US 6,007,086 A · Electric ski binding system

Abstract

An electric ski binding system with magnetic interfaces and a microprocessor achieves releasable engagement of a ski boot to ski bindings. A permanent magnet in the front ski binding and a permanent magnet of opposite polarity in the toe portion of the boot create a front magnetic interface. A permanent magnet in the rear ski binding and a permanent magnet of opposite polarity in the heel portion of the boot create a rear magnetic interface. Electromagnets in the proximity of the front and rear magnetic interfaces are disposed so that their polarity opposes the permanent magnets of the boot. The electromagnets are turned off while the boot is engaged with the ski binding to allow the permanent magnets to couple at the front and rear magnetic interfaces. The electromagnets are operated when disengaging the boot from the ski binding to create a magnetic field substantially greater than that of the permanent magnets in the front and rear magnetic interfaces. Sensors are placed on the ski bindings to sense pressure and stress. The sensors relay signals indicative of applied pressure and stress to the microprocessor. The microprocessor evaluates the relayed signals to determine if an established threshold value is exceeded which is indicative of a release situation. In a release situation, the microprocessor effects operation of the front and rear electromagnets to repulse the boot from the ski bindings.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An electric ski binding system for use on a ski which provides magnetic interface to effect binding of a ski boot with the ski binding system, comprising:

a front binding having a front permanent magnet and a front electromagnet;
a rear binding having a rear permanent magnet and a rear electromagnet;
a toe permanent magnet and a heel permanent magnet disposed on the ski boot such that the toe permanent magnet forms an attractive magnetic field with the front permanent magnet and the heel permanent magnet forms an attractive magnetic field with the rear permanent magnet;
a front sensor disposed on the front binding;
a rear sensor disposed on the rear binding;
and
a processor having a memory and in electrical communication with the front and rear electromagnets and the front and rear sensor, the processor receiving and processing signals from the front and rear sensors to determine if a threshold value is reached, the processor enabling operation of the front and rear electromagnets upon reaching the threshold value to create a repulsive magnetic field between the front electromagnet and the toe permanent magnet and between the rear electromagnet and the heel permanent magnet, and wherein the repulsive magnetic field is sufficient to overcome the attractive magnetic fields and effect release of the ski boot from contact with the front and rear bindings.

4 more elements

An electric ski binding system for use on a ski which provides magnetic interface to effect binding and releasable engagement of a ski boot with the ski binding system, comprising:

a front binding having a front permanent magnet and a front electromagnet;
a rear binding having a rear permanent magnet and a rear electromagnet, wherein the rear binding is mounted on a slidable track to allow movement to forward and rearward positions;
a toe permanent magnet and a heel permanent magnet disposed on the ski boot such that the toe permanent magnet forms an attractive magnetic field with the front permanent magnet and the heel permanent magnet forms an attractive magnetic field with the rear permanent magnet, wherein the attractive magnetic field are sufficiently strong to effect binding of the ski boot with the front and rear bindings, and wherein the rear binding is moved to a forward position during binding;
a front sensor disposed on the front binding;
a rear sensor disposed on the rear binding;
and
a processor having a memory and in electrical communication with the front and rear electromagnets and the front and rear sensor, wherein the processor is programable to adjust weighting factors used in determining a threshold value for a release situation, wherein the processor receives and processes signals from the front and rear sensors to determine if a threshold value is reached, the processor enabling operation of the front and rear electromagnets upon reaching the threshold value to create a repulsive magnetic field between the front electromagnet and the toe permanent magnet and between the rear electromagnet and the heel permanent magnet, wherein the repulsive magnetic field is sufficient to overcome the attractive magnetic fields and effect release of the ski boot from contact with the front and rear bindings, and wherein the rear ski binding is moved to a rearward position during release.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Electric ski binding system

Life of this patent

Electric ski binding system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20