Transferable ski binding

Abstract

The present invention allows a skier to easily transfer a single set of bindings between sets of skis. The invention consists of two mechanisms that are interlocked or otherwise attached, hereinafter called the “ship” and the “dock.” The “ship” is a standardized mechanism to which the binding is affixed. The “dock” is a mechanism attached to the ski and adapted to receive and attach to the ship.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A transferable binding apparatus comprising: 
 a ship mechanism;    a binding mechanism affixed to said ship mechanism;    a dock mechanism adapted to attach to a ski and adapted to receive said ship mechanism; and    an attaching mechanism adapted to attach said dock mechanism to said ship mechanism.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said attaching mechanism is selected from the group consisting of: screws and wing-nuts.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said attaching mechanism comprises a releasable spring-loaded assembly.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said dock mechanism is permanently attached to the ski at the time of manufacture.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said dock mechanism is obtained separately from the ski and attached at the direction of the user.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said ship mechanism is configured to be rotated with respect to said dock mechanism and said attaching mechanism is engaged by the process of rotation.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said dock mechanism is adapted in a pocket configuration with at least one open side to receive said ship mechanism and said ship mechanism is adapted to be inserted into said at least one open side of the pocket configuration.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said dock mechanism is adapted to be altered in size by the user to receive ship mechanisms of varying sizes.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said ship mechanism is adapted to be altered in size by the user to be inserted into dock mechanisms of varying sizes.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a binding mechanism attached to said ship mechanism.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said binding mechanism is permanently attached to said ship mechanism at the time of manufacture.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said binding mechanism is attached to said ship mechanism at the direction of the user.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a locking mechanism adapted to lock together said dock mechanism, said ship mechanism, and said ski.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said locking mechanism is of a type selected from the group consisting of: key, combination, and electronic.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said dock mechanism and said ship mechanism further comprise attachment enhancing surfaces on the areas that come into contact upon attachment of the ship mechanism to the dock mechanism.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said attachment enhancing surfaces are selected from the group consisting of: frictionally-rough surfaces, adhesive surfaces, and interlocking teeth.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising additional surfaces installed between the dock and the ski to alter parameters and orientation of a skier's boot with respect to the ski.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said ship mechanism is configured to attach to another ship mechanism to form a carrying handle.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said binding mechanism is selected from the group consisting of: an alpine ski binding mechanism, a telemark ski binding mechanism, and a cross-country ski binding mechanism.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said ship mechanism and said dock mechanism are in a lock fit configuration, and said lock fit configuration further allows said ship mechanism to lock fit with another ship mechanism.  
     
     
         21 . A method for transferring a binding comprising the steps of: 
 affixing a binding mechanism to a ship mechanism;    affixing a dock mechanism to a ski; and    attaching said ship mechanism to said dock mechanism.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising the step of: 
 locking together said ship mechanism, said dock mechanism, and said ski.  
 
     
     
         23 . A method for transferring a binding comprising the steps of: 
 affixing a first binding mechanism to a first ship mechanism;    affixing a second binding mechanism to a second ship mechanism;    affixing a dock mechanism to a ski;    attaching said first ship mechanism with said first binding mechanism to said dock mechanism;    removing said first ship mechanism with said first binding mechanism from said dock mechanism;    attaching said second ship mechanism with said second binding mechanism to said dock mechanism.    
     
     
         24 . The method of claim  23 : 
 wherein said first binding mechanism is selected from the group consisting of: an alpine ski binding mechanism, a telemark ski binding mechanism, and a cross-country ski binding mechanism; and    wherein said second binding mechanism is selected from the group consisting of: an alpine ski binding mechanism, a telemark ski binding mechanism, and a cross-country ski binding mechanism.