EP2252379B1 - Emergency release device for winter sports equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an emergency release system for one or more winter sports equipment, such as skis, ski poles, snowboards, bindings and / or shoes for skis or snowboards. In particular, it relates to an electrically triggerable emergency release system which realizes such a separation in avalanche situations and also in other emergency situations (eg when manual opening of the binding is not possible). The present invention also relates to a method for triggering and a method for producing winter sports equipment.

According to Swiss statistics for the years 1980-1999 ( F. Tschirky et al, Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research, CH-7260 Davos Dorf, Switzerland ), the chance of survival of persons covered by avalanches was 83%. However, for people who have been completely buried, it is only 50%. There are two reasons for this: rescuing by assisting a comrade can be faster for people remaining on the surface, and there is often residual oxygen supply on the surface. In the case of a deep spillage, injuries or even death due to the pressure loads of the covering snow masses still occur. Survival in an avalanche depends on several factors. For example, avalanche death is caused in about 70% by acute asphyxiation, in about 20% by a fatal trauma and in about 10% by the so-called 3-H syndrome (hypoxia, hypercapnia, hypothermia).

In an avalanche situation, it is therefore of paramount importance to stay on the snow surface for as long as possible (preferably completely). A recommendation for the avalanche situation is, therefore, to keep the surface by floating movements (flowing snow masses have rather the properties of a fluid). Firstly, effective swimming movements are even possible and secondly no anchor effect can arise through skis and poles or through the snowboard, it is imperative, person and Separate equipment from each other. Due to the so-called inverse segregation effect, large parts (such as the body of a skier) are rather flushed to the surface. An anchoring z. B. by the ski with deeper layers of snow has a detrimental effect on this effect. The savvy athlete can first try to escape the snow masses by a rapid escape from the gunfire. But as soon as he / she fails, the separation of his equipment in the shortest possible time on his "trigger command" would have to take place. The separation from the ski by triggering the ski binding is usually excluded in such situations. Reason: in the flowing medium "avalanche" only very small forces occur at first, which can not bring about the force or torque-controlled ski bindings that are common today. If the masses of snow have condensed so much that the resulting forces are sufficient for a release, it is usually too late for a liberation

In order to prevent the greatest danger - suffocation - it is attempted, inter alia, to increase the level of burial using additional safety equipment such as the avalanche airbag (comprising two folded plastic balloons laterally integrated in a backpack and pulling a ripcord in 2-3 Seconds inflated with 150 liters of a nitrogen-air mixture, see also: www.abs-lawinenairbag.de) or the life jacket Avagear ™ (here the balloons enclose the shoulder and neck region, see also: www.avagear.net) reduce; the effectiveness of both devices is based on the principle of the aforementioned inverse segregation in granular flows.

First field tests and analyzes of accident data by the Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research suggest that airbag users have an overall lower mortality risk in avalanche accidents. Nevertheless, in particular the anchor effect by skis and ski poles can adversely affect the inverse segregation effect and prevent swimming movements of the injured skier to remain on the snow surface.

The integration of sensors and electronics in Alpine release links with the aim of avoiding mechanical overloads on bones or ligaments is described above. The additional use of electrically ignitable explosive charges to trigger a Skisicherheitsbindung is known inter alia from the following publications: the published patent application DE 2 416 424 teaches a safety connection, in particular a safety binding for ski, with automatic opening, which is triggered by the occurrence or under the effect of certain critical external influences. The unlocking means may have a pyrotechnic charge and means for igniting this charge.

The publication DE 25 19 544 refers to a ski safety binding, in particular to a device for the electrical release of a ski binding. Here, the actuating device may comprise an electrically ignited cartridge or an electrically operated explosive device.

In the patent DE 27 17 624 there is claimed an explosive device triggering device for a locking device, in particular for a ski safety binding, with a release element acting on the latch of the locking device, a magazine for a plurality of cartridges containing the explosive charges and a reloading device for successively moving the cartridges into a working position.

The patent DE 44 46 260 relates to an electronically controlled safety binding for skis and snowboards, in which the forces are measured electronically with piezo crystals, and the binding is opened quickly by an explosion or propellant charge, if dangerous forces occur for the ski or snowboarder. In addition, the binding contains springs for mechanical release.

A further pyrotechnic solution approach discloses the published patent application DE 10 2007 001 599 , which provides a safety binding, ski binding, bindings and their substructure, characterized in that the skier by radio signals, wireless or wired, pyrotechnic propellant, Telescopic cartridges, or relatively large explosive devices with high explosive power (up to 6g TNT), which act on the binding or its substructure, can control to get rid of them with the ignition of the binding of the ski.

By decision of the skier triggerable ski binding systems are known, inter alia, from the following documents: The patent US 3,246,907 relates to a magnetic ski binding, which can be triggered by the skier that a switch is operated on a ski pole. The signal emitted thereby is transmitted by electrical conductors which extend from the ski pole through the clothing and the ski boots to the bindings.

The patent DE 16 03 001 describes a ski binding with a by the skier by remote control arbitrarily influenced triggering device, the remote-controlled device consists of a battery-powered receiver, which is influenced by a powered by the skier, powered by a battery transmitter.

In the published patent application DE 22 19 415 a ski binding is presented, in which a sole holder is held by a releasable locking device in the position of use, wherein the locking device is solvable by means of an electric motor and the electric motor by a hand switch or by a load sensor can be operated remotely.

In the patent DE 24 02 684 there is provided a ski binding release device comprising a mechanical chuck for tightening a skier's boot to a ski, a transmitter mounted on a ski pole and operable by the skier, and a receiver attached to the ski associated with the chuck connected is.

The patent DE 38 08 643 refers to a self-releasable ski binding unit with interconnected front and heel part, a mechanical shoe holding system, an electronic control and a Trigger system for the ski boot. The electronic triggering can be controlled remotely, which means that when you get out of the ski binding only a remote control worn on the body must be operated.

The patent EP 0 228 599 discloses a trigger device for locking a jaw of a ski binding, wherein the trigger device arranged in a provided with a handle ski pole transmitter and arranged on the free end face of the handle of the ski pole, directly accessible from the outside handle and a switch operable by the handle and the locking of the jaw is solvable via an arbitrarily controllable from the transmitter via a wireless transmission path, provided on the jaw receiver. The handle is arranged protected against unintentional operation.

After the trend in the touring and freeriding sector in the 2003/2004 season has rebounded in retail sales by an increase of 102% - only one Austrian manufacturer recorded an increase in the volume sold in the product segment of touring skis in the season 2003/2004 by almost 60% - There is a significant need for improved security concepts.

The patent US 4,361,344 describes a ski binding with an emergency release system according to the preamble of claim 1.

The present invention is based on the object of providing an improved safety concept for winter sports, in particular for alpine and touring skiing, snowboards and the like. provide.

This object is achieved with a device or a method according to the claims.

The invention particularly relates to an emergency release system for one or more winter sports equipment or winter sports equipment, such as skis, ski poles, snowboards, bindings and / or shoes for skis or snowboards. It is equipped with a connecting device for releasably connecting at least two elements of one or more winter sports equipment. It can therefore at least two elements z. Within a device, as within a binding, as well as two elements of interconnected devices, such. Example, a ski attached to the binding, be separated. In this case, the connecting device is supported substantially radially in or on one of the two elements. It can therefore take place a force, shape and / or frictional radial support, with a positive support is preferred. Further, a driving device is provided, which is triggered from the outside and is adapted to cancel the radial support of the connecting device and thus bring about a separation of the two elements.

The connecting device is a substantially radially acting spring, which is preferably a spring plate or a spring washer. This can have a simple or more complex, compound form. In this case, for example, a section may be partially or completely annular, cylindrical, conical, frustoconical and / or pylon-shaped. Such a connection device may, for. B. by Ur- or forming, cutting, bending, and / or machining in a known manner. The dimensions, ie z. As the sheet thickness and the outer dimensions, so dimensioned that a deformation can not take place by a recoverable in normal driving force, but by a recoverable by triggering the drive force.

Preferably, the connecting means has a proximal end of a first outer dimension and a distal more preferred curved and / or cranked end having a second outer dimension greater than the first outer dimension, the distal end being substantially radially in or on one of the two members supported. Particularly preferred in this case is a pylon-shaped connecting device, in which, however, the usual standing in pylons footprint may be annular. Such a shape has the advantage that over a butted portion a force can be straightened from one element brought into contact with the other, ie, transmitted without considerable angle. It is therefore further preferred that the connecting device has an intermediate section whose external dimension increases at least partially continuously from the proximal to the distal end.

The propellant device comprises pyrotechnic material, which is preferably enclosed in the form of a pill or capsule, the pill having about 15-150 mg, preferably about 27-100 mg, more preferably 30 mg of explosive and / or a diameter of about 1-6 mm, preferably about 2-5 mm, more preferably about 3-4 mm. The pill and its receptacle are preferably designed so that they can be easily replaced after ignition has taken place, wherein the further elements are preferably also easily brought into the original position or are easily replaceable.

The preferably small size or mass of the driving device has the advantage that safety regulations can be easily adhered to, whereby the emergency release system according to the invention can be easily transported. In addition, it is advantageous if, due to the low mass of the driving device, it is possible to dispense with splintering covers.

In order to effectively utilize the relatively low explosive effect of the preferably low mass propellant device, it is preferred that seals reduce or prevent uncontrolled escape of the propellant gas produced. Additionally or alternatively, it is preferred that the parts to be moved in the case of triggering have a low mass in order to achieve a rapid acceleration of the parts, whereby a fast triggering system can be provided.

In addition, the small size or mass of the drive device has the advantage that the system according to the invention can be constructed very small (around the drive device), ie the system according to the invention can also be realized as a retrofit component. For example, the system according to the invention can be integrated as an additional emergency release system in a retaining loop of a known binding (eg ski binding or snowboard binding), the closure of the binding being retained. A new construction of the binding can be avoided.

Preferably, the driving device has a sleeve which is open on one side to form a piston, preferably made of expandable material, such as metal, wherein the driving device is furthermore arranged or designed such that it actuates the piston when it is triggered. Preferably, a seal surrounding the sleeve is provided, which is located in a holding device and which is designed or arranged so that the sleeve expands during or after the triggering of the drive means and thereby pushes the seal outwardly to a seal outwardly to the holding device continue to support.

Preferably, the piston is designed or arranged so that it triggers the connection device after its release or actuation. For this he can slide after its release or actuation at least over the intermediate portion of the connecting device and move the distal end of the connecting device inward and disengage the progression of the movement. The piston is at least partially hollow, wherein the hollow portion should have an outer dimension that the piston can slide over the proximal end of the connecting device without major problems, but then deformed with the hollow portion at least a portion of the intermediate portion of the connecting device preferably radially inwardly to further disengage the distal end also radially inwardly and finally with the further sliding of the piston over the intermediate portion of the connecting means to cause separation of the members connected by the connecting means.

Further, a guide tube may be provided which is assigned to the one of the two elements to be connected to or in which the connecting device engages, in which preferably the piston slides and against which more preferably the seal is supported radially outward. Thus, the said parts can be brought into operative connection in a small space.

The driving device is preferably manually and / or automatically triggered. The signal transmission takes place electrically, electronically, acoustically and / or via infrared. The emergency release is also designed or suitable, together with or triggering another rescue system, such as an ABS avalanche airbag or the Avagear ™ lifejacket. Thus, an integrated rescue concept could be provided with a triggering device, taking advantage of all the chances of rescue and, in particular, avoiding the anchoring of an accident victim by his winter sports equipment. Thus, the previously mentioned principle of inverse segregation in granular flows can be used undisturbed. Alternatively or additionally, the emergency triggering system can be set into the triggering state by at least one triggering signal based on biological data (eg EEG, EMG) and / or triggered by a voice control. In particular, according to a preferred embodiment, a trigger signal can be triggered via a voice or a voice command. To prevent unwanted triggering, for example, speech recognition can recognize a wording which is assigned to a trigger signal. Alternatively or additionally, the speech recognition can detect a "stress pattern" in the voice, so that the triggering preferably takes place only in emergency situations.

The invention also relates to winter sports equipment, such as ski binding, ski boot, ski pole and / or snowboard binding, with the emergency release system described above and below.

Preferably, the invention is used in a heel down device of a ski safety binding in which the emergency release system is used. On the one hand, an existing adjusting spring can be tensioned again by a further tension from the outside, preferably by an adjusting screw, after the emergency triggering system has been triggered. On the other hand, a lanyard possibly existing there can be solved.

The heel downholder usually has a heel downholder jaw and the previously mentioned adjustment spring for adjusting the maximum holding force of the heel downholder jaw until the binding-actuated release. Preferably, the adjusting spring is supported directly or indirectly at least against the connecting device and lifts by triggering the driving device this support of the adjusting spring. In this case, the adjusting spring is relieved and thus released the heel downholder jaws.

Preferably, alternatively, more preferably additionally a ski pole is provided with an emergency release system according to the invention, wherein the emergency release system is adapted to separate a hand strap and / or a handle of at least one essential remaining part of the ski pole.

A snowboard binding may also be provided with an emergency release system according to the invention, wherein the emergency release system is more preferably suitable for separating a fastening strap of this binding.

The invention also relates to a method for emergency release for one or more winter sports equipment, such as skis, ski poles, snowboards, bindings and / or shoes for skis or snowboards. At least two elements of one or more winter sports equipment are connected by bracing substantially radially in or on one of the two elements. There is also a release from the outside and release of the radial support, so as to bring about a separation of the two elements.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing an emergency release system for one or more winter sports equipment, such as skis, ski poles, snowboards, bindings and / or shoes for skis or snowboards. In this case, a connecting device for detachably connecting at least two elements of one or more winter sports equipment is provided, so that the connecting device is supported substantially radially in or on one of the two elements. Further, a driving device is provided, which is externally releasable and is adapted to cancel the radial support of the connecting device and thus bring about a separation of the two elements.

The system can be combined with a very easy unwinding cord in the case of triggering, the first of a retrieval of the equipment or (if the athlete spills but the device remains on the surface) facilitates a search of the buried.

The present invention focuses primarily on increasing the safety of alpine skiers, touring skiers, variant skiers and snowboarders, who move away from secured pistes and are therefore at an increased risk of being involved in a potential avalanche accident.

The presented invention disclosure discloses a reliable, relatively simple and inexpensive to implement, electrically / electronically controllable, on the market sports equipment components compatible, pyrotechnic emergency release system especially for skis, ski pole and snowboard.

The invention thus relates to an electrically triggerable emergency release system, which, in particular in avalanche situations, mediates a pyrotechnically executed separation of ski boot and ski or of hand and ski pole.

• eine sehr kompakte, leichtgewichtige und kostengünstige Lösung,
• eine Erhöhung der Sicherheit von Skifahrer und Snowboarder, welche sich abseits der gesicherten Piste bewegen (z. B. Variantenfahrer, Freerider, Tourenskifahrer etc). bei Lawinenunfällen
• eine Verringerung des Risikos der Verschüttung,
• eine Erhöhung der Sicherheit der Snowboard- Fahrer durch die elektrisch auslösbare Bindung bei Unfällen im freien Gelänge, bei denen das manuelle Öffnen der Bindung unmöglich ist,
• eine mögliche simultane Auslösung an beiden Beinen und/oder beiden Skistöcken,
• die Erfindung kann kompatibel zu vorhandenen Bindungssystemen ausgeführt werden, so dass eine Zurüstung (ohne maßgebliche Veränderung der Ski- bzw. Snowboardbindung) möglich ist,
• die pyrotechnische Auslösevorrichtung für die Tourenskibindungen und für das Snowboard kann die Trennung des Fangriemens bei der Auslösung einschließen,
• es kann das pyrotechnische Notauslösesystem mit den auf dem Markt befindlichen ABS- Lawinen-Airbags kombiniert werden (bei diesen Systemen - http://www.abs-lawinenairbag.de - wird durch Zug am Auslösegriff elektrisch angesteuert eine Druckluftpatrone geöffnet und ein Ballonsystem aufgeblasen. Das für diesen Auslösevorgang verwendete Auslösesignal könnte gleichzeitig die erfindungsgemäße Notauslösung triggern),
• es kann ggf. nur einmal elektronisch ausgelöst werden, da danach die Explosions- oder Treibladung erneuert werden muss. Die Funktionsfähigkeit der Skibindung ist nach erfolgter Notauslösung manuell leicht wiederhrerstellbar, und der Fangriemen leicht einsetzbar. Der Skistock und die Snowboard- Bindung sind manuell leicht wieder zusammensetzbar.
• die pyrotechnische Treibladung (z. B. Pille) und die damit verbundene Sprengkraft kann klein gehalten werden, um Sicherheitsstandards gerecht zu werden. Die vorzugsweise geringe Sprengkraft kann unter Verwendung von Dichtungen und/oder einer geringen Masse (geringe Trägheit) der zu bewegenden Teile (Kolben, Zylinder) effektiv ausgenützt werden, sodass die im Auslösefall zu bewegenden Teile schnell besehteunigt werden können, wodurch ein außerordentlich schnehes Auslösesystem bereitgestellt wird. Vorzugsweise arbeitet das erfindungsgemäße System so schnell, dass der Auslösemechanismus innerhalb von ca. 1 ms geöffnet werden kann.

The invention further has the following preferably realized features:

• a very compact, lightweight and cost effective solution,
• an increase in the safety of skiers and snowboarders who move away from the secured slope (eg variant riders, freeriders, touring skiers etc). in avalanche accidents
• a reduction in the risk of burial,
• an increase in the safety of snowboarders by the electrically releasable binding in accidents in free lunge, where the manual opening of the bond is impossible,
• a possible simultaneous release on both legs and / or both ski poles,
• the invention can be made compatible with existing binding systems, so that a fitting (without significant change in the ski or snowboard binding) is possible,
• the pyrotechnic triggering device for the touring ski bindings and for the snowboard may include the separation of the safety belt during deployment,
• it may be the pyrotechnic emergency release system with the ABS on the market avalanche airbags are combined (in these systems - http://www.abs-lawinenairbag.de - train is on the trigger handle is electrically energized, a compressed air cartridge opened and inflated, a balloon system. The trigger signal used for this tripping operation could simultaneously trigger the emergency release according to the invention),
• it may possibly be triggered only once electronically, since then the explosion or propellant charge must be renewed. The functionality of the ski binding is manually easily repositionable after emergency release, and the lanyard easily used. The ski pole and the snowboard binding can be reassembled manually.
• the pyrotechnic propellant charge (eg pill) and the associated explosive force can be kept small to meet safety standards. The preferably low explosive force can be effectively exploited using gaskets and / or low mass (low inertia) of the parts to be moved (piston, cylinder), so that the parts to be moved in the case of activation can be quickly improved, thus providing an extremely good triggering system becomes. Preferably, the system according to the invention operates so fast that the triggering mechanism can be opened within approximately 1 ms.

Fig. 1

eine bekannte, jedoch weiter erfindungsgemäß ausgebildete Skisicherheitsbindung;

Fig. 2

ein bekannter, jedoch weiter erfindungsgemäß ausgebildeter Skistock;

Fig. 3

eine bekannte, jedoch weiter erfindungsgemäß ausgebildete Snowboardbindung;

Fig. 4

einen Fersenniederhalter einer Skisicherheitsbindung mit einer erfindungsgemäßen Ausführungsform eines Notauslösesystems;

Fig. 5

eine weitere erfindungsgemäße Ausgestaltung eines Fersenniederhalters einer Skisicherheitsbindung;

Fig. 6

eine weitere erfindungsgemäße Ausgestaltung eines Sohlenniederhalters einer Skisicherheitsbindung;

Fig. 7

eine weitere erfindungsgemäße Ausgestaltung eines Skistocks;

Fig. 8

eine weitere erfindungsgemäße Ausgestaltung einer Snowboardbindung; und

Fig. 9

eine weitere erfindungsgemäße Ausgestaltung eines Fersenniederhalters einer Skisicherheitsbindung.

The figures are intended to exemplify preferred embodiments according to the invention. Show it:

Fig. 1

a known, but further inventively trained Skisicherheitsbindung;

Fig. 2

a known, but further inventively trained ski pole;

Fig. 3

a known, but further inventively designed snowboard binding;

Fig. 4

a heel down device of a ski safety binding with an embodiment of an emergency release system according to the invention;

Fig. 5

a further inventive embodiment of a heel downholder a Skisicherheitsbindung;

Fig. 6

a further embodiment of the invention of a sole holder of a ski safety binding;

Fig. 7

a further embodiment of a ski pole according to the invention;

Fig. 8

a further embodiment of a snowboard binding according to the invention; and

Fig. 9

a further embodiment of the invention a heel downholder a Skisicherheitsbindung.

The following, in particular and by way of example, two technical embodiments are given, which are compatible with existing binding systems and therefore allow equipment without significantly changing the existing security binding. When triggered in both variants, the unlocking of the part to be separated takes place in that the abutment of a setting or. Locking spring by a movable cylinder, which is driven by a pyrotechnic propellant charge is released. As a result, the adjusting or latching spring is relaxed, and the lock is released. Through the moving cylinder, a spring plate is deformed, with which the abutment is held. In the first embodiment, the spring plate is conical, and the adjusting or latching spring is relaxed in the direction of movement of the moving cylinder. In the second embodiment, the spring plate is flat, and the adjusting spring is relaxed against the direction of movement of the moving cylinder.

In Fig. 1 Possible positions 1 and 2 for the triggering device are outlined. The position of the pyrotechnic release device in the ski pole (it can also be carried out in both embodiments) is in Fig. 2 illustrated. Again, two positions are possible. In this case, a separation directly below the handle 3 or on the floor loop or at the connection to the glove 3a is conceivable.

A possible position of the pyrotechnic release device in a snowboard binding (here too, it can be carried out according to both embodiments) is in Fig. 3 shown.

In Fig. 4 an embodiment for the heel down of a ski binding is outlined. The heel downholder jaw 13 is shown. The adjusting spring 5 is clamped between the annular abutment 6 and the link 7 of the binding. The abutment 6 is held by the bolt 8 which is slidable in the slotted guide tube 11 . The position of the bolt 8 is fixed on the rod 9 , on which the spring plate 10 is fixed. The curved end of the spring plate 10 can be latched in an incision of the guide tube 11 . The guide tube 11 is axially displaceable by the adjusting screw 12 , and so the adjusting spring 5 can be tensioned.

When triggered, the pyrotechnic pill 16 is ignitable. The pill 16 is in a thin metal sleeve 17 which is sealed by an O-ring 18 . The metal sleeve 17 and the O-ring 18 are fixed by a bracket 29 by the screw 28 . By the resulting propellant gas, the cylinder 19 is axially movable outwardly, the curved end of the spring plate 10 radially inwardly displaceable and thus decoupled from the guide tube 11 , the abutment 6 axially displaceable outwards, and the adjusting spring 5 relaxable. In other words, the resulting propellant gas can cause the spring or the spring plate 10 is deformed, whereby decoupling can take place. Preferably, the pyrotechnic pill 16 is as small as possible, whereby the explosive effect correspondingly low. Compliance with safety standards can therefore be easily achieved. To effectively utilize the preferred low explosive force, it is particularly advantageous to have seals (eg, O-ring 18 ) that reduce or prevent uncontrolled escape of the propellant, so that the propellant gas can effectively move the cylinder 19 . In addition, it is preferable that the mass of the cylinder 19 is low (low inertia), whereby the cylinder can be effectively and preferably accelerated quickly, providing an extremely fast release system. For example, the total time for a pilling-driven stroke of a cylinder 19 of 1.7 cm is approximately 1.2 ms. This time is composed of the burning time of the pill 16 (time to the pressure wave is generated) of 0.7 ms and from the time for the displacement of the cylinder 19 of 0.5 ms.

At one end of the rod 9 is the transverse bore 20 (FIG. Fig. 5 ), through which the rod 21 passes, which has the eyelet 22 with the lanyard at one end and the thickening 23 at the other end. In the electronically unsolved state, the rod 21 and the eyelet 22 are held in position by the narrow gap of the outer tube 25 and by the thickening 23 . After the electronic release, the rod 21 is movable by the widened gap 24 , driven by the spring 26 , and the lanyard of the heel downholder is releasable.

After electronic triggering the adjusting spring 5 is clamped by axial displacement of the guide tube 11 by the adjusting screw 12, and thus the heel restraint with mechanical release device used.

In Fig. 6 an embodiment built into the sole depressor of a ski binding is outlined. The sole holding-down jaw 14 is shown.

In Fig. 9 an embodiment for the heel down of a ski binding is outlined. The heel downholder jaw 13 is shown. The adjusting spring 5 is clamped between the annular abutment 6 and the annular abutment 34 which rests on the link 7 . The abutment 6 is held by the spring plate 32 , which is transverse to the guide tube 11 in a fine section of the guide tube 11 . The guide tube 11 is axially displaceable by the adjusting screw 12 , and so the adjusting spring 5 tensioned. When triggered, the movable cylinder 19 , whose narrow, rounded extension is connected to the spring plate 32 , by the propellant gas of the pyrotechnic pill 16 axially inwardly movable, the spring plate 32 displaceable by the extension of the cylinder 19 into the bore 33 of the rod 31 and so decoupled from the abutment 6 , the abutment 6 axially displaceable outwards, and the adjusting spring 5 relaxable. The resulting propellant thus causes the spring plate 32 is deformed, whereby decoupling can take place. According to In a preferred embodiment, the pyrotechnic pill is kept as small as possible in order to meet safety standards. In order to effectively utilize the associated low explosive force, it is particularly advantageous if there are seals that reduce or prevent uncontrolled escape of the propellant gas, so that the propellant gas can effectively move the cylinder 19. In addition, it is preferable that the mass of the cylinder 19 is low (low inertia), whereby the cylinder can be effectively and preferably accelerated quickly, providing an extremely fast release system. A fast release system is particularly advantageous for downhill bindings.

By the movement of the rod 31 , the rod 21 , to which the safety strap is attached, axially displaced inwardly, where the rod 21 with the safety belt due to the widened gap 24 of the outer tube 25 from the heel downholder is solvable.

After the electronic release, the adjusting spring 5 is tensioned by axial displacement of the guide tube 11 by the adjusting screw 12 , and so the heel down device with mechanical release device used.

In Fig. 7 is the electronically controlled release device sketched in a ski pole (position 3 ). The handle 15 with the guide tube 11 at the lower end and the loop 16 are shown. The latching spring 27 is located within the movable cylinder 19th The bolt 8 is connected by two screws 30 with the outer tube 25 , ie, the ski pole. In the electronic triggering the spring plate 10 is decoupled by the downwardly moving cylinder 19 from the guide tube 11 , and the outer tube 25 through the cylinder 19 and the latch spring 27 downwardly movable from the handle 15 .

After the electronic release, the outer tube 25, against the spring force of the latching spring 27 , slidable over the guide tube 11 , and the spring plate 10 in the guide tube 11 can be latched.

In the separation on the loop or on the glove connection eyelet ( 3a ) provided by the floor manufacturer locking systems can be controlled, for. B. by removing the existing spring abutment by the pyrotechnic triggering.

In Fig. 8 is the electronically controllable, derived from the triggering device of the ski pole, tripping device sketched in a snowboard binding. The screw 28 and the outer tube 25 are pierced for the lower and upper suspension. The rod 21 , which has the lug at one end and the thickening at the other end, passes through the transverse bores 20 of the rod 9 and the outer tube 25 and is held by the narrow gap 35 in the guide tube 11 . After the electronic release, the rod 21 is movable away from the guide tube 11 through the narrow gap 35 and through the transverse bores 20 , driven by the spring 26 (FIG. Fig. 5 ), separable from the outer tube 25 .

The invention also includes the exact or exact terms, features, numerical values or ranges, etc. when, above or below, these terms, features, numerical values or ranges are used in conjunction with terms such as, for example. B. "about, about, to, essentially, in general, at least, at least", etc. were called (ie "about 3" should also "3" or "substantially radially" should also include "radial"). The expression "or" means moreover "and / or".

Claims (22)

1. An emergency release system for one or more pieces of winter sports equipment, such as skies, ski poles, snowboards, bindings and/or boots for skis or snowboards, comprising

   a) a connection mechanism (10; 32) for detachably connecting at least two elements of one or more pieces of winter sports equipment,

   b) wherein the connection mechanism (10; 32) is supported substantially radially in or on one of the two elements,

   c) a drive mechanism (16-19, 28, 29) that comprises pyrotechnical material and can be activated from outside, and that is suited for cancelling the radial support of the connection mechanism and thus causing the two elements to separate, characterized in that the connection mechanism (10; 32) is a substantially radially acting spring (10; 32).
2. The emergency release system according to claim 1, wherein the connection mechanism (10; 32) is a spring sheet (10; 32).
3. The emergency release system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one portion of the connection mechanism (10; 32) is partly or completely ringshaped, cylindrical, conical, frusto-conical and/or pylon-shaped.
4. The emergency release system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection mechanism (10; 32) has a proximal end having a first external dimension and a distal, curved and/or cranked end having a second external dimension which is larger than the first external dimension, wherein the distal end is supported substantially radially in or on one of the two elements.
5. The emergency release system according to claim 4, wherein the connection mechanism (10) has an intermediary portion, the external dimension of which increases at least in part continuously from the proximal to the distal end.
6. The emergency release system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pyrotechnical material is enclosed in the form of a pill or capsule, wherein the pill preferably comprises about 15 to 150 mg, more preferably about 27 to 100 mg, more preferably 30 mg of explosive and/or has a diameter of about 1 to 6 mm, preferably about 2 to 5 mm, more preferably about 3 to 4 mm.
7. The emergency release system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive mechanism (16-19, 28, 29) has a sleeve (17) that is open at one side towards a piston (19) and is preferably made of an expandable material such as, more preferably, a metal, wherein the drive mechanism (16-19, 28, 29) is furthermore arranged or formed in such a manner that it actuates the piston (19) when being activated.
8. The emergency release system according to claim 7, wherein a seal (18) is provided which surrounds the sleeve (17) and is formed or arranged in such a manner that the sleeve expands upon or after the activation of the drive mechanism (16-19, 28, 29) and thereby pushes the seal outwards so as to further support sealing in the outward direction towards the holding mechanism.
9. The emergency release system according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the piston (19) is formed or arranged in such a manner that the piston, after its activation or actuation, disconnects the connection mechanism (10).
10. The emergency release system according to claims 5 and 8 or 9, wherein after its activation or actuation, the piston (19) can slide at least over the intermediary portion of the connection mechanism (10), and as the movement continues, moves the distal end of the connection mechanism (10, 32) inwards and out of engagement.
11. The emergency release system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, furthermore, a guide tube (11) is provided which is to be associated with one of the two elements to be connected, on or in which the connection mechanism (10; 32) engages, in which preferably the piston (19) slides and on which, more preferably, the seal (18) is supported in the radially outward direction.
12. The emergency release system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive mechanism (16-19, 28, 29) can be activated manually and/or automatically, preferably electronically, acoustically and/or via an infrared signal, preferably alternatively or additionally also by at least one trigger signal which is based on biological data (e.g. EEG, EMG), and/or is triggered by voice control.
13. The emergency release system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the emergency release is adapted or suitable for being activated together with or by activating another safety system, such as an ABS avalanche airbag or the life jacket Avagear^™.
14. A ski binding, ski boot, ski pole and/or snowboard binding, comprising an emergency release system according to any one of the preceding claims.
15. The ski binding according to claim 14, comprising a heel restraint in which the emergency release system is inserted.
16. The ski binding according to claim 15, wherein the heel restraint comprises a heel restraint jaw (13) and an adjusting spring (5) for adjusting the maximum holding force of the heel restraint jaw (13) until release, wherein the adjusting spring (5) is supported directly or indirectly at least by the connection mechanism (10; 32) and, by activating the drive mechanism (16-19, 28, 29), cancels the support of the adjusting spring (5), unloads the adjusting spring (5) and thus releases the heel restraint jaw (13).
17. The ski binding according to claim 16, wherein after releasing the emergency release system, the adjusting spring (5) can be tensioned again by another tensioning from the outside, preferably by an adjusting screw (12).
18. The ski binding according to any one of the claims 15 to 17, wherein the emergency release system furthermore is arranged and/or adapted for also releasing or separating an existing binding strap.
19. A ski pole comprising an emergency release system according to any one of the corresponding preceding claims, wherein the emergency release system is suitable for separating a hand loop and/or a grip from at least one essential remaining part of the ski pole.
20. A snowboard binding comprising an emergency release system according to any one of the corresponding preceding claims, wherein the emergency release system is suitable for separating a locking strap.
21. A method for releasing one or more pieces of winter sports equipment such as skis, ski poles, snow boards, bindings and/or boots for skis or snowboards comprising an emergency release system according to any one of the corresponding preceding claims, comprising the steps of connecting at least two elements of one or more pieces of winter sports equipment by supporting substantially radially in or on one of the two elements and activating from the outside and canceling the radial support so as to cause a separation of the two elements.
22. A method for manufacturing an emergency release system for one or more pieces of winter sports equipment such as skis, ski poles, snowboards, bindings and/or boots for skis or snowboards comprising an emergency release system according to any one of the corresponding preceding claims, comprising the steps

    a) providing a connection mechanism (10; 32) for detachably connecting at least two elements of one or more pieces of winter sports equipment,

    b) so that the connection mechanism is supported substantially radially in or on one of the two elements,

    c) and providing a drive mechanism (16-19, 28, 29) that can be activated from outside and is suitable for cancelling the radial support of the of connection mechanism, thus causing the two elements to separate.

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