Carl F Ettlinger

US Patent:

7762572, Jul 27, 2010

Filed:

Mar 19, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/407523

Inventors:

Carl F. Ettlinger - Underhill Center VT, US
David J. Dodge - Williston VT, US

Assignee:

Vermont Safety Developments - Underhill Center VT

International Classification:

A63C 9/00
A63C 9/08
A63C 9/081

US Classification:

280617, 280618, 280616, 280613, 280629, 280DIG 13

Abstract:

An alpine ski binding system for releasably securing a ski boot to a ski. The binding system includes a secondary toe release that provides an attenuated release threshold under lateral shear loading conditions that can cause anterior cruciate ligament injuries. The secondary toe release responds to a trigger that senses the lateral shear loads applied to the inside (medial) afterbody of the ski and triggers the secondary toe release to release the boot at an attenuated release torque. Lateral shear loads applied to the ski along the leading (medial) forebody and along the entire outside (lateral side) of the ski substantially do not cause the trigger to trip.

US Patent:

7810833, Oct 12, 2010

Filed:

Feb 14, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/353827

Inventors:

Carl F. Ettlinger - Underhill Center VT, US
David J. Dodge - Williston VT, US

Assignee:

Vermont Safety Developments - Underhill Center VT

International Classification:

A63C 9/00

US Classification:

280617, 280623, 280633, 280634

Abstract:

A ski boot binding securable to an alpine ski. The binding includes a heel unit having a base heel release threshold in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the ski to which the binding is attached. The heel unit includes a compensation mechanism that dynamically changes the base heel release threshold as a function of force conditions encountered by the ski during skiing.

US Patent:

20080036180, Feb 14, 2008

Filed:

Aug 6, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/834041

Inventors:

Carl Ettlinger - Underhill Center VT, US
David Dodge - Williston VT, US

Assignee:

VERMONT SAFETY DEVELOPMENTS - Underhill Center VT

International Classification:

A63C 9/08

US Classification:

280617000, 280634000

Abstract:

An alpine ski binding system for releasably securing a ski boot to a ski. The binding system includes a secondary toe release that provides an attenuated release threshold under lateral shear loading conditions that can cause anterior cruciate ligament injuries. The secondary toe release responds to a trigger that senses the lateral shear loads applied to the inside (medial) afterbody of the ski and triggers the secondary toe release the boot at an attenuated release torque. Lateral shear loads applied to the ski along the leading (medial) forebody and along the entire outside (lateral side) of the ski substantially do not cause the trigger to trip.

US Patent:

20140260655, Sep 18, 2014

Filed:

Mar 14, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/211581

Inventors:

- Underhill Center VT, US
Carl F. Ettlinger - Underhill Center VT, US

Assignee:

Vermont Ski Safety Equipment, Inc. - Underhill Center VT

International Classification:

G01L 5/03

US Classification:

73788

Abstract:

A ski-binding testing apparatus that includes an axial-force indicator that indicates when a force applied to the testing apparatus has an axial component that is outside of an acceptable range. In one example, the apparatus includes a simulated foot, a force-transmitting structure coupled to the simulated foot, a handgrip coupled to the force-transmitting structure, and an axial-force indicator that indicates when a forced applied by a user to the handgrip exceeds a predetermined threshold. In one embodiment, the force-transmitting structure can include a torque wrench that includes a torque beam, the handgrip, and axial-force indicator. The torque wrench can be provided with a conventional work-engagement end, such as a socket-type receiver to allow the axial-force-indicating functionality to be used outside the context of a ski-binding testing apparatus.