T.m.c., Inc.

Gerhard Oberleitner

Theodor Nitschko

Josef Svoboda

Engelbert Spitaler

Wilfried Riss

Englebert Spitaler

A safety ski binding includes a releasable jaw having a pivotally supported holding mechanism which is adapted to engage a ski shoe. The jaw includes first and second cylinders with fluid actuated pistons therein, and a fluid channel interconnects the cylinders. A check valve in the fluid channel resists fluid flow from the first cylinder to the second, and a solenoid controlled valve in the fluid channel, when open, creates a bypass around the check valve. A mechanism is provided for applying forces to the piston of the second cylinder to pressurize the first cylinder via the check valve causing the piston of the first cylinder to itself be urged against or to urge another member against a locking track in a manner which maintains the jaw in a closed position. In a preferred embodiment, the cylinders are provided on the holding mechanism and the locking track is fixed to the ski. Sensors responsive to forces exerted on the holding mechanism by the ski shoe drive a control unit which, when the forces exceed a predetermined threshold, actuates the solenoid controlled valve to release the jaw.

Safety ski binding

A safety ski binding includes a holding jaw and a jaw which can be released electrically under control of a control circuit. The holding jaw includes two movable sole holders having thereon pistons movable in respective, fluid-filled chambers. The holding jaw also includes a movable stepping plate, and the stepping plate and one sole holder can each flex respective membranes of a further fluid-filled chamber. Each of the three chambers communicates with a respective piezoelectric element which is connected to the control circuit. Forces applied to the holding jaw by a ski boot can increase the pressure in the various chambers and the piezoelectric elements each produce a signal proportional to such pressure, the control circuit electrically releasing the other jaw if the forces exceed predetermined values.

In safety ski bindings with electronic evaluation and release circuits, which can be supplied from a voltage source through a switching device and which activate, in case of risk of injury, a release mechanism for the release of a ski boot held in the binding, there exists the problem that the control circuit is supplied with voltage even when the skier stands still with attached skis or travels on a chairlift, which results in an unnecessary current consumption. To solve this problem, a selectively activatable acceleration responsive device is provided in the switching device, which acceleration responsive device is connected to an electronic switching element through a time circuit and, if desired, through a threshold switch.

A safety ski binding includes a jaw for releasably holding a ski boot sole, which jaw has strain sensors which produce electrical signals in response to forces exerted on the jaw and an electrically operated release mechanism. A plug board provided in the jaw behind a protective cover is connected electrically to a control circuit which is responsive to the strain sensors and controls the release mechanism. A replaceable plug-in unit insertable in the plug board determines the release characteristics of the jaw on the basis of the skier's ability level and personal characteristics. In one embodiment, the plug-in unit contains fixed circuit components which define the ability level and variable circuit components adjustable to define the personal characteristics. In another embodiment, the plug-in unit contains a program storage or a micro-processor which defines the ability level and personal characteristics.

The invention relates to a jaw, in particular a front jaw for safety ski bindings including a support member having at least two bolts therein symmetrically arranged with respect to a longitudinal center plane of the jaw and oriented perpendicularly with respect to the upper side of the ski. About each bolt is pivotally supported a two-arm sole holder, one arm of which engages the sole of a ski shoe and the other arm of which extends laterally inwardly toward the longitudinal axis of the ski and engages a part which is movable in the longitudinal direction of the ski against the force of a spring. The spring is supported at its one end on the support member and at its other end on an abutment which can be adjusted by means of an adjusting screw.

Front jaw for a safety ski binding

A safety ski binding includes a first jaw which is fixedly mounted on a ski and a second jaw which is supported movably on the ski and includes an electrically activated release mechanism. A piezoelectric sensor is provided on each jaw, the sensor in the first jaw being wired to a signal-processing circuit provided in the ski and powered by a battery provided in the ski. An electromagnetic coupling is provided to couple the circuitry in the ski with and to provide power to the release mechanism and sensor in the second jaw. Signals from the sensor in the second jaw are transmitted to the signal-processing circuit through the electromagnetic coupling. The signal-processing circuit evaluates the signals received from both sensors and, when a release is required, sends a signal through the electromagnetic coupling to activate the release mechanism.

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Vienna, Austria

Gerhard Oberleitner