Abstract: An element for retaining the rear of a boot, including a slide, a body with a movable retaining jaw and a return spring, a latch for retaining the body. The spring is connected to the latch by a connecting rod whose rear end includes a bend inserted between the rear end of the spring and the rear wall of the cavity, whose front end has a connecting hook provided to be connected to the latch, and a hooking tip oriented rearwardly which is engaged on an edge located at the front of the body.

Abstract: An active high back system is provided for automatically adjusting the snowboard boot between a walking position and a riding position. The snowboard boot is provided with an active highback support that is adjustably mounted to a snowboard boot. During walking, the active highback support does not constrain the flexibility of the snowboard boot making it possible for the snowboard rider to walk easily. When the rider steps into the bindings of the snowboard, the active highback support engages a part of the snowboard or binding that causes the snowboard boot to lean forward. In other words, the highback support is positioned to engage the back leg portion of a snowboard boot to provide a rigid surface that holds the boot in a forward leaning position. The active highback support is provided with an adjustment mechanism that allows the rider to adjust the amount of forward lean when the snowboard boot is engaged within the bindings of the snow board.

Abstract: A release binding (20) is shown for releasably attaching a ski boot to a telemark or cross-country ski (22). A load spool (50) having a circumferential groove (56) is attached perpendicular to the bottom of a standard toe plate (24) used to secure the toe of the boot. A release plate (40) having a planar load spring (44) inside is attached to the ski. The load spring has two sides (62, 64) attached together at both ends forming an elongated aperture. To assemble the boot on the ski, the skier orients the load spool through a hole (48) in the top of the release plate into the elongated aperture of the spring and pushes down. A pilot surface (60) on the load spool pushes the two sides of the spring apart until the groove is reached whereupon the two spring sides snap into the groove retaining the toe plate on the ski.

Abstract: Highback for a snowboard binding intended to come into contact with the rear part of the user's boot in order to withstand the back thrusts thereof, having a median longitudinal plane of symmetry, which has a stiffer region located asymmetrically with regard to the median longitudinal plane of symmetry of the highback.

Abstract: An active high back system is provided for automatically adjusting the snowboard boot between a walking position and a riding position. The snowboard boot is provided with an active highback support that is adjustably mounted to a snowboard boot. During walking, the active highback support does not constrain the flexibility of the snowboard boot making it possible for the snowboard rider to walk easily. When the rider steps into the bindings of the snowboard, the active highback support engages a part of the snowboard or binding that causes the snowboard boot to lean forward. In other words, the highback support is positioned to engage the back leg portion of a snowboard boot to provide a rigid surface that holds the boot in a forward leaning position. The active highback support is provided with an adjustment mechanism that allows the rider to adjust the amount of forward lean when the snowboard boot is engaged within the bindings of the snowboard.

Abstract: An active high back system is provided for automatically adjusting the snowboard boot between a walking position and a riding position. The snowboard boot is provided with an active highback support that is adjustably mounted to a snowboard boot. During walking, the active highback support does not constrain the flexibility of the snowboard boot making it possible for the snowboard rider to walk easily. When the rider steps into the bindings of the snowboard, the active highback support engages a part of the snowboard or binding that causes the snowboard boot to lean forward. In other words, the highback support is positioned to engage the back leg portion of a snowboard boot to provide a rigid surface that holds the boot in a forward leaning position. The active highback support is provided with an adjustment mechanism that allows the rider to adjust the amount of forward lean when the snowboard boot is engaged within the bindings of the snow board.

Abstract: An active high back system is provided for automatically adjusting the snowboard boot between a walking position and a riding position. The snowboard boot is provided with an active highback support that is adjustably mounted to a snowboard boot. During walking, the active highback support does not constrain the flexibility of the snowboard boot making it possible for the snowboard rider to walk easily. When the rider steps into the bindings of the snowboard, the active highback support engages a part of the snowboard or binding that causes the snowboard boot to lean forward. In other words, the highback support is positioned to engage the back leg portion of a snowboard boot to provide a rigid surface that holds the boot in a forward leaning position. The active highback support is provided with an adjustment mechanism that allows the rider to adjust the amount of forward lean when the snowboard boot is engaged within the bindings of the snow board.

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 retention device for a boot on a glide board adapted for the practice of snowboarding. The device includes a base, a plate, a disk and at least one retention screw for the disk provided to be screwed into the board. The base has a rear support element, a retention mechanism affixed to tie plate retains the boot, and the device extends along a longitudinal direction which is the longitudinal direction of the boot when the latter is retained on the device. The device includes at least one translational guide mechanism for the plate with respect to the base along the longitudinal direction of the device.

Abstract: An interface is provided for connecting a sports boot with a gliding board. The boot has a tall, soft upper, a flexible sole with at least one longitudinal groove of trapezoidal cross section and four attachment points. The interface has (1) on the boot side, an outer profile of trapezoidal overall shape similar to that of the groove in the boot and which is intended to engage in the groove of the boot and (2) means of automatically attaching and locking the four attachment points of the boot. At the rear of the interface, an arm rises up approximately vertically and is equipped with means of connection to the back of the upper of the boot. The lower part of the interface has attachment means adapted to the particular type of gliding board.

Abstract: Skis are manufactured so as to have a convex longitudinal curvature in the unloaded state. This ensures that the ski has good contact with the snow, keeps to the track and does not chatter during skiing, but impedes turning the skis and skiing through narrow curves. However, by securing two Z-shaped rigid levers (10) with a power arm (11) and a load arm (12) to a ski (1) such that the power arms (11) are positioned under the heel or toe of a ski boot and by variously distributing the weight (Gh, Gv) on the power arms (11), the tail (3) and/or tip (2) of the ski are/is lifted and the ski (1) obtains a concave longitudinal curvature.

Abstract: An alpine binding element equipped with a detachable ski brake (22) comprising a base (23) removably assembled with the binding element. The latter comprises a latch/spring assembly mounted in the base (3) of the binding element or in the rail carrying the body of the binding element, and the brake base (23) having a part (35, 36) interlocking with the latch/spring assembly in such a way that it is retained by the latch, which is itself held in the locked position by the spring.

Abstract: A snowboard binding for fastening a snowboard boot to a snowboard includes a baseplate adapted to be mounted on the snowboard and side walls projecting vertically upward. An instep element is mounted over the baseplate and adapted to reach over the instep of the snowboard boot. A tread element is coupled to the instep element and movable downward a displacement distance for moving the instep element into a closed position. Flexible tensile elements couple the tread element to the instep element and the flexible tensile elements are mounted on respective sides of the instep element. Deflection elements engage each of the tensile elements. Each of the deflection elements are positioned above the baseplate a distance at least as great as the displacement distance.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining a boot on a glide plate especially adapted for snowboarding, the boot including an upper affixed to a sole adapted to cooperate with the board. The apparatus includes a longitudinal positioning and retention device for the boot thereupon, such device being obtained in a complementary manner in a front lateral zone and a rear lateral zone and in the corresponding zones of the sole. Also, the transverse axes of the front and rear retention devices are spaced apart by a distance that is common to at least two boot sizes, enabling the length of the boot to be released and allowing the front and rear ends of the boot to be freed of all retention elements with respect to the board, such elements extending exclusively in a lateral direction with respect to the sole.

Abstract: A snowboard binding (6) has an adjustably positioned toe ramp (44) mounted to the front end (32) of the base (18) with an upwardly curving front portion (62) shaped to conform to the toe (14) of the boot sole (12) to increase the toe-side edge responsiveness. A dampened, energy absorbing heel pad (66) is mounted to the rear end (28) of the base to help absorb impact. Arm channels (84,86) are formed in each of the left and right side flanges (22,24), extend upwardly from the baseplate (20), and are sized to contain the left and right mounting arms (94,96) of a heel support (26). A pair of threaded fasteners (104,108) clamp the mounting arms within the side flanges over a range of upwardly and rearwardly extending portions. Front-and-rear forces on the heel support are resisted by the two fasteners and by engagement of the upper and lower edges (122,124) of the arms with upper and lower channel walls (88,89).

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 snowboard boot binding mechanism includes a base member having a recessed channel. A first plate is slidably attached to the base member. A first pair of engagement rods are fixedly attached to the first plate. Each of the first pair of engagement rods has a head disposed at an axial end of the rod for selectively engaging and locking a first bar attached to a first side of the snowboard boot. A second plate is fixedly attached to the base member. A second pair of engagement rods are fixedly attached to the second plate. Each of the second pair of engagement rods have a head disposed at an axial end of the rod for engaging and locking a second bar attached to a second side of the snowboard boot which is disposed opposite to the first side.

Abstract: A harness system for a snowshoe employs a single strap and a single buckle to secure the boot to the snowshoe at two locations, one approximately at the arch and one at the toe. The single strap is secured to four points on the harness assembly, left and right sides of each of two flexible harness shells which engage both sides of the boot approximately in the arch and toe areas. Extending generally in a Z-shaped pattern in one embodiment, the strap is fixed at its one end and secured firmly but adjustably at its opposite end. At the two intermediate attachment points are sliding connections to anchoring devices at the ends of the harness legs. One of these sliding attachments may be on a buckle which is releasable, to release the strap from the boot. The harness assembly has the advantages of single-hand engagement and release, one-step engagement and release involving a single buckle, simpler assembly, and mechanical advantage in tightening the strap for adjustment or in engaging the over-center buckle.

Abstract: A binding holds a ski boot in a releasable manner to a ski or the like. A jaw (3) is pivotally mounted on a body (2) around a transverse axle (4), such that it is rotatably movable from a closed position to an open position and vice versa. The jaw (3) is held in a closed position by a biasing system. The binding also includes a loosening lever (11) pivotally movable around the transverse axle (4), such that it is movable from a position in which it extends towards the top, corresponding to the closed position of the jaw, and an open position in which it extends towards the rear, corresponding to the open position of the jaw. The biasing system includes a piston (6) which is longitudinally moved by action of a spring (7) pressing on a ramp (8,9) defined in the jaw (3). The piston is constrained at least toward the top by at least one restraining stub axle (14, 14a, 14b, 140, 140') jointed to the piston (16) at its upper end by an axle (12) and to the body (2) at its lower end by a transverse axle (15).

Abstract: A snowboard binding for securing a snowboard boot to a snowboard that includes a rigid baseplate, a strap, and an isolation member. The rigid baseplate includes sidewalls and a heel loop extending upwardly therefrom. The baseplate is adapted for attachment to the snowboard and includes a plurality of isolation apertures extending therethrough. A disk aperture is also provided for receiving an attachment disk for fastening the baseplate to the snowboard. The strap is connected to the sidewalls of the baseplate for releasably securing the boot to the binding. The isolation member is formed from a unitary substantially elastic, rubbery material. The isolation member extends beneath the baseplate to substantially isolate the baseplate from the snowboard. The isolation member has a plurality of upward projections extending through the isolation apertures in the baseplate. The upward projections have T-shaped cross sections with head and neck portions.

Abstract: A combination of a ski binding (10), particularly cross-country, touring or telemark binding, and of a boot (11) adapted thereto are shown, the front end of which is held by a resiliently biased clamp member (12; 48) in the binding (10) in such a way that the heel (13) of the boot (11) can be freely raised during ski touring or cross-country skiing. The clamp member (12; 48) engages on the forward sole (15) of the boot (11) particularly between the ball area and the rear end of the same, and preferably on the underside of the boot forward sole (15).

Abstract: A snowboard binding system for a generic soft boot which provides a quick-release snowboard binding that retains a desired strap tension setting, and provides an unobstructed path for the rider's boot into and out of the binding when the binding is in a disengaged position. The snowboard binding has a base plate secured to the snowboard for accommodating a boot. First ends of a pair of adjustable straps are mounted to the base plate and the strap second ends are attached to opposed ends of a connecting rod. A rotating latch for engaging a bar is mounted to the connecting rod. The bar is attached to the side of the base plate opposite the straps. The binding is secured by engaging the bar with the latch, and rotating the latch in one motion into a secured position. The binding is disengaged by rotating the latch in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A snowboard binding with step-in function holds a boot by means of front and heel brackets. The heel bracket is preferably coupled to a driving element that moves the heel bracket in the direction toward the other bracket and simultaneously downward, namely in the direction toward the snowboard surface, during the movement from the open position to the closed position. A spring piston locks the driving element directly or indirectly in the closed position. This locking effect is realized in such a way that the closing force of the binding does not depend on the force of the spring of the spring piston.

Abstract: A snow board binding with an attached base, which comes between the rider's foot and the snow board, that may be mounted to a snow board. The binding base features a pivoting mechanism comprised of a spinning disk, a locking lever, a tension wire, and two static bolts, i.e., a first static bolt and a second static bolt. The spinning disk, located in the center of the binding base, contains four holes by which the binding is fastened to the snow board. The outer edge of the disk contains a groove large enough to accept the tension wire. The lever is located at the outer edge of the binding, held fast by the first static bolt. The tension wire, extended from the fastened edge of the lever, arcs around the spinning disk, terminating at and fastened to the second static bolt. When engaged, the lever pulls on the wire, tightening tension. This creates a heightened friction between the wire and disk, thereby preventing the disk from spinning.

Abstract: A binding device, for binding a shoe on a sports implement, particularly a snowboard, is constituted by a central body having two bands of different length or arranged on different planes.

Abstract: A sole-retaining or boot-retaining system for ski bindings, snowboard bindings and the like. A cable release arrangement is provided to ergonomically move a sole-retaining or boot-retaining member between a closed or "clamped-in" position, wherein the sole or boot is secured to the binding and an open or "release" position, wherein the sole or boot is releasable from the binding.

Abstract: A toe-strap including a toothed strap and a plain strap respectively connected to the ski boot binding of a ski at two opposite sides and a buckle fixedly fastened to the plain strap and adapted for securing the toothed strap to the plain strap to hold down a ski boot in the ski boot binding, the buckle including a base frame fixed to the plain strap, a handle pivoted to one end of the base frame, a baffle plate pivoted to the base frame and retained in engagement with the toothed strap by a torsional spring, a front push plate pivoted to the handle and forced downward by a torsional spring and controlled by the handle to push the free end of the toothed strap forwards, and a retainer plate pivoted to the handle remove from the front push plate and forced downward by a torsional spring into engagement with the base frame to lock the handle in the close position.

Abstract: A binding for snowboards constituted by a plate having side walls and a rear cuff. Straps are selectively associated transversely with respect to the side walls of the plate, to adjust the fit of a shoe arranged between the side walls.

Abstract: A snowboard binding straps and locking bar assembly is disclosed which can be used with a variety of snowboard baseplates. Two adjustable straps attach to one side of a baseplate. The opposite ends of the adjustable straps attach to a locking bar. A pivot connector is attached to a front side of the baseplate and a locking means attaches to a back side of the baseplate, behind the pivot connector. The locking bar has a curved front end to lockingly engage the pivot connector, and a tongue having a latching notch is attached to the back end of the locking bar. In operation, the locking bar is lockingly engaged with the pivot connector and the latching notch of the tongue is inserted into the locking means until the tongue is locked into place. A handle on the locking bar is lifted to release the assembly, providing a quick step-in and release snowboard binding which can be used to retrofit existing snowboard baseplates.

Abstract: A snowboard binding system employs a frame system which substantially encloses the boot and includes at least two attachment points for engagement by a corresponding binding portion mounted to the snowboard. Mounts engage the corresponding binding cables on the board. The binding system includes anchor straps for adjusting snugness of the boot to the binding frame and adjustable toe contact cable which in conjunction with a forward-lean slide and adjustment member enables variable pivot point selection at the front of the binding system. An adjustable highback pivotally mounts to the binding frame. The adjustment straps enable control of tension for medial and lateral leaning to further provide a variation of the binding system control as desired by the rider. Further, the boot sole remains flexible, since no rigid plate or the like is employed.

Abstract: A snowboard has a pair of bindings for a person's footwear. Each binding includes a laterally spaced apart independently moveable pair of binding straps and latches that can be engaged in latched positions over the vamp of the footwear for binding the footwear to the snowboard. On each binding, a release strap is connected between the two latches, so that by pulling on the release strap in a direction away from the snowboard's upper surface, forces are applied to actuation members of both latches so as to release both binding straps from their latched positions.

Abstract: A front jaw for a safety ski binding comprising a housing (1) and two two-arm bent levers (9a, 9b) which are each pivotal about an essentially vertically oriented axis on a bearing block (6) supported for limited movement in the housing and engage a release plate (25) which is pivotally supported on the housing (1) and is loaded by a release spring (14) through a pull piece (28) with a forwardly directed pulling force, with the pull piece (28) engaging with its front end a spring-receiving means (15) which is movable along a center bolt (16), and the center bolt (16) being supported by means of a bolt head (17) on the front side of the housing (1) and being connected through a thread (18) to a spring-support plate (19) loaded by the release spring (14).

Abstract: A snowboard binding that can readily attach and release a boot from a snowboard. The binding includes a binding housing that is mounted to the snowboard. The housing has a pair of pin holes that receive locating pins which extend from the sole of a boot. When the snowboarder inserts the pins into the holes, a pair of locking pins extend through apertures in the locating pins to secure the boot to the board. The locking pins are coupled to a lever which can be rotated by the user. Rotation of the lever moves the locking pins out of the locating pin apertures so that the boot can be detached from the board. The binding housing includes a base plate that is mounted to the snowboard and a cover plate which contains the locking pins and release mechanism. The cover plate is coupled to the base plate by a tie down bolt which can be unscrewed to allow rotation of the cover plate relative to the board. Rotating the cover plate also rotates the pin holes and the corresponding foot position of the snowboarder.

Abstract: A boot binding system for a snowboard includes a rigid heel support adapted for attachment to a heel of a boot. The heel support has a protruding member. A rigid ankle support is provided which is adapted for attachment along a rear spine of a boot. The ankle support is pivotally secured to the heel support, such that the ankle support pivots laterally, and flexes forwardly, while providing rigid support rearwardly. A heel binding is provided having an overlay member which overlays the protruding member thereby preventing the heel of the boot from being raised. A toe binding is provided which is adapted to secure a toe of a boot to a snowboard thereby preventing the protruding member from being moved relative to the overlay member.

Abstract: A binding for two feet in tandem on one ski that includes a boot for holding the front foot having a detachable toe holder and keeper member secured to the ski between the two feet for holding the forward boot heel. A further engageable member for the rear foot holds the keeper member for the heel of the forward boot when the rear foot is in position on the ski and releases the keeper member to free the forward boot heel should the rear foot be removed from the ski.

Abstract: A ski binding apparatus and method for facilitating the mounting of a ski binding onto a ski. The ski binding apparatus of the invention includes a body which carries a jaw for retention of a ski boot and a base affixed to the lower portion of the body. The base has holes for receiving screws for mounting the binding to the ski. Further, the base has a lower surface, a frontal surface, and a longitudinal groove formed in the lower surface. The longitudinal groove extends to and opens into the lower surface and the frontal surface of the base. A retention element is slidably received within the groove and extends therefrom in a transport and preassembly position of the binding apparatus.

Abstract: Binding intended for binding the front of the boot or the heel, comprising a body (13) which pivots (14) or is stationary and provided with a grip (15) articulated on the body about a horizontal pin (16). The body and the grip are held in the closed position by at least one spring (18) acting via a piston (17) on a transmission device comprising two moving parts articulated on each other (21, 24). One of these moving parts (21) bears permanently against the grip and the other moving part (24) bears permanently against lateral-retention means which consist, for example, of two stationary stops (10) against which bear levers (33a) acting on a transmission element (26). A lateral displacement of the body, or of the boot respectively, in particular causes the vertical pressure of the grip on the boot to be reduced.

Abstract: A front jaw having a housing in which is housed a release spring and through which extends a pull rod acting through an opening in a crosspart onto two toggle levers holding the front end of the sole of the boot. The housing has at its rear end two vertical contact surfaces for a bearing part having a pair of axles thereon for pivotally supporting the two toggle levers. The two toggle levers include structure functioning as a sole down-holding device.

Abstract: Safety ski binding with at least one transducer, converting the forces acting on the binding into electric signals, and an evaluation circuit, connected to the triggering device and the transducer, which evaluation circuit has a threshold circuit having at least two threshold values, the one output of which threshold circuit activates the triggering device, and has a timing circuit, which is in connection with the triggering device, the transducer or transducers being connected to the input of the threshold circuit and the input of the timing circuit.

Abstract: A toe unit of a ski safety binding has a housing (15) which is fixedly mountable on a ski, a release spring (14) and sole clamp arms (18) which are pivotable outwardly to the side relative to the housing against spring force and which locate the tip of an inserted ski boot in the sideways direction on the ski (40), but pivot sideways outwardly against the spring force and release the ski boot on the occurrence of sideways forces which lie above a predetermined release value. The space for movement (11) between the housing (15) and the outwardly pivotable sole clamp arms (18) is filled out, at least in the regions which border on the outside atmosphere, and preferably radially outside of the associated pivot axis (13), by an elastic filling piece (12).

Abstract: The device is for connecting a bicycle pedal with a cage structure to a cycling shoe with a stud which is attached beneath the sole and has a transverse groove for engaging the rear cross member of the pedal. The device includes a stop member carried by the stud of the shoe and a bolt locking member which is carried by the pedal and is arranged to cooperate with the stop member so as to keep the stud in engagement with the rear cross member of the pedal.

Abstract: A foot strap and baseplate assembly for mounting on boards of the type used in surfboarding and windsurfing. Each assembly includes a pair of baseplates formed with cavities which open through the top along a slot and at the rear through a wedge-shaped doorway. A pair of elongated flexible straps are formed with enlarged proximal ends which releasably fit in the cavity of a respective baseplate. The shape of the cavity and corresponding shape of the strap proximal end, together with the predetermined hardness of the proximal end, cause the strap to engage in the cavity when the pulling force is below a predetermined limit, while disengaging when the force exceeds that limit whereby the strap is released to free the user's feet from the board. The straps flex and collapse to permit the user to lie flat on the board. The tops of the baseplates are rounded and have a low profile which facilitates alternate use of the board without the straps.

Abstract: A cross-country ski boot, ski binding, and ski combination includes a boot having a thick sole which is recessed beneath the toe of the boot upper to receive a toe-fitting of the binding which has a transverse forward portion provided with a transverse bore therethrough. A toe plate secured to the ski has upstanding cheek plates at respectively opposite sides thereof, which are provided with mutually registering holes and between which the transverse forward portion of the boot toe-fitting is placed, with its bore in registry with the cheek plate holes. The bore of the transverse forward portion of the boot toe-fitting is located back of the tip of the toe of the boot upper and, with the cheek plate holes, receives a pivot pin which provides a pivot axis transversely of the ski. Resilient means bearing against the front of such transverse forward portion of the boot toe-fitting is preferably provided to keep the ski tip down when in the air during cross-country jumping.

Abstract: A ski boot is described in which the body of the boot may be moved in a crosswise direction in relation to the sole, in such a way that it may be correctly aligned with respect to the ski. More particularly, the sole has at least one of its ends, the toe or the heel, joined to the body in a gliding manner, by means of an essentially prismatic connection (dovetail). In that way, the body of the boot may be fixed on a ski in the position that is morphologically most suitable for the skier.

Abstract: The heelpiece (10) of a water ski binding is composed of a heel base (18) formed with a pair of longitudinally spaced-apart slots (72) for receiving posts (22) extending upwardly from water ski (14). A cam latch (20) is rotatably mounted to the upper end of each post (22) for selective engagement with detents (78) arranged in rows (74) and (76) extending along opposite sides of each slot (72). Cam latches (20) are rotatable from an unlatched position wherein the latches are spaced upwardly from detents (78) to enable heelpiece (10) to freely slide along ski (14) into desired position, to an "over center", locked position wherein the cam latches (20) clamp the heelpiece (10) downwardly against the ski to prevent movement thereof. The cam latches 20 also shift the heelpiece forwardly into snug engagement with the skier's foot as the latches are rotated into latched position.

Abstract: In a step-in electrical releasable ski binding (1) there is provided clamping means (5,6) having an open condition and a closed condition and a force unit (15) for providing a clamping force for releasably securing a ski boot (4) to a ski (2). A holding means (32) is provided for holding the clamping means (5,6) in its open condition against the force of the force unit (15). An electrically operated solenoid assembly (40) is provided which is responsive to the placing of the ski boot (4) in skiing position in the binding for releasing the clamping means (5,6) from the holding means (32) for closing the clamping means (5,6) with the force of the force unit (15).

Abstract: A heel binding for a cross-country ski has opposing latches movable toward each other under engagement by spaced apart flexible beams that force the latches together to capture a projection from the heel of a skier's shoe to hold the heel to the ski. The inside surfaces of the latches are cam-shaped to allow releasing force on the pin to urge the latches outward against the flexible beams, and to release the pin when the force is substantial enough, as in a fall. A collar slidable on the flexible beams adjusts the effective stiffness of the flexible beams to adjust the releasing force.

Abstract: In this assembly comprising a ski boot and a safety ski binding for the heel end of the ski boot, adapted to cooperate with the heel end by means of a heel clamping member, the rounded rear end of the upper extends beyond the heel end of the sole, and a recess is formed between the upper and the sole, the heel clamping member comprising a lever adapted to be depressed by the rear end of the upper for closing this lever upon the edge of the sole when the ski boot is being fitted into the binding, the free outer operative end of the lever being thus caused to penetrate into the recess, so that the device can safely be used even with ski boots having their heel edges bevelled as a consequence of the wear thereof.

Abstract: A roller construction for use on the lever arms of a front jaw of a ski binding. The rollers have a central opening therethrough which has a radially enlarging characteristic from the midlength portion thereof toward the axial end thereof. That is, the diameter of the opening adjacent the axial ends is greater than the diameter of the opening at the midlength portion thereof. The interior surface of the opening at the midlength portion thereof is rounded at a radius which is substantially greater than the diameter of the roller. The interior diameter of the roller at the midlength portion is generally equal to or preferably slightly larger than the diameter of the axle received in the opening. The contour of the wall of the opening facilitates a rocking or tilting of the roller relative to the axis of the axle. As a result, the roller can assume a tilted position relative to the axis of the axle as the ski boot sole shifts its position relative to the ski binding.

Abstract: Apparatus for releasing a binding which fastens a ski boot to a ski, produces one or more electrical signals corresponding to the force between the ski and the ski boot and the torque between the ski and the ski boot, and actuates a ski boot release mechanism when the force or torque or a combination of both exceed predetermined values.