EP2022543B1 - Connecting unit - Google Patents

Description

I. Field of application

The invention relates to a connection unit for movably connecting two longitudinal skids.

II. Technical background

There are many different winter sports equipment on the market today, all of which serve to glide on snowy or icy, sloping surfaces. It must be differentiated between systems with a skid or with multiple skids as well as the winter sports equipment with two skids thereafter, whether these skids can be moved by the user independently of each other.

The typical case of a winter sports device with two skids to be moved independently of one another is the pair of skis, in which a ski is firmly connected to a foot via a binding. From this, for example, the single skis equipped with a mono-ski was derived in which both legs / feet are mounted on only one skid.

Another representative of a winter sports equipment with only one skate is the snowboard, the track is driven on only one edge. The fixed position of the feet on the mono-ski as well as on the snowboard brings but also some unpleasant side effects such. B. unilateral stress on the muscles with himself. To combine the fascination of swinging on one edge with the comfort of two independent skis, two-ski systems have been developed that combine the positive effects of different systems in one synthesis.

With the idea of combining two edges in one lane, connecting units and systems have been developed that lead two skis in parallel.

1. 1. Verbindungseinheiten zum Parallelführen der Skispitzen und zur Vermeidung des Überkreuzens der Skier
2. 2. Verbindungseinheiten zur parallelen Fixierung der Skier zu einem Mono-Ski
3. 3. Verbindungseinheiten zur parallelen Führung der Skier mit der Möglichkeit des Aufkantens und der Schrittverschiebung in Richtung der Skilängsachse.

Here different categories can be distinguished, which want to be handed over to the different claims.

1. 1. Connection units for parallel guiding the ski tips and to avoid crossing the skis
2. 2. Connecting units for parallel fixing of the skis to a mono-ski
3. 3. Connection units for parallel guidance of the skis with the possibility of Aufkantens and the step displacement in the direction of the ski longitudinal axis.

From the EP 0 276 630 are known connection units which are attached to the ski tips. A stiff cross strut is attached to two rubber catches, which in turn are mounted on each ski tip. This arrangement allows a guide of the skis both in parallel position, as well as in Pflugstellung with far apart ends. The disadvantage of this connection unit lies in the limited possibility of use, which is suitable only for the area of the ski beginner.

In the FR 2553 670 The connecting units serve to block the ski movements against each other with the intention to mount a mono-ski out of two skis. This type of connection has the disadvantage that when changing from the deep snow to the runway and vice versa, each of the device must be remounted.

In the US-A-3,171,667 A connection unit is placed in front of and behind the ski binding, with the intention of keeping the skis essentially parallel.

The shape of the connecting strut as a ball head, which is stored in a housing mounted on the ski, allows movements of Aufkantens and at the same time the step displacement in the ski longitudinal direction. The parallel ski guide is made here permanently.

Other solutions for connection units, which allow both the edge as well as the stepwise movement in the ski longitudinal direction with parallel guidance of the ski, provide the DE 26 53 701 . EP 0 274 333 B1 and FR 2630 339-A1 , Here, the cross member for parallel guidance of the skis was rotatably mounted on the fasteners on the ski.

The simultaneous arrangement of a rotation axis in the ski longitudinal direction and a rotation axis perpendicular to the ski longitudinal axis, the movements of the skis are three-dimensional as a ball joint allows.

Such winter sports equipment has also been developed out of the need to provide exercise equipment to improve skiing techniques.

However, such extensions to the ski material also offer new movement qualities and new driving techniques. One of the outstanding quality of motion in the current era is the dynamics of movement of the "cut" turns, "as if on a rail", known as "carving turns".

Characteristic feature of these carving turns is the parallel skiing, as well as the higher speed and the strong to extreme cornering.

These lead to a strong deflection of the skis. The energy stored in the ski due to the strong deflection now in turn provides restoring forces that very good riders use to turn their skis.

The exploitation of these restoring forces (which are also called rebound) is an extremely economic momentum technique, which, however, requires a lot of movement. Only large upright angles and driving force ensure that the ski experiences a strong deflection.

Making this fascinating and economical skiing technique available to a large number of beginners and intermediate-level advanced learners is the task of the invention.

From the EP 0 663 844 (Claim 11, 20, 21, 22 and 23) and from WO 97/29816 (Claim 13) winter sports equipment are known, which cause the provision of resilient elements, the automatic return of skis and base plate without external forces acting in the neutral center position.

There are proposed various springs in different arrangements for this purpose. Compression springs, tension springs and torsion springs are attached to the articulated levers.

The rotational movements of the levers around their pivot bearings ensure a tensioning of the spring, which can be turned back with its restoring force, the levers and coupled skis and stand plates in the neutral position.

By an inclination of the pivot axes of the skis and the pivot bearings of the stand plates, the edge of the skis and the stepping in the longitudinal direction of the skis are mechanically preset.

An arbitrary three-dimensional movement of the skis is not possible.

These systems are limited in their function, because for each upright angle of the skids exactly one (in the longitudinal direction and height) defined position of the step displacement is implemented. However, this corresponds insufficiently to the requirements of skiing practice and has considerable disadvantages for harmonic curve control. With changes in the slope and when taking the cornering position, the degrees of freedom of movement in the free three-dimensional direction are required for the relative movement of the two skis, depending on the changes in the terrain and the individual driving style of the user. With the increased number of degrees of freedom of movement to be taken into account in the constructive solution, the complexity of the requirements for the return movement and its quality increases from a technical point of view.

However, these devices were elaborately designed in terms of their spring-back mechanism. Although these solutions effectively meet the requirements of the task at hand, there are some disadvantages apparent here.

These systems for mechanical recovery of the skis in their neutral position are possible only by a high constructive, manufacturing and economic effort. The action of the springs is one-dimensionally directed against the movement of the arranged lever and changes their restoring force with the change in position of the attached lever.

III. Presentation of the invention a) Technical task

It is therefore the object according to the invention to provide a connecting unit for movably connecting two longitudinal skids, which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, supports the user in its movement actions by the return mechanism and thereby equips the two skids with self-propelling characteristics, and Nevertheless, the user allows a relative mobility of the two skids to each other in all three spatial directions.

b) Solution of the task

This object is solved by the features of claim 1 and 11. Advantageous embodiments will be apparent from the dependent claims.

By virtue of the fact that the restoring element (s) - for the sake of simplicity, always mentioned only in the singular, without limiting the invention thereto - react to any kind of deflection and relative movement of the connection unit, ie. H. both on a pivoting of a bearing block relative to the end of the transverse strut attached thereto or on a relative movement of the two cross struts to each other both in the horizontal transverse direction and in the vertical transverse direction, the user has in principle a full three-dimensional mobility for each skid, he must only overcome the restoring force of the return element.

Accordingly, the restoring force of the return elements must be chosen so that they can be overcome by the appropriate user actually and without too much effort.

Nevertheless, the restoring force is sufficient to move the individual parts of the connection unit back to their normal position again and again, just as every car should automatically continue straight on when the steering wheel is released.

In this way, the user of the connection unit is not forced to a certain driving style or driving style, but a carving-like driving style is promoted by such a connection unit.

Nevertheless, the user is able to actively realize any other driving style with the help of such a connection unit.

Due to the inclination of the pivot axis to the direction of travel, ie the longitudinal direction of the skids - viewed from the side - is the edge of a Skid, so the pivoting of the bearing blocks at one end of the connection unit, to an analogous parallelogram-like Aufkantbewegung at the other end of the connection unit, ie in the other skid, lead, especially when using two connection units between two skids.

This works particularly well and with little effort when the inclination of the two pivot axes at the same end of the connection unit and in particular at both ends of the connection unit is the same.

Preferably, the two bearing blocks for the two transverse struts can be combined at the same end of a connecting unit in a common bearing block.

In this case, the pivot axes are preferably not identical, but spaced apart in the longitudinal direction, to allow the two-sided edge.

The restoring element comprises at least one spring element, which causes the return to the normal position, but preferably also a damper element, which is preferably functionally combined with the spring element to avoid the transmission of especially external vibrations from one side of the connection unit to the other and in particular also natural oscillations which arise in the application of the connection unit to attenuate.

A particularly simple design of such a resilient and damping restoring element is a rubber element, in particular a rubber-metal part such as a cylindrical rubber block, in particular with cast-in fastening elements, for. As mounting bushes, made of metal, to introduce a fastener such as a screw or screw into each end face of the rubber block.

Between the parallel transverse struts, one or more Restoring elements, in particular rubber elements are arranged, which are screwed in each case with one of its end faces on one of the transverse struts or otherwise secured.

Preferably, dedicated fastening positions in the form of through-bores are provided on the individual transverse struts for this purpose.

Instead or in addition to this, restoring elements in the form of torsion springs can be arranged in the joints of the bearing blocks.

By restoring elements, in particular rubber elements, different hardness and in different numbers between the cross braces of a connection unit are mounted, the return characteristic of the connection unit can be adjusted individually.

Above all, the spring characteristic of the return elements must not be a straight line, but the restoring force can increase disproportionately with increasing deflection.

The restoring force is the user to edge up - usually mainly only one of the skids - applied torque to the resting on the ground edge of the ski aufkantenden and thus a torque around the pivot axes between the front and rear bearing blocks on the side of this skid.

This introduced when edge up torque is converted into deformation energy, especially the restoring elements, but also the other parts of the connection unit, which is thus again available as restoring force.

How large the force to edge up and thus the restoring force generated depends thus on the force of the user and the geometric conditions, for example, the standing height of the user on the sliding surface of the skid from.

The cross struts themselves are rigid cross struts and do not spring, especially in a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis in the bearing blocks.

Since there is no absolute rigidity in practice anyway, this means that an elastic deformation in a direction perpendicular to the pivot axes in the cross braces should be kept as low as possible, while in the direction of the pivot axes, springs of the cross braces permissible and even desirable should.

A particularly cost-effective design results when the cross struts of a flat material, for. B. made of metal, such as spring beam, are made, whose large transverse axis is parallel to the transverse plane of the pivot axes in the bearing blocks and while the cross braces are viewed in the longitudinal direction arcuately formed.

In order to ensure sufficient freedom of movement of the bearing blocks extending from the free ends of the cross struts extensions down to the bearing blocks, which extend in the plane of the arcuate transverse legs and in particular are integrally formed together with the transverse legs.

In two connection units between two skids as winter sports equipment, it has proved to be advantageous that the torque generated by the edge of a skid at least 60%, better 70% converted into a torque of the cross braces about the axes of rotation in the bearing blocks on the side of the aufgekanteten Skis is, which at the same time as the resulting torque the other skid pressed down against the ground, because precisely by this additional contact pressure of the other skid on this other skid vibration damping, which contributes significantly to the driving stability of winter sports equipment.

With a distance of the skids (from center to center) of 260 mm to 280 mm, in particular 270 mm, with a torque introduced by uprising of 50 Nm, a pressure on the other skid of 140 Newton, better at least 150 Newton, better at least 160 newtons.

• Bei einem für den alpinen Fahrstil ausgelegten Wintersportgerät, bei dem bei der vorderen Verbindungseinheit die Schwenkachsen von vorne nach hinten ansteigen und bei der hinteren Verbindungseinheit von vorne nach hinten abfallen, verschieben sich die beiden Querstreben jeder Verbindungseinheit relativ zueinander bei der hinteren Verbindungseinheit wesentlich stärker zueinander als bei der vorderen Verbindungseinheit.

It should be noted that depending on the direction of the pivot axes, the deformation of the return elements is different:

• In a winter sports equipment designed for the alpine riding style, in which the pivotal axes increase from front to rear in the front connection unit and fall from front to back in the rear connection unit, the two transverse struts of each connection unit shift relative to each other much more than the rear connection unit at the front connection unit.

Accordingly, in this case, shorter and harder restoring elements, in particular rubber elements are used in the front connection unit and the rear significantly longer and softer rubber elements.

With reversing pivot axes, so a deflection of the winter sports equipment for the telemark style, this must be exactly the opposite.

For a good handling of the winter sports equipment, it has also proven to be advantageous that during pivoting of the bearing block from the normal position relative to the attached cross member, so the edge of one of the skids over a Aufkantbereich of 10 ° to 70 °, the necessary applied torque substantially remains the same, so applied in this area maximum torque is not more than 50%, in particular not more than 25% above the minimum applied within this Aufkantbereiches torque.

Further, it has proven to be advantageous that the applied torque for achieving a certain Aufkantwinkels at an approved step displacement in the longitudinal direction of the skids to each other the applied torque is only between 30% and 60% of that torque which is required to the same Aufkantbewegung reach if forcibly, the longitudinal displacement of the skis is mechanically blocked against each other.

This can be achieved, for example, by screwing two or three rubber elements between the transverse struts which, with a diameter of 20 mm to 40 mm and an axial length of 15 mm to 40 mm, have a Shore hardness of 30 to 70.

The offset of the pivot axes in the longitudinal direction should be in the range of 10 to 20 mm, preferably to move the 15 mm.

The individual bearing blocks or also the common bearing block for both cross struts may have a base plate which is designed so that it is also suitable for clamping this base plate between the sole of a ski boot and the upper side of the binding or of the ski itself.

In this case, the connection unit is designed so that when pivoting the bearing blocks relative to the cross struts from the normal position in addition a step shift, ie an offset in the longitudinal direction of the two bearing blocks to each other, occurs, which should be adjustable in particular and should be adjustable to zero.

Since the restoring forces is caused by the axial offset of the pivot axes, the size of the step displacement can be regulated by adjusting the pivot axis distance.

The above-described connection unit can be used to movably connect two parallel skids, such as two carving skis, in which ever such a connection unit in front of and behind the ski bindings in which the ski boots of the user are held respectively, is mounted.

Preferably, the front and rear connection unit are identical, if appropriate, except for the number or hardness of the restoring elements installed in them, but which can also be replaced later.

The connection units should be mounted as quickly and easily as possible on the equipped with bindings skids, so that, for example, a conventional pair of carving skis can be supplemented by additional attachment of the front and rear connection unit to a new, coupled winter sports equipment and by removing again as normal few skiers can be driven.

For the basic driving behavior of the so coupled winter sports equipment, it is relevant on the one hand, whether the connection units are mounted so that the inclinations of the pivot axes of the front and rear connection units fall or rise towards the center of the ski.

If they rise to the center of the ski, there is a step offset of the inside mountain ski when cornering forward according to the current alpine driving style, in the reverse case, a step offset of the mountain ski backwards according to the Telemark driving style.

The connection units should be equipped with restoring elements so that the restoring forces in the front connection unit are greater than in the rear connection unit, and this in particular in each deflection state.

The bearing blocks at the ends of the connecting units are preferably designed for easy attachment either to the front and rear binding jaws of a ski binding and / or to the front or rear parts a binding plate provided between the binding and the ski or the front or rear end of a ski boot or a separate longitudinal strut protruding forwards and backwards from the area under the binding.

It should be noted that at the moment with carving skis there is a tendency to fasten the front and rear jaws of the binding not as usual in the past directly on the ski and not a connecting the front and rear jaws, possibly existing base plate of the binding ,

Rather, between the base plate of the binding and the ski, an increasing binding plate is present, on the one hand to allow a strong edge, without the sides of the ski boot collide with the ground, but also so as not to hinder the bending of the ski.

For this purpose, the binding plate is screwed both in its central region and at its ends relative to the ski, but at the ends by means of slots, so that when bending the ski a relative displacement in the longitudinal direction between the ski, so the skid and the overlying free end of the binding plate is possible.

Similarly, the binding itself is bolted to the binding plate only in its central area, namely the center of the base plate to the center of the binding plate, so that the deflection of the ski in the areas below there does not hinder the positioning of the binding jaws further forward and rearward becomes.

A currently favored design of the binding plate is a longitudinal rail, which is in particular downwardly or upwardly open, U-shaped and usually has on its outer sides guide elements to which the binding is pushed with corresponding counter-guide elements only from behind in the longitudinal direction and fixed by screwing in the longitudinal direction must be while fixing in all transverse directions by the positive engagement of the guide elements and counter elements is effected.

• Die Lagerböcke der Verbindungseinheit können an ihrer Unterseite mit den gleichen Gegenführungselementen wie die Skibindung ausgestattet sein, so dass sie auf die Längsschiene aufgeschoben werden können.

For the connection units are therefore in such a solution several mounting options into consideration:

• The bearing blocks of the connection unit can be equipped on its underside with the same counter-guide elements as the ski binding, so that they can be pushed onto the longitudinal rail.

Since these longitudinal rails usually have a front stop and the pushing is done from the rear, in this case, first the front connection unit must be postponed, then the ski binding and then the rear connection unit.

The longitudinal positioning of the ski binding is done by screwing in the middle area opposite the longitudinal rail.

The positioning of the front and rear connection units can also be done by screwing against the longitudinal rail or by longitudinally positioning by means of a longitudinally rigid, but laterally flexible spacer fixed on the one hand to the binding and on the other hand to the connection unit.

This solution of sliding on the longitudinal rail is very easy to accomplish and above all allows a very simple subsequent mounting and dismounting on an existing pair of carving skis, especially if from both ends of the longitudinal rail of a sliding is possible.

In kinematic terms, however, this is still not the optimal solution, since the restoring forces of the connection unit via the longitudinal rail in a length range in front of and behind the bond, are introduced into the skid in which they should optimally bend freely and twist.

A solution which requires less installation or requires an additional part therefore consists of the middle region of the ski, to which the binding is already firmly bolted to the ski via the binding plate, preferably in the region between the base plate of the binding and the binding plate, for example in the free space of the U-shape. shaped longitudinal rail in each case a longitudinal strut from the central region to the front and rear freely cantilevered to attach before and behind the front and rear end of the binding and on these protruding ends of the longitudinal struts then the bearing blocks of the connection units.

Preferably, the bearing blocks are also pushed and locked on the longitudinal struts only or additionally screwed.

For further embodiment of such a winter sports device can be set between the two relatively widely spaced skids a middle third skid, which is also mounted under the connection units, but has a smaller length and greater width than the other skids.

c) embodiments

Fig. 1:

erfindungsgemäß das Wintersportgerät in der Aufsicht in Seitenansicht,

Fig. 1 c, d:

Detailansichten aus Fig. 1a, b,

Fig. 2a:

eine einzelne Verbindungseinheit von vorne bzw. hinten,

Fig. 2b:

eine einzelne Verbindungseinheit in der Aufsicht,

Fig. 2c:

die Verbindungseinheit in der Seitenansicht und

Fig. 2d:

einen Lagerbock in der Aufsicht,

Fig. 3d:

eine Ansicht gemäß Fig. 2b bei einer anderen Version der Verbindungseinheit und

Fig. 4:

eine vereinfachte Version des Wintersportgerätes.

Embodiments according to the invention are described in more detail below by way of example. Show it:

Fig. 1:

According to the invention, the winter sports equipment in the plan view in side view,

Fig. 1c, d:

Detailed views Fig. 1a . b .

Fig. 2a:

a single connection unit from the front or rear,

Fig. 2b:

a single connection unit in the supervision,

Fig. 2c:

the connection unit in the side view and

Fig. 2d:

a bearing block in the supervision,

Fig. 3d:

a view according to Fig. 2b in another version of the connection unit and

4:

a simplified version of the winter sports equipment.

The winter sports equipment 1 according to the invention consists of two in the longitudinal direction 10 parallel juxtaposed skids 2a, b, on which the user is fixed with one foot, so shoe, and the two transverse connecting units 3a, b, one in front and one behind the shoes , are interconnected.

• Die beiden Gleitkufen 2a, 2b tragen jeweils in ihrem mittleren Bereich eine Bindung 15 für einen Schuh, beispielsweise einen Skischuh, in diesem Fall bestehend aus einer Bindungsplatte 14a, b, die auf der Oberseite der Gleitkufe 2a, b befestigt ist, und darauf im hinteren und vorderen Bereich der Bindungsplatte 14a, b jeweils aufgesetzte vordere und hintere Bindungsbacken 15a, b, zwischen denen der Schuh fixiert wird.

Fig. 4 shows a simple embodiment of such a connection unit 3a, b on a winter sports device 1:

• The two skids 2a, 2b each carry in their central region a binding 15 for a shoe, for example a ski boot, in this case consisting of a binding plate 14a, b, which is mounted on the upper side of the skid 2a, b, and thereon in the rear and front portion of the binding plate 14a, b are respectively attached front and rear binding jaws 15a, b, between which the shoe is fixed.

In front of the front binding jaw 15a and behind the rear binding jaw 15b connecting units 3a, b extending transversely from the one skid 2a to the other skid 2b are arranged, which are fastened at both ends to one of the skids, namely in this case the binding plates 14a, b are.

Each of the connection units 3a, b consists of a transverse strut 5a, in this case of a flat material whose long cross-sectional axis is approximately parallel to the main plane of the skids 2a, b.

At the ends of the cross-strut 5a is bent upwards, and to the sloping bottom of the cranked end of a cylindrical rubber element 8 is attached and preferably secured by screwing, which with his other free end is attached to the binding plate 14a or b.

Due to the elasticity of the rubber elements 8, both a longitudinal offset of the skids 2a, b to each other, as well as an edge of the skid 2a relative to the crossbars 5a and thus also to the other skid 2b, but this also a parallel edge of the two skids 2a , b to each other. Due to the inherent elasticity of the rubber elements 8, however, a restoring force is always generated, which causes a return of the deflected part in the starting position.

The longitudinal axes 9 of the cylindrical rubber elements 8, which can simultaneously act as axes of rotation, thereby rise from the skids 2a, b to the middle between the skids 2a, b out, preferably in the front and rear connecting unit 3a, b in the same Angle.

Additionally is in Fig. 4 between the two skids 2a, b, to which the ends of the connecting units 3a, b are hinged, a third, middle skid 2c is fixed therebetween, which is screwed to the underside of the transverse struts 5a, b and from the front to the rear connecting unit 3a, b passes through and also protrudes front and rear over this and has front and rear pointed tips. This makes it easier to drive in deep snow.

The Fig. 1 to 3 show a comparison with FIG. 5 again improved design of the connection unit 3a, b and thus the winter sports equipment, this time only with two skids 2a, b. As the Fig. 1a and b such as Fig. 2b and c 5 shows that each connecting unit 3a, b has two transverse struts 5a, b extending from the left to the right-hand skid 2a, b, each having its free ends 6a, b in one Bearing 7a, b are pivotally mounted, each bearing block is mounted on one of the two skids.

The pivot axes 17a, b of the ends 6a, b of the transverse struts 5a, b in the bearing block 7a, b extend in the longitudinal direction 10 of the skids 2a, b, but not parallel to the sliding surface 4a, b of the skids 2a, b, but at an angle of about 30 to 60 ° inclined, namely the ski center, so to the binding out, in this case increasing.

The restoring elements, also here in the form of rubber elements 8, are not arranged between the ends of the transverse struts 5a, b and the respective bearing block or the skid 2a, b, but arranged between the two transverse struts 5a, b, for. B. in the central region and with one end of these, for example, cylindrical rubber elements 8 attached to one of the transverse struts 5a, b, in particular screwed, or also vulcanized.

In the direction of the transverse struts 5a, b can be arranged a plurality of such rubber elements 8, for which in particular prefabricated through holes in the transverse struts 5a, b may be present.

Characterized in that the pivot axes 17a, b of the two transverse struts 5a, b in the bearing blocks 7a, b - as in Fig. 2c and d seen - although viewed in the plan view run in the longitudinal direction 10, viewed in the side view but offset in the longitudinal direction 10 and preferably parallel to each other, each connecting unit 3a, b with its two transverse struts 5a, b is a parallelogram of forces.

This has the consequence that when edge of one of the skids, z. B. 2a, ie a pivoting of the skid 2a about its longitudinal axis 10 relative to the two attached thereto connecting units 3a, b, automatically due to the parallelogram of forces of the connection unit and the other skid 2b in the same direction of rotation is tilted, ie pivoted about the longitudinal axis 10, which simplifies the practical use.

The transverse struts 5a, b preferably consist of a flat material, in particular of steel, optionally of spring steel. From the particular arcuate upwardly curved cross braces 5a, b extend extensions 16a, b at the ends down to the bearing block 7a, b zoom and are pivotally mounted with their free ends on the bearing block 7a, b.

The cylindrical rubber elements 8 are with its longitudinal axis parallel to the pivot axes 17a, b in the bearing block 7 extending between the flat transverse struts 5a, b screwed to which they rest with one of their faces. Thus, the rubber elements 8 have the same inclination of their rubber axes 9 as the pivot axes 17a, b, and the cross section of the flat crossbars 5a, b and also the extensions 16a, b have a reverse inclination to the skid 2a, b, as they are in the right Angle to the direction of the pivot axes 17a, b and the rubber elements 8 run.

In order to bring the transverse struts 5a, b on aligned position with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rubber elements 8, despite the offset of the pivot axes 17a, b in the longitudinal direction 10, the extensions 16a, b of the two transverse struts 5a, b are of different lengths, as also in Fig. 2c to recognize.

Furthermore, the supervision of the Fig. 2d on a bearing block 7, that on a bearing block 7, both transverse struts 5a, b of a connection unit can be stored together, so the two bearing blocks 7a, b for the two transverse struts 5a, b can be summarized in a bearing block 7 respectively.

Fig. 2a shows a connection unit from the front, so that the slightly arcuate curved cross member 5a, b is visible from its broad side, with the three holes in this case for possible screwing each of a rubber element 8. Each end of the crossbar 5a, b ends with her attached thereto , in particular integrally formed, extension 16a, b in one of the bearing blocks. 7

FIG. 2e shows the connection unit in the same direction as in FIG. 2a , ie from the front, but with bearing blocks 7, which are inclined, ie are deflected to the pivot axes with respect to the transverse struts 5a, b and that are set analogously inclined, as is the case when edge of a winter sports equipment with two skids.

In the supervision of the Fig. 2b are in addition also the screwed between the two cross braces 5a, b screwed in this case two rubber elements 8, wherein the central mounting hole was not used.

• Dabei ist eine Bindungsplatte 14a, b, die deutlich länger ist als die eigentliche Skibindung, auf der Gleitkufe 2a oder b befestigt, indem sie - in der Seitenansicht betrachtet - in der Mitte fest gegenüber der Gleitkufe 2a oder b verschraubt ist.

As best in the side view of the Fig. 1b can be seen when mounting the connecting units 3a, b on the skids 2a, b from the currently most common situation a binding plate 14a, b between the actual ski binding and the skid 2a, b has been assumed:

• In this case, a binding plate 14a, b, which is significantly longer than the actual ski binding, attached to the skid 2a or b, by - viewed in the side view - in the middle firmly against the skid 2a or b is screwed.

The front and rear ends of the binding plate 14a, b are also screwed against the skid 2a, b to hold it on the skid, but the screw head can move along the top of the binding plate 14a, b, for example in a longitudinal groove, which is necessary when the skid 2a, b is bent in the vertical direction, whereby the distance between the middle screw and the front and rear screw can change. As a result of this shaping, the skid 2a, b is not unduly stiffened in its central region and can still be deformed vertically there as well.

The actual binding in the form of the front and rear binding jaws 15a, b are then screwed tightly only on the binding plate 14a, b, but the screwing does not extend into the skid 2a, b.

By virtue of the fact that the binding plate 14a, b is longer than the actual binding, the connecting units 3a, b are placed in the region in front of and behind the binding on the binding plates 14a, b, if one is present.

• Denn häufig sind die Bindungsplatten 14a, b so gestaltet, dass die Bindungsbacken 15a, b in Längsrichtung, z. B. von hinten, auf die auf der Gleitkufe bereits verschraubten Bindungsplatten 14a, b lediglich aufgeschoben werden müssen und dann in allen Querrichtungen 11 dadurch bereits formschlüssig fixiert sind, indem die Bindungsplatte 14a, wie in Fig. 1d ersichtlich, einen wannenförmigen, nach oben offenen Querschnitt besitzt, mit dessen Unterseite sie auf der Gleitkufe 2a oder b aufgeschraubt ist. Dabei weist die Wannenform nach unten gekröpfte äußere Ränder auf, die nicht ganz die Oberseite der Gleitkufe 2a, b erreichen, sodass eine entsprechend nach unten offene, C-förmige Kontur der Unterseite der Bindungsbacken 15a, b - wie in Fig. 1c dargestellt - diesen nach unten gekröpften Rand formschlüssig untergreifen kann, und damit sowohl in der horizontalen Querrichtung 11 als auch in der vertikalen Richtung formschlüssig fixiert ist.

Also attaching the connecting units 3a, b on the skid is easier:

• Because often the binding plates 14a, b are designed so that the binding jaws 15a, b in the longitudinal direction, z. B. from behind, on the skid already screwed binding plates 14 a, b only need to be postponed and then already in all transverse directions 11 are positively fixed by the binding plate 14 a, as in Fig. 1d can be seen, a trough-shaped, upwardly open cross-section has, with its underside, it is screwed onto the skid 2a or b. In this case, the trough shape downwardly cranked outer edges, which do not quite reach the top of the skid 2a, b, so that a corresponding downwardly open, C-shaped contour of the underside of the binding jaws 15a, b - Fig. 1c shown - can positively engage under this bent-down edge, and thus is positively fixed both in the horizontal transverse direction 11 and in the vertical direction.

For fixing in the longitudinal direction 10 is then sufficient to screw a clamping screw 13a, b through this profile of the bonding jaw 15a, b and jamming with respect to the binding plate 14a, b.

In the same way, ie with the same C-shaped profile for sliding in the longitudinal direction 10 on the binding plate 14a, b, each bearing block 7 of the connection unit 3a, b can be equipped, so that the connection units 3a, b in the longitudinal direction 10 on the binding plates 14a, b can be pushed and secured at the desired position merely by introducing a vertical clamping screw 13a, b.

If - which is also often the case - the postponement only in one direction, z. B. is possible from behind, since the front end of the binding plate 14 a, b is formed as a stop, the front connecting unit 3 a, b, of course, before the binding jaws 15 a, b are pushed.

Preferably, however, a binding plate 14a, b is used, in which the pushing forward and back is possible, so that even with already mounted binding jaws 15a, b, the connecting units 3a, b can be postponed and fixed laterally from the front or rear, which a conversion of two individual skids 2 a, b to a inventively connected winter sports equipment and vice versa very fast.

Fig. 3 shows a solution in which the transverse struts 5a, b of each connection unit 3a, b are not made of a flat material, but of a round steel, for example, 10 mm in diameter, and the crossbars 5a, b in the central region are not arcuately curved upwards, but are currently trained.

The lateral extensions 16a, b down are made in one piece by bending from the same round material. The rubber elements 8 are in this case preferably not screwed through holes in the round material with respect to this, but attached by means of clamping straps or other tools attached thereto, on the one hand screwed to the rubber elements 8 and the other hand clamp on the outer circumference of the round material.

Nevertheless, the design of the transverse struts 5a, b made of flat material, viewed in the direction of travel 10 is curved in particular, to be preferred, since a deflection in the direction of the long transverse axis is virtually impossible by the elongated cross section of the sheet, in the direction of the short transverse axis against - dependent of dimensioning and choice of material - can be made possible what a spring in the direction of the rubber axles 9 of the rubber elements 8 in addition, and thus a particularly power saving driving with winter sports equipment.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Winter sports equipment

2a, b, c

skid

3a, b

connecting unit

4a, b

sliding surface

5a, b

crossmember

6a, b

free end

7a, b

bearing block

8th

rubber element

9

rubber axis

10

longitudinal direction

11

transversely

12a, b

swivel

13a, b

clamping screw

14a, b

binding plate

15a, b

bindings

16a, b

extension

17a, b

swivel axis

18

longitudinal strut

19

longitudinal rail

20

ski center

21

guide elements

22

against elements

Claims (17)

1. A connection unit (3) for movably connecting two sliding skids (2a, b) extending in longitudinal direction (10) parallel and adjacent to one another to form a piece of winter sport equipment (1), comprising:

   a) at least two transversal struts (5a, b) offset from one another in longitudinal direction (10), connected with one another and extending transversal to the longitudinal direction (10) respectively including a free end (6a, b) on each side, wherein the transversal struts (5a, b) are either both arranged in front of ski bindings of the sliding skids or behind the ski bindings of the sliding skids,

   b) at least one support block (7a, b) at each free end (6a, b) of each transversal strut (5a, b) in which support block the transversal strut (5a, b) is pivotably supported about a pivot axis (17a, b) for attachment at one of the sliding skids (2a, b),

   c) wherein the two pivot axes (17a, b) of the two transversal struts (5a, b) are offset from one another,

   d) wherein the connection unit (3) includes at least one reset element which provides a reset into a normal position,

   - either when deflecting one of the transversal struts (5a, b) about its pivot axis (17a, b), thus the support block (7a, b),

   - or when moving the two transversal struts (5a, b) relative to one another.
2. The connection unit (3) according to claim 1,

   - wherein the pivot axis (17a, b) is arranged at a slant angle viewed in transversal direction (11) relative to the longitudinal direction (10) of the sliding skids (2a, b) and in particular relative to the base surface of the support block (7a, b) which is used for placing the sliding skid (2a, b) and/or

   - wherein the slanted arrangement of the two pivot axes (17a, b) at the same end of the connection unit (3) and in particular of all four pivot axes (17a, b, 17'a, b) at both ends of the connection unit (3) is the same, and/or

   - wherein the distance of the pivot axes (17a, b) of the two transversal struts (5a, b) of a connection unit is adjustable.
3. The connection unit according to one of the preceding claims,

   - wherein the two support blocks (7a, b) at one end of the connection unit (3) are combined in a common support block (7) and in particular the two pivot axes (17a, b) at one end of the connection unit are not identical but offset from one another in longitudinal direction (10), and/or

   - the reset element is made from an elastic material, in particular rubber, silicon or another suitable plastic material and the elastic material essentially maintains its elasticity also at temperatures significantly below freezing, and/or

   - wherein the reset element includes at least one spring element and in particular a damping element optionally functionally combined with the spring element.
4. The connection unit (3) according to one of the preceding claims,

   - wherein the reset element is a rubber element (9), in particular a rubber-metal component, in particular a cylindrical rubber block configured as a bushing with attachment options at both faces, in particular a swing metal and/or

   - wherein one or plural reset element elements, in particular rubber blocks (9) are arranged between the two transversal struts and are attached in case of a rubber block (9) with a respective face at one of the transversal struts, and/or

   - wherein the reset elements are arranged in the support blocks (7a, b) for example as torsion springs, in particular with a damper.
5. The connection unit (3) according to one of the preceding claims,

   - wherein plural reset elements with different hardnesses are attached between the two transversal struts (5a, b) in particular at positions in transversal direction (11) provided for these purposes and/or

   - wherein the spring constant of the reset elements is not a straight line but the reset force increases over proportional for increasing deflection.
6. The connection unit (3) according to one of the preceding claims,

   - wherein the transversal struts (5a, b) are configured in one direction perpendicular to the pivot axis (17a, b) of the support blocks (7a, b) in a rigid, thus not spring elastic manner, and/or are configured in particular in a spring elastic manner in particular in a direction of the pivot axis (17a, b), and/or

   - wherein the transversal struts (5a, b) are made from a flat material, in particular metal with a large cross-section axis in the transversal plane to the pivot axis (17a, b) or parallel to the transversal plane to the pivot axis (17a, b), or

   - wherein the transversal struts (5a, b) are made from round material, in particular metal.
7. The connection unit (3) according to one of the preceding claims,

   - wherein the transversal struts (5a, b) are configured arcuate in longitudinal direction (10), in particular with a center section that is bent in upward direction in a convex manner and/or

   - wherein the transversal struts (5a, b) include extensions (10a, b) at their ends which extensions are oriented downward at a slant angle, extend in the transversal arm plane and are supported with their free ends in the support blocks (7a, b).
8. The connection unit (3) according to one of the preceding claims,

   - wherein the connection element (3), in particular the reset elements are configured so that a torque applied about the pivot axes (17a, b) at one end of the connection unit (3), thus at the sliding skid (2a) at this location, through edge application causes a resultant torque of the connection unit (3) about the pivot axes (17a, b) of at least 60%, better 70% of the applied torque, whereby the other support block and the other sliding skid (2b) are pressed in downward direction against the base.
9. The connection unit (3) according to one of the preceding claims,

   - wherein the connection unit (3), in particular the reset elements are configured so that the maximum torque required for edging a support block relative to the transversal struts over a range of the edge application angle of 10° to 70° is 50% higher at the most, better 20% higher at the most, better 10% higher at the most than the lowest torque required in this edging range, and/or

   - wherein the rubber cylinders configured as reset elements have a Shore hardness of 30 to 70 at a diameter of 20 mm to 40 mm and an axial length of 15 mm to 40 mm and two or three rubber elements are installed at a connection unit (3) and/or

   - wherein the pivot axes (17a, b) are offset relative to one another by 10 to 20 mm, in particular by 15 mm.
10. The connection unit (3) according to one of the preceding claims,

    - wherein the in particular common support block (7a, b) includes a base plate which is configured for clamping between a sole of a ski boot supported in a ski binding and/or a top side of the binding or of the ski and/or

    - wherein the connection unit (3) through pivoting the two transversal struts (5a, b) from their normal positions relative to their in particular common support block (7a, b) causes a step movement of the support block (7a, b) relative to the support block (7a, b) at the other end of the connection unit (3),

    - wherein the step movement is adjustable and in particular adjustable to zero, in particular through changing the distance of the pivot axis (17a, b) at the same end of the connection unit (3).
11. A piece of winter sport equipment, comprising:

    - two sliding skids (2a, b) on which the user is attached with a respective shoe,

    - one respective connection unit (3a, b) according to one of the preceding claims in front and behind the shoes, which respective connection unit connects the two sliding skids (2a, b) with one another.
12. The piece of winter sport equipment (1) according to claim 11,

    - wherein the front connection unit (3a, b) and the rear connection unit (3a, b) are identical besides the number and hardness of the reset elements, and/or

    - wherein the slanted arrangements of the pivot axes (17a, b) of the front and rear connection units (3a, b) are arranged opposite to one another and in particular rise relative to the longitudinal direction (10) of the sliding skids (2a, b) relative to the ski center (20), thus towards the ski boot, and/or

    - wherein the sum of the reset forces of the reset elements in the rear connection unit is greater than in the forward connection unit, in particular in each deflection condition and in particular when the connection units are arranged so that a pivot axis of the connection units rises towards the ski center, and/or

    - wherein in particular common support blocks (7a, b) are arranged at both ends (6a, b) of the connection units (3a, b) for attachment at the forward and rear binding brackets (15a, b) of a ski binding and/or at the forward and rear components of a binding plate (14a, b) provided between the ski binding and the ski and/or the forward and rear end of a ski boot.
13. The piece of winter sport equipment according to one of the claims 11 through 12,

    - wherein the piece of winter sport equipment (1) with two connection units (3a, b) for a torque of 50 Nm generated through edging one ski causes the connection units (3a, b) to press the other sliding skid with at least 140 N, better at least 150 N, better at least 160 N in downward direction against the ground, in particular for a length of the connection units (3a, b) of 260 mm to 280 mm, in particular 270 mm and/or

    - wherein edging one sliding skid (2a), in particular by an edging angle of 70° with a permitted step movement of the other sliding skid (2b) in longitudinal direction requires only 30% to 50%, in particular 35% to 45% of the torque compared to a case where a longitudinal movement of the other sliding skid (2b) is prevented.
14. The piece of winter sport equipment (1) according to claim 12,

    - wherein the binding plate (14a, b) is continuous from the front binding bracket to the rear binding bracket (14a, b) and is bolted to the sliding skid (2a, b) in particular only longitudinally fixated in the center portion and is bolted down at the front end and at the rear end so that it is fixated in vertical direction but movable in longitudinal direction relative to the sliding skid (2a, b) and is in particular configured as a longitudinal rail (19), and/or

    - wherein the in particular common support blocks (7a, b) are longitudinally fixated at the binding plate (14a, b), in particular of the longitudinal rail (19), however easily pivotable relative to the binding about a transversal axis (11) when the sliding skid (2a, b) is bent.
15. The piece of winter sport equipment according to claim 12,

    - wherein the in particular common support blocks (7a, b) are attached at free ends (6a, b) of a longitudinal strut (18) in particular extending below the ski boot, wherein the longitudinal strut is only fixated relative to the binding, in particular the binding plate (14a, b) in a center portion and/or

    - wherein the longitudinal rail (19) is a U-profile that is open in downward direction or in upward direction and the longitudinal strut (18) is arranged in the free interior space of the longitudinal rail (19).
16. The piece of winter sport equipment according to claim 12,

    - wherein the connection units (3a, b) and the sliding skids (2a, b) and their bindings are configured so that the connection units (3a, b) can be mounted and dismounted quickly and exactly and optionally their pivot axes (17a, b) can be mounted so that they rise or descend towards the ski center (20), and/or

    - wherein the in particular common support blocks (7a, b) have opposite guide elements (22) at their bottom sides for sliding onto the support elements (21) of the longitudinal rails (19) wherein also the binding (15) is also slid onto the guide elements and/or

    - wherein the longitudinal fixation is provided through a connection of the in particular common bearing block (7a, b) relative to the front and rear end of the binding (15) which end is flexible about a transversal axis (11).
17. The piece of winter sport equipment (1) according to one of the claims 12 through 16,

    - wherein the in particular common support blocks (7a, b) are boltable or lockable at or on free ends (6a, b) of the longitudinal struts (18) remaining at the binding or the binding plate (14a, b) and/or

    - wherein an additional center sliding skid (2c) is attached at the transversal struts (5a, b) between the two sliding skids (2a, b), wherein the additional center sliding skid is continuous in longitudinal direction (10) and has in particular a smaller length and greater width than the remaining sliding skids (2a, b) and is in particular bent upward at both ends.

Images