EP0505463B1 - Safety binding for skis - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/FR90/00908 Sec. 371 Date Jun. 5, 1992 Sec. 102(e) Date Jun. 5, 1992 PCT Filed Dec. 13, 1990 PCT Pub. No. WO91/08806 PCT Pub. Date Jun. 27, 1991.Alpine ski binding designed to hold the rear end of a boot in place on a ski. The binding comprises a body (3) connected to the ski, a device (2) for position-retention of the rear end of the boot, which is carried by the body, and a support plate for the boot (9), on which the rear end of the sole rests. The support plate is mobile in the median longitudinal and vertical plane, and a layer (15) of an elastically-compressible material is interposed between the support plate and the upper surface of the ski. In particular, the plate is interposed around an axis (25) carried by the stirrup piece which holds the rear part of the slide-rail (4) in position on the ski.

Description

The invention relates to an alpine ski binding which is intended to retain the rear end of a boot on a ski.

Many rear attachments of this type are currently known. They generally include a slide which is mounted on the ski, a body which can slide along the slide, a shoe retaining jaw which is carried by the body. The bindings also include a support plate on which the rear end of the shoe sole rests.

Usually, a brake is associated with the rear binding to stop the running of the ski after the release of the boot. This brake generally includes movable brake arms or spades, and an actuation pedal.

For certain known bindings, the shoe support plate is constituted by the brake actuation pedal.

In the devices currently known in the presence of the boot, the support plate rests directly against the upper surface of the ski, so that the boot sole is in direct support on the ski, that is to say without any damping. .

Therefore, the shocks and vibrations to which the ski is subjected, are transmitted to the boot, and are perceived by the skier.

Also known from French patent application published under number FR 2 364 673 is a ski brake associated with a fastening element. The brake has a retainer or support plate which is connected to the body of the binding. Articulated arms forming the braking arms are carried by this retainer, and are extended upwards by a foot pedal. This pedal has an elastic protruding portion on the front which prevents the footwear pedal from catching on the sole of the shoe when the shoe is engaged in the bindings.

As in the previous case, the shoe sole bears directly against the ski, by means of the support plate. Indeed, the elastic projecting part facilitates the boot, but it no longer plays any role during the practice of skiing.

The tremors and vibrations are transmitted directly from the ski to the boot, and vice versa, from the boot to the ski.

To improve the comfort of the skier, there is known, in particular from French Patent No. 2,602,979, a binding which is mounted on a ski by means of a plate of viscoelastic material, so that no rigid member such that a screw does not connect the ski and the slide.

Such a fixing gives good results, in terms of comfort. Indeed, the layer of viscoelastic material absorbs the shocks and vibrations to which the ski is subjected.

On the other hand, the precision in the handling of the ski is deteriorated in the present case. Indeed, to steer his ski, the skier makes lateral movements, or gives impulses with his shoes, which are transmitted to the edges of each of the skis. However, these movements and pulses are also filtered by the layer of viscoelastic material.

One of the aims of the present invention is to provide a binding which overcomes this drawback, and which has both good qualities of comfort and good quality of precision in driving the ski.

Another object of the invention is to propose a fixing which is simple and inexpensive in construction.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear during the description which follows, this description being however given by way of indication, and not limiting for the invention.

The alpine ski binding according to the invention is intended to retain the rear end of a ski boot.

It comprises a body connected to the ski, a member for retaining the rear end of the boot carried by the body and a support plate for the boot on which the rear end of the sole rests in the normal retaining position for the shoe in the binding.

It is characterized, according to the terms of claim 1, in that a layer of elastically compressible material is interposed between the support plate and the upper surface of the ski.

According to a first implementation of the invention, the body of the binding is slidably mounted along a slide. The support plate is extended towards the rear by two arms, each of the arms being connected by articulation to the stirrup which maintains the rear part of the slide against the ski.

According to an alternative embodiment, the arms which extend the backing plate towards the rear are articulated around a horizontal and transverse axis carried by the slide.

According to another alternative embodiment, the support plate is articulated around a horizontal and transverse axis carried by the body of the binding.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the ski binding is equipped with a brake, and the support plate also constitutes the base of the brake, with respect to which the brake arms are articulated and the actuation pedal.

According to another implementation of the invention, the support plate comprises two elements arranged on either side of the vertical and longitudinal median plane of the ski. The two elements are articulated in rotation around a common horizontal and transverse axis. Coupling means such as a pin also make it possible to link the free ends of each of the elements together.

According to another implementation of the invention, the layer of elastically compressible material is interposed between the brake actuation pedal which constitutes the support plate of the boot, and the upper surface of the ski.

The invention will be better understood by referring to the description below, as well as to the accompanying drawings which form an integral part thereof.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a binding according to a first implementation of the invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of the binding of Figure 1 mounted on a ski.

Figure 3 shows the binding of Figure 2 after engagement of the shoe.

FIG. 4 represents a partial view in longitudinal section of the binding of FIG. 2.

Figure 5 is a perspective view which illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates another variant implementation of the invention.

Figure 7 is a perspective view which illustrates another alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 8 is a view illustrating another embodiment of the invention applied to the case where the shoe support plate is constituted by the brake actuation pedal.

Figure 9 is an elevational view of the ski kidney of Figure 1 in the inactive position, a shoe then being immobilized on the ski by the heel.

Figure 10 is an elevational view of the ski brake, the brake pedal being biased downward by the boot during skiing.

Figure 11 is an elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the ski brake, in the active braking position.

Figure 12 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the damping element of the ski brake.

Figures 13 and 14 are views in vertical section of another alternative embodiment of the damping element of the ski brake.

Figure 15 is an elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a ski brake according to the invention, in the active braking position.

Figure 16 is an elevational view of the ski kidney of Figure 8 in the inactive position.

Figure 1 shows a binding 1 for retaining the rear end of a ski boot
The binding 1 comprises a member for retaining the end of the boot constituted by a jaw 2, which is carried by a body 3.

In a known manner, the jaw 2 is returned elastically to a low position for retaining the end of the boot on the ski. The elastic return means of the jaw 2 are housed inside the body 3.

The body 3 is guided for a sliding movement along a slideway 4. In a known manner, the longitudinal position of the body 3 along the slideway can be adjusted by means such as a latch or a screw without end. This position is adjusted to adapt the position of the binding to the length of the shoe. From this position, the body 3 can move back, in particular during ski flexions, against the elastic return force of a spring which is commonly called recoil spring.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the slide 4 presents in section a shape of a lying C, the opening being oriented upwards. The slide 4 has in its front part two holes 5 and 6 for the passage of mounting screws of the slide on a ski.

The binding 1 also comprises a support plate 9 on which the rear end of the shoe sole rests when skiing. In the example illustrated, the support plate 9 also constitutes the base of a brake 10. In particular, the support plate carries the hinge pin 11 of the brake arms 12 and of the pedal d actuation 13. The elastic return means of the jaw 2 cause the jaw to resiliently retain the sole of the shoe bearing on the support plate 9.

According to the invention, the support plate 9 is movable in the longitudinal and vertical median plane of the ski, and a layer of elastically compressible material 15 is interposed between the support plate 9 and the ski. In the example illustrated, the support plate 9 is extended rearwards by two arms 17 and 18. The arms 17 and 18 are connected by articulation respectively to each of the lateral edges 19 and 20 of a stirrup 21, of so that the support plate 9 and the arms 17 and 18 can tilt around a horizontal and transverse axis 25 which is carried by the stirrup 21.

The stirrup 21 also has a coated C shape, with the opening facing upwards. Internally it has dimensions substantially equal to the external dimensions of the slide 4. In addition, two screw holes 27 and 28 are provided in its lower part for the passage of mounting screws.

Advantageously, the arms 17 and 18 have in section a shape of "L" oriented so as to cover the upper and lateral faces of each of the lateral edges 30 and 31 of the slide 4. In in addition, the free space between the two arms 17 and 18 is large enough to allow the passage of the body 3 between the arms.

The mounting of the binding 1 on a ski is carried out as follows. After drilling the pilot holes by means of a drilling template, the stirrup 21 is fixed to the ski by means of the screws which pass through the orifices 27 and 28. Then, the body 3 and the slide 4 are engaged by the 'rear in the bracket 21, and are slid until the screws which pass through the orifices 5 and 6 are opposite their respective front hole. So these screws are tight.

Figure 2 shows the binding 1 after mounting on a ski 33, in a position where it is ready for engagement of the boot.

The location of the mounting screws, respectively of the stirrup 19 and of the front part of the slide 4 has been shown diagrammatically in this figure at 35 and 36.

FIG. 2 shows in particular the layer of elastically compressible material 15, which is interposed between the support plate 9 and the upper surface of the ski. Furthermore, it can be seen that the support plate 9 and the arms 17 and 18 are substantially tilted upwards, due to the presence of the layer 15.

FIG. 3 represents the binding of FIG. 2, after engagement of the boot, the rear of which has been shown diagrammatically at 40. In this figure, there has also been shown diagrammatically by the arrow 41 a vertical downward bias which the shoe exerts. on the support plate 9.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, under the effect of this vertical thrust 41, the support plate 9 rocks around the axis 25, and moreover causes the compression of the layer of elastically compressible material 15. Au during skiing, the layer 15 acts as a shock absorber, or as an elastic suspension between the support plate 9 and the ski. It should however be emphasized that the movement of the support plate 9 is limited to a displacement in a plane parallel to the vertical and longitudinal median plane of the ski. In fact, the articulation 25 which connects the plate 9 to the stirrup 21 is opposed to any other movement of the plate 9, and in particular any movement around a horizontal axis and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the ski. Thus, the lateral movements of the boot are transmitted directly to the ski, in particular to the edges of the ski, and the precision in the handling of the ski is not appreciably affected by the presence of the layer 15.

The jaw 2 accompanies the vertical movements of the boot relative to the ski thanks to the elastic return means which elastically oppose a distancing of the boot relative to the ski.

The material which constitutes the layer 15 is of any suitable type. Good results have been obtained with an elastomeric material having viscoelastic characteristics, the hardness of which is close to 30 Shore A. The layer 15 is for example of a rectangular parallelepiped shape, the thickness of the layer is close to 5 millimeters. Furthermore, the layer may have recesses in its central part.

The hardness of the layer may however be different, and in particular be between 10 and 90 Shore A. Likewise, the thickness may vary between 3 and 7 millimeters. The thickness can also be variable and gradually increase from back to front.

Layer 15 could also consist of two independent parts.

Naturally, this example is not limiting for the invention, and those skilled in the art could use another material which would have characteristics of elastic compressibility, with or without quality of dynamic damping.

As regards the connection between the binding and the ski, it should be emphasized that the slide 4 is only integral with the ski in its front part, that is to say in the screwing area 36. At the level of the 'stirrup 31, the slide 4 is substantially raised relative to the ski, and it can slide in the stirrup in a longitudinal direction. Therefore, the rear binding stiffens the ski only moderately, and only moderately disturbs the flexing of the ski.

Figure 4 shows a side view and in section the attachment 1 at the level of the slide.

According to a preferred embodiment, a stop limits the upward movement of the support plate 9.

Figure 4 shows this stop in the form of a tongue 29 which extends rearwardly the base 9a of the brake. This base 9a is covered by the support plate 9.

The tongue 29 is engaged inside the lateral edges 30 and 31 of the slide.

As can be understood from Figure 4, the vertical displacement of the tongue is limited upwards by the inner profile of the side edges 30 and 31 of the slide.

Of course, any other suitable construction is suitable.

FIG. 5 represents an alternative embodiment, according to which the support plate 49 is extended towards the rear by arms 47 and 48. The arms are connected by articulation to the slide 44 itself, at an axis which has been materialized at 45. As in the previous case, a layer of elastically compressible material 46 is interposed between the support plate 39 and the ski.

This binding has an operation which is identical to that of the previous binding, apart from the fact that in the present case, the arms 47 and 48 are substantially shorter and that they are connected to the slide of the binding.

FIG. 6 shows another variant, according to which the axis 55 of articulation of the arms 57 and 58 is carried by the body 53 of the binding. Thus, the support plate 49 moves with the body 53 during its various longitudinal movements. As in the previous case, a layer of elastically compressible material 56 is interposed between the support plate 49 and the ski.

Referring to Figure 7, the support plate 69 consists of two elements 70 and 71 located on either side of the longitudinal and vertical median plane of the ski. The two elements are substantially symmetrical with respect to this plane, and their lower end is connected by a horizontal hinge pin 72 and transverse to a plate 73 which is mounted on the ski. A layer of elastically deformable material 75 is located under the free end of the two elements 70 and 71. It is at this free end that the shoe sole rests.

The two elements 70 and 71, at their free end, are moreover drilled at an orifice oriented in a horizontal and transverse direction. The two orifices are in alignment with each other when the two elements 70 and 71 are at the same height. Only the orifice 76 of the element 70 is visible in FIG. 6. A pin 77 can be engaged in these orifices 76, so as to couple together the two elements which constitute the support plate 69. Naturally, any other coupling means may be suitable. However, preferably, these coupling means are removable or disengageable.

The operation of the support plate 69 is as follows. Depending on the quality of the snow, the pin 77 is engaged or not in the orifice 76. If the pin 76 is engaged, so as to couple the two elements 70 and 71, the support plate 69 has an operation similar to that which has been described above, and the layer of elastically deformable material 75 constitutes a shock absorber, or a suspension between the boot and the ski.

Furthermore, if the pin 77 is not present, the two elements 70 and 71 are independent of each other. In this way, the layer 75 absorbs not only the vertical movements of the boot, but also certain rolling movements of the boot relative to the ski. We know that soft snow allows more tolerance and flexibility in terms of driving the ski. Therefore, such a roll movement improves comfort without significantly disturbing the precision in the handling of the ski.

According to an alternative embodiment, the block 75 consists of two parts which are respectively located under each of the free ends of the elements 70 and 71. These two parts of the block 75 have different hardnesses, and are arranged symmetrically on the two skis , so that the two less hard blocks are either towards the inside of the skis, or towards the outside. In this way, when the pin 77 is not present, the damping of the boot to roll is different depending on whether the movement of the boot is inward or outward of the ski. On the other hand, when the pin 77 is engaged in the orifices 76, the two elements 70 and 71 react in exactly the same way, and the operation of the plate 69 is similar to that of the preceding plates 9, 39 and 49.

Figures 8 to 9 show a ski 81 on which is mounted a heel 82 having a movable front jaw 82a intended to immobilize the rear end of a shoe 83 during skiing. In front of the heel 82 is mounted a ski brake 84 essentially comprising two stop arms 85 arranged on either side of the ski, pivotally mounted around a transverse axis and carrying spades 86 at their lower end parts intended for planting in the snow. The ski brake also comprises an energy generating device of any suitable type, not shown, which ensures the return of the ski brake 84 to its active braking position, shown in FIG. 8, when the boot 83 is not not applied to the ski. The ski brake 84 furthermore comprises, in its upper part, an actuating pedal 87 on which the sole of the boot 83 rests when putting on, in order to pivot the stop arms 85 about their transverse axis and bring the ski brake to its inactive position shown in Figure 9.

The actuation pedal 87 here constitutes the support plate of the shoe.

Such a ski brake is for example described in French patent application No. 2,526,321.

For this brake, the actuation pedal 87 and the brake arms 85 are rotatable about a fictitious horizontal axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the ski. This axis is materialized approximately by the two ends of the Ω-shaped spring loop which ensures the elastic return of the brake.

The actuating pedal 87 is therefore guided for a rotational movement in the vertical and longitudinal median plane of the ski, that is to say the plane of FIGS. 8 to 10 in particular. The articulation axis of the pedal also hinders any movement of the pedal other than its rotational movement in this plane.

According to the invention, a damping element is interposed between the actuation pedal 87 of the ski brake, and the upper surface 81 a of the ski 81.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the damping element 88 consists of a layer of elastically compressible material having purely elastic characteristics, defined by a degree of hardness, or else characteristics which are both elastic and shock absorbers, defined by a damping coefficient. The damping element 88 is fixed under the pedal 87, by any appropriate means, for example by gluing. It may extend over the whole of the lower surface of the pedal 87 or only over part of it. According to a variant, the damping element 88 can consist of several parts forming, so to speak, individual elastic pots fixed at a distance from each other under the pedal 87. The damping element 88 can also have recesses.

When the boot and when skiing, the pedal 87 can oscillate around its substantially as a result of equilibrium position of the compression of the damper element 88 which is compressed between the pedal 87 and the upper surface 81a of the ski, as can best be seen in FIGS. 9 and 10. The heel of the boot then rests on the pedal 87 which is applied to the elastic support formed by the damping element 88 interposed between the pedal 87 and the upper surface 81 has ski 81 and it is also elastically recalled by the jaw 82a of the heel piece. This jaw 82a can oscillate elastically over a defined amplitude which constitutes the area of elastic travel and beyond this area the heel release triggers and the jaw 82a releases the shoe 82. Consequently in this area of elastic travel of the jaw 82a, the heel of the shoe 83 is in damping abutment on the actuation pedal 87 of the ski brake and the jaw 82a follows exactly the oscillating movements of the sole.

During its oscillating movements, the brake pedal 87 pivots about the transverse axis of the brake arms 85. It is therefore guided relative to this axis and it guides the boot itself in an up-down movement, in a vertical plane, without transverse rolling movement relative to the ski. A good connection is therefore retained between the boot and the ski for the impulses and the transverse movements that the skier's leg transmits to the ski, in particular during turns and edge grips.

In the alternative embodiment shown in Figure 11, the damping element 88 is fixed, by gluing, on the upper surface 81a of the ski 81, in the area where is folded down the pedal 87 of the brake when the latter pass through inactive position.

In the variant shown in FIG. 12, the damping element 89 consists of a block of flexible and elastic material of constant thickness but of variable width in the longitudinal direction, this block 89 having, in plan, for example the shape of an isosceles trapezoid. This trapezoidal block 89 is fixed, in an adjustable longitudinal position, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 12, in the ski area where the brake pedal 87 is folded down, as indicated in phantom. By consequently modifying the longitudinal position of the damper block 89, it is possible to vary the elastic response of the damper block 89.

In the variant shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the damping element 90, of constant thickness, is constituted by the superposition of two layers of materials having different elasticity characteristics and whose thicknesses vary in opposite directions in the longitudinal direction. The damping element 90 therefore has a stiffness varying gradually in the longitudinal direction. It is therefore possible, by fixing the damping element 90 on the upper surface 81 of the ski, by one or other of its main faces, to obtain elastic responses different from the damping element 90.

In the variant shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the ski brake 84 comprises a base 91 on which the stop arms 85 are articulated, about a transverse axis 93. The brake actuation pedal 87 is articulated on the upper part of the arms, around a transverse articulation axis 92.

The actuating pedal is therefore movable in the vertical and longitudinal plane of the ski by rotation about the transverse axis 93 in particular. On the other hand, this articulation hinders any other movement of the pedal apart from the movement around the other axis 92.

The energy of the brake is obtained by the elastic twisting of the wire constituting the brake arms 85, at the level of the base 91. As in the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 11, the damping block 88 is fixed to the ski in the area where pedal 87 is applied, when the brake is in the inactive position. The damper block 88 can also be placed under the pedal 87, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10. The base 91 has, at its upper part, a bearing surface 91 a which is located at a distance of the upper surface of the ski 81 which is slightly less than the sum of the thicknesses of the pedal 87 and of the damping block 88 located below this pedal so that this upper surface 91a constitutes a stop for the heel of the boot when the damping element 88 is stressed very vigorously and strongly crushed. Otherwise, in normal operation, the damping block 88 maintains the upper surface of the pedal 87, then in a horizontal position as shown in FIG. 9, substantially above the upper bearing surface 91a of the base 91. It is then on the upper surface of the pedal 87 that the shoe 83 is in support. The heel of the shoe 83 can therefore oscillate with the pedal 87 in a vertical plane above the level of the bearing surface 91a of the base. This oscillating movement in a vertical plane is limited downwards by the upper bearing surface 91a of the base 91.

As in the previous cases, the support plate of the boot which is here constituted by the brake pedal, accompanies and dampens by the layer 88 the vertical movements of the boot relative to the ski. On the other hand, the axes 92 and 93 are opposed to the other movements, in particular the lateral movements, of the boot relative to the ski, when taking edges and turns.

Furthermore, the jaw of the binding follows the vertical movements of the shoe and keeps the shoe in abutment against the pedal 87.

It is these movements which determine good precision in the handling of the ski.

In the description which has just been made, it goes without saying that many other variants are possible. For example, the layer of elastically compressible material can be interchangeable, so as to vary its hardness. Each hardness can be identified by a different color. Thus, depending on the nature of the snow, the skier can choose the material that is best suited.

Also, it goes without saying that the kidney constructions described in support of FIGS. 8 to 15 are not limiting, and that the invention also applies to other brake constructions, in particular constructions where the pedal actuator constitutes the upper side of a deformable trapezoidal construction.

Claims (12)

1. Rear ski binding comprising a support plate (9, 39, 49, 69, 87) movable solely in a direction parallel to the median longitudinal and vertical plane of the ski capable of supporting only one portion of the sole of a boot at one of its ends, characterized by the fact that one layer (15, 46, 56, 76, 88, 89, 90) of an elastically-compressible material is intercalated between the support plate (9, 39, 49, 69, 87) and the upper surface of the ski, so as to form an elastic suspension between the support plate for the boot and the ski.
2. Binding according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the support plate (9, 39, 49, 69, 87) is articulated in rotation around a horizontal, transverse axis (25, 45, 55, 72).
3. Binding according to claim 2, of which the body (43) is mounted so as to slide along a slide-rail (44) fastened to the ski, characterized by the fact that the support plate (39) is extended rearward by two lateral arms (47, 48) which extend along each lateral edge of the slide-rail (44), and that the axis of articulation (45) of the support plate (39) is given material form by two half-pins which connect by articulation each of the lateral arms (47, 48) to a lateral edge of the slide-rail (9).
4. Binding according to claim 2, of which the body (3) is mounted so as to slide along a slide-rail (4) of the ski, the rear part of the slide-rail (4) being held in place by a stirrup (19) attached to the ski, characterized by the fact that the support plate (9) is extended rearward by two lateral arms (17, 18) which extend along each lateral edge of the slide-rail (9), and that the axis of articulation (25) of the support plate (9) is given material form by two half-pins connecting by articulation each of the arms (17, 18) to a lateral edge of the stirrup (19).
5. Binding according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the axis of articulation (55) of the support plate is carried by the body (53) of the binding.
6. Binding according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the support plate (69) of the boot is constituted by two elements (70, 71) arranged on either side of the median longitudinal, vertical axis of the ski, that each of the elements is articulated around a common horizontal, transverse axis (72), and that a block (75) of an elastically-compressible material is intercalated between the free end of each of the elements (70, 71) and the upper surface of the ski.
7. Binding according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that the two elements (70, 71) are connected by movable coupling means (77).
8. Binding according to any of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a ski brake constituted by at least one braking arm (12) movable in rotation around a transverse axis (11) and by an control pedal (13) of the ski brake (12), characterized by the fact that the support plate (9) constitutes, moreover, the base of the ski brake, and that it carries the axis of articulation (11) of the brake arm(s).
9. Binding according to claim 1, to which is associated a Ski brake whose control pedal constitutes the support plate on which the sole of the boot rests, characterized by the fact that the layer of elastically-compressible material (88, 89, 90) is intercalated between the control pedal (87) of the brake and the upper surface (81a) of the ski (81).
10. Binding according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the layer of elastically-compressible material (8, 9, 10) is designed to be solidly connected to the upper surface of the ski.
11. Binding according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the layer of elastically-compressible material (8, 9, 10) is solidly connected to the lower face of the control pedal (87) of the brake.
12. Bonding according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by the fact that the material of the material layer, elastically compressible (15, 46, 56, 76, 88, 89. 90) has a hardness of between 10 and 90 shore A.

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