Heel unit for alpine touring binding

摘要

An alpine touring heel unit is provided which comprises a base for mounting the heel unit and an upper portion with a heel connector. The upper portion is slidably engageable with the base for movement by a user into a downhill position and a touring position spaced rearwardly from the downhill position for disconnection of the heel connector. Complete movement in at least one direction between the downhill and touring positions may be actuated by a single motion by the user. Also provided is a heel unit movable between downhill and touring positions which comprises a heel support pivotally coupled to the heel unit. Also provided is a heel unit comprising a post and a body with a heel connector, the body being coaxially mounted on the post and rotatable between opposing lateral release positions and further containing a biasing device mounted outside of the body. Also provided are kits comprising a heel unit of this invention and a toe unit which functions independently from the heel unit.

主权项

1. An apparatus for selectively holding a footwear heel to a snow travel aid, the apparatus comprising:
a base mountable to the snow travel aid; and an upper portion having a connector for connecting the apparatus to the heel;wherein the upper portion is slidably engageable with the base for controllable movement by a user of the upper portion relative to the base into:
(i) a downhill position whereby the connector would be connected to the heel, and (ii) a touring position spaced rearwardly from the downhill position whereby the connector would be disconnected from the heel;wherein the apparatus further comprises a brake moveable between a braking position whereby the brake is positioned to contact snow and a raised position whereby the brake would be positioned above the snow and a brake holder moveable in response to movement of the upper portion between the downhill and touring positions, the brake holder for holding the brake in the raised position when the upper portion is in the touring position; and wherein single motions of a lever in opposite directions result in complete movement in opposite directions between the downhill and touring positions.