US3088137A - Adjustable ski harness - Google Patents

Description

H. W. HEDLUND ADJUSTABLE SKI HARNESS Filed Aug. 29, 1960 May 7, 1963 INVEN TOR.

Hzzrg WJM United States Patent Oftice 3,088,137 Patented May 7, 1963 Manufacturing Company, Nokomis, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Aug. 29, 1960, Ser. No. 52,727 13 Claims. (Cl. 9-310) This invention relates to ski harnesses having an adjustable binder structure and more particularly to a ski harness having improved support-guide means for adjustably supporting the binder structure for movement between a plurality of positions to enable the binder structure to snugly engage various sizes of users feet.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application for United States Letters Patent, Serial Number 726,574, tiled April 4, 1958, entitled Adjustable Ski Harness, now United States Letters Patent No. 3,010,125.

In ski harnesses, having an adjustably movable binder structure, it has long been desirable to provide spacerguide means for supporting the 'binder structure during the movement thereof in a manner which assures the creation of a minimum of frictional drag on the binder structure during the movement thereof; which maintains proper alignment of the binder structure during the adjustable movement thereof and which is substantially open and unobstructed -so that undesired matter, such as dirt, weeds, sand etc., may not foul, hinder or hamper the movement of the binder structure.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of this invention to provide a ski harness having an adjustable movably mounted binder structure with improved spacer-guide means `for supporting the binder structure during the movement thereof relative to a support member.

It is also an object of this invention to provide improved spacer-guide means `for supporting a binder structure of a ski harness so that the binder-structure may be readily movable to a plurality of desired selected yfoot engaging positions.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved spacer-guide means 'for movably supporting a binder structure of a ski harness which, in effect, assures that a .minimum frictional drag will be created on the movable binder structure during the movement thereof relative to a support member.

A `further object of this invention is to provide improved `spacer-guide means for movably supporting a binder structure of a ski harness in a manner which maintains proper alignment of the binder `structure throughout the movement thereof between a plurality of adjustably selected desired positions.

A still further object of this invention is to provide improved spacer-guide means 4for movably supporting a binder structure of a :ski harness at locations along a support member which enables the binder structure to be disposed in spaced relationship to the support member with the space being substantially open and unobstructed and with the spacer-guide means making, in effect, minimum supporting contact with the binder structure at the locations :so that undesirable matter, such as dirt, weeds, sand, etc., may not foul, hinder or hamper the movement of the binder structure relative to the support member.

An additional object of this invention is t provide improved supporting-guide means for movably supporting a binder structure of a ski harness which is economical to manufacture, durable in use, reliable in operation and which possesses commercial success having consumer appeal.

In order to accomplish the desired objects, as stated above, it lha-s been found by actual practice that a ski harness having the embodiments as described, disclosed and claimed in my co-pending application S. N. 726,- 574, now U.S. Patent No. 3,010,125, identified above, may be provided with improved spacer-guide means which in the preferred embodiment includes a plurality of upstanding substantially cylindrical rotatably mounted roller-like devices which engage side edge portions of a movably mounted plate having a counter member secured thereto with the roller-like devices each comprising a generally upstanding substantially cylindrical roller element having a reduced portion or groove therein which receives the adjacent edge portion of the movably mounted plate. The reduced portion or groove of each roller device is intermediate a spacer portion which is ydisposed adjacent a support member for spacing the plate from the support member, i.e., either a ski or base plate, and a guide portion 'for guiding the plate during the movement thereof between a plurality lof selectable, desired positions. There is also provided suitable securing means for securing the plate in the desired position relative to the support member which a user may select.

Other objects, advantageous `and important features of the invention will be apparent from a study of the specilication following, taken with the drawing, which together describe, disclose `and illustrate certain embodiments of the invention and what is now considered and believed to be the best mode of practicing the principles thereof. Still other embodiments may be suggested to those having the benet of the teachings herein, and such other embodiments are intended to be reserved especially as they fall within the `scope and breadth of the subjoined claims.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a plan View of a fragment of a water ski on which is mounted a ski harness having spacer-guide structure lfor supporting a movably mounted vamp carrying plate;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. l looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. l looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged isometric view of one spacerguide ydevice illustrating the preferred embodiment thereof;

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational view of the spacerguide device illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged side elevational view of another embodiment of the spacer-guide device, and

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged side elevational view of still another embodiment of the spacer-guide device.

Attention is now directed to the drawing wherein there is illustrated, in FIGURES 1 3, a ski harness 10 having incorporated therein certain of the structural features which define the invention as described, disclosed and claimed in my coi-pending application Serial Number 726,574, for Adjustable Ski Harness, now U.S. Patent No. 3,010,125, identified above. For the sake of brevity, reference will be briefly made in the instant disclosure and description to that structure which may be considered as common to the inventions and if it is desired, reference may be made to application Serial Number 726,574, now U.S. Patent No. 3,010,125, identified above, for a more detailed description and disclosure of such common structure.

The ski harness 10, as illustrated in FIGURES 1 3, is shown as being mounted on a primary support member 12, such as a -water ski, only a portion of which is illustrated, and it is to be understood that the ski harness 10 may be mounted to a support member, such as another type of ski, a base plate, such as is illustrated in United States Letters Patent 2,900,648, or the like.

The ski harness 16 includes binder means or structure having a vamp member 14, of suitable material which may `be secured to the ski 12 by clamping means v16, such as clamp plates, and a heel or counter member 18, also of suitable material which may be secured to longitudinally adjustably movable mounting means 20, such as a counter plate, by clamping means 22, such as a clamp plate.

In the environment of the ski harness, as illustrated, the counter plate 20 is substantially Y-shape in plan View and includes a central generally longitudinally rearwardly extending elongated tail portion 24 and generally longitudinally forwardly extending yoke portions 26 each of which defines laterally spaced generally longitudinally extending side edge portions 28 which engage vspacer-guide means 30 in a manner to be described and disclosed in more `detail hereinafter. The central or tail portion 24 of the counter plate 20 is provided with an elongate slot 58 that extends generally longitudinally relative to the ski 12 with the tail portion 24 of the counter plate 20 being slidably supported by elongated generally longitudinally extending substantially laterally centrally disposed spacer-guide means 32, preferably in the form of a bar-like member or device, and it is to be noted that the counter plate 20 is spaced above or vertically upwardly a substantial distance from the support member 12 to define therebetween a space 34 which enables undesired material such as sand, dirt, weeds, etc., from becoming entangled with the counter plate 20 and thus hamper or hinder the desired longitudinal movement thereof relative to the support member 12.

Suitable locking and securing means 36 may be pro vided for wedging the tail portion 24 of the counter plate 20 against the spacer-guide means 32 for securing the counter member 18 in any desired adjusted position which a user may select.

The spacer-guide means 32 not only provides support for the tail portion 24 of the counter plate 20 but also denes reaction means for the locking and securing means 36 with the means 32 being positioned generally vertically below the slot 58 in the tail portion 24 of the counter plate 20 and extends substantially parallel relative there-to and is secured to the ski 12 in such position by securing means, such as screws 62 or the like. YThe tail portion 24 of the counter plate 20 is slidably supported by the means 32 for longitudinal sliding movement Itherealong during movement of the counter member 18 between the adjustable positions.

)The locking and securing means 36 may comprise wedge latch means 64 having a relatively large, substantially flat first portion or member `66, which may be of disc-type configuration, as illustrated; suitable handle means 68 extending generally radially therefrom; wedge means, such as ramps 70, disposed on opposed sides of an arcuate slot 72, and an opening 74 for a pivot post 76.

l1" he wedge means or ramps 70 extend inwardly from the peripheral edge of the disc-like portion 66 and terminate at the inner extremity of the slot 72. Further, it is to Ibe noted, -in the modification as illustrated, the wedge means or ramps 70 are substantially axially ush and merge with the periphery of the disc-like portion 66 adjacent the other end of the slot 72 and extend axially upwardly and generally radially inwardly therefrom so that the wedge means or ramps 70 are axially spaced upwardly from the disc-like portion 66 adjacent the inner extremity of the slot 72.

.The wedge latch means 64 pivots about a generally vertical axis, such as the pivot post 76, which as illustrated, may be a rivet-like element secured to the means or reaction bar-like member 32. The pivot post 76 extends upwardly through an opening in the reaction bar-like member 32, through the slot 58 in the tail portion 24 and through the opening 74 in the wedge latch means 64. Suitable head portions retain the pivot post 76 to the reaction barlike member 32 and the wedge l latch means 64 on the pivot post 76. There is further provided an upper wedge reaction means 78, such as a reaction post having a washer-like element thereon, which is located longitudinally rearwardly of the pivot post 76 and, which, if desired, may comprise a slotted head machine screw with relatively fine threads which is secured into a tapped hole in the reaction bar-like member 32 or, as illustrated, may be in the form of a rivet-like element similar to Ithe pivot post 76 and secured in a recessed portion of the reaction bar-like member 32.

The advantage of having the reaction post 78 in the form of a slotted head machine screw, as compared to a rivet-like element, is that there is the possibility that after long and extended use, wear may cause a decrease of frictional force Ibetween the Washer-like element 80 and the wedge means or ramps 70 and 4by using the slotted head machine screw adjustments may be made to compensate for such wear. The reaction post 78 extends upwardly through an opening in the reaction bar-like member 32 and through the slot 58 in the tail portion 24 of the counter plate 20. The washer-like element 80 is freely axially longitudinally movably `disposed and carried on the upper end portion of the reaction post 78 and a suitable head portion 79 retains the washer-like element 80 on the reaction post 78.

The pivot post 76 and the reaction post 78 are substantially longitudinally aligned and spaced from each other relative to the ski 12. Further, the reaction post 78 is of slightly less diameter than the Width of the arcuate slot 72 in the wedge latch means 64 and the washer-like element 80 freely rides upon and in sliding engagement with the upper surface portions of the wedge means or ramps 70.

As the wedge latch means 64 is pivoted about the pivot post 76, clockwise as seen in FIGURE 1, by the handle means 68, the arcuate slot 72 receives the reaction post 78, and the wedge means or ramps 70 bear upwardly against the Washer-like element 80 which has restricted upward movement because of the upper head portion 79 of the reaction post 78. lIhe wedge latch means 64 consequently is urged downwardly to firmly clamp the rtail portion 24 of the counter plate 20 between the disc portion 66 and the reaction bar-like member 32, note FIGURE l wherein the wedge latch means 64 is illustrated in solid lines as being in the clamping position.

By this wedge mechanism, the counter plate 20 and the counter member 18 which is carried thereby, are immovably anchored to the ski 12 in any desired posirtion, as selected by the user, relative to the vamp member 14. l

To release the locking or securing means 36, the wedge latch means 64 is pivoted counter-clockwise until the wedge means or ramps 70 relieve the clamping force ou the tail portion 24. The counter-clockwise pivotal movement of the handle means 68 to the unlocked position, as illustrated in dot-dash lines in FIGURE 1, is limited by stop means 82 preferably formed by the ends of the slot 72. Further, the Stop means 82 also facilitates in retaining the wedge latch means 64 in proper position relative to the reaction post 76.

Also, the harness device 10 affords a rugged structure that will prevent sidewise twisting or sliding of the counter member 18 which may be subject to severe jolts and jars when in use. The spacer-guide means 30, the post 76 and the reaction post 78 cooperate to provide a support and a device or arrangement which virtually eliminates any possibility of the counter plate 20 and the counter member 18 shifting laterally sidewise or transversely relative to the ski y12 with the pivot post 76 and the reaction post 78 of the means 32 engaging the counter plate 20 along the portion thereof which lis adjacent the slot 58 therein at spaced locations thereon and restrains the counter plate 20 against lateral movement relative to the ski 12 during the movement of the counter member 18 to the selected desired adjusted positions with the relatively large friction surface on the under side of the disc-like portion 66 of the wedge latch means 64 offering sufficient frictional contact with the top surface of the tail portion 24 of the counter plate 20, together with the frictional contact between the lower surface of the tail portion 24 and the upper surface of the reaction bar-like member 32 to prevent the counter member 18 and the counter plate from shifting when the wedge latch means 64 is in the clamping position.

It is to be understood that the means 32 and 36 may each take other structural configurations other than the configurations which are illustrated, disclosed, described, shown, taught or suggested as herein stated provided that the configuration thereof will enable the structure which corresponds to the means 32 to have engagement with the corresponding plate 20 at longitudinally spaced locations thereon and the means 36 effectively clamps the corresponding plate 20 in the desired adjustable position as Selected by the user and in this way, attention is called to the above identified `copending application, Serial Number 726,574, now U.S. Patent Number 3,010,125, which shows other embodiments that have been `found to be effectively operable.

Having thus described and disclosed a preferred embodiment wherein the improved spacer-guide means 30 may be effectively incorporated, attention is now directed to FIGURES 4-7 which illustrate the various embodiments of the spacer-guide means 30 which, in eachinstance, includes a generally upwardly projecting or upstanding substantially cylindrical member or device 38 having a generally axially extending bore 40 which enables the respective device 38 to be mounted to the ski 12, by securing means 42, such as screws, bolts, rivets or the like, and by providing the bore 40l with a diameter which is larger than the diameter of the securing means 42 the device 38 will have rotational movement relative to the ski 12 in the direction as illustrated by the double headed arrows in FIGURE 1.

Each of the spacer-guide devices 30 further includes axially spaced radially enlarged lower 44 and upper 46 portions which are disposed adjacent to each of the respective end portions thereof and lat least one radially reduced or recessed portion 48 disposed intermediate the enlarged portions 44-46 with the axial spacing between the enlarged end portions 114-46 being greater than the thickness T of the counter plate 20` to define a clearance of approximately .020 of an inch therebetween which is desirable to allow undesirable material `such as sand, dirt, weeds, etc., from fouling, hindering or otherwise hampering the movement of the counter plate 20. Each of the intermediate or reduced portions 48' may engage the respective adjacent side edge portion 28` of the counter plate 20 to define guide means therefor with such engagement being, in effect, along minimum `arcas of the side edge portions 28 and the devices 30. Further, each of the lower enlarged portions 44 has an axial height or thickness which is substantially equal to the height or thickness of the spacer-guide means 32 and the lower enlarged portions 44 dene axially upwardly facing radially disposed surfaces 50 which may slidably support the respective adjacent side edge portion 28 of the counter plate 20 during the longitudinal movement thereof relative to the ski 12.

Attention is now directed to FIGURES 4-5 of the drawing wherein the preferred embodiment of the spacerguide -device 30 is illustrated wherein the reduced portion 48 is substantially axially and circumferentially smooth and defines an annular surface 52 which may engage the respective side edge portion 28 of the counter plate 20 along a generally upwardly extending line.

In the embodiment as illustrated in FIGURE 6 of the drawing, the intermediate reduced portion 48 is provided with a circumferentially continuous radially outwardly projecting tapering portion 54 which, in effect, engages the respective side edge portion 28 of the counter plate 20 at a point.

If desired, the intermediate portion 48 of the spacerguide device 30 may have an annular radially outwardly facing surface I56 which may be knurled, grooved, or in other ways roughened, as illustrated in FIGURE 7, to enable a more firm engagement with the respective side portion 28 of the counter plate 20.

Further, it is to be understood that the side edge portions 28 of the counter plate 20 may also be knurled, grooved, or in other ways roughened, either in place of or together with the provision of the surface 56 on the respective spacer-guide device 30.

While the invention has been described and disclosed in terms of certain embodiments which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the invention should not be deemed to be limited by the precise embodiments herein shown, illustrated, described and disclosed and it is to be understood that other such embodiments are intended to be reserved, especially as they fall within the scope of the claims herein subjoined.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination with a water ski, a ski harness comprising a counter plate having a counter member secured thereto and supporting structure for disposing said counter plate in upwardly spaced substantially open relationship relative to the ski and for guiding said counter plate during movement thereof between a plurality of selectable desired positions, said counter plate having generally longitudinally extending laterally opposed edge portions and a generally longitudinal-ly extending elongated portion, said supporting structure comprising a plurality of separate and independent substantially cylindrical generally upstanding roller-like devices, each of said devices having a reduced portion defining a groove therein disposed intermediate spaced apart upper and lower enlarged portions, means rotatably mounting said roller-like devices to said ski in laterally spaced apart relationship relative to each other to enable each of said roller-like devices to have rolling contact with the adjacent edge portion of said counter plate, said grooves of the roller-like devices each receiving the adjacent edge portion of the counter plate with the respect-ive upper enlarged portions defining guide means for guiding the counter plate and each of said lower enlarged portions -defining spacer means for spacing the adjacent edge portion `of the counter plate from the ski during the movement thereof between the desire-d positions and a generally longitudinally extending elongated device secured to the ski in spaced relationship to and disposed laterally intermediate of the roller-like devices, said elongated device defining support means for engaging the elongated portion of the counter plate at longitudinally spaced locations thereon to restrain the counter plate `against lateral movement during the movement thereof between the desired positions.

2. The structure as set forth in claim l, wherein said grooves and the edge portions of said counter plate are substantially smooth and said rolling contact is, in effect, along a line.

3. The structure as set forth in claim l, wherein said grooves are provided 'with an outwardly tapering projection each of which engages the respective edge portions of the counter plate and said rolling contact is, in effect, at the point of said engagement between the projections and the respective edge portions of the counter plate.

4. The structure as set forth in claim l, wherein each of said roller-like devices is unitary.

5. The structure as set forth in claim l, wherein the groove of each of the roller-like devices is Iprovided with a roughened surface.

6. The structure as set forth in claim l, wherein that part of the edge portion of the counter plate which is received within the groove of the respective roller-like device is provided with a roughened surface.

7. In combination with a water ski, a -water ski harness having spaced members adapted to engage portions of a users foot, mounting means Vmovably mounting one of said members for movement relative to the other member between a plurality of adjustable desired positions, said mounting means comprising a plate having the one member secured thereto, supporting means for supporting said mounting means, said supporting means comprising spacer means interposed between the plate and the ski to dispose said plate in upwardly spaced substantially open relationship relative to the ski, said spacer means comprising a plurality of separate and independent devices, certain of said devices being disposed in laterally spaced apart relationship relative to each other with another of the devices being disposed in spaced apart relationship relative to and laterally intermediate of the said certain devices, said certain devices defining guide track means for supporting laterally opposed portions of the plate to enable the plate to be moved between the desired positions with said another device engaging the plate at spaced locations thereon to restrain the plate against lateral movement during the movement of the plate between the desired positions, and means rotatably mounting said certain devices to the ski to enable the certain devices to have rolling contact rwith the respective portions of the plate.

8. In combination with a water ski, a counter member, mounting means for said counter member comprising a counter plate having the counter member secured thereto, spacer means for disposing the counter plate in upwardly spaced substantially open relationship relative to the ski, said spacer means comprising a plurality of separate and independent devices, certain of said devices being rotatably mounted on the ski in laterally spaced apart relationship relative to each other with at least another of the devices being secured to the ski in spaced apart relationship relative to and laterally intermediate of the said certain devices, said certain devices defining guide-track means for engaging edge portions of the counter plate and said another device defining support means `for engaging a central portion of the counter plate at spaced locations thereon to restrain the counter plate against lateral movement Iwhile enabling the counter plate to be moved in a generally longitudinal direction between a plurality of adjusted positions relative to the ski, and means for securing the counter plate in a selected adjusted position.

9. In combination with a water ski, a counter member, mounting means for said counter member comprising a counter plate having the counter member secured thereto, spacer means for disposing the counter plate in upwardly spaced substantially open relationship relative to the ski, said spacer means comprising a plurality of separate and independent devices, certain of said devices being secured to the ski in laterally spaced apart relationship relative to each other with another of the devices being secured to the ski in spaced apart relationship relative to the said certain devices, said certain devices defining guide-track means -for supporting edge portions of the counter plate and said another device defining support means for engaging the counter plate at spaced locations thereon to restrain the counter plate against lateral movement and for slideably guiding and supporting the counter plate to enable the counter member to be moved between a plurality of adjusted positions relative to the ski, and means for securing the counter member in a selected adjusted position.

l0. A 'water ski harness having a foot-engaging member, mounting and support means for movably supporting said foot-engaging member -for movement between a plurality of adjustable desired positions, said mounting and support means comprising a plate having the foot-engaging member secured thereto and spacer means for interposing between the plate and a ski to space said plate upwardly therefrom in substantially open relationship thereto, said spacer means comprising a plurality of laterally spaced apart roller-like devices defining guide-track means for supporting laterally opposed portions of the plate and another device separate and independent of said roller-like devices, means for rotatably mounting the roller-like devices to a ski to enable the roller-like devices to have rolling contact with the respective portions of the plate, means for securing the another device to a ski in spaced relationship to the roller-like devices for supporting a portion of the plate, and means for engaging the plate at spaced locations thereon to restrain the plate against lateral movement during movement of the footengaging member between the adjusted positions.

11. A water ski harness having a foot-engaging member, mounting and support means for movably supporting said foot-engaging member for movement between a plurality of adjustable desired positions, said mounting and support means comprising a plate having the foot-engaging member secured thereto and spacer means for interposing between the plate and a ski to space said plate upwardly therefrom in substantially open relationship thereto, said spacer means comprising a plurality of laterally spaced lapart members defining guide-track means for supporting laterally opposed portions of the plate and another member separate and independent of said spaced members, said another member being disposed intermediate of and in spaced relationship to the spaced members for supporting a central portion of the plate, and means for engaging the plate at spaced locations thereon to restrain the plate against lateral movement during the movement of the foot-engaging member between the adjusted positions.

12. In combination with a water ski, a counter member, mounting means for said counter member comprising a counter plate having the counter member secured thereto, said counter plate having longitudinally extending side edge portions and a generally longitudinally extending elongated portion, spacer means interposed between the counter plate and the ski to dispose the counter plate in upwardly spaced substantially open relationship to the ski, said spacer means comprising a plurality of separate and independent members, certain of said members being secured to the ski in laterally spaced apart relationship relative to each other with another of the members being secured to the ski in spaced apart relationship relative to and laterally intermediate of the said certain members, said certain members defining guide-track means for supporting the side edge portions of the counter plate and said another member defining support means for engaging the longitudinally extending elongated portion of the counter plate lat longitudinally spaced locations thereon to restrain the counter plate against lateral movement and for slideably guiding and supporting the counter plate to enable the counter member to be moved in a generally longitudinal direction between a plurality of adjusted positions relative to the ski, and means for securing the counter member in a selected adjusted position.

13. A water ski harness having a foot-engaging member, mounting and support means for movably supporting said foot-engaging member for generally longitudinal movement between a plurality of adjustable desired positions, said mounting and support means comprising a plate having the foot-engaging member secured thereto and spacer means for interposing between the plate and a ski to space said plate upwardly therefrom in substantially open relationship thereto, said plate having a generally longitudinally extending elongated portion, said spacer means comprising a plurality of laterally spaced apart members defining guide-track means for supporting laterally opposed portions of the plate and an elongated longitudinally extending member separate and independent of said spaced members, said elongated member being disposed intermediate of and in spaced relationship to the spaced members for supporting the elongated portion of the plate, and means for engaging the elongated portion of the plate to restrain the plate against lateral movement LA l 9 10 during the longitudinal movement of the foot-engaging 2,740,972 Taylor Apr. 10, 1956 member between the adjusted positions. 2,862,772 Gussack Dec. 2, 1958 2,866,210 Romig Dec. 30, 1958 References Cited in the le of this patent 2,873,150 Hutzelman Feb. 10, 1959 UNITED TAT PATENT 5 S ES s FOREIGN PATENTS 2,114,929 Leell Apr. 19, 1938 2,596,202 Bolte May 13 1952 317,829 SWIZellaHd Jal. 31, 1957

Claims (1)

11. A WATER SKI HARNESS HAVING A FOOT-ENGAGING MEMBER, MOUNTING AND SUPPORT MEANS FOR MOVABLY SUPPORTING SAID FOOT-ENGAGING MEMBER OF MOVEMENT BETWEEN A PLURALITY OF ADJUSTABLE DESIRED POSITIONS, SAID MOUNTING AND SUPPORT MEANS COMPRISING A PLATE HAVING THE FOOT-ENGAGING MEMBER SECURED THERETO AND SPACER MEANS FOR INTERPOSING BETWEEN THE PLATE AND A SKI TO SPACE AND PLATE UPWARDLY THEREFROM IN SUBSTANTIALLY OPEN RELATIONSHIP THERETO, SAID SPACER MEANS COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF LATERALLY SPACED APART MEMBERS DEFINING GUIDE-TRACK MEANS FOR SUPPORTING LATERALLY OPPOSED PORTIONS OF THE PLATE AND ANOTHER MEMBER SEPARATE AND INDEPENDENT OF SAID SPACED MEMBERS, SAID ANOTHER MEMBER BEING DISPOSED INTERMEDIATE OF AND IN SPACED RELATIONSHIP TO THE SPACED MEMBERS FOR SUPPORTING A CENTRAL PORTION OF THE PLATE, AND MEANS FOR ENGAGING THE PLATE AT SPACED LOCATIONS THEREON TO RESTRAIN THE PLATE AGAINST LATERAL MOVEMENT DURING THE MOVEMENT OF THE FOOT-ENGAGING MEMBER BETWEEN THE ADJUSTED POSITIONS.

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