Patented use
of gravity with “return to center force”
A proof of concept animation for a patent
on Telemark ski bindings that release laterally in a
fall, then return to center with a gravity assist has been produced for Ride In Harmony TM. After a fall and the skier recovers, the foot is raised, and the binding rolls back into
place.
Called a rotational decoupler,
this development with numerous designs, can operate like a shoulder or hip
joint. To see how it works for yourself,
stand with the arm or leg draped from the shoulder or hip, turn
your foot in or out, then relax. It
straightens out.
Part of the emerging Holy
Grail of Telemark or free heel skiing, the KAM-HOLDZ TM decoupler goes one step further, rolling back into place
with the assist of gravity after recovering from a fall. This “return to center
force” allows the skier to resume skiing.
Dave Durrance,
from a legendary skiing family, and
Cary Thompson 
, founder of Ride In Harmony TM were
named co-inventors on patent #8246071 for telemark
ski bindings. Dave assembled a slidable,
interchangeable ski and Tele binding for Cary, and came up with several more ideas.
“I thought that was going to take the whole season to figure out”, said Cary, “but
it took Dave just five minutes”.
Dave is a former Olympic coach, and son of
seventeen time national champion Dick
Durrance, who developed a now famous turn he
dubbed the Dipsy Doodle. Dave has a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree
from Denver University, and paints full time now.
The patent was eventually
issued for claims related to the rotational decoupler,
and its ability to release sideways in a fall, but the original prototype got
the ball rolling.
Dave’s ski shop at the time, Durrance Sports, was named “Best Ski Shop in Aspen“, in the
4 Seasons Magazine.
Trivia:
Where was 17 time National (Snow) Ski Champion, Dick Durrance born?
GULF
COAST STATE COLLEGE
Advanced
Technology Center
Dr. Steve Dunnivant, Interim Dean of the Advanced
Technology Center, in his office with the agreement to secure the use of the
KAM - HOLDZTM animation. This is a proof of concept model that Gulf
Coast State College will use it in the promotion of programs and services
within the colleges Advanced Technology Center. It is scheduled to open in the Fall, 2013. Ride In Harmony TM will continue to develop prototypes and partnerships,
while fostering relationships on the Gulf Coast.
The Advanced Technology Center is an uber-green
100,000 square foot technology facility seeking public private partnerships.
Trivia Answer:
Dick Durrance, the Man
On The Medal, lived until age 14, in Tarpon
Springs, Florida.
© Cary
Thompson 2013 All Rights Reserved
