EP0564767B1 - Interface between a ski and binding, especially an alpine binding - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an interface device between a ski and front and rear binding elements (3) and (4) which are intended to retain the ends of a boot on the ski. The device comprises a plate (13), the central part (14) of which is elongate and extends above the upper surface of the ski, in the zone of the runner (block). A first end (15) of the plate is secured to the ski and a second end (16) is linked to the ski by means of a block of shock-absorbing material (17) sandwiched between the end of the plate and the ski. The block of shock-absorbing material is preferably designed to work in compression and in shear. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to an interface device between a ski and front and rear binding elements which are intended to retain a boot bearing on the ski.

The skis which are used for alpine skiing consist of relatively long boards, on which the skier's shoes are retained by a front binding element and a rear binding element. The boots and the fasteners are located in the central area of the ski which is commonly called the skate.

When the binding elements are assembled directly on the ski, it is known that the shoe sole exerts on the ski a stiffening action in the area of the skate. In addition, the binding elements exert a gripping action on the sole of the boot, the reaction of which is transmitted to the ski.

Such skis are therefore influenced in their bending by the boot and the binding elements.

Certain sets of binding elements have been designed to minimize the disturbances that the boot causes in the flexing of the ski. Such a fixing assembly is for example known from German patent application DE-OS 3 109 754.

There are other devices which, on the contrary, oppose the flexion of the ski either by a stiffening action, or by a damping action in the area of the skate, or by a combined stiffening action and depreciation. Such a device is for example described in European patent application EP 104 185. This device comprises a plate which supports the front and rear binding elements, the central part of which is raised relative to the upper surface of the ski, one end of which is secured to the ski, and the other end of which is connected to the ski with a possibility of relative movement in a longitudinal direction. Elastically deformable blocks exert a damping action on this longitudinal movement. In addition, this device comprises a layer of elastically deformable material which is interposed between the central part of the plate and the upper surface of the ski.

Such a device is effective in absorbing the flexing movements of the ski. On the other hand, this device has little or no action on the vibrations to which the ski is subjected. However, such vibrations disturb the contact between the sole of the ski and the snow, and therefore, if these vibrations are not damped, the speed of the ski and its driving precision are not optimal.

One of the aims of the present invention is to propose an interface device which ensures damping of the ski flexes, as well as of the vibrations to which it is subjected, in particular those which are capable of causing a resonance phenomenon in the front part of the ski.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an interface device which is simple and easy to adapt on a ski.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an interface device which ensures high precision in the handling of the ski.

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

The interface device is located between a ski and front and rear binding elements which are intended to retain the ends of a boot, the binding elements being linked to the ski in the skate area, the device comprises a plate, with a elongated central part extending above the upper surface of the ski above the skate area, a first end of the plate being secured to the ski, and the second end being linked to the ski for a relative movement relative to the ski during its bending movements, at least one of the fastening elements being assembled on the plate.

It is characterized by the fact that the second end of the plate is linked to the ski by a block of damping material sandwiched between the second end of the plate 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 shows schematically in side view, and in partial section, a ski equipped with an interface device according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view in partial section of the interface device of FIG. 1.

Figure 3 shows in perspective an alternative embodiment of the interface device.

FIG. 4 illustrates, in side view and in partial section, an alternative embodiment of the device of FIG. 1.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 correspond to alternative embodiments.

Figure 8 illustrates another alternative embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a detail of the embodiment of FIG. 8.

Figure 10 shows another alternative embodiment.

There is shown schematically in Figure 1 the central area of a ski 1, which is commonly referred to as the skate. The figure also shows a boot 2, the front and rear ends of which are respectively retained on the ski by a front binding element 3 and a rear binding element 4. The two front and rear binding elements 3 and 4 are of all types appropriate. In known manner, the front fastening element 3 has a retaining member 5 of the front end of the shoe, a body 7, as well as a support plate 9 on which the front end of the sole rests. shoe. In parallel, the rear fastening element 4 has a retaining member 6, a body 8, as well as a support plate 10 for the rear end of the shoe sole.

The front and rear binding elements 3 and 4 are connected to the ski by means of an interface device 12 which will now be described in more detail.

The interface device 12 mainly has a long connection plate 13, which extends above the ski, in its region of the skate. The plate 13 is made of any suitable material, for example a metal alloy. It could also be made of a synthetic material or a composite material. It has good resistance to compressive stresses in a longitudinal direction, flexural stresses, and torsional stresses.

The elongate connecting plate 13 has a central part 14, which is raised relative to the upper surface of the ski. At least one of the fastening elements is assembled to the central part 14 of the plate 13. In the example illustrated, it is the rear fixing element 4 which is assembled to the ski, by any suitable means, and for example by screws.

The plate 13 also has a rear end 15, located behind the rear fixing element 4, which is secured to the ski by any suitable means, and for example by screws.

The connecting plate 13 has a front end 16, which, in the example illustrated, extends beyond the front fixing element 3. The front end 16 of the plate is raised relative to the upper surface of the ski, and a block of elastically deformable material 17 connects at this level the plate 16 to the ski. The block of material 17 has for example a parallelepiped shape, and its upper and lower faces are respectively secured to the plate 16 and to the ski, by any suitable means, and for example by bonding. The material 17 is thus sandwiched between the plate 16 and the ski.

The material which constitutes the block 17 is of any suitable nature, but preferably, a material is chosen which is capable of working in shearing, at least in the longitudinal direction defined by the ski, as well as in damping in a direction vertical. The damping material 17 is in fact stressed in two different ways. During ski flexions, the front end of the plate 13 tends to advance relative to the ski, since its rear end 15 is integral with the ski. This relative movement urges the block of material 17 to shear, and the flexion movements of the ski are thus damped. The block is also stressed by bending movements of the front end of the ski, that is to say those which occur in front of the front binding element 3. The block 17 is then subjected to compression according to a vertical direction.

It should be added that when the block 17 is stressed by the shear plate, by reaction, the front of the ski is subjected to a moment which tends to cause the tip to plunge towards the snow.

It has been noted that the arrangement of the block 17 sandwiched between the front end of the plate 16 and the ski is effective in absorbing what is used to denote the first mode of flexion of the ski, or even the first of bending of the ski, that is to say the vibrations of the front part of the ski for which the front binding element constitutes a knot, and the ski tip constitutes a belly.

Good results have been obtained with a block 17 whose length was between 50 and 300 millimeters, and preferably close to 150 millimeters. The thickness of the block is preferably greater than 5 millimeters.

The material used is for example rubber or a polyurethane elastomer. Good results have been obtained with a commercial material known under the trade name "SORBOTANE".

However, these values and these indications have no limiting value for the invention.

It is also possible to replace the block 17 with a rigid support surmounted by a layer of adhesive which has the property of working in shear, that is to say an adhesive which stretches under the effect of a shear stress. by offering resistance to this deformation. This layer would have a thickness of the order of 2 millimeters.

In the embodiments illustrated in the figures, the front fixing element 3 is assembled not to the plate 13, but to the ski 1 by means of a wedge 20. The wedge 20 raises the front fixing element 3 and ensures direct transmission of the stresses and forces between the ski and the boot at this level.

Referring to FIG. 1, the wedge 20 extends under the base 21 of the binding element, and it is secured to the ski by any suitable means, and for example by screws 22. The wedge 20 has, in its upper part, pots 23, 24 which pass through the thickness of the plate 13, and on which the base 21 of the fixing element comes to rest. The thickness of the wedge 20 is equal to or slightly less than the height at which the plate is raised relative to the ski in this zone.

The studs 23 and 24 have a height which is greater than the thickness of the plate, and the plate has at the level of the studs of the openings, so that the front part of the plate can slide freely relative to the wedge, during bending movements of the ski.

The base 21 of the front fixing element 3 rests on the pots 23, 24, and, in the illustrated embodiment, it is assembled to these pots by means of screws.

FIG. 2 represents a first embodiment of this arrangement, with pots 23a, and 24a in the form of a chimney, which pass through openings 25a and 26a of the plate 13 in the form of lights oriented in a longitudinal direction. In a longitudinal direction, the openings 23a to 26a have a length greater than that of the studs 23 to 26. Optionally, the space between the studs and the outline of the openings is filled with an elastically deformable material, for example a damping material.

FIG. 3 represents an alternative embodiment, according to which the front wedge 20 has lateral pots 23b which pass through the plate at the lateral opening level 25b in the form of a notch.

Preferably, the studs extend at least in the areas of the base 21 where the assembly screws of the binding element are located, and preferably, they also extend towards the rear of the ski. 'fixing element, so as to support at least partially the support plate 9 of the fixing element.

In addition, preferably, the studs of the wedge 20 have a sufficient length so that the front fastening element 3 can be assembled in an adjustable position as a function of the length of the skier's shoe.

According to an alternative embodiment, the pots constitute a stop for the plate towards the front so as to protect the block 17 in the event of excessive bending of the ski. In such a circumstance, the plate comes to bear directly on the studs after a determined bending of the ski.

According to another alternative embodiment, the studs play a guiding role in the longitudinal movement of the plate, that is to say that their transverse dimension is adjusted relative to the transverse dimensions of the plate and of its openings at this level. to hinder any transverse movement of the plate. Figure 3 illustrates such an adjustment.

According to another alternative embodiment, blocks of damping material are inserted between the pots 23 and 24, and the plate at the level of the openings 25 and 26, in order to produce damping in a longitudinal direction.

In FIGS. 1 to 3, a block of elastically compressible material 30 will have been presented, which extends between the rear zone of the central part 14 of the plate and the upper surface of the ski. Preferably, the block of material 30 has damping qualities and it extends at least under the rear fastening element 4. This block has the function of damping the vertical stresses between the boot and the ski at this level , and in particular the stresses which are due to a bending of the plate 13, or to a bending of the ski 1 at this level.

FIG. 4 represents an alternative embodiment of the front part of the interface device. According to this variant, the wedge 20 is extended forward by a tongue 31 which extends under the front end 16 of the plate. The block of damping material 17 is then sandwiched between the plate and the tongue 31. Optionally, the attachment of the wedge 20 to the ski can be reinforced at the tongue 31 by screws 32. This arrangement makes it possible to avoid bonding of the damping block 17 on the upper surface of the ski, which is often a delicate operation. Also, it is possible thanks to this arrangement to dismantle the interface device without difficulty and without deterioration.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate alternative embodiments of the device at the rear attachment.

The construction of FIG. 5 is similar to that which was described with reference to FIG. 1, except that the block of damping material 30 located under the rear fastening element 4 is here replaced by a rigid block 43 which is located between the plate 13 and the upper surface of the ski. This block 43 provides a direct connection between the rear binding element 4 and the upper surface of the ski.

FIG. 6 represents a plate 43, which consists of two elements, a first element 40 situated at the level of the rear fixing element 4, and a platform 41 which is secured to the element 40 in its rear part, and which extends above the upper surface of the ski up to beyond the front binding element. The element 40 has, seen from the side, the shape of a capital omega, with a front part and a rear part secured to the ski in areas located in front and behind the rear binding element 4, and a part raised median with respect to the upper surface of the ski, on which moreover the plate 41 is secured. A block of elastically deformable material 42 is located between this zone and the upper surface of the ski. This construction allows for more direct support between the rear support plate 10 and the ski.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the embodiment of FIG. 6. According to this alternative, the plate 48 extends rearwards beyond the element 40, where it has an end 45 raised relative to on the upper surface of the ski. A block of elastically deformable material 46 is sandwiched between the end 45 of the plate and the upper surface of the ski. This block has damping properties in a vertical direction. Its purpose is to dampen the vibrations of the rear end of the ski, and in particular those whose frequency corresponds to the first bending mode of the rear part of the ski.

FIG. 8 represents another alternative embodiment, according to which a plate 63 consists of two elements assembled together, a rear element 64, and a front element 65. At its connection with the rear element 64, the element 65 has a longitudinal light 66. The element 64 is also equipped with a screw / nut device 67. In this way, the two elements can slide one inside the other, and be assembled in a solid manner by means of the screw / nut system 67. It is thus possible to vary the total length of the plate 63.

The rear element 64 is secured to the ski in its rear part by means of screws which are placed in the housings 68 and 69. In addition, preferably, in the central part of the rear element 64, three washers have been provided. shoulders 70 which are housed in three orifices 71. The washers 70 are intended to be secured to the ski by screws, and the orifices 71 have in a longitudinal direction a length slightly greater than that of the washers 70, to allow a slight relative movement according to a longitudinal direction. The shoulder washers 70 mainly have the function of holding the central part of the rear element 64 near the upper surface of the ski.

The rear element 64 also has holes 72 for assembling the rear fixing element. Preferably, at this level, the rear element 64 is raised relative to the upper surface of the ski, and an interface layer 81 of elastically deformable material is interposed between the rear element 64 and the upper surface of the ski. This layer absorbs the rear support of the shoe in a vertical direction.

The shim 74 on which the front fixing element rests is constituted, in the example illustrated, of two superimposed elements, a lower element 75, and an upper element 76. When these two elements are mounted one on the other , they define a longitudinal opening through which the front part of the front element 65 passes.

The upper part 76 has at its upper surface a support surface for the front fixing element. In addition, in the example illustrated, the assembly screws of the front fixing element pass right through the upper part 76 and the lower part 75 of the wedge 74, and thus achieve the joining of the assembly to ski.

The front element 65 therefore has in its front part a sort of elongated tongue which passes right through the wedge 74 in a longitudinal direction.

As can be seen in FIG. 9, the front element 65 is connected to the upper and lower parts of the wedge 74 by two layers of colla 78 and 79. The glue which is used here has the property of working in shear, in opposing an elastic resistance to such a deformation. Thus, the colla layers 78 and 79 allow relative movement between the front element 65 and the wedge 74, in a longitudinal direction. This relative movement can have an amplitude of the order of 5 millimeters towards the front, and the layers of colla, by stretching to the shear, oppose a resistance to this movement.

The device shown in FIG. 8 also has a cradle 80 which is connected to the upper part 76 of the wedge 74. The cradle 80 guides the front element 65 of the plate 63 behind the wedge 74. As is visible in Figure 8, the cradle 80 consists of a succession of breakable elements, which are cut according to the total length that one wishes to give to the plate 63. This length is determined by the spacing front and rear fastening elements, and therefore by the length of the boot.

When skiing, there is a relative movement between the front part of the plate 63 and the wedge 74. The adhesive layers 78 and 79 are then stressed in shear, and oppose this relative movement.

FIG. 10 schematically represents another alternative embodiment, according to which the plate 83 extends against the upper surface of the ski 84 over most of its length. In its rear part, the plate 83 is assembled to the ski by pinching between the ski and the base of the rear fixing element 85. In its front part, the plate 83 freely crosses a wedge 86 on which the fixing element before 87 is assembled. The wedge 86 is assembled integrally with the ski, and the plate 83 can slide freely at this level in a longitudinal direction.

In front of the front fixing element 87, the plate 83 has a raised portion 88, which is assembled to a support 89 by a layer of adhesive of the same type as that which was used in the previous variant.

When skiing, there is a relative movement in a longitudinal direction between the raised portion 88 of the plate 83, and the support 89 which is integral with the ski. This longitudinal relative movement is thwarted by the layer of that 90 which works on shearing.

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, it goes without saying that one could reverse the orientation of the plates 13, 48, 63, 83, and reverse the support of the fastening elements so that it is the front fastening element which is integral with the plate, and the rear fixing element which is integrally connected to the ski by means of a wedge. In this case, the block of elastically deformable material 17 could be located beyond the rear fixing element, and if necessary, a block of elastically deformable material of the same type as the block 46 could be located beyond the front fixing element.

Claims (12)

1. Interface device between a ski and front and rear binding elements designed to retain the ends of a boot, the binding elements (3, 4) being connected to the ski in the area of the runner, comprising a plate (13, 43, 48, 63, 83) with a longilinear central part (14) extending above the upper ski surface above the runner area, a first end (15) of the plate being attached to the ski, and the second end (16) being connected to the ski for a relative motion in relation to the ski during its movements of flection, at least one of the binding elements (3, 4) being assembled to the plate,
   characterized by the fact that the second end (16) of the plate (13) is connected to the ski by a block of damping material (17, 78, 79, 90) mounted in a sandwich configuration between the second end (16) of the plate and the upper surface of the ski (1).
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the damping material (17, 78, 79, 90) is provided so as to function under compression in a vertical direction and under shearing action in a horizontal and longitudinal direction.
3. Device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it comprises a spacer (20, 74) which is attached to said ski and to which a first binding element (3) is assembled, and a connection plate (13, 43, 48, 63) to which the second binding element (4) is assembled, of which one end (15) is fastened o the ski, whose central part (14) is raised in relation to the upper ski surface, and whose other end (16) is connected to the ski beyond the spacer, by the first block of damping material (17) mounted in a sandwich configuration between the end of the plate and the ski.
4. Device according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that a second block of elastically-compressible material (30) is inserted between the plate (14) and the ski (1), at least in the area in which the second binding element is assembled to the plate.
5. Device according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that the second binding element (4) is carried by an element (40) whose front end and rear end are fastened to the ski in front and in back of a damping block (42) positioned beneath the second binding element.
6. Device according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that the connection plate (13) extends above the spacer (20), and that the spacer incorporates means (23, 24) for supporting the first binding element (3) which pass the plate over its entire thickness and which permit freedom of movement of the plate in a longitudinal direction relative to the spacer.
7. Device according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that the support means are chimney-shaped studs (23a, 24a) belonging to the spacer which pass through the thickness of the plate (14) in the area of openings (25a, 26a) oriented in a longitudinal direction.
8. Device according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that the support means are longilinear lateral studs (23b) which pass through the thickness of the plate in the area of longilinear notches (25b) arranged laterally in the plate.
9. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the spacer (20) is extended by a tongue (31) on the side opposite the second binding element, and that the first block of damping material (17) is mounted in a sandwich configuration between the end (16) of the plate and the tongue (31).
10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the first block of damping material (17) is glued by one of its faces to the plate (14), and by the other of its faces to the ski (1) or to the tongue (31).
11. Device according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that the block (74) has a longitudinal opening which passes through the front part of the plate (63), and that the layers of damping material (78, 79) connect the upper and lower faces of the plate (63) to the spacer (74).
12. Device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the plate (63) as at least one oblong orifice (71) for receiving a shouldered washer (70) fastened to the ski.

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