EP0025786B1 - Retractable ski brake - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/FR80/00040 Sec. 371 Date Nov. 27, 1980 Sec. 102(e) Date Nov. 24, 1980 PCT Filed Mar. 20, 1980 PCT Pub. No. WO80/01988 PCT Pub. Date Oct. 2, 1980.A retractable ski brake includes a pair of pivoted brake arms disposed symmetrically on either side of the ski and freely journaled on the ski top surface in bearings, the operative ends of the brake arms being adapted to be raised and retracted inwards of the ski so as not to protrude from the side edges thereof when inoperative. The opposite ends of these arms are interconnected by hinge means through a flexible, suitably shaped portion of the same metal wire constituting the brake arms. A strap fastened to clamps rotating about these opposite ends forms a control pedal, and the hinge means is anchored to one end of resilient return means normally urging the brake arms to their operative position and the control pedal to its raised position, these positions being obtained when the ski boot is lifted off the ski.

Description

The present invention relates to a ski brake whose brake pads are retracted in the retracted position so as not to overflow on the sides of the ski.

The most common ski brakes are constituted by two pivoting braking arms arranged on either side of the ski and mounted articulated on the latter, around a transverse axis. At one of their ends, these two arms are joined by a cross member serving as an operating pedal, while a return spring constantly tends to rotate these arms in their position for which the opposite ends thereof are found. lowered with respect to the underside of the ski, so as to penetrate into the snow. Ski brakes of this kind are generally made of metal wire and the transverse pivot axis can then be constituted by two elbows formed in one and the other of the two pivoting arms.

When the boot is in place on the ski, it presses on the operating pedal, which keeps the active part of the braking arms in the raised retracting position. However, the active part of these arms then protrudes from the side edges of the ski, which in certain circumstances can be a drawback.

This is why certain ski brakes are designed so that the active parts of their pivoting arms are brought close to one another above the ski when they are in the raised retracting position. Different systems have been provided to obtain the retraction of the pivoting arms in this position.

Thus, in patent FR-A-2 272 695, the retraction of the braking arms is obtained by tensioning the metal wire constituting them and this by means of a stretching device constituted by a kind of toggle intended to be flattened by the pressure of the shoe. However, the operation of such a system is uncertain, because it is necessary to exert a high force to deform the wire constituting the braking arms. Indeed, this wire must also be rigid enough to allow effective braking and to prevent the braking arms from being able to deform under the effect of simple shocks.

In patent FR-A-2 308 389, the retraction of the braking arms in the raised position is obtained by pressure on a deformable or articulated quadrilateral plate, placed under the location of the shoe so as to be flattened by it during of its implementation. The arrangement is such that the flattening of this plate or of this articulated quadrilateral then brings the two braking arms together, after they have been raised to the retracted position.

However, if the control plate is a curved blade, this exerts a high pressure under the shoe. However, this is likely to disrupt the conditions for releasing the boot when the retaining binding is released on the ski. Furthermore, if the control plate consists of an articulated quadrilateral, the system provided is particularly complicated and expensive. In addition, it is unreliable especially since its operation is sensitive to frost.

In patent FR-A-2 330 419, the retraction of the braking arms is obtained by the action of one or more ramps which can be carried by an auxiliary pedal. But, here again, the solutions provided are not satisfactory. Indeed, the retraction of the arms being obtained by deformation of the wire which constitutes them, it is necessary to exert a very high force for this purpose. In addition, this system also creates parasitic stresses disrupting the conditions of release of the shoe in the event of triggering of the binding.

On the other hand, to avoid too much space, it is necessary to limit the height of the control ramps, which consequently limits the extent of retraction of the braking arms.

According to yet another solution, the retraction of a braking arm can be obtained by pivoting the latter in a bearing whose axis, located in a plane transverse to the ski, is inclined relative to the upper face of the latter. ci (FIG. 11 of patent FR-A-2 228 506). The advantage of such a system is that it is extremely simple. But on the other hand, it has the drawback that the slightest deformation of the braking arm can cause it to rub and possibly block on the edge of the ski, since the retraction of the arm is carried out at the same time as its lifting. Another disadvantage lies in the fact that to obtain a sufficiently large retraction, it is necessary that the articulation bearing is situated relatively high, which is unacceptable if the brake is placed under the shoe.

Consequently, the various systems proposed so far for retracting the braking arms all have significant drawbacks. This is the reason why the present invention aims to produce a ski brake in which the retraction of the braking arms is obtained by means of a simple, reliable and inexpensive system, this system being moreover easy to maneuver. and exerting a negligible parasitic thrust under the shoe.

This ski brake is essentially characterized in that the two ends of the pivoting arms, opposite their active part, being connected directly to each other by an articulation or a flexible connection zone, the control pedal is articulated on the parts of these arms located between this connection point and their pivot axis and this, around two axes inclined in opposite directions relative to a line transverse to the ski, so that after the lifting of the active parts of the braking arms, under the effect of the pressure of a ski boot on their opposite ends, the folding of the operating pedal against the ski brings the active parts of the braking arms closer together above the ski.

The arrangement provided makes it possible to obtain the variation in spacing of the active parts of the braking arms, and consequently, their retraction in the retracted position, under the effect of the relative pivoting of the control pedal relative to these arms. . Thus, when these arms are retracted and the pedal is applied against the ski, the active parts of these arms are held back relative to the sides of the ski. On the other hand, the raising of the pedal, when the boot leaves, automatically controls a sufficient spacing of the active parts of these arms so that they can pass freely on either side of the ski.

• La figure 1 est une vue en plan de dessus d'une première forme de réalisation du frein à ski selon l'invention, celui-ci étant représenté en position active de freinage;
• Les figures 2 et 3 sont des vues en coupe et en élévation, respectivement suivant les lignes II-II et III-III de la figure 1;
• Les figures 4 et 5 sont des vues similaires à la figure 1, mais qui représentent ce même frein respectivement en position intermédiaire de simple relèvement de ses bras de freinage et en position d'escamotage complet de ceux-ci;
• La figure 6 est une vue en plan de dessus d'une seconde forme de réalisation du frein selon l'invention, celui-ci étant représenté en position active de freinage;
• Les figures 7 et 8 sont des vues en coupe et en élévation respectivement suivant les lignes VII-VII et VIII-VIII de la figure 6;
• Les figures 9 et 10 sont des vues similaires à la figure 6, mais qui représentent ce même frein respectivement en position intermédiaire de simple relèvement de ses bras de freinage et en position d'escamotage complet de ceux-ci;
• La figure 11 est une vue d'un détail représenté en coupe selon la ligne XI-XI de la figure 9;
• La figure 12 est une vue de même détail représenté en élévation de côté.

Moreover, the details of the operation of the brake according to the invention will appear during the following description. This is given with reference to the accompanying drawings for information only, and in which:

• Figure 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of the ski brake according to the invention, the latter being shown in the active braking position;
• Figures 2 and 3 are sectional views in elevation, respectively along lines II-II and III-III of Figure 1;
• Figures 4 and 5 are views similar to Figure 1, but which represent the same brake respectively in the intermediate position of simple raising of its brake arms and in the fully retracted position thereof;
• Figure 6 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the brake according to the invention, the latter being shown in the active braking position;
• Figures 7 and 8 are sectional views in elevation respectively along lines VII-VII and VIII-VIII of Figure 6;
• Figures 9 and 10 are views similar to Figure 6, but which represent the same brake respectively in the intermediate position of simple raising of its brake arms and in the fully retracted position thereof;
• Figure 11 is a view of a detail shown in section along the line XI-XI of Figure 9;
• Figure 12 is a view of the same detail shown in side elevation.

The ski brake shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 comprises two pivoting arms 1a made of rigid metal wire, which are intended to be arranged on one and the other sides of the corresponding ski S. These arms are mounted articulated in two bearings 2a , carried by a mounting plate 3a, intended to be fixed on the top of the ski in a position such that the axis xx 'of these two bearings extends transversely to the axis thereof.

The two pivoting arms 1a are symmetrical and the pivot axis of each of them consists of a bent part 4a, engaged inside the corresponding bearing 2a. In this regard, it should be noted that the latter are arranged so that the axes 4a have a certain freedom of movement within these bearings.

The pivot axis 4a of each arm somehow delimits thereon two distinct parts, namely an active part 5a intended to penetrate into the snow in the working position and an operating part 6a intended to be actuated by the shoe. corresponding during the installation thereof. Due to their possibility of pivoting, the two arms 1a can occupy two different extreme positions, namely a waiting position in which the active parts 5a of these are retracted over the ski and a working position in which these same parts protrude below the lower surface of the ski (see FIG. 1). Preferably, the ends of the active parts of the braking arms carry pads 7a intended to penetrate into the snow to increase the effectiveness of the braking.

The ends 1a of these arms, which are opposite to these brake pads, are connected directly to each other by means of a hinge pin 14 in the manner of the two arms of a compass. However, the movements of approximation and spacing of these two branches are controlled by a control pedal mounted articulated on the operating parts 6a of the pivoting arms, which are located between their common axis of articulation 14 and the pivot axes 4a .

In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, this pedal is constituted by a stirrup 8a made of metal wire, the ends of which are fixed on sleeves 15 mounted to rotate around the corresponding ends 11 has pivoting arms. In this regard, it should be noted that these ends, which thus form the axes of articulation of the control pedal 8a, are inclined in the opposite direction relative to a line transverse to the ski. Thus, in the position of simple raising of the braking arms, before retracting their shoe (see FIG. 4), the axes of the ends 11a form an angle f3 with respect to a transverse line crossing these, these two axes forming between to a V, the top of which is turned on the same side as the brake pads 7a. Finally, an elastic return system 12a is provided, which tends both to return the pivoting arms 1a to their working position shown in FIG. 1 and to keep the pedal 8a in its lifting position illustrated in the same figure. This elastic return system comprises a spring 16 housed inside a cylinder, one end of which is articulated on a support 17 fixed on the mounting plate 3a, the opposite end of this cylinder being traversed by a sliding rod 18 which is attached to the axis 14 by means of a flange 19. However, at its opposite end, this sliding rod carries a piston 20 which is supported on the corresponding end of the spring 16.

The advantage of the elastic system thus formed is that it works in both directions, so that it can act as a double-acting shock absorber capable of absorbing shocks directed either forwards or backwards when the pedal is in the working position.

• Lors de la mise en place de la chaussure, la pression exercée par celle-ci sur la pédale de commande 8a et sur les extrémités supérieures 11 a des bras de freinage tend tout d'abord à faire pivoter ces derniers dans le sens de la flèche F1 jusque dans la position de simple relèvement représentée à la figure 4. Cependant, quand la chaussure vient s'appliquer sur le ski, la pression exercée par elle fait ensuite pivoter la pédale de commande 8a dans le sens inverse pour l'appliquer également contre le ski.
• Lors de son rabattement, la pédale 8a s'articule sur les parties correspondantes 6a des bras de freinage et ce, autour des axes formés par les extrémités 1 1 a de ces bras. Cependant, comme ces extrémités sont inclinées en sens inverse par rapport à une ligne transversale au ski, le pivotement de la pédale provoque une articulation des bras 1 a en sens inverse selon les flèches F3 autour de leur axe de jonction 14 et ce, à la façon des deux branches d'un compas.

The operation of this brake is as follows:

• During the fitting of the boot, the pressure exerted by the latter on the control pedal 8a and on the upper ends 11a of the braking arms tends first of all to pivot the latter in the direction of the arrow F1 up to the simple lifting position shown in FIG. 4. However, when the boot is applied to the ski, the pressure exerted by it then makes the control pedal 8a pivot in the opposite direction to apply it also against ski.
• During its folding, the pedal 8a is articulated on the corresponding parts 6a of the braking arms and this, around the axes formed by the ends 1 1a of these arms. However, as these ends are inclined in the opposite direction relative to a line transverse to the ski, the pivoting of the pedal causes an articulation of the arms 1a in the opposite direction according to the arrows F3 around their junction axis 14 and this, at the way of the two branches of a compass.

The two brake pads 7a are thus brought together above the ski and finally, when the pedal 8a has reached its fully folded position, the brake pads 7a of the two pivoting arms are located for their part, close together above the ski, as shown in FIG. 5. This therefore eliminates any overflow of the braking arms relative to the side edges of the ski.

Figures 6 to 12 show a second embodiment of the ski brake according to the invention. In these figures, the elements corresponding to certain elements of the first embodiment are indicated by the same reference numbers assigned to the index "b" instead of the index "a".

As in this previous embodiment, the pivot axes 4b of the braking arms 1b are mounted with a certain clearance inside the two bearings 2b carried by the mounting plate 3b. Furthermore, the ends 11b of these arms, which are opposite to the brake pads 7b, are also connected to each other by means of a hinge pin 14b in the manner of the two branches d 'a compass.

As for the control pedal, it is constituted by a caliper 8b made of metal wire, the ends of which are articulated inside of flanges 21, attached to the ends 11b of the braking arms. In this regard, it should be noted that the ends 22 of the stirrup constituting the control pedal 8b are bent and are rotatably mounted on themselves inside bores made in the corresponding flanges 21, these bores having a proper tilt.

The two articulation axes thus formed are inclined in opposite directions and form between them a V in a plane transverse to the ski.

The elastic return device provided in the present embodiment comprises a spring 12b housed inside a cylindrical housing 23 carried by the mounting base 3b. Against one of the ends of this spring is disposed a sliding pin 24 on which is coupled a traction stirrup 25 whose opposite end is attached to the hinge pin 14b of the two braking arms. Thus, this spring tends to return the latter to their working position and to return the control pedal 8b to its lifting position.

However, the operation of this brake is the same as in the previous case. Indeed, during the fitting of the boot, the pressure exerted by the latter on the control pedal 8b and on the upper ends 11bb of the two braking arms firstly causes the latter to pivot according to the arrow F1 to their position of simple raising, then this pressure causes the control pedal 8b to tilt in the opposite direction to apply it against the ski. However, this last movement has the effect of bringing the two arms 1b closer together by pivoting, according to the arrows F3 around their common axis of articulation 14b. When the control pedal is fully folded back against the ski, the brake pads 7b are brought close to each other above the ski in the position illustrated in FIG. 10, which therefore avoids any overflow relative to the sides of the latter.

Thus, in either of the two embodiments described above, the two braking arms are articulated relative to each other in the manner of the two arms of a compass and their bringing together is controlled by the folding of the control pedal which is articulated for this purpose on these arms according to two axes inclined in opposite direction with respect to a transverse line to the ski.

However, the common axis of articulation of the two braking arms could be replaced by a simple connection zone between the corresponding ends of these arms, this zone being suitably arranged to be flexible and elastic.

Furthermore, the articulation locations of the ends of the caliper constituting the control pedal 8a or 8b may very well not be located in the immediate vicinity of the upper ends of the braking arms. Indeed, it is sufficient that the articulation locations of the control pedal are placed on the operating parts of the braking arms which are located beyond the pivot axis 4a or 4b. Moreover, the articulation locations of the control pedal could possibly be placed in the immediate vicinity of the bearings 2a or 2b.

As for the elastic return device, it may be of a type other than that described above. Furthermore, one of the return devices described for a specific embodiment, may very well be transposed to another embodiment. It is also possible to provide two separate elastic return systems, one for pivoting the brake arms around their pivot axis, and the other for rotating the control pedal on its articulation axes.

Preferably, the ski brake according to the invention is intended to be mounted on a ski between the front and rear elements of the binding for retaining a boot. Certain parts of this brake, notably its control pedal, can be fitted with anti-friction elements made of polytetrafluoroethylene intended to facilitate the sliding of the shoe when it is released. However, the brake according to the invention could also be integrated into the shoe retaining attachment.

Claims (3)

1. Ski brake comprising two pivotal arms (1) which are intended to be placed symmetrically on the sides of the ski (S) and one arm extremity constituting the active portion (5) carries a braking shoe (7) and is capable of displacement between a lowered braking position and a raised position of withdrawal, these arms being also provided with elbowed portions (4) passed through bearings (2) which are disposed on the surface of the ski (S) and in which they are capable of pivoting about a transverse axis (X-X') with respect to the aki with a certain freedom of angular displacement in the plane of the ski and of displacement in the transverse direction whilst the other extremities (11) of the arms (1) opposite to the active portions (5) and disposed above the ski are connected together by means of an articulation (14) or a flexible coupling zone carry an operating pedal (8) and are subjected to the action of an elastic restoring member (12) which tends to cause the arms (1) to pivot to their active braking position, characterized in that the pedal (8) is pivotally attached, by means of the pedal edge remote from the active portions (5), to each of the extremities (11) about axes which are inclined with respect to the transverse direction in such a manner as to form with each other an obtuse angle whose vertex located in the vertical longitudinal plane of symmetry of the ski (S) is directed towards this latter and/or towards the braking extremities (5) when the pedal (8) is in a flat position against the ski, the pedal (8) being pivotally displaced in the direction opposite to the arms (1) during withdrawal of the assembly on the ski.

2. Ski brake in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the operating pedal (8a) is carried by two sleeves (15) which are rotatably mounted on two portions of those extremities (11a) of the arms (1a) which are remote from the active portions (5a); these extremities (11 a) form a V, the vertex of which is directed towards the braking extremities (7a) and carries the articulation (14).

3. Ski brake in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the operating pedal consists of a stirrup-piece (8b), the ends of which are rotatably mounted in shackles (21) carried by those extremities (11 b) of the arms (1 b) which are remote from the active portions (5) and form a V, the vertex of which is directed towards the ski (S) when the stirrup-piece (8b) is in a flat position on this latter.

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