Cable binding: Difference between revisions
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Cable bindings evolved from similar designs with a toe cup and leather straps in place of the heel cable. These, in turn, developed from earlier systems with only the straps, fastened directly to the ski. As the systems evolved, the foot was progressively more firmly attached to the ski, allowing greater control.<ref name=l26/> |
Cable bindings evolved from similar designs with a toe cup and leather straps in place of the heel cable. These, in turn, developed from earlier systems with only the straps, fastened directly to the ski. As the systems evolved, the foot was progressively more firmly attached to the ski, allowing greater control.<ref name=l26/> |
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The idea of using a metal strap and spring on the binding is generally accredited to Guido, Albert and Henri Reuge. They state the invention dates to 1929,<ref>[http://www.reuge.com/static-content/about-reuge/the-history-of-reuge.html "The History of Reuge"]</ref> although most other sources put the date as either 1932<ref name=l26/> or 1935.<ref>[http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=a1ARTA0007440 ''The Canadian Encyclopedia''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Alpine Skiing article] is typical of many sources, giving the date as 1935.</ref> This misunderstanding arises from the fact that the Swiss patent was issued to Guido Reuge in 1932.<ref>[http:// |
The idea of using a metal strap and spring on the binding is generally accredited to Guido, Albert and Henri Reuge. They state the invention dates to 1929,<ref>[http://www.reuge.com/static-content/about-reuge/the-history-of-reuge.html "The History of Reuge"]</ref> although most other sources put the date as either 1932<ref name=l26/> or 1935.<ref>[http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=a1ARTA0007440 ''The Canadian Encyclopedia''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Alpine Skiing article] is typical of many sources, giving the date as 1935.</ref> This misunderstanding arises from the fact that the Swiss patent was issued to Guido Reuge in 1932.<ref>[http://skiinghistory.org/history/history-swiss-ski-technology-and-instruction Luzi Hitz, "History of Swiss Ski Technology"]</ref> The tighter bindings led to new styles of skiing, especially downhill, which in turn led to demand for improved bindings with even greater control. When the first [[ski lift]]s were introduced and downhill evolved into a separate sport, the cable binding became a must-have. Cable bindings were almost universal by the late-1930s, and used famously by the US [[10th Mountain Division]] during [[World War II]].<ref name=l26/> |
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In the post-war era, the introduction of "safety bindings" replaced the toe plate with more complex auto-release systems, while retaining the heel cable to keep the boot against the toe binding. Over time, the heel cable was replaced with new clip-on binding designs, starting in the late 1950s. By the late 1960s, bear-trap bindings had largely disappeared from the alpine skiing world.<ref>Seth Masia, [http://books.google.ca/books?id=z1gEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA26 "Release! The First Safety Bindings"], ''Ski Heritage'', March 2002, pg. 26</ref> |
In the post-war era, the introduction of "safety bindings" replaced the toe plate with more complex auto-release systems, while retaining the heel cable to keep the boot against the toe binding. Over time, the heel cable was replaced with new clip-on binding designs, starting in the late 1950s. By the late 1960s, bear-trap bindings had largely disappeared from the alpine skiing world.<ref>Seth Masia, [http://books.google.ca/books?id=z1gEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA26 "Release! The First Safety Bindings"], ''Ski Heritage'', March 2002, pg. 26</ref> |
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Revision as of 16:10, 13 January 2014
Cable bindings, also known as Kandahar bindings or bear-trap bindings, were a class of ski bindings widely used through the middle of the 20th century. They were replaced in alpine skiing by heel-and-toe "safety bindings" in the mid-1960s, but remain in some use in cross-country skiing to this day.
The name "Kandahar" is a reference to the Kandahar Ski Club and the annual Kandahar ski races. The binding was invented and brand-named Kandahar in 1929 by ski racer and engineer Guido Reuge.[1] "Bear trap" is a nickname that refers to the deathlike grip of the bindings, which led to many injuries.
Description
Modern cross-country skiing uses a long sweeping stride that requires the leg to stretch far in front and behind the upper body. In order to allow this freedom of movement, the heel of the foot needs to be able to rise from the ski, pivoting at the toe.
The cable binding allows this motion by attaching firmly at the toe only, through a metal toe clip. This consists of a metal plate folded up on the sides to form a trapezoidal cup that is shaped roughly the same as the narrowing toe of a boot. A slot cut into the upper part of the metal is used to attach a strap that is fastened over the toe of the boot to keep it from rising up out of the cup. The strap is as close to the front of the boot as possible, in order to allow the foot to rotate easily.[2]
A separate cable is used to hold the boot forward to keep it from sliding rearward out of the toe clip or out from under the toe strap. The cable is normally looped over the heel of the boot where the sole extends slightly past the heel of the upper portion of the boot. Some boots have a semi-circular indentation in the rear heel to provide a stronger attachment point.
As the boot is rotated in the toe clip, the total distance from the clip to the heel changes, so the cable uses a spring to keep constant tension on the cable during this motion. Some bindings replaced the cable with a long metal spring instead, combining the two functions.
Compared to earlier similar designs, Kandahar-style bindings added two small metal clips on either side of the boot, normally near the instep or heel. For cross-country skiing the cable was left on top of the clips, allowing the heel to move freely. For downhill runs, the cable was moved under the clips, forcing the heel down onto the ski. This provided greatly improved control, allowing the skier to torque the skis for turns.
Clipping-in also presents a serious danger, locking the ski to the leg during falls. It was estimated that 10% of all skiers using these bindings were injured during any given season.[3] It was this injury rate that led to the nickname "bear trap", for the way the leg was trapped in the jaws of the binding.[4][5]
History
Cable bindings evolved from similar designs with a toe cup and leather straps in place of the heel cable. These, in turn, developed from earlier systems with only the straps, fastened directly to the ski. As the systems evolved, the foot was progressively more firmly attached to the ski, allowing greater control.[4]
The idea of using a metal strap and spring on the binding is generally accredited to Guido, Albert and Henri Reuge. They state the invention dates to 1929,[6] although most other sources put the date as either 1932[4] or 1935.[7] This misunderstanding arises from the fact that the Swiss patent was issued to Guido Reuge in 1932.[8] The tighter bindings led to new styles of skiing, especially downhill, which in turn led to demand for improved bindings with even greater control. When the first ski lifts were introduced and downhill evolved into a separate sport, the cable binding became a must-have. Cable bindings were almost universal by the late-1930s, and used famously by the US 10th Mountain Division during World War II.[4]
In the post-war era, the introduction of "safety bindings" replaced the toe plate with more complex auto-release systems, while retaining the heel cable to keep the boot against the toe binding. Over time, the heel cable was replaced with new clip-on binding designs, starting in the late 1950s. By the late 1960s, bear-trap bindings had largely disappeared from the alpine skiing world.[9]
Although the safety binding universally replaced the bear trap in the downhill skiing field, its ability to allow the heel to float or be locked down made it extremely appealing for cross-country skiers. The system, modified only slightly, continues to be used to this day.[10]
References
Notes
- ^ Roland Huntford: "Two Planks and a Passion
- ^ Lert, p. 25
- ^ Wolfgang Lert, "The Finish Line", Ski Heritage, Fall/Winter 1996/97, pg. 39
- ^ a b c d Lert, p. 26
- ^ Morton Lund, "The One and Only Stein", Ski Heritage, March 2003, p. 10
- ^ "The History of Reuge"
- ^ The Canadian Encyclopedia's Alpine Skiing article is typical of many sources, giving the date as 1935.
- ^ Luzi Hitz, "History of Swiss Ski Technology"
- ^ Seth Masia, "Release! The First Safety Bindings", Ski Heritage, March 2002, pg. 26
- ^ Voile USA offers a wide selection of Telemark Bindings
Bibliography
- Wolfgang Lert, "A Binding Revolution", Ski Heritage, March 2002, pg. 25-26