Importance

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Abstract

A ski binding adapted to pivot both laterally and vertically. The binding includes a support attached to the ski and an assembly adapted to pivot therearound. The assembly includes a jaw, a pivoting element and an elastic system. The support has a substantially flat surface biased into contact with a substantially flat surface on the pivoting element. The pivoting element pivots around a single vertical axis intersecting the longitudinal axis of the binding. The elastic system in one embodiment contacts the rear of the support. In another embodiment the elastic system contacts the rear of a rocker pivoting around the pivoting element, and contacting the rear of the support. Both the rear of the rocker and the rear of the support comprise a downwardly and rearwardly extending release incline and a downwardly and forwardly extending opening incline. The elastic system is compressed when it pivots vertically along the release incline, so as to bias the assembly toward its centered boot retaining position. The elastic system is decompressed when it moves onto the opening incline, thereby holding the assembly in an open position after the boot is released, for the reattachment of the boot. The release incline on the support may be shaped in the form of a trapezoid in one embodiment. This shape causes a reduction in the lateral release retention moment (which resists the lateral pivoting of the assembly) when the assembly undergoes a lateral and vertical pivoting simultaneously, as compared to lateral pivoting alone. In a second embodiment, this effect can be achieved by the proper choice of the position of the axis around which the rocker pivots. When the ski experiences a lateral stress, the assembly pivots laterally and moves forward.

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First Claim