Abstract: In a bearing assembly for a steering column assembly for example, the bearing assembly comprising an axially split bearing and elastomeric crown, the crown acting to close the split, there is disclosed an improved elastomeric crown. The crown includes a plurality of passageway extending through the crown. The crown also includes a plurality of ribs extending outwardly of the crown. The improved elastomeric crown allows more constant pressure fields and low torque variations of a shaft running in the bearing.

Abstract: An improved bearing is disclosed which runs without clearance, and in which any wear is retrofitted automatically. This is achieved by a bearing assembly comprising a bearing (3) having an axial split (5) and an antifriction lining, and an elastic element (4), in which the elastic element exerts a force on the bearing acting to close the axial split. The presence of a shaft (1) in the bearing (3) opens the axial split (5), creating a permanent pressure acting to close the axial split (5) in the bearing. The end of the bearing life is attained when wear is sufficient to allow the axial split to close.

Abstract: A suspension strut comprises inner and outer tubes and incorporates an end closure constituted by a moulded plastic insert containing a sleeve bearing in the form of a metal bush, the insert being a press fit into the outer tube of the strut and the press fit region of the insert including a portion adapted to engage with and locate in a radial direction the inner tube of the strut, together with at least two circumferential ribs which extend radially from the insert to engage the inner surface of the outer tube, the material of said ribs being in compression, with said ribs being spaced apart axially of the strut to confer a degree of resilience onto the assembly and a fluid seal being provided at or adjacent the outer face of the end closure to minimize fluid losses from the strut along the relatively movable rod thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for biasing a shoe or boot on a ski, the shoe comprising an external sole maintained on the ski at its front end by a latching apparatus in a manner so as to allow for the lifting of the shoe from the ski. The return apparatus is constituted by at least one beam connected to the ski and adapted to be biased in flexion and/or torsion at its front free end by the shoe in a biased zone.

Abstract: A guiding rib for a cross-country ski boot having at least one support surface on which is placed an adhesive covered by a protection sheet arranged on the adhesive and overhangs the adhesive. The guiding rib has at least one transverse groove constituting zones of lesser resistance permitting the breaking of the rib. The adhesive includes a transverse indentation coinciding with each of the transverse grooves of the rib. The protective sheets also include transverse indentations coinciding with the indentations of the adhesive, but are interrupted in the projecting part of the sheets to preserve a continuous part of each protective sheet.

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, of the type comprising an elastic device constituted by a pair of flexion bars extending the length of the ski, in lateral grooves provided therein. According to the invention, there is provided at the rear a shoe control mechanism which is connected to the movable latching element provided in the front to block the tip of the shoe, the linkage between the element and the mechanism being formed by the flexion bars themselves, which are for this purpose translationally movable along the axis of the ski.

Abstract: This binding comprises an elastic buffer (20) or comparable device, designed to exert a return-motion stress on the boot when the latter is raised off the upper surface of the ski. The deformation of the elastic buffer during its compression by the boot when raised is controlled so as to avoid vertical expansion of the buffer during compression. The binding also comprises a housing (16) in which at least one part of the elastic buffer (20) may be fitted, and which has transverse dimensions greater than those of the elastic buffer.

Abstract: Apparatus for releasably attaching a toe member of a boot to a binding member on the upper surfaces of a ski having a longitudinal median plane includes complementary latching parts on the members which are relatively movable in a longitudinal direction to an operative position at which the latching parts complementarily engage each other. The apparatus further includes a base for mounting on the upper surface of the ski, and an abutment element movably mounted on the base and adapted to engage the toe member of the boot when the members are in operative position. Finally, a resilient element or device acting on the abutment element resiliently maintains the members in operative position.

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 system comprises a pin (30) including a shaft designed to be inserted in a hole so as to pass through a first element, and to be anchored by an anchoring zone in an associated hole in the second element (10), and a head located opposite the anchoring zone and designed to keep the first element mounted to the second element. The pin (30) has, extending over at least one portion of its shaft, a zone of flexion with a reduced moment of inertia in a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The dimension of the zone of the reduced moment of inertia extending in the direction of relative motion is smaller in transverse section.

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: 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 guidance apparatus for a cross-country ski and shoe includes a guidance rib on the ski for cooperation with a complementary groove on the shoe to provide lateral guidance of the shoe. The front portion of the guidance rib is widened to define a support and bearing surface for a journal pin on the shoe. The ribs on the shoe that define the groove are wider at their rear portions to provide support on the ski and for walking.

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 cross-country ski shoe having a journal axle to allow the shoe to be journalled on a cross-country ski. A support surface on the shoe is adapted to contact an elastic element on the binding which exerts a return force on the shoe when it is pivoted upwardly about the journal axle. The journal axle is positioned beneath and to rear of the elastic element so that forces from the elastic element are not transmitted to the journal axle, giving the skier better control of the ski.

Abstract: A cross-country ski binding member for releasably attaching the toe of a boot member to a ski includes cam elements on the members cooperable during downward movement of the boot member relative to the binding member in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the ski for effecting forward displacement of the boot member relative to the binding member until the sole of the boot member seats on the ski. A movable stirrup on the binding member is resiliently biased to a neutral position. Mutual engagement elements are provided on the stirrup and on the boot member. During cooperation of the cam elements, the engagement elements engage for affecting resilient displacement of the stirrup from its neutral position during initial forward displacement of the boot member. During final displacement of the boot member, the stirrup is resiliently displaced towards its neutral position and serves to retain the boot member to the ski.