Remote release ski binding

Abstract

In one example, a ski binding control and release assembly includes a motor, an actuator element connected to the motor, an arm operably engaged with the actuator element and selectively engageable with a toe piece of a ski binding, and a binding plate. The binding plate is configured to be mounted at least indirectly to a ski, wherein the binding plate is configured to slidingly engage a toe piece of a ski binding so that the toe piece is movable lengthwise relative to the binding plate when the toe piece and the binding plate are engaged with each other. Finally, a control system is provided that is operable to cause movement of the arm.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A ski apparatus, comprising:
 a ski including a tip and a tail;   a light source connected to the ski in a location that is nearer to the tip than to the tail, wherein operation of the light source is based on a charge level of a first power source; and   a circuit connected with the light source and operable to power the light source.   
     
     
         2 . The ski apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode (LED). 
     
     
         3 . The ski apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a light pipe or fiber optic element in optical communication with the light source. 
     
     
         4 . The ski apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a binding mounted at least indirectly to the ski, the binding configured to releasably engage a ski boot. 
     
     
         5 . The ski apparatus as recited in  claim 4 , further comprising a ski binding control and release assembly operably engaged with the ski binding and including the first power source, wherein the light source is operable to provide feedback, in the form of visible light, concerning a charge level of the first power source. 
     
     
         6 . The ski apparatus as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the first power source is a battery, and the ski binding control and release assembly includes the second power source and a battery level module operable to monitor a charge level of the battery and to cause wireless transmission of power from the second power source to the light source. 
     
     
         7 . The ski apparatus as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the first power source is a rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         8 . The ski apparatus as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the light source is electrically powered by the second power source. 
     
     
         9 . The ski apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the light source provides a first type of visible feedback when the charge level of the first power source is in a first range, and the light source provides a second type of visible feedback when the charge level of the first power source is in a second range, and the second type of visible feedback is different from the first type of visible feedback. 
     
     
         10 . A ski binding control and release assembly, comprising:
 a motor;   an actuator element connected to the motor;   an arm operably engaged with the actuator element and selectively engageable with a toe piece;   a binding plate configured to be mounted at least indirectly to a ski, wherein the binding plate is configured to slidingly engage a toe piece of a ski binding so that the toe piece is movable lengthwise relative to the binding plate when the toe piece and the binding plate are engaged with each other; and   a control system that is operable to cause movement of the arm, the control system including an accelerometer operably connected with the motor so that movement of the toe piece lengthwise along the binding plate is prevented when motion exceeding a defined threshold is detected by the accelerometer.   
     
     
         11 . The ski binding control and release assembly as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the accelerometer is a three axis accelerometer. 
     
     
         12 . The ski binding control and release assembly as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the motor is a 12 volt direct current (DC) motor. 
     
     
         13 . The ski binding control and release assembly as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the control system further comprises:
 a battery of a nominal voltage and connected to the motor; and   a buck-boost DC/DC converter operable to boost the nominal voltage of the battery to a voltage that is about  3  times the nominal voltage.   
     
     
         14 . The ski binding control and release assembly as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the motor is a 12 volt direct current (DC) motor, and the control system further comprises:
 a battery of a nominal voltage and connected to the motor; and   a buck-boost DC/DC converter operable to boost the nominal voltage of the battery to a voltage that is about 3 times the nominal voltage.   
     
     
         15 . The ski binding control and release assembly as recited in  claim 10 , wherein operation of the motor to move the toe piece by operating the actuator arm is prevented when motion exceeding a defined threshold is detected by the accelerometer. 
     
     
         16 . The ski binding control and release assembly as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising a remote control device operable to remotely control the motor, wherein the control system is configured for radio frequency (RF) communication with the remote control device. 
     
     
         17 . A ski apparatus comprising:
 a ski;   the ski binding control and release assembly as recited in  claim 10 , and the ski binding control and release assembly is mounted to the ski; and   a ski binding comprising:
 a heel piece mounted to the ski; and 
 a toe piece engaged with the binding plate and configured to cooperate with the heel piece to releasably retain a ski boot. 
   
     
     
         18 . A ski binding control and release assembly, comprising:
 a motor;   an actuator element connected to the motor;   an arm operably engaged with the actuator element and selectively engageable with a toe piece of a ski binding;   a binding plate configured to be mounted at least indirectly to a ski, wherein the binding plate is configured to slidingly engage a toe piece of a ski binding so that the toe piece is movable lengthwise relative to the binding plate when the toe piece and the binding plate are engaged with each other; and   a control system operable to cause movement of the arm.   
     
     
         19 . The ski binding control and release assembly as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the binding plate includes a stop that limits a range of motion of the toe piece relative to the binding plate or the housing. 
     
     
         20 . The ski binding control and release assembly as recited in  claim 18 , wherein when the arm is disengaged from the toe piece, the toe piece is free to move along the binding plate, and when the arm is engaged with the toe piece, the toe piece is prevented from moving along the binding plate. 
     
     
         21 . The ski binding control and release assembly as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the motor and actuator element are configured and arranged relative to the arm such that the motor is operable to disengage the arm from the toe piece when the toe piece is engaged with the binding plate. 
     
     
         22 . The ski binding control and release assembly as recited in  claim 18 , wherein a biasing element biases the arm into engagement with the toe piece when the toe piece is at a rearmost position relative to the binding plate. 
     
     
         23 . The ski binding control and release assembly as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising a remote control device operable to remotely control the motor by radio frequency (RF) communication with the remote control device. 
     
     
         24 . A ski apparatus, comprising:
 a ski;   the ski binding control and release assembly as recited in  claim 18 , and the ski binding control and release assembly is mounted to the ski; and   a ski binding, comprising:   a heel piece mounted to the ski; and   a toe piece engaged with the binding plate and configured to cooperate with the heel piece to releasably retain a ski boot.   
     
     
         25 . The ski apparatus as recited in  claim 24 , wherein the toe piece is configured and arranged to move relative to the heel piece such that a distance between the toe piece and the heel piece changes when the toe piece moves relative to the heel piece. 
     
     
         26 . The ski apparatus as recited in  claim 24 , wherein the binding plate includes a biasing element that biases the toe piece in a forward direction such that the toe piece is moved forward by the biasing element when the arm is disengaged from the toe piece. 
     
     
         27 . The ski apparatus as recited in  claim 24 , wherein the ski binding is configured to enable a ski boot of a user to enter, and releasably engage, the ski binding heel-first.