The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 23, 1993
Filed:
Oct. 02, 1990
Piero G Ruffinengo, Salt Lake City, UT (US);
Other;
Abstract
A ski binding release mechanism that includes both an electronic and a mechanical release mechanism. The mechanical release mechanism incorporates a delay feature that allows it to function only if the electronic mechanism experiences a failure. The delay feature is provided by a cylinder movable with respect to a stationary piston positioned therein, the piston dividing the cylinder into two chambers. Movement of the cylinder, required to release the soleholder of a ski boot, is retarded by the time required to pass liquid in the cylinder from a first of the chambers to a second of the chambers through a choke passage in the piston as the cylinder moves. Movement of the cylinder is caused by a plunger connected to the soleholder of the ski binding that urges against the cylinder under the influence of a sustained, predetermined, potentially hazardous force acting on the binding. A spring may be located within the cylinder to absorb intermittent forces imposed on the cylinder not strong enough to pose a hazard. Resetting of the device may be accelerated through provision of a check valve in the piston that allows the fluid to move back into the second chamber through the valve, as well as through the choke passage.