Abstract: A snowboard binding that includes lock-retaining elements having sloping or conical surfaces for guiding the sole of a snow boot into a seated position. The boot sole becomes more restricted in the longitudinal and transverse directions, the further the boot is introduced into the binding. Also is disclosed a snowboard binding and a boot combination having interengaging boot-retaining members on the binding and locking parts on the boot sole.

Abstract: A snowboard binding that includes lock-retaining elements having sloping or conical surfaces for guiding the sole of a snow boot into a seated position. The boot sole becomes more restricted in the longitudinal and transverse directions, the further the boot is introduced into the binding. Also is disclosed a snowboard binding and a boot combination having interengaging boot-retaining members on the binding and locking parts on the boot sole.

Abstract: A snowboard binding that includes lock-retaining elements having sloping or conical surfaces for guiding the sole of a snow boot into a seated position. The boot sole becomes more restricted in the longitudinal and transverse directions, the further the boot is introduced into the binding, and a snowboard and a boot combination further having interengaging boot-retaining members on the binding and locking parts on the boot sole.

Abstract: A boot-retaining arrangement, which can be disengaged in the sideways direction, and a carrying part of the same are arranged with vertical play relative to the upper side of the ski and are stressed against the upper side of the ski by means of a leaf spring or a lever part. The forces acting here and the force of a separate spring for controlling sideways disengagement are changed by a common actuating element.

Abstract: A binding has a carrier arrangement having at least one elongated portion, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the ski, is flexurally rigid and/or can be subjected to shearing. A first region of the carrier arrangement, is fixed to the ski, a second region is spaced apart from said first region in the longitudinal direction of the ski and is coupled, or can be coupled, compliantly to the ski. The carrier arrangement alters the bending properties of the ski to change the stiffness of the ski and/or damp vibrations of the ski.

Abstract: The invention relates to a boot-retaining unit of a ski binding or snowboard binding, having a boot-retaining element which is retained compliantly by virtue of a spring mechanism, and having a hydraulic impact damper which is arranged parallel to the spring mechanism and is in the form of a piston/cylinder unit. According to the invention, the impact damper contains a hydraulic medium of high viscosity in the rest state and has virtually no tendency to flow, and accordingly, cannot escape at the impact-damper seals even in the course of long rest periods. The cylinder of the impact damper is preferably provided with an external thread and is provided as an adjustment screw for the purpose of changing the spring stressing.

Abstract: A binding having a manually actuable locking member for preventing a sole-retainer from returning to an open or "release" position once the sole-retaining means has advanced towards a fully closed or "clamped-in" position by a predetermnined amount. The position of the sole-retainer is automatically readjusted as soon as any layer of snow, ice or the like on the underside of the boot sole melts.

Abstract: A binding has a carrier arrangement having at least one elongated portion, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the ski, is flexurally rigid and/or can be subjected to shearing. A first region of the carrier arrangement, is fixed to the ski, a second region is spaced apart from said first region in the longitudinal direction of the ski and is coupled, or can be coupled, compliantly to the ski. The carrier arrangement alters the bending properties of the ski to change the stiffness of the ski and/or damp vibrations of the ski.

Abstract: A front jaw of a ski binding having a housing arranged on a base plate adapted to be mounted fixedly on a ski, at least one sole holder, which is held in a no load position thereof by means of a spring-loaded tension applying device subject to the action of a spring. The spring force acting on the tension applying device is adjustable by rotation of the head of a screw. One end of the spring bears against the housing and the other end thereof bears against a screw head of the tension applying device. The screw head of the tension applying device is designed in the form of a coupling screw. A cap engageable with the screw head is arranged in the removable housing part such that it may be turned from outside the removable housing part. The invention also relates to a method for assembling the above-mentioned front jaw.

Abstract: A system for changing the stiffness of a ski includes an engagement member attachable to a ski and having a free end, and an impedance device engageable with the free end of the engagement member as the ski bends to change the stiffness of the ski.

Abstract: A system for the modification of the vibrational properties of a ski comprised of a support member having a fixed end attached to the ski, and a free end that is movable longitudinally in a holder attached to the ski and is connected by means of a piston with a hydraulic cylinder that is attached to the ski. The free end has an elongated recess in which the hydraulic cylinder is fixed to the ski and is pivotally connected to the piston. This allows the system to be used under tough conditions, protects the hydraulic cylinder from damage, and allows the hydraulic cylinder to be readily replaced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a toe piece for an automatic release ski binding. The toe piece is comprised of an upper housing and a base plate which is connected at one end with the upper housing. The upper housing and the base plate are additionally connected by at least one connecting element. In order to allow automatic adjustment of the sole holder to different heights and a reverse release, at least one end of the at least one connecting element is journaled either in the upper housing and/or in the base plate, with the intermediate placement of a resilient material. Alternatively, the connecting element itself is constructed of resilient material.

Abstract: A system for arranging the stiffness of a ski includes an engagement member attachable to a ski and having a free end, and an impedance device engageable with the free end of the engagement member as the ski bends to change the stiffness of the ski.

Abstract: A system for changing the stiffness of a ski includes an engagement member attachable to a ski and having a free end, and an impedance device engageable with the free end of the engagement member as the ski bends to change the stiffness of the ski.

Abstract: A system for changing the stiffness of a ski includes a set of finger members movable longitudinally as the ski bends, and a cam disc having peripheral members for engaging the finger members to increase the stiffness of the ski as the ski bends.

Abstract: A system for changing the stiffness of a ski includes an engagement member attachable to a ski and having a free end, and an impedance device engageable with the free end of the engagement member as the ski bends to change the stiffness of the ski.

Abstract: A hydraulic ski binding comprises a hydraulic fluid-containing cylinder divided into two spaced-apart chambers by a piston attached to a piston rod, the piston and cylinder being slidable relative to each other, and either the cylinder or piston rod being associated with ski boot attachment structure to connect a ski boot to a ski. The attachment structure is biased by a spring into its ski boot attachment mode. Shock-absorbing structure is provided comprising ducts connecting the chambers, one including a check valve, another a choke, and a further a shut-off valve. Battery-powered electronic circuitry is provided which includes transducers, the circuitry opening the shut-off valve by activating an electromagnet associated therewith when a predetermined force acting on the binding is detected by the transducers. When the shut-off valve is thus opened, the shock-absorbing structure provided by the choke is, in effect, deactivated, allowing the spring to control release of the ski boot directly.

Abstract: A system for changing the stiffness of a ski includes an engagement member attachable to a ski and having a free end, and an impedance device engageable with the free end of the engagement member as the ski bends to change the stiffness of the ski.

Abstract: A display device for a ski binding comprises two components detachably connected to each other. One end of a first component is angled upwardly from its other, lower end, while the second component comprises a structure with ski binding mounting blocks located at either end thereof, connected by two, parallel rods. One of the mounting blocks is comprised of two, stepped portions with a slot located therebetween adapted to temporarily receive a ski therethrough, permitting a purchaser to superimpose the component over a ski to determine the esthetic compatibility of the ski with a binding mounted on the component. The components can be connected to each other by positioning the lower end of the first component in the slot of the second component, the two components being held together by a detent on one of the stepped portions which extends into a recess located in the lower end of the first component.

Abstract: A toe piece for a safety ski-binding involving a four-bar linkage comprising a base plate and an overlying cover, and having two parallel side members whose fixed front ends are pivotally mounted at the front end of the base plate, the rear free ends being pivotally connected by upper and lower link members. The free ends of the side members have boot clamps pivotally connected thereto which are held in a boot-securing position by their locking engagement with clamp-lock members pivotally mounted on the upper link member. The clamp-lock members are freed from such engagement by the action of clamp-lock release means associated with the upper link member, and pivotal thereabout, activated by forces generated by a skier's boot on the binding. Multiple embodiments of the invention are shown including release means activated by lateral forces imposed on the binding, as well as release means operated by the action of either horizontal or vertical forces thereon.