Patents by Inventor Engelbert Spitaler

Engelbert Spitaler has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5413370
    Abstract: A ski binding including a front jaw, a heel holder and a connecting element consisting of two partial sections. The front jaw is slidingly movably supported in a ski-fixed guide rail and can be fixed in predetermined positions. The guide rail has a locking element with which the front partial section can be fixed. In order for the manufacturer to connect in this ski binding the guide rail for the front jaw and the front partial section to form one unit for easy transport, the front partial section of the connecting element has a cover with at least two locking members which engage corresponding recesses in the guide rail, the two locking members being reciprocally active against one another in vertical planes so as to prevent an inadvertent unlocking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: HTM Sport- und Freizeitgeraete Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Janisch, Helmut Wladar, Hubert Wuerthner, Engelbert Spitaler
  • Patent number: 5273305
    Abstract: A ski and ski-binding combination. The ski has several holes for receiving therein fastening screws for the selective fastening of ski-binding elements arranged in the ski in the binding-installation area. The holes are covered, however, are marked to the outside by markings. The arrangement of holes for the ski-binding elements is adjusted to the length of the ski and chosen such that the ski bindings are suited to receive only a limited number of successive ski-boot sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: HTM Sport- und Freizeitgeraete Gesellschaft m. b. H.
    Inventors: Roland Erdei, Alois Himmetsberger, Klaus Hoelzl, Reinhold Wawra, Gottfried Steiner, Engelbert Spitaler
  • Patent number: 5193840
    Abstract: A ski binding for a cross country ski or touring ski (1). The ski binding includes a swivel part (40) and a holding cup (50) both pivotal about a transversely extending first axle (3) against the force of an elastic element in unison as well as with respect to one another. The swivel part (40) is constructed as a two-arm toggle lever and carries therewith a locking pin (42) on a first lever arm (41) thereof and a second axle (7) for a lock part (60) on a second lever arm (43) thereof. The holding cup (50) has in a front area thereof a crossbar (54) connecting its sidewalls (52), which crossbar is constructed as a locking nose (55) at its front end. The locking nose is defined by a first arcuate surface (56) extending around the transversely extending first axle (3) and a contiguous arcuate holding surface (57). A lock part (60) is provided and includes an arcuate surface region (61 ) around the second axle (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: HTM Sport- und Freizeitgeraete Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Engelbert Spitaler, Heinz Wittman, Roland Erdei
  • Patent number: 5190309
    Abstract: A ski binding for a cross country or touring ski. The ski binding includes a swivel part (40) and a holding cup (50), both pivotal in unison about a transversely extending axle against the force of an elastic element and also with respect to one another. The swivel part (40) is a two-arm toggle lever and carries a locking pin on a first lever arm thereof and an axle for a lock part (60) on a second lever arm (43) thereof. The second lever arm (43) of the swivel part (40) extends downwardly and forwardly. The elastic element includes a spring (5) arranged in an elongated recess (33) in the base plate (31) of the bearing block (30) and directly stresses the second lever arm (43) of the swivel part (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: HTM Sport-und Freizeitgeraete Gesellschaft m.b. H.
    Inventors: Engelbert Spitaler, Heinz Wittmann, Roland Erdei
  • Patent number: 4688820
    Abstract: The ski brake blades of the present invention have a recess or notch on their inner surface. These notches engage the mandrels of the other ski brake at a point above the blade. The two skis are thus held together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Assignee: TMC Corporation
    Inventors: Engelbert Spitaler, Hubert Wuerthner
  • Patent number: 4681338
    Abstract: A safety ski binding includes a base member having a sole holder pivotally supported thereon, and a locking mechanism biased by a locking spring can releasably hold the sole holder in a downhill skiing position. The locking mechanism includes a control surface provided on the rear portion of the sole holder and a locking lever biased by the locking spring into engagement with the control surface. A hand lever is pivotally supported on the locking lever and has a manually operable force arm, a load arm which can engage the sole holder and move it toward its open position when the force arm is moved in a first direction, and an extension which can engage the sole holder and move it toward its downhill skiing position when the force arm is moved in a second direction opposite the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Assignee: TMC Corporation
    Inventor: Engelbert Spitaler
  • Patent number: 4664406
    Abstract: A heel holder has a bearing block on which a binding housing biased by an opening spring and a control lever biased by an adjustable locking spring are supported for movement about two transverse axles. A control member is associated with the control lever and, in the downhill skiing position of the heel holder, is held by a release lever. In one preferred embodiment, the control member is a crankshaft which is rotated during a voluntary release. In a second preferred embodiment, the release lever is supported on the bearing block on the axle of the binding housing, and it has two legs which carry hook-shaped projections and are arranged within the sidewalls of the bearing block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignee: TMC Corporation
    Inventors: Engelbert Spitaler, Henry Freisinger
  • Patent number: 4602804
    Abstract: A safety ski binding includes a sole holder which is pivotally supported on a base member for movement upwardly about a transversely extending axle relative to the base member. The sole holder in the position of use is held thereat by a locking spring which acts onto a locking mechanism also supported on the base member. A hand lever is pivotally secured to the base member for movement about a second transversely extending axle, and through compression of the locking spring overcomes the spring loading of the locking mechanism. Thus, the sole holder can be swung upwardly force-free. The locking mechanism includes a first locking rocker arm which is pivotally supported for movement about the second axle and engages the sole holder and a second locking spring. The second locking rocker arm is also supported on the base member. The hand lever engages the first locking rocker arm so that upon a manual manipulation thereof, the locking spring will be compressed until the sole holder can be freely swung upwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1986
    Assignee: TMC Corporation
    Inventors: Engelbert Spitaler, Hubert Wuerthner
  • Patent number: 4561672
    Abstract: A safety ski binding comprising a sole holder and comprising at least two holding jaws which hold the ski shoe in the downhill skiing position and which operatively engage a shoe fitting which is secured to a ski shoe in the region of the shoe sole. The holding jaws can be moved into a position which releases the ski shoe by means of a slide member which can be moved in longitudinal direction of the ski against the force of at least one recess spring. At least the shoe fitting or the holding jaws are provided with control surface structure which controls the release function. The shoe fitting, which is secured in the region of the sole of the shoe, is arranged within the sole dimension and preferably within the plane which is defined by the sole. The shoe fitting has two rear holding elements and at least one front holding element, which holding elements cooperate with two rear holding jaws and at least one front holding jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Assignee: TMC Corporation
    Inventor: Engelbert Spitaler
  • Patent number: 4548424
    Abstract: A safety ski binding which can releasably hold a ski boot on a ski includes a release mechanism having a slide member which operatively engages the ski boot when it is held in the binding and moves from an initial position in a first direction in response to movement of the ski boot during a release thereof. A coupling mechanically couples the resilient arrangement to the slide member, the resilient arrangement biasing the slide member in a second direction opposite the first direction. The coupling automatically interrupts the coupling of the resilient arrangement and the slide member when the slide member has moved a first distance from its initial position in the first direction. A pickup responsive to movement of the slide member sends signals to a circuit which, when the slide member has moved a second distance less than the first predetermined distance from its initial position, actuates an arrangement which causes the coupling to interrupt the coupling of the slide member and resilient engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1985
    Assignee: TMC Corporation
    Inventor: Engelbert Spitaler
  • Patent number: 4545598
    Abstract: A safety ski binding includes a releasable jaw having a pivotally supported holding mechanism which is adapted to engage a ski shoe. The jaw includes first and second cylinders with fluid actuated pistons therein, and a fluid channel interconnects the cylinders. A check valve in the fluid channel resists fluid flow from the first cylinder to the second, and a solenoid controlled valve in the fluid channel, when open, creates a bypass around the check valve. A mechanism is provided for applying forces to the piston of the second cylinder to pressurize the first cylinder via the check valve causing the piston of the first cylinder to itself be urged against or to urge another member against a locking track in a manner which maintains the jaw in a closed position. In a preferred embodiment, the cylinders are provided on the holding mechanism and the locking track is fixed to the ski.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1985
    Assignee: TMC Corporation
    Inventors: Engelbert Spitaler, Gerhard Oberleitner, Josef Svoboda, Theodor Nitschko, Wilfried Riss
  • Patent number: 4516791
    Abstract: A safety ski binding includes a holding jaw and a jaw which can be released electrically under control of a control circuit. The holding jaw includes two movable sole holders having thereon pistons movable in respective, fluid-filled chambers. The holding jaw also includes a movable stepping plate, and the stepping plate and one sole holder can each flex respective membranes of a further fluid-filled chamber. Each of the three chambers communicates with a respective piezoelectric element which is connected to the control circuit. Forces applied to the holding jaw by a ski boot can increase the pressure in the various chambers and the piezoelectric elements each produce a signal proportional to such pressure, the control circuit electrically releasing the other jaw if the forces exceed predetermined values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1985
    Assignee: TMC Corporation
    Inventors: Wilfried Riss, Theodor Nitschko, Engelbert Spitaler, Gerhard Oberleitner
  • Patent number: 4456281
    Abstract: A heel holder of a ski binding includes a base plate supported on a ski, a housing pivotally supported on the base plate, and a release lever pivotally supported on the housing by a horizontal axle. The release lever has a cam and a locking member movably supported in the housing is urged against the cam by a release spring. A connecting member has a slotlike opening in one end through which a transverse axle provided on the release handle extends. A unit having a stepping spur and sole hold-down is pivotally supported on the opposite end of the connecting member. A compression spring disposed in a blind hole in the release lever and cooperable with the first end of the connecting member urges it outwardly, and torsion springs provided on the transverse axle urge the unit to swing upwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1984
    Assignee: TMC Corporation
    Inventors: Theodor Nitschko, Engelbert Spitaler
  • Patent number: 4441733
    Abstract: A mechanism for adjusting the position of a ski binding jaw on a ski includes a guide rail which is secured to a ski and which has a pair of spaced guideways and a serrated strip therebetween extending parallel to the ski. The base plate of the binding is longitudinally movably supported on the guideways and has two longitudinally spaced extensions which extend downwardly between the guideways. A spring and a locking element having a recess and a tooth system thereon are provided between the guideways and between the base plate extensions, the locking element being supported for transverse movement between a first and second position in which its tooth system is respectively engaged with and free of engagement with the serrated strip on the guide rail. The spring urges the locking element toward the first position. The base plate has an opening which is substantially aligned with the recess in the locking element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Assignee: TMC Corporation
    Inventor: Engelbert Spitaler
  • Patent number: 4411446
    Abstract: A release binding has a swivel element mounted on a base plate and a support member supported on the swivel element for pivotal movement about a vertical axis. A housing with a sole holder is pivotally supported on the support member by a horizontal axle. A notch carrier is supported for reciprocal horizontal movement in the support member and has a sector-shaped notch with a curved recess at the apex thereof. An upright extension is provided on the swivel element and a spring urges the notch carrier into engagement therewith. Engagement of the extension with side surfaces of the notch recess inhibits pivotal movement of the support element. Cam surfaces provided on the housing are engaged by the notch carrier so as to resist a pivotal release movement of the housing, during which movement the cam surfaces displace the notch carrier against the force of the spring, thereby disengaging the extension from the notch recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Assignee: TMC Corporation
    Inventor: Engelbert Spitaler