T.m.c., Inc.

Wilfried Riss

Engelbert Spitaler

Theodor Nitschko

Gerhard Oberleitner

Josef Svoboda

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.

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Vienna, Austria

Wilfried Riss