Abstract:
An exoskeleton (E) for connecting footwear to sporting equipment. The exoskeleton has an underfoot base (7), an ankle cuff (3) connected to a heel portion of the underfoot base, a first restraining brace (2a) having an anterior end connected to the medial side of a forefoot portion of the underfoot base (7), and extending rearwardly and diagonally at least to the lateral side of the ankle cuff, and a second restraining brace (2b) having an anterior end connected to the lateral side of the forefoot portion of the underfoot base (7), and extending rearwardly and diagonally at least to the medial side of the ankle cuff. The first and second restraining braces (2a, 2b) are configured such that when an item of footwear is enclosed by the exoskeleton (E), the restraining braces extend over and support a portion of the item of footwear.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a support system for use in relation to an articulation region of a boot. Embodiments of the present invention relate to a boot with a dorsal metatarsal articulation region that allows for articulation in the sagittal plane such as a telemark ski boot. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a telemark ski boot, including a shell, an articulation region, and an articulation support system. The articulation support system includes at least one tensile rigid region extending transversely between the proximal and distal sides of the articulation region. The tensile rigid region impedes rotation of the rear portion of the shell about the toe portion in a frontal plane. This form of rotation is often referred to as torsional rotation. The articulation support system may include one or more of a cable, an integrated shell portion, a material mesh, and/or other tensile rigid components which maintain bending flexibility. A second embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for increasing the torsional support characteristic of a telemark ski boot while maintaining the desired flexibility.
Abstract:
A device for binding a boot to a sports article, of the type including a retaining system through which the boot is fixed to the sports article with a possibility to move relative to the sports article, between a low position and a high position, of the type including a system for the elastic return of the boot toward its low position, and of the type in which the retaining system functions independently of the elastic return system, and in which the elastic return system is part of a pre-assembled unitary module.
Abstract:
Telemark ski bindings may incorporate a rotational decoupler as disclosed. When exposed to subthreshold torques during normal use, the ski boot will remain rotationally coupled to (i.e, cannot rotate relative to) the ski. When exposed to threshold- or suprathreshold torques, such as when a skier loses control, the ski boot will become rotationally decoupled from (i.e., can rotate relative to) the ski, thereby protecting the skier's legs from the excessive torque and resulting leg injury. Also disclosed are tracked/railed alpine touring and telemark bindings, as well as methods for interchanging such bindings on railed/tracked skis.
Abstract:
A releasable riser plate assembly is provided for use with a telemark binding. The assembly is mounted to a ski. The assembly includes a base plate interconnecting a front and rear housing, and a release plate mounted over the base plate. Force transmitting members are integrated in the housings to hold the release plate. A toe adapter of the telemark binding is mounted on the release plate. The toe of a ski boot is secured in the toe adapter. Adequate force generated by the boot in either a lateral direction or vertical direction results in disengagement of the release plate from the base plate and housings. Accordingly, the boot separates from the ski. The assembly incorporates a ski brake. The ski brake activates upon separation of the release plate. The release plate is reattached by a step-in motion wherein a front portion of the release plate is positioned under a lip of the front housing, and then the heel of the boot is pressed down against the ski to seat a rear portion of the release plate against the base plate and rear housing.
Abstract:
Ski binding (1; 1′; 1″), in particular touring, telemark or cross-country binding, with a front retaining element associated with the front sole end (7a) of a ski boot (5), a back retaining element (21) so constructed that it engages an edge (7b) at the front part of the boot sole or at the heel of the boot, and a tensioning device (17; 25; 47; 17′; 17″) that connects the front and back retaining elements to one another, and that allows the front and back retaining elements to be locked to the ski boot and, in particular in the locked state, allows the heel of the boot to be raised away from the ski, wherein the front retaining element grips the sole of the ski boot on both sides near the tip of the boot, in particular with lateral resilience, and with the front retaining element there is associated an elastic pressing element (13) to press the upper side of the sole against the retaining element.
Abstract:
Ski binding (10) for fixing a ski shoe that comprises an upper and a sole (11), having a front retaining element (12) associated with the front end of the sole, a rear retaining element (13) arranged to engage at the foresole or at the heel of the ski shoe, a tensioning means (15, 16, 17, 19) effective between front and rear retaining elements, and having a means, associated with the front retaining element (12) and pivotally mounted relative to the latter about a horizontal axis, for supporting the front end of the sole or sole-supporting means (28), wherein the pivotal axis (29) associated with that supporting means simultaneously defines the pivotal axis about which a structural unit (26) comprising the front and rear retaining elements is pivotable when the shoe heel is lifted or lowered. The sole-supporting means (28) associated with the front end of the sole is pivotable relative to the structural unit (26) and is lockable, as required, by a separate locking element (30).
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a ski binding that retains a boot to a ski in at least two independent operational states. One embodiment of a ski binding includes a toe receiving member and a releasable system. The toe receiving member is configured to engage the toe portion of the boot. The releasable system is configured to couple the toe receiving member to the ski in at least two independent operational states. A first state corresponds to a state in which the toe receiving member is allowed to freely rotate with respect to the ski. The first state is particularly useful in minimizing the necessary energy output for uphill travel. A second state corresponds to a state in which the toe receiving member is locked with respect to the ski. The second state is particularly useful in high performance downhill travel. The releasable system further includes an engagement mechanism and a switching mechanism. Additional states may also be included such as a third state in which both the toe receiving member and a heel portion of the boot are fixed with respect to the ski.
Abstract:
A method and a device for controlling the connection between a user and a gliding or rolling apparatus on which the user is retained by a releasable retaining system, i.e., such as between a skier and ski by means of a ski binding. According to the method, the values of at least two flexion and torsion angles between the user's upper leg and lower leg are measured and the values of these angles in relation with the angles that indicate a critical posture of the user are considered, and the release of the retaining system is caused if the angle values measured exceed the indicative values. The device includes a member for measuring at least two angles and a processing circuit in relation with a table of indicative values.
Abstract:
Cross-country or telemark binding (10) which is mounted on the top face of a ski, especially on a mounting plate (12) mounted thereon, so as to be longitudinally displaceable (arrow 13) and which is lockable in a plurality of sliding positions by means of a locking device (14). The locking device is subdivided into a first locking unit (23), which is active only in the forward direction, and a second locking unit (24), which is active only in the rearward direction, so that on unlocking of that locking unit (23) which is active only in the forward direction the binding is displaceable only in the forward direction (arrow 25) and on unlocking of that locking unit (24) which is active only in the rearward direction the binding is displaceable only in the rearward direction (arrow 26).