Combination removable release ski binding

#This invention relates to ski bindings, and more particularly to a combination cross country and alpine ski binding, arranged to support a removable boot heel holder, permitting alpine skiing with a cross country ski binding.

#Two different types of skiing are currently most popular with the general skiing public. These are cross country and alpine skiing. In the first, the skier walks or hikes on skis which, of course, for ease requires the lifting of the heel during the walking. The walking attitude also involves sliding the skis alternately along the snow. A particular type of binding and a light weight, normally low cut, ski boot has been devised for this type of skiing. The binding securely holds the boot toe to the ski but permits freely lifting the heel. In the alpine or down hill skiing, the ski binding holds the boot (generally above the ankle type) with the entire sole and heel flatly to the ski, so that the ski moves with the foot, giving lateral and pivot control of the ski.

#These two types of bindings are different and are not compatible. However, in cross country skiing, one must go down some hills. It is generally more convenient to have the boot heel affixed to the ski for control. A number of inventions have attempted to provide a combined ski binding; and generally such bindings are heavy and awkward. Also, skiers generally prefer a safety binding (i.e., releasable when too much twisting, lateral, vertical or other stresses occur in a spill). These features for a combined binding are not found in the devices of the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,575,437 to Unger for "Releasable Heel Retainer for Ski Binding with Means for Optional Setting for Starting and Cross Country Events," dated Apr. 20, 1971, does not show a stable device permitting free heel movement and for fixed heel holding. Weickeiser U.S. Pat. No. 3,877,712 for Release Ski Binding for Down Hill and Cross Country dated Apr. 15, 1975, shows a ski binding attached to a ski which is intended for both types of skiing. The unit adds weight to a cross country ski when such skis and bindings should be light. Also, the heel is not free but held in an around the boot cable. Similarly, Jones, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,831,696 dated Apr. 22, 1958 for Ski Binding uses an around the boot cable, while Swensen U.S. Pat. No. 2,758,846 dated Aug. 14, 1956 for Ski Binding Provided with Heel Control Device uses an around the boot spring clamp. An earlier around the boot cable with a heel clamp is shown in Whitaker U.S. Pat. No. 2,686,059 dated Aug. 10, 1954.

#These and other objects and advantages may be readily ascertained by reference to the following description and appended illustrations, wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a schematic, side elevational view of a boot and ski binding, according to the invention, mounted on a ski in an alpine configuration.

#FIG. 2 is a schematic, side elevational view of a boot and ski binding, according to the invention, in a cross country configuration.

#In general, the device of the invention provides a means for converting a cross country type ski binding to a combination ski binding arranged for a free heel lift for cross country skiing, and a fixed heel position for alpine type skiing. The device utilizes a conventional cross country ski binding which affixes the toe to the ski and permits free lifting of the heel for walking. The conversion includes a plate mounted on the ski beneath the heel of the boot. A removable spring heel binding support is arranged to be releasably mounted on the plate. A heel binding cable with a tightening latch is attachable to the spring holder for securing the heel to the plate in an adjustable stress release fashion providing a safety binding for alpine skiing.

#As shown in FIG. 1, a light weight cross country ski boot 10 is mounted on a ski 12 by means of a conventional toe clamp type toe binding, and heel binding arrangement, shown generally by the number 16, according to the present invention, holding the heel affixed to the ski for alpine skiing. As shown in FIG. 2, the ski boot 10 is affixed only by means of the toe binding 14 for cross country skiing permitting the heel 11 for the boot 10 to be raised from the heel binding 16 for a cross country or walking configuration.

#A clamping plate, shown in FIG. 3, is a rectangular plate 20, having rounded, overhanging side flanges 21 and 22, which is arranged to be mounted on the ski 12 by means of screws 24 passing through holes into the body of the ski. The plate is mounted under the heel of the ski boot. Mounted under the flange 22 is a pair of Allen head screws 26, and a pair of Allen head screws 27 are mounted under the flange 21 on the opposite side, threaded inwardly from the groove under each flange. These Allen head screws are threadedly mounted in the plate for adjustng the depth of the groove under the flange which holds the heel holding spring with an adjustable stress release, explained below.