Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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WATER SKI BI~DI~G
Technical Field
The present invention relates to bindings for water skis and, more
particularly, to a binding having a frame that is adjustable in width and provides
5 lateral support to the skier's foot and having an upper that is laterally flexible.
The binding frame cooperates with strap portions on the binding upper for further
adjustment of the binding to accommodate various skier foot sizes.
Back~round of the Invention
Well designed water ski bindings should not only fit well, but also
10 properly support the skier's foot and ankle. Proper support is a function of good
fit and offers the skier maximum control over the ski~ while plaeing a minimum of
stress on the skier's foot and ankle. A good binding fit also enhances the skier's
safety in several ways. First, with greater control over the ski, the s~cier i9 less
likely to sustain an injuris~us fall. Second, a better binding fit reduces the
15 likelihood of the binding coming loose acoidentally while skiing, ~urther decreasing
the occurrence of falls. Third, a good binding -~it ensures the prompt release o~
the ski should the skier fall~ Thus, the skier's foot and ankle are spared the
potentially damaging eorces exerted upon the ski during a fall. In addition to
proper support and good fit, it is desirable to provide a binding upper that is
20 comPortable to the skier.~ Finally, because of the strains exerted on the binding
when skiing, it is necessary that the binding be o~ rugged construction.
To provide proper support~ known bindings for water skis typically
include a binding upper consisting of a toe- or forward piece that extends trans-
versely over the forward portion of the foot and a heel- or rearward piece to eup
25 the heel and ankle of the skier. The lowar perimeter flange portions of the toe-
piece and heelpiece extend horizontally from their respective upper portions
1~32~
for securement horizontally to a mounting surface provided on the ski. ~xarnplesof this type of water ski binding are disclosed in U.S. Paltent Nos. 3,1217891 and
4,522,603. While such configurations generally provide enough lateral binding
support to allow the skier to control the ski for precision turns, they do so at the
5 expense of binding comfort. In such configurations, the lower perimeter flangeportion of the toe- and heelpieces are generally hori20ntally clamped to the ski,
while the majority of the upper portions of the toe- and heelpieces have a more
vertical disposition capable of supporting the foot and ankle. Generally, this is
achieved by a transitional portion of the binding that undergoes an arcuate,
lO 90 degree upward bend from the flange to the upper portions of the toe- and
heelpiece. The resultant inwardly concave portion of the binding upper is
relatively stiff and unyielding, thereby resisting outward flexure. Thus, while
the skier's foot is laterally supported, the comfort of the binding is significantly
impaired.
I 5 Water ski bindings also have been designed to provide a direct
vertical attachment between the binding upper and the soleplate of the binding.
This configuration eliminates the relatively stiff arcuate juncture between the
horizontal llange portions and vertical upper portions of previous water ski
bindings, resulting in a binding that is more uniformly flexible throughout. An
20 example of this type of binding is shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,389,200. While this
configuration may enhance the comfort of the water ski binding, it provides
minimal lateral support to the skier's foot, thereby severely rec~ucing the skierls
control over the ski and seriously decreasing skier safety.
Perhaps the surest way of obt~ining a properly fitting birldillg is to
25 have one custom designed and made for an individual. However, such bindings
are both expensive and limited to usQge by one individual. Therefore, it is
desirable that water ski bindings ar~ constructed to accommodate a varie~y of
skier foot sizes. In this regard the length of the water ski binding is commonlyadjustable by use of a longitudinally slidable heelpiece. Use of a sliding
30 heelpiece in conjunction with ~ forwardly narrowing open toepiece also provides
some adjustment for width. Wider feet are simply retained farther back in the
binding toepiece, with the heelpiece adjusted accordingly, while narrower ~eet
are positioned farther ~orward in the binding toepiece~ An example of a water
ski binding constructed in this manner is shown in U.S. Patent No. 3,089,158.
35 These adjustable bindings, however, employ a spacing in the binding upper
between the toepiece and the heelpiece to allow relative displacement of the
two. Because major portions of the skier's foot and ankle are left uncovered by
the binding in this configurationg less than optimum support or comIort results.
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Other adjustable binding designs employ binding pieces that are
movable in relation to a mounting plate by way of bolts that reside in slot
located in either the binding pieces or the mounting plate. Such an arrangement
can be used to adjust the length of the binding, or the binding width at the toe or
5 heel. Examples of water ski bindings constructed in this manner are disclosed in
U.S. Patent Nos. 2,142,727 and 2,165,547. These designs also leave reduced
regions of the skier's foot covered by the binding, thereby providing variably
adjustable bindings at the expense of foot and an}de support and comfor~.
Some water ski bindings also include a means far adiusting the
lO binding fit by varying the instep of the binding. ~or example9 the toepiece may
be laced as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2,t65,547. Similarly, the toepiece may
be stretched downwardly and rearwardly to reduce the size of the binding cavity
adjacent the skier's instep, as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,143,750. Another
possible option is to adjust the effective surface area of the toepieee while
l 5 maintaining the same points of attachment on the soleplate. As disclosed in U.S.
Patent No. 2,933,741, one side of the toepieee can be secured by an eccentric
clasp, allowing that end of the toepiece to be clamped at different points,
thereby adjusting the binding toepiece to accommodate different skier's feet.
While each of these different binding eonfigurations is capable of
20 varying the instep region of the binding, none provides maximum coverage of7
and hence support to, the skier's foot and ankle. In addition, because the
toepiece is generaLly angled forwardly downward, the reduction in the binding
instep produces a rearward component of force Oll the slcier's foot which must be
resisted entirely by the heelpiece. None oE these configurRtions disclo~e3 an
25 integral means for counterbalancirlg this rearwarfl force on the skler's ~oot.
Because the toe ancl heelpieces typically are subject to consider-
able ~lexure during usage, the durability of the binding often suf~ers. Similarly~
lhe binding may employ a number of moving parts that can wear and, ultimately7
fail. In addition, holes are frequently formed in the lower perimeter portion of30 the binding upper, which is clamped to the mounting surface of the ski by a
frame provided with bolts that pass through the holes, anchoring the binding.
The force exerted by the binding upper to hold the skier's foot in place is alsoexperienced by the lower perimeter flange portion of the binding~ resulting in
frequent failures around the screw holes. To counteract these problems, stiffer135 tougher binding upper material can be usedO As noted earlier, however, this
results in a decrease in the comfort experienced by the skier when wearing the
bindingO In addition, ribbed interfaces between the lower perimeter flange
portion of the binding upper and the frame have been employed, as have lower
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perimeter portions that are harder and less resilient than the remainder Oe the
binding upper. While each OI these approaches reduces the tendency of the
binding to tear when holes are provided, neither has proved totally success~ul.
Accordingly, it is a prinoipal object of the present invention to
5 provide a water ski binding that laterally supports the skier's ~oot and ankle and
provides an adjustable fit, while maintaining a generally resilient binding upper
that is both comfortable to wear and of rugged construction.
A particular object of the present invention is to provide a frame
assembly for the binding that ~orms a laterally supportive depression for the
10 skier~s foot and secures the binding upper to extend upwardly and inwardly
therefrom, thereby producing a comfortable laterally flegible binding that also
offers the skier maximum control over the ski.
A further particular object of the present invention is to provide a
frame assembly for the binding~ that is variable in width for preferred use in
15 conjunction with a binding upper having an adjustable instep, the resultant
adjustable binding producing the optimum fit to the feet of a large number of
skiers while providing maximum support of the skiers' feet and ankles.
Summar~ of the Invention
The foregoing and other objeets are achieved in accordance with
20 the present invention by securing a binding upper to extend upwardly and
inwardly from a frame assembly having an internal frame including a pair of
spaced, longitudinally extending abutment ridges defining a depression that
lat~rally supports substantially the full lengths of the sides o-f the skier's foot.
The frflme assembly may be variable in width, allowing the size oP the binding to
25 be adjusted. Thc binding additionally may b~ a~ustable at the instep b~ wny Oe
forwardly extending and laterally overlapping strap portions provided on the
binding upper and secured in rel~tion to the int~rnal frame.
According to particular aspects of the present invention, the frame
nssembly also includes an external Prame provided to secure a lower perimeter
30 portion of the binding upper to the internal frame in upwardly and inwardly
sloped disposition. Further, the internal frame is secured to a full length
soleplate having a longitudinal slot that opens at the toe. A spreader bar is
engageable with the slot to selectiv01y vary the width of the slot and thus th
soleplate thereby varying the width of the bindin~. A pair o~ tabs are rotatably35 mounted on pintles secured to the forward portions of the fran e assembly. The
tabs inelude a plurality of spaced-apart adjustment holes loc~ted at varying
distances from the pintle for selective engagement with a pair of fasteners
disposed at fixed locatiorLs on the surface to which the binding is mounted. By
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selecting the proper adjustment hoIes for engagement with the fasteners, a
variety of binding widths are obtainable.
In another aspect o~ the present invention, the binding upper
consists OI a separate toepiece and heelpiece, eaoh having Q lower perimeter
5 portion that extends upwardly and inwardly from the frame assembly su~
stantially along the entire length of the frame assembly. The heelpiece includesa pair of oppositely disposed strap portions that extend forwardly ~long the
binding upper and then laterally across each other in overlapping configuration to
be secured between the toepiece and the external frame.
According to a more detailed aspect of the present invention, the
strap portions of the heel wrap may be secured to the frame assembly in various
fashions. In one design3 the ends of the strap portions are provided with a
plurality o~ ribs for selective engagement with a plurality of longitudinal slots
provided in side portions of the frame assembly. Alternatively, the ends of the
15 strap portions may be provided with a plurality of spaced-apart holes for
engagement with a pin extending upwardly through the side portion of the erame
assembly. The particular attachment locations of the strap portions to the
frame assembly control the size of the binding instep.
In a further alternati~e, the ends o~ the strap portions of the heel
20 wrap are secured to the frame assembly with a clasp assembly whieh receives
the strap ends and automatically cinches the straps at a desired location
therealong. The clasp assembly includes a Iriction cam and a clamping surface
which together define a gap through which the strap end is inserted. The carn ispivotably mounted relative to the clamping surface so that as the strap end is
25 pulled through the clasp assembly in ~ direction to ti~,hten the binding upper, the
cam is automatically pivoted in the direction away Erom the stop, thereby
permitting the str~lp end to slide throu~h the clasp assemhly. Ilowever, when the
pull on the strap end is terminated so that the stretched str~p seeks to retractthrough the clasp assembly, the friction force between the strap and the cam
30 causes the cam to plvot toward the stop, thereby tightly pinching the strap
a~ainst the clamping surface. This prevents withdrawal of the strap end relativeto the clasp assembly.
According to a further detailed aspect of the present invention, the
instep porffon of the toepiece that extends over and covers the instep of a skier's
35 foot (and Rlso underlies the criss-crossing strap portions) is constructed to be
more resilient than the remainder o~ the instep portion, thereby to permit the
width of the instep portion to readily expand and contract to accommodate
different width Eeet. In one preferred aspect of the present invention, the top
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6 6283g-1012
central sec~ion of the instep portion i~ formed o~ a xeduced
thic~ness relative to the remainder o~ the instep portion. In
another preferred aspect of the pre~ent invention, a longitudlnal
slit extends along the top central section o~ the instep portion.
In accordance with the present lnvention there is
provided ~ water ski hinding comprising: (~) a binding upper; (b)
a unitary, internal frame having, a yenerally flat soleplate
portion shaped generally in the form of the bottom profile o~ a
skier's foo~ and extending substantially the full length o~ ~he
skier's foot; an abutment ridge in~egrally formed with the
soleplate portion to curve upwardly ~rom at least the side
marginal portions of the soleplate portion to an elevation
sufficiently above the soleplate portion for bearing against the
sides of the skier's foot; and whereln said s~leplate portion and
said abutment ridge cooperatively define a ~oot receiving
depression to provide lateral support for the skier's .~oot; (c) an
external frame extending along at least the side marginal portions
of said internal ~rame; and ~d) wherein the lower perimeter
portion of ~he bindin~ upper .ts receivable betweell ~ald internal
frame and said external frame.
In aacordanae with the present lnventlon there i6 also
provlded a water ski hlndin~ having an elastic binding upper and
means extending into the binding to mount the binding on ~op of
~he water ski, an improved contoured ~oot-receiving base
structure, comprising: a thin, generally flat soleplate posi~ioned
on the water ski to overlie the water ski and extendiny
substan~lally the full lengkh of a skier's ~oot, sald soleplate
having a rear marginal portion and side marginal portions
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6a 6~83g-1012
extending subætantlally the ~ull length o~ the soleplate; a curved
abutment ridge integrally formecl with said soleplate to de~ine a
unitary structure, said abutment ridge curving upwardly ~rom at
least the side marginal portions of ~he soleplate to rise to an
elevation suf~iciently above the soleplate to bear agalnst the
sides of a skier's foot; and, whereby said integrally ~ormed
soleplate and abutment ridye cooperating with the water ski
binding upper to deflne a foot-receiving depression extending
substantially the full length of the skiar's foot to rPceive and
restrain the skier's foot against lateral movement relative to the
base structure.
In accordance with the present invention there i~
~u-ther provided a water ski binding having a binding upper, an
improvement comprising: a ~oleplate ex~ending along substantially
the entire lenyth of, underlying and supportlng a skier's foot,
said ~oleplate having integrally for~ed abutment ridge portions
extending alony the rear and slde peri~eter portions o~ said
soleplate ko abut again~t the rearward and side por~ions o~ the
skier's foot thereby to restrain the skier's ~oot ~.ro~ movement ln
the rearward and lataral dlrection~, sai.d coleplate adapted to be
securable to the lower perimeter portlon o~ the hindlng upper; and
means for selectively adjusting the width o~ said æoleplate.
Brie DescriPtion of the Drawin~s
The details o~ a typical embodiment of the present
invention will be described in connection with the accompan~ing
drawings, in which:
E'IGURE 1 is an isometric view of a water ski binding
constructed according to the present invention and mounted on a
B
,
.
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6b 62839-1012
water ski, as viewed ~rom the ~orward and lefk side o~ ~he
binding;
FIGURE 2 is a plan view of ~he ~rame assembly with
portions broken away for clarity;
FIGUR~ 3 is an exploded, isometric view of the present
inventlon as viewed ~rom substantially the same direction a~
FIGU~E 1;
FIGURE 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional
view of the binding assembly shown in ~IGURE 1, taken
substantially along khe æection lines 4--4 of FIGURE 2;
FIGURE 5 is a view similar to a portion of FIGURE 4,
but illustrating an alternate preferred method oi securlng the
strap portions of the binding upper to the frame assembly;
FIGURE 6 i~ an enlarged, ~ragmentaryr cross-sectional
view of the binding assembly shown in FIGURE 1, taken
substantially along section lines 6--6 of FIGVRE 2;
FIGURE 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary cro~s-~eckional
view of ~he bindiny assembl~ shown i.n FIGURE 1, kaken
subskantially alony sectlon lines 7~-7 o~ FIGUR~ 2;
FIGURE 8 i~ an enlarged ~raymentary, cros~-sectlonal
view, similar to that of FIGURE 7, o~ another preferred embodlment
o~ the present invention tha~ does not employ an external frame;
FIGURE 9 is a plan view similar to FIGURE 2, but wlth
the binding adjusted to a nar.rower width and a shorter length;
FIGURE 9A is an isometric vlew similar to FIGURE 1, but
illustrating a binding as mounted on a mounting plate ~hich in
turn is mountable on a water ski,
~B
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3~32~3
6c ~839-1012
~ IGURE 9B is an enlaryed, fraymentary, cro~-sectional
view o~ the bin~ing assembly shown in FIGURE 9A, t~ken
substantially along lines 9B-9B thereo~;
.
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3 2 ~ ~
FIGURE 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary, isometric view of a
further preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating another
method of securing the strap portions of the binding upper to the frame
assembly;
FIGURE 11 is an enlarged, fragmentary9 eross-section~l view,
taken substantially along section lines 11-11 of FIGURE 10 with the strap
portions of the binding upper shown in preadjustment position;
FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to
FIGURE 11, but with the strap portions of the binding upper illustrated in
I0 adjusted position;
~IGURE 13 is an enlarged, fragmentary, isometric view sirnilar to
FIGUR~ 10 and illustrating a further preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
~IGURE 14 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross sectional view illus-
trating an alternative preferred embodiment of the binding upper; and,
FIGURE 15 is an isometric view of the water ski binding similar to
FIGURE 1 and illustrating a further preferred embodiment of the binding upper.
Detailed Description of the Invention
~IGURE 1 illustrates a water ski binding 10 constructed according
to the best mode of the present invention currently known to applicant as
secured on the top surface 14 of a water ski 16. Water ski binding 10 in basic
construction includes an adjustable, elastic binding upper 18 secured to a frameassembly 20 which in turn may be mounted on ski 16. Adjust~ble binding upper
18, in cooperation with frame assembly 20, de-fines a binding cavity aa for
adjustably receiving and re~training the foot9 ankle, and lower leg oï differ~ntskiers.
Vescrlbing water ~lci binding 10 in more detail, and with additional
reference to FIGURES 2 and 3, frame assembly 20 consists of three primary
components. A very thin, flat, elongate soleplate 24 has a bottom mounting
surface in contact wilh the top surfaee 14 of ski 16. Soleplate 24 additionally
has a forward toe end 28, a rear heel end 30, and side portions 32. A generally
U-shaped internal frame 34 extends around the sides 32 and rear heel end 30 of
soleplate 24 and extends upwardly of the top surface 36 of the soleplate.
Internal frame 34 is formed with an outward llange portion 40 extending along
and outwardly of the internal frame to define a top9 hori~ontal clarnping
surface 41. Internal frame 34 also includes an inward abutment ridge 42 defined
by a concave, inwardly disposed support surface 44 and an outwardly disposed9
sloping surface 46. Support surface 44 of internal frame 34 in cooperation with
~83l3~
the top surface 36 of soleplate 24 defines a supportive depression 47
(~IGURES 4, 6 and 7) that provides lateral support to the sole o~ the skier's foot
positioned in the binding 10. A footpad 48 covers the supportive depression for
comfort. Although footpad 48 can be constructed from a wide variety of
5 materials, for durability and comfort it is preferably composed of neoprene
sponge material having a hardness of about 10 to 25 durometer.
A generally U-shaped external frame 50 is formed with opposite
side portions 52 interconnected by a curved rear end portion 53 to correspond
with the shape of internal frame 34. External frame 50 includes an inwardly
10 disposed, upwardly and inwardly sloped surface 54, and a gener~lly horizontal,
bottom clamping surface 56 positioned above the top surface 41 of Elange
portion 40 of the internal frame 34. The space or gap between the sloped
surfaces 46 and 54 of internal frame 34 and external frame 50, respectively,
along with the space between portions of the clamping surfaces 41 and 56, is
15 intended for reception of a lower perimeter portion of the binding upper l8.
Soleplate 24 preferably is fabricated from a sturdy, lightweight,
thin material capable of adding rigidity to the assembled binding 10. For
example, sheet aluminum of up to approximately one-sixteenth inch (0.040 cm)
thick or a relatively rigid, hard, dwrable plastic material~ such as nylon, up to
20 about .080 inch thick is deemed suitable. Internal frame 34 and external frame
50 preferably also are molded from a relatively hard, durable plastic capable ofwithstanding flexure when the width of water ski binding 10 i~ adjusted. For
example, the use of nylon with or withoul: a reinforcing rnaterial~ ~uch as
fiberglass, has been found suitable. Internal frame 34 can be bonded to soleplate
25 24 with a suitable well-known, commercially-av~ilable a~ent, suoh as an adheslve
or epoxy cement. Rxternal frame 50, on the other hand~ preferably is secured to
the flange portion 40 of internal frame 34 by suitalile fasteners 94 described in
greater detail below.
Preferably, soleplate 24 is integrally constructed or molded with
30 internal frame 34 to form a single unit as illustrated in FIG.URES 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7.
Although various types of materials may be employed to construct the integral
soleplate/internal frame unit, preferably a relatively rigid, high-strength,
durable plastic, such as nylon, is employed so that the unit can be economieallymolded while having sufficient structural integrity to safelS7 support the skier's
35 foot. Ideally the underside of the integral soleplate/internal frame unit is
formed with a relief slot 59 of generally triang~dar cross section that is disposed
beneath and extends along abutment ridge 42. Through the use of relief slots 59~the wall sections composing the integral soleplate/internal frame unit are
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generaUy uniform to facilitate the molding of the unit, while minimizing stress
risers due to large variations in the wall sections.
In accordance with the present invention, soleplate 24 and foot-
pad 48 are constructed as thin as possible so that the bottom of the skier's foot is
as close to the top surface 14 of the ski 16 as possible. As will be appreciated7
the closer the bottom of the Ioot is to the top of the ski, the greater the abilitg
to control the ski. To this end preferably, footpad 48 is made from neoprene
sponge or similar material having a durometer of from about 10 to 25 and a
thickness of ~rom about .:l25 inch (.31~5 cm) up to about .25 inch (.635 cm) thick.
Applieants have found that by this construction, the pad is resilient enough ~orproper foot comfort but thin enough to enhance the skier's conteol over the ski.If soleplate 24 is made from .~80 inch thick plastic material and footpad as8 ismade from .25 inch thick neoprene sponge material, due to the resilience of the
footpad, the bottom of the skier's foot advantageously will be at most about
O30 inch above the top sur~ace 14 of ski 16.
Binding upper 18 consists of two major components; toepiece 60
and a heelpiece 69. Although the toepiece is illustrated as being Eorwardly open,
it can alternatively be closed. The generally resiliert toepiece 60 is form~d with
lower perimeter side portions 64 that define outwardly and horizontally ex-
~ending, variable width, side flanges ~2. Ridges 66, having narrower sections 66a
and wider sections 66b, extend along and upwar~y from side Elanges 62. With
l:he lower perimeter side portions 64 of toepiece 60 positioned between the
internal Erame 34 and the external frame 50, toepiece 60 extends upwardly anfl
inwardly from the ~rame assernbly 20 to de~ine an arcuate roof lor the reglon o~binding cavity 22 supporting the toes and the instep of the skier. As EJhown in
~IGURE~ 4 and 7, toepiece 60 ¢onstitutes a substantially ~minterrupted, nrcuate
continuation of supportive depression 47 thereby con-forming to the sh~pe of theski-3r's foot wh;le also providing maximum resiliency and, therefore, slder
comfort.
With the binding 10 assembled, toepiece ridges 66 cooperatively
engage slots 68, huving narrower seetions 68a and wider sections 66b cor-
responding to toepiece ridge portions 66a and 66b, respectively. Slots 68 extendlongitudinally along the inteFsection of the sloped surface 54 and bottom
clamping surface 56 OI external frame 50. Thus, ridges 66 allow toepiece 60 to
remain securely in place even when subject to the rigorous ~orces exerted upon
the binding 10 during skiing. The wider slot sections 68b, as shown in EIGURE 2,
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"` 13~32~
-10-
are located at positions of higher stress placed on the foot during skiing, i.e~, at
the front of toepiece 60, at the intersection of toepiece 60 and heelpiece 69 (at
the sides of binding 10) and at the rear of the heelpiece.
The heelpiece 69 includes a heelcup ~0 which is also preferably
formed from resilient material and has a lower perimeter portion 71 de~ining a
continuous horizontal outwardly extending flange 72 closely approximating
flange 62 of toepiece 60 and secured between horizontal clamping surfaces 41
and 56. As with the toepiece 60, heelcup 70 has a variable width rid~e 73
extending upwardly from and along flange 72, which is of corresponding variable
width. As previously described in conjunction with the discussion of toepiece 60,
ridge 73 cooperaffvely engages the variable width slot 68 formed in the externalframe 50, thereby enhancing the connection of heelpiece 69 to frame
assembly 20.
As with toepiece 60, heelpiece 69 extends upwardly and inwardly
l 5 from ~rame assembly 20, to conform to the shape of the skier's foot while
retaining the flexibility of heelpiece 69 and, hence, enhancing the comfort of
binding 10. The lateral support provided by the abutment ridge 42 of internal
frame 34, however, allows the skîer to maintain precise control over the water
ski 16 without sacrifieing this flexlbility.
Heelcup 70 is formed such that, with the continuous, variable width
flange 72 of the h~elcup secured between clamping surfaces 41 and 56, the rear
portion of binding cavity 22, supporting the skier's heel and ankle, is defined
upwardly in the longitudinal forward direction in line with a skier~s lower leg
when bent at the knee. Thus, the skier's anlcle and foot are held by the
binding 10 in tlle desired position for slciing. Because toepiece 60 slopes upward
in the longitudinal rearward dir~¢tion while heelcup 70 tapers upwlrd in a
forwurd direction, the toepiece 60 and heelpiece 70 direct longitudinally o~
posing forces upon the skier's foot, providing further support.
Heelpiece 69 also includes a pair of oppositely disposed strap
portions 86 that are preferably integrally constructed with heelcup 70. Strap
`~ portions 86 extend forwardly of heelcup 70 and laterally across toepiece 60 in
overlapping configuration, passing between the side portions 64 of the toe-
piece 60 and the sloping surface 54 of external ~rame 50, FIGURES 3 and 4. To
accommodate the additional thickness of material at this point, recesses 88 are
35 provided in the sides 52 of external frame 5û.
To provide maximum eomfort and support, toepiece 60 and heel-
piece 69 preferably are composed of composite material, having a plurality of
layers serving different functions. Ide~lly they include an inner layer of soft,
, . . ..
.' , '~ .; .
i ' " -
~ 3:~3~
-11~
foam rubber to cushion the skier's foot. The surEace of the inner layer may alsobe gridded with slight protrusions of foam rubber to provide further cushion andless surface adhesion to the foot when inserted in, ancl removed from, the
binding. A second, stiffer outer layer of rubber is employed to provide the
5 necessary support for the skier's foot and ankle. A greater number of layers can
be used to provide the level of comfort, strength, flexibility and other charac-teristics desired~ For additional convenience in donning and do~ingr the binding10, a pair of fingerholes 74 are provided on the rear, uppermost regions 76 and 77
of toepiece 60 and heelpiece 69. Fingerholes 74 allow the skier to obtain a firmlO grip on the potentially slippery regions 76 and 77 and stretch the binding 10 to
ease insertion and removal of the foQt from binding cavity 22.
In the currently preferred embodiment of the invention, toepiece
60 and heelpiece 69 are molded by a process similar to that disclosed in U.S.
Patent No. 4,522,603. Thus, an ;ntegral piece may be formed having an inner
15 surface composed of, for instance9 .25 inch (.635 cm) thick textured neoprenefoam or similar material having a durometer of about 8 to 10. Similarly, the
outer surface may consist OI, for instance, from .125 inch (.3175 cm) to .375 inch
(.925 cm) thick neoprene or similar material having a durometer of about 50.
As noted previously, the flanges 62 and 72 of the lower perimeter
20 portions 64 and 71 of toepiece 80 and heelpiece 69 are securely positioned
between the horizonkll clamping surfaces 41 and 56 of the internal frame 34 and
external frame 50, respectively. To accomplish this, a plurality of beveled
clearance holes 90 are located in flange portion 40 of internal frame 34. l)ne
plurality of oppositely disposed holes 90 is arrarlged near the forward or toe encls
25 of elange 40 and additional holes ~0 are arranged along the length Oe flange 40~
The external frame 50 is proviflecl with holes 92 aligned with the correspondingclearance holes 90 in flange 40 when external frame 50 is positioned thereon.
I'he external frame holes 92 are threaded for engagement with screws 94
extending upwardly through clearance holes 90 in flange 40. When screws 94 are
30 tightened, the flange portions 62 and ~2 of binding upper 18 are securely clamped
between the internal frame 34 and the external frame 50. It should be noted, as
shown in FIGURE 6, that this arrangement allows binding upper 18 to be secured
to frame assembly 20 without necessitating the use of holes in the upright wall
sections of the lower perimeter portions 64 and 71, which could result in reduced
35 strength and eventual failure of binding upper 18.
While ridges 66a, 66b and 73 of the toepiece 60 and heelpiece B9
may be of uniform eross section, it has been found to be advantageous to vary
their cross-sectional widths. This r equires a corresponding variation in the
13132~ ~J
cross-sectional width of portions of slots 68a and 68b provided in external
frame 50. Along a majority of their lengths the aross-sectional widths of
ridges 86a, 66b and 73 are uniform, as shown in FI~URE 6. However, at the
forward end of toepiece 60, at the intersection of the toepiece and heelpiece ~9,
5 and at the rear of the heelpiece, the widths of ridges 66 and 73 are widened to
correspond with wider slot portions 68b formed in the external frame, e~g., as
shown in FIGURE 7. These wider portions of rid~es 66b and 73 have been
identified as being the highest stressed or loaded locations of the binding
upper 18. It will be appreciated that the use of the widened ridge portions
10 increases the clamping area of the ridge portions, thereby more securely
attaehing the lower perimeter portions 84 and 71 of the binding upper 18 to
frame assembly 20.
As an illustrative but nonlimiting example, the narrower portions
of ridges 66a and 73 and the narrower slot portions 68a preferably may be
15 approximately 1/8 inch (0.32 cm) wide and the wider portions OI ridges 66b
and 73 and the wider slot portions 68b preferably may be approximately -from
1/4 ineh (0~64 cm) to 3/8 inch (.96 em~ wide. Also, as an illustrative but
nonlimiting example, the height of the ridge portions 66 and 73 and the depth ofslot portions 68a and 68b preferably is approximately 1/8 to 1/4 inch (0.32 to
20 0.64 cm). To effect even greater holding power, ridges 86 and 73 may addi-
tionally increase in eross section as they eontinue away from the binding
upper 18. ~IGURE 2 identifies the relative locations of these various ridge and
slot arrangements in a currently preferred embodiment of the water ski binding,.As shown in FIGUR~ 8, an alternate rnethod of s~curing binding
25 upper 18~ to frame assembly 20' allows binding 10' to be constructed without the
use of an external Erarne 50. In this configuration, ridges 66' and 73' are provlded
on the interior surface o the lower perimeter portions 64' and 71' of bindlng
upper 18'. These ridges cooperate with an upwardly extending longitudinal slot
96 and a downwardly extending shoulder 98 provided in the bottom surface 100 of
30 internal frame 3~L'. In addition, a plurality OI upwardly extending, threaded holes
102 pass a portion of the way through internal frame 34' and are arranged for
alignment with a plurality of aligned counterbored clearance holes 104 provided
in soleplate 24'. Screws 106 extend upwardly through holes 104 into engagement
with the threaded holes 102 provided in the internal frame 34'~ Because the
35 thickness of the lower perimeter portions 64' and 71' of bind;ng upper 18' e~ceeds
the distance separating the bottom of sho~der 98 and the top surface of
solepl~te 24', shoulder 98 and slot 96 of internal frame 34' securely elamp the
lower perimeter portions 64' and 71' of binding upper 181 against the soleplate 24'
' ;'' ':
.
3 ~ ~ ~
--13--
when screws 106 are tighterled. In this confi~uration, a elange~ such as ~lange 40
of internal frame 34 is unnecessary.
To allow the wa$er ski binding 10 to be used by more than one
skier, without sacrificing fullrless OI support, a means eor adjusting the width of
5 the binding 10 and instep of binding cavity 22 is provided. To this end, soleplate
24 includes a tapered slot 108 extsnding substantially along the longitudinal
central axis of soleplate 24 and open to the toe end 28. The width of slot 108
increases in the direction of the toe end 28 of the soleplate 24. By applying
opposing forces to the sides 32 of soleplate 24, the slot 108 can be opened or
l O closed, widening or narrowing the soleplate 24. Because slot 108 is widest at the
toe end 28 of soleplate 24, the greatest width adjustment occurs at that end.
The end of slot 108 closest to the heel end 30 of soleplate 24 is defined generally
in the shape of a triangle having an arcuate ape~ that terminates at a narrow
bridge portion 110. Constructing the end of the slot in this rnanner provides
15 soleplate 24 with sufficient flexibility to be readily adjusted in width, as
discussed more eully below. Also, forming the end of slot 108 in this manner
distributes the stress induced by narrowing or widening the soleplate. Thus,
failure o~ the soleplate 24 between the end of slot 108 and the h0el end 30 of the
soleplate is less likely than if slot 108 was simply formed with a ~-shaped
20 termination. To also facilitate the width adjustment of soleplate 24, a plurality
of transverse notches 111 are formed in the rear or heel portion of flange 4Q ofthe internal frQme. As shown best in ~ URES 2 and 3, the notches are
generally U-shaped and open in the outward d;rection.
An elongate, longitudinally tapering.spreader bar 140 is provicled to
2S occupy slot 108 and to nominally maintain soleplate 24 at the desired width, for
instance during the assembly of binding 10 and also when the binding is removed
from water slci 1~ to adjust the width of the binding. To this end, spreader
bar 140 is constructed with an elongated, tapered forward section 142 and an
elongated, tapered rearward section 144 separated by a generally rectangula-rly
30 shaped, intermediate section 146 extending transversely of the forward and
rearward sections. The forward and rearward sections may oc~upy slot 108
thereby providing support for the underside of footpad 48. The margins of
intermediate section 746 are formed with serrations 148 $hat mesh with corr~
sponding serrations 150 formed in the margins of transverse notches 152 ex-
35 tending laterally from slot 108 to receive the intermediate section OI thespreader bar. It wi11 be appreciated that the width of soleplate 24 i5 determined
by the placement of the serrations 148 of the spreader bar relative to the
serrations 150 of the two notches 152 formed in the soleplate. As discussed
-14- ~32~
more fully below, if it is desired to adjust soleplate 2~ to a relatively narrowwidth, the forward and rearward seetions 142 and 144 of the spreader bar may be
detached frorn the intermediate section, thereby allowing slot 108 to be sub
stantially closed.
Next, referring primarily to FIGURES 1, 3 and 4, internal frame 34
is formed with a pair of oppositely disposed recesses 112 directed inwardly fromthe side flanges 40. The recesses are located adjacent the forward toe ends of
the ~langes 40 and underlie the ~langes. The recesses 112 are of sufficient
dimension to accept thin, rotatable tabs 114 having a generally trapezoidal
geometry. Tabs 114 are provided with center pivot holes 116 eor cooperation
with corresponding pintles 118 extending upwardly through clearance holes 115 inflanges 40 and corresponding clearance holes 117 in external frame 50 to engage
with a threaded fastener, such as cap nut 119. Thus, each tab 114 rotates about
a pintle 118. Tabs 114 also include a plurality of spaced-apart adjustment holes120 that are located varying distances from the center pivot hole 116. Water
ski 16 is provided with a pair of threaded holes spaced a fixed, selected distance
from each other across the water ski. As tabs 114 are rotated7 progressive
adjustment holes 120 are disposed outwardly from external frame 50, making
them accessible to screws 124 extending downwardly into ski 16.
Screws 124 serve to secure tabs 114 and, thus, the forward end of
binding 10 to ski 16. The rearward end of binding 10 is secured to ski 16 by
screws 125 which extend downwardly through one o~ the clearance holes 125a
extendin~ through external franne 50 and corresponding clearance holes 125b or
notches 111 extending through side flanges 40 of internal frame 34 at opposite
sides OI the binding. ~s shown in FI~UR~S 1-3, the binding is formed with a
plurality o~ ~lange clearance holes L15 and external frame clearance holes 117
for reception of pintles 118 and a plurality OI clearance holes 125a and 1'~5b for
screws 125. This enables binding 10 to be positioned at various fore-and-aft
locations relative to ski 16, thereby to alter the perIormance characteristics of
the ski as desired.
By the above-described construction, it will be appreciated that
soleplate 24 may be conveniently adjusted in width to accommodate various size
feet, for instance, during the initial assembly of binding 10 or after the binding
has been mounted on ski 16, in which instance the binding is removed Erom its ski
by removal of screws 124 and 125 from the ski. In the adiustmenl procedure, the
serrations 148 of the intermediate section 146 of spreader bar 140 are engaged
at desired locations relative to serrations 150 of notches 152 to correspond with
the desired width of soleplate 24. FIGURE 2 illustrates a sufIicielltly wide
:' ;':'' ' ,
.
. " . .....
i3~3~
-15-
adjustment wherein the forward and rearward sections 142 and 144 of the
spreader bar are engageable within soleplate slot 108 to help support the
underside of pad 48.
EIGURE 9 illustrates the soleplate adjusted to a narrower width.
5To accommodate this narrower width~ the spreader bar is composed only of
intermediate section 146, thereby to allow slot 108 to be substQntially closed.
To this end, the spreader bar can be initially constructed as composing only
intermediate section 146 or the forward and rearward sections of the spreader
bar can be detached from the intermediate section of the spreader bar. To this
10end, the spreader bar can be scored along lines extending acro~s the spreader bar
at the intersections of the forward and rearward sections with the in~ermediate
section. Scoring the spreader bar in this manner enables the forward and
rearward sections o~ the spreader bar to be conveniently broken of~ from the
intermediate section.
15Thereafter, tabs 114 are rotated about pintles 118 until a pair of
adjustment holes 120 are aligned with the threaded holes provided in the water
ski. It will be appreciated that the adjustment holes 120 are spaced relative topintle 118 to correspond with the various widths to which the soleplates can be
adjusted through the particular locations that spreader bar serrations 148 are
20engaged with serrations 150 of notches 150.
Although it is desirable to employ spreader bar l40, it will be
appreciated that soleplate 124 snay be adjusted to a desired width without the
use of the spreader bar. To this end, tabs 11~ can be rotated about pintle 118
until a desired pair of adjustment holes 120 are aligned with the threaded holes25provided in the water ski. If the width of binding 10 is to be inorensed, a pair of
adjustment holes 120 having a lesser spacing from the pivot holes llfi is
selectively aligned with the threaded water slci holes prior to the reinsertion Oe
screws 124 into the water ski. Conversely, if a narrow width binding is desired, a
pair of adjustment holes having a greater spacing from center pivot holes 116 is30selected.
~Fhile the tabs 114, so disclosed, are rotatable, it should be noted
that any configuration of tabs 114, fixed or rotatable, having a plurality of
spaeed-apart adjustment holes 120 for cooperation with threaded holes in the
water ski would be suitable. The particular embodiment shown in ~IGURE 3,
35however, provides an accessible means of adJusting the width of binding 10 while
providing minimal disruption to the binding surface.
The length of binding 10 may also be adjusted as desired. As most
clearly shown in FIGURE 3~ the toe end 28 of soleplate 24 is scored along one or
. ~
-lG~ '1 3 J1 3 ~ ~) .N.~
more lines 160 extending transversely across the forward toe end This enables
the toe end to be broken off at a particular scored line as desired. As shown inFIGURE 9, the entire toe end 28 may be detached from solepla1;e 24.
To ~urther enhance the adjustable nature of the binding 10, a
5 means for reducing the size Or the binding cavity 22 adjacent the instep of the
skier's foot is provided. Strap portions 8B of heelpiece 69 include end portions126 detachably securable to frame assembly 20. Because straps 86 are laterally
disposed in overlapping configuration across the portion of the binding upper 18adjacent the skier's instep, changing the regions of the end portions 126 of straps
lO 86 secured between the internal frame 34 and external frame 50 alters the si~e
o~ the binding cavity 22 adjaeent the skier's instep. Several means Eor variablyadJusting the region of strap end portions 126 secured to the frame assembly 2û
may be employed. As shown in FIGURES 1, 3 and 4, the end portions 126 of
straps 86 may be provided with a plurality of hole pairs 128 that are aligned inl5 opposing rows adjacent the edges of strap end portions 1~6. The hole pairs 128
of each end portion 126 cooperate with a pair of pins or screws 130, extending
upwardly through flanges 40, through a hole pair 128 and into aligned, threaded
blind holes 131 formed in external frame 50 adjacent the recesses 88.
To reduce the size of the binding cavity 22, pins 130 are retracted
20 from a given hole pair 128 and the end portions 126 o~ the heel wrap straps 86
are pulled farther through the Erarne assembly 20. When the proper adjustment
is reached, pins 130 are inserted through another hole pair 128 and into
holes 131, securing the strap~ 86 in place.
In an alternative preferred embodiment shown in FIGURE 5, end
25 portions 126 of straps 86 are provid~d wlth a pluralit~ o~ rounded ridges 132extending substantiully parallel to sides 52 of the external -~r~me 50 when the
binding lO is nssembled. The ridges 132 are intended eor selective cooperative
engagement with a plurality of slots 134, having a ~enerally semicircular cross
section, provided in the sloping side surface 54 and bottom clamping surface 56
30 of the external frame recesses 88. To adjust the size of the binding cavity 22,
screws 94 securing the external frame 50 to the flange portion 40 are loosened,
and the end portions 126 of the heel wrap straps 86 drawn through the frame
assembly until the desired size OI binding cavity is obtained. At this time,
screws ~4 can be again tightened, securing the binding upper 18 to the frame
35 assembly 20 as desired. It will be appreciated that ridge 132 can be OI cross-
sectional shapes other than shown in FIGUR~ 5, sueh as triangular or V-shaped,
,
-17 ~3~32a3
without departinK from the spirit or scope oE the present invention. Also~
binding 10 can be constructed with either or both the binding width and instep
cavity adjustment provisions discussed above.
FIGURE 9A illustrates a further alternative preferred embodiment
5 of the present in~ention wherein binding 10t' is mounted on a mounting plate 170
which in turn is secured to water ski 16". Preferably, plate 12 is eonstructed
from lightweight, high-strength, corrosion resistant material such as aluminum
or a hard, durable plastic. Mounting plate 170 is secured to ski 16't by screws 172
e~tending downwardly through clearance holes 174 formed in the plate to engage
10 with ~ligned threaded openings formed in the wal:er ski. A series of longi-
tudinally space~apart clearance holes 174 may be associated with each
mounting screw 172 to permit the mounting plate 170 and, thus, also binding 10"~to be adjusted longitudinally relative to the ski.
As most clearly shown in FI~;URR 9B, binding 10" is mounted to
15 mounting plate 170 by screws 176 which extend upwardly through clearance holes
provided in side flange portions 40" and external ~rame 50'l to engage with cap
nut 178. To adjust the width of binding 110, tabs 114 are not required, rather, as
shown most clearly in ~IGURE 9B, screws 176 extend upwardly through one of a
series of transversely spaced-apart clearance holes 180 ~ormed in the mounting
20 plate. As can be appreciated, the particular clearance hole 180 through whichscrew 176 extends upwardly through, determines the width o~ soleplate 24.
Preferably, then spacers 182 are disposed within recesses 112 beneuth internal
frame ~langes 40 (which provide clearance for tabs ll4, FIGURE 3) thereby to
fill the recess 90 that a substantially uniform clamping load is applied to side25 flanges 40" of inn~r ~rame 34~. Other than the foregoing variations, binding 10"
illustrat~d in FIt:~URE~.~ 9A and 9B ideally is constructed substantially the same
as binding 10 illustrated in FIGURES l-7 and 9.
~ IGURES 10, 11 and 12 illustrate another preferred manner of
varying the size of binding cavity 22 by adjusting the lengths of strap por-
30 tions 86"' of heelpiece 69'1l. This is accomplished -with a clasp assembly 190
whieh automatically cinches the ends 126"' of strap portions 86'1' to a binding
external frame 50l'l at thè desired location along the length of the strap ends. In
basic form, the clasp assembly 190 is composed of a mounting bracket 192
secured to the side portions 52ltl of external frame 50l'l at the locations at which
35 strap ends 126"' cross the external frame side portionsO The clasp assembly 190
also includes a friction cam 196 that is rotatably mounted on the bracket to
define a gap between the cam and the bracket for receiving and releasably
clamping or pinching strap end 126"'. A cam stop 194 extends alongside the
13~32~3
friction cam at location between the friction cam and the adjacent portion of
strap end 126"'.
Describing the construction and operation of the clasp assembly in
more detail, as illustratPd in FIGURES 10-12, mounting bracket 192 is generally
5 U-shaped with an elongate, flat base section 193 extending longitudinally alon~
external frame side portions 52"' with the top 193a of the base section func-
tioning as a clamping surface for cooperating with the cam 196 to releasably
clamp strap end 126l" therebetween. The base section 193 terminates at end
sections 193b which extend upwardly from the ends of the base section. As
10 shown most clearly in FIGURES 11 and 12, the widths OI the base 193 and end
sections 193b of bracket 192 generally correspond to the width of the side
portions 52'~' of external ~rame 50"' with the outward edge of the bracket 192
(left-hand side as shown in PIGURES 11 and 12~ being substantially flush with the
outward edge of frame side portions 5a"l. Bracket 192 snugly engQgeS within a
elose fitting recess 198 formed in external frame side portions 52'~'. The bracket
may be attached to the external Prame by any convenient means, for instance,
with a suitable adhesive or mechanical fastener. The end sections of bracket 192extend upwardly above the top surface 200 of external frame side portions 52"'.
To receive and provide support for the end sections 193a o bracket 192, the
20 external frame side portions 52"' are constructed with upwardly extending,
beveled shoulders 202 that extend upwardly from top surface 200 to be flush w;ththe top edges of bracket end sections 193b. Although bracket 192 has been
illustrated and described as structurally separate from external frame 50"', anddiscussed below with respect to FIGURE 13, it mny be inte~rat~d into the
25 construction of the external frarne without departing Erorn the spirit or scope of
th~ pre~ent invention.
The Prlction cam 196 includes an elongate upper retainer sec-
tion 204 which is disposed in spaced parallel relationship with a lower cam
section 206 by end sections 208, thereby to define the gap or opening 210
30 between the retainer and cam sections. The retainer section, as most clearly
illustrated in FIGURES 11 and 12, in cross section is substantially in the shape of
a circle, but with a flattened lower surface adjacent cam section 206. The cam
section is formed with an arcuate cam face or surface 212 which faces the top
surface of the base section 193 of bracket 192 and flat side faces that are
35 disposed tangentially to the cam face and retainer section 204. As most clearly
shown in FI~UR~S 11 and 12, cam face 212 substantially defines the circum-
ference oP a circle having a diame~er somewhat larger than the circle defined by
-19- ~3~32~
retainer section 204. The cam section 206 ulso includes ~ sloped upper sur-
face 214 which is inclined upwardly and in the inward direction relative to the
binding, i.e., toward the right-hand side shown in FlGURES 11 and 12.
The friction cam 196 is mounted on the bracket 192 to pivot about
an axis 218 by pivot pins 216 extending through aligned~ close-fitting openings
formed in the upstanding end sections 193a o~ the bracket and in the ends of camsection 206. Pivot pins 216 support the Iriction cam so that the cam face 212
and the top surface 193a of bracket base section 193 deEine a variable width
strap receiving and retaining gap therebetween with the width of the gap
dependent on the orientation of the cam about the pivot pins 216. The pivot
pins, as shown in FIGIJRES 11 and 12, are located a substantial distance above
the center of curvature of cam face 212 and are offset relative to the width of
cam section 206 towards stop 194 (i.e., in the right-hand direction in
FIGURES 11 and 12) so that the pivot axis 218 is likewise so offset.
As ~lso shown in ~IGURES 11 and 12, the pivot axis 21~ is located
at an elevation slightly above l:he central axis of a circularly shaped stop 194.
The cam stop 194 is in the form of an elongate, solid bar that spans
the length of bracket 192 and is seeurely engaged with or otherwise fixedly
attached to the upstanding end sections 193a of the bracket at locations offset
from the transverse center OI the bracket in the direction toward the exterior
surface of toepiece 60"' (i.e., toward the right-hand side in Fl[GURES 11 and 12).
At this location the cam stop is positioned between l;he side oi~ cQm 190 and $he
section of strap portion 86"' that approaches the clasp assembly. Although
stop lg4 is illustrated as being circular in cross section, it can be Iormed in oth~r
cross~sectional shapes without departing from the spirit or scope Oe the prcsentinvention. Moreover, stop 19~ could be integrally formed with bracket 192 or i~,as noted above, bracket t92 is integrally formed with external frame 50"', then
stop 194 likewise can be integrally formed with the external ~rame.
By ~orming cam face 212 and locating pivot pin 216 relative to the
cam face and the top clamping surface 193a of bracket 192 in the manner
described above, with strap end 126"' disposed in the gap defined by cam
~ace 212 and clamping sur~ace 193a, w~en the cam 190 is pivoted in the
clockwise direction about axis 218 from the position shown in FIGURE 12 and
toward cam stop l9-~L to the position shown in ~IGURE 11, the cam face 212
3~ moves further away Irom clamping surface 193a~ thereby reducing and even-
tually eliminating the pinching force or pressure being applied to the strap end~
Likewise, when the friction cam is pivoted in the counterclockwise direction
about axis 218 fPom the position shown in FIGIJR~ 11 to the position shown in
~3~32~3
--20--
FIGURE 12, cam face 212 is moved closer toward clampin~ surface 193a, there-
by reducing the width of the gap therebetween.
In the operation of clasp assembly 190, strap end 126"' is threaded
downwardly between the cam stop 194 and the exterior surface of toepiece 60'l'
and then through the gap defined by fri¢tion cam 196 and clamping surface 193a
so that the strap end extends laterally outwardly from the clasp assembly as
shown in FIGURE 11. Free end 126"' is then pulled through the clasp assembly
until the desired snugness of the toepiece 60"' over the instep of the skier's foot
is achieved~ It will be appreciated that as strap end 126"' is being pulled through
the clasp assembly, the friction force acting between cam face 212 and the
adjacent surface of the strap 86"' causes the cam 196 to pivot clockwise about
axis 218 to rest against cam stop 194 which increases the gap between the cam
face and the clamping surface 193a to permit the strap to readily slide through
the gap. As can also be appreciated, as strap end 126"' is being so pulled, the
stap end rides around the cam stop and, thus, does not bind or otherwise rub
against the side of cam 196 thereby facilitating the ease with which the strap
end slides through the clasp assembly 190.
When the pulling force on the strap end 126"' (located outwardly of
clasp assembly 190) is released, the tensile force on the strap 86t" naturally tends
to cause the strap to retract backwardly through the clasp assembly; however,
the friction force acting between cam face 212 and adjacent surface of
strap 86"' rotates the cam in the counterclockwise direction relative to pivot
axis 218 from the position OI the cam shown in FI~.URE 11 to the position of thecam shown in FIGURE 12. With this rotation of the cam, cam face 212 moves
oloser to the clamping surface 193a to tightly pinch strap 86"' between the cam
face and the clamping surfa¢e, thereby to securely hold the strap against
retraction. It wlll be appreciated that the tighter the strap 86"' is cinched, the
larger the tensile load on the strap and, thus, the larger the torque load applied
to the cam by the friction force acting between cam face 212 and the adjacent
surface of the strap which proportionally increases ths pinching or clamping
force applied to the strap by the cam face and the clamping surface. As such,
the level of the pinching or clamping force that is applied to strap 86"' is
commensurate with the tightness to which strap 86"' is cinched.
It may be desirable to increase the coefficient of friction between
the cam face 212 and the adjacent surface of strap 86"' and/or the clamping
surface and the opposite surface of strap 86"' thereby to enhance the ability OI
-21~ 1'3132~3
clasp assembly 190 to cinch the strap. As an illustrative, but not limiting
example, this may be accomplished by knurling or otherwise "roughenin~" thc
cam face 212 and/or the clamping sur~ace 193a.
After the strap 86"' has been tightened to the desired level, strap
5 free end 126"' is simply threaded inwardly and upwardly through the gap 210
formed in cam 196, thereby to double the strap end back over on itself, as shownin FIGURE 12, so that the strap end overlies the portion of strap 86"' which
downwardly approQches the clasp assembly 19Q from toepiece 160. When the
strap free end portion 126"' is disposed in this "tucked" position, it conveniently
lO overlies the sloped upper surface 214 of the cam section 206.
To loosen strap 86"', for instance when desiring to duff the binding,
strap end 126"'is unthreaded from cam gap 210 and then the cam 19S is simply
manually pivoted, ~or instance with the fingers of the skier7 in the clockwise
direction about axis 218 to move the cam toward the cam stop 194. By this
I5 pivoting action, the distance between cam face 212 and clamping surface 193a is
sufficiently increased thereby allowing strap 86"' to automatically retract
through the clasp assembly 190. It will be appreciated that by the above
construction of the clasp assembly 190, the tension of strap 86"' may be
infinitely and automatically adjusted so that the desired snugness o~ toe-
20 piece 60't' over the instep of a skier is achieved~ Moreover, by virtue of theabove construction of clasp assembly 190 and by locating the clasp assembly
upwardly above the top surface 14"' of ski 18"', the operation Oe the clasp
assembly is not detrimentally affected by sand or other debris whioh l:end to
collect a-t the binding. This has been a problem in water ski bindings constructed
25 with a heelpiece which is longitudinally slidable within a track mounted on the
l:op of a water 91ci. For instance, as employed in U.S. Patent No. 3,089,l587
noted above.
FIGURE 13 illustrates a clasp assembly 191)' which ;s constructed
and operates essentially in the same manner as clasp assembly 190, illustrated in
30 FIGURES 10-12, but with the exception that a separate mounting bracket, such
as mounting bracket 192, is not employed, but rather the bracket is integrally
formed with external frame 50"". In clasp assembly 190', appropriate aligned
openings 220 are formed in shoulder 222 for reception of stop 194. Likewise,
aligned openings 224 are formed in the shoulders 222 for reception of pivot
35 pins 226, which correspond to pivot pins 216 of the c lasp assembly 190 illustrated
in ~IGURES 10-12.
In accordance with another aspeet OI the present invention, as
illustrated in ~IGUR~S 11 and 12, a reinforcing strip 228 extends internally
` ~3~3~
~22-
through the lower perimeter side portions 64"' of toepiece 60"', including side
flanges 62"' and rid~es 66"'. The reinIorcing strip 228 has a wider major portion
encased within the lower perimeter side portlon 64"' and a narrower minor
portion encased within side flanges 62"' and ridges 66', with the minor portion
5 being angularly disposed relative to the major portion. It will be appreciatedthat strip 228 structurally reinforces this region of the binding toepiece 6~"' so
that when the binding is in use (with the toepiece clamped between external
frame 50"' and the internal frame 34"') there is less likelihood that this region of
the toepiece will tear or otherwise fail. The reinforcing strip preferably is
10 constructed from a lightweight, flexible but high-strength materlal such as ametal or a suitable plastic. Also, preferably the reinforcing strip is integrally
formed with the toepiece 60"', for instance, by placing the reinforcing strip into
the mold used to form the toepiece, if the toepiece is formed by molding. It canbe appreciated that a reinforcing strip similar to reinforcing strip 228 can be
15 incorporated into the structure of the heelpiece 69 illusltrated above in
FIGURES 1 and 3 to provide similar structural reinforcement to the heelpiece.
FIGURE 14 illustrates a further preferred embodiment Or the
present invention wherein an elastic binding upper 230 is constructed in the same
manner as the binding upper 18 described above and illustrated in ~IGURES 1, 3,
20 4, ~ and 7 with the exception that the top central portion of the roof area of
toepiece 232, i.e., the region beneath straps 234, is formed in a thickness which
is thinner than the remaining roof area of the toepiece. This allows the instep
section, i.e., the section beneath ~traps 234, to rcadily expand and contract inrelation to the size, and especially the width, oE the skier's foot. Construoting
25 the toepiece 232 in this manner improves the comfort of the binding upper
without compromising the level o~ support provided by the binding upper since
the skier's Eoot in the instep section of the toepiece 230 i8 restrained and
supported by the overlying straps 234. The reduced thickness of the top central
portion of the roof area of toepiece 232 may be in the range of 1/~ to 3/4 of the
30 thickness Oe the remaining roof area of the toepiece and, ideally~ approximately
1/2 of the thickness of the general roof area of the toepiece. Thus, if the
general roof area of the toepiece is constructed frcm an inner layer of, for
instance, .25 inch (.635 cm.) thick textured neoprene foam or similar material,
the inner layer at the top central portion o~ the roof area may be reduced to a
35 thickness of approximately .125 inch (.318 cm.) thick. Similarly, if the outer
layer of the roof area of the toepiece is formed from, for instance, .~25 inch
(.3175 cm.) to .375 inch (.925 cm.) thick neoprene or similar material, then
-23- 1~32~
likewise the top central portion of the roof area may be formed from a thicknessOI from about .0625 inch (.l588 cm.) to .l88 inch (.462 em.) thick neoprene or
similar material.
FIGURE lS illustrates a further preferred embodiment of the
present invention. The water ski binding 240 illustrated in FIGUP.E 15 is
constructed substantially identically with binding lO, shown in FIGURES 1-4, 6
and 7, with the exception of the construction of toepiece 242. Toepiece 242 is
constructed the same as toepiece 60 of binding lO but with the exception of the
addition of an elongate slit 244 extending longitudinally along the top central
10 instep portion of the roof area of the toepiece, i.e., the region of the toepiece
underlying the locations at which straps ~46 cross the toepiece. As will be
appreciated, slit 244 enables the toepiece to readily expand and contract in
width across the instep of lhe skier's foot to accommodate feet of various sizesand widths, thereby increasing the comfort of binding 240. Because the instep
15 portion of a skier's foot is supported and restrained by the crisscrossing
straps 246, slit 244 does not reduce or otherwise detrimentally affect the support
provided to the skier1s foot by binding 240 while having the advantage of
providing optimum fit and comfort for the feet of a large number of skiers.
There have been describ0d preferred embodiments of the water ski
20 binding having a laterally supportive abutment ridge, an adjustable width, and a
method for varying the binding cavity size. It will be appreciated by those
skilled in the art of the present invention thnt the teachings of this inventionmay be used to advanta~e in any situation where it is desirahle to provide a
water ski binding having maximum support for the skier's foot and ankle, while
25 maintaining some adjustability. Therefore, it is to be understood by those sk1lled
in the art that various changes, additions, and omissions may be rnade in the
fortn and the detail of the descript10n of the present invention set forth abovewithout departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The
particular embodiments of the water ski bindings, described above, are therefore30 to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, i.eO, the scope
of the present invention is set forth in the appended claims, rather than being
limited to the examples of water ski bindings set forth in the foregoing
description.
