EP0544063B1 - Safety ski binding - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a front ski-binding element which is intended to hold the end of a boot bearing on a ski. The element comprises a base (3), and a body (8) which is movable with respect to the base (3) parallel to a median longitudinal and vertical plane of the ski. Moreover, the body carries a member (15) for holding the front end of the boot. The body (8) and the base (3) are connected to each other in their front parts so as to permit a tilting of the body (8) with respect to the base and parallel to the median longitudinal and vertical plane of the ski. It is characterised in that an elastic return means (30), independent of the elastic return device (26) which returns the wings (21) of the holding member, connects the body (8) to the base (3) and elastically returns the rear part of the body (8) in the direction of the base (3). Application to ski bindings, particularly for an Alpine ski. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a front ski binding element, which is intended to retain the end of a boot bearing on a ski, and to release this end when it exerts excessive stress on the binding element.

The front ski binding elements which are currently known usually comprise a base which is intended to be secured to the ski, a body which is carried by this base, in which is generally housed an elastic return mechanism. The body itself carries a retaining member, which, most often, consists of a vertical stop or sole clamp which retains the end of the shoe vertically, and two lateral wings which retain the end of the shoe laterally. The stresses on the shoe are transmitted to the elastic return device via the retaining member.

Among the currently known fixing elements, the invention relates more particularly to those which have a body movable vertically, but not laterally, the body being connected to the base in the front part of the binding.

Such a fixing is for example known, from the French patent application published under No. 2,640,516. This fixing has a body movable vertically relative to the base, against the restoring force of an elastic device which is housed inside the body. An elastically deformable zone, located in the front part of the fixing element, continuously connects the body to the base. For this attachment, the wings are articulated relative to the body, and they are movable laterally against the force of (call of an energy spring. The means which ensure the vertical return of the body include a vertical rod, which is connected to an articulated rocker. The rocker itself has a branch which is in abutment against a piston. It is by means of this piston that the energy spring is stressed by the vertical elevation of the body, or by the lateral opening of the wings The body is therefore movable vertically in response to a vertical stress on the shoe, against the return force of the spring which is transmitted to it by the rocker and the rod.

The elevation of the body allows either an automatic adaptation of the fastening element to the thickness of the sole, or allows to facilitate the release of the boot in the event of a fall towards the rear of the skier.

This construction gives good results, but its implementation requires several mechanical parts, produced with relatively strict tolerances.

Another object of the invention is to add an elastic means for vertical return of the body which is easily integrated into the fixing element, that is to say a means whose nature and size allow it to 'exercise the desired function, that is to say the recall of the body, without disturbing the operation of the fastener and without requiring significant transformations of the element.

One of the aims of the present invention is to provide a fastening element of this type, in which the elastic return of the body, in a vertical direction, is ensured by a device which is simpler and therefore more economical to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear during the description which follows, this description being however given by way of non-limiting indication.

The front ski binding element comprises a base by which the element is assembled to the ski. It also comprises a body movable relative to the base, parallel to the vertical and longitudinal median plane of the ski. The body carries a member for retaining the end of the shoe, which is constituted by a sole clamp connected integrally to the body for vertical movement, and two lateral wings movable relative to the body against the restoring force d '' an energy device that is housed in the body or base. The body and the base are connected to each other in their anterior parts, so as to allow the body to tilt parallel to the vertical and longitudinal median plane of the ski, in response to a vertical stress on the boot on the clamp. -sole.

It is characterized by the fact that an elastic return means independent of the elastic return device which recalls the wings, connects the rear part of the body to the base, and elastically recalls the rear part of the body in the direction of the base.

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 shows a side view, and in section of a fixing element before, according to a non-limiting implementation of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view II-II of the device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view through a plane III-III of the device of FIG. 1.

Figure 4 shows in perspective an elastic return means of the body towards the base, according to a non-limiting mode of implementation of the invention. Figure 4a corresponds to an alternative embodiment of this elastic return means.

FIG. 5 is an alternative embodiment of the device of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the fixing element shown in FIG. 1.

Figure 7 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the elastic return means of the body.

FIG. 8 shows in perspective the elastic return means of the device shown in FIG. 7.

Figures 1 to 3 show a fastening element 1 which is assembled on a ski 2. The fastening element 1 shown has many characteristics similar to those which have already been described in French patent application No. 2 640 516 au name of the applicant.

In particular, the fixing element 1 has a base 3 by which the fixing element is assembled to the ski by any suitable means, and for example by screws 4. The base 3 is extended towards the rear by a plate d 'support 5 on which the front end of the boot rests when skiing. Seen from above, the base 3 has a U shape open towards the rear, which creates a recess 6 in its central part.

The fastening element 1 also comprises a body 8, which is connected to the base 3 by an elastically deformable zone 10. This zone 10 continuously connects the body 8 and the base 3, so so that these three elements in fact form only one single piece. In the adopted representation, this zone is located in the front part of the fixing element.

In the lower part of the body is a pot 11, preferably provided with a peripheral lining 12. The stud 11 extends vertically in the direction of the base, where it is engaged between the two lateral legs of the U. Laterally , the pot has a dimension which corresponds substantially to the width of the recess 6. The pot 11 guides the body 8 relative to the base 3 during its vertical movements.

The elastically deformable zone 10, in cooperation with the stud 11, allows the body 8 to tilt, parallel to the vertical and longitudinal median plane of the ski, that is to say the plane of FIG. 1. However, this mode of connection between the body and the base is not limiting, any other suitable means could indeed be appropriate, in particular an articulation by means of a transverse axis located between the body and the base, or the cooperation of shapes in protrusion and relief of the body and the base, which create an axis of rotation of the body relative to the base. A fastening element of this type is for example described in French patent application No. 2,642,656 in the name of the applicant.

In its rear part, the body 8 carries a retaining member 15. The retaining member is intended to retain the end of the boot bearing on the ski, and therefore, to oppose, the stresses of the boot which have a vertical upward, lateral, or longitudinal forward direction. The retaining member 15 comprises in particular a sole clamp 16, which provides the front toe of the shoe with a horizontal bearing surface ensuring the vertical retention of the latter. In the example shown, the sole clamp 16 is an insert, which is assembled to the body by the cooperation of corresponding shapes and by a pin shown diagrammatically at 17.

The retaining member 15 further comprises two lateral retaining wings 20 and 21, which are articulated relative to the body about an approximately vertical axis 22 and 23. The wings have, beyond the axes 22 and 23 , a small arm the end of which is supported on a piston 25, this piston being guided inside the body 8 for movement in a longitudinal direction. The movement of the piston 25, which takes place during the stress upon opening one of the wings, takes place against the elastic return force of a spring 26. The preload of the spring can be adjusted in a known manner by means of a screw 27.

Thus, the lateral stresses of the shoe on the retaining member 15 are transmitted to the spring 26, and according to their intensity, one of the wings opens until allowing the end of the shoe to be released.

On the other hand, the vertical upward stresses are picked up by the sole clamp 16. This sole clamp being integral with the body 8, these stresses tend to raise the body 8, that is to say to tilt the body 8 relative to the elastically deformable zone 10.

According to the invention, an elastic return means connects the rear part of the body to the base, to elastically oppose such movements. This elastic return means is independent of the energy means which ensures the elastic return of the lateral wings 20 and 21, that is to say, the spring 26.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, the vertical elastic return means of the body is a coil spring 30, which is more easily visible in Figure 4. The coil spring 30 is housed partly in the recess 6 of the base 3, and partly in a recess of the body located behind the pot 11.

Referring to this figure, the spring has two symmetrical lateral windings 31 and 32, which are interconnected by a horizontal and raised central part 33 which, preferably, is offset substantially backwards relative to the windings 31 and 32 This central part 33 is intended to fit into the lower part of a downward extension 34 of the sole clamp 16, which has the shape of a hook 36. Thus, this central part 33 is connected to the body by the intermediate of the sole clamp 16 for all vertical movements, in particular those upwards. The dimensions in section of the extension 34 are provided to support at least the maximum restoring force developed by the spring 30.

The free ends of the spring 30 are also provided with means for hooking to the base. These means are shown in the form of an end bent laterally outward 37, 38. The ends 37 and 38 are engaged in housings 39, 40 that the base has in its two lateral branches to receive these ends. The base 3 ensures the resumption of the return efforts of the springs that the vertical movements of the body 8 generate.

Alternatively, Figure 4a shows an end 37a which is extended by a bent segment extending longitudinally rearward. The housings of the base then have a corresponding shape to receive these doubly bent ends. This distributes over a greater length of the base the forces that the ends of the spring 30 transmit to the base. In addition, the return energy of the spring is developed not only by the deformation of the turns, but also by the twisting of the ends 37a.

The number of turns of each winding 31 and 32 is not limiting. It is about one and a half turns in the example shown.

From the above, it is understood that the vertical movements of the body upwards urge each winding 31 and 32 of the spring 30 to the extension, in other words to the unwinding.

Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment, according to which the spring 40 works in reverse, that is to say in the winding. This spring has windings 41 and 42 in opposite directions to the windings 31 and 32. It also has a central part 43 and free ends 47 and 48 similar to the elements 33, 37 and 38 of the spring 30.

FIG. 6 presents another variant according to which the spring 50 has windings the direction of which is similar to that of the spring 30. On the other hand, the central part 53 is largely offset upwards relative to the windings, in order to catch on the body , in the upper part thereof, in a housing 54 which is located approximately at the height of the horizontal surface of the sole clamp.

The operation of the device which has just been described is as follows. When skiing, the boot subjects the front binding element to stresses, in particular to vertical stresses upwards. These stresses are transmitted to the body 8, via the sole clamp, and cause the upward tilting of the body around the elastically deformable zone 10, both against the elastic restoring force, or the elastic restoring moment which is generated by this area, and the elastic restoring force which is developed by the spring 30, 40 or 50. It should also be emphasized that this latter elastic return force is independent of the energy spring 26, and therefore of the adjustment of the spring 26 for the lateral opening movement of the wings.

FIG. 7 represents an alternative embodiment of the invention according to which the elastic return means of the body is a spring 60 which works mainly with torsion.

The fastener shown in Figure 7 is also similar to that which has been described in relation to Figures 1 to 3. It will therefore not be described in detail.

The spring 70 is visible in perspective in FIG. 8. It has a horizontal and raised central part 63 which is housed in the hook-shaped lower part 66 of an attached element identical to the sole clamp 16 of FIG. 1.

On each side of the central part 63, the spring 60 has a doubly bent part 61, 62, the two parts being symmetrical with respect to each other.

Each doubly bent portion 61, 62 has a longitudinal segment 61a, 62a, a torsion segment 61b, 92b oriented transversely and a longitudinal end segment 61c, 62c.

The end segments 61c, 62c and part of the torsion segments 61b, 62b are embedded in housings 64 and 65 of the two lateral branches of the base 67.

The spring 60 thus connects the body via the hook 66, to the base 3 via the housings 64 and 65.

The vertical movements of the body mainly stress the spring 60 to torsion at the level of the transverse torsion segments 61b and 62b. As in the previous cases, the spring 60 ensures the elastic return of the body in the direction of the base, and the return force that it develops is independent of the return force of the energy spring which recalls the wings.

Naturally, the present description is given for information only, and other implementations of the invention could be adopted without departing from the scope thereof.

In particular, the spring 26 and the piston 25 could be placed and guided in a housing of the base, instead of a housing of the body.

Similarly, the sole clamp could be constituted by the upper part of the retaining wings. The wings being articulated relative to the body about approximately vertical axes, they transmit directly to the body the vertical forces to which the shoe subjects them.

Finally, the spring could be replaced by another elastic return means, for example a damping device.

Claims (8)

1. Front binding element of a ski, intended to retain the end of a boot in support on a ski, and to release this end when it subjects the binding element to an excessive bias,
      comprising a base (3) by means of which the element is assembled to the ski,
      further comprising a body (8), movable with respect to base (3) parallel to a median vertical and longitudinal plane of the ski, the body bearing a retention member (15) of the end of the boot,
      the retention member being constituted by a sole clamp (16), fixedly connected to body (8) for a vertical movement, and two lateral wings (21, 22), movable with respect to the body against the return force of an energy device (25, 26),
      body (8) and base (3) being connected to one another, in their front portion, so as to enable a tilting of body (8) parallel to the median vertical and longitudinal plane of the ski in response to a vertical bias of the boot exerted on sole clamp (16),
      characterized by the fact that an elastic return means (30,40,50,60), independent of the elastic return device, which returns the wings of the retention member, connects body (8) to base (3) and elastically returns the rear portion of the body in the direction of the base.
2. Element according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that elastic return means (30,40,50) is a helical spring whose one portion (37,38,47,48) is connected to the base, and another portion (33,43,53) is connected to the body.
3. Element according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that a vertical extension (34), affixed to the rear portion of body (8), descends in the direction of base (3), and wherein spring (33,43) connects lower portion (35) of extension (34) to the base.
4. Element according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that sole clamp (16) is an element attached to body (8), and wherein vertical extension (34) constitutes a monobloc element with sole clamp (16).
5. Element according to claim 2, characterized by the fact the elastic return means is a helical spring (33) whose extension causes the unwinding of windings (31,32).
6. Element according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the elastic return means is a helical spring (43) whose extension causes the winding of windings (41,42).
7. Element according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that elastic return means (30,40,50) is partially housed in base (3) and partially in body (8).
8. Element according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the elastic return means is a spring (60) working mainly in torsion.

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