Telemark binding for alpine skiing

Abstract

A telemark binding includes a base, a first jaw, a second jaw, a first pin carried by the first jaw, a second pin carried by the second jaw the first and second jaws being arranged with respect to each other to assume: a first configuration ready to receive the toe of a ski boot, and a second configuration with the toe of the ski boot hooked; a slider slidable with respect to the bas; a service lever designed so that, starting from the second configuration with the toe of the ski boot hooked, a first rotation of the service lever in a second direction of rotation brings a first end of the service lever to abut the base, so that the service lever assumes a first position in which the user can walk uphill; a first hook sized to hook a rear protrusion; a longitudinal member elastically extendable.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A telemark binding for alpine skiing, comprising:
 a base fixable to a ski;   a first jaw that is rotatably coupled with the base;   a second jaw that is opposed to the first jaw and that is rotatably coupled with the base;   a first pin that is carried by the first jaw and that is dimensioned to be inserted into a first side hole made in a toe of a ski boot;   a second pin that is carried by the second jaw and that is dimensioned to be inserted into a second side hole made in the toe of the ski boot;   wherein the first jaw and the second jaw are arranged between them to assume:
 a first configuration ready to receive the toe of a ski boot, in which the first pin and the second pin are at a first distance from each other; and 
 a second configuration of the toe of a ski boot locked, in which: the first pin and the second pin are at a second distance from each other, which is smaller than the first distance; the first pin is inserted into the first side hole of the toe of the ski boot; and the second pin is inserted into the second side hole of the toe of the ski boot; 
   an actuation lever that is rotatably coupled with the base and that is designed such that, starting from the second configuration of the toe of a ski boot locked, a rotation of the same actuation lever in a first direction of rotation may determine the release of the toe of the ski boot from the first pin and from the second pin, thus reaching the first configuration ready to receive the toe of a ski boot;   a slider that is slidable with respect to the base to assume a forward position, with respect to a tip of a ski when the base is fixed to the ski, and a rearward position, with respect to the tip of the ski when the base is fixed to the ski;   a service lever that at a corresponding intermediate portion is rotatably coupled with the actuation lever and that is designed such that starting from the second configuration of the toe of a ski boot locked, a first rotation of the service lever in a second direction of rotation brings a first end of the service lever to abut the base, so that the same service lever assumes a first position in which a user can walk uphill;   a first hook that is dimensioned to hook a rear protrusion of a forefoot of the ski boot that extends towards a heel of the ski boot;   a longitudinal member that is elastically extendable; on one side is connected to the first hook; on the other side is coupled to the slider; and is movable by the slider;   wherein the service lever is designed such that from the second configuration of the toe of the ski boot locked, and after the first rotation, a subsequent second rotation of the service lever in the same second direction of rotation brings the first end of the service lever: to move the slider towards the forward position, at least until the first hook can hook the rear protrusion of the forefoot of the ski boot; and to abut the base, so that the same service lever assumes a second position in which the user can ski downhill in Telemark mode.   
     
     
         2 . The telemark binding according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first locking element that comprises:
 a first intermediate portion, a first end of the locking element and a second end of the locking element that is opposed to the first end of the locking element with respect to the first intermediate portion; wherein at the first intermediate portion the first locking element is rotatably coupled to the base; at the first end of the locking element the first locking element is provided with a first locking portion to lock a first side portion of the toe of the ski boot; at the second end of the locking element it is constrained to the slider, such that a translation of the slider towards the forward position determines a rotation of the first locking element so that the first locking portion can abut the first side portion of the toe of the ski boot and that a translation of the slider towards the rearward position determines an opposite rotation of the first locking element so that the first locking portion is able to disengage from the first side portion of the toe of the ski boot; 
   a second locking element that:
 a second intermediate portion, a third end of the locking element and a fourth end of the locking element that is opposed to the third end of the locking element with respect to the second intermediate portion; wherein at the second intermediate portion the second locking element is rotatably coupled to the base; at the third end of the locking element the second locking element is provided with a second locking portion to lock a second side portion of the toe of the ski boot, which is opposed to the first side portion of the toe of the ski boot; at the fourth end of the locking element the second locking element is constrained to the slider, such that a translation of the slider towards the forward position determines a rotation of the second locking element so that the second locking portion is able to abut the second side portion of the toe of the ski boot and that a translation of the slider towards the rearward position determines an opposite rotation of the second locking element so that the second locking portion disengages from the second side portion of the toe of the ski boot; 
   the first locking element and the second locking element are designed such that when the slider is translated towards the forward position, an abutment of the first locking element with the second side portion of the toe of the ski boot and an abutment of the second locking element with the second side portion of the toe of the ski boot jointly determine the locking of the toe of the ski boot between the first locking element and the second locking element.   
     
     
         3 . The telemark binding according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 first elastic means that are interposed between the base and the slider, to move the slider towards the rearward position and thus keep the first hook distanced from the rear protrusion of the forefoot of the ski boot;   wherein the service lever is designed such that from the second configuration of the toe of a ski boot locked, and after the first rotation, a subsequent second rotation of the service lever in the same second direction of rotation brings the first end of the service lever to abut the slider and to move the slider against an action of the first elastic means.   
     
     
         4 . The telemark binding according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 joining means that are connected to the first jaw and the second jaw;   second elastic means that are arranged to stabilize the position of the first jaw and the second jaw to assume the first configuration ready to receive the toe of a ski boot and the second configuration of the toe of a ski boot locked;   wherein the actuation lever is connected to the joining means such that, starting from the second configuration of the toe of a ski boot locked, a rotation of the same actuation lever in the first direction of rotation determines the release of the toe of the ski boot from the first pin and from the second pin, thus reaching the first configuration ready to receive the toe of a ski boot.   
     
     
         5 . The telemark binding according to  claim 4 , further comprising:
 first guide means;   a first carriage that is carried by the slider and that is slidable along the first guide means;   third elastic means that are interposed between the first carriage and the base, to move the first carriage towards the first end of the service lever;   a first stop that is carried by the base and that is arranged to act as an end stop for the first carriage, against an action of the third elastic means, wherein when the first jaw and the second jaw assume the first configuration ready to receive the toe of a ski boot and when the first jaw and the second jaw assume the second configuration of the toe of the ski boot locked and the service lever makes the first rotation in the second direction of rotation, reaching the first position;   wherein the first stop is further arranged to disengage from the first carriage when the first jaw and the second jaw assume the second configuration of the toe of a ski boot locked and the service lever makes the second rotation in the second direction of rotation, with a consequent movement of the slider that pulls the first carriage, so that the same first carriage can be moved by the third elastic means towards the first end of the service lever;   the first carriage is provided with a first abutment to abut the first end of the service lever at least contributing to stabilize the service lever in the second position, when the first jaw and the second jaw assume the second configuration of the toe of the ski boot locked and the service lever makes the second rotation in the second direction of rotation.   
     
     
         6 . The telemark binding according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 the first abutment forms a first inclined plane that is arranged such that only starting from a first predetermined torque, applied to the service lever to rotate the same service lever in a direction opposite to the second direction of rotation, the first end of the service lever is able to travel along the first inclined plane until the service lever reaches the first position again.   
     
     
         7 . The telemark binding according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 the first carriage and the slider jointly form at least one seat to receive the third elastic means;   the at least one seat comprises a lateral wall that in turn comprises a first lateral wall portion that is part of the first carriage and a second lateral wall portion that is part of the slider;   the at least one seat further comprises a first bottom portion that is part of the first carriage and on which the third elastic means press, which in turn abut the base; and a second bottom portion that is part of the slider;   the second bottom portion is farther from a mouth of the at least one seat than the first bottom portion, so that the second bottom portion represents an end stop for the third elastic means.   
     
     
         8 . The telemark binding according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a first engagement unit;   wherein the first guide means, the first carriage, the third elastic means, the first stop are part of the first engagement unit;   the first engagement unit is arranged on a first side of the slider;   a second engagement unit that is like the first engagement unit and that is arranged on a second side of the slider, which is opposed to the first side of the slider, to jointly cooperate with the first engagement unit.   
     
     
         9 . The telemark binding according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 the longitudinal member is arranged to slide on the ski when the base is fixed to the ski and when the slider moves the same longitudinal member.   
     
     
         10 . The telemark binding according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 the base comprises a first base wall and a second base wall that is opposed to the first base wall;   the front portion of the slider, with respect to the tip of the ski when the base is fixed to the ski, is arranged between the first base wall and the second base wall;   the first base wall forms a first sliding track;   the second base wall forms a second sliding track;   the first base wall and the second base wall are arranged such that the first sliding track and the second sliding track slidably receive the first end of the service lever when the service lever makes the first rotation in the second direction of rotation and when the service lever makes the second rotation in the second direction of rotation.   
     
     
         11 . The telemark binding according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 first elastic means that are interposed between the base and the slider, to move the slider towards the rearward position and thus keep the first hook distanced from the rear protrusion of the forefoot of the ski boot;   wherein the service lever is designed such that from the second configuration of the toe of a ski boot locked, and after the first rotation, a subsequent second rotation of the service lever in the same second direction of rotation brings the first end of the service lever to abut the slider and to move the slider against an action of the first elastic means.   
     
     
         12 . The telemark binding according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 joining means that are connected to the first jaw and the second jaw;   second elastic means that are arranged to stabilize the position of the first jaw and the second jaw to assume the first configuration ready to receive the toe of a ski boot and the second configuration of the toe of a ski boot locked;   wherein the actuation lever is connected to the joining means such that, starting from the second configuration of the toe of a ski boot locked, a rotation of the same actuation lever in the first direction of rotation determines the release of the toe of the ski boot from the first pin and from the second pin, thus reaching the first configuration ready to receive the toe of a ski boot.   
     
     
         13 . The telemark binding according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 joining means that are connected to the first jaw and the second jaw;   second elastic means that are arranged to stabilize the position of the first jaw and the second jaw to assume the first configuration ready to receive the toe of a ski boot and the second configuration of the toe of a ski boot locked;   wherein the actuation lever is connected to the joining means such that, starting from the second configuration of the toe of a ski boot locked, a rotation of the same actuation lever in the first direction of rotation determines the release of the toe of the ski boot from the first pin and from the second pin, thus reaching the first configuration ready to receive the toe of a ski boot.   
     
     
         14 . The telemark binding according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 first guide means;   a first carriage that is carried by the slider and that is slidable along the first guide means;   third elastic means that are interposed between the first carriage and the base, to move the first carriage towards the first end of the service lever;   a first stop that is carried by the base and that is arranged to act as an end stop for the first carriage, against an action of the third elastic means, wherein when the first jaw and the second jaw assume the first configuration ready to receive the toe of a ski boot and when the first jaw and the second jaw assume the second configuration of the toe of the ski boot locked and the service lever makes the first rotation in the second direction of rotation, reaching the first position;   wherein the first stop is further arranged to disengage from the first carriage when the first jaw and the second jaw assume the second configuration of the toe of a ski boot locked and the service lever makes the second rotation in the second direction of rotation, with a consequent movement of the slider that pulls the first carriage, so that the same first carriage can be moved by the third elastic means towards the first end of the service lever;   the first carriage is provided with a first abutment to abut the first end of the service lever at least contributing to stabilize the service lever in the second position, when the first jaw and the second jaw assume the second configuration of the toe of the ski boot locked and the service lever makes the second rotation in the second direction of rotation.   
     
     
         15 . The telemark binding according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 first guide means;   a first carriage that is carried by the slider and that is slidable along the first guide means;   third elastic means that are interposed between the first carriage and the base, to move the first carriage towards the first end of the service lever;   a first stop that is carried by the base and that is arranged to act as an end stop for the first carriage, against an action of the third elastic means, wherein when the first jaw and the second jaw assume the first configuration ready to receive the toe of a ski boot and when the first jaw and the second jaw assume the second configuration of the toe of the ski boot locked and the service lever makes the first rotation in the second direction of rotation, reaching the first position;   wherein the first stop is further arranged to disengage from the first carriage when the first jaw and the second jaw assume the second configuration of the toe of a ski boot locked and the service lever makes the second rotation in the second direction of rotation, with a consequent movement of the slider that pulls the first carriage, so that the same first carriage can be moved by the third elastic means towards the first end of the service lever;   the first carriage is provided with a first abutment to abut the first end of the service lever at least contributing to stabilize the service lever in the second position, when the first jaw and the second jaw assume the second configuration of the toe of the ski boot locked and the service lever makes the second rotation in the second direction of rotation.   
     
     
         16 . The telemark binding according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 first guide means;   a first carriage that is carried by the slider and that is slidable along the first guide means;   third elastic means that are interposed between the first carriage and the base, to move the first carriage towards the first end of the service lever;   a first stop that is carried by the base and that is arranged to act as an end stop for the first carriage, against an action of the third elastic means, wherein when the first jaw and the second jaw assume the first configuration ready to receive the toe of a ski boot and when the first jaw and the second jaw assume the second configuration of the toe of the ski boot locked and the service lever makes the first rotation in the second direction of rotation, reaching the first position;   wherein the first stop is further arranged to disengage from the first carriage when the first jaw and the second jaw assume the second configuration of the toe of a ski boot locked and the service lever makes the second rotation in the second direction of rotation, with a consequent movement of the slider that pulls the first carriage, so that the same first carriage can be moved by the third elastic means towards the first end of the service lever;   the first carriage is provided with a first abutment to abut the first end of the service lever at least contributing to stabilize the service lever in the second position, when the first jaw and the second jaw assume the second configuration of the toe of the ski boot locked and the service lever makes the second rotation in the second direction of rotation.   
     
     
         17 . The telemark binding according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 the first carriage and the slider jointly form at least one seat to receive the third elastic means;   the at least one seat comprises a lateral wall that in turn comprises a first lateral wall portion that is part of the first carriage and a second lateral wall portion that is part of the slider;   the at least one seat further comprises a first bottom portion that is part of the first carriage and on which the third elastic means press, which in turn abut the base; and a second bottom portion that is part of the slider;   the second bottom portion is farther from a mouth of the at least one seat than the first bottom portion, so that the second bottom portion represents an end stop for the third elastic means.   
     
     
         18 . The telemark binding according to  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a first engagement unit;   wherein the first guide means, the first carriage, the third elastic means, the first stop are part of the first engagement unit;   the first engagement unit is arranged on a first side of the slider;   a second engagement unit that is like the first engagement unit and that is arranged on a second side of the slider, which is opposed to the first side of the slider, to jointly cooperate with the first engagement unit.   
     
     
         19 . The telemark binding according to  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a first engagement unit;   wherein the first guide means, the first carriage, the third elastic means, the first stop are part of the first engagement unit;   the first engagement unit is arranged on a first side of the slider;   a second engagement unit that is like the first engagement unit and that is arranged on a second side of the slider, which is opposed to the first side of the slider, to jointly cooperate with the first engagement unit.