EP0674925B1 - Skibinding - Google Patents

Abstract

The binding consists of a retaining jaw (4) which can be moved between retaining and release positions, a body (2) carrying the jaw and connected to the ski via a base, and a jaw return mechanism with a spring (15) and locking element (16). It also has a feeler which supports at least part of the ski boot sole, and a connector (63) between the feeler and the return mechanism. The connector reinforces the effort which the return mechanism exercises on the jaw in response to an increase in the force applied to the feeler. The return spring also has a regulating screw (20), and the connector is linked to a component (66) which acts as a lever against the end of the screw to apply an additional compression to the spring. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a shoe retaining element on a gliding board, in particular on an alpine ski. The invention also relates to an assembly for retaining a boot on a gliding board, in particular an alpine ski. Secondly, the invention relates to a fixing assembly intended to retain a boot bearing on a ski.

In the case of alpine skiing, it is known to hold a boot in abutment by a front retaining element and a rear retaining element, which respectively hold the front and rear ends of the boot.

Each retaining element generally has a jaw carried by a body, the body being connected to the ski by a base. The jaw is movable between a position where it retains the shoe, and a position where it allows the release of the shoe. An elastic return mechanism, generally constituted by a compression spring, opposes a force of resistance to the movement of the jaw.

The resistance force is determined by the stiffness of the spring, as well as by an adjustment means, usually a screw or a threaded plug, which makes it possible to adjust the initial compression of the spring. The adjusting means usually makes it possible to adjust the hardness of the fastening element on a hardness scale which is defined by the nature of the spring. The hardness is significant of the effort that the shoe must overcome to be released.

During skiing, this force is only influenced by the friction of the boot in its retaining jaw.

Known from the German patent application published under number 29 16 352 a return mechanism comprising in parallel a spring and a damping member which opposes the compression of the spring a resistance all the higher as the stress on the opening of the jaw is more violent.

Such a mechanism makes it possible to increase the force that the jaw must overcome to release the shoe as a function of the speed at which the shoe biases the jaw upon opening. Thus, for low speeds, corresponding overall to situations where the skier is stopped or skiing slowly, the force to be overcome is relatively low. On the contrary, if the skier skis faster, his shoe stresses the jaw more violently, and the jaw offers greater resistance to opening.

The implementation of such a construction proves to be difficult because it is necessary to control the damping member which must be compact, and the flow of the fluid inside of it. In addition, to obtain a reliable effect, the fluidity of the fluid must be insensitive to temperature variations.

The problem posed by the invention is to improve the operation of the existing retaining elements.

The invention proposes to adapt, during skiing, the hardness of the binding element to the conditions of use of the binding element.

It aims in fact to obtain an effect of the same type as that obtained with document 29 16 352, but by other means basing the increase in the restoring force of the jaw on a different source of information.

Another object of the invention is to propose a retaining element whose return force of the jaw is not influenced by the outside temperature.

Another object of the invention is to propose a retaining element which is relatively simple to construct.

Another object of the invention is to propose a binding assembly which has an action on the pressure distribution of the ski on the snow.

These and other objects which will appear during the following description are achieved by the invention as defined in claim 1.

It should be noted that there are known compensation mechanisms using a feeler located under the shoe which acts on the jaw return mechanism. Such a device is for example described in the German patent application published under the number 33 07 022.

These mechanisms however have an opposite effect to that sought by the present invention. Indeed, these mechanisms lower the restoring force that the jaw must overcome to release the shoe, in order to compensate for the increase in friction between the shoe and the jaw: As will appear during the description which follows, the invention is not incompatible with such mechanisms.

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

Figure 1 is a general side view of a set of fasteners implementing the invention.

Figure 2 is a partial top view of the assembly of Figure 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view in section of the front fixing element of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 represents in top view and in two half-sections along different planes the fixing element of FIG. 3.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1, in the presence of the shoe.

Figure 6 shows in side view and in partial section the assembly of Figure 1 at the rear fixing element.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a component of the fixing element shown in FIG. 3.

Figure 8 relates to an alternative embodiment of the front fixing element.

FIG. 9 represents, in top view and in two half-sections along different planes, the fixing element of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 shows in perspective and in exploded view the base of the fixing element of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 shows the middle part of a ski which is equipped with a front binding element and a rear binding element
The front fixing element 1 represented in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6 is essentially known from the French patent application published under the number FR 2 640 516.

It comprises a body 2 connected to a base 3 which is integrally connected to the ski by any suitable means and for example by screws. Seen from above, the base has a "U" shape open towards the rear, with two lateral branches 3a and 3b.

The body is movable vertically relative to the base, for example by a deformable link, located in zone 9 at the junction between the body and the base. The body and the base are connected continuously by this deformable zone and form a one-piece element.

The body 2 carries a jaw 4 for retaining the front end of the shoe. The jaw 4 comprises two lateral retaining wings 5 and 6, respectively articulated to the body 2 around axes 7 and 8. The jaw 4 also includes a sole clamp 12 for vertical retention of the shoe.

The wings 5 and 6 are movable in response to the stresses of the shoe, against the restoring force applied to them by a spring 15.

The spring 15 is housed in the body. It actuates a piston 16 also housed and guided in the body for a longitudinal translational movement. The figures show that the piston is housed and guided in a housing 17 of the body, and that the spring is engaged inside the piston. Its front end bears against the bottom of the piston, located on the front side of the fixing element. A screw 20, the head of which is retained at the front of the body moreover passes through the piston and the spring, and has a nut 21 towards the rear which retains the rear end of the spring. A rotation of the screw moves the rear end of the spring 15, which makes it possible to adjust the initial compression of the spring.

The wings 5 and 6 have, beyond their axis of articulation to the body 7 and 8, a small arm 5a, 6a, which drives the piston 16 towards the rear, bearing against a shoulder 23 situated in the upper rear part of the piston 16.

The fastening element 1 also comprises a support device for the front end of the shoe sole.

The support device has a support plate 25 on which the shoe sole rests. The plate 25 can be equipped in its upper part with any suitable coating intended to facilitate lateral sliding of the shoe, for example a PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) plate. It has a width which is of the order of the width of the ski at this level. In the illustrated embodiment, the plate 25 is articulated around a transverse axis 26, which is carried by a bearing secured to the base 3 or connected integrally to the ski.

The element 1 shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 7 also has a compensation mechanism which alleviates the restoring force that the spring 15 exerts on the wings 5 and 6.

This mechanism comprises a rocker 30 which is partly housed between the branches 3a and 3b of the base 3. The rocker is articulated around an axis 32 carried by these branches.

The rocker 30 has an approximately horizontal wing 33 which is accessible on the rear of the fixing element between the branches 3a and 3b of the base. The front of the plate 25 is designed to be able to rest on the end of the branch 33.

The rocker 30 also has an approximately vertical arm formed by two lateral pads which pass on each side of the piston 16, and which each carry on a shoulder 37 which the piston presents under the shoulder 23 of the wings. Only the shoe 35 is visible in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Advantageously, a spring 38 recalls the plate 25 in a rest position which places its front end above the wing 33 of the rocker. When the shoe is engaged, the plate is lowered until it comes into contact with the branch 33. An automatic adaptation of the fastening element to the thickness of the shoe sole is thus achieved.

The rocker has dimensions such that a vertical downward force exerted on its branch 33 is transmitted to the piston 16 in the form of a rearward stress, that is to say in the same direction as the stresses. from the wings. The rearward movement of the piston 17 is accompanied by a rotation of the rocker 30 about the axis 32. The stress transmitted by the rocker to the piston 17 decreases the force as much as one of the wings must itself even exercise on the piston to move it enough back so that the opening of the wing allows the release of the wing.

This mechanism compensates for the increase in friction between the shoe sole and the support plate 26 in the event of a front fall.

A connecting rod also connects the rocker, in front of the axis 32, to the upper part of the body. In the event of a fall backwards, the body 2 rises by deformation of the zone 9. This movement is transmitted to the rocker by the link 38. This causes a stress on the piston which goes in the same direction as the previous stress. . This compensates for the increase in friction between the shoe and the sole clamp. If the stress on the sole is strong enough, the sole clamp lets the shoe sole escape upwards.

Naturally, other compensation or adaptation mechanisms to the thickness of the sole may be suitable.

In addition, the construction of the fixing element in itself is not limiting. It shows a mode of construction of the fastening element with which the present invention is compatible. Other constructions are suitable, in particular other simplified constructions.

The assembly shown in FIG. 1 also has a rear fixing element 40. This element is of a known type. It has in particular a movable jaw 41 carried by a body 42. In a manner also known, the body 42 is movable along a slide 43.

The fastening assembly also has a support plate 44 for the rear of the shoe sole which is located in front of the slide 43.

The device according to the invention has a feeler capable of picking up stresses on the shoe.

It also has a connection between the probe and the front fixing element. This connection is intended to increase the restoring force that the spring opposes to the opening of a wing with the intensity of the stress picked up by the probe.

In the illustrated embodiment, the probe is the support plate 44 located at the front of the slide 43. The connection between the probe and the front element comprises a plate 46, the front end of which is connected to the front fixing element, and the rear end of which is movable. The rear end has a pallet 45 on which the shoe rests which arrives at the level of the plate support 44 in the presence of the shoe. This is visible in Figure 5. Optionally, as shown, the plate 46 is in two parts assembled together, in order to be able to adapt the length of the plate to the spacing of the front and rear fixing elements.

In addition, the slide is connected to the ski by a base plate 48 to which it is articulated around a transverse axis 49. The transverse axis is materialized by the cooperation of the rear end of the slide with the rear edge of the base plate. A hinge pin formed by a pin or any other suitable means may also be suitable. Preferably, the connection between the slide and the base is provided to allow the front end of the slide to lower vertically, and to impede the roll movements between the slide and the base, so as to allow vertical suspension of the shoe while preserving good transmission of lateral forces, especially when taking cards.

A block of damping material 50 located between the slide and the base plate resiliently brings the slide 43 upwards, against a stop 51 for example secured to the base plate. The block 50 can be replaced by any suitable means, for example a spring.

The slide can thus oscillate vertically downwards from the position defined by the stop 51, against the return force of the block 50. In particular, when the plate 46 is in the position of FIG. 6, the slide can oscillate towards the bottom under the impulse of the solicitations of the shoe. The support plate 44 then forms a feeler which picks up the vertical stresses on the shoe, or more precisely the variations in the support force exerted by the rear end of the shoe sole.

Figure 6 best illustrates the connection between the plate 46 and the slide 43. Under the support plate 44 is a rocker 52 articulated around a transverse axis 53 carried by the base 48. The rocker has a horizontal branch 55 engaged under the slide, and it further has a substantially vertical bearing face 56 against which comes a complementary face 57 located at the rear end of the plate, when the plate is in the low position.

In this way, the downward oscillation of the slide causes the rocker to rotate and the forward movement of the plate 46, by pressing the rocker 52 on the rear face 57 of the plate.

The plate 46 is preferably connected to the front by a hinge, and at its rear end, it is urged upwards by a device forming a ski brake 58. In particular, this device comprises two articulated arms 59 recalled by a spring 60.

The front fastening element is itself mounted on a base plate 62 integrally connected to the ski. The base plate extends between the base and the ski. It is provided with a longitudinal housing inside which a slide 63 is guided. The slide opens out at the rear of the base plate and it is connected to the front of the plate 46 by a cooperation of shapes allowing the 'joint.

The connection is also ensured by a flexible tongue 64, each end of which is secured to the base plate and to the plate, respectively. Any other means of connection may also be suitable.

At the front, the slide is in abutment against the lower end of a lever 66. This part enters the body 3 by a vertical housing 67 located on the front, its upper flared part is crossed by the screw 20 and takes support under his head. Its upper end rests on the body beyond the screw. Under the action of the slide 63, the lever 66 acts on the screw head like a lever, resting on the body 2. At rest, the screw head presses the lever 66 against the wall of the housing 67.

A longitudinal displacement of the slide due to the advancement of the plate 46 causes the lever to tilt, which acts on the screw by forcing it to translate forward. This results in additional compression of the spring which hardens the resistance opposed to the opening of the wings. This resistance is therefore relatively low in normal skiing, that is to say when stopped or at slow speed. When the skier skis faster, his variations in support forces on the feeler 44 are transmitted to the spring 15 which momentarily induces a higher restoring force on the wings.

The ratio of the lifting arms with which the lever 66 acts on the spring 15 can naturally be adjusted by the relative height of the different elements.

It should be noted that the various movements of the plate and of the slide are recalled elastically by the additional compression which they induce on the spring 15.

In addition, the action of the slide on the spring does not affect the operation of the compensation mechanisms. These are only affected by the additional compression of the spring. These mechanisms can therefore operate normally, their effect being superimposed on the variation in compression of the spring which is caused by the lever 66.

Figures 8 to 10 relate to an alternative embodiment of the front fixing element. The fastening element 71 is of the rotating body type. It has a jaw 74 connected integrally to a body 72. The body is pivotally mounted around a pivot 76 carried by a base 75. The base is extended on the front by a support plate 77 intended to receive the shoe sole.

In known manner, the jaw 74 is in one piece and has two lateral retaining wings and a vertical retaining sole clamp.

A spring 79 is housed in the body, the spring pushes a tip 80 against a flat 81 located at the front of the pivot 76. The spring 79 is pre-stressed by a plug 83 screwed onto the front of the body.

The base 75 is installed on a base plate 85, pierced with a longitudinal housing in which a slide 86 is guided. Towards the rear, the slide is connected to the plate 46, for example by the same means as those which have been described previously.

At the front, the slide 86 presses against a flap 87 articulated in its upper part around a transverse axis 88 carried by the pivot 76. The flap 87 is embedded in a housing 89 located at the front of the pivot, and it has on its front face the flat 81 against which the end piece 80 rests. At rest, the flap 87 is supported at the bottom of its housing 89, under the thrust of the spring 79.

Downward, the flap has a foot 90 which passes through the base 75 and opens into the housing of the base plate 85. The slide 86 acts on the foot 90 by pushing it forward.

The fastening element 71 is associated with a mobile feeler capable of picking up the stresses on the shoe. For example, this probe is associated with a rear fixing element and a plate of the same type as those which have been described previously.

The assembly works as follows. When the probe picks up a vertical stress on the shoe, it causes a forward movement of the plate and of the slide, from which a tilting of the flap 87. This tilting momentarily increases the preload of the spring 79. The body 72 will therefore encounter a momentarily greater resistance force which opposes its pivoting around the pivot 76.

It should be emphasized that the movement of the flap, of the slide 86 and of the plate 46, are recalled elastically by the additional compression of the spring 79.

Figure 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment. It represents a fastening element 91 whose construction is similar to that of the preceding element 71.

The main difference is that the probe is here formed by the front support plate 93. The base 92 of the element 91 carries this support plate on the rear. The base is connected at the front to a hinge pin 94 carried by a bearing 95 secured to the ski.

The base is held raised by a block 96 of elastically deformable material.

It is also held by a set of two links 98 and 99 hinged together. The rod 98 has a short length, it is connected to the rear end of the base at one of its ends. Its other end rests on the upper surface of the ski, by means of a stud 99 secured to the ski, or by any other suitable means.

The other link connects the lower end of the link 98 to the base 100 of the shutter 101 embedded in the pivot.

During skiing, in normal operation, the rear part of the base 92 is held in suspension above the ski. In the event of excessive stress, this part lowers, which causes the flap to tilt forwards by the play of the rods, hence additional compression.

Thus, the fastening element has a hardness which varies with the stresses of the shoe. The hardness can be set to a low value initially. This provides good safety for the skier in the event of a fall when stopped or at slow speed. It is known in fact that falls at a standstill or at slow speed are relatively more serious than falls at high speed, in particular falls in torsion or before torsion.

During skiing, the hardness increases with the stresses which pass between the boot and the ski. As a result, the boot is better retained on the ski during the impulse phases and when the turns are initiated, that is to say when the skier exerts strong supports on his ski, when he needs that his ski gives him a clear support on the snow, in situations where he is not really in danger.

The hardness of the binding element returns to its initial value by itself as soon as the skier uses his ski less.

It should be noted that the action of the feeler on the compression of the spring can also induce an effect on the bending of the ski. Thus, in the first two embodiments described in FIGS. 1 to 10, the feeler 44, the rocker 52, and the plate 46, play on the flexion of the ski a role similar to that of the elements described in the European patent application published under the number EP 567 780. The variations in support of the boot on the probe produce the same effect on the front end of the ski, that is to say a bending moment tending to cause the front of the ski to plunge towards the snow. The intensity of this moment depends mainly on the altitude of the articulation between the plate 46 and the slide 63 (or 86) relative to the upper surface of the ski, and on the altitude of the support point of the slide. 63 (or 86) on lever 66 or flap 87.

The role of valve played by the pre-stressed spring is here provided by the return spring of the wings (that is to say the spring 15 or the spring 79). So that under the effect of strong vibrations of support of the skier, or strong flexions of the ski, the spring 15 where 79 by compressing increases the hardness of the fixing element, but also protects the mechanism of the probe, in particular the rocker 52, against excessive stresses.

The spring 15 or 79 can only be compressed additionally under the effect of a stress greater than its initial pre-stress, in the same way as the valve spring.

If the stress that the probe transmits to the plate remains below the spring preload, it is transmitted to the ski directly in the form of a bending moment in the same way as that described in application EP 567 780.

Overall, the two effects of flexing the ski and increasing hardness occur together.

The construction described in relation to FIG. 11 also exerts an action on the bending of the ski, but this action is reversed, that is to say it tends to raise the front of the ski.

Indeed, a stress exerted on the feeler tends by reaction to pull back the base 92 of the binding. This reaction is transmitted to the axis 94, and transformed at this level in a bending moment which tends to raise the front of the ski.

The invention is not limited to the various constructions which have been described, it encompasses the variants, the equivalents, and in general all the constructions which are defined by the appended claims.

In particular, the invention is not limited to a front fastening element. It also applies to a rear type fastening element, the return spring of which could be additionally compressed by the action of a feeler preferably situated under the front end of the sole, in the manner of feeler 93. .

In addition, the probe could be independent, that is to say dissociated from the base of the fixing element with which it is associated.

The movement of the probe is not necessarily vertical. The feeler could also pick up the rolling stresses of the front or rear end of the shoe.

Claims (8)

1. Element for retaining a boot on a gliding board, especially an alpine ski, comprising a retention jaw (4, 74) that is mobile between a position for retaining the boot and a position for releasing the boot, a body (2, 72) bearing the jaw and adapted to be assembled to the ski by means of a base, a jaw return mechanism comprising a return spring (15, 79) acting on a latching member (16, 80) so as to provide an elastic resistance force against the distancing of the jaw from its retention position, a sensor (45, 93) adapted to at least locally support the sole of the boot, a connection (46, 63, 66, 87, 98, 99, 101) between the sensor and the return mechanism, characterized by the fact that the connection is provided so as to increase the elastic resistance force that the return mechanism exerts on the jaw in response to an increase in the support force perceived by the sensor.
2. A retention element according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it is a front binding element adapted to retain the front end of the boot.
3. A retention element according to claim 2, having an adjustment screw (20) enabling the pre-stress of return spring (15) to be adjusted, characterized by the fact that the connection comprises an element (66) acting like a lever on the screw so as to translate it in the direction of an additional compression of spring (15).
4. A retention element according to claim 1, comprising a body (72) that is mobile about a pivot (76) and wherein the latching member is a joining piece (80) in support against a flat surface (81) associated with the pivot, characterized by the fact that the flat surface is borne by a flap (87) mobile in support on the pivot, and that connection (46, 86) pushes back the flap in the direction of an additional compression of the spring.
5. A retention element according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the sensor (45) is provided to support the rear end of the boot.
6. A retention element according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that the sensor is the vertically mobile rear end of a plate (46) whose front end is connected by a journal to a slide (86), and that a rocking means (52) forces the plate (46) and the slide to get translated longitudinally when the rear end of the plate gets lowered.
7. A retention element according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the sensor (93) to provided to support the front end of the boot.
8. A retention assembly adapted to retain a boot in support against a gliding board, especially an alpine ski, characterized by the fact that it comprises a retention element according to any of the preceding claims.

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