Abstract: Apparatus for connection to a cross-country ski for laterally guiding a ski shoe having a front end attached to the ski at a position forwardly of the rear of the shoe whose heel is vertically movable on the ski in the longitudinal median plane thereof includes a longitudinally extending guide rib adapted to cooperate with a longitudinal groove of complementary shape in the sole of the ski shoe. The groove successively includes, from front to rear, a first region beneath the toes of the foot of the wearer of the shoe, a second region beneath the ball of the foot of the wearer, a third region beneath the arch of the foot of the wearer, and a fourth region beneath the the heel of the foot of the wearer. The rib has opposite lateral sides defining the width of the guide, and a top surface defining the height of the guide. Both the slope of the sides relative to the longitudinal median plane of the ski, and the height of the guide, are nonconstant functions of the length of the guide.

Abstract: A binding for a cross-country ski shoe in which the shoe is mounted for pivotal movement about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the ski. An elastic bumper exerts a return force on the shoe when the shoe is lifted from the upper surface of the ski. The elastic bumper is brought into a prestressed condition during the closing of the binding. The prestressing is achieved by either the displacement of the shoe with respect to the elastic bumper or displacement of the elastic bumper with respect to the shoe. This displacement may either be slidable or pivotal movement of a carriage.

Abstract: The process consists in embedding two longitudinal ends (23, 24) of an assembly component (21) making up the binding mechanism into stationary parts (16) or parts unitary with the ski (27a). According to one embodiment, the locking system of the ski boot is composed of a locking piece (2) which slides longitudinally, and the assembly component is constituted by this movable locking piece (21). The device also comprises a toggle joint system which draws the locking piece (21) into the boot-locking position, and one of the fulcrum members (27a) of the toggle joint system is anchored on the ski so as to produce the vertically-oriented recessed housing of one end (24) of the assembly component (21).

Abstract: Apparatus for connection to a cross-country ski for laterally guiding a ski shoe having a front end atached to the ski at a position forwardly of the rear of the shoe whose heel is vertically movable on the ski in the longitudinal median plane thereof includes a longitudinally extending guide rib adapted to cooperate with a longitudinal groove of complementary shape in the sole of the ski shoe. The groove successively includes, from front to rear, a first region beneath the toes of the foot of the wearer of the shoe, a second region beneath the ball of the foot of the wearer, a third region beneath the arch of the foot of the wearer, and a fourth region beneath the heel of the foot of the wearer. The rib has opposite lateral sides defining the width of the guide, and a top surface defining the height of the guide. Both the slope of the sides relative to the longitudinal median plane of the ski, and the height of the guide, are nonconstant functions of the length of the guide.

Abstract: A binding for a cross-country ski shoe in which the shoe is mounted for pivotal movement about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the ski. An elastic bumper exerts a return force on the shoe when the shoe is lifted from the upper surface of the ski. The elastic bumper is brought into a prestressed condition during the closing of the binding. The prestressing is achieved by either the displacement of the shoe with respect to the elastic bumper or displacement of the elastic bumper with respect to the shoe. This displacement may either be slidable or pivotal movement of a carriage.

Abstract: Cross-country ski binding for a shoe or boot having a transverse journal axle. A fixed and movable jaw receive the journal axle and allow pivotal movement of the shoe or boot relative to the ski. A toggle or overcenter linkage both biases and latches the movable jaw in a closed position and guide the movable jaw in its movement relative to the fixed jaw.

Abstract: A binding for keeping the front of a boot (3) positioned on a cross-country ski, comprising a locking slide (6) mounted so as to move longitudinally, when acted upon by a control device, in a slide channel (9) fastened to the upper surface of the ski, the locking slide having a hook (7) at one end extending transversely and unitary with a stem (8) inserted so as to slide in the longitudinal slide channel (9), and a frontal stop (12) extending transversely opposite the hook (7). A portion of the locking slide fits into a corresponding portion of the slide channel (9) or into an element unitary with this slide channel when the binding is locked into position.

Abstract: Apparatus for a cross-country ski having a longitudinal median plane for laterally guiding a ski shoe whose toe is attached to the ski on top of the ski and whose heel is vertically movable in the median plane on the ski includes a longitudinally extending guide rib adapted to be attached to the top of the ski. This rib is symmetrically located with respect to the median plane of the ski and has top and lateral side surfaces adapted to cooperate with a longitudinal groove in the sole of the ski shoe. The groove has a bottom and lateral side surfaces for receiving the rib when the sole of the shoe seats on the top of the ski. Finally, a resilient member is interposed between the bottom of the groove in the shoe and the top of the ski for resilient compression in response to the seating of the sole on the top of the ski.

Abstract: A front binding for a cross-country ski boot (3), in which a sliding piece (13) of synthetic material is inserted between a locking slide (6) and a fixed slide (9), on its face subjected to friction resulting from relative movement between the locking slide (6) and the slide (9), the sliding piece (13) has transverse projections (14) of relatively flexible material which are deformed so as to always be applied with a certain pressure against the surface on which they slide plastically or elastically when the locking slide (6) moves longitudinally.

Abstract: A lateral guidance device for a cross-country ski shoe or boot in the form of a rib secured to a cross-country ski. The guidance rib includes cross pieces having ends that are spaced above the upper surface of the ski to permit any water in the guidance rib to be evacuated. Additonal cross pieces permit flexibility of the guidance rib and notches allow the guidance rib to be broken to a predetermined size.

Abstract: A lateral guidance apparatus for a ski boot including a longitudinal guidance element projecting from the ski for engagement with a complementary shaped groove in the sole of the boot. On either lateral side of the groove of the boot is a support surface for engagement with a support surface on the interior side of the guidance element and a support surface on the exterior side of the guidance element. With the boot supported upon the ski, the configuration of the support surfaces of the boot and the ski orient the boot, and the skier's lower leg, toward the interior side of the ski.

Abstract: A cross-country ski binding having a linkage element for pivotal mounting relative to a ski about a first axis; a latching element pivotally connected to the linkage element about a second axis between a retention position, for retaining a boot to the binding, and a release position, for permitting the boot to be removed from the binding; a device for biasing the latching element toward the retention position, wherein the biasing device is connected between the latching member and a member fixed with respect to the ski. The biasing device is compressed in a direction that is offset with respect to both the first and second axes. The binding according to the invention omits the use of a stirrup member which is used in particular known ski bindings.

Abstract: System comprising a cross country ski boot and a device to hold the front of the boot on a ski. The holding device (3) holds the front part (17a) of the sole (17) of the boot (1) flat on the upper part of the ski, in a holding zone extending between the front end of the sole and a rear limit (P, P1) thereof, located substantially under the metatarsal-phalangeal joint (A) of the skier's foot, and the boot (1) is shaped so that in the resting position the rear part (17b) of the sole is released obliquely from the upper part of the ski, i.e., the heel (17c) of the boot is normally raised.

Abstract: Device for holding a cross-country ski boot against the upper surface of a ski, while permitting the rear portion of the boot not only to be raised, but simultaneously to pivot about an axis of rotation which progressively shifts from being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the ski, to extending in an oblique direction which is substantially parallel to the axis of the metatarsal-phalangeal joint of the skier's foot. The arrangement accommodates execution of the so-called "skater half step.

Abstract: A safety binding for a cross-country ski including a longitudinal rib bordered laterally by two longitudinal surfaces which are substantially planar and are adapted to engage a groove in a shoe sole. The rib is independent of and displaceable laterally with respect to the longitudinal surfaces and supports an apparatus defining a transverse journal axis around which the anterior zone of the shoe is adapted to pivot. Also provided is a locking apparatus for immobilizing the rib in a skiing position in which the rib is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the ski and for permitting lateral displacement of the rib in response to a lateral force on the rib which exceeds a predetermined threshold produced by the locking apparatus. This binding has a mass and a cumbersomeness which is comparable to the mass and cumbersomeness of a conventional binding.

Abstract: A lateral guidance and support apparatus for a ski boot attached, at its front end, to a cross-country ski, whose heel is free to be displaced at least vertically with respect to the ski. The apparatus includes a longitudinally extending retention rib positioned at the upper surface of the ski which is adapted to engage a longitudinally extending groove in the sole of the boot having substantially the same cross-sectional configuration as the rib. The groove progressively covers the rib when the boot is flattening on the ski. Also provided are one or more projections extending laterally from the rib. These projections are positioned under a support zone of the boot when the boot is attached to the binding and when the grooves in the boot engage the rib on the ski. The support zone of the boot is that portion of the boot positioned under the metatarsus of the foot or positioned under a region of the foot in front of the metatarses.

Abstract: A lateral guidance and support apparatus for a shoe fixed at its front end on a cross-country ski. The apparatus includes a rib attached to the ski which is adapted to engage a groove in the sole of the shoe having substantially the same cross-sectional configuration and area as the rib. The rib and the groove both include an anterior metatarsus support zone for supporting the metatarses of the foot and a posterior heel support zone for supporting the heel of the foot. The height of the rib and the depth of the groove are chosen such that in the anterior support zone of the metatarses the height of the rib is less than the depth of the groove. As a result, in this zone the sole is supported on the upper surface of the ski in two zones on either lateral side of the rib. In addition, the height of the rib and the depth of the groove are also chosen such that in the posterior heel support zone the height of the rib is greater than the depth of the groove.

Abstract: A system comprising a cross country ski boot and a device for fastening the front of the boot to a ski. The holding device holds the front part (15a) of the sole (15) of the boot flat on the upper part of the ski in a front holding area up to a rear limit thereof located substantially under the metatarsal-phalangeal joint area (A) of the skier's foot, and comprises bindings (4) exerting a longitudinal stress on the front end of the boot, and at least one fastening block (5) attached to the ski rearwardly of the bindings (4).

Abstract: According to the invention a boot is provided which includes a shell base having an inner sole mounted therein. Additionally, the boot includes a foot retention system positioned within the shell base; the foot retention system including at least one support element positioned between the shell base and the area in which a foot is to be inserted. The support element is adapted to at least partially cover the foot. An adjustable tightening apparatus serves to tighten the support element around the foot. The tightening apparatus includes pressurization means for pressing the support element against the foot and adjustment means for adjusting the pressurization means. The boot apparatus is such that the pressurization means exerts pressure directly on a front portion of the foot, and extends generally from the inner sole of the boot to the upper portion of the foot.

Abstract: A ski boot including a shell base with a sole on its bottom, and a calf, the calf being adapted to accommodate the leg of a skier and being pivotably mounted to the shell base along a first pivot axis. The shoe further includes at least one vertical extension extending from the shell base, the calf being pivotably secured along a second pivot axis on the extension.