Rear element for retaining a boot on an alpine ski

Abstract

An element for retaining the rear of a boot, including a slide, a body with a movable retaining jaw and a return spring, a latch for retaining the body. The spring is connected to the latch by a connecting rod whose rear end includes a bend inserted between the rear end of the spring and the rear wall of the cavity, whose front end has a connecting hook provided to be connected to the latch, and a hooking tip oriented rearwardly which is engaged on an edge located at the front of the body.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An element for retaining the rear of a ski boot, said retaining element comprising: 
 a longitudinally elongated slide;    a body guided slidably along the slide;    a movable retaining jaw supported by the body;    a latch for retaining the body in a predetermined position along the slide;    the body having a bottom portion, a cavity being located in the bottom portion of the body, the cavity being longitudinally demarcated by a front wall and a rear wall;    a return spring housed in the cavity and connecting the body and the latch, the body being elastically returned forwardly in a position pre-defined by a position of the retaining latch;    the return spring being connected to the latch by a connecting rod, the connecting rod having a rear end including a bend positioned between a rear end of the spring and the rear wall of the cavity, the connecting rod having a front end including a connecting hook connected to the latch and a rearwardly extending hooking tip, and, with the rear bend of the rod in support against the rear wall of the cavity, the hooking tip is engaged on an edge located at a front portion of the body and the spring is compressed.    
     
     
         2 . A retaining element according to    claim 1   , wherein the bend of the rod carries a stud engaged in a housing located on the rear wall of the cavity.  
     
     
         3 . A retaining element according to    claim 1   , wherein a mounting base, separate from the body, is provided to be sidably guided along the guide, the latch being carried by the mounting base.  
     
     
         4 . A retaining element according to    claim 3   , wherein the connecting hook is engaged in a groove located on the rear of the mounting base.  
     
     
         5 . A retaining element according to    claim 3   , wherein the latch is housed in a well of the mounting base.  
     
     
         6 . A retaining element according to    claim 5   , wherein the latch is connected to a lever housed in an upper portion of the mounting base.  
     
     
         7 . A retaining element according to    claim 6   , wherein the end of the lever is accessible on one of opposite lateral sides of the mounting base.  
     
     
         8 . A retaining element according to    claim 1   , wherein the rear portion of the body is substantially clear above the slide.