EP0564769A1 - Indication device for applied prestress, particularly for a release spring of an alpine binding element - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for indicating the stiffness (hardness) of an elastic return member, particularly for indicating the prestress applied to a return spring of a binding element, particularly an alpine binding (1). The indication device has a scale of reference marks along which a slide (cursor) is displaced in a relative manner according to the displacement of the means (7) for adjusting the stiffness. It is characterised in that it is shaped as a small dish, having a rim (14) and a bottom (15) which is at least partially transparent and through which the slide can be seen, and in that the scale of reference marks is located on the bottom of the small dish, set back from the edge (14). <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a device for indicating the hardness of an elastic return member, in particular of the prestress applied to a return spring of a fixing element, in particular of alpine fixing.

The invention also relates to a fixing element, in particular alpine fixing, which is equipped with such an indicating device.

In the case of alpine skiing, it is known that a boot is retained in abutment on the ski by a front binding element and a rear binding element. Each fastening element has a member for retaining one end of the boot, this member being movable under the impulse of the boot, against the return force of an elastic return member generally constituted by a spring.

The intensity of the force or moment that the shoe must overcome to be released, and which is usually called release force or moment of release, depends on the dimensions and kinematics of the retaining member, and also on the own stiffness of the spring, as well as the adjustment of its hardness, that is to say its initial prestress. For a given binding element, only this last parameter can be adjustable so as to adapt the binding element to the skier, the other parameters being determined by the construction of the binding element.

The currently existing fastening elements are equipped with a scale of marks, opposite which moves a movable cursor according to the displacement of the means which allow the adjustment of the hardness of the spring. The mark in front of which the cursor is positioned makes it possible to know the hardness setting of the fastening element, that is to say the value of the moment or of the release force of the shoe.

There are standards that define, for the different benchmarks on the scale, the value or range of values of this moment of release. There are also standards which define, according to the skier's capacities, weight, level and other parameters, the benchmark to which the binding element must be adjusted so as to allow skiing in the best conditions , that is to say by avoiding untimely tripping, and by also offering security to release the shoe in the event of danger.

The fastening elements currently existing therefore have on the one hand a means for adjusting the hardness of the element, generally a screw or a threaded plug which regulates the initial preload of the return spring, and an indicator, provided with a scale of marks, generally numbers, in front of which a mobile cursor moves with the hardness adjustment means. The problem is that the indicating device must remain perfectly visible over time, and whatever the conditions under which the fixing element is used.

There are fasteners for which the scale of marks is placed directly on the cover of the fixing element, that is to say that the scale is directly accessible from the outside. For these fasteners, this scale of marks deteriorates rapidly with the blows and shocks to which the fastening element is subjected during its existence.

To remedy this drawback, there are fasteners for which the scale of marks is carried by a label which is protected by a transparent cover. The cursor is then movable under the hood. The problem with this construction is that dirt or moisture is introduced into the interior of the binding, and therefore into the cavity defined by the transparent cover and the label, which deteriorates its readability. This readability is also affected by the fogging which can form under the transparent cover.

To have a good view of the scale of marks, it is interesting that the transparent cover has large dimensions. However, in this case, it is difficult to protect it from knocks and shocks to which the fastening element is subjected during its existence. The rollover therefore has, over time, scratches or other damage which make it opaque, and hamper the readability of the scale of marks.

One of the aims of the present invention is to remedy the drawbacks of this device, and to propose an indicator device which has large dimensions, but which also keeps a very good readability whatever its duration of use, and the conditions in which the fastener is used.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an indicator device which is simple to make easy to assemble to the rest of the fixing element.

Other objects and advantages will appear during the description which follows, this description being however given as an indication and not limiting.

The device indicating the hardness of an elastic return member, in particular the prestress applied to a return spring of a fastening element, in particular of alpine binding, the element comprising a retaining member of a shoe worn by a body, the retaining member being movable elastically relative to a rest position against the restoring force of the elastic member, means moreover making it possible to adjust the hardness of the elastic member, comprises a scale of marks the along which a cursor moves relative to the displacement of the hardness adjustment means. It is characterized by the fact that it is shaped like a bowl comprising a rim and a recessed bottom under the rim, at least partly transparent, through which the cursor is visible, and that the scale of marks is located on the bottom of the bowl recessed relative to the rim.

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

FIG. 1 represents, in perspective, a front fixing element, and, in the raised position, an indicator device according to a first implementation of the invention.

2 shows, in side view in partial section, the fixing element of Figure 1 equipped with its indicating device.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the indicating device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the indicating device of FIG. 3.

Figure 5 is a view of the same type as that of Figure 1, and illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figures 1 and 2 show, by way of nonlimiting illustration of the invention, a front fixing element 1, which comprises a base 2, intended to be linked to the ski, and a member 3 for retaining the front end of the shoe. The retaining member is here carried by a fixed body 4, that is to say integrally connected to the base 2. The member consists of two independent wings articulated relative to the body 4, which cause their movement a piston 5 movable in a housing of the body 4. The piston causes the compression of a spring 6 which develops a restoring force on the piston, and therefore on the retaining member 3. The spring 6 has its own stiffness, in particular linked to the characteristics of the wire which constitutes it. An adjustment means makes it possible to adjust the length of the spring 6 at rest, that is to say the initial preload of the spring. The means here consists of a screw 7 which bears on the front part of the body and which passes through the spring. The rotation of the screw causes the longitudinal displacement of a stop 8 against which one end of the spring bears. The head 9 of the screw 7 is accessible from outside the body of the binding, and in the example illustrated, the head is split to receive a screwdriver. In its upper part, the body 4 has an opening 10 below which the stop 8, or more precisely a slider 11 connected integrally to the stop 8 moves. The cursor 11 may have an index, for example a line transverse to its upper surface.

The rotation of the screw 7 therefore causes the displacement of the stop 8 in a horizontal and longitudinal direction. The cursor 11, which moves with the stop 8, is visible through the opening 10, and its position indicates the initial compression which has been applied to the spring, and therefore its hardness.

In the example illustrated, it should also be noted that in the region of the opening 10, the cover 12 of the body 4 is inclined relative to the direction of movement of the cursor 11.

The fastening element 1 is equipped with an indicator device 13. In the example of FIG. 1, the indicator device 13 consists of a plate of material having the shape of a bowl. In particular, the cup-shaped plate has a peripheral rim 14 which is intended to be housed on the edges of the opening 10 which has the cover of the fixing element. It should be noted that the rim 14 has an inclination substantially identical to that presented by the cover 12 in the region of the opening 10.

The cup-shaped plate also has a bottom 15, which is substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the cursor 11. When the plate is in position inside the opening 10, the bottom 15 is located just above above the cursor 11 and it extends at least over the entire travel of the cursor 11.

Finally, the plate has a peripheral side wall 16 which connects the bottom 15 to the rim 14.

The dimensions of the rim 14 correspond substantially to the dimensions of the opening 10 so that the indicator device is integrated in the cover of the binding, and that there is at this level a good seal, in particular to avoid snow and dirt penetrations.

The plate of transparent material 13 is assembled to the body of the fixing element by any appropriate means, and for example by elastic tabs 22 and 23 visible in FIG. 3.

The bottom 15 has large dimensions, and good results have been obtained with a bottom 25 millimeters in length and about 18 millimeters wide. This, of course, is not limiting for the invention.

The bottom 15 of the bowl is at least partially transparent, so that the cursor 11 is visible, and more precisely that its position relative to a scale of marks, carried by the device 13, can be seen from the outside. without any difficulty.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the bottom 15 is divided into three longitudinal areas 17, 18 and 19. The central area 17 is located just above the area of movement of the cursor 11, and this area is transparently transparent. so that the cursor position is visible. The lateral zones 18 and 19 each carry a part of the scale of marks, the marks here being materialized by dashes and numbers corresponding to hardness adjustment values.

In the example illustrated, the reference scales were made on the bottom surface of the bottom 15. The figures and the dashes were first printed, by any appropriate means, either by engraving, or by hot stamping. . Then, these figures were covered by two strips of paint which constitute zones 18 and 19.

Thus, from what has just been described, it appears that the part of the indicating device 13 which carries the scale of marks, through which the cursor is visible, has large dimensions which allow an easy reading of the adjustment. hardness of the fixation. In addition, this zone is largely set back relative to the edge 14 of the device 13. This zone is therefore well protected from blows and shocks to which the fastening element is subjected during its use. Finally, it should be noted that the device 13 is very simple, although the cover 12 of the fixing element is oblique, and that the direction of movement of the cursor 11 is horizontal and longitudinal. No particular adaptation or particular arrangement is made necessary for the cursor to constantly move in the immediate vicinity of the scale of marks.

FIG. 5 represents an alternative embodiment, according to which the device 13, in addition to the plate 11, similar to the preceding plate, has a label 20, interposed between the plate and the opening 10 of the cover, which matches the general shape bowl of the wafer, that is to say in particular the rim 14 and the bottom 15. In addition, in its bottom part, the label 20 has a slot 21, of longitudinal direction, through which the cursor 11 of the fixing element is visible. The slow 21 is actually located in the area 17 of the wafer.

Optionally, it is the label, on either side of the slot 21, which could carry the scales of marks. In this case, the bottom 15 of the device would be completely transparent.

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

Claims (4)

Device for indicating the hardness of an elastic return member, in particular of the prestress applied to a return spring of a fastening element, in particular of alpine fastening, the element comprising a retaining member (3) of a shoe carried by a body (4), the retaining member being movable elastically relative to a rest position against the restoring force of the elastic member, means (7) also making it possible to adjust the hardness of the member elastic, the indication device comprising a scale of marks along which a cursor (11) relatively moves according to the displacement of the hardness adjustment means,
characterized by the fact that it is shaped like a bowl (11) comprising a rim (14) and a bottom (15) recessed under the rim, at least in part transparent, through which the cursor (11) is visible, and that the scale of marks is located on the bottom (15) of the bowl recessed relative to the rim. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the scale of marks is located on the bottom (15) of the bowl, below its lower surface. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that it further comprises a label (20) matching the shape of the bowl and located under this bowl. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the label has an elongated slot (21) through which the cursor is visible.

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