Pivoting ski binding
A pivoting ski binding for binding a ski boot to a ski for use by a skier includes rod structure coupled to the ski boot, and step-in structure constructed to allow the boot and rod structure to couple to the ski when the skier steps down onto the ski. Several versions are described including ones wherein the rod structure is intergral with the ski boot, and others wherein the rod structure is attachable or couplable to the ski boot.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/565,782, which was filed Apr. 26, 2004 and entitled “Pivoting Ski Binding”, the subject matter which is herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUNDTelemark skiing, in which the skier has the ability to raise his heel, uses a totally different binding system than that used for Alpine skis. This “Freeheel” movement is characterized by the flexing of both knees, while allowing the uphill ski to trail the downhill. It's a very artful movement when done well, and precision at the boot/ski interface is essential in order to optimize control. Telemark Boots are made to flex just above the metatarsals, further allowing the heel to be raised off the ski.
Another form of skiing where one raises the heel is Alpine Touring (AT), or Randonee. Special bindings are used that allow for heel-lift when climbing, and a locked-down heel when skiing down. Many Telemark skiers have switched to AT because it offers more control and is easier on ones' knees. Those that have switched are often frustrated that they can't do both Telemark Skiing and Downhill-type skiing on the same equipment. With the design disclosed herein, it will now be possible to telemark ski, climb, and have the option of locking the heel down for Downhill skiing, all while benefiting from a step-in mechanism, lighter weight, and releasability.
The “New Telemark Norm” (NTN) is a set of binding standards currently in the process of being re-defined. In the past they've encompassed the dimensions of the toepiece, for example. Since telemark boots and skis have made so much progress in the last decade (essentially becoming equal to Downhill gear), the pressure is on to find a binding/boot interface that allows for better edge control, ease of use, and reliability. In short, new standards of binding performance that allow the Telemark skier to meet the performance level of standard downhill equipment is in order, since the binding is now the “weak link”.
It is clear that standard systems, which rely on various mechanisms, be they toepieces or plates, which “clamp” the boot onto the ski via the “duckbill” (toe portion of the boot), are in need of a massive overhaul. When examining the biomechanics of Telemark skiing, it becomes obvious that all the action is at the ball of the foot. So why do standard bindings transfer all the forces via a duckbill, at the very tip of the boot? Simply because that was the easiest thing to do, and was the standard set with the original “Bear Trap” bindings.
Since the boot must flex at the ball of the foot in order to execute a proper telemark turn, why not couple that area directly with the ski, while maintaining the same kinematics? The only way to do this is to allow for a fixed pivot near the ball of the foot, while allowing the boot forward of the pivot to flex downwards on the Z axis (under adjustable tension) towards the ski—the basis of the design disclosed herein.
Thus one starts with a neutral pivot that transfers forces better than any other binding due to the boot's precise interface (not dependent on clamping mechanisms) with the ski via a rod or defined pivot point at a point corresponding with the natural flex of the boot/foot. This means that the boot undergoes much less torsion, while transferring forces to the ski much more directly, yet still maintains the same “feel” as standard bindings. By allowing for adjustment of toe and heel pressure, one can tune the binding for the feel one likes. Some people like a very neutral feel, and others like an active (heel-retention) feel.
The prior art generally involves various forms of toepeices that engage the duckbill. A variety of cable/strap/compression spring systems hold the boot into the toepeice, in addition to serving as a means for varying the amount of “heel retention”, or tendency of the boot to spring back towards the ski. There are several different types of safety bindings offered that work with the cable system, allowing ones' foot to pivot laterally. In addition, there are several “Plate” binding systems; these generally have an articulating plate that runs the length of the boot.
Nordic Bindings have used a rod on the boot which attaches to the binding for many years, but they differ markedly from this invention since they exert toe pressure in the Y axis, not the Z axis. Also, they have no mechanism for releasability, step-in, or climbing. Because of this, Nordic boots are made so as not to flex much in the toe region, unlike Telemark Boots. cl The Following Disadvantages are all Prominent in the Prior Art
- 1 No step-in component
- 2 Heavy weight
- 3 Fragility—the cables or plates often break
- 4 Poor climbing due to compression of the boot bellows
- 5 Very poor transmission of forces to the edges due to loose fit of the toepiece, and boot torsion
- 6 Questionable, or no releaseability
- 7 No heel down
- 8 Lack of tune-ability
- 1 Step-in
- 2 Lightweight
- 3 Easily adjustable heel retention
- 4 Much better edging due to direct transfer of forces to the edges from the point where the forces are initiated (the ball of the foot)
- 5 Heel lock-down option (for Downhill skiing)
- 6 Much more robust due to elimination of cables/plates
- 7 Toe pressure-release for climbing—no compression of bellows
- 8 Bio-mechanically tuned safety release system (pivots under the foot, not at either end)
- 9 Adjustable toe pressure
- 10 “Tune-able” all the way from neutral to active feel
Sheet 10 shows initial sketches of the binding in its elemental form.
Sheet 11 shows initial sketches of the binding with heel lock-down and spring-board style toe resistance system.
- 2—Rod
- 4—Arbor
- 6—Step-in
- 8—Plate
- 10—Release plate
- 12—Torsion Spring
- 14—Leaf Spring
- 16—Adjustment Screw
- 18—Leaf Spring pivot
- 20—Fastpin
- 22—Compression Mechanism
- 24—Latch
- 26—Heel Lock-Down
- 28—Plunger
- 30—Plunger Spring
- 32—Barrel
- 34—Heel Riser
- 36—Shim
- 38—Travel Limiter
- 40—Slots
- 42—Clasp
- 44—Spring Heel
- 46—Elastic Band
- 48—Springe tension adjuster
- 50—Hinged Arbor
- 52—Cam Lock
- 54—Base
- 56—Pin
- 58—Extension Spring
- 60—Rod Interface
- 62—Toe Resistance System
- 64—Adjustable Spring
- 66—Releasable Coupling
- 68—Sprung Latch
- 70—Retention Spring
- 72—Compression Spring
- 74—Lever
- 76—Bellows Adjuster
- 78—Boot Hinge
The rod (which may also be thought of as rod structure, and which may be characterized as a mechanical interface) is a central feature to this design, as it provides a pivot point for the boot altogether unique from previous systems, and bio-mechanically more appropriate. The optimum version of this binding would involve integration of the rod into a boot so that it extends laterally at a point near the ball of the foot (head of the metatarsals). The rod could be co-molded into the boot, or attached in ways germane to the art. As an interim (after-market) solution, the rod may be attached to the boot with fasteners such as screws and/or formed facets which ensure its stability when attached. Alternatively, it may be part of a mechanism that attaches and detaches easily. The rod is ideally stainless steel or other robust non-corrosive material, preferably at least ⅛″ thick and protruding such that it is grasp-able by binding mechanism. It may also be adjustably placed along the front portion of the boot sole. Alternatively they may be removable, as in
Step-in structure may take the form of an arbor which is made to correspond with the dimensions of the rod such that the rod fits into slots in the arbor. The arbor is either mounted directly to the ski, or coupled to a release plate that pivots around a compression mechanism, preferably located under the boot. This type of compression mechanism release system is germane to the art, but is generally located at the toe or heel portions of the boot, and not under it. Providing release-ability below the boot is more ideal, as the leverage the ski exerts when releasing applies less force to the leg.
A variety of means may be employed to act as the step-in feature—anything that allows the rod to move into a final position in the arbor and be locked in that position until it is released. One method (see
Another method (see
As shown in
A toe resistance system that allows for exertion of upward pressure on the bottom of the boot toe (thus mimicking heel-retention and similar kinematics to standard bindings) could be employed. One version (as pictured in
As shown in
Although it's not necessary, since heel retention forces are already applied via the aforementioned means, an elastic strap or sprung cable (as shown in
A heel lock-down option is desirable, and very easy to incorporate into this design, as the heel is essentially free of the hardware that is part of standard bindings. Please see the separate patent application of Kaj Gyr titled “Ski Boot Heel Stop” for precedent and further information. One version (as in
A second version (as pictured in
Either lock-down may clasp the boot above a notch, or a custom notch may be made in the boot. Alternatively, an add-on piece may be attached to the boot to interface with the lock. The heel throws of standard bindings may also interface with the lock-down mechanism.
The aforementioned versions, when coupled with the release plate, allow for a step-in releasable binding. Another way of approaching releasability without the need for a release plate is to make the point at which the rod interfaces with the binding double as a step-in and release mechanism. Such a releasable coupling is pictured in
Various versions of this system are possible.
As an alternative to many of the other step-in systems, a variety of sprung latch mechanisms are possible.
- 1 The pivoting binding without coupling to a release mechanism.
- 2 Inclusion or elimination of the optional heel lock-down.
- 3 The use of other step-in means
- 4 The addition of ski brakes
- 5 A variety of adjustments for heel height integrated into the heel lock-down mechanism
- 6 Alternate means for applying toe/heel pressure and retention.
- 8 Elimination of the step-in component while retaining the rod pivot.
- 9 An after-market version of the rod that's easily attachable to a boot.
- 10 Any pivot that allows for the same dynamic as the rod arbor, e.g., a simple hinge, or reversal of the rod/arbor, wherein there are indentations in the boot, and rods attached to the arbor.
- 11 Movement of the rod anywhere along the outside, or within the boot sole.
- 12 Variations in placement of the rod height-wise, e.g., the rod/pivoting area may be below the boot sole, closer to the ski.
- 13 Inclusion of a torsion spring or other spring which acts upon the rod/arbor and which has the tendency of forcing the boot heel downward. This spring may be adjustable in ways germane to the art. This could preclude the need for heel-retention or toe resistance mechanisms. The rod may be formed with hard facets so that it catches the spring on the arbor side, and with boot flexion towards the ski puts increasing pressure on the spring, further “winding” it.
- 14 Means for adjusting which part of the toe portion of the boot touches the ski/binding/shim. This effects the flex/bending of the boot toe, and thus has a great impact on the “feel”.
- 15 An adjustable sloped shim that applies pressure to the boot toe variably, depending on where on its sloped slide the boot comes in contact.
- 16 A spring or resilient piece under the heel (on top of or integrated within the heel riser) that mimics the “rocker” feel.
- 17 The rod, instead of protruding from the sides of the boot, may be exposed along its bottom surface, with the arbor clasping it from below.
- 18 Inflatable bladders as a toe-resistance system.
- 19 Any combination of the above.
It must be mentioned that the focus of the specification thus far has been the binding. Needless to say, a custom boot would be ideal, although standard boots may be adapted via an adapter plate or similar means. Custom boots would offer unique performance advantages that are directly related to their interface with the pivoting binding. Ideally such a boot would include: 1) means for varying flex of the bellows or flex area (see
Again, the central feature of this binding is the dynamic of a defined pivot close to the ball of the foot, while the forward portion of the boot moves downward in the Z axis. Since this dynamic is absolutely unique to the art, this specification focuses on the generalities of this pivoting dynamic, as opposed to specifics versions thereof. There are many interesting options available with this design, yet all are sub-categories of this overarching pivot system. cl Operation
Since there is no standard toepiece with this binding, there is no need to bend down and hold the ski/cables while the foot is slid into the toepiece. One simply steps down at the rod/slot interface, and attachment happens via the aforementioned means. Adjustment of the leaf spring or heel retention mechanism can be done with the boot disengaged, and is generally set infrequently.
When climbing, one can disengage the toe resistance by releasing the leaf spring adjustment screw, thus allowing the boot to pivot freely around the rod. If there are spring mechanisms under the toe, these can be removed or slid forward.
The heel lock-down option can be engaged simply by sticking ones' ski pole into a cavity on the plunger, and moving the plunger forward to contact the boot heel.
Conclusions, Ramifications, and ScopeClearly there are a variety of forms this binding may take. The basic concept of using a rod integrated with the boot which allows the boot to pivot near the ball of the foot (metatarsal area), while foregoing the use of cables or plates, is unique. Versions made specifically for Randonee, racing, or general lift skiing would all incorporate various forms of heel retention, toe pivoting, releasability and adjustability. The various embodiments are more a function of aesthetics and material concerns rather than design constraints. Materials and methods germane to the art may be liberally employed in various combinations. Versions which incorporate some but not all the invention's attributes might be chosen, e.g., a simple pivot that offers no release or step-in already outperfomrs the competion, and thus might be a good base model. Thus the scope of the invention should not be limited to the specific embodiments described in this specification, but rather to the range of options a boot which pivots around the ball of the foot ushers in.
The specific embodiments of the binding invention disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of this disclosure includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various features, elements, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. No single feature, function, element or property of the disclosed embodiments is essential. The following claims define certain combinations and subcombinations which are regarded as novel and non-obvious. Other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of the present claims or presentation of new claims in this or a related application. Such claims, whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the disclosure.
Claims
1. A pivoting ski binding for binding a ski boot to a ski for use by a skier, comprising:
- rod structure coupled to the ski boot; and
- step-in structure constructed to allow the boot and rod structure to couple to the ski when the skier steps down onto the ski.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 26, 2005
Publication Date: May 22, 2008
Inventor: Kaj Gyr (Nelson)
Application Number: 11/116,124