ANKLE ROLL RESPONSIVE SKI SYSTEM

FIXATIONS DE SKI SENSIBLES A L'INCLINAISON DES CHEVILLES

English Abstract

In conventional ski systems, the ski boot receives
conventional edging information as expressed by the
skier's body position and more particularly by the position
of the lower leg or tibia.
In the ski system according to this invention, the ski boot
receives additional novel information as expressed by the
degree of the skier's forward foot position and more
particularly by foot eversion and foot inversion.
Via a binding supporting; structure, the ski boot applies
conventional edging to a forward ski portion and via an
angular torsion control linkage, provides foot eversion and
foot inversion enhanced conventional edging to a rearward
ski portion.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive
property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. In combination, a ski, a boot responsive to foot eversion
or foot inverson, and a binding support, comprising: a first
ski portion having upper surface side margins, a second ski
portion having upper surface side margins, a boot having a
longitudinal axis, sensing means and a sensing transducer,
transmission means, and a binding support having a
longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, first mounting means,
second mounting means and an angular torsion transducer,
wherein the sensing means is compressed or decompressed by
foot eversion or foot inversion, relative to the boot and
actuates the sensing transducer which, via the transmission
means, actuates the angular torsion transducer, which is
integral with the second mounting means, and controls a
torsional twist imposed onto an area between the first ski
portion and the second ski portion by the first and second
mounting means, which are secured to longitudinally opposite
ends of the binding support and to the first and second ski
portions, providing foot actuated control over the
torsional characteristics of the ski.
2 The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the
sensing means comprises: a receptor, sensing the position of
a foot, and articulating means, which articulatedly secure
the receptor to the boot, wherein the receptor is rotatable

about the longitudinal boot axis, and is rotated by foot
eversion or foot inversion, providing foot position
information to the sensing transducer.
3 The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the
sensing means comprises: a receptor, sensing the position of
a foot, and hinging means, which hingedly secure the
receptor to the boot and wherein the receptor is rotatable
about the longitudinal boot axis, and is rotated by foot
eversion or foot inversion, providing foot position
information to the sensing transducer.
4 The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the first
mounting means comprises guiding means, which vertical
hingedly, longitudinal slideably and torsional rigidly
secure the binding support to the first ski portion.
The combination as defined in claim 4, wherein the
guiding means comprises: a first transverse axle, and
channel shaped guides, wherein the first transverse axle is
rigidly affixed to the binding support, parallel to the
binding support transverse axis, and wherein the channel
shaped guides are juxtaposedly affixed to the first ski
portion, adjacent to and parallel to the first ski portion
upper surface side margins and wherein the first transverse
axle is vertical hingedly, longitudinal slideably and
torsional rigidly guided by the channel shaped guides,

providing slideable and torsionally rigid attachment between
the binding support and the first ski portion.
6 The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the second
mounting means comprises: a second transverse axle, first
hinging means and second hinging means, wherein the first
hinging means hingedly secures the binding support to the
second ski portion, rotatable about the second transverse
axle, wherein the second hinging means hingedly secures the
binding support to the second ski portion, rotatable about
the binding support longitudinal axis, and wherein the
angular torsion transducer controls the torsional response
between the binding support and the second ski portion.
7 The combination as defined in claim 6, wherein the first
hinging means comprises pillow blocks, wherein the pillow
blocks are juxtaposedly affixed to the second ski portion,
adjacent to and parallel to the second ski portion upper
surface side margins, and wherein the pillow blocks hingedly
receive the second transverse axle, providing rotatable
movement of the binding support about the second transverse
axle.
8 The combination as defined in claim 6, wherein the second
hinging means comprises: a partially threaded post, integral
with a central portion of the second transverse axle, a
threaded nut, a binding support residing transversely

elongated upper aperture and a binding support residing
lower aperture, wherein the partially threaded post passes
through both apertures and wherein the threaded nut hingedly
secures the binding support onto the partially threaded
post, providing rotatable movement of the binding support
about the binding support longitudinal axis.
9 The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the
transmission means comprises: a first transmission portion,
a binding mating portion, a binding mating transducer a
boot mating portion, a boot mating transducer and a second
transmission portion, wherein the first transmission
portion, the binding mating portion and the binding mating
transducer are a part of the boot, wherein the second
transmission portion, the boot mating portion and the boot
mating transducer are a part of the binding support, wherein
the sensing transducer, via the first transmission portion,
actuates the binding mating transducer, which matedly
engages and mechanically actuates the boot mating
transducer which, via the second transmission portion
actuates the angular torsion transducer and controls the
torsional response between the binding support and the
second ski portion.
10. The combination as defined in claim 9, wherein the boot
mating transducer is fixedly disposed within the boot

mating portion, and wherein the binding mating transducer is
fixedly disposed within the binding mating portion.
11. The combination as defined in claim 9, wherein the boot
mating portion comprises: a thrust member having two
opposite ends, one with a first hinge portion, the other one
with a second hinge portion, wherein the thrust member is
vertical and lateral hingedly secured to the binding support
via the first hinge portion and wherein the boot mating
portion is hingedly secured to the thrust member via the
second hinge portion and wherein the thrust member matedly
and disengageably urges the boot mating portion onto the
binding mating portion.
12. The combination as defined in anyone of claims 1 through
8, wherein the transmission means comprises at least one
hydraulic conduit.
13.The combination as defined in anyone of claims 9 through
11, wherein the first transmission portion comprises at
least one hydraulic conduit.
l4.The combination as defined in anyone of claims 9 through
11. wherein the second transmission portion comprises at
least one hydraulic conduit.

15.The combination as defined in anyone of claims 1 through
11, wherein the sensing transducer comprises at least one
hydraulic piston.
l6.The combination as defined in anyone of claims 1 through
11, wherein the sensing transducer comprises at least one
hydraulic bellows.
l7.The combination as defined in anyone of claims 9 through
11, wherein the binding mating transducer comprises at least
one hydraulic piston.
l8.The combination as defined in anyone of claims 9 through
11, wherein the binding mating transducer comprises at least
one hydraulic bellows.
19.The combination as defined in anyone of claims 9 through
11, wherein the boot mating transducer comprises at least
one hydraulic piston.
20.The combination as defined in anyone of claims 9 through
11, wherein the boot mating transducer comprises at least
one hydraulic bellows.
21.The combination as defined in anyone of claims 1 through
11, wherein the angular torsion transducer comprises at
least one hydraulic piston.

22.The combination as defined in anyone of claims 1 through
11, wherein the angular torsion transducer comprises at
least one hydraulic bellows.
23.A ski, comprising: a first ski portion having upper
surface side margins, a second ski portion having upper
surface side margins, a boot mating portion, a boot mating
transducer, transmission means, and a binding support having
a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, first mounting
means, second mounting means and an angular torsion
transducer, wherein the boot mating transducer, via the
transmission means, actuates the angular torsion transducer,
which forms part of the second mounting means, and controls
a torsional twist imposed onto the area between the first
ski portion and the second ski portion by the first and
second mounting means, which are secured to longitudinally
opposite ends of the binding support and to the first and
second ski portions, providing angular torsion transducer
actuated control over the torsional characteristics of the
ski.
24.A ski as defined in claim 23, wherein the first mounting
means comprises guiding means, which vertical hingedly,
longitudinal slideably and torsional rigidly secure the
binding support to the first ski portion.

25.A ski as defined in claim 24, wherein the guiding means
comprises: a first transverse axle, and channel shaped
guides, wherein the first transverse axle is rigidly affixed
to the binding support, parallel to the binding support
transverse axis, and wherein the channel shaped guides are
juxtaposedly affixed to the first ski portion, adjacent to
and parallel to the first ski portion upper surface side
margins and wherein the first transverse axle is vertical
hingedly, longitudinal slideably and torsional rigidly
guided by the channel shaped guides, providing slideable and
torsionally rigid attachment between the binding support and
the first ski portion.
26.A ski as defined in claim 23, wherein the second mounting
means comprises: a second transverse axle, first hinging
means, and second hinging means, wherein the first hinging
means hingedly secures the binding support to the second ski
portion, rotatable about the second transverse axle, wherein
the second hinging means hingedly secures the binding
support to the second ski portion, rotatable about the
binding support longitudinal axis, and wherein the angular
torsion transducer controls the torsional response between
the binding support and the second ski portion.
27.A ski as defined in claim 26, wherein the first hinging
means comprises pillow blocks, wherein the pillow blocks are
juxtaposedly affixed to the second ski portion, adjacent to

and parallel to the second ski portion upper surface side
margins, and wherein the pillow blocks hingedly receive the
second transverse axle, providing rotatable movement of the
binding support about the second transverse axle.
28.A ski as defined in claim 26, wherein the second hinging
means comprises: a partially threaded post, integral with a
central portion of the second transverse axle, a threaded
nut, a binding support residing transversely elongated
upper aperture and a binding support residing lower
aperture, wherein the partially threaded post passes through
both apertures and wherein the threaded nut hingedly secures
the binding support onto the partially threaded post,
providing rotatable movement of the binding support about
the binding support longitudinal axis.
29.A ski as defined in claim 23, wherein the boot mating
transducer is fixedly disposed within the boot mating
portion, which is urged onto a boot to matedly and
disengageably impress the boot mating transducer onto a
boot, facilitating information to be transferred between a
boot and the angular torsion transducer.
30.A ski as defined in claim 23, wherein the boot mating
portion comprises: a thrust member having two opposite
ends, one with a first hinge portion, the other one with a
second hinge portion, wherein the thrust member is vertical

and lateral hingedly secured to the binding support via the
first hinge portion, wherein the boot mating portion is
hingedly secured to the thrust member via the second hinge
portion and wherein the thrust member urges the boot mating
portion onto a boot.
31.A ski as defined in anyone of claims 23 through 30,
wherein the transmission means comprises at least one
hydraulic conduit.
32.A ski as defined in anyone of claims 23 through 30,
wherein the boot mating transducer comprises at least one
hydraulic bellows.
33.A ski as defined in anyone of claims 23 through 30,
wherein the boot mating transducer comprises at least one
hydraulic piston.
34.A ski as defined in anyone of claims 23 through 30,
wherein the angular torsion transducer comprises at least
one hydraulic bellows.
35.A ski as defined in anyone of claims 23 through 30,
wherein the angular torsion transducer comprises at least
one hydraulic piston.

36.A binding in combination with a binding support
comprising: a boot mating portion, a boot mating transducer,
a thrust member having two opposite ends, one with a first
hinge portion, the other one with a second hinge portion,
and transmission means, wherein the boot mating transducer
is fixedly positioned within the boot mating portion,
wherein the boot mating portion is hingedly secured to the
thrust member via the first hinge portion, wherein the
second hinge portion vertical and lateral hingedly secures
the thrust member to a binding support and wherein the
transmission means transfer information from the boot mating
transducer to the binding support.
37.A binding as defined in claim 36, wherein the
transmission means comprises at least one hydraulic conduit.
38.A binding as defined in claim 36, wherein the boot mating
transducer comprises at least one hydraulic piston.
39.A binding as defined in claim 36, wherein the boot mating
transducer comprises at least one hydraulic bellows.
40.A boot for sensing and transmitting foot eversion or foot
inversion information to a ski, comprising: a longitudinal
axis, sensing means, a sensing transducer, transmission
means, a binding mating boot portion and a binding mating
transducer, wherein the sensing means is compressed or

decompressed by foot eversion or foot inversion and which
actuates the sensing transducer, which, via the transmission
means actuates the binding mating transducer, which is
disposed within the binding mating boot portion.
41.A boot as defined in claim 40, wherein the sensing means
comprises: a receptor and articulating means, wherein the
articulating means articulatedly secure the receptor to the
boot, wherein the receptor is rotatable about the
longitudinal boot axis, and is rotated by foot eversion or
foot inversion, providing foot position information to the
sensing transducer.
42.A boot as defined in claim 40, wherein the sensing means
comprises: a receptor and hinging means, wherein the hinging
means hingedly secure the receptor to the boot, wherein the
receptor is rotatable about the longitudinal boot axis, and
is rotated by foot enversion or foot inversion, providing
foot position information to the sensing transducer.
43.A boot as defined in anyone of claims 40 through 42,
wherein the transmission means comprises at least one
hydraulic conduit.
44.A boot as defined in anyone of claims 40 through 42,
wherein the sensing transducer comprises at least one
hydraulic bellows.

45.A boot as defined in anyone of claims 40 through 42,
wherein the sensing transducer comprises at least one
hydraulic piston.
46.A boot as defined in anyone of claims 40 through 42,
wherein the binding mating transducer comprises at least one
hydraulic bellows.
47.A boot as defined in anyone of claims 40 through 42,
wherein the binding mating transducer comprises at least one
hydraulic piston.

Description

CA 02050764 1999-12-08
DI'.>CLOSURE
It is of great importance to a skier to exert the maximum
possible control over the skis.
The system according to this invention comprises novel means
to provide ski edging, ii. e. control over the angle between
the snow surface and the transverse ski axis.
In skiing, the ski boot interacts directly with the skier's
body positions and determines what information will be
accepted to control the ski.
Plantar flexion and dor~;i flexion are significant in
determining what is commonly referred to as forward-lean.
The transverse angular position of the tibia in relation to
the ski boot sole substantially determines the amount of
conventional edging, while foot eversion and foot inversion
determine what is referred to as ankle-roll.
Higher and laterally more rigid ski boots do not afford the
skier to significantly benefit from ankle-roll and
conventional edging is substantially determined by the
alignment between the lower tibia and the ski boot shaft.
Conventional edging is expressed by the transverse angular
positon of the boot sole. The boot is torsional rigidly
secured to the release binding and therefore, conventional
edging is equally well expressed by the transverse angular
position of the release binding.
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CA 02050764 1999-12-08
In the embodiment of this invention, the release binding
forms part of a binding supporting structure, further
referred to as a binding support.
In the system according to this invention, conventional
edging is applied to a forwardly disposed first ski portion
and foot eversion and foot inversion enhanced conventional
edging is applied to a rearwardly disposed second ski
portion.
It is an object o1~ this invention to provide a ski system
wherein foot eversion and foot inversion modify and enhance
conventional edging by introducing a controlled torsional
twist between the first and second ski portion, providing
additional and novel means to discriminately control ski
edging.
Foot eversion is most ciLearly expressed by a downward
pressure of the medial portion of the foot, and more
particularly by the big toe and the ball of the foot, while
foot inversion is most clearly expressed by an upward
pressure of the same foot portion.
The boot, forming part crf the system according to this
invention comprises foot. position sensing means wherein a
foot position receptor senses the degree of foot eversion
and foot inversion and provides foot position information.
The degree of conventional edging is most clearly expressed
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CA 02050764 1999-12-08
by the position of the tibia relative to the transverse
angular position of the boot sole.
The foot position receptors forming part of this invention
are disposed within the forward boot shell portion and
extend to opposite side~~ of the longitudinal boot axis.
Rotation of the foot position receptor around the
longitudinal boot axis is sensed by a plurality of
hydraulic transducers and is communicated via a first
transmission portion to transducers disposed in a portion of
the boot which normally maintains close contact with a
portion of a binding or a binding support.
In this contact area, the edging information received by the
foot position receptors is transferred from a boot carried
binding mating transducE~r to a binding support carried boot
mating transducer.
Mutually mating transducers, which in one embodiment form
part of the binding support and in another embodiment are a
part of the binding and in still another embodiment form
part of the ski, receive' foot position information presented
by boot carried transducers.
In addition to information received by the binding support
carried boot mating transducers, the binding support
receives conventional edging information from the boot via
the release binding.
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CA 02050764 1999-12-08
This information is directly imposed onto the forward or
first ski portion via the forward or first mounting means.
The conventional edging information communicated via a
second transmission portion towards the rearward or second
ski portion, where it is modified by foot position
information received via the first and second transmission
portions before being imposed onto the second ski portion
via an angular torsion control linkage.
The ski system according to this invention comprises
embodiments that provide various novel modes of foot
eversion and foot inversion enhanced edge control.
The preferred embodiment described in the ski system
according to this inveni:ion comprises a foot position
receptor, hydraulic transducers and transmission means in
combination with ~~ bind-ing support substantially similar to
that described in Canadian Patent Application 2,024,812-2.
These together with other and more specific objects and
advantages will become apparent from the following
description when taken ~in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings forming a part thereof, wherein identical elements
will be identified by the same reference numerals in each of
the drawings shown.
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CA 02050764 1999-12-08
It will be understood that although boots, bindings and skis
are normally used in pairs, only one set, showing the
various portions nssoci<~ted with the right foot, will be
shown and described in detail.
In the Drawings:
Figure 1 is a side elev<~tional view of the ski boot,
bindings, binding support and ski.
Figure 2 is a top plan view of the ski boot, bindings,
binding support and ski.
Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the ski boot.
Figures 4a, and 4b are sections taken along the plane of
line 4-4 of figure 3.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the foot position
receptor.
Figures 6a, 6b and 6c are sections taken along the plane of
line 6-6 of figure 3.
Figure 7 is a section taken along the plane of line 7-7 of
figure 3.
Figure 8 is a top plan view of a binding support.
Figure 9 is a top plan view of the binding support first
mounting means and first: ski portion.
Figure 10 is a section taken along the plane of line 10-10
of figure 9.
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CA 02050764 1999-12-08
Figure 11 is a top plan view of the binding support second
mounting means and second ski portion.
Figure 12 is a side elevational view of the binding support
second mounting means and second ski portion.
Figure 13a and fi3;ure 13b are sections taken along the plane
of line 13-13 of figure 12.
Figure 14 is a top plan view of an interruptable information
link.
Figure 15 is a side elevational view of an interruptable
information link.
Referring to the drawings in detail:
Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a boot, a binding
support and a ski, showing elements of this invention,
wherein: the boot is iclentified as 20, having a shaft 21 and
a sole 22, the binding support is identified as 40, the
forward binding as 41, the rearward binding as 42, a first
binding support to first ski portion attachment, the first
mounting means, a~s 43, the second binding support to second
ski portion attachment, the second mounting means, as 44,
the binding support carried boot mating transducers as 45,
not shown is 46, and binding support carried angular torsion
control transducers as 47, not shown is 48, forming part of
the angular torsion control linkage.
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CA 02050764 1999-12-08
The ski is generally identified as 90, having a forwardly
disposed tip or spatula portion 91, a tail portion 92 and a
top surface 93.
Figure 2 is a top plan view of the boot, binding,
binding-support and ski, further showing elements of this
invention, wherein the ski attached slidable guides are
identified as 49, 50, the forward mounting screws as 51, 52,
53 and 54, the first tr<~nsverse axle as 55, the rearward
pillow blocks as ~~6, 57, the rearward mounting screws as 58,
59, 60 and 61, the second transverse axle as 62, the post as
63, binding support attachment nut 64 and ski side margins
94.
Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the ski boot, showing
various section lvnes.
Figures 4a, and 4b are ~~ections taken along the plane of
line 4-4 of figure 3 and show the effect of ankle-roll on
the relationship between boot edging and lower tibia
position.
Figure 4a shows boot edging in the absence of ankle-roll.
ZO Figure 4b shows boot edging at maximum ankle-roll associated
with foot eversion.
It is clear from figures 4a, and 4b, that the influence of
ankle-rol in respect to conventional boot edging diminishes
proportional to the hight of the boot shaft.
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CA 02050764 1999-12-08
Ankle-roll is a rather weak expression of what a skier may
want to achieve through foot eversion and foot inversion.
Lower, and laterally less rigid boots provided ankle-roll
which at one time was sufficiently important to be included
in the teachings of North American ski instruction as a
means to improve edge control. The trend towards higher
shafted ski boots has significantly reduced the importance
of ankle-roll.
It is an object of this invention to restore the importance
of ankle-roll as expressed by foot eversion and foot
inversion in relation to ski edge control without
sacrificing any of the benefits associated with rigid high
shafted boots.
Figure 5 is a perspective view showing foot position
receptor 23 relative to the foot and detached from the boot
shell.
Foot position receptor Z3 comprises a one piece forwardly
closed rigid socket like structure, providing an internally
padded cavity for snuggly but firmly receiving the forward
foot portion.
The intermediate foot portion, shown in dotted lines
comprises a conformable portion, providing for a smooth
transition between the rigid foot position receptor and the
rearward rigid heel portion, which is internally padded and
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CA 02050764 1999-12-08
forms one rigid portion with the boot sole and is
transversely rigid with the boot shaft.
Figure 6a, 6b and 6c are sections taken along the plane of
line 6-6 of figure 3.
Figure 6a shows a cross-section of the boot and the foot
position receptor in the absence of foot eversion and foot
inversion.
The boot shell cornprises boot sole 22, the medial boot side
24, the lateral boot side 25 and the shell upper portion 26.
Enclosed within the shell portion is foot position receptor
portion 23. This receptor portion is pivotedly attached to
the upper inside area of the shell via a longitudinal
hinge-like or art~iculat~ed structure, 27, comprising a hinge
or non rigid deformable material, allowing the foot position
receptor portion 1:o rotate around the longitudinal boot
axis.
Foot eversion and foot inversion determines the angular
position between t:he lower portion of the foot position
receptor portion and the lower portion of the boot shell.
Sensing transducer's, identified as 28 and 29 respond to foot
positional information <~s presented by receptor portion 23.
Figure 6b shows the recf~ptor in a position associated with
foot eversion while figure 6c shows the receptor in a
position associated with foot inversion.
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CA 02050764 1999-12-08
Generally foot eversion and foot inversion is most
pronounced in the areas of the toes and the first
metatarsals.
The maximum range of angular movement between foot eversion
and foot inversion, depE~nding on individual abilities, may
easily amount to ~~0 degree of arc. Torsionally twisting
angular movements imposE~d between the first and second ski
portions significantly affect the ski characteristics. The
principles of leverage afford the available range of angular
1D movement between foot eversion and foot inversion to be
advantageously converted into reduced angular movement as
applied between tree first and second ski portions.
Figure 7 is a section taken along the plane of line 7-7 of
figure 3, showing boot carried foot position sensing
transducers 28 and 29, boot carried hydraulic conduits 30
and 31, and binding mating transducers 32 and 33.
In the preferred E~mbodirnent, transducers 28 and 29 are fluid
filled pouches or bellor~s, filling in most of the volume
between the lower outside portion of foot position receptor
23 and the inside surface of the boot sole. The bellows are
disposed symmetrically on opposite sides of the longitudinal
boot axis and communicai~e with hydraulic conduits which
terminate in boot carried binding mating transducers 32 and
33.
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CA 02050764 1999-12-08
Binding mating transducers 32 and 33 are disposed towards
the rearward termination of the boot sole and comprise
pistons 34 and 35, connected to piston rods 36 and 37.
In the relaxed position, the bellows contain a predetermined
amount of fluid. Any compression of the bellows will reduce
the fluid volume and cause fluid to travel through the
hydraulic conduits to tree boot carried binding mating
transducer, causing the corresponding piston rods to
increasingly protrude from the rearward boot sole portion.
The boot transfers foot position information through boot
carried binding mating transducers to binding carried boot
mating transducers, disposed in an area where the boot and
binding are normally held in intimate contact.
Seperation between the k>oot and binding interrupts foot
eversion and foot inversion information flow between the
boot and the binding support, without damaging or
permanently preventing l:he flow of information between the
boot and the binding support, while inserting the boot into
the binding autom~itical~Ly reestablishes the link.
Figure 8 is a longitudinally compressed top plan view of a
binding support according to this invention, showing
binding support 40 comprising the following elements, a
forwardly disposed first transverse axle 55,
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CA 02050764 1999-12-08
to longitudinal slidably engage the binding support to the
first ski portion, imposing conventional edging onto the
first ski portion, a forwardly disposed binding 41 and a
rearwardly disposed binding 42 to releasably retain the boot
and receive conventional. boot edging information and an
angular torsion control transducer controlled second
mounting means for imposing a controlled torsional twist
between the first and second ski portion.
Boot mating transducers 45 and 46 receive foot position
information from the boot carried binding mating
transducers.
The forces exchanged bei:ween the mutually mating transducer
portions are small in relation to the forces exerted by the
binding to retain the boot, while the movements exchanged
between the mating; transducers are large in relation to
movements taking place between the binding and the boot
Binding support carried or binding carried boot mating
transducers 45 and 46 hydraulicly communicate via conduits
65 and 66 with angular i~orsion control transducers 47 and
2p 48, which have their main housing portion rigidly secured to
a portion of the bindin~; support, exert through moveable
pistons various amounts of transverse pressure onto a
portion of the second mounting means by engaging the upper
portion of vertical post 63
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CA 02050764 1999-12-08
and control the angle between post 63 and binding support
40. Post 63 is forward ~~nd rearward pivotable, parallel to
the longitudinal ski axis and is further referred to as the
first hinging means.
Aperture 67 is tr~insverse elongated, allowing for lateral
movement of the upper post portion and is further referred
to as the second r~ingin~; means. The angular torsion control
transducer piston rods are identified as 69, 70. Also shown
are boot mating sensing portions 71, 72. As will be noted,
the hydraulic conduits cross-over to provide ski edging of a
sense corresponding to l:hat of the foot movements.
Figure 9 is a top plan view of the first transverse axle to
first ski portion attachment, wherein 49 and 50 are channel
shaped guides, secured i.o the top surface of the ski,
adjacent and parallel to the side margins of the ski by
screws 51, 52, 53 and 54.
First transverse axle 5-'. is rigidly attached to binding
support 40, and is longitudinal slideably secured to the
first ski portion by the channel shaped guides. Any edging
motion of the binding support is imposed onto the first ski
portion with a minimum of lost motion.
In the embodiments describing the boot, binding support and
ski according to this invention, the first ski portion is
edged according to the conventional edging information
presented by the boot sole
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CA 02050764 1999-12-08
and substantially conforms to the position of the shaft of a
rigid shafted high shaft:ed boot.
Figure 10 is a sectional. view taken along the plane of line
10-10 of figure 9, showing the engagement between channel
shaped guides 49 and 50 and first transverse axle 55.
Figure 11 is a more detailed top plan view of the second
mounting means to second ski portion attachment, more
particularly defined as the angular torsion controlling
linkage, wherein 56 and 57 are pillow blocks, disposed
diametrically opposite each other and adjacent to ski side
margins 94. The pillow blocks are secured to the ski via
mounting screws 58~, 59, 60 and 61. Second transverse axle 62
is forward-rearward pivotedly secured to the pillow blocks
via axle portions 73 and 74, forming the first hinging
means. Portions 73 and 74 have a smaller diameter than the
remaining portions. of the axle, securing the transverse
positon of the second transverse axle relative to the ski.
Continuous with axle 62 is a centrally disposed, upwardly
threaded post 63, perpendicular to axle 62. Portions of the
binding support carried angular torsion controlling
transducers are shown any 48 and 47.
Figure 12 is a side elevational view of the second mounting
means, showing the side profile of pillow block 57.
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CA 02050764 1999-12-08
The binding support is ~~etachably secured to post 63 by
means of threaded nut 64 and resilient washer 68.
Only one of the t~~o an;;ular torsion control transducers, 47
is shown.
Figure 13 a, is a cross-section taken along the plane of
line 13-13 of figure 12, showing the reduced diameter second
transverse axle portion~> 73, 74 and post portion 63, having
a threaded upper portion.
The diameter of binding support upper aperture 67 is
transverse elongated whereas the diameter of the binding
support lower aperture -is slightly larger than the diameter
of the lower post portion, providing pivot action to allow
the binding support to rotate laterally around the lower
post portion, forming the second hinging means.
Resilient washer 68, compressed between the nut and the
upper surface of the rearward portion of the binding support
allows tightening of the nut to secure the binding support
to the ski via the post and axle without impeding angular
movement between the binding support and post 63.
ZO The nut comprises a knurled outer portion facilitating
manual adjustment.
Binding support carried angular torsion control transducers
47 and 48, which form an essential part of this invention,
control the angular position between the binding support and
the second ski portion try exerting foot controlled
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CA 02050764 1999-12-08
transverse pressure onto the upper portion of post 63 via
pistons 75, 76 and piston rods 69 and 70. The transducer
housing is rigidly connected to the binding support,
whereas post 63, is laterally rigid with the second ski
portion.
Figure 13b shows t:he binding support to ski relationship in
a position associated with foot eversion.
The boot to binding information transfer area as shown in
figures 7 and 8 is disposed at the rear portion of the
boot, being compatible with most of todays commonly
available rear release ski bindings wherein on release, the
boot rotates around the most rearward retaining point.
The binding support carried boot mating transducer is
advantageously made an 'integral portion of the rear release
binding.
Bindings of the type as described in Canadian Patent
Application Nr. 2,040,900-2 are more particularly suited to
an interruptable ;elf a-Ligning information link, the
embodiment of which is shown in figures 14 and 15.
Figure 14 is a top plan view of a self aligning
interruptable hydraulic link. Boot mating portion 77
comprises hydraulic transducers of which only the piston
rods are shown and are 'identified as 78 and 79.
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CA 02050764 1999-12-08
Flexible hydraulic conduits 80 and 81 carry the foot positon
information to the appropriate angular torsion control
transducer.
Portion 77 is urged forwardly onto a rearward boot portion
by forward thrust member 82, which is hingedly secured to a
rearward portion of the binding support via a second hinge
portion, allowing vertical and lateral movement around its
point of binding support attachment. Boot mating portion 77
is pivotedly secured to thrust member 82 via a first hinge
porton, comprising screws 83 and 84, not shown is 84,
providing continuous engagement between the mating
transducers even during minor lateral and vertical boot
movements.
Figure 15 is a side elevational view of the self aligning
interruptable hydraulic link.
Since various re~Leasable binding systems are currently in
use, it is not desirable to restrict or limit the
information transfer point to one currently popular binding.
In other embodiments of this invention, the transducers may
not necessarily be of the cylinder and piston type, but may
advantageously be replaced by various bellows type
transducers.
The ski runner forming part of this invention is
advantageously of the type as described in Canadian Patent
Nr 767,525.
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CA 02050764 1999-12-08
It is obvious that many alternative embodiments can be
envisioned without departing from the spirit of this
invention. More particularly, hydraulic portions may be
replaced by mechanical portions, or by part mechanical,
part hydraulic portions, the size of the binding support may
be reduced to a point where for practical purposes the
binding support has become non existent and the angular
torsion transducers become a portion of the binding.
Furthermore, the edging; correction may be applied to the
forward ski portion or simultaneously but of opposite sign
to the forward and rearward ski portions, the logic may be
inverted by crossing the hydraulic conduits, in which case
foot eversion will result in a ski reaction otherwise
associated with foot inversion and vice versa.
Furthermore, the logic may be such that skis may be
interchanged from left to right and vice versa without
changing the ski chara<:teristics while the logic may be such
that interchanging the skis will result in logic inversion.
Moreover, all of the details may be replaced by other
technically equivalent elements. It will be obvious to those
skilled in the art that various changes may be made without
departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore,
the scope of this invention is not limited to the exact
embodiments as shown, but only as indicated by the appended
claims.
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Representative Drawing