Cleats for cross-country skis

Abstract From the Canadian patent

In this invention, a cleat is fashioned in a cavity on the underside of a cross-country ski. The cleat is deployed when the full weight of the skier compresses a spring or a elastic material under the sole of his boot thereby exerting a downward pressure on a rod which transverses the ski and which is attached to the top of the cleat. The deployment of the cleat therefore, coincides with the thrust or kick of the skier. The deployed cleat prevents the skier from slipping backward while the skier thrusts backward and hence the skier's acceleration is increased. During the subsequent glide the weight of the skier shifts to the other ski so the spring or elastic material decompressesand exerts …