EP0495737B1 - Skibrake - Google Patents

Abstract

Ski brake comprising two pivoting branches on either side of the edges of the ski. According to the invention, it comprises at least one piece (10, 18, 24, 26, 30, 36, 42, 47) forming a lock, intended to act on at least one branch (8, 80), an extension (13, 15) of a branch, or a member (14) for controlling a branch in order, once the boot is removed from the assembly, the binding branch thus normally released, to hold the latter in an inactive position while the rod of the element forms a certain angle with the longitudinal axis of the ski following a pivoting parallel to the upper face of the ski. Application to fitting-out of downhill skis comprising a boot binding of which at least one part is displaceable relative to the upper face of the ski. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a ski brake.

It is traditional to equip alpine skis with a ski brake mechanism. Alpine skis are provided with safety bindings intended to make the connection between the ski and a boot of the user. The principle of a safety binding is to allow, when a dangerous constraint is exerted on the skier's leg, in particular under the action of a twisting movement, or of falling forward, to separate the boot and ski. Previously, the skier's ankle was permanently connected to the ski by a so-called safety strap, which, after heaving, loosely retained the ski vis-à-vis the skier's leg.

It turned out that these safety straps increased the times of putting on and taking off the skis, further requiring the skier to perform a precise maneuver, which is not always easy in winter conditions, and with gloves. In addition, in the case of certain falls, the fact that the ski remains retained on the leg, has a drawback because after heaving, the ski is the object of uncontrolled movements during which it can strike the skier's body, dangerously especially when the ski strikes the head of the skier.

Consequently, it has been imagined to produce ski brakes, that is to say a system associated with the ski, or with the binding, which is retracted when the skier's shoe is in the binding position on the ski, and which passes into the active position, that is to say prevents the sliding of a free ski on snow, as soon as the skier's shoe has left the binding.

To this end, a ski brake system generally comprises two branches arranged on either side of a ski, capable of pivoting between a position in which they are parallel to the plane of the base of the ski, and above the sole thereof, and a position in which they are tilted downwards, and protrude from the plane of the sole, thus constituting an obstacle to the free sliding of the ski on the snow.

The two branches of a ski brake can be integral with one another in the manner of a caliper, or these branches can be independent of each other, each associated with a spring element tending to tilt them down. In addition, this system can allow the retraction inwards, above the upper face of the ski, to avoid any discomfort when skiing, especially when taking an edge on a steep snow slope tough.

There are certain types of bindings with which the use of a traditional ski brake system is problematic. These are bindings in which the binding support element, which also carries the ski brake, is mounted to be moved laterally, for example following a pivoting movement, with respect to the longitudinal axis. ski. This is particularly the case for bindings comprising a pivoting heel piece, or bindings in which the two parts of the binding, namely toe and heel piece are mounted on a plate, itself pivoting about a central axis perpendicular to the plane of the face. superior of skiing.

In such a case, in fact, insofar as the boot is released while the binding support element is no longer aligned with respect to the ski, at least one of the two branches of the brake ski can not play freely since it is hampered by the upper face of the ski, upper face of the ski, as illustrated in document DE-A-2926822, Figures 5 and 10 in particular.

This therefore affects the proper functioning of the ski brake system, as well as the reliability thereof. The object of the invention is to provide a ski brake, intended to be mounted on an element which, equipped with at least part of the fastening members of a shoe, constituted by a stop and / or a heel piece, is movable parallel to the upper face of the ski during a shoe release movement with respect to the fastening means thereof. This ski brake is of the type comprising two pivoting branches each by a spring effect between a retracted position where it is practically parallel to the base of the ski and an active position in which it protrudes from the plane of the ski sole, each branch comprising an extension operated from the sole of the shoe to keep it in the retracted position. The object of the invention is to provide a ski brake, in which the triggering of the arms in the active position can be carried out only when they are able to pivot freely to project from the sole of the ski. This ski brake is therefore intended to equip a fixing support element, capable of a momentary lateral displacement during the heaving of the boot, but with return to the position of alignment with the ski at the end of the heaving movement.

To this end, the ski brake it relates to comprises at least one piece forming a lock, intended to act on at least one branch, an extension of a branch, or a branch control member to keep the latter in the inactive position once the shoe has been removed from the binding, therefore the branch released, as long as the axis of the element forms a certain angle with the longitudinal axis of the ski, due to a pivoting parallel to the upper face of the ski.

Under these conditions, during the movement of the fixing support element vis-à-vis the ski, the two branches, or only one branch, which is not liable to pivot freely, are maintained in the retracted position, although the shoe no longer acts to ensure their maintenance in this position. As soon as the element has returned to alignment with the ski, the branches of the ski brake can both play freely and switch to their active ski braking position, if the boot has left the ski.

According to a first embodiment of this ski brake, the piece forming a lock is mounted on the ski and comprises a wing substantially parallel to the upper plane of the ski against the lower face of which at least one branch, an extension of a branch or a branch control member is intended to come to bear when the axis of the element forms a certain angle with the longitudinal axis of the ski.

This piece forming a lock can be fixed on the upper face of the ski, or be an integral part of it, the wing against which comes to bear the end of a branch, or an extension thereof, or even an organ branch control being shaped, as well as the branches and their possible extensions, to allow free pivoting of the branches when the binding support element is aligned with the ski, and ensuring the retention of at least one of the branches when the he longitudinal axis of this element forms a certain angle with the longitudinal axis of the ski. According to the respective conformations of the piece forming a lock, and of the branches, in one piece or in two pieces, it is possible to selectively either retain one of the two branches, or to retain the two branches.

The piece forming a lock can also be mounted mobile vis-à-vis the ski, for example sliding longitudinally thereto, or pivoting, the piece forming a lock being actuated by a part forming a ramp, formed on the fixing support element, in order to be kept in the retracted position when the binding support element is aligned with the ski, and to switch to the active position for retaining at least minus one of the two branches of the brake, as soon as the fixing support element forms a certain angle with the longitudinal axis of the ski.

According to another possibility, this binding comprises two fingers oriented transversely to the ski, in the area of the branches, projecting on either side of the ski edges, above these, and of a length such that , when the binding support element is aligned with the ski, the arms can pivot freely from their retracted position to their active position, and when the binding support element forms an angle with the longitudinal axis of the ski, the one of the fingers retains the branch of the ski brake, the pivoting movement of which would be hampered by the body of the ski.

• Figure 1 est une vue très schématique de côté de la partie centrale d'un ski équipé d'une plaque pour le montage des fixations de la chaussure ;
• Figures 2 et 3 sont deux vues partielles et à échelle agrandie du frein à ski de figure 1, respectivement en coupe longitudinale et en vue de dessus partiellement en coupe, en position d'alignement de l'élément support de fixation et du ski ;
• Figures 4 et 5 en sont deux vues respectivement de côté et de dessus avec pivotement de l'élément support de fixation vis-à-vis du ski ;
• Figures 6 et 7 sont deux vues de dessus d'une variante d'exécution du dispositif de figure 2 respectivement en position d'alignement de l'élément support de fixation avec le ski et en position inclinée ;
• Figures 8 et 9 sont deux vues d'une autre variante d'exécution du dispositif de figure 2 respectivement en position d'alignement de l'élément support de fixation avec le ski et en position inclinée vis-à-vis de celui-ci ;
• Figure 10 est une vue partielle en coupe longitudinale d'une autre forme d'exécution de ce frein à ski, dans lequel la pièce formant verrou est coulissante longitudinalement au ski ;
• Figures 11 et 12 sont deux vues de dessus du dispositif de figure 10, respectivement en position d'alignement de l'élément support de fixation avec le ski, et en position inclinée vis-à-vis du ski ;
• Figure 13 est une vue similaire à figure 11 dans laquelle la pièce formant verrou est pivotante autour d'un axe parallèle au plan supérieur du ski ;
• Figure 14 est une vue de dessus du dispositif de figure 13 ;
• Figure 15 est une vue similaire à figure 10 dans laquelle la pièce formant verrou est pivotante autour d'un axe perpendiculaire au plan supérieur du ski ;
• Figure 16 est une vue de dessus de ce dispositif ;
• Figures 17 et 18 sont deux vues en coupe longitudinale correspondant à deux dispositifs constituant des variantes du dispositif de figure 2, dans lesquelles l'ailette est prévue directement dans la section du ski.
• Figures 19 et 20 sont deux vues de dessus d'un autre dispositif de retenue des branches d'un frein à ski ;
• Figure 21 est une vue en coupe longitudinale d'un dispositif similaire à celui de figure 2, monté sur une talonnière pivotant autour d'un axe perpendiculaire au plan du ski ;
• Figures 22 et 23 représentent, respectivement en vue de côté et de dessus, un dispositif constituant une variante du dispositif de figure 2 assurant la retenue des branches par action sur la pédale d'actionnement de celles-ci.

In any case, the invention will be clearly understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended schematic drawing representing, by way of nonlimiting examples, several embodiments of this ski brake:

• Figure 1 is a very schematic side view of the central part of a ski equipped with a plate for mounting the bindings of the boot;
• Figures 2 and 3 are two partial views on an enlarged scale of the ski brake of Figure 1, respectively in longitudinal section and in plan view partially in section, in the alignment position of the binding support element and the ski;
• Figures 4 and 5 are two side and top views respectively with pivoting of the fixing support element vis-à-vis the ski;
• Figures 6 and 7 are two top views of an alternative embodiment of the device of Figure 2 respectively in the alignment position of the binding support element with the ski and in the inclined position;
• Figures 8 and 9 are two views of another alternative embodiment of the device of Figure 2 respectively in the alignment position of the binding support element with the ski and in the inclined position with respect thereto;
• Figure 10 is a partial view in longitudinal section of another embodiment of this ski brake, in which the piece forming a lock is sliding longitudinally when skiing;
• Figures 11 and 12 are two top views of the device of Figure 10, respectively in the alignment position of the support member fixation with the ski, and in an inclined position with respect to the ski;
• Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 11 in which the lock piece is pivotable about an axis parallel to the upper plane of the ski;
• Figure 14 is a top view of the device of Figure 13;
• Figure 15 is a view similar to Figure 10 in which the lock piece is pivotable about an axis perpendicular to the upper plane of the ski;
• Figure 16 is a top view of this device;
• Figures 17 and 18 are two views in longitudinal section corresponding to two devices constituting variants of the device of Figure 2, in which the fin is provided directly in the ski section.
• Figures 19 and 20 are two top views of another device for retaining the branches of a ski brake;
• Figure 21 is a longitudinal sectional view of a device similar to that of Figure 2, mounted on a heel pivoting about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the ski;
• Figures 22 and 23 show, respectively in side view and from above, a device constituting a variant of the device of Figure 2 ensuring the retention of the branches by action on the actuating pedal thereof.

FIG. 1 represents the central part of a ski 2 on which is pivotally mounted around an axis 3, perpendicular to the plane of the ski, a plate 4. This plate 4 is equipped with elastic means, not shown in the drawing, intended for ensure its preferential maintenance in alignment with the ski, under normal conditions of use. On the plate 4 are mounted a stop 5 and a heel piece 6 intended to ensure the retention of a shoe 7 for the skier. With the plate 4 is associated a ski brake comprising in particular two branches 8 and 80 capable of pivoting between a retracted position shown in FIG. 1, and an active position represented in FIG. 4 in which the branch 8 protrudes from the lower plane of the skiing and is likely to brake it on snow. The two branches 8 and 80 are pivotally mounted in bearings 9, and subjected to the action of elastic elements ensuring their tilting towards the active position. The pivoting mounting of the branches 8, 80 is carried out in a known manner, and these branches are susceptible to retract so as not to protrude laterally from the two edges of the ski. These provisions being known have not been shown in the drawing.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the ski is equipped with a part 10 forming a lock, having a profile in the general shape of an S, of which a wing 12 is fixed on the upper face of the ski, and of which one other wing 11 faces rearward. In this embodiment, each branch 8, 80 is articulated in a bearing 9, and is provided with an extension 13 towards the front, the extensions 13 of the two branches, independent of each other, being associated has a pedal 14 which, when actuated by the shoe 7 of the skier, acts on the extensions of the branches to maintain the latter in the retracted position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ends 15 of the two extensions 13 of the arms are spaced from one another in a direction transverse to the ski, and the part 10 forming a lock, centered on the longitudinal axis of the ski, has a width less than the spacing between the ends of the extensions 15 of the two arms 8, as is clear from FIGS. 3 and 5. Thus, when the plate 4 is aligned with the ski, as shown in FIG. 3, the two arms 8 , 80 can play freely, that is to say pivot when the shoe no longer exerts any action on the pedal 14. During a heaving with torsion resulting in an angulation of the plate 4 relative to the ski, the longitudinal axis of the plate no longer contained in the longitudinal median plane of the ski, but forming an angle with it, the pedal 14 being released, the end 15 of an extension 13 corresponding to the branch which is above the upper side re ski, comes to bear on the underside of the wing 11. In this way, as shown in Figure 4, the branch 8 located outside of the ski being free, can pivot to the active position, while the branch 80 remains in the retracted position as long as the axis of the fixing support element has not returned to alignment with the axis of the ski.

This arrangement therefore makes it possible to carry out a delayed triggering of one of the two branches, so that the operation of the ski brake is not disturbed by the instantaneous movement of pivoting of the plate relative to the ski during the heaving movement.

Figures 6 and 7 show an alternative embodiment of the device of FIGS. 2 to 5, in which the two branches are independent of each other, and the ends 16 of their extension 13 are parallel to the longitudinal axis 17 of the plate 4, and spaced apart from one 'Other, the part 18 forming a lock being centered on the longitudinal axis of the ski, and having a width greater than the spacing between the ends 16 of the extensions of the two branches. The upper wing of the piece 18 forming a lock comprises two recesses 19 symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal median plane of the ski, and arranged at a spacing corresponding to the spacing between that of the ends 16 allowing free passage of these ends when the axis longitudinal 17 of the plate 4 is located in the longitudinal median plane of the ski as shown in FIG. 6. In this case, the two branches can pass immediately from the retracted position to the active position.

If the plate 4 pivots with respect to the ski, as shown in FIG. 7, the ends 16 of the extensions 13 of the two branches 4 engage under the wing of the part 18 forming a lock, preventing any pivoting of the two branches. It is only when the plate 4 has returned to the position of alignment with the ski that the ends 16 can pass through the recesses 19, the two branches will be released and will be able to pass from their retracted position to their active position.

Figures 8 and 9 show another variant of this device in which the same elements are designated by the same references as above. In this case, the extensions of the two branches 8, 80 are integral with one another, and their central part forms a U 22 whose core 23 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 17 of the plate. The part 24 forming a lock is centered on the longitudinal axis of the ski, and has a width greater than the width of the core of the U. This part 24 comprises in its upper wing, a central recess 25 of width at least equal to the width of the core 23 of the U. In this way, when the longitudinal axis 17 of the plate 4 is located in the longitudinal median plane of the ski, as shown in FIG. 8, the two branches 8 of the brake can play freely, the ends of their extensions being able to pass freely through the recess 25.

On the contrary, when the axis 17 of the plate 4 forms an angle with the longitudinal median plane of the ski, as shown in FIG. 9, the core 23 of the U-shaped part 22 comes to bear against the lower face of the upper wing of the part 24 forming a lock. In this way, the ski brake cannot be released until the plate 4 has returned to the realignment position on the ski.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the part 26 forming a lock is slidably mounted axially on the ski, and subjected to the action of a compression spring 27 tending to move it towards the rear, it that is to say in a position in which its wing 28 is capable of locking the end 15 of the extension of each branch. The rear edge of the lower part of the part 26 is supported on a profiled edge 29 forming a ramp which the plate 4 comprises. The ramp 29 is shaped, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, to ensure the maintenance in the front position, c that is to say in the retracted position, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, of the lock 26 when the longitudinal axis 17 of the plate 4 is in the longitudinal median plane 20 of the ski, and to allow the movement of the part 26 forming a lock under the detent action of the spring 27, as shown in FIG. 12, when the axis 17 of the plate 4 forms an angle with the axis of the ski.

In this case also, the branches 8, 80 of the brake can pivot freely when the plate is in alignment with the ski, while at least one of the branches is blocked in its movement by the wing 28 of the lock 26, when the plate makes an angle with the longitudinal median plane of the ski, and that the skier's shoe is released.

Figures 13 and 14 show an alternative embodiment of this ski brake in which the same elements are designated by the same references as above.

In this embodiment, the part 30 forming a lock is pivotally mounted about an axis 32 transverse and parallel to the plane of the ski, and subjected to the action of a torsion spring 33 holding its upper end 34, forming a spout, in the retracted position vis-à-vis the ends of the extensions of the branches 8, 80. The part 30 forming a bolt bears against the front part, forming a ramp 35, of the recess that the plate comprises. As shown in Figures 13 and 14, this ramp 35 is shaped so that, when the axis 17 of the plate 4 is contained in the longitudinal median plane 20 of the ski, the rocking latch is in the retracted position, as shown in the Figure 13, while when the plate 4 forms a certain angle with the axis of the ski, as shown in phantom in Figure 14, the ramp 35 acts on the latch 30 to cause it to tilt backwards, position in which its beak 34 ensures the retention of the ends of the extensions of the branches 8 , 80 of the ski brake.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the part 36 forming a lock is of oblong shape and mounted to pivot freely around an axis 37 perpendicular to the upper plane of the ski. The piece forming a lock is centered on the longitudinal axis of the ski, and has a width less than the spacing between the ends 15 of the extensions 13 of the branches 8, 80. The piece 36 forming a lock is in abutment against a ramp 38 formed in an edge of the plate 4, this ramp comprising control slopes shaped so that when the axis 17 of the plate 4 is located in the longitudinal median plane 20 of the ski, the latch 36 is aligned with the axis of the ski , and allows free passage of the ends 15 of the extensions of the branches 8, 80, while when the axis 17 forms an angle with the axis of the ski, the lock 36 has pivoted thus preventing, as shown in phantom in the figure 16, the pivoting of the branch 80 of the brake.

In this case also, it is only when the plate is perfectly realigned with the ski that it will be possible for the two branches of the brake to move into the active position.

Figures 17 and 18 correspond to two alternative embodiments of the device of Figure 2. In this case, the part forming the lock is not attached to the ski, but is an integral part of the structure thereof. In the embodiment shown in Figure 17, the wing 39 ensuring the retention of the ends of the branches is an integral part of the ski and protrudes from the upper plane thereof, while in the embodiment shown in Figure 18, the wing 40 for retaining the ends of the branches is formed inside the thickness of the ski.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 19 and 20, the ski is equipped with two fingers 42, oriented transversely to the ski and arranged at the two branches 8, 80 of the brake. The ends of these two fingers each protrude from one of the edges of the ski by a value such that when the fixing support element, in this case the plate 4, is aligned with the ski, that is to say when its axis 17 is located in the longitudinal median plane of the ski, each branch can pivot freely beyond the end of the corresponding finger, as shown in FIG. 19. On the contrary, when the axis 17 of the plate forms an angle with the longitudinal median plane of the ski, one of the fingers 42 forms a retaining element for the branch 8 which is located above it, as shown in FIG. 20. When the plate 4 returns to the alignment position on the ski, this branch 8 is released by the finger 42.

FIG. 21 represents an alternative embodiment in which a part 10 forming a lock, similar to the part 10 represented in FIG. 2, that is to say fixed to the body of the ski, acts on the ends of the extensions of the branches 8, 80 of a ski brake, mounted on a support element 43 pivoting about an axis 44 perpendicular to the plane of the ski, this element 43 being intended for the sole mounting of a heel piece 45 for fixing the rear of the shoe.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 in which the same elements are designated by the same references, the rear stopper is itself pivotable relative to the plate and the brake control pedal linked to the stopper, the piece forming a lock acting not on the branches of the brake or on the extensions thereof, but on the pedal 14. For this purpose, there is provided in a part 46 of the plate a groove 47 in which is intended to come s 'Engage the front end 48 of the pedal 14 when the element carrying the heel-piece forms an angle with the axis of the plate. This groove 47 is delimited by an upper wing comprising a central recess 49 which allows, when the element or plate carrying the heel piece is aligned with the ski and with the plate, to allow the pedal to pass freely, as shown in solid lines on the Figure 23. This same Figure 23 shows, in phantom, a Position in which the plate 46 forms an angle with the ski and in which the heel has pivoted relative to the plate in an opposite direction, so that the end front 48 of the pedal 14 is in the retaining position inside the groove 47. When the plate 46 and the heel piece return to the position of alignment with the ski, the ski brake can be released, the pedal 14 n 'being more retained by the groove 47 since it can pass through the recess 49 that this groove has.

As is apparent from the above, the invention brings a great improvement to the existing technique, by providing a ski brake mounted on a movable element relative to the upper plane of the ski, and the triggering of which is controlled so that the branches of the brake can only be released if they do not encounter any obstacle constituted by the ski or a part associated with it.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the sole embodiments of this device described above by way of examples; on the contrary, it embraces all the variant embodiments.

Claims (14)

1. Assembly consisting of a ski brake and a safety binding for a boot, for an Alpine ski, the brake being designed to be mounted on an element (4, 43, 46) which, equipped with at least some of the members (5, 6, 45) for fixing the boot (7), consisting of a stop and/or heel unit, can be moved parallel to the top face of the ski (2) in the course of a movement for removing the boot, opposite the means for fixing the latter, and comprising two arms (8, 80), each pivoting by spring effect between a retracted position, in which it is substantially parallel to the ski (2), and an active position, in which the ends project beyond the plane of the bottom of the ski, each arm having an extension (13, 15) actuated from the sole of the boot so as to hold it in the retracted position, characterised in that it has at least one piece (10, 18, 24, 26, 30, 36, 42, 47) forming a lock, designed to act on at least one arm (8, 80), an extension (13, 15) of an arm, or a member (14) for controlling an arm, in order, once the boot has been extracted from the assembly, the arm therefore normally being released, to hold the latter in its inactive position, as long as the axis of the element forms a certain angle with the longitudinal axis of the ski, by pivoting parallel to the top face of the ski.
2. Assembly according to Claim 1, characterised in that the piece (10, 18, 24, 26, 30, 36) forming a lock is mounted on the ski and includes a flange (11, 28, 34) which is substantially parallel to the plane of the ski and against the bottom face of which at least one arm (8), an extension (13, 15) of an arm or a member (14) for controlling an arm is designed to come to bear when the axis of the element forms a certain angle with the longitudinal axis of the ski.
3. Assembly according to Claim 2, characterised in that the piece (10) forming a lock is fixed to the ski.
4. Assembly according to Claim 2, characterised in that the piece (39, 40) forming a lock forms an integral part of the structure of the ski.
5. Assembly according to Claim 4, characterised in that the wing (39), against the bottom face of which at least one arm, an extension of an arm or a member for controlling an arm is designed to bear, is disposed above the plane of the top face of the ski.
6. Assembly according to Claim 4, characterised in that the flange (40), against the bottom face of which at least one arm, an extension of an arm or a member for controlling an arm is designed to bear, is disposed within the thickness of the ski.
7. Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the two arms (8, 80) are independent of each other, the ends (15) of their extensions (13) are spaced apart from each other in a direction transverse to the ski, the piece (10) forming a lock being centred on the longitudinal axis of the ski, and having a width which is less than the distance between the ends of the extensions of the two arms.
8. Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the two arms (8, 80) are independent of each other, the ends (16) of their extensions (13) are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the binding support element, and spaced apart from each other, the piece (18) forming a lock being centred on the longitudinal axis of the ski, having a width greater than the distance between the ends of the extensions of the arms, and having two recesses (19) which are symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal mid-plane of the ski, separated by a distance corresponding to the distance between these two ends (16), and allowing them to pass freely, when the longitudinal axis of the element (4) is situated in the longitudinal mid-plane of the ski.
9. Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the extensions of the two arms are integral with each other, and in that their central part forms a U shape (22), the cross-piece (23) of which is perpendicular to the axis of the binding support element (4), the piece (24) forming a lock being centred on the longitudinal axis of the ski, having a width which is greater than the width of the cross-piece of the U and having a central recess (25) with a width at least equal to the width of the cross-piece of the U, in order to allow free play of the arms (8), when the longitudinal axis of the element (4) is situated in the longitudinal mid-plane of the ski.
10. Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, in which the actuation of the arms towards the retracted position is achieved by means of a pedal (14) which can be actuated by means of the sole of the boot (7), characterised in that the front part (48) of the pedal (14) is shaped so as to come to bear against the bottom face of the flange of the piece (47) forming a lock when the axis of the binding support element (4) forms a certain angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the ski, the piece forming a lock having a central recess (49) with a width at least equal to that of the front edge of the pedal (14), allowing the latter to pass freely when the longitudinal axis of the element (4) is situated in the longitudinal mid-plane of the ski.
11. Assembly according to Claim 2, characterised in that the piece (26) forming a lock is mounted so as to slide axially on the ski and so as to be subject to the action of a spring (27) tending to move it towards its position for locking the extensions of the arms (8), an edge of this piece forming a lock, situated on the side opposite the spring (27), bearing on a profiled edge (29), forming a slope which is part of the binding support element (4), this slope being shaped so as to hold the piece (26) forming a lock in the retracted position, when the axis (17) of the element (4) is situated in the longitudinal mid-plane (20) of the ski, and to allow the piece (26) to move, under the action of the spring (27), when the axis of the element (4) forms a certain angle with the axis of the ski.
12. Assembly according to Claim 2, characterised in that the piece (30) forming a lock is mounted so as to pivot about a pin (32) which is transverse and parallel to the plane of the ski, the piece being subject, on the one hand, to the action of a spring (33) tending to hold it in the retracted position and, on the other hand, to the action of a slope (35) which is part of the binding support element (4), tending to cause it to tilt towards the position for locking at least one arm, when the axis (17) of the element (4) forms a certain angle with the longitudinal axis of the ski.
13. Assembly according to Claim 2, characterised in that the piece (36) forming a lock is oblong in shape, mounted so as to pivot about a pin (37) which is perpendicular to the top plane of the ski, and is designed to cooperate with a slope (38) defined by an edge of the binding support element (4), the respective shapes of the piece (36) forming a lock and of the slope (38) being such that, when the axis (17) of the element is situated in the longitudinal mid-plane (20) of the ski, the piece forming a lock is oriented in this same plane and allows the ends of the extensions of the arms (8) which are disposed on each side of it to pass freely, whilst, when the axis of the element forms a certain angle with the longitudinal axis of the ski, the piece (36) forming a lock is pivoted correspondingly and retains the end of the extension of one of the arms (8).
14. Assembly according to Claim 1, characterised in that it includes two fingers (42) which, oriented transversely to the ski and disposed at the level of the two arms (8, 80), each projecting beyond one of the edges of the ski (2) by an amount such that, when the axis of the binding support element is situated in the longitudinal mid-plane (20) of the ski, each arm (8) can pivot freely, beyond the end of the corresponding finger (42), whilst, when the axis of the element forms a certain angle with the longitudinal axis of the ski, one of the fingers (42) forms a stop for the arm (8) which is located above it.

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