Ski Safety Binding

1. Field on the Invention

The present invention relates to an improvement to the ski binding described in U.S. application Ser. No. 579,376, filed Feb. 13, 1983, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,639,011, issued Jan. 27, 1987, and in French Patent Application No. 83 02309. In addition, the present invention relates to a ski provided with such a binding.

2. Description of Relevant Information

The U.S. and French applications referred to above relate to a safety binding or "front abutment" binding which comprises:

a jaw adapted to receive and to retain the front end of the ski boot with respect to the ski. Two lateral wings are provided for this purpose at the front of the jaw. The wings are adapted to grip the boot on both lateral sides thereof;

a support element defining for the jaw, two rearwardly directed lines of support with respect to the ski, for guiding the lateral pivoting of the jaw. The two lines of support converge downwardly to a point, and define a common plane transverse with respect to the ski such that lateral pivoting of the jaw with respect to the ski, around either one of the support lines is accompanied by a lifting of the wings of the jaw with respect to the ski; and

an elastic energization mechanism which presses the jaw rearwardly against the support element and biases the jaw elastically against lateral pivoting.

In the above-mentioned U.S. and French applications and in the description of the bindings discussed below, absent specific mention to the contrary, the relative positions of the various elements of the ski binding extend in the normal direction of displacement thereof.

This known binding is adapted to retain the front end of the boot on the ski, while the rear end is retained on the ski by other means. This front abutment is adapted to free the boot in response to excessive torsional forces at the level of the leg. When such torsional forces occur, they are also applied laterally to the wings of the binding, thereby overcoming the bias of the elastic energization system so as to laterally pivot the jaw and free the boot. An appropriate calibration system is provided for the elastic energization mechanism which makes it possible to adjust the release threshold above which the boot is released.

Such a simple system responds in an entirely satisfactory fashion to a fall which induces torsional movement of the boot. In such an instance, lateral pivoting of the jaw frees the boot due to the lateral pivoting of the retention wings. In addition, lateral pivoting of the jaw can also be accompanied by a frontward movement of the jaw with respect to the support element, against the resistance of the elastic energization mechanism.

However, it has been discovered that such a binding requires an additional complementary apparatus when a torsional fall is combined with a frontward fall.

During a frontward fall, the zone of the sole which is perpendicular to the front of the foot is applied against the ski with a substantial force directed downwardly, which serves to create an appreciable frictional force between the bottom of the sole and the ski. This frictional force opposes lateral pivoting of the boot, and its liberation from the jaw.

It is a goal of the present invention to perfect the safety binding of the type discussed above such that it is adapted to release the boot during a torsional fall as well as during a torsional fall in combination with a frontward fall, without increasing cost of the binding and without damage to the leg.

The ivention which accomplishes this goal relates to ski binding adapted to releasably hold the front of a ski boot on the ski. The front of the boot comprises the front end zone at the tip of the boot and spaced from the lateral edges of the boot. The binding, which holds such a boot, comprises a jaw, a support, and a support zone means. The jaw is adapted to hold the front of the boot and is adapted to laterally pivot in response to pivoting of the boot. The support is on the ski and comprises two downwardly converging lines of support. The jaw is adapted to laterally pivot around either one of these two downwardly converging lines of support. The support zone means is positioned on the jaw and supports the front end zone of the boot when the front of the boot is held by the jaw. In addition, the invention can comprise this binding in combination with the ski.

The jaw further comprises a rear portion and two lateral wings. Each lateral wing is adapted to grip one of the lateral sides of the boot. In addition, the wings are positioned at the rear portion of the jaw.

The support zone means is also positioned at the rear portion of the jaw between the two lateral wings and can be integral with the two wings.

The binding can further include an elastic energization mechanism adapted to press the jaw rearwardly against the support. This elastic energization mechanism biases the jaw against lateral pivoting.

In one embodiment, the support comprises a rear portion on which the two downwardly lines of support are positioned. In this embodiment, the jaw and the support together comprise means for lifting the jaw when the jaw laterally pivots around to either one of the two downwardly converging lines of support.

The downwardly converging lines of support define a common transverse plane with respect to the ski. In addition, the downwardly converging lines of support converge at a convergence point. In this embodiment, the support zone further comprises a means for supporting the front end zone of the boot along the line which intersects the transverse plane between the support lines and above this convergence point.

When the binding holds the boot and is used during skiing, the jaw may experience a torque or moment in response to lateral pressure from the boot against one of the lateral wings. This can occur when the boot experiences some type of torsion which causes the boot to experience a moment, pivoting the boot laterally against one of the lateral wings. When this occurs, the support zones means increases this moment experienced by the jaw in response to forward pressure of the front end zone of the boot on the support zone means.

In one embodiment, the support zone means is positioned higher than the convergence point.

In another additional embodiment, the boot comprises a sole having a front end and a front end zone spaced from the lateral sides of the boot. In addition, each lateral wing comprises a recess adapted to receive this front end of the sole. In this embodiment, the support zone means is positioned substantially at the same vertical level as the recesses is so that the support zone means comprises means for supporting the front end zone of the sole of the boot.

In an alternative embodiment, the boot comprises an upper having a front end zone. In this alternative embodiment, the support zone means is positioned higher than the recesses so that the support zone means comprises means for frontwardly supporting the front end zone of the upper.

In addition, the jaw may further comprise the means for adjusting the relative positions of the lateral wings and the support zone means. Also, the two support lines may be positioned symmetrically with respect to one another and with respect to the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the ski. Similarly, this support zone means is symmetrical with respect to the plane of symmetry of the ski when the binding is in its rest position in which the longitudial axis of the jaw is substantially parallel to the plane of symmetry. It should be noted that the two lines of support may contact the jaw when the binding is in its rest position and that the binding is may be constructed so as to be symmetrical with respect to the plane of symmetry of the ski when the jaw is supported by both lines of support on the support simultaneously.

In one embodiment, the support zone is convex and open toward the rear of the jaw. This convex support is defined by generatrices which are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the binding and extend above the convergence point.

In addition, a surface may be provided between the jaw and the support which has a low coefficient of friction between 0.01 and 0.25. In one embodiment, the surface may comprise the materials selected from the group consisting of polyethylene and polytetrafluorethylene. In another embodiment, the invention relates to the ski binding adapted to releasably hold the front of a boot on the ski. The front of the boot may comprise a front end zone spaced from the lateral edges of the boot. The binding comprises a jaw, adapted to hold the front of the boot and adapted to laterally pivot in response to lateral pivoting of the boot. Also provided is a support on the ski. This support comprises two downwardly converging lines of support around either of which the jaw is adapted to laterally pivot. When a boot is attached to the binding the jaw may experience a torque or moment in response to lateral pressure from the boot against the jaw. Also provided is a means for increasing this moment experienced by the jaw in response to the boot experiencing a frontward force. In this way, when a torsional fall which pivots the boot laterally, is combined with a forward fall, the increased friction of the boot against the ski which is caused by such a fall is compensated for by the increased torque or moment experienced by the jaw during this fall. Therefore, the means which increases the torque experienced by the jaw increases this moment in response to a frontward fall experienced by the boot. This embodiment of the binding, which uses this means for increasing the torque or moment, includes all of the limitations recited above with respect to the other embodiments.

In addition to the support zone and the means for increasing the moment in the above embodiment, the binding also comprises an elastic means for biasing the jaw and support into contact with each other. The elastic means biases the jaw against the support. In one embodiment the support comprises a portion comprising the lines of support, and the elastic means continuously maintains the portion of the jaw in contact with this portion of the support and at least one of the lines of support. In addition, the jaw is adapted to be positioned in a rest position in which the longitudinal axis of the jaw is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ski. The elastic means is adapted to maintain the jaw in contact with both lines of support on the support when the jaw is in the rest position.

In each of the embodiments discussed above, the jaw may have a cavity therein adapted to receive the support. In addition, the jaw further comprises anterior and posterior portions on opposite sides of the cavity. The jaw also comprises a means for holding the boot, which is positioned on the posterior portion of the jaw. The anterior portion of the jaw comprises a surface which the elastic means biases against the anterior portion of the support.

In one embodiment, the anterior portion of the support comprises first and second projections positioned symmetrically with respect to the vertical and longitudinal plane of symmetry of the binding. The anterior portion of the support also comprises a third projection, spaced below the first and second projections and positioned in the vertical and longitudinal plane of symmetry of the binding. In addition, in this embodiment, the surface on the anterior portion of the jaw comprises first and second grooves, adapted to engage the first and second projections, respectively, and a third groove adapted to engage the third projection. These projections comprise the two lines of support. More specifically, the first and third projection comprise one of the lines of support around which the jaw pivots, and the second and third groove and the second and third projection comprise the other line of support around which the jaw laterally pivots. In addition, the first and second projections are laterally spaced apart and are at substantially the same vertical height. Also, the projections on the support are in substantially the same transverse plane.

In an alternative embodiment, the anterior portion of the support comprises first and second grooves, positioned symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal and vertical plane of symmetry of the binding, and a third groove, spaced below the first and second grooves. The third groove is positioned in the vertical and longitudinal plane of symmetry of the binding. In this embodiment, the surface on the anterior portion of the jaw comprises first and second projections, adapted to engage the first and second grooves, respectively, and a third projection, adapted to engage the third groove. These grooves comprise the two lines of support. More specifically, the first and third groove comprise one of the lines of support, and the second and third groove comprise the other line of support.

In an alternative embodiment, the anterior portion of the support comprises two elements, having a V-shaped configuration. These two elements are positioned symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal and vertical plane of symmetry of the binding. In addition, in this embodiment, the surface on the anterior portion of the jaw comprises two complementary elements, also having a V-shaped configuration. These complementary elements are adapted to engage the two elements on the anterior portion of the support. The two V-shaped elements on the support comprise the two lines of support. In one embodiment, the two elements on the support are projections and the two elements on the jaw are grooves. Alternatively, the two elements on the support may be grooves and the two elements on the jaw may comprise projections.

The jaw may also comprise an anterior portion having an axial bore therein which houses the elastic means, in the form of a compression spring. In this embodiment, the jaw may further comprise a wall having first and second sides, the first side of which comprises one end of the axial bore, and the second side of which is adjacent to an anterior portion of the support. In this embodiment, the compression spring contacts the first side ofthe wall. As a result of pressure of the spring against the first side of ths wall, the second side of the wall is biased against the anterior portion of the support.

The anterior portion of the jaw may further comprise a cap at the opposite end of the bore from the wall. One end of the spring contacts the wall and the other end of the spring contacts the cap. The cap may comprise means for adjusting the tension in the spring. This is accomplished by providing threads on the cap, and further providing a shaft positioned in the axial bore and having a threaded end adapted to receive the threaded cap thereon. By rotating the threaded cap on the end of the threaded shaft, the longitudinal position of the cap may be changed, thereby increasing or decreasing the "stiffness" of the spring.

The support may further comprise a posterior portion and an opening therein, extending from this posterior to the anterior portion of the support. In addition, the shaft further comprises an expanded head at the end of the shaft opposite from threaded end. This expanded head is adapted to engage the opening in the support. This opening is formed axially and horizontally in the support element. In addition, the end of this opening which is adjacent to the anterior portion is substantially hemispherical in shape, as is the expanded head. As a result of the substantially hemispherical shape of the expanded head and the opening, these elements together comprise means for permitting the shaft to follow the vertical and lateral movement of the jaw.

In addition, a portion of the opening adjacent to the anterior surface of the support is substantially bean-shaped. This portion of the opening has two downwardly inclined lateral arms.

The invention will now be described with reference to the annexed drawings, with reference to various non-limiting embodiments in which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical and axial cross sectional view of a first embodiment of a safety binding for a ski according to the present invention, in which the binding and the boot are at rest and are in a rest position, i.e., there is no torsional bias or any frontward force exerted on the boot or binding so that the longitudinal axis of the boot and binding are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ski. This cross sectional view is taken along plane I--I of FIG. 2, which defines for the ski and for the binding, when it is at rest, a longitudinal plane of symmetry;

FIG. 2 is a view half in plane and half in horizontal cross sectional along plane II--II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view, half of which is a transverse cross sectional view along plane III--III of FIG. 1 and half of which is a front elevational view, taken from the right of FIG. 1, i.e., in a direction corresponding to the normal direction of displacement of the ski;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the support element taken from the left of FIG. 1, i.e., from front to rear with reference to this direction;

FIG. 5 is a profile view of the support element;

FIG. 6 is a view of the support element, half of which is horizontal cross sectional along plane VI--VI of FIG. 5 and half of which is a planar view;

FIG. 7 is a view of the support element in vertical cross section along plane VII--VII of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the support element taken from the right of FIG. 1, i.e., from the rear to the front with reference to the normal direction of displacement of the ski;

FIG. 9 is a partial cross sectional view, along plane I--I in FIG. 2 of the pivoting body which comprises the jaw;

FIG. 10 is a transverse cross sectional view along plane X--X of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a view which is half in horizontal cross section along planes II--II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the pivoting body assembly;

FIG. 13 schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the rear to the front, the effect of a force which is applied frontwardly on the jaw of the binding; and

FIG. 14 is a view analogous to that of FIG. 1, and illustrates a second embodiment of a safety binding for a ski according to the present invention.

It is an object of the present invention to perfect the bindings previously discussed such that when a torsional fall is accompanied by a frontward fall, a transformation of forces occurs whereby the boot presses frontwardly against the jaw to produce a lateral pivoting moment or torque which is added to the pre-existing lateral pivoting movement due to the torsional forces on the leg. As a result, the boot presses against one of the lateral wings of the jaw.

To this end, the binding according to the present invention, which is of the type discussed above, comprises a support zone integral with and positioned between two wings of the jaw. The support zone acts as a frontward support for the frontward end zone of the boot with respect to the ski, along a force line which passes between the two support lines and intersects a plane passing through both support lines, above their convergence point, such that, when the boot applies a pivoting moment or torque to one of the wings of the jaw around one of the two support lines, an additional pivoting moment is added by the boot to the jaw, as a result of the pressing of the boot frontwardly against the said support zone.

It will be seen that a binding according to the present invention can be implemented in an extremely simple and reliable manner, using a smaller number of elements, compared to the device disclosed in the above-referenced U.S. and French applications. The only essential additional element that must be provided to implement the invention is the support zone. The addition of this element causes no additional complications, practically no additional cost, and no additional risk of damage to the leg.

The present invention further provides such a binding in combination with a ski.

Referring to FIGS. 1-13, the ski is generally designated by 2. Ski 2 has, in its normal utilization position, an upper surface 30 which is generally planar and which will be taken to be horizontal in the description which follows. Ski 2 also has a longitudinal plane of symmetry 31 which will be taken as being vertical to the horizontal plane. Plane of symmetry 31 corresponds to the plane of cross section I--I in FIG. 2. Arrow 32 illustrates a reference direction, corresponding to the normal direction of displacement of the ski, which is parallel to surface 30 and situated along plane 31. This direction will serve as a reference direction when the terms "frontwardly", "rearward", "front" and "rear" appear in the description which follows, and plane 31 will serve as a reference when the term "lateral" is used.

Upper surface 30 of ski 2 has a rear binding mounted thereon (not shown) which is adapted to immobilize the rear end of the sole of a ski boot with respect to the ski which is schematically shown at 33. Also provided is a front binding mounted on surface 30 which is positioned in front of the rear binding and which comprises to the present invention. Boot 33 comprises a front end held by the binding, and a front end zone spaced from the lateral sides of the boot. The front end zone of the boot refers to either a front end zone of the upper or a front end zone 37 of the sole.

In this first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-13, the ski safety binding according to the present invention comprises a support element 1 which is attached to upper surface 30 of ski 2 by means of screws, or by other means. A body 3, having at its rear portion a jaw 4 adapted to maintain the front end of a ski boot 33, is laterally pivotably mounted on support element 1. Pivoting body 3 is maintained in a rest position, on support element 1, by an elastic energization mechanism 5 against which the lateral safety release occurs. In the rest position, the longitudinal axis of body 3 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of ski 2 and to plane 31.

Jaw 4 comprises two retention wings 35 and 36, which are symmetrical to one another and with respect to plane 31. When the binding is at rest and in its rest position, and wings 35 and 36 form a rearward projection of body 3. Wings 35 and 36 can be formed in a single rigid element with body 3 or on they can be attached to body 3 by means allowing for adjustment of the wings' position with respect to body 3 and a relative immobilization when the binding is in use.

A more detailed view of this adjusting means is illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16.

In FIGS. 15 and 16 the ski is designated by reference numeral 101 having an upper surface 102 and a longitudinal plane of symmetry 103.

Upper surface 102 on ski 101 has a rear binding mounted thereon (not shown) which is adapted to immobilize the rear end of the sole of boot 105 with respect to the ski. Front bindings 106 which is shown, is adapted to immobilize to the front portion of boot 5 and the sole of boot 5. Binding 106 is mounted on ski 101 by support 107.

Support element 107 is preferably a monoblock formed, for example, by the molding of a metal alloy with a metal base plate 108. Base plate 108 is attached to ski 101, preferably by screws schematically illustrated by axes 109 and 110.

Support 107 is adapted to be capped, by a jaw 116. Jaw 116 is also preferably a monoblock which is formed by the molding of a metal allow or by the molding of a plastic material. Jaw 16 comprises a body 117 and two lateral wings 118 and 119 supported by body 117. The assembly formed by body 117 and wings 118 and 119 functions as one integral unit during the operation of the binding, and permits the adjustment of these elements with respect to each other as will be discussed below.

Body 117 is in the form of an oblong block, which is oblong in direction 104 and is symmetrical with respect to plane of symmetry 103 when the binding is in its rest position. A top wall of body of body 117 includes an opening 126 therein, through which axis 127 passes. The binding further comprises a screw 129 having a head 128.

FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrates means for adjusting the position of lateral wings 118 and 119 with respect to each other and with respect to support zone 143 so as to more precisely adapt the binding to the exact configuration and dimension of different boots having front-end zones 144 and 139 of different shapes and sizes.

This adjustment means comprises journal axes 153 and 154, around which jaws 118 and 119 are adapted to respectively rotate. Axes 153 and 154 are positioned substantially parallel to axis 127, and are symmetrical with respect to one another and with respect to plane 103 when the binding is at rest. Also, axes 153 and 154 are positioned on either lateral side of body 117 and of the front-end zone thereof, as seen in FIG. 15.

This adjustment means also comprises a front portion of each lateral wing. More specifically, the front end of lateral wings 118 and 119 respectively, are in the form of caps 155 and 156. Caps 155 and 156 comprise two spaced apart elements, between which cramps 157 and 158, are positioned respectively. Wings 118 and 119 also respectively comprise pins 159 and 160 for connecting caps 155 and 156 with cramps 157 and 158 respectively. Furthermore, pins 159 and 160 are journal pins through which journal axes 153 and 154 pass, respectively. As a result, wings 118 and 119 pivot around pins 159 and 160 respectively.

In addition, the adjustment apparatus further comprises two openings in the rear portion of each wing 118 and 119. An alignment axis 163 passes through these two openings in wing 118 and 119. Alignment axis 163 is: substantially perpendicular to plane 103; positioned above shoulders 141 and 142; positioned above cut-out recess 146; and is positioned immediately in front of surface 145. The first of these openings are openings 161 and 162, which are positioned respectively, in the interior of lateral wings 118 and 119. The second openings are openings 164 and 165 which are also positioned respectively in lateral wings 118 and 119. Openings 164 and 165 are positioned between openings 161 and 162, respectively, and the exterior of lateral wings 118 and 119, respectively. Openings 164 and 165 comprise a cylinder of revolution around axes 166 and 167, respectively. Axes 166 nd 167 are substantially perpendicular to alignment axis 163 and substantially parallel to axes 153 and 154. Axes 166 and 167 are also symmetrical with respect to one another and with respect to plane 103 when the binding is in its rest position.

Each of second openings 164 and 165 are adapted to receive journals 168 and 169, respectively, therein. Journals 168 and 169 are adapted to rotate around axes 166 and 167, respectively, within openings 164 and 165, respectively. In addition, openings 164 and 165 are adapted to guide the rotation of journals 168 and 169 therein, respectively. Journals 168 and 169 comprise tapped bores 170 and 171, respectively. Alignment axis 163 is the longitudinal axis of bores 170 and 171 and the longitudinal axes of these bores 170 and 171 is also the longitudinal axes of openings 161 and 162.

Each tapped bore 170 and 171 has inverse threads as may be seen in FIGS. 15 and 16. Tapped bore 170 and 171 are adapted to receive an end zone 172 and 173, respectively, of a pin 174. End zones 172 and 173 of pin are threaded in a complimentary manner to bores 170 and 171 so that each end zone 172 and 173 of pin 174 can be screwed in bores 170 and 171, respectively. When this is done, the longitudinal axis of pin 174 coincides with axis 163. In addition, pin 174 has, at one of its ends, a slot 175 which is adapted to receive a screwdriver. In the embodiment seen in FIG. 15, slot 175 is positioned within journal 169 of wing 119.

As can be seen in FIG. 15, pin 174 is adapted to extend from wing 118, through body 117 to wing 119. As a result, body 117 must comprise an opening to accommodate pin 174. This opening is a slit 176, which traverses body 117 on both sides thereof along axis 163. Furthermore, a central plane which passes through the center of slit 176 includes axis 163 and is substantially perpendicular to axes 153 and 154. In addition, slit 176 opens toward surface 145 where it is closed by support 143 to allow engagement of pin 174 for the assembly of the apparatus.

Pin 174 also comprises a peripheral groove 177, positioned at substantially its midlength, in the zone situated within slot 166. Groove 177 is adapted to engage a recess 178 provided in slot 176 at the intersection of groove 177 with plane 103. Furthermore, recess 178 extends symmetrically on both sides of plane 103.

The binding assures the immobilization of pin 174 vis-a-vis body 117 along axis 163 by virtue of the engagement of pin 174 with tapped bores 170 and 171. In addition, the free displacement of pin 174 in the rearward direction through slot 76 is also impossible by virtue of the engagement of pin 174 with journals 168 and 169. However, a slight displacement of pin 174 in slot 176 is possible along the median plane thereof in the forward or rearward direction. Furthermore, pin 174 can be rotated around axis 163 as well with respect to journals 169 and 170. This can be accomplished by introducing a screwdriver into slot 175 to rotate pin 174. The rotation of pin 174 causes lateral wings 118 and 119 to move toward or away from each other, depending upon whether the user rotates the screwdriver in slot 175 in one direction or the other. As a result, the relative positions of shoulder 141 and 142 on the front-end zone 139 of sole 140 and the relative position of shoulders with respect to support 143 and front-end zone 144 of the upper of the boot can be changed while preserving the symmetrical position of wings 118 and 119 with respect to plane 103.

Of course, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide means for preventing spontaneous rotation of pin 174. For example, one can select an appropriate pitch of the threading of pin 174 and of the tapping of the journal 168 and 169 while taking into account the material of which each of these elements is composed, so as to prevent the spontaneous rotation of pin 174. In addition, any other means known to those skilled in the art can be used for this purpose.

Each of wings 35 and 36 is adapted to laterally retain, on one respective side of plane 31, a portion of front end 37 of sole 38 of boot 33 at the lateral sides of the boot. A receiving recess 39 or 40, which opens downwardly, to the rear and toward plane 31 is provided for this purpose.

In case of torsional bias at the level of the leg of the skier, a portion of the front end 37 of sole 38 is applied either against wing 35 or wing 36. End 37 applies a force against wings 35 or 36 in the direction away from plane 31 which causes a lateral pivoting of the body assembly 3 and of jaw 4 with respect to support element 1 against the bias of elastic mechanism 5, as will be explained below.

The assembly formed by pivoting body 3 and jaw 4 has a cavity 6 in front of the jaw which opens onto the lower surface of body 3 and in which support element 1 is engaged. Thus, body 3 acts as a cap, to some extent, for element 1.

Pivoting body 3 is applied under pressure under the action of elastic energization mechanism 5, against a front or anterior surface 1a of support element 1. Body 3 is pressed against support element 1 along two lines of support xx.sub.1 and yy.sub.1 which converge downwardly in the direction of the ski, as can be seen in FIG. 4. In one non-limiting embodiment, the two lateral support lines xx.sub.1 and yy.sub.1 are formed by two upper projections 7 and 8 provided on front surface 1a of support element 1 symmetrically with respect to the vertical and longitudinal plane of symmetry 31 of the binding. Projection 7 is positioned on the same side of plane 31 as wing 35, and projection 8 is positioned on the same side of plane 31 as wing 36. The two support lines also comprise a single lower projection 9 positioned in plane 31. Support line xx.sub.1 is defined by projections 7 and 9 while the other support line yy.sub.1 is defined by projections 8 and 9. As a result, these two lines of support converge symmetrically toward one another with respect to plane 31 at a point A on lower projection 9 and define a common plane 41 which includes projections 7-9 and which is substantially perpendicular to plane 31 and at least generally or substantially perpendicular to direction 32. The three projections 7, 8 and 9 are preferably molded integrally with the rest of support element 1 and they are positioned in substantially the same transverse plane.

As seen in FIGS. 9-11, body 3 comprises three depressions 11, 12, and 13, which are adapted to be pressed against support element 1. Depressions 11, 12 and 13 are positioned on a front or anterior surface which defines the front end of cavity 6. Depressions 11 and 12 comprise upper depressions positioned above lower central depression 13. Upper depressions 11 and 12 are adapted to engage upper projections 7 and 8 while a lower central depression 13 is adapted to engage lower projection 9.

The pressing of pivoting body 3 on the front surface 1a of support element 1 can be accomplished by any appropriate means, for example, by one of the energization mechanisms described in U.S. application Ser. No. 574,376 or French Patent No. 83 02309, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

In a non-limiting embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-13, elastic energization mechanism 5 is positioned within an axial bore 14 provided in the front portion of body 3. Mechanism 5 extends frontwardly along an axis included in plane 31 and generally horizontal when the binding is in its rest position. Mechanism 5 comprises a compression spring 15 which is supported, on one end, by transverse end wall 16 of bore 14, positioned near support element 1, and on the other end by a cap 17 blocking the exterior orifice of bore 14. Cap 17 is screwed on threaded end 18 of an axial shaft 19, comprising a retention bott. Bolt 19 comprises, at its rear end, an expanded head 21 which is adapted to engage a housing 22 formed longitudinally and horizontally in support element 1. Housing 22 opens onto a rear surface 1b of the support element, and communicates with the front surface 1a of the support element by means of a hole 23 which is traversed by bolt 19. Hole 23 comprises two lateral arms inclined downwardly to allow for lateral and downward displacement of bolt 19 during release of the binding. Hole 23 is substantially shaped in the form of a bean. Head 21 of bolt 19 has an external hemispherical surface 24 which is supported by the bottom of housing 22 having the same configuration.

It is thus seen, from the description above, that the force of spring 15 of energization mechanism 5 which is supported on adjustable cap 17, is applied to transverse end wall 16 of bore 14 of body 3. In turn, end wall 16 is applied under pressure against front surface la of support element 1 and more particularly on the three projections 7, 8 and 9 which define the two converging lines of support, xx.sub.1 and yy.sub.1. As a result of the reaction exerted, bolt 19 is biased frontwardly and hemispheric surface 24 of head 21 is pressed in the bottom end housing 22.

Support element 1 preferably has a protuberance 25 on its front surface 1a which is positioned between upper projections 7 and 8 and lower projection 9 and which thus projects frontwardly with respect to these projections. The end of housing 22, which receives head 21, is positioned in protuberance 25.

During lateral release, the assembly formed by pivoting body 3 and jaw 4 pivots around one of lateral support lines xx.sub.1 or yy.sub.1. By virtue of the lateral support lines on front surface 1a of support element 1 and their downward convergence, there results during lateral release and as a result of the pivoting of body 3 and jaw 4 leftwardly or rightwardly, a slight concomitant lifting of jaw 4, which compensates for parasitic friction of the sole of the boot against the ski. Thus, in FIG. 3 and if one assumes that the front of the boot is subjected to an excessive leftward torsional force applied to left wing 36 of the jaw tending to space the wing away from plane 31, then jaw 4 and body 3 pivot around lateral support line xx.sub.1 along arrow f.sub.1 and wing 36 lifts during pivoting, by virtue of the inclination of support line xx.sub.1. During this movement the retention bolt 19 lowers slightly in the opposite (or right) lateral arm of hole 23, along arrow f.sub.1 of FIG. 4. This movement is made possible by virtue of the particular "bean" configuration of hole 23.

Furthermore, by virtue of lateral support lines xx.sub.1 and yy.sub.1 on front surface 1a of the support element, and by virtue of the bias of cody 3 rearwardly by energization mechanism 5, the assembly of body 3 and jaw 4 can be displaced slightly frontwardly (in a straight line) against a return force exerted by spring 15 of energization mechanism 5.

In the case of a fall which is not exclusively torsional but also has a frontward component, the force that the front portion of sole 38 of boot 33 applies downwardly on upper surface 30 of the ski is increased. This is due to the tendency of the boot to pivot upwardly and frontwardly with respect to the ski during a frontward fall, despite the fact that the rear binding tends to oppose the lateral displacement (i.e., lateral release) of the front portion of the sole.

According tot he present invention, this tendency of the boot to pivot upwardly and frontwardly with respect to the ski during a fall has been put to beneficial use in those cases where a fall occurs with both a torsional and frontward component. In this case, the pivoting moment of jaw 4 and body 3 around axis xx.sub.1 (which results from the force of the front end 37 of sole 38 of the boot on lateral wing 35 of jaw 4) or the pivoting moment of the jaw around axis yy.sub.1 (which results from the action of the boot on lateral wing 36) is increased by an additional pivoting moment or torque exerting itself around the same axis and in the same direction as the lateral pivoting due to the torsional forces.

To accomplish this increase in the moment of the jaw, the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-13, comprises a support zone 43 positioned between two lateral wings 35 and 36 and more precisely at substantially the same level as recesses 39 and 40 with respect to upper surface 3 of ski 2. Zone 43 a central means and faces the rear and is symmetrical with respect to plane 31 when the binding is at rest and in its rest position. Zone 43 is adapted to serve as a frontward support, for the front end zone 37 of sole 38 of boot 33. Zone 43 is positioned substantially the midpoint of contact (in the vertical direction) between zone 37 of boot 33 and jaw 4, and is higher than point A, the convergence point of the lines of support. Zone 43 may serve as a frontward support, substantially along plane 31, for the front of the boot.

Support zone 43 is fixed with respect to the two wings 35 and 36 when the binding is in use. However, means are preferably provided to adjust the position of wings 35 and 36 with respect to body 3 to permit the adapting of the relative positions of these two wings and of support zone 43 to any configuration and to all boot dimensions, so that contact between the front end zone of sole 38 of boot 33 with support zone 43 is assured as soon as the front end 37 is gripped laterally by recesses 39 and 40 of wings 35 and 36.

In addition, jaw 4 also comprises a surface 42 coated by a material having a low coefficient of friction preferably in the range of 0.01 to 0.25, such as polyethylene or polytetrafluorethylene. Surface 42 is positioned between jaw 4 and zone 43. In addition, zone 43 is, in the example illustrated in FIGS. 1-13 convex towards the rear, and defined by generatrices which are generally or substantially perpendicular to direction 32 and extend above point A.

Thus, when a fall occurs which results in a twisting or torsional action on the leg was well as a frontward force being exerted on the leg, this frontward force on the leg causes the front end zone of sole 38 of boot 33 to exert of a force on support zone 43, as seen in FIG. 13. Force F is generally oriented in direction 32 along plane 31, and acts along a force line 44 which intersects plane 41 of axes xx .sub.1 and yy.sub.1 between these axes, above point A. It should be noted that regardless of the axis (xx.sub.1 or yy.sub.1) around which the pivoting of jaw 4 and body 3 occurs with respect to support element 1, due to the torsional component of the fall, the force F thus applied along force line 44 acts an an additional torque for the pivoting of the binding in the same direction and around the same axis as the torsional component of the fall.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14 differs from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-13 only with respect to the height at which the support zone, designated as 43 in the embodiment previously described, is situated on the jaw with respect to the ski.

As a result, elements in FIG. 14 that are identical to the elements in FIG. 1 have the same reference numerals, with the following exceptions.

In this embodiment, support zone 43a replaces support zone 43 in FIGS. 1-13. The jaw also includes a coating on a rear surface 42a of jaw 4 between lateral wings 35 and 36 and over which support zone 43 is positioned. In addition, zone 43 is situated at a level which is higher than point A and higher than recesses 39 and 40 of wings 35 and 36 so as to serve as a frontward support, along a force line 441, which intersects plane 41 of axes xx.sub.1 and yy.sub.1 between these two axes above point A. Support zone 43a no longer suppports a front end zone of sole 38 of boot 33, but supports a front end zone 46 of the upper of the boot. Jaw 4 also comprises a recess 45 beneath support zone 43a which opens rearwardly and downwardly to allow for the engagement of the front end zone 37 of sole 33 with the binding such that a contact is assured between front end zone 46 of the boot upper and support zone 43a as soon as the boot is placed in the binding.

Furthermore, support zone 43a is comparable to zone 43 in FIGS. 1-13 in that it is positioned symmetrically with respect to plane 31 when the binding is at rest and in its rest position, so that force line 441 is situated in plane 31, at least generally in direction 32 when the binding is at rest and when the boot begins to experience a force causing lateral release, just as is force line 44 in FIGS. 1-13.

The assembly of the binding is preferably symmetrical with respect to the plane of symmetry of the ski when the binding is in its rest position in which the longitudinal axis of the binding is parallel to plane 31.

In the particular embodiments which have been previously described by way of example, the two converging lateral support lines xx.sub.1 and yy.sub.1 are formed by two upper projections 7 and 8 and a lower projection 9 which cooperate with corresponding depressions 11, 12 and 13 provided on body 3. It is, however, within the scope of the invention to use a reverse arrangement, i.e., that support element 1 could comprise, instead of bumps 7, 8 and 9, corresponding openings while the body would comprise, opposite these depressions, projections, engaging these depressions.

The projections defining the lateral support lines can have any configuration, such as spherical, conical, cylindrical, cubic, etc.

According to an alternative embodiment, the converging lateral support lines ss.sub.1 and yy.sub.1 could be defined by the cooperation of two rebs having a V-shaped configuration provided on support element 1, or body 3, and which cooperate, respectively, with grooves having the same V-shaped configuration respectively provided on body 3 or support element 1. In these embodiments, point A could be positioned not only above the ski as in the examples illustrated in FIGS. 1-14, but could also be positioned therein or thereunder.

It should be noted that energization mechanism 5 comprises retention bolt 19 extending axially in the front portion of body 3. Hemispheric surface 24 of head 21 of bolt 19 is provided to form, in the end of housing opening 22, a universal joint allowing retention bolt 19 to follow the movements of body 3 both laterally and vertically during a release of the binding, leftwardly or rightwardly. Cap 17, which is screwed on threaded portion 18 of bolt 19, makes it possible to adjust the tension of spring 15 and consequently to adjust the release threshold or "hardness" of the binding.

It should be self-evident that the embodiment of FIGS. 18-20 can also be equipped with a front support 43 or 43a as previously defined.

In the embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in FIGS. 17-19, the elastic energization mechanism which presses body 203 and jaw 204 (which is integral with body 203) against anterior surface 201a of support element 201 is formed independently of body 203 on the exterior thereof. This elastic energization mechanism, designated in its entirety by reference 231, comprises a body 232 integral with a base plate 233 attached to the ski by means of screws 234. Base plate 233 also attaches support element 201 to ski 202. Body 232 is positioned slightly in front of support element 201 and is bored on both sides with a bore 235. The longitudinal axis of bore 235 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ski. A piston 236 is slidably mounted in bore 235. Therefore, piston 236 is adapted to reciprocate along the longitudinal axis of bore 235 and ski 202. In addition, a piston 236 is adapted to contact the anterior transverse surface 203a of the anterior portion of pivoting body 203. Piston 236 is biased and pushed rearwardly onto surface 203a by a compression spring 237 positioned in bore 235. Spring 237 is supported on one end by an adjustment cap 238 screwed in threaded walls provided in the anterior portion of bore 235.

It is evident from the preceeding description that the pivoting assembly body 203 and jaw 204 is maintained and pressed against anterior surface 201a of support element 201 under the action of energization mechanism 231 as in the first embodiment. More specifically, the posterior side of the anterior portion of body 203 contacts anterior surface 201a of support element 201.

In the binding illustrated in FIGS. 17-19, the pivoting assembly 203 and 204 can be retained against vertical movement by engaging a projection 239, protruding from anterior transverse surface 203a of body 203, in a notch 240 provided in anterior surface 201a of support element 201. Projection 239 projects into cavity 206 when this occurs.

Although the invention has been described with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particulars disclosed and extends to all equivalents within the scope of the claims.