EP2329865B1 - Device for preventing sport devices from being stolen - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a device for anti-theft of gliding sports equipment consisting of a lubricious base and a matching and required shoe, for example, winter sports equipment such as snowboards, surfboards, other gliders, and in particular alpine skis.

State of the art

Unfortunately, especially with alpine skis, the theft rate is quite high. Such sports equipment is relatively expensive, and therefore theft for the purpose of resale for thieves is quite rewarding. In addition, there are occasionally confusions, especially when it comes to rented or rented sports equipment, because the user can no longer identify or locate the rented equipment due to forgetfulness. The same can happen if the sports equipment is new and the owner is not yet very familiar with it.

Various types of anti-theft devices have already become known. Normally, winter sports equipment such as skis and snowboards are parked in a kind of rake, usually on residential buildings, restaurants and other buildings, and known anti-theft devices are attached to these rakes and enclose the winter sports equipment by mechanical devices.

For example, the U.S. Patent No. 6,092,402 a safety device of two mutually pivotable metal plates, which have the shape of an S and a Z, and the subsequent pivoting of the two plates against each other two Alpinskier be clamped and can only be removed after loosening or opening a lock and Zurückverschwenken the movable metal plate from the device ,

The from the patent application EP-1'952'857 A1 Known device describes an anti-theft device by which the two skis of a pair with the aid of a steel cable are first firmly connected to each other and then with the storage rack, so that they can be separated from each other only after opening a lock and then removed.

As a non-mechanical anti-theft device, an article in Hamburger Abendblatt dated 24.2.2006 mentions monitoring of parked skis with the aid of RFID transponders, which are attached to the skis and monitored by surveillance cameras as reading devices, for example at the entrance of huts in front of which the skis are parked, attached to ski lifts, at the exit of the resort etc. Unauthorized removal of the skis from the area of the reader will trigger an alarm.

The existing and used anti-theft devices for gliding equipment, in particular alpine skis, have some disadvantages. For example, the known mechanical safety devices such as cables or double clamps can be opened or destroyed with the aid of suitable tools so that the winter sports equipment can be removed. The authorized user is dependent on the possession of a key to open the mechanical anti-theft devices, which can easily be lost. The known use of RFID transponders ("RFID tags") does not prevent the unauthorized removal of the sports equipment, but only the removal of the sports field, with any alarm can be easily rendered ineffective.

DE 103 35 503 relates to an anti-theft device on a safety ski binding with a jaw having at least one optionally in a detent position and in an open position sole holder and at least one against spring force the sole holder in the detent position holding, mechanically and / or electrically releasable latching device, wherein the detent position or open position of Sohlenhalters causing components are positively coupled with each other and communicates with a separate from the safety ski binding transmitter, which communicates via a connected to the Sicherheitsskibindung receiving device and selectively controls a locking device in an open and locked position. The locking device controls at least one locking element which, in a blocking position, locks at least one component of the latching device and at least one sole length adjustable latch or at least one component of the latching device and at least one latch which at least partially covers a cover of screws for fixing the jaw to the ski ,

WO 89/01355 refers to an anti-theft device for a safety ski binding with a jaw having at least one optionally in a detent position and in an open position sole holder and at least one against spring force the sole holder in the detent position holding, mechanically or electronically releasable latching device, wherein the detent or Open position of the sole holder causing components are positively coupled together.

FR 2 778 987 relates to a method and apparatus for identifying ski and snowboard equipment and for detecting and locating theft of this equipment.

The development of ski bindings has resulted in modern binding systems in combination with a matching ski having a quick-release fastener. The binding can be released completely from the ski after releasing its connection with the ski boot either by pressing on a handle or by a small turn of a screw provided with a twist grip. The binding is generally mounted with a rail on the ski and no longer screwed on the ski as before with several screws.

The Applicant has so far not become aware of anti-theft devices for gliding devices in which the securing is achieved by making it impossible to engage the binding, which is essential for connection to the sports shoe, and whereby the energy consumption is minimized.

Disclosure of the invention

The present invention has for its object to provide a system for theft prevention of gliding sports equipment in which a sports shoe is connected via a binding with the sports equipment, which does not have the above disadvantages, but can be used by the user without further measures and so has a great comfort. It should no longer require a key that can easily be lost. The anti-theft device should be against violent destruction or counterfeiting, such as imitation of a key, insensitive and also independent of the storage location of sports equipment.

The inventive anti-theft device for gliding sports equipment, which overcomes the disadvantages of previously known fuses and fulfills the tasks listed above, is defined in independent patent claim 1. Particular or preferred embodiments form the subject of dependent claims.

The anti-theft device according to the invention is intended to prevent the all-too-simple theft of skis directly in the ski area. The principle of the present anti-theft device is based on the idea that skis and boots, which belong together, should only work together. The system makes it impossible for an unauthorized person to strap on the skis. This means that nobody except the authorized owner is able to fasten the skis. The skis with the binding are to be handled in the usual way for the owner. The authorized owner does not normally notice that his winter sports equipment is equipped with an anti-theft device.

The device according to the invention accordingly consists of three essential components, namely a radio-based data exchange system with two individual parts, i. a receiver on the sports equipment and a transmitter on the sports shoe (or vice versa), and a locking device on the binding. In addition, a power supply to the sports equipment is required if the locking device, as is usually the case, is actuated electromechanically. In addition, a control system such as FPGA, PGA, PLC, μC, a microprocessor, etc. is also required. The control system controls the locking device.

• eine Skibindung;
• ein elektromagnetischer Aktuator;
• ein funkbasiertes Datenaustauschsystem, beispielsweise RFID, Bluetooth, WiFi, WLAN usw., zwischen Skischuh und Bindung;
• eine in die Bindung eingebaute Stromversorgung (z.B. Batterie, Akku, Supercab usw.);
• ein codierter Skischuh.

In a particular and preferred embodiment of the example of an alpine skis with associated ski boot the following items are provided:

• a ski binding;
• an electromagnetic actuator;
• a radio-based data exchange system, such as RFID, Bluetooth, WiFi, WLAN, etc., between ski boot and binding;
• a power supply built into the binding (eg battery, battery, supercab etc.);
• a coded ski boot.

All items can be chosen arbitrarily, as far as fabrication, type and design are concerned, as far as they are suitable for the purposes of the invention.

The binding is a known component of a gliding device, especially a ski. It serves once to make the mechanical connection between shoe and ski, and must be on the other these Release the connection when excessive forces act on the ski, for example during a fall, to prevent injury to the user.

Into the binding is installed at a suitable place a mechanism that the buckling of the ski, i. the firm connection between shoe and binding prevented. This is usually done by an electromechanical actuator.

This actuator is controlled by a control system that is also integrated into the binding. This control system (e.g., a microprocessor system) may include the radio-based data exchange system. This control system processes all data.

The radio-based data exchange system is set up so that it can search the environment continuously or at predetermined time intervals for radio signals that have a valid code.

The electrical and electronic systems built into the binding are powered by a power supply, which is also integrated into the binding. The power supply is preferably a durable battery that is adapted to the harsh operating conditions of winter sports.

Finally, the boot suitable for binding is provided with an electronically coded device, for example a correspondingly programmed transponder. Such devices, known as RFID tags and widely used, include at least one chip in which a suitable code is stored and a retrieval program also stored. A power supply is usually not provided, because the required performance is so low that the performance of the radio-based exchange system is sufficient on call.

Detailed information about the RFID transponder can be found in the Internet Dictionary Wikipedia (http://de.wikipedia.org). The RFID tags that can be used in the present invention need not be larger than a 1-cent coin.

The inventive device prevents a mechanical connection of ski boot and ski. This blocking is preferably done in that a device is installed in the ski binding, which prevents the lifting of a tab, which connects the shoe with the binding in the large majority of ski bindings via intermediate links and engages in the closed position. Preferably, the locking of the tab is effected by an electromechanical device which exerts the lock in the rest position. Details of these facilities will be explained below.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment. This example shows one possible and preferred realization of the invention, but does not limit the scope of the invention.

• Fig. 1 eine schematische teilgeschnittene Seitenansicht des Fersenteils einer Skibindung im offenen Zustand mit aktivierter Diebstahlsicherung;
• Fig. 2 eine schematische teilgeschnittene Seitenansicht des Fersenteils einer Skibindung im offenen Zustand mit deaktivierter Diebstahlsicherung;
• Fig. 3 eine schematische teilgeschnittene Seitenansicht des Fersenteils einer Skibindung im geschlossenen Zustand mit deaktivierter Diebstahlsicherung; und
• Fig. 4 eine schematische Darstellung der gesamten erfindungsgemässen Diebstahlsicherung.

The description is based on the drawings, in which the individual figures represent:

• Fig. 1 a schematic partially sectioned side view of the heel part of a ski binding in the open state with activated anti-theft device;
• Fig. 2 a schematic partially sectioned side view of the heel part of a ski binding in the open state with deactivated anti-theft device;
• Fig. 3 a schematic partially sectioned side view of the heel part of a ski binding in the closed state with deactivated anti-theft device; and
• Fig. 4 a schematic representation of the entire inventive anti-theft device.

Embodiments of the invention

In all figures, the same or functionally similar parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

The Fig. 1 and 2 each show a side view of the heel part of a classic ski binding (Alpinbindung) 10, which is shown cut along the dot-dash line AA centered. The binding 10 ( Fig. 1 ) consists of a basic structure 12, on which a closing tab 14 is pivotally mounted about a transverse axis 16. In a stop block 18, which is worked out in the interior of the tab 14, lies a horizontally extending in the longitudinal direction of the structure 12 cylindrical blind bore 20. On the upper, substantially horizontally extending end surface 22 of the base structure 12 is a guide block 24 and, spaced from it, an electrically actuated solenoid 26 is placed. The guide block 24 is provided with a through hole and the solenoid 26 with a blind bore 27, and these holes are aligned with the blind hole 20 in the stop block 18th

A acting as a bolt cylindrical steel pin 28 protrudes with a part of its rear end in the solenoid 26, passes through the bore of the guide block 24 and enters with its front end in the bore 20 of the stop block 18 a. In this position, he is pressed by the spring 30, which is under tension basically the blind bore 27 of the solenoid 26, in the blind bore 20 and held there.

Fig. 2 now shows in a similar representation the state of theft protection when the electronics installed in the binding (and not shown here), the solenoid 26 is energized. This happens when the electronics has entered into radio communication with a coded data carrier, has interrogated the code and has recognized it as correct. The wire coil (not shown) of the magnet 26 pulls the pin 28 back into the interior of the bore 27 against the force of the spring 30, whereby the front portion of the pin 28 is pulled out of the blind bore 20 in the stop block. Thus, the tab 14 is released for pivoting, whereby the ski boot is clamped in the binding 10.

This clamped state shows Fig. 3 , The tab 14, which is now freely pivotable, has turned upwards in the closed state of the binding. The solenoid 26 is again de-energized, since a contact, not shown, in the binding 10 has signaled the closing of this binding, ie the clamping of the ski boot. As a result, the compression spring 30 pushes the steel pin 28 partially out of the blind bore 27 of the solenoid 26 out, so that the free front end of the pin 28 projects beyond the guide block 24 to the outside.

The user of the skis can now practice his sport with the anti-theft system at rest and using no energy. After completion of the sports exercise, the binding is released by depressing the tab 14, at the same time the front end of the steel pin 28 along the rear surface 32 of the stop block 18 slides and finally enters the blind bore 20 when the tab 14 has arrived in its lowermost position (see. Fig. 1 and 2 ); the spring 30 causes the abutment against the surface 32 and the entry into the bore 20 when it is aligned with the locking pin 28 at the end of the movement. In this case, the front end of the pin 28 is preferably rounded to facilitate the described sliding and entering the blind hole.

In Fig. 4 schematically the entire structure of a preferred inventive anti-theft device is shown. The heart of the device is a control system 40, which is powered by a power supply (for example, a battery) 42 via a switch 44 with power. The power supply is preferably a high-performance battery (lithium ion) integrated at one point of the bond, where it can be easily replaced. Of course, other variants of the power supply come into consideration.

The control system has a memory in which the process data, the codes, programs, etc. are stored. With the Control system 40 of the already described solenoid 26 is electrically connected to its steel pin 28; the pin 28 engages with active theft protection in the stop block 18, as already described above. The solenoid 26 is incorporated in the base structure 12 of the binding.

On the control system 40 is a transceiver (i.e., a combined transmitter and receiver) 46 of suitable frequency and transmit power, adapted to the characteristics of an RFID tag 48. The RFID tag 48 is attached to or in a ski boot 50.

It is also possible, instead of a transceiver 46, to provide an RF transmitter and a RF receiver ("RFID reader") which is installed separately and remotely.

Finally, a switch 52 may still be present, which is installed, for example, in the front region of the ski boot 50. This switch 52 is used to save energy, because it is not necessary that the transceiver 46 constantly sends search signals; this is only necessary if the user has put on the ski boots and is nearing the ski for use. When switch 52 is open, the circuit to the control system 40 is interrupted.

The switch 44, which also interrupts the circuit to the control system 40, serves to switch off the anti-theft device when the ski boot 50 is clamped in the binding 10. Preferably, the switch 44 is opened when the tab 14 is in the closed position, i. is pivoted about the axis 16 upwards.

The inventive device operates as follows. In the initial state, the device scans the environment for a valid RFID tag at short intervals, for example 0.1 sec. As long as no ski boot with RFID tag is brought close to the binding, the system remains in this state. In one variant, scanning does not begin until the ski boot 50 is inserted into the binding and the switch 52 has been closed.

As soon as a shoe 50 with its RFID tag 48 is inserted with the front end into the front part of the binding 10, as is usual when buckling on, the transceiver 46 or the RFID reader reads out the code of the RFID tag. The control system compares this code with the identifier of the binding. If the code of the ski boot matches the binding code, it is assumed that the user who is about to strap on the ski is the legal owner. In this case, the control system attracts the solenoid 26. The steel pin 28 is withdrawn from the blind hole 20 and releases the binding for buckling. The rear of the ski boot can be pushed down, the tab 14 is raised, and the binding snaps shut.

If the RFID reader reads code other than the one belonging to the binding, or can not detect any code at all, the control system does not release the lock. The binding remains blocked in its open position, and the ski can not be buckled.

When the binding is closed, the entire system of RFID reader, solenoid and control system is disconnected from the battery 42 by opening the switch 44. The device now consumes no more electrical energy in this state. Due to the force of the spring 30 in the solenoid 26, the steel pin 28 is biased outwards and advanced and is ready to lock the binding when removing the skis immediately automatically (see above).

After the sports exercise, the user will unbuckle the skis. This is done in the usual way by the skier on the back of the tab 14 enough pressure exerts to open the bond. The binding snaps open and the ski can be removed. Once the tab 14 has returned to its lower detent position, the spring 30 pushes the locking pin 28 back into the blind bore 20 of the stop block 18, whereby the binding 10 is locked. In one embodiment, the system is powered up again (ie, the microcontroller, the RFID reader, the transmitter, and the solenoid are connected to the battery), and the system begins to scan for a ski boot again valid RFID tag. In the other embodiment, the boot-up is initiated as soon as a shoe is inserted into the binding, since then the switch 52 is closed.

If the ski is not used for several days, it is recommended to close the binding. For this purpose, for example, the ski boot can be placed orthogonally on the front binding plate. This leads to the unlocking of the binding, and this can be closed manually. Thus, the system consumes no more energy.

Most or all components of the system are preferably mounted so as to be inaccessible to the user. Maintenance is generally carried out by a specialist. This includes both adjusting the binding on the ski boot and changing the battery. Ideally, all necessary maintenance will be performed directly by the ski service at the point of sale.

In the specialist shop, the expert agrees the ski with mounted binding on the shoe of the owner. From this moment the binding can be closed exclusively with the corresponding ski boot. As soon as the owner either changes his ski boots or skis, the specialist must reconcile the new equipment.

The present invention is not limited to the described embodiments, but changes, improvements and advancements may be made within the scope of the teaching of the invention.

For example, it is in principle also possible to move the lock of engagement of the binding (solenoid 26 with locking pin 28) instead of in the latter in the sports shoe. However, this requires an additional mechanical and electrical system on the shoe, which is relatively space consuming and therefore easier to install in the binding, as described above.

The anti-theft device can also be designed as a variant in such a way that the rear part of the binding 10 can be pressed down by the ski boot, but a locking of the binding is prevented. This can be achieved very easily by appropriate modification of the above-described locking system and does not need to be described in detail here.

It is also possible, instead of a transceiver 46, to provide an RF transmitter and a separate and remote RF receiver ("RFID reader"), as has already been mentioned several times above.

Furthermore, it can also be provided that an audible and / or visual alarm is triggered if the transmitted code is invalid, if a shoe without transponder is inserted into the binding, and / or if the energy supply of the battery drops below a predetermined threshold.

Claims (12)

1. Theft prevention device for sliding sport devices, in particular winter sport devices such as alpine skis, the sport device being provided with a binding (10) and the user of the sport device wearing a sport shoe or boot (50) which, for use of the sport device, is to be connected to the binding, comprising:

   - means (24, 26, 27, 28, 30) of locking the binding during non-use of the sport device, which means block a connection of the sport shoe or boot to the binding;

   - a control system (40) for control of the locking means between a locking position and a releasing position based on a code;

   - a radio-based data exchange system between a coded transponder (48) installed on the sport shoe or boot (50) and a transceiver (46) provided on the control system (40) for scanning the transponder, and

   - means (42) for power supply of the control system and of the locking means, characterised in that

   a contact switch (52) is built into the binding, which contact switch is electrically connected to the control system (40), the contact switch (52) closing an electric circuit upon contact with the ski shoe (50), which electric circuit switches the power supply of the control system and of the connected electromechanical locking device.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the means (24, 26, 27, 28, 30) of locking the binding are electromechanical devices.
3. Device according to claim 1 and 2, characterised in that the means (24, 26, 27, 28, 30) of locking the binding consist of a lift magnet (26) installed on a basic structure (12) of the binding and a steel pin (28) inserted in the lift magnet, which pin, in locking position, engages in a stop block (18) installed in a pivotable clip (14) of the binding and thereby prevents a pivoting of the clip (14), which is required for attachment of the shoe or boot (50) to the binding.
4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the control system (40) is in operative connection to a transceiver (46) and to the said locking means (24, 26, 27, 28, 30).
5. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the control system (40) is in operative connection to an RF transmitter and an RF receiver as well as to the said locking means (24, 26, 27, 28, 30).
6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the radio-based data exchange system works with radio frequencies, and in that the said transponder (48) is an RFID tag on the sport shoe or boot which is set up to transmit a code, via radio communication, to the control system upon request of the control system (40).
7. Device according to claim 5 and 6, characterised in that the control system (40) is programmed in such a way that it causes the RF transmitter to transmit a scan signal to the RFID tag at predetermined time intervals.
8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the means of power supply consist of a -- if necessary rechargeable -- high capacity battery (42).
9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a switch (44) is provided and is disposed in such a way that, with deactivated theft protection and closed binding, the power supply (42) is electrically separated from the control system and from the locking means.
10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the control system (40) does not switch on the RF transmitter for scanning the surrounding area until the ski boot (50) is already located in the binding (10).
11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the scanning is started when the contact switch (52) closes, and is stopped when the binding is closed.
12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the control system (40) is a microprocessor.

Images