WATER SKI SEMI-RIGID BINDING SYSTEM

Abstract

A semi-rigid binding system includes a toe defining an interior toe pocket with top and bottom exterior surfaces, a heel opposite the toe with top and bottom exterior surfaces and rigid sidewalls opposite to one another which connect the toe to the heel. A top edge of the rigid sidewalls, the toe and the heel together define a top opening of the binding and a bottom edge of the rigid sidewalls, the toe and the heel together define a bottom opening of the binding. As such, the top opening and the bottom opening and an interior surface of the rigid sidewalls form a hollow channel through the semi-rigid binding absent a body sole between the bottom surfaces of the toe pocket and the heel pocket, and the bottom edge of the rigid sidewalls each angle inwardly towards one another.

Claims

1. A water ski semi-rigid binding comprising: a toe defining an interior toe pocket with top and bottom exterior surfaces; a heel opposite the toe; and, rigid sidewalls opposite one another and connecting the toe to the heel, a portion of the rigid sidewalls proximate to the heel upwardly sloping to form an upper cuff; wherein a top edge of the rigid sidewalls, the toe and the heel define a top opening of the binding; wherein a bottom edge of the rigid sidewalls, the toe and the heel define a bottom opening of the binding, wherein the top opening and the bottom opening and an interior surface of the rigid sidewalls form a hollow channel through the semi-rigid binding absent a body sole between the bottom surfaces of the toe pocket and the heel pocket; and wherein the bottom edge of the rigid sidewalls each angle inwardly towards one another.

2. The water ski semi-rigid binding of claim 1, further comprising an ankle collar fixed to the upper cuff and upwardly extending beyond the top edge of the heel and rigid sidewalls.

3. The water ski semi-rigid binding of claim 1, further comprising a protruding lip at an exterior rear surface of the heel.

4. A water ski semi-rigid binding system comprising: a toe receiver adapted for fixation to a top surface of a water ski; a toggleable heel release assembly adapted for fixation to the top surface of the water ski, the toggleable heel release comprising dual states of locked and released; and, a semi-rigid binding comprising: a toe defining an interior toe pocket with top and bottom exterior surfaces; a heel opposite the toe; and, rigid sidewalls opposite one another and connecting the toe to the heel, a portion of the rigid sidewalls proximate to the heel upwardly sloping to form an upper cuff; wherein a top edge of the rigid sidewalls, the toe and the heel define a top opening of the binding; wherein a bottom edge of the rigid sidewalls, the toe and the heel define a bottom opening of the binding, wherein the top opening and the bottom opening and an interior surface of the rigid sidewalls form a hollow channel through the semi-rigid binding absent a body sole between the bottom surfaces of the toe pocket and the heel pocket; and wherein the bottom edge of the rigid sidewalls each angle inwardly towards one another.

5. The water ski semi-rigid binding of claim 4, further comprising an ankle collar fixed to the upper cuff and upwardly extending beyond the top edge of the heel and rigid sidewalls.

6. The water ski semi-rigid binding of claim 4, further comprising a protruding lip at an exterior rear surface of the heel.

7. A water ski comprising: a ski with a top surface defining a flat form and a bottom surface defining a concave form; releasable semi-rigid binding system comprising: a toe receiver adapted for fixation to the top surface of the water ski; a toggleable heel release assembly adapted for fixation to the top surface of the water ski, the toggleable heel release comprising dual states of locked and released; and, a semi-rigid binding comprising: a toe defining an interior toe pocket with top and bottom exterior surfaces; a heel opposite the toe; and, rigid sidewalls opposite one another and connecting the toe to the heel, a portion of the rigid sidewalls proximate to the heel upwardly sloping to form an upper cuff; wherein a top edge of the rigid sidewalls, the toe and the heel define a top opening of the binding; wherein a bottom edge of the rigid sidewalls, the toe and the heel define a bottom opening of the binding, wherein the top opening and the bottom opening and an interior surface of the rigid sidewalls form a hollow channel through the semi-rigid binding absent a body sole between the bottom surfaces of the toe pocket and the heel pocket; and wherein the bottom edge of the rigid sidewalls each angle inwardly towards one another, wherein the toe receiver receives the toe of the binding, and wherein the toggleable heal release binds the heel of the binding to the top surface of the water ski when in a locked one of the dual states.

8. The water ski of claim 7, further comprising an ankle collar fixed to the upper cuff and upwardly extending beyond the top edge of the heel and rigid sidewalls.

9. The water ski of claim 7, further comprising a protruding lip at an exterior rear surface of the heel.

10. The water ski of claim 7, further comprising a fixed semi-rigid binding system secured to the ski in a non-releasable state rearwardly from the releasable semi-rigid binding system.

11. The water ski of claim 10, wherein the fixed semi-rigid binding system comprises: a flat plate with mounting screw holes defined therethrough and adapted to receive screws securing a bottom surface of the flat plate to the top surface of the ski; and, a rigid boot shell extending from a top surface of the flat plate and comprising: a pocketless toe stop; a heel opposite the pocketless toe stop; and, rigid sidewalls opposite one another and connecting the pocketless toe stop to the heel, a portion of the rigid sidewalls intermediate to the pocketless toe stop and heel of the rigid boot shell upwardly sloping towards one another form a middle cuff, wherein a top edge of the rigid sidewalls, the toe and the heel define a top opening of the rigid boot shell; wherein a bottom edge of the rigid sidewalls, the toe and the heel define a bottom opening of the binding, wherein the top opening and the bottom opening and an interior surface of the rigid sidewalls of the rigid boot shell form a hollow channel through the rigid boot shell absent a body sole of the rigid boot shell.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The embodiments illustrated herein are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown, wherein:

[0015] FIG. 1 is top view of a water ski adapted to include semi-rigid binding system;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the water ski of FIG. 1 along with an exploded portion illustrating the structure of the semi-rigid binding system;

[0017] FIGS. 3A and 3B, taken together, are a top view and bottom view of the semi-rigid binding system of FIG. 2;

[0018] FIGS. 4A and 4B, taken together, are top views of a releasable form of the semi-rigid binding system of FIGS. 3A and 3B; and,

[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a slalom water ski adapted to include dual semi-rigid bindings on a top surface of the ski.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Embodiments of the invention provide for semi-rigid binding system. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a semi-rigid binding system includes a toe which defines an interior toe pocket with top and bottom exterior surfaces, a heel opposite the toe which defines an interior heel pocket with top and bottom exterior surfaces and rigid sidewalls opposite to one another which connect the toe to the heel and with a portion of the rigid sidewalls being proximate to the heel upwardly sloping to form an upper cuff. A top edge of the rigid sidewalls, the toe and the heel together define a top opening of the binding and a bottom edge of the rigid sidewalls, the toe and the heel together define a bottom opening of the binding. As such, the top opening and the bottom opening and an interior surface of the rigid sidewalls form a hollow channel through the semi-rigid binding absent a body sole between the bottom surfaces of the toe pocket and the heel pocket, and the bottom edge of the rigid sidewalls each angle inwardly towards one another, so as to permit the sole of the foot of the skier to remain secured to the ski within the binding, but also to directly contact a top surface of a water ski to which the semi-rigid binding is secured.

[0021] In further illustration, FIG. 1 is top view of a water ski adapted to include semi-rigid binding system. As shown in FIG. 1, a water ski 100 has fixed thereto, a semi-rigid binding 110. The semi-rigid binding 110 can be secured directly to a top surface of the water ski 100 with fasteners, or the semi-rigid binding 110 can be releasably secured to the top surface of the water ski 100 with binding system. In yet further illustration, referring to FIG. 2, a water ski 200 has secured thereto a semi-rigid binding 210.

[0022] The semi-rigid binding 210 includes a toe 240 defining an interior toe pocket 280 with top and bottom exterior surfaces. The semi-rigid binding 210 also includes a heel 270 opposite the toe 240. Optionally, the heel 270 includes a protruding lip 290 adapted to contact a toggleable heel release (not shown). The semi-rigid binding 210 yet further includes rigid sidewalls 250A opposite one another and connecting the toe 240 to the heel 270. A portion of the rigid sidewalls 250A proximate to the heel 270 upwardly slopes to form an upper cuff 230. Optionally, an ankle collar (not shown) can be fixed to the upper cuff 230 upwardly extending beyond the top edge of the heel 270 and rigid sidewalls 250A.

[0023] A top edge of the rigid sidewalls 250A, the toe 240 and the heel 270 together define a top opening of the binding 210. As well, a bottom edge 220 of the rigid sidewalls 250A, the toe 240 and the heel 270 define a bottom opening of the binding 210. The top opening and the bottom opening and an interior surface 250B of the rigid sidewalls 250A form a hollow channel 260 through the semi-rigid binding 210 absent a body sole between the bottom surfaces of the toe 240 and the heel 270. Finally, the bottom edge 220 of the rigid sidewalls 250A each angle inwardly towards one another.

[0024] In this way, the foot of the skier when inserted into the semi-rigid binding 210 through the top opening remain secured within the semi-rigid binding 210 with the toes of the foot inserted into the interior of the toe 240 and the heel 270 inserted into the heel pocket 280B, but with the bottom of the foot directly contacting the top surface of the waterski 200 through the hollow channel 260.

[0025] In further illustration of the semi-rigid binding 210 of FIG. 2, FIGS. 3A and 3B, taken together, are a top view and bottom view of the semi-rigid binding system of FIG. 2. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a semi-rigid binding 310 includes a toe 340 defining an interior toe pocket 380 with top and bottom exterior surfaces. Optionally, the heel 370 includes a protruding lip 390 adapted to contact a toggleable heel release (not shown). The semi-rigid binding 310 yet further includes rigid sidewalls 350A opposite one another and connecting the toe 340 to the heel 370. A portion of the rigid sidewalls 350A proximate to the heel 370 upwardly slopes to form an upper cuff 330.

[0026] A top edge of the rigid sidewalls 350A, the toe 340 and the heel 370 together define a top opening of the binding 310. As well, a bottom edge 320 of the rigid sidewalls 350A, the toe 340 and the heel 370 define a bottom opening of the binding 310. The top opening and the bottom opening and an interior surface 350B of the rigid sidewalls 350A form a hollow channel 360 through the semi-rigid binding 310 absent a body sole between the bottom surfaces of the toe pocket 380A and the heel pocket 380B. Finally, the bottom edge 320 of the rigid sidewalls 350A each angle inwardly towards one another.

[0027] Of note, the semi-rigid binding 310 of FIGS. 3A and 3B can be releasably secured to the top surface of a water ski through the use of a toggleable heel release assembly adapted for fixation to the top surface of the water ski and including dual states of locked and released with respect to the semi-rigid binding 310. In more particular illustration, FIGS. 4A and 4B, taken together, are top views of a releasable form of the semi-rigid binding system of FIGS. 3A and 3B. As shown in FIG. 4A, a toe receiver 415 and a toggleable heal release 425 are fixed to a top surface of the water ski 400 with fasteners. The toe receiver 415 receives the toe 420 of the binding 410. The toggleable heal release 425 in turn contacts the protruding lip 490 of the binding 410 and binds to the top surface of the water ski 400 when in a locked one of the dual states. Optionally, as shown in FIG. 4B, binding clips 435 tighten the binding 410 about the foot of the skier when the foot of the skier is inserted into the binding 410.

[0028] In one embodiment of the invention, two different semi-rigid bindings can be secured to the top surface of a water ski in order to accommodate both feet of the skier. In more particular illustration, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a slalom water ski adapted to include dual semi-rigid bindings on a top surface of the ski. As shown in FIG. 5, a slalom water ski 500 with concave bottom surface includes both a releasable semi-rigid binding system 510A consistent with that shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, and also a fixed semi-rigid binding system 510B secured to the water ski 500 in a non-releasable state rearwardly from the releasable semi-rigid binding system 510A using a flat plate 555 extending from sidewalls of the semi-rigid binding system 510B, the flat plate 555 having mounting screw holes defined therethrough and adapted to receive screws securing a bottom surface of the flat plate 555 to the top surface of the water ski 500.

[0029] Optionally, the fixed semi-rigid binding system 510B can differ from the releasable semi-rigid binding system 510A in that the fixed semi-rigid binding system 510B includes a rigid boot shell extending from a top surface of the flat plate 555 and including a pocketless toe stop, a heel opposite the pocketless toe stop and rigid sidewalls opposite one another and connecting the pocketless toe stop to the heel, with a portion of the rigid sidewalls intermediate to the pocketless toe stop and heel of the rigid boot shell upwardly sloping towards one another form a middle cuff. Further, a top edge of the rigid sidewalls, the toe and the heel collectively define a top opening of the rigid boot shell, a bottom edge of the rigid sidewalls, the toe and the heel collectively define a bottom opening of the binding and the top opening and the bottom opening and an interior surface of the rigid sidewalls of the rigid boot shell collectively form a hollow channel through the rigid boot shell absent a body sole of the rigid boot shell.

[0030] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms a, an and the are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms include, includes, and/or including, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0031] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

[0032] Having thus described the invention of the present application in detail and by reference to embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims as follows: