Single Fixed Axes Patents (Class 280/630)
  • Patent number: 11402284
    Abstract: A toe dynamometer is configured to accurately and precisely measure toe extensor strength. The toe dynamometer includes a platform configured to accommodate a patient's foot, and a sensor assembly comprising a force sensor and a toe cap connected to the force sensor. The force sensor is configured to measure forces applied to the force sensor by toe flexion on the force sensor and from toe extension away on the force sensor through the toe cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: Hongwu Wang, Elizabeth Hile, Mustafa Ghazi
  • Patent number: 7237793
    Abstract: The invention relates to a snowboard binding for soft boots. The fixing straps can be pivoted by means of a joint from a closed position to an open position close to the opening for entry. The straps are kept in an open position by means of a holding device. The holding power of the holding device stems from the resistance of the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Head Sport AG
    Inventor: Karl Messmer
  • Patent number: 6050590
    Abstract: A booting device allows quick booting-up without any prior adjustment. The booting device includes a substantially oblong foundation (1) to be affixed to the board. The foundation is fitted with two plates (3; 4) vertically fastened to its two large sides. The two plates are fitted at their centers with two slots (6; 7) receiving and keeping in place a bar affixed to the boot's sole. Said bar (10) is biased into the grooves by self-tightening cams (8; 9). A lever (12) spring-loaded into a specified position allows moving the cams in order to release the bar (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Inventor: Gerard Domon
  • Patent number: 5967531
    Abstract: A device for retaining a snowboard boot includes a base on which the sole of the boot is adapted to rest, a turned-up heel support portion extending upwardly from the base at the rear of the device, and a dorsal support element. The dorsal support element extends upwardly from the heel support portion and is journalled on the heel support portion along an axis substantially contained in the median vertical longitudinal plane of the base. The device includes an elastic return device that elastically opposes inclination of the dorsal support element on at least one of the lateral sides of the device by rotating about the axis during rocking of the boot. The device provides binding support during lateral bending while preserving freedom of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventor: Benoit Saillet
  • Patent number: 5722679
    Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly of two retention elements of two boots of a skier on two skis. Each retention element has a retention jaw, a return spring of the jaw, a linkage for transmission of movement between the retention jaw and the spring, an adjustment mechanism acting on the transmission linkage to modify in a differential manner the release threshold of the jaw depending upon which it displaces from one side or the other with respect to its aligned position, a manipulation element adapted to be activated from the other retention element and to control the adjustment mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventors: Christian Challande, Pierre Desarmaux, Hans Horn
  • Patent number: 5566967
    Abstract: A front jaw for a safety binding comprising a housing (2,3), which can be fastened on a ski, the housing having a lower part (3) and an upper part (2), and at least one adjustable release spring (4), with two essentially horizontally swingable sole holders (14a, 14b) being arranged in the upper part (2) of the housing, which sole holders are supported on a common, essentially vertically oriented bolt (13), which bolt is loaded by the release spring (4) and is movably guidably arranged in the housing (2, 3) along a rearwardly enlarging guide surface (130) aligned in a longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: HTM Sport-und Freizeitgeraete Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Helmut Wladar, Karl Stritzl, Andreas Janisch, Hubert Wuerthner
  • Patent number: 5378009
    Abstract: Safety binding for an alpine ski, designed to hold a boot in place on a ski and to release this boot when it exerts excessive stress in the binding. The binding (1) comprises a base (3) , a boot position-retention device (5), a return spring (10), a linkage comprising a piston (13) whose head (16) is fitted with two pressure tips (20, 21) and a unit comprising two rolling surfaces (23, 24) which connect the spring (10) and the jaw (5), each rolling surface being positioned opposite a pressure tip. The pressure tip 21 projects forward in relation to the pressure tip 20, and a dynamic damping arrangement is interposed between this pressure tip 21 and the body (14) of the piston (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventor: Vincent Dogat
  • Patent number: 5362088
    Abstract: A ski binding for a longitudinally extending ski including a forked toe clamp including two fork prongs for holding a front part of the ski boot. The forked toe clamp is rotatable around an axis. The ski binding also includes a forked heel clamp for holding a rear part of a ski boot. A tension screw spring and a slot are provided. The forked heel clamp is guided in the longitudinal direction by the slot and is biased toward the toe clamp by the tension screw spring. A centering apparatus formed as two flexible spring devices and are located on the two clamps between the two fork prongs. The force of the spring devices is approximately equal to the force of the tension screw spring so that, when the forked toe clamp is rotated, the spring devices prevent the ski boot from moving in the longitudinal direction toward the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Varpat Patentverwertungs AG
    Inventor: Alois Rohrmoser
  • Patent number: 5236218
    Abstract: The invention relates to a ski binding (1) with a toe-holding unit (2) and a heel-holding unit (3). Release mechanisms (8) are integrated in the latter and can be set to different releasing forces. Detachably fastened on the ski are longitudinal guidance devices (5, 6) for the toe-holding and/or heel-holding unit (2, 3), which are movably connected to the connecting element (4). The toe-holding and/or heel-holding unit (2, 3) can be fixed by an arresting device (17) for fixing the toe-holding unit (2) in a longitudinal guidance device (5) and/or a transverse guidance device (74).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Varpat Patentverwertungs, AG
    Inventor: Alois Rohrmoser
  • Patent number: 5180183
    Abstract: A releasable ski binding is provided with a boot holder which can be swivelled around a vertical shaft and is pushed into a normal ski boot holding position by a piston. At its end facing the boot holder, the piston is arranged to be slidable into the transverse direction with play, and at its other end, the piston is arranged to be slidable in a guide almost without play. Thus, swivel motions of the boot holder can take place largely without friction between the boot holder and the piston parts which rest against it. At the same time, the normal position is defined virtually without play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Assignee: GEZE Sport International GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Bogner
  • Patent number: 5016902
    Abstract: A safety ski binding includes two lateral retention wings movable about respective journal axes. Two frontal support elements are also journalled about the journal axis and include rolling rear surfaces which support and roll against the sole of a ski boot during lateral release of the boot from the binding. The rolling surfaces includes arcs of a circle having different radii of curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventors: Gilles R. Goud, Jean-Pierre Boussemart
  • Patent number: 5015005
    Abstract: A front piece for safety ski bindings having a sole holder adapted to be pivoted sideways against the force of a spring and serving to support the ski boot sole sideways and towards the front, a pedal for actuating a control mechanism which maintains the release resistance at least approximately constant and independent of the variable pressure applied to the pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Assignee: Marker Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Hornschemeyer, Anton Emert
  • Patent number: 4960289
    Abstract: An endpiece for a safety ski binding attached to a ski, the endpiece comprising an elongated housing for disposition on the ski in the longitudinal direction of the ski; a lever pivotably mounted to the housing, the lever including a first end having a bolt opening and a second end; a sole holder for exerting a downward force on the sole of a ski boot, and having a portion disposed beneath the lever, the sole holder also having an elongated bore extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the ski; a bolt extending through the bolt opening and the bore, the sole holder vertically slidable on the bolt; a first spring disposed between the housing and the sole holder for urging the sole holder toward the ski; and a second spring for exerting a force on the second end of the lever for resisting rotational movement of the first and of the lever away from the ski.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: TMC Corporation
    Inventors: Karl Stritzl, Kurt Hoffmann, Henry Freisinger, Andreas Janisch, Egon Brunnhuber, Johann Zotter, Egelbert Spitaler, Helmut Wladar, Reinhard Muhlberger, Karl Dapeci
  • Patent number: 4913456
    Abstract: A front piece for safety ski bindings having a sole holder adapted to be pivoted sideways against the force of a spring and serving to support the ski boot sole sideways and towards the front, a pedal for actuating a control mechanism which maintains the release resistance at least approximately constant and independent of the variable pressure applied to the pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Marker Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Hornschemeyer, Anton Emert
  • Patent number: 4815754
    Abstract: A safety binding for a ski includes a jaw for holding the sole of a ski boot, the jaw being movable at least transversely with respect to the axis of the ski. The jaw is held in its normal position by an elastic member which returns it into its normal position after transverse movement. The jaw is associated with a pedal positioned under the end of the sole of the ski boot. This pedal includes a support member movable with respect to the ski as well as to the jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventor: Gertsch Ulrich
  • Patent number: 4603880
    Abstract: Ski safety binding which maintains one end of a ski boot or shoe secured to a ski. The binding includes:(a) a jaw for securing the sole of a shoe or boot to the ski, when the binding is in the locked position;(b) a pivot to be secured to the ski;(c) a rotatable element mounted pivotably on the pivot;(d) a body having a movable element configured to be biased against a rocker, the rocker being pivotably mounted relative to the rotatable element; andwherein the bias of the movable element against the rocker is adapted to bias the jaw against the sole when the binding is in the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1986
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventor: Georges P. J. Salomon
  • Patent number: 4589673
    Abstract: A release mechanism for assisting a binding to resist pivoting about an element fixed to the ski. The mechanism includes an adjustable mechanical release mechanism for producing an initial release retention force, and a hydraulic pneumatic or mechanical assistance mechanism controlled by an electronic control, for increasing the initial release retention force. The initial release retention force is produced by a spring biasing a piston against the element fixed to the ski. The assistance mechanism increases the initial release retention force in response to a signal received by sensors on the binding indicating that the boot is attached to the binding. When shocks are sensed by the sensors, a signal is produced reducing the release retention force added by the assistance system. In the event that the electronic control fails, the binding still experiences the initial release retention force produced by the mechanical release mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1986
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Dimier, Roger Pascal
  • Patent number: 4583757
    Abstract: A safety binding for use with a ski including holding, support and intermediate members, and an elastic system. The holding member is adapted to hold one end of a ski boot onto the ski, and the support member is adapted to be attached to the ski. The elastic system acts on the holding member to press the intermediate member against the support member. In addition, the holding and intermediate members are adapted to pivot together with respect to the support member against the bias of the elastic system with substantially no relative movement between the holding and intermediate members for release of the boot whenever the holding and intermediate members pivot with respect to the support member. Further, the intermediate member is spaced from the support member during pivoting of the intermediate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1986
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventor: Georges P. J. Salomon
  • Patent number: 4572541
    Abstract: A toe-abutment member providing safety ski boot release in the event of a backward-fall movement combined with a twisting movement of the skier's leg comprises a fixed locking member having an inclined ramp and an abutment body pivotally mounted on a cross-pin. The jaw unit for retaining the toe end of the ski boot is movably mounted within the abutment body and carries a transverse rod which is applied against the ramp by means of a spring-loaded piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1986
    Assignee: Ste LOOK
    Inventors: Jean Bernard, Jean Beyl, Daniel le Faou, Henri Peyre, Patrice Viodet
  • Patent number: 4494769
    Abstract: The toe abutment member of a ski binding is adapted to cooperate with a ski boot provided with a sole having a truncated front end and a toe-cap extension in overhung relation to the truncated front end. The abutment member comprises a feeler element placed directly beneath the toe-cap extension of the ski boot in close proximity to the toe-cap extension under normal skiing conditions. In the event of a forward fall, the feeler element undergoes a vertical displacement in the downward direction under the thrust exerted by said extension while producing a reduction in inherent stiffness of release of the toe abutment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Assignee: Ste Look
    Inventors: Jean J. A. Beyl, Philippe Buzon, Christian Campillo, Jackie Cursillat, Daniel Le Faou, Henri Peyre
  • Patent number: 4480850
    Abstract: A toe holder for safety ski bindings having a housing, an axle attached to the housing and perpendicular to the top surface of the ski, a sole engaging unit pivotally mounted to the axle and movable between a skiing and a releasing position, and a spring biasing the sole engaging unit towards its skiing position; the axle having a guide groove for urging the sole engaging unit upwards along its pivot axis as the unit pivots from its skiing to its releasing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1984
    Inventor: Klaus Schneider
  • Patent number: 4457533
    Abstract: A safety binding for use with a ski including holding support and intermediate members, and an elastic system. The holding member is adapted to hold one end of a ski boot onto the ski, and the support member is adapted to be attached to the ski. The elastic system acts on the holding member to press the intermediate member against the support member. In addition, the holding and intermediate members are adapted to pivot together with respect to the support member with substantially no relative movement between the holding and intermediate members against the bias of the elastic system for release of the boot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1984
    Assignee: Etablissemnets Francois Salomon & Fils
    Inventor: Georges P. J. Salomon
  • Patent number: 4449730
    Abstract: The invention relates to a jaw, in particular a front jaw for safety ski bindings including a support member having at least two bolts therein symmetrically arranged with respect to a longitudinal center plane of the jaw and oriented perpendicularly with respect to the upper side of the ski. About each bolt is pivotally supported a two-arm sole holder, one arm of which engages the sole of a ski shoe and the other arm of which extends laterally inwardly toward the longitudinal axis of the ski and engages a part which is movable in the longitudinal direction of the ski against the force of a spring. The spring is supported at its one end on the support member and at its other end on an abutment which can be adjusted by means of an adjusting screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1984
    Assignee: TMC Corporation
    Inventors: Gerhard Oberleitner, Theodor Nitschko
  • Patent number: 4405152
    Abstract: A ski binding front jaw has a cylindrical sleeve supported on a ski-fixed housing for axial movement parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ski in response to movement of ski boot engaging sole holders. An adjusting screw has an end portion rotatably and axially slidably supported in the sleeve, a threaded portion spaced from the end portion which threadedly engages an abutment, and a central portion of lesser diameter than the end portion adjacent thereto. A hollow cylinder is rotatably and axially slidably supported on the sleeve coaxial therewith by a first inner surface and has a second inner surface of greater diameter than the first surface adjacent thereto. The sleeve has a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial openings, and a spherical ball is disposed in each opening. The radial distances between the screw central portion and cylinder first surface and the screw end portion and cylinder second surface substantially equal the diameter of the balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1983
    Assignee: TMC Corporation
    Inventor: Theodor Nitschko
  • Patent number: 4401318
    Abstract: Under normal skiing conditions, two lateral arms of a jaw unit cooperate with the toe end of a ski boot in order to maintain the boot in the axis of the ski and are held in position with a force designated as the inherent stiffness of release. When an excessive twisting effort is exerted on the skier's leg, the arms both move in a transverse direction with respect to the ski in order to permit lateral disengagement of the boot. A toe abutment feeler member is in contact with the front end of the boot and cooperates with a spring-loaded piston unit in order to reduce the inherent stiffness of release as well as resistance to torsional disengagement in the event of a forward fall of the skier and/or of an axial thrust exerted by the boot, thus achieving considerably enhanced safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1983
    Assignee: Ste Look
    Inventor: Jean J. A. Beyl
  • Patent number: 4398747
    Abstract: This toe-fitting for safety ski binding is of the type intended for operating in conjunction with a boot supporting device and includes a boot supporting plate movable across the ski and adapted, during its movement, to cause through a cam mechanism the translation along the ski axis of a slide controlling the release spring in order to reduce the resistance thereof to the ski boot release movement, the release threshold being thus kept to a substantially constant value notwithstanding the presence of dirt, mud or other unevennesses on the bottom surface of the boot sole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1983
    Assignee: Ste Look
    Inventors: Jean Bernard, Jean J. A. Beyl, Philippe Buzon, Daniel le Faou
  • Patent number: 4330138
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1982
    Assignee: Look
    Inventor: Jean J. A. Beyl
  • Patent number: 4314714
    Abstract: A safety ski binding having an automatic heel release binding which releases when the skier suffers a frontal fall and a front jaw or front release binding which releases when the skier experiences a torsional fall. The automatic heel release binding is secured to the rear end of a release plate connected by means of a pivot pin with the ski and freely pivotable to both sides. The front jaw is anchored in spaced relationship forwardly of the release plate at the ski. At the region of its front end the release plate is provided with two, oppositely situated, substantially L-shaped entrainment elements, attached by one leg to be pivotable about a related shaft at the release plate. In the normal skiing position of the release plate the entrainment elements are retained in their effectual position, by bearing upon the ski, and the other leg of each entrainment element protrudes upwardly from the release plate and bears snugly at the ski boot which has been placed into the safety ski binding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1982
    Assignees: Ulrich Gertsch, Ernst Gertsch
    Inventor: Ulrich Gertsch
  • Patent number: 4286801
    Abstract: A safety toe unit for a ski binding features a toe clamp 14 attached via a pivot pin 11 to a draw rod 12 which draws the toe clamp under the effects of a bias spring 23 against a binding housing 22. Complementary pairs of abutment features are provided on the binding housing and the toe clamp to either side of the draw rod and define respective pivot axes about which the toe clamp can pivot to effect a sideways release. The arrangement features an adjustment screw 13 which cooperates with a screw-threaded intermediate member 19 located on the end of the draw rod 12 to effect vertical adjustment of the toe clamp. The arrangement enables the use of a one-piece toe clamp without the adjustment screw being subjected to the load of the bias spring 23. In modifications the adjustment screw cooperates with screw threads provided either at the end of the draw rod or on the pivot pin and the pivot pin can be slidably or fixedly connected into the end of the draw rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1981
    Assignee: Vereinigte Baubeschlagfabriken Gretsch & Co. GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Richert
  • Patent number: 4277084
    Abstract: An acceleration compensated step-in type ski binding for releasably securing a ski boot to a ski. The ski binding includes a pivotable body member mounted on a support plate attached to the ski which engages the boot on one side of a pivot and carries a mass on the opposite side of the pivot. The mass generates a moment equal and opposite to the moment generated by the acceleration of the boot so as to cancel out the internal forces resulting from such acceleration of the boot. The ski binding further includes a boot engagement assembly for engaging a first portion of the ski boot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1981
    Inventor: Duane J. Bonvallet
  • Patent number: 4218071
    Abstract: A ski safety binding is provided with a mechanism for compensating for undesired variations in vertical retention stress, e.g., friction between the sole of the ski boot and the boot retaining jaw of the binding. The mechanism comprises two members movable relative to one another, the first being a spring-loaded piston, and the second a rocking member mounted in a seat of the piston or on an axle integral with it, for rocking movement about an axis transverse to the direction of sliding movement of the piston. The rocking member acts against the action of both the spring biasing the piston, and the boot retaining jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1980
    Assignee: Etablissements Francois Salomon et Fils
    Inventor: Georges P. J. Salomon
  • Patent number: 4123084
    Abstract: A metallic main body having a toe holder at one end thereof is rotatably mounted upon a base plate by a pivot means provided at one end portion of the main body adjacent to the toe holder. A cam member, against which a roller located at one end of a piston is urged by a horizontally disposed compression spring, is provided separately from the pivot means and projects into an intermediate free space in the main body between the pivot means and the other end of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1978
    Assignee: Hope Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tohru Takahashi
  • Patent number: 4095821
    Abstract: The safety binding comprises a vertical pivot integral with a base mounted to the ski, a binding rotating upon the pivot and carrying means for retaining the boot, a locking system ensuring that the boot is maintained in a specific position upon the ski, and a compensating mechanism acting upon the locking system to cause a lateral retention force applied to the boot to vary inversely to a vertical retention force. The compensating mechanism includes a first part mounted to pivot about an axis at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the ski, and a second part mounted in the binding and movable relative to the first part; this second part cooperate, through a system of ramps, with the boot-retaining means to oppose the lifting of the boot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1978
    Assignee: Etablissements Francois Salomon et Fils
    Inventor: Georges Pierre Joseph Salomon