EP2181736B1 - Heel binding with two release directions - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a triggering machine for a ski touring binding.

Ski touring bindings are for example from the EP 0 754 079 B1 or the EP 1 559 455 known. Modern ski touring bindings support two modes, namely a climbing mode and a departure mode. In downhill mode, the functionality of a ski touring binding differs only slightly from that of a normal alpine sports binding. The heel of the ski boot and its front part are fixed, medium or directly connected to the ski touring ski to allow optimum power transfer to the ski. In climbing mode, it is necessary to loosen the connection at the heel in order to perform a usual walking movement during the ascent, in which the ski boot is tilted about an axis of rotation which is preferably close, immediately below or behind the ski boot tip.

To assist in these two modes, numerous ski touring bindings include a backing plate on which toe and heel are mounted, with the boot remaining firmly attached to both sides during the climb mode as well as during downhill mode. The support plate is connected via a joint at the front with the ski. At the rear end of the support plate is a shutter mechanism, which makes it possible to firmly connect this end of the support plate with the ski. This compound is detachable, making the bond a comfortable one Walking with the ski allows. Preferably, the plate fixation at the rear end of the ski at the same time provides a climbing aid that facilitates the climb, especially on steep terrain.

Modern ski touring bindings are subject to numerous requirements. They are not only easy to use, in particular to ensure a quick and easy change between the climbing mode and the departure mode, but also be very robust and lightweight. On the one hand, it is easy to see that every extra gram of binding adds extra force to the ascent. On the other hand, you do not want to miss out on the usual alpine skiing comfort on the downhill. Preferably, the ski touring bindings are so robust and optimized with regard to their power transmission to the ski that they can also be used in alpine skiing. Furthermore, the ski touring bindings should be so sure that a reliable triggering of the bond is guaranteed in order to avoid injury to the ski touring tracker.

In spite of these numerous requirements, it is necessary for industrial production that the bindings have a very simple triggering machine, so that a quick and cost-effective production is possible. Only if this criterion is fulfilled can a manufacturer of ski touring bindings remain marketable.

Based on this prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved triggering machine for a ski touring binding. In particular, a robust, lighter and safer triggering machine is to be provided, which can be manufactured inexpensively.

This object is achieved by a triggering machine according to the present claim 1.

• eine Trägerplatte,
• einen Zapfen, der mit der Trägerplatte verbunden ist und sich im Bezug zur Trägerplatte im Wesentlichen Vertikal erstreckt,
• einen Rahmen, der um eine Vertikalachse drehbeweglich auf dem Zapfen gelagert und als integrales bzw. einstückiges Bauteil ausgebildet ist,
• einen Spannhebel mit mindestens einer Fixierbacke, der um eine Horizontalachse drehbeweglich an dem Rahmen angeordnet ist, wobei der Rahmen aufweist:
• eine Basis mit einer Vertikalöffnung zur Aufnahme des Zapfens,
• eine Horizontalöffnung zur Aufnahme einer Spannvorrichtung, die derart mit mindestens einem ersten Aufnahmebereich am Zapfen in Wirkverbindung steht, dass der Rahmen in einer Ausgangsposition fixiert und unter Überwindung einer definierten Kraft in eine Auslöseposition um die Vertikalachse rotierbar ist,
• ein Querträger mit mindestens einem zweiten Aufnahmebereich zur lösbaren Fixierung des Spannhebels in einer Fixierposition, wobei der Querträger integral über mindestens zwei Seitenteile mit der Basis verbunden ist.

In particular, the object is achieved by a trigger for a ski touring binding, which comprises:

• a carrier plate,
• a pin connected to the carrier plate and extending substantially vertically with respect to the carrier plate,
• a frame, which is rotatably mounted on the pin about a vertical axis and formed as an integral or one-piece component,
• a tensioning lever having at least one fixing jaw, which is rotatably mounted on the frame about a horizontal axis, wherein the frame comprises:
• a base with a vertical opening for receiving the pin,
• a horizontal opening for receiving a clamping device, which is in operative connection with at least one first receiving area on the pin, that the frame is fixed in a starting position and rotatable by overcoming a defined force in a triggering position about the vertical axis,
• a cross member having at least a second receiving portion for releasably fixing the clamping lever in a fixing position, wherein the cross member is integrally connected via at least two side parts with the base.

A central idea of the present invention is therefore to design the frame or the frame element integrally and / or in one piece. This ensures not only a horizontal release of the binding, in which the ski boot heel jumps up out of the binding, but also a vertical release, in which the shoe is released by a rotation of the ski. It can be implemented as a much more robust structure of the ski touring binding.

Due to the simple, compact and stable design of the triggering machine this is much easier and can be manufactured inexpensively.

The frame and other components of the triggering machine can be made of metal and / or plastic. When forming the integral frame, for example, it would be conceivable to cover a metal core with plastic. Plastic production is much cheaper than other materials. The individual moldings can be produced, for example, by injection molding. Furthermore, plastic parts do not oxidize. Thus, a longevity of the ski touring binding is ensured despite a permanent use in the snow.

The second receiving area may comprise detents for releasably fixing the clamping lever. The detents allow a secure fixation of the clamping lever in the fixing position. Thus, the skitourengänger is protected against unwanted vertical release. The detents can be arranged such that a very stable fixation of the ski boot is ensured. In particular, the triggering process can be designed such that for the initiation of this process, a relatively high expenditure of force is necessary, which decreases after exceeding the catch or detents. So as far as the necessary force has been applied to trigger, it is ensured that it comes to a complete triggering of the ski touring binding.

The horizontal opening may include a first horizontal opening section and a second horizontal opening section opening into and symmetrically formed in the vertical opening. The horizontal opening for receiving the clamping device and the vertical opening for receiving the pin can thus be arranged substantially perpendicular to one another within a plane. Thus, the individual channels overlap and it is possible that the clamping device acts directly on the pin or its receiving area. Preferably, the vertical opening is arranged centrally in the base, wherein on both sides a horizontal opening section extends, which is preferably open to the outside. The horizontal opening can thus be a continuous opening, which preferably extends horizontally through the base.

Alternatively, it is conceivable to provide a horizontal opening which only opens from one side into the vertical opening. By providing two horizontal opening sections, the clamping device can be symmetrically arranged around the pin. In this way, a much better and more powerful triggering mechanism can be provided. As far as the clamping device is accessible from the outside in the horizontal opening, a simple maintenance and adjustment of the clamping device can be made to a respective mixed release force.

The tensioning lever can at least partially surround the cross member to form a pivot joint. Thus, the rotatable mounting of the clamping lever on the cross member can be made very simple.

The cross member may comprise a convex outer shell for the rotation of the clamping lever about the horizontal axis in sections or be designed as part of a cylinder. The tensioning lever can engage with a concave portion in the convex portion of the outer shell and be guided by this. Cross member and clamping lever thus form a hinge in which the clamping lever rotates about the cross member.

The frame may include a further horizontal opening extending through the cross member. Thus, material can be saved in the manufacture of the triggering machine. This has an advantageous effect on the weight of the ski touring binding.

The tensioning lever may comprise a clamping piston, which is biased against the cross member and engages at least in the fixing position in the second receiving area. The clamping piston and the receiving area of the cross member thus form the vertical triggering automatic. For a release, a spring force acting on the clamping piston, at least partially overcome.

The first receiving area may comprise a bottom portion and at least one ramp portion arranged in such a way, in particular parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pin, that the piston slides up the ramp portion upon initiation of the rotation from the starting position. Thus, the one or more ramp sections can perform the same function as the already described notches. However, the ramp sections secure the binding against unwanted horizontal release, in which the frame makes a torsional movement about the pin.

The support plate may include a hinge for rotatably mounting to a ski, in particular ski touring skis. Although it is consistently spoken here of a support plate, it is obvious that this support plate does not necessarily have to be flat. It is possible to use a frame as a support plate on which the pin and the triggering machine are mounted. The carrier plate can also be a rail with a round, rectangular or square cross section, which is suitable to receive the triggering machine. Other geometric formations The support plate are conceivable and should also be understood as a support plate.

The pin may comprise two second receiving areas, engage in the mutually arranged to the pin in the horizontal opening pin piston. Thus, a higher clamping force can be exerted on the second receiving areas. Further, by the applied clamping force, the pin is centered within the vertical opening, thereby preventing wedging in a tripping operation.

Further advantageous embodiments will become apparent from the dependent claims.

The invention will be described with reference to some embodiments, which are explained in more detail by means of illustrations.

Fig. 1

eine Skitourenbindung mit dem erfindungsgemäßen Fersenautomaten;

Fig. 2

einen Querschnitt entlang der Längsachse der Skitourenbindung aus Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

einen wesentlichen Bestandteil des erfindungsgemäßen Fersenautomaten, nämlich den Rahmen bzw. das Rahmenelement;

Fig. 4

einen Querschnitt durch den erfindungsgemäßen Fersenautomaten entlang einer Ebene senkrecht zur Längsrichtung des Skis (Blickrichtung entlang der Fahrtrichtung);

Fig. 5

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Fersenautomaten im Schnitt; und

Fig. 6

ein Element des Fersenautomaten aus Fig. 5, nämlich der Zapfen.

Hereby show:

Fig. 1

a ski touring binding with the heel machine according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a cross section along the longitudinal axis of the ski touring binding Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3

an essential part of the heel machine according to the invention, namely the frame or the frame element;

Fig. 4

a cross section through the heel machine according to the invention along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the ski (looking along the direction of travel);

Fig. 5

a further embodiment of the heel machine according to the invention in section; and

Fig. 6

an element of the heel counter Fig. 5 namely the pin.

In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for the same and like parts.

Fig. 1 illustrates the already described in the introduction general structure of a ski touring binding 1. This includes a support plate 10, which in its front region (facing the tip of the ski) via a vertical joint 2 with a ski is connectable. In its rear area, the support plate 10 can be locked via a plate fixing 80. The plate fixation is detachable and allows switching between a climbing mode and a downhill mode. In climbing mode, the plate fixing 80 can be folded after opening this forward so that it serves as a climbing aid.

On the support plate 10, front jaws 60 are mounted in the front region and an heel automat 20 according to the invention is mounted in the rear region. The heel unit 20 includes a tension lever 30 rotatably mounted on a frame 90. The tensioning lever 30 can therefore be brought into two positions substantially. In an entry position, the rear part of the clamping lever 30 is folded away to the rear. It is possible to enter the ski tour binding 1. In a second position, the fixing position, the rear part of the tensioning lever 30 is in a substantially horizontal position and fixes the ski boot between the toe 60 and the automatic heel 20, in particular between the toe 60 and in the front region of the tensioning lever 30 Fixierbacken 31st

As in Fig. 2 As shown, the pivot between the frame 90 and the tension lever 30 is formed by a cross member 92 having a substantially semicircular shape in cross section. A lower portion is convex, an upper portion of the cross member 92 is flattened and together with two notches 95, 95 '(see. Fig. 3 ) a recording area. In this receiving area engages in the fixing position a clamping piston 32, which is biased by a spring element (not shown) in the direction of the cross member 92 to. During the rotation of the clamping lever 30 from the fixing position to the entry position sufficient force must be applied to at least partially overcome the spring force of the spring element in the clamping lever 30. The clamping piston 32 moves in the clamping lever upwards and thus overcomes the Rear catch 95 on the cross member 92. The convex or partially cylindrical portion of the carrier 92 guides the tensioning lever 30 in this rotational movement.

In the fixing position, the fixing jaws 31 fixed to one end of the tensioning lever 30 hold the ski boot (not shown) firmly in the binding.

It should be noted that the pivot formed by the clamping piston 32 and the cross member 92 not only serve for controlled boarding and disembarking from the ski touring binding 1. The hinge with the fixation simultaneously provides a vertical triggering mechanism in which upon the occurrence of a predetermined force (in the vertical direction) the tension lever 30 is released from its fixation by the tensioning piston 32 so that the ski boot is released in the entry position.

The automatic heel unit 20 according to the invention also provides a triggering mechanism in the horizontal plane. That is, the heel of the ski boot or the whole shoe can perform a rotational movement, which frees them from the ski touring binding 1. For this purpose, the frame 90 is rotatably arranged about a vertical axis on the support plate 10, in particular on a pin 50 attached thereto. Within the horizontal plane, the automatic heel unit 20 can therefore also occupy two positions, a starting position (fixing jaws 31, carrier plate 10 and toe jaws 60 lie substantially on one axis) and a release position (the automatic heel 20 is rotated relative to the carrier plate 10).

This triggering mechanism is provided by the frame 90 and the pin 50. The pin 50 stores in a vertical axis hole 99 (see. Fig. 3 ) of the frame 90. The pin 50 may be an integral part of the support plate or screwed or glued to this.

The pin 50 has, as in the FIGS. 5 and 6 shown in the plan view (view plane same carrier plate plane) has a substantially elongated shape which extends along the longitudinal axis of the support plate 10. This results in receiving areas 54, 54 ', in the piston 42, 42' engage. These pistons 42, 42 'each consist of cylindrical shells 42a, 42b, 42a', 42b 'together. For example, the first piston 42 through the Shells 42a, 42b formed in the interior of a spring element 49 is seated. The second piston 42 'comprises the shells 42a' and 42b ', which surround the second spring element 49'. The first shells 42a and 42a 'are bolted to the frame 90 such that the spring members 49, 49' are tensioned and press with their spring force on the second shells 42b and 42b 'engaged in the receiving portions 54, 54'. The spring force acting on the second shells 42b, 42b 'can be adjusted by turning the first shells 42a, 42a' in a thread provided for this purpose. The distance between the first shell 42a and the second shell 42b of the first piston 42 and that of the first shell 42a 'and the second shell 42b' of the second piston 42 is thus shortened or extended, whereby the first spring element 49 and the second spring element 49 'tense or relaxed. For a rotation of the frame 90 about a vertical axis, as shown in Fig. 5 it can be seen that the spring force of the spring elements 49, 49 'is at least partially overcome. Only then can the heel unit 20 rotate to the release position. The pistons 42, 42 'are in an in Fig. 3 stored piston bore 98 stored. The frame 90 according to the invention thus provides in addition to the vertical axis bore 96 and the cross member 92 has a receiving area for the spring elements 49, 49 ', so the biasing device of the horizontal automatic.

As in Fig. 3 shown, the frame 90 is composed of the cross member 92, the base 96 and the side members 94, 94 'together. The cross member 92 has a cavity, namely a horizontal axis hole 97 which extends parallel to the horizontal plane of the support plate 10 therethrough. Said elements are integrally connected to each other and here for example made of plastic by injection molding. While in the heel counter 20 which is in the 3 and 4 is shown, the spring elements 49, 49 'can be stretched and relaxed separately, shows the Fig. 5 a cross section through an automatic heel 20, in which the first shells 42a and 42a 'are connected to each other via a clamping screw 45. About the clamping screw 45 and a nut 46, the distance between the first shells 42a and 42a 'set. If you tighten the clamping screw 45, the spring elements 49, 49 '(not shown) are stretched. Since the clamping screw 45 protrudes substantially without friction through the pin 50, the clamping force is distributed regularly to the receiving areas 54, 54 '. Fig. 6 shows the pin 50 from the Fig. 5 in a side view. It can be the flattened receiving areas 54, 54 'recognize, which are completed at their edges by ramp sections 57, 57'. The bore 55 allows the insertion or dipping of the clamping screw 45, wherein the bore 55 is designed such that a rotation of the frame 90 is possible.

In each of the foregoing embodiments, heel punches 20 have been described which include two pistons 42, 42 'for biasing the heel counter to a home position. It is conceivable to provide only one piston 42.

The piston bore 98 extends in the described embodiments perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the support plate 10. It is also conceivable to provide a piston bore 98 which extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the support plate 10. The pin 50 would then have to be adjusted accordingly. In another embodiment, the piston bore 98 may open into the vertical axis bore 99 at a non-orthogonal angle

It is also conceivable to replace the spring elements 49, 49 'by corresponding elastomers.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

ski touring binding

2

Steig joint

10

support plate

20

Diagonal release

22

cover

30

clamping lever

31

fixing jaw

32

clamping piston

42, 42 '

piston

42a, 42b, 42a ', 42b'

Bowl

45

clamping screw

46

mother

49, 49 '

spring element

50

spigot

54, 54 '

reception area

55

drilling

57, 57 '

ramp section

60

front jaw

80

plate fixation

90

frame

92

crossbeam

94, 94 '

side panel

95, 95 '

notch

96

Base

97

Horizontal axis hole

98

piston bore

99

Vertical axis hole

Claims (12)

1. Release mechanism for a ski touring binding comprising:

   - a support plate (10),

   - a tap (50) connected to the support plate (10) and extending substantially vertically with respect to the support plate (10),

   - a frame (90) positioned on the tap (50) so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis,

   - a tensioning lever (30) with at least one fixing device (31), which tensioning lever is arranged on the frame so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis, wherein the frame comprises:

   - a base (96) with a vertical opening (99) for accommodating the tap (50),

   - a horizontal opening (98) for accommodating a tensioning device being operably connected to at least one first accommodating area (54, 54') on the tap (50) in such a manner that the frame (90) is fixed in an initial position and, by overcoming a defined force, is rotatable about the vertical axis in a release position,

   - a crossmember (92) with at least one second accommodating area for releasably fixing the tensioning lever (32) in a fixed position, the crossmember (92) being integrally connected to the base (96) via at least two side parts (94, 94') and the frame (90) being formed as an integral, preferably one-piece component.
2. Release mechanism according to claim 1, characterised in that the frame (90) is made of metal or of plastic.
3. Release mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the second accommodating area comprises retention means (95, 95') for releasable fixation of the tensioning lever (45).
4. Release mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the horizontal opening (98) comprises a first horizontal opening section and a second horizontal opening section that open into the vertical opening (99) and are formed symmetrically thereto.
5. Release mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the horizontal opening (98) is an opening going through the base (96).
6. Release mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tensioning lever (30) at least sectionally encompasses the crossmember (92) to form a pivot joint.
7. Release mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the crossmember (92) for the rotation of the tensioning lever (30) about the horizontal axis sectionally comprises a convex outer shell.
8. Release mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the frame (90) comprises a further horizontal opening (97) extending through the crossmember (92).
9. Release mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tensioning lever (30) comprises a tensioning piston (32) pre-stressed against the crossmember (92) and engaging with the second accommodating area at least in the fixed position.
10. Release mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first accommodating area (54, 54') comprises a bottom section and at least one ramp section (57) which is arranged, in particular in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tap (50), in such a manner that, when commencing the rotation, the piston (42, 42') slides up the ramp section (57) from the initial position.
11. Release mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the support plate (10) comprises a joint for rotatable attachment to a ski, in particular a ski touring ski.
12. Release mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tap comprises two second accommodating areas (54, 54') with which tap pistons (42, 42'), arranged alternatingly with respect to the tap (50) in the horizontal opening, engage.

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