U.S. patent application number 11/768131 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-28 for nordic ski boot support and attachment structure.
Invention is credited to John E. Svensson.
Application Number | 20080047168 11/768131 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38739344 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080047168 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Svensson; John E. |
February 28, 2008 |
NORDIC SKI BOOT SUPPORT AND ATTACHMENT STRUCTURE
Abstract
A Nordic ski boot support and attachment mechanism (100) having
a toe piece 102 that slidably engages a ski 90, a lever (106) that
is pivotably attached to the toe piece, a rigid forefoot support
110 that is fixedly attached to the lever, a heel support (120)
that is pivotably attached to the forefoot support, and an ankle
support (130) that is pivotably attached to the heel support. The
lever engages the toe piece at the left and right side, including a
moment arm therebetween that is at least one half inch long. The
lever may include a recess 107 that engages a rearward projection
on the toe piece. A heel piece (140) is also slidably disposed on
the ski providing a second projection (141). The heel support
includes an engagement member (122) that engages the second
projection when the lever is in the down position.
Inventors: |
Svensson; John E.; (Vashon,
WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHRISTENSEN, O'CONNOR, JOHNSON, KINDNESS, PLLC
1420 FIFTH AVENUE
SUITE 2800
SEATTLE
WA
98101-2347
US
|
Family ID: |
38739344 |
Appl. No.: |
11/768131 |
Filed: |
June 25, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60816003 |
Jun 23, 2006 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/117.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 5/0498 20130101;
A43B 13/141 20130101; A63C 2201/06 20130101; A63C 9/02 20130101;
A43B 7/20 20130101; A43B 5/0423 20130101; A43B 5/0496 20130101;
A43B 5/0413 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
036/117.3 |
International
Class: |
A43B 5/04 20060101
A43B005/04; A43C 19/00 20060101 A43C019/00 |
Claims
1. A Nordic ski boot support structure and attachment mechanism
comprising: a toe piece that is adapted to engage a ski, the toe
piece having a right boss, and a left boss that is separated a
distance from the right boss; a lever pivotably connected to the
toe piece to pivot about a first pivot axis, the lever engaging the
left boss and the right boss such that the lever is pivotable
between an up position and a down position; a rigid forefoot
support having a base portion and left and right sidewalls, the
forefoot support being fixed to the lever; a heel support having
left and right sidewalls that are pivotably attached to the left
and right sidewalls of the forefoot support such that the heel
support is pivotable with respect to the forefoot support about a
second pivot axis; an ankle support pivotably attached to the left
and right sidewalls of the heel support such that the ankle support
is pivotably with respect to the heel support about a third pivot
axis.
2. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the toe piece further
comprises a rear portion defining an upwardly-extending first
projection, and the lever further comprises a recess adapted to
engage the first projection when the lever is in the down
position.
3. The mechanism of claim 2, wherein the toe piece is adapted to
slidably and adjustably engage the ski.
4. The mechanism of claim 3, further comprising a heel piece
defining a second upwardly-extending projection, and further
comprising an engagement member extending downwardly from the heel
support, wherein the engagement member engages the second
projection when the lever is in the down position.
5. The mechanism of claim 4, wherein the engagement member defines
a channel that slidably engages the second projection such that the
engagement member and second projection can move longitudinally
relative to each other.
6. The mechanism of claim 5, wherein the heel piece is adapted to
slidably and adjustably engage the ski.
7. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the left boss is spaced a
distance of at least one half inch from the right boss.
8. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the rigid forefoot support is
formed from one of a rigid composite material and an injection
molded plastic.
9. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the lever is formed from a
lightweight metal.
10. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first pivot axis, the
second pivot axis and the third pivot axis are all approximately
horizontal.
11. A Nordic ski boot support structure and attachment mechanism
comprising: a toe piece that is adapted to engage a ski, the toe
piece having a right boss, and a left boss that is separated a
distance from the right boss; a rigid forefoot support having left
and right sidewalls, the forefoot further comprising a transverse
member that engages the right boss and the left boss of the toe
piece; a heel support having left and right sidewalls that are
pivotably attached to the left and right sidewalls of the forefoot
support such that the heel support is pivotable with respect to the
forefoot support about a second pivot axis; an ankle support
pivotably attached to the left and right sidewalls of the heel
support such that the ankle support is pivotably with respect to
the heel support about a third pivot axis.
12. The mechanism of claim 11, wherein the toe piece further
comprises a rear portion defining an upwardly-extending first
projection, and the lever further comprises a recess adapted to
engage the first projection when the lever is in the down
position.
13. The mechanism of claim 11, wherein the toe piece is adapted to
slidably and adjustably engage the ski.
14. The mechanism of claim 13, further comprising a heel piece
defining a second upwardly-extending projection, and further
comprising an engagement member extending downwardly from the heel
support, wherein the engagement member engages the second
projection when the lever is in the down position.
15. The mechanism of claim 14, wherein the engagement member
defines a channel that slidably engages the second projection such
that the engagement member and second projection can move
longitudinally relative to each other.
16. The mechanism of claim 15, wherein the heel piece is adapted to
slidably and adjustably engage the ski.
17. The mechanism of claim 11, wherein the left boss is spaced a
distance of at least one half inch from the right boss.
18. The mechanism of claim 11, wherein the rigid forefoot support
is formed from one of a rigid composite material and an injection
molded plastic.
19. The mechanism of claim 11, wherein the first pivot axis, the
second pivot axis and the third pivot axis are all approximately
horizontal.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/816,003, filed Jun. 23, 2006, the disclosure of
which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its
entirety, and priority from the filing date of which is hereby
claimed under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Nordic skiing is a winter sport that encompasses all types
of skiing where the heel of the boot is not fixed to the ski. This
includes a wide range of ski equipment and techniques such as
classic and skate cross country skiing, skinny skiing, ski touring,
track skiing, ski jumping, biathlon, and telemark skiing. Nordic
skiing often involves racing. Olympic events include cross country
skiing, ski jumping, Nordic combined, and the biathlon. The
International Ski Foundation's FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
is a major event of these sports and happens in winter of
odd-number years between Winter Olympics.
[0003] As a hobby, cross-country skiing may be viewed as a kind of
akin to cross-country hiking, but on skis. Of course recreational
cross-country skiers tackle trails of various lengths and
difficulties. As a sport, cross-country skiing is an endurance
sport using every major muscle group, and is generally recognized
as one of the most physically demanding of sports competitions.
Even so, cross-country ski competition is experiencing a resurgence
in popularity that began with the addition of the sprint event to
the World Cup and Olympic competitions that are more readily
accessible to audiences. More races are being held in audience
friendly formats, such as mass start, sprint, relay and pursuit
races. World Cup and Olympics cross-country skiing events include
the 1 km Sprint, the 2.times.1 km Team Sprint, the 10 km/15 km
Individual Start, the 15 km/30 km Pursuit, the 30 km/50 km Mass
Start, and the 4.times.5 km/4.times.10 km Relay.
[0004] Nordic ski bindings generally connect the toe of the user's
ski boot to the ski, and are matched to the boot as common systems.
There are three primary types of binding systems used in modern
cross-country skiing, the NNN (New Nordic Norm)--including the new
R4 NIS variant, the SNS Profil (Salomon Nordic System), and SNS
Pilot. Older styled three-pin bindings, sometimes referred to as
"Nordic Norm" or "toe-bail" bindings, are still used, especially by
backcountry and Telemarking enthusiasts.
[0005] In the NNN binding a bar in the toe of the shoe hooks into a
catch in the binding. Two ridges on the binding plate fit into
corresponding slots on the boot soles. The NNN system is used for
both classic and skating styles cross-country skiing. A backcountry
variation (NNN BC) is generally wider and more rugged.
[0006] SNS Profil bindings have a slightly narrower bar and catch
system, and use a single rail design on the binding plate and boot
sole. Skate and Classic versions of the SNS Profil system can use
the same boots. SNS Pilot bindings feature dual rails on the
binding plate.
[0007] Typically, in conventional prior art boots and binding
systems for Nordic skiing the ski boot has a sole with a toe
portion that may include a transverse rod. The toe portion and/or
rod engages a toe piece of a binding mechanism to attach the boot
to the ski. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,907,353 and U.S. Pat.
Publ. No. 2005/0212263, both of which are hereby incorporated by
reference in their entirety. Generally, the sole of the boot is
relatively flexible whereby the user can lift the boot heel away
from the ski during use.
[0008] It is necessary for some maneuvers in Nordic skiing for the
user to apply a pivoting moment to the ski about the longitudinal
axis of the ski. It is also sometimes necessary to apply a pivoting
force or moment about the vertical axis, i.e., to rotate the ski
about an axis perpendicular to the upper face of the ski. The
flexibility of the sole of the boot can limit or interfere with the
ability of the user to apply a roll and yaw torque to the ski.
SUMMARY
[0009] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify
key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to
be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject
matter.
[0010] A Nordic ski boot support structure and attachment mechanism
is disclose that include a toe piece that in the current embodiment
is adapted to be removably attachable to the ski, preferably in a
number of different locations. The toe piece includes left and
right spaced-apart bosses that pivotably receive a lever that is
attached to a rigid forefoot support. The lever pivots between an
up position and a down position, for example to accommodate the
stroke or gate of the user. A heel support is pivotably attached to
the forefoot support, for example through upright sidewall
portions. The heel support may define a heel counter. An ankle
support is pivotably attached to the heel support. It will
therefore be appreciated that the support structure includes
three-pivot articulation. In a current embodiment the three pivot
axes are all substantially horizontal. The mechanism may also
include a heel piece that is attachable to the ski, and an
engagement mechanism that extends from the heel support to engage
the heel piece when the heel support is in the down position.
[0011] In an embodiment of the mechanism the toe piece includes a
rear portion defining an upwardly-extending first projection that
is received by a corresponding recess in the lever when the lever
is in the down position. This provides the user with a greater
ability to apply a torque or twisting force about a generally
vertical axis.
[0012] In embodiments of the invention, the toe piece and the heel
piece are slidably and adjustably attachable to the ski.
[0013] These and other aspects of the invention will be appreciated
by the artisan after reading the particular embodiment of the
invention described herein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages
of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same
become better understood by reference to the following detailed
description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ski boot support structure
and attachment mechanism according to the present invention, shown
attached to a cross-country ski (shown in phantom) having an
integral binding mounting plate;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a side view of the ski boot support structure and
attachment mechanism shown in FIG. 1, illustrated in the down
position;
[0017] FIG. 3A shows the support structure and attachment mechanism
of FIG. 1, with the heel support pivoted away from the ski, and the
forefoot support in the down position;
[0018] FIG. 3B shows the support structure and attachment mechanism
of FIG. 1, with the heel support and the forefoot support pivoted
away from the ski;
[0019] FIG. 3C shows the support structure and attachment mechanism
of FIG. 1, with the forefoot support pivoted further away from the
ski; and
[0020] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the support structure and
attachment mechanism shown in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a ski boot support
structure and attachment mechanism 100 (hereinafter, referred to as
the "support mechanism") according to the present invention, and
FIG. 2 shows a side view of the support mechanism 100. The support
mechanism 100 is shown mounted to a ski 90 having integral or
fixedly attached forward and rearward mounting plates 92 and 93,
respectively, as are well-known in the art. For example a current
mounting system is known in the art as NNN ("New Nordic Norm") R4
NIS ("Nordic Integrated System"). The currently preferred
embodiment of the support mechanism 100 is compatible with, and is
mountable to, the NIS system.
[0022] The support mechanism 100 includes a forward toe piece 102
that is slidably and adjustably attached to the ski 90 through the
forward mounting plate 92. The toe piece 102 includes a right boss
portion 104 and a left boss portion 105. A substantially rigid
lever 106 is pivotably mounted to the left and right boss portions
104, 105 with pivot pin 108, such that the lever 106 pivots about a
horizontal (i.e., generally parallel to the upper face of the ski
90) first pivot axis 80. The lever 106 may be formed, for example,
from aluminum or from another lightweight metal. The lever 106, and
therefore the user's toe, is pivotable between a "down" position
generally flat with the ski 90, and an "up" position wherein the
distal end of the lever 106 is elevated away from the ski 90. A
projection 101 extends upwardly from a rearward portion of the toe
piece 102. As seen most clearly in FIG. 2 (and FIG. 7), the lever
106 includes a cup-shaped recess 107 at its distal end, that is
sized and shaped to receive the projection 101 when the lever 106
is in the down position shown in FIG. 2. It will be appreciated
that when the projection 101 is captured in the recess 107, a user
can more easily exert a significant twisting force to the ski 90 by
turning the user's foot.
[0023] A substantially rigid forefoot support 110 is attached to
the lever 106, for example with a nut and plate assembly 112.
(Other attachment means may alternatively be used, without
departing from the present invention.) The forefoot support 110 has
a substantially horizontal base portion 114 that supports the
user's forefoot (not shown), and left and right sidewalls 116
extending upwardly from the base portion 114. In a current
embodiment the forefoot support 110 is contoured to better
accommodate the anatomy of a user's foot. An aperture 118 with an
inner lip is provided in the base portion 114 to receive the nut
plate assembly 112 without the nut plate assembly 112 protruding
above the upper surface of the base portion 114. The aperture 118
is preferably an elongate slot oriented to be essentially parallel
to the longitudinal axis of the ski 90 during use, whereby the
longitudinal position of the forefoot support 110 on the lever 106
is readily adjustable.
[0024] A heel support 120 for supporting the rear portion of the
user's foot is pivotably attached to the forefoot support 110 such
that the heel support 120 is pivotable about an axis 82. The axis
82 is also substantially horizontal, and positioned to
approximately correspond with the natural location of flexure in
the user's foot near the metatarsal head region of the foot, or
just behind the forefoot region. The heel support 120 includes a
base portion 124 and upright sidewalls 126 that extend around the
back of the heel support 120 to form a heel counter. The sidewalls
126 extend forwardly to engage the forefoot support sidewalls 116
for pivotable attachment thereto. In a current embodiment the heel
support 120 is contoured to better accommodate the anatomy of a
user's foot.
[0025] The forefoot support 110 and the heel support 120 are
preferably shaped such that a gap 123 is formed between the
forefoot support base portion 114 and the heel support base portion
126 at least along most of the width of the structure. A
substantially rigid heel engagement member 122 extends downwardly
from near the back end of the heel support 120, as discussed below.
In a preferred embodiment the heel support 120 is also
substantially rigid, and the heel engagement member 122 is formed
from aluminum or another lightweight metal.
[0026] An ankle support 130 is pivotably attached to the heel
support 120 such that the ankle support is pivotable about an axis
84. The axis 84 is approximately horizontal, and positioned to
accommodate the natural flexure of the user's ankle. The ankle
support 130 includes arms 134 that extend down to pivotably attach
to the heel support 120 sidewalls 126, and is shaped to extend or
wrap about an ankle or lower leg portion of the user, defining a
front gap 132. In a preferred embodiment the ankle support 130 is
also substantially rigid, although retaining sufficient flexibility
to allow the ankle support 130 to receive the user's leg through
the gap 132.
[0027] In a current embodiment the forefoot support 110, heel
support 120 and ankle support 130 are formed from a rigid composite
material, for example a graphite composite. However, other
materials are clearly suitable for this support structure, and in
particular it is contemplated that one or more of these elements
may be formed from a rigid injected plastic or the like.
[0028] A flexible boot 95 (shown in phantom) may typically be
provided, either fixed to the support structures 110, 120, 130 or
separable therefrom. The construction of the flexible boot 95
itself is well-known in the art, and particular aspects are not
believed to be important to the inventive aspects of the present
invention. Therefore, for clarity, the boot 95 is not discussed in
any detail herein.
[0029] A heel piece 140 is slidably and adjustably mounted to the
ski 90, rearwardly of the toe piece 102. The heel piece 140
includes a projection 141 that extends upwardly from the ski 90,
and is positionable and sized such that the heel engagement member
122 will engage the heel piece 140 when the heel support 120 is
pivoted to the down position, as shown in FIG. 2. In the current
embodiment, the heel engagement member 122 defines a channel
tapered in the vertical direction that slidably receives the heel
piece projection 141 such that the heel engagement member 122 and
projection 141 can move longitudinally relative to each other. The
user can apply a lateral force to the projection 141 (and therefore
the ski 90) using a foot-twisting motion. However, because the
defined channel is tapered and constant in the longitudinal
direction, the two parts do not need to stay precisely aligned for
proper engagement therebetween.
[0030] The support mechanism 100 is shown in different positions in
FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C. Referring first to FIG. 2, the support
mechanism 100 is shown in the down position, wherein the heel
engagement member 122 engages the heel piece 140. It will be
appreciated that in this position the user can exert relatively
large twisting forces about the vertical axis on the ski 90 due to
the fixed or hard connection (relative to rotation about the
vertical axis) at both the forefoot support 110, and the heel piece
140. In FIG. 3A the user has lifted the heel support 120 away from
the ski 90, which is accommodated by pivoting of the heel piece 120
about axis 82, such that the heel engagement member 122 releases
from the projection 141 of the heel piece 140. The forefoot support
110, including the lever 106, remains in the down position. The
user can still exert a relatively large twisting moment to the ski
90 in this position due to the engagement of the lever 106 at both
the front boss portions 104, 105 and rearwardly at the projection
101 of the toe piece 102.
[0031] In FIG. 3B the support mechanism 100 is shown wherein, for
example, the user is further into a typical power stroke. The
forefoot support 110 is pivoted (clockwise in FIG. 3A) such that
the lever recess 107 does not engage the projection 101 on the toe
piece 102. In FIG. 3C the forefoot support 110 is pivoted even
further such that the forefoot support 110 almost perpendicular to
the ski 90. The heel piece 120 has pivoted (counterclockwise in the
figure) about axis 82. It will also be appreciated that this degree
of movement is beneficial when getting up after a fall or the like.
Throughout the user's motion the user's ankle is pivotable in the
fore and aft direction about axis 84.
[0032] An exploded view of the support mechanism 100 is shown in
FIG. 4, showing additional details of the current embodiment. The
lever 106 includes a pair of spaced apart end portions 151 having
apertures 153 therethrough. A generally tubular sleeve 155
approximately one inch in length is disposed between the end
portions 151, and receives a pair of springs 157 that bias the
lever towards the down position. The pivot pin 108 is disposed
through apertures 159 (one aperture 159 visible in FIGURES) in the
toe piece left and right bosses 104, 105, and extends through the
lever apertures 153 and through the tubular sleeve 155 disposed
therebetween.
[0033] An important aspect of the support mechanism 100 is that the
user can exert a significant rolling moment to the ski 90 because
the moment applied by the user is exerted across a moment arm
extending between the left and right sides of the toe piece 102. In
other words, in this embodiment when the user applies a rolling
moment with his or her feet, one of the spaced-apart lever end
portions 151 will apply a downward force on one side of the pivot
pin 108, and the other end portion 151 will apply an upward force
on the opposite side of the pivot pin 108, generally forming a
couple with an arm equal to the distance between the end portions
151. The couple is applied to the ski through the bosses 104, 105
of the toe piece 102, and therefore it is desirable that the bosses
104, 105 be separated by a reasonable distance, preferably without
extending beyond the width of the attached ski 90.
[0034] In the currently preferred support structure 100 the bosses
104, 105 are separated by at least one half inch and preferably by
one inch or more. Moreover, as discussed above the forefoot support
110 and the lever 108 are substantially rigid, which is desirable
to maximize the user's ability to apply the twisting moment.
[0035] The advantage of the pivoting forefoot support 110 and heel
support 120 can now also be better appreciated. Prior art Nordic
ski boot structures typically comprise a sole portion that is
unitarily constructed. In order to allow the user to comfortably
lift the heel away from the ski, however, the unitary sole must be
flexible enough to permit some flexure about a horizontal axis
between the forefoot region and the heel region. This flexibility
in a unitary sole results in greater than desired flexibility about
other axes, however, reducing the user's ability to apply a rolling
moment and a twisting (yawing) moment.
[0036] In the support structure 100 described above, however,
substantially rigid support structures 110, 120 are pivotably
connected about a substantially horizontal axis 82. Therefore, the
support structure 100 is desirably very flexible in the direction
to allow flexure of the foot, but very stiff about other axes.
[0037] Therefore, the support structure 100 provides a system
having very high flexibility for flexure of the foot and ankle in
the forward and rearward direction, while providing sturdy support
in the lateral direction, and in particular allowing the user to
exert lateral and twisting forces on the ski 90 during use.
[0038] To use the support structure 100 a user may slidably install
the toe piece 102 at a suitable location on the ski 90, and the
heel piece 140 as a suitable location rearward of the toe piece
102. Although these components may be permanently fixed to the ski
90, in a currently preferred embodiment these components are
compatible with the Nordic Integrated System standard, whereby the
installation and positioning of the toe piece 102 and heel piece
140 are readily and adjustably accomplished. It is contemplated
that the lever 106 may be constructed to be releasably attached to
the toe piece 102, such that the user can easily engage and
disengage from the toe piece 102.
[0039] While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and
described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made
therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention.
* * * * *