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US 4,358,131 AGranted
Heel binding for cross-country skis
OwnerThomas A. Schwartzinventor
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims7
A heel binding for a cross-country ski comprising:
- a base adapted to be fixed to said ski,
- oppositely facing first and second latch members,
- said first and second latch members having oppositely facing first and second latch surfaces, respectively,
- said first and second latch members being rotatably mounted on said base for movement between a first position in which said first and second latch surfaces are spaced apart and a second position in which said first and second latch surfaces are close and releasably secure a portion of said heel between them,
- biasing means connected to said latch members to bias said latch members in said first position, and
- spaced apart first and second flexible beam means mounted on said base for movement between a first position in which said beam means are out of operative contact with said latch members, and a second position in which said first and second flexible beam means flexibly hold said first and second latch members in said latch member second position,
- said first and second latch surfaces including first and second cam surface portions, respectively, said cam surface portions being shaped to move said latch members outward against the resistance of said flexible beam means and release said heel portion when substantial force is applied to said heel portion.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.