EP3482803B1

EP3482803B1 - Interface device for ski binding

Info

Publication number: EP3482803B1
Application number: EP18204990.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Roberto Gorza; Roberto Zambelli
Original assignee: Vist Tech SRL
Current assignee: Vist Tech SRL
Priority date: 2017-11-13
Filing date: 2018-11-07
Publication date: 2023-01-11
Anticipated expiration: 2038-11-07
Also published as: EP3482803A1

Description

The present invention relates to an interface device for ski binding suitable to facilitate attachment of ski boots with different characteristics, in particular with regard to the sole, to a ski binding.
Generally, a ski binding comprises a toe element and a heel element for attaching a ski boot to a ski, respectively at a front portion of sole, corresponding to the toe of the user's foot, and a rear portion of sole, corresponding to the heel of the user's foot.
As is known, ski boots conventionally have soles produced according to specific regulations, such as the standard DIN ISO 5355.
In recent years, the use of ski boots with modified soles to help rotation of the foot and the user's walking, when the ski boot is detached from the ski binding, has become very widespread. An example is represented by ski boots provided with soles of GripWalk^™ type or the like. Document FR2874833 disclose a front binding according to the preamble of claim 1 and is considered to be the closest prior art.
Currently, the producers of ski bindings are obliged to provide ski bindings of different types for attaching the aforesaid ski boots of conventional and of modified type. Naturally, this implies a considerable increase in the industrial costs required to provide a sufficiently wide range of ski bindings for customers' needs.
A further problem consists in that the user is obliged to use ski bindings of different type if wishing to wear ski boots of conventional type or of modified type, with considerable inconvenience and high costs.
In the market, it is quite felt the need for innovative solutions that allow the aforesaid problems to be overcome or reduced.
The present invention intends to meet this need by providing an interface device for ski binding according to claim 1 and the related dependent claims set forth below.
In general definition thereof, the interface device according to the invention comprises a support base and a support plate operatively coupled to said support base and having an upper surface intended to be coupled (i.e. intended to come in contact) with a ski boot in the use of said interface device.
The aforesaid support plate is pivoted on said support base to be rotatably movable with respect to said support base.
The aforesaid support plate advantageously moves in a first operating position with respect to said support base, when said support plate is coupled with a first type of ski boot, preferably with a ski boot provided with a sole designed to help the user's walking, when said ski boot is detached from the ski, for example with a ski boot provided with a sole of GripWalk^™ type. The aforesaid support plate moves in a second operating position with respect to said support base, when said support plate is coupled with a second type of ski boot, preferably with a ski boot provided with a sole designed according to the standard DIN ISO 5355.
Preferably, when said support plate is in said first operating position, the upper surface of said support plate is oriented along a first support plane inclined with respect to a coupling plane of said ski binding with a ski.
Preferably, when said support plate is in said second operating position, the upper surface of said support plate is oriented along a second support plane parallel to said coupling plane of said ski binding with a ski. Preferably, at least a portion of the upper surface of said support plate is covered by at least a layer of anti-friction material.
Preferably, the aforesaid support base is spaced from said ski boot (i.e. not in contact with this latter), when said support plate is coupled with said ski boot.
According to some embodiments, the aforesaid support base comprises an open box-shaped body mechanically couplable or structurally integrated with a component of the ski binding.
The aforesaid box-shaped body preferably comprises an upper edge intended to face a ski boot in the use of said interface device. This upper edge defines a housing seat for other members of the interface device, in particular for the aforesaid support plate. This latter is advantageously pivoted on a pair of opposite lateral walls of said box-shaped body to be rotatably movable with respect to said support base.
According to some embodiments, the aforesaid support base comprises a plate-shaped body couplable or structurally integrated with a component of the ski binding.
The aforesaid plate-shaped body comprises a base plate with an upper surface intended to face a ski boot in the use of said interface device. A plurality of support portions protrude from the upper surface of the aforesaid base plate. The aforesaid support plate is pivoted on these support portions to be rotatably movable with respect to said support base.
According to some embodiments of the invention, the aforesaid support base is mechanically couplable, preferably in a sliding manner, with a toe element of a ski binding or with a support element for a toe element of a ski binding, for example a coupling plate with the ski. According to other embodiments of the invention, the aforesaid support base is structurally integrated with a toe element of a ski binding or with a support element for a toe element of a ski binding.
In a further aspect thereof, the present invention relates to a ski binding according to claim 11 proposed hereunder.
Further characteristics and advantages of the interface device for ski binding according to the present invention will be better understood by referring to the description below and to the accompanying drawings, which are provided purely by way of non-limiting example, wherein:

Figs. 1-2, 4-5 illustrate some schematic views of the interface device for ski binding according to the present invention in an embodiment;
Fig. 3 illustrates a schematic perspective view of the interface device for ski binding according to the present invention in a further embodiment;
Fig. 6 illustrates a schematic view of the interface device for ski binding according to the present invention in a further embodiment;
Figs. 7-9 illustrate some schematic views of the interface device of Figs. 1-2, 4-5 mechanically coupled or structurally integrated with a component of a ski binding;
Fig. 10 illustrates a schematic view of the interface device of Figs. 1-2, 4-5 mechanically coupled with a toe element of a ski binding;
Fig. 11 illustrates a schematic view of the interface device of Figs. 1-2, 4-5 structurally integrated with a support element for a toe element of a ski binding;
Fig. 12 illustrates a schematic view of the interface device of Figs. 1-2, 4-5 slidingly coupled with a support element for a toe element of a ski binding;

With reference to the aforesaid figures, the present invention relates to an interface device 1 for a ski binding.
The aforesaid ski binding comprises a toe element 100 and a heel element (not illustrated) adapted to be operatively associated, directly or through support elements, with a ski on an upper surface thereof.
For many aspects, the aforesaid ski boot and ski binding, in particular the toe element, the heel element and the related support elements, can be of known type. For evident reasons of brevity, these components of the ski binding will be described only with regard to the aspects relevant to the invention.
The interface device 1 is suitable to facilitate attaching ski boots with different characteristics, in particular with regard to the sole, to a ski binding.
More in particular, the interface device 1 is particularly suitable to facilitate attaching ski boots of conventional type and of modified type to a ski binding.
For reasons of convenience and clarity of illustration, the following definitions are provided:

"ski boots of conventional type" are ski boots provided with a sole produced according to the most common production standards, for example ski boots provided with a sole produced according to the standard DIN ISO 5355;
"ski boots of modified type" are ski boots provided with a modified sole to help rotation of the foot and help the user's walking, when the ski boot is detached from the ski binding, for example ski boots provided with a sole of GripWalk^™ type or the like.

The interface device 1 comprises a support base 2 and a support plate 3 operatively connected to this support base.
These elements are advantageously made of plastic material and/or of metal material, according to needs.
The support plate 3 comprises an upper surface 31 and a lower surface 32 opposite each other. In use of the aforesaid interface device, the upper surface 31 of the support plate 3 is intended to be coupled (i.e. to come in contact) with a ski boot sole 401-402, in particular with a front portion of the ski boot sole.
Preferably, the support plate 3 has an elongated shape and extends along a main longitudinal axis thereof (not illustrated).
Preferably, the support plate 3 is designed so that, in use of the aforesaid interface device, its main longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the main longitudinal axis 500 of the ski (figure 12) and parallel to the upper surface (not shown) of the ski, when the ski binding is installed on a ski.
Preferably, the support plate 3 comprises a plurality of connection portions 30 that protrude from the lower surface 32 for connection with a suitable connection pin 24.
Preferably, the connection portions 30 are formed of a pair of perforated tabs positioned at opposite sides of the support plate.
According to some embodiments of the invention (Fig. 3), at least a portion 310 of the upper surface 31 of the support plate 3 is covered with an anti-friction material (for example Teflon) to facilitate separation of the ski boot from the connection clamps of the toe element 100 in the event of automatic detachment of the ski binding occurring.
The support plate 3 is pivoted on the support base 2 to be rotatably movable with respect thereto.
Advantageously, the support plate 3 is rotatably movable around a rotation axis perpendicular to the main longitudinal axis 500 of the ski (figure 12) and parallel to the upper surface (not shown) of the ski, when the ski binding is installed on a ski.
According to the invention, when coupled with a first type of ski boot 401, the support plate 3 moves in a first operating position A with respect to the support base 2.
Preferably, the aforesaid first type of ski boot is a ski boot of modified type.
Preferably, when the plate 3 is in the first operating position A, the upper surface 31 of the aforesaid plate is oriented along a first support plane PI inclined with respect to a coupling plane P of the ski binding with the ski (for example a plane parallel to the surface of the ski, when the ski binding is connected to the ski).
Preferably, the first support plane PI intersects the coupling plane P of the ski binding to form an angle, for example an acute angle, therewith (Figs. 4, 7, 8).
According to the invention, when coupled with a second type of ski boot 402, the support plate 3 moves in a second operating position B with respect to the support base 2.
Preferably, the aforesaid second type of ski boot is a ski boot of conventional type. Preferably, when the plate 3 is in the second operating position B, the upper surface 31 of the aforesaid plate is oriented along a second support plane P2 substantially parallel with respect to the coupling plane P of the ski binding (Figs. 5, 9).
The interface device 1 can take a variable operating setup provided with different operating configurations, corresponding to the different operating positions A, B of the support plate 3, as a function of the type of ski boot to be attached to the ski binding.
In a first operating configuration, corresponding to the operating position A of the support plate 3, the interface device 1 helps attachment with the toe element 100 of a ski boot 401 of modified type, for example a ski boot provided with a sole of GripWalk^™ type or the like (Fig. 8).
In a second operating configuration, corresponding to the operating position B of the support plate 3, the interface device 1 helps attachment of a ski boot 402 of conventional type with the toe element 100, for example a ski boot provided with a sole produced according to the standard DIN ISO 5355 (Fig. 9).
Preferably, the interface device 1 comprises a coupling pin 24 to rotatingly couple the support plate 3 to the support base 2.
Preferably, the coupling pin 24 is arranged to be oriented perpendicular to the main longitudinal axis 500 of the ski and parallel to the upper surface of the ski, when the ski binding is installed on a ski (in practice the coupling pin 24 is arranged along the main longitudinal axis of the support plate 3).
Preferably, the coupling pin 24 has shaped ends 24A inserted into corresponding opposite coupling holes 24B, 207 of the support base 2 and into the corresponding opposed perforated connection portions 30 of the support plate 3.
Preferably, the interface device 1 comprises return elastic means 25 operatively coupled to the support base 2 and to the support plate 3.
Preferably, the elastic means 25 are accommodated in the housing seat 23.
Preferably, the elastic means 25 are arranged so as to oppose the movement of the support plate 3 with respect to an idle position (Fig. 7).
Preferably, in this idle position, the support plate 3 has its upper surface 31 oriented along a corresponding plane inclined with respect to a coupling plane P of the ski binding with the ski.
Preferably, the elastic means 25 comprise a pair of helical springs connected in series and coaxial with the coupling pin 24. The assembly formed by the aforesaid springs has a pair of free ends 25A, opposite each other, operatively coupled to the support base 2 and a central portion 25B, which joins the two springs, operatively coupled to the support plate 3, in particular to the lower surface 32 thereof.
Preferably, the support base 2 is separated from the ski boot 401-402 (i.e. not in contact therewith), when the support plate 3 is coupled with the ski boot.
According to some embodiments of the invention (Figs. 1-5, 7-11), the support base 2 comprises an open box-shaped body comprising a lower wall 21 and an upper edge 22 opposite each other.
In use of the aforesaid interface device, the lower wall 21 is intended to face the ski on which the ski binding is installed while the upper edge 22 is intended to face the ski boot 401-402 attached to the ski binding (Figs. 8, 9).
In opposite position with respect to the lower wall 21, the support base 2 comprises a cavity open toward the outside (for example a blind cavity) that forms a housing seat 23 for the support plate 3, defined by the upper edge 22 of the support base 2.
Preferably, the support base comprises a first pair of lateral walls 26 and a second pair of lateral walls 27, which extend opposed to each other, in twos, between the lower wall 21 and the upper edge 22.
Preferably, the lower wall 21 and the lateral walls 26, 27 are arranged to form the inner walls of the housing seat 23.
Preferably, the support plate 3 is pivoted on a pair of lateral walls 26 of the support base 2. To this end, the aforesaid lateral walls 26 comprise coupling holes 24B intended to accommodate the end 24A of the coupling pin 24.
Preferably, the support plate 3 is at least partially accommodated in the housing seat 23.
Preferably, the support plate 3 is arranged to project slightly with respect to the upper edge 22 of the support base 2 at least partially obstructing the housing seat 23 in proximity of the upper edge 22. In this way, the upper surface 31 of the support plate 3, advantageously facing outward, is raised slightly with respect to the upper edge 22.
The upper edge 22 is therefore spaced from the ski boot 401-402 (more in particular from the front portion of sole thereof), when the upper surface 31 of the support plate 3 is coupled with the aforesaid ski boot.
Preferably, the lateral wall 27 of the support base 2, intended to be positioned in proximal position with respect to the heel element of the ski binding, has a shaped profile 29 to avoid contact of the ski boot with the support base 2, when the upper surface 31 of the support plate 3 is coupled with the aforesaid ski boot.
The support base 2 can be mechanically coupled with a component 100, 101 of the ski binding. In this case, it can advantageously comprise one or more coupling portions 28, for example shaped tabs that protrude from the lower wall 21.
Alternatively, the support base 2 can be structurally integrated with a component 100, 101 of the ski binding. In this case, the lower wall 21, the upper edge 22 and/or the lateral walls 26, 27 of the support base 2 can advantageously be formed, at least partially, by shaped walls of the aforesaid component 100, 101.
According to other embodiments of the invention (Fig. 6), the support base 2 comprises a plate-shaped body comprising a base plate 200.
The base plate 200 comprises a lower surface 205, intended to face the ski on which the ski binding is installed, and an upper surface 204 intended to face the ski boot 401, 402 attached to the ski binding.
The support base 2 comprises a plurality of support portions 201 that protrude from the upper surface 204 of the base plate 200.
Advantageously, the support portions 201 are formed by shaped tabs that rise from the upper surface 204 on opposite sides of the base plate 200.
The support plate 3 is advantageously pivoted on the support portions 201. To this end, these latter comprise coupling holes 207 intended to accommodate the ends 24A of the connection pin 24.
The support base 2 can be mechanically coupled with a component 100, 101 of the ski binding. In this case, it can advantageously comprise one or more coupling portions 203, for example shaped tabs that protrude from the lower wall 21.
Alternatively, the support base 2 can be structurally integrated with a component 100, 101 of the ski binding. In this case, the base plate 200 and/or the connection portions 201 of the support base 2 can advantageously be formed, at least partially, by shaped walls of the aforesaid component 100, 101.
Operation of the interface device 1, in the embodiment described in the aforesaid figures, shall now be briefly described with particular reference to Figs. 4-5, 7-9.
Initially, due to the action of the elastic means 25, the support plate 3 is stably in the idle position (Fig. 7).
For connection of a ski boot 401 of modified type with the ski binding, it is sufficient to place the front portion of the ski boot sole on the toe element of the ski binding and on the support plate 3 of the interface device 1.
Due to the weight force F of the ski boot, the support plate 3 rotates (for example according to a direction of rotation D1) with respect to the support base 2 to be positioned in the operating position A (Figs. 4, 8).
In some particular cases, if the profile of the ski boot sole 201 allows this, the support plate 3 could also not perform any rotation to be positioned in the operating position A. In these cases, the idle position and the operating position A of the support plate 3 coincide with each other.
In general, however, when a ski boot 401 of modified type is positioned, the interface device 1 automatically takes an operating configuration suitable to support this ski boot and to help attachment with the ski binding, in particular with the toe element 100.
Also for connection of a ski boot 401 of conventional type with the ski binding, it is sufficient to position the front portion of the ski boot sole on the toe element of the ski binding and on the support plate 3 of the interface device 1.
Due to the weight force F of the ski boot, the support plate 3 rotates according to a direction of rotation D1 with respect to the support base 2 and is taken to the operating position B (Figs. 5, 9).
Obviously, in the embodiment illustrated in the aforesaid figures, when it is taken to the operating position B, the support plate 3, starting from the aforesaid idle position, moves through a greater angle with respect to the angle it moves through to reach the operating position A.
With positioning of a ski boot 402 of modified type, the interface device 1 automatically takes an operating configuration suitable to support a ski boot 402 of conventional type and to help attachment with the ski binding, in particular with the toe element 100 thereof.
When the aforesaid ski boot is removed from the ski binding, the plate 3 moves in the opposite direction with respect to the support base 2 (for example according to a direction of rotation D2, opposite the direction of rotation D1) due to the elastic means 25. It thus returns automatically to the idle position.
According to some embodiments of the invention, the support base 2 of the interface device 1 is mechanically couplable or structurally integrated with the toe element 100.
Preferably, the toe element 100 comprises a first section of toe element 100A intended to support the ski boot 401, 402 and a second section of toe element 100C, in which the main body 100B of the toe element is mounted (this latter comprises, for example, the related connection clamps).
In use of the ski binding, when this latter is connected to the ski, the support sections 100A, 100C of the toe element 100 are respectively in proximal and distal position with respect to the heel element of the ski binding.
Fig. 10 shows an embodiment of the interface device 1 in which the support base 2 is mechanically coupled, for example by means of suitable interlocking connections, with the section of toe element 100A of the toe element 100, advantageously in proximal position with respect to the heel element of the ski binding.
According to other embodiments (not illustrated), the support base 2 is structurally integrated with the section 100A of the toe element 100.
According to further embodiments of the invention, the support base 2 of the interface device 1 is mechanically coupled or structurally integrated with a support element 101 of the toe element 100. The support element 101 can be, for example, a coupling plate to connect the toe element 100 with the ski.
Preferably, the support element 101 comprises a first support section 101B, operatively couplable with the first section of toe element 100A, and a second support section 101B, operatively couplable with the second section of toe element 100C.
In use of the ski binding, the support sections 101A, 101B of the support element 101 are respectively in distal and proximal position with respect to the heel element of the ski binding.
Fig. 11 shows an embodiment of the interface device 1 in which the support base 2 is structurally integrated with the support section 101B of the support element 101, advantageously in proximal position with respect to the heel element of the ski binding.
According to other embodiments (not illustrated), the support base 2 is mechanically coupled, for example by means of suitable interlocking elements, with the support section 101B of the support element 101.
According to some embodiments of the invention, the support base 2 is mechanically coupled in a sliding manner with the toe element 100 or with the support element 101.
Fig. 12 shows an embodiment of the interface device 1 in which the support base 2 is mechanically coupled in a sliding manner with the support element 101.
In this case, the whole interface device 1 is reversibly movable in a sliding manner between a rest position C and a displaced position D.
When it is in the rest position C, the interface device 1 is substantially aligned (i.e. coaxially centered) with the main longitudinal axis 500 of the ski (when the ski binding is installed on a ski).
Instead, when it is in the displaced position D, the interface device 1 is laterally moved with respect to the main longitudinal axis 500 of the ski (when the ski binding is installed on a ski). Conveniently, the toe element 100 or with the support element 101 are equipped with suitable elastic means (not shown) linking the toe element 100 or the support element 101 with the interface device 1 (in particular with the support base 2 of this latter).
Such elastic means are adapted to stably maintain the interface device 1 in the rest position C and to oppose the sliding movement of the interface device 1 towards the displaced position D.
The interface device 1 can thus stably take the rest position C and take the displaced position D in a temporary manner, e.g. in such a way to favor the detachment of the ski boot from the ski binding in emergency conditions.
Obviously, the interface device 1 operates in a similar manner in the embodiments in which the support base 2 is mechanically coupled in a sliding manner directly with the toe element 100.
It has been seen in practice that the ski binding 1 according to the invention solves the problems of the prior art and offers numerous advantages with respect thereto.
The interface device 1 allows ski boots of conventional type and of modified type to be attached to a same ski binding, providing from time to time a supporting surface suitable to help attachment of the ski boot with the toe element 100.
The interface device 1 thus provides a variable setup support interface that allow the use of a same ski binding to attach ski boots of different type with the ski, for example a ski boot provided with a sole of GripWalk^™ type or the like and a ski boot provided with a sole produced according to the standard DIN ISO 5355.
The interface device 1 thus allows a drastic reduction in the industrial costs required to provide ski bindings suitable for the user's different needs.
Moreover, the interface device 1 allows a user to wear ski boots of conventional type or of modified type without having to change or modify the ski binding mounted on a ski.
The interface device 1 has a particularly simple and sturdy structure, easily able to withstand the normal mechanical stresses deriving from sporting activity.
The interface device 1 is relatively easy to produce on an industrial scale, at limited costs, fully compatible with market demands.

Claims

Interface device (1) for a ski binding comprising a support base (2) and a support plate (3) operatively coupled with said support base and having an upper surface (31) intended to come in contact with a front portion of a ski boot sole (401, 402), said support plate being pivoted on said support base to be rotatably movable with respect to said support base, characterised in that said support plate (3) is taken in a first operating position (A) with respect to said support base (2), when said support plate comes in contact with a first type of ski boot (401) having a sole (401) of GripWalk^™ type or the like, and in that said support plate (3) is taken in a second operating position (B) with respect to said support base (2), when said support plate comes in contact with a second type of ski boot (402) having a sole (402) designed according to the standard DIN ISO 5355;
wherein, when the front portion of the ski boot sole (401, 402) is placed on said support plate (3), said support plate (3) rotates with respect to said support base (2) due to the weight force of the ski boot and is taken to said first operating position (A) or to said second operating position (B), so that said interface device takes automatically an operating configuration, which corresponds to said first operating position (A) or to said second operating position (B), to support the ski boot and help the attachment of the ski boot with a toe element (100) of the ski binding.
Interface device according to claim 1, characterised in that the upper surface (31) of said support plate (3) is oriented along a first support plane (P1) inclined with respect to a coupling plane (P) of said ski binding with a ski, when said support plate is in said first operating position (A).
Interface device according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that the upper surface (31) of said support plate (3) is oriented along a second support plane (P2) parallel with respect to a coupling plane (P) of said ski binding with a ski, when said support plate is in said second operating position (B).
Interface device according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said support base (2) is spaced from said ski boot sole (401, 402), when said support plate (3) is coupled with said ski boot sole.
Interface device according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that it comprises a coupling pin (24) to connect said support plate (3) with said support base (2) and return elastic means (25) operatively coupled with said support plate and with said support base.
Interface device according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that at least a portion (310) of the upper surface (31) of said support plate (3) is covered with an anti-friction material.
Interface device according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said support base (2) comprises mechanical coupling portions (28, 203) with a toe element (100) of a ski binding or with a support element (101) for a toe element (100) of a ski binding.
Interface device according to claim 7, characterised in that said support base (2) is mechanically couplable in a sliding manner with said toe element (100) or with said support element (101).
Interface device according to claim 8, said interface device (1) is reversibly movable in a sliding manner between a rest position (C), in which said interface device is aligned with a main longitudinal axis (500) of the ski, and a displaced position (D), in which said interface device is laterally moved with respect to the main longitudinal axis (500) of the ski.
Interface device according to one or more of the claims from 1 to 6, characterised in that said support base (2) is structurally integrated with a toe element (100) of a ski binding or with a support element (101) for a toe element of a ski binding.
Ski binding characterised in that it comprises an interface device (1) according to one or more of the previous claims.