Ski Binding System

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention relate to a binding ( 120 ), and in particular to a ski binding ( 120 ), wherein the binding ( 120 ) is directly contacting the ski ( 102 ), but is still capable of sliding longitudinally on the ski ( 102 ) to reduce stiffness. The intimate contact of the binding ( 120 ) with the ski ( 102 ) allows for optimum transfer of power between the ski ( 102 ) and the skier

1 . A system for holding a ski binding to a ski, comprising means for holding the ski binding to the ski and for transferring lateral forces from the binding to the ski while allowing the ski to flex or bend in the area of the ski binding, wherein one end of the ski binding is fixed relative to the ski and the other end of the binding is free to travel so that the ski is free to flex in the area of the ski binding. 
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the means for holding and for transferring lateral forces comprises one or more brackets on the upper surface of the ski and shoes that fit into the brackets on the lower surface of the ski binding. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the means for holding and for transferring lateral forces comprises a bracket on the upper surface of the ski and a shoe on the lower surface of the ski binding, wherein the bracket and shoe have ledges that slide relative to each other. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the means for holding and for transferring lateral forces comprises a first and second bracket on the upper surface of the ski and a first and second shoe on the lower surface of the ski binding, wherein the first bracket is located on one side of the centerline of the ski and the second bracket is located on the opposite side of the centerline of the ski, and the first shoe is located on one side of the centerline of the ski binding and the second shoe is located on the opposite side of the centerline of the ski. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the means for holding and for transferring lateral forces comprises a first bracket and a second bracket on the upper surface of the ski and a first shoe and a second shoe on the lower surface of the ski binding at one end of the binding, wherein the first and second brackets engage, respectively, with the first and second shoes to prevent movement vertically and laterally and allow the ski to move lengthwise at least on one end of the ski binding. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the means for holding and for transferring lateral forces comprises a first bracket and a second bracket on the upper surface of the ski and a first shoe and a second shoe on the lower surface of the ski binding, wherein the first and second brackets engage, respectively, with the first and second shoes so that the ski binding is constrained from movement in both the vertical and lateral direction and is free to move lengthwise to allow the ski to bend or flex beneath the ski binding. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the means for holding and for transferring lateral forces comprises a first bracket and a second bracket on the upper surface of the ski and a first shoe and a second shoe on the lower surface of the ski binding, wherein the first and second brackets engage, respectively, with the first and second shoes so that the ski binding is constrained from vertical and lateral movement and is free to move lengthwise, wherein the brackets comprise an upright standing beam and a ledge connected lengthwise to the standing beam to allow lengthwise sliding movement. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the means for holding and for transferring lateral forces comprises at least one shoe slidingly received within a bracket or rail affixed to the ski, wherein the shoe transfers lateral forces to the ski by abutting against a portion of the ski. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the means for holding and for transferring lateral forces comprises at least one shoe slidingly received within a bracket or rail affixed to the ski, wherein the shoe transfers lateral forces to the ski by abutting against a raised wall of the ski. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the ski binding makes sliding contact with a portion of the ski to provide for the transfer of lateral forces from the binding to the ski. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the means for holding and for transferring lateral forces comprises a shoe on the ski binding that slides within a bracket or rail affixed to the ski, wherein the shoe resists the lateral and vertical forces. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the front end of the ski binding is fixed relative to the ski and the rear end of the binding is free to move lengthwise relative to the ski. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the rear end of the ski binding is fixed relative to the ski and the front end of the binding is free to move lengthwise relative to the ski. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ski is free to flex in the area beneath the ski binding. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising stop means for stopping movement of the ski binding at a predetermined position. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the position of the ski binding is adjustable on the ski. 
   
   
       17 . A ski comprising the system of  claim 1 . 
   
   
       18 . A ski and binding combination comprising:
 (a) a ski;   (b) a bracket attached to the upper surface of the ski, wherein the ski has a sidewall adjacent to the bracket to define a lengthwise channel between the bracket and the sidewall; and   (c) a binding having a sliding shoe, wherein the shoe fits in the channel between the bracket and the sidewall in a sliding engagement so that the shoe is prevented from lifting and the shoe side hits or abuts against the sidewall to transfer lateral forces from the binding to the ski, wherein one end of the binding is fixed relative to the ski, and the other end of the binding is free to travel so that the ski is free to flex in the area of the binding.   
   
   
       19 . The ski and binding combination of  claim 18 , wherein the ski includes a first and a second bracket, wherein the first bracket is on one side of the lengthwise centerline of the ski, and the second bracket is on the opposite side of the centerline of the ski, the ski includes a first and second sidewall adjacent to the first and second brackets and the binding includes a first and a second shoe that slidingly engage the first and the second bracket, respectively, between the brackets and the sidewalls to prevent the binding from lifting and to transfer lateral forces om the binding to the ski and to allow the ski to flex or bend in the area of the binding.