Hydraulic ski binding incorporating electronically-controlled bypass

A safety ski binding for releasably holding a ski boot;

• said binding receiving external forces from a ski boot attached to said binding, said binding having a releasing condition and a holding condition and comprising:
• force detection means for sensing forces from the ski boot;
• shock-absorbing means comprising:
• hydraulic circuit means operatively connected to said force detection means, said hydraulic circuit means comprising:
• cylinder means and piston means mounted for sliding movement in said cylinder means in response to forces received by the binding from the ski boot;
• movement of said piston means relative to said cylinder means by a predetermined amount enabling said binding to go to the releasing condition;
• choke means operatively connected to said cylinder means across said piston means for controlling the hydraulic resistance to the relative movement of said piston means;
• check valve means operatively connected to said cylinder means across said piston means for selectively allowing the flow of hydraulic fluid in one direction in said cylinder means;
• bypass means having bypass valve means actuable to enable the hydraulic fluid to leave said cylinder means and for collapsing the resistance of said shock absorbing means whereby said cylinder means and said piston means enable the binding to go to the releasing condition;
• and
• detecting means for detecting the occurrence of release forces acting on said binding, and for actuating said bypass valve means when said release force occurs;
• and
• spring means for biasing the binding to the releasing condition upon enablement by said cylinder means and said piston means.

A safety ski binding connectable to a ski, said binding comprising:

• a sole holder for attaching a ski boot;
• shock absorbing means comprising:
• hydraulic circuit means for operating said sole holder, said hydraulic circuit means comprising:
• a cylinder;
• a piston positioned within said cylinder, dividing said cylinder into two chambers and slidable relative to said cylinder;
• a piston rod connected to said piston;
• choke means including a duct connecting said chambers and having a choke therein;
• check valve means including a duct connecting said chambers and having a check valve therein;
• bypass means comprising a duct connecting said chambers and having a shut-off valve therein;
• and
• detecting means for detecting forces acting on said binding, and for opening said bypass means when a predetermined force acts upon said binding, said detecting means comprising:
• at least one transducer for detecting forces operating on said binding;
• an electromagnet for operating said bypass means;
• electronic circuitry for activating said electromagnet;
• and
• a battery for energizing said detecting means.