EP0159277A1 - Device preventing skis from slipping back - Google Patents

Abstract

1. An anti-run-back device for skis, of the type which is fixed outside the zone of engagement of the sole of the boot and having at least one arm (2) arranged to occupy an inactive retracted position in which it extends laterally downwardly beneath the ski, means for retention in the inactive position and means for return to the active position, characterized in that it includes a hinged body (3) pivoted on the ski (5) about a transverse shaft (9) and two lateral arms (2) pivoted in the body (3) by their forward portions in the form of spindles (7) and about an axis (x'-x) disposed in a longitudinal plane, each of its two arms additionally having at the end of its rear portion, a penetrating tip (18) constituting a crampon, and an intermediate portion (15) which, substantially perpendicular to the spindle (7), has a lower face (15a) for engaging on the top of the ski.

Description

The invention relates to an anti-recoil device for skiing which, by immobilizing the ski with respect to the snow or the underlying ice, allows the user to move the other ski to climb a slope.

Such devices used in cross-country skiing and ski touring, avoid the use of waxing and all other accessories.

There are already known devices comprising at least one flap which, articulated with respect to the ski, is able to occupy an active position in which it forms a protruding flake from the underside of the ski and an inactive position in which it is deleted. Such devices require the provision of suitable accommodation in the ski which not only reduces the resistance of the ski but also complicates the installation of the device. In addition, such housing is easily closed by heavy snow, which disturbs the very operation of the device.

Also known, in particular by international patent application WO 80/01463, a ski braking device comprising two levers arranged on either side of the ski and articulated around a transverse axis so as to occupy an inactive position in which their useful parts are above the ski and an active position in which these levers extend obliquely towards the rear and below the ski. This device ensures braking on the descent and prevents transverse skidding on the ascent but is not able to prevent the ski from rolling back. It is to be compared with the ski braking devices intended to stop the ski when the latter escapes from the skier's shoe, devices comprising lateral braking arms retracting on the top of the ski in the inactive position. These lateral arms are constantly returned to the active position, in which they extend obliquely rearwards below the ski, by spring means countered by the support of the sole of the skier's shoe.

By virtue of their structure, these latter devices can only brake and stop the sliding movement of the only ski on which they are mounted and are therefore not able to prevent it from rolling back when this ski is linked to the skier. Indeed, under these conditions, the connection of the boot with the ski erases the braking arms which, in any case, are not designed to withstand the mechanical force generated by the temporary blocking of the skier, effort exerted in the direction of the front, therefore in the opposite direction to the effort resulting from the braking of the single ski.

The object of the present invention is to provide a very effective anti-recoil device, insensitive to variations in the condition of slippery surfaces, erasable, resistant and operating only on the request of the skier.

This device, of the type which is fixed outside the bearing area of the sole of the boot, comprises a flap articulated on the ski around a transverse axis and two lateral arms each composed, on the one hand, of a part front in the form of a pin mounted freely in rotation in the flap, about an axis disposed in a longitudinal plane, on the other hand, of an intermediate part substantially perpendicular to the pin and having a lower bearing face capable of coming onto the ski, and, in addition, a rear part, constituting a crampon and a support member on the rear while the flap is associated with means tending to bring the arms into the active position and with means independent of the skier. wedging in a position corresponding to that of erasure of these arms.

Thus, in the inactive position, the device is locked with its arms arranged above the ski and in the direction of the rear thereof. To bring it into the active position, it suffices to actuate the wedging means of the device so as to release these arms which, at first, pivot laterally on either side of the ski relative to the flap, then, in a second time, pivot at the same time as the flap so that the end of their rear part constituting a crampon comes into contact with the underlying snow or ice. In this way, when the user presses on one of the skis to advance the other ski in order to climb a slope, the anti-recoil device of the ski in support receives all the reaction of the effort of advancing the other ski and pivots relative to the ski until the intermediate parts of the lateral arms come into contact with the ski and transmit to the latter part of the resistant force which, otherwise, would risk damaging the device or its articulation mechanism.

Thanks to this arrangement, the anti-recoil device is resistant and can be successfully used to climb steep slopes. declivity.

In one embodiment of the invention, the rear part of each of the arms is in the form of a curved pallet while the intermediate part is constituted by a plate in the form of a right triangle which, integral in its angles, other than that of the right, respectively of the front journal and of said rear curved pallet, has a flat rear face capable of bearing on the ski when the arm is in the active position.

Thus, when the arms are in the active position, the flat faces of the intermediate parts increase the contact surfaces between the ski and the arms, improve the bracing of the arms on the ski and contribute to reducing the wear of the anti-recoil device. .

• Figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'une première forme d'exécution du dispositif plus particulièrement destiné à être monté sur des skis de randonnée ;
• Figure 2 est une vue en perspective éclatée montrant les différents éléments composant le dispositif ;
• Figures 3 et 4 sont des vues de côté respectivement en élévation et en coupe transversale suivant 4-4 de figure 5 montrant le dispositif en position effacée ;
• Figure 5 est une vue en bout, par l'arrière du dispositif en position effacée ;
• Figure 6 est une vue en coupe suivant 6-6 de figure 4 ;
• Figures 7 et 8 sont des vues respectivement de côté et de face en élévation au début du mouvement l'amenant en position active ;
• Figure 9 est une vue de côté en élévation le montrant lorsqu'il est en position active ;
• Figure 10 est une vue en perspective et en élévation montrant une forme d'exécution simplifiée du dispositif destinée à être utilisée sur un ski de fond ;
• Figure 11 est une vue de côté en coupe transversale montrant le dispositif de figure 10 en position de fonctionnement.

Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the description which follows with reference to the appended diagrammatic drawings representing by way of nonlimiting example, two embodiments of the anti-recoil device.

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the device more particularly intended to be mounted on touring skis;
• Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the various elements of the device;
• Figures 3 and 4 are side views respectively in elevation and in cross section along 4-4 of Figure 5 showing the device in the retracted position;
• Figure 5 is an end view, from the rear of the device in the retracted position;
• Figure 6 is a sectional view along 6-6 of Figure 4;
• Figures 7 and 8 are respectively side and front elevation views at the start of the movement bringing it into the active position;
• Figure 9 is a side elevational view showing it when in the active position;
• Figure 10 is a perspective view in elevation showing a simplified embodiment of the device intended for use on a cross-country ski;
• Figure 11 is a side view in cross section showing the device of Figure 10 in the operating position.

The device according to the invention is essentially constituted by two lateral arms (2) mounted pivoting about longitudinal axes (x'-x) in a flap, generally designated by (3), itself articulated around a transverse axis (z'-z) by relative to a fixing sole (4) linked to the sole (5) of the ski.

In the embodiment represented in FIGS. 1 to 9 and corresponding to an anti-recoil device for ski touring, the flap (3) consists of a piece in the shape of a "U", each of the wings (3a) of which is crossed by right through by a bore (6) constituting a bearing for the pin (7) of the corresponding side arm (2). These two wings (3a) are also crossed by aligned transverse bores (8) capable of receiving a transverse articulation axis (9), visible in FIG. 2. 'In the interval between the two wings (3a) is housed a tenon (10) projecting vertically from the support sole (4) and having the shape of a yoke whose wings are crossed by transverse bores (12) capable of receiving the axis (9). In the clevis of the tenon (10) is housed the bearing (13) of a second flap (14) coming above the first flap (3). It is obvious that the axis (9) ensures the connection of the second flap (14) and the first flap (3) with the lug (10), therefore with the fixing sole (4).

As shown in detail in Figures 1 and 2, the pin (7) constituting the front part of each of the lateral arms is connected by an intermediate part (15) to a rear part in the form of a curved pallet (16). More specifically, the intermediate part (15) of each of the arms (2) consists of a plate in the shape of a right triangle which is secured by its two non-right angles, respectively, to the front pin (7) and to the rear curved pallet . This plate has a flat lower face (15a) whose usefulness will be specified below. The curved pallet (16) has, on the one hand, in its part which is anterior when it is in the position of use, a convex face (16a) and, on the other hand, on its back, a concave profile ( 16b). At its end, this pallet is provided with a penetration spout (18) which is inclined on the front with respect to it and the end edge of which is provided with teeth (19).

The pins (7) are provided with means linking them in rotation to the oscillations of the second flap (14) - In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the free end of each pin (7) projecting from the front part of the first flap (3), is integral a radial lug (20), turned towards the inside of the ski and penetrating into a fork (22) projecting vertically downwards from the second flap (14) as shown in FIG. 2. The free end of each lug thus being trapped between the two stops of the corresponding fork (22), it is easily understood that any movement of the second flap (14) controls the pivoting of the lateral arms (2).

The anti-recoil device also comprises return means tending to return the arms (2) to the active position and means wedging the flap (3) in the position for erasing the arms (2). In the embodiment shown, the shutter locking means (3) consist of a locking member secured to the second shutter (14) and in particular by the notched edge (23) of a rib (24) projecting from the underside of this flap. This notched edge snaps onto an elastically erasable complementary member also constituting the unlocking member. In this embodiment, it engages with the front edge (25a) of a flexion loop (25) articulated on the sole (4). More specifically, the posterior ends of this loop, in a direction substantially parallel to its anterior edge (25a), penetrate into a housing (21) formed in the sole (4) in front of the bores (12) for the articulation of the first and second shutters. The lateral branches of the loop (25) are integral with a pallet (26) for controlling the unlocking.

When the anti-recoil device is in the erasing position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 to 6, the second flap (14) is snapped into place with the flexion loop (25) and forces the first flap (3) to occupy a position slightly inclined to the horizontal. Under these conditions, the lugs (20), for controlling the lateral arms (2), are substantially horizontal and the lateral arms (2) are arranged above the ski (5) and pivoted towards each other so that their concave faces are opposite as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 shows that, under these conditions, none of the elements of the device projects laterally from the ski (5).

To bring the device into the operating position, it suffices to exert on the unlocking pallet (26) a force in the direction of the arrow (30) of FIG. 4 so as to cause the unlocking of the second flap (14). Thus released, this flap pivots in the direction of the arrow (32) in FIG. 7, aided in this by the relaxation of a compression spring (28) resting on it and disposed in a housing (29) formed in the core of the part in the shape of "U" constituting the flap (3). Because of this pivoting, the forks (22) move vertically and communicate a pivoting movement, in the direction of the arrow (33) of Figure 8 to the pins (20), to the pins (7) and, consequently, to the curved pallets (16) which thus take the position shown in FIG. 8 ", that is to say an overflow position relative to the ski (5). Simultaneously with these movements, and under the action of the pallet (26) stressed by the flexion loop (25), the flap (3) pivots in the direction of the arrow (32) in FIG. 7 until the penetration nozzles (18) meet the ice on which the ski rests, or, failing this, up to a maximum position corresponding to the abutment of the faces (15a) of the intermediate parts (15) of the lateral arms (7) on the top of the ski (5), as shown in FIG. 9.

Whatever the mechanism of the open position, when the user advances a ski, the reaction force on the other ski Provo ^q ue pivoting of the arms (2) and the engagement of the faces (15a) with the top of the ski, which promotes the bracing of these lateral arms (2) on the ski. Thus, the significant resistant force exerted, in the direction of the arrow (50) in FIG. 2, on the lateral arms, is transmitted essentially to the ski and not to the device, which allows the device to fulfill its function, without risk of being deformed despite its appropriate dimensioning.

When the device is in the active position and performs its anti-recoil function, the concave faces (16b) of its curved arms favor the compaction of the snow and thus improve the braking of any recoil. When the device is in the active position and the ski on which it is, is moved forward, thanks to their curved shape, the pallets (16) tend more easily to tilt upwards to reduce their friction on the snow. It is moreover to reduce this friction that they also have a convex anterior face.

To return the device to the erasing position, it suffices to exert at the end of the second flap (14) a thrust in the opposite direction to the arrow (32) of FIGS. 7 and 9. In a first phase, and as long that the lower part of the rib (24) of the flap (14) is in contact with the pallet (26), this pivoting only causes that concomitant of the first flap (3). On the other hand, as soon as the rib (24) escapes inside the flexion loop (25), this pivoting causes simultaneously, by the play of the forks (22) actuating the pins (20), the folding of the arms lateral towards the top and inside the ski, in the direction of the arrows 35 in FIG. 1. At the end of the movement, the notched edge (25) of the second flap (14) engages with the unlocking pallet (26) to immobilize the device in its erasing position.

It is obvious that the two movements can be controlled remotely by the tip of the ski pole which is generally provided to any skier.

In a variant not shown, the lugs (20) and the forks (22) ensuring the transmission of movement from the second flap (14) to the lateral arms (2) are replaced by two sockets which, wedged at the ends of the pins ( 7) are connected by a flexible transverse cable able to cooperate with a single fork or other equivalent member carried by the second flap.

The anti-recoil device shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is simplified compared to that described above so as to be lightened without losing efficiency. To this end, this device comprises lateral arms (2) identical to those described in the previous embodiment but whose pins (7) are mounted free in rotation in bearings (40) projecting below a single flap (3) articulated around a transverse axis (9). This axis is carried by bearings not shown, integral with a fixing sole (4). A torsion spring (42), interposed between the sole (4) and the flap (3), constantly tends to cause the flap (3) to rise, that is to say to rotate it in the direction of the arrow. (43) of FIG. 11. The lateral arms (2) being free to rotate in the bearings (40), their pivoting around the longitudinal axes (x'-x) is ensured individually and manually. It should be noted that, when the lateral arms are brought into the erasing position above the ski, they constitute, by their free ends, wedging means in the erasing position of the device since these ends limit the tilting of the flap (3) .

As in the previous embodiment, when these lateral arms (2) are in the active position, they directly transmit the reaction force to the ski (2) thanks to their bearing faces (15a) coming into contact with the top of this ski. In this way, despite the simplicity of its mechanism, this device can be used effectively to ensure the anti-recoil function of the ski, a function which exerts significant reaction forces on this device.

Each of the devices which has just been described can be used alone on a ski, and in this case be arranged, at the rear or at the front relative to the support zone of the boot, or be used with a identical device placed on another part of the same ski. In addition, to improve the support of the device on powdery snow, at least the outer pallet receives a removable flap increasing its support surface.

Claims (9)

1. Anti-recoil device for skiing, of the type which is fixed outside the support area of the sole of the boot, characterized in that it comprises, for each ski, a flap (3) articulated on the ski (5) around a transverse axis (9) and two lateral arms (2) which, able to occupy an active position in which they extend laterally downwards below the ski, and an inactive erasing position above the ski , are each composed, on the one hand, of a front part in the form of a pin (7) mounted free in rotation in the flap (3), around an axis (x'-x) arranged in a longitudinal plane, on the other hand, an intermediate part (15), substantially perpendicular to the pin (7) and having a lower bearing face (15a) capable of coming onto the ski, and, moreover, a rear part constituting crampon and support member on the rear while the flap (3) is associated with means (25-28-42) tending to return the arms to the active position and with means (23-25a-18) independent of the skier chocking him in a position corresponding to that of erasing these arms. 2. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the rear part of the arm (2) is in the form of a curved pallet (16) while its intermediate part (15) is constituted by a plate in the shape of a right triangle which, integral in its angles, other than that of the right, respectively of the anterior journal (7) and the posterior curved pallet (16) has a flat lower face (15a), capable of bearing on the ski (5), when the arm is in active position. 3. Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2 characterized in that the pallet (16) has a convex front face (16a) and a concave rear face (16b). 4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the pallet (16) is provided, at its free end, with a penetration spout (18) inclined on the front relative to it and comprising a toothing (19). 5. Device according to claim 1 and any one of claims 2 to 4 characterized in that the return means of the flap (3) are constituted by spring means (42), while the means wedging it in the position arms (2) are formed by the free ends of these arms (2) coming to bear on the ski. 6. Device according to claim 1 and any one of claims 2 to 4 characterized in that the flap (3) is constituted by a piece in the shape of "U" in the wings (3a) of which are mounted free in rotation the pins (7) of the lateral arms (2) and between which penetrate, on the one hand, a lug (10) projecting vertically from a fixing sole (4) on the ski (5) and carrying the transverse axis (9 ), and on the other hand, a bearing (13) integral with a second flap (14), for locking and erasing the arms (2), disposed above the first flap (3) and articulated on the same axis transverse (9) than it, while each pin (7) is provided with means linking it in rotation to the oscillations of the second flap (14) and that this second flap (14) comprises a locking member (23) projecting from its face lower and able to cooperate with a complementary member (26), elastically erasable, constituting the unlocking member. 7. Device according to claim 6 characterized in that the locking member of the second flap (14) consists of the notched front edge (23) of a longitudinal rib (24) projecting from the underside of this second flap and cooperating with the front edge (25a) of a flexion loop (25) whose ends are linked to the fixing sole (5), in front of the articulation of the flaps (3-14), and whose branches sides are integral with an unlocking pallet (26). 8. Device according to any one of claims 6 and 7 characterized in that a compression spring (28) is interposed between the first (3) and the second flap (14) for, from unlocking the second flap (14) , move the two flaps aside and trigger the pivoting - on the outside of the side arms (2). 9. Device according to claim 6 characterized in that each pin (7) is integral, at its free end projecting from the flap (3) with a radial lug (20) penetrating into a fork (22) projecting below the second flap (14).

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