Salomon S.a.

Jean Hue

Gerard Graillat

Georges P Salomon

Denis Gasquet

George P Salomon

Michel Sauve

Apparatus for connection to a cross-country ski for laterally guiding a ski shoe having a front end attached to the ski at a position forwardly of the rear of the shoe whose heel is vertically movable on the ski in the longitudinal median plane thereof includes a longitudinally extending guide rib adapted to cooperate with a longitudinal groove of complementary shape in the sole of the ski shoe. The groove successively includes, from front to rear, a first region beneath the toes of the foot of the wearer of the shoe, a second region beneath the ball of the foot of the wearer, a third region beneath the arch of the foot of the wearer, and a fourth region beneath the the heel of the foot of the wearer. The rib has opposite lateral sides defining the width of the guide, and a top surface defining the height of the guide. Both the slope of the sides relative to the longitudinal median plane of the ski, and the height of the guide, are nonconstant functions of the length of the guide. The length of the guide rib can be modified to accommodate different shoe lengths. Specifically, the end of the rib is configured to facilitate the breakage of predeterminate section(s) of the rib, depending upon the particular shoe size with which the rib is to be used. Such configuration can include a number of transverse score lines at which point an unneeded end section of the guide rib can be broken off.

Flexible and length adjustable lateral guide apparatus for a

Apparatus for connection to a cross-country ski for laterally guiding a ski shoe having a front end atached to the ski at a position forwardly of the rear of the shoe whose heel is vertically movable on the ski in the longitudinal median plane thereof includes a longitudinally extending guide rib adapted to cooperate with a longitudinal groove of complementary shape in the sole of the ski shoe. The groove successively includes, from front to rear, a first region beneath the toes of the foot of the wearer of the shoe, a second region beneath the ball of the foot of the wearer, a third region beneath the arch of the foot of the wearer, and a fourth region beneath the heel of the foot of the wearer. The rib has opposite lateral sides defining the width of the guide, and a top surface defining the height of the guide. Both the slope of the sides relative to the longitudinal median plane of the ski, and the height of the guide, are nonconstant functions of the length of the guide.

Lateral guide apparatus for a cross country ski, and a ski shoe

A apparatus for connecting a boot to a ski, preferably for a cross-country ski. The apparatus includes a plate adapted to be attached to the ski for receiving the sole of the boot. A ski binding is attached to the plate at a first end thereof for attaching the front end of the boot to the ski so as to permit the heel of the boot to be lifted from the ski in normal use. Further, the plate is journalled relative to the ski for permitting the plate, with the boot secured thereon at the first end thereof, to pivot about an axis substantially perpendicular to the ski, wherein the pivot axis extends through the metatarsal region of the foot when the foot is received in the boot held by the apparatus. The heel of the boot is adapted to extend beyond the second end of the plate when the boot is connected to the apparatus.

Safety binding for a ski

A lateral guidance and support apparatus for a ski boot attached, at its front end, to a cross-country ski, whose heel is free to be displaced at least vertically with respect to the ski. The apparatus includes a longitudinally extending retention rib positioned at the upper surface of the ski which is adapted to engage a longitudinally extending groove in the sole of the boot having substantially the same cross-sectional configuration as the rib. The groove progressively covers the rib when the boot is flattening on the ski. Also provided are one or more projections extending laterally from the rib. These projections are positioned under a support zone of the boot when the boot is attached to the binding and when the grooves in the boot engage the rib on the ski. The support zone of the boot is that portion of the boot positioned under the metatarsus of the foot or positioned under a region of the foot in front of the metatarses. As a result of this structure the rib guides the boot from the beginning of the gait of the foot, thereby increasing the precision and effectiveness of cross-country skiing.

Cross shaped support

A ski binding for attaching the front of the boot to a cross-country ski. A connection element is provided which has a first portion attached to the ski and has a second portion attached to the front of the boot. The connection element is constructed so as to permit the heel of the boot to pivot about an axis oblique to the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the ski. In one embodiment the connection element is flexible and contains a zone of least rigidity which defines the axis. In another embodiment, the connection element comprises a joint which is oriented so that the axis around which the front of the boot pivots around the joint is oblique to the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the ski. In a preferred embodiment each binding is placed on a ski and is so oriented that the axes from each binding on the pair of parallel skis converge forward and downward.

Ski binding for attaching the front of a boot to a cross-country ski,

Binding assembly for a cross country ski boot, having a safety device comprising a hooking arrangement in which the forward end of the boot is retained, and lateral retaining, complementary engaging portions on the ski and in the sole of the boot. The hooking and lateral retaining devices are rigidly affixed to each other without intervening gap, and are releasable at least laterally about at least one rotational axis against the effect of a torsional retainer, whatever the elevation of the boot heel from the ski.

Safety binding for cross-country skiing

An apparatus for connecting a ski boot to a ski having a binding that is adapted to permit the heel of the boot to be lifted from the ski in normal use. In addition, the binding is also adapted to permit the boot to pivot around the vertical pivot axis. The vertical pivot axis passes through a support zone of the foot which is bounded by the phalanges and metatarsals of the foot. In one preferred embodiment the vertical pivot axis passes through the journal axis around which the metatarsals journal on the phalanges. As a result, lateral forces that are produced as a result of normal skiing by the foot acting against boot cause only a negligible torsion moment because these forces act at the vertical pivot axis, and therefore the lever arm is negligible. In another embodiment, the apparatus is adapted to attach a small boot or a large boot to the ski. In this embodiment, the vertical pivot axis is located so as to pass through the area common to the support zone of the foot in the large boot and the support zone of the foot in the small boot.

Safety binding for a ski boot

A ski binding for securing the front of a ski shoe to a ski. The binding is adapted to permit the heel of the shoe to be lifted vertically while allowing for substantial torsional movement of the shoe after the heel has been lifted to a predetermined extent.

Pivotable cross-country ski binding

Sport shoe, particularly adapted to use in cross-country skiing, including a sole, a vamp, and an overshoe. The vamp is positioned in the overshoe and includes a tightening means for tightening the vamp around the instep. Both the vamp and the overshoe include a posterior portion surrounding the rear portion of the leg. The vamp and overshoe are attached to one another along their posterior portions. This attachment extends from the top of the shoe to the bottom of the shoe along the posterior portion of the vamp and the overshoe. As a result of this arrangement, when the tightening means tightens the vamp around the instep, the posterior portions of the vamp and the overshoe also tighten, thereby firmly holding the rear of the foot and the heel in the shoe.

Growing community of inventors

Annecy, France

Jean Hue