EP1138355A1 - Apparatus for fastening a skiboot to a ski - Google Patents

Abstract

A retaining device is disclosed for retaining the front end of an associated boot (50) on an associated ski (3). A movable jaw (4) pivots on a base (6) around a vertical axis (7) against the action of an elastic return means (8). The elastic return means (8) includes two actuating arms (10a, 10b), acted upon by an elastic system (11). Each of the actuating arms (10a, 10b) pivots independent of the jaw (4) around a pivot axis (15a, 16b). The jaw (4) cooperates with the actuating arms (10a, 10b) via a driving element (9). The elastic return means (8) is arranged below the front end of the associated boot (50) in back of the transverse plane (T) which passes through the pivot axis (7) of the jaw (4).

Description

The present invention relates to a device for retaining a ski boot on a board glides like a ski.

The invention relates more particularly to a improvement for device intended to retain on a triggerable ski at the front of the boot the user.

In general, the shoe of a skier is retained on the ski so that it can be triggered by its end front thanks to a front fixing commonly called "stop", and by its rear end, in particular its heel, thanks to a rear attachment commonly called "heel piece".

In the event of significant efforts, the release of the ski boot endangering the leg or joints of the skier is done by release either of the front, either from the heel of the shoe, or from both to that time. For this purpose, the front stop includes, for example, a jaw pivoting at least laterally, while the heel piece generally includes a swivel mounted jaw for pivoting up around a transverse axis, the jaw of the stopper and that of the heel piece being each requested by a trigger spring whose compression is adjustable to provide the skier with an effort value adapted for the release of his shoe.

We already know many fixings of front safety intended to maintain the front of a shoe on a ski to allow the skier to on the one hand, the practice of skiing and, on the other hand, the release of his shoe when he appears a dangerous load on the leg. Such fasteners include a stressed pivoting jaw in centered position of restraint by an elastic system such as a spring.

The present invention therefore intends to resolve the disadvantages of previous fixings by proposing a new, very compact binding including a minimum of parts, intended to retain the front end of the shoe that the forward area beyond of the jaw is released.

Thus, the fixation of the invention more particularly suitable for retaining trigger the front end of the shoe skier is of the type which includes a movable jaw in pivoting on a base around a vertical axis, against the action of elastic return means, and is characterized in that the elastic return means consist of two actuated actuating arms by an elastic system, each of the arms actuation independent of the jaw being pivoting about a pivot axis while the jaw cooperates with the actuating arms thanks to a drive member which is integral with it, said elastic return means being, moreover, arranged under the front end of the shoe in back of the transverse plane passing through the axis of pivoting of the jaw. The elastic system can of course be of any type, such as type operating in compression or traction, other, such as twist.

According to additional characteristics, the two actuating arms are requested by the system elastic against at least one fixed support stop, while the drive member is constituted by a downwardly extending cylindrical projection of which the axis is advantageously arranged behind by relative to the pivot axis of the jaw.

According to a characteristic of the the invention, each of the two arms is a lever called the third kind, according to which, the point of application of the effort is placed between the fulcrum, that is to say the pivot point of the arm, and the point of resistance, i.e. the point of application of elastic system.

According to another characteristic, the organ is connected to the jaw by through a front plate extending substantially horizontally and on which is intended to rest on the underside of the front of the sole of the shoe to constitute for it down support means.

Let us add that the cylindrical projection constituting the drive member is retained in a centered position by two actuating ramps made on two arms actuation, each of the two actuation ramps being carried out by the front border of the first corresponding portion of the actuating arm corresponding, each of the ramps comprising, by elsewhere, a first portion of ramp or ramp of restraint, extended by a second portion of ramp or trigger ramp, the passage of the organ actuation of the first ramp portion at the second portion of ramp thus ensuring the value of the release force releasing the shoe.

Note also that the the invention is characterized in that each of the arms actuation, the left arm and the right arm, is articulated around a pivot axis respectively to extend under the area occupied by the end of the shoe by a first portion extending in direction of the plane of symmetry extended by a second portion extending side by side rearward, while that their respective ends are stressed by the elastic system against the fixed stop.

In one embodiment, the base is fixed to the skiing, while in another mode the device retainer is arranged in front of a swivel plate articulated at its front end around an axis of transverse pivoting.

According to this other embodiment, the base is articulated around the transverse pivot axis to be extended backwards to constitute the swivel plate which includes at the front the jaw of retaining and at the rear retaining means intended for hold the back of the shoe.

It was understood that the fixing of the invention, which leaves the front area of the jaw free, made to fit touring skis which require lifting the user's heel when its progression.

Other features and benefits of the invention will emerge from the description which goes follow with regard to the attached drawings which are not given as non-limiting examples.

Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 illustrate a mode of execution of the fixing of the invention.

Figure 1 is a side view.

Figure 2 is a top view.

Figure 3 is an end view along rear F in front of figure 4.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 are views in perspective illustrating different variations of elastic systems possible.

Figures 8 and 9 are views illustrating one applications of the binding according to the invention.

Figure 10 is an illustration of another application of the fixation of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, showing another alternative embodiment.

The front binding according to the invention carrying the general reference (1) of longitudinal plane of symmetry general (P) is fixed on the upper surface (2) of the ski (3) and comprises a retaining member (4) of the shoe, forming a jaw fitting the front (5) of the shoe (50), said jaw being disposed pivoting on a base (6) around a vertical axis (7) extending upward in the plane of symmetry (P).

The jaw (4) is stressed and held in place centered restraint position by means of elastic return (8) comprising a member drive (9), two actuating arms (10a, 10b), an elastic system (11) and a stop fixed support (12).

Thus, to the jaw (4) is linked an organ drive (9) consisting of a projection cylindrical extending downwards and whose axis (13) is advantageously arranged behind with respect to the pivot axis (7) of the jaw (4).

Thus, the cylindrical projection constituting the drive member is retained in a centered position by two actuating ramps (14a, 14b) produced on two actuating arms (10a, 10b).

Add that the drive member (9) is connected to the jaw (4) via a front plate (90) extending substantially horizontally and on which is intended to rest the underside of the front of the sole of the shoe to constitute the downward support means for said shoe. Furthermore, this front plate (90) includes a vertical projection at its front end (91) extending upwards and intended to cooperate by cooperation of shapes with the front face (40) of the jaw (4) so that the pivoting of said jaw causes the pivoting drive of said front plate (90). Note also that the jaw includes height adjustment means (41) and that it is movable in vertical translation by relative to the vertical projection (91) which ensures it guidance.

As we saw earlier, the means of reminder (8) include two actuating arms (10a, 10b) pivoted stressed in the centered position against the fixed support stop (12) thanks to a system elastic (11).

Each of the actuating arms, i.e. the left arm (10a) and the right arm (10b), is therefore articulated around a pivot axis respectively (15a, 15b) to extend under the area occupied by the end of the shoe by a first portion (16a, 16b) extending towards the plane of symmetry (P) extended by a second portion (17a, 17b) extending side by side backwards, while their respective ends are requested by the system elastic against the fixed stop (12).

Note also that the drive member (9) is arranged in the plane of symmetry (P) as well as the fixed stop (12), while the two arms actuation (10a, 10b) are advantageously symmetrical with respect to said general plane of symmetry (P).

Furthermore and according to a characteristic of the invention, the elastic return means (8) are arranged under the front end (5) of the boot the user. Thus, the drive member (9), the two actuating arms (10a, 10b), the system elastic (11) and the fixed support stop (12) are arranged behind (AR) the transverse plane (T) passing through the vertical pivot axis (7) of the jaw (4).

Note that the two actuation ramps (14a, 14b) are made by the front edge of the first corresponding portion (16a, 16b) of the arm corresponding actuation. Each of the ramps (14a, 14b) includes a first ramp portion (140a, 140b) or retaining ramp extended by a second ramp portion (141a, 141b) or ramp trigger. The passage of the actuator (9) from the first ramp portion (140a, 140b) to the second ramp portion (141a, 141b) ensures the value of the release force releasing the shoe. The configuration of the first ramp portion (140a, 140b), creates the value of the elastic return force, as well as the variation of this effort, depending on the movement of the shoe, i.e. the shape of the trigger curve is defined by the shape and the dimension of the ramp, which allows for modify the ramp modify the curve trigger.

The elastic return system (11) in position centered actuation arms (10a, 10b) can be any type like, for example, the one illustrated in Figures 1 to 5. According to this embodiment, it is consisting of an elastic ring enclosing the two first portions (16a, 16b) of both arms actuation (10a, 10b). During a solicitation from the shoe, there will be pivoting of the jaw (4) around its pivot axis (7) which, thanks to its drive member (9), will train the arm corresponding (10b) pivoting about its axis of pivot (15b) as shown more particularly in Figure 4, by extension and elastic deformation of the elastic ring (11) which has tendency to bring the corresponding arm back on the stop (12). Said ring can be for example in elastomeric or similar material

The front fixing (1) of the invention can be, of course, used on any type of ski like, for example example, an alpine ski intended for the practice of hike as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 and Figures 8 and 9.

According to this embodiment, the front fixing (1) of the invention is arranged at the front of a plate pivoting (25). Thus, the base (6) articulated around a transverse pivot axis (26) is extended backwards to form the pivoting plate (25) and is articulated at its front end around the axis transverse pivot (26). Said axis is retained by a mounting bracket (27) comprising two walls lateral (28a, 28b) retaining the pivot axis transverse (26), while they are connected by a base plate (29) fixed to the ski (3) by a set of screw (30).

Note that the rear end of the plate pivoting (25) comprises retaining means (31) designed to hold the back of the shoe, while that a mobile rear restraint system (32) allows block the back of the plate (25) on the ski, as as illustrated in figure 8 or to release it like that is shown in Figure 9, allowing the pivoting up of the plate around its axis transverse pivot (26).

Of course, the front fixing (1) of the invention can be used in the context of classic alpine skiing as it is illustrated 'in Figure 10. In this variant, the base (6) is fixed to the ski by a set of screws (30). We note that the fixing can be advantageously used to equip short skis or similar such as scooters, for example having a length less than a meter.

In the two applications previously described, it can be seen that the elastic return means (8) are arranged under the front end (5) of the user's shoe. This has an advantage important which consists in freeing the zone (Z) arranged in front of the jaw (4), which allows in particular the pivoting of the plate (25) in the embodiment Figures 8 and 9.

It goes without saying that the retainer for the shoe, consisting of a one-piece jaw (4) according to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, could consist of two half jaws, each half-jaws being articulated around an axis of pivoting and including its own organ training.

Of course, any type of elastic system can be used to act on the actuating arms (10a, 10b) and in particular a system of the type elastically deformable as illustrated in Figure 6. According to this variant, the elastic system consists of a flat stirrup made of material deformable whose ends cooperate with the first portions (16a, 16b) of each of the arms actuation (10a, 10b).

According to the modes of execution of the elastic system (11) illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 and 6, the adjustment of the stressing effort is made by moving the elastic system action point (11) forward or backwards, to move more or less away from the pivot center of the arms. So on the border external of each of the actuating arms is provided a succession of notches (110).

The elastic system (11) can be provided and is, for example, set up like this to illustrate Figure 7 at least one spring and in the example of realization constituted by a case (18) comprising two springs (19a, 19b): a first compression spring (19a) supported by one of its ends on a adjustment device (20) and by the other of its ends on the first actuating arm (10a), and a second compression spring (19b) supported by one of its ends on the bottom of the case (21) and by the other of its ends on the second arm actuation (10b). Note that the two springs are coaxial and that their respective axes are transverse to be perpendicular to the general plane of symmetry (P) and their respective axes are advantageously in the general plan (H) of the two actuating arms which are advantageously made by a flat profile of rectangular section.

In the embodiment described above, the two actuating arms (10a, 10b) are symmetrical with respect to the plane (P) of symmetry general, but it could be otherwise.

So, for example, the pivot axes (15a, 15b) may not be arranged symmetrically with respect to the plane P so as not to have the same effort to release the shoe towards the right and left. We could also plan on each of the arms a different ramp to achieve this effect.

Thanks to the description given above, we note that the actuating arms (10a, 10b) are not not attached to the jaw (4), but are linked to it kinematically.

It should also be noted that according to another characteristic of the invention, each of the arms actuation (10a, 10b) is a lever called the third kind, according to which, the point of application of the force (A) is placed between the fulcrum, i.e. the pivot point (B), and the resistance (C), i.e. the point of application of the elastic system (11), as appears more particularly in Figure 2.

Figure 11 is an illustration of a variant according to which each of the actuating arms has its own stop. So the left arm (10a) is in support on a stop (12a), while the right arm (10b) is supported on another stop (12b), the device therefore comprising two stops (12a, 12b). In this variant, the elastic system (11) consists by a tension spring, but could also be, constituted by an elastic ring as according to the variant illustrated in Figure 5.

Of course, the invention is not limited to embodiments described and represented as examples but it also includes all technical equivalents and their combinations.

Claims (13)

Retaining device (1) of the front end (5) of a ski boot (50) of the type comprising a jaw (4) pivotally movable on a base (6) around a vertical axis (7) against the action of elastic return means (8), characterized in that the elastic return means consist of two actuating arms (10a, 10b) urged by an elastic system (11), each of the actuating arms independent of the jaw being pivoted about a pivot axis (15a, 16b) while the jaw (4) cooperates with the actuating arms (10a, 10b) by means of a drive member (9), said means elastic return (8) being arranged under the front end of the shoe behind the transverse plane (T) passing through the pivot axis (7) of the jaw. Retaining device (1) of the front end (5) of a boot to a ski (50) according to claim 1, characterized in that the two actuating arms (10a, 10b) are biased against a stop d '' fixed support (12) by the elastic system (11) Retaining device (1) of the front end (5) of a boot to a ski (50) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the elastic system (11) is of the type operating in traction or in compression . Retaining device (1) of the front end (5) of a ski boot (50) according to claim 3, characterized in that the elastic system (11) is made of an elastomeric material. Front end retainer (1) (5) from a boot to a ski (50, according to one any of the preceding claims, characterized in this each of the two actuating arms (10a, 10b) is a lever called the third kind, according to which, the point of application of the force (A) is disposed between the fulcrum, i.e. the pivot point (B, 15a, 15b), and the point of resistance (C), i.e. the point of application of the elastic system (11). Retaining device (1) of the front end (5) of a ski boot (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive member (9) consists of a cylindrical projection extending downward and the axis (13) of which is advantageously disposed rearward relative to the axis (7) of pivoting of the jaw (4). Retaining device (1) of the front end (5) of a ski boot (50) according to claim 6, characterized in that the drive member (9) is connected to the jaw (4) by means of a front plate (90) extending substantially horizontally and on which is intended to bear the underside of the front of the sole of the shoe. Retaining device (1) of the front end (5) of a ski boot (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cylindrical projection constituting the drive member is retained in position centered by two actuating ramps (14a, 14b) produced on two actuating arms (10a, 10b). Device for retaining (1) the front end (5) of a boot to a ski (50) according to claim 8, characterized in that each of the two actuating ramps (14a, 14b) is produced by the edge before the corresponding first portion (16a, 16b) of the corresponding actuating arm, each of the ramps (14a, 14b) comprising a first ramp portion (140a, 140b) or retaining ramp extended by a second ramp portion (141a , 141b) or triggering ramp, the passage of the actuating member (9) from the first ramp portion (140a, 140b) to the second ramp portion (141a, 141b) thus ensuring the value of the force release the shoe. Device for retaining (1) the front end (5) of a boot to a ski (50) according to any one of Claims 8 and 9, characterized in that each of the actuating arms, the left arm ( 10a) and the right arm (10b), is articulated around a pivot axis respectively (15a, 15b) to extend under the area occupied by the end of the shoe by a first portion (16a, 16b) s 'extending towards the plane of symmetry (P) extended by a second portion (17a, 17b) extending side by side towards the rear, while their respective ends are urged by the elastic system against the fixed stop (12) . Retaining device (1) of the front end (5) of a boot to a ski (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (6) is fixed to the ski. Retaining device (1) for the front end (5) of a boot to a ski (50) according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the binding is arranged at the front of a pivoting plate (25) articulated at its front end about a transverse pivot axis (26). Retaining device (1) of the front end (5) of a boot to a ski (50) according to claim 12, characterized in that the base (6) is articulated around the transverse pivot axis ( 26) to be extended rearward to constitute the pivoting plate (25) which comprises at the front the retaining jaw (4) and at the rear retaining means (31) intended to retain the rear of the shoe.

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