a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T8lplfcx_Ro/SxcPBPCCzWI/AAAAAAAAAW4/3zcWiRe6KbU/s1600-h/fig-5.JPG”img style=”margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 225px;” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T8lplfcx_Ro/SxcPBPCCzWI/AAAAAAAAAW4/3zcWiRe6KbU/s320/fig-5.JPG” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410809991198330210″ border=”0″ //aI was perusing some European patent documents today, and saw that Salomon has recently applied for a patent.br /br /The new patent from Salomon would incorporate some great ideas that have been available only on the NNN/NIS bindings up until now. The Salomon patent includes a means to adjust a binding plate fore/aft on a track, and a means to provide a wider base of support under the ball of the foot.br /br /I applaud Salomon for stepping up to the plate! The NNN/NIS bindings with their adjustability and wider base of support have been the most innovative change in skiing in the past several years. br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T8lplfcx_Ro/SxcPONLIvhI/AAAAAAAAAXI/6vRzjr79Egg/s1600-h/fig-8.JPG”img style=”margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 320px;” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T8lplfcx_Ro/SxcPONLIvhI/AAAAAAAAAXI/6vRzjr79Egg/s320/fig-8.JPG” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410810214037896722″ border=”0″ //abr /The NNN/NIS setup has now made the black strip in the middle of the ski an almost universal feature. It’s a nice thought to think that Salomon is moving in this direction, too. I can only hope that Salomon and the folks that brought us the NIS plate will get together and make a universal standard plate that would be used for ALL cross-country bindings.br /br /If you’re curious about these things, Salomon applied for the patent in March 2009, and the application document was published about 6 weeks ago (see doc EP2108413, a type A1 European Patent Application). Of special note are figures 5 amp; 8 which show the adjustable plate and wide support, both in line drawings that are of a style typical in patents but which seem sort of quaint in any other context .br /br /I know there are some folks who have said that bindings don’t need adjustability, and don’t need wider support under the foot. But I think it’s clear that Salomon is now joining the bigger group of skiers who think that it’s a good idea. This is good news for Salomon and good news for all cross-country skiers!div class=”blogger-post-footer”img width=’1′ height=’1′ src=’https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7250441303676475856-7242585037017434447?l=blog.ultratune.net’ alt=” //div
