EP2409742B1 - Ski and binding assembly - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a set ski-bindings comprising a ski and two bindings. More specifically, the invention relates to a set ski-bindings provided for practicing ski touring and "freeride" and to be used both uphill and downhill, while ensuring comfort and maximum security to its user .

PRIOR ART

There are currently several types of ski-binding sets in which the skis, but especially the bindings are adapted to the specific use that is made of them. The set ski-bindings of the present invention is intended to practice both ski touring and downhill skiing.

Conventionally, the skis for hiking are equipped with bindings to lift the heel when using the ski uphill. When such a ski with such a binding is used to descend, the back of the binding or shoe can be locked so that the heel remains held on the ski.

Although widespread, this type of attachment presents a problem. Indeed, the fact of having a fixation intended for both uses involves compromises between the safety and the weight of the binding. A lightweight mount for hiking offers less safety than a conventional alpine mount.

In order to overcome these disadvantages, various solutions have been proposed. In particular, patents CH 657 784 , US 4,322,090 and US 4,273,355 propose a ski comprising a binding placed permanently on the ski, this binding being intended to allow the use of the ski downhill. Inside this attachment, a second attachment can be removably placed, this second attachment being intended to use the ski uphill, that is to say in a configuration in which the heel can be raised.

Thus, when the ski is used uphill, the second attachment is put in place and maintained by the first attachment while when the ski is used downhill, the second attachment is simply removed and the first attachment is used in the manner provided.

This solution provides great security since the binding used for the descent is made specifically for this use and does not require compromise. However, when the ski is used uphill, it has both fasteners, which increases the total weight of the ski-binding assembly. This extra weight attached to the feet significantly increases the effort it is necessary to provide during the climb.

Another disadvantage of the fasteners proposed in the aforementioned documents comes from the fact that the second attachment is placed above the first. Thus, the distance between the snow and the bottom of the shoe can be relatively high, which makes the binding difficult to use, even dangerous, especially in case of rough terrain.

The document EP 0 668 090 describes a fastener comprising a removable support and usable either on a snowboard or on a touring ski, which comprise means for holding the support.

There is currently no solution to ensure maximum safety for descent and minimum foot weight for climbing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention proposes to overcome the disadvantages of ski-binding assemblies of the prior art and to provide a set in which no compromise has been made in terms of safety for downhill use. In addition, this set ski-bindings has no useless element increasing the weight of the assembly during the climb. In addition, the bottom of the shoe is placed very close to the surface of the ski, which ensures a high stability, a better comfort of use and a greater security.

The object of the invention is achieved by a ski-binding assembly as defined in the preamble and characterized in that each attachment comprises a removable support and in that the ski comprises means for holding said support of each attachment, said means of maintaining being arranged to render said removable support of said fasteners integral with the ski and in that, when using the ski-fixations assembly, a single attachment is placed on said ski.

According to the present invention, when the set ski-bindings is used uphill, it behaves as if a hiking attachment was used, allowing to lift the heel and thus allow walking. The support and the attachment can be optimized for use in uphill areas. The optimization concerns in particular the simplicity of use as well as the weight which must be as low as possible.

When the ski-bindings set is used downhill, it has only one alpine ski binding, which is also optimized for this purpose. This optimization concerns in particular security. The support and the binding must be sufficiently rigid to ensure a good ski hold, even at high speed in difficult conditions such as a very rough terrain, at the reception of a jump or in heavy or deep snow conditions. .

The parameters to be optimized according to the use are therefore totally different or even incompatible. However, whatever the intended use, the set ski-bindings according to the invention offers the most appropriate conditions.

Although, according to the present invention, the unused fastener must be worn (eg in the backpack) and the total weight of two fasteners removable and higher than the weight of a single fastener, it is no longer pleasant and effective to carry some weight on the back only to the feet.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• la figure 1 représente un ensemble ski-fixations selon la présente invention, comportant une fixation conventionnelle vue de profil, cette fixation étant utilisée pour le ski alpin;
• la figure 2 est une vue de derrière de l'ensemble ski-fixations de la figure 1;
• la figure 3 est une vue de profil d'un ensemble ski-fixations de l'invention, utilisé pour la montée et illustrant une chaussure dans une première position;
• la figure 4 représente un ensemble ski-fixations selon la figure 3, avec une chaussure dans une deuxième position;
• la figure 5 illustre un détail de l'ensemble ski-fixations des figures 1 à 3, vu de dessus;
• la figure 6 représente une variante de l'ensemble ski-fixations de la figure 1;
• la figure 7 représente une variante de l'ensemble ski-fixations de la figure 3; et
• la figure 8 est une vue de dessus d'un détail des variantes des figures 6 et 7.

The present invention and its advantages will be better understood with reference to the appended figures and to the detailed description of a particular embodiment, in which:

• the figure 1 represents a set of ski-bindings according to the present invention, comprising a conventional attachment seen in profile, this binding being used for alpine skiing;
• the figure 2 is a back view of the ski-bindings set of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 3 is a side view of a set ski-bindings of the invention, used for climbing and illustrating a shoe in a first position;
• the figure 4 represents a set ski-bindings according to the figure 3 with a shoe in a second position;
• the figure 5 illustrates a detail of the ski-bindings set of Figures 1 to 3 seen from above;
• the figure 6 represents a variant of the set ski-bindings of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 7 represents a variant of the set ski-bindings of the figure 3 ; and
• the figure 8 is a top view of a detail of the variants of figures 6 and 7 .

MANNER OF REALIZING THE INVENTION

With reference to the figures, the set ski-bindings 10 according to the present invention is essentially formed of a ski 11, two fasteners, a removable support and means for holding the removable support on the ski.

In the case illustrated by the figure 1 , the set ski-bindings 10 is intended to practice alpine skiing. For this purpose, the removable support 12a is designed to receive a conventional alpine ski binding 13 equipped with a safety mechanism. This attachment is kept permanently on the removable support 12a, usually by screwing.

The removable support 12a is formed of a plate having a width close to that of a ski boot (standard width of 7 cm) and a length allowing the removable support to receive the front and rear portions of the binding in the position of use, that is to say in a position such that a shoe can be maintained in this fixation.

The means 14 for holding the removable support on the ski comprise a front holding member 15 and a rear holding member 16. In the embodiment illustrated by the Figures 1 to 6 , the front holding member 15 is formed of a first hinge member 17 integral with the ski and a second hinge member 18 integral with the support. The first hinge member 17 comprises a retractable rod 19 disposed in a lateral direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the ski. The second hinge member 18 is formed of a recess in which the retractable rod can be arranged and a hole 20 on either side of the support, in the side walls of this support. These holes 20 are arranged to receive the ends of the retractable rod 19.

The retractable rod 19 of the front holding member is advantageously formed of two half-rods separated by a compression spring. Thus, by pressing the half-rods against each other, it is possible to approach the ends of each other and remove the support to change the attachment. This and illustrated by in particular by the figure 5 .

It is possible to provide a protection element 21 in front of the rods, in particular in the case where the binding is an alpine ski binding. These protections prevent the rods from being deformed, broken or retracted accidentally, for example during an impact.

The rear holding member 16 is illustrated in particular on the Figures 1 and 2 . This holding member comprises a first holding member 22 integral with the ski and a second holding member 23 secured to the removable support 12a. The first holding member 22 integral with the ski has a profile 24 substantially T-shaped. The second holding member 23 secured to the support comprises a complementary profile 25. When the two holding elements 22, 23 are positioned so that their profiles cooperate, the rear of the support 12a is held against the ski 11, without being able to move in a vertical and lateral direction. By against the support 12a can slide in a longitudinal direction relative to the ski. This sliding is limited by the holding member before 15. The fact that the rear can sliding allows the ski to undergo a deformation without it causes a stress on the binding, which improves the safety of use.

The support 12a may further have side walls having a particular profile allowing deformation of the ski without generating deformation of the removable support. Such a profile is illustrated by the figures 1 and 6 .

In the case illustrated by the figure 3 , the ski 11 is intended to be used for the practice of ski touring. For this purpose, the removable support 12b is designed to receive a fastener 26 of clip type or a strap for holding the boot resting against the removable support. This removable support comprises in its front part, a housing 27 in which is placed the front of the shoe. The back of the shoe is held by the clip-type attachment or the strap.

The holding member 15 before the removable support 12b on the ski is identical to that illustrated by the figure 1 . The support meanwhile, is different. Indeed, the hole 20 arranged to receive the retractable rod 19 is disposed at the front of the support, so that it can pivot around the retractable rod 19. The support is also shorter than in the embodiment of the figure 1 so that it does not interfere with the rear support member 16. This support must however be long enough to maintain the shoe.

The figure 4 illustrates the set ski-bindings of the figure 3 , in which the removable support 12b and the shoe are pivoted around the retractable rod 19. This position corresponds to a running position.

As indicated above, the set ski-bindings 10 according to the invention is intended to be used downhill or uphill. When the set ski-bindings is used downhill, the attachment 13 and the removable support 12a as illustrated by the Figures 1 and 2 are installed on the ski. For this purpose, the rear of the support 12a is first put in place. More specifically, the support 12a is slid against the ski 11 so that the second holding member 23 integral with the support cooperates with the first holding member 22 integral with the ski. The support is positioned in such a way that the holes 20 made towards the front of the removable support are close to the retractable rod 19 of the first hinge member 17. The ends of the rod 19 are pressed against each other so as to allow the correct positioning of the support 12a. It is pressed against the bottom so that the ends of the rods pass through the holes of the support. In this way, the front and back of the support are held against the ski. The ski can then be used as a conventional alpine ski.

When the binding must be changed, especially for hiking, the retractable rods 19 are pressed towards each other so as to remove the front of the support. When the front of the support is disengaged from the retractable rods, it can be slid forward so as to separate the profiles 24, 25 integral with the support and the ski. The support can be removed.

To put in place the support 12b comprising the fastener 26 of the clip type or the strap, it suffices to press the retractable rods 19 towards each other and to introduce these rods into the holes 20 of the support. By the shape and size of the support, it can pivot around the retractable rods and does not interfere with the rear holding member 16.

The Figures 6 to 8 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the set ski-bindings according to the present invention. In this variant, the front and rear holding members are different from those illustrated by the Figures 1 to 5 .

The front holding member 115 is formed of a first hinge member 117 secured to the ski and a second hinge member 118 secured to the support. Each of these hinge elements comprises a hinge element 28, resp. 29. A removable rod 30 is inserted into the hinge elements so as to make them integral.

The rear holding member 116 is formed of a first holding member 122 secured to the ski and a second holding member 123 secured to the removable support. The integral support element of the ski is formed of a stirrup 31. The holding element integral with the removable support comprises a finger 32.

When the support 12a comprising the alpine ski binding 13 is to be used, this support is placed in such a way that the finger 32 of the removable support can be introduced into the stirrup 31 integral with the ski. The support is then positioned so that the first hinge element 28 integral with the ski can cooperate with the second hinge element 29 secured to the removable support. The removable rod 30 is then introduced into the two hinge elements so as to secure these two elements. In this way, the removable support is fixed rigidly on the ski, firstly at the front by the hinge elements and the rod and secondly at the rear by the finger 32 and the stirrup 31.

When the support comprising the alpine ski binding is to be removed, it suffices to remove the removable rod 30 from the hinge elements 28, 29 and then to move the removable support 12a to remove the finger from the stirrup. It should be noted that the rod may include means to ensure that it does not come out accidentally, these means being well known to those skilled in the art.

To set up the binding 26 intended for hiking, the removable support 12b is presented against the ski so that the removable rod 30 can be introduced into the hinge element 29 secured to the support and in the hinge element 28 in solidarity with the ski.

When the support 12b comprising the hiking attachment is in place, it is maintained only by the front holding member 115. The stirrup 31 does not interfere with the support.

In all the embodiments of the invention, the supports 12a, 12b according to the invention may have a relatively small thickness. In this way, the shoe stays close to the snow and ensures optimal use. In addition, by the embodiment of the rear support member, the support 12a for alpine skiing may have a certain longitudinal clearance with respect to the ski. This avoids that the binding undergoes significant constraints when the ski is deformed. Thus, maintaining the boot in the alpine ski binding is achieved with a more constant force compared to a conventionally mounted fastener.

The supports can be put in place and removed from the ski without tools. The ski has no fixed attachment.

Claims (11)

1. Ski-fastening set comprising one ski and two fastenings, one for down-hill skiing, the other for climbing upwards, characterized in that each fastening comprises a removable support (12a, 12b) and in that the ski comprises maintaining means (14) of said removable support (12a, 12b) of each fastening, said maintaining means being designed for rendering said removable support of said fastening integral with the ski and in that, when using the ski fastening set, a single fastening is placed on said ski.
2. Ski-fastening set according to claim 1, characterized in that one of said fastenings is a clip type fastening or a strap.
3. Ski-fastening set according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (14) for holding said removable support are arranged to maintain the front of the removable support (12a, 12b) against the ski.
4. Ski-fastening set according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (14) for holding said removable support are arranged to maintain the whole removable support (12a) against the ski.
5. Ski-fastening set according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (14) for holding said removable support (12a, 12b) comprise a front holding organ (15, 115) and a rear holding organ (16, 116).
6. Ski-fastening set according to claim 5, characterized in that the front holding organ (15, 115) comprises a first articulation element (17, 117) connected to the ski and a second articulation element (18, 118) connected to said removable support.
7. Ski-fastening set according to claim 6, characterized in that one of said articulation elements (17, 18) comprises a retractable shaft (19) and the other articulation element (17, 18), comprises a hole (20) for receiving said retractable shaft.
8. Ski-fastening set according to claim 6, characterized in that said articulation elements (117, 118) each comprise a hinge element (28, 29) designed to cooperate with each other and in that the front holding organ (115) furthermore comprises a removable shaft (30) designed to connect said hinge elements with each other.
9. Ski-fastening set according to claim 5, characterized in that the rear holding organ (16, 116) comprises a first holding element (22, 122) connected with the ski and a second holding element (23, 123) connected with the support and in that said holding elements cooperate to keep the rear of the support against the ski.
10. Ski-fastening set according to claim 9, characterized in that the first holding element (22) connected with the ski comprises a first profile (24), and in that the second holding element (23) connected with the support comprises a second profile (25) complementary to said first profile (24).
11. Ski-fastening set according to claim 9, characterized in that the first holding element (122) connected with the ski comprises a finger (32), and in that the second holding element (123) connected with the support comprises a calliper (31) in which the finger is arranged (32).

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