction inwardly from said socket member, said detent elements being urged inwardly by said spring elements.

Claim 19

The ski binding as defined in claim 14, wherein said inwardly directed passages (142) slope away, within the plane of said interengaging mechanism, at a slight angle from a radial direction toward the center portion of said socket member (140).

Claim 20

The ski binding as defined in claim 14, wherein said restraining means is constituted by at least two apertures (148) in said socket member (140), adjoining said detent elements (150), said apertures having a diameter less than that of said detent elements.

Claim 21

The ski binding as defined in claim 5, wherein said plug member (12, 12'', 120, 220) is of generally annular form, having at least two outwardly directed passages (54), a spring element (66), constituting said resilient means and a detent element (60) in each passage, said spring elements being lodged more inwardly than said detent elements, and means (58) for restraining said detent elements in said passages to limited movement in a direction outwardly from said plug member, and means (62, 76, 176, 276 - 279) associated with the inner ends of said passages for adjusting the compressive force of said spring elements.

Claim 22

The ski binding as defined in claim 17, wherein said passages (54) slope away, within the plane of said interengaging mechanism, at a slight angle from a radial direction toward the inner portion of said plug member (12, 12'').

Claim 23

The ski binding as defined in claim 17, wherein said socket member (14, 14'', 120, 220) is of generally annular form, the inside diameter of which is large enough to receive said plug member (12, 12'', 120, 220), and further comprising at least two recesses (73) about the inner periphery of said socket member for receiving said detent elements (60), thereby to hold said plug member to said socket member.

Claim 24

The ski binding as defined in claim 17, wherein said restraining means is in the form of an annular member (56) encircling said plug member (12) about the outer ends of said passages (54), said annular member being provided with holes of somewhat smaller diameters than those of said passages.

Claim 25

The ski binding as defined in claim 17, wherein said force adjusting means includes a screw (76, 176, 276) centrally disposed in said plug member (12, 12''), adapted to bear against the inner ends of said spring elements (66) and compress them substantially in proportion to the axial movement of said screw.

Claim 26

The ski binding as defined in claim 21, further comprising tapered segment members (62) disposed between said inner ends of the spring elements (66) and said screw (76, 176, 276), the latter having a tapered surface (80) complementary to the tapered surfaces of said segment members.

Claim 27

A ski binding for removably attaching a skier''s boot to a ski, comprising an interengaging mechanism (FIGS. 1, 13, 16) between the boot (250) and the ski (10), said mechanism having substantially planar engaging portions (120/140) forward of the heel portion of the boot and rearward of the toe portion of the boot, operatively associated with the boot and the ski, respectively, detent means (60/176) forming part of said engaging portions for positive indexing therebetween in the resPective planes of said engaging portions as well as in angular directions with respect to the longitudinal axes of the boot and the ski, said engaging portions being adapted to react by relative rotational movement, movement out of said planes of the engaging portions, and a combination of said movements, upon occurrence of a force of predetermined magnitude and duration, thereby allowing release of said engaging portions from each other and of the boot from the ski when the skier encounters a major obstacle which results in said force, wherein said engaging portions include a socket member (140) and a plug member (120), said members being adapted to be resiliently, detachably interconnected, and resilient means (144) for maintaining said members in connected relation, further wherein said socket member is of generally annular form, having at least two inwardly directed passages (142), an adjustable spring element (144), constituting said resilient means, and a detent element (150) in each passage, said detent elements being lodged more inwardly than said spring elements, and means (148) for restraining said detent elements in said passages to limited movement in a direction inwardly from said socket member, said detent elements being urged inwardly by said spring elements, and wherein said restraining means is constituted by at least two apertures (148) in said socket member (140), adjoining said detent elements (150), said apertures having a diameter less than that of said detent elements, and finally wherein said plug member is in the general form of a disc having at least two detent recesses (158) for receiving said detent elements, and grooves (160) in the side wall of said disc for facilitating movement of said elements between detented and separated positions.

Claim 28

A ski binding for removably attaching a skier''s boot to a ski, comprising an interengaging mechanism (FIGS. 1, 13, 16) between the boot (250) and the ski (10), said mechanism having substantially planar engaging portions (120/140) forward of the heel portion of the boot and rearward of the toe portion of the boot, operatively associated with the boot and the ski, respectively, detent means (60/176) forming part of said engaging portions for positive indexing therebetween in the resPective planes of said engaging portions as well as in angular directions with respect to the longitudinal axes of the boot and the ski, said engaging portions being adapted to react by relative rotational movement, movement out of said planes of the engaging portions, and a combination of said movements, upon occurrence of a force of predetermined magnitude and duration, thereby allowing release of said engaging portions from each other and of the boot from the ski when the skier encounters a major obstacle which results in said force, wherein said engaging portions include a socket member (140) and a plug member (120), said members being adapted to be resiliently, detachably interconnected, and resilient means (144) for maintaining said members in connected relation, further wherein said socket member is of generally annular form, having at least two inwardly directed passages (142), an adjustable spring element (144), constituting said resilient means, and a detent element (150) in each passage, said detent elements being lodged more inwardly than said spring elements, and means (148) for restraining said detent elements in said passages to limited movement in a direction inwardly from said socket member, said detent elements being urged inwardly by said spring elements, and wherein said restraining means is constituted by at least two apertures (148) in said socket member (140), adjoining said detent elements (150), said apertures having a diameter less than that of said detent elements, and finally wherein said plug member is in the general form of a disc having at least two detent recesses (158) for receiving said detent elements, and grooves (160) in the side wall of said disc for facilitating movement of said elements between detented and separated positions.

Claim 29

A ski binding for removably attaching a skier''s boot to a ski, comprising an interengaging mechanism (FIGS. 1, 13, 16) between the boot (250) and the ski (10), said mechanism having substantially planar engaging portions (12/14, 12''/14'', 120/140, 220/240) forward of the heel portion of the boot and rearward of the toe portion of the boot, operatively associated with the boot and the ski, respectively, detent means (60/73, 60//73'', 60/176, 60/276, 150/158, 162) forming part of said engaging portions for positive indexing therebetween in the respective planes of said engaging portions as well as in angular directions with respect to the longitudinal axes of the boot and the ski, said engaging portions being adapted to react by relative rotational movement, movement out of said planes of the engaging portions, and a combination of said movements, upon occurrence of a force of predetermined magnitude and duration, thereby allowing release of said engaging portions from each other and of the boot from the ski when the skier encounters a major obstacle which results in said force, wherein said engaging portions include a socket member (14, 14'', 140, 240) and a plug member (12, 12'', 120, 220), said members being adapted to be resiliently, detachably interconnected, and resilient means (66, 144) for maintaining said members in connected relation, and wherein said plug member is of generally annular form, having at least two outwardly directed passages (54), a spring element (66), constituting said resilient means, and a detent element (60) in each passage, said spring elements being lodged more inwardly than said detent elements, and means (58) for restraining said detent elements in said passages to limited movement in a direction outwardly from said plug member, and means (62, 76, 176, 276 to 279) associated with the inner ends of said passages for adjusting the compressive force of said spring elements, and finally wherein said detent elements are spheres, and the inner wall of said socket member includes a pair of complementary grooves (82, a, b) extending to the open from said recesses, for facilitating movement of said spheres between detented and separated positions.

Claim 30

A ski binding for removably attaching a skier''s boot to a ski, comprising an interengaging mechanism (FIGS. 1, 13, 16) between the boot (250) and the ski (10), said mechanism having substantially planar engaging portions (12/14, 12''/14'', 120/140, 220/240) forward of the heel portion of the boot and rearward of the toe portion of the boot, operatively associated with the boot and the ski, respectively, detent means (60/73, 60//73'', 60/176, 60/276, 150/158, 162) forming part of said engaging portions for positive indexing therebetween in the respective planes of said engaging portions as well as in angular directions with respect to the longitudinal axes of the boot and the ski, said engaging portions being adapted to react by relative rotational movement, movement out of said planes of the engaging portions, and a combination of said movements, upon occurrence of a force of predetermined magnitude and duration, thereby allowing release of said engaging portions from each other and of the boot from the ski when the skier encounters a major obstacle which results in said force, wherein said engaging portions include a socket member (14, 14'', 140, 240) and a plug member (12, 12'', 120, 220), said members being adapted to be resiliently, detachably interconnected, and resilient means (66, 144) for maintaining said members in connected relation, and wherein said plug member is of generally annular form, having at least two outwardly directed passages (54), a spring element (66), constituting said resilient means, and a detent element (60) in each passage, said spring elements being lodged more inwardly than said detent elements, and means (58) for restraining said detent elements in said passages to limited movement in a direction outwardly from said plug member, and means (62, 76, 176, 276 to 279) associated with the inner ends of said passages for adjusting the compressive force of said spring elements, and finally wherein said detent elements are spheres, and the inner wall of said socket member includes a pair of complementary grooves (82, a, b) extending to the open from said recesses, for facilitating movement of said spheres between detented and separated positions.

Claim 31

A ski binding for removably attaching a skier''s boot to a ski, comprising an interengaging mechanism (FIGS. 1, 13, 16) between the boot (250) and the ski (10), said mechanism having substantially planar engaging portions (12/14, 12''/14'', 120//140, 220/240) forward of the heel portion of the boot and rearward of the toe portion of the boot, operatively associated with the boot and the ski, respectively, detent means (60/73, 60/73'', 60/176, 60/276, 150/158, 162) forming part of said engaging portions for positive indexing therebetween in the respective planes of said engaging portions as well as in angular directions with respect to the longitudinal axes of the boot and the ski, said engaging portions being adapted to react by relative rotational movement, movement out of said planes of the engaging portions, and a combination of said movements, upon occurrence of a force of predetermined magnitude and duration, thereby allowing release of said engaging portions from each other and of the boot from the ski when the skier encounters a major obstacle which results in said force, wherein said engaging portions include a socket member (14, 14'', 140, 240) and a plug member (12, 12'', 120, 220), said members being adapted to be resiliently, detachably interconnected, and resilient means (66, 144) for maintaining said members in connected relation, and wherein said plug member is of generally annular form, having at least two outwardly directed passages (54), a spring element (66), constituting said resilient means, and a detent element (60) in each passage, said spring elements being lodged more inwardly than said detent elements, and means (58) for restraining said detent elements in said passages to limited movement in a direction outwardly from said plug member, and means (62, 76, 176, 276 to 279) associated with the inner ends of said passages for adjusting the compressive force of said spring elements, and finally wherein said plug member includes at least one pair of levers (180) having terminal detent portions (182) while said socket member includes at least one pair of apertures (242, 250a) for receiving said detent portions, and further comprising biasing means (66, 162) in said plug member for urging said detent portions in engagement with said apertures.

Claim 32

A ski binding for removably attaching a skier''s boot to a ski, comprising an interengaging mechanism (FIGS. 1, 13, 16) between the boot (250) and the ski (10), said mechanism having substantially planar engaging portions (12/14, 12''/14'', 120//140, 220/240) forward of the heel portion of the boot and rearward of the toe portion of the boot, operatively associated with the boot and the ski, respectively, detent means (60/73, 60/73'', 60/176, 60/276, 150/158, 162) forming part of said engaging portions for positive indexing therebetween in the respective planes of said engaging portions as well as in angular directions with respect to the longitudinal axes of the boot and the ski, said engaging portions being adapted to react by relative rotational movement, movement out of said planes of the engaging portions, and a combination of said movements, upon occurrence of a force of predetermined magnitude and duration, thereby allowing release of said engaging portions from each other and of the boot from the ski when the skier encounters a major obstacle which results in said force, wherein said engaging portions include a socket member (14, 14'', 140, 240) and a plug member (12, 12'', 120, 220), said members being adapted to be resiliently, detachably interconnected, and resilient means (66, 144) for maintaining said members in connected relation, and wherein said plug member is of generally annular form, having at least two outwardly directed passages (54), a spring element (66), constituting said resilient means, and a detent element (60) in each passage, said spring elements being lodged more inwardly than said detent elements, and means (58) for restraining said detent elements in said passages to limited movement in a direction outwardly from said plug member, and means (62, 76, 176, 276 to 279) associated with the inner ends of said passages for adjusting the compressive force of said spring elements, and finally wherein said plug member includes at least one pair of levers (180) having terminal detent portions (182) while said socket member includes at least one pair of apertures (242, 250a) for receiving said detent portions, and further comprising biasing means (66, 162) in said plug member for urging said detent portions in engagement with said apertures.

Claim 33

A ski binding for removably attaching a skier''s boot to a ski, comprising an interengaging mechanism (FIGS. 1, 13, 16) between the boot (250) and the ski (10), said mechanism having substantially planar engaging portions (12/14, 12''/14'', 120/140, 220/240) forward of the heel portion of the boot and rearward of the toe portion of the boot, operatively associated with the boot and the ski, respectively, detent means (60/73, 60//73'', 60/176, 60/276, 150/158, 162) forming part of said engaging portions for positive indexing therebetween in the respective planes of said engaging portions as well as in angular directions with respect to the longitudinal axes of the boot and the ski, said engaging portions being adapted to react by relative rotational movement, movement out of said planes of the engaging portions, and a combination of said movements, upon occurrence of a force of predetermined magnitude and duration, thereby allowing release of said engaging portions from each other and of the boot from the ski when the skier encounters a major obstacle which results in said force, wherein said engaging portions include a socket member (14, 14'', 140, 240) and a plug member (12, 12'', 120, 220), said members being adapted to be resiliently, detachably interconnected, and resilient means (66, 144) for maintaining said members in connected relation, and wherein said plug member is of generally annular form, having at least two outwardly directed passages (54), a spring element (66), constituting said resilient means, and a detent element (60) in each passage, said spring elements being lodged more inwardly than said detent elements, and means (58) for restraining said detent elements in saId passages to limited movement in a direction outwardly from said plug member, and means (62, 76, 176, 276 to 279) associated with the inner ends of said passages for adjusting the compressive force of said spring elements, and finally wherein said force adjusting means includes a screw (76, 176, 276) centrally disposed in said plug member, adapted to bear against the inner ends of said spring elements and compress them substantially in proportion to the axial movement of said screw, finally comprising a fixed slip collar (279) within which said screw is freely rotatable, a disc (277) to which said screw is threadedly connected and which is adapted to be displaced along the axis of said screw, proportional to said axial movement of the screw, and spheres (262) at said inner ends of the spring elements, the peripheral edges of said collar and said disc being contoured to receive said spheres, whereby said axial movement alters the displacement of said spring elements by the radial displacement of said spheres.

Claim 34

A ski binding for removably attaching a skier''s boot to a ski, comprising an interengaging mechanism (FIGS. 1, 13, 16) between the boot (250) and the ski (10), said mechanism having substantially planar engaging portions (12/14, 12''/14'', 120/140, 220/240) forward of the heel portion of the boot and rearward of the toe portion of the boot, operatively associated with the boot and the ski, respectively, detent means (60/73, 60//73'', 60/176, 60/276, 150/158, 162) forming part of said engaging portions for positive indexing therebetween in the respective planes of said engaging portions as well as in angular directions with respect to the longitudinal axes of the boot and the ski, said engaging portions being adapted to react by relative rotational movement, movement out of said planes of the engaging portions, and a combination of said movements, upon occurrence of a force of predetermined magnitude and duration, thereby allowing release of said engaging portions from each other and of the boot from the ski when the skier encounters a major obstacle which results in said force, wherein said engaging portions include a socket member (14, 14'', 140, 240) and a plug member (12, 12'', 120, 220), said members being adapted to be resiliently, detachably interconnected, and resilient means (66, 144) for maintaining said members in connected relation, and wherein said plug member is of generally annular form, having at least two outwardly directed passages (54), a spring element (66), constituting said resilient means, and a detent element (60) in each passage, said spring elements being lodged more inwardly than said detent elements, and means (58) for restraining said detent elements in saId passages to limited movement in a direction outwardly from said plug member, and means (62, 76, 176, 276 to 279) associated with the inner ends of said passages for adjusting the compressive force of said spring elements, and finally wherein said force adjusting means includes a screw (76, 176, 276) centrally disposed in said plug member, adapted to bear against the inner ends of said spring elements and compress them substantially in proportion to the axial movement of said screw, finally comprising a fixed slip collar (279) within which said screw is freely rotatable, a disc (277) to which said screw is threadedly connected and which is adapted to be displaced along the axis of said screw, proportional to said axial movement of the screw, and spheres (262) at said inner ends of the spring elements, the peripheral edges of said collar and said disc being contoured to receive said spheres, whereby said axial movement alters the displacement of said spring elements by the radial displacement of said spheres.