Cable binding
Encyclopedia
Cable bindings, also known as Kandahar bindings or bear-trap bindings, were a class of ski binding
s widely used through the first half 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, who introduced the equipment during early downhill ski meets in the 1930s. "Bear trap" is a nickname that refers to the death-like grip of the bindings, which led to many injuries.
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 cup that is shaped roughly the same as the 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.
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.
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. 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.
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.
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, although most other sources put the date as either 1932 or 1935. 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
.
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.
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.
Ski binding
A ski binding is an attachment which anchors a ski boot to the ski. There are different types of bindings for different types of skiing.-Universal designs:...
s widely used through the first half of the 20th century. They were replaced in alpine skiing
Alpine skiing
Alpine skiing is the sport of sliding down snow-covered hills on skis with fixed-heel bindings. Alpine skiing can be contrasted with skiing using free-heel bindings: Ski mountaineering and nordic skiing – such as cross-country; ski jumping; and Telemark. In competitive alpine skiing races four...
by heel-and-toe "safety bindings" in the mid-1960s, but remain in some use in cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles...
to this day.
The name "Kandahar" is a reference to the Kandahar Ski Club, who introduced the equipment during early downhill ski meets in the 1930s. "Bear trap" is a nickname that refers to the death-like 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 cup that is shaped roughly the same as the 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.
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.
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. 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.
History
- See also: History of ski bindings
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.
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, although most other sources put the date as either 1932 or 1935. 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
Ski lift
The term ski lift generally refers to any transport device that carries skiers up a hill. A ski lift may fall into one of the following three main classes:-Lift systems and networks:...
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
10th Mountain Division
The 10th Mountain Division is a light infantry division of the United States Army based at Fort Drum, New York. It is a subordinate unit of the XVIII Airborne Corps and the only division-sized element of the U.S. Army to specialize in fighting under harsh terrain and weather conditions...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
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.
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.